B.J. Raji SELECTED BY: Packers Round 1 (9)

SI Grade 4.21 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter awarded all-Conference and All-America honors last season after totals of 42/14/7.5. Sat on the sidelines in 2007 after being declared academically ineligible. Originally awarded all-Conference honors as a junior after numbers of 23/8.5/3.

POSITIVES: Big, thick interior lineman who can be used at nose tackle. Plays with good quickness, moves surprisingly well for such a large man, and keeps his pads low to the ground. Bends his knees, drives his feet up the field, and bulrushes opponents off the ball. Runs over blockers on his way to the ball carrier, and shows a short burst of speed. Displays good awareness, and quickly locates the ball. Powerful and easily holds his ground. Jolts blockers with a violent hand punch, and knocks them back off the ball giving him a clear shot behind the line of scrimmage.

NEGATIVES: Possesses just a short area burst of speed, and not effective making plays outside the tackle box. Marginal pass rusher. Has off-the-field issues that will raise red flags.

ANALYSIS: Raji has been a productive player at Boston College, and he can be a one-man force as a game-controlling defensive lineman. He did a good job on his return to the field last season, and he capped it off with a terrific performance in the Senior Bowl. He offers starting potential as a conventional tackle or on the nose, and if he continues to build upon a sensational 2008 campaign, Raji should quickly move into a starting lineup.

PROJECTION: First Round