Raji (6-2, 337) is considered the highest-rated defensive lineman in the draft and a top-10 prospect. The 49ers own the No. 10 overall pick in the draft. Obviously, Raji is a serious option for the 49ers if he is still available after the first nine selections.

His reputation appears to be on the mend after reports surfaced last week on SI.com and NFLDraftbible.com that he tested positive for drugs at the combine in February. Raji told me this evening the reports are inaccurate. His agents provided evidence in a statement earlier today and declared the “reports are untrue.”

“The biggest thing is trying to figure out how this started,” Raji said. “I couldn’t understand how this rumor became such a big splash in the media when there was no evidence – there was no substance to believe it. The last couple days, I was just trying to figure out: Who? What? Basically, why?”

“Now, I’m happy the truth is out. Obviously, it’s not going to be as big of a splash as the negative part. But as long as the coaches and the decision-makers know what is true, then I don’t need to be concerned with everybody else.”

The NFLDraftBible.com should take some heat over this because Raji wasn’t the only prospect they said failed substance tests. They also reported that USC linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews failed steroids tests as well.

The site should own up to the false reports, but I doubt that will happen.

According to the NFL’s drug policy, a positive test for street drugs, which includes marijuana, puts a player into the initial stage of the NFL’s drug program. He’s then subject to random testing and subject to a fine or suspension if he tests positive again.

How this affects Raji’s draft grade remains to be seen. He missed the 2007 college season with academic issues, returned to Boston College and had a terrific senior campaign, recording eight sacks and 42 tackles, with 16 tackles for loss. He was a dominant force during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl and continued his momentum up draft boards after turning in good combine and pro-day workouts. His performances the past three months have some scouts believing he’ll be taken in the top third of the first round of the April 25 draft.

One source familiar with the positive drug test assessed Raji’s draft prospects by saying, “It’s a roll of the dice. If Raji stays clean and plays to his potential, you could have a dominant defensive lineman on your team. Then again, it does nobody any good if the kid is on the sidelines serving a suspension for a failed test.”

As the article notes, Warren Sapp tested positive for drugs before the 1995 draft and obviously he turned out just fine. But this obviously is horrible timing for Raji, whose draft stock couldn’t have been higher following excellent pre-draft workouts. My guess is that he’ll still be selected in the top 15, but this no doubt raises some red flags about his character.

B.J. Raji has never had much trouble with offensive linemen, quarterbacks, or even running backs. It’s those associate deans he’s had to watch out for.

Prior to his 2007 season at Boston College, he was assured by an associate dean that he only had to complete two summer courses to be academically eligible to play that season.

Unfortunately, he actually needed three — which meant that Raji would be academically ineligible for the 2007 season.

Raji was devastated when told the news by then-BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski. But instead of sitting around and feeling sorry for himself, he went to work: dominating for the Eagles’ scout team and hitting the gym hard every day.

Then, back on the field in 2008, he took all the frustration out on his opponents, exploding for 42 tackles and seven sacks from his defensive tackle position.

Given how well everything has ended up working out for Raji, it must be hard for him to stay mad at the associate dean who contributed to his missing the 2007 season. Raji currently stands poised to become a top-10 pick in April’s NFL Draft, with a very good shot at going in the top 5.

Raji finds himself in such high demand because of the 6-2, 340-pounder’s ability to plug up holes in the running game and wreak havoc on quarterbacks in the passing game. He has emerged as the best prospect among all defensive tackles, a position that seems to always be increasing in value in the minds of NFL coaches and executives. Albert Haynesworth, considered one of the league’s best players at the position, just signed a seven-year, $100 million contract this offseason with the Washington Redskins. Many scouts and NFL general managers see Raji as a player who could potentially impact the game the same way Haynesworth and other dominant defensive tackles do.

Teams do have a few reservations about selecting Raji high in the first round, including is his weight. When Jagodzinski first arrived at the Eagles’ coach in 2007, he made it his number one priority to see to it that Raji trimmed down his size so that his quickness would not be bogged down. Teams don’t want to see the big man tipping the scales past the 340 mark. Also, concerns have been raised concerning Raji’s character because of his academic issues in 2007.

There is little concern, however about Raji’s on-the-field performance in 2008. Raji and fellow defensive tackle prospect Ron Brace formed a fearsome combination in the middle of the Eagles’ defense. Their presence was so formidable that many teams entered into games against BC without any plans to run the football whatsoever, because they were so intimidated by the hulking, disruptive defensive linemen.

Becoming the same kind of impact player in the NFL shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for Raji. And offensive linemen, running backs and quarterbacks should all be put on notice.

At least in the NFL, Raji won’t have to worry about any of those pesky deans.

Latest on Raji

The Detroit Lions, owners of the draft’s top overall pick, have reportedly met with Raji privately.

ESPN analysts Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay are split on where they think Raji will go in the draft, but both have him being selected within the top 5 picks.

Raji on the Web

NFL Draft Scout Profile: Stats and measurables

Boston College Profile: Personal info and statistics from Raji’s Boston College career

ESPN.com Profile: Stats on Raji

Q&A With Niner Nation blog: Raji dishes on his BC career, draft prospects

Midseason Feature by the Boston Globe: Discusses Raji’s rising draft stock

SI.com Feature: This midseason article details Raji’s comeback from lost season in 2007

Raji Says

On being ineligible during the 2007 season:

“All I wanted was to play on Saturdays. It hurt not to be out there.”

On switching full time from basketball to football in high school:

“I guess reality struck when I stopped growing. I wasn’t going to be Allen Iverson.”

On why a team should pick him:

“The reason a GM should pick me is because I believe that I can have an immediate impact on a defense and along with that I will put the teams before me.”

Notable Free Agents: Atari Bigby, S (restricted); Mark Taucher, OT; Michael Montgomery, DE; Colin Cole, DT.

Projected 2009 Cap Space: $18,000,000

Draft Order: 9

Top Needs: OLB, OL, 3-4 defensive linemen.

Offseason Outlook: After hiring Dom Capers to run the defense, the Packers will move to a 3-4 defensive front next season. That means defensive end Aaron Kampman will move to one of the outside linebacker spots, while A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett will be the team’s starting inside ‘backers. The outside linebacker spot opposite of Kampman will be Brady Poppinga’s to lose, although Green Bay will likely bring in competition to push him for the starting position.

The Packers most pressing need this offseason will be finding D-linemen that can fit the 3-4 defensive front – especially at defensive end. Green Bay is in luck too, because after Julius Peppers (who was franchised by Carolina), the next best defensive ends on the market are Chris Canty (Cowboys) and Igor Olshansky (Chargers) – two relatively young linemen that are used to playing in a 3-4. Either way, they have to address both end positions because neither Michael Montgomery nor Colin Cole are expected to be re-signed and there are serious doubts that former first round pick Justin Harrell can be effective in a 3-4.

Even though they project Ryan Pickett to be the starting nose tackle, the Packers might consider drafting Boston College defensive lineman B.J. Raji, who stands 6’1” and weighs 323 pounds. He has excellent strength, can occupy multiple blockers and could easily play nose in a 3-4 scheme. And considering what the needs are for the teams selecting ahead of Green Bay in the draft, Raji should be available at No. 9.

If the Packers decide to go with Pickett at nose, another option for them in the first round is Florida State defensive end Everette Brown, who is athletic enough to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4. He could immediately challenge Poppinga for the starting outside linebacker position opposite Kampman and hopefully give Green Bay’s pass rush (the Pack finished near the bottom of the league in sacks last year) a major boost.

Green Bay might add depth to its secondary this offseason, but don’t expect wholesale changes. GM Ted Thompson is already committed to Al Harris and Charles Woodson at the cornerback positions and Nick Collins emerged as one of the more underrated safeties in the NFL last season.

Offensively, Jason Spitz is expected to move to center full time, which will free up the starting right guard position for former fourth rounder Josh Sitton, who showed promise as a rookie last season before suffering a sprained knee in August.

The Packers want to bring back free agent right tackle Mark Tauscher, but won’t break the bank to do so after he had ACL surgery in February. If they fail to re-sign Tauscher, they could draft an offensive tackle to take his place, although it probably won’t come in the first round with so many holes to fill in the defensive front seven.

The coaching staff is extremely high on youngster Jermichael Finley, who could steal the starting tight end job away from Donald Lee this summer. If the explosive Finley can give Rodgers a solid target in the middle of the field, that should only benefit Donald Driver and Greg Jennings (who should get a new contract soon) on the outside.

Whether fans like it or not, the quarterback position won’t be addressed this offseason. Aaron Rodgers is the starter and will be expected to further his development in his second full season as a starter. And even though he battled injuries last year, Ryan Grant remains the starter at running back and should benefit from having a year under his belt in the zone-blocking scheme the Packers implemented two seasons ago.

Pete Prisco of CBSSportsline.com ranked the top 32 prospects in this year’s NFL draft.

Here are his top 10:

1. Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia: When he throws for the scouts, they will be in awe. There are some who think he locks on to receivers at times. But that can happen to young passers with big arms.

2. Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest: Think Derrick Brooks. He’s a run-and-chase linebacker who has good size at 240 pounds. He might be the cleanest player in the draft, the one with the fewest flaws.

3. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College: He’s a power player who could not be blocked at the Senior Bowl. At 335 pounds, he also has good quickness.

4. Jason Smith, T, Baylor: This former tight end has great feet and plays with a nasty streak. He is 6-4, 300 pounds and has the frame to get bigger. He’s a better pass blocker, but will get better for the run as he matures.

5. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech: He is the next Larry Fitzgerald. He’s big and strong. The once concern with him is his 40 time. But Fitzgerald wasn’t fast either.

6. Eugene Monroe, T, Virginia: He’s another tackle who is better as a pass protector than blocking for the run. Is that a bad thing?

7. Andre Smith, T, Alabama: He played left tackle at Alabama, but some scouts wonder if he’s not more of a right tackle. He’s the best run blocker of the three top tackles, but he has struggled with some speed rushers.

8. Mark Sanchez, QB, USC: He’s accurate, poised and his arm is plenty strong. The knock on him will be that he was a one-hit wonder. Don’t believe it.

9. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State: He’s a smart cover player who might not have blazing speed, but he plays fast enough. He’s easily the top corner in this draft.

10. Everette Brown, LB-DE, Florida State: Think Dwight Freeney. He’s short at 6-1 but has a great burst off the edge. He might even rise up this board as we go through the process.

Everyone is going to have varying opinions on which prospect is better than the next (everyone is an expert this time of year), but I think that’s a pretty solid top 10. I don’t think Sanchez is a top 10 prospect, but that’s just me. For the amount of talent USC had this year, he certainly didn’t dominate and I think he’s a raw prospect in that he’ll need a couple years to develop.

The guy that could be a steal in the middle of the first round is Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis, who Prisco ranked at No. 15. He’s got better physical skills than Jenkins (the top corner in the draft), but he plays undisciplined and that’s why he’ll drop. A good pro coaching staff could turn Davis into a star.