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Updated 2011 Big Board
It's not expected, but A.J. Green has the talent and makeup of a No. 1 overall pick
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
You really can't find a steadier player on the Big Board this past year than wide receiver A.J. Green. Pegged as a top-five pick in the 2011 draft since the minute last year's draft ended, Green had to miss four games early in the season, but that certainly didn't take anything away from his stock. He makes a notable move this week, all the way up to No. 3 on the Big Board, and I also think he should be in the conversation as the No. 1 overall pick.
Think of it this way: There isn't a quarterback in the draft who will come in and do more in Week 1 than any QB the Carolina Panthers have on their roster. So if they really want to build with one of their current quarterbacks, it's hard to find a better go-to target than Green. It's hard to develop quarterbacks without any serious threats in the passing game. Do I expect the Panthers to draft Green at No. 1? No. But if the they aren't sold on a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, or they can't trade down, there's no player available who will help a current quarterback sooner.
As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has 4.3 speed, safety size, good cover skills and a willingness to hit. He's also a big threat in the return game. Last week: No. 1
2) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: Miller can impact NFL games early in his career as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker, but he also has coverage skills. Heady, big-time athlete. Last week: No. 2
3) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, good speed (4.48 in Indy). Immediate help. Last week: No. 5
4) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 297
Analysis: After facing some questions about his size, has had great workouts, and the pile of tape is still immense. Versatility and skills imply star potential. Last week: No. 3
5) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Dareus is a gifted penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor. Well-liked, scheme-versatile, I like him most as a penetrating 3-4 DE. Last week: No. 4
6) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: Perhaps draft's most gifted pass-rusher, has big upcoming pro day, with small injury concerns. Potential to go as 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Star athleticism. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor, high character. Quinn could be an early impact threat. Last week: No. 7
8) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Very good when healthy. Worked out brilliantly in Indy; ran a 4.39. Some durability concerns, but has maintained high stock all year. Last week: No. 8
9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Good speed, safety size. Ready to start at corner. Last week: No. 11
10) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues gains. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year; in the mix for 2011. Last week: No. 12
11) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 13
12) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. Athletic enough with size to be versatile. Last week: No. 17
13) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Has top athleticism, smarts and speed for DE position. Last week: No. 9
14) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, good accuracy, ideal size and physical skills. An underrated athlete. Had a solid but unspectacular pro day. Will go high. Last week: No. 14
15) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Big-time physical ability, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Enters a big phase now with individual meetings and workouts. Will face tough questions. Last week: No. 15
16) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 211
Analysis: Excellent size and speed combination, Smith quietly shut down receivers all season. Character concerns overstated in eyes of personnel people. Last week: NR
17) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 307
Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Fallen some after a quick rise. Good frame, athleticism and quickness. Has added bulk. Last week: No. 10
18) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Has shown athleticism and versatility at full 290 pounds. Great motor, good diagnostic skills. Last week: No. 17
19) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork and has added needed strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker, smart player. Safe pick. Last week: No. 18
20) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 19
21) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern for me; top-end speed was never assumed. Last week: No. 20
22) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line to provide help early in NFL career. Last week: No. 21
23) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: Monster year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork in 2010; added consistency. Excellent frame; could move along the line. Last week: No. 22
24) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue OLB 6-4 267
Analysis: Limited physical skills but elite instincts, ball awareness and a TFL machine, even against double-teams. Will hope to shake tweener tag. Last week: No. 23
25) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 229
Analysis: In eyes of evaluators, rebounded some with good workouts, interviews after combine. Arm, attitude, athleticism all there. Accuracy the question. Last week: No. 25
It's not expected, but A.J. Green has the talent and makeup of a No. 1 overall pick
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
You really can't find a steadier player on the Big Board this past year than wide receiver A.J. Green. Pegged as a top-five pick in the 2011 draft since the minute last year's draft ended, Green had to miss four games early in the season, but that certainly didn't take anything away from his stock. He makes a notable move this week, all the way up to No. 3 on the Big Board, and I also think he should be in the conversation as the No. 1 overall pick.
Think of it this way: There isn't a quarterback in the draft who will come in and do more in Week 1 than any QB the Carolina Panthers have on their roster. So if they really want to build with one of their current quarterbacks, it's hard to find a better go-to target than Green. It's hard to develop quarterbacks without any serious threats in the passing game. Do I expect the Panthers to draft Green at No. 1? No. But if the they aren't sold on a quarterback with the No. 1 pick, or they can't trade down, there's no player available who will help a current quarterback sooner.
As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has 4.3 speed, safety size, good cover skills and a willingness to hit. He's also a big threat in the return game. Last week: No. 1
2) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: Miller can impact NFL games early in his career as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker, but he also has coverage skills. Heady, big-time athlete. Last week: No. 2
3) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, good speed (4.48 in Indy). Immediate help. Last week: No. 5
4) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 297
Analysis: After facing some questions about his size, has had great workouts, and the pile of tape is still immense. Versatility and skills imply star potential. Last week: No. 3
5) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Dareus is a gifted penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor. Well-liked, scheme-versatile, I like him most as a penetrating 3-4 DE. Last week: No. 4
6) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: Perhaps draft's most gifted pass-rusher, has big upcoming pro day, with small injury concerns. Potential to go as 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Star athleticism. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor, high character. Quinn could be an early impact threat. Last week: No. 7
8) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Very good when healthy. Worked out brilliantly in Indy; ran a 4.39. Some durability concerns, but has maintained high stock all year. Last week: No. 8
9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Good speed, safety size. Ready to start at corner. Last week: No. 11
10) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues gains. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year; in the mix for 2011. Last week: No. 12
11) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 13
12) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. Athletic enough with size to be versatile. Last week: No. 17
13) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Has top athleticism, smarts and speed for DE position. Last week: No. 9
14) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, good accuracy, ideal size and physical skills. An underrated athlete. Had a solid but unspectacular pro day. Will go high. Last week: No. 14
15) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Big-time physical ability, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Enters a big phase now with individual meetings and workouts. Will face tough questions. Last week: No. 15
16) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 211
Analysis: Excellent size and speed combination, Smith quietly shut down receivers all season. Character concerns overstated in eyes of personnel people. Last week: NR
17) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 307
Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Fallen some after a quick rise. Good frame, athleticism and quickness. Has added bulk. Last week: No. 10
18) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Has shown athleticism and versatility at full 290 pounds. Great motor, good diagnostic skills. Last week: No. 17
19) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork and has added needed strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker, smart player. Safe pick. Last week: No. 18
20) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 19
21) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern for me; top-end speed was never assumed. Last week: No. 20
22) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line to provide help early in NFL career. Last week: No. 21
23) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: Monster year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork in 2010; added consistency. Excellent frame; could move along the line. Last week: No. 22
24) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue OLB 6-4 267
Analysis: Limited physical skills but elite instincts, ball awareness and a TFL machine, even against double-teams. Will hope to shake tweener tag. Last week: No. 23
25) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 229
Analysis: In eyes of evaluators, rebounded some with good workouts, interviews after combine. Arm, attitude, athleticism all there. Accuracy the question. Last week: No. 25
