Getty Images

Kenny Phillips started three seasons at Miami and earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference acclaim in 2007 as a junior.

In the final installment of his position-by-position NFL draft series, Rick Gosselin takes a look at the safeties. Three safeties project as first-round picks. The fourth probably won't go until the third round in 2008.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

ERICH SCHLEGEL / DMN

Texas A&M's Martellus Bennett is expected to go first among tight ends from the state.

There may not be a first-round tight end but there is solid depth at the position, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his position-by-position NFL draft series. Pass catchers abound, but there is only a small handful of blockers.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

Arizona's Antoine Cason started all 46 games of his career and intercepted 15 passes.

There could be 14 to 16 cornerbacks selected in the first three rounds, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his position-by-position NFL draft series. DeJuan Tribble of Boston College was a three-year starter who intercepted 15 career passes – and he projects as a late-round pick.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

Devin Thomas (5) set a Michigan State record for catches in a season with 79 in 2007.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the wide receivers. Wide receiver is the deepest, most-talented position on the draft board. How deep? Purdue's Dorian Bryant caught 292 passes, returned three kickoffs for touchdowns and has 4.49 speed. He'll be available in the second day.
 Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

Boston College's Matt Ryan is the top-ranked quarterback. The knock on Ryan is ball security - he threw 19 interceptions last season.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the quarterbacks. There could be four quarterbacks taken in the first 40 picks. But the talent falls off dramatically from there.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

USC's Keith Rivers (right) earned All-Pac-10 honors as a junior and senior and was named to All-America teams both seasons.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the linebackers. Though Southern California's Keith Rivers and three others project as possible first-round picks, there could be as few as eight LBs taken in the first three rounds of 2008.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

Rick Gosselin projects Michigan tackle Jake Long (right) to be the first - and the safest - pick overall.

Rick Gosselin continues his position-by-position NFL draft series with a look at the offensive linemen. There could be four blockers taken in the top 10, which hasn't happened since 2002. The board is deep at tackle but light at guard and center.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

AP

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey won the Lombardi, Lott, Nagurski and Outland trophies in 2007.

There could be three defensive linemen taken in the top six picks – the first time that's happened since 2001. The end board is strong with pass rushers available into the second day. But the tackle board is paper thin, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his look at the position and its impact on the 2008 NFL draft.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys

Getty Images

Michael Hart (left) was the all-time leading rusher at Michigan.

There were only two running backs selected in the first round of the 2007 draft. There might have been even fewer in 2008 had the juniors not come out. Seven of the top eight runners on this draft board are juniors, writes NFL columnist Rick Gosselin in his look at the position and its impact on the 2008 NFL draft.
Blog: Dallas Cowboys