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Big Board has a new No. 1
Combine results play a part this week, as the Big Board shifts at No. 1
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
The big shift this week is at the top, where Patrick Peterson now claims the No. 1 spot. After a fantastic week at the NFL combine, he has become the rare corner who could be considered a potential No. 1 pick. Given that he is a full 219 pounds, can be a weapon as a returner, and could conceivably become a star at safety if a coach ever pushed him there, he epitomizes a guy who can produce early.
One other thing you'll notice are changes at height and weight. After the official measurements came in, there were a few surprises. Several guys lost an inch and others gained a few pounds, all things that factor in to where they fit. You'll also see a change among the quarterbacks. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson showed off 4.34 speed in the 40 and carries safety size. Tape is superb; helps in return game. A potential star. Last week: No. 4
2) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 291
Analysis: Raised eyebrows with smaller size than listed, but had great workouts. Excellent athleticism, scheme versatility and tape all imply stardom. Last week: No. 1
3) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: The draft's most gifted pass-rusher, Bowers didn't work out in Indy, but injury concerns are still minor. Potential to go 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 2
4) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Bigger than listed, Dareus is a solid penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor; a high-character kid. Also scheme-versatile. Last week: No. 8
5) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: He's more than a sack artist. Has shown coverage skills that complement known pass-rush production. Fits a 3-4. Great Indy workouts. Last week: No. 6
6) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, and speed is fine. A complete player. Last week: No. 3
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. Showed well in Indy, and looks like a good top-10 bet. Last week: No. 5
8) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, excellent accuracy, prototypical size and physical skills. Smart not to throw in Indy, though proved he's probably an underrated athlete. Last week: No. 10
9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Showed solid speed, and physically ready to start. Last week: No. 9
10) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Extraordinary physical skills, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Combine workouts were a mix; needs to show more at pro day. Last week: No. 7
11) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Showed athleticism and versatility in Indy at full 290 pounds, also offers scheme-versatility. Great motor and plenty of smarts. Last week: No. 12
12) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Draft is short in elite backs. Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern, that's not his game. Last week: No. 11
13) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Dominant when healthy; still really good when he's not. Worked out brilliantly, but will still have some durability concerns. Last week: No. 15
14) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling either 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Proved that he has top athleticism and speed for position. Last week: No. 17
15) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues rise. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year, getting close for 2011. Last week: No. 19
16) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 21
17) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. No major surprises in his workouts. Last week: No. 22
18) Tyron Smith * OT6-5307 Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Good frame, athleticism and quickness, but gets a push. Bigger than expected in Indy. Last week: No. 16
19) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 20
20) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 211
Analysis: Late riser from a bad team. Shutdown corner. Worked out very well in Indy considering his length. Now the likely third corner off the draft board. Last week: No. 18
21) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 267
Analysis: Led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even with double-teams. Considered tweener, but showed good athleticism in Indy. Last week: No. 25
22) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line. Not dominant in workout phase. Last week: No. 15
23) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 23
24) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: A solid year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could be moved along the line. Last week: No. 24
25) Christian Ballard, Iowa DE 6-4 283
Analysis: Considered a tweener along D-line, I think Ballard can be a strongside 4-3 DE. Quick player, explodes from stance, could add rush skills. Last week: NR
Combine results play a part this week, as the Big Board shifts at No. 1
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
The big shift this week is at the top, where Patrick Peterson now claims the No. 1 spot. After a fantastic week at the NFL combine, he has become the rare corner who could be considered a potential No. 1 pick. Given that he is a full 219 pounds, can be a weapon as a returner, and could conceivably become a star at safety if a coach ever pushed him there, he epitomizes a guy who can produce early.
One other thing you'll notice are changes at height and weight. After the official measurements came in, there were a few surprises. Several guys lost an inch and others gained a few pounds, all things that factor in to where they fit. You'll also see a change among the quarterbacks. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson showed off 4.34 speed in the 40 and carries safety size. Tape is superb; helps in return game. A potential star. Last week: No. 4
2) Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 291
Analysis: Raised eyebrows with smaller size than listed, but had great workouts. Excellent athleticism, scheme versatility and tape all imply stardom. Last week: No. 1
3) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: The draft's most gifted pass-rusher, Bowers didn't work out in Indy, but injury concerns are still minor. Potential to go 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Last week: No. 2
4) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Bigger than listed, Dareus is a solid penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor; a high-character kid. Also scheme-versatile. Last week: No. 8
5) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: He's more than a sack artist. Has shown coverage skills that complement known pass-rush production. Fits a 3-4. Great Indy workouts. Last week: No. 6
6) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, and speed is fine. A complete player. Last week: No. 3
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor. Showed well in Indy, and looks like a good top-10 bet. Last week: No. 5
8) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, excellent accuracy, prototypical size and physical skills. Smart not to throw in Indy, though proved he's probably an underrated athlete. Last week: No. 10
9) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Showed solid speed, and physically ready to start. Last week: No. 9
10) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Extraordinary physical skills, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Combine workouts were a mix; needs to show more at pro day. Last week: No. 7
11) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Showed athleticism and versatility in Indy at full 290 pounds, also offers scheme-versatility. Great motor and plenty of smarts. Last week: No. 12
12) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Draft is short in elite backs. Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern, that's not his game. Last week: No. 11
13) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Dominant when healthy; still really good when he's not. Worked out brilliantly, but will still have some durability concerns. Last week: No. 15
14) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling either 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Proved that he has top athleticism and speed for position. Last week: No. 17
15) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues rise. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year, getting close for 2011. Last week: No. 19
16) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 21
17) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. No major surprises in his workouts. Last week: No. 22
18) Tyron Smith * OT6-5307 Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Good frame, athleticism and quickness, but gets a push. Bigger than expected in Indy. Last week: No. 16
19) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 20
20) Jimmy Smith, Colorado CB 6-2 211
Analysis: Late riser from a bad team. Shutdown corner. Worked out very well in Indy considering his length. Now the likely third corner off the draft board. Last week: No. 18
21) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue DE 6-4 267
Analysis: Led nation with 26 TFL and was impossible to block, even with double-teams. Considered tweener, but showed good athleticism in Indy. Last week: No. 25
22) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length, and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line. Not dominant in workout phase. Last week: No. 15
23) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork, but could add lower-body strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker; smart player. Last week: No. 23
24) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: A solid year of tape, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork, added consistency. Excellent frame; could be moved along the line. Last week: No. 24
25) Christian Ballard, Iowa DE 6-4 283
Analysis: Considered a tweener along D-line, I think Ballard can be a strongside 4-3 DE. Quick player, explodes from stance, could add rush skills. Last week: NR
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