Sunday, March 14, 2010

Post combine top 7 prospects at each position

Now that we know who definitely declared for the draft, the post season all star games and the scouting combine are over, here is the current list of the top 7 prospects at all the positions. * Denotes a player either coming off of a serious injury, or considered a injury risk, and that definitely affects how they are ranked currently.Right next to them is the NFL player player I think they most resemble if they are a hit.

OFFENSE

QB- Lockers decision to go back to school helps Clausen , but especially McCoy a lot. Some QB needy team may reach for Colt earlier than they would have now. A healthy bulked up Bradford is is still looking like the #1 pick,

1. Sam Bradford- OKLA - Phillip Rivers- SD- *
2. Jimmy Clausen- N. Dame - Drew Brees - NO
3. Tim Tebow- Fla. - Donavan McNabb - PHIL.
4. Colt McCoy- Texas - Jeff Garcia - Retired- *
5.-tie- Tony Pike- Cinc. - (Stronger armed) Alex Smith- SF
5.-tie- Jonathan Crompton- TENN.- Tony Romo- DALL
6.-tie- Levi Brown- TROY- Aaron Rodgers- GB
6.-tie- John Skelton- QB- Fordham- Joe Flacco- BALT
7.-tie- Jarret Brown- WVA- Tavaris Jackson- MINN
7.-tie- Dan LeFevour- C. MICH- David Garrard- JAX

Spiller and Best are homerun hitters, but Mathews has emerged as the best every down possibility. Most teams are using tandem RB's, and sometime even a trio to carry the load. A deep class ,but its highly unlikely any go in the top 10( though Spiller deserves to) ,and more than 2 in the 1rst round would be a shocker.

1. CJ Spiller- Clemson- Reggie Bush- NO
2. Ryan Mathews- Fresno St. - Frank Gore- SF
3. Jahvid Best - Cal. -Brian Westbrook- PHI.- *
4.-tie-Jonathan Dwyer - Ga. Tech. - Johnathan Stewart -CAR
4.-tie-Toby Gerhart- Stanford - Mike Allstott- retired
5. Ben Tate- AUBURN- Ronnie Brown- MIA
6.-tie- Montario Hardesty- TENN- Shonn Greene- NYJ
6.-tie- Dexter McCluster- Darren Sproles- SD/Warrick Dunn-TB
7.-tie Charles Scott- LSU- Cedrick Benson- CINC.
7.-tie- Joe McKnight- USC- Justin Fargas- OAK

WR- Unless someone runs a really fast 40 time I don't expect anyone to go in the top 10 here either. There is no Calvin Johnson(once a decade prospect) type that teams will be salivating over in this draft ,but there are a lot of possible # 1 receivers.

1. Dez Bryant- Okla. St.- Hakeem Nicks-NYG
2. Demaryius Thomas- Ga. Tech. - Terrell Owens- *
3. Golden Tate- N. Dame - Greg Jennings-GB
4.-tie- Arrellious Benn- Ill.- Dwayne Bowe- KC
4.-tie-Damian Williams- Southern Cal- Steve Smith- NYG
5. Eric Decker- MINN- Jordy Nelson- GB
6.-tie- Mike Williams- SYR.- Anquan Boldin- BALT.
6.-tie- Taylor Price- Donte Stallworth- BALT
6.-tie- Brandon LaFell- LSU- Early Doucet- AZ
7.-tie- Mardy Gilyard- CINC.- Patrick Crayton- DALL
7.-tie- Jordan Shipley- Brandon Stokely- DENV



TE- Complete TE's are getting hard to find these days.More teams are looking for that receiving option that can create matchup problems for opposing defenses.With the 2 biggest prospects coming off season long injuries,and the likelihood that a team can get a good TE later in the draft, it looks like at most 1 of these guys will go in the 1rst round . A deep position with good value all the way into the later rounds.With FB being a near dead postion, a lot of these guys have H-back / FB roles to fill as well.

1. Jermain Gresham- OKLA - Antonio Gates- SD- *
2. Rob Gronkowski- Jason Witten - DALL- *
3. Dennis Pitta- Owen Daniels- HOU
4. Anthony McCoy- Southern Cal- John Carlson- SEA
5.-tie-Aaron Hernandez- Fla.- Dallas Clark - INDY
5.-tie- Tony Moeaki- IOWA- Zach Miller-OAK
6. Ed Dickson- Ore.- Bo Scaife- TENN
7.-tie- Dorin Dickerson- PITT- Shannon Sharpe( retired)
7-tie- Jimmy Graham- MIA- Martellus Bennett- DALL

OT- A talented group with a lot of guys who are more projectable, than there are current elite prospects. A lot of depth with the possibility of as many as 6 1rst rounders . The big question is which ones can actually protect the QB's blindside?

1. Russell Okung- Okla. St.- Ryan Clady- DEN
2. Bryan Bulaga- Iowa- Jordan Gross- CAR
3. Trent Williams- OKLA- Eric Winston-HOU
4. Anthony Davis- Rutgers- Leonard Davis- DALL
5.-tie- Bruce Campbell- Maryland- Jason Peters- PHIL
5.-tie- Charles Brown- Southern Cal- DeBrickshaw Ferguson- NYJ
6.-tie- Roger Saffold- IND- Joe Staley- SF
6.-tie- Vladimir Ducasse- Umass- Vernon Carey- MIA
7.-tie- Tony Washington- Abilene Christian- Duane Brown- HOU
7.-tie- Selvish Capers- WVA- Alex Barron- STL


G- An under appreciated position that usually has a lot of College tackles who aren't seen as having the feet to play outside in the NFL, merging inside.

1. Mile Iupati- Idaho- Shawn Andrews- PHIL
2. Jon Asamoah- Ill.- Josh Sitton-GB
3. Maurkice Pouncey- Fla.- Andre Gurode- DALL
4. Vladimir Ducasse- Umass- Vernon Carey- MIA
5. John Jerry -G- MISS- Stacy Andrews- PHIL
6.-tie- Zane Beadles- UTAH- Reggie Wells- AZ
6.-tie- Mike Johnson- Ala.- Kyle Kosier- DALL
7.-tie- Mitch Petrus- ARK.-Jake Bell- STL
7.-tie- Sergio Render- VA.Tech- Chilo Rachal- SF

C- The QB's of the O-line have seen a renewed appreciation in the draft in recent years. Often versatile players than can also play guard, but there is no Nick Mangold or even Alex Mack in this years class. The senior bowl is usually the best chance for these guys to rise up draft boards, but the possible junior entry's are the best chance for someone to sneak into the bottom of the 1rst round .Also listed are players I think might be a good fit at center, even if they lack experience there.

1. Maurkice Pouncey- Fla.- Andre Gurode- DALL
2. Jon Asamoah- Ill.- Josh Sitton-GB
3. Matt Tenant- BC- Casey Rabach- WASH
4. Eric Olsen- N.Dame- R. Garza- CHI
5. Ted Larsen- NC ST.- Chris Spencer-SEA
6. JD Walton - Baylor- Jake Grove-MIA
7. John Estes- Samson Satele- OAK

DEFENSE

D-line-With so many guys being possible 3-4 converts I thought it would be wise to split them up into each scheme and rank them accordingly. Some players may be ranked in more than one scheme category. Workouts and all star games will sort out what guys teams think can be converted and how quickly. but this is my preliminary estimate. The D-line is the deepest area of the draft this season, with 10-14 players that will probably go in the first 2 rounds on the D-line alone . A lot of guys who can rush the passer from somewhere.


4-3 DT- A deep class with 2 probable top 5 picks and anywhere from 3 to 6 players likely to go in the 1rst round this year. The come in all shapes, sizes , scheme diversity, and many may be able to play 3- 4 end as well. Add that 6 of them are 1rst round talents, and 8 are possible in the first 2 rounds, and it makes this a really good year if you need a DT.

1. Ndamukong Suh- Neb.- Kevin Williams- Minn.
2. Gerald McCoy- Okla.- Tommie Harris- CHI.
3.-tie- Brian Price-UCLA- Sedrick Ellis- Southern Cal
3.-tie- Jared Odrick- Penn St.- Aaron Smith- PITT
4. Tyson Alualu-CAL-Domata Peko-CINC
5.-tie- Lamarr Houston- TEX- Luis Castillo- SD
5.-tie- Aurthur Jones--Syracuse- Jay Ratliff -DALL- *

6. Dan Williams -Tenn.- B J Raji- GB
7.-tie- D'Anthony Smith- La. Tech- Darnell Dockett- AZ
7.-tie- Geno Atkins-GA- Mike- Patterson - Phil


3/4 NT- Probably the hardest position to fill on the defensive line.The different types of 3-4 make it possible to have smaller guys at the nose these days, but their just aren't a lot of Albert Haynesworth's , Haloti Ngata's, and Shaun Rogers in the world.Teams are often willing to settle for a big guy that can occupy blockers and clog lanes on running downs.

1. Terence Cody- ALA.- Maake Kemoeatu- CAR
2. Dan Williams -Tenn.- B J Raji- GB
3. Cam Thomas- NC- Jason Ferguson - MIA
4. Torell Troup- UCF- Ryan Pickett- GB
5 Jeff Owens- GA- Casey Hampton- PITT - *
6. Brian Price- UCLA- Sedrick Ellis- Southern Cal
7.-tie- Linval Joseph- E.Car- Gerard Warren- OAK
7.-tie- Ekom Udofia- Stanford- Sione Pouha- JETS

4-3 DE's-A lot of college DE's are just too small right now to be more than situational pass rushers and must either get bigger or switch to OLB. 2-way 4-3 DE's are getting increasingly harder to find.

1. Derrick Morgan- DE- GA. Tech.-Justin Tuck- NYG
2. Brandon Graham- DE- Mich.- LaMarr Woodley-PITT
3.-tie- Sergio Kindle- Tex.-Clay Mathews- GB
3.-tie- Jason Pierre-Paul-DE- S. FLA- Jevon Kearse- TENN
4.-tie Everson Griffen-DE-Southern Cal-Shaun Ellis-NYJ
4.-tie- Carlos Dunlap- FLA- Julius Peppers- CAR
5. Ricky Sapp- CLEM- Jason Taylor- MIA- *
6.-tie- Corey Wootton- DE- Ohio St.- Justin Smith- SF
6.-tie- Alex Carrington-DE- ARK. ST.- Ray Edwards- MINN
7.-tie- Jerry Hughes-TCU-Robert Mathis - IND
7.-tie- Koa Misi- Anthony Spencer- DALL

3/4 Ends- Often the smartest players on the D-line. The guys who can hold the point against some double teams, rush the passer, and dominate 1 v 1.

1. Ndamukong Suh-DT- Neb.- Kevin Williams- Minn.
2.-tie- Gerald McCoy- Okla.- Tommie Harris- CHI.
2.-tie- Jared Odrick- DT- Penn St.- Aaron Smith- PITT
3.-tie- Corey Wootton- DE-NWestern- Justin Smith- SF
3.-tie- Carlos Dunlap-DE-FLA- Julius Peppers- CAR
4.-tie- Aurthur Jones-DT -Syracuse- Jay Ratliff -DALL- *
4.-tie- Lamarr Houston- TEX- Luis Castillo- SD
5. Tyson Alualu-CAL-Domata Peko-CINC
6.-tie- Alex Carrington-DE- ARK. ST.- Ray Edwards- MINN
6.-tie- Linval Joseph- E.Car- Gerard Warren- OAK
7.-tie- EJ Wilson- NC- Cullen Jenkins- GB
7.-tie- Al Woods - LSU- Johnny Jolly- GB


3/4 OLB- Highly athletic, speedy and often undersized college DE's usually make this transition. Need to not only be able to rush the passer, but drop into coverage and take on blockers.

1. Sergio Kindle- Tex.-Clay Mathews- GB
2. Brandon Graham- DE- Mich.- LaMarr Woodley-PITT
3. Ricky Sapp- Clem.-Jason Taylor- MIA- *
4. Jason Pierre-Paul- S. FLA- Jevon Kearse- TENN
5.-tie- Thaddeus Gibson- Ohio. St.-Brian Orapko- WASH
5.-tie- Jerry Hughes-TCU-Robert Mathis - INDY
6. Koa Misi- UTAH- Anthony Spencer- DALL
7.-tie- Everson Griffen-DE-Southern Cal-Shaun Ellis-NYJ
7. tie- George Selvie- S. FLA- Kameron Wimbley- CLEV



CB- One premier player and a lot of talent, but all but Joe Haden have some questions.A lot of possible value in the bottom of the first and top of the 2nd round. Still possibly a deep position this year though.

1. Joe Haden- FLA-Nate Clements- SF
2. Devin McCourty- Rutgers- Richard Marshall- CAR
3. Patrick Robinson-FLA. St.- Leodis McKelvin -BUFF
4.-tie Kyle Wilson- Boise St.- Mike Jenkins- DALL
4.-tie- Kareem Jackson- ALA.- Lito Sheppard- JETS
5.-tie- Parrish Cox- OKLA St.- Vontae Davis- MIA
5.-tie- Chris Cook- VA-Sean Smith- MIA
6. Jerome Murphy- S. FLA-Cedrick Griffin- MINN.
7.-tie- Myron Lewis- Vandy- Rashean Mathis - JAX
7.-tie- Amari Spievey- CB- Iowa- Ronde Barber- TB



Safety- A very versatile deep class at the top with probably 6-8 guys going off the board in the first 2 rounds. As close to a surefire pro bowler that a draft can have in Berry. Some of these guys can play both safety positions. Some might be able to play corner , and a few could probably play weakside LB.

1. Eric Berry- Tenn.- Ed Reed- Balt.
2. Earl Thomas- TEX- Brandon Meriweather- NE
3. Nate Allen- S. FLA- Tanard Jackson- TB
4. Taylor Mays- Southern Cal- Sean Taylor- WASH-( deceased)
5.- TJ Ward - ORE- Patrick Chung- NE
6.-tie- Major Wright- FLA- Chris Hope- TENN
7.-tie- Chad Jones- LSU- Adrian Wilson- AZ
7.-tie- Morgan Burnett- GA Tech
7.-tie- Kam Chancellor- Kerry Rhodes- AZ

ILB- These guys are generally the QB's of the defense. Leadership, high football IQ's and toughness are necessary. Not usually a high priority in the draft, but here are a couple of possible 1rst rounders this year.Some college Outside LB's listed here becuase I think they could also play inside with some time there.

1. Rolando McClain- ALA- Karlos Dansby- AZ
2. Donald Butler- WASH-D'Qwell Jackson- CLEV
3.-tie- Brandon Spikes- FLA- James Farrior- PITT
3.-tie- Sean Weatherspoon- Missouri- DJ Williams- DEN
4. Sean Lee- Penn St.-Jesse Armstead-(ret)
5. Navarro Bowman- Penn St.- Ernie Sims- DET
6. Daryl Washington - TCU- Nick Barnett- GB
7. Eric Norwood- SCar- Akin Ayodele- MIA


4-3 OLB- Usually speedy guys that can cover and chase down plays. Some weak side OLB's are like big safeties. Some strong side backers are DE size and need to take on a lot of blocks. Both need to be able to blitz at times.


1. Sean Weatherspoon- Missouri - DJ Williams- DEN
2. Sean Lee- Penn St. -Lofa Tatupu- SEA
3. Navarro Bowman- Penn St. - Ernie Sims- DET
4. Sergio Kindle- Texas- Clay Mathews- GB
5.-tie- Donald Butler- WASH-D'Qwell Jackson- CLEV
5.-tie- Taylor Mays- USC- Sean Taylor- WASH-( deceased)
6.-tie Daryl Washington - TCU- Nick Barnett- GB
6.-tie- Eric Norwood-OLB- S. Carolina
7.-tie- Chad Jones- LSU- Adrian Wilson- AZ
7.-tie-Dakoda Watson- FLA. St.- Thomas Howard- OAK- *