Auburn's Brown
among players on rise

FALLING PROSPECTS
1. *Maurice Clarett, RB, Ohio State
Powerful young tailback has been involved in endless litigation the past two years over underclassmen gaining entrance into the NFL. He has failed to stay focused on football the past two offseasons and failed to impress at the NFL Combine or an individual workout. His private workout was an improvement, but he still ran a poor 4.7 time that leaves him only a marginal draft selection. He carries a make-it grade as a pro feature back, but must answer questions about durability, maturity and level of development. He is not a top 200 prospect on our board.

2. * Frank Gore, RB, Miami (Fla.)
Tough junior was slow to recover from a second major knee injury. Gore failed to impress this offseason at the Miami workout after failing to work out at the NFL Combine. His marginal speed and injury history probably pushes him to the late second day. Gore has the package to become an NFL feature back but probably needs additional time rehabbing his knee. He could be one of the bargains of the draft if he gains rehab time as a No. 3 back. His intangibles of toughness and determination are among the best in this class after returning to the field after two major injuries. 

3. David Greene, QB, Georgia
Savvy senior is an accurate passer in the shorter zones and makes sound decisions, but his lack of arm strength hurts him. He struggles to make the out throws and might be simply a backup or No. 3 passer.

4. Craphonso Thorpe, WR, Florida State
Talented senior never made it completely back from a late-season broken leg sustained his junior year. He shows fine hands and athleticism, but he lacks explosiveness in his breaks and didn't show the separation speed to get deep with consistency. His average times this offseason has pushed him into the second tier of receivers.

5. JR Russell, WR, Louisville
Physical senior had a productive college career, but failed to impress during the key postseason events. He ran average speed numbers that will push him to the second day. Russell is a tough athlete with some run after the catch ability, but will have to step up and prove he can separate at the next level and show more maturity.

6. Rob Petitti, T, Pittsburgh
Big, mobile tackle struggled with injuries during the postseason that hindered his performance, especially at the Senior Bowl. He put on excessive weight with the foot injury, and that affected his footwork. He was a sure-fire top 50 selection during his final season, but is currently only a marginal top 100 selection.

7. Elton Brown, G, Virginia
Mobile senior was inactive during the postseason by his own choice. He has an exaggerated sense of his value and talent and lost a golden opportunity to impress pro scouts. Brown failed to step up when facing top competition as a senior and is not a top-50 prospect. He might go in the third round. His overall attitude has been questioned with some poor decisions.

8. Vince Carter, C, Oklahoma
Mobile, smallish pivotman has sound technique and smarts, but he lacks the top athleticism. He is smaller than ideal and probably will fall to the late rounds.

9. Lorenzo Alexander, DT, Cal
Quick smallish tackle has come up short against top competition, where his marginal size was exploited. He failed to impress athletically at the Combine.

10. * Brandon Browner, CB, Oregon State
Massive junior was considered a possible first-round selection when he declared in January, but his stock is plummeting after a poor NFL Combine workout. He is not a quick-twitch player and his ability to make the transition in coverage is very suspect. Browner has the size and athleticism to move to free safety where he carries a starting grade, but he must go through a learning curve at a new position.

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