By KIT STIER
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

Here are the top three draft prospects in this year's NFL draft at each of the offensive positions.

QUARTERBACK

1. Carson Palmer, USC, 6-5, 235: Despite making what experts believe were some questionable on-field decisions, Palmer is the class of what is a deep pool of talent at his position in this draft. He's big and mobile, has arm strength and is accurate. He threw for more than 3,900 yards working against the toughest schedule in the nation last season.

2. Byron Leftwich, Marshall, 6-5, 240: Leftwich, who threw for more than 4,000 yards last season, gets the nod as being the best pure passer in this year's group. He gets high marks for hard work and dedication. He doesn't get high marks for mobility, but is an "A" student in pocket awareness.

3. Kyle Boller, California, 6-3, 233: When Cal hired Jeff Tedford, an expert on quarterbacks, as its new head coach after the 2001 season, it was a blessing for Boller, who had floundered in his first three years with the Bears. Last season he had 2,815 yards, 28 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions to move from being a possible second-day pick to a first-round candidate. He's strong, athletic and has 4.65-range speed. He must continue refining most phases of his game.

RUNNING BACK

1. Larry Johnson, Penn State, 6-1, 228: Even though Johnson had just the one super season as a collegian, there's no debate that he'll be the first running back taken in the draft. He ran for 2,087 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2002 after sharing time with other backs before last season. Johnson averaged 8 yards per carry, he can block, he can catch a pass and he's expected to make a fine pro.

2. Willis McGahee, Miami (Fla.), 6-0, 223: McGahee suffered a serious knee injury in the national championship game against Ohio State and he has a history of knee problems. But he remains rated one of the top running-back talents in this draft. He ran for 1,753 yards and 27 touchdowns last year. He may not be able to play next season, but he's thought to be worth a roll of the dice.

3. Musa Smith, Georgia, 6-0, 230: Smith blossomed last season, rushing for 1,324 yards behind a line that had injury issues. He has high ratings as a pass receiver and blocker. He's not a breakaway-type back, but scores high marks for running in traffic.

FULLBACK

1. Casey Moore, Stanford, 6-2, 244: Moore is an all-around fullback, a big man who can run, block and catch, and fit snugly into an NFL offense. He rushed for 348 yards last season for a 6.6-yard average, and as a receiver averaged nearly 10 yards per catch.

2. Ovie Mughelli, Wake Forest, 6-1, 253: Mughelli is a big, strong man who can bench press 395 pounds. He's nearly unstoppable in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He is rated a terrific lead blocker. While averaging 11.1 yards per catch, he ran for 296 yards on 72 carries and scored 11 times last season.

3. Justin Griffith, Mississippi State, 5-11, 230: He may not be the best runner in this class of fullbacks, but he may have the best hands. He rushed for 471 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season and hauled in 19 catches for 199 yards. He's a hard worker who has many skills and could earn a starting spot soon.

TIGHT END

1. Jason Witten, Tennessee, 6-5, 264: This junior began his career as a defensive end and earned starting status as a tight end in 2002. He's still filling out physically. He's a good in-line blocker who often paved the way for Vols running backs. He'll need time to round into a complete pro player, but it shouldn't take long.

2. Dallas Clark, Iowa, 6-3, 255: A walk-on linebacker, Clark moved to tight end in 2001 and caught 77 passes for 1,251 yards in two years. Clark has speed and is able to get deep into an opponent's secondary. He's touted as being a player with great offensive potential who needs to work on his blocking.

3. L.J. Smith, Rutgers, 6-3, 254: The question asked about Smith is what he might have been in a strong offensive program. He's rated a fine receiver who uses good techniques to get off the line. He needs work on his blocking and might have trouble with defensive ends.

WIDE RECEIVER

1. Charles Rogers, Michigan State, 6-2, 205: The only question seems to be just how quickly will Rogers earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He has size, he's aggressive, has speed that's rocket-like even when it may look as though he's not at full throttle, and he's very aggressive. He averaged 20.4 yards per catch at Michigan State and 25 of his 125 catches were for touchdowns. He's considered a can't-miss for stardom.

2. Andre Johnson, Miami (Fla.), 6-2, 230: Averaged 21.6 yards per catch last season and one touchdown every 4.4 catches. A sprinter who is not a natural receiver, Johnson will need to work on his techniques as a pro. But he has strong hands, size and speed, and his route-running has improved steadily. If he were a gem, he'd be an uncut Rogers.

3. Taylor Jacobs, Florida, 6-0, 205: Jacobs played his college ball in a program that passes and emerged with notices that rave about his instincts for the position. While not the fastest guy on the block, Jacobs is said to be able to compensate with his skills at being able to catch the ball in the air and run great pass routes. He's also a leader.

TACKLE

1. Jordan Gross, Utah, 6-4, 303: There seems to be little doubt that Gross can make the move from college to pro ball with ease. He worked under Utes coach Ron McBride, who's considered a great offensive-line technician, and has mastered both pass-protection and run-blocking skills. The team that takes him should be able to plug him right in and turn on the power.

2. Kwame Harris, Stanford, 6-7, 310: Bright, Harris is an honorable-mention academic all-American, who is already a good pass blocker with the ability to become great against the run if he adds some weight to his massive frame. Some attribute this junior's occasional inconsistent play to boredom born from playing across from players who were unable to provide him with a tough challenge.

3. George Foster, Georgia, 6-5, 338: Strong workouts after the season helped increase the value of a player who missed part of the season due to a wrist injury suffered in an August car wreck. He's massive with an edgy, aggressive demeanor on the field. He has quick feet for a big man and drives defensive ends backward. However, he needs work on his technique, and his weight could be an issue.

GUARD

1. Eric Steinbach, Iowa, 6-6, 298: Because of his size, he may be moved to tackle, and his smarts and talent could earn him a try at center. He was a high school quarterback, who arrived at college as a tight end and wound up on the line. Kirk Ferentz, his line coach at Iowa, was a line coach in the NFL, and Steinbach was the best lineman on a team that gave up just 11 sacks in 12 games.

2. Vince Manuwai, Hawaii, 6-2, 302: Manuwai knocked an opponent off his feet 53 times last season. He's a prototype guard with his thick body and power. However, he played in a run-and-shoot offense and will need time to make the transition to an NFL system. He made quick progress during Senior Bowl workouts and is described as an avid student of the game.

3. Derrick Dockery, Texas, 6-6, 345: In 24 games the last two seasons, he started 18 games at right guard and six at right tackle. The negative on Dockery is that his play has been inconsistent. On the plus side is his size and ability to adapt to more than one position.

CENTER

1. Jeff Faine, Notre Dame, 6-3, 303: Faine is rated so high that even though no team has a great need to draft a center in the first round, one might take a chance. He started the last 35 games he played for the Irish. A stronger pass blocker than run blocker, Faine is thought to have few weaknesses.

2. Al Johnson, Wisconsin, 6-3, 305: He started 36 of the 37 games he played for the Badgers. He was matched up against big defensive tackles, but as yet doesn't have the leg drive to be overpowering. He practiced against All-American tackle Wendell Bryant in 2001. Some teams might note his 1999 drunken driving conviction.

3. Bruce Nelson, Iowa, 6-5, 300: Nelson was a tight end when he arrived at Iowa, moved to center in 2001 and last year was the anchor of an O-line that yielded just 11 sacks. He's rated good enough to start in the NFL as a rookie. He's a bit light and needs to work on his strength, which he'll need to run block against defensive tackles.

PLACE-KICKER

1. Alex Walls, Tennessee, 6-0, 209: Walls tried two field-goal attempts from 50 yards or beyond during his four years at Tennessee and made both of them. He was 12 for 22 from 40-49 yards and 16-19 from 30-39. He missed only 4 of 137 point-after attempts and none in 43 last season.

2. Seth Marler, Tulane, 6-1, 195: Takers will be reminded that Marler played his home games indoors. He's said to have average leg strength and gets so-so hang time on kickoffs. But he was impressive at the scouting combine and did hit 25 of 28 field-goal attempts he made from beyond 40 yards during his career.

3. Josh Brown, Nebraska, 6-0, 202: Brown converted 14 of 18 field-goal attempts last season and 43-62 during his four years at Nebraska. He hit 7 of 9 attempts from 40-49 yards out. Of the 190 point-after attempts he made during his college career, he connected on 186. His kickoffs are driven deep.

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