Stephen Tsai / Star-Advertiser sports reporter

With his body of work and sure hands, receiver Greg Salas deserves to be the first Warrior selected. But it’s about supply-and-demand and filling needs, and so that placement probably will go to running back Alex Green. Green is a tough runner (0.62 broken tackles per rush) and skilled receiver (caught 82 percent of the passes thrown his way). Sure, in UH’s pistol formation, he had a clear view aligned 7 yards from the line of scrimmage. But he also played without a tight end or blocking back. I went to the archives. Instead of pulling video of his 327-yard game against New Mexico State, I looked at the video of his worst outing, 3 yards against Colorado. It was on the road, and at altitude. On the first play, CU added a blitzing linebacker to its four-man front. The CU middle linebacker made a slant move, drawing a block from the center. The left end then looped toward the middle. That created a four-man wall in Green’s path. He eluded a would-be tackler 2 yards from the line of scrimmage, then fought his way for a 1-yard gain. Stat-wise the play meant little, but it showed Green’s leg strength, footwork, agility and toughness.

Dave Reardon / Star-Advertiser sports columnist

I laugh when I hear Greg Salas referred to as a sleeper. So-called experts who describe him as such are the ones who have been napping … for the past three years. Some still think of Salas as a one-dimensional "system receiver" whose big numbers are tainted by the style of offense. They must have turned in for Z’s too early on Saturday nights instead of watching him play. He’s college-fast, but not a blazer by NFL standards, and that will keep him out of the first day’s selections. But Salas is plus in athleticism, toughness, production, desire and other intangibles. And he’s plus-plus in hands, despite what you may have heard about one bad Senior Bowl workout. I say third round, to a team willing to break the mold of small slots and start a new trend. Alex Green, a complete running back by any measure, follows not far behind.

Ferd Lewis / Star-Advertiser sports columnist

Curiously for a school that has set so many NCAA passing records, just as many running backs have been drafted out of UH in the run-and-shoot era (1999-current) as receivers: two.

That might be an indication that NFL teams have lumped some of the receiver prospects into the same "system-guy" category they have used to discount the worthiness of quarterbacks.

The hope this year is that Greg Salas will be seen for his considerable talents and also get the benefit from what the man he followed — Davone Bess — has accomplished in the NFL.

Bess was an undrafted free agent in 2008, and his three-year body of work with Miami should help validate Salas’ credentials this week.

Mike Cherry / Hawaii News Now sports anchor

Projected to be a late-rounder or free agent at the end of Hawaii’s season, running back Alex Green has streaked up draft boards (ESPN’s Todd McShay has Green taken in the third round by the St. Louis Rams.) And why not, Green possesses NFL size at 6-0 and 225 pounds, and with most NFL teams relying on two or more backs, RB will be a high priority. Green’s ascent also can be attributed to his performance at the NFL combine. A 4.46 in the 40-yard dash ranked him in the top 10 at his position. A number of NFL teams have met with Green independently, including the Lions, Rams, Eagles, Falcons and Titans. While some might say an increase in spread formations would give WR Greg Salas the best opportunity to become the first Warrior selected, Green provides a double threat out of the backfield (27 receptions, 362 yards, TD in 2010) that will make it tough for teams to pass him up.

Curtis Murayama / Star-Advertiser deputy sports editor

Upside and measurables. NFL teams fall in love with players who have those. Add in the fact that this year’s crop of running backs lacks depth and that’s reason enough why Alex Green will be the first UH player drafted. Green has the size, speed, power and hands — tangible qualities you can work with. No doubt, Greg Salas had a better career than Green. We all watched and admired Salas’ competitiveness, toughness and great hands. But when it comes time for NFL teams to evaluate and eventually rate players, it’s about how they can transition to the faster, more physical NFL. Teams saw Green’s numbers and workouts at the combine and pro day and envisioned Steven Jackson. Scouts who watched Salas saw Austin Collie.