Five on the decline coming out of the combine:

1. Wolverine skill

Running back Mike Hart and wide receiver Mario Manningham were both two-time All-Big Ten selections who were yardage and point machines for Michigan. Hart became the school's all-time leading rusher. Manningham averaged 16.4 yards per career catch with 27 touchdowns. But Hart ran a 4.67 40 at Indianapolis and Manningham a 4.59. They lack the speed to be playmakers in the NFL that they were in college.

2. Ali Highsmith

LB, LSU

Highsmith is an instinctive player, leading the national champions in tackles last season. He's undersized at 5-11, 230 pounds, so the NFL envisioned him as a nickel linebacker. That is, until he ran that 4.96 40 at the combine. A lack of size and speed is a bad draft-day combination.

3. Linebackers

LSU's Ali Highsmith was one of several disappointments at linebacker. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Curtis Lofton of Oklahoma ran a 4.77 40, and All-Pac-10er Spencer Larsen ran a 4.9. There were three linebackers selected in the first round in 2007. There may not be that many in 2008.

4. Calais Campbell

DE, Miami

Campbell is a giant (6-8, 290) for the end position with pass-rush skill. He collected sacks in seven consecutive games in 2006 and posted 19 in his career. Campbell decided to skip his senior season to turn pro, but he cost himself some money with his 5-second 40 at the combine. He may wind up inside at tackle in the NFL in pass-rush situations, as the New York Giants used Justin Tuck.

5. Josh Johnson

QB, San Diego

The NFL really wanted to embrace this long shot. He played non-scholarship, Division III football at San Diego — not San Diego State — and put up incredible numbers there. Johnson completed 68 percent of his passes as a senior with 43 touchdowns and only one interception. He threw 73 TDs and only 15 interceptions in 1,065 career passes. But Johnson was erratic at the combine throwing to bigger, faster receivers than he had in college. He struggled to throw spirals.