2011 NFL Draft: Cam Newton, Mark Ingram and the Best Players at Each Position
With less than two weeks until the draft, excitement levels in the NFL community are reaching fever pitch. For my part, I think it is time to once again tackle the challenge of who really is the top dog at each position.
Has Julio Jones done enough to leapfrog A.J. Green into the top spot for wide receivers? How much has Jimmy Smith's off-field troubles dropped him down the board? And will Cam Newtons leadership and athleticism make him the best quarterback in the draft?
I hope to answer some of these questions in this slideshow. Enjoy!
Quarterbacks
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- Cam Newton (Auburn): 6'6", 250 lbs
- Blaine Gabbert (Missouri): 6'5", 240 lbs
- Jake Locker (Washington): 6'3", 230 lbs
- Ryan Mallet (Arkansas): 6'6", 240 lbs
- Christian Ponder (Florida State): 6'3", 230 lbs
This year, after years of elite prospects at quarterback, there is no cut and dry best signal caller in the draft.
Cam Newton, Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet could be absolute world beaters if they can master their rumoured issues, off or on the field, and get a grip on the pro game. Gabbert and Ponder are safer picks, but are still by no means guaranteed of success at the next level.
I have given Newton the top spot because of his amazing physical gifts. If he can get a grip of the pro system and still maintain his passing ability then he would be well worthy of the first overall pick. He has the leadership and x-factor which separates him from Gabbert at the top of this list.
Halfbacks
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- Mark Ingram (Alabama): 5'10", 215 lbs
- Mikel Leshoure (Illinois): 6'0", 230 lbs
- Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech): 5'10", 210 lbs
- Shane Vereen (California): 5'10", 200 lbs
- Taiwan Jones (Eastern Washington): 6'1", 200 lbs
Despite all the naysayers, this years crop of running backs is a strong one. While there are probably only three or four feature backs, there are plenty of situational players who can be elite home run hitters or powerful power backs as part of a committee.
Ingram may not be super athletic, but has everything else to be a top running back. He still makes long runs with his burst and power, and is a good receiver and pass protector. Leshoure and Williams are also good running backs who could carry the load for a team. They have the power to run between the tackles, and the athletic ability to run outside.
Taiwan Jones is another back who is making a splash. After running a high 4.20 40 at his pro day, he has the speed and acceleration to be the next Chris Johnson. He will be a sought after second round pick.
Wide Receiver
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- A.J. Green (Georgia): 6'4", 212 lbs
- Julio Jones (Alabama): 6'4", 220 lbs
- Titus Young (Boise State): 5'11", 175 lbs
- Jon Baldwin (Pittsburgh): 6'5", 230 lbs
- Torrey Smith (Maryland): 6'1", 200 lbs
This is one of the best and deepest positions in the 2011 draft, with two blue chippers and plenty of potential second and slot wide receivers.
At the top, A.J. Green and Julio Jones both have what it takes to be elite. Jones is more of a track star who impressed at the combine with his speed and leaping ability. Green is the man with the best tape though. He looks faster and more athletic at game speed, and that gives him the top spot.
At third is Young, who always impressed as a great route runner with safe hands and amazing run after the catch ability. Now that he has run a 4.38 40 dash, he has also shown the speed that his tape does. He is the next DeSean Jackson.
Both Smith and Baldwin have a lot of talent, but have questionable hands and route running ability. If they can show this between now and the draft, they could both push themselves into the first round.
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Tight Ends
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- Kyle Rudolph (Notre Dame): 6'6", 265 lbs
- Jordan Cameron (USC): 6'5", 255 lbs
- Luke Stocker (Tennessee): 6'6", 255 lbs
- Virgil Green (Nevada): 6'5", 245 lbs
- D.J. Williams (Arkansas): 6'2", 240 lbs
Rudolph certainly leads the pack, even with his chequered medical history. He is possibly the only tight end prospect who has the ability to be a top blocker and receiver. He is not fast, but is a great route runner with a huge catching radius.
Second place goes to the fast rising receiver from USC. Cameron may not be a polished blocker yet, but has the strength and tenacity to become one. He is also the best receiver in this group. He is fast (4.55 40), agile and a great leaper who has safe hands and can run almost any route. He could probably move to wide receiver and become a good deep threat player in the mould of Brandon Marshall.
Green is a combine warrior who has the potential to be elite, and Williams lacks the bulk to be an in-line tight end. He is likely to earn his money as an H-back who splits time as a full back and goal line wide receiver.
Offensive Tackles
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- Tyron Smith (USC): 6'5", 305 lbs
- Anthony Castonzo (Boston College): 6'7", 315 lbs
- Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin): 6'7", 230 lbs
- Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State): 6'6", 320 lbs
- Nate Solder (Colorado): 6'9", 320 lbs
Tyron Smith has been shooting up draft boards after his amazing pro day performance. He is a lock to be a top right tackle, but more importantly should be a franchise left tackle.
Gabe Carimi is in the same boat. He has been a great left tackle for Wisconsin, but there are questions about his athleticism at the next level which could demote him to the right side of the line.
Sherrod has been dropping, although it is a great mystery why. He is big, fleet footed and can generate some push in the run game.
Solder is in the other boat. He is overrated by many after his great showing at the combine. However, in pads he lacks the strength or the width to add on that weight.
Offensive Guards/Centers
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- Danny Watkins (Baylor): 6'3", 310 lbs
- Mike Pouncey (Florida): 6'5", 303 lbs
- Stefen Wisniewski (Penn State): 6'3", 313 lbs
- Jason Pinkson (Pittsburgh): 6'3", 317 lbs
- Will Rackley (Lehigh): 6'3", 309 lbs
The group of interior offensive linemen are good this year. Watkins, Pouncey and Wisniewski all have the ability and size to step into the starting role immediately and improve their offensive line.
Watkins is the most interesting of the group. At 26, he is older than most third year players, but he is new to the game and was able to perform at tackle for Baylor when in college. He is quick, strong and a great pass protector.
The other prospect who is gaining traction is Wisniewski. He bulked up for the combine, and showed the ability to play with the power to complement his impeccable technique. He will probably be selected in the second round, and will make whoever selects him very happy.
Defensive Ends
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- Robert Quinn (UNC): 6'4", 265 lbs
- Aldon Smith (Missouri): 6'4", 263 lbs
- Da'quan Bowers (Clemson): 6'3", 280 lbs
- Cameron Jordan (California): 6'4", 287 lbs
- Justin Houston (Georgia): 6'3", 270 lbs
This is the strongest group of players in the draft, with almost 10 guys who could be taken in the first round. The five guys on this list all have the potential to be Pro Bowlers.
At the top, Robert Quinn and Aldon Smith are prototypical pass rushers. They will not be dominant against the run early in their career, but will be lethal speed pass rushers. Both could potentially be converted into 3-4 OLB's in a 3-4 defense as well. Houston is another player who looks to be cut from the same mould.
The other two defensive ends are larger players who could play in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense at that position. Jordan is the safe pick, who looks to be a solid eight sack player at the next level, and a top run stuffer. Bowers is a dark horse. His knee issues and less than impressive pro day have dropped him down the board, but he still is athletic and strong, and could be an All-Pro defensive end if he can perform at his potential.
Defensive Tackles
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- Marcell Dareus (Alabama): 6'3", 318 lbs
- Nick Fairley (Auburn): 6'4", 295 lbs
- Marvin Austin (UNC): 6'3", 315 lbs
- Phil Taylor (Baylor): 6'4", 335 lbs
- Stephen Paea (Oregon State): 6'1", 311 lbs
The defensive tackle class is another with a few really good looking prospects in it. Both Dareus and Fairley are top 10 talents, and Austin and Taylor should also go in the first round.
Fairley was gunning for the first overall selection before the combine, but as a one hit wonder, his stock has dropped. He is still a dangerous player who can be unblockable, and will be an effortless penetrater into the backfield as a pro if he works hard.
Paea is another talented player who is dropping because of off-field concerns. He is immensely strong, and would be a great 4-3 nose tackle who could eat up blockers and stop teams running up the middle.
Linebackers
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- Von Miller (Texas A&M): 6'3", 245 lbs
- Martez Wilson (Illinois): 6'4", 250 lbs
- Mason Foster (Washington): 6'2", 242 lbs
- Bruce Carter (UNC): 6'3", 235 lbs
- K.J. Wright (Mississippi State): 6'4", 250 lbs
Von Miller is probably the only first round linebacker in the draft, but he will be a top five pick. His college production and super athleticism will make sure of that.
K.J. Wright is one player who has not been given much press recently. He is projected as a third or fourth round pick, yet has the skill set to start in his rookie season. He is a good tackler, has decent instincts and is very solid in coverage. All in all, in a defence that does not place a lot of importance on blitzing, he would be a great Sam linebacker.
A notable omission from this list is Akeem Ayers. In my opinion, he lacks the instincts to be a top linebacker in the NFL. He is a 3-4 outside linebacker who would thrive rushing the passer with his quick step once he develops better technique, but will never be a top pure linebacker.
Cornerbacks
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- Patrick Peterson (LSU): 6'1", 215 lbs
- Prince Amukamara (Nebraska): 6'1", 205 lbs
- Jimmy Smith (Colorado): 6'2", 210 lbs
- Brandon Harris (Miami): 5'11", 195 lbs
- Curtis Brown (Texas): 6'0", 190 lbs
It is a no-brainer to have Peterson at the top of this list. He has the size of a thumping strong safety, the speed of a burner, the short-area quickness of a slot receiver and good instincts and awareness. In short, he is the best player in this draft, and the best cornerback prospect to leave college in quite some time.
Curtis Brown is the first of the best of the third tier of cornerbacks in this draft. He has great ball skills and is a top athlete, and showed much improved technique in his pre-draft workouts which has catapulted him up draft boards.
Although Harris is pipped by Smith to be the third best cornerback in the draft, he will possibly be drafted earlier. Smith's off-field concerns could drive him down on draft day, and Harris would suit a team just as well if they played a lot of zone or off-man coverage.
Safeties
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- Rahim Moore (UCLA): 6'1", 195 lbs
- DeAndre McDaniel (Clemson): 6'1", 210 lbs
- Deunta Williams (UNC): 6'2". 215 lbs
- Chris Culliver (South Carolina): 6'1", 200 lbs
- Marcus Gilchrist (Clemson): 5'11", 190 lbs
In a very weak draft class, it is unlikely that any of these players will be taken in the first round, and maybe not even until the third. Those with good intangibles like Moore and Ahmad Black are slow, and those who are athletic like Will Hill seem to lack football IQ.
Moore is the best of the bunch. He would have been a first round pick after his 10 interception sophomore campaign, but with just one in 2010, questions have been raised about his range as a free safety. He is also not a consistent or powerful tackler, and would not be a consistent run defender in the NFL.
The second best safety in the class, McDaniel, is a strong safety with the same fatal flaw as Moore. While he has great instincts which allow him to get around the field to make tackles and get his hands on passes, he is not fast enough to become a top flight NFL starter.
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