1. Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech -- With an awesome talent like Vick, the only concern will be how long it takes him to develop into a top-of-the-line, pure passer who is capable of beating the opposition with his arm as well as his incredible running skills. There is no questioning Vick's arm strength. He can throw the ball 75 yards down the field or deliver a frozen rope to the intermediate areas. He has to work on being more patient in the pocket, allowing third and fourth options the chance to break open late within the progression. Expect Vick to watch from the sidelines for a year, then win the starting job in his second season.

4. Deuce McAllister, RB, Mississippi -- While he suffered an injury-plagued senior season with the Rebels, McAllister proved throughout his career that he's a big-league talent who is as competitive as any player in the draft. With a strong individual workout, McAllister could become this year's Jamal Lewis.

5. Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida -- Operated at RT with the Gators, but has the package of skills necessary to factor on the left side as well.

6. Chad Johnson, WR, Oregon St. -- The more you watched Johnson's progress this past season, you became increasingly enthusiastic about his ability to star in the NFL.

7. Gerard Warren, DT, Florida -- Figures to carry a final grade similar to that of Corey Simon, who ended up going sixth overall to the Eagles last year.

8. Steve Hutchinson, OG, Michigan -- Outstanding football player who has carried a high grade on my senior Top 25 board since early in the campaign. Even now with the underclassmen, Hutchinson still figures in the early-to-mid first round area. While an experienced LG, the former defensive lineman also has the skill level to move to RT.

9. Todd Heap, TE, Arizona St. -- Now in the 250-pound range, he has the ability to develop into a huge weapon in the pass offense while also getting the job done as an in-line blocker.

10. Leonard Davis, OT, Texas -- Huge and talented, Davis improved steadily as the 2000 season went along, with a noticeable upgrade when it came to his pass-blocking consistency at left tackle.

11. Justin Smith, DE, Missouri -- In addition to being a tremendous physical specimen, Smith receives elite grades for his game-day performance with the Tigers.

12. Andre Carter, DE, California -- Reliable, hard-working, extremely solid all-around performer. Will qualify as a safe pick in the early-to-mid first round area.

13. Santana Moss, WR, Miami (Fla.) -- Consummate playmaker, with the versatility to also help out in the return game. He also plays bigger than 5-foot-10, 177 pounds, with the toughness to finish plays across the middle.

14. Fred Smoot, CB, Mississippi St. -- Proven playmaker in the Bulldogs' deep patrol, experienced at working in zone packages or man-to-man situations. Smoot anticipates extremely well in coverage while showing impressive recovery skills.

15. Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin -- When you combine his productivity with what should be a tremendously impressive individual workout, Bennett figures to be a prospect who is on the rise in the weeks leading up to the draft.

16. Reggie Wayne, WR, Miami (Fla.) -- Skilled route-runner who is quicker and more explosive than people give him credit for. Since he's so smooth and fluid, CBs often get lulled into a false sense of security. If Wayne's workout shows he can be a No. 1 option in the NFL, he would then figure as a sure-fire mid-first rounder.

17. Damione Lewis, DT, Miami (Fla.) -- Instinctive DT with the quickness and natural explosion to wreak havoc along the interior.

18. Jeff Backus, OT, Michigan -- Proved at the Senior Bowl practices that he's a natural LT. When you combine that with his terrific performances as a starter in the Big Ten, it's easy to see why I've elevated his grade over the last month.

19. Rod Gardner, WR, Clemson -- Has the size, body control and natural pass-receiving skills to cause all kinds of problems for smaller cover men at the pro level. In jump-ball situations, Gardner rarely loses a battle.

20. Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia -- Has the talent necessary to take his game to a new level. Seymour could end up in the top 10-12 after all is said and done.

21. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, TCU -- Vision and decisiveness as a runner are a definite attention-getter, plus he was able to show decent skills as a pass-receiving option at the Senior Bowl practices.

22. Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida St. -- Causes a great deal of concern for opposing offensive line coaches due to his proven skill level as an edge pass rusher.

23. Dan Morgan, LB, Miami (Fla.) -- While he may lack the fluidity of some of the other highly regarded LBs over the last few years, all Morgan does is react instantaneously to the direction of the play, getting your attention with his disciplined approach, feel for the position and ability to chase down plays from sideline to sideline.

24. Willie Howard, DT, Stanford -- Determined 293-pounder with the quickness and overall ability to be a factor at DE at the pro level. Howard can run, plus you won't find anyone who will out-hustle him on game day.

25. Maurice Williams, OT, Michigan -- Versatile athlete whose best football is ahead. In fact, Williams has just touched the surface of his future pro potential along the offensive line. Keep in mind, he played just four years at Michigan, never redshirting. As a true freshman, he worked at DE, before shifting permanently to the offensive line the following year. Before finding a home at RT, Williams earned some starting experience at RG as well.

25A. Freddie Mitchell, WR, UCLA -- This kid loves the game and consistently manages to back up all the talk with superior performances on game day. When the ball is in the air, he'll go get it. In the end, though, Mitchell's 40 time will be the critical factor in determining if he's a mid-first round draft choice or slides a little further down the board than his productivity and overall performance at UCLA tends to indicate.

25B. Jamie Winborn, MLB, Vanderbilt -- Productivity over the last three years is unmatched. Remember, he was a marked man going into every game and did his damage against the best of competition in the talent-laden SEC.

25C. Drew Brees, QB, Purdue -- I like the way Brees went about his business and managed the Boilermaker offense, but during a structured individual workout he'll have to prove that he has the necessary arm strength to shine in any pro system.

25D. Marcus Stroud, DT, Georgia -- Flashes first-round ability, but whether he maintains such a grade is debatable.

Evaluation process ongoing: The next big draft event is the combine meeting in late February. Then the individual workouts take place. Until then, there is time to look back at game-by-game performances of the prospects. That's why you see my board change on a week-to-week basis, even though there isn't anything taking place from a workout standpoint that could affect a player's draft position.

With all that in mind, there will be several players each week who are incredibly close in terms of a grade to pushing their way into my Top 25 board. That's why this week I have a 25A, 25B, 25C and 25D.

The following players are currently just off the Top 25:
Dominic Raiola, C, Nebraska
Anthony Thomas, RB, Michigan
Casey Hampton, DT, Texas
Ken Lucas, CB, Mississippi
Andre Dyson, CB, Utah
Quinton Caver, OLB, Arkansas
Kendrell Bell, MLB, Georgia
Chris Chambers, WR, Wisconsin