1. OLB LaVar Arrington, Penn State, 6-3 3/8, 250 (4.56 time in the 40-yard dash): Probably not the "second coming of Lawrence Taylor" as some have portrayed him, but an incredibly gifted player who always seems to rise to the occasion at crunch time. Superior athlete for his position, former high school running back who hasn't lost much of his speed. Faster than many of the offensive skill position players in this draft but, in addition to straight-line speed, moves well laterally and in reverse. Fine football instincts and very aware of what's going on around him. Probably projects to strongside player in the NFL, but likely could line up at any of the linebacker positions and give a good accounting of himself. Goes to the ball like a heat-seeking missile and delivers a jolt when he hits people. A combination blitz/cover defender capable of coming hard off the edge or dropping into the flat or even 20 yards upfield. Stuffs the run and seems to naturally break down into classic football hitting position. Has bulked up by about 10 pounds since season ended but carries the weight well. Loves to freelance and will often ignore the defensive call. One scout estimated he might have played the wrong defense on six of every 10 plays, a habit for which he could compensate in college but not at next level. Doesn't control emotions very well and will play out of control and trash talk way too much. Probably the defender from this draft who will make the most immediate impact in 2000.

2. OLB/ILB Brian Urlacher, New Mexico, 6-3 7/8, 258 (4.49): Played like the Swiss Army knife of defenders for Lobos, lining up at eight different positions in '99. Played a rover style free safety position last season and some teams project him as a safety. Most teams, though, feel he is a true linebacker and one of the top half-dozen players in this draft. Looks like a bionic man, he is so big and quick. A tough guy whose overall athleticism cannot be overlooked. A real freak of nature, since no one so large and so chiseled should be able to run so fast. Can sprint upfield with any running back and even some wide receivers. Athletic enough that, even as an outside linebacker, could play over the receiver in the slot. Because he played so many positions, really hasn't mastered one spot and suffers at times from a lack of technique refinement. Will miss some tackles because he hits with his shoulders and then fails to wrap his arms. Best thing for him will be to find one position in the NFL, stick with it and mature. Definitely a future Pro Bowl player if he does that.

3. OLB Julian Peterson, Michigan State, 6-3 1/8, 231 (4.66): Really improved in '99 after scouts rated him only as a late-round prospect entering the season. Performance at Senior Bowl and the combine moved him into first round and he could go in top half of stanza. Natural pass rusher who had 40 sacks in two seasons of junior college; explosive player when coming forward or off the edge. Terrific burst and very quick over 10 yards. Uses his hands to create separation but does not do a good job yet of avoiding cut blocks. When he's rushing quarterback, really hugs the corner tightly and compresses the pocket. Loves to be turned loose and chase the ball, an aggressive, big-play mentality. Excellent change of direction, very flexible. Narrow frame means he doesn't always anchor against run at the point of attack. Will have to work hard on pass coverage. Should be used as third-down pass rusher. Scored poorly on Wonderlic test and some scouts worry he'll only be able to assimilate rudimentary schemes as a rookie. At his best when he's allowed to just read and react to plays.

4. OLB Keith Bulluck, Syracuse, 6-3, 244 (4.58): Former strong safety who moved to linebacker in '97 and has played inside and outside. Most teams project him outside, but a few with a need in the middle think he can play there. Has moved himself into first round with nice postseason workouts. Several personnel men feel that, after Arrington, he is best pure linebacker in draft pool. Could be chosen even higher than his skill level because of athleticism and instinct. Super range, can really open his hips, plays at times like he thinks he's still a safety. Will fly all over the field to make plays. Because of background in secondary, retains some man-coverage ability. Sees the field well and keys in on plays. Will get to the outside and funnel play back to interior. Gets caught up in traffic and sometimes doesn't disengage as well as you would like. Will slide off some tackles even after delivering concussive hit. Technique lapses at times and when that happens he becomes more a grab-and-throw tackler than a big hitter. There are stretches when he runs around plays instead of simply taking people on.

5. ILB Rob Morris, Brigham Young, 6-1 7/8, 250 (4.74): Didn't seem to make as many monster plays in '99 and previous season, but inarguably the best pure inside linebacker in this draft. Was able to dominate against the run on college level. Huge motor, plays every snap with intensity and passion. Doesn't run well and not a great athlete, but anticipation and diagnostic skills get him to ball. Takes good angles and doesn't waste any steps. Has been on the bottom of a lot of piles in his career. Plays naturally squared-up and in hitting position, loves to step up and fill, deliver the big hit right in the hole. Relishes his blue-collar and tough-guy images. A little inconsistent taking on the lead blocker and handling the isolation plays. Worked hard to get better in pass drops but still probably a two-down defender. Because of two-year hiatus for his Mormon mission, is already 25 years old, which could be a factor when he is drafted. Might slip out of first round, but won't get very deep into the second if that happens.

6. OLB Barrett Green, West Virginia, 5-11 5/8, 233 (4.62): Hard player to project and some of the scouts feel he will end up playing strong safety in the NFL. Started his college career as a safety in 1996 before moving to linebacker in '98. If he were just 2 inches taller, would be a sure-fire No. 1 pick because he has all the physical tools, toughness, awareness and character. Explosive hitter when he gets a chance to run up on a player. Exceptionally active and will make plays from sideline to sideline. Good strength for his size but has really short arms and that makes it hard for him to take on blockers and shed them. Because of that, tends to run around plays. Has a nose for the ball and superior closing speed over a 10-yard stretch. Good agility through traffic and nice recovery if he gets knocked down. Good cover skills. Should be able to contribute as a rookie on special teams and might get some snaps as a "nickel" linebacker in coverage.

7. ILB Brandon Short, Penn State, 6-3, 252 (4.73): Frequently got lost in the shuffle because of teammates Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington, but a fine player in his own right. Good size and wingspan for middle position. Smart, tenacious and fiery, a team leader who can verbally rally the troops. Has lateral and chase speed but marginal downfield effort. Sometimes he will wait for the play to come to him instead of reacting to what's unfolding in front of him. A bit stiff-looking in the hips. Adequate backside angles to track the ballcarrier, but will jump around plays to avoid bigger blockers or pulling guards. Overruns some players and, while he slides to the outside fluidly, needs to pick up his feet more to avoid the trash around his ankles.

8. OLB Raynoch Thompson, Tennessee, 6-2 5/8, 220 (4.55): At this point in his career, still a much better athlete than he is football player. Played weakside in college but will need more bulk even for that role at next level. Fluid and facile athlete, very loose in the hips and can motor after the ball carrier. Mostly makes plays, however, from behind and his size precludes him from taking on blockers and redirecting them. Won't get steamrolled, but there are occasions when he just gets blown out of the hole. Very quick and gets great depth on pass drops, but doesn't have the solid coverage techniques he needs to contribute as "nickel" linebacker. Sloppy backpedal and gets off balance way too easily. Great range but doesn't make enough plays. Looks bad playing in space, misses a lot of tackles going for the huge hit. Nasty temperament and intensity sometimes wasted. Because of body type, could be hurt a lot in the NFL. Has always been able to play through pain, but could spend plenty of time in the whirlpool instead of on the practice field.

9. OLB Mark Simoneau, Kansas State, 6-0, 237 (4.61): Shorter than you would like but conference defensive player of the year seemed to answer the skeptics with solid combine workout. Probably moved himself up at least two or three rounds from where he was originally rated. Instinctive and agile, knows how to play the game and is always mentally prepared. Reads plays well and wants to get in on the action. Tough against the run and a deceptively quick blitzer with closing speed. Will be interesting to see how well he takes on blockers in the NFL. Misses some stops because he is not a form tackler and can't step into his delivery. Lack of size might mean he is destined to be special teams and part-time player but tough to overlook his heart and intelligence.

10. ILB Matt Beck, California, 6-3, 234 (4.71): Went into season projected as a first-rounder but then missed all but one game because of foot injury that required surgery. Rehabilitation seems to have gone well but the time off dramatically dropped his status. Before the injury was a player who lacked flash but was around the football and made lots of blue-collar plays. A no-nonsense guy who takes every snap seriously. Good instincts and moves well laterally. Has no problems locating the ball, seems to be pulled to it like a magnet. Rarely gets knocked off pursuit and is almost never off his feet. Not an explosive hitter but a very sure tackler. Really raw when it comes to dropping and covering. Had some problems in past with alcohol abuse, attended AA and seems to have turned himself around.

Na'il Diggs might have been better off to stay in school, but still won't last past the third round.(Allsport)

11. OLB Na'il Diggs, Ohio State, 6-3 5/8, 231 (4.62): Former pass-rush defensive end who was moved to linebacker in 1998. Real physical specimen who definitely passes the eyeball test. A lot of scouts don't like him as much as we do, but we still feel he will be no worse than third-rounder. Quick off the edge and explosive coming forward. Lightning-quick first step into backfield, but played against a lot of air in Buckeyes' scheme and didn't encounter much resistance. For all his athleticism, plays too stiff and upright at times. Certainly not a natural knee-bender and tends to tackle very high. Probably would have been better served staying in school another season and team that takes him will need some patience.

12. OLB Marcus Washington, Auburn, 6-3 1/4, 252 (4.63): Played as defensive end in '98 after primarily lining up at strongside linebacker earlier in career. Never missed a game in four years and got bigger, stronger and better every season. Nice range and hustle, can chase plays from the inside out. Quick and explosive hands but will allow blockers into his chest at times and then is stalemated. Flashes some pass-rush skills and seems to be developing in that area. Adequate strength. Gets tunnel vision when he drops into pass coverage and doesn't see the field well at all. An in-between player who might be best suited to a 3-4 defense. Willing worker and quick read, has increased his value with recent workouts.

Others: ILB Peter Sirmon (Oregon), OLB/SS Ian Gold (Michigan), OLB Sekou Sanyika (California), OLB James Cotton (Ohio State), ILB Dhani Jones (Michigan), OLB Corey Atkins (South Carolina), ILB Mac Morrison (Penn State), ILB Danny Clark (Illinois), ILB Dwan Epps (Texas Southern), OLB Tim Smith (Stanford), OLB Julius Jackson (Nebraska).

Rising: Jeff Ulbrich of Hawaii and Wake Forest's Dustin Lyman, who both posted outstanding '99 numbers after coming off '98 knee surgeries, are definitely players in ascent. Ulbrich had 169 tackles and eight sacks last year. He is an intense run-stuffer with superb anticipation and makes a ton of plays between the tackles. Lyman is cut high and sometimes has trouble breaking down into a hitting stance, but is too good an athlete to ignore. Some teams are considering him as a prospect at tight end, the position he played in high school. Another inside linebacker who has bounced back from injury is Lester Towns of Washington. He had surgery on his foot in '98, struggled through much of '99, but came on late in the season and earned a trip to the Senior Bowl. He has very long arms and nice overall size, will lose focus sometimes when he gets too emotional, but possesses a solid upside.

Declining: In the spring rankings by one combine service, Marcus Bell of Arizona was the top-rated defensive player. But too many of his flaws were manifested in 1999, when he looked stiff and unathletic at times and appeared too weak to play inside and not instinctive enough to move outside. An overachiever who will be drafted in the middle rounds, but not the player scouts thought he would be. Corey Moore, the former All-America defensive end from Virginia Tech, is incredibly tiny. Walking through the hotel at the combine, he looked like a water boy. Has a little too much bravado and will let his mouth run on. Too good and fiery not to look at in the late rounds, but may never be anything more than a career special teams performer and good quote.

Intriguing: T.J. Slaughter of Southern Mississippi played every game last season despite torn ligaments in both hands. Big hitter who will drive through the ball carrier but lacks awareness in some circumstances. Started two years outside, then moved inside for two more seasons, finished as leading tackler in conference history. Had 26 outings with double-digit tackles, including 26 stops against Texas A&M last year. Nate Webster of Miami (Fla.) wasn't even declared eligible for the draft until last month but could be taken as high as the third round. Webster is a tackling machine, tough and fearless, always around the ball. He led Big East with 150 tackles last year and only negative is that he is less than 6 feet tall.

Sleepers: Antonio Wilson of Texas-Commerce benefited greatly from getting to play in the Senior Bowl. He's very raw and, despite his size, lacks some functional strength. But this is a good athlete who runs well and loves to compete. Isiah Kacyvenski of Harvard could be the lone Ivy League player selected in the draft. He has decent size and speed and plays with solid anticipation. He also has plenty of offers from corporations who don't make their money from football, so teams might be a little skeptical of his long-term future.

Specialist: Dustin Cohen of Miami (Ohio) isn't particularly pretty and not very aggressive. But he is a terrific player in coverage and returned four interceptions for touchdowns in his career. Could be used as a "nickel" linebacker in coverage and as a special teams player. He returned a blocked punt for a score and blocked another for a safety.