NFL Draft 2011: Comparing the Top Prospects and Their NFL Futures to Hit Songs
The NFL draft is fast approaching and the stocks of many top players continue to fluctuate as loads of football experts continue to churn out their mock drafts.
There will be a lot of intriguing players and picks to watch as the draft begins on April 28, and we will finally get the answers to the most important questions, like where will the top quarterbacks land?
I will be coming out with a mock draft sometime in the next week, but this is not a mock draft. If you were looking for one, you are on the wrong page. Right now we are going to compare the top prospects in this year's draft to hit songs from the past and present.
If you're looking for Lady Gaga lyrics then you're once again on the wrong page and, most likely, the wrong site altogether. If you have any ideas of your own, feel free to post them in the comment section.
Jake Locker: "Free Fallin" by Tom Petty
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This couldn't be a better marriage. Locker's stock has been plummeting ever since Nebraska strolled into Husky Stadium and rolled up the Huskies to the tune of 56-21. Locker completed just 4-of-20 passes in that contest for 70 yards while throwing two interceptions.
The Huskies got the last laugh against the Cornhuskers in the Holiday Bowl, but Locker still only completed 5-of-16 pass attempts.
After a disappointing senior season that saw Locker lose his spot at the top of many analysts' draft boards, Locker has started to make a move back up. Still, there is no doubt that his draft position has been free fallin'.
Stephen Paea: "Stronger" by Britney Spears
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Clearly Stephen Paea and Britney Spears don't have a lot in common; if we were comparing her to Troy Polamalu, that would be another story. Paea did put up a record-breaking 49 reps on the 225-pound bench press during the combine.
It's quite apparent that Paea is stronger than anyone else in this draft class and quite possibly anyone who has ever entered the draft.
The good part for teams looking for a big man in the middle of their defense is that Paea's strength in the weight room is also on display on the playing field. That isn't always the case, as some of the combine's strongest players have shown with their poor performances in the professional ranks.
Akeem Ayers: "Respect" by Aretha Franklin
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Akeem Ayers is just looking for some R-E-S-P-E-C-T after running a slower 40-yard dash at the combine than expected (4.84).
However, Ayers had a great career at UCLA and his game film (which is what really matters) shows that he is a very good prospect. Because of that he should still find himself going in the first round.
Ayers did improve his 40 time at his pro day when he ran between a 4.69 and 4.7.
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.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Patrick Peterson: "Superfreak" by Rick James
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Peterson is the No. 1 player on most experts' draft boards and for good reason. The 20-year-old is a freak athlete at the corner position.
Peterson stands at over 6'0" and weighs 219 pounds, but he ran a blazing 4.34 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. There is no doubt that Peterson will be a top pick, although many are projecting that he could fall to the 49ers with the seventh selection in the draft.
It would be safe to call Peterson a steal if he were to fall that far in the first round.
Ryan Mallett: "I Fought the Law" by Bobby Fuller
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Mallett fought the law and the law won, and his draft stock has suffered because of it. Mallett was arrested for public intoxication in 2009, but there are also major concerns about his maturity and many are questioning whether he is a good teammate and leader.
The physical tools are all thereโthe problem is that Mallett doesn't come across as the sharpest tool in the shed.
Mallett has a big frame and a big arm, but time will tell if he has the intangibles to be a leader at the most important position in the NFL.
Blaine Gabbert: "Golden Boy" by Bob Seger
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I'm not sure how we got there, but all of a sudden Blaine Gabbert was in the discussion as the top quarterback and possibly the top pick in the draft.
Not to say that Gabbert won't eventually be a good NFL quarterback, but his numbers weren't that great for playing in Mizzou's spread offense. He also doesn't possess the rocket arm that some of the other guys do.
He may have ended up being such a highly-rated player because the quarterback class is shaky at best and someone had to be the top guy.
Robert Quinn: "Another Brick in the Wall" by Pink Floyd
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The UNC football team "don't need no education," and that includes Quinn, who was ruled ineligible for the 2010 season following violations involving agent benefits.
Actually, the suspended players (including Quinn) were allowed to keep their scholarships if they continued getting their education, but it will be interesting to see how he will respond after not playing this season.
Quinn is rated as one of the top 10 players in the draft by most analysts and he is also considered one of the top pass rushers at the 4-3 defensive end position, with the possibility of moving to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.
Antonio Cromartie: "Single Ladies" by Beyonce
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Whoops! Wrong article.
Move along. Nothing to see here...
Cam Newton: "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz and Ludacris
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I hope Panthers fans are ready for a letdown if their team makes the mistake of selecting Newton with the first pick in the draft.
They would be much better served to take A.J. Green or one of the top defenders available, because either way they are not going to be good next season. Besides, if Clausen can't get it together next year,ย they should still be in a good position to get Andrew Luck.
Newton had a very talented group around him at Auburn, but the same cannot be said for the Panthers.
I doubt he'll be running it 250-plus times for the Panthers and I'm not sure that 280 passes in Auburn's spread offense makes him worthy of the top pick, so Carolina may want to think twice before it hitches its wagon to Cam.
Mike Pouncey: "Deja Vu" by Beyonce
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I feel like we've been here and done that before with a Pouncey from Florida going in the first round. Oh, that's right...we have.
Last year it was Maurkice going in the first round to the Steelers, and they did not regret their selection of the rookie Pro Bowler.
Something tells me whoever drafts his twin brother Mike will not regret the decision either, because he should be a very good center or guard for years to come and a potential Pro Bowler in his own right.
Mark Ingram: "Runnin' Down a Dream" by Tom Petty
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Tom Petty makes his second appearance in this article and it's with Ingram, who is the top running back in this draft. But that isn't saying a whole lot in a relatively weak running back class.
Ingram won a Heisman and a national title with Alabama, and now he is in good shape to be the first running back taken in the draftโprobably the only one to go in the first round.
The 21-year-old doesn't have great top-end speed, but he is a hard worker with great vision and he does an excellent job of holding onto the football.
Nate Solder: "Remember the Name" by Fort Minor
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Solder could turn out to be the best offensive lineman to come out of this draft, but he has a ways to go if he is to earn that label.
The 6'8", 319-pound senior started his career at Colorado as a tight end, so he is still working to fully develop his skills as an offensive tackle. The athleticism is definitely there for Solder, but his technique could sure use some polishing in order to end up being a very good player in a few years.
Solder is a name to keep an eye on in the first round of the draft and someone to remember in a couple of years when he becomes a more seasoned offensive lineman.
Nick Fairley: "Stormtroopin" by Ted Nugent
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"In the early morning hours there's a din in the air; mayhem's on the loose."
When Nick Fairley is on the loose, mayhem is sure to ensue.
Fairley has seen his stock fluctuate a bit, but he should be a top-10 pick come draft night because of his tremendous pass-rushing skills from the defensive tackle position.
Fairley is considered one of the top pass-rushing defensive tackles to enter the draft in years. His ability to get to the quarterback is due to many things, but his explosive first step is what sets him apart from the rest.
Marcell Dareus: "Price Tag" by Jessie J
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Dareus is projected to be a top-two pick by many draft experts. If that is the case, then the price tag for the former Alabama star will certainly be high.
Dareus is not as good of a pass rusher as Fairley, but he is a better all-around player and his work ethic is deemed to be a lot better than that of his Auburn counterpart, which many scouts have been questioning.
Dareus should find himself in a Panthers or Broncos jersey come draft night and he will look to show everyone why the best defensive tackle from the state of Alabama was a member of the Crimson Tide.
Von Miller: "Rocketeer" by Far East Movement
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Von Miller appears to be in good position to be selected as a top-five pick in the draft and his 4.46 40-yard dash at the combine only further solidified his stranglehold on the top linebacker spot.
Miller recorded 27.5 sacks in his final two seasons as an Aggie and his outstanding ability to rush the passer from his 3-4 linebacker position is certainly coveted by all NFL defenses that use the formation.
ESPN draft analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper both have Miller rocketing all the way up to the Buffalo Bills and the third pick in the draft.
Julio Jones: "All the Right Moves" by OneRepublic
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Julio Jones made all the right moves at the combine, running a 4.39 40-yard dash and putting up a very impressive number in the broad jump (11'3").
What do those numbers have to do with running routes and catching the football?
Not a whole lot, but they do mean that Jones is a very good athlete and that he will likely be picked even higher now than originally thought.
Jones might have had the best combine of anyone who was at the workouts and he now stands to be an almost-certain top-15 pick.
Tyron Smith: "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum
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Many draft experts have Smith going to the Cowboys with the ninth-overall pick and he can't get to Dallas soon enough. Quarterback Tony Romo would have liked to have someone (anyone) who could block for him last year before his season was derailed with a broken clavicle in Week 7.
It's safe to say that the Cowboys "Need You Now," Tyron Smith.
Anthony Castonzo: "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas
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"I Gotta Feeling" Castonzo is going to be a great offensive lineman for years to come and one of the steals of the draft if he slips into the 20s.
He is rated just behind Smith by most draft experts and he is a solid all-around blocker who majored in biochemistry at BC.
Castonzo is a good athlete who needs to get stronger at the next level to truly dominate. At the very least, he should be a reliable pass protector and possible Pro Bowler.
Prince Amukamara: "Purple Rain" by Prince
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I'm pretty sure Prince is the best singer alive by the name of "Prince." I'm also pretty sure there is no better football player on the planet by the name of "Prince" than Prince Amukamara.
Amukamara had a great college career for the Cornhuskers while helping to restore the Blackshirts defense at Nebraska.
Amukamara is the second-highest-rated corner in the draft behind only Peterson, and he should find himself going fairly early in the first round come draft night.
Da'Quan Bowers: "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry
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Bowers' draft stock has been all over the place, as he was once thought of as a top-five pick. Now some draft experts have him going as low as the 20th pick.
There are mixed feelings about whether or not he is an elite player because of his pass-rush skills, and sometimes the lack of them; there are now medical concerns as well.
Bowers will be an interesting name to watch in the first round because draft experts have been so hot and cold on him.
Cameron Heyward: "Iron Head" by Rob Zombie
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Cameron Heyward is best known as the son of the late Craig "Ironhead" Heyward who played running back in the NFL from 1988-1998. That should all change once Cameron gets to the NFL, as he is expected to make a name for himself with his own play on the field.
Heyward is part of a loaded defensive line class. Because of that, he may not go until late in the first round. Still, the good news is that he will likely be going to a team with a lot of talent and some are projecting he will go to the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.
All the Quarterbacks in This Draft: "Don't Trust Me" by 3OH!3
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Do you trust any of the quarterbacks in this draft?
I don't.
I like Locker the most of any of the quarterbacks in this draft and he has had accuracy problems, which is kind of a big deal when your main job is to throw the football. The rest of this quarterback class isn't all that impressive either.ย
I would wait and try to test my Luck in next year's draft.
Just Missed the Cut
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Danny Watkins: "Old Man River" by Jim Croce
Jonathan Baldwin: "Stuck With Me" by Green Day
Kyle Rudolph: "Humpty Dumpty" by...kids all over the world?
Dontay Moch: "Speed of Sound" by Coldplay
Mr. Irrelevant (TBD): "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
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.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
