sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
New names on the Big Board
Some late draft declarations and new evaluations have shifted the Board again
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
A greater deal of attention this week will be paid to the first mock draft of the season, but as I always say, don't forget about the actual player rankings. The mock draft is a blend of need and value, but the Big Board, and the overall player rankings that I publish every year, are the key to knowing how well I think teams are creating value during the actual draft. This week, we also have some new players.
The biggest jump comes again from a Missouri player. Blaine Gabbert got a big bump when he opted to declare, and now Missouri OLB Aldon Smith has gotten a similar one. A raw talent, he could play either OLB or DE at the next level, and teams will fall in love with his athleticism and potential. But he's not the only new player on the Board, so check it out. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-5 310
Analysis: Fairley simply dominated his final showcase game for scouts. A force all season, while often not 100 percent; a perfect fit for a 4-3 interior. Last week: No. 1
2) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: The most gifted pure pass-rusher on the Board, Bowers has followed through on his talent. An ideal 4-3 DE, but he has a chance as a 3-4 edge. Last week: No. 2
3) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 207
Analysis: Allays any speed fears with improved route-running, and speed is fine. Green has worked hard to become a complete WR. Last week: No. 3
4) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-1 211
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson doesn't just have safety size, he'd measure up to a lot of RBs. Great special-teams returner as well. Last week: No. 4
5) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 306
Analysis: A solid penetrator; pass-rush skills trump run-stopping performance thus far, which is a reason I can see him becoming a solid 3-4 DE. Last week: No. 5
6) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-1 202
Analysis: Top marks for instincts, ball awareness and really good hands. It's as if he's running the WR's route sometimes. Ready to start. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 267
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. He'll be a little raw but should shine during the workout process. Last week: No. 7
8) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-5 232
Analysis: Strong arm, good mobility, prototype in terms of physical skills. The top QB on the Board minus Luck, but he will be under the microscope; volatile. Last week: No. 8
9) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 243
Analysis: Miller proved to scouts that he's more than a sack artist this season. He showed coverage skills to go along with known pass-rush production. Last week: No. 9
10) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-4 211
Analysis: When healthy, Jones was dominant; when not, he was still good in 2010. Overcame drop issues; improved route-running showed off speed. Last week: No. 11
11) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-9 313
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, ability to add bulk to chiseled frame. Will shine in workout phase, and draft is short on elite offensive tackles. Last week: No. 18
12) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA OLB 6-4 251
Analysis: Exceptional athleticism makes him versatile, but his production has also been very good. Long, with ideal OLB build, skills for 3-4 at next level. Last week: No. 12
13) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 259
Analysis: Production is no concern for possible 3-4 OLB, or 4-3 DE. Kerrigan led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even against double-teams. Last week: No. 10
14) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 262
Analysis: Great frame and athleticism; Smith has some raw elements to his game but he can rush the passer and could develop into a stud on the edge. Last week: NR
15) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Great size and athleticism, but also underrated accuracy. Extends plays; good patience. Lacks experience and refinement aside from throwing motion. Last week: No. 14
16) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 282
Analysis: Good size, capable of playing 3-4 DE. Good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; down year for sacks but faced more attention. Last week: No. 13
17) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-10 216
Analysis: Patient runner, knows how to set up and wait for blocks; big-time competitor; good burst but not top-end speed. Won't shy from contact. Last week: No. 17
18) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-6 286
Analysis: Watt offers versatility, as a fit in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Relentless worker, solid pass-rush skills. Precise weight a question. Last week: NR
19) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 327
Analysis: A solid year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could go LT or RT. Last week: No. 19
20) Ryan Mallett *, Arkansas QB 6-7 238
Analysis: Huge arm, can make all the throws. Improved check-down skills and awareness. Footwork needs a lot of work. Last week: No. 20
21) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 21
22) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 290
Analysis: Could become top tackle here. Good frame, athleticism and quickness; could add bulk, but deceptive leverage, strength. Last week: NR
23) Rahim Moore *, UCLA S 6-1 197
Analysis: Top overall safety, with outstanding coverage skills. Has improved tackling, ability to help near the line of scrimmage. Great instincts; ballhawk. Last week: NR
24) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-5 306
Analysis: Committed earlier than I expected, but has first-round talent. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator, could work in 3-4 or 4-3. Last week: NR
25) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 228
Analysis: Off-the-charts skill set and intangibles; solid character. Now begins a process to rebuild his profile for scouts. Last week: No. 24
Some late draft declarations and new evaluations have shifted the Board again
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
A greater deal of attention this week will be paid to the first mock draft of the season, but as I always say, don't forget about the actual player rankings. The mock draft is a blend of need and value, but the Big Board, and the overall player rankings that I publish every year, are the key to knowing how well I think teams are creating value during the actual draft. This week, we also have some new players.
The biggest jump comes again from a Missouri player. Blaine Gabbert got a big bump when he opted to declare, and now Missouri OLB Aldon Smith has gotten a similar one. A raw talent, he could play either OLB or DE at the next level, and teams will fall in love with his athleticism and potential. But he's not the only new player on the Board, so check it out. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-5 310
Analysis: Fairley simply dominated his final showcase game for scouts. A force all season, while often not 100 percent; a perfect fit for a 4-3 interior. Last week: No. 1
2) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: The most gifted pure pass-rusher on the Board, Bowers has followed through on his talent. An ideal 4-3 DE, but he has a chance as a 3-4 edge. Last week: No. 2
3) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 207
Analysis: Allays any speed fears with improved route-running, and speed is fine. Green has worked hard to become a complete WR. Last week: No. 3
4) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-1 211
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson doesn't just have safety size, he'd measure up to a lot of RBs. Great special-teams returner as well. Last week: No. 4
5) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 306
Analysis: A solid penetrator; pass-rush skills trump run-stopping performance thus far, which is a reason I can see him becoming a solid 3-4 DE. Last week: No. 5
6) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-1 202
Analysis: Top marks for instincts, ball awareness and really good hands. It's as if he's running the WR's route sometimes. Ready to start. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 267
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. He'll be a little raw but should shine during the workout process. Last week: No. 7
8) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-5 232
Analysis: Strong arm, good mobility, prototype in terms of physical skills. The top QB on the Board minus Luck, but he will be under the microscope; volatile. Last week: No. 8
9) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 243
Analysis: Miller proved to scouts that he's more than a sack artist this season. He showed coverage skills to go along with known pass-rush production. Last week: No. 9
10) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-4 211
Analysis: When healthy, Jones was dominant; when not, he was still good in 2010. Overcame drop issues; improved route-running showed off speed. Last week: No. 11
11) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-9 313
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, ability to add bulk to chiseled frame. Will shine in workout phase, and draft is short on elite offensive tackles. Last week: No. 18
12) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA OLB 6-4 251
Analysis: Exceptional athleticism makes him versatile, but his production has also been very good. Long, with ideal OLB build, skills for 3-4 at next level. Last week: No. 12
13) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 259
Analysis: Production is no concern for possible 3-4 OLB, or 4-3 DE. Kerrigan led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even against double-teams. Last week: No. 10
14) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 262
Analysis: Great frame and athleticism; Smith has some raw elements to his game but he can rush the passer and could develop into a stud on the edge. Last week: NR
15) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Great size and athleticism, but also underrated accuracy. Extends plays; good patience. Lacks experience and refinement aside from throwing motion. Last week: No. 14
16) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 282
Analysis: Good size, capable of playing 3-4 DE. Good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; down year for sacks but faced more attention. Last week: No. 13
17) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-10 216
Analysis: Patient runner, knows how to set up and wait for blocks; big-time competitor; good burst but not top-end speed. Won't shy from contact. Last week: No. 17
18) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-6 286
Analysis: Watt offers versatility, as a fit in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Relentless worker, solid pass-rush skills. Precise weight a question. Last week: NR
19) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 327
Analysis: A solid year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could go LT or RT. Last week: No. 19
20) Ryan Mallett *, Arkansas QB 6-7 238
Analysis: Huge arm, can make all the throws. Improved check-down skills and awareness. Footwork needs a lot of work. Last week: No. 20
21) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 21
22) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 290
Analysis: Could become top tackle here. Good frame, athleticism and quickness; could add bulk, but deceptive leverage, strength. Last week: NR
23) Rahim Moore *, UCLA S 6-1 197
Analysis: Top overall safety, with outstanding coverage skills. Has improved tackling, ability to help near the line of scrimmage. Great instincts; ballhawk. Last week: NR
24) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-5 306
Analysis: Committed earlier than I expected, but has first-round talent. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator, could work in 3-4 or 4-3. Last week: NR
25) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 228
Analysis: Off-the-charts skill set and intangibles; solid character. Now begins a process to rebuild his profile for scouts. Last week: No. 24
