Top 64 NFL Draft Prospects

ESPN reporter Todd McShay debuts an article on the top 64 NFL draft prospects (ESPN Insider Subscription required) in tiers of 6 or so. It's what he calls 'tiering' that every NFL war room (draft team) creates to differentiates players of various levels, so they know they're not 'reaching' for a player based on need over a superior talent in the same general area of a selection.

There isn't anything earth shattering in the rankings, the only RB listed in the elite group (top 6) is Darren McFadden who is joined also by QB Matt Ryan as the #6 guy. Rashard Mendenhall is in the second group, Jonathan Stewart is in the 'fringe 1st rounders' in the 3rd group, 'solid 2nd round picks' include RB's Felix Jones & Ray Rice with the 'fringe 2nd round' being completed with University of Texas RB Jamaal Charles.

At QB Ryan is the only elite prospect, with Brian Brohm in the 'fringe 1st round' category', and Chad Henne & Joe Flacco falling into the 'solid 2nd round' area. Of course this is just one person's opinion but its interesting to hear how draft personnel define 'tiers' and make selections based on them.