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By Russ Lande
Sporting News
Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts identify the players whose stock is rising and falling for the 2011 NFL draft:
On the rise
1. Orlando Franklin, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Franklin is a top-line athlete but a bit of a raw prospect, but he has consistently improved every year and now projects as a high second-round pick who could sneak into the first round. He still must get stronger, but he is much better about maintaining his balance and playing under control to easily handle speed rushers and adjust quickly secondary pass-rush moves. He shows the ability to block effectively in the open field, especially adept at pulling to lead perimeter runs.
Franklin has improved a ton in '10 and with a great week of work at the Senior Bowl will continue his ascent up draft boards and perhaps become one of, if not the, first offensive tackle selected.
2. Jonas Mouton, OLB, Michigan
Mouton is an athletic player who has moved up draft boards a lot thanks to improved production in '10. He had flashed big-play ability in the past but had struggled to consistently produce at a high level because he struggled at times to read plays correctly and react quickly. He also often would over-run plays. The light seems to have gone on in his senior year -- he's much quicker in reading plays and reacting and thus far more productive.
With strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine and in pre-draft workouts, he could move into the middle of the second round.
3. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (junior)
We always thought of Bowers as a top-flight prospect, but until this year few talent evaluators agreed. The naysayers said he didn't dominate enough and lacked consistency as a pass rusher and thus pegged him as a third-round prospect.
This season, Bowers has eliminated all doubt. He has been a dominant player in '10, and there now is near-universal belief that he is the top defensive lineman in the '11 draft and a likely top-10 pick. Few ends can match Bowers' size, explosive power, quick hands and footwork, athleticism and pass-rush skills.
On the decline
1. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU (junior)
Sheppard entered the '10 season viewed as one of the best linebackers in the country, but NFL scouts who have broken down LSU game films and witnessed practices have been disappointed with him. He is quick and athletic and can chase down ballcarriers, and he is smooth and fluid in pass coverage. The issue is his lack of instincts -- he often is a beat late reading plays and reacting. He is athletic and fast enough to overcome late starts in college, but NFL linebackers who lack good instincts usually fail.
Sheppard still could get drafted high because he is sure to stand out as a workout wonder at the Combine, but his on-field play merits only a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
2. Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina
Matthews is a well built end with good quickness and athleticism. He flashed big-play ability as a junior, but his play has not improved at all this season. He remains inconsistent because of a lack of intensity. He rarely attacks blockers or use his hands aggressively to stay free.
Matthews is a much better athlete than football player and could well go undrafted despite having the talent to be a third-round pick.
3. Adrian Taylor, DT, Oklahoma
Taylor flashed explosive initial quickness, hand usage and strength to be a disruptive force last year but has struggled to produce in '10. He has struggled to play with good leverage and technique this year, allowing blockers to get a hold and eliminate him.
Taylor does have the natural talent to finish strong this season and perform well in pre-draft workouts to move back up draft boards. That seems unlikely, though, and thus he deserves to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
Sporting News
Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts identify the players whose stock is rising and falling for the 2011 NFL draft:
On the rise
1. Orlando Franklin, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Franklin is a top-line athlete but a bit of a raw prospect, but he has consistently improved every year and now projects as a high second-round pick who could sneak into the first round. He still must get stronger, but he is much better about maintaining his balance and playing under control to easily handle speed rushers and adjust quickly secondary pass-rush moves. He shows the ability to block effectively in the open field, especially adept at pulling to lead perimeter runs.
Franklin has improved a ton in '10 and with a great week of work at the Senior Bowl will continue his ascent up draft boards and perhaps become one of, if not the, first offensive tackle selected.
2. Jonas Mouton, OLB, Michigan
Mouton is an athletic player who has moved up draft boards a lot thanks to improved production in '10. He had flashed big-play ability in the past but had struggled to consistently produce at a high level because he struggled at times to read plays correctly and react quickly. He also often would over-run plays. The light seems to have gone on in his senior year -- he's much quicker in reading plays and reacting and thus far more productive.
With strong performances at the NFL Scouting Combine and in pre-draft workouts, he could move into the middle of the second round.
3. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (junior)
We always thought of Bowers as a top-flight prospect, but until this year few talent evaluators agreed. The naysayers said he didn't dominate enough and lacked consistency as a pass rusher and thus pegged him as a third-round prospect.
This season, Bowers has eliminated all doubt. He has been a dominant player in '10, and there now is near-universal belief that he is the top defensive lineman in the '11 draft and a likely top-10 pick. Few ends can match Bowers' size, explosive power, quick hands and footwork, athleticism and pass-rush skills.
On the decline
1. Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU (junior)
Sheppard entered the '10 season viewed as one of the best linebackers in the country, but NFL scouts who have broken down LSU game films and witnessed practices have been disappointed with him. He is quick and athletic and can chase down ballcarriers, and he is smooth and fluid in pass coverage. The issue is his lack of instincts -- he often is a beat late reading plays and reacting. He is athletic and fast enough to overcome late starts in college, but NFL linebackers who lack good instincts usually fail.
Sheppard still could get drafted high because he is sure to stand out as a workout wonder at the Combine, but his on-field play merits only a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
2. Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina
Matthews is a well built end with good quickness and athleticism. He flashed big-play ability as a junior, but his play has not improved at all this season. He remains inconsistent because of a lack of intensity. He rarely attacks blockers or use his hands aggressively to stay free.
Matthews is a much better athlete than football player and could well go undrafted despite having the talent to be a third-round pick.
3. Adrian Taylor, DT, Oklahoma
Taylor flashed explosive initial quickness, hand usage and strength to be a disruptive force last year but has struggled to produce in '10. He has struggled to play with good leverage and technique this year, allowing blockers to get a hold and eliminate him.
Taylor does have the natural talent to finish strong this season and perform well in pre-draft workouts to move back up draft boards. That seems unlikely, though, and thus he deserves to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
