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The NFL draft's top talent
This is the list of top players at each position in the 2011 NFL draft
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN Insider
The lists below spotlight the top players in the NFL draft by position. Here you'll find guys such as Cam Newton, Mark Ingram, Von Miller, Prince Amukamara and more.
There are a few changes from the Jan. 19, 2011 edition of this list, and there figures to be even more movement as the scouting process begins in full force in the coming month.
All stats here are from 2010.
QUARTERBACKS
1. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 6-6 235
2. Cam Newton, Auburn 6-6 250
3. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas 6-6 238
4. Jake Locker, Washington 6-3 226
5. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada 6-6 225
Analysis: Gabbert clearly has been the story of the last couple of months, with a meteoric rise among scouts and personnel people. Nobody will be under a greater microscope at the NFL combine. Some see a remote chance that just one or two of these guys will go in the top 35 picks. My guess would be more, although it's worth noting that Kaepernick is a tier below the top four. He's still very much a project at this point.
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RUNNING BACKS
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama 5-10 215
2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois 6-1 230
3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech 5-10 202
4. Jordan Todman, Connecticut 5-9 193
5. Shane Vereen, California 5-10 204
Analysis: Ingram would be the top running back choice among most teams if the draft were held today. But after a year that saw him lose production from his Heisman season, and deal with some dings, he's not a runaway. Keep an eye on Leshoure, who can run well and push to be the first back taken.
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FULLBACKS
1. Owen Marecic, Stanford 6-1 244
2. Charles Clay, Tulsa 6-3 235
3. Stanley Havili, USC 6-1 225
4. Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh 6-2 260
5. Shaun Chapas, Georgia 6-2 240
Analysis: Havili is the more all-purpose guy, mostly because he has great hands as a receiver and could almost be used like a tight end sometimes. Marecic, however, gets great marks for toughness and smarts. This is a guy who started on defense for much of the year as well.
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WIDE RECEIVERS
1. A.J. Green, Georgia 6-4 212
2. Julio Jones, Alabama 6-4 220
3. Torrey Smith, Maryland 6-1 200
4. Leonard Hankerson, Miami 6-3 205
5. Cecil Shorts, Mount Union 6-0 190
Analysis: It's a credit to Jones that there's not a more massive gap between Green and the field as a whole. Green has the skill set of a No. 1 overall pick, but there's some good talent behind him. I can imagine Jones sliding into the top 12, and Smith and Hankerson have Round 1 talent.
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TIGHT ENDS
1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame 6-6 265
2. D.J. Williams, Arkansas 6-2 251
3. Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin 6-4 241
4. Luke Stocker, Tennessee 6-6 253
5. Weslye Saunders, South Carolina 6-5 270
Analysis: It's not an extremely deep year at the position, and I don't currently have any of these guys pegged as a likely first-rounder, but there's some talent. Rudolph is the most complete in terms of pass-catching skills. Kendricks has solid lineage in Madison, and Saunders is a wild card. He's really talented, but has character questions to answer.
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OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Nate Solder, Colorado 6-9 315
2. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin 6-7 327
3. Tyron Smith, USC 6-5 280
4. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College 6-7 287
5. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi St. 6-6 305
Analysis: Nate Solder has shined so far during the workout process and has a shot to move his way toward the top 10. After that, you have five guys that all could concievably go within the first round, but not one has what scouts would call a profile without any questions. Plenty of chance for movement among this list.
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GUARDS
1. Rodney Hudson, Florida St. 6-2 283
2. Will Rackley, Lehigh 6-3 304
3. Danny Watkins, Baylor 6-4 310
4. Clint Boling, Georgia 6-5 315
5. John Moffitt, Wisconsin 6-5 323
Analysis: I really like Hudson's mobility and athleticism. He's not a huge guy, but he doesn't have to be. Guards never go terribly high at the draft, and only Hudson might crack the first round, but this is a solid unit, and each of them has an NFL future. The only real question for me on Hudson is size.
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CENTERS
1. Mike Pouncey, Florida 6-5 320
2. Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St. 6-3 302
3. Kristofer O'Dowd, USC 6-5 300
4. Kevin Kowalski, Toledo 6-4 299
5. Alex Linnenkohl, Oregon St. 6-2 303
Analysis: Pouncey is lumped in with the centers, because I imagine he could get a look there sooner, in no small part due to the brilliant season turned in by his brother at Pittsburgh. It's amazing to see O'Dowd finally here, as it feels as though he's been with USC forever.
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DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson 6-4 280
2. Robert Quinn, North Carolina 6-5 270
3. Cameron Jordan, California 6-4 283
4. Aldon Smith, Missouri 6-5 260
5. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue 6-4 263
Analysis: All five of these guys could be gone before pick No. 20. Bowers is a legit option as a No. 1 overall pick. It's a battle between him and Nick Fairley at this stage. Quinn will need to be good during workouts after a full year off. Kerrigan is relentless and Smith is the late guy on this list. He surprised me somewhat with his jump to the NFL, and I see him as a DE, where others might have him at OLB.
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DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Nick Fairley, Auburn 6-5 298
2. Marcell Dareus, Alabama 6-4 306
3. Muhammed Wilkerson, Temple 6-5 305
4. Drake Nevis, LSU 6-2 285
5. Corey Liuget, Illinois 6-3 300
Analysis: Nick Fairley is the top overall pick in my first mock draft. Relentless, explosive and with a mean streak, he reminds of a young Albert Haynesworth. Ideally, he's in a 4-3, but it's not like a player with his penetrating ability couldn't handle a move to the 3-4 at defensive end.
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INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Martez Wilson, Illinois 6-4 250
2. Nate Irving, North Carolina St. 6-1 235
3. Greg Jones, Michigan St. 6-1 228
4. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU 6-3 240
5. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina 6-2 235
Analysis: Jones was one of the best tacklers in college football, but this isn't yet what I'd call an elite class. There isn't a Rolando McClain among these guys, a player who seems destined to go very high. But that often happens with inside 'backers. Sturdivant could jump during the testing process.
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OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 6-3 240
2. Akeem Ayers, UCLA 6-4 255
3. Justin Houston, Georgia 6-3 258
4. Dontay Moch, Nevada 6-1 245
5. Bruce Carter, North Carolina 6-3 230
Analysis: The first three names on this list project as top-20 draft picks, while Moch will still have some scouts in the discovery process when he begins his workouts. Carter is a guy everyone knows about, but coming off a serious knee injury, he has a little ground to make up.
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CORNERBACKS
1. Patrick Peterson, LSU 6-1 222
2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska 6-1 200
3. Jimmy Smith, Colorado 6-2 205
4. Aaron Williams, Texas 6-1 195
5. Brandon Harris, Miami 5-11 195
Analysis: On one hand, you have the overall athleticism of Peterson, a guy who has the size of a running back or strong safety, but plays corner with the speed of a player 50 pounds lighter. On the other hand, you have the refined technical skills of Amukamara, who is ready to start at the NFL level. Can't go wrong with either.
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SAFETIES
1. Rahim Moore, UCLA 6-1 196
2. Robert Sands, West Virginia 6-5 221
3. Kenny Tate, Maryland 6-4 220
4. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson 6-1 210
5. Ahmad Black, Florida 5-9 190
Analysis: It's not a really great year for top-level safeties. Moore is the only guy I'd say is very likely to go in the first round. He's a solid ballhawk who added some physicality to his game after playing more center field as a sophomore. McDaniel is a good player, but didn't jump off the screen this year.
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KICKERS
1. Alex Henery, Nebraska 6-2 175
2. Kai Forbath, UCLA 6-1 192
3. Dan Bailey, Oklahoma St. 6-0 200
4. David Ruffer, Notre Dame 6-1 176
5. Wes Byrum, Auburn 6-2 209
Analysis: A few guys here that may get drafted, which you can't say from every class. Henery probably has the strongest overall leg, but Forbath has proved his mettle as a guy who can hammer kicks from distance.
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PUNTERS
1. Ryan Donahue, Iowa 6-3 180
2. Trevor Hankins, Arizona St. 6-3 229
3. Derek Epperson, Baylor 6-3 235
4. Reid Forrest, Washington St. 6-1 181
5. Travis Baltz, Maryland 6-2 200
Analysis: All of these guys have the potential to kick in the NFL one day, but will just need to find the right fit. Some different skills, between bombers, or great placement punters.
This is the list of top players at each position in the 2011 NFL draft
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN Insider
The lists below spotlight the top players in the NFL draft by position. Here you'll find guys such as Cam Newton, Mark Ingram, Von Miller, Prince Amukamara and more.
There are a few changes from the Jan. 19, 2011 edition of this list, and there figures to be even more movement as the scouting process begins in full force in the coming month.
All stats here are from 2010.
QUARTERBACKS
1. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 6-6 235
2. Cam Newton, Auburn 6-6 250
3. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas 6-6 238
4. Jake Locker, Washington 6-3 226
5. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada 6-6 225
Analysis: Gabbert clearly has been the story of the last couple of months, with a meteoric rise among scouts and personnel people. Nobody will be under a greater microscope at the NFL combine. Some see a remote chance that just one or two of these guys will go in the top 35 picks. My guess would be more, although it's worth noting that Kaepernick is a tier below the top four. He's still very much a project at this point.
-
RUNNING BACKS
1. Mark Ingram, Alabama 5-10 215
2. Mikel Leshoure, Illinois 6-1 230
3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech 5-10 202
4. Jordan Todman, Connecticut 5-9 193
5. Shane Vereen, California 5-10 204
Analysis: Ingram would be the top running back choice among most teams if the draft were held today. But after a year that saw him lose production from his Heisman season, and deal with some dings, he's not a runaway. Keep an eye on Leshoure, who can run well and push to be the first back taken.
-
FULLBACKS
1. Owen Marecic, Stanford 6-1 244
2. Charles Clay, Tulsa 6-3 235
3. Stanley Havili, USC 6-1 225
4. Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh 6-2 260
5. Shaun Chapas, Georgia 6-2 240
Analysis: Havili is the more all-purpose guy, mostly because he has great hands as a receiver and could almost be used like a tight end sometimes. Marecic, however, gets great marks for toughness and smarts. This is a guy who started on defense for much of the year as well.
-
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. A.J. Green, Georgia 6-4 212
2. Julio Jones, Alabama 6-4 220
3. Torrey Smith, Maryland 6-1 200
4. Leonard Hankerson, Miami 6-3 205
5. Cecil Shorts, Mount Union 6-0 190
Analysis: It's a credit to Jones that there's not a more massive gap between Green and the field as a whole. Green has the skill set of a No. 1 overall pick, but there's some good talent behind him. I can imagine Jones sliding into the top 12, and Smith and Hankerson have Round 1 talent.
-
TIGHT ENDS
1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame 6-6 265
2. D.J. Williams, Arkansas 6-2 251
3. Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin 6-4 241
4. Luke Stocker, Tennessee 6-6 253
5. Weslye Saunders, South Carolina 6-5 270
Analysis: It's not an extremely deep year at the position, and I don't currently have any of these guys pegged as a likely first-rounder, but there's some talent. Rudolph is the most complete in terms of pass-catching skills. Kendricks has solid lineage in Madison, and Saunders is a wild card. He's really talented, but has character questions to answer.
-
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Nate Solder, Colorado 6-9 315
2. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin 6-7 327
3. Tyron Smith, USC 6-5 280
4. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College 6-7 287
5. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi St. 6-6 305
Analysis: Nate Solder has shined so far during the workout process and has a shot to move his way toward the top 10. After that, you have five guys that all could concievably go within the first round, but not one has what scouts would call a profile without any questions. Plenty of chance for movement among this list.
-
GUARDS
1. Rodney Hudson, Florida St. 6-2 283
2. Will Rackley, Lehigh 6-3 304
3. Danny Watkins, Baylor 6-4 310
4. Clint Boling, Georgia 6-5 315
5. John Moffitt, Wisconsin 6-5 323
Analysis: I really like Hudson's mobility and athleticism. He's not a huge guy, but he doesn't have to be. Guards never go terribly high at the draft, and only Hudson might crack the first round, but this is a solid unit, and each of them has an NFL future. The only real question for me on Hudson is size.
-
CENTERS
1. Mike Pouncey, Florida 6-5 320
2. Stefen Wisniewski, Penn St. 6-3 302
3. Kristofer O'Dowd, USC 6-5 300
4. Kevin Kowalski, Toledo 6-4 299
5. Alex Linnenkohl, Oregon St. 6-2 303
Analysis: Pouncey is lumped in with the centers, because I imagine he could get a look there sooner, in no small part due to the brilliant season turned in by his brother at Pittsburgh. It's amazing to see O'Dowd finally here, as it feels as though he's been with USC forever.
-
DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson 6-4 280
2. Robert Quinn, North Carolina 6-5 270
3. Cameron Jordan, California 6-4 283
4. Aldon Smith, Missouri 6-5 260
5. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue 6-4 263
Analysis: All five of these guys could be gone before pick No. 20. Bowers is a legit option as a No. 1 overall pick. It's a battle between him and Nick Fairley at this stage. Quinn will need to be good during workouts after a full year off. Kerrigan is relentless and Smith is the late guy on this list. He surprised me somewhat with his jump to the NFL, and I see him as a DE, where others might have him at OLB.
-
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Nick Fairley, Auburn 6-5 298
2. Marcell Dareus, Alabama 6-4 306
3. Muhammed Wilkerson, Temple 6-5 305
4. Drake Nevis, LSU 6-2 285
5. Corey Liuget, Illinois 6-3 300
Analysis: Nick Fairley is the top overall pick in my first mock draft. Relentless, explosive and with a mean streak, he reminds of a young Albert Haynesworth. Ideally, he's in a 4-3, but it's not like a player with his penetrating ability couldn't handle a move to the 3-4 at defensive end.
-
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Martez Wilson, Illinois 6-4 250
2. Nate Irving, North Carolina St. 6-1 235
3. Greg Jones, Michigan St. 6-1 228
4. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU 6-3 240
5. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina 6-2 235
Analysis: Jones was one of the best tacklers in college football, but this isn't yet what I'd call an elite class. There isn't a Rolando McClain among these guys, a player who seems destined to go very high. But that often happens with inside 'backers. Sturdivant could jump during the testing process.
-
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 6-3 240
2. Akeem Ayers, UCLA 6-4 255
3. Justin Houston, Georgia 6-3 258
4. Dontay Moch, Nevada 6-1 245
5. Bruce Carter, North Carolina 6-3 230
Analysis: The first three names on this list project as top-20 draft picks, while Moch will still have some scouts in the discovery process when he begins his workouts. Carter is a guy everyone knows about, but coming off a serious knee injury, he has a little ground to make up.
-
CORNERBACKS
1. Patrick Peterson, LSU 6-1 222
2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska 6-1 200
3. Jimmy Smith, Colorado 6-2 205
4. Aaron Williams, Texas 6-1 195
5. Brandon Harris, Miami 5-11 195
Analysis: On one hand, you have the overall athleticism of Peterson, a guy who has the size of a running back or strong safety, but plays corner with the speed of a player 50 pounds lighter. On the other hand, you have the refined technical skills of Amukamara, who is ready to start at the NFL level. Can't go wrong with either.
-
SAFETIES
1. Rahim Moore, UCLA 6-1 196
2. Robert Sands, West Virginia 6-5 221
3. Kenny Tate, Maryland 6-4 220
4. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson 6-1 210
5. Ahmad Black, Florida 5-9 190
Analysis: It's not a really great year for top-level safeties. Moore is the only guy I'd say is very likely to go in the first round. He's a solid ballhawk who added some physicality to his game after playing more center field as a sophomore. McDaniel is a good player, but didn't jump off the screen this year.
-
KICKERS
1. Alex Henery, Nebraska 6-2 175
2. Kai Forbath, UCLA 6-1 192
3. Dan Bailey, Oklahoma St. 6-0 200
4. David Ruffer, Notre Dame 6-1 176
5. Wes Byrum, Auburn 6-2 209
Analysis: A few guys here that may get drafted, which you can't say from every class. Henery probably has the strongest overall leg, but Forbath has proved his mettle as a guy who can hammer kicks from distance.
-
PUNTERS
1. Ryan Donahue, Iowa 6-3 180
2. Trevor Hankins, Arizona St. 6-3 229
3. Derek Epperson, Baylor 6-3 235
4. Reid Forrest, Washington St. 6-1 181
5. Travis Baltz, Maryland 6-2 200
Analysis: All of these guys have the potential to kick in the NFL one day, but will just need to find the right fit. Some different skills, between bombers, or great placement punters.
