This year's average quarterback class will most likely not receive the usual boost from junior passers as we enter the critical postseason all-star games.

Highly rated junior Drew Brees of Purdue has announced that he will return for a senior season in the Big Ten. Florida State's Chris Weinke has been a key performer and has completed a fine junior season with a healthy return from a serious neck injury that terminated his sophomore season. He has not made an official announcement as of yet, but would be making a mistake to declare for the NFL Draft in early January after only two seasons as a starter.

That basically leaves the senior class to stand on its own merit. At this point of the evaluation process, only two prospects carry a high grade, Chris Redman and Chad Pennington. Both prospects will be under the microscope in the key postseason all-star games when they face a higher level of competition than they are accustomed to after playing in weak Division I conferences.

Redman has used a record setting career to forge to the front of this weak group. This class may have more small college prospects than in recent years with fast-rising Giovanni Carmazzi of Hofstra drawing special attention over the past two seasons.

More draft analysis

Louisville's Chris Redman has the ability to be a fine pro quarterback. (AP)

1. Chris Redman, Louisville
Senior, 6-2, 220
Tough pocket thrower has set several career passing records as a senior. He combines good physical skills with fine leadership, instincts and intangibles. He shows the ability to make all the throws with the ability to read defenses.

2. Chad Pennington, Marshall
Senior, 6-2, 215
Accurate senior passer has been unstoppable in the MAC over the past few seasons. He has a nice touch and vision to make the key throws. He also shows fine intangibles and the work ethic to succeed at the position as a pro.

3. Tim Rattay , Louisiana Tech
Senior, 6-1, 200
Productive run-and-shoot QB combines a fine arm, quick delivery and consistently good decisions under fire. He shows the leadership and toughness to direct an NFL offense but needs refinement in a pro-style set.

4. Tee Martin, Tennessee
Senior, 6-2, 215
Strong athletic QB has been the catalyst for the Vols' championship run the past two seasons. He has a strong arm and excellent mobility that combined with good instincts and courage gives him all the key qualities the position demands.

5. Giovanni Carmazzi, Hofstra
Senior, 6-2, 215
Fast rising passer has made huge strides as a senior in all aspects of QB play, showing a strong arm and nice mobility. He gets a big opportunity at the Senior Bowl to further advance his rise up the charts.

Michigan's Tom Brady has greatly improved his stock this season. (Allsport)

6. Tom Brady, Michigan Senior, 6-4, 220
Big tough senior passer has come up big in clutch situations over the second half of the year which has enhanced his stock considerably since opening day.

7. Marc Bulger, West Virginia
Senior, 6-2, 210
Tough signal-caller returned late this season from a throwing hand injury that cost him several games at midseason. He has a nice arm and the mobility to avoid the rush, the key qualities to rate as a potential starting NFL passer.

8. Tim Lester, Western Michigan
Senior, 6-1, 200
Talented passer faces a critical postseason in both the playoffs and all-star games which will determine his final draft status. He has a quick delivery and gets the ball to his receivers with good timing and in-stride for them to make things happen after the catch.

9. Todd Husak, Stanford
Senior, 6-3, 210
Accurate senior thrower has been instrumental in Stanford's drive to the Pac-10 title. He has a fine touch and shows the ability to find and hit secondary receivers in pass patterns.

10. Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech
Senior, 5-10, 185
Talented senior completed a fine career with a huge senior season that has him in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race. He combines instincts and intangibles with a nice touch and the mobility to create things when plays break down.

Coyle, a full-time NFL scout, has published Draft Insiders' Digest, an NFL Draft and free agency publication for the last 9 years.

He attends practices, games and individual workouts across the country as well as breaking down game films to study the nation's top players. He writes for numerous pro weeklies on the NFL Draft and free agency in addition to game matchups and player profiles.

Coyle attends NFL mini-camps in May and June and numerous training camps throughout the summer. He is a frequent guest on sports talk shows from coast-to-coast, and has also been a personnel consultant to several NFL teams in recent years.