QB

Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii: After a disastrous Sugar Bowl was followed up by a weight-draining stomach virus and another disastrous performance at the Senior Bowl last month, Brennan’s stock was in serious nosedive mode.

The only place Brennan had to go was up at the combine, and that’s exactly what he did, with a performance in the throwing drills that showcased his accuracy - and renewed confidence. Whether or not that (and the 20 pounds he put on) catapulted him back into the first day remains to be seen, but he’s certainly pushed himself back in that direction.

RB

For the sake of saving space, I thought it better to condense the amount of backs who helped their stock at the combine.

When you run a 4.24 40, it can only mean good things for you (well, usually). Step right up, East Carolina’s Chris Johnson, you may have punched a ticket in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. We knew you were fast already, but you took fast to a new level with that record-tying sprint.

Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart and Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall were already highly-rated heading into the combine, but with their performances in Indianapolis, might make some team in the top 15 take the ‘best player available’ route instead of the ‘pressing need’ route.

And kudos to Texas’ Jamaal Charles and Rutgers’ Ray Rice, who earned themselves some extra guaranteed money by running well, at 4.38 and 4.44 respectively.

WR

A couple of Big Ten receivers may have propelled themselves into the first round. Indiana’s James Hardy, who would have been just fine with a 4.5 in the 40, posted a best of 4.47 to make the big, athletic receiver’s resume even better.

As was the case with Hardy, a great run for Michigan State’s Devin Thomas would have pushed him into first-round contention, and with a 4.4, he’s now got a good chance to go in the first.

Virginia Tech’s Eddie Royal had an excellent overall showing, with his 4.39 40 giving him one of the best times among the receivers. Royal could very well jump into the second round.

Kansas St.’s Jordy Nelson continues to quietly work his way up the board. The one question mark about Nelson is his timed speed, as he’s one of those guys that, with the ball in his hands, runs a lot faster than he might time. But, by running a 4.49 40, Nelson showed that he can time well also. Like Royal, he could also be taken as high as the second round, which is what I think will happen.

TE

Dustin Keller, Purdue: If there was a time to make an impression, Keller is a master of great timing. He was the talk of the combine on Saturday, putting in a terrific performance across the board. Keller showed off excellent speed, strength, and athleticism by finishing at the top of the tight end group in the 40 (4.55), vertical (38 inches), broad jump (10′11), and 20-yard shuttle (4.14 seconds), finishing second in the bench press (26 reps) and 3-cone drill (6.88 seconds), and fourth in the 60-yard shuttle (11.74 seconds). Oh, and he caught everything that came his way too.

Keller’s abilities as a receiver aren’t in doubt - the only question about him is his blocking, but it looks like he certainly doesn’t lack the strength to hold his own as a blocker on the next level, so the ability to improve in that area is there.

Keller looked like a late first-day pick, at best, heading into the combine, but with his performance, he’s moved solidly into the second round, and could very well be the second tight end selected, and if not, the third.

Brad Cottam, Tennessee: Cottam headed into the combine with his stock on the rise after impressing at the Senior Bowl, and improved his stock even more in Indianapolis. The 4.68 40 that he ran was pretty impressive, given his size at 6′7, 270. Cottam’s likely secured a place in the first day, and could very well end up as high as the second round with Keller.

OL

Branden Albert, G, Virginia: Albert had a great combine on all fronts, from the interviews to the drills, and could have vaulted himself into the bottom of the first round, where he’d be a great fit for a team like the Chargers, where he could play either guard or tackle.

Mike Pollak, C, Arizona St.: Pollak solidified his status as the top center in the draft with an impressive showing at the combine. Center isn’t one of those positions that you think about off of the top of your head when it comes to early picks, but Pollak shouldn’t last past the second round.

Jeremy Zuttah, T, Rutgers: Zuttah clocked in under five seconds in the 40, and had 35 reps in his bench press, one of the best totals of any of the combine participants. He’s got experience at both guard and tackle, and could very well play center in the NFL. Coming into the combine, he looked like a late-round pick, but could now be taken as high as the fourth round.

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