Mocking things up like this is premature and generally we end up arguing visual issues which, while fun, are the least important of the issues here.

What we need to really figure out are the UX issues - what are the purposes of the directory? Who are the 'customers' and what do they want and need?

For example, popular. Who CARES about whether a plugin is popular (even assuming we can adequately define that word in the context of plugins)? A site owner shouldn't install a plugin because a lot of other people are doing it, they should install a plugin because it fills a need.

So, the first thing is that the interface should be far more conversational. It should assume the visitor is looking for a plugin to do X and encourage them to express that - "I'm looking for a plugin that does _____" where the underline is a select menu of common things that people use plugins for with an Other choice for cases that aren't common.

Next, USE FACETED SEARCH. It's better that the mockup lets people order by various criteria, but I often want to show only plugins rated 3.5 stars and above *and* which have been updated in the last 3 months. Forcing one search mode on me is 1990s thinking.