But for now, here’s a taste with our top ten prospects in 2012.

Andrew Luck. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

1.) Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

The craziest thing about Andrew Luck is he still isn’t a senior. He could have come out last year as a red-shirt sophomore and challenged to be the top pick, but he returned to Stanford for his junior year where he also earned his degree. I don’t typically buy into the can’t-miss talk, but Luck is as close as it gets. He’s probably the best QB prospect to come out since Peyton Manning did in terms of living up to billing. Luck is smart, talented, surprisingly athletic and comes with a great pedigree having NFL bloodlines and working under Jim Harbaugh for his first three years. He can make all the throws, he thinks at an NFL level already, he is fundamentally sound and if you watch his combine tape and compare it to last year’s top pick, Cam Newton, they’re surprisingly similar. Andrew Luck is potentially the most underrated athlete in the draft because he’s cast into a mold as a traditional drop-back passer, but he could fit into almost any offense with his athleticism. The Colts will be very happy with Andrew Luck, provided they can put some weapons around him.

Matt Kalil. Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

2.) Matt Kalil, OT, Southern California

Kalil comes from a good NFL bloodline and hails from a program that makes reputably good linemen. Kalil is the best to come out of USC in a while and that’s saying something, especially considering the Trojans have had tackles drafted in the first round, two of the last four years. Kalil is prototypical in every sense, he’s 6-7, 305, extremely strong, plays with good balance and is a little nasty. As a pass blocker Kalil would be able to handle protecting a quarterback’s blindside almost immediately in the NFL. Kalil has good technique and strength against most types of rush though he could improve laterally a little bit against speed rushers that can get the edge quickly. As a run blocker he’s impressive, with good initial burst and excellent technique. He doesn’t necessarily have the most quickness in the draft, but his hand placement and raw strength are more key to what he’s doing. The thing I like most about Kalil though is his high football IQ, he sees what the defense is doing with stunts and pre-play adjustments, he makes his own adjustments. His quarterbacks will thank him for it.

RGIII. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

3.) Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

RGIII was the revelation of 2011. A true dual-threat quarterback with a high football IQ and off-the-charts athleticism. The Redskins have already made a bold move up the draft board to pick up the second pick, so it’s all but decided that Griffin will be playing in DC next year. This may sound crazy, but I think that was a good move by Washington. RGIII reminds me of what Tim Tebow would be like if Tebow had good mechanics and a better arm. Really, aside from mobility there’s not a lot of similarity between the two. Griffin is a solid passer with a lot of elusiveness while Tebow is a serviceable (that’s generous) passer who runs like a bull in a china shop. But between the ears, same kind of guy. Both are men of devout faith that value hard work and dedication, stay out of trouble and feel compelled to help others in their free time. They’re both wired to be winners. RGIII has all the tools and skills, and he has a fantastic mental makeup to be successful in the league. Plus, if you told people last August that the QB from Baylor would beat Oklahoma and Texas and win the Heisman trophy, you’d have probably gotten slapped or laughed at. It’s tough not to like RGIII.

Riley Reiff. Credit: Sandra Dukes-US PRESSWIRE

4.) Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

The more I watch Reiff the more I like him. Reiff started for three years on the Hawkeye line and earned plenty of distinction in that time. The Big Ten is still a run-first league and Iowa is another program, under Kirk Ferentz who specializes in lineplay, that produces great NFL linemen. Reiff is no different. He’s got prototypical size, strength and technique and is ready to start now at either tackle spot. One thing Reiff does even better than Kalil is protect the edge, he has some of the best lateral quickness and strength of any lineman in the draft. The flipside of that is that stronger defenders can sometimes get into his pads and knock him back. That can be fixed. As a run blocker Reiff is nasty, he comes off the ball strong and hard, he combos from lineman to linebacker well and he is capable of getting a hat on men downfield when the situation calls for it. I think he’s more of a left tackle, but whatever side of the line he plays on Reiff will be dominant quickly in the NFL.

Justin Blackmon. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

5.) Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon entered 2011 as the top receiver in the country and did little to change anyone’s mind about that. Not one, but two Biletnikoff awards have come his way, quite an encore to Dez Bryant at Oklahoma State. Blackmon is an elite prospect, bar none the best receiver in the draft, and that showed during his explosive college career. Blackmon is quick, strong and has great hands. He scored 38 touchdowns over the past couple seasons for the Cowboys and those skills will translate well into the NFL. Blackmon doesn’t possess elite top speed but he’s explosive in space and can make guys miss. He’s one of those players whose hands you want to try and get the ball into as often as possible, in any way possible. Case in point, go back and watch him take over the 2012 Fiesta Bowl. There are a few concerns with Blackmon, one being a college arrest, but on the field there aren’t a ton of flaws in Blackmon’s game. He played outside more at Oklahoma State but in the NFL I think he’ll likely need to transition inside and learn to play in the slot more than he was used to in college. He should be great there though, he’s extremely physical and has the strength and hands to make tough catches in traffic. He should be gone top six, but if he’s not don’t be shocked when some team jumps up for him.

Trent Richardson. Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

6.) Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is the guy many non-fans believe the Buccaneers should select in the draft with the fifth overall pick. Given the recent trend with tailbacks though, five is high for any runner. That being said, Richardson pushes the envelope as potentially the best RB available in the draft since Adrian Peterson. It’s rare a kid lives up to his billing, but at Bama Richardson was recruited as one of the top players in the nation and he was living up to that title before the last guy, Heisman winner Mark Ingram, even entered the draft. How often do you hear about the reigning Heisman winner battling for playing time? The Tide had the luxury of that problem when Richardson started pushing Ingram two years ago. Last season, with the backfield to himself Richardson was a Heisman finalist and helped lead a very talented Crimson Tide squad to another national championship. I don’t think Richardson is a good fit in Tampa at five, but bar none he’s the best back in the draft and along with AP he’s arguably the most talented runner to come out in the past decade.

Mo Claiborne.

7.) Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne is the alpha corner in this draft, a solid tactician with great athleticism and good ball skills, but everything is relative. In other classes, Claiborne falls behind a bit, he would probably a mid-late round corner last year. I don’t think he’s better than Prince Amukumara (who missed the season with an injury) as of his entrance into the draft and his own coaches admit aside from technique he’s no Patrick Peterson. But he is a fantastic corner who comes from a great program and is used to big time football games. He’s also still learning the position (after originally coming to Baton Rouge as a receiver) so his ceiling is extremely high. I really do love Claiborne, but it is worth mentioning a lot of his stock is based in potential on an already impressive product. If you pick him, you’re putting a lot credence in what he could develop into as opposed to where he is at this exact moment. Make no mistake about it though, even where he is now he’ll still be able to start on almost any team in the NFL and he’s still the best corner in this class.

Luke Kuechly. Credit: Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

8.) Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College

I’ve said it for the entire off-season, Luke Kuechly is my favorite player in the draft. I went up to Boston to cover the Eagles game against FSU this year and I’ll be honest, I was looking for reasons not to like the talented junior. His tackle numbers had to be inflated, I said to myself, no way one kid at BC makes this many tackles. He’s lead the NCAA in tackles pretty much his whole career, that’s funny business from BC I thought. Those numbers are not inflated. Luke Kuechly is THAT good. Within a single quarter he’d made a believer out of me. Talk about an instinctive, blue collar linebacker with a high football IQ, Kuechly may be the most well-equipped prospect mentally to come out in years. He’s not an elite athlete, but he plays smart and gets every last ounce out of the ability he does have. Just pop in the tape of Kuechly and you see a smart defender that maintains his own responsibilities before covering for his teammates. It’s not uncommon to see Kuechly force a run play outside covering his own gap and then make the tackle on the sideline in pursuit. That may not sound like much, but you don’t see any of the other guys on this list make those plays. He’s all over the field, he knows every guy’s assignment, he plays like he was in the other team’s huddle and off the field he is as hard a worker, and as high character a person as you can find. I’ll be honest, if Tampa reached for Kuechly at five I wouldn’t bat an eyelash. I think he’s that good.

Quinton Coples. Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

9.) Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Quinton Coples is the best defensive end in this class, but end is a bit of a misnomer because he’s played inside at tackle as well some too. Coples isn’t an elite pass-rusher, that’s worth pointing out right up front. Out of the box, he’s not equipped to contend with better NFL left tackles without adding some strength and improving his technique on the edge. The reason teams are so high on Coples is his versatility and ability to dominate at the point of attack. Coples is very stout against the run, where he is very fluid and uses his strength well. At 6-6 280 he’s a big, strong guy that may be best suited for a 3-4 scheme at end, but in a 4-3 he would be a great option to play outside on early downs and then slide inside in pass-rushing packages. He is currently an above average pass rusher with plenty of room to grow. He uses his hands very well and has great explosion, but he’s more of a bull rusher than a finesse guy right now. When he adds strength and irons out his technique around the edge, he may develop into a very good pass-rusher, but he’s not quite there yet. The other knock on Coples is his motor, which has been questioned from time to time, especially after a tumultuous transition inside to tackle mid-season in 2011. I don’t think a lot of that will be an issue, UNC was a program in turmoil the last couple of seasons and the team concept seemed to break down there at the end of the Davis era. I doubt Coples will have problems motivating himself in the NFL.

Jonathan Martin. Credit: Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

10.) Jonanathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The third of the offensive tackles I give a top-1o grade to Martin is a good combination of size, strength and intelligence. Martin has been protecting an NFL quarterback’s blindside for the past two years at Stanford. Of the top three tackles in this draft, Martin may have the highest ceiling because his issues are mostly technique-related, he has the prerequisite strength and athleticism to be elite, he simply needs some fine-tuning. Frankly, in a deep class it may have been smarter for him to go back another year and come out as the top-rated tackle in the draft next year, but this year he’s a close third behind Reiff and Kalil. Martin is a solid pass-blocker who can handle almost anything but does occasionally stop his feet and lose leverage. As a run-blocker he comes from a zone system and is effective but he lacks the strength to push heavier defenders back in the trenches. I think Martin may be a better option on the right side, at least at the start of his career as he adds strength and improves his technique.

Basically if you need a tackle, this is a good year to get him.

Nov. 26, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans offensive tackle Matt Kalil (75) during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Now the question becomes, do the Buccaneers need a tackle? A lot of speculation has been made about whether the Vikings will pick USC OT Matt Kalil as expected or LSU CB Morris Claiborne, if Claiborne is off the board, based on the best available player the Bucs may be best-suited to grab one of these behemoths to book-end the offensive line.

With the off-season addition of Carl Nicks, the re-signing of Jeremy Zuttah (and release of Jeff Faine) and the continued presence of Davin Joseph, the interior of the Bucs’ offensive line is as good as they come. The tackles on the other hand leave something to be desired. Jeremy Trueblood is in the last year of a two-year deal that was part of the package to re-sign Joseph last season. On the other side Donald Penn may be the most overpaid left tackle in the NFL.

While I doubt they do address the offensive line early come draft-time, there are plenty of options and most of the guys on this list would represent an upgrade at either position.

1.) Matt Kalil, USC, Jr.

Kalil comes from a good NFL bloodline and hails from a program that makes reputably good linemen. Kalil is the best to come out of USC in a while and that’s saying something, especially considering the Trojans have had tackles drafted in the first round two of the last four years. Kalil is prototypical in every sense, he’s 6-7, 305, extremely strong, plays with good balance and is a little nasty. As a pass blocker Kalil would be able to handle protecting a quarterback’s blindside almost immediately in the NFL. Kalil has good technique and strength against most types of rush though he could improve laterally a little bit against speed rushers that can get the edge quickly. As a run blocker he’s impressive, with good initial burst and excellent technique. He doesn’t necessarily have the most quickness in the draft, but his hand placement and raw strength are more key to what he’s doing. The thing I like most about Kalil though is his high football IQ, he sees what the defense is doing with stunts and pre-play adjustments, he makes his own adjustments. His quarterbacks will thank him for it.

Nov 12, 2011; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes left tackle Riley Reiff (77) defends against Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) at Kinnick Stadium. Michigan State defeated Iowa 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

2.) Riley Reiff, Iowa, Jr.

The more I watch Reiff the more I like him. Reiff started for three years on the Hawkeye line and earned plenty of distinction in that time. The Big Ten is still a run-first league and Iowa is another program, under Kirk Ferentz who specializes in lineplay, that produces great NFL linemen. Reiff is no different. He’s got prototypical size, strength and technique and is ready to start now at either tackle spot. One thing Reiff does even better than Kalil is protect the edge, he has some of the best lateral quickness and strength of any lineman in the draft. The flipside of that is that stronger defenders can sometimes get into his pads and knock him back. That can be fixed. As a run blocker Reiff is nasty, he comes off the ball strong and hard, he combos from lineman to linebacker well and he is capable of getting a hat on men downfield when the situation calls for it. I think he’s more of a left tackle, but whatever side of the line he plays on Reiff will be dominant quickly in the NFL.

Jan 2, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Jonathan Martin (55) during pre-game warmups prior to the 2012 Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cowboys won 41-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

3.) Jonathan Martin, Stanford, Jr.

The third of the offensive tackles I give a top-1o grade to Martin is a good combination of size, strength and intelligence. Martin has been protecting an NFL quarterback’s blindside for the past two years at Stanford. Of the top three tackles in this draft, Martin may have the highest ceiling because his issues are mostly technique-related, he has the prerequisite strength and athleticism to be elite, he simply needs some fine-tuning. Frankly, in a deep class it may have been smarter for him to go back another year and come out as the top-rated tackle in the draft next year, but this year he’s a close third behind Reiff and Kalil. Martin is a solid pass-blocker who can handle almost anything but does occasionally stop his feet and lose leverage. As a run-blocker he comes from a zone system and is effective but he lacks the strength to push heavier defenders back in the trenches. I think Martin may be a better option on the right side, at least at the start of his career as he adds strength and improves his technique.

Jan 1, 2009; Orlando, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Cordy Glenn (71) blocks against the Michigan State Spartans at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

4.) Cordy Glenn, Georgia, Sr.

Glenn had a very solid career at the University of Georgia and projects as another first rounder in this year’s draft. A lot of scouts have Glenn higher, above Jonathan Martin, and it’s close, but Glenn just doesn’t seem to have the same explosion and nastiness that I see in Martin. That’s not to say he can’t still be an elite tackle at the NFL level though. For starters Glenn has prototype size and is an absolute mauler in the run game. He was tossed into the mix as a freshman and proceeded to start 50 games for the Bulldogs over the next four years. As I said, he doesn’t have elite explosion out of his stance but he can absolutely manhandled defenders in the run game and he’s shown the ability to add an elite pass-pro component when he irons out a few things in his technique. A lot of people think because of his lack of a good first step he may be better suited to slide inside but I think it’s worth seeing how he looks at tackle before making that decision.

Oct 22, 2011; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Zebrie Sanders (77) gets ready to block Maryland Terrapins linebacker Lorne Goree (53) and defensive lineman Keith Bowers (91) in the second quarter of their football game at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Seminoles beat the Terrapins 41-16. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

5.) Zebrie Sanders, FSU, Sr.

I had the privilege of watching Zebrie play all season and I can honestly say that he faced arguably the worst situation of any of the tackles on this list. That’s why he’s higher in these rankings than a lot of other places. Florida State entered the season with a fairly coherent line and due to injury (and some ineptitude) ended with four freshman starting their bowl game alongside Sanders, the one constant. Because of the inconsistency on the line around him, it’s tough to really gauge where he was last year, but going back to his junior tape you see a very solid player. Sanders brings good size and strength to the table, but his intelligence and athleticism are what’s worth mentioning. Sanders is more of a right tackle, as we saw in the Senior bowl practices (as well as in games against UF and Oklahoma) superior edge rushers can give Sanders problems. There are ways to improve his technique, but he’s probably a better bet on the right side. As a run blocker though, Sanders may be the best tackle of the bunch. He’s powerful and smooth, can drive back defenders and has great instinct at the second level. I’ve got him rated higher than he’ll actually go, he probably comes off the board during day two, but in five years I think we’ll look back differently.

Jan 2, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Mike Adams (75) in the fourth quarter of their Gator Bowl game at EverBank Field. Florida won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

5A.) Mike Adams, Ohio State, Sr.

I decided to put Mike Adams at 5A because the drop-off occurs right after him. Adams is another tackle with prototype size and strength, but there’s a hole in his pass-blocking that gives me some cause for concern. Much like Martin, Adams sometimes has trouble with keeping his feet moving on some blocks, but Adams is also susceptible to double-moves (specifically ones that go outside and then head back in), that’s a dangerous mix and one that will get a quarterback hurt if it’s not addressed. Beyond that though, Adams has all the tools to be a good NFL left tackle from a pass-blocking standpoint, and the footwork is a correctable issue if he gets good coaching at the next level. As a run blocker Adams is experienced, hailing from a Big Ten program that loves to run. He could work on playing with better leverage, especially in short-yardage situations, but he is more than adequate as a run blocker. Adams does come with a few off-the-field blemishes from his past, including involvement in the scandal that rocked Ohio State, but beyond those and some questions about his football IQ, he will make a solid selection at the end of round one or the top of round two. He’s ready to start on the right in the NFL, he will need time to develop on the left though.

September 17, 2011; San Francisco, CA, USA; California Golden Bears offensive linesman Mitchell Schwartz (72) lines up for a play against the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the third quarter at AT

Best of the Rest

6.) Mitchell Schwartz, Cal, Sr.

Schwartz is an extremely bright lineman with a good frame and solid strength. I think he projects as more of a right tackle at the next level, but he could be pressed into duty on the left-side if needed. He needs to work on becoming more physically imposing and playing with better leverage, but he’s got good potential.

7.) Bobby Massie, Ole Miss, Jr.

I don’t think Massie did himself any favors by declaring early. He has prototype size, speed and strength but that’s what he got by on in college and it’s prevented him from learning the technique necessary to play immediately at the next level. He’s going to need time to develop as a football player before he’s really where you want him to be mentally, but he does have a very high ceiling.

8.) Matt McCants, UAB, Sr.

McCants could be an exceptional pass blocker with some coaching, he has the quickness and speed to protect the edge but he needs to work on his balance and leverage before he’s ready to protect it in the NFL. He also grades out as an above average run blocker. He would likely be a solid right tackle right now, and could potentially develop into a left tackle with coaching.

Oct 22,2011; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos offensive linesman Nate Potter (73) during the second half of their game against the Air Force Falcons at Bronco Stadium. Boise State defeated Air Force 37-26. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-US PRESSWIRE

9.) Brandon Mosley, Auburn, Sr.

Mosley has got good size and strength, but nothing to blow you away. He has good technique and leverage in pass blocking but occasionally struggles with superior athletes, he’s a serviceable run-blocker who has room to develop into a very good one. As a converted tight end, he’s still learning the position.

10.) Nate Potter, Boise State, Sr.

Potter is a developmental guy, but a good one. He needs to work on adding some size to a frame that despite being tall is still somewhat lean. He’s consistent and reliable, but still a little raw. He is a very good run-blocker though and has the tools to become a great pass-blocker, with the right coaching and some time to develop he could become a very good NFL starter.

That being said, a lot of “experts” and many Bucs fans still want Tampa to select Alabama running back Trent Richardson fifth overall this upcoming April.

Feb 26, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Trent Richardson (25) talks to Oregon running back Lamichael James (15) and Virginia Tech running back David Wilson (30) during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

That’s crazy.

LGB is the prototypical back for the stated ground-and-pound philosophy Greg Schiano wants to bring to the Buccaneers offense, if anything the Bucs need a change of pace back, lightning to Blount’s thunder. But spending a first rounder on a tailback seems a bit foolish given some of the other needs facing this Buccaneers team at the moment.

Regardless though, this is a solid crop of backs in the 2012 draft class, lead by Richardson, but also featuring a multi-talented array of NFL-ready backs that could be available in the mid-rounds and bring a dynamic element to the Tampa ground game.

Let’s take a look at the top backs in this year’s draft:

1.) Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.

Richardson is the guy many non-fans believe the Buccaneers should select in the draft with the fifth overall pick. Given the recent trend with tailbacks though, five is high for any runner. That being said, Richardson pushes the envelope as potentially the best RB available in the draft since Adrian Peterson. It’s rare a kid lives up to his billing, but at Bama Richardson was recruited as one of the top players in the nation and he was living up to that title before the last guy, Heisman winner Mark Ingram, even entered the draft. How often do you hear about the reigning Heisman winner battling for playing time? The Tide had the luxury of that problem when Richardson started pushing Ingram last year. This season, with the backfield to himself Richardson was a Heisman finalist and helped lead a very talented Crimson Tide squad to another national championship. I don’t think Richardson is a good fit in Tampa at five, but bar none he’s the best back in the draft and along with AP he’s arguably the most talented runner to come out in the past decade.

NOV 25, 2011; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Lamar Miller (6) runs for a touchdown past Boston College Eagles cornerback Donnie Fletcher (4) in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

2.) Lamar Millier, Miami (FL), RS-So.

Miller is my favorite back in the draft, even if he’s not the most polished or NFL-ready. Miami has, without a doubt, the best record for putting tailbacks into the NFL of any school in the current NFL era. Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee and Frank Gore… enough said? The only question facing Miller in terms of whether he’s ready to join the legacy of great ‘Cane backs is whether he’s willing to put in the work. There a plenty of areas Miller could use some time to develop, he is inexperienced when asked to stay in the backfield and block on passing downs and he doesn’t have a ton of receptions under his belt, but he has perhaps the best collection of tools of any back in the draft. If this were a speculative exercise and we were investing solely on potential returns, Miller would be the stock to buy, but he is a highly developmental back. I think with a year in a good offense, Miller will be ready to become one of the top runners in the NFL, but if he is drafted by a team that lacks the capacity to develop him he could also be a bust. Basically, Lamar Miller will be as good as you can motivate him to be.

Dec 31, 2011; Memphis, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats running back Isaiah Pead (23) rushes for a touchdown during the Liberty Bowl against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Bearcats defeated the Commodores 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

3.) Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati, Sr.

I love Isaiah Pead, he plays angry and that’s something you just can’t teach. Pead has a couple of traits that I think will make him a successful NFL back, even in spite of the advantage in athleticism the first two backs on the list have over him. Pead is a north-south runner, he doesn’t goof around trying to make people miss laterally, he has great straight-line burst and once he picks his angle he goes. The NFL is not a league that affords the runner many liberties side-to-side, even Reggie Bush had to learn north-south, Pead’s natural inclination towards that style puts him at an advantage to translate well. Between the tackles, Pead should fit well into most blocking schemes though he still needs to work on his vision a little. Outside, he’s a threat anytime he’s in the open field. He has a above average receiving skills, but the other intangible that sets him apart is his willingness to block. He’s high effort on every play and doesn’t shy away from bigger defenders when asked to pass-pro. He’ll add size and strength in the NFL to take on bigger players with more effectiveness, but he has the mentality and the skills to be surprisingly successful in the right NFL situation.

January 3, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back David Wilson (4) carries the ball up the field for extra yardage during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies in overtime with a score of 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE

4.) David Wilson, Virginia Tech, Jr.

Quick, name me the last great Hokie tailback to make it big in the NFL… you can’t? That’s because Virginia Tech doesn’t exactly develop great runners, and that hurts Wilson in my eyes. Frank Beamer is probably the most underrated coach in college football, but in my opinion he develops great college players, not great pro ones. Obviously there are some exceptions, but thus far none at tailback, and I’m not sure Wilson will be different. He is a very talented outside runner with great speed, but between the tackles he’s very raw and not exceptionally instinctive. He has average skills as a receiver, little experience as a blocker and he has had issues with fumbling. That doesn’t spell feature back, but it could make him a great role player. This is where Wilson’s value is high, he’s an extremely high effort back that is extremely fast in the open field. If given the opportunity to find the right system he could be 10-15 carry back that also factors on special teams as a returner. The way the league has gone with regard to specialization of the running back position, Wilson should find a home. He’d be a good fit in Tampa as a compliment to Blount. After getting pounded by the 250 pounder all game, his speed would prove extremely challenging to defenses.

Jan 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James (21) avoids a tackle by Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Dezmen Southward (12) in the 2012 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE

5.) LaMichael James, Oregon, Jr.

Some may say this is high for James but he does a lot of things I like at the next level, even in spite of his size. And his size doesn’t scare me that much, he’s Warrick Dunn’s size and he runs with a similar mentality. Despite his speed and build, James doesn’t push as many runs outside as you would typically expect. Between the tackles, he’s very elusive and has a tendency to squirt into space. Outside and in open space he has exceptional quickness and burst as well as very good top-end speed, he’s very tough to catch. He doesn’t break tackles so much as make tacklers miss, but as such he has great potential as a receiver out of the backfield and he has shown a willingness to block that should let teams keep him on the field more downs. The other thing that sets James apart is his collegiate production, both him and Trent Richardson put up huge numbers for major programs that played lots of big, meanginful games. Production does legitimately mean something and in one of the most high octane offenses in the country, surrounded by weapons, James still lead the nation in rushing with 1,700+ yards in 2011. I think he’s a top five back in this class.

Dec. 22, 2011; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Boise State Broncos running back (22) Doug Martin against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 2011 Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Boise State defeated Arizona State 56-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Best of the Rest

6.) Doug Martin, Boise State, Jr.

I really like Martin, but not in Tampa. He’s a very talented, muscular back in a compact frame. He has good quickness and top speed, runs low to the ground and shows ability in the flats as a receiver, but he comes from a pass-first program and struggles at pass-pro, that’s a red flag to me for some reason. Some boards have Martin ranked as high as number two, I think he has that potential, but I’m not as high on him.

7.) Chris Polk, Washington, Sr.

Polk had a fantastic pro day which will likely help his stock, but in terms of production and ability on the field, I wouldn’t rank him any higher than this. He’s a very good inside runner, but lacks explosiveness to take runs long. Still, he’s a solid blocker, breaks tackles well and is above average out of the backfield in the pass game. Polk will find a place to play.

8.) Chris Rainey, Florida, Sr.

I love Rainey’s speed and ability out of the backfield. He’ll make a very good compliment back, he’ll be good on special teams and he could find a place in some teams passing attacks, but he’s not ever going to be an every down back and I have serious questions about his attitude after a string of ugly incidents at the University of Florida.

Nov 26, 2011; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers running back Bobby Rainey (3) stiff arms Troy Trojans defensive back Bynden Trawick (10) during the second half at L.T. Smith Stadium. The Hilltoppers beat the Trojans 41-18. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE

9.) Bernard Pierce, Temple, Jr.

Pierce has a big frame and runs with good toughness between the tackles, but he’s a bit stiff. He doesn’t have great speed or quickness and he seems a bit rigid in cuts and when changing speed, he also runs too upright for his size which makes him easier to tackle than he should be. Still, with coaching, Pierce could eventually become a legitimate back.

10.) Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky, Sr.

Kind of a poor man’s Maurice Jones Drew, small, compact frame with good burst and a low center of gravity. Rainey could learn to be a little tougher between the tackles, but has the tools to make the improvement, he’s a solid receiver with decent blocking skills. There are concerns over his age (25 as of next season) and the number of carries he took in college (1,000+), but he should find ways to contribute in the NFL.