2011 NFL Draft Preview: 25 Things Mel Kiper and Todd McShay Will Disagree About
Mel Kiper and Todd McShay spend a lot of time on ESPN arguing about the draft. Don't expect that to change anytime soon.
One of the highlights of the ESPN broadcast of the draft are the arguments McShay and Kiper get into over players, draft order, and which team might have messed up their first round pick.
These arguments are part of what makes the draft work so well on television, it's two guys in suits arguing like two guys in a bar.
So here are 25 things you can expect Kiper and McShay to lock horns on next year.
25. Da'Quan Bowers
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The powerful defensive end from Clemson most likely is a Top 5 pick, and while the two guys may argue over who actually takes him, there isn't going to be a lot of argument about his talents.
24. DeMarcus Love
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This offensive lineman will spark a huge debate over whether he's a better run blocker or pass defender.
Kiper will scream that the guy is quick enough on his feet to effectively protect the quarterback while McShay will say his footwork will prevent him from being an elite run blocker.
23. Kiper's Hair
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If there isn't at least one conversation about how Kiper's hair looks, I'll eat my shorts.
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22. Von Miller
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Von Miller, another potential first round pick, will bring the two personalities to debate over how good his instincts are versus his range on the field and ability to get to the quarterback.
21. Adrian Clayborn
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The massive defensive end from Iowa will spark a great debate over his skills at the line and ability to get sacks in the NFL.
Kiper may argue Clayborn can be neutralized, to which McShay might take issue with.
20. Derek Sherrod
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Derek Sherrod is moving up the draft board, so the argument over how high he should and will go should spark some great debate, especially if one of the two ends up thinking Sherrod's pick is a reach.
19. Rahim Moore
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Rahim Moore is rated as a low first-round, high second-round pick. So the debate on where he goes, and if he deserves to get picked in the first round, should be a good one.
18. Jon Baldwin
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Like Rahim Moore, Jon Baldwin is a receiver who is projected as high as the first round, but may very well have to sit and wait to get picked until the second round.
Kiper talks about his lack of catches this year, but McShay will point out the quarterback issues and the problems getting the ball to Baldwin.
17. Nate Solder
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Nate Solder also has been moving up the draft boards, so the two guys will argue over the development of his physical skills versus his natural size and talent.
16. Justin Blackmon
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Justin Blackmon has had a great year, and has rocketed on to Mel Kiper's Big Board. He's absent from most other discussions at this point in time, but should he declare and perform well at the Combine, you can bet his draft value will be a huge topic of debate.
15. Marcell Dareus
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Marcell Dareus had a great season, but his production and effort appeared to decline slightly at the end of the season. So the question on if he can endure a 16-game, possibly 18-game season will be debated.
14. Who Falls The Farthest?
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Jake Locker hasn't had as good of a year as he was hoping, and McShay and Kiper most likely will have a huge argument over how much he'll fall.
More on that in a moment because Locker isn't the only one who will get in that discussion.
Every year there are a handful of players projected to go at certain spots who just don't go as high as the analysts think they will.
This arguement even lasts into the later rounds as guys thought to go in the fifth round may not go until the sixth or seventh round.
It's manufactured drama, but it's always entertaining.
13. Nick Fairley
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McShay and Kiper probably won't argue about Nick Fairley's skills, but they will argue over whether he's a Top 5 pick or not.
Depending on how the final draft order falls, this could turn into a spectacular debate.
12. Ryan Kerrigan
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Another potential Top 10 pick, if Ryan Kerrigan goes high in the draft, you can expect heavy debate over whether the team can properly evaluate talent and if there was better talent out there.
11. Akeem Ayers
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Akeem Ayers is a physical freak and he's expected to challenge for "victory" at the Combine. So the eternal argument over how relevant the Combine is to success in the NFL will center around Ayers.
10. Mark Ingram
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Mark Ingram is the highest rated running back in the draft, so naturally the fight will turn to how explosive he is.
Is he able to get through the line and make cuts? How can he justify being a first-round pick, should it come to pass?
9. Which Quarterback Will Go First
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Andrew Luck was the presumed No. 1 overall pick, but now Cam Newton is likely to declare and that adds a whole other layer to the argument.
Expect several segments in the lead-up to the draft, if both declare, on who will go first and who will go to the Cardinals.
8. Robert Quinn
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Robert Quinn's absence from the sport this year due to being declared ineligible certainly will create a huge topic of debate over how high he should be drafted.
No doubt his skills were evident his first two years at North Carolina, but with a year off it naturally raises questions on if he would've gotten better or regressed.
7. Prince Amukamara
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Prince Amukamara hasn't had the luck in the interception department this year as he's had in the past, but Kiper will be quick to point out that quarterbacks aren't throwing in his direction anymore.
We'll just have to see what McShay has to say about that.
6. A.J. Green
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Is A.J. Green a top 5 pick? A lot of people seem to think so.
Depending on how the final draft order sorts out, you'll get to see the two guys battle it out over how high Green should go and who will take him.
5. Patrick Peterson
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What if the Panthers end up with the No. 1 overall pick and indicate they're staying with Jimmy Clausen for 2011?
Then everyone, including Kiper and McShay, get to debate if Patrick Peterson should be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Should be good stuff, if it comes to pass.
4. Andrew Luck
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While Andrew Luck may end up being the No.1 overall pick, he won't be the biggest argument.
Although by virtue of being rated the No. 1 overall pick on draft boards, his skills and ability to adapt to the pro game will be the topic of numerous arguments until the moment his name is called.
3. Ryan Mallett
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Ryan Mallett also is a top contender to be drafted in the Top 10, so his arguments will be slightly more intense as the two fight it out over which team will draft him.
2. Jake Locker
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Jake Locker was in a tight battle with Andrew Luck at this time last year in the speculation battle as to who would go No. 1 overall in the 2010 draft.
That battle is over. It's now a question of just how far Locker will fall.
Expect Kiper and McShay to have several spirited debates over whether one of the several teams who need a quarterback take a chance on Locker in the first round, or if he falls to the second round.
1. Cam Newton
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With Cam Newton's meteoric rise this season coupled with the NCAA investigation that almost certainly will force Newton to declare, expect a HUGE debate over whether he should be drafted No. 1 overall, who will take him, and whether or not he will end up being a draft bust.
This argument will be the big one surrounding the 2011 NFL draft, no question about that.
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