30 September Update: -------------------------------------- Big Board 1 Andrew Luck *QB 6-4 235 Analysis: Great arm, NFL smarts, solid footwork. Prototypical size and intangibles. Checks down with a veteran's savvy. Mostly solid in the win over Notre Dame. Last week: No. 1 2 Robert Quinn *DE 6-4 267 Analysis: A freakish athlete. He's still developing consistency and is young for his class. Eligibility issues remain; stock still high. Last week: No. 2 3 A.J. Green *WR 6-4 207 Analysis: The profile of a No. 1 receiver at NFL level. Great size-speed combination; instinctive, great hands. Finally hits the field vs. Colorado this week. Last week: No. 3 4 Jake Locker QB 6-3 228 Analysis: Has all the physical tools -- size, arm, even speed and improving footwork. Accuracy and consistent decision-making remain a question. Last week: No. 1 5 Prince Amukamara CB 6-1 202 Analysis: A big corner with a ton of talent. Amukamara has the necessary speed and leads a deep CB class. Competition about to pick up. Last week: No. 5 6 Patrick Peterson *CB 6-1 211 Analysis: Safety size with fluidity of a top corner. Maybe the top size-speed combo in this entire class. Also showing top-end return skills. Last week: No. 7 7 Adrian Clayborn DE 6-3 282 Analysis: Very complete defensive end. Solid pass-rusher, steady against run. Very high-energy; batters linemen. Projects at 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 8 8 Marcell Dareus *DE 6-3 306 Analysis: Has the versatility and explosiveness to be a 3-4 DE or DT in 4-3. He's ready to emerge, surrounded with talent. Back now, adds to a talented defense. Last week: No. 9 9 Mark Ingram *RB 5-10 216 Analysis: Blue-collar runner, explosive after contact. Pro-style workhorse back. Lacks top-end speed, but productive. Back to 100 percent after injury. Last week: No. 12 10 Ryan Kerrigan DE 6-4 259 Analysis: Disruptive, relentless pass-rusher with decent power versus the run. Great motor, reminds of Chris Long. Steady after flying up Board. Last week: No. 13 11 Akeem Ayers * OLB 6-4 251 Analysis: Budding star, a physical specimen with ideal size. Ready to break out. Cover skills trump improving pass-rushing skills. Dominant in UCLA's big win vs. Texas. Last week. No. 18 12 Allen Bailey DE 6-4 288 Analysis: Still learning end position; building on flashes of brilliance in 2009. Bailey could project as a 3-4 or 4-3 DE. Another test at Pitt. Last week: No. 11 13 Ryan Mallett*QB 6-7 238 Analysis: Has an incredible arm but developing footwork and accuracy. Must learn to check down more, use underneath routes. Decision-making key. Last week: No. 6 14 Da'Quan Bowers *DE 6-4 277 Analysis: Great athlete, now putting it all together. Great takeoff, wingspan, solid against run or pass. Top 10 potential. Last week: No. 19 15 Anthony Castonzo OT 6-7 302 Analysis: Pro-style tackle with athleticism to deal with varied styles of rush. Smart player (up for a Rhodes Scholarship) who could add bulk. Struggled last week. Last week: No. 10 16 Cameron Heyward DE 6-6 282 Analysis: He's more dominant versus the run than the pass; continues to improve consistency. Gains points for versatility along the line. Last week: No. 15 17 Ras-I Dowling CB 6-2 200 Analysis: Experienced, smooth CB with fluid hips. Remains just behind Peterson and Amukamara among corners in this class. Last week: No. 14 18 Julio Jones *WR 6-4 211 Analysis: Great physical tools and a fantastic blocker. Some questions about hands and consistency, but his only limit is concentration. Last week: No. 17 19 Nate Solder OT 6-9 313 Analysis: A physical specimen, Solder weighs more than 300 pounds with virtually no body fat. Got off to a spotty start this season, but better recently. Last week: No. 21 20 Daniel Thomas RB 6-2 228 Analysis: Current growth could have him emerge as top RB in class. Highly productive with great size, quickness. Unstoppable, so far. Last week: 20 21 Jon Baldwin * WR 6-5 225 Analysis: Height, physical strength and ball skills are there; so is sub-4.5 speed. Goes up for the ball. Productivity hasn't been there this year. Last week: No. 16 22 Bruce Carter OLB 6-3 230 Analysis: Smart, reliable outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Could add size but uses speed to cover entire field. Must learn to shed blocks better. Last week: No. 23 23 Rahim Moore *S 6-1 196 Analysis: A ball hawk who led the nation in interceptions last season and moves well from sideline to sideline. Must prove physical versus blocks. Last week: No. 24 24 Ryan Broyles *WR 5-11 179 Analysis: Very good hands, elusive in open field after catch, productive, and has return skills -- regardless of who's throwing the ball. Last week: NR 25 Marvin Austin DT 6-3 305 Analysis: Flashes dominance but must gain consistency. He's an ideal 4-3 penetrating tackle, but his production isn't up to the level of his talent. Last week: No. 25
Ah, love it. Being more of a Dolphins fan than a Drafthead, the first thing I do is count up the positions in the "Top however many" and when I look at the list what stand out to me is the majority of the top rated players are not in positions of need for the Dolphins. Roughly: 3 Qb's/no need 7 De/OLB's/no need 5 Wr's/possible 3 Rb's/not that early 2 OT's/only if they want to move Vern Carey to G 1 S/doubtful, if they passed on Earl Thomas 3 Cb's/no need This could be a good year to trade back and accumulate draft choices as the top prospects do not fit what we need. Who is the best Inside Linebacking prospect this year?
This Kipers top 5 list of ILB Seniors & Juniors respectively: Seniors Greg Jones 6-1 228 Kelvin Sheppard 6-3 240 Quan Sturdivant 6-2 235 Colin McCarthy 6-2 240 Nate Irving 6-1 235 Juniors Dont'a Hightower 6-4 260 Chris Marve 6-0 235 Tank Carder 6-2 232 Jerry Franklin 6-1 241 Chris Galippo 6-2 250
My biggest thing about Ponder, and this is what kills him for me..is his pocket presence. I'm an FSU fan, I know you are as well. But Ponder is absolutely atrocious in this area. Before last season he would never even step up in the pocket, he would just drift backwards. The past 2 seasons he's been much better of actually staying in the pocket, but even then he looks highly uncomfortable in it IMO, and is much much better outside of it.
Interesting pointless fact about Mel Kiper... He is one of our clients here at work. I talk to his wife all the time.
I'm amazed that Allen Bailey and Ras I Dowling are still in his top 25. No Pernell McPhee, no Michael Floyd? Pads, the three best ILB's I've seen this season are Sheppard, Carder and Mario Harvey.
I watch a lot of PAC-10 games as I have a sport's package that gets most of the west coast college games. I would take Luck over Locker if I were choosing QB's. Luck doesn't get rattled and he's the best QB out of Stanford since Elway. If he were around when we pick in 2011, I would probably grab him, not that I have given up on Henne just yet.
glad Akeem Ayers is moving up Kipers board. The kids just awesome to watch and always around the ball even when doubled teamed. So glad Chuck Bullough(yes former Dolphin LB) is moving him back and forth from LB to DE. Just wish he'd rush him up the middle sometimes. Currently has a slight shoulder injury but still playing through it. Would like to see McShays list now if he's not on it its a BOGUS list PS Apologies ahead of time If every post is about Ayers or Moore and sound like a Homer but I only fully watch/attend UCLA games and i feel these guys are legit future NFL players
Not kidding, we do his website. I can probably log onto the server that hosts the ebooks he sells all of this stuff about and snag it lol
WR A.J. Green will be entering the Draft. For sure. I know that was somewhat of a 'duh' for some but its been confirmed.
Other than Mark Ingram, (because there is no way in hell we pick that high,but hey you never know and THAT ****ING ******* owes us bigtime.) who are the best RBs in this draft?
Kendall Hunter of Oklahoma State. Daniel Thomas of K State. Demarco Murray of Oklahoma. Roy Helu of Nebraska. Damien Berry of Miami.
Nebraska shut Thomas down pretty well I thought. He struck me as a Ronnie Brown type guy in that game (never seen him before). Kind of likes to pick and choose his spots, not very quick getting to the hole, stutters around a bit. He didn't really sell me very well in that game. Helu had a solid game though. Boom, what RB types do you think would fit well here in Miami? That Nebraska QB Martinez looked real good though running the ball. You can see teams, as CK said, just sticking the best athlete and QB and letting them loose.
Nebraska's got a really good defense. Thomas did very well against UCLA, had 230+ yards. He's outstanding in the hole, hips in there are fantastic because he slides so well. I also like the kid Poole at Tennessee - he really reminds me of Ronnie. Tough to know what Miami will want to do. I suppose it depends on which of Brown and Williams they ditch. The team lacks speed and there was a real interest in Spiller, so you could see why they might like a creator like Kendall Hunter. His vision and quickness is terrific. If they want a pounder, then Helu is a good player. If they want versatile then Murray can do it all. Can he stay healthy though? Chances are they won't take a back high anyway given that is's not really their mantra to do so. Martinez is a good player. Lot like Denard Robinson. He was recruited by Carl Pellini but they almost let him go somewhere else because they didn't know where to play him. They tried him at WR but he begged to play QB and they let him play there in the Spring Game and he tore it up. He won the job in the spring and you're seeing Heisman race performances from him now.
I actually wouldn’t be surprised if both guys were let go and we went with something like Michael Bush (2011 free agent) plus a rookie plus Kory Sheets.
Man, I'm watching BC/VT game. Mark Herzlich, man, that guy is one helluva talent. Warms my heart to see him out there playing. Too bad he just broke his hand. On the other side of the BC ball, Anthony Castonzo. Man, what a debate he's going to be in NFL War Rooms. He looks narrow hipped to me, I don't know if he can put on any more bulk and actually improve at the POA.
Nebraska's D was flying around, that one linebacker - #4 I think, forgot the name - was making plays all over the place. It will be interesting to see what NFL teams do with some of these running QBs moving through the college ranks atm. Boom what kind of positions do you think we are starting to lean to consider the first few weeks of the season?
Herzlich will be the single biggest draft room discussion; quite apart from the cancer he's had a broken foot and a broken hand in 3 months. How much of that is down to a weakness in his bones brought about by the illness. I had him as a top 5 talent 2 years ago at WORST. He's such a great player. Who knows where he ends up in 2011.
Yeah I've watched him before, just exceptional. Doesn't look like he's lost any talent, that's for sure. Little bit of rust but still, wow. Agree overall with you.
Latest Update: 1 Andrew Luck * QB 6-4 235 Analysis: Great arm, NFL smarts, solid footwork. Prototypical size and intangibles. Checks down with veteran's savvy. Even showed he can hit versus USC Last week: No. 1 2 A.J. Green * WR 6-4 207 Analysis: The profile of a No. 1 receiver at NFL level. Great size-speed combination; instinctive, great hands. Dominant since his return. Last week: No. 3 3 Prince Amukamara CB 6-1 202 Analysis: A big corner with a ton of talent. Amukamara has the necessary speed and leads a deep CB class. QBs totally avoiding him now. Last week: No. 5 4 Patrick Peterson * CB 6-1 211 Analysis: Safety size with fluidity of a top CB. Maybe the top size-speed combo in this entire class. Has top-end return skills; he and Prince very close. Last week: No. 6 5 Robert Quinn * DE 6-4 267 Analysis: A freakish athlete with decent size, great quickness and pass-rush skills. His ineligiblity is an issue, but talent is significant. Last week: No. 2 6 Marcell Dareus * DE 6-3 306 Analysis: Has the versatility and explosiveness to be a 3-4 DE -- thus the position here -- or DT in 4-3. Solid, developing anchor of nasty defense. Last week: No. 7 7 Jake Locker QB 6-3 228 Analysis: Has all the physical tools -- size, arm, even speed and improving footwork. Accuracy, footwork have been issues. Up and down year so far. Last week: No. 4 8 Adrian Clayborn DE 6-3 282 Analysis: Complete defensive end. Solid pass-rusher, steady against run. High-energy; batters linemen. Projects at 4-3 DE. Better after slow start. Last week: No. 7 9 Mark Ingram * RB 5-10 216 Analysis: Blue-collar runner, explosive after contact. Pro-style, workhorse back. Lacks top-end speed, but productive. Back to 100 percent after tweaking knee. Last week: No. 9 10 Ryan Kerrigan DE 6-4 259 Analysis: Disruptive, relentless pass-rusher with decent power versus the run. Great motor, reminds of Chris Long. Steady force on struggling team. Last week: No. 10 11 Da'Quan Bowers * DE 6-4 277 Analysis: Great athlete, now putting it all together. Great takeoff, wingspan, solid against run or pass. Marching toward top 10 material. Last week: No. 13 12 Akeem Ayers * OLB 6-4 251 Analysis: Budding star, a physical specimen with ideal size. Ready to break out. Cover skills trump pass-rushing skills, but can get both sacks and INTs. Last week. No. 11 13 Ryan Mallett* QB 6-7 238 Analysis: Incredible arm but developing footwork and accuracy. Must learn to check down more, use underneath routes. Showing his moxie now. Last week: No. 14 14 Allen Bailey DE 6-4 288 Analysis: Still learning end position; building on flashes of brilliance in 2009. Bailey could project as a 3-4 or 4-3 DE. So-so day in tough loss to the Noles. Last week: No. 12 15 Cameron Heyward DE 6-6 282 Analysis: He's more dominant versus the run than the pass; continues to improve consistency. Gains points for versatility along the line. Big test this week. Last week: No. 16 16 Ras-I Dowling CB 6-2 200 Analysis: Experienced, smooth CB with fluid hips. Remains just behind Peterson and Amukamara among corners in this class, but it's a deep class. Last week: No. 17 17 Julio Jones * WR 6-4 211 Analysis: Great physical tools; fantastic blocker. Has overcome questions about hands and consistency. Impressive toughness versus Gamecocks, playing with broken hand. Last week: No. 18 18 Anthony Castonzo OT 6-7 302 Analysis: Pro-style tackle with athleticism to deal with varied styles of rush. Smart player; could add bulk. Solid footwork, questions regarding lower-body strength Last week: No. 15 19 Nate Solder OT 6-9 313 Analysis: A physical specimen, Solder weighs more than 300 pounds with virtually no body fat. Got off to a spotty start this season, but better recently. Last week: No. 19 20 Daniel Thomas RB 6-2 228 Analysis: Could emerge as top RB in the draft class. Highly productive with great size, quickness. Mostly unstoppable so far, but better competition is telling. Last week: 20 21 Jon Baldwin * WR 6-5 225 Analysis: Height, physical strength and ball skills are there; so is sub-4.5 speed. Goes up for the ball. Productivity becoming a big question. Last week: No. 21 22 Bruce Carter OLB 6-3 230 Analysis: Smart, reliable outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Could add size but uses speed to cover entire field. Must learn to shed blocks better. Last week: No. 22 23 Rahim Moore * S 6-1 196 Analysis: A ball hawk who led the nation in interceptions last season and moves well from sideline to sideline. Must prove physical versus blocks. Last week: No. 23 24 Ryan Broyles * WR 5-11 179 Analysis: Very good hands, elusive in open field after catch, productive and has return skills -- regardless of who's throwing the ball. Last week: No. 24 25 Marvin Austin DT 6-3 305 Analysis: Flashes dominance but must gain consistency. He's an ideal 4-3 penetrating tackle, but overall production hasn't been up to the level of his talent. Last week: No. 25
And the in season shuffle continues ... 1 Andrew Luck * QB 6-4 235 Analysis: Arm, footwork, size, smarts and poise are all there. Solid year, with 16-4 TD-INT ratio through six games. Last week: No. 1 2 A.J. Green * WR 6-4 207 Analysis: After a four-game suspension, Green has been unstoppable. Scheduling downer: He won't face off against LSU's Peterson this season. Last week: No. 2 3 Prince Amukamara CB 6-1 202 Analysis: Safety size with lockdown corner skills. Amukamara has necessary speed and leads a deep CB class. QBs totally avoiding him. Last week: No. 3 4 Patrick Peterson * CB 6-1 211 Analysis: Amazing size-speed combo. Essentially takes a WR out of the game plan. Will be interesting to see if Cam Newton is willing to challenge him at all. Last week: No. 4 5 Robert Quinn * DE 6-4 267 Analysis: A freakish athlete with decent size, great quickness and pass-rush skills. Ineligible for the year, but scouts still in awe of talent. Last week: No. 5 6 Marcell Dareus * DE 6-3 306 Analysis: There's a chance Dareus could be a 3-4 DE, but I think he's better suited as a 4-3 DT. Explosive, disruptive, with a great motor. Last week: No. 6 7 Da'Quan Bowers * DE 6-4 277 Analysis: A great athlete at his size, Bowers leads the nation in TFL and continues to fly up the Board. Prototype as a 4-3 DE, he's put it all together. Last week: No. 11 8 Jake Locker QB 6-3 228 Analysis: Solid TD-INT ratio, but completion percentage actually down from last year. Arm, athleticism and intangibles are there. Last week: No. 7 9 Adrian Clayborn DE 6-3 282 Analysis: Clayborn isn't moving down as much as Bowers simply had to move up. Solid recently after a slow start to 2010. Last week: No. 8 10 Mark Ingram * RB 5-10 216 Analysis: Ingram is averaging more yards per rush than he did last year, when he won the Heisman. Solid, shifty and a terror once he reaches the second level. Last week: No. 9 11 Ryan Kerrigan DE 6-4 259 Analysis: Disruptive, relentless pass-rusher with decent power versus the run. Kerrigan now a regular recipient of chips, TEs and double-team help. Last week: No. 10 12 Akeem Ayers * OLB 6-4 251 Analysis: His exceptional athleticism makes him so versatile. He can rush the passer or cover from the linebacker position. Perfect as an OLB in a 3-4. Last week. No. 12 13 Ryan Mallett* QB 6-7 238 Analysis: Not even Locker can match Mallett for arm strength. Has improved accuracy and can drill the deep intermediate routes. Last week: No. 13 14 Allen Bailey DE 6-4 288 Analysis: Still developing at DE after making the switch last year. Bailey could project as a 3-4 or 4-3 DE. Just a pair of sacks, but he's also solid in the run game. Last week: No. 14 15 Cameron Heyward DE 6-6 282 Analysis: Comes off a forgettable week where he and the Buckeyes were gashed by the Wisconsin O-line. Still elite; will be watching to see how he bounces back. Last week: No. 15 16 Ras-I Dowling CB 6-2 200 Analysis: Like Peterson and Amukamara, Dowling is now feeling the freeze with QBs not throwing in his direction.Last week: No. 16 17 Julio Jones * WR 6-4 211 Analysis: Jones has been solid this year and has shown both toughness in playing hurt and better concentration. He had dropped some big passes last year. Last week: No. 17 18 Nate Solder OT 6-9 313 Analysis: Solder has bounced back after I called him out regarding some lackluster performances. Still improving, he's a big-time physical talent. Last week: No. 19 19 Jon Baldwin * WR 6-5 225 Analysis: Great physical skills and size, Baldwin has had a rocky season in the Pitt offense and needs more opportunities. Last week: No. 21 20 Derek Sherrod OT 6-6 305 Analysis: Debuts on the Big Board after another solid performance in the win over Florida. An athlete who really moves his feet well, Sherrod has been steady. Last week: NR 21 Bruce Carter OLB 6-3 230 Analysis: Smart, reliable outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense. Could add size but uses speed to cover entire field. Needs to develop rush skills. Last week: No. 22 22 Rahim Moore * S 6-1 196 Analysis: Just a single INT for Moore this year after leading the nation last year. QBs always know where he is in 2010. Last week: No. 23 23 Ryan Broyles * WR 5-11 179 Analysis: Remarkable production at Iowa State with 15 catches. Broyles hasn't seen a corner who can stay with him or zone scheme that can blanket him. Last week: No. 24 24 Gabe Carimi OT 6-7 327 Analysis: Carimi has been on the edge of the Big Board all year and jumps in this week after a really solid performance against a talented Ohio State D-line. Last week: NR 25 Marvin Austin DT 6-3 305 Analysis: Austin may not be eligible, and certainly his place here is tenuous as other prospects emerge, but his talent is of the first-round variety. Last week: No. 25
Kerrigan is interesting. The guy can make some plays because of his motor but he often either takes himself out of the play or he ends up on the ground (similarly to Brian Price of last year). I'm not a huge fan of his yet, I have to see more. I watched him against Northwestern and he was very inside conscious and was stone walled often. Not sure what to make of him yet, my eyes must see more. Still mixed on Solder too.
Prince Amukamara is a helluva cornerback. He's so damn good. Only thing I don't like about him is that he sometimes bites on PA's hard. He's still learning though but man he's going to be good.
Definitely. I actually think if Prince and Davis were on the same team for two years, that's probably the best duo at the position in the league. Prince's mirror skills are superb.
