How top prospects are faring on NFL draft boards

	Ted Ginn Jr. worked out for NFL teams on Wednesday, and was reportedly slower than expected. John Biever/SI

By Tony Pauline, TFY Draft Preview

In just two weeks commissioner Roger Goodell will step up to the podium for the first time and open the 2007 NFL Draft. At this point, teams are finalizing their draft boards and targeting certain players. Here is the word circulating in the scouting community as to what may happen on draft day.

• Ted Ginn Jr. finally ran for scouts on Wednesday and the results were a little disappointing. Still suffering from a foot injury that occurred during the national championship game, Ginn was not in proper cardiovascular condition. His 40 times ranged between 4.38 to 4.42 seconds, slower than most expected. The injury made it almost impossible for him to run routes during the pass-catching segment of the workout. Several scouts wondered why the workout even took place given Ginn's physical condition. The result was a big hit to his draft stock.

• Ohio State's other junior receiver in the draft, Anthony Gonzalez, is watching his fortunes move in the opposite direction. With more teams focusing on prospects that are quality people as well as good football players, Gonzalez has moved up draft boards. Considered a second-round pick prior to the combine, there is a belief Gonzalez could sneak into the late part of Round 1 and end up with the San Diego Chargers.

• Another player benefiting from being labeled as a high character prospect is Adam Carriker of Nebraska. His versatility as a two-gap end or defensive tackle gives him added value. He is now likely to be a top-10 pick, perhaps to the Dolphins.

• Central Michigan's Joe Staley is another fast riser. The offensive tackle caused a stir after a solid Senior Bowl performance. But it was Staley's pro day on March 15 that really swung the momentum in his favor. A number of team's now rate him as the second best offensive tackle, moving him ahead of Penn State's Levi Brown. Staley has drawn a lot of interest from the Atlanta Falcons, who sit at No. 10.

• Add Darrelle Revis to the list of quickly rising players. The shut-down cornerback from Pittsburgh was unable to run at the combine because of a hamstring injury, but turned in a blistering 4.4 40 during his pro day. NFL teams were impressed by what college coaches said about Revis, who has recently been crisscrossing the country, visiting with more than a dozen franchises. Originally considered a late first-round pick, Revis has moved into the middle of the first round and could be selected as high as 13th, by St. Louis.

• Who will be the third quarterback selected in the draft? After JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn, the majority of teams rate Stanford's Trent Edwards and Houston's Kevin Kolb neck and neck for the third spot. Drew Stanton of Michigan State follows closely behind. If they don't take a quarterback in Round 1, the Browns and Dolphins are considering Kolb in the second round, while the Detroit Lions favor Trent Edwards.

• The other battle taking place is for the No. 3 spot at the running back position. Like the quarterback position, there is a large drop off in talent after the top two players, Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. Penn State's Tony Hunt is dropping down draft boards after poor performances during offseason workouts, as is Louisville's Michael Bush, who underwent a second surgery on his broken leg.

As many as a half a dozen running backs could be selected by the end of the second round, and there could be some surprises. Ohio State's Antonio Pittman has improved his draft stock and is likely to be the third running back drafted, somewhere in the opening selections of Round 2. The dark horse is Arizona's Chris Henry -- the 230-pound ball carrier who ran the 40 in 4.4 seconds at the combine and has been very impressive during individual workouts. He should also be drafted in the top half of the second round.

For year-round coverage of the NFL Draft, visit TFY Draft Preview. And be sure to check out TFY's annual Draft guide.