2011 NFL Draft: Ranking Cam Newton and the Top 50 Players
Senior Bowl week is, for all intents and purposes, over. Scouts left Mobile, Alabama on Wednesday night with notebooks full of thoughts and analysis on the top senior prospects in the country.
This weekend, 32 NFL teams will start assembling their draft boards, ranking the top 500 to 1,000 players available for the 2011 NFL Draft. We are doing the same.
It is natural to overreact or get too excited when looking at our draft board following the Senior Bowl. A player has a great week of practice and you naturally want to move him way up the board. This is an exercise in restraint and patience.
Our draft board does not look that different than it did in August, except for unknowns like Cam Newton, and even Nick Fairley. What Senior Bowl week can do is prove what your notes told you about a player, such as Jake Locker or Noel Devine.
We have added all available underclassmen and gone through pages and pages of notes to come up with our first post-Senior Bowl draft board. Enjoy.
1. Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn
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Fairley has dominated the postseason chatter, and many teams are acknowledging his worth as an impact player at a key position. Defensive tackles with Fairley's ability to disrupt the offensive line and pressure the quarterback are rare.
The Carolina Panthers, holders of the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, have recently noted Fairley's impressive play and have already started scouting the stud defensive tackle.
2. Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, Clemson
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Many expect Auburn's Nick Fairley to be the easy pick for the Carolina Panthers when the NFL Draft rolls around, but don't sleep on Clemson's Bowers. A super-fast athlete with great pass rushing skills, Bowers is the type of defensive end teams draft to turn around their franchise.
Bowers is a great all-around prospect. A phenomenal athlete, many feel he could even play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Bowers will be a dominant edge pass rusher.
3. A.J. Green, Wide Receiver, Georgia
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Rarely do we ever rank wide receivers this high on our draft board. Green is an exception.
Green has a great build for a featured wide out (6'4", 212 lbs), and the speed to run away from cornerbacks at the NFL level (4.45 reportedly). Green will be an immediate impact player for whichever offensive system he is drafted in to.
Many will compare Green to Calvin Johnson, Roddy White or even Andre Johnson. We see him as a Larry Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson mix. If he can improve his intermediary route running, Green has the talent to be the best receiver in the NFL very soon.
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4. Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, LSU
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We have been going back and forth all season between Peterson and Nebraska's Prince Amukamara as our top cornerback. NFL teams will be doing the same.
Peterson edges out Amukamara for a few reasons:
1. He's never had a game where he looked completely lost or was dominated. Amukamara was destroyed by Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon.
2. Peterson brings value as a punt returner, where he is a dynamic runner.
Many NFL teams have Peterson as their No. 1 overall player, quite a statement considering no cornerback has ever been drafted first overall in the modern era.
5. Robert Quinn, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
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There was some uncertainty surrounding Quinn's entry into the 2011 NFL Draft, but after the NCAA declared him permanently ineligible for accepting improper benefits, he could not return to North Carolina next fall.
Quinn's film from 2009 is outstanding. He is a perfect combination of size, strength and explosiveness. As an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, he will be a disruptive force off the edge.
Some will downgrade Quinn after missing the 2010 season, but remember how well Dez Bryant played in Dallas after sitting out a year of college football?
6. Prince Amukamara, Cornerback, Nebraska
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Amukamara was atop many preseason draft boards, ours included. His 2009 season was brilliant and one of the more dominant performances we have seen from a college cornerback in some time. Unfortunately, 2010 was not as inspiring.
Amukamara was victimized by Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, recorded zero interceptions despite being targeted often and too often looked lost on the field.
This is not to say Amukamara is not a shutdown cornerback, or that he should not be drafted higher. This is only to explain why he is no longer No. 1 on our list.
7. Marcell Dareus, Defensive Tackle/End, Alabama
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I did not want to like Marcell Dareus. Before the season, I wrote him off as too inconsistent. During the season, I questioned his work ethic and character. And then I sat down to really watch him on film, without bias, and was blown away.
Dareus plays in a 3-4 scheme at Alabama, lining up primarily at left defensive end. From left end, he has been a force. In fact he is the second most dominant defensive lineman I saw all season, behind only Nick Fairley of Auburn.
Dareus does have occasional lapses when he looks doggish, and he'll probably take a few plays off. He's our No. 7 overall player because of what he can do on those 98 plays out of 100 where he's going all out.
8. Von Miller, Outside Linebacker, Texas A&M
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Before anyone claims we are jumping on the Von Miller bandwagon, please note our January 6 article when he was ranked in the top 15.
With that out of the way, how great was Von Miller this week? He showed what scouts were saying all along—a great ability to drop into coverage, the burst to rush off the edge and the strength to disengage from tackles.
Miller was an impressive player before the Senior Bowl, but this was his coming out party. NFL scouts who had not seen him before definitely walked away impressed.
9. Julio Jones, Wide Receiver, Alabama
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Julio Jones is an immediate game-changer and will be a very high draft pick come April.
At 6'4" and 225 lbs, Jones has the size to create matchup problems against NFL cornerbacks, but he also has the speed to run away from them once he has the ball.
Jones is not the consistent pass catcher that A.J. Green is, but he may be a better route runner.
10. Cameron Jordan, Defensive End, California
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Few players had a better week in Mobile than Jordan, a disruptive defensive end with the size and speed to play in both four and three-man fronts.
As a comparison, Jordan is a much better overall player than former Cal teammate Tyson Alualu. Alualu was the 10th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Many teams running a 3-4 defense were seen drooling over Jordan this week. Among them are the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots.
Players 11-20
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11. Aldon Smith, Outside Linebacker, Missouri
- This redshirt sophomore has elite speed and pass rushing skills for the 3-4 defense.
12. Mikel LeShoure, Running Back, Illinois
- A bruising running back with the footwork, agility and speed to make tacklers miss. Scary good.
13. Brandon Harris, Cornerback, Miami (FL)
- A press cover corner with the speed to recover. Harris will be a steal if he slips on draft day.
14. Blaine Gabbert, Quarterback, Missouri
- The best quarterback in the draft, but can Gabbert overcome "system" label and attitude questions?
15. Gabe Carimi, Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin
- Underrated by many, Carimi is the best pure blocker in the entire draft class.
16. Cam Newton, Quarterback, Auburn
- We'll be glued to our televisions when Newton works out for the media on February 10th. God willing it's televised.
17. Derek Sherrod, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
- Quietly had a very solid week in Mobile, solidifying his status in the first round.
18. Ryan Kerrigan, Outside Linebacker, Purdue
- May be too small to play defensive end in a 4-3, Kerrigan looked much better at outside linebacker.
19. Anthony Castonzo, Offensive Tackle, Boston College
- This technician is not getting enough notice as one of the elite left tackle prospects in the '11 class.
20. Nate Solder, Offensive Tackle, Colorado
- A solid week in Mobile, but is Solder too tall at 6'8" to play tackle? Must get better at bending knees.
Players 21-30
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21. Adrian Clayborn, Defensive End, Iowa
- Sitting out the Senior Bowl didn't help. Clayborn needs to show strength to anchor at end.
22. Jake Locker, Quarterback, Washington
- Great athlete, wonderful arm, but accuracy is still too inconsistent when pressured. Stock falling...
23. Cameron Heyward, Defensive End, Ohio State
- An injury this late in the year can hurt a prospect's stock. Heyward needs to bank on teams remembering his Sugar Bowl performance.
24. J.J. Watt, Defensive End, Wisconsin
- A high-energy end with tools to play in any defensive system. Watt is very versatile and could see a draft day rise up boards.
25. Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama
- Super productive and fundamentally strong. Is he fast enough to last in the NFL? Will he improve at all, or is this what you see is what you get?
26. Tyron Smith, Offensive Tackle, USC
- A great athlete, but a little lighter than many would like. Smith needs to focus on adding strength before NFL Combine in late February.
27. Akeem Ayers, Outside Linebacker, UCLA
- Ayers is losing the battle for top outside linebacker to Von Miller and Aldon Smith. He needs a big week at the Combine.
28. Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, Maryland
- Too many are unfairly comparing him to Darius Heyward-Bey. Both are fast, but Smith is a better route runner and all-around receiver.
29. Kyle Rudolph, Tight End, Notre Dame
- Often injured during his career at South Bend, Rudolph is the best receiver at tight end in the class if and when he is healthy.
30. Mike Pouncey, Offensive Guard, Florida
- We don't like that he skipped the Senior Bowl, where he could have worked exclusively at guard. NFL teams will be hoping he can play up to the level of his brother, rookie Pro Bowler Maurkice.
Players 31-40
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31. Brandon Burton, Cornerback, Utah
- The "Devin McCourty" of the 2011 NFL Draft, Burton has a chance to be an impact starter drafted late in Round 1.
32. Christian Ballard, Defensive End, Iowa
- A player able to fit in a 4-3 or 3-4 system, Ballard's value is soaring through the roof after a great week in Mobile.
33. Aaron Williams, Cornerback, Texas
- A better athlete than cover man at Texas, Williams will shine in workouts and drills. Could be better in practice than games.
34. Martez Wilson, Inside Linebacker, Illinois
- Great size and speed for the position. Truly exceptional instincts and ability. Our top inside linebacker.
35. Justin Houston, Outside Linebacker, Georgia
- Projected to play in a 3-4 defense, Houston has the size, speed, strength combination that NFL teams will fall in love with.
36. Jon Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh
- Great potential, but a raw prospect who will need work with route running and concentration. A hit-or-miss type guy.
37. Corey Liuget, Defensive Tackle/End, Illinois
- Liuget had a break-out game against Baylor in the Texas Bowl, causing many to go back and look at Illinois games more closely. Liuget could play inside or outside, depending on the scheme.
38. Jimmy Smith, Cornerback, Colorado
- A tall cornerback with great range, Smith could easily sneak in to the first round come April.
39. D.J. Williams, Tight End, Arkansas
- A true receiver at the position, Williams will not blow anyone away with his blocking ability, but he will be a great threat in the passing game.
40. Ryan Williams, Running Back, Virginia Tech
- Williams is a dangerous runner and receiver, with the speed to break things wide open. He'll be a valuable player in the NFL immediately.
Players 41-50
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41. Quinton Carter, Free Safety, Oklahoma
- The best free safety in the draft, Carter has great range coming from center field. He caught a lot of eyes this season.
42. Phil Taylor, Defensive Tackle, Baylor
- A natural nose tackle, Taylor will be on top of NFL teams' wish lists in Round 2. He needs to improve his stamina to last longer down the stretch.
43. Rodney Hudson, Offensive Guard, Florida State
- A great pass blocker from left guard, Hudson answered critics who felt he was too light to take on the top defensive tackles in this group.
44. Jabaal Sheard, Defensive End, Pittsburgh
- A top defensive end in high school, Sheard has been a force for the Pitt Panthers. He is a three-down defensive end.
45. Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle, Oregon State
- Paea had a bad week at the Senior Bowl, further solidifying our thoughts that he is overrated. He's too small, not strong enough on the field and gets lost at times.
46. Stefen Wisniewski, Center/Guard, Penn State
- Great NFL pedigree, Wisniewski looks like a lock at both guard and center. Expect the Oakland Raiders to pull the trigger if he's available in Round 2.
47. Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU
- Dalton could have played better this week in Mobile, but he did show the footwork and accuracy we had seen before. The biggest question will be surrounding his arm strength. Dalton could use a good game tomorrow against the North squad.
48. Bruce Carter, Outside Linebacker, North Carolina
- Carter would have been a standout player at the Senior Bowl, but a torn ACL has him limited this offseason. When healthy, he could be in the running for the top outside linebacker spot.
49. Allen Bailey, Defensive End, Miami (Fla.)
- Played both end and tackle for the Hurricanes, which is good because he will be used as both in the NFL. Can be one dimensional, but a good player for 3-4 teams.
50. Titus Young, Wide Receiver, Boise State
- No wide receiver stood out more than Young. He is a dangerous runner any time he has the ball. Needs to do a better job locking the ball in, but Young has star potential.
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