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Russ Lande
Sporting News


With more than a third of the college season complete, it's time to look at the top 99 NFL draft-eligible players. Among those moving up draft boards, Illinois OT Jeff Allen and Florida State OT Zebrie Sanders. Others like Nebraska DT Jared Crick of Nebraska and Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins will have the rest of the season to try and rebound from slow starts.

As you look at the list, a number of players in bold are ones who have moved up or down since the last Super 99. (* — denotes junior)

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Luck possesses excellent physical talent, intelligence and rare leadership intangibles.

2. Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama

Richardson has home-run speed and the strength to power through tackles. He is a better prospect than 2010 teammate Mark Ingram.

3. Alshon Jeffery*, WR, South Carolina

Jeffery reminds us a lot of current Bengals receiver A.J. Green — great size at 6-4 and 220 pounds to go with elite speed and natural hands.

4. Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina

Brown has really shined this season after becoming a full-time starter.

5. Justin Blackmon*, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is a strong, muscular receiver with deceptive quickness and athleticism.

6. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd has size at 6-3, strong hands and surprising playing strength to be an impact receiver in the NFL.

7. Dre Kirkpatrick*, CB, Alabama

Kirkpatrick is an uncommon cornerback who combines height (6-3), very long arms and the athleticism of a smaller corner.

8. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples (6-6) is an impact player as both a defensive tackle (in 2010) and defensive end (currently) and reminds many of Julius Peppers.

9. Jonathan Martin*, OT, Stanford

Martin is a top athlete and one of the reasons Luck has been so successful at Stanford.

10. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins lacks great size (5-11), but is explosive and has outstanding coverage skills. Immaturity has been an issue.

11. Landry Jones*, QB, Oklahoma

Although not in Luck's level, Jones is a very talented passer in his own right.

12. Luke Kuechly*, OLB, Boston College

He jumped off the film last season while we evaluated Mark Herzlich and Kuechly has not slowed down this season, making impact plays all over the field.

13. Markelle Martin, DB, Oklahoma State

Martin is a versatile defensive back with decent size (6-0) and solid hitting ability to be good in run support.

14. Matt Kalil*, OT, Southern Cal

Kalil is an aggressive blocker who uses his hands well. Consistently stays after it until the whistle.

15. Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard has battled through injuries this season, but is better than Prince Amukamara when he's at full speed.

16. Sean Spence, OLB, Miami (Fla.)

Spence lacks ideal height (5-11), but has great instincts and excellent foot quickness.

17. LaMichael James*, RB, Oregon

While James' elbow injury (rumored to be dislocated) is a concern, he is an electric runner who consistently makes big plays.

18. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma

Broyles is a quick and agile route runner who gets separation from coverage easily, finds open space and makes big plays.

19. Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska — STOCK DOWN

Crick hasn't played up to his previously high standards, but he still has the skills that few interior defensive linemen possess.

20. Donte Paige-Moss*, DE, North Carolina

Paige-Moss is a tall (6-4), linear defensive end with quick feet and the ability to pressure the quarterback.

21. Doug Martin, RB, Boise State

Martin is an aggressive runner with excellent vision and power to run through contact.

22. Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin

Toon is following in his father's (Al) footsteps and has the smooth athleticism to be a consistently productive receiver in the NFL.

23. Dwight Jones, WR, North Carolina

Jones is a big (6-4) receiver with better quickness and speed than most his size.

24. Billy Winn, DT, Boise State

Winn has played all over Boise State's defensive line and is a good fit as a five-technique defensive end prospect for a team that plays a 3-4 scheme.

25. Nigel Bradham, OLB, Florida State

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26. Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State

Datko has added weight and developed each year of his college career. He has what it takes to start at left tackle early in his NFL career.

27. Andre Ellington*, RB, Clemson

Similar to current Bills running back C.J Spiller — dynamic out in space, changes direction in a flash and great speed.

28. Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M

Gray is an underrated prospect that we first noticed last season. He has an aggressive running style to go with his quickness.

29. Jeff Fuller, WR, Texas A&M

Fuller is a tall (6-4) and very well built. He makes tough catches in traffic and big plays running after the catch.

30. Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa

Prater is a highly aggressive cornerback who consistently attacks the ball.

31. Edwin Baker*, RB, Michigan State

Baker has been a productive back for the Spartans despite lacking great size (5-9). He has the receiving skills to make plays out of the backfield.

32. Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Still has stepped up his game this season and could be one of the real risers leading up to the draft.

33. Mark Barron, S, Alabama

Barron brings the violent, aggressive playing style that NFL teams love and has the athleticism to also be productive in coverage.

34. Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia

Boykin looks smaller on film than his measured size (5-9), but reminds us a lot of Antoine Winfield with his aggressiveness and coverage ability.

35. Jerel Worthy*, DT, Michigan State

Worthy is a rare athlete with uncommon strength but lacks passion. He is not a top-10 prospect despite having the ability to be one.

36. Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

Martin has not been the dominant player this season that he was in 2010. Still, he's strong and highly competitive.

37. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

At nearly 6-4, Criner has excellent size and natural body control to make him an outstanding possession receiver.

38. Riley Reiff*, OT, Iowa

Reiff is athletic but not an aggressive blocker. He gets beaten more often than an offensive tackle with his talent should.

39. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M — STOCK UP


Tannehill is a smart and accurate passer who has caught the eye of NFL scouts and is climbing up draft boards.

40. Devin Taylor*, DE, South Carolina

Taylor is a raw talent, but has excellent size (6-7, 280), long arms and a natural feel for rushing the passer.

41. Tydreke Powell, DT, North Carolina

Powell is the rock on the UNC defensive line. He has the strength to anchor against blocks and makes plays consistently on inside runs.

42. Marquis Maze, WR, Alabama

Maze is a dangerous player when he gets the ball out in space. He has elite speed to take plays the distance.

43. Kenny Tate, OLB, Maryland

A former safety, Tate has the coverage ability that NFL teams are desperate for in today's pass happy league.

44. Matt Barkley*, QB, Southern Cal — STOCK UP

Barkley is a smart, technically sound quarterback but lacks great arm strength. He's also smaller (6-1) than NFL teams prefer.

45. Chris Polk*, RB, Washington

When everyone was saying Jake Locker had no talent around him in 2010, they were not giving enough credit to Polk who has been an impact runner for the Huskies since he showed up on campus.

46. Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

Smith is an instinctive safety who reads and reacts to the play fast. He has the range and coverage skills to play in the NFL.

47. Mohamed Sanu*, WR, Rutgers

Sanu has the open-field running ability to make big plays wherever he lines up. If he comes out early he could be a high draft pick.

48. Ramon Buchanon, OLB, Miami (Fla.)

Buchanon has great speed, which helps him to make plays all over the field despite his thin frame (6-2, 220).

49. Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati

Pead's burst allows him to get through holes and out-run angles to make big plays.

50. Vontaze Burfict*, MLB, Arizona State

Burfict must learn to control his emotions better if he is going to carry his production over to the NFL.

51. Emanuel Davis, CB, East Carolina

52. Mychal Kendricks, LB, California

53. Alameda Ta'Amu, DT, Washington

54. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

55. Mike Daniels, DT, Iowa

56. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

57. Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State — STOCK UP

58. Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa State

59. Logan Harrell, DT, Fresno State

60. Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia

61. B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State

62. Dont'a Hightower*, MLB, Alabama

63. George Bryan, TE, N.C. State

64. Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas — STOCK DOWN

65. Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston College

66. Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois — STOCK UP

67. Chris Owusu, WR, Stanford

68. Kirk Cousins QB, Michigan State — STOCK DOWN

69. Matt Reynolds, OT, BYU

70. Robert Griffin III*, QB, Baylor

71. Michael Egnew, TE, Missouri

72. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

73. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington

74. Cliff Harris*, CB, Oregon

75. Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State

76. Trenton Robinson, DB, Michigan State

77. Brandon Lindsey, OLB, Pittsburgh

78. Lavonte David, MLB, Nebraska — STOCK DOWN

79. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State

80. Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State

81. Lance Lewis, WR, East Carolina

82. Julian Miller, DL, West Virginia

83. Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska

84. Derek Dennis, G, Temple

85. Kaleb Ramsey, DT, Boston College

86. Micah Pellerin, CB, Hampton

87. Lucas Nix, G, Pittsburgh

88. Manti Teo*, LB, Notre Dame — STOCK DOWN

89. Travis Benjamin, WR, Miami (Fla.)

90. A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois

91. Desmond Wynn, OG, Rutgers

92. Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

93. Darius Fleming, OLB, Notre Dame

94. George Iloka, DB, Boise State

95. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

96. Montel Harris, RB, Boston College

97. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

98. Cameron Johnson, DE, Virginia

99. Drew Butler, P, Georgia
 

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Lande always has some interesting rankings. His last few SportingNews Draft Guides have been laughable, before AND after the draft.

2. Trent Richardson*, RB, Alabama
Richardson has home-run speed and the strength to power through tackles. He is a better prospect than 2010 teammate Mark Ingram.

Love him. If we are one of the worst 10 teams in the league we might have a shot at him.

10. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama
Jenkins lacks great size (5-11), but is explosive and has outstanding coverage skills. Immaturity has been an issue.

Maturity was an issue but going back to school to prove himself shows a lot in my book.

13. Markelle Martin, DB, Oklahoma State
Martin is a versatile defensive back with decent size (6-0) and solid hitting ability to be good in run support.

Will be a 10-year starter in the NFL.

34. Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia
Boykin looks smaller on film than his measured size (5-9), but reminds us a lot of Antoine Winfield with his aggressiveness and coverage ability.

Athletic wonder kid. He will be the talk of the Combine.

44. Matt Barkley*, QB, Southern Cal — STOCK UP
Barkley is a smart, technically sound quarterback but lacks great arm strength. He's also smaller (6-1) than NFL teams prefer.

I just included him because I hope he stays ranked in the 40's or below so he'll stay in school.

50. Vontaze Burfict*, MLB, Arizona State
Burfict must learn to control his emotions better if he is going to carry his production over to the NFL.

Crazy? Yes. Impact defensive player? Yes. Would bring some passion to our defense.

52. Mychal Kendricks, LB, California

Smallish linebacker has experience in the 3-4. Very good pass rusher for an ILB.

53. Alameda Ta'Amu, DT, Washington

Big boy but isn't a playmaker. He occupies space.

54. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

He'll go much higher than 54.

62. Dont'a Hightower*, MLB, Alabama

Big, solid linebacker would be ideal LILB.

70. Robert Griffin III*, QB, Baylor

Doubt he comes out if he thinks he will go in the late 2nd/early 3rd.

72. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Kept Bill Nagy on the bench at Wisconsin.

74. Cliff Harris*, CB, Oregon

Talented, athletic but only 165 lbs.

88. Manti Teo*, LB, Notre Dame — STOCK DOWN

88th? Insanity.

92. Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas

Speedster would be scary in the slot for us.
 
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