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Linemen lead top fives by position
Perimeter positions on both offense and defense also feature elite talent
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
As we at Scouts Inc. finish up the last of nearly 400 updated and new player evaluations we've also had a change to our position rankings.
Below is a look at how our top five players at each position fall into order.
Offense
Plenty of skill
The offensive skill positions feature some of the biggest names in the 2011 draft, including two quarterbacks atop the list who have been talked about as possibilities for the No. 1 overall pick.
The wide receiver group leads with two players who grade out in the top half of the first round, and while only our No. 1 running back carries a first-round grade the next four on the list could all come off the board in the second.
QBs
1. Blaine Gabbert
2. Cam Newton
3. Jake Locker
4. Andy Dalton
5. Christian Ponder
RBs
1. Mark Ingram
2. Ryan Williams
3. Kendall Hunter
4. Mikel Leshoure
5. Daniel Thomas
WRs
1. A.J. Green
2. Julio Jones
3. Randall Cobb
4. Tandon Doss
5. Torrey Smith
TEs
1. Kyle Rudolph
2. Lance Kendricks
3. Virgil Green
4. Luke Stocker
5. Rob Housler
OTs shine up front
The strength along the offensive line is at tackle, where our top four prospects grade out in the first round. The top of the guard class features five solid second-round prospects, but at center there is a steep drop after a first-rounder at No. 1 and little depth beyond the top two.
OTs
1. Tyron Smith
2. Anthony Castonzo
3. Nate Solder
4. Gabe Carimi
5. Derek Sherrod
Gs
1. Orlando Franklin
2. Danny Watkins
3. Clint Boling
4. James Carpenter
5. William Rackley
Cs
1. Mike Pouncey
2. Rodney Hudson
3. Stefen Wisniewski
4. Brandon Fusco
5. Alex Linnenkohl
Defense
Elite linemen
Defensive line is clearly the strongest group in 2011. Each of our top five defensive ends grades out in the first round, including a top three who could all be off the board in the first half of the first round. The top three defensive tackles grade out in the first, with our top two considered possible fits at No. 1 overall.
DTs
1. Marcell Dareus
2. Nick Fairley
3. Corey Liuget
4. Stephen Paea
5. Phil Taylor
DEs
1. Robert Quinn
2. Da'Quan Bowers
3. J.J. Watt
4. Aldon Smith
5. Muhammad Wilkerson
Back seven full of talent
The inside linebacker class lacks a player with even a second-round grade but the rest of the back seven brings some impressive players to the table. Our top outside linebacker is a top-five overall talent and four other OLBs are in the second round at this point.
The cornerbacks lead the way in the backfield with two likely top-10 picks ahead of some solid second-round prospects, while the top safety on our board has been on the fringe of the first round since the 2010 season began.
ILBs
1. Quan Sturdivant
2. Kelvin Sheppard
3. Mason Foster
4. Colin McCarthy
5. Akeem Dent
OLBs
1. Von Miller
2. Akeem Ayers
3. Justin Houson
4. Bruce Carter
5. Martez Wilson
CBs
1. Patrick Peterson
2. Prince Amukamara
3. Aaron Williams
4. Brandon Harris
5. Jimmy Smith
Ss
1. Rahim Moore
2. Jaiquawn Jarrett
3. Ahmad Black
4. Quinton Carter
5. Joe Lefeged
Todd McShay is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
Perimeter positions on both offense and defense also feature elite talent
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
As we at Scouts Inc. finish up the last of nearly 400 updated and new player evaluations we've also had a change to our position rankings.
Below is a look at how our top five players at each position fall into order.
Offense
Plenty of skill
The offensive skill positions feature some of the biggest names in the 2011 draft, including two quarterbacks atop the list who have been talked about as possibilities for the No. 1 overall pick.
The wide receiver group leads with two players who grade out in the top half of the first round, and while only our No. 1 running back carries a first-round grade the next four on the list could all come off the board in the second.
QBs
1. Blaine Gabbert
2. Cam Newton
3. Jake Locker
4. Andy Dalton
5. Christian Ponder
RBs
1. Mark Ingram
2. Ryan Williams
3. Kendall Hunter
4. Mikel Leshoure
5. Daniel Thomas
WRs
1. A.J. Green
2. Julio Jones
3. Randall Cobb
4. Tandon Doss
5. Torrey Smith
TEs
1. Kyle Rudolph
2. Lance Kendricks
3. Virgil Green
4. Luke Stocker
5. Rob Housler
OTs shine up front
The strength along the offensive line is at tackle, where our top four prospects grade out in the first round. The top of the guard class features five solid second-round prospects, but at center there is a steep drop after a first-rounder at No. 1 and little depth beyond the top two.
OTs
1. Tyron Smith
2. Anthony Castonzo
3. Nate Solder
4. Gabe Carimi
5. Derek Sherrod
Gs
1. Orlando Franklin
2. Danny Watkins
3. Clint Boling
4. James Carpenter
5. William Rackley
Cs
1. Mike Pouncey
2. Rodney Hudson
3. Stefen Wisniewski
4. Brandon Fusco
5. Alex Linnenkohl
Defense
Elite linemen
Defensive line is clearly the strongest group in 2011. Each of our top five defensive ends grades out in the first round, including a top three who could all be off the board in the first half of the first round. The top three defensive tackles grade out in the first, with our top two considered possible fits at No. 1 overall.
DTs
1. Marcell Dareus
2. Nick Fairley
3. Corey Liuget
4. Stephen Paea
5. Phil Taylor
DEs
1. Robert Quinn
2. Da'Quan Bowers
3. J.J. Watt
4. Aldon Smith
5. Muhammad Wilkerson
Back seven full of talent
The inside linebacker class lacks a player with even a second-round grade but the rest of the back seven brings some impressive players to the table. Our top outside linebacker is a top-five overall talent and four other OLBs are in the second round at this point.
The cornerbacks lead the way in the backfield with two likely top-10 picks ahead of some solid second-round prospects, while the top safety on our board has been on the fringe of the first round since the 2010 season began.
ILBs
1. Quan Sturdivant
2. Kelvin Sheppard
3. Mason Foster
4. Colin McCarthy
5. Akeem Dent
OLBs
1. Von Miller
2. Akeem Ayers
3. Justin Houson
4. Bruce Carter
5. Martez Wilson
CBs
1. Patrick Peterson
2. Prince Amukamara
3. Aaron Williams
4. Brandon Harris
5. Jimmy Smith
Ss
1. Rahim Moore
2. Jaiquawn Jarrett
3. Ahmad Black
4. Quinton Carter
5. Joe Lefeged
Todd McShay is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.