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Big Board leads into NFL combine
Offensive lineman under the microscope in a last ranking before the NFL combine
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
There aren't a lot of major moves this week. But with the NFL combine set to shake this all up a bit, one position to keep an eye on is at offensive tackle. It's such a rare thing to have a draft in which no offensive lineman is considered a lock for the top 10 on draft day. But this year could change that.
Right now, I don't have a single offensive tackle among the Top 10 on the Big Board, which could force some teams into the precarious position of reaching a bit if they don't have a trade-down dance partner and feel they really need to address that position. Of course, players could still rise, and a couple of guys on this list could move up with more good showings. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-5 310
Analysis: He's in great position, so I wonder if he'll do full workouts in Indy. A force all season, even when not 100 percent; no defense he can't help. Last week: No. 1
2) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: The draft's most gifted pass-rusher, even in a deep class. Suited to work down in a 4-3 or standing up in a 3-4. Not doing full workouts this week. Last week: No. 2
3) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 207
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, and speed is fine. A complete player. Last week: No. 3
4) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-1 211
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has safety size and elite speed at corner. A starter even as he develops. Dangerous returner as well. Last week: No. 4
5) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 267
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. Expect that he'll continue to shine in pre-draft workout process. Last week: No. 5
6) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 243
Analysis: Miller proved to scouts that he's more than a sack artist. Showed coverage skills that complement known pass-rush production. Fits a 3-4. Last week: No. 6
7) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: He needs refinement, but extraordinary physical skills, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Doing full workouts at the combine. Last week: No. 7
8) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 306
Analysis: A solid penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn, good motor and a high character kid. I can see him becoming a solid 3-4 DE if he's not a 4-3 DT. Last week: No. 8
9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-1 202
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. A blanket in coverage. Ready to start. Last week: No. 9
10) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-5 232
Analysis: Strong arm, excellent accuracy, prototype size and physical skills. Gabbert may lead the ready-to-start category; will be under the microscope. Last week: No. 10
11) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-10 216
Analysis: Stock up in a draft short on elite backs. Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror once he hits the second level. Speed scores will be big. Last week: No. 11
12) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-6 286
Analysis: Versatile with great instincts and motor, a good penetrator capable of duty in 3-4 or 4-3 as a defensive end. Rising. Last week: No. 12
13) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA OLB 6-4 251
Analysis: Long, with ideal OLB build, skills for 3-4 at next level. Underrated pass-rush skills, great athleticism. Can drop and cover and tackles well. Last week: No. 14
14) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Dominant when healthy; still good when not. Improved concentration and hands. Can stretch field or work underneath. Great blocker.Last week: No. 15
15) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-9 313
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, ability to add bulk to chiseled frame. Should shine in workout phase. Could be moved along offensive line. Last week: No. 13
16) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 290
Analysis: Could become top blindside tackle. Good frame, athleticism and quickness; run-blocks better than athletic frame would indicate. Last week: No. 16
17) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 283
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling either 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Good instincts and pass-rush skills. Strong vs. run. Last week: No. 17
18) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 204
Analysis: Late riser as film stacks up. Shutdown corner, and expected to run well in Indy. Elite size for the position; now the likely third corner off board. Last week: No. 18
19) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-5 306
Analysis: Moving up among evaluators as they take a closer look. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator, could work in 3-4 or 4-3. Last week: No. 23
20) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 282
Analysis: Good size, capable of playing 3-4 DE. Good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; down year for sacks but has respect of scouts.Last week: No. 19
21) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-3 304
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Draws double-teams. Last week: No. 24
22) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 262
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; has some raw elements but can rush the passer. Could develop into top pass-rusher. Last week: No. 22
23) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 22
24) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 327
Analysis: A solid year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could go LT or RT. Last week: No. 23
25) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 259
Analysis: Extremely productive. Led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even with double-teams. Needs to confirm ideal position and scheme. Last week: No. 25
Offensive lineman under the microscope in a last ranking before the NFL combine
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
There aren't a lot of major moves this week. But with the NFL combine set to shake this all up a bit, one position to keep an eye on is at offensive tackle. It's such a rare thing to have a draft in which no offensive lineman is considered a lock for the top 10 on draft day. But this year could change that.
Right now, I don't have a single offensive tackle among the Top 10 on the Big Board, which could force some teams into the precarious position of reaching a bit if they don't have a trade-down dance partner and feel they really need to address that position. Of course, players could still rise, and a couple of guys on this list could move up with more good showings. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-5 310
Analysis: He's in great position, so I wonder if he'll do full workouts in Indy. A force all season, even when not 100 percent; no defense he can't help. Last week: No. 1
2) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: The draft's most gifted pass-rusher, even in a deep class. Suited to work down in a 4-3 or standing up in a 3-4. Not doing full workouts this week. Last week: No. 2
3) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 207
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, and speed is fine. A complete player. Last week: No. 3
4) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-1 211
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has safety size and elite speed at corner. A starter even as he develops. Dangerous returner as well. Last week: No. 4
5) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 267
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. Expect that he'll continue to shine in pre-draft workout process. Last week: No. 5
6) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 243
Analysis: Miller proved to scouts that he's more than a sack artist. Showed coverage skills that complement known pass-rush production. Fits a 3-4. Last week: No. 6
7) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: He needs refinement, but extraordinary physical skills, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Doing full workouts at the combine. Last week: No. 7
8) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 306
Analysis: A solid penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn, good motor and a high character kid. I can see him becoming a solid 3-4 DE if he's not a 4-3 DT. Last week: No. 8
9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-1 202
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. A blanket in coverage. Ready to start. Last week: No. 9
10) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-5 232
Analysis: Strong arm, excellent accuracy, prototype size and physical skills. Gabbert may lead the ready-to-start category; will be under the microscope. Last week: No. 10
11) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-10 216
Analysis: Stock up in a draft short on elite backs. Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror once he hits the second level. Speed scores will be big. Last week: No. 11
12) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-6 286
Analysis: Versatile with great instincts and motor, a good penetrator capable of duty in 3-4 or 4-3 as a defensive end. Rising. Last week: No. 12
13) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA OLB 6-4 251
Analysis: Long, with ideal OLB build, skills for 3-4 at next level. Underrated pass-rush skills, great athleticism. Can drop and cover and tackles well. Last week: No. 14
14) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Dominant when healthy; still good when not. Improved concentration and hands. Can stretch field or work underneath. Great blocker.Last week: No. 15
15) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-9 313
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, ability to add bulk to chiseled frame. Should shine in workout phase. Could be moved along offensive line. Last week: No. 13
16) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 290
Analysis: Could become top blindside tackle. Good frame, athleticism and quickness; run-blocks better than athletic frame would indicate. Last week: No. 16
17) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 283
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling either 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Good instincts and pass-rush skills. Strong vs. run. Last week: No. 17
18) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 204
Analysis: Late riser as film stacks up. Shutdown corner, and expected to run well in Indy. Elite size for the position; now the likely third corner off board. Last week: No. 18
19) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-5 306
Analysis: Moving up among evaluators as they take a closer look. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator, could work in 3-4 or 4-3. Last week: No. 23
20) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 282
Analysis: Good size, capable of playing 3-4 DE. Good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; down year for sacks but has respect of scouts.Last week: No. 19
21) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-3 304
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Draws double-teams. Last week: No. 24
22) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 262
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; has some raw elements but can rush the passer. Could develop into top pass-rusher. Last week: No. 22
23) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 22
24) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 327
Analysis: A solid year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could go LT or RT. Last week: No. 23
25) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 259
Analysis: Extremely productive. Led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even with double-teams. Needs to confirm ideal position and scheme. Last week: No. 25