2011 NFL Draft: Da'Quan Bowers and the Top 5 NFL Draft Risers and Fallers
The 2011 NFL Draft is less than a week away. After three months of speculation, the time is almost here to see which uniforms each prospect will be wearing to begin their careers. Everyone has their own opinions about each player and where they would best fit in the NFL. Every player has been scrutinized and praised to no end.
Some are rivaling others for the top spot at their respective positions. Former No.1 overall prospects are falling outside the top five, 10 or even first round altogether! Da’Quan Bowers and Nick Fairley were once set to go No.1 and No. 2 in the draft—that will not happen.
The Rams were hoping to land Julio Jones at No.14—that will not happen.
These 10 players have seen their stocks dramatically rise or fall in recent weeks. Former second-round picks should be drafted in the first round and former early first-round picks should be drafted late in the first round or the beginning of the second round.
Riser No. 5: Martez Wilson, Illinois LB
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Weeks ago, I made noise that Wilson, a perennial second-round selection, should be selected by the New York Jets at No. 30. Wilson is the top inside linebacker on my draft board, but his amazing combine suggests that he has the versatility to play any linebacker position.
Wilson has elite potential and he is one of the safest players in this draft in my opinion. He has inched into the late first round on some mocks, finally, but he deserves to be a mid-first-round selection.
Many teams will look back and kick themselves for not selecting Wilson earlier.
Faller No. 5: Brandon Harris, Miami (FL) CB
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Harris started as a lock to be drafted in the first round, but he has since fallen. Teams are becoming less concerned with Jimmy Smith’s off-field issues as they should be—I mean hey, Ben Roethlisberger drinks and Randy Moss smokes too, not bad company, eh?
Smith’s ascension is causing Harris to drop. He should be selected in the early 20s, but he could fall all the way to No. 31 to the Steelers or even the second round.
He is still my No. 4 corner in the draft, but late-first round teams could be trading their picks to quarterback-needy teams, which means Harris and few of the other top cornerbacks could fall to the beginning or middle of the second round.
Riser No. 4: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT
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Over the past two months, Carimi has become my top offensive lineman in the draft.
Not only does he offer teams versatility to play outside or inside on the offensive line, he is also my most complete lineman in terms of pass blocking and run blocking.
His run blocking is what truly stands out in my eyes. He has the mean streak and nasty nature every team wants in the trenches. He will demolish opposing lineman and won’t think twice about it.
He believes he is the best offensive lineman in the draft and so do I! He probably won’t be the first lineman selected, but he should be. He would improve the line of all 32 teams.
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Faller No. 4: Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE
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Clayborn’s stock dropped following a subpar 2010 season for his standards. He was seen as a late-first round pick, being selected no earlier than No. 20 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There are growing concerns over his Erb’s Palsy condition, and many analysts now believe he will be selected by Atlanta or Pittsburgh late in the first round.
I like Clayborn. I think he is a talented player with the drive to succeed. I also believe he can become a motivational leader in the locker room.
Still, I’ll go one step further and say that he falls completely out of the first round as safer pass rushers emerge, like Arizona’s Brooks Reed and Illinois’ Martez Wilson.
Riser No. 3: Brooks Reed, Arizona DE/OLB
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Reed is skyrocketing up draft boards as he appears to be one of the safest late-round selections. Once a mid-second round pick, Reed inched into the late-first round two months ago and could not be selected inside the top 25—perhaps even top 20.
Reed has excellent instincts, work ethic, determination and motor. He is the type of safe player that teams can build their team around, especially with his versatility as a pass rusher.
We could be looking at the next Clay Matthews. We could look back at this draft and wonder how it was even possible this superstar fell towards the end of the first draft.
Faller No. 3: Mark Ingram, Alabama RB
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At one point, some thought Washington would select Ingram at No. 10, but most believed he was the perfect fit for Miami at No. 15. Many still believe Ingram should be in Miami, but that the Dolphins will pass on him to fill other needs.
This means he could free fall in the draft—especially with concerns over his knee. Ingram insists that his knee is fine, but rumors have circulated the past two weeks that teams are scratching him off their draft boards. His stock also dropped because Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure is just as ready to contribute at the next level and does not have any injury concerns.
In my latest mocks, Ingram has fallen out of the first round. The days of the workhorse running back is coming to a close, and teams realize they can find value at the position later in the draft. This year’s draft, especially, is top heavy at both line positions and quarterback, which means Ingram may not even be drafted in the first round anymore.
Riser No. 2: Julio Jones, Alabama WR
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Jones’ stock has skyrocketed since his remarkable combine performance—which was even more impressive since his foot was injured!
He has every tool necessary to succeed in the NFL and is rivaling Georgia’s A.J. Green for the top receiver spot. One aspect of Jones’ game that is far superior to Green’s? Run blocking. Every coach wants a player who is willing to sacrifice his body for the better of the team—Jones is that man.
He has dynamic play-making ability, great hands, and blazing speed. He is truly the complete package, and it doesn’t appear that anybody would even begin to fault a team for selecting inside the top 10 or even above Green.
He has been seen on some mocks being selected by the Cleveland Browns at No. 6.
Faller No. 2: Nick Fairley, Auburn DT
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Fairley was once considered the No. 1 pick to the Carolina Panthers, but his stock has fallen since the combine. Fairley was not as impressive at the combine as Alabama’s Marcell Dareus and thus his stock dropped and Dareus inched ahead.
Although he has a great mean-streak, was leader of Auburn’s defense and was fantastic on the field, many scouts wonder if he is just a one-hit wonder.
Fairley should still be selected in the top 10, but it’s quite the fall from No. 1 overall.
Riser No. 1: Mikel Leshoure, Illinois RB
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Mark Ingram’s fall from grace has opened the door for Leshoure to run right through to the top of many running back big boards.
He has the size, speed, strength, vision and agility to become a featured back in his rookie season.
Some are now beginning to wonder if Leshoure, not Ingram, will be the first running back selected in this year’s draft.
The one thing I do know: he certainly has the talent of a No. 1 running back. If Ingram is 1A, Leshoure is 1B. With his running style and natural abilities, he could very well have a better NFL career than Ingram, since Mark relies more on using his body as a bowling ball to power through defenders. Leshoure is a shiftier runner and should better preserve his body, but he also has very good power and a nose for the end zone.
As it stands heading into the draft, Leshoure is neck and neck with Ingram for the top spot among running back big boards and could be selected before Ingram on draft day.
Faller No. 1: Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson DE
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Bowers has experienced the biggest fall of any player in the draft. His knee has become a major concern as teams search for safe players to help win a championship.
Bowers is a great pass rusher, but teams were already concerned he could be a one-hit wonder. I don’t buy the argument that he could be the next Mario Williams to begin with and never believed he should have been the No. 1 or 2 overall selections.
It would not surprise me one bit if Bowers fell to the middle or even tail end of the first round. He will still be taken in the top 10, most likely, but with great caution.
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