As Cecil noted, NFL ist round picks does not necessarily correllate with succcess at the college level, but this is a reflection on our general talent level in the wake of the recruiting scandals. It is a little ironic that Gene Stallings, who was not known as a recruiter of great offensive players, recruited Samuels and Alexander, the last two first rounders, as offensive players.
Mark Anderson and DeMico Ryans both showed themselves as being worth a first round pick by their NFL performance. but slipped past the first round, IMO, because of their relatively small size for the position they were playing. In another case, it was just rotten luck. IMO had Brodie had a decent supporting cast around him, including an offensive line that would not get him killed, he would have had a spectacular career and been a first round pick, but he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
CNS and his recruiting approach will change all that soon enough. The kids he is bringing in have both NFL size and NFL speed. I think Andre Smith is our next first round pick. I hope it is in the 2010 draft.