Alright, with the deadline passed (although not completely because players can change their minds by tomorrow), I have made appropriate edits on getting the declared players out of my rankings.
Here is the Top 100. Due to the 10k character limit, I can't post it all. But check it out on the link.
http://nflsoup.com/?p=6701
1. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn*- 6’5 298
You have to love what Fairley has done in 2010 to solidify his draft status as a first rounder. He is a dominant penetrating defensive tackle with great quickness and first step despite being nearly 300 pounds. Fairley is inexperienced at the NCAA level only starting for one full season in 2010. He has a good motor and doesn’t take plays off. Fairley will most likely be a Top Five pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
2. Da’Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson*- 6’4 280
Bowers is one of the most athletic 280+ pound players in the NCAA. He’s strong enough for a bull rush on an offensive tackle, and he’s quick enough to get around the edge. He’s strictly a 4-3 defensive end. I do question his ability to play in space, which is why 3-4 outside linebacker is a bit of a reach. Bowers is very tough against the run, and is one of the best penetrators in the nation.
3. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU*- 6’1 217
Peterson is one of the most special players in this draft. At 6’1 220, he’s a big cornerback who could also play free safety in the NFL. He’s excellent against the run, and he’s got an excellent change of direction ability. Peterson also has the hands of a wide receiver, and is an excellent return man. It’s not often that you see a true cornerback that has top five talent, but Peterson is one of them. Peterson will excel in man coverage, but does need to improve his instincts.
4. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia*- 6’4 212
There’s not much you can’t say about A.J. Green. He’s one of the most talented players in the nation, and has great size at 6’4 192 pounds. Green is a speedy wide receiver who runs excellent routes, with excellent control of his body for making easy and tough catches. He can beat even the fastest of cornerbacks, and gets excellent separation. Some maturity issues are a small concern, but if he really wants to be dominant, then he needs to get stronger and get a bit better fighting for the ball. He’s still a the top option at wide receiver.
5. Marcell Dareus, DE, Alabama*- 6’3 305
Talk about a dominant big man up front, Marcel Dareus is a prototype 3-4 defensive end at the next level. He already plays the position at Alabama and is an impact player. He eats up blockers, and is very strong, often forcing double teams. He moves well laterally, and is a force against the run. With a lot of teams running a 3-4 in the NFL, Dareus will be coveted heavily.
6. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri*- 6’5 235
Gabbert is rising on a lot of draft boards, and there’s good reason to. He’s got a pretty strong arm, and is exceptional making passes toward the sidelines. Like Newton, he needs work throwing to the middle of the field, as he isn’t as good at threading the needle, but with improved accuracy, he could be a very good quarterback at the next level. Gabbert also does well making plays with his feet, although he does tend to get happy feet in the pocket. He has an excellent throwing motion and quick release, and is just a year or two from being coaches up to be a top notch quarterback.
7. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska- 6’1 205
That makes two years in a row that we have a Nebraska defender in the top 10 with a name we can’t pronounce. All jokes aside, Amukamara is one of the most talented players on a tough Nebraska defense. He’s very fluid when changing direction, and gets a great jam off of the line of scrimmage. He’s an excellent wrap up tackler, making him an ideal commodity in run support as well. Amukamara and Patrick Peterson are almost right next to each other in terms of overall talent and upside, and you can’t go wrong with either corner.
8. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina*- 6’5 270
It’s hard to say if Quinn will come out after not playing a down in 2010 thanks to the Player/Agent scandal with North Carolina. However, there is no questioning his physical ability. The 6’5 270 pound defensive end has an excellent motor and ACC offensive lineman have had trouble stopping his speed rush. Quinn is one of the most athletic prospects for 2011, and he could really make some noise in the NFL with a little more strength. He looks to be an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker candidate, especially if he can improve in coverage
9. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn*- 6’6 250
Cam Newton has come out of nowhere to lead a talented Auburn team to the top of the NCAA rankings. What makes Newton special is his versatility. Newton is a threat in the passing game, and he makes huge plays on the run. Most scrambling quarterbacks tend to struggle throwing the ball, but Newton puts good zip on his passes and has surprisingly nice accuracy. When he sets his feet he’s a threat to make a deep throw down field, but he could work on throwing to the middle of the field.
10. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama*- 6’4 220
Jones is the biggest competition for A.J. Green in the top spot. What makes Jones so special is his possession ability. He has excellent size at 6’4 220, and he fights corners for the football. He’s tough after the catch and is fast enough to beat receivers down the field. He’s excellent catching the ball in the middle of the field, as well as making tight sideline catches. His biggest flaw is his concentration. He often drops the easier passes and makes the tougher catches. While his college statistics are nothing to write home about, he suffers thanks to a heavy rushing attack by the Crimson Tide, but Jones always comes through when needed.
11. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa- 6’4 286
Clayborn is another quick defensive end who really does well shooting down the line making a play on runners going the opposite direction. He’s very stout against the run, and does a great job of slapping the tackle’s hands down and getting a good push against the pass. He moves well laterally, but needs work on wrapping up and finishing plays, often trying to make arm tackles. He could be a good fit playing a five technique at the next level with a little more strength.
12. Von Miller, DE, Texas A&M- 6’3 249
Miller is quite the stud, and while he hasn’t been as amazing as he was in 2009, he’s still a surefire 1st round pick. He already played in a 3-4 defense at TAMU, and his pass rushing ability is fantastic. He’s very athletic, and can make plays all over the field. He’s also very underrated against the run, and I have no doubt that he could play 4-3 defensive end as well, but he’d be a better fit in the 3-4.
13. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama*- 5’10 222
What can you say about the 5’11 215 pound junior running back? Ingram is a tough north/south runner with good acceleration. He’s also an effective blocker in third down situations, and is a true every down back in the NFL. He doesn’t run out of bounds and can take the hard hits, throwing the shoulder into opposing defenders and bruising them. He can break a long touchdown at any time and has the hands to catch the ball out of the backfield.
14. Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa- 6’5 295
Ballard is quickly rising up draft boards with his play in 2010. He’s a versatile lineman, playing both defensive tackle, and defensive end. He’s excellent in contain as an end, and just needs to work on his strength to become a great five technique player in a 3-4 defense. Ballard is a penetrator, and moves very well laterally. He could be taken before fellow Iowa defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn.
15. Justin Houston, DE/OLB, Georgia*- 6’3 260
Houston has had a breakout Junior campaign and has been the heart and soul of the Georgia pass rush. Houston looks like he could be a pure pass rusher in a 3-4 defense, but there’s no doubt he can stick to defensive end at the next level. He gets a good push off the ball, often bull rushing his opponent. Houston should go in the first round, as he’s very talented, and his stock may not get much higher.
16. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas*- 6’6 240
Mallett is a big, strong armed quarterback. Mallett stands tall in the pocket and delivers throws all over the field, but really has a knack for finding his receivers deep. He’s greatly improved his accuracy in the middle of the field, and zips the ball on a rope to his receivers. His deep ball accuracy could improve, but in one on one situation’s, he generally doesn’t fail. He’s a risk taker down the field, sometimes a bit too confident in his arm, but that can be improved. He threw for an outstanding 9.0 per attempt in 2009.
17. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU- 6’2 290
Nevis has really come into his own in 2010. He has turned into a dominant penetrating defensive tackle often disrupting the backfield and making a tackle for loss. He’s not easy to block as he is fairly strong. However, his athleticism and lateral ability is what separates him from most of the defensive tackles in the SEC.
18. Derek Sherrod, T, Mississippi State- 6’5 305
The Mississippi State product is one of the most well rounded tackles in the nation. He’s got quick feet, and gets a good push in the running game. His athleticism allows him to shut down many of the quick pass rushers in the SEC, and he does a good job punching defensive ends and maintaining separation. Sherrod could easily be the first tackle off of the board, although he could afford to bulk up a slight bit and gain strength, but that’s just nitpicking.
I'm really interested to see how Newton projects.
lol at a Marshall guy being in the top 100. That's probably the first time since Randy Moss or Byron.
It seems like a lot of people are really slobbering over Blaine Gabbert. Not saying they are incorrect in doing so, but I always question whether a QB from a college spread attack can make that adjustment to the league. There have been far more spread QBs who have failed than have succeeded. I just wonder if Gabbert was a product of his system.
Just off the cuff, I think you have JJ Watt way to low.
Very good job again. You can always move people around and not please everyone. Some of these guys will have great combines and shoot up.
A guy who I think is going to have a solid NFL career is Ryan Kerrigan out of Purdue. He will be a steal if he falls into the second round.
I'm wondering if Randall Cobb isn't a major steal for someone that low. His measurements will keep him down a bit, but he's lightning fast, shifty and actually very well-built and strong. His biggest knock is going to be his hands, which can let him down. Then again, he was a QB in HS and his Freshman year, so he's basically been playing WR for 2 and a half years only.
DaBrowns41;646301 wrote:Ryan Mallet's stock could be taking a huge hit.