NFL Draft 2011: Power Ranking Cam Newton and the Top 16 Offensive Players
This article is part of a two part series here at Bleacher Report to effectively rank the top 32 players entering this year’s draft. Instead of doing so in mock draft form, we decided to go a different route and rank the top 16 defensive and top 16 offensive players in the 2011 draft class separately. The article on the top 16 defensive players can be found here.
The future of the NFL is still very uncertain. The last day of the current CBA has come and gone, been pushed back, and is now upon us once again.
All the uncertainty about the NFL’s future in 2011 has had an effect on April’s NFL Entry Draft as well. Free agency is effectively on hold. Many players who would have been traded or re-signed by now are still waiting to hear what their fate will be for the upcoming season—if there even is one.
However, through all this bickering about money between “millionaires and billionaires” has not overshadowed the sheer amount of talented players coming out of NCAA football programs this season—all of whom are hoping to try their luck on the big stage. Before they ever put on a pair of cleats or see even one practice snap however, they must go through the pageantry that is the NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Today we bring you the top 16 offensive players in the 2011 NFL Draft class. These are the best passers, scramblers, rushers, pancake blockers and speed receivers coming into the NFL this year. There has been much debate over who is the best QB prospect out there while most of the other positions have stayed fairly consistent. However, through of the talk and predictions, one thing is certain: the offenses of many teams will be greatly improved next season by the top performing rookies from this NFL Draft.
Remember, this isn’t a mock draft. A player lower on the list could easily be selected higher than someone higher on the list due to the needs of the team making the selection.
Much of the information in this article comes from the Insider NFL Draft pages at ESPN, Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft and the NFL’s Combine Results site.
16. Danny Watkins – OG (Baylor)
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At 26 years old, Danny Watkins will be one of the oldest true rookies in the NFL this year and he has only being playing football for four of those 26. That being said, he is the right size for an offensive guard and is quick for the position.
Widely considered the number one true offensive guard in the draft class, Watkins’ name constantly pops up in first round talks as a late first rounder. If he falls past that 32nd pick, don’t be surprised to see him be one of the first names called come Draft Friday.
15. Jonathan Baldwin – WR (Pittsburgh)
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I still think that Baldwin could jump up to the first round if the Chicago Bears decide to go after an ace receiver instead of bolstering their questionable O-Line, but maybe that’s just me.
Wherever he goes, the 6’4” Baldwin is a physical, jump-ball type receiver who runs decent routes and is very quick off the line and down the sidelines. Notching the best vertical jump at the Combine at 42 inches, look for Baldwin to go late first round to mid second round to a team looking for a big target with great hands to go up and get passes and finish drives off in the red zone.
14. Kyle Rudolph – TE (Notre Dame)
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The definitive No. 1 tight end in this draft class, Kyle Rudolph is the whole package. He is a big target at 6’6” and 259 pounds, runs good, crisp routes and gives his all every play.
He accelerates quickly and can separate from defenders up the seams and get open over the middle. His blocking skills leave something to be desired and his stock has certainly taken hits from his injury troubles, but any team taking him in the mid to late second round will get a great offensive weapon who plays his position about as well as can be asked.
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13. Jake Locker – QB (Washington)
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A month ago Jake Locker was probably wondering why he stayed in school for his senior season in 2010 instead of declaring for the draft. As the weeks have ticked by though his draft stock has shot back up and he is now considered on the bubble for a first round selection.
He certainly didn’t put up the gaudy numbers other prospects at the position did this year but he is a born leader and he has pinpoint accuracy on many of his throws and a very quick release on the ball. He has a dangerous tendency to underthrow his deep throws, but has unparalleled confidence in his abilities under center.
Jake Locker has the chance to be a steal—like Tom Brady—in the later rounds of the draft. If he can mature and learn to make better decisions and even more accurate throws he could earn a starting job somewhere in the next few seasons. Pairing his revamped passing talent with his Cam Newton matching 4.59 40 time would prove that he has the mobility, decision making skills and accuracy to round him out as one of the best QBs in the coming years.
12. Derek Sherrod – OT (Mississippi State)
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Derek Sherrod out of Mississippi State is—put simply— a big man. At 6’5” and 321 pounds he is actually a little light for his frame but still a big mountain to move for a defender trying to pry his way into the backfield.
Sherrod is quick, a natural run blocker and can release blocks to pick up linebackers downfield. He needs work in the film room to pick up defensive shifts better and to become a more well-rounded lineman but his size is his greatest asset and would be a big help to many teams missing a run focused tackle to help get their speed backs into the secondary.
11. Randall Cobb – WR (Kentucky)
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Randall Cobb is a bit of an enigma for a wide receiver. He is small—only 5’10” and 191 pounds—and only runs a 4.46 40 but he is possibly the toughest competitor in this offensive draft class.
He is absolutely fearless over the middle of the field and in the air and will lay his body on the line for every catch and every play. He always pushes for that extra half a yard at the end of a play, makes big time catches when they really matter, separates well from the secondary and can seal the outside edge on running plays.
He may not be the speed receiver people expect when they see his measurable but simply put, he plays to win at whatever cost to himself and in the hard hitting NFL of today that is a priceless trait for a receiver.
10. Anthony Castonzo – OT (Boston College)
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Anthony Castonzo is the first true freshman to start on BC’s O-Line in ten years and for good reason. At 6’7” and 311 pounds he is a big blocker with a lot of leverage and good mobility. He is an every down type of competitor both in tenacity and stamina and can make blocks in space in the run.
He needs work in the weight room but has a strong work ethic and should have no problems putting on the bulk that he needs to be a truly dominant tackle in the NFL. His long arms should serve him well to keep his QB upright and will add instant offense to any team by shoring up the O-Line anywhere he is drafted.
9. Mike Pouncey – OC (Florida)
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The top true center worth mentioning in this year’s draft class, Mike Pouncey is the twin brother of Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Maurkice Pouncey and clearly the size and talent runs in the family.
His size and speed are both above average and is surprisingly light on his feet. He is solid in both the run and pass and has shown the awareness to become an Olin Kreutz-like offensive line director. He is tough and durable, a good sign for someone who is 6’5” and near-as-makes-no-difference 300 pounds.
He could use work in the finishing of his blocks and making blocks on the move in the run game but Pouncey will be—like his brother—a first round pick and any team would be happy to have him.
8. Tyron Smith – OT (USC)
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Tyron Smith is proof that in this post NCAA sanctioned USC football program there are still bright spots and that the dynasty is not dead yet.
Considered by some to be the best OT on the board, Smith is one of the fastest linemen in this class and pairs that quickness with great size, long arms and a strong work ethic.
A natural at the left tackle position, Smith’s versatility and strength in both the run and pass games could make him a very attractive option in the middle of round one for teams with QBs looking to spend less time on their backs and RBs who are looking for more holes to run through up the middle.
7. Julio Jones – WR (Alabama)
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Long story short, Julio Jones is a huge target with great speed and vertical leap who can go up and get it with the best of them. He has a great and caring personality and is always looking for ways to give back to the community and plays with his heart and soul on his sleeve every down.
He needs work on his ability to separate from defenders and bring down every ball thrown to him but still has good hands puts his body on the line to make a catch.
He’s not the first guy in line to go over the middle of the field or take a big hit while making a catch but he’s certainly not afraid to do so when his team needs him and he will gladly put the team on his back to make the big plays when needed.
Many teams could use a multi-threat receiver like Jones, but the one team who gets their hands on him will be very happy with their choice.
6. Gabe Carimi – OT (Wisconsin)
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To anyone following the O-Line prospects closely this year, Outland Trophy winner Gabe Carimi needs little introduction.
An ideally sized interior lineman at 6’7” and 314 pounds, Carimi is possibly the toughest OT in this draft class. He picks up blitzes with the best of them, drives defenders back on blocks and can block one on one with some of the best pass rushers out there.
His size and top notch work ethic will earn him a first round selection among a class full of very talented offensive tackles and if the pick is right he may move higher than anyone expects.
5. Nate Solder – OT (Colorado)
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Nate Solder is the exact opposite of a guy you would want to run into in a dark alley. At 6’8” and 319 pounds he is easily the biggest of the O-Linemen on this list and he uses is well. He started 24 straight games over the last two seasons with Colorado and has been one of the most durable players in college football in that time.
He is light on his feet for a big man, is a true student of the game and plays the pass and run games as well as anyone in the class. He plays through the whistle and is very aggressive off the ball but lacks the “mean streak” many teams want in an interior lineman.
All of that said however, Solder is simply a beastly OT who will make defensive linemen and coordinators alike think twice before planning on strong pass rushes up the middle against whichever team takes the Colorado alum.
4. Cam Newton – QB (Auburn)
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Ah Cam Newton, here at last. Cam Newton is a tough, fast QB with as quick a release as anyone in this class and good accuracy to go with it. Some have speculated during the Combine that he was bored or lazy, namely in his footwork, but his work ethic is backed up by coaches and teammates.
He isn’t a plug-n-play type QB who will likely be a star from day one. He would certainly benefit from sitting his first season and learning from a more veteran QB about reading defenses better and making quicker and better choices with the ball. He also needs to reign in his long passes which he tends to float and overthrow.
Newton has been called selfish both on and off the field. On the field he tends to hang onto the ball too long in the pocket and doesn’t truly understand yet when to step up in the pocket or sidestep to avoid the rush properly. Off the field the controversy seems to follow him including the theft of a laptop and alleged academic cheating in his time at Florida and the maturity concerns raised when the NCAA investigated the pay-for-play scheme involving Cam and his father.
All of this aside however, the 2010 Heisman is a winner the likes of which Charlie Sheen hasn’t even seen and he has the potential to either be a Hall of Famer or a JaMarcus Russell sized bust. Only time will tell but for now he is fourth on our offensive list and the second best QB prospect out there.
3. Mark Ingram – RB (Alabama)
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Let me start out by restating that in no way am I suggesting that Mark Ingram will be selected higher than Cam Newton. Ingram is all but signed by the Miami Dolphins and unless someone overzealously jumps ahead of the Dolphins to take him off the board early, all the smart bets say that is where he will go.
In a year that is not exactly overrun with talented running backs, Ingram is a diamond in the rough. The former Heisman winner is a tough, balanced runner who possesses a rare blend of speed and power. He is a threat on the ground and as a receiving target out of the backfield and can even hang in and block blitzing linebackers on the edge.
His draft stock has fallen since winning it all with the Crimson Tide in 2009, but look for Ingram to roll into Miami and be an effective part of their offensive attack for years to come.
2. Blaine Gabbert – QB (Missouri)
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Blaine Gabbert is the most complete passing prospect in this year’s draft bar none. He is tall and solid at 6’4” and 234 pounds but can still move quickly both in and out of the pocket as shown by his 4.62 40 time, only three hundredths slower than rival Cam Newton.
Gabbert possesses a strong confidence and poise in the pocket and has a deadly accurate throwing arm. He will need to transition from a spread offense but is smart and should make the adjustment better than most have in the past.
He is a great leader in the huddle and is a tough competitor. He needs to speed up his internal clock slightly and step up more to avoid the rush off the edge to avoid big hits in the NFL but overall is the best pure passer available this year and will likely be a quick injection of offense no matter where he is selected.
Like Newton he could benefit from a season backing up a veteran QB but with the teams interested in him he may not have that luxury. I still don’t see him going first to Carolina but expect him to be off the board quickly on Draft Thursday.
1. A.J. Green – WR (Georgia)
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A.J. Green is everything you want in a receiver. He ran a 4.50 40 at the combine, showed his strength and conditioning with 18 reps in the bench press, and is simply a huge target for any QB begging for someone to catch the great passes they are throwing.
He has shown a strong ability to get his 6’3” frame open downfield and has a sneakiness many receivers use nowadays to slip behind the coverage. He is willing to work the middle of the field and go up for jump balls while he also possesses some of the best hands of anyone in the class.
A.J. Green is likely to be the next elite receiver in the next decade of the NFL and if he can play for a decent team and stay healthy has the kind of talent reserved for Super Bowl winners and first ballot Hall of Famers.
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