08 NFL Draft Prospects

The number one question I get about this website is "what the fork does Tremendous Upside Potential mean?'. I admit, it's a stupid name for a blog about Chicago sports, but that wasn't my original intent. The name comes from a column by Bill Simmons, back when I used to think he was the funniest cat around, long before I discovered Leitch, Ufford, Skeets, or Big Daddy Drew. This blog was supposed to be primarily about the NFL and NBA Drafts, and come on, Tremendous Upside Potential is a siiick name if I actually ever wrote about that stuff. I think I covered the NFL Draft pretty good but my NBA Draft coverage was interrupted by the fact that I worked 80 hour weeks with no days off for the month leading up to it. With college football starting today, here's a list of the top NFL prospects eligible for 2008.

 1. RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas

If he were able to, D-Mac would be probably be in the NFL right now. As it is, this figures to be his last season at Arkansas. McFadden is a little tall for a tailback at 6'2, but is prototypical for the NFL in every other aspect. If his junior campaign turns out like his sophomore season, it will be fair to compare him with the big three from 2004 (Brown Benson, Cadillac), Bush, Maroney, and Peterson as the best running back prospect in recent time. And we know he has a cooler car then all of these guys already.

2. QB Brian Brohm, Louisville

There are a lot of great quarterbacks in the college ranks this season- and some of the best (Stafford, Tebow) aren't even eligible to leave yet- but Brohm is the most polished. Had he not been injured for most of last season, Brohm could very well have entered the draft last season, where he would have been a first round pick. Brohm is the likely top candidate for the first pick next year, and if he falls into a good situation, could play right away. How about him filling Michael Vick's shoes for old coach Bobby Petrino in Atlanta?

3. QB Andre Woodson, Kentucky

The best player in college football you've never heard of. Woodson burst onto NFL radars last season with an absolutely monstrous junior season, one that put him on the top of pro wish lists everywhere. He's got the size (6'5), speed, and accuracy (31-7 touchdown to interception ratio last season) to contend with McFadden and Brohm for the first overall selection.

4. OT Jake Long, Michigan

Michigan's offense is so loaded this season, that casual fans might not notice how truly dominating Long is. Had he declared last season, he probably would have been the fifth pick to Arizona (instead of Levi Brown). He looks to be the first offensive lineman off the board next year and should be a top five pick.

5. DE Calais Campbell, Miami

A defensive end in the Mario Williams mold, Campbell has the size and athleticism that is coveted in the NFL. He had over 20 tackles for loss last season, and has a chance to be the most dominating d-end in the country this year.

6. S Kenny Phillips, Miami

Yeah, Miami's defense is going to be pretty much the scariest thing ever this season. Following in the footsteps of Ed Reed and Sean Taylor emerges Phillips, who may have been college football's best safety last year as a sophomore.

7. DT Glen Dorsey, LSU

Another guy who could have came out last year and been a high pick, Dorsey is the main reason LSU has the most vaunted defense in the country. He's the type of d-tackle you can build a defense around and should be a lock for a top ten selection next year if he plays as well as he did as a junior.

8. OT Sam Baker, USC

Baker is the best pro prospect on a stacked USC team that may roll through everyone en route to a national championship. He's a notch below Long as a prospect, but with so few elite offensive tackle prospects in college football, Baker should be a top ten selection next year.

9. WR Desean Jackson, Cal.

All together now: "YOU CAN'T TEACH SPEED", and that's what Jackson has going for him. While he doesn't compare to last year's best receiving prospect, Calvin Johnson, Jackson is an ultra fast wideout and dangerous return man who has drawn comparisons to Ted Ginn Jr, only with more polished pass catching skills.

10. DT Frank Okam, Texas

Okam, at 6'5, 320, is a mountain of a man. He's an automatic run stuffer who could draw comparisons to Haloti Ngata- a player who had a pretty good rookie season last year in Baltimore. Okam is the best player on a loaded Texas defense, and will be dominating o-lines all year long.

11. DE Derrick Harvey, Florida

With Javaris Moss moved on to Denver, Harvey could have breakout season in Gainesville. He owned Ohio State in the National Championship, sacking Troy Smith three times, is a pure pass rusher in every sense.

12. LB Dan Conner, PSU

Like Phillips at Miami, Conner is the next in line of a proud tradition as well. He's a better prospect then former teammate Paul Posluszny, and could be the best linebacker in the country this season.

13. QB Colt Brennan, Hawaii

If you asked 100 people about how Brennan will do in the NFL, you'd probably get 100 different answers. His stats last year for the Rainbow Warriors were so absurd ( 58 td-12 int) that they'll be impossible to match, but Brennan is still a much better prospect then predecessor Timmy Chang and could be a first round pick.

14. RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia

One half of the most ferocious offensive duo in college sports, Slaton should get Heisman consideration is West Virginia is the Big East powerhouse everyone expects. He's been extremely productive since he arrived on campus, and should warrant a first round pick if he decides to leave after this season.

15. LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

Best known for being the son of Animal of Legion of Doom, Laurinaitis started to make a name for himself with a standout sophomore season in Columbus last year. He should compete with Penn State's Dan Conner for the best linebacker in the Big 10, and country.

Now obviously this all very early speculation and a lot can change. As for some of the teams that might be near the top of the draft order next year, here's who I got in no particular order:

Buccaneers- Bad offensive line, bad wide receivers, aging secondary and linebackers, and question marks at quarterback and running back.

Raiders- Should be a little better under Kiffan, but still really young and inexperienced. Bad offensive line and suspect running backs unless Bush turns out well.

Dolphins- Bad quarterback, o-line, and secondary. Miami could have the top pick next year.

Packers- They've got pretty good receivers and linebackers, but nothing else.

Chiefs- This team has disaster written all over them. No quarterbacks or receivers unless Bowe steps up right away, and Larry Johnson might get 500 carries this year.

Falcons- I mean, come on, your starting quarterback is Joey Harrington. That's just funny.