2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking the Top 20 Prospects
There is definitely an SEC feel to the top 20 power rankings for the 2011 NFL Draft.
When you look at who excelled during the bowls, it's obvious that Auburn's duo of Nick Fairley and Cam Newton have to be considered.
Newton will continue to be debated in the coming months as well when it comes to where he ranks among quarterbacks who have declared for the draft. Another quarterback, Arkansas' Ryan Mallett, has been considered a first round draft pick, but he was overshadowed in the Sugar Bowl by Ohio State defensive end Cameron Heyward, who had six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss (11 yards), two quarterback hurries, a sack and a pass breakup.
No need to give away any more. Here is the top 20 prospects to watch for:
20. OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
1 of 20
The 6'7'', 327 pound offensive tackle was a consensus All-American and Outland Trophy winner. Carimi, who started 13 games, was also named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.
19. RB Daniel Thomas, Kansas State
2 of 20
He's the nation's ninth-leading rusher with 276 carries for 1,495 yards (5.4 average) and 16 touchdowns. He has seven games with over 100 yards rushing, including two 200-yard games. He had a career-high 269 yards rushing in the team's season finale at UNT.
18. QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri
3 of 20
He completed 301-of-475 passes for 3,186 yards (63.4 percent), with nine interceptions and 16 touchdowns.
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17. CB Prince Amukamara, Nebraska
4 of 20
He will likely be the second cornerback taken after Patrick Peterson of LSU. In 14 games, Amukamara had 59 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and 13 pass breakups.
16. QB Jake Locker, Washington
5 of 20
There is a continuing debate about the number two quarterback in this draft being Locker or Arkansas' Ryan Mallett. Locker had seven 200-yard games this year, including 310 yards passing in a 32-31 victory at USC. He finished the year completing 179 of 316 passes with nine interceptions for 2,209 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also had 101 carries for 302 yards and five touchdowns.
15. DE Allen Bailey, Miami (Fla.)
6 of 20
Bailey (6-4, 285) also has experience playing defensive tackle. As a junior, he had seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
14. OLB Akeem Ayers, UCLA
7 of 20
The playmaker has freakish size at 6'4'', 255 pounds, and put up big numbers again with 68 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, and four sacks (13 yards). If there's one weakness he does have, it's getting to the quarterback.
13. DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
8 of 20
In 12 games, he had 70 tackles (50 solo), with 26 tackles for loss (111 yards), 12.5 sacks for 73 yards, one pass breakup and one pass defense.
12. DE/OLB Robert Quinn, North Carolina
9 of 20
Quinn (6-5, 270) was ruled permanently ineligible this year by the NCAA for violating rules relating to agent benefits received of $5,642. In 2009, Quinn was first in the ACC and 15th in the nation in tackles for loss (19) and second in the league in sacks (11).
11. WR Julio Jones, Alabama
10 of 20
Jones closed out his college career with 78 catches for 1,133 yards (14.5 average) and seven touchdowns. He had 221 yards against Tennessee, and 199 in the Iron Bowl against Auburn.
10. RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
11 of 20
The former Heisman Trophy winner still led the Crimson Tide this year in carries (158), rushing yards (875) and rushing touchdowns (13). Alabama shouldn't lose a step next year when Trent Richardson takes over to lead the rushing attack.
9. QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
12 of 20
He almost rallied the Razorbacks to an incredible comeback but fell short against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. He still finished the year completing 266-of-411 passes (64.7 percent), with 12 interceptions for 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns.
8. OLB Von Miller, Texas A&M
13 of 20
He caused plenty of trouble for LSU in the Cotton Bowl. In 13 games, he had 68 total tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss (101 yards), 10.5 sacks (81 yards), an interception, six pass breakups, seven pass deflections, six quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.
7. DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
14 of 20
The Sugar Bowl was a perfect ending for Heyward's season: In 12 games, he had 42 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss (31 yards), 2.5 sacks (18 yards) and one interception for 80 yards.
6. DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama
15 of 20
Dareus was suspended to begin the year but still finished as one of the SEC's most dominant players. In 11 games, he had 34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss (41 yards), 4.5 sacks (26 yards), four pass breakups, four pass deflections and 10 quarterback hurries.
5. DE Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson
16 of 20
He already set a Clemson record for sacks in a season by defensive linemen, breaking the record of 12.5 set by the late Gaines Adams in 2006. Bowers finished the year second on the team in tackles (63), and team highs in tackles for loss (24), sacks (15.5) and quarterback pressures (17).
4. QB Cam Newton, Auburn
17 of 20
One of the greatest playmakers in SEC history? Absolutely.
In one year, he won the Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award, Heisman Trophy and was named the Associated Press National Player of the Year. He also led Auburn to the BCS National Championship, rushing for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns while passing for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdown passes.
3. CB Patrick Peterson, LSU
18 of 20
Texas A&M held him in check in the Cotton Bowl, but you can't ignore the body of work: In 13 games, he had 42 total tackles, four interceptions (for 134 yards), six pass breakups and 10 pass deflections. He also had one quarterback hurry and one blocked kick.
2. WR AJ Green, Georgia
19 of 20
Now that Andrew Luck has decided to remain at Stanford, Green will have a shot at being the No.1 overall pick. Green finished the year with 57 catches for 848 yards (14.9 average) and nine touchdowns.
1. DT Nick Fairley, Auburn
20 of 20
There really isn't anything left for Fairley to accomplish. The Lombardi Award winner helped lead the Tigers to this year's BCS National Championship, and also was a consensus All-American and was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 14 games, he had 60 total tackles (36 solo), with a school-record 24 tackles for loss (106 yards), 11.5 sacks for 74 yards and 21 quarterback hurries.
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