Where does this years draft class rank in comparison to recent classes? Is this years wide receiving and defensive line classes really that deep? Small school players, who should we not sleep on? We hit it all, from the depth at each position to the depth of the entire class as we ask if they make the grade in the Draftguys 2007 NFL Draft Class Roll Call. GAME--TIME

1. Quarterback

There are two first round, no-brainer, quarterbacks JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn. They not only are surefire first round picks but most Draftnicks and Mocks have them going top ten in April. JaMarcus is being pimped as the #1 overall pick currently held by the Raiders and Quinn going very soon there after, perhaps as early as #3 to the Browns.

The rest of the class is not so easy to pin down. There is second tier of quarterbacks, Drew Stanton(Michigan State), Kevin Kolb(Houston)and Troy Smith(Ohio State) with the fourth guy being Trent Edwards(Stanford) that will be taken in the first day and should be starters in the NFL in a short time. Stanton came into the year as the "golden boy" but a very lackluster season for the Spartans has caused him to slip but is still a very solid second rounder. Kevin Kolb has the athleticism but the fact that he played in a shotgun, pass happy offense has led many to wonder how far the learning curve will bend for Kolb in the NFL. There is not much more Troy Smith could have done for Ohio State as he was the leader and captain of a very good college team. There are concerns with his height but the Heisman Trophy winner should be gone in the first day but where he will be taken is a matter of opinion and opinions vary with Troy. Trent Edwards is near the top of this class where fundamentals and potential are concerned, but it's not his time on the field that worries GM's it's his time with the trainer that has them concerned.

The third and fourth tiers sort of meld into one another as the remaining quarterbacks in this draft are all a few years away or they are reaches to make it at QB in the NFL at all. Players like John Beck(BYU), Jeff Rowe(Nevada), Toby Korrodi(Central Missouri State), Jordan Palmer(UTEP), Chris Leak(Florida), Zac Taylor(Nebraska), Josh Swogger(Montana) and Tyler Palko(Pitt), in no particular order are more of the third tier quarterbacks in the draft. There are solid quarterbacks in this tier with a National Champion in Leak, a west-coast-offense veteran in Taylor, the son of a coach in Palko and two very sound guys in both Beck and Rowe. Jordan Palmer is of course the brother of Bengals QB Carson Palmer and finally the best small school sleeper with a cannon for an arm in Korrodi.

The first two guys set the curve pretty high as you have one guy who throws the ball 80 yards on a rope and the other who is battle tested and NFL ready, so the bar is set fairly high. The second tier has great signal callers and pro potential is there but they are players who can be found in any years draft class. The third tier is where it drops off and you begin to look at guys who could surprise but it would be just that, a surprise if they start in the NFL. Stranger things have happened.

Grade: C

2. Running Back

The running back class is almost a mirror image of the quarterback class where you have two solid first round players in Adrian Peterson and Marshwan Lynch and a second then third tier of backs. Peterson looks to be a top ten pick even with his draft stock slipping recently and Lynch, who has been slipping as well seems a sure bet to go in the first round.

The second tier of guys are perhaps deeper than the quarterback class as these guys all have the skills but have a question or two that could cause them to fall in the Draft. The head of the second tier class belongs to players like Lorenzo Booker(FSU), Brian Leonard(Rutgers), Antonio Pittman(Ohio State), Tony Hunt(Penn State) and Kenny Irons(Auburn). Booker is the speed guy with great instincts, Leonard is converted fullback who finds no shortage of love from the Draftguys, Pittman was a standout for the Buckeyes but some question if it was his O-line or him that really stood out, Hunt who is a bruiser who looks to own third and short on Sundays and finally Irons who went from Heisman consideration to the I. R. list but looks to bounce back in the pros.

The depth in the class comes from the next level of backs in the draft who all have the ability and in the right systems could shine. The new found love for running back by comity also helps greatly in these guys being given a chance and time will tell who makes the most of their opportunities. Opinions vary on who has the best chance in the NFL, as at this level there are just a few more questions being asked about their skills. In no particular order and certainly missing a few names the Draftguys rankings say that Jason Snelling(Virginia), Brandon Jackson(Nebraska), Kolby Smith(Louisville), Darius Walker(Notre Dame), Deshawn Wynn(Florida), Michael Bush(inj.)(Louisville), Thomas Clayton(Kansas State) and Ahmad Bradshaw(Marshall) are the best of the rest and have a better chance at the next level.

Again the first two guys set the bar fairly high as Peterson has drawn comparisons to Eric Dickerson and if he could stay healthy he may well live up to a lot of hype. Lynch is the classic "do it all" back who is great as a runner as well as a receiver out of the backfield. The second tier has good talent and though nobody seems head and shoulders above the rest there are at least a couple of guys who could be successful somewhere. The final tier and even further down the troth is littered with guys who need a break but if given a chance could be the next late round draft that turns an ordinary coach into genius.

Grade: C

3. Wide Receivers

This class is very different from the rest because the top guy is king of the hill but the number and quality of the contenders for the crown are reminiscent to a good stout beer. Thick. Calvin Johnson is the man in this class and would be in almost any class in recent history.

The second tier is easily a first tier in a year that doesn't have C. J. in it. Robert Meachem(Tennessee), Sidney Rice(South Carolina), Dwayne Bowe(LSU), Dwayne Jarrett(USC), Ted Ginn Jr.(Ohio State) and Anthony Gonzales(Ohio State) with Johnnie Lee Higgins(UTEP) and Steve Smith(USC) kind of melding us into the next level. Meechum is an improving player with all the skills to be a #1, Rice is a sleeper to some but is a baller who loves pressure, Bowe is huge and athletic with no fear in his game, Jarrett is a touchdown machine and playmaker and Ginn may be the fastest player in pads we have ever seen. Question are there with each guy from route running to attitude and even speed but they are all sure-fire first day draft picks and will create a buzz come draft day when we find out who goes where. Gonzales and Smith are the best possession receivers in the draft while Higgins can flat out fly.

The next level gets kind of congested as opinions on them vary, sometimes greatly so it becomes an exercise in futility to try and slot them but then again that's what we are here for so here goes. The list is rather long but the class is rather deep so bare with me. Jason Hill(Washington State), Craig Davis(LSU), Jacoby Jones(Lane College), Mike Walker(Central Florida), Brandon Myles(West Virginia), Maurice Price(Charleston Southern), Dave Ball(New Hampshire), Rhema McKnight(Notre Dame), Aundrae Allison(East Carolina), Steve Breaston (Michigan) and finally Paul Willams(Fresno State). Whew. There are a couple of diamonds in this list believe me, a couple of these guys are from small schools but have huge talent and they will soon be on display. Others have great ability but may have to take some lumps in special teams for a while before really getting a chance to produce. This class is twenty deep and there are surely a couple of names not on the list so when I say thick I mean... stand a spoon up in the mug of beer, thick.

Grade: B+

4. Tight Ends

The tight end class is not very deep this year but there are some guys that will be very good pros and at least three that should go in the first two rounds. The top of the class in most peoples view is Greg Olsen(Miami) but there are some who still feel that Zach Miller(Arizona State) is number one. Either way the two are similar in that they are pass receiving tight ends and fit the mold very well of what today's tight end is supposed to be. Third on most rankings is Ben Patrick(Delaware) and he may be the best receiver in the top of this years class. Olsen and Miller can spread the field while Patrick is better in the shorter passing game. The top of the class is very good but there is a drop as we go further down the rankings.

The second tier of tight ends is really combination of different skill levels that really are dependant on team needs. The top of the class is solid and should have a few standouts in short a time...Joe Newton(Oregon State), Scott Chandler(Iowa), Matt Spaeth(Minnesota) and Kevin Boss(Western Oregon). There again is no particular order but these guys all share one thing in common, they have a few more questions than the top flight TE's in the class. The Questions range from injuries for Spaeth to oversized and even undersized but they all play the position at a high level and are not far from being productive at the next level.

The class finishes with Clark Harris(Rutgers), Anthony Pudewell(Nevada) and Martrez Milner(Georgia) who may be the best athlete in the class but has no hands. Harris is very strong and a great blocker while Pudewell's stock has risen and with his fiery attitude he could also be one to watch.

The class as a whole starts very solid at the top, and then you get into team needs type of guys and finish with reaches that may be worth the risk. Look for Olsen to go first round and the rest to follow closely behind as teams who need a tight end will find them in short supply towards the end of the second round.

Grade: C

5. Offensive Line

Let's go inside-out with this one and start at center where Kalil is a special type of player that should see a first round or very early second round pick. The big ugly's at guard seem to be a rising commodity as the draft nears and the top guys, Justin Blalock(Texas) and Ben Grubbs(Auburn), just may be gone by the end of the first round. Tackle, the most coveted position on the O-line will have with little debate at least three guys, Joe Thomas(Wisconsin), Levi Brown(Penn State) and Joe Staley(Central Michigan), going in the first.

The class of lineman is as not as deep as you would like but it is filled with guys who are able to be moved easily along the line because they all share similar traits, athletic and versatile. Their ability to change positions makes them invaluable to an offense but at the same time makes them very difficult to rank because who knows where they will be lining up on Sundays.

After the top guys are gone there is still some depth and players who can play multiple positions. These players are not necessarily worse than the top tier guys as a whole but are not all solid locks at any one position though they are all sure to be starting in the NFL. Josh Beekman(Boston College), Leroy Harris(N. C. State), Arron Sears(Tennessee), Samson Satele(Hawaii), Manuel Ramirez(Texas Tech), Doug Datish(Ohio State), Doug Free( Northern Illinois), Tony Ugoh(Arkansas) and James Marten(Boston College) fit into the second tier and there are at least a couple of guys who will out play their rankings.

The small school guys could also be a great surprise on Sundays, Allen Barbre(Missouri Southern), Drew Mormino(Central Michigan), Kyle Young(Fresno State), George Batiste(Southern Mississippi) and don't dare sleep on Andy Alleman(Akron) and Jacob Bender(Nicholls State) who should definitely be getting a shot very early in their respective careers.

The offensive line class again start very strong at left tackle and center while the guards are very solid but not exceptional talents though they should still be taken early due to needs. The best part of the class is how well the small schools are represented, not just in numbers, but in quality lineman who can be difference makers in the pros.

Grade: B

6. Defensive Line

Do you have a week or so to fully talk about how deep the defensive line class of 2007 really is because the discussion could easily take that long. For our purposes here let's stick with the format and try to paint with broad strokes. The class is filthy deep, with a possible seven players in the first round and at least fifteen first day guys.

To list them all would be borderline criminal but the top of the boards deserve mention at least. Gaines Adams(Clemson), Alan Branch(Michigan), Amobi Okoye(Louisville), Jamaal Anderson(Arkansas), Jarvis Moss(Florida), Adam Carriker(Nebraska) and with an outside chance of going in the first though most likely early second is Anthony Spencer(Purdue). Six should almost certainly be gone and if the rush comes early than perhaps seven defensive linemen could be gone in the first thirty two picks. Okoye, Adams, Carriker, Anderson and Branch have all been placed in the top ten in mocks leading up to the draft. Some are certain to slip but at least three will find the top ten, that's just sick.

Depth is no problem either with this class as Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson(Georgia), Marcus Thomas(Florida), Tank Tyler(NC State), LaMarr Woodley(Michigan) continue as possible second rounders which leaves the total in the first two rounds at a possible eleven and counting.

Broad strokes, by definition, does not allow me to go further but believe me the list continues and there is no shortage of talent as the list goes on and on. Three picks in the first ten and still the rest of the class makes the grade, even with the bar set that high. Draft weekend will be a profitable time to be great big guys who roll around in the mud and muck for a living. Of course I would do that for free but hey that's just me.

Grade: A

7. Linebackers

The top of the linebacker class has one clear cut player who just outshines a good set of backers. Patrick Willis is a tackling machine and will certainly be causing a lot of phones to ring come draft day as teams try to jockey for prime position.

The rest of the class is very good but not quite on par with Willis and the class could be stronger if you add in the possible transplanted ends who may be moved to OLB in the 3-4 craze that's taking over the NFL. The OLB list is shorter but better than that of the ILB. Paul Posluszny(Penn State), Jon Beason(Miami) and Lawrence Timmons(FSU) are at the top of the OLB and are certain first round picks in the Draft. The best players behind Willis at inside backer are David Harris(Michigan), Brandon Siler(Florida), Buster Davis(FSU) and Justin Durant(Hampton) and though there is doubt that more than one of them will go first round they are all solid headhunters who will be gone first day.

The class of linebackers is very well represented again by the small school players, Quincy Black(New Mexico), Antwan Barnes and Keyonvis Bouie(Fla. International), Kyle Shotwell(Cal Poly), Zak DeOssie(Brown)and Adam Heyward(Portland State)

The class as a whole has some depth and has some good talent that should get a good look in late April with Stewart Bradley(Nebraska), Rufus Alexander(Oklahoma), Desmond Bishop(Cal), Earl Everett(Florida) and even H. B. Blades(Pitt) who will all be solid picks for any team in the league who wants to add depth or groom some great talent.

There may be a bit of a dip in talent from the top tier on down but there will be high number taken in the first day and there will be plenty of small school guys to root for as the draft draws to a close and these guys wait to hear the phone ring. There is always drama to be had on Draft weekend.

Grade: C

8. Defensive Backs

There are some playmakers in this class and depth to boot. Three corners and three safties are probable first rounders with a possible player or two sneaking in which could bring the total in the first round as high as eight players. Laron Landry(LSU) is likely to be picked up first, quite possibly in the top ten which is unusual for a safety. Brandon Merriweather(Miami), Reggie Nelson(Florida) and Michael Griffin who are all playmaking players. The corners are widely debated as to who will go first but the three that are most likely to be going first round are Leon Hall(Michigan), Darrelle Revis(Pitt) and Chris Houston(Arkansas). Hall is considered the best pure cover corner, Reevis is the most versatile and perhaps the best athlete and Houston is an in-your-face type of corner who plays very physical.

Don't sleep on the rest of the corners because there are some true ballers ready to man-up. Marcus McCauley(Fresno State), Aaron Ross(Texas) and perhaps even Eric Wright(UNLV) hold down the very talented second tier of corners who should also see themselves off the board on Saturday. These guys lack no self-confidence, and if you don't believe me just ask them.

Eric Weddle(Utah) and Aaron Rouse(Virginia Tech) take the second stair in the safety rankings but either could be gone first round if a rush for D-backs occurs and neither should see the light of the second day.

There are some smooth and fast guys in this years class and it has some very aggressive guys that love to support the run. The class is not incredibly deep but in the top ten guys you have all first or second round picks and that doesn't scratch the surface. Special teams and nickel-backs round out the secondary class but with the speed and athleticism left, there WILL be a couple of guys that come out of nowhere and shock everyone as a special teamer. C. J. Gaddis(Clemson) punt returner comes to mind.

Grade: B+

9. 2007 Draft Class

The class as a whole has some great talent at the top and guys that you don't find every year with a sprinkling of a few guys that are rare talents. The wide receiver and the defensive line classes have great depth but when looking at the entire 2007 class the real good depth is not there. There are talented players but they blend together and there just aren't enough standout players to make the class standout. Calvin Johnson, Jamarcus Russell and Adrian Peterson are the stars of the show and would be that in any year as they are each rare talents who look capable of dominating the next level the way they did the collegiate level. Players like Joe Thomas, Patrick Willis and Laron Landry are also very special talents and help to make the top of the class very, very strong. The receivers are deep and thick with guys that are very good at what they do but again nobody after Calvin that really seems to stand out above the others though time will tell if anyone can. The entire defensive line is the star of the 2007 draft class as you can make a real argument for any one of the top five guys and perhaps even all five (doubtful, but a case could be made) going in the top ten picks this year. In any year, a position this deep and this good is very rare and it would hold it's own when compared to any position class in recent memory. Overall this is a class with a superb list of players that will be scatters around the league as first round picks and then you have the solid but not outstanding players who could go early or drop, as they are dependant upon team needs to calculate their draft position. This years class is definitely not as good as the last two have been but with large pack of players so close in talent level there will be surprises and guys that make GM's and coaches look good because they took a "chance" on them. April 28-29, Radio City Music Hall. Draftguys will be there in person as the first steps are taken as these football players begin their new life as Professional football players in the greatest league around, The National Football League.