It's that time of the year again. The NFL draft is just around the corner: we drool over 40-yard dash times, gasp at linemen benching 225 pounds and sit down and watch, perhaps, the most boring televised event of the year. This year's draft boasts quite a few high profile names. Who will be this year's Adrian Peterson? Read on to find out:

Comment: Everyone saw what he did in college. Now get ready for what he's going to do in the pros. A solid choice and a definite first rounder, Run-DMC is going to make a splash in the NFL with the Big Boys. Don't be surprised to see him in the Silver and Black next Fall, as the Oakland Raiders are expected to take him with the fourth overall pick.

Comment: Mendenhall is scary: a 225-pounder that can run a 4.37 40-yard dash. He made a great impression with scouts at his combine workouts. Playing at such a small school, he didn't get as much hype as he deserved, but he's definitely a first-rounder. Probably, with the 15th pick he's headed to the Detroit Lions. Hey, he could be the next Barry Sanders.

Comment: He ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at 235 pounds — that's something to write home about. He has great hands and can catch the ball out of the backfield. With The Edge getting older (he turns 30 in August), expect the Arizona Cardinals to scoop him up with the 16th overall pick. Rumors are swirling that he had surgery on his toe, which could make his stock drop, but scouts were impressed with his ability to play Division I football and juggle Daily Show duties on Comedy Central.

Comment: He got stronger as the year went on during the 2007 season, averaging 180 yards over the final five games and 161 yards and two touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl win over Arizona State. Jamaal will make an immediate impact in the league, expect to see him gone mid-second round, possibly to Cincy to help rejuvenate a depleted Bungles running game.

Comment: His game has been compared to Edgerrin James', and that's saying something. He tied and set a lot of school records at Tulane. He registered 99.2 yards per game, 39 rushing touchdowns and 44 total touchdowns — all school records. The Steelers are said to be interested with their second-round pick, 53rd overall.

Comment: He is one of the strongest guys on the ECU team and also runs track. Chris became the 11th Pirate to rush for 2,000 career yards and set an ECU record with 6,993 all-purpose yards. With Julius Jones gone, it wouldn't shock me to see the Dallas Cowboys draft him in the second round, 61st overall.

Comment: There's no denying what he accomplished at Rutgers, but he does lack the size of a typical NFL back. Rice is quick, fast and makes defenses concentrate on him, a team might take a chance on him in the late second, early third round. Possibly the Carolina Panthers.

Comment: He had an amazing career at WVU, but I'm just not sold that he can produce without Pat White. Those two were a machine together, and I don't think you can separate them. The Tennessee Titans will draft Slaton, most likely in the later rounds.

Comment: Alridge is a running back, wide receiver and return specialist, which makes him more valuable than other running backs. However, he played in Conference USA, which is not exactly the SEC. A desperate team will take a chance on him late in the draft, possibly the Atlanta Falcons.

Comment: His Wolverines didn't have the strongest campaign in 2007, but he did make a name for himself and was in consideration for the Heisman (a real long-shot). A team that wants to bulk up at the position will take a chance on him in the later rounds. Hart could possibly be this year's Mr. Irrelevant. I see either the Jets or Falcons taking him.