1. AJ green-WR-GA-NFL Comp-Larry Fitzgerald- AZ- Clearly the best receiver in this class and has a very low floor. Tall with long arms that he uses well to snatch balls out of the air. Unless he runs a 4.55 or worse in the forty he should at least go top 10 .He's a play maker that can take it to the house in the open field .A high level red zone threat who wins jump balls and who knows where the sideline is. Hands are the best to come out in the draft since Fitzgerald. Sinks his hips and explodes out of cuts.Although his route running can still use improvement he sets up DB's very well and creates separation. Great concentration and timing when the ball is in the air and has the knack for getting to it at it's highest point. Still needs to work on getting up to speed quicker and is a bit of a long strider, but his burst is good if he's not checked at the line . Great body control and knows how to use his size to box out defenders. Hard worker and a student of the game. Willing drive blocker but won't be KOing guys ala Hines Ward .
COMBINE UPDATE: dropped some in the gauntlet but scouts don't pay much attention to that considering his tape. Didn't jump as quite as high as we expected, but measure taller and his arms are long. With his timing jump balls are still his. Steady at # 1
2. Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU-NFL Comp-Charles Woodson-GB- A physical freak and speed is his only question for some, but he sure looks fast on the field . On tape he is so gifted and physical that as long as he runs a sub 4.6 I think he's a future pro bowler at CB or safety, but CB for now . The best ball skills of all the CB's this year with almost a receivers hands, but he isn't really a ballhawk who picks off a lot of passes. Isn't super fluid opening his hips yet, which is why some see him as a safety, but is fluid enough for such a big man. A good hitter who will occasionally frighten receivers but he needs to play the ball more and look for the KO less. Is good in press-man right now but he doesn't move laterally as well as he does horizontally. Back pedal isn't always consistent, but he seems to stay with his man anyway, and he times his jumps well when the balls in the air. Breaks on ball in front of him with a good burst and arrives with force. Angry tackler and plays with a CB's memory and with a safety's mindset . Explosive return man so you know he has the speed and burst, but would like to see it used all the time in coverage. Good instincts against the run or pass and takes good angles to the ball, but can get caught peeking into the back field now & again . Hasn't played a lot of zone , but he's a smart player with the work ethic to learn whatever he's taught. In a limited amount of reps he already looks OK there, but the inexperience shows in his reaction time. Smart NFL QB's and coordinators will test him but I have every confidence he will adapt and be a great NFL starter early in his career. Team leader and could even play a little offense if needed.A versatile threat that should go in the top 5 because he brings so much to the table.
COMBINE UPDATE- one of the stars of Indy. Showed the freakish athleticism we expected, and blazed a 4.34 forty- at 6 feet and 219 pounds! I would be stunned if he got out of the top 5. steady at #2
3. Marcel Dareus- DT/DE- ALA- NFL Comp- Cortez Kennedy-RET.- scheme versatility and a lot good film against top competition make him a safe bet to be at least a good starter. Ceiling nowhere near as high as other top D-lineman in this class but has the most polished technique of any of the DT prospects in this draft. A quick 1rst step penetrator that could be a 3 technique 4-3 DT although he has primarily played 3-4 end. Controls his man well and can either shuck him or shove him into the QB. Fluid pass rush moves and a strong burst off the snap with quick hands . Well liked team leader that has overcome a lot of hardships.Made a lot of big plays in big games, despite playing a position that required him to give up personal stats for the team . Plays with good leverage and strength against the run and stacks & sheds well. Move well laterally down the line and in pursuit but is vulnerable to cut blocks. Good (not great) motor who could be even more productive on plays away from him. Doesn't over penetrate and open up gaps in the line. Knows his responsibilities and will fight the double team till the whistle. A smart , well coached, durable player with a low floor.
COMBINE UPDATE-Bigger, faster and even more explosive than advertised. Consistently beat Fairley in many test ,despite weighing about 30 pounds more, in drills. Just a lot cleaner and less risky pick than Fairley. At 319 and with that speed and power, he is the most versatile D-lineman in the drafty. he could play any kind of 4-3 DT, either 3-4 end, and now maybe even NT in 3-4. He made himself some money with that workout. steady at #3
4. Von Miller- OLB-Texas A&M- NFL Comp-Clay Mathews- GB- Best pass rusher in the draft. A physical freak with a great motor , versatility, and consistent production even when hurt.Could add 15 pounds and play weak side 4-3 DE on passing downs , play either side of a 3-4 OLB, and this week at the senior bowl even showed he can be a stud 4-3 OLB.With time he could probably be the next Patrick Willis but you don't want to waste pass rush skills like these in the middle . Elite athlete with the speed and explosion to make plays all over the field. Freakish first step from the outside rushing the passer. Can run the arc but doesn't spin or redirect quickly as I expected if his initial move is stopped. Great hands and if he gets a guy off balance he will bull him back and shuck quickly. Needs more bulk , especially in his legs . Can take on and stack & shed TE's / RB's against the run but if he doesn't slip and O-lineman he can get pushed around at times. Has the speed and fluidity to cover out of the backfield but his technique is still a tad raw here. Will pursue QB's and ball carriers to the whistle and regularly make backside plays . Great work ethic and team leader. Took well to coaching at the senior bowl and solidified himself as top 10 pick, even looking fluid in coverage . Worst case scenario he makes an impact as a pass rusher and on special teams as a rookie while he bulks up and learns his new responsabilties more .
COMBINE UPDATE- All he did was confirm what a stud he is. Even when he stumbled in a few drills it just seemed like overexcitement. One of the players teams looking to trade up should target. up 1 spot
5.Robert Quinn- DE/OLB- NC- NFL Comp-DeMarcus Ware-DALL-If he hadn't missed the whole season I think he would be a contender for # 1 overall. If the rust is gone , teams feel they can trust his character, and he shows the ability to play 3-4 OLB in drills he can easily go as high as top 5 . However so many questions could also see him free fall. Elite burst off the edge and can run the arc even though he is rarely the 1rst man off the ball. Good hand fighter and will not only get the man with the ball but will look to force the fumble. Still a better athlete than football player right now and he needs to add more pass rush moves. Can hold the edge 1 v1 as weak side DE vs smaller players but not strong enough to stack a double team or beat stronger OT's at the point. Elite closing speed chasing down plays from the backside. Freakish fluid athlete that is ideally suited to switch to a 3-4 OLB role. His motor on tape is so good that I don't question his love of the game or work ethic despite the suspension. If he gets to the point that he gets off the ball fast while he's still got his explosiveness like Ware , Freeney , Mathis, etc.- he would lead the league in sacks.
COMBINE UPDATE- Didn't run the forty(4.7) as fast as most thought he would, but it was still very good for 6 ft. 4 -265 pound player. Sounds like he had good interviews and
took responsibility for his part in missing a season at NC due to agent contact . I have a feeling that the rust is still coming off and he may improve some of his numbers at his pro day. If you need a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE in top 10 he's ready to go. up 3 spots
6. Cameron Jordan-DE/DT-CAL- NFL Comp-Justin Smith-SF- great hands, motor, scheme versatility and good tape all year made him a surefire 1rst rounder. His dominant senior bowl week of practices could see him go in the top 10.NFL bloodlines with a dad that was a 6 time pro bowler. Strong violent hands and a great motor jump out right away when you watch him. Has been playing 3-4 DE for years and that alone makes him more valuable than most guys projected to move there. Multiple pass rush moves and gets good pressure on the QB but lacks the elite burst to get a lot of sacks, even though he is very quick for his size. More of a smart hustle and pressure player who plays to the whistle than a stud edge rusher. Needs to secure the sack and not overrun or run by the QB less. Uses long arms to cloud passing lanes and is very aware for a guy in the trenches. Good leverage and base at the point of attack and stacks and sheds like a veteran. Very strong for a 290 pound guy and could probably add 10 more pounds with the same quickness. Knows his responsibilities and stays home but will pursue down the line when the ball goes away from him. Could easily move inside in 4-3 considering how strong he is against the run and double teams. No off the field incidents and a vert smart player to boot.
COMBINE UPDATE- Nailed it. Measured well, drilled well, tested well, and interviewed well. Not only can he play3-4 end and 4-3 DT, but also could play strong side 4-3 end . Still think he won't go top 10 and if he doesn't someone will be getting great value. up 3 spots
7. Julio Jones- WR- ALA. -NFL Comp- Andre Johnson- HOU.- A physical mismatch for any CB with size, long arms , and explosive leaping ability. Looks to be a long strider, but his ability to get to and come down with balls others can't can easily make up for that. Long strides or not he ran a 4.39 forty on a broken foot. Although he was a shade under 6"3' which we didn't expect, he's till plenty big . Inconsistent hands are the only thing keeping him from being an elite talent, but that appears to be concentration and technique lapses , as he is fearless over the middle. Separation is inconsistent as he at his best going down field and having it thrown up so he can get it. Needs work sinking his hips and exploding out of his breaks. Uses his hands well at the line to get free and has a knack for finding holes in the zone.When he wants to he is a great blocker but needs more consistent effort here. Played hurt throughout college and is known for his high pain threshold, which his combine workout is clear evidence of . Consistently produced in big games at a big program against top competition. His injury won't hurt him. He tore up the combine injured , closed the gap between him & AJ Green some, and will be healthy when camps open. Worse case scenario is he falls to the rams at #14, but he could go as high as # 6 if Green is gone by then. Sky's the limit for him if he stays healthy and works hard. up 15 spots
8. Nick Fairley-DT-AUB-NFL Comp-Darnell Dockett-AZ- If his brain was on every play he would probably be a lock for # 1, but he is so disruptive anyway that he's a top 5 pick barring any pre draft stupidity.A freakish athlete for his size who penetrates backfields at will . Has the size and speed to play the strong side DE or DT in a 4-3 . Even if he doesn't penetrate too deeply he controls his man and moves well laterally along the line of scrimmage. Although he needs to maintain leverage on a more consistent basis. Will chase down plays from the backside or sniff out screens and arrive with force. Must do a better job of harnessing his temper . Plays violently and can get stupid penalties at times, even at the worst possible time in a big game. Is so quick off the snap he often is a step and a half ahead of O-lineman who know the snap count, but can run himself out of plays . Splits blockers and explodes at the QB even though his technique needs work . Incredibly agile feet for such a big man. Powerful bull rusher but he could use his hands better too shuck blockers . Good instincts for the run or pass and has his head on a swivel. His relentless pursuit of anyone near him with the ball is the one trait that makes me think that he will be in many pro bowls, but his motor needs to rev up on plays away from him more. If he learns more pass rush moves , has his motor on ever play , stays low on a regular basis, and how to use his hands he would be unstoppable.As is he's still really good.
COMBINE UPDATE- Still a top prospect but measured smaller ( just shy of 6 ft. 4 and 291 pounds ) than expected and his body looked softer than previously thought .Was consistently beat by Dareus in many drills,even though he had good combine himself. Also didn't bench yet due to a shoulder injury. Teams were reportedly very curious about his dirty player rep. Needs to improve on some combine numbers at his pro day (and benching well wouldn't hurt )or he could fall out of the top 10. If he did someone would be getting a steal. Down 4 spots
9.* Da'quan Bowers-DE- Clemson-NFL Comp-Justin Tuck- NYG- The biggest knock on him is his motor didn't fully rev up till this year, but he was dominant all season and has improved every season in college at least some. Strong and physical at the point of attack as long as he stays low, but he is not consistent here, and doesn't hold up well against the double team. Strong violent upper body results in blockers being tossed aside sometimes and has strong hands on all downs. Holds the edge well and doesn't abandon his responsibility before chasing down plays . A good athlete but lacks freakish standout ability. Doesn't have that elite first step but shows a good burst up field when rushing the passer. Can get around the corner or put his man on skates shuck him ,and close on the QB fast. When he moves inside on obvious passing downs he is a mismatch for interior O-lineman. Multiple rush moves and a strong bull rush . If he actually measures at what he is listed at in college he could bulk up a bit more an even play 3-4 end if needed. Was once the nations top recruit an is used to the spotlight. His versatility is also very valued. Can play either DE in a 4-3 and move inside on passing downs. A 3 down player.
COMBINE UPDATE- Didn't work out, but did weigh in at 280 solid pounds. This means no 3-4 OLB switch but its possible he could bulk up a bit more and play 3-4 end in the right scheme .Still best suited at 4-3 end but could play either side. Didn't work out due to a healing injury but his pro day could kick him all the way up to # 1 if he tears it up. However the fact that he isn't healed yet is a red flag. Throw that in with him only having 1 great year and you have 2 red flags . down 2 spots for now
10. Mark Ingram-RB- ALA- NFL Comp- Emmitt Smith-RET.-Only a really slow forty can knock him out of the first round, but I guarantee you he runs a good 10 yard dash. Rare vision at RB and great production at a big time school. Low floor but upside not as high as 5 backs in this draft, but its really hard to watch him run and not see a lot of pro bowls in his future. Won't go this high but time will tell where he should have gone. Patient picking the hole, then burst through when he finds it. Can stop on a and dime and accelerate back up to his top speed quickly. Has the knack for avoiding big hits and and runs through or off contact well.Always falling forward and has a compact build with a low center of gravity. Won't run a lot of guys over but he's smart enough to find the crease and get to the 1rst down or goal-line. Looks to get up field quickly and doesn't bounce things outside that aren't there ,even though he has enough burst to do so when its open. Good receiver out of the backfield and can make people miss in the open field. Excellent on screens and draws and sees the whole field and goes to the best area to break out of the pack. Stout in pass pro and makes good decisions on who to block first. The most polished RB in the draft in a long time . May lack a huge upside but he's already great. Has the lowest floor in the entire draft barring injury.
COMBINE UPDATE Denny Green would say) He is what we thought he was" and that still a good thing. Slow forty, fast 10, and a complete player.Won't go this high but we believe time will easily validate this ranking .This guy will move the chains. steady at #10
11. Corey Luiget- DT-ILL-NFL Comp- Gerald McCoy-TB- This guy plays physical and nasty inside . Uses his hands with force and is usually one of the 1rst people off the ball. Gets after it with a will and can hold his ground at the point.Strong hands and controls his man and goes where he wants . Can split the double sometimes and has an explosive first step. More of a bull rush , shuck & shed guy as a pass rusher, but if he developed more moves he could be one of the leagues better interior pass rushers. Great awareness in the mix and plays with good leverage and strength . Can zone blitz, be ready for screens, and contest passes at the line. Technically more sound the most sound DT in the draft. A hustler who's motor is always on and a violent tackler. Isn't really that far behind the guys ahead of him. Guys who spend a lot of time in opposing teams backfields rarely last long. Could play 3-4 end in the right scheme. Wouldn't surprise us if he snuck into the top 10. Very high floor and it wouldn't surprise us if a cautious team took him over Fairley.
12. Prince Amukamara-CB- NEB- NFL Comp- Aqib Talib-TB- Some teams will rank him ahead of Peterson if he runs significantly faster than him. . Low floor pick with pro bowl potential.Great hands at the line and redirects and controls his man well in the first 5 yards. Great feet and fluid enough hips to turn and run with receivers. Great awareness in zone and quickly diagnoses the play and breaks on the ball. Willing run defender but not a big hitter in this area. Explosive when he makes his mind where he's going and reaches top speed quickly. Solid tackler and seems too know when to take someone on and when to cut them. Smart enough to secure a tackle or cut his man instead of going for the KO. A smart player with a strong work ethic. Big physical corner with the speed to match that teams are looking for. Hands down the most polished coverage CB in this draft class, but does allow a lot of balls to be caught . His biggest problem is the inability to catch, which is strange because he's a ballhawk.That's right I said it... A ballhawk who can't catch? Anyway he had 5 picks the year before so its possible its just an aberration but he sure dropped a lot of easy ones last year. There is a reason he's a CB (and not a RB or WR) despite having the measurables to be either. Also lacks Petersons return ability ,so there isn't much of a chance he goes ahead of him barring a big stumble by Patrick.
COMBINE UPDATE- Built like a RB and size and speed were as advertised. Fluid in drills and and confirmed everything we thought about him from watching tape.Lack of ball skills and return ability hurts him some though .Just doesn't make enough plays to be a top 10 pick in our view. down 1 spot.
13. Gabe Carimi- OT- Wisc.-NFL Comp- Jake Long- MIA- Some think he can't play LT in the NFL. We disagree and think he was the best of all the OT's at the senior bowl, even though he missed the actual game with an injury. People seem to forget that Joe Thomas , Ryan Clady, and Jake Long also have trouble with the fastest speed rushers-EVERYONE does. Plays nasty and smart with the frame to add 20 more pounds and still be just quick enough to handle the blindside in a run oriented offense . He's already comparable to Brian Bulaga but has more upside, even though they both have some athletic limitations. Won a lot of high profile battles this year against big tim players that will play in the NFL.A mauler in line blocking with a finishers mentality. Can struggle down field hitting targets on the move if he's off balance ,but the effort is there, and he is better downfield when slipping off the double team. Best coming out of a 3 point stance as it helps keep him low,and when he stays low he's clearly a NFL LT .Uses his long arms and hands well to control his man and keeps his feet moving. Good (not great) feet in pass pro, but his technique is sound if a tad stiff at times. Strong hand punch and is aggressive till the whistle. From what they showed on the NFL network at the senior bowl he had the best week of practice overall. His willingness to play RT and G at practice( in addition to his normal LT) can only help him. A very fit 315 pound at the weigh ins and looks as if he could carry 335 with no loss of agility.4 year starter at big program and replaced Joe Thomas without a hitch. He's a better football player than athlete and his upside is lower than the 4 other OT's likely to be drafted in the 1rst round, but his floor is the highest too. Strong work ethic and played through many injuries missing only 3 games his sophomore year. He won't go this high but right now he's the most ready to play OT in the draft.
COMBINE UPDATE- in shorts and t-shirts many looked better and more fluid than him, but on tape he gets the job done more than any of them right now. We still feel he's a LT in a run oriented offense, but many will want him at RT now, and you need 2 good OT's in todays passing league. No chance he makes it out of the 1rst round, but he will probably go in the 20's to a team looking for a plug in and play RT. down 1 spot
14. Aldon Smith-OLB/DE-Missouri- NFL Comp- Tamba Hali-KC-While some others have shown they can't play 3-4 at the senior bowl OLB this week, he just looks more and more athletic on tape despite not being there. Big enough to play DE and looks fluid enough to play OLB. Could be the 1rst consolation prize team that Loved Von Miller and didn't get him. Came out early and while I think he would have been better off going back to school for year, his upside is enormous. Leg injury that caused him to miss 3 games made early entry even more unlikely, but he played well despite not being 100% when he returned. Pass rush ability is why he is ranked this high. Strong violent hand use and multiple rush moves are his greatest assets right now. Excels at going to the inside and has a good rip & club moves. Agile and quick enough to beat his man to the outside of the snap but not exactly flexible enough to run the arc. His motor seems always on rushing the passer or going upfield but he needs to give more consistent effort against the run. You can watch him stack and shed like a stud one play and then seem to just go through the motions the next, especially when the ball is away from him . Has the frame to put on even more size although his playing strength is great for a man his size. Has moved inside on some downs and excels at splitting blockers and penetrating when he does. He's still raw but when he's healthy and his motor hot he's a beast. Kind of reminds me of Charles Haley on the field ,and when Haley wanted to he dominated games. Since he is still young ,played hurt,and doesn't have the history of attitude problems Haley did ,we will just chalk his lapses up to youth & inexperience for now.
COMBINE UPDATE-Had a good combine ,and came in to the combine at 264 lbs, making him big enough to play weak side DE in the NFL. Still a bit raw and needs work to convert to 3-4 OL at the next level .Would be a much better fit in a scheme with less coverage responsibilities right now, but he does have some limited experience dropping into coverage already.Has only played organized football for 5 years which is a warning sign, but has produced and improved every year since he started. up one spot
15. Mike Pouncey-C/G- FLA- NFL Comp- twin- Markice Pouncey- PITT-Listed as bigger and is definitely more mobile than his pro bowl rookie twin brother, but not quite as nasty or agile in line off the ball yet. Pulls like a 290 pound zone guard and can pancake a guy he hits, but needs to hit his targets more downfield. Quick off the ball and can finish his man when he tries , but doesn't always play to the whistle . Good base drive blocking in line when he plays low enough, but usually gets the job done even when he doesn't . Strong anchor against the bullrush and has the ability to shuffle and slide with his man. Uses his arms well although he could use his strong hand punch more pass blocking. The top C and G prospect in this draft, and probably won't go this high ,but he can start at either from day 1 and do a good job of it. Improved on his snaps all year after it being a problem in the beginning, and his last game was his best all around. Improved as a Center all year after playing Guard previously . He's by no means a finesse player , but if he plays with his brothers nastiness every down he can be even better than him.
COMBINE UPDATE- numbers were all comparable to his brothers, but we thought he was a bit bigger. Still plenty big enough and he may have dropped some weight for the combine but 320 with that movement would have been even more impressive. Frame could easily handle another 20 pounds. down 4 spots
16. Tyron Smith-OT-USC- NFL Comp-Jason Peters-PHIL .His athleticism and the way he gets after people on tape already speak for themselves on tape. Aggressive run blocker with a finishers mentality, but lacks the sand in his pants to enforce his will against bigger/stronger defenders on tape. Technique is still inconsistent but when he's low and gets off the ball quickly he's moving people off the line easily. Looks for someone to hit at the 2nd level and has the agility to get there quick, even though he is rarely the 1rst guy off the ball. Mostly turns and seals his man in line blocking but he goes to the whistle. Excels as pass blocker and his feet are always moving which always him to recover when initially beat . Plays RT now but definitely has the feet for LT, even though I think he would be best suited to play RT for a year or 2. Too much too fast is never good and he still learning how to play RT, switching sides could stunt his development some. It's almost like his high level athleticism has made him cautious. He too often waits for the defender to come into him before he starts blocking, but his ability to recover anyway and block his man is amazing. Measured in as big as we hoped with really long arms , so you know the potential for dominance is there and that he has been working hard since the season ended. Being short for a guy with such long arms only helps him to get underneath a defenders pads. Uses his hands well and has good hand punch when he uses it aggressively, but is vulnerable to inside moves. Needs to be more aware of stunts and keep his head on a swivel.Still needs to do a complete workout at USC's pro day, but we feel he will light it up there He has the greatest potential in a OT class long on it, but he is still a work in progress, even though he is already productive. A team like Dallas that needs a RT, or even better Philly that needs a RT to protect Vicks blindside would be good fits early in his career. With reps and coaching he could slide over to the the other side if needed.Wherever he's needed he can be a franchise OT for a long time. up 1 spot
17. JJ Watt-DE- Wisc.-NFL Comp-Aaron Smith-PITT- Has the build to be a 4-3 strong side end, or a 4-3 DT, but I think his best fit is as a 3-4 End. Has the length ,long arms ,and frame to carry 300 pounds and still be athletic on the edge and he's already a solid 290. Strong hands against the run or pass but he needs to bulk up his legs more to anchor better if he's going to play 3-4 end. Fast for such a big man, and worked out well across the board, but doesn't explode off the ball as pass rusher. Uses his long arms and is aware of passing lanes to bat down and redirect passes. Smart player who could easily drop into coverage on zone blitzes and sniff out screens. Shines against the run in all phases . Can hold the point and stack and shed with the best of them against the double team , even splitting some doubles . Can blow up the backfield one vs one and make plays behind the line. Runs to the ball but doesn't make a many plays away from him as you would expect after seeing his combine workout. Great motor and a team leader. 3-4 teams will live him and thats his best fit, but we wonder why such a great athlete doesn't look as athletic on tape. A strong tough player with a high floor, but will probably never be a double digit sack guy wherever he plays. up 7 spots
18.Blaine Gabbert- QB- Missouri- NFL Comp-Joe Flacco-Balt.-I really think he would have been better served by staying in school and improving his game, but with Luck out he is considered the safest of the QB's in a draft without a clear cut franchise guy. Has a strong arm to make all the throws when his feet are set and he steps into it , but doesn't always do so. Throws well on the move but with a little less zip, but he is elusive in and out of the pocket. Has the problems all spread QB's do. Read progression isn't shown , needs to learn to work under center, learn pro set protection schemes, and not as many down field throws as you would like to see on tape. Footwork is inconsistent and this will take time to fix, but his feet are nimble.A quick delivery (if a bit low at times )and above average accuracy on the shorter throws he makes regularly. Usually runs after making 2 reads and he has made many big plays this way, but needs to curb that urge.A leader and has no off the field problems known. Has an NFL body and shows the poise and confidence of an NFL QB. Could go top 5, but he is still a project with upside that shouldn't be starting till year 2 if he's lucky. Could maybe start late in his rookie year if he has progressed enough and his team is out of contention. The top 5 Qb's in this draft have massive physical potential and 4 of them can run too, but Gabbert's decision making makes him the best bet right now.
COMBINE UPDATE- Measured in as big as he looks on tape and ran fast like we thought he would, but he didn't work out at all. Some QB's received a bump for their combine performances, and some took a hit because of it, so his choice as the consensus # 1 QB in the draft may pay off later, but others guys at every position moved up and he didn't . Not as good a prospect right now as Matt Ryan , Matt Stafford, or Sam Bradford. Still may end up the # 1 pick though. Till he throws and especially shows improved footwork and deep ball accuracy he drops a little. down 4 spots
19. Jimmy Smith-CB-COL-NFL Comp-Rashean Mathis-JAX-Some years he would be the 1rst corner taken. Big, smart and, a leader on the field and in the locker room last season. Prior to this he has had some off the field issues and character questions, and how he answers these will ultimately decide where he's drafted. The more film we see of him the more we like him on the field. If he is as big and fast as he looks on tape he could be one of 3 CB's to go in the top 10 this year.Hardly thrown at all year because opposing teams feared him. Knows his job in zone and uses the sidelines well.Breaks well on the ball in front of him and secures the tackle first when the balls there, but needs work tackling in the open field. Can make the big hit but has a tendency to drop his head when he goes for it .Willing to take on blockers but is often too high when doing so. He's a big physical guy at the line and has tremendous balance . Reroutes and bumps receivers well with active hands . Quick reactions and goes for the ball before his man, although his hands are just average so far. Good feet but his backpedal is too high at times. When he stays low he flips his hips well. Long arms and uses them well to break up the ball when thrown at or beat. Good speed closing and can make it up if he bites on a double move against all but the fastest receivers. Stays home on the outside in run support but willing to come up and make the play when needed. A player who has improved every year and taken well to coaching, but if he learns to stay lower on a regular basis he could end up the best corner in the draft. Not sure about his football IQ but he still needs to be more consistent.
COMBINE UPDATE- Athletically he was all we thought he was on tape in drills. He also really is 6"2" and 211 pounds with speed... but those pesky off the field concerns reared their ugly head and he reportedly wasn't always truthful in team interviews. Some tea,ms won't touch him now, some won't till the 2nd round, but in a draft with only 3 corners that you know can play as a rookie , he will still go in the 1rst round somewhere barring nay more damaging off the filed stuff. down 6 spots
20. Anthony Costanzo- OT- BC-NFL Comp- Sebastian Volmer- NE.- he's a technician and looks like a NFL LT on tape most of the time, but he needs to get stronger. Run blocking he's great coming from the side and maintains his block to the whistle, but can get stood up by stout D-lineman heads up. Active downfield and gets there quick. Played well all year( except against Bowers) but had only an average senior bowl week production wise . Gets quickly out of his stance and to his spot on the edge with a good initial hand punch. If he stops your first move pass blocking it over, but if he does't land his initial punch he struggles to recover. He keeps his feet moving when engaged but you can see he needs more strength in his leg drive. It could be that he was moved around too much, but it also has to do with him needing to add 30 pounds so he can anchor better. The ability to be a top LT with more weight. Frame, arm length, and technique are already there. Best current pass blocking feet of all the OT's, but isn't as nasty as you would like. Would be best suited at LT in a pass heavy offense or at LG until he bulks up his lower body early in his career. Highly intelligent student athlete with a strong work ethic and a low floor. In 2 years he will probably be very good but he isn't scheme diverse or strong enough to play outside in many offenses right now. down 1 spot
21.*Adrian Clayborn- DE/DT- IOWA- NFL Comp- Chris Long-RAMS- Low floor and a great motor. Better football player than athlete but still no slouch athletically. Opting out of the senior bowl will hurt him with some, injury or not. Had a better junior year, but his senior year was still very good, and he had numerous small injuries. Gives good effort rushing the passer but will probably end up more of a consistent pressure player than a sack man. Doesn't have lot of pass rush moves or counters ,but he tosses guys around and bulls through or by them. Needs to get off the ball faster and lacks the explosive first step of a great edge rusher. It turns out his injury is a disease call erbs palsy that weakens one arm some . He's had it his whole life so I doubt it will affect him much, even though some teams fear it will limit him to one side. With his strength at the point of attack he might be a better fit inside as 4-3 DT or outside as 3-4 end. In a draft filled with D-lineman with strong violent hands his are the best and that really saying something.Stacks and sheds like 10 year pro and plays consistently low with a good base and a constant leg drive. Knows his assignments and stays home when needed and pursues till the whistle when he's not. A angry hitter and can separate ball carriers from the ball. Team leader but does have an off the field incident in his past. Bottom line- he's going to be a good player and teammate but he may never be an elite one. Down 1 spot.
22. Nate Solder- OT- COL.-NFL Comp- Doug Free- DALL.- Flashes great ability and athleticism on tape and at the senior bowl as well... but you can tell he's still learning how to play OT. Will extends his arms and easily ride a guy pass the pocket one play and then cross his feet up the next. Thats a problem that can be cured with time in an offense and playing the position. Needs to play lower and thats not easy when you are 6"8". Long arms and he needs to lock them out more and lean over less. Not technical enough to be a high level LT yet and not a physical enough run blocker to be a RT for most teams right now either, although he is a aggressive run blocker. Plays to the whistle on every play and you can't fault his effort. Regularly picks off defenders at the second level downfield. He could start( would fit the colts or patriots offenses well) from day for some teams on the left side but he will definitely have growing pains till he can regularly sink his hips and anchor. Better in a 2 point stance currently and gets to his spot very quickly out of it.Especially vulnerable to inside pass rush moves out of a 3 point stance. Would be a better fit in a passing offense early in his career.down 1 spot
23. Mikel Leshoure-RB-ILL.-NFL Comp- Steven Jackson-STL.- A well rounded big 3 down runner who has never lost a fumble in his college career. Vision and choices picking a lane are just average. Hits the hole and looks for daylight but he could use his size more and ,run through more people instead of trying to find a hole thats not there. It's obviously not a fear issue as you can see him running through contact plenty of times on tape and getting extra yards because of it. One of things that separates him from many other backs is his familiarity with the passing game. A physical willing blocker who just need a little refinement on his technique to be elite. A good receiver who can take it up field and even be split out wide on occasion. His route running and catching techniques also need some work, but he is still above most backs coming out of college in this area. He's a big back with some wiggle and the ability to pass protect. Past off the field issues are the only thing keeping him out of the 1rst round . If a team believes he really did grow up last year( and his coach said he did) they should snatch him up quick. up 2 spots
24. Ryan Kerrigan-DE/OLB-Purd.-NFL Comp-Aaron Kampmann- JAX- Some guys are just good football players and this is one of them. Good at everything, great at nothing but effort. You know he will at least be a productive player, and in the right system he could consistently produce double digit sacks. Can't run the arc and blow by quicker OT's off the ball , but he will cause pressure regularly . Extreme playing strength for a 255 pound end and gets into and controls bigger blockers. Great technique and leverage getting his man off balance and getting by him or running him back to the QB. Strong at the point and stays low and holds the edge. Will even fight through occasional double teams ,but he will need to put on more size to do so at 4-3 end in the NFL, and he has the frame to add 10-15 pounds of muscle easy. Not a great athlete but fluid, technical ,and hard working enough to probably play the strong side OLB in a 3-4. Strong hands and a strong tackler, but lacks the explosion and long speed to make a lot of plays away from him or downfield. Team captain, leader, and no known off the field issues. The kind of guy who will start 10 years in the league and be a good teammate, even if he doesn't have the physical ability to be a top 10 pick.
25. Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple- NFL Comp-Marcus Stroud-BUFF-Not a guy I expected to enter the draft early and I could only find 5 games of his this year to watch.Hs the frame to add even more weight(6"5"- 305 lbs. ) and still be chiseled. He's a better athlete than football player right now, but man what a athlete! Also he's a good player already, but you watch him and think how great he could be if he applies himself and takes to NFL coaching. He does everything well but get off the ball and keep his motor running all the time. Against the run he is usually slipping. swimming, or shucking his man and getting into the backfield right away. Has eyes and nose for the ball and long arms to grab ball carriers. Doesn't abandon his responsibilities, but can't hold the point against the double team and may struggle if he moves inside against the more powerful guards 1 v 1. Needs to play lower and get stronger. Really agile rushing the passer with multiple moves and slippery on stunts. Has violent hands sometimes but doesn't use them consistently. He's a better fit as a weakside 3-4 end right now, but with time he could play anywhere down along the line in any scheme. Seems to be a good kid with no off the field problems, but he didn't play much top competition even though he regularly dominated against anyone he played this year. up 2 spots
26. Randall Cobb-WR-KY-NFL Comp-Hines Ward-PITT- And I mean Hines Ward in his prime. This kid is smart, he gets open, he's fearless, and he blocks like he enjoys it. He can play WR, RB, QB, and return kicks. Not the biggest or fastest WR but he will make plays for you. Go get him. up 11 spots
27. Cam Newton- QB- Auburn-NFL Comp-Donovan McNabb-WASH.- Great athlete and a guy who has made things happen in some big games. Probably the most gifted QB I have ever seen, but he needs to sit a year and learn an NFL offense. Has spread QB issues- footwork, read progression, etc. However the main reason he reminds me of Young is he only made 1 read and hen ran if it wasn't there. Better pure passer than Vince Young and Tim Tebow ( 2 guys he is most often compared too) coming out of college, but didn't play as well as either in the national championship game. Off the field issues and possible entourage a red flag. up 1 spot
28. Rahim Moore-S-UCLA-NFL Comp-Nate Allen-PHI-He' s a center fielder type FS and a ballhawk but he needs to to be a bit more physical in run support. However guys who create turnovers and don't give up big plays are at a premium in the league. up 2 spots
29. Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA- NFL Comp- Brian Orapko- WASH- Looks to have everything you need to play any LB position in any scheme, except a high football IQ. In his limited pass rushing chances he was explosive and showed a great spin move. I think 3-4 teams will be looking at him as a rush OLB. The only guy I saw all year to give Tyron Smith much trouble rushing the passer, and he won more than he lost in those battles.Needs to play more under control.Not as explosive in drills or fast( 4.80?) as he looks on tape at the combine. He still looks explosive on film and changes direction sas good as any LB in the draft. .A great Pro day could save all, but its possible he will be limited to playing SOLB or the middle only. down 13 spots
30. Torrey Smith-WR- MD- NFL Comp-Mike Wallace-PITT- This guy can stretch the field just like the player he reminds us of, and like Wallace he is also definitely a work in progress. His hands are usually consistent but he has strange concentration lapses at times. Makes a great leaping one handed over the shoulder catch then drops an easy one next time up. He needs to start snatching the ball out of the air instead of waiting for it . Ran a limited route tree in college so he needs work on his route running but he runs the ones he knows well and can separate .Explosive kick returner and it shows in his ability to run after the catch. A threat to beat you deep or take it to the house on every play. D-coordinators have to plan to stop him ,and that opens up the offense in other ways even if he used as a decoy when the balls not coming his way. He's a willing blocker but it is definitely an area that he needs more coaching in. He's a raw speed burner , but the efforts there and he's got enough size to take the pounding. Send him to a team with good possession receivers and a play action game and he could lead the league in yards per catch and long TD's. down 1 spot
31. Derek Sherrod- OT- Miss St.NFL Comp-D'Brickshaw Ferguson-NYJ-Up and down senior bowl , but he has the ability to play LT on tape. Needs more strength and nastiness but he has the feet , quickness and frame to pull it off in time. steady
32. *Stephen Paea-DT-ORE. ST.-NFL Comp- Sedrick Ellis-NO-Missed the senior bowl with an injury and measured in a little smaller than expected, knocking him back some. A stout run stuffer and bull rusher with a good motor and a lot of production on tape. Might even be able to hold the gap as a 3-4 NT with a little more weight.Only thing he did athletically at the combine was break the bench press record, but he needs to work out soon to stay in a 1rst round with this many d-line prospects. down 9 spots
33. *Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio ST-.NFL Comp-Trevor Price- NYJ- If not for injuries preventing him from working out and proving his long term health I would have him in the top twenty. Perfect 3-4 end or 4-3 DT with the leadership , selfless attitude, and motor to get it done in the NFL. steady
34. Ryan Mallet- QB- ARK- NFL Comp- Drew Bledsoe-RET.- Off the field concerns have knocked him around, but that seems to have cooled off and teams are becoming more enamored with his ability. Great arm and makes ridiculous throws on the field but he buckles under pressure right at him and panics. Also doesn't feel pressure or slide well in the pocket.More NFL ready than most in this draft on a team with a good O-line and a QB guru coach. In a draft filled with athletic mobile QB's his immobility really stands out . In this weak QB draft he had a outside shot to go # 1 overall because he's the best pure passer in the draft, but he's to immobile to be more than a top 10 guy at best ,off the field stuff aside. However ,until he stops being a statue in the pocket (and his off the filed stuff is cleared up) he's a low 1rst or high 2nd rounder . up 5 spots.
35. *Jaball Sheard-OLB/DE- PITT-NFL Comp-Shaun Phillips-SD- Not as well known as many of the 3-4 conversion candidates but teams who sleep on him could regret it. Off the field and injury concerns knock him back some. Could be a second round steal for a team looking for a pass rusher that passed on one in the first due to other needs.up 6 spots
36. Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor-NFL Comp-Shaun Rogers-CLEV- The best chance of finding a 3-4 NT in this draft. Has freakish athleticism for such a big man, but transfered to a smaller conference and motor wasn't always on. Great senior bowl and combine on the field,but he still has off the field stuff questions to answer. up 2 spots
37. Colin Kaepernick-QB-Nevada-NFL Comp-Randall Cunningham-RET.-If you want a slightly smaller, faster, stronger armed Cam Newton look here. Could be steal in the 2nd as a developmental guy. Anyone in the top 10 enamored with Newton who has other needs first , or doesn't want to risk a QB that high, could just wait and take this guy in the 2nd. down 1 spot
38. Danny Watkins-G/T-Baylor - NFL Comp-Logan Mankins-NE -Ready to play at either G spot now and on ability I would rank only behind Pouncey at G right now.Could probably play RT early in his career as well. But he's almost 27 and may be only to give you high level play for 3 to at most 6 years . So I wouldn't take him until the 2nd, and only ahead some others we rank behind him if I need a starter right now. If he were 22 we would have him in the mid 20's. up 21 spots.
39. Stefan Wisniewski- C/G- Penn ST.NFL Comp- Ryan Kalil- CAR- Interior lineman never get enough credit in the draft but this guy is NFL ready from day one at C or LG. Bigger than I expected and plenty strong , mean , and technical.up 12 spots
40. Christian Ballard-DT/DE-Iowa- NFL Comp-Antonio Smith-HOU-The more I watched Clayborn the more impressed I became with his counterpart. 3-4 end , 4-3 strongside end or 4-3 DT. Excellent pass rush moves. Versatile with the frame and motor to be a long term starter. In a normal draft( less d-line studs) I would say he's a 1rst round pick but now I feel someone gets a steal in day 2. Back to back lit up senior bowl and combine. up 15 spots
41. Christian Ponder-QB-FLA ST. -NFL Comp- Aaron Rodgers-GB- No QB has helped himself as much as Ponder has in the off season. After an injury plagued year he has answered questions about his arm strength and had the best senior bowl and a good combine. A mobile QB but that frame needs more weight to handle the pounding he will take in the NFL. Probably the most day 1 ready QB in the draft. up 22 spots
42. *Ryan Williams- RB- Va. Tech.-NFL Comp-Curtis Martin-RET.-Injury prone in college or he would probably be a lock as the 1rst back off the board. Versatile inside and out with the ability to score anywhere on the field. Also adept out of the backfield . Slower than expected at the combine and injury history still worry teams. down 16 spots
43. Justin Houston-OLB/DE- GA- NFL Comp-Aaron Curry-SEA-,unlike many 3-4 OLB candidates he has actually played the position and played it pretty well.... buuttt where's the effort? He has the talent to be a 10 pick but the motors not always on and he doesn't stay low in the run game. Might remind some of Vernon Gholston and that means not worth the risk in the first round to me.down 8 spots
44. Rodney Hudson-C/G-FLA. ST.-NFL Comp- Rueben Brown-RET.- Undersized but technical and nasty inside. Showing he can play Center helps him a lot because some teams didn't like the way he looked with the extra weight put on too fast. Absolutely would fit the redskins. Texans, or Colts to plug in and play from day one.
45. *Kyle Rudolph- TE- ND-NFL Comp-John Carlson-SEA- Clealry the best TE in the draft right now ,and is well rounded enough to play every down in all schemes. Injury history should knock him into day 2.
46. Brooks Reed-DE/OLB-AZ- NFL Comp- Robert Mathis-INDY- Very few players have done so much for their draft stock since the season ended. After tearing up the senior bowl and making teams watch more tape on him(and be pleasantly surprised they did) he had a great combine. 3-4 switch looks doable but he's never going to be a world beater. Just a good football player and hard worker. up 27 spots
47. Aaron Williams-CB/S-TEX-NFL COMP- Malcolm Jenkins-NO- Maybe's he's not polished enough to be a corner in every system but he can play it in some and with more improvement on his technique he could start right away at CB and stay there a few years till his speed goes. Might be be able to play either safety spot with more bulk but can definitely play FS now. . When somebody unexpectedly goes 5 wide on your team you need a S that can cover like a CB.
48. Orlando Franklin- T/G- Mia.-NFL Comp-Trent Wiliams- WASH.- His technique needs work and he needs more weight room time but he still gets the job done regularly with a lot of physicality. Can play RT or either G . If he played with more urgency and quickly fired off the ball on every snap he would be a top 10 LT. up 1 spot
49. *Ben Ijalana-T/G- VILL- NFL Comp- Jason Smith-RAMS- If it weren't for an injury preventing him from showing teams what he could do I think the first round would be a possibility. Long arms and can also play RT or LG till but has blindside protector ability.Needs to bulk up and show what he can do against a higher level of competition.
50. Leonard Hankerson-WR-MIA-NFL Comp-Hakeem Nicks-NYG- Big strong guy who's inconsistent hands are the only thing holding him back from a guaranteed 1rst round spot. Has the size , speed and polish already. A lot of drops on film likely scared teams who were moving him up after a great senior bowl week. down 12 spots
51. Jurrell Casey-DT-USC- NFL Comp-Kyle William's-BUFF
52. Jerrel Jernigan-WR-TROY- NFL Comp-Steve Smith-CAR
53. Marvin Austin-DT- NC-NFL Comp-Brandon Mebane-SEA
54. Titus Young-WR-Boise ST.NFL Comp-DeSean Jackson-PHIL
55. *Ras-I-Dowling-CB-VA-NFL Comp-Chris Gamble-CAR
56. *Bruce Carter-LB- NC-NFL Comp-Lawrence Timmons- Pitt
57. Jarvis Jenkins-DT-Clemson-NFL Comp-Domata Peko-CINC
58. William Rackley-G-Lehigh-NFL COMP-Chris Kuper-DENV
59. Marcus Cannon -G/T-TCU- NFL COMP-Leonard Davis-DALL
60. Daniel Thomas -RB-Kan ST.-NFL COMP -Ronnie Brown-MIA
61. Andy Dalton-QB- TCU-NFL COMP- Matt Hasselbeck-SEA
62. Terrel McClain-DT-S. FLA-NFL COMP- Trevor Laws-PHIL
63. *Tandon Doss-WR-IND- NFL Comp-Mike Williams-TB
64. James Carpenter-T/G-ALA-NFL Comp-Carl Nicks-NO
65. Greg Little- WR-NC- NFL COMP-Brandon Marshall- MIA
66. Dontay Moch-OLB- NEV-NFL Comp-(a faster)Cameron Wake-MIA
67. Brandon Harris- CB- MIA-NFL Comp- Mike Jenkins DALL
68. Martez Wilson-LB-ILL-NFL Comp-Karlos Dansby-AZ
69. Shane Vereen- RB-CAL- NFL Comp- Felix Jones-DALL
70. Kendrick Ellis-DT-DE-Hamp-NFL Comp-Gerrard Warren-NE
71. Allen Bailey-DE-MIA- NFL Comp- Will Smith-NO
72. Marcus Gilbert-OT-FLA-NFL COMP-Max Starks-PITT
73. Luke Stocker-TE-TENN-NFL Comp-Heath Miler-PITT
74. Drake Nevis-DT-LSU-NFL Comp-Mike Patterson-PHIL.
75. Jonathan Baldwin-WR-PITT- NFL COMP-Vincent Jackson-SD
76. Sam Acho-DE-OLB-TEX-NFL Comp- Kameron Wimbley- OAK
77. Lance Kendricks-TE-Wisc.-NFL COMP- Zach Miller-OAK
78. Johnny White-RB-UNC-NFL Comp- Ray Rice-BALT
79. Clint Boling-G- GA- NFL COMP- Robert Gallery -OAK
80. Jake Locker-QB- WASH- NFL Comp- Carson Palmer-CINC
81. *Demarco Murray-RB-OKLA-NFL Comp- Darren McFadden-OAK
82. Curtis Brown-CB-TEX-NFL COMP- Terrel Thomas-NYG
83. Quan Sturdivant-LB- NC- NFL COMP- London Fletcher- WASH
84. Marcus Gilbert-OT-FLA-NFL COMP-Max Starks-PITT
85. Mason Foster-LB-WASH-NFL Comp- D'Qwell Jackson-CLEV
86. Jerrel Powe-DT- Miss.- NFL Comp- Vince Wolfork-NE
87. Jacquizz Rodgers-RB-NFL Comp- Maurice Jones Drew-JAX
88. John Moffit-G/C-WISC- NFL comp- Eric Wood-BUFF
89. Colin McCarthy-ILB-MIA- NFL COMP-Paul Posluszny-BUFF
90. Chris Carter-DE/OLB-Fres. ST.-NFL COMP-Tully Banta Cain-NE
91. DJ Williams-TE-ARK- NFL Comp- Dustin Keller-NYJ
92. Johnny Patrick-CB-LVille-NFL COMP-Cortland Finnegan-TENN
93. Edmund Gates-WR-AB. CHR.-NFL COMP-Johnny Knox-CH
94. Marcus Gilchrist-CB- CLEM-NFL COMP- Michael Griffin-TENN
95. Davon House-CB-N.MEX.ST.NFL COMP--Chris Johnson-OAK
96. Ahmad Black-S-FLA- NFL Comp-Jim Leonard-NYJ
96. Quinton Carter-S- OKLA-NFL COMP-Gerald Sensabaugh-DALL
97.Allen Bradford-RB-USC -NFL Comp-Michael Turner-ATL.
98. Brandon Burton-CB-UT-NFL COMP-Asante Samuels-PHIL
99. Pernell McPhee-DE-MISS ST.-NFL COMP-Ray Edwards-MINN
100. Demarcus Love-G/T-NFL Comp- Vernon Carey-MIA
101. Kendall Hunter-RB-OKLA. ST. -NFL COMP-Ahmad Bradshaw-NYG
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