ESPN Draft Blog....

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Patrick Peterson a first-round lock

By Kevin Weidl


With the offense struggling, and perhaps headed for a quarterback change, LSU's defense has been forced to carry the Tigers so far this season.

That hasn't been much of a problem, though, thanks to a player on each level of the defense who is impressing NFL scouts and raising his draft stock. Here's how we evaluate LSU's top three defenders at this point.


CB Patrick Peterson -- There is not a defensive player in the country who is playing at a higher level than Peterson, who has impressive size (6-foot-1, 211 pounds), fluid hips and excellent ball skills.

Peterson can lock down one side of the field in man coverage, giving defensive coordinator John Chavis the ability to roll safety help to the other side and flexibility when deciding where to bring pressure from. Peterson has also answered questions about his top-end speed with his contributions as a punt returner, averaging nearly 30 yards per return and scoring two touchdowns on returns thanks to his burst and vision.

He was not challenged much in coverage last week against West Virginia, and for good reason, but Peterson still makes an impact and it's rare to find a player with such a complete skill set. He is doing as much to help his team as any player in the nation and has used his total package of skills to separate from the rest of the cornerback class. Peterson is a junior but currently ranks as our No. 2 overall prospect and looks like a lock to be a top-10 overall pick if he enters the 2011 draft.

OLB Kelvin Sheppard -- The team leader in total tackles, Sheppard showed good range and instincts against West Virginia. He was able to prevent speedy Mountaineers RB Noel Devine from turning the corner at times and also flashed the ability to hold up in both man and zone coverage. I saw LSU in person in the season opener against North Carolina and Sheppard also appears to have added bulk to his frame, something that has helped him anchor more effectively when taking on blocks at the point of attack. He did a great job against West Virginia of meeting blockers with the proper shoulder and maintaining gap control. Sheppard came into the season with a mid-third-round grade but is steadily working his way toward the second round.

DT Drake Nevis -- He was not a starter in 2009 but Nevis jumped out during our offseason film study thanks to his quickness off the ball, ability to maintain leverage and good hand use that allows him to hold up in one-on-one situations. That leverage is important for an undersized defensive tackle (6-foot, 289) who fits best as a one-gap penetrator in a 4-3 defense at the next level. Nevis has been productive in his first season as a starter and is working his way into the early second round after entering the year with a fringe second-round grade.


Keep an eye on Burfict
He's only a sophomore, but Arizona State MLB Vontaze Burfict is a player to watch. He has tremendous athletic ability for his size (6-3, 245), shows great range and delivers heavy hits when flowing downhill. Burfict was a big reason the Sun Devils were able to slow down Oregon's dynamic offense somewhat.

At one point he did a good job recognizing a quick screen on the perimeter, using his closing burst to get to the ball and exploding through contact to bring the receiver down for a loss. Burfict still has room to improve in terms of playing under control and his instincts are still developing, but he is a true Mike linebacker who continues to improve with game experience and he will be on the national radar very soon.

 

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Janoris Jenkins an impressive prospect

By Steve Muench


It should come as no surprise that this week's matchup between the defending national champions and a team that has won two BCS titles in the last four years features a ton of top NFL prospect.

Florida and Alabama boast four players who could be first-round picks and between them have 15 players who could be drafted. Here's how Scouts Inc. breaks down all position players from both teams who have a draftable grade.


Florida prospects


CB Janoris Jenkins* -- Scouts Inc. grade: 93
Jenkins will gamble and get caught out of position on occasion, but there's a lot to like about his aggressiveness when the ball is in the air. He has the fluid hips, quickness and ball skills to develop into a playmaker in the NFL. His No. 3 ranking at corner on our board is a testament to the talent at the top of this year's class.

C/G Mike Pouncey -- Grade: 82
Pouncey may be a better fit at guard, considering his problems snapping the ball, but don't expect it to have a substantial impact on his draft stock. Franchises value versatile interior offensive linemen, and Pouncey has the tools to quickly develop into a starting guard, where he played in 2009. He gets adequate push as a drive-blocker and can hold his own in pass protection.

SS Ahmad Black -- Grade: 76
Black is 5-foot-9 and weighs 187 pounds, so he's never going to be an in-the-box safety. He is going to have a difficult time matching up with bigger receivers and tight ends, but he projects as a Day 2 pick because he tackles well, despite his size, and is a former corner with above-average cover skills for a safety.

WLB Brandon Hicks -- Grade: 69
Hicks has yet to start a game this year, and he isn't as strong at the point of attack as teams would prefer. The reason he projects as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick is his upside. He has the feet to develop above-average cover skills and the quickness to become a disruptive run defender.

FS Will Hill* -- Grade: 68
Hill sat out the first two games of the season for disciplinary reasons, and teams will take a closer look at his character as the draft process progresses. It's important that he not miss any more time because his recognition skills are a concern. The good news is, he's started both games since returning to the lineup and has the natural ability to start in the NFL if he reaches his potential, which is why he projects as an early Day 3 pick.

OT Marcus Gilbert -- Grade: 51
Gilbert has had some problems staying healthy, and he isn't a dominant drive-blocker. He could prove to be a good value in the middle rounds, however. He moves well for his size and is quick/long enough to prevent edge rushers from turning the corner.

DT Lawrence Marsh -- Grade: 49
Marsh missed four games with an ankle injury last year, and he's missed the past two games with an arm injury. He could return to the lineup this week, but it's not a lock. Marsh has shown the potential to develop into an adequate reserve in a base four-man front or end in a base three-man front and could offer value in the later rounds.

SLB A.J. Jones -- Grade: 46
Jones doesn't have a great deal of upside because he is undersized and lacks elite athletic ability. Why does he project as a late round pick? He is a sound tackler with enough natural ability to provide adequate depth at linebacker and contribute on special teams.

LOG Carl Johnson -- Grade: 43
Johnson missed the season opener because head coach Urban Meyer said he wasn't ready to play. That's not good, considering he projects as a late-round pick and needs to make a strong impression on teams to ensure a spot in the draft. On the other hand, he has the size and toughness to provide adequate depth at guard at the next level.


Alabama prospects


DT Marcell Dareus* -- Grade: 94
It's been a tough start for Dareus, who was suspended for the first two games of the season for agent contact and then injured his ankle last week against Arkansas. However, he showed strong character by fully cooperating with the NCAA's investigation, and he is expected to play this week. Dareus has active hands and excellent quickness for a defensive line prospect. He's capable of pushing for early playing time at defensive end in a base three-man front, and he could be an even better fit at defensive tackle in a base four-man front.

RB Mark Ingram* -- Grade: 91
Ingram injured his left knee during a practice, underwent arthroscopic surgery and missed the first two games of the season. He's looked no worse for the wear since returning to the lineup, though, continuing to show a great blend of vision, power and burst.

WR Julio Jones* -- Grade: 88
Jones has yet to reach his awesome potential, but there's no question he has the skill set to make an impact in the NFL. He can stretch the field with vertical routes and turn an underneath catch into a long gain. He gets a high-second-round grade at this point.

S Mark Barron* -- Grade: 85
Barron, who projects as a second round pick, could take better pursuit angles at times but is a downhill run stopper who leads Alabama in tackles. He has the ball skills to make plays in coverage and the closing speed to get to the quarterback when asked to blitz.

ILB Dont'a Hightower* -- Grade: 80
Hightower is a better football player than athlete. He locates the ball quickly as a run defender, and though he lacks ideal man-to-man cover skills he shows above-average awareness in zone coverage. Add in his impressive 256-pound frame and he projects as a late-second or early third-round pick at this point.

G James Carpenter -- Grade: 66
Carpenter makes up for his lack of size and power with above-average initial quickness and sound footwork. He has the potential to develop into an effective starter for a team like Indianapolis that values agility over brute strength along the offensive line. Carpenter projects as a middle-round pick.

 

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Aaron Williams leads impressive CBs

By Steve Muench


Some of the shine was taken off the Red River Rivalry matchup between Texas and Oklahoma when the Longhorns got pounded by UCLA last week, but that loss doesn't diminish the amount of NFL-caliber talent the teams will put on the field at the Cotton Bowl.

Here's Scouts Inc.'s breakdown of the 12 prospects playing in this game who get draftable grades at this point. (Underclassmen denoted with an asterisk)


Texas prospects


CB Aaron Williams*; Scouts Inc. grade: 89 -- Williams is surprisingly fluid for a 6-foot corner and appears fast enough to run with most NFL receivers. Add in his playmaking ability and he projects as a late-first- or early-second-round pick.

CB Curtis Brown; Grade: 84 -- He doesn't play the ball quite as well as Williams, but Brown has the tools to develop into an effective press corner in the NFL. He can reroute receivers at the line and flip his hips when forced to turn and run. At this point, Brown projects as a second-round pick.

CB Chykie Brown; Grade: 63 -- The fastest of the Texas corners, Brown has the second gear to stick with NFL receivers on vertical routes and recover from false steps. He's not quite as fluid or polished as Williams or Curtis Brown, though, so his stock is in the middle rounds.

DE Sam Acho; Grade: 62 -- Acho might not be agile enough to move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and he doesn't have great initial quickness for an edge rusher. However, he gets a middle-round grade because he has the motor, size and upper-body strength to develop into an effective reserve end in a 4-3 defense.

OT Kyle Hix; Grade: 43 -- He lacks the initial quickness to prevent NFL speed rushers from turning the corner, and Hix could do a better of sustaining as a run-blocker. He can provide adequate depth at right tackle, though, and for that reason projects as a middle-to-late round pick.


Oklahoma prospects


OLB Travis Lewis*; Grade: 91 -- Teams running 4-3 defenses and looking for help at weakside linebacker are sure to have their eyes on Lewis, perhaps even late in the first round. His instincts are his greatest strength, but he's also an excellent athlete. He shows above-average range pursuing the run, and he has the quick feet necessary to match up with NFL backs and tight ends in man coverage.

S Quinton Carter; Grade: 88 -- Carter isn't elite in any one area, but he does almost everything well. He fills hard when reading run, shows above-average range in zone coverage and is fluid enough to match up with most slot receivers in man coverage. Carter projects as a second-rounder thanks to that skill set.

OLB/DE Jeremy Beal; Grade: 84 -- Most NFL teams would like to see Beal show a better anchor, and he lacks elite range, but he has value because he simply knows how to get to the quarterback. He has above-average initial quickness and excels at bending back toward the quarterback. Beal carries a second-round grade, and we feel his best fit is at outside linebacker in a base 3-4.

RB Demarco Murray; Grade: 82 -- Arguably the best running back in the country in terms of passing game contributions, Murray is a crisp route runner who can line up in the slot, catches the ball well and is a willing pass-blocker. He doesn't have great elusiveness or power but runs hard and is quick; at this point, Murray looks like a Day 2 pick.

DT Adrian Taylor; Grade: 80 -- He is a bit of a one-dimensional power rusher, but Taylor has the skills to develop into a starting tackle for a base 4-3 defense. He stays low, holds his ground once he gets into position and uses his upper-body strength to control blockers. Taylor projects as a late-second- or early-third-round pick.


WR Ryan Broyles*; Grade: 79 -- There's a lot to like about Broyles' explosiveness and willingness to attack the middle, but there are concerns about his size and ability to stretch the field. He also could run crisper routes. We give him a late-second- or early-third-round grade.

OT Cory Brandon; Grade: 46 -- Brandon was named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list this summer, but he isn't even listed on this week's depth chart. He has the frame and smarts to develop into an effective reserve right tackle, but he's not as aggressive as teams would like and needs to stay lower coming out of his stance. Brandon projects as a rookie free agent.

 

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North Carolina prospects face questions

By Kevin Weidl


Scouts and NFL front offices have kept a close eye on the situation at North Carolina, where a number of players have been implicated in agent-related and academic investigations, and the news that three top prospects will miss the season will have teams looking closely into their character.

DE Robert Quinn, DT Marvin Austin and WR Greg Little were among the players kept off the field as the NCAA probes progressed, and we now know that Austin has been dismissed from the team and Quinn and Little have been ruled permanently ineligible by the governing body.

What does this mean for their NFL draft stock? From a strictly football standpoint it might not hurt all that much, but from a character standpoint it could be a tough obstacle to overcome.

Last year we saw players like Jermaine Gresham and Rob Gronkowski lose the entire season to injury but recover physically and rely on their outstanding game tape to remain high on the board, but in the case of Dez Bryant impressive film could not prevent a top-10 overall prospect from falling near the bottom of the first round.

That's the worry for Austin, who has a lot of upside and flashes tremendous quickness for a 3-technique. He showed the ability to hold up against the run and develop as a pass rusher, but Austin is now unable to answer questions about his anchor and consistency and there are rumblings in scouting circles that Austin was somewhat of a ringleader in the agent-related issues.

His talent and potential earned him a mid-first round grade coming into the season, but Austin's decision to put himself ahead of the team and the fact he was reportedly being less than truthful with NCAA investigators could drop him out of the first round altogether. Teams may be reluctant to spend a first-round pick on a player whose motor runs hot and cold and who could find trouble off the field.

Little faces the same obstacle. He is a versatile athlete who began his career as a running back and has shown the toughness to work the middle of the field, but he lacks elite top-end speed and lets his emotions get the best of him on the field at times. There has also been talk in scouting circles that Little is somewhat of a diva, and when you combine those issues with the fact that he lied to NCAA investigators on multiple occasions, a player who was solidly in the second round after preseason film study could find himself dropping into the third.

As for Quinn, he began the season as Scouts Inc.'s No. 1 overall prospect and has the quickness, speed, frame and overall athleticism to be a 3-4 rush end or pass-rushing right defensive end in a 4-3. He shows great strength and closing burst when bending the edge but on film lacks effective counter moves once his initial speed rush is stymied, and scouts were looking forward to seeing whether Quinn could develop the ability to counter back to the inside.

Quinn will be unable to prove he has expanded his array of pass-rush moves, and with only one year of full-time game film to evaluate, the underclassman is more of a wild card than his former teammates. And while Quinn does not face the work ethic questions that have dogged Austin or the perceived diva attitude attributed to Little, the fact remains that he also lied to the NCAA and will have to explain his behavior. Quinn's character comes into question as well, though his big upside could keep him from falling out of the first round.

The bottom line is that the onus is on all three prospects to stay in the best possible shape in order to impress both at the NFL combine and during individual workouts. Image rehabilitation will also be key over the next few months because Austin, Little and Quinn must convince NFL teams their character measures up to their considerable physical potential and that they are worth the huge financial risk teams take on early-round picks.

They cannot completely negate the impact of missing an entire season but the damage can certainly be minimized if they take the right steps.


Boston College's intriguing duo

I was on hand for last week's Boston College-NC State game, and while it was not a marquee national matchup there were two very intriguing prospects on the field for the Eagles.

LOT Anthony Castonzo checks in at 6-foot-8 and has the initial quickness in his pass sets and long arms to ride pass rushers past the pocket. Castonzo also showed the ability to sink his hips and use his arms to regain leverage against bull rushes and keep the defender at bay.

However, he has a slender lower half and that brings up concerns about his overall anchor and base. Castonzo will get caught off-balance at times when trying to change direction and he can struggle to stay engaged and stay off the ground as a run blocker.

At one point against the Wolfpack he was late identifying a blitz and initially followed the defensive end inside, and Castonzo could not recover in time to get to the middle linebacker who had looped to the outside. The result was his quarterback taking a shot under the chin.

At this point Castonzo gets a late-first round grade but does sit atop a subpar overall offensive tackle class.

On the other side of the ball, OLB Mark Herzlich played with a cast on his hand and turned in an up-and-down day. Herzlich missed all of last season while undergoing cancer treatment and is likely not all the way back to top form, but you have to like his motor, field awareness and sound positioning. He also showed impressive leadership staying around the team during his treatment and working hard to get back on the field this season.

Herzlich also showed decent ball skills when reacting to a tipped pass and hauling in an interception essentially with one hand, and he got his hands up on a pass rush and deflected another pass. However, there are concerns about his ability in the open field. He was knocked off-balance at one point by a move in space on a bubble screen, and he did not show the speed and athleticism to recover in time.

Herzlich has a thick upper body but is not as muscled up as you might expect, and that likely has to do with a year away from the game. However, he remains a late-second round prospect and could improve his stock if he gets closer to his pre-illness form. Give him immense credit, though, for coming back quickly and contributing to the Eagles' cause.

 

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DT Jared Crick leads Nebraska defense

By Kevin Weidl


The scheme of head coach Bo Pelini and coordinator Carl Pelini has a lot to do with Nebraska’s success on defense, but a wealth of talent – including a pair of potential first-round picks – and versatility are the keys to making that scheme work.

The Cornhuskers often show a 4-2-5 alignment and the defensive line does a great job of maintaining gap control, holding the point of attack and controlling blockers in order to allow Nebraska’s quick, reliable linebackers to flow to the ball against the run.

Up front it all starts with DT Jared Crick, who uses anticipation and a quick first step to beat blockers to the point and keeps blockers off his frame with his hands before disengaging and finding the ball carrier. Crick is also one of the best interior pass rushers in the nation. His initial quickness allows him to gain leverage to one side of a blocker, and once that blocker turns his pads Crick has the pass-rush moves and power to finish his rush. His ability to bend back to the middle of the pocket is also impressive for an interior lineman.

Crick lacks an elite anchor in phone-booth situations and at times will get rolled past the point on down blocks, but he is certainly good enough in that area. Because of his height (6-foot-5½) and lack of elite anchor he fits best as a 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme in the NFL, but overall he still grades out as a late-first round prospect at this point.

On the outside DE Pierre Allen is a bit limited in terms of athleticism and flexibility but has very good core strength and uses upper-body power and leverage to set the edge against the run. Allen is tight in the upper body and a bit mechanical as a pass rusher, though he does flash the ability to use speed-to-power moves to get to the quarterback. He also needs to counter better when blockers get to him and his pass-rush limitations keep him in the middle rounds as an NFL prospect, but at the college level Allen and Crick are solid in all areas and execute their assignments well.

The component that makes the Nebraska defense truly special, though, is the depth and versatility of the secondary. CB Prince Amukamara is a high-first round prospect with impressive overall instincts and route-recognition skills. Amukamara shows great awareness in zone coverage, and while he is a little tight when flipping his hips to turn and run he has the top-end speed and closing burst to recover when in trail technique.

Amukamara also has good balls skills. He goes after passes aggressively and has the hands to bring in the interception, and his ability to lock down a third of the field gives the coaching staff the ability to rotate coverages to the other side and cover areas vacated by blitzes.

Alongside Amukamara is a pair of mid-round safeties in Eric Hagg and DeJon Gomes, who bring a wide array of skills to the table. Hagg is an instinctive defender who can line up over the slot or against the tight end and flip his hips well enough to hold up in man coverage. He has limited ball skills as a pass defender, but as a run defender Hagg shows good instincts and takes sound angles to the ball, and he is a reliable tackler. Hagg also times blitzes well off the edge and stays under control when rushing the passer, allowing him to break down and secure the tackle or hurry the throw.

Gomes serves as a strong safety in Nebraska’s 4-2-5 scheme and plays in the box more often than Hagg. Gomes is great in terms of taking angles and making tackles in the run game, and he shows the ability to deliver a violent strike for a player his size (5-10, 205). He is a little tight in coverage and lacks elite instincts – he will be a second late recognizing play-action at times – but Gomes does show the ability to match up with tight ends in a short robber position and had decent ball skills in underneath zone.

All this adds up to Nebraska being able to load the box against the run without exposing its back end in coverage, and in obvious passing situations the ability to lock up in man coverage means the Cornhuskers can bring all kinds of pressure on the quarterback. Just ask Washington QB Jake Locker – who is also Scouts Inc.’s No. 5 overall prospect – how tough it is to deal with Nebraska’s scheme. The Huskers held Locker to just 4 of 20 passing and harassed him all day long, and we could see more of the same this week against a suspect Kansas State offensive line.

 

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A.J. Green's season debut impressive

By Todd McShay


Scouts were interested to see how Georgia WR A.J. Green would look against Colorado in his season debut, and while the Bulldogs were upset by the Buffaloes things couldn't have gone much better for Green from an individual standpoint.

His jaw-dropping, one-handed catch is getting most of the attention, but he also showed off the route-running savvy and focus when the ball in the air that separate Green from most other wide receiver prospects.

Green's seven catches (two touchdowns) for 119 yards were a quick reminder of how dominant he can be and how his mere presence and the attention he draws can open up the offense.

The suspension for selling a game-worn jersey that cost Green the first four games of the season will ultimately have no bearing on his draft stock. His overall game is stronger than any other prospect's and something will have to go terribly wrong -- injury, off-field issue -- to prevent Green from being the first wide receiver off the board in 2011.


Jernigan, Hankerson coming on

After watching the Troy-Middle Tennessee game Tuesday night I'm impressed with the potential of Troy WR Jerrel Jernigan.

Jernigan showed toughness coming back from a big second-quarter hit along the sideline that temporarily knocked him out of the game and football intelligence when running the Wildcat. With the Trojans holding a lead in the fourth quarter, Jernigan turned the corner with the ball and with defenders closing in he opted to slide and remain inbounds rather than stepping out and stopping the clock.

Add those traits to his 4.4-second speed and open-field running ability and Jernigan is an intriguing mid-round prospect with a chance to become an effective No. 3 receiver and punt returner in the NFL.

I've also had a chance this week to watch film of Miami WR Leonard Hankerson, who has been putting up big numbers and become QB Jacory Harris' security blanket. Hankerson has shown improved concentration when the ball is in the air and focus in terms of looking it into his hands, and he is also tracking the ball better on fades and deep routes.

Hankerson also uses his 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame to establish position and shield the ball, but he lacks initial burst and suddenness in his routes and has to build up to top-end speed. That is enough to make him a mid-rounder and likely No. 3 or 4 receiver in the NFL.

However, when you add seniors like Hankerson, Jernigan, USC's Ronald Johnson and Boise State's Titus Young and Austin Pettis to the impressive underclassmen at the top of Scouts Inc.'s wide receiver board, the overall class gets deeper than expected and becomes promising for teams in the market for help at wideout.


Stats don't tell the story for Dareus

Alabama DT Marcell Dareus lost the first two games of the season to a suspension related to agent contact, and while he does not have a sack in the three games he has played Dareus has still dominated.

He showed well against Duke in his season debut, and despite suffering and limping through the second half against Arkansas he still played well enough to demand double-team attention and open up room for his teammates.

Dareus was not at 100 percent last week against Florida, either, but again faced constant double teams and still managed to harass Gators QB John Brantley. Two plays in particular stood out.

On the first play, Dareus held his ground against two defenders and then closed on Brantley before batting the pass down. On the second play, Dareus was double-teamed by the right guard and tackle but instead of giving in, he swam back inside when he saw Brantley shuffling in the pocket.

Dareus jumped when he saw Brantley begin his throwing motion, which forced Brantley to pull the ball down and then force a pass with limited vision into the waiting arms of Alabama LB C.J. Mosley. The result was an interception return for a touchdown that was a direct result of the awareness and effort Dareus showed on the play.

He is still developing as a run defender but there is not a more dominant interior pass rusher in college football, and that alone will make him a first-round draft pick.

 

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Ryan Kerrigan's versatility an asset

By Steve Muench


The progression of NFL passing attacks has increased the value of edge rushers to NFL defenses, and the players below are the college pass-rushing prospects I feel project best to the next level.

Yes, there are players who have gotten to the quarterback more often -- one player on our list does not have a sack this season -- and one of the players below has not seen the field in 2010. However, based on mitigating factors such as supporting cast, level of competition and scheme these are the three outside rushers in this year's class.

Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan -- Kerrigan is at his best ripping under the offensive tackle's outside arm and bending back inside. If the offensive tackle sets too deep in an effort to take away the corner, Kerrigan can extend his arms and drive the tackle back into the quarterback's lap. There's also a lot to like about his motor and how he looks to knock the ball loose when he gets to the quarterback. At 6-foot-4 and 259 pounds he can line up at defensive end in a base four-man front or outside linebacker in a base three-man front, and that versatility is part of what makes Kerrigan an first-round prospect.

North Carolina DE Robert Quinn* -- Being part of investigations into academic fraud and agent contact has kept Quinn off the field and hurts his stock from a character standpoint. However, based on the film we've evaluated Quinn has the skill set to quickly become a productive pass-rusher in the NFL.

He can beat tackles around the corner when he gets off the ball quickly and has the best closing speed of the players on this list. Quinn is also fluid enough to hold his own in underneath coverage when dropping from defensive end on a zone blitz or lining up at outside linebacker in a base three-man front. He is still a raw prospect but if the junior leaves school he could still hear his name called on the first two days of the draft, even if he doesn't pay a down this year. He has that much potential and talent.

Texas A&M OLB/DE Von Miller -- Miller has yet to record a sack this year but opponents are scheming against him after he led the FBS with 17 sacks last season. He also appears to be dropping into coverage more often than we saw on his junior film.

Miller still has the first step to turn the corner, though, and closes quickly once he clears the tackle. And while he may never be a great bull-rusher Miller uses his active hands to keep blockers off his frame and can set tackles up to the outside before re-directing inside. Miller's best fit is at outside linebacker in a base 3-4 scheme that values explosiveness over stoutness, like the one the Pittsburgh Steelers run. He projects as a second-round pick at this point in the process.


Top interior rushers

Don't discount the importance of interior pass rushers who can collapse the pocket from the inside. Here's a quick breakdown of the top two inside rushers on Scouts Inc.'s board.

Alabama DT Marcell Dareus* -- He served a two-game suspension to start the year and has been slowed by an ankle injury, but Dareus continues to be disruptive and is tough to keep out of the backfield. He has the quick first step to beat interior offensive linemen off the ball, the lower-body strength to drive them back into the pocket and the active hands to shed blockers in time to wrap up the quarterback. Throw in his ability to play the run and Dareus could very well be the first defensive tackle off the board.

North Carolina DT Marvin Austin -- Austin has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules and he, too, is part of ongoing NCAA investigations. He has not played in 2010, either, and like Quinn will have to answer character questions.

Austin needs to work on staying low coming out of his stance but he is quick and agile for a 303-pounder. He already flashes an effective spin move and he is capable of developing quality double moves as well. Austin's upside is great enough that he could still come off the board before Day 2 is over.

 

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Anthony Costanzo shows upside

By Steve Muench


Four offensive tackles heard their names called on the first day of the 2010 draft, including three in the first 11 picks, but there does not appear to be the same kind of depth at the top of the 2011 class.

Only three prospects have first-round grades at this point and none project in the top half of the first round. Positional value will likely inflate the grades of the top prospects as the pre-draft process goes on, but right now there might not be an offensive tackle prospect on the board with the overall skill set to compete for a starting job as a rookie.

Here's how we break down the top five tackles on our board at this point in the process.


1. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College
The biggest knock on Castonzo is his lack of ideal power. He doesn't have the brute strength to drive defenders off the ball, but he has plenty of room on his 6-foot-7 frame to bulk up and improve in this area. The reason he ranks first on our list is that frame and his quick feet.

He is an above-average zone blocker who can cover defensive ends at the first level and linebackers at the second level. Though he could have done a better job of recognizing and picking up a blitz late in the first half of the Notre Dame game he also has the agility to develop into a blindside pass protector at the NFL level.


2. Nate Solder, Colorado
The tools necessary to develop into a starting left tackle in the NFL are all here. At 6-foot-8 Solder has the athletic ability and length to ride speed rushers past the pocket. He also has the strength and explosive first step to develop into an effective drive blocker. The concern is his footwork, especially in pass protection. Solder doesn't always set deep or wide enough and he won't get away with it as much at the NFL level. He also needs to anchor better at the top of his pass set. Solder projects as a late-first round pick.


3. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State
While he isn't dominant drive blocker Sherrod would fit well in a zone-blocking scheme like theone run in Houston. He is quick enough to establish position and he can sustain. As a pass blocker, Sherrod can prevent edge rushers from turning the corner and he can mirror double moves. In addition, he did a better job of holding his ground at the top of his set and creating a hard pocket for his quarterback in the Auburn game earlier this year than he did on last year's film. It's still very early in the process but Sherrod has played well enough to move into the late first round discussion.


4. Demarcus Love, Arkansas
Love doesn't lose many matchups once locked on. As a pass blocker he can hold his ground at the top of his set and more often than not can counter when defensive ends try to redirect inside. He is an effective run blocker who flashes above-average power and sustains once locked on. The reason he doesn't rank higher on this list are his 6-foot-4 frame and lack of elite athleticism.

Both raise concerns about his ability to line up at left tackle in the NFL. The good news for Love is he has a chance to quiet these criticisms when he faces Texas A&M DE/OLB Von Miller in Week 6. Miller is an explosive edge rusher with above average closing speed. As it stands now, Love projects as an early second round pick.


5. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
Carimi is a mauler who drives his legs once he's locked on and gets good push when he plays with sound leverage. He's also athletic enough to get around the corner when asked to pull and could develop into an adequate pass blocker, but he lacks elite agility. Michigan State redshirt DE Denzel Drone caught Carimi overextending to the outside and shot inside earlier this season, then delivered a big hit on QB Scott Tolzien and jarred the ball loose.

There are also concerns about Carimi's ability to handle speed off the edge in the NFL, so he too appears to be a better fit on the right side than the left. At this point in the process Carimi projects an early second round pick.

 

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Nick Fairley making an impression

By Steve Muench


The college football season has reached its midpoint, and teams and players have been rising and falling all over the nation in the first six weeks of the season.

From an NFL scouting standpoint, here are the two players I feel have improved their draft stock the most early this season and two who are headed in the wrong direction.


On the rise

Auburn DT Nick Fairley*
Fairley is a junior and a former junior college transfer who started just two games last season and flew under the radar, but he was dominant this year against Mississippi State and has continued to play at a high level. Fairley has the tools to develop quickly into a disruptive three-technique for a base four-man front in the NFL.

He is quick enough to split double-teams as a run defender, and he closes well when he gets a clear path to the quarterback. Fairley has moved into the second-round conversation, and he might not be done climbing draft boards.


UCLA OLB Akeem Ayers
Ayers has leapfrogged fellow underclassman Travis Lewis of Oklahoma as well as North Carolina's Bruce Carter to get to the top of Scouts Inc.'s outside linebacker board. At 255 pounds, Ayers is a big hitter with sideline-to-sideline range and above-average instincts.

Although his best fit might be at strongside linebacker in a base 4-3 defense, he also could transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Simply put, there is little he can't do on the football field, and he has quickly moved into the first-round discussion.


Taking a fall

Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi
Carimi entered the season as the top offensive tackle on our board after his mean streak and drive as a run-blocker jumped out on last year's film. Unfortunately for him, his inconsistent footwork in pass protection has stood out this year.

Although we didn't see Carimi as an elite athlete coming into the season, it's becoming clear he is not a player NFL teams should feel comfortable protecting their quarterback's blind side. He struggles with speed off the edge and is now the fifth-ranked tackle on our board and has slid into the second round. The good news for Carimi is that the offensive tackle group as a whole is not particularly strong and he still has time to do some damage control.


South Carolina TE Weslye Saunders
Saunders graded out as a second-round pick based on his 2009 film and could have pushed Notre Dame's Kyle Rudolph for the top tight end spot on our board. He has the frame, athletic ability and ball skills to develop into a starter in the NFL, but South Carolina dismissed him from the team in September after he was involved in an NCAA investigation regarding contact with agents and he will not play a single down this season.

It wasn't the first character flag for Saunders, and even though there is a lot to like about his upside, he has slipped into the middle rounds.

 

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Mark Ingram leads 2011 running backs

By Steve Muench


It has been anything but smooth sailing this season for the top running backs on Scouts Inc.'s board, but at least some of the struggles can be attributed to injuries and poor offensive line play.

Only one back carries a first-round grade at this point but there is still plenty of talent and upside available. Here's how we break down the top five backs in the 2011 class at the midway point in the college season (underclassmen are denoted by asterisks).

Mark Ingram*, Alabama -- Scouts Inc. grade: 91
Ingram missed the first two games of the season with a knee injury and is coming off a disappointing performance against South Carolina, but he remains the top prospect in the nation. Ingram is an instinctive runner with the power and balance to pick up tough yards between the tackles and the burst to get outside. His pass blocking needs work but he is a reliable receiver who can contribute on third down. Ingram projects as a late-first round pick at this point.

Ryan Williams*, Virginia Tech -- Grade: 86
Williams has had an even tougher start than Ingram. However, struggles against Boise State and a hamstring injury that has cost him the last three games have not dropped Williams out of the No. 2 spot.

Last year's film shows a hardnosed runner who is tough to get to the ground because he can run over and around defenders. Williams is not as polished in the passing game as some of the other backs on this list, but he doesn't drop many passes he gets his hands on and can produce after the catch. Given that skillset, he still grades out early in the second round.

Daniel Thomas, Kansas State -- Grade: 85
Thomas isn't as much of a big-play threat as the backs ahead of him but he is quick enough to get outside and is at his best running downhill between the tackles. Thomas has the lateral mobility to find seams inside and the power to push the pile in short-yardage situations.

He has also shown he has more to offer on third down than many thought coming into the season, and while he could still improve in that area he did catch eight passes against Nebraska. At 228 pounds he is the top "big back" on the board and projects as a second-rounder.

LaMichael James*, Oregon -- Grade: 83
The diminutive James (5-foot-8, 185 pounds) doesn't have elite power but runs hard and follows his blocks well inside. His greatest strength is his ability to make plays in space. James can break defenders' ankles by changing speed or direction in a flash and has above-average top-end speed.

He hasn't played a big role in Oregon's passing attack but there's no questioning his big-play ability after the catch. His strong performance this year has moved him into second-round consideration and his stock could continue to rise with consistent production.

DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma -- Grade: 82
Murray is a determined runner with above-average quickness and the balance to bounce off arm tackles, but he doesn't have ideal power or lateral mobility. The reason he cracks our top five and projects as a second-round pick is his ability to contribute on passing downs.

Murray is a polished route-runner who can line up wide or release out of the backfield, and he catches the ball well. While he's at his best making plays downfield in the passing game, he is also a willing pass blocker who can recognize and pick up blitzes.

 

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Prince Amukamara continues to impress

By Kevin Weidl


I was on Lincoln over the weekend for the Texas-Nebraska grudge match and there were plenty of NFL prospects on the field for both teams.

The most impressive, group, though, was he cornerbacks. We at Scouts Inc. have said many times that cornerback is perhaps the deepest position in the 2011 class and the five potential pro corners who played in this game only reinforced that point.

None of the players below have the elite size/speed combination and explosiveness in the return game of No. 1 CB Patrick Peterson of LSU, but all have something an NFL team will value.

Here's a look at what we saw from each cornerback prospect against good competition, and we'll have a follow-up blog later today on some of the top NFL prospects the Longhorns and Cornhuskers field at other positions.


Prince Amukamara, Nebraska -- Scouts Inc. grade: 95
Amukamara is Scouts Inc.'s No. 3 overall prospect and in person he was just what I expected to see. He has decent size but a strong build, his field awareness is excellent and he showed impressive quickness, closing burst and recovery speed. Amukamara was also able to set the edge and keep outside contain as a run defender and he tackled well.

Amukamara could have gotten his head around more quickly on a fade route in the back of the end zone that narrowly missed being a touchdown, but that is not an issue for him on film and he redeemed himself later in the game by getting a good jam at the line and knocking the ball down on another fade route. Overall, he did nothing to change his standing as the No. 2 corner on the board behind LSU's Patrick Peterson.


Aaron Williams, Texas -- Grade: 87
Williams, he continued to show off his versatility by playing both on the perimeter and as a nickelback over the slot receiver. He used his strength and quick feet to prevent slot receivers from crossing his face and getting inside, and he also showed the ability to plant and change directions quickly when mirroring receivers.

And like Amukamara, he was strong in run support and delivered some good hits. At one point Williams diagnosed a bubble screen quickly and used quickness and a good angle to get to the ball carrier and blow up the play. He also contributed as a blocker on the outside on punt returns and tracked the ball well when asked to return punts. Williams' overall versatility and physical tools have him on the fringe of the first round at this point.


Curtis Brown, Texas -- Grade: 85
He showed well enough against Nebraska to prove worthy of his mid-second round grade, flashing the quick feet and loose hips to change direction quickly and mirror receivers, and he has the length to make plays on the ball when in position. He has a thin frame was engulfed by wide receivers and other blockers on the edge at times, but Brown did show good awareness on a punt return when he picked up a bouncing ball and used his quickness to get across the field for a nice gain.


Chykie Brown, Texas -- Grade: 67
Chykie looked best as a press corner in man coverage, where he could use his speed and footwork to stay with receivers down the field. He has good size and can make plays when in position, but I question his awareness because he was often caught out of position and that lack of awareness combined with tight hips makes him susceptible to double moves like the one Nebraska WR Brandon Kinney used to get free over the middle of the field.

The biggest concern, though, is that Chykie is one of the worst tacklers I have seen in person or on film this season. He missed an easy tackle on kickoff coverage and took a bad angle on a hitch route at one point, failing to break down in the open field and getting stiff-armed before the ball carrier picked up an additional 15 yards. Chykie has some skills but also has too many limitations to be anything more than a mid-round pick.


Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska
Dennard is a junior and does not carry a draft grade at this point but he is a player to keep an eye on for 2012. He is a bit undersized at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, but Dennard has a solid build and I like his anticipation, aggressive style and ball skills. He is a great complement to Amukamara and has the potential to turn some heads in scouting circles if he continues to make plays and show up on film.

Amukamara, Williams and Curtis and Chykie Brown are part of an overall cornerback class that could see as many as five players come of the board in the first round and boasts 16 prospects who carry at least a third-round grade at this point in the process.

Stay tuned this afternoon for a look at the other prospects we saw up close in Lincoln, including a potential first-round defensive lineman.

 

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Jared Crick looks like a 3-4 defensive end

By Kevin Weidl


The impressive cornerbacks weren't the only NFL prospects worth watching in the Texas-Nebraska game. Here's what I saw from a handful of other players who could eventually make their mark on Sundays.

Nebraska DT Jared Crick -- Scouts Inc. grade: 87
Crick has excellent instincts and a nonstop motor but lacks an elite anchor for a 3-technique in a 4-3 scheme. He stands 6-foot-5, struggles to stay low and was rooted off the ball at times, especially against double-teams. However, he is always around the ball and has the length and strength to fit as a 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

Crick showed good hand use when disengaging from blockers in the running game and also when rushing the passer, and his overall game reminds me a bit of Jared Odrick, who the Miami Dolphins took 28th overall in the 2010 draft. At this point Crick grades out as a fringe first-round pick because of his limitations in terms of the schemes he can play in.

Nebraska WR Niles Paul -- Grade: 82
Paul has a thick build (6-1, 224 pounds) and is more of as straight-line player than I expected, but he is a tough receiver who plays a physical game and will take a shot to make a catch over the middle. And while he isn't very elusive after the catch Paul is a strong, balanced runner who can power through arm tackles, and he also showed the ability to stay engaged as a run blocker.

However, he's not a fluid athlete and struggled at one point to open his hips on a ball throw behind him. Paul was also unable to elevate and make a tough catch on a fade route and dropped a sure touchdown on a crossing route in the second half. Those are the plays he has to make to maximize his stock, which is currently in the late second round but could suffer if his hands don't become more consistent.

Texas DE Sam Acho -- Grade: 73
He showed more quickness than I expected and used his hands well as a run defender when shedding blockers. Acho showed the ability to penetrate as well, and he also flashed an effective outside-in pass-rush move that allowed him to get his hands up and knock a pass down. He grades out in the late third round at this point.

Nebraska RB Roy Helu -- Grade: 69
Helu didn't show a lot of juice or lateral agility in his running style. He runs with balance and shows good power and adequate top-end speed, but he lacks a second gear. Helu also fumbled early in the game and changed the momentum in favor of Texas. His overall performance was not that impressive, though some of that surely had to do with the outstanding effort of the Longhorns and Helu did make some yards after contact. He remains a late-third or early-fourth round prospect.

Nebraska DE Pierre Allen -- Grade: 59
His overall awareness and discipline have improved and Allen did a good job staying home against misdirection, but like Crick he lacks a great anchor. Allen has adequate bulk upstairs but is thin in the lower half and I question whether he can hold the point against the run. He flashed as a pass rusher at times but is not dominant in that area and lacks elite closing burst. Overall, his physical limitations will keep him the middle rounds.

Nebraska TE Mike McNeill -- Grade: 59
He is listed as a tight end but McNeill has a skinny frame and will have to move to H-back to contribute in the NFL. He is tall and does not drop his weight well in and out of breaks, however, and he had a hard time separating from man coverage. He did show some awareness to maneuver through zone looks and find soft spots, but given his limitations as a run blocker it will be hard to find a spot for him in the NFL. His mid-round grade could turn into a late-round mark before all is said and done.

Nebraska S Eric Hagg -- Grade: 54
Hagg spent most of his time lined up over the slot and I like his ability to match up in man coverage. He has loose hips, good speed and did a good job mirroring receivers out of breaks. He also timed blizes well off the edge, showing the ability to make a move around the corner and come under control to hurry the quarterback or make the tackle.

His biggest play against the Longhorns, though, was a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown after he lined up deep when Texas brought out the field goal team. The Longhorns elected to pooch punt and Hagg fielded the bouncing ball and showed the speed and elusiveness in the open field to make a big play. He is looking more and more like a solid mid-round pick whose versatility will make him a value pick.

Nebraska S DeJon Gomes -- Grade: 36
He's undersized (5-10, 203 pounds), but Gomes is built like a running back and is active inside the box. He was aggressive and always around the ball against Texas, taking solid angles to the play and using his hands well to shed blocks. He is limited in man coverage thanks to tightness in his hips but showed good awareness and ball skills in underneath zone, and if Gomes keeps improving his stock could very well rise from the late rounds to the middle rounds.

Texas OT Kyle Hix -- Grade: 43
His has a big frame and showed good inline strength in phone-booth situations, but he is a very limited athlete who struggled when he had to redirect and move laterally on the perimeter in pass protection. Because of that Hix is a mid-to-late round right tackle prospect.

Texas OLB Keenan Robinson
My colleagues Steve Muench and Todd McShay have been intrigued by Robinson during previous film study and after seeing him in person it's easy to tell why. He is an absolute physical specimen at 6-3 and 240 pounds, possessing the prototypical linebacker body and supplementing it with good instincts and tremendous range and closing burst.

Robinson showed the ability to use his long arms to keep blockers off his frame and wrap up ball carriers, and he also held up well in looking up crossers and shadowing them in underneath zone coverage. He left the game in the second quarter with an apparent concussion, but Robinson is turning heads as a junior. He does not have a draft grade at this point but if he can get back on the field quickly scouts will be sure to keep a close eye on Robinson.

 

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Owen Marecic has plenty of upside

By Steve Muench


There isn't a dominant lead blocker like Oakland Raiders FB Lorenzo Neal among the top three fullbacks on the 2011 draft board, and that should come as no surprise. Some teams still seek out fullbacks who can knock defenders off their feet like New York Jets rookie and 2010 fifth-round pick John Conner, but the supply is greater than the demand.

The evolution of NFL passing attacks and teams using defensive linemen as lead blockers and lining tight ends up in the backfield in certain situations has devalued the traditional mauling fullback. However, teams will always value versatility and there is no shortage of that at the top of our fullback class. Here's a look at the top three.


Owen Marecic, Stanford
Marecic starts at fullback and inside linebacker for the Cardinal. He lacks ideal experience carrying the ball and will have a hard time rooting bigger NFL linebackers out of the hole, but he is an effective wall-off blocker who has shown some promise as a short-yardage runner and he catches the ball well. And while the jury is still out on whether he fits better at inside linebacker for a base 3-4 scheme or at fullback, it doesn't really matter.

If Marecic's primary position is fullback he remains a tough run-stopper who can play linebacker in short-yardage situations and provide adequate depth there in the right 3-4 scheme. If his primary position is linebacker, he has the potential to develop into an effective short-yardage and red zone fullback. Because of that versatility Marecic projects as a middle-round pick at this point in the process.


Charles Clay, Tulsa
Clay could surpass Marecic as the top fullback on the board when all is said and done. Clay needs to continue to refine his technique as a blocker, but a strong punch and the ability to adjust to moving targets in space give him upside in that area, and there's even more to like about his running and receiving skills.

Clay is a powerful runner with above-average vision and lateral mobility for a fullback, and Tulsa can even line him up at quarterback in its Wildcat package. Finally, Clay flashes above-average ball skills and can line up at wide receiver, tight end, H-back and release out of the backfield. He also grades out in the middle rounds right now.


Stanley Havili, USC
The biggest concern with Havili is his blocking. Though he flashes the ability to get into position, he struggles to sustain at times and lacks ideal power. However, he has the potential to develop into an effective short-yardage runner. Havili is quick, he reads his blocks well and he can push the pile when he runs with good pad level. He's also fast enough to break a long run if he's able to break through the first line of defense in a short-yardage situation.

Havili is already an excellent receiver who runs polished routes and can line up at receiver, and he rarely drops passes he gets his hands on. He projects as a late fifth or early sixth-round pick as it stands now.

 

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Ponder, Gabbert fighting for draft position

By Todd McShay


I talked last week about how Florida State QB Christian Ponder came through against Miami despite not having his best stuff, battling and showing leadership in leading his team to victory. Unfortunately, his struggles were a sign of things to come and Ponder strumbled badly last week against Boston College.

There is clearly something wrong with Ponder. We don't know whether it's the lingering effects of an early-season triceps injury or something that has not been disclosed, but it's hard to believe he has simply regressed to the point where he could become one of the Seminoles' biggest liabilities.

The Eagles have a good defense and coach Frank Spaziani does a good job mixing up looks and confusing a quarterback's reads, but three interceptions -- and two other bad throws that were dropped by defenders -- along with a fumble are unacceptable from a senior quarterback who is supposed to be at the top of his game.

Florida State was able to win despite Ponder's miscues and he has half a season to turn things around, but he is far from a first-round lock and teams that would value him in a West Coast offense that emphasizes accuracy and good decisions were surely unimpressed. Ponder was not strong in either area against Boston College and he needs to shine in those areas in order to make up for a lack of ability to drive the ball down the field.

Assuming underclassmen Andrew Luck and Ryan Mallet enter the 2011 draft, they and Washington's Jake Locker will clearly be the top three quarterbacks on the board. Ponder has a chance to play his way into the fourth spot but he has not helped his cause recently and needs to turn things around in a hurry.


Gabbert faces questions, too
Missouri's Blaine Gabbert is competing with Ponder for that No. 4 spot among quarterbacks, and after breaking down Gabbert's early-season game against Illinois and a recent outing against Texas A&M we see a lot to like in terms of potential.

Gabbert is bigger and has a stronger arm than former Missouri QB Chase Daniel, and because Gabbert is taller he sees a lot more of the field and with his bigger arm makes more throws than Daniel ever could. There are some concerns, though, and at this point I wouldn't take Gabbert in the first two or three rounds.

As is the case with many spread-offense quarterbacks who operate with predetermined reads, if Gabbert's primary option is covered he becomes anxous in the pocket and has a tendency to bail out rather than shuffling his feet and stepping up in the pocket. He makes a pre-snap read based on the look of the defense and if something happens to take away his initial high-low or inside-out read he will almost always break the pocket to his right.

Gabbert also seems to lack great pocket presence and does not always feel pressure around him. Overall, he needs a lot of work as a pocket passer in terms of standing tall and going through his progressions.

He has played well for the most part and shown toughness playing through a hip pointer, however, and this week's matchup with Nebraska will provide a great opportunity for scouts to assess his progress. The Sooners will spend a lot of time using a three-man rush and dropping eight into coverage, which will force Gabbert to make quick decisions and fit the ball into tight windows. How he handles that test will tell scouts a lot about where he stands.


UCLA defenders face big test
I'm excited to see Oregon's spread offense take on UCLA's defense. In order to be successful against a Ducks offense that stretches the field horizontally a defense needs ends and outside linebackers who can set the edge and keep contain on the outside, and a free safety who is disciplined and can read and diagnose plays quickly.

The Bruins have those players in DE/OLB Akeem Ayers and S Rahim Moore, who will have a chance to prove their instincts and that they can hold up in space. Ayers gets a solid first-round grade at this point and the challenge presented by Oregon's fast-paced attack will give a good sense of just how versatile he is. As for Moore, he is a bit undersized but is durable and aggressive in coverage and run support. He grades out as a fringe first-rounder at this point.

 

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Andy Dalton could contribute in the NFL

By Steve Muench


The Arizona Cardinals signed former BYU QB Max Hall as a rookie free agent following the 2010 draft, and while Hall didn't light things up in his first career start two weeks ago against the defending champion New Orleans Saints, he played well enough for the Cardinals to get the win.

Hall doesn't have ideal arm strength and his height is an issue so it's unlikely he'll ever develop into a franchise quarterback, but he is showing he can manage an offense well enough for his team to win and that's all that matters in the NFL.

Here's a look at three 2011 quarterback prospects with middle-to-late round grades who, like Hall, may never be clear-cut No. 1 NFL quarterbacks but could develop into valuable backups who get the job done when called upon.

They don't grade out higher because of the risk-reward trade-off involved in drafting them, but all three have the tools to succeed like Hall has.


Andy Dalton, TCU
Dalton is just a shade over 6-foot-1 and his lack of ideal pocket mobility will make his height even more of a sticking point for some teams. There are also concerns about how quickly he can adjust to a pro-style offense after playing in TCU's spread scheme, but there is reason to be optimistic about his chances.

Dalton makes sound decisions and shows the ability to check down to his second and even third options. He is also a four-year starter who has improved each year, including over the course of this season. Dalton grades out in the fifth-round area at this point, but can raise his stock a bit in Week 8 with a good performance against an Air Force defense that ranks among the national leaders against the pass and frustrated him last season.


Greg McElroy, Alabama
McElroy doesn't have any elite physical traits and his lack of ideal arm strength is the biggest concern. If he can't keep NFL defenses honest by beating them over the top on occasion they will crowd the short-to-intermediate areas and force him to zip the ball into tighter windows.

However, McElroy is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the FBS and has been a prototypical game manager. He is accurate throwing underneath, has adequate mobility and is a proven leader. He's lost just one game since the eighth grade and helped lead Alabama to a national championship last year. McElroy projects as a late-round pick or rookie free agent as it stands now.


Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin
Tolzien is approximately the same height as Dalton and that will scare some teams off, and he also has yet to get a signature road win during his career. Scouts will be interested to see how he fares at Iowa in Week 8.

On the plus side, Tolzien showed above-average poise and pocket mobility in the fourth quarter of the Badgers' win over No. 1 Ohio State. He needs to get rid of the ball more quickly but there is a lot to like about his willingness to stand in and take the big hit in order to buy time for his receivers to get open. Tolzien has also made strides in terms of accuracy and decision-making this year. At this point in the process, Tolzien projects as a late-round pick or rookie free agent.

 

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Adrian Clayborn could shine in Week 8

By Kevin Weidl


The individual matchup in Week 8 of the college football season from an NFL scouting standpoint will be Wisconsin OT Gabe Carimi taking on Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn.

Clayborn got the best of Carimi when the two squared off last season and it will be interesting to see whether Carimi has learned from that meeting and improves his showing this time around.

Carimi has a bit of a lean build, and while I like his aggression he struggles to stay low at times and does not always generate good inline power at the point of attack. That could be an issue against Clayborn in the running game. Clayborn is very strong, gets off the ball quickly and plays with good pad level so Carimi will have to focus on maintaining leverage to avoid being overpowered at the point.

There are also some issues with Carimi's footwork in pass protection. He will over-step to the outside at times and leave himself vulnerable to double moves back to the inside, and Clayborn shows a strong rip move back to the middle when rushing the passer. Carimi will have to maintain balance in his pass sets and avoid getting too wide in an effort to prevent Clayborn from turning the corner.

Carimi still grades out as a fringe first-rounder thanks to his toughness, awareness and overall skill set as a pass blocker, while Clayborn is pretty much a first-round lock with his combination of power, motor and versatility. Still, the film of this matchup will give scouts a better feel for how each player will matches up with NFL-level opponents and will have a lot to do with the final evaluation both prospects get.


Ayers, Moore solid in defeat
There weren't too many positives on defense for UCLA in its 60-13 loss at Oregon, but DE/OLB Akeem Ayers and S Rahim Moore did look solid for the most part as they attempt to solidify their NFL stock.

I like the strength, range and closing burst Ayers shows at 6-3 ¾ and 249 pounds, and against the Ducks he did a good job staying home against misdirection and stayed stout on the edge against the run. He also displayed the ability to drop into coverage or walk to the line of scrimmage and flash as a pass rusher.

Ayers did show some tightness in space, taking poor angles on a two-point conversion play and a third-quarter run by Oregon RB LaMichael James, but his overall combination of size, athleticism and versatility has him solidly in the middle of the first round at this point.

As for Moore, he showed the expected aggressiveness in run support. He diagnosed running plays quickly, took good angles to the ball carrier and wrapped up on contact. I like the way he gets downhill and fills alleys in a hurry.

However, Moore is not making as many plays as expected in coverage. He led the nation with 10 interceptions last season but has been out of position at times this year. A clear example came on a second-quarter touchdown catch by Oregon TE David Paulson, when Moore was a bit late diagnosing the play and allowed Paulson to cross his face in the end zone before making the catch.

Moore obviously has good ball skills and it could be that Moore is trying to do too much in an effort to make up for the relative inexperience of his fellow defensive backs, but either way his coverage issues are keeping him on the fringe of the first round.

 

[SixisBetter]

Nick Fairley making an impression


Auburn DT Nick Fairley*
Fairley is a junior and a former junior college transfer who started just two games last season and flew under the radar, but he was dominant this year against Mississippi State and has continued to play at a high level. Fairley has the tools to develop quickly into a disruptive three-technique for a base four-man front in the NFL.

He is quick enough to split double-teams as a run defender, and he closes well when he gets a clear path to the quarterback. Fairley has moved into the second-round conversation, and he might not be done climbing draft boards.

I had the opportunity to watch this kid the last couple weeks.He was fairly quiet against Arkansas,but he tore the LSU line a new one all day today.Pretty impressive.

 

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Adrian Clayborn cements first-round grade

By Kevin Weidl


I was in Iowa City over the weekend for Wisconsin's big road win over Iowa, a game that featured plenty of future pros and drew plenty of NFL talent evaluators to town.

A big matchup in the trenches between a pair of future first-rounders highlighted the scouting agenda, and there was no shortage of other prospects who made impressions on the scouts in attendance.

Here's what I took away from the game in terms of NFL potential, with players listed in order of their current draft grade.

Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi vs. Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn Carimi and Clayborn went back and forth all night. I was impressed with Carimi's point-of-attack skills in the run game and his ability to fire off the ball and get an initial surge on Clayborn, who was inconsistent as a run-defender. Clayborn too often came off the ball high and gave up ground. I did like Clayborn's strength and balance to stay on his feet, though, and he was able to use his upper-body strength to shed Carimi, who struggled at times to maintain balance and finish blocks.

Clayborn appears to be a much better pass-rusher than run-defender at this point. He displayed a quick get-off and used his strength to his advantage. He showed outstanding ability to generate leverage with his bull rush and put Carimi on his heels, and on a second-quarter sack Clayborn bent the edge against Carimi and had the awareness to get a hand out and strip the ball from Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien.

Overall, Carimi looks like a better fit at right tackle in the NFL. He has more of a power base than Boston College OT Anthony Castonzo, but Castonzo is lighter on his feet and plays with more balance. Both have definitely improved their strength from what we saw on 2009 film, and while neither is an elite prospect both should come off the board in the late-first or early-second round because of position value.

As for Clayborn, he is impressive in terms of strength, power and quickness as a pass-rusher. I like his instincts and ability to redirect and find the ball. While there are some concerns about his ability to consistently anchor against the run, he makes enough splash plays in this department to warrant a mid-first-round grade.


Iowa DT Christian Ballard

Ballard has an impressive build and is long-limbed. He displayed impressive instincts and the overall range to make plays outside the tackle box. He also showed the versatility to line up on the outside at defensive end or hold up inside as a 3-technique.

He displayed good initial quickness and the leverage to shoot inside and get down the line of scrimmage to come up with a tackle for loss. I do question his ability to consistently anchor when teams run at him, though. Ballard needs polish as a pass-rusher, particularly when blockers catch him off his first move, but he has crept into the second-round discussion.


Wisconsin RB John Clay

I was surprised by Clay's sloppy build. There's no question he runs with great power and can churn out tough yards between the tackles, and he displayed adequate feet for his size, but his lateral movement is questionable and he shows no juice as a runner.

Clay takes a tremendous amount of punishment and will have a lot of wear and tear on his body when he gets to the next level. I have to wonder how long he can last in the NFL, given his running style and that he's been banged up during his college career. He has a third-round grade at this point but will have to show better as a runner to maintain that standing.


Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks

Kendricks is a bit undersized but appears to have soft, reliable hands. He is savvy in terms of releasing off the line and avoiding traffic to attack the flat off misdirection. He made a nice catch in the flat at one point, showing good speed and the elusiveness to make a defender miss while picking up the first down.

Kendricks left the game with an injury, and I didn't get a full look at him, but he does appear to have the skills to be a versatile H-back in the NFL and looks like a mid-round pick.


Iowa DT Karl Klug

I like Klug's motor and strength on the inside. He played with leverage and showed quick hands to disengage and find the ball. He did a great job of posting up a Wisconsin interior blocker and used a quick swim move to make a stop near the line of scrimmage at one point, He did a nice job of protecting his legs. I like his chances to become a solid 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme, and he will bring good value in the middle rounds.


Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos

It was an impressive showing for Johnson-Koulianos. He is a smooth, balanced athlete who gets in and out of breaks easily and shows reliable hands. Two plays in particular stood out.

The first was a long third-quarter touchdown catch on which he did an outstanding job tracking the ball at top speed before putting his hands up at the last second and reeling the ball in. The second was a fourth-quarter catch along the sideline on which Johnson-Koulianos brought the ball in from outside his frame and had the awareness to get both feet down inbounds.

I like his ability to make smooth cuts without losing momentum, but he could improve his route-running and ability to get off press coverage a bit. Overall, he is getting noticed and should continue moving up Scouts Inc.'s board. He certainly looked like a third- or fourth-round prospect against the Badgers.


Wisconsin G John Moffitt

Moffit has good size but is a bit sloppy in the midsection. He displayed good point-of-attack skills and has a strong inline power base, consistently collapsing defenders on down blocks. Moffit showed nimble feet and the ability to get down the line quickly to identify defenders on short pulls.

His awareness when picking up twists in pass protection stood out, though he is a limited athlete and struggles when changing directions quickly. Overall, Moffit has enough strength and short-area quickness to develop into an adequate starter at the next level, which warrants a third- or fourth-round grade in my estimation. He was observed snapping the ball during warmups and could possibly play at center if needed.


Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi

Stanzi turned in a strong overall performance. He displayed excellent footwork and a quick, clean release, and he and throws with good balance in the pocket. He has cut down on his mistakes and has definitely improved as a decision-maker. I liked his calm and patience in the pocket when getting to his second and third reads.

One of the concerns I have is his ability to anticipate receivers breaking free. He was late with several throws and didn't give his receiver a chance to pick up yards after the catch, and that caused some throws to fall incomplete. Stanzi needs work on his short accuracy and touch as a deep-thrower. He has room for improvement, but I feel he has enough tools and the mental capacity to warrant a mid-to-late-round developmental grade at this point.


TE Allen Reisner

He's a limited overall athlete, but Reisner did execute his assignments well. While he's not a road-grader as a blocker, he did show good awareness and strong positioning. He had a nice seal block that sprung Robinson for a big gain down the sideline to set up Iowa's first touchdown.

He won't consistently stretch the seam as a receiver but is a reliable underneath target who can find soft spots in zone coverage and has sure hands. Reisner displayed good strength and determination as a runner. He plays tough and will be a good value pick in the late rounds.


RB Adam Robinson

He's a sophomore, but Robinson showed outstanding vision and patience and is one of the better runners I've seen in terms of setting up and using his blocks. He's not a burner but has quick feet, great balance and enough lateral quickness to make defenders miss in a short area, and he can bounce off initial contact and pick up extra yardage.

He put together a string of three plays in a row during the third quarter that were impressive, including spinning off of a defender in the backfield and turning a potential negative play into an 8-yard gain. He is undersized but has a low center of gravity. Definitely a player to watch moving forward.

 

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Patrick Peterson has moved up quickly

By Steve Muench


Organizations are continually evaluating the players on their draft boards who are vying for millions of dollars, and we at Scouts Inc. regularly re-evaluate our board as well.

There is plenty of time remaining in the college season and the overall pre-draft process for prospects to rise and fall, but here's a look at three players who have moved all the way to the top of their respective position groups and how they got there.


LSU CB Patrick Peterson

Our fourth-ranked corner on the preseason board, Peterson is now our No. 2 overall prospect after showing everything teams covet in a cornerback. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder is surprisingly fluid for his size and has matched up with some of the nation's top collegiate receivers during his time at LSU. Peterson hasn't put up impressive interception numbers but plays the ball better than the stats suggest, tracking it well and showing the body control to come down with jump balls.

Peterson also shows well in run support, fighting off or slipping blocks and getting bigger ball carriers to the ground, and his special-teams contributions have been a revelation this season. He returned just one total punt in his first two seasons with the Tigers but has returned two for touchdowns this year and also blocked a field goal attempt in the West Virginia game. His speed and vision with the ball in his hands are outstanding, and he has great intangibles as well. Peterson is a fierce competitor with a non-stop motor and infectious energy, and he is a lock to be an early-first round pick.


Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers*

Bowers was the No. 6 defensive end on the board entering the season and carried an early-second round grade at that point, and he's moved to the head of the class despite the considerable talent at the top of the defensive end class. The biggest reason for the rise is that Bowers has started to realize his awesome potential.

Bowers already has more sacks this year (10) than he had in his first two seasons combined thanks to a quick first step for a 280-pounder and above-average upper-body strength. The difference this year is consistency in terms of both technique and motor. He is getting off blocks better and making more plays with second effort.


Mississippi State OT Derek Sherrod

As well as Peterson and Bowers have played this year, Sherrod's climb to the top has been even more impressive. He's gone from being the 11th-rated tackle on our board and a projected middle-round to pick to the No. 1 spot and a late-first round grade. One of the reasons he's climbed so high is that several prospects ranked ahead of him early on -- including Nate Solder (Colorado) and Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin) -- have not played up to expectations.

That alone doesn't account for such a considerable jump, though. Sherrod Sherrod is doing a better job of sustaining blocks and adjusting to moving targets at the second level in the running game. He is also more stout against power rushers in pass protection and continues to ride speed rushers past the pocket and use his quick feet to stay in front of defenders when they try to redirect inside.

 

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A.J. Green will challenge Janoris Jenkins

By Kevin Weidl


I'm headed to Jacksonville to take in the Florida-Georgia game and am excited to see one of the best perimeter matchups of the season between Gators CB Janoris Jenkins vs. Georgia WR A.J. Green.

Green is hand-down the top receiver on our board and has almost single-handedly turned around the entire Bulldogs' offense since returning from a four-game suspension. He has impressive size (6-foot-4, 208 pounds), runs silky-smooth routes that help him separate coverage and tracks the deep ball better than any wideout in the nation.

As for Jenkins, he has the best change-of-direction skills of any corner on our board, and the balance and quick feet to plant and turn when mirroring receivers. He's not the strongest corner but uses good technique when jamming receivers at the line, so look for Jenkins to press up on Green at times in an effort to stay in his pocket through routes.

Pressing Green could backfire, though, because on film Jenkins appears to lack elite recovery speed when caught in trial position and if he misses on the jam it could be lights-out. Green is a long-strider with deceptive top-end speed and if he gets a step on Jenkins his elite ball skills will allow him to bring in almost any ball thrown in his direction. And while Jenkins shows good ball skills of his own he will have to be that much better to compete with Green.

Jenkins must also tackle well. I've seen him struggle on film to bring down bigger, stronger receivers and Green is effective using his strength and a straight-arm to elude defenders and pick up yards after the catch. Patrick Peterson (LSU) and Prince Amukamara (Nebraska) rank ahead of Jenkins among 2011 cornerback prospects, and having seen both of them play in person I'm interested to see how Jenkins stacks up in live action against elite competition.


Ponder's struggles continue

Florida State QB Christian Ponder came into last night's game against N.C. State looking to bounce back from a dismal performance against Boston College, but Ponder's slide could very well continue after he struggled in a close loss to the Wolfpack.

Ponder is dealing with an injury to his throwing elbow which is affecting his ability to drive the ball down the field. Too many of his passes floated, and while he did not throw an interception he did hang up two balls that should have been picked off. He also lost two fumbles, furthering concerns about his ball security in the pocket. Finally, there is nothing he can do about a lack of height that means he must find clear passing lanes in the pocket to maximize his accuracy.

Consecutive bad outings, poor decision-making and those height concerns mean Ponder could soon find himself fighting to remain in the second-round area.

Florida State G Rodney Hudson -- His angles and technique stood out in preseason film study and Hudson looked good in both areas against N.C. State. However, he lacks ideal size and appears to have problems with bigger, stronger defenders despite playing with decent leverage.

That issue reared its head on a third-and-1 play in the first quarter when Hudson was blown back and knocked off-balance by the defensive lineman, which allowed Wolfpack LB Nate Irving to make the stop and stall the drive. Because of his lack of size and questionable anchor Hudson looks like a second-rounder at this point in my opinion.

N.C. State MLB Nate Irving -- Irving turned in another solid effort, showing off his instincts by timing a run blitz well on the aforementioned third-and-1 play and wading through traffic to make the tackle. And while his overall range is limited he did make a nice play late in the game by taking a good angle, chasing the ball carrier outside the tackle box and making a solid tackle for a minimal gain.

There will always be durability concerns with Irving, who had a 15-inch rod inserted in his left leg and missed the entire 2009 season after a serious car accident, and he also lacks ideal athleticism. He is a bit tight in space and I'd like to see more snap and explosion when he's fighting off blocks, but his overall instincts and toughness make him a good value pick in the fourth or fifth round.