1. Chris Long, Virginia: Despite the impressive combine and Pro Day workouts for Ohio St.’s Vernon Gholston, Long remains at the top.

2. Vernon Gholston, Ohio St.: Gholston has put himself in contention for the #1 pick by showing himself to be one of the best athletes in the class, with speed, strength, quickness, the whole package. However, there is one big question mark that surrounds Gholston, regarding how consistent he looked in games, and if he’ll be boom or bust in the NFL.

3. Derrick Harvey, Florida: With solid workouts at the combine and at Florida’s Pro Day, Harvey solidified his place as the #3 end behind Long and Gholston. Harvey could move to outside linebacker in the NFL, but he has packed on the bulk to hold his own at end, and has the combination of strength and quickness to excel at either position. I don’t see him lasting past Carolina at #13, though he could drop to Minnesota at #17.

Quentin Groves, Auburn: A lot of people have the speedy Groves projected to play outside linebacker, but he’s got enough size and room to bulk up a little and play end if a team wants him to. A potential red flag went up recently, after he was diagnosed with a heart problem at the combine, but he had a procedure to fix it, and it shouldn’t affect his status.

After his great combine performance and a good follow-up showing at Auburn’s Pro Day, where he did both linebacker and defensive end drills, Groves has cemented himself as worthy of a top-20 selection.

5. Phillip Merling, Clemson: Merling’s stock was on the rise after he declared for the draft a year early, and he looked to be making a move into the top 15 or even top 10. But, he wasn’t able to work out at the combine due to a groin injury, and after sports hernia surgery, was ruled out for Clemson’s Pro Day and may or may not be able to work out at all before the draft.

Not being able to work out doesn’t help his stock, but it won’t knock him out of the first round, as I have him going 21st to the Redskins. His mix of size and speed, along with his hunger for terrorizing the quarterback, make him an attractive prospect.

6. Lawrence Jackson, USC: Jackson has moved himself into first-round consideration after doing well at the combine and then at USC’s Pro Day, where he focused on positional drills. I have him going to the Jets with the fifth pick of the second round, but I think he could go as high as #26 to the Jaguars.

7. Calais Campbell, Miami: Campbell’s workouts probably couldn’t have gone any worse, as he did not perform up to par at either the combine or Miami’s Pro Day. I have him falling towards the latter part of the second round, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he still went in the first, because of his physical attributes.

8. Jeremy Thompson, Wake Forest: Thompson improved his stock at the combine by showing off good speed (4.75 40), agility (4.23 and 6.97 in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill), and strength (25 bench press reps). He shouldn’t fall past the third, and could go late in the second.

9. Jason Jones, Eastern Michigan: Jones has impressed in pre-draft workouts, and has moved into that late second/third-round range.

10. Darrell Robertson, Georgia Tech: Robertson tore a pectoral muscle before the combine, so he wasn’t able to work out there. Still, he shouldn’t fall past the first three rounds, and could still go in the second.

11. Kendall Langford, Hampton: Langford still has a lot of room to improve, but with his showings at the East-West Shrine Game and at the Senior Bowl, he showed that he has a lot of potential to do well in the NFL, and at 6′6 and almost 290 pounds, could fit in at end or tackle. Langford could be taken as high as the third round.

12. Brian Johnston, Gardner-Webb: Johnston didn’t get a combine invite despite being the Big South’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007 and registering two sacks at the Hula Bowl, but showed that he deserved one by having a very impressive showing at San Diego St.’s Pro Day (he’s from San Diego). showing terrific speed and agility for his 6′5, 270 pound frame, running a 4.66 40, and having times of 4.18 and 6.96 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. Johnston looks like a solid fourth-round pick, and would even be worth taking a shot at late in the third.

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