NFL Draft 2012: Area Prospects Top SI.com's Positional Rankings

Not surprisingly, Standford's super-prospect trio of QB Andrew Luck, G David DeCastro, and TE Coby Fleener are tops at their respective positions in Sports Illustrated and TFY Draft Insider's NFL Draft Prospect Rankings database, now available for perusal at SI.com.

Draft prospects are ranked per position and each assigned individual grades ranging from zero to 5.00. According to SI.com's system, the rankings are approximately commensurate with the following:

5.00 to 4.00 -- Franchise Prospect -- A player who can change the course of a game and a consistent performer. Multiple Pro Bowl possibilities and top ten selection.

3.99 to 3.10 -- Quality Prospect -- Someone that consistently gives good performances. Occasional Pro Bowl appearances.

3.09 to 2.75 -- First-Year Contributor -- Prospect that has the ability to make plays from the get-go and start early into his rookie season.

2.74 to 2.45 -- Future Starter -- A good athlete that must learn to be a football player or someone who is an "overachiever". Quality prospect with long term potential.

2.44 to 2.35 -- Fence Player -- Prospect on the fence that has the skills and abilities to succeed but needs time and patience to develop those skills to the fullest.

2.34 to 1.99 -- Practice Squad -- Late-round draft pick or priority free agent that must develop his talents on the practice squad

1.98 to 1.50 -- Free Agent -- Player who will make a 60 or 80 man roster.

Per their grading system - Andrew Luck scores an impressive 3.50, DeCastro scores a 3.27, and Fleener a respectable 3.05. Upon first glace, it's a bit strange, in my mind, that Luck isn't included in the 4.00 to 5.00 range of "franchise players" after all the hype that's been surrounding him the past two years, but I he'll have the opportunity to prove the projection/grade of 3.5 wrong, soon enough. Make sure you head over to SI.com to take a look at the grading, scouting reports, and rankings.

For more on Stanford, head over to Rule of Tree. For more on the NFL Draft, make your way to Mocking the Draft.