GUARDS

1. Branden Albert, Virginia: Albert has been a big riser on the draft boards in the last few months, and is now projected to not fall past Houston at #18, and could very well go as high as #5 to the Chiefs. His size, long arms, and quickness show that he has the potential to slot in at either guard or tackle in the NFL, and has made him one of the hottest names on the board heading towards April 26.

2. Chilo Rachal, USC: Had Rachal elected to stay for his senior season, he could have very well ended up in the position that Albert is in now, but as is, he’s a good bet to go as high as the second round, and has the tools to crack the starting lineup early in his pro career. That second-round money will be a big help for his ailing mother and father, whose medical issues are a big reason why he chose to enter the draft after his junior season.

3. Roy Schuening, Oregon State: Schuening might end up going higher than Rachal because he’s more proven than his Pac-10 counterpart, having started since his redshirt freshman year. He could be taken late in the second round, and shouldn’t fall past the third.

4. Mike McGlynn, Pittsburgh: McGlynn was a key member of the Panthers’ line for the last four seasons, and while line mate Jeff Otah has surpassed him in terms of draft status and publicity, McGlynn has made quite a name for himself. With his size and lateral quickness, he could play all across the line, from tackle, to center, or even guard. In addition to starring at right tackle over the last four seasons, McGlynn saw time at right guard, and he also was the snapper on field goals and PATs.

Like Otah, he could wind up staying in Pittsburgh, as he could be an option for the Steelers late in the third round.

5. Donald Thomas, Connecticut: Thomas is still very raw and inexperienced, as he was a tight end and defensive lineman in high school, and while he enrolled at UConn in 2003, he didn’t strap on the pads until the next year. After a redshirt year in 2004 and time as a special-teamer in 2005, Thomas spent only one full season as a starter.

However, that one season as a starter turned out pretty well, as he was an All-Big East first-team selection last season. Thomas has improved his draft stock through impressive showings at the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game, and at the combine, where he ran the 40 in five seconds flat.

His quickness, strength, and natural athletic ability make him an intriguing prospect, and could land as high as late in the third round. At worst, he shouldn’t last past the fourth round, and if he can continue to improve as much in the NFL as he has over the last few years at UConn, Thomas could prove to be a big steal.

CENTERS

1. Mike Pollak, Arizona St.: Pollak cemented his place as the top center in the draft with impressive performances at the Senior Bowl and then at the combine, where he was one of the fastest offensive linemen across the board. I have Pollak penciled in as going to the Saints early in the second, where he could start immediately with Jeff Faine having signed with Tampa Bay.

2. Steve Justice, Wake Forest: Justice has been one of the top linemen in the ACC in the last few seasons, being named first-team All-ACC during Wake’s ACC championship season in 2006, and winning the Jacob’s Blocking Trophy as the top lineman in the ACC this past season. Justice looks to be a third-round guy, but he could wind up going sometime in the second.

3. John Sullivan, Notre Dame: Sullivan was a preseason All-American heading into the 2007 season, but Notre Dame’s offensive struggles didn’t do too much for Sullivan’s stock, and neither did missing the last two games due to injury. However, he had a good showing at the Senior Bowl, and while he wasn’t impressive in the 40 (5.35 seconds) or bench press (21 reps), he performed well in the drills. He’ll be taken in the third or fourth round.

4. Kory Lichtensteiger, Bowling Green: Lichtensteiger was an All-Mac honoree each of the last four seasons, making the second team in 2004 and 2005, and garnering first-team honors in the last two seasons. He should be a mid-round choice, likely in the fifth.

5. Cody Wallace: Wallace was an All-Big 12 first-teamer each of the last two seasons, and was the league’s Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year this past season. He struggled at the Senior Bowl, which dropped his stock a good bit, but he’ll be taken in the fifth or sixth round.

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