1. DE Courtney Brown, Penn State, 6-4 7/8, 269 (4.56 time in the 40-yard dash): Definitely one of top two prospects in draft and could be top player selected overall. Explosive rush end who could use some more bulk, but comes hard off the corner every snap and is disruptive with his ability to penetrate upfield. Tremendous speed and quickness, runs the 40 even faster than many of the skill-position prospects in this draft. Nifty feet, good change of direction, can turn and then pursue plays from behind. Can hit top acceleration in only a step or two. Very aware of where he is at all times spatially. Long and rangy and 86-inch wingspan only adds to difficulty in throwing over him. Smooth hips, still plays much like the linebacker he was in high school and is agile enough to drop into coverage in the zone-blitz schemes. Despite his height, won't allow himself to be cut-blocked very often, is able to lift his feet out of the trash. Has really improved strength in his hands the past season, can pull and jerk now like a top-notch veteran. Had 25 sacks and 52 tackles for losses in past two seasons. Big-time character player who made All-Academic team four consecutive years in the Big 10. Only physical question is whether he can hold up against the run. Only other element of doubt is about his temperament, because he is so laid back at times.

2. DT Corey Simon, Florida State, 6-1 5/8, 297 (4.84): Easily the best interior defensive lineman in draft pool. High-energy and super-intense run stuffer who demonstrates terrific instincts and in-line balance and body control. A little more squat than you would like but has a massive lower body, very thick through the butt and thighs. Exceptional athlete for a man his size, moves well in space. Can move like a linebacker and is frequently used to drop off into short hook zones where his athletic skills are really obvious. Not as quick off the ball as he could be, but makes up for it with a great second step. Usually lines up in a "shaded" nose tackle stance against the run and will occupy two blockers. Gets off blocks and will find the ball, cuts through traffic and loves to run sideline to sideline. Plays with enthusiasm and clearly loves to compete. Isn't overpowering as a pass rusher but will compress the pocket inside at times and can widen out when asked to loop around. Should be immediate starter and impact player. Must be aware of two surgeries to each shoulder and arthroscopic procedure on knee.

3. DE Shaun Ellis, Tennessee, 6-4 3/8, 280 (4.76): Improved his pass rush skills in '99 but still regarded primarily as a strongside end who might not be in your third-down package until he has a few years to refine some techniques. Nice frame and could probably add another 10-12 pounds and not lose any quickness. Plays with a solid base and nice strength, exhibits good instincts vs. the run and will hang in at the point of attack. Not the best anchor player but willing to give himself up to allow others to make plays. At this point in his career, more a read-and-react player but seems intuitive and adequately diagnostic. Good short burst, will close on ball carrier quickly and does decent job chasing people down. Doesn't show consistent effort, will wander at times, gives up too easily against the double-team. On tape it appears he allows blockers to get their hands inside to his chest too easily and redirect him. Must work on that aspect of game.

4. DE John Abraham, South Carolina, 6-3 5/8, 252 (4.52): The classic in-between player. Where he lines up in the NFL will depend on who drafts him. But whether he plays at end or linebacker, he will be a rush guy on third-and-long. Might have too small a frame and inadequate strength against the run to play full-time end, but that's where majority of teams project him at this point. Played right defensive end as junior and strongside linebacker as senior. Outstanding playing speed, performs on the field with the same quickness he flashes in the 40. Fancies himself the next Jevon Kearse. He's not that good, but he is a prime-time player. More consistent as collegian than Kearse was and made more plays. Superb cornering skills, can make the jab step inside and then close on the quarterback. Very long arms and strong hands, will knock hands off blockers away from his body, decent overall technique. Looks miscast at times as a linebacker and will need plenty of work if team wants to play him there. Should start immediately as a "nickel" pass rusher.

5. DE Erik Flowers, Arizona State, 6-4 1/4, 271 (4.68): Little more than a one-dimensional pass rusher entering 1999. That's still his strong suit, but he worked to make himself a more complete player after what was a mediocre spring session last year. Has changed minds of a lot of scouts who were skeptical he could be an every-down player even in college. Added nearly 30 pounds since last spring and didn't lose any of his quickness. Explodes off the edge, lightning first step into the backfield. Doesn't have great natural size and bone structure might mean he's as big as he is going to get. Speed is still biggest asset and has to work just as hard now to refine his game. Does not use his hands well and struggles to disengage. Will get ridden right past the quarterback when he's rushing against a tackle who won't allow him to cut the corner. Gives ground way too easily against the run. Good in pursuit but not the surest tackler.

6. DT Chris Hovan, Boston College, 6-2 3/8, 305 (4.95): Looks like a natural 280-pounder who bulked himself up in weight room. Doesn't always play up to his size but, then again, always is a guy who grades out higher than his skill level indicates he should. A true warrior and gritty inside defender who has the ability to control the interior and dominate a game, especially when used in a one-gap technique. Great competitor with superior instincts and non-stop motor. Sort of the Energizer Bunny of defensive tackles, always active and on the move. A real butt-kicker who takes no prisoners. Will stab and separate, has nice acceleration and burst to the ball. Will not quit on the play until the whistle blows and, even then, doesn't always pull back. Uses his hands well and can turn the blocker. Could be a bit quicker in the hands. Gets bigger and stronger every year. Most disruptive when he plays over the center or in the center/guard gap instead of when he's head-up on a tackle. At times he will struggle against bigger players.

7. DE Darren Howard, Kansas State, 6-3 3/4, 281 (5.09): Next to John Abraham, might be best natural pass rusher in draft but doesn't always play that way. Despite nice size and good speed, is a step slow off the ball when he lines up over tackle or in a "9" technique. Has natural lean off the corner but doesn't use it. At times, appears he is a better pass rusher when he moves inside and operates against guard. Sacks dropped off from 10½ in 1998 to 5½ in '99, but was sometimes called on to drop into swing areas last year. Scouts love the fact he plays game with balance and almost never gets knocked off feet. Can control blocker with his hands, but doesn't consistently hold up at point of attack. Good in pursuit and has fluid change of direction skills. Will get sacks at "garbage" time in games. Tends to turn his game on and off and will need more strength and a lot more motivation.

8. DE John Engelberger, Virginia Tech, 6-4 1/4, 260 (4.73): Native of Germany who earned a scholarship after walking on in '95 as a tight end. Played outside and inside for Hokies, but weighs even less now than he did last spring when scouts had him at 269 pounds, so probably has to be used strictly as end in NFL. Active defender with superior straight-line running speed, has been timed as low as mid-4.5s but doesn't always react with that kind of quickness on field. A nasty disposition but will keep his emotions in check, rarely shows much outward passion for the game. Reminds scouts of former Virginia end Patrick Kerney, the Falcons' first-round pick in '99, but is more polished and less athletic than him. Has trouble getting off blocks and will get washed out of some plays completely. At his best when he is allowed to run around and chase the football. Can slip past some blockers with double moves and redirect, but is going to need more leverage and more bulk at next level. Doesn't look very instinctive.

9. DE/DT Cornelius Griffin, Alabama, 6-3 1/8, 297 (4.91): Versatile defender with enough speed to play outside and enough body mass to get significant snaps at tackle. Good weightlifter but he doesn't always translate that into functional football strength. Will try to muscle blockers and is not as strong as he should be as an inside anchor. Solid performance at Senior Bowl practices and good offseason workouts hiked his stock, but still a work in progress in several areas. Does have good quickness and a sweet and well-honed spin move inside against the slower guards. Initial charge is solid but will quit on a play when he gets stoned at line of scrimmage. At this point in his development, spotty as a two-gap player. Must watch his weight.

10. DT Darwin Walker, Tennessee, 6-2 3/8, 293 (4.85): Former track and field standout at North Carolina State before transferring after '95 season. A self-made player who added 15 pounds in the weight room but still has the frame of a 280-pounder. Is never going to be a great player but works too hard to be only average. Frankly, he is only adequate in most areas, but he studies the game and knows his opponents, will always play within his own physical parameters. A selfless guy who understands his role and is happy to play it and not try to be a star. An athletic tester who runs under 5.0 and jumps well but rarely applies those skills on the field. Takes good angles to the ball and will play with economy of motion. When he gets too high, gets obliterated. Does not play with good pad level. Looks out of control sometimes against the run and often gets bounced out of the hole. But huge heart makes him a prospect.

11. DT Steve Warren, Nebraska, 6-0 5/8, 307 (5.06): Not as tall as scouts like but has a massive lower body. Tough and strong, plays with a low base and can completely shut down the run inside when he has got things cranked up. Like a big roadblock in the middle of the line who is not going to be budged. Better athlete and more flexible than he first appears. Quick over a limited area, best move is a bull rush, but has improved quickness so dramatically that he can not get through the gaps. Weight and stamina have been problems in the past but he worked hard on his conditioning last summer and it paid off nicely. Short arms could be a minus in the NFL.

12. DT Jerry Johnson, Florida State, 6-0½, 293 (5.05): Some scouts felt he was the equal of teammate Corey Simon going into the season, but he had only an average '99 campaign. A weight room fanatic and workout freak who is a little shorter than ideal for a tackle. Plays with a low center of gravity, at times a better pass rusher than a run defender. Outstanding explosion and will push the pocket, can close on the quarterback from the inside. Relentless player with motor that's always revving. Sometimes will stand straight up and it seems he has trouble finding the ball in the running game. Turns his shoulders and doesn't square himself, then has to use his athleticism to recover. Will go invisible for too many snaps. Still, a solid prospect who will have a chance to start quicker than some of the lineman rated higher than him.

13. DE Adalius Thomas, Southern Mississippi, 6-2 3/8, 270 (4.59): Superior combine workout really turned scouts on and has continued to have strong on-campus auditions. Has more speed than some linebackers, has been clocked in low 4.5s, can run all day. Despite getting 31 sacks in three seasons, an underachiever at times. Incredible first step into backfield, like he was shot out of a catapult, but will flat-out quit on a play when he is stymied. Plays with good leverage and will take nice angles to ball if there's no one in his way. Makes big plays and can block kicks. Will get leveraged by bigger blockers, struggles to disengage, doesn't use his hands or arms well enough yet. Tends to simply ignore the running game responsibilities for long stretches because he thinks pass rush first. Intriguing player who could be situational rusher as a rookie.

Byron Frisch, who seems to get better every year, improved his draft status with recent solid workouts.(Allsport)

14. DE Byron Frisch, Brigham Young, 6-4 3/8, 281 (4.76): Outstanding size and speed player who has a lot of upside and has improved his draft stock with solid workouts the past month. Has played inside at times but probably projects better to end. Gets better every year and no one needs to point him in the direction of the weight room, because he knows the way. You don't want to ask him to take on blockers, because he doesn't shed well, but his quickness and explosive first step get him past many tackles. Looks kind of wiry but plays with deceptive strength. Still, he could probably add another 10 pounds or so to fill out his narrow frame. Probably will never be a dominant defender, but he knows how to play the game and has a lot of dimension. Willing to play on special teams and looks like he's athletic enough to drop in zone-blitz situations.

15. DT Fred Robbins, Wake Forest, 6-3 3/4, 312 (5.07): Real widebody with unusual speed for one so large. Problem is, he almost never plays to his speed. Classic underachiever until about halfway through senior year when the light bulb suddenly went on. Started to get over the laziness and indifference that marked most of his career. Better against the run than the pass, uses his hands pretty well and has a swim move that is well practiced. When he's interested, plays with surprising fluidity, will get to the outside and chase people down. Alas, that doesn't happen often enough. Scouts feel he is too soft but someone is going to get teased by all that size and quickness and take him. Whether he's a boom or bust pretty much depends on how hard he wants to work to reach his potential.

Others: DT Junior Ioane (Arizona State), DT Chris Combs (Duke), DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (San Diego State), DE Brian Young (Texas-El Paso), DE Clark Haggans (Colorado State), DT Mao Tosi (Utah), DT David Nugent (Purdue), DT Jabari Issa (Washington), DE Rameel Connor (Illinois), DE Hubert Thompson (Michigan State), DT Kendrick Clancy (Mississippi), DE Mac Tuiaea (Washington), DE D.J. Cooper (Arkansas), DE James Hall (Virginia Tech).

Rising: Like many players at schools in the state, Utah defensive end John Frank is overaged because he spent two years in Spain fulfilling his Mormon missionary requirement. But Frank has good size and athleticism and had 23 sacks the past two years, so he probably will be drafted. California tackle Jerry DeLoach has lower-body strength and can anchor against the run. Scouts like the fact he has been able to keep his weight down this offseason.

Declining: Michigan State end Robaire Smith is the brother of NFL journeyman defensive end Fernando Smith but might not even have the kind of itinerant career his sibling has carved out in the league. The younger Smith is a talented athlete but an underachiever. End Leonardo Carson of Auburn has a small wingspan and a big question mark about his off-field behavior and general character. Plus he isn't very strong.

Intriguing: Indiana end Adewale Ogunleye might have been a first-round prospect had he not blown out the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee early last October. Ogunleye underwent extensive surgery and the jury is still out as to whether he will even be ready for training camp this summer. But this is a guy who had 34 sacks and 64 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 3½ seasons. By comparison, Courtney Brown, who probably will be the first player selected, had 32½ sacks and 70 tackles for loss in four years. Some team investing a late-round choice on Ogunleye might have to wait an entire year for any kind of return, but by 2001 could have a good situational pass rusher. Tackle Keith Jackson of Cheyney State is very raw but has tremendous size and upside. He'll need at least two years of developmental time, but it's hard to ignore a big body like he's got.

Sleepers: Scouts had to dig back for old tapes from the University of Maryland to get a handle on tackle Tim Watson of Rowan. He started three years for the Terps and merited all-ACC honorable mention before transferring to the tiny Division III school for his senior season. Watson collected 11 sacks and helped anchor the best run defense in Division III. Until two months ago, few scouts had ever heard of end John Millem of Lenoir-Rhyne. But his combination of size (6-6½, 281) and quickness (sub-4.7) has put him on draft boards as a late-round pick.

Specialists: Southern Mississippi end Adalius Thomas blocked six field-goal attempts in his career, including four last season. In addition to being a late-round prospect as a nose tackle, Al Lucas of Troy State also lined up as a fullback in short-yardage situations. He scored seven touchdowns on only 21 carries the over past two years. Texas-El Paso tackle Leif Larsen, who set an unofficial combine record by doing 45 repetitions of the standard 225-pound bench press, is regarded by some teams as a better guard candidate.