OPINION

By Matt Hayes

updated 9:36 p.m. ET Jan. 16, 2008

Matt Hayes

More than 40 underclassmen had declared for the NFL Draft by midday Tuesday, the deadline formal enrollment.

Here's a quick breakdown of those who made good decisions, and those who should have stayed another season:

Needed to go
G Branden Albert, Virginia:
Best pure lineman in the draft.

WR Davone Bess, Hawaii:
He's not going to get faster, and the offense will regress without coach June Jones.

DE Calais Campbell, Miami (Fla.):
First-round pick whose stock can only fall on a rebuilding team.

OT Ryan Clady, Boise State:
Top 15 — possible top 10 — pick makes it an easy decision.

CB Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech:
First-round talent, second-round grade.

WR James Hardy, Indiana:
Has NFL star written all over him.

DE Derrick Harvey, Florida:
First-rounder has regressed since breakout performance in 2007 national title game.

LB Geno Hayes, Florida State:
Another year in college would've increased stock — or increased questionable reputation.

LB Erin Henderson, Maryland:
Ready for the NFL, but could've moved into the first round with a strong senior season.

CB Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin:
Good coverage skills; speed at combine will dictate first- or second-round selection.

WR DeSean Jackson, Cal:
He's not a refined receiver, but he has first-round speed (see: Ted Ginn).

RB Felix Jones, Arkansas:
Fastest player in the draft.

WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma:
Big, physical receiver ready for the league.

CB Justin King, Penn State:
Still learning the position, but has huge upside.

LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma:
The best of Oklahoma's talented linebackers in the Bob Stoops era.

WR Mario Manningham, Michigan:
Injuries are the only issue.

RB Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois:
The best back in the draft.

DE Phillip Merling, Clemson:
Strong 40 time could push him into the first round.

RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas:
Duh.

OT Michael Oher, Mississippi:
Somewhat raw; but a lock as someone's starting left tackle next fall.

S Kenny Phillips, Miami:
See: Campbell, Calais.

RB Ray Rice, Rutgers:
Can't grow four inches; what more can he do?

DT Pat Sims, Auburn:
Don't be fooled: Other than franchise quarterback, run-stuffing defensive tackle read: (Sims) is the most in-demand position.

RB Steve Slaton, West Virginia:
What, he should stay to A.) disappear in another big game, and B.) lose his job to Noel Devine?

RB Kevin Smith, Central Florida:
One negative (getting injured) outweighs any positive of staying at a non-BCS school.

RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon:
Deep position will push him out of the first round.

CB Aqib Talib, Kansas:
Wait until those scouts watch him perform at the combine.

Should have stayed
WR Adrian Arrington, Michigan:
One game (the Capital One Bowl) does not a career make.

WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt:
A deep draft for receivers will push him into 2nd round — so will a 4.5 40.

TE Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M:
Never showed what he could in A&M's run-first offense; could've flourished in Mike Sherman's pro-style offense.

RB Jamaal Charles, Texas:
Deep draft for running backs; could've parlayed big senior season into top 15 pick.

OT Anthony Collins, Kansas:
No other way to say it for projected fourth-fifth rounder: horrible decision.

TE Jermichael Finley, Texas:
"Strange" doesn't even begin to explain this decision.

DE/LB Vernon Gholston, Ohio State:
A 'tweener; where was he in Ohio State's two biggest games the past two years?

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

DT Letroy Guion, Florida State:
Classic example of a rising potential star receiving poor advice.

WR Ryan Grice-Mullen, Hawaii:
Faster than teammate Bess; could have improved stock as Hawaii's go-to receiver.

QB Xavier Lee, Florida State:
Next scene: backup in the Arena League.

LB Lamar Myles, Louisville:
Deep position hurts chances of first-day selection.

WR Darius Reynaud, West Virginia:
Should have stayed with QB Pat White and further developed his route-running/hand skills.

WR Taj Smith, Syracuse:
An intriguing move; could've raised his stock with another season but has huge potential.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

SEC not all it’s cracked up to be Bowl Projections: Big Ten blows BCS spot Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record CFT: Iowa’s Stanzi could return for bowl game CFT: Meyer says Florida ‘lacking the big hits’ Tribe stops school from dropping nickname   Vote: Which is the best conference? CFT: Mystery over for No. 5 Cincinnati — Pike will sit Iowa-Ohio St. in-depth video preview, analysis College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: