Mel Kiper Big Board: Critiquing "The Hair's" Top 25 NFL Prospects
Mel Kiper Big Board Hits and Misses
Mel Kiper Jr. has been a talent scout and analyst for ESPN's NFL draft coverage since 1984. Whether you love him or hate him, he is a staple of the draft.
Kiper's Big Board is always a part of the draft coverage. Sure, he has had some hits and misses over the years, but for the most part he's close enough to be reputable.
Here we will be looking at his latest Big Board in hopes of looking at identifying those hits and misses.
Who's too high and who's too low? Read on and let us know what you think.
25. Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa
1 of 25
Critique: Ranked too high
Why: Christian Ballard had a good workout at the combine, but I am never a fan of guys who don't have a defined position. Is Ballard a defensive end or a tackle? I mean, it isn't as bad as finding a spot between end and linebacker, but it is still a detraction in my opinion.
Ballard had a good year at Iowa, but a lot of the reason he was making plays was because of the extra attention teams dedicated to his teammate, Adrian Clayborn.
24. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
2 of 25
Critique: Ranked too low
Why: Gabe Carimi was awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation's top offensive lineman this year. Yet according to Mel Kiper, he is the third best offensive linemen in this draft? Kiper cites added consistency as one thing that he worked on this season.
Carimi is a guy who a team could build an offensive line around. He has size, strength and he went up a lot of good talent this year.
23. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
3 of 25
Critique: About right, maybe a little high
Why: Anthony Castonzo is another solid offensive lineman that a team could build around, but he still needs to work on his strength and drive-blocking.
I would consider Castonzo more along the lines of the third, or even fourth, best offensive lineman in this draft. I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop into the second round, but there are enough teams that need offensive line help that he will likely go somewhere in the 20s.
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22. Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
4 of 25
Critique: Too low
Why: Nate Solder is the best offensive lineman available in the draft. He has uncanny size and athleticism for an offensive lineman and he could end up being a franchise player.
One problem with Solder, is that he might not be the most impressive player in workouts—but he is in a game, which helps. Solder also has the ability to play multiple positions on the line.
21. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
5 of 25
Critique: Much too low
Why: I really don't understand why Ryan Kerrigan is rated so low by Kiper. He was one of the best and most explosive defensive ends in college this year. He also had an outstanding combine workout.
I think Kerrigan is going to end up being one of the 10 best players to come out of this draft. Think somewhere along the lines of Jared Allen.
20. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
6 of 25
Critique: About right
Why: Jimmy Smith has made some impressive strides in recent weeks because of his NFL-ready body and skills. He even validated that at the combine, where he had a great workout.
Smith could be a real sleeper in the draft and many teams would be happy to get a corner of his level.
19. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
7 of 25
Critique: About right
Why: Adrian Clayborn didn't have the season many expected of him this last year, but most of that had to do with the fact he was getting an inordinate amount of attention on the defensive side of the ball.
Clayborn's combine wasn't great, but he is still a prototypical defensive end with NFL size and quickness. I think he could make a team very happy in the late teens to early 20s.
18. Tyron Smith, OT, USC
8 of 25
Critique: Much too high
Why: I agree that Tyron Smith has a great deal of athleticism, but the biggest problem with him is that he played right tackle in college and is built like an NFL tight end.
I think Tyron Smith deserves to be somewhere along the lines of the mid 30s. He is probably the sixth best offensive linemen, and I think he is a mistake as a first-round pick.
17. Aldon Smith, OLB, Missouri
9 of 25
Critique: Too high
Why: I worry about teams that pick players based on potential. It is the NBA route that ends up hurting teams in the long run. Aldon Smith is an upside guy who could end up being a good player, but why pick upside when you can get a proven player here?
Smith has size and athleticism, but I think this is a high slot for him.
16. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
10 of 25
Critique: About right, maybe too high
Why: Corey Liuget is a leverage guy on the interior, and will be a solid NFL player. He might not be a real pass rusher, but he can be troublesome for teams that don't double-team him.
Liuget probably needs to show a little more consistency in order to justify being picked this high, but I suppose I wouldn't hate the pick if he was in the mid-teens.
15. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple
11 of 25
Critique: Too high
Why: Muhammad Wilkerson is one of the surprise names to pop up on the Big Board recently. He has ideal NFL size and is a very good pass rusher. To be honest, though, if I were to take a guy in the draft here, I would want some name recognition.
That isn't to say that Wilkerson would be a bad player, but just maybe a little too under the radar for a pick like this.
14. Cameron Jordan, DE, Cal
12 of 25
Critique: About right
Why: Cameron Jordan seems to be making a lot of head-way in this draft based on his performance at the Senior Bowl. Sure he has a great game, but I think anything above this is a little bit of an over-inflation of his talent.
Jordan does have the versatility to play in both a 4-3 and 3-4 scheme, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop to the mid 20s.
13. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
13 of 25
Critique: Too low
Why: Did Mel Kiper see Julio Jones' performance at the combine? Did he hear that he did it all on a broken foot? Apparently he didn't, because I really think Jones could be a top-10 pick after seeing his work out.
Kiper says that Jones' concerns are all about durability, but if a guy can play like that through pain, just imagine what he could do if he is healthy?
12. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
14 of 25
Critique: About right, maybe a tad too high
Why: Mark Ingram is the most NFL-ready running back in this year's draft. This fact isn't really an appreciation of Ingram's talent, but more of an over-rating of him based on comparable talent.
Ingram is going to be a good running back, but I think this seems a little high.
11. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin
15 of 25
Critique: Too high
Why: I have a tough time with J.J. Watt. He has all the measurables of a guy who I would love to have on my team. He gets glowing reports from a lot of people, but every time I watched the Badgers play this year, I almost forgot he was on the field.
All I know, is I wouldn't pick him anywhere inside the top 15. There are other guys who I think deserve more of a look at this spot over Watt.
10. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
16 of 25
Critique: About right
Why: If you don't know the name Cam Newton by this point, you must not be a sports fan. So why the heck are you reading this? Either way, Newton is an amazing talent—but is he really an NFL-type of player?
He is a boom or bust type of guy, but at this point I think he is a good pick. He could end up being a franchise guy or he could end up being JaMarcus Russell, version 2.0. Anybody got some purple drink?
9. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
17 of 25
Critique: Too low
Why: Prince Amukamara is the closest thing to Darrelle Revis in college football. He had really no stats this season, but that has to do with the fact that no one was brave enough to throw to his side.
Amukamara is going to be a legit NFL corner back, and we could all be talking about Prince Island at this time next year.
8. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
18 of 25
Critique: Too low
Why: I am buying Blaine Gabbert as a very solid NFL quarterback. His stats might not have been outstanding this year, but playing this position isn't always about the stats. While there aren't many in the league, I think Gabbert has the chance to be a franchise guy.
I would consider Gabbert with the top overall pick if I needed a quarterback.
7. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
19 of 25
Critique: A bit too high
Why: I have an extremely tough time trying to justify picking a guy for the top ten, who hasn't played in a football game for over a year. However, apparently Quinn has an outstanding amount of talent that can't be overlooked.
I think Quinn will go in the top ten, but I wouldn't want to take him there.
6. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
20 of 25
Critique: Too low
Why: To be honest, I don't understand a single player who really has a clear cut advantage over A.J. Green in this draft. Green might end up being a once in a generation player.
The only thing that could keep him out of the top spot is the fact that receivers aren't necessarily the toughest players to find.
5. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M
21 of 25
Critique: About right
Why: If you are a team looking for an explosive pass rusher with an extremely high ceiling, then Von Miller is the guy for you. It's tough to argue with his productivity, and even harder to argue with his potential.
I know that Miller is getting high marks, but I have a hard time justifying putting him over a few other guys who are available in this draft.
4. Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
22 of 25
Critique: A bit too high
Why: Marcell Dareus is another solid prospect available in this draft. He has the size and versatility to play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3, but I do wonder how he will translate. It seems like Dareus was dormant for stretches of the season.
I would consider Dareus with a top draft pick, but I think he is better suited somewhere a few spots later.
3. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
23 of 25
Critique: Too low
Why: I think Bowers is probably the first or second rated prospect in this draft. There hasn't been quite a pass rusher like him since the likes of Terrell Suggs, a few years back.
Bowers didn't workout at the combine, and that could be the reason for the drop, but I would pick him first overall if I were the Panthers.
2. Nick Fairley, DT, Alabama
24 of 25
Critique: A touch too high
Why: The biggest concern I have with Nick Fairley is the fact that he really had one good season. I would really like to see him have more continued success before I invest the future of my franchise in this guy.
I don't think Fairley deserves to drop too far, but I also question his smarts on the field because he has had a ton of penalties that could end up hurting his team.
1. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
25 of 25
Critique: About right, but really hard to say
Why: Patrick Peterson is possibly the best athlete available in this draft. He not only has amazing size, but he is also among the fastest players in the draft. Sure, he could be one of the all-time greats, but I don't know that I would take him first overall.
Peterson also helps out in the return game, which helps his stock. In all honesty, I am intrigued to see where he ends up next year.
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