Jerry DiPaola's Position Evaluations

Quarterback  -  Grade: B

A team with a need to develop a young QB - read Pittsburgh - should be able to find one to its liking. Carson Palmer of USC and Byron Leftwich of Marshall are the best, and both will be top 10 picks. Later possibilities include California's Kyle Boller, Florida's Rex Grossman, Texas' Chris Simms and Louisville's Dave Ragone. Pittsburgh's problem ­ these guys won't last until the Steelers' second-round pick. So, get 'em early, or forget 'em.

Running Back  -  Grade: B

This looked like an especially strong group until Miami's Willis McGahee tore up his knee. Still, Penn State's Larry Johnson, Oregon's Onterrio Smith, Virginia Tech's Lee Suggs, USC's Justin Fargas, Colorado's Chris Brown and Georgia's Musa Smith will impact someone's training camp this summer. Even McGahee, whose doctors insist he will play this season, will be drafted by the end of the third round. Fullbacks, anyone? Fourth round, maybe.

Offensive Line  -  Grade: C

After Utah tackle Jordan Gross, Iowa guard Eric Steinbach and Notre Dame center Jeff Faine, the OL isn't all that attractive. Tackles will be drafted late first and early second round - Georgia's George Foster to name one - but teams have to factor in Foster's past injuries and non-starter status last season. The Steelers drafted a tackle 29th in 1996. His name is Jamain Stephens. Maybe the Steelers will find a better use for the 27th pick this year.

Wide Receiver / Tight End  -  Grade: B-

The trouble with wide receivers is that there are so many of them. It's hard to determine who can play and who can't. Both Michigan State's Charles Rogers and Miami's Andre Johnson are top 5 picks. After that, Florida's Taylor Jacobs and Tennessee's Kelley Washington may go first round. Questions surround everyone else. Last year was a bumper crop for tight ends. Not this year. Tennessee's Jason Witten, is the best, but he is not a great blocker.

Defensive Line  -  Grade: A

Take your pick. There are big ones, swift ones, heavy ones and slim, athletic ones. Perhaps 30 percent of the first round will be devoted to players from this position. NFL teams can't help themselves when they are confronted with huge young men who can move. Penn State tackle Jimmy Kennedy will be able to plug a big gap in some team's defensive line next season and Arizona State end Terrell Suggs is a dangerous pass rusher.

Linebacker  -  Grade: C

NFL teams normally undervalue linebackers in the draft, so they aren't likely to turn a good college linebacker into a first-round millionaire. There won't be many taken in the first 32 picks but there are some great ones. Georgia outside linebacker Boss Bailey, who is faster than former teammate Kendrell Bell, will go top 20. Maryland's E.J. Henderson is the best of a decent group of inside linebackers. Overall, however, it's not a deep group.

Defensive Back  -  Grade: B-

Need a cornerback? Just be patient and a good one will pop up almost every time your team is ready to pick. Need a safety? Better take one early. Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman is so good that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis may be using Newman to talk himself out of drafting Carson Palmer with the first overall pick. There are a few others who are close to Newman's class. Ohio State's Mike Doss and USC's Troy Polamalu are the best safeties.

Kickers/punters  -  Grade: D

Teams don't draft kickers or punters early because there are too many Jeff Reeds out there - kickers unearthed in rainy, midseason tryouts five days before the next game. Why waste a pick? If you want to see Tulane kicker Seth Marler chosen, you can miss the first day of the draft and not be disappointed. Even Marler missed 13 field-goal attempts last season. Colorado punter Mark Mariscal is good, but the high altitude didn't hurt.