This year's fullback class is a deep group at the top. There are five prospects who will likely develop into starters during their careers.
POSITION GRADE
B
Owen Schmitt, Jacob Hester and Peyton Hillis were productive very productive for Bowl Championship Series programs in college. Jerome Felton is a solid small-college prospect with a starting grade, while Carl Stewart of Auburn also grading out high in several areas.
This position has been minimized over the past decade due to the emergence of the H-back role. Many clubs now carry four tight ends and only one fullback.
The top three prospects in this group carry marginal top-125 grades.
2008 NFL Draft Fullback Rankings
1. Owen Schmitt, 6-2, 260, West Virginia
Schmitt is a hard-nosed prospect with fine blocking skills and strength. He also has shown the ability to run well and catch the ball out of the backfield.
2. Jacob Hester, 5-11, 230, LSU
Hester is a versatile prospect who can fill any role in the backfield. He is a fine inside runner and has shown sure hands as a receiver.
3. Peyton Hillis, 6-1, 245, Arkansas
This athletic fullback played in the shadow of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Hillis has the skills to shine in the right setting.
4. Jerome Felton, 6-0, 250, Furman
Felton is a tough small-college fullback who has been a great goal-line runner.
5. Carl Stewart, 6-1, 225, Auburn
Stewart is an athletic player who has displayed the skills to be one of the best swing backs in this class.
6. Jed Collins, 6-2, 250, Washington State
A hybrid H-back, Collins developed quickly after a conversion from tight end early in his college career and could develop into a starter.
7. Lex Hilliard, 5-11, 230, Montana
Hilliard bounced back from a season lost to injury with a strong senior year. He is a natural runner who, with some development could be a surprising late-round pick.
8. Chris Brown, 6-1, 245, Tennessee
After playing tight end in college, Brown figures to develop into a fullback and/or H-back at the pro level. He has the talent to make it in the NFL
9. Dionte Johnson, 5-11, 240, Ohio State
Johnson is the kind of blocking fullback who doesn't mind doing the grunt work at this position. He could also be an effective special teams performer.
10. Mike Cox, 6-0, 250, Georgia Tech
Cox is a physical fullback and has proven to be a crushing lead blocker. He is an ideal for the two-back set.
Frank Coyle is a nationally known NFL scout who publishes Draft Insiders' Digest and www.draftinsiders.com. In it's 16th season, Draft Insiders' Digest is dedicated to year-round coverage of NFL and NCAA Football. He covers the NFL Draft and free agency extensively with a veteran scouting staff that provides insightful and unique information on players and team potential in the coming seasons. Draft Insiders' Digest is an extensive publication that produces 15 issues throughout the year and a Draft Yearbook with over 450 in-depth scouting reports.
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FRANK COYLE'S NFL DRAFT POSITION RANKINGS:
