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By Russ Lande
Sporting News - War Room
As talk of Auburn QB Cam Newton's on-field dominance--great runner but needs a lot of work as a passer--and off-field dalliances overshadowed the Auburn-Georgia game on Saturday, two underclassmen really caught our attention and are certain to be drafted much higher than Newton.
Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley and Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green both should be top-10 picks if they enter the '11 draft.
If not for Fairley (6-5, 314), the game would've come down to which team had the ball last. In the first half, Fairley was solid but not dominant. He made some plays and disrupted others but did not make the big, impact plays he is capable of. That's why Georgia freshman QB Aaron Murray was able to throw the ball around and keep Georgia in the game.
In the second half, Fairley appeared far more motivated. He showed the explosiveness, strength, athleticism and pass-rush skills to consistently explode off the snap and make an impact. Even when he was not making the tackle/sack, he was getting a push or shooting a gap to blow up plays in the backfield. Even more impressive was his ability to crank up his play in the most important situations.
On the other side of the ball, Green (6-4, 207) was an impact player. He really shined in the first half, making numerous big catches and helping Georgia keep pace with Newton.
Green displayed the rare quickness, burst, speed and receiving skills that almost no NFL receivers taller than 6-2 possess. Green has everything it takes to be an impact player early in his NFL career.
ON THE OUTSIDE
The talent level at Oklahoma isn't what we're accustomed to seeing. The team has many good players but few great ones. Jeremy Beal is one guy who could move from good to great standing.
Beal (6-3, 266) is a productive college end but projects as a much better fit playing at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He is somewhat of a 'tweener who lacks the ideal size to play end despite having ideal athleticism for the spot, but he is not the super explosive or elite athlete many coaches want in 3-4 outside linebackers.
He shows good initial quickness, agility and strength to fight through offensive tackles but is much more of a strength/power rusher than explosive edge rusher. Beal never will be great in pass coverage, but he has enough athleticism to do a solid job in small area. He reminds us a bit of Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, but he has not been as productive as Woodley in college.
INJURY UPDATE
Kentucky running back Derrick Locke needed a big senior season to be in the discussion as this year's Dexter McCluster. Things started out well, but a nerve injury in his neck/shoulder raised real questions about his durability. After missing four full games, Locke returned Saturday and proved he remains an explosive, big-play back. Locke (5-8 1/2, 178) has great quickness, agility and explosiveness. He is an elusive runner who makes would-be tacklers miss. One game does not solve the durability concerns, but with good health down the stretch and a solid finish he could become a second- or third-round pick.
SMALL SCHOOL PROSPECT
Montana running back Chase Reynolds never has been viewed as a top-level prospect, but his back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons caught our attention. He has struggled to be as productive this year because of a number of nagging injuries. On Saturday vs. North Dakota, Reynolds showed the same instincts/vision, deceptive quickness and burst through holes we had seen the previous two years. Reynolds (5-11, 195) needs a dominant finish to the season and get into the I-AA playoffs to regain his lost stock. Still, unless he has great pre-draft workouts, he could well go undrafted.
Sporting News - War Room
As talk of Auburn QB Cam Newton's on-field dominance--great runner but needs a lot of work as a passer--and off-field dalliances overshadowed the Auburn-Georgia game on Saturday, two underclassmen really caught our attention and are certain to be drafted much higher than Newton.
Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley and Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green both should be top-10 picks if they enter the '11 draft.
If not for Fairley (6-5, 314), the game would've come down to which team had the ball last. In the first half, Fairley was solid but not dominant. He made some plays and disrupted others but did not make the big, impact plays he is capable of. That's why Georgia freshman QB Aaron Murray was able to throw the ball around and keep Georgia in the game.
In the second half, Fairley appeared far more motivated. He showed the explosiveness, strength, athleticism and pass-rush skills to consistently explode off the snap and make an impact. Even when he was not making the tackle/sack, he was getting a push or shooting a gap to blow up plays in the backfield. Even more impressive was his ability to crank up his play in the most important situations.
On the other side of the ball, Green (6-4, 207) was an impact player. He really shined in the first half, making numerous big catches and helping Georgia keep pace with Newton.
Green displayed the rare quickness, burst, speed and receiving skills that almost no NFL receivers taller than 6-2 possess. Green has everything it takes to be an impact player early in his NFL career.
ON THE OUTSIDE
The talent level at Oklahoma isn't what we're accustomed to seeing. The team has many good players but few great ones. Jeremy Beal is one guy who could move from good to great standing.
Beal (6-3, 266) is a productive college end but projects as a much better fit playing at outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He is somewhat of a 'tweener who lacks the ideal size to play end despite having ideal athleticism for the spot, but he is not the super explosive or elite athlete many coaches want in 3-4 outside linebackers.
He shows good initial quickness, agility and strength to fight through offensive tackles but is much more of a strength/power rusher than explosive edge rusher. Beal never will be great in pass coverage, but he has enough athleticism to do a solid job in small area. He reminds us a bit of Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, but he has not been as productive as Woodley in college.
INJURY UPDATE
Kentucky running back Derrick Locke needed a big senior season to be in the discussion as this year's Dexter McCluster. Things started out well, but a nerve injury in his neck/shoulder raised real questions about his durability. After missing four full games, Locke returned Saturday and proved he remains an explosive, big-play back. Locke (5-8 1/2, 178) has great quickness, agility and explosiveness. He is an elusive runner who makes would-be tacklers miss. One game does not solve the durability concerns, but with good health down the stretch and a solid finish he could become a second- or third-round pick.
SMALL SCHOOL PROSPECT
Montana running back Chase Reynolds never has been viewed as a top-level prospect, but his back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons caught our attention. He has struggled to be as productive this year because of a number of nagging injuries. On Saturday vs. North Dakota, Reynolds showed the same instincts/vision, deceptive quickness and burst through holes we had seen the previous two years. Reynolds (5-11, 195) needs a dominant finish to the season and get into the I-AA playoffs to regain his lost stock. Still, unless he has great pre-draft workouts, he could well go undrafted.