sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Five elite prospects atop 2011 board
Breaking down the top 130 prospects offers perspective on available talent
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
All 32 NFL draft rooms are fully stocked with prospect rankings -- both by-position and regardless-of-position on draft day. General managers package these rankings in a number of different ways to streamline the information and help maintain perspective when weighing value versus need.
Tier rankings are one of the tools decision-makers call upon to help assess the areas of strength within a given draft class, and if followed properly the tier system serves two important purposes.
First, it can help a team avoid reaching to fill a position of need with a prospect who rates in a lower tier. Secondly, it can provide a clearer sense of trade value in a given draft by giving teams an idea of the kind of players they stand to give up and gain when trading picks.
The 2010 class was loaded with talent, and while the 2011 board contains plenty of talent, too, there is a big difference in the first four tiers, which extend to the later portion of the first round. Last year I had 42 prospects listed in the first four tiers, compared to just 28 in 2011.
Here's my eight-tier breakdown of the top 130 prospects in the 2011 NFL draft class:
Tier I
These are the elite prospects, those who have the potential to come off the board in the top five overall picks.
1. Marcell Dareus DT Alabama 6-3⅛ 319 97
2. Von Miller OLB Texas AM 6-2⅝ 237 97
3. Patrick Peterson CB LSU 6-0¼ 219 97
4. Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson 6-3⅜ 280 97
5. A.J. Green WR Georgia 6-3⅝ 211 97
--
Tier II
This tier is comprised of players who are a notch below elite but are still top-10 quality.
6. Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri 6-4⅜ 234 96
7. Robert Quinn DE North Carolina 6-4 265 96
8. Nick Fairley DT Auburn 6-2⅞ 291 96
9. Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 6-0 206 96
--
Tier III
The prospects below will offer good value between picks 10 and 20.
10. Tyron Smith OT USC 6-5 307 95
11. Julio Jones WR Alabama 6-2¾ 220 95
12. J.J. Watt DE Wisconsin 6-5⅜ 290 95
13. Cam Newton QB Auburn 6-5 248 94
14. Aldon Smith DE Missouri 6-4¼ 263 94
15. Corey Liuget DT Illinois 6-2⅛ 298 94
16. Mark Ingram RB Alabama 5-9⅛ 215 94
17. Muhammad Wilkerson DE Temple 6-4⅛ 315 93
--
Tier IV
These prospects have the tools to be good value picks in the mid-to-late first round.
18. Nate Solder OT Colorado 6-8¼ 319 93
19. Cameron Jordan DE California 6-4⅛ 287 92
20. Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College 6-7 311 92
21. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6-2⅝ 281 92
22. Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin 6-7 314 91
23. Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue 6-3⅞ 267 91
24. Jake Locker QB Washington 6-2½ 231 91
25. Mike Pouncey C Florida 6-5 303 91
26. Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA 6-2½ 254 91
27. Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 6-2¼ 211 91
28. Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State 6-4⅝ 294 90
--
Tier V
These are the players teams will begin targeting as value picks early in Round 2 should they fall out of Round 1.
29. Justin Houston OLB Georgia 6-2⅞ 270 90
30. Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-3¼ 334 90
31. Rahim Moore S UCLA 5-11¾ 202 89
32. Randall Cobb WR Kentucky 5-10¼ 191 89
33. Aaron Williams CB Texas 5-11⅞ 204 89
34. Jurrell Casey DT USC 6-0⅝ 300 88
35. Dan Watkins G Baylor 6-3⅜ 310 88
36. Brandon Harris CB Miami (FL) 5-9½ 191 87
37. Ryan Williams RB Virginia Tech 5-9⅜ 211 87
38. Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 6-1¼ 303 87
39. Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State 6-5⅜ 321 86
40. Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame 6-6⅛ 259 86
--
Tier VI
This tier contains prospects who are worthy of mid-to-late second-round consideration.
41. Orlando Franklin OG Miami (FL) 6-5½ 316 85
42. Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas 6-6¾ 253 85
43. Tandon Doss WR Indiana 6-2 201 85
44. Brooks Reed DE Arizona 6-2½ 263 85
45. Ben Ijalana OT Villanova 6-3⅝ 317 85
46. Torrey Smith WR Maryland 6-0⅞ 204 84
47. Marcus Cannon OG TCU 6-5 358 84
48. Christian Ballard DT Iowa 6-3¾ 283 84
49. Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois 5-11⅝ 227 84
50. Allen Bailey DE Miami (FL) 6-3 285 83
51. Titus Young WR Boise State 5-11⅜ 174 83
52. Jonathan Baldwin WR Pittsburgh 6-4⅜ 228 82
53. Clint Boling OG Georgia 6-4⅝ 308 82
54. Greg Little WR North Carolina 6-2½ 231 81
55. Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh 6-2⅞ 264 81
56. Will Rackley OG Lehigh 6-5 303 80
57. Andy Dalton QB TCU 6-2 215 80
58. Terrell McClain DT South Florida 6-1⅝ 297 80
59. Kendall Hunter RB Oklahoma State 5-7¼ 199 79
60. Marvin Austin DT North Carolina 6-1⅝ 309 79
61. Christian Ponder QB Florida State 6-2 229 78
62. Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (FL) 6-1½ 209 78
63. Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia 6-1⅜ 198 78
64. Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina 6-1½ 241 78
--
Tier VII
These players rank as solid third-round prospects.
65. Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada 6-4⅝ 233 77
66. Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State 6-0¼ 230 77
67. Curtis Brown CB Texas 5-11⅝ 185 77
68. Martez Wilson ILB Illinois 6-4 250 76
69. Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy 5-8⅞ 185 76
70. Rodney Hudson C Florida State 6-2⅜ 299 76
71. Quan Sturdivant ILB North Carolina 6-1 241 76
72. Drake Nevis DT LSU 6-0⅝ 294 75
73. Johnny Patrick CB Louisville 5-10⅝ 191 75
74. Dwayne Harris WR East Carolina 5-10⅜ 203 75
75. Marcus Gilbert OT Florida 6-6⅛ 331 75
76. Johnny White RB North Carolina 5-9⅞ 209 75
77. Kendric Burney CB North Carolina 5-9⅜ 186 74
78. James Carpenter OG Alabama 6-4⅝ 324 74
79. Gregory Salas WR Hawaii 6-1⅛ 210 74
80. Marcus Gilchrist CB Clemson 5-10 195 73
81. Lance Kendricks TE Wisconsin 6-2⅞ 243 73
82. Jacquizz Rodgers RB Oregon State 5-5⅞ 196 73
83. Jarvis Jenkins DT Clemson 6-4 310 72
84. Quinton Carter S Oklahoma 6-0⅝ 208 72
85. Brandon Burton CB Utah 5-11⅝ 190 72
86. Ahmad Black S Florida 5-9½ 184 72
87. Demarco Murray RB Oklahoma 5-11⅝ 213 72
88. Christopher Carter OLB Fresno State 6-1½ 241 71
89. Luke Stocker TE Tennessee 6-4¾ 258 71
--
Tier VIII
The final tier is made up of players who rank as potential steals on Day 3.
90. Lee Ziemba OT Auburn 6-5⅝ 317 71
91. Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple 5-11⅞ 198 71
92. Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State 5-11¾ 191 71
93. Jordan Todman RB Connecticut 5-8⅞ 203 71
94. Edmund Gates WR Abilene Christian 5-11¾ 192 71
95. Dontay Moch OLB Nevada 6-1⅜ 248 70
96. Kelvin Sheppard OLB LSU 6-1⅞ 250 70
97. Colin McCarthy ILB Miami (FL) 6-1⅜ 238 69
98. Ricky Stanzi QB Iowa 6-4⅜ 223 69
99. Lawrence Guy DT Arizona State 6-4⅛ 305 69
100. Brandon Hogan CB West Virginia 5-10¼ 192 69
101. Chris Hairston OT Clemson 6-6⅛ 326 69
102. Tyler Sash S Iowa 6-0 211 68
103. James Brewer OT Indiana 6-6¼ 323 68
104. DeAndre McDaniel S Clemson 6-0⅛ 214 68
105. Jeremy Beal OLB Oklahoma 6-2¼ 262 68
106. Stefen Wisniewski C Penn State 6-3 313 68
107. Joshua Thomas CB Buffalo 5-10¼ 191 68
108. Virgil Green TE Nevada 6-3⅜ 249 68
109. Casey Matthews OLB Oregon 6-0⅞ 231 67
110. Vincent Brown WR San Diego State 5-11 184 67
111. Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech 6-0¾ 216 67
112. Derrick Locke RB Kentucky 5-8¼ 188 67
113. Sam Acho DE Texas 6-1⅝ 262 67
114. Andrew Jackson OG Fresno State 6-5 299 67
115. Kenrick Ellis DT Hampton 6-4⅞ 346 67
116. Curtis Marsh CB Utah State 6-0½ 197 66
117. Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh 5-6⅝ 193 66
118. D.J Williams TE Arkansas 6-2⅛ 245 66
119. Akeem Dent ILB Georgia 6-1 242 66
120. Eric Hagg S Nebraska 6-1⅜ 209 65
121. Niles Paul WR Nebraska 6-0⅞ 224 65
122. Shane Vereen RB California 5-8⅞ 203 65
123. Jeremy Kerley WR TCU 5-9½ 189 64
124. Mason Foster OLB Washington 6-1¼ 245 64
125. Robert Sands S West Virginia 6-4⅜ 217 64
126. Demarcus Love OT Arkansas 6-4⅜ 315 64
127. Greg Romeus DE Pittsburgh 6-4⅞ 264 64
128. Ricardo Lockette WR Fort Valley State 6-2⅛ 211 63
129. John Moffitt OG Wisconsin 6-4¼ 319 63
130. Rashad Carmichael CB Virginia Tech 5-10 192 63
Todd McShay is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.
Breaking down the top 130 prospects offers perspective on available talent
By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
All 32 NFL draft rooms are fully stocked with prospect rankings -- both by-position and regardless-of-position on draft day. General managers package these rankings in a number of different ways to streamline the information and help maintain perspective when weighing value versus need.
Tier rankings are one of the tools decision-makers call upon to help assess the areas of strength within a given draft class, and if followed properly the tier system serves two important purposes.
First, it can help a team avoid reaching to fill a position of need with a prospect who rates in a lower tier. Secondly, it can provide a clearer sense of trade value in a given draft by giving teams an idea of the kind of players they stand to give up and gain when trading picks.
The 2010 class was loaded with talent, and while the 2011 board contains plenty of talent, too, there is a big difference in the first four tiers, which extend to the later portion of the first round. Last year I had 42 prospects listed in the first four tiers, compared to just 28 in 2011.
Here's my eight-tier breakdown of the top 130 prospects in the 2011 NFL draft class:
Tier I
These are the elite prospects, those who have the potential to come off the board in the top five overall picks.
1. Marcell Dareus DT Alabama 6-3⅛ 319 97
2. Von Miller OLB Texas AM 6-2⅝ 237 97
3. Patrick Peterson CB LSU 6-0¼ 219 97
4. Da'Quan Bowers DE Clemson 6-3⅜ 280 97
5. A.J. Green WR Georgia 6-3⅝ 211 97
--
Tier II
This tier is comprised of players who are a notch below elite but are still top-10 quality.
6. Blaine Gabbert QB Missouri 6-4⅜ 234 96
7. Robert Quinn DE North Carolina 6-4 265 96
8. Nick Fairley DT Auburn 6-2⅞ 291 96
9. Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska 6-0 206 96
--
Tier III
The prospects below will offer good value between picks 10 and 20.
10. Tyron Smith OT USC 6-5 307 95
11. Julio Jones WR Alabama 6-2¾ 220 95
12. J.J. Watt DE Wisconsin 6-5⅜ 290 95
13. Cam Newton QB Auburn 6-5 248 94
14. Aldon Smith DE Missouri 6-4¼ 263 94
15. Corey Liuget DT Illinois 6-2⅛ 298 94
16. Mark Ingram RB Alabama 5-9⅛ 215 94
17. Muhammad Wilkerson DE Temple 6-4⅛ 315 93
--
Tier IV
These prospects have the tools to be good value picks in the mid-to-late first round.
18. Nate Solder OT Colorado 6-8¼ 319 93
19. Cameron Jordan DE California 6-4⅛ 287 92
20. Anthony Castonzo OT Boston College 6-7 311 92
21. Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa 6-2⅝ 281 92
22. Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin 6-7 314 91
23. Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue 6-3⅞ 267 91
24. Jake Locker QB Washington 6-2½ 231 91
25. Mike Pouncey C Florida 6-5 303 91
26. Akeem Ayers OLB UCLA 6-2½ 254 91
27. Jimmy Smith CB Colorado 6-2¼ 211 91
28. Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State 6-4⅝ 294 90
--
Tier V
These are the players teams will begin targeting as value picks early in Round 2 should they fall out of Round 1.
29. Justin Houston OLB Georgia 6-2⅞ 270 90
30. Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-3¼ 334 90
31. Rahim Moore S UCLA 5-11¾ 202 89
32. Randall Cobb WR Kentucky 5-10¼ 191 89
33. Aaron Williams CB Texas 5-11⅞ 204 89
34. Jurrell Casey DT USC 6-0⅝ 300 88
35. Dan Watkins G Baylor 6-3⅜ 310 88
36. Brandon Harris CB Miami (FL) 5-9½ 191 87
37. Ryan Williams RB Virginia Tech 5-9⅜ 211 87
38. Stephen Paea DT Oregon State 6-1¼ 303 87
39. Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State 6-5⅜ 321 86
40. Kyle Rudolph TE Notre Dame 6-6⅛ 259 86
--
Tier VI
This tier contains prospects who are worthy of mid-to-late second-round consideration.
41. Orlando Franklin OG Miami (FL) 6-5½ 316 85
42. Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas 6-6¾ 253 85
43. Tandon Doss WR Indiana 6-2 201 85
44. Brooks Reed DE Arizona 6-2½ 263 85
45. Ben Ijalana OT Villanova 6-3⅝ 317 85
46. Torrey Smith WR Maryland 6-0⅞ 204 84
47. Marcus Cannon OG TCU 6-5 358 84
48. Christian Ballard DT Iowa 6-3¾ 283 84
49. Mikel Leshoure RB Illinois 5-11⅝ 227 84
50. Allen Bailey DE Miami (FL) 6-3 285 83
51. Titus Young WR Boise State 5-11⅜ 174 83
52. Jonathan Baldwin WR Pittsburgh 6-4⅜ 228 82
53. Clint Boling OG Georgia 6-4⅝ 308 82
54. Greg Little WR North Carolina 6-2½ 231 81
55. Jabaal Sheard DE Pittsburgh 6-2⅞ 264 81
56. Will Rackley OG Lehigh 6-5 303 80
57. Andy Dalton QB TCU 6-2 215 80
58. Terrell McClain DT South Florida 6-1⅝ 297 80
59. Kendall Hunter RB Oklahoma State 5-7¼ 199 79
60. Marvin Austin DT North Carolina 6-1⅝ 309 79
61. Christian Ponder QB Florida State 6-2 229 78
62. Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (FL) 6-1½ 209 78
63. Ras-I Dowling CB Virginia 6-1⅜ 198 78
64. Bruce Carter OLB North Carolina 6-1½ 241 78
--
Tier VII
These players rank as solid third-round prospects.
65. Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada 6-4⅝ 233 77
66. Daniel Thomas RB Kansas State 6-0¼ 230 77
67. Curtis Brown CB Texas 5-11⅝ 185 77
68. Martez Wilson ILB Illinois 6-4 250 76
69. Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy 5-8⅞ 185 76
70. Rodney Hudson C Florida State 6-2⅜ 299 76
71. Quan Sturdivant ILB North Carolina 6-1 241 76
72. Drake Nevis DT LSU 6-0⅝ 294 75
73. Johnny Patrick CB Louisville 5-10⅝ 191 75
74. Dwayne Harris WR East Carolina 5-10⅜ 203 75
75. Marcus Gilbert OT Florida 6-6⅛ 331 75
76. Johnny White RB North Carolina 5-9⅞ 209 75
77. Kendric Burney CB North Carolina 5-9⅜ 186 74
78. James Carpenter OG Alabama 6-4⅝ 324 74
79. Gregory Salas WR Hawaii 6-1⅛ 210 74
80. Marcus Gilchrist CB Clemson 5-10 195 73
81. Lance Kendricks TE Wisconsin 6-2⅞ 243 73
82. Jacquizz Rodgers RB Oregon State 5-5⅞ 196 73
83. Jarvis Jenkins DT Clemson 6-4 310 72
84. Quinton Carter S Oklahoma 6-0⅝ 208 72
85. Brandon Burton CB Utah 5-11⅝ 190 72
86. Ahmad Black S Florida 5-9½ 184 72
87. Demarco Murray RB Oklahoma 5-11⅝ 213 72
88. Christopher Carter OLB Fresno State 6-1½ 241 71
89. Luke Stocker TE Tennessee 6-4¾ 258 71
--
Tier VIII
The final tier is made up of players who rank as potential steals on Day 3.
90. Lee Ziemba OT Auburn 6-5⅝ 317 71
91. Jaiquawn Jarrett S Temple 5-11⅞ 198 71
92. Chimdi Chekwa CB Ohio State 5-11¾ 191 71
93. Jordan Todman RB Connecticut 5-8⅞ 203 71
94. Edmund Gates WR Abilene Christian 5-11¾ 192 71
95. Dontay Moch OLB Nevada 6-1⅜ 248 70
96. Kelvin Sheppard OLB LSU 6-1⅞ 250 70
97. Colin McCarthy ILB Miami (FL) 6-1⅜ 238 69
98. Ricky Stanzi QB Iowa 6-4⅜ 223 69
99. Lawrence Guy DT Arizona State 6-4⅛ 305 69
100. Brandon Hogan CB West Virginia 5-10¼ 192 69
101. Chris Hairston OT Clemson 6-6⅛ 326 69
102. Tyler Sash S Iowa 6-0 211 68
103. James Brewer OT Indiana 6-6¼ 323 68
104. DeAndre McDaniel S Clemson 6-0⅛ 214 68
105. Jeremy Beal OLB Oklahoma 6-2¼ 262 68
106. Stefen Wisniewski C Penn State 6-3 313 68
107. Joshua Thomas CB Buffalo 5-10¼ 191 68
108. Virgil Green TE Nevada 6-3⅜ 249 68
109. Casey Matthews OLB Oregon 6-0⅞ 231 67
110. Vincent Brown WR San Diego State 5-11 184 67
111. Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech 6-0¾ 216 67
112. Derrick Locke RB Kentucky 5-8¼ 188 67
113. Sam Acho DE Texas 6-1⅝ 262 67
114. Andrew Jackson OG Fresno State 6-5 299 67
115. Kenrick Ellis DT Hampton 6-4⅞ 346 67
116. Curtis Marsh CB Utah State 6-0½ 197 66
117. Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh 5-6⅝ 193 66
118. D.J Williams TE Arkansas 6-2⅛ 245 66
119. Akeem Dent ILB Georgia 6-1 242 66
120. Eric Hagg S Nebraska 6-1⅜ 209 65
121. Niles Paul WR Nebraska 6-0⅞ 224 65
122. Shane Vereen RB California 5-8⅞ 203 65
123. Jeremy Kerley WR TCU 5-9½ 189 64
124. Mason Foster OLB Washington 6-1¼ 245 64
125. Robert Sands S West Virginia 6-4⅜ 217 64
126. Demarcus Love OT Arkansas 6-4⅜ 315 64
127. Greg Romeus DE Pittsburgh 6-4⅞ 264 64
128. Ricardo Lockette WR Fort Valley State 6-2⅛ 211 63
129. John Moffitt OG Wisconsin 6-4¼ 319 63
130. Rashad Carmichael CB Virginia Tech 5-10 192 63
Todd McShay is the director of college scouting for Scouts Inc. He has been evaluating prospects for the NFL draft since 1998.