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New wideout on the Big Board
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon makes his first appearance on the Big Board
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
As a general rule for me, overall productivity is less an indicator of an NFL future than big plays. But don't oversimplify the idea of a big play. I look for the guy who can do more than the play was designed to allow on offense and the guy who can disrupt the play the most and seemingly can't be schemed around on defense. But productivity matters, and big totals always beg for a closer examination.
This year, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon fits the profile of a guy whose totals have demanded a closer look. The result being: He has shown that he's far more than a stat-hound. Blackmon combines immense productivity with explosiveness in the great Cowboys' offense (which isn't just an air show but maintains solid balance). The draft-eligible sophomore makes his first appearance on the Board this week. There are other significant movements this week, so take a look. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
And have a happy Thanksgiving.
1) Andrew Luck *, Stanford QB 6-4 235
Analysis: With a comp. percentage up a full 10 points, he balances improvement and refinement. Question is whether the top pick-holder needs a QB. Last week: No. 1
2) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: His 23 TFL have created minus-150 yards. A tremendous physical talent, who has shown a steady relentlessness this year. Biggest riser all year. Last week: No. 3
3)A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 207
Analysis: Green has been mostly unstoppable even with a young QB and was totally dominant on a big stage Saturday, which I discuss here. Last week: No. 2
4) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-1 211
Analysis: More than a freak athlete, Peterson has continued to improve his technical cover skills. Mixed reports on exact size but has safety size, corner speed. Last week: No. 4
5) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-1 202
Analysis: I'd be more concerned about Amukamara's zero interceptions in 2010 if any quarterback was willing to challenge him. A gifted technician. Last week: No. 5
6) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-5 310
Analysis: No TFL in his last two games, an almost unthinkable stretch given his dominant season. Fairley epitomizes an ideal penetrating 4-3 DT. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 267
Analysis: A freakish athlete with decent size, great quickness and pass-rush skills. Ineligible all year, but scouts captivated by his talent. Last week: No. 7
8) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 306
Analysis: Dareus could be a 3-4 DE, but he's better suited as a 4-3 DT. This week offers a true showcase game as he gets to go after Cam Newton. Last week: No. 9
9) Ryan Mallett *, Arkansas QB 6-7 238
Analysis: Mallett has progressed this year. For a "big arm" guy, his 67.2 completion rate, 3-to-1 TD/INT ratio stand out. Last week: No. 8
10) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Jones has been one of the most pleasant surprises all year. Consistent, improved hands, great size, speed and blocking. And productive. Last week: No. 10
11) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 259
Analysis: Now at 25 TFL, he leads the nation and has become simply impossible to block, even against double-teams. Ideal for 3-4 OLB, possible 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 13
12) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA OLB 6-4 251
Analysis: His exceptional athleticism makes him so versatile. Ideal every-down 3-4 OLB who can rush and cover. Ayers can play all over the field. Last week. No. 12
13) Justin Blackmon *, Oklahoma State WR 6-1 208
Analysis: In the midst of a breakout season; has been impossible to keep covered. Good size and speed combo with ability to setup DBs. Last week: NR
14) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-10 216
Analysis: Average per rush now a tick below last year, but explosive and physical after being dinged early. Splitting reps doesn't hurt his stock. A finisher. Last week: No. 13
15) Cameron Newton, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Gifted physical talent with an underrated set of skills as a QB. High completion percentage, great competitor, great size and proven winner. Last week: No. 15
16) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 282
Analysis: Sacks are down but increased attention a part of that. My concern is general lack of big plays. Great motor, however. Last week: No. 14
17) Drake Nevis, LSU DT 6-1 289
Analysis: Explosive, up-the-field tackle. Ideal three-technique who plays with great leverage and passion. Solid against the run and the pass. Last week: No. 17
18) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 243
Analysis: Just 7.5 sacks after leading country last year, but health was an issue. Good 3-4 pass-rusher, with great edge quickness. Size is a question. Last week: No. 18
19) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-9 313
Analysis: Physical freak with improving skills, solid rise given inexperience. Should dominate in workout phase and could get a bump in a draft short on elite OTs. Last week: No. 19
20) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable, solid footwork but could add lower-body strength to become a better leverage player. Solid vs. Bowers in recent matchup. Last week: No. 20
21) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 228
Analysis: No player should benefit more from the workout/interview process; the issue is, Locker now needs to do well. Last week: No. 17
22) Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State OT 6-6 305
Analysis: A later entry to the Big Board this year. An athlete at OT, moves his feet well, and has been steady against good players; continues to improve. Last week: No. 22
23) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 327
Analysis: Has had a fantastic Fall, battling a number of likely high draft picks to a standstill. Once beaten by speed too often, his footwork has improved. Last week: No. 23
24) Rahim Moore, UCLA S 6-1 196
Analysis: Production down this year after breakout 2009 season, but QBs also staying away. Good instincts, and he gets solid marks as a cover safety. Last week: No. 21
25) Jon Baldwin *, Pittsburgh WR 6-5 225
Analysis: Great physical skills and size. Baldwin has had a rocky season -- games with 1, 3, 2, 3 catches -- but QB issues are part of that. Last week: No. 25
Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon makes his first appearance on the Big Board
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
As a general rule for me, overall productivity is less an indicator of an NFL future than big plays. But don't oversimplify the idea of a big play. I look for the guy who can do more than the play was designed to allow on offense and the guy who can disrupt the play the most and seemingly can't be schemed around on defense. But productivity matters, and big totals always beg for a closer examination.
This year, Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon fits the profile of a guy whose totals have demanded a closer look. The result being: He has shown that he's far more than a stat-hound. Blackmon combines immense productivity with explosiveness in the great Cowboys' offense (which isn't just an air show but maintains solid balance). The draft-eligible sophomore makes his first appearance on the Board this week. There are other significant movements this week, so take a look. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
And have a happy Thanksgiving.
1) Andrew Luck *, Stanford QB 6-4 235
Analysis: With a comp. percentage up a full 10 points, he balances improvement and refinement. Question is whether the top pick-holder needs a QB. Last week: No. 1
2) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: His 23 TFL have created minus-150 yards. A tremendous physical talent, who has shown a steady relentlessness this year. Biggest riser all year. Last week: No. 3
3)A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 207
Analysis: Green has been mostly unstoppable even with a young QB and was totally dominant on a big stage Saturday, which I discuss here. Last week: No. 2
4) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-1 211
Analysis: More than a freak athlete, Peterson has continued to improve his technical cover skills. Mixed reports on exact size but has safety size, corner speed. Last week: No. 4
5) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-1 202
Analysis: I'd be more concerned about Amukamara's zero interceptions in 2010 if any quarterback was willing to challenge him. A gifted technician. Last week: No. 5
6) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-5 310
Analysis: No TFL in his last two games, an almost unthinkable stretch given his dominant season. Fairley epitomizes an ideal penetrating 4-3 DT. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 267
Analysis: A freakish athlete with decent size, great quickness and pass-rush skills. Ineligible all year, but scouts captivated by his talent. Last week: No. 7
8) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 306
Analysis: Dareus could be a 3-4 DE, but he's better suited as a 4-3 DT. This week offers a true showcase game as he gets to go after Cam Newton. Last week: No. 9
9) Ryan Mallett *, Arkansas QB 6-7 238
Analysis: Mallett has progressed this year. For a "big arm" guy, his 67.2 completion rate, 3-to-1 TD/INT ratio stand out. Last week: No. 8
10) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Jones has been one of the most pleasant surprises all year. Consistent, improved hands, great size, speed and blocking. And productive. Last week: No. 10
11) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 259
Analysis: Now at 25 TFL, he leads the nation and has become simply impossible to block, even against double-teams. Ideal for 3-4 OLB, possible 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 13
12) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA OLB 6-4 251
Analysis: His exceptional athleticism makes him so versatile. Ideal every-down 3-4 OLB who can rush and cover. Ayers can play all over the field. Last week. No. 12
13) Justin Blackmon *, Oklahoma State WR 6-1 208
Analysis: In the midst of a breakout season; has been impossible to keep covered. Good size and speed combo with ability to setup DBs. Last week: NR
14) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-10 216
Analysis: Average per rush now a tick below last year, but explosive and physical after being dinged early. Splitting reps doesn't hurt his stock. A finisher. Last week: No. 13
15) Cameron Newton, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Gifted physical talent with an underrated set of skills as a QB. High completion percentage, great competitor, great size and proven winner. Last week: No. 15
16) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 282
Analysis: Sacks are down but increased attention a part of that. My concern is general lack of big plays. Great motor, however. Last week: No. 14
17) Drake Nevis, LSU DT 6-1 289
Analysis: Explosive, up-the-field tackle. Ideal three-technique who plays with great leverage and passion. Solid against the run and the pass. Last week: No. 17
18) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 243
Analysis: Just 7.5 sacks after leading country last year, but health was an issue. Good 3-4 pass-rusher, with great edge quickness. Size is a question. Last week: No. 18
19) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-9 313
Analysis: Physical freak with improving skills, solid rise given inexperience. Should dominate in workout phase and could get a bump in a draft short on elite OTs. Last week: No. 19
20) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable, solid footwork but could add lower-body strength to become a better leverage player. Solid vs. Bowers in recent matchup. Last week: No. 20
21) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 228
Analysis: No player should benefit more from the workout/interview process; the issue is, Locker now needs to do well. Last week: No. 17
22) Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State OT 6-6 305
Analysis: A later entry to the Big Board this year. An athlete at OT, moves his feet well, and has been steady against good players; continues to improve. Last week: No. 22
23) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 327
Analysis: Has had a fantastic Fall, battling a number of likely high draft picks to a standstill. Once beaten by speed too often, his footwork has improved. Last week: No. 23
24) Rahim Moore, UCLA S 6-1 196
Analysis: Production down this year after breakout 2009 season, but QBs also staying away. Good instincts, and he gets solid marks as a cover safety. Last week: No. 21
25) Jon Baldwin *, Pittsburgh WR 6-5 225
Analysis: Great physical skills and size. Baldwin has had a rocky season -- games with 1, 3, 2, 3 catches -- but QB issues are part of that. Last week: No. 25