The NFL draft combine has begun and with the Patriots ready to dominate for the fifth year in a row I started thinking about the correlation of the top six prospects on walterfootball.com as Italian red wines.

1.) Miami Dolphins: Chris Long, DE, Virginia: Chianti Classico

The son of a hall-of-famer, I need to go with the classic Italian wine. Almost always 100% Sangiovese, Chianti Classico’s are red wine in its purest form. Chris is the perfect fit at any position on the D line and Chianti’s can fit with almost any meal.

2.) St. Louis Rams: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State: Amarone

Vernon is a “beast” and “work-out warrior”. Meaning he is as big and physical as his frame will let him. The Amarone wines from North East Italy are as tanic and full flavored as a wine can be. They are literally set out in the sun and shriveled from the additional sun light to maximize every tid bit of flavor. Vernon may not be the best football player in the draft, but he is as hard nosed and serious as a player can be.

3.) Atlanta Falcons: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU: Sicilian Nero D’avala

Glenn Dorsey is an unbelievable talent who is kinda – fat. There has been a lot of Pundit chatter regarding how great defensive tackles in college can not make it in the NFL – or excuse me – the professional wine world. Great Nero D’avola have the ripest fruit in possibly the world and can hold their own against the battering ram of the pushy wine world. The plumpness of these grapes blow my mind.

4.) Oakland Raiders: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

Vino Nobile’s are the best grapes from the southern Tuscan town of Montepulciano. Unbelievably hearty and physical they pack a deceptive amount of power for a luxuries Tuscan food wine. Sedrick is already the quickest D lineman in the draft and packs a mean punch on every down. He also comes from a University that is synonymous with quality. Montepulciano’s have been some of the best wines in the world for literally the last six hundred years and will not disappoint.

6.) New York Jets: Darren McFadden: The Nebbiolo’s from Barbaresco

Darren is possibly the most talented and is the most exciting draft pick in this years draft. And then I read Wine Spectator. Every wine maker and sommelier claim Burgundy and northern Italian Nebbiolo’s as the wines. Barberesco’s have a serious graceful punch and are worth the risk with every purchase because every fourth bottle is a home run. Great Barbaresco’s open up as they age and as NFL teams know – unbelievable talent can happen to those who wait.