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Small shifts on latest Big Board

One notable change in the Top 5 highlights this week's assessment of draft value

By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com


Traditionally a quiet week on the Big Board, the brief period between the NFL combine and the many pro days that will take place in March and into early April offers another period of both tape evaluation and quizzing of NFL personnel on what they're seeing from the top prospects for the 2011 NFL draft. Despite the big pro day in Auburn on Tuesday, there hasn't been a big shift among the guys who were the stars of that show.

This final leg in the draft process offers the last chance for some jumps, but don't expect dramatic shifts. The real question is on teams' draft boards. The lineup is getting closer to set, and positioning has become a bigger issue. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.


1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson showed off 4.34 speed in the 40 and carries safety size. Tape is superb; helps in return game. A potential star. Last week: No. 1

2) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 291
Analysis: Raised eyebrows with smaller size than listed but had great workouts, then weighed 297 at Auburn pro day. Versatility, skills, tape all imply stardom. Last week: No. 2

3) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Bigger than listed most of the season, Dareus is a solid penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor. Well-liked and scheme-versatile. Last week: No. 4

4) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: More than a sack artist, Miller has shown coverage skills that complement known pass-rush production. Fits a 3-4. Great Indy workouts; steady stock. Last week: No. 5

5) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: Perhaps the draft's most gifted pass-rusher, Bowers must wait for pro day, but injury concerns are still minor. Potential to go as 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 3

6) A.J. Green * WR, Georgia 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, and speed is fine (4.48). A complete player. Last week: No. 6

7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. High character; if he falls past No. 10, a potential steal. Last week: No. 7

8) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, excellent accuracy, prototypical size and physical skills. Smart not to throw in Indy. An underrated athlete; a big pro day approaches. Last week: No. 8

9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Good speed, safety size, ready to start at corner. Last week: No. 9

10) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Extraordinary physical skills, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Combine workouts were a mix; improved at pro day but didn't bump stock for me. Last week: No. 10

11) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Showed athleticism and versatility in Indy at full 290 pounds, also offers scheme versatility. Great motor and plenty of smarts. Last week: No. 11

12) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern, that's not his game. Still safely top RB on board. Last week: No. 12

13) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Dominant when healthy; still really good when he's not. Worked out brilliantly -- a 4.39 40 impressed -- but still has some durability concerns. Last week: No. 13

14) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling either 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Proved that he has top athleticism and speed for position. Last week: No. 14

15) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues gains. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year, getting close for 2011. Last week: No. 15

16) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 16

17) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. Athletic enough with size to be versatile. Last week: No. 17

18) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 307
Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Good frame, athleticism and quickness, but gets a push. Has added bulk to athletic frame. Last week: No. 18

19) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 211
Analysis: Late riser from a bad team. Shutdown corner. Worked out very well in Indy considering his length. Now the likely third corner off the draft board. Last week: No. 20

20) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue OLB 6-4 267
Analysis: Led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even with double-teams. Could shake tweener tag, sticking at OLB in the NFL. Last week: No. 21

21) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line. Not dominant in workout phase. Last week: No. 22

22) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, and has added needed strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 23

23) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: A solid year of video; battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could be moved along the line. Last week: No. 24

24) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 19

25) Stephen Paea, Oregon State DT 6-1 314
Analysis: With extraordinary power, Paea shattered the combine bench-press record. As close to a true anchor tackle as the first round could offer. Great leverage player. Last week: NR
 
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