Position Evaluations
By James Santelli

Quarterback

The 2007 class is again top-heavy at the quarterback position with a large drop off to the second tier of players. LSU's JaMarcus Russell is expected to be the No. 1 choice in the draft, bringing with him a strong arm, leadership ability and incredible size and strength. Brady Quinn of Notre Dame has the skills, the battle-tested arm and the intangibles of a franchise QB, yet there are still some inconsistencies in his accuracy.

Running Back

Bad news for any team outside of the top 10 looking for a franchise running back: Unless you can snag Cal's strong and productive Marshawn Lynch in the middle of round one, you're out of luck. Despite his 2006 collarbone injury, Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma is still the gem of the class, featuring the rare characteristics of both a power inside and speed outside.

Wide Receiver

Expect to see at least five or six first round picks in '07, including one of the draft's top prospects, the incredibly tall, fast and sure-handed Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech. After Johnson, the deep first round pack includes USC's Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith, Tennessee's Robert Meachem, Ohio State's Ted Ginn, Jr., South Carolina's Sidney Rice and LSU's Dwayne Bowe.

Tight End

While Miami (Fla.)'s Greg Olsen made himself into a mid-first round pick running a 4.51 40 yarder at the NFL Combine, the tight end class is sparse after him. Zach Miller of Arizona State and Delaware's Ben Patrick are first day talents.

Offensive Tackle

Joe Thomas of Wisconsin is a franchise tackle who will be a top five pick and start immediately. Penn State's Levi Brown, Arkansas's Tony Ugoh, and Central Michigan's Joe Staley are first rounders. Guard

Texas's Justin Blalock will move from tackle to guard, and Auburn's Ben Grubbs is smart and athletic but still learning.

Center

The draft's top center, USC's quick and smart Ryan Kalil is too much of a reach for Pittsburgh's first round choice, but could possibly be on the board in the second round.

Defensive Tackle

Michigan's Alan Branch and Louisville's Amobi Okoye are incredibly strong and athletic, and both should go in the first 15 picks. Branch is bigger, though Okoye is a more formidable pass rusher.

Defensive End

Don't be surprised if five to six ends are taken in the first, led by agile and athletic top 10 choices Gaines Adams of Clemson and Jamaal Anderson, as well as 6-6, 300 pound Adam Carriker of Nebraska. Late first rounders Florida's Jarvis Moss and Purdue's Anthony Spencer-both of whom can play as OLBs in a 3-4-round out the top part of the class.

Linebacker

Penn State's Paul Posluszny should go between picks 10 and 20. Miami's Jon Beason and Florida State's Lawrence Timmons are extremely athletic and versatile with the ability to fit in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. The strongest inside man in the draft is Patrick Willis of Ole Miss.

Cornerback

Athletic corner Leon Hall of Michigan leads a group of about four mid-to-late first rounders. Pitt's Darrelle Revis, Arkansas's Chris Houston and Texas's Aaron Ross are the other first rounders.

Safety

LSU's LaRon Landry is the toast of this year's class, a fast (4.35), playmaker with great pass defense skills and tackling ability.

James Santelli provides NFL Draft coverage for PSR.