The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top 5 DTs
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. DT Jurrell Casey, Southern California
-Casey is the fastest riser on my board after looking at everyone more closely. Casey is one of the best put together defensive tackles entering the year at 6'1 and 305 pounds. Casey has outstanding fundamentals and doesn't rely solely on his athletic ability and sheer power, however he stays low to the ground and has quick, active hands as well. Casey shows an explosiveness off of the line that few defensive tackles showed last year. He is able to quickly penetrate into the backfield and although he goes a tad high doesn't just go for the big hit but wraps up. So even if he can't get the QB down, he slows the opposing player down enough for his teammates to get there. In addition he has displayed the ability to shed blockers against a double team and hold the point of attack. This wasn't always the case and something he needs to do more consistently but there is no doubt all the talent is there for him to solidify himself as a top 10-15 pick.
2. DT Jerrell Powe, Mississippi
-Powe's story is well documented and most know the difficulties he has had to even play college football. On the field, Powe shined in his first real season last year for the Rebels. At 320 pounds I was expecting a much heavier and less athletic big body, but Powe proved me wrong on that front. He is very active with his hands and has an excellent motor for a guy his size. I think he is easily the best nose tackle prospect heading into the year and would be surprised if he fell out of the middle of the second round unless he fell flat on his face during the 2010 season. He is very disruptive in the games that I saw him and reminds me a bit of Vince Wilfork from Miami. Both very big guys who are extremely athletic and quick for their size. Even though Powe is the best nose tackle prospect, with the agility he shows it wouldn't surprise me if he was able to perform in a 4-3 defensive scheme. Powe shows a great ability in driving through tackles and not letting to many guys get away from his grasp. Overall I think the biggest thing he has to prove coming into the year is work ethic and consistency. I don't see any reason why he can't be like a B.J. Raji who is a mammoth nose tackle who is also disruptive in addition to being able to hold the point of attack. I think Powe could be one of the biggest risers if he is able to build on the 2009 season he had and becoming a regular disruptive tackle during the season.
3. DT Lawrence Guy, Arizona State
-Guy may be a bit of an unknown to most outside of the Pac-10 region, however he is very impressive. He isn't the pass rusher that a lot of the guys on the list are, however is very good at using proper leverage and clogging up holes. Guy is more than capable of playing a 4-3 defensive tackle but I don't think that is what suits him best. He is a terrific player at holding his ground at the point of attack and not being ridden out of the play by opposing offensive linemen. He has active hands that allows him to disengage opposing offensive linemen. He seems terrific to play a five technique in a 3-4 defensive scheme and the attributes he used during his 2009 season should translate well for him at the next level. He also has a terrific motor, which allows him to never lose sight of a play and always a threat to break up a play even if it is on the other side of the field. Guy does have a tendency of getting out of his stance to quickly leading to him losing initial leverage, however he does do a good job to recover but will need to work on consistently keeping a low center of gravity. Guy is bunched in with a lot of other prospects with similar skill sets but like him a tad better than others on the outset of the season.
4. DT Jared Crick, Nebraska
-There have been many questions in regards to Jared Crick on how he would fare in the 2010 season without Suh by his side. I don't think those issues are as big and it isn't like Crick is going to fall big time without Crick. This is due to the fact that Crick's game doesn't rely on rushing the passer which would have been aided the most by having Suh by his side. He did have a breakout game against Baylor, however that certainly wasn't the norm. Crick reminds me former Nebraska DE Adam Carriker. Carriker was a highly regarded defensive lineman coming out of Nebraska's program and was taken highly by the St. Louis Rams. Carriker didn't pan out, however was used completely wrong. Like Carriker, Crick isn't going to be an ideal 4-3 defensive tackle at the next level. He is a guy that has extremely active hands and most of the time uses great pad level to occupy blockers and clog up potential holes. He is well suited for the 3-4 end position, which is the same position that Carriker should have been used for. Outside of this Crick does have one issue and that is popping up on occasion. When he uses proper pad level, Crick commands double teams. However when he pops up to quickly, guards are able to get their hands on the inside of him and make him a non factor during the play which will be taken advantage of even more at the next level.
5. DT Jerel Worthy, Michigan State
-Many draft pundits believe that Greg Jones is the top pro prospect for the Spartans entering the season. I do not agree with that assessment although it is very close. To me Worthy is the better prospect and certainly has a higher ceiling going into the season. His biggest asset his is explosive jump off of the line of scrimmage. He is outstanding at getting penetration and blowing up plays in the backfield either in the run game or attacking the opposing quarterback. Towards the end of the last season, Worthy garnered enough credit to start being double teamed against opposing teams. When faced with this, he held his ground and maintained good leverage in not being blown off of the ball. He has a good motor in not giving up on plays that are to the edge, he fights through blockers in order to make a play on either side of the field. Although Worthy's potential is through the roof, he still has plenty of work to do. He does tend to jump to easily and is susceptible to being pulled offsides against experienced quarterbacks. He is an unknown to many and needs to follow up on what was a very good coming out party during the 2009 season and show the necessary adjustments to garner the national consideration he deserves.
September 9, 2010
2011 NFL Draft - Top 5 DEs
The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top 5 DEs
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
-Quinn tops the board going into the season. Much like a former Tar Heel, Quinn is your prototypical 4-3 defensive end. He uses his quick first step to gain initial advantage over opposing offensive linemen. After he has established the advantage he is able to either beat you with a quick move to the inside, overpower you with a bull rush or has enough speed to get the edge and beat most offensive linemen that way. He also keeps his hands active and most of the time uses proper leverage to maintain the advantage he initially gains off of the snap. All that with being 6'5 and 270 pounds and you have yourself one of the most complete defensive ends in the nation. Quinn also has the ability to potentially play as a 3-4 outside linebacker, however I would imagine he gets selected as a defensive end come next April. He does have a tendency to go to fast when flying to the fall and does tend miss the initial wrap up, but most of the time is able to quickly recover and finish up what he started.
2. DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
-Clayborn is right on the heels of Quinn. Not many outside of Big Ten country knew Clayborn until the Orange Bowl last season where he exploded onto the national scene to most. He is a bit bigger than Quinn, measuring 6'4 and 285 pounds, however he still has the necessary speed off the edge to be a monster. Like most Hawkeye linemen, Clayborn is extremely sound fundamentally when he is engaged with an opposing offensive linemen. He uses his hands very well and maintains good leverage throughout the play. He probably doesn't have the sheer athleticism that Quinn possesses or the freakish athlete body, but Clayborn has a tremendous motor and all he does is produce week in and week out, evidenced by last year. In the NFL, Clayborn can either be a 4-3 defensive end or play end in a 3-4 scheme as well. The biggest thing that sticks out as a negative with Clayborn is the tendency to go high on tackles and use his arms to much. This was seen a few times against the Yellow Jackets in the Orange Bowl, but usually has the motor to make up for it which allows him to close out the play if he misses once much like Quinn.
3. DE Marcell Dareus, Alabama
-Dareus is arguably the best 3-4 defensive end going into the 2011 NFL Draft. He is unmatched weighing in at 6'3 and 305 pounds roughly. Although he has the size, the most impressive thing about him is the speed. He has great explosiveness off of the edge and uses both his size and speed to get to the quarterback. In addition to just being able to clog up lanes, he is able to rush the passer and should attract many suitors as he is perfect for the hybrid 3-4 defensive scheme. He has displayed an excellent motor throughout the past year for the Crimson Tide and there is no doubt that he has the work ethic to be a star at the NFL level. In terms of tackling, he usually doesn't allow to many to slip away when he has them in sight. The one knock on Dareus that has been said is that he sometimes gets away from using proper technique which can be seen on occasion but isn't as much of a factor as I thought it would be.
3. DE/DT Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
-Heyward was a potential late first round selection if he had chosen to declare last year, however he opted to stay in school to improve his stock. He is an extremely versatile defensive lineman that can play anywhere from a 3-4 defensive end to a defensive tackle in a cover two scheme. The biggest thing that sticks out to me with Heyward is his overall motor. He is a non-stop player much like the mold of Adrian Clayborn and doesn't give up on a play early on even if it isn't to his side of the field. He shows a nice initial burst off of the ball and stays low to gain initial advantage. He is excellent at using his hands and that allows him to break free of opposing offensive lineman much more easily. Overall in a loaded defensive line class, Heyward is right in the thick of things to be chosen among the top 3-4. The one thing that sticks out with Heyward compared to a Robert Quinn is the lack of development in overall pass rush moves. That shouldn't a major concern to NFL executives as I would imagine that will come as he continues to develop as a pass rusher.
4. DE Allen Bailey, Miami
-Much like Robert Quinn, Bailey is a physical freak on the field. He is all of 6'4 and 288 pounds and doesn't look to have any bad weight on his body. Moving from linebacker to the defensive line was a great move for Bailey as he has improved on the field since the move. He is extremely versatile and can play either a five technique in a 3-4 defensive scheme or has the ability to play a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He is an extremely strong lineman and has shown the ability to plow offensive lineman and has made it his go to pass rushing move. He is quick off of the ball and shows his explosiveness with his first step, which allows him to gain the initial advantage against most opposing offensive linemen. Despite all of this, I have him as the second to last top tier defensive linemen eligible to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. I don't think he is the pass rusher that others in this class are and the biggest thing that shows is his slow nature in terms of disengaging blockers and changing direction. He doesn't use his hands extremely well and this is the root of his issues in terms of getting away from blockers. Overall I think Bailey is suited best as a five technique in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
5. DE Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
-Romeus is probably the top of the second tier of defensive linemen eligible for the 2011 draft. He certainly is capable of improving upon his stock right now is a little raw. He arguably has the quickest bust outside of Quinn. He displays excellent speed off of the edge and will put up impressive speed numbers at the combine in February. In addition to just pure speed, Romeus has displayed excellent use of his hands when engaged with opposing offensive linemen. He also displays excellent athleticism in being able to deflect passes as he does for a guy that is that big. Although his physical tools are off of the charts, he does have a little bit to prove during the 2010 season. He tends to go in high when making tackles which doesn't allow him to finish tackles as well as he could. Needs to work on staying lower and wrapping up rather than just think he can muscle the defender down. He also is a bit slow in recognizing the play and due to this has a tendency of getting pushed off the ball on run plays to the outside. Overall his athleticism outstanding and all the tools are there for him to be a very good pass rusher in the NFL.
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina
-Quinn tops the board going into the season. Much like a former Tar Heel, Quinn is your prototypical 4-3 defensive end. He uses his quick first step to gain initial advantage over opposing offensive linemen. After he has established the advantage he is able to either beat you with a quick move to the inside, overpower you with a bull rush or has enough speed to get the edge and beat most offensive linemen that way. He also keeps his hands active and most of the time uses proper leverage to maintain the advantage he initially gains off of the snap. All that with being 6'5 and 270 pounds and you have yourself one of the most complete defensive ends in the nation. Quinn also has the ability to potentially play as a 3-4 outside linebacker, however I would imagine he gets selected as a defensive end come next April. He does have a tendency to go to fast when flying to the fall and does tend miss the initial wrap up, but most of the time is able to quickly recover and finish up what he started.
2. DE Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
-Clayborn is right on the heels of Quinn. Not many outside of Big Ten country knew Clayborn until the Orange Bowl last season where he exploded onto the national scene to most. He is a bit bigger than Quinn, measuring 6'4 and 285 pounds, however he still has the necessary speed off the edge to be a monster. Like most Hawkeye linemen, Clayborn is extremely sound fundamentally when he is engaged with an opposing offensive linemen. He uses his hands very well and maintains good leverage throughout the play. He probably doesn't have the sheer athleticism that Quinn possesses or the freakish athlete body, but Clayborn has a tremendous motor and all he does is produce week in and week out, evidenced by last year. In the NFL, Clayborn can either be a 4-3 defensive end or play end in a 3-4 scheme as well. The biggest thing that sticks out as a negative with Clayborn is the tendency to go high on tackles and use his arms to much. This was seen a few times against the Yellow Jackets in the Orange Bowl, but usually has the motor to make up for it which allows him to close out the play if he misses once much like Quinn.
3. DE Marcell Dareus, Alabama
-Dareus is arguably the best 3-4 defensive end going into the 2011 NFL Draft. He is unmatched weighing in at 6'3 and 305 pounds roughly. Although he has the size, the most impressive thing about him is the speed. He has great explosiveness off of the edge and uses both his size and speed to get to the quarterback. In addition to just being able to clog up lanes, he is able to rush the passer and should attract many suitors as he is perfect for the hybrid 3-4 defensive scheme. He has displayed an excellent motor throughout the past year for the Crimson Tide and there is no doubt that he has the work ethic to be a star at the NFL level. In terms of tackling, he usually doesn't allow to many to slip away when he has them in sight. The one knock on Dareus that has been said is that he sometimes gets away from using proper technique which can be seen on occasion but isn't as much of a factor as I thought it would be.
3. DE/DT Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
-Heyward was a potential late first round selection if he had chosen to declare last year, however he opted to stay in school to improve his stock. He is an extremely versatile defensive lineman that can play anywhere from a 3-4 defensive end to a defensive tackle in a cover two scheme. The biggest thing that sticks out to me with Heyward is his overall motor. He is a non-stop player much like the mold of Adrian Clayborn and doesn't give up on a play early on even if it isn't to his side of the field. He shows a nice initial burst off of the ball and stays low to gain initial advantage. He is excellent at using his hands and that allows him to break free of opposing offensive lineman much more easily. Overall in a loaded defensive line class, Heyward is right in the thick of things to be chosen among the top 3-4. The one thing that sticks out with Heyward compared to a Robert Quinn is the lack of development in overall pass rush moves. That shouldn't a major concern to NFL executives as I would imagine that will come as he continues to develop as a pass rusher.
4. DE Allen Bailey, Miami
-Much like Robert Quinn, Bailey is a physical freak on the field. He is all of 6'4 and 288 pounds and doesn't look to have any bad weight on his body. Moving from linebacker to the defensive line was a great move for Bailey as he has improved on the field since the move. He is extremely versatile and can play either a five technique in a 3-4 defensive scheme or has the ability to play a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme. He is an extremely strong lineman and has shown the ability to plow offensive lineman and has made it his go to pass rushing move. He is quick off of the ball and shows his explosiveness with his first step, which allows him to gain the initial advantage against most opposing offensive linemen. Despite all of this, I have him as the second to last top tier defensive linemen eligible to declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. I don't think he is the pass rusher that others in this class are and the biggest thing that shows is his slow nature in terms of disengaging blockers and changing direction. He doesn't use his hands extremely well and this is the root of his issues in terms of getting away from blockers. Overall I think Bailey is suited best as a five technique in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
5. DE Greg Romeus, Pittsburgh
-Romeus is probably the top of the second tier of defensive linemen eligible for the 2011 draft. He certainly is capable of improving upon his stock right now is a little raw. He arguably has the quickest bust outside of Quinn. He displays excellent speed off of the edge and will put up impressive speed numbers at the combine in February. In addition to just pure speed, Romeus has displayed excellent use of his hands when engaged with opposing offensive linemen. He also displays excellent athleticism in being able to deflect passes as he does for a guy that is that big. Although his physical tools are off of the charts, he does have a little bit to prove during the 2010 season. He tends to go in high when making tackles which doesn't allow him to finish tackles as well as he could. Needs to work on staying lower and wrapping up rather than just think he can muscle the defender down. He also is a bit slow in recognizing the play and due to this has a tendency of getting pushed off the ball on run plays to the outside. Overall his athleticism outstanding and all the tools are there for him to be a very good pass rusher in the NFL.
2011 NFL Draft - Top 4 ILB
The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top 4 ILBs
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. ILB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
-In an incredibly talented draft class, Hightower is the third member of the Crimson Tide to make my initial 32. Although he isn't the known commodity that a Dareus or Ingram is, Hightower is arguably the most talented of the three. In the little games he played in 2009, there is plenty of reason to be excited about Hightower's ability heading into 2011. He showcased tremendous aggressiveness towards breaking up plays and the memorable play from his shortened season was running down a play in the Virginia Tech game with no helmet. He has displayed the rare ability of both playing inside and outside in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He uses his hands well and has a tremendous motor as well. On the outside, he displays and excellent burst off of the line and is able to disrupt plays in the backfield with the ability to get great pressure on the opposing quarterback. Although he looked like he was going to challenge Rolando McClain as the top linebacker early on he suffered a season ending injury and halted the momentum he was gaining. His 2008 film isn't as impressive as the shortened 2009 season and he looked a bit out of place the games that I saw. He tended to be pushed out of the play to easy and played a bit to high for the position. So with that he is probably the biggest boom or bust candidate in the initial top 32, however I tend to think we will see the 2009 version of him rather than the 2008 version.
2. ILB Greg Jones, Michigan State
-There is no doubt that Greg Jones is one of the most productive players entering this year's NFL Draft. He has produced since the minute he stepped on the campus at East Lansing. He shows excellent pursuit towards the ball and has great closing speed in getting to either the opposing quarterback or running back. He has an outstanding motor and never gives up on a play that is going away from him. He also is one of the better pass rushing linebackers eligible for this year's draft. He has great explosiveness and shows a great ability of getting to the quarterback from the middle linebacker spot. Even though he is one of the most productive players, he does have areas to work on. He was undersized going into this year, however reports are he has bulked up for the new season. It will be interesting to see how this weight affects his on field speed and overall ability. In addition to his size, he hasn't had the best of luck getting off of blockers at the linebacker spot at times. He doesn't always use his hands the proper way which slows him up in getting to the backfield. Overall if he shows that new weight isn't bad weight, he should get back into first round consideration.
3. ILB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
-Sturdivant is yet another member of the North Carolina defense to make the initial cut for me. He isn't a freakish athlete like the others, but is all around a very good and productive football player. The move from outside linebacker to inside linebacker has paid off and probably enhanced his value. Although he isn't the quickest straight line guy, he does have very good lateral quickness and can change directions very well in order to make a play that is going away from him. He is good and taking on blockers front on and using his hands to disengage rather than being eat up by opposing linemen and being taken out of the play. He is a sure tackler and doesn't whiff on to many opportunities to bring the opposition down. Like with Greg Jones, Sturdivant just isn't a physical beast or insane athlete that middle linebackers usually are that go in the first round. He should be a productive player in the league, but don't see a team taking him with their first round selection.
4. ILB Ross Homan, Ohio State
-By the end of the year it wouldn't surprise me if Homan is the top overall linebacker from the Big Ten and maybe the top inside linebacker in the country. Like previous Buckeye linebackers, Homan is extremely intelligent and possesses great technique. He attacks blockers well and uses his hands to disengage from opposing linemen. He is a sure tackler and drives through opponents while wrapping them up. He rarely misses his assignments and at the same time he rarely whiffs on a tackle he is in position to make. Although he does lack top end athleticism, his lateral quickness is more than good enough for the NFL and shouldn't be to concerning for NFL teams come next April. The measurements might wind up hurting him and his overall potential. The ceiling might not be there for him like some other linebackers but the production should easily translate to the next level and could be a steal for a team picking in the second round.
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. ILB Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
-In an incredibly talented draft class, Hightower is the third member of the Crimson Tide to make my initial 32. Although he isn't the known commodity that a Dareus or Ingram is, Hightower is arguably the most talented of the three. In the little games he played in 2009, there is plenty of reason to be excited about Hightower's ability heading into 2011. He showcased tremendous aggressiveness towards breaking up plays and the memorable play from his shortened season was running down a play in the Virginia Tech game with no helmet. He has displayed the rare ability of both playing inside and outside in a 3-4 defensive scheme. He uses his hands well and has a tremendous motor as well. On the outside, he displays and excellent burst off of the line and is able to disrupt plays in the backfield with the ability to get great pressure on the opposing quarterback. Although he looked like he was going to challenge Rolando McClain as the top linebacker early on he suffered a season ending injury and halted the momentum he was gaining. His 2008 film isn't as impressive as the shortened 2009 season and he looked a bit out of place the games that I saw. He tended to be pushed out of the play to easy and played a bit to high for the position. So with that he is probably the biggest boom or bust candidate in the initial top 32, however I tend to think we will see the 2009 version of him rather than the 2008 version.
2. ILB Greg Jones, Michigan State
-There is no doubt that Greg Jones is one of the most productive players entering this year's NFL Draft. He has produced since the minute he stepped on the campus at East Lansing. He shows excellent pursuit towards the ball and has great closing speed in getting to either the opposing quarterback or running back. He has an outstanding motor and never gives up on a play that is going away from him. He also is one of the better pass rushing linebackers eligible for this year's draft. He has great explosiveness and shows a great ability of getting to the quarterback from the middle linebacker spot. Even though he is one of the most productive players, he does have areas to work on. He was undersized going into this year, however reports are he has bulked up for the new season. It will be interesting to see how this weight affects his on field speed and overall ability. In addition to his size, he hasn't had the best of luck getting off of blockers at the linebacker spot at times. He doesn't always use his hands the proper way which slows him up in getting to the backfield. Overall if he shows that new weight isn't bad weight, he should get back into first round consideration.
3. ILB Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina
-Sturdivant is yet another member of the North Carolina defense to make the initial cut for me. He isn't a freakish athlete like the others, but is all around a very good and productive football player. The move from outside linebacker to inside linebacker has paid off and probably enhanced his value. Although he isn't the quickest straight line guy, he does have very good lateral quickness and can change directions very well in order to make a play that is going away from him. He is good and taking on blockers front on and using his hands to disengage rather than being eat up by opposing linemen and being taken out of the play. He is a sure tackler and doesn't whiff on to many opportunities to bring the opposition down. Like with Greg Jones, Sturdivant just isn't a physical beast or insane athlete that middle linebackers usually are that go in the first round. He should be a productive player in the league, but don't see a team taking him with their first round selection.
4. ILB Ross Homan, Ohio State
-By the end of the year it wouldn't surprise me if Homan is the top overall linebacker from the Big Ten and maybe the top inside linebacker in the country. Like previous Buckeye linebackers, Homan is extremely intelligent and possesses great technique. He attacks blockers well and uses his hands to disengage from opposing linemen. He is a sure tackler and drives through opponents while wrapping them up. He rarely misses his assignments and at the same time he rarely whiffs on a tackle he is in position to make. Although he does lack top end athleticism, his lateral quickness is more than good enough for the NFL and shouldn't be to concerning for NFL teams come next April. The measurements might wind up hurting him and his overall potential. The ceiling might not be there for him like some other linebackers but the production should easily translate to the next level and could be a steal for a team picking in the second round.
2011 NFL Draft - Top 5 OLBs
The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top 5 OLBs
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
-Lewis is an extremely impressive linebacker prospect heading into April and for me has taken over the top spot at the OLB position. He might be a tad undersized but it isn't a big concern at 6'3 and 232 pounds right now. On film you can see he is a very instinctive linebacker and has a nose for where the play is developing and doesn't hesitate in attacking the play head on. A big part of Lewis's game is the ability to come off of the edge. He has shown a great ability of getting into the backfield and creating havoc on the other team's quarterback. With his speed comes the ability to cover sideline to sideline with relative ease. Even if a play is developing away from him he has the ability to chase it down and make the play. The one knock on him going into the season is the ability to take on blockers head on and blow up running plays more often. He often gets taken out by an opposing offensive lineman looking to open up a hole for the running game. More strength will help but needs to consistently use his hands to disengage and not get driven out of plays like can sometimes happen.
2. OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina
-Carter is the second member of the Tar Heel defense in my initial 32 players. Like Quinn, he is an extremely impressive athlete from the linebacker position. He is outstanding at changing directions quickly and getting to the other side of the field. He isn't quite on Lewis's level but shows very good pursuit and has a great motor as well. His sack numbers aren't in the class of Von Miller from Texas A&M, which surprised me a bit given his quickness all around the field. However I don't think that speaks to him as a pass rusher rather than how he is used in the North Carolina defense. Carter isn't used to the best of his abilities at Carolina and rather than getting after the QB he is used in coverage mostly. This is surprising as he isn't a great player in reading routes is often late to see a play materialize which leads to not being able to break up a pass he should be able to get to. As of right now I would think he fits better in a 4-3 scheme just based on his college experience, however an NFL team may want to transition him to an OLB role in a 3-4 and work on him in using his hands and develop him into a freak pass rusher.
3. OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
-Miller is an interesting case to me. I was very high on him coming out of the spring and still think he is a very good prospect but I have some concerns as well. There is no doubt that Miller has excellent speed coming off of the edge. He uses his speed to great advantage when taking the edge to get to the quarterback. It is also a plus that Miller does have experience at the 3-4 outside linebacker position. It is always a risk for NFL teams to try and evaluate undersized 4-3 defensive ends and try to see how they translate to the adjustment that is required to play the 3-4 scheme. The big concern I have with Miller is that he uses his speed to often. In college, the speed off of the edge is a great asset that catches many offensive tackles off guard. However in the NFL he is going to get burnt relying on that as he will have to take wider routes leaving more time for the quarterback to get rid of the ball. Other than that I am interested in seeing how he does with the increased weight. I know someone referred to him as a heat seeking outside linebacker in a safety body, I don't think that assessment is far off with the frame of his body last year. I think with a year to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and playing at an increased weight level, he can see his stock rise quickly and challenge a guy like Bruce Carter.
4. OLB Adrian Robinson, Temple
-Like Worthy, Robinson is a relative unknown to most of the national media due to playing at a smaller school. However that shouldn't be an excuse as he is poised to be a household name to many after the 2010 season if he plays like he is capable of. He is an undersized defensive end in a 4-3 scheme for the Owls. However at the next level he is likely to be transitioned to a 3-4 outside linebacker. It is tough to make the adjustment, but looking at Robinson it shouldn't be to hard to make the adjustment. He is extremely quick off of the ball and does an extremely good job of fighting through blockers and shedding opposing offensive linemen. He has enough explosiveness to come off of the edge in a 3-4 and speed likely won't be a huge issue for NFL scouts. He does a good job at staying home on his assignment which minimizes the liability to the defense overall. He is able to drift off of the line of scrimmage and make plays in coverage in tipping passes that try to go over him. Although there are plenty of positives for Robinson, he isn't quite the athlete that a Von Miller or a Bruce Carter is. He does have more pass rushing moves than Miller, however just doesn't have the heat seeking missile quality that could push him out of the first round and into the second round. However with a quality 2010 season, Robinson can have a similar rise like Larry English of Northern Illinois did a few years ago.
5. OLB Nick Perry, Southern California
-Although Perry plays defensive end for the Trojans, I think his best position at the next level will be at the 3-4 outside linebacker spot. He is explosive off of the ball and showed great speed for the Trojans in his first full season playing at Southern California. He uses his hands very well and they are very active throughout the play. This allows him to make up for his lack of strength in fighting through opposing linemen and he is able to break away quicker by doing so. He has a tremendous first step burst in addition to the explosiveness that caught many linemen off guard last year and allowed him to get up field in a hurry. He demonstrates excellent tackling ability and drives through opponents to bring them down with relative ease and normally doesn't require help from his teammates which is a definite plus. Perry does need to show a bit better pad level more consistently. When he keeps low to the ground he proved to be almost unstoppable for the Trojans, however on occasion he shot up out of his stance to quickly and gave up the initial advantage he had by jumping the snap. I would also like to see Perry drift back into coverage and see how he does, but the athlete that he is I don't expect that to be a major issue with him.
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma
-Lewis is an extremely impressive linebacker prospect heading into April and for me has taken over the top spot at the OLB position. He might be a tad undersized but it isn't a big concern at 6'3 and 232 pounds right now. On film you can see he is a very instinctive linebacker and has a nose for where the play is developing and doesn't hesitate in attacking the play head on. A big part of Lewis's game is the ability to come off of the edge. He has shown a great ability of getting into the backfield and creating havoc on the other team's quarterback. With his speed comes the ability to cover sideline to sideline with relative ease. Even if a play is developing away from him he has the ability to chase it down and make the play. The one knock on him going into the season is the ability to take on blockers head on and blow up running plays more often. He often gets taken out by an opposing offensive lineman looking to open up a hole for the running game. More strength will help but needs to consistently use his hands to disengage and not get driven out of plays like can sometimes happen.
2. OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina
-Carter is the second member of the Tar Heel defense in my initial 32 players. Like Quinn, he is an extremely impressive athlete from the linebacker position. He is outstanding at changing directions quickly and getting to the other side of the field. He isn't quite on Lewis's level but shows very good pursuit and has a great motor as well. His sack numbers aren't in the class of Von Miller from Texas A&M, which surprised me a bit given his quickness all around the field. However I don't think that speaks to him as a pass rusher rather than how he is used in the North Carolina defense. Carter isn't used to the best of his abilities at Carolina and rather than getting after the QB he is used in coverage mostly. This is surprising as he isn't a great player in reading routes is often late to see a play materialize which leads to not being able to break up a pass he should be able to get to. As of right now I would think he fits better in a 4-3 scheme just based on his college experience, however an NFL team may want to transition him to an OLB role in a 3-4 and work on him in using his hands and develop him into a freak pass rusher.
3. OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
-Miller is an interesting case to me. I was very high on him coming out of the spring and still think he is a very good prospect but I have some concerns as well. There is no doubt that Miller has excellent speed coming off of the edge. He uses his speed to great advantage when taking the edge to get to the quarterback. It is also a plus that Miller does have experience at the 3-4 outside linebacker position. It is always a risk for NFL teams to try and evaluate undersized 4-3 defensive ends and try to see how they translate to the adjustment that is required to play the 3-4 scheme. The big concern I have with Miller is that he uses his speed to often. In college, the speed off of the edge is a great asset that catches many offensive tackles off guard. However in the NFL he is going to get burnt relying on that as he will have to take wider routes leaving more time for the quarterback to get rid of the ball. Other than that I am interested in seeing how he does with the increased weight. I know someone referred to him as a heat seeking outside linebacker in a safety body, I don't think that assessment is far off with the frame of his body last year. I think with a year to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and playing at an increased weight level, he can see his stock rise quickly and challenge a guy like Bruce Carter.
4. OLB Adrian Robinson, Temple
-Like Worthy, Robinson is a relative unknown to most of the national media due to playing at a smaller school. However that shouldn't be an excuse as he is poised to be a household name to many after the 2010 season if he plays like he is capable of. He is an undersized defensive end in a 4-3 scheme for the Owls. However at the next level he is likely to be transitioned to a 3-4 outside linebacker. It is tough to make the adjustment, but looking at Robinson it shouldn't be to hard to make the adjustment. He is extremely quick off of the ball and does an extremely good job of fighting through blockers and shedding opposing offensive linemen. He has enough explosiveness to come off of the edge in a 3-4 and speed likely won't be a huge issue for NFL scouts. He does a good job at staying home on his assignment which minimizes the liability to the defense overall. He is able to drift off of the line of scrimmage and make plays in coverage in tipping passes that try to go over him. Although there are plenty of positives for Robinson, he isn't quite the athlete that a Von Miller or a Bruce Carter is. He does have more pass rushing moves than Miller, however just doesn't have the heat seeking missile quality that could push him out of the first round and into the second round. However with a quality 2010 season, Robinson can have a similar rise like Larry English of Northern Illinois did a few years ago.
5. OLB Nick Perry, Southern California
-Although Perry plays defensive end for the Trojans, I think his best position at the next level will be at the 3-4 outside linebacker spot. He is explosive off of the ball and showed great speed for the Trojans in his first full season playing at Southern California. He uses his hands very well and they are very active throughout the play. This allows him to make up for his lack of strength in fighting through opposing linemen and he is able to break away quicker by doing so. He has a tremendous first step burst in addition to the explosiveness that caught many linemen off guard last year and allowed him to get up field in a hurry. He demonstrates excellent tackling ability and drives through opponents to bring them down with relative ease and normally doesn't require help from his teammates which is a definite plus. Perry does need to show a bit better pad level more consistently. When he keeps low to the ground he proved to be almost unstoppable for the Trojans, however on occasion he shot up out of his stance to quickly and gave up the initial advantage he had by jumping the snap. I would also like to see Perry drift back into coverage and see how he does, but the athlete that he is I don't expect that to be a major issue with him.
2011 NFL Draft - Top 5 CBs
The-Mainboard.com 2011 NFL Draft Initial Top CBs
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
-I originally had Ras-I Dowling above Peterson, but was after looking more closely was off on that one. Peterson has everything you want in a NFL shut down corner. In addition to being 6'1 and 222 pounds, his change of direction and hips are outstanding. Usually your bigger cornerbacks are physical, however aren't able to keep up with speedier receivers. Peterson however is able to keep up with the best of them with relative ease which will allow him to be matched with the other team's number one regardless of what type of receiver he is. In addition to his coverage skills, Peterson is very physical and is an above average tackler which you expect with his size. If there is one possible area of concern it is his aggressiveness. He tends to play very aggressive which can lead to him getting burnt on occasion due to it. I don't necessarily view that as a weakness as with time that will be reigned in.
2. CB Aaron Williams, Texas
-I don't think Williams is quite on the level of Peterson, however he isn't to far behind either. He isn't in Peterson's league when it comes to size measuring 6'1 and only roughly 200 pounds. Williams has excellent hips and a back pedal similar to Peterson but might be a notch below. Either way he has the ability to stay with quicker receivers and the physical nature to cause problems for smaller receivers trying to get off of the line. Williams is great at seeing the ball in the air and is able to use his size to force tougher throws and the length to deflect and intercept jump balls. On top of his pass coverage, Williams is also a physical defender who doesn't shy away from contact. Which is a bit surprising as he looks rather lean without the overall mass of Peterson, however isn't afraid from playing the run and does a good job at getting opposing players down. As he makes the transition to the league, I do think he has to add a little bit of mass as it may be more of an issue for him at the next level than it is currently.
3. CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
-Like both Aaron Williams and Patrick Peterson, Amukamara is a big physical corner with the addition of speed and agility. Amukamara was a converted running back, so it isn't a tremendous surprise that he is extremely flexible and is able to rotate his hips easily to keep up with sudden route changes. He is at his best in man coverage which goes along with his physical nature. He does a great job of changing receivers routes after the snap and frustrating opponents due to this taking them out of their flow. In addition to his coverage ability, Amukamara is good when coming up to the line of scrimmage. He isn't hesitant in going up to the line of scrimmage and does a great job wrapping up opponents not allowing them to get away. Amukamara is in the Aaron Williams mold in terms of size and could use to bulk up more as he gets to the league. He also is not necessarily extremely fast. He is quick off of the ball but can get beaten deep due to a lack of top end speed. In all, he was given the top grade last year and that isn't surprising after watching more of his film.
4. CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
-Dowling was my initial top cornerback and although he is slipped it is more from watching other guys more extensively. Dowling continues the trend of big, physical corners eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft. He is very physical at the line of scrimmage and like Amukamara, isn't hesitant to breaking up a play in the box. He has good hips although not on the level of others which slows him a bit as routes develop during a play. He does have a great ability of jumping routes when he sees where the play is going and has excellent closing speed to break up passes and make interceptions. In addition to these positives, Dowling doesn't have the exceptional transition that the other top cornerbacks have in this class. He does have some issue coming out of breaks which forces him to recover with his speed. In the college game he can get away with it more often, however against more experienced players that he will face at the next level they may be able to take advantage of it more often. Even then, he is still a very good cornerback and should make any team that has the possibility drafting him happy come April.
5. CB Davon House, New Mexico State
-Although the other cornerbacks in this draft are more well known, House should solidify himself as one of the better cornerbacks eligible for this year's draft. House is a big physical corner which seems to be the pattern for this year's draft. He does a great job in press coverage at disrupting receivers and causing them to improvise during their routes. He shows a great job in the box and shows a great job of fighting off blockers and making a play against an opposing running back. In coverage, House shows good hips and keeps up with opposing receivers well. He gets his head around quickly and allows him to get in a position to play the ball and either break up the pass or create a turnover. The biggest thing with House will be working on technical things. He is slower than others in getting out of his backpedal which slows him up against quicker moves and can allow receivers to break free more easily. He doesn't have the recovery speed that other top corners in this class has, which makes him more susceptible to giving up big plays when his technique isn't as good as it can be. Overall House should be amongst the middle tier of defensive backs and starting out the year is the best of the second tier cornerbacks eligible for the draft.
List is from NFL Draft aficionado, Neal Olson.
1. CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
-I originally had Ras-I Dowling above Peterson, but was after looking more closely was off on that one. Peterson has everything you want in a NFL shut down corner. In addition to being 6'1 and 222 pounds, his change of direction and hips are outstanding. Usually your bigger cornerbacks are physical, however aren't able to keep up with speedier receivers. Peterson however is able to keep up with the best of them with relative ease which will allow him to be matched with the other team's number one regardless of what type of receiver he is. In addition to his coverage skills, Peterson is very physical and is an above average tackler which you expect with his size. If there is one possible area of concern it is his aggressiveness. He tends to play very aggressive which can lead to him getting burnt on occasion due to it. I don't necessarily view that as a weakness as with time that will be reigned in.
2. CB Aaron Williams, Texas
-I don't think Williams is quite on the level of Peterson, however he isn't to far behind either. He isn't in Peterson's league when it comes to size measuring 6'1 and only roughly 200 pounds. Williams has excellent hips and a back pedal similar to Peterson but might be a notch below. Either way he has the ability to stay with quicker receivers and the physical nature to cause problems for smaller receivers trying to get off of the line. Williams is great at seeing the ball in the air and is able to use his size to force tougher throws and the length to deflect and intercept jump balls. On top of his pass coverage, Williams is also a physical defender who doesn't shy away from contact. Which is a bit surprising as he looks rather lean without the overall mass of Peterson, however isn't afraid from playing the run and does a good job at getting opposing players down. As he makes the transition to the league, I do think he has to add a little bit of mass as it may be more of an issue for him at the next level than it is currently.
3. CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
-Like both Aaron Williams and Patrick Peterson, Amukamara is a big physical corner with the addition of speed and agility. Amukamara was a converted running back, so it isn't a tremendous surprise that he is extremely flexible and is able to rotate his hips easily to keep up with sudden route changes. He is at his best in man coverage which goes along with his physical nature. He does a great job of changing receivers routes after the snap and frustrating opponents due to this taking them out of their flow. In addition to his coverage ability, Amukamara is good when coming up to the line of scrimmage. He isn't hesitant in going up to the line of scrimmage and does a great job wrapping up opponents not allowing them to get away. Amukamara is in the Aaron Williams mold in terms of size and could use to bulk up more as he gets to the league. He also is not necessarily extremely fast. He is quick off of the ball but can get beaten deep due to a lack of top end speed. In all, he was given the top grade last year and that isn't surprising after watching more of his film.
4. CB Ras-I Dowling, Virginia
-Dowling was my initial top cornerback and although he is slipped it is more from watching other guys more extensively. Dowling continues the trend of big, physical corners eligible for the 2011 NFL Draft. He is very physical at the line of scrimmage and like Amukamara, isn't hesitant to breaking up a play in the box. He has good hips although not on the level of others which slows him a bit as routes develop during a play. He does have a great ability of jumping routes when he sees where the play is going and has excellent closing speed to break up passes and make interceptions. In addition to these positives, Dowling doesn't have the exceptional transition that the other top cornerbacks have in this class. He does have some issue coming out of breaks which forces him to recover with his speed. In the college game he can get away with it more often, however against more experienced players that he will face at the next level they may be able to take advantage of it more often. Even then, he is still a very good cornerback and should make any team that has the possibility drafting him happy come April.
5. CB Davon House, New Mexico State
-Although the other cornerbacks in this draft are more well known, House should solidify himself as one of the better cornerbacks eligible for this year's draft. House is a big physical corner which seems to be the pattern for this year's draft. He does a great job in press coverage at disrupting receivers and causing them to improvise during their routes. He shows a great job in the box and shows a great job of fighting off blockers and making a play against an opposing running back. In coverage, House shows good hips and keeps up with opposing receivers well. He gets his head around quickly and allows him to get in a position to play the ball and either break up the pass or create a turnover. The biggest thing with House will be working on technical things. He is slower than others in getting out of his backpedal which slows him up against quicker moves and can allow receivers to break free more easily. He doesn't have the recovery speed that other top corners in this class has, which makes him more susceptible to giving up big plays when his technique isn't as good as it can be. Overall House should be amongst the middle tier of defensive backs and starting out the year is the best of the second tier cornerbacks eligible for the draft.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
