Defensive End Rankings

These rankings include players that fit both a 3-4 and 4-3 defense. This is a preliminary ranking and players could move up or down based on off-season performances and both on and off-field characteristics that may come to light between now and draft day. Rankings currently reflect the Top 25 but I hope to add to this list as we go through the NFL Draft process. For now this is where I currently rank each player, enjoy!

Rank	Position	Player Name	School	Height	Weight	Year	Projected Round
1	DE	Quinton Coples	North Carolina	6’5	281	Senior	Top 12 Overall
2	DE	Michael Brockers	LSU	6’5	305	Sophomore	Round 1
3	DE	Fletcher Cox	Mississippi State	6’4	295	Junior	Round 1
4	DE	Melvin Ingram	South Carolina	6’1	276	Senior	Round 1
5	DE	Courtney Upshaw	Alabama	6’1	273	Senior	Round 1
6	DE	Nick Perry	USC	6’3	250	Junior	Round 1-2
7	DE	Andre Branch	Clemson	6’4	260	Senior	Round 1-2
8	DE	Vinny Curry	Marshall	6’3	265	Senior	Round 2
9	DE	Jared Crick	Nebraska	6’4	285	Senior	Round 2
10	DE	Malik Jackson	Tennessee	6’4	285	Senior	Round 2
11	DE	Whitney Mercilus	Illinois	6’4	265	Junior	Round 2
12	DE	Devon Still	Penn State	6’4	310	Senior	Round 2-3
13	DE	Cam Johnson	Virginia	6’3	270	Senior	Round 3
14	DE	Derek Wolfe	Cincinnati	6’5	286	Senior	Round 3
15	DE	Chandler Jones	Syracuse	6’4	265	Junior	Round 3
16	DE	Billy Winn	Boise State	6’3	295	Senior	Round 3
17	DE	Kendall Reyes	Connecticut	6’3	300	Senior	Round 3
18	DE	Trevor Guyton	Arizona State	6’2	280	Senior	Round 3-4
19	DE	Shea McClellin	Boise State	6’3	248	Senior	Round 4
20	DE	Jake Bequette	Arkansas	6’4	264	Senior	Round 4
21	DE	Tyrone Crawford	Boise State	6’4	285	Senior	Round 4
22	DE	Brett Roy	Nevada	6’3	275	Senior	Round 4-5
23	DE	Jack Crawford	Penn State	6’4	268	Senior	Round 5
24	DE	Frank Alexander	Oklahoma	6’3	255	Senior	Round 5
25	DE	Logan Harrell	Fresno State	6’2	276	Senior	Round 5-6

 

-Thanks for reading my post, hope you enjoyed!-

– Brandon

Post All-Star/Pre-Combine Mock Draft:

The official draft order is nearly all but set, and with just over two weeks until the start of the 2012 NFL Combine I have come out with my 2nd mock draft of the season. These projections are based on specific team needs and the value each player presents to the prospective team I have matched them up with. I would love to hear any input or feedback you have about your favorite teams pick as I am constantly searching for ideas on who should go where. Hope you enjoy the content!

1- Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck

The more we hear about Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts decision to pick up his contract or not, the more I feel like they will choose to let him walk and take the best quarterback prospect to come out since Peyton in Stanford’s Andrew Luck.

2- St. Louis Rams: OT Matt Kalil

The Rams could choose to trade down here but I think it would be wise of them to invest in a franchise left tackle like Kalil. Sam Bradford was abused last season and although they need to add pass catchers, protecting their investment is much more important…not to mention this is a deep draft class for wide receivers and franchise left tackles are much harder to find than #1 wide receivers. Bradford has been sacked over 2.5 times per game in his 26 career starts with the Rams.

*3- Washington Redskins: QB Robert Griffin III

*Projected Trade w/Vikings

Normally I don’t like to include trades within my mock drafts but the Vikings lost out on Kalil and could stand to add draft picks, while teams like the Redskins will be looking to trade up to get in front of the Browns for the opportunity to select dynamic play-maker Robert Griffin III. The Redskins have seen what a player like Michael Vick can bring to the table in the NFC East and will jump at the opportunity to add one of the most exciting players in this draft.

4- Cleveland Browns: RB Trent Richardson

The Browns lose out on RG3 but find a dynamic player themselves in Richardson, who can get the running game going and help out Colt McCoy and the struggling offense. Peyton Hillis has fallen out of favor in Cleveland and Montario Hardesty has shown and done little with the opportunities he has been given to this point. The Browns aren’t quite ready to give up on Colt McCoy before they provide him with some play makers on offense, and adding Richardson’s services will surely help open up the passing game.

5- Tampa Bay Bucanneers: CB Morris Clairborne

In a division against teams like the Saints, Falcons, and Panthers who all have dynamic offenses and key players at the skill positions, the Buccaneers would prove wise to invest in secondary players who can limit these dynamic offenses. Clairborne is a potential shut-down corner who has great length and ball skills. Clairborne can come in and immediately start for a secondary that is becoming somewhat devoid of talent.

*6- Minnesota Vikings: OT Riley Reiff

*Projected trade w/Redskins

The Vikings missed out on Kalil but are able to move back and secure some picks for their future, while nabbing the 2nd best offensive tackle prospect in this draft. Reiff is a mid-western guy who excelled at wrestling at his high school in South Dakota. Reiff can immediately come in and start at right tackle for the Vikings, with the potential to move to the left side as he gains more experience. Justin Blackmon is an enticing option for the Vikings but protecting Christian Ponder is far more important to his development, as they will be able to secure a good wide receiver with later picks and potentially move back up into the first with the picks they would receive from the Redskins if they so choose.

7- Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Quinton Coples

Another tough decision for the Jaguars as Justin Blackmon is still available. However, the Jags choose to go in a different direction as Coples presents the most value. I think Blackmon will fall some after a disappointing showing in the 40 yard dash at the Combine so Coples is the choice here.

*8- Carolina Panthers: DT/DE Michael Brockers

*Picks 8 & 9 determined by coin flip

The offense got a big boost with the addition of Cam Newton and resurgence of Steve Smith at the wide receiver position so management chooses to address the defense this season. Brockers is a tall and big defensive lineman who can play in multiple schemes. He is a bit raw as a pass rusher and needs to develop more consistency, but Brocker’s upside is undeniable. Brockers has Richard Seymour type upside and with experience and coaching could become one of the better run stoppers in the league for a team who struggled to stop the run all season.

*9- Miami Dolphins: DE/OLB Melvin Ingram

*Picks 8 & 9 determined by coin flip

The Dolphins lack a quality pass rusher outside of Cameron Wake so they decide to choose one of the most dynamic and versatile defensive players in this entire draft. Ingram has explosive burst and is an incredible athlete for his size, who has the added capability to line up all over the defensive line and attack the oppositions quarterback from multiple angles. Ingram is an intriguing pawn piece for any defensive coordinator, especially those who are creative.

10- Buffalo Bills: OLB Courtney Upshaw

Perhaps the premier outside linebacker in this draft, Upshaw plays the run and pass very well and shows great understatement of leverage and how to disengage. He is incredibly effective a turning speed into power and although the Bills could use some help on the offensive side of the ball, Upshaw is just too good to pass up at this point.

*11- Kansas City Chiefs: OG David DeCastro

*Picks 11 & 12 determined by coin flip

Just falling out of the top 10, DeCastro is one of the best interior lineman to come out in quite some time. The running game is very important to the Chiefs offensive philosophy and although a Tackle like DeCastro’s team-mate Jonathon Martin could make some sense here; DeCastro is the better player of the two and presents the most value.

*12- Seattle Seahawks: QB Ryan Tannehill

*Picks 11 & 12 determined by coin flip

Pete Carrol has been tap dancing around selecting a franchise quarterback and it’s time he finally pulls the trigger and finds his franchise signal caller. Tannehill has a lot of tools to work with and a ton of upside as a passer, however he does need time and would be best served to sit an learn for a season before taking the reigns. Tannehill only has 19 career starts after playing Wide Receiver for the Aggies his first two seasons at Texas A&M.

13- Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonathon Martin

Although I am not sold on Martin becoming a left tackle in the NFL there is no doubting his run blocking abilities and should be an instant fit/upgrade over incumbent starter Levi Brown.

14- Dallas Cowboys: CB Janoris Jenkins

An almost forgotten man, Jenkins shined during Senior Bowl week and is heading in the right direction. The Cowboys need to address the secondary and upgrade the talent on the back-end. Jenkins has fluid hips and displays sound footwork and balance. If Jenkins can clear his name and get people to forgive and forget his past that lead him to being dismissed from the Florida football team he could wind up in the top 20 selections.

15- Philadelphia Eagles: LB Luke Kuechly

One of the biggest weaknesses of the Eagles defense this season was the play of the linebackers as they were consistently washed out and became liabilities against the run. It’s clear that Casey Matthews isn’t the answer at liddle Linebacker and adding a player with Kuechly’s instincts and recognition skills would be a step in the right direction for a team that struggled to find their defensive identity all season.

16- New York Jets: WR Justin Blackmon

Blackmon’s free fall finally stops with the Jets as he presents great value at this point for a team in need of some pass catchers. Plaxico Burress is unlikely to resign and Holmes criticism of quarterback Mark Sanchez has put him in the doghouse as  locker room disruption. Blackmon is not overly fast or athletic and will disappoint in the 40 yard dash at the Combine at Indy. Nevertheless, Blackmon can become a reliable red-zone target for a team that struggled in the red-zone last season.

17- Cincinnati Bengals (From Raiders): CB Dre Kirkpatrick

A recent drug related arrest in which charges were dropped still has Kirkpatrick’s maturity and character in question. However, teams like the Bengals have generally looked past these off the field issues. Kirkpatrick is long, athletic, and physical and fills a big need for the Bengals after losing Jonathon Joseph to free agency last season and Leon Hall this season to an achilles injury.

18- San Diego Chargers: DE/OLB Whitney Mercilus

The Chargers are in desperate need of a pass rush and former first round pick Larry English has not worked out and has disappointed to this point in his career. Mercilus put up huge numbers this season after accumulating 16 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, and 22.5 tackles for a loss. Mercilus will likely be asked to switch positions and play 3-4 outside linebacker so it will be imperative that he can make the switch, so be sure to pay close attention to this during the upcoming Combine.

19- Chicago Bears: WR Michael Floyd

The Bears have put off drafting a top talent wide receiver prospect for Jay Cutler for far too long, so now is the time to add a big playmaker. Floyd has great size and can become the big play threat the Bears have been lacking on offense at the position for quite some time. Martz is out and Mike Tice has taken over the reigns and will surely pounce at the opportunity to add a player of Floyd’s caliber.

20- Tennessee Titans: DT Devon Still

The Titans have long been looking for Albert Hayneworth’s replacement, even after rookies Karl Klug and Jurrell Casey have demonstrated some success and ability in their first seasons. Still is a massive man with loads of upside due to his impressive size and strength. Still has powerfully violent hands, can stack and shed, and knows how to knife into the opponent’s backfield. He needs to develop more consistency but has too much upside to pass up.

21- Cincinnati Bengals: RB Doug Martin

Doug Martin enjoyed a very successful trip to the Senior Bowl and has opened up some eyes in the scouting community. Martin is built low to the ground and exhibits a powerful enough lower body to fight through contact and break arm tackles. He is also an effective receiver out of the backfield who would add another wrinkle/dimension to the Bengals suddenly potent offense with the likes of Dalton and Green.

22- Cleveland Browns (From Falcons): WR Kendall Wright

The Browns continue to add playmakers around Colt McCoy with the addition of Wright. Wright has incredible speed and athleticism and is capable of stretching the defense vertically to hit the home run. His ability to make plays all over the field is incredibly enticing and he should shine during his Combine performances. The run on wide receivers is beginning so it wouldn’t be shocking to see a rush on them at this point in the draft, with teams looking to move up to secure their rights.

23- Detroit Lions: OG/OT Cordy Glenn

The Lions have avoided adding offensive lineman and now is the time to invest with a great young player at quarterback and expiring and aging players at key positions on the offensive front (Backus, Raiola). Glenn is a mammoth human being with an incredible wingspan and natural feet and balance. He proved well at the Senior Bowl and looks to be able to play multiple positions along the offensive line which will only add to his value.

24- Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Mike Adams

Mike Adams was probably the biggest beneficiary of the Senior Bowl and is now beginning his ascension up NFL Draft Boards. The Steelers have a great need along the offensive front to help protect their ailing quarterback Ben Roethlesberger and Mike Adams can come in and contribute his rookie season.

25- Denver Broncos: DT Fletcher Cox

The Broncos struck gold with pass rush specialist Von Miller last season but now must get bigger up front and provide more of an inside pass rush. Cox can do this thanks to his superior motor and hustle on every play. He’s a versatile defensive lineman who can line up along a couple positions on the defensive line and would greatly help out a team in need of an inside presence. The Broncos could also consider Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy.

26- Houston Texans: S Mark Barron

The Texans defense flourished under first year defensive coordinator Wade Phillips but can stand to get better yet. Adding a player like Barron would give the secondary another playmaker capable of helping out against both the run and pass. Barron has recently been linked to a double sports hernia that could keep him out into July/August, which could greatly affect his draft stock moving forward.

27- New England Patriots (From New Orleans): WR Alshon Jeffrey

The New England Patriots were exposed in the Super Bowl for a couple different reasons, but a lack of a big time playmaker in the receiving game certainly did not help. Jeffrey is a big bodied receiver who excelled during his Sophomore season at South Carolina but failed to make the same impact this season. Adding a player with Jeffrey’s skill set would add another dimension to this highly explosive offense and give them another reliable red-zone option outside of Rob Gronkowski. Bill Bellicheck loves boom or bust type players and the risk here is relatively low while the rewards could be infinite.

28- Green Bay Packers: OLB/DE Nick Perry

The Packers have nearly everything they need outside of a big time Running Back on offense, but could use another pass rusher to take some of the pressure and attention off of Clay Matthews. Perry played 4-3 defensive end at USC but looks to have the agility and athleticism to make the move to 3-4 Outside Linebacker in the NFL. Perry is extremely quick off the snap and shows natural burst as a pass rusher off the edge. Perry needs work playing against the run but he is more than capable of giving the Packers another pass rush specialist outside of the “Claymaker”.

29- Baltimore Ravens: LB Vontaze Burfict

Everyone is aware of Burfict’s on field antics that have gotten him in trouble and lead to his attitude and character becoming in question. Burfict needs structure and support by a veteran based group of players that can lead him down the right road so to speak. A player of Ray Lewis’s caliber can do this for the young and somewhat immature Burfict, as there is little doubting his physical abilities to become a special player…he just needs leadership and guidance which the Ravens organization can definitely offer.

30- San Francisco 49er’s: WR Mohamed Sanu

One of the biggest surprises this season was the performance of the 49er’s under first year head coach Jim Harbaugh, who came up one win shy of playing in the Super Bowl. Adding a player like Sanu to help out the 49er’s inept passing game is a must this off-season, whether it be through the draft or free agency. Sanu brings a physical precense to the position and is a very reliable target with sure hands. His toughness and downfield blocking ability is something Harbabugh will appreciate as it fits the mold the 49er’s are trying to establish.

31- New England Patriots: DE/DT Jared Crick

The Patriots have struggled to find a replacement on the defensive line who can make the sort of impact Richard Seymour had during his time in New England. Crick would have went higher but a season ending injury has set him back some, making him available for the Patriots here. Crick is a big bodied player who has the versatility to play inside or out and fit multiple schemes. Crick appears to be the type of player Bellichick tends to fall in love with as he has loads of upside if he can overcome his past injury issues.

32- New York Giants: TE Dwayne Allen

The defending Super Bowl champions have other needs such as ILB, CB, and OT but Tight End becomes an even greater need after critical knee injuries to both Jake Ballard and Tony Beckum in the Super Bowl. Allen is considered the most complete Tight End because of his ability to line up on as an in-line blocker, while also showing the versatility and athleticism to stretch the seam and become a reliable down field target. The Giants could also consider LB Dont’a Hightower with their first pick.

-Hope you enjoyed this post-

-Brandon

Post All-Star Game Big Board:

*Rankings are as of Super Bowl Sunday (2/5/12) and are bound to change between now and the 2012 NFL Draft in April. Here is the list of players I currently feel have 1st round ability and deserve consideration. Feel free to criticize and discuss these rankings, I look forward to your input and thoughts.

 QB Andrew Luck Stanford: Always has and always will be the top player on this Big Board. Luck has so much football talent and intelligence it isn’t even fair. If the NFL was to do a mock draft involving all 32 NFL teams, Luck would likely go in the Top 10 overall…he’s that good.

2- LT Matt Kalil USC: Elite athleticism and length make Kalil a very good pass protector and future Pro-Bowl type player. His range and ability to ride defenders around the edge make him a potential franchise Left Tackle.

3- RB Trent Richardson Alabama: Richardson is an elite prospect who will probably get drafted later than he actually should because of lack of draft value for the position he plays in the NFL. Richardson’s ability to consistently pick up yards after contact make him one of the better backs overall to come out in quite some time.

4- QB Robert Griffin III Baylor: The Heisman winner has elite physical talent and forces the defense to cover every square inch of the football field. The question with Griffin will be if he can hold-up physically and stay healthy in the NFL due to his slighter frame for the position.

5- CB Morris Clairborne LSU: Elite size, length, and athleticism while possessing great ball skills make Clairborne a potential shut-down corner capable of playing on an island and shutting down one half of the football field.

6- WR Justin Blackmon Oklahoma State: Not overly athletic or fast, Blackmon does most of his damage by executing on underneath type routes. possessing excellent body control and spacial awareness, Blackmon has the makings of a #1 type receiver in the NFL who can make an instant impact in the highly important red-zone.

7- OT Riley Reiff Iowa: Excellent technique make this former All-State wrestler a potential starting Left Tackle in the NFL. his background in the sport gives him a very deep understanding of leverage and hand placement, while also displaying his toughness and tenacity in both the run and pass game.

8- DE Quinton Coples North Carolina: Not your classic pass-rush specialist with speed to threaten the Edge, Coples does his damage by playing with excellent dis-engagement skills thanks to his powerful and violent hands. Coples may not be a 10+ sack guy a season but he is impressive against both the run and pass and will find a way to be effective at the next level.

9- DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw Alabama: Upshaw is a little on the shorter size but don’t underestimate the amount of power Upshaw has. He plays with excellent leverage and can dis-engage from opponents thanks to his superior hand to hand combat skills. Upshaw will make for a very good starting 3-4 OLB in the NFL, who could have a Von Miller type impact if put into the right system.

10- G David DeCastro Stanford: The most impressive interior blocker in all of college football last season, DeCastro has the physical tools to be the 1st player drafted at his position in the Top 10 since The New Orleans Saints selected Chris Naeole with the 10 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft.

11- LB Luke Kuechly Boston College: Incredible instincts and recognition skills, Luke Kuechly more than makes up for his lack of elite range and athleticism by displaying an incredible feel and understanding of the game.

12- DT Devon Still Penn State: The most dominant player at his position in college football this past season, Still’s ability to penetrate the backfield and affect both the pass and rush makes him a valuable player. Still needs to develop more consistency to his game and is a big risk-reward type player, but he was simply a man amongst boys this season and has incredible upside to his game.

13- S Mark Barron Alabama: Easily the best safety prospect in this class Barron possesses the ability to play the point in coverage as well as come up as an in the box type safety and fill running lanes.

14- T Jonathon Martin Stanford: Martin had the all important task of protecting Andrew Luck’s blind side the past two seasons at Stanford and did an admirable job for the most part. I still have questions about his ability keep with speed rushers and defend players who can turn speed into power in the NFL. Martin hasn’t proven to me that he can stick at Left Tackle in the NFL and I see him more of a Right Tackle where his good run blocking skills would be most taken advantage of.

15- CB Janoris Jenkins North Alabama: A nearly forgotten man, Jenkins flashed the impressive skills that made him such an intriguing prospect while at Florida. After an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl, Jenkins is riding a nice wave into the draft season and beginning to get back into good graces with scouts and general managers around the NFL.

16- DT/DE Michael Brockers: A rare red shirt sophomore who has decided to declare, Brockers has shown flashes of brilliance, leading to comparisons to All-Pro Richard Seymour of the Oakland Raiders. Brockers doesn’t have much film available but his upside is undeniably high and scouts are split on where he should end up in the NFL Draft. Brockers will be one of the players to watch closely this Draft season and is truly a boom or bust type player.

17- C Peter Konz Wisconsin: One of my personal favorites in the 2012 NFL Draft, Konz is one of the best center prospects to come out in quite some time, and maybe the best to come out of the Big Ten since New York Jets Center Nick Mangold. Konz plays with great technique and executes line calls/adjustments pre-snap to get his men on the same page before the play. Konz also flashes a mean streak and nice tenacity by finishing plays and driving his opponents to the ground. Konz should be the first player drafted at his position by a wide margin.

18- DE/OLB/DT Melvin Ingram South Carolina: A versatile player who excelled in one on one drills at the Senior Bowl, Ingram possesses incredible quickness and acceleration off the football. He needs to work on his technique a little bit,but his upside as a pass-rush specialist is undeniable, as he is capable of attacking the quarterback from multiple angles.

19- WR Michael Floyd Notre Dame: Floyd had the opportunity to compete at the Senior Bowl and stake claim to the #1 overall Senior Wide Receiver in this draft but surprisingly turned down the opportunity. luckily Baylor’s Kendall Wright also did not participate because of an injury, however Floyd has a lot to prove come Combine time when his talents will be on full display for evaluators.

20- CB Dre Kirkpatrick Alabama: A recent drug-related arrest for possession of marijuana has Kirkpatrick’s draft stock in limbo. There is no doubting his combination of size, length, and overall athleticism but Kirkpatrick did himself no favors by getting into trouble with the law before the biggest job interview of his life. Kirkpatrick has a lot to prove and a lot of questions about his character and maturity to answer before he can be considered an elite prospect once again.

21- OT Mike Adams Ohio State: Perhaps the biggest riser from the Senior Bowl, Adams consistently looked the part by shutting down multiple pass-rushers during one on one drills. His performance in the game against players like Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw was also impressive and has his draft stock climbing in he right direction.

22- WR Kendall Wright Baylor: Wright is a highly explosive player whose speed and athleticism make him a big play threat in the NFL. Wright will be competing closely with fellow Senior Wide Receiver Michael Floyd for the #2 spot behind Justin Blackmon in the 2012 NFL Draft.

23- OT/OG Cordy Glenn Georgia: Glenn is a mountain of a man who I consider a “dancing bear” because of his impressive movement skills and nimble footwork. Glenn did surprisingly well at Left Tackle during the Senior Bowl and his added versatility to play Right Tackle or Guard in the NFL makes him a very intriguing prospect.

24- QB Ryan Tannehill Texas A&M: Tannehill is a former Wide Receiver who has all the tools to become a franchise quarterback at the next level…he just needs time to develop and should not be asked to start immediately in his rookie season.

25- RB Lamar Miller Miami: The acceleration Miller shows in and out of his cuts is an extremely rare and impressive trait. His home run ability should get him drafted in the 1st round despite off-season shoulder surgery.

26- DT Dontari Poe Memphis: A mammoth nose tackle, Poe could become the premier player at his position in this draft, which will undoubtedly send his draft stock soaring. I haven’t been able to find or watch much film on Poe for myself but have like what I have heard and found from respected talent evaluators in the industry.

27- WR Alshon Jeffrery South Carolina: An immensely gifted and towering wide receiver, Jeffery is one of the harder players to grade in this entire draft class. Jeffrey was essentially un-coverable last season and struggled some this year to gain separation and make the same type of impact he did during his Sophomore season. With that said, Jeffrey is incredibly gifted and deceptively fast, while using his big body to shield defenders from himself and the football. The off-season will be very important for Jeffrey in determining his draft stock, but comparisons to former USC Wide Receiver Mike Williams will hurt his draft value a bit.

28- LB Vontaze Burfict Arizona State: Burfict has all the talent in the world, however questions about his mental-makeup and attitude have scouts turned off a bit. Burfict will need to clear up these questions if he is to rise any leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft.

29- CB Alfonzo Dennard Nebraska: What some considered a poor performance from Dennard at the Senior Bowl, I was acutally impressed with how he responded and came out and competed after the amount of criticism he received after practice on Monday. If anything the Senior Bowl proved the weaknesses some scouts had leading up to the Senior Bowl about Dennard’s ability to flip his hips and turn and run with receivers down the field. Dennard is much more comfortable playing off coverage and fits best in a Cover 2 type scheme where he can keep the play in front of him, while having the added luxury of having help over the top. Dennard is still an extremely gifted corner who deserves consideration in the late 1st-early 2nd round range. His ability to recognize routes, click and close, and mirror his man while staying in their hip pocket makes him an effective corner…although he is better served and limited to some schemes that fit his strengths the best.

30- DT/DE Fletcher Cox Mississippi State: A versatile defensive lineman who can play inside or out, Fletcher Cox is somewhat falling under the radar. His impressive motor and hustle on every play will get him noticed, as will the fact that he played in the dominant SEC Conference.

31- WR Mohamed Sanu Rutgers: Another one of my favorite players in this Draft, Sanu has flown under the radar some to this point. He’s not extremely athletic or overly fast to create consistent separation, but Sanu simply catches the ball with great consistency. His ability to come down with the difficult catch and use his physicality and toughness as both a blocker and a receiver make him a very enticing player who could rise substantially going through the scouting process in the coming months.

32- RB Doug Martin Boise State: A player who has always been one of my favorites, Doug Martin is built low to the ground and possesses a nice build, as his low center of gravity and balance make him a hard player to bring down. He runs well behind his pads with good forward lean and has some natural speed to take it the distance, although I wouldn’t call him a true home run threat. Martin also excels as a receiver out of the backfield and shows the toughness/willingness to pick up blitzing defenders in pass protection…he truely is a complete back who reminds me some of Ray Rice and Ahmad Bradshaw.

-Hope you ejoyed this post-

-Brandon

Post All-Star Game Positional Rankings:

*Early on in the process, with just under 3 months to go from the 2012 NFL Draft these are my unofficial positional rankings as of 2/1/12. Much more film work and study is in session as you will notice some ties throughout these rankings. Ties are for players I currently rank very close to one another at a certain position, but will eventually chose one over the other once I feel comfortable and confident. Just because players are listed does not mean they will stay there and just because players are not listed does not mean they will not eventually find their way on to my list. Hope you enjoy and feel free to criticize these rankings all you want…your input is highly valued and well-taken.

 

Quarterbacks

1. Andrew Luck Stanford (6-4 235) – Top Overall Pick

2. Robert Griffin III Baylor (6-2 220) – Top 5

3. Ryan Tannehill Texas A&M (6-4 220) – Mid-Late 1st

4. Brandon Weeden Oklahoma State (6-3 220) – Mid-Late 2nd

5. Brock Osweiller Arizona State (6-8 240) – Late 2nd-Early 3rd

 

*On the Cusp:

Russell Wilson Wisconsin (5-10 205)

Kirk Cousins Michigan State (6-2 210)

Nick Foles Arizona (6-5 245)

 

 

Running Backs:

1. Trent Richardson Alabama (5-11 225) – Top 3 Overall

2. Lamar Miller Miami (5-11 210) – Late 1st

3. Doug Martin Boise State (5-9 220) – Late 1st Early 2nd

4. David Wilson Virginia Tech (5-10 205) – Mid 2nd

T-5. Chris Polk Washington (5-11 225) – Late 2nd-Early 3rd

T-5. LaMichael James Oregon (5-9 195) – Late 2nd-Early 3rd

 

On the Cusp:

Bernard Pierce Temple (6-0 220)

Issiah Pead Cincinnati (5-9 195)

 

Wide Receivers:

1. Justin Blackmon Oklahoma State (6-1 215) – Top 8 Overall

2. Michael Floyd Notre Dame (6-3 225) – Mid 1st

3. Kendall Wright Baylor (5-10 190) – Mid-Late 1st

T-4. Alshon Jeffery South Carolina (6-4 230) – Late 1st

T-4. Mohamed Sanu Rutgers (6-3 215) – Late 1st

5. Reuben Randle LSU (6-3 210) – Mid 2nd

 

On the Cusp:

Juron Criner Arizona (6-2 220)

Dwight Jones North Carolina (6-3 225)

Joe Adams Arkansas (5-10 175)

Nick Toon Wisconsin (6-2 220)

Jairus Wright Arkansas (5-10 180)

 

Tight Ends:

1. Dwayne Allen Clemson (6-4 255) – Early 2nd

2. Coby Fleener Stanford (6-6 245) – Early-Mid 2nd

3. Orson Charles Georgia (6-3 240) – Mid 2nd

4. Michael Egnew Missouri (6-5 250) – Mid-Late 3rd

5. Ladarius Green Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6 235) – Late 3rd-Early 4th

 

On the Cusp:

David Paulson Oregon (6-3 245)

 

Offensive Tackles:

1. Matt Kalil Southern California (6-7 295) – Top 5 Overall

2. Riley Reiff Iowa (6-6 300) – Top 10 Overall

3. Jonathon Martin Stanford (6-6 305) – Mid 1st

4. Mike Adams Ohio State (6-7 325) – Mid 1st

5. Cordy Glenn Georgia (6-5 345) – Mid-Late 1st

 

On the Cusp:

Zebrie Sanders (6-5 310)

Keleche Osemele Iowa State (6-5 335)

Bobby Massie Ole Miss (6-6 315)

Jeff Allen Illinois (6-4 305)

Nate Potter Boise State (6-6 300)

 

Offensive Guards:

1. David DeCastro Stanford (6-5 310) – Top 10 Overall

2. Cordy Glenn Georgia (6-5 345) – Mid-Late 1st

3. Keleche Osemele Iowa State (6-5 335) – Early-Mid 2nd

4. Kevin Zeitler Wisconsin (6-3 315) – Mid-Late 2nd

T-5. Brandon Washington Miami (6-4 320) Early 3rd

T-5. Jeff Allen Illinois (6-4 305) Early 3rd

 

On the Cusp:

Levy Adcock Oklahoma State (6-5 320)

Amini Silatolu Midwestern State (6-3 320)

Brandon Brooks Miami-Ohio (6-4 345)

Senio Kelemete Washington (6-3 300)

 

Centers:

1. Peter Konz Wisconsin (6-5 315) – Mid 1st

2. Ben Jones Georgia (6-2 305) – Mid-Late 3rd

3. Mike Brewster Ohio State (6-4 310) – Late 3rd-Early 4th

4. David Molk Michigan (6-2 290) – Late 3rd-Early 4th

5. Phillip Blake Baylor (6-2 315) – Early-Mid 4th

 

On the Cusp:

William Vlachos Alabama (6-0 305)

Quinton Saulsberry Mississippi State (6-2 300)

 

Defensive Ends:

1. Quinton Coples North Carolina (6-5 280) – Top 10 Overall

2. Melvin Ingram South Carolina (6-1 275) – Mid 1st

T-3. Nick Perry Southern California 6-3 250) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

T-3. Whitney Mercilus (6-4 265) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

T-3. Andre Branch Clemson (6-4 260) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

4. Vinny Curry Marshall (6-3 265) – Early-Mid 2nd

5. Jared Crick Nebraska (6-5 285) – Mid 2nd

 

On the Cusp:

Cam Johnson Virginia (6-3 270)

Chandler Jones Syracuse (6-5 265)

 

Defensive Tackles:

1. Devon Still Penn State (6-5 310) – Mid 1st

2. Michael Brockers LSU (6-6 305) – Mid-Late 1st

3. Dontari Poe Memphis (6-5 350) – Mid-Late 1st

T-4. Fletcher Cox Mississippi (6-4 295) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

T-4 Jerel Worthy Michigan State (6-3 310) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

5. Brandon Thompson Clemson (6-2 310) – Early-Mid 2nd

 

On the Cusp:

Josh Chapman Alabama (6-1 310)

Alameda Ta’amu Washington (6-2 340)

Derek Wolfe Cincinnati (6-5 300)

Mike Martin Michigan (6-1 310)

Kendall Reyes Connecticut (6-3 300)

 

 

Outside Linebackers:

1. Courtney Upshaw Alabama (6-1 275) – Top 10 Overall

2. Melvin Ingram South Carolina (6-1 275) – Mid 1st

3. Lavonte David Nebraska (6-0 225) – Early 2nd

4. Zach Brown North Carolina (6-1 235)  – Early-Mid 2nd

T-5. Ronell Lewis Oklahoma (6-2 245) – Late 2nd-Early 3rd

T-5. Sean Spence Miami (5-11 225) Late 2nd – Early 3rd

 

On the Cusp:

Travis Lewis Oklahoma (6-2 230)

Bruce Irvin West Virginia (6-2 245)

Brandon Lindsey Pittsburgh (6-2 250)

Terrell Manning NC State (6-3 235)

Bobby Wagner Utah State (6-0 240)

 

Inside Linebackers:

1. Luke Kuechly Boston College (6-2 235) – Mid 1st

2. Vontaze Burfict Arizona State (6-3 250) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

3. Dont’a Hightower Alabama (6-4 260) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

4. Audie Cole North Carolina State (6-4 250) – Late 3rd-Early 4th

5. Bobby Wagner Utah State (6-0 240) – Early 4th

 

On the Cusp:

None

 

Cornerbacks:

1. Morris Clairborne LSU (6-0 185) – Top 5 Overall

T-2. Janoris Jenkins North Alabama (5-9 190) – Mid 1st

T-2. Dre Kirkpatrick Alabama (6-2 195) – Mid 1st

T-3. Alfonzo Dennard Nebraska (5-10 205) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

T-3. Chase Minnifield Virginia (6-0 185) – Late 1st-Early 2nd

4. Stephon Gilmore South Carolina (6-1 195) – Early 2nd

5. Brandon Boykin Georgia (5-9 185) – Mid-Late 2nd

 

On the Cusp:

Casey Hayward Vanderbilt (5-11 190)

Jayron Hosley Virginia Tech (5-10 175)

Leonard Johnson Iowa State (5-9 200)

Dwight Bentley Louisiana-Lafayette (5-9 175)

Jammell Flemming Oklahoma (5-10 200)

 

Safeties:

1. Mark Barron Alabama (6-2 220) – Mid-Late 1st

2. Harrison Smith Notre Dame (6-1 215) – Late 2nd-Early 3rd

3. Markelle Martin Oklahoma State (6-0 205) – Early 3rd

4. Antonio Allen South Carolina (6-1 205) – Mid 3rd

5. George Iloka Boise State (6-3 220) – Mid-Late 3rd

 

On the Cusp:

Janzen Jackson McNeese State (6-0 190)

 

-Thanks for reading this report-

 

-Brandon

Senior Bowl Day 3: South Squad

I know this is a day late but like they say, “better late than never”…let’s get into who/what caught my attention.

-Oklahoma State QB Brandon Weeden is the best quarterback down in Mobile this week and he has improved his stock greatly for his play. I have been impressed how well he has adapted to the pro-style offense as his footwork on his 3 and 5 foot drops look pretty crisp, and he is showing nice timing with his receivers. He’s not looking uncomfortable or overwhelmed at all, which was something that had potentially concerned me with leading up to the week. Weeden’s arm strength isn’t elite but it is good enough and he is showing good torque to drive the ball into tight windows. His balance when he drops back has also been impressive and he is proving to clear up many of the concerns I had with him leading into the week, including anticipation. Weeden still has questions to answer because of his age and whether he can come in and compete right away or needs further development and time, but this week has been a good step in the right direction for him.

Louisiana Tech RB Lennon Creer was a late add to the Senior Bowl after enjoying a successful week at the East-West Shrine Game. Creer has continued that momentum and parlayed that into another solid showing here this week. A former Tennessee Volunteer, Creer has always possessed a unique blend of talent to garner division one interest but he ultimately left and transferred to Louisiana Tech. Creer has pressed the line of scrimmage well and is showing some natural burst and lateral movement skills. I am excited to see how well he does in the game Saturday, but there is no doubt he has turned some heads and caught the attention of coach’s and scouts with his play the past two weeks.

-Florida WR/RB Chris Rainey has proved to be a very dynamic and versatile player all week. He has taken a lot of reps at Wide Receiver and while his routes have been a bit raw, his pure speed and quickness has been overwhelming for some Cornerbacks to keep up with. Speed kills in the NFL and Rainey definitely has it, which could get him drafted in the Top 100 because he is such a weapon in the return and passing game. The Dexter McCluster comparison definitely fits and Rainey is more of a luxury player who if you can get him his touches he could be a very viable and valuable weapon.

-Arkansas WR Joe Adams may not be as fast as Chris Rainey but he is a better Wide Receiver overall and is displaying some impressive traits. His foot speed and short area quickness are two of the things that make him such a nightmare to defend for an extended period of time and make him one of the best returners in this entire draft. He has also done a good job adjusting to the football and I really appreciate/like his overall skill-set as I think he can be a bit like an Antonio Brown or Randall Cobb in your offense and special teams unit.

-Arizona WR Juron Criner has opened up a lot of eyes this week with his play. Criner has displayed very solid hands even coming down with what had to be the catch of the week so far during Tuesday’s practice session. While he is not overly sudden or necessarily explosive in and out of his breaks he does a great job with body control and spacial awareness, which allows him to come down with the catch even in tight coverage. Criner is one of those interesting players I am excited to go do more film work on because of his performance.

-Texas A&M WR Jeff Fuller has been extremely disappointing this week and looks like a shell of his former self. His lack of physicality has been exposed and he has a very tough time creating much of any sort of separation due to his lack of any quality burst or speed in and out of his routes. Fuller has also struggled to get his head around quickly enough to locate the ball and his concentration and hand-eye coordination has been lacking overall as he has failed to haul in some passes this week. Fuller reminds me of a poor man’s Roy Williams which isn’t saying a lot for him…his draft stock has dropped more than any other player from this year to last.

-North Carolina WR Dwight Jones has not impressed me this week. He struggled mightily with press coverage and failed to show the type of foot quickness and agility to create separation. He also got a bit upright and failed to drop his pad level when re-directed. I haven’t liked his level of physicality nor his attitude to compete at this point and while I admit he has loads of upside, he just hasn’t showed me enough to consider him in the 1st round as some have mentioned him in. Jones is more of a 2nd-3rd round WR for me at this point.

-Illinois OT Jeff Allen was a late replacement as well and has done a good job competing on short notice. A tackle for Illinois, Jeff Allen alternated between both the right and left side all season for the fighting Illini. His versatility had also been key for him here this week as he took snaps at guard and held his own for the most part. He is not overly athletic or long like some of the other highly touted offensive lineman prospects but don’t get it twisted Allen can play in the NFL. Allen plays with solid leverage and technique overall and can handle the bull rush by playing with a nice wide base and good inside hand positioning. His anchoring skills make him a soid fit to play at right tackle or guard in the NFL and I like him as a mid-round steal.

-Baylor C Phillip Blake has also caught my attention this week. Playing with players like RG3 and Kendall Wright it is very hard to notice a player like Blake on the line but he has held his own very well in 1 on 1’s. Blake is a thickly built player who neutralizes the bull rush and knows how to re-direct when beaten initially. He has quietly enjoyed a great week and will be getting extra looks on film from me and I am sure a handful of other scouts.

-Georgia OT/OG Cordy Glenn…or the “Dancing Bear: as I like to call him was the most impressive player for me today on either squad. He has nimble feet and displays nice quickness to get into his sets off the snap. His movement skills for a man who nearly weighs 350 lbs. is extremely rare and had me smiling and shaking my head at one point during team drills. On a toss sweep to the left Glenn pulled and fired out of his stance, getting out in front to pick up an attacking linebacker with great tenacity and aggressiveness. I was astonished at how well he moved and quickly he got up to speed to hit a moving target in space. Glenn also matched up very well with some of the best pass-rushers in Mobile this week in Upshaw, Coples, and Ingram and consistently held his own against these caliber players. Glenn is a long, strong, and surprisingly athletic big man who will be a very good offensive lineman in the NFL, who can start immediately. I was so impressed I haven’t ruled out the possibility of him staying at Left Tackle quite yet, but if that doesn’t work out he should be versatile enough to play Right Tackle or kick inside to Guard. I can’t wait to disect more film on this fine player, he is a real riser this week for me.

-Florida State OT Zebrie Sanders on the other hand struggled all week and really unimpressed me. He was consistently off-balance, dropping his head and bending at the waist, giving up ground to defenders all week. Granted he was lining up with some of the best defensive lineman in Mobile all week, he will face that caliber of competition on a week to week basis in the NFL. He lunged and got over-extended regularly and consistently failed to find his fit inside his man’s numbers. This was a big opportunity and week for Sanders to show what he is capable of but he failed to impress on a multitude of levels. I no longer see him as a potential first round pick and could fall out of the Top 50 overall completely with his poor showing.

-North Carolina DL Quinton Coples once again flashed his powerful and explosive nature by disengaging with relative ease on a consistent basis. As has been noted his get-off is nowhere near elite but he is just simply a sound and solid football player. I don’t think he warrants Top 10 talent but I would be shocked to see him fall out of the Top 15 overall at this point.

-South Carolina DL Melvin Ingram is probably the third best player on the South’s impressive defensive line after Upshaw and Coples. However, what makes Ingram special is his incredible quickness and athleticism as he does a great job of setting up his man and keeping them off-balance. His quick-twitch athleticism allows him to strike at a moment’s notice and his movements are extremely sudden and hard to mirror for opponents. Ingram is still developing in the handwork department and could do a better job turning his power to speed, but this a solid and versatile player who can make an impact immediately from multiple angles and positions along the defensive front….I like to call him the “Flying Torpedo”

-Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw has been the most impressive player in Mobile this week and while his lack of great height and sheer get-off may not be elite, Upshaw is a very fine player who has Top 10 talent in my opinion. No one player here can mix up his pass rush moves with speed and power better than Upshaw. He has extremely strong hands and plays with great leverage by consistently locking out and extending his elbows, being able to shed through contact. I really like Upshaw as a prospect and will be moving him up on my Big Board because of his consistent performances…I expect a big game from him Saturday.

-LB Zach Brown North Carolina has been flying around all over this entire week displaying his incredible range and athleticism..there’s a chance he could run as high as 4.4 in the 40 at the Combine. However, this doesn’t dis-warrant my notion that Brown is a better athlete than football at this point. I just don’t see his ability to make much of an impact in the run game and think he will be a liability in this area because of his average instincts and lack of physicality, as I’m not sure he enjoys contact. Brown will get over-drafted because of his great athleticism and while that is great because it makes him a great coverage player, I do not think he is a 3-down linebacker yet and prefer Lavonte David to him if I was an NFL Executive.

-Miami LB Sean Spence is another player turning heads and opening up eyes here this week. His physical demeanor and incredible instincts and ability to fly to the football is incredibly enticing despite his size (5-11 228 lbs.). Spence is another guy who was just a few inches taller we would be talking about a first round pick. Spence is one of my favorite linebackers in this draft despite his size…you just can’t teach attitude and physicality as it is something you have or don’t have, which Spence definitely does. 2nd-3rd round pick for me and solid player.

-Louisianna-Lafayette DB Dwight Bentley has intrigued me and others plenty with his play this week. Coming into the week I had heard he was a potential sleeper but never was I expecting him to be this good. He competed early and often and showed the ability to mirror his opponents and stay in their hip pockets with great consistency. His footwork and balance was good and he showed the ability to click and close on the football with good acceleration to a point rather than his man. I need to do more film work if I can find any on Bentley but he is the small schooler who got me most excited this week.

-Georgia DB Brandon Boykin has also been very impressive. His lack of height (5-9) and size (183 lbs.) will likely limit him a little, however this is one of the better slot/nickel corners available in this year’s draft. His footwork and short area quickness is very good and he competed hard on every rep from what I was able to see. The South squad has a lot of talented players in the secondary and Boykin is one of many who impressed this week. I’m giving him a solid 2nd round grade because of his coverage ability and for the fact that he can help you out in the return game.

-DB Casey Hayward Vanderbilt had an up and down week but was solid overall. His coverage was tight although he did struggle with foot speed at times. His punch/jam at the line is very good but I need to see him be a little less physical down the field as he got a little grabby well into the receiver’s routes..these things will draw P.I’s in the NFL. Nevertheless he seems to have very good ball skills evidenced by his 15 career interceptions and always seems to be around the football. I like him in the late 2nd early 3rd round range and think his best fit lies in a Cover 2 scheme.

-Last but certainly not least was North Alabama DB Janoris Jenkins who impressed greatly this week and showcased the skills that made him so effective against top SEC talent at Florida last year. He flips his hips so quickly and efficiently and can turn and run with receivers. He tends to gamble a little here and there by squatting on routes and stopping his feet, but overall he has been plenty impressive…just trying to make the big play instead of relying on his technique. He reminds me a lot of Asante Samuel and could be making a claim to be the 2nd CB taken after Morris Clairborne.

-Thanks for reading…sorry I was unable to get it out sooner.-

-Brandon

Senior Bowl Day Two: North & South Practices

North Squad

Quarterbacks:

– Russell Wilson (Wisconsin) was seen once again getting mental reps when not behind center and Wisconsin’s head coach Bret Billema had some very nice things to say about his work ethic. Noting that he is a quick study and a fast learner. Wilson is sort of the wildcard in this group but something about him has always intrigued me so I am interested to see him compete the rest of the week leading into the game Saturday. I didn’t get to see him throw too much today but on the one play I did see he showed read the  coverage and understood where to go with the football. Wilson kept his eyes on the high safety and saw the will linebacker move to the middle of the field before finding his open man to the left. These shows me he has some mental alertness and awareness with the football. Wilson strikes me as a player who does all the little things right.

– Kirk Cousins (Michigan State) was sort of an up and down day for Cousins as he made a great touch throw on a post corner at one point during practice. However, later during team he fell away from his throw and was late with the ball resulting in an interception by George Iloka of Boise State. I love Cousins intangibles and appreciate him as a quarterback but I need to see more of him. The competition between Russel in Kirk is heating up and I have to think it will only get better tomorrow, both these young guys have some things you like in a quarterback.

-Kellen Moore (Boise State) struggled again today with a fumbled snap (small hands) and showed very little in the arm strength department. He is going to have an extremely difficult time driving the ball into tight windows at the next level, which will limit his ability to be effective at the next level. His ball comes out with very little velocity and tends to float, making it easy for defensive backs to close on the football.

Running Backs

Doug Martin (Boise State) was the most impressive back today and gained some ground on his counterpart Chris Polk. Martin showed nice burst and explosion and did a good job pressing the line while running with a forward lean. His ability to change directions in an instant is extremely encouraging and one of the things that make him one of my favorite prospects in Mobile this week.

Chris Polk (Washington) struggled in one on one pass protection drills as he was essentially bulled-over by a smaller sized linebacker in Lavonte David. This was extremely discouraging considering many considered he would hold up well in pass protection. I am also starting to question Polk’s burst and acceleration through the hole as he doesn’t seem to possess much explosion to his game. I also noticed that Polk seemed to be going through the motions some as he didn’t finish his runs like he should. Today wasn’t the best day for one of the top backs in the draft, I’m excited to see how he responds tomorrow.

I didn’t get to see much of Pead or Herron running the football but both struggled in pass protection as well as they both were beaten and knocked off balanced with their poor technique.

Wide Receivers

T.J. Graham (NC State) didn’t have as impressive of a day as yesterday but was solid overall. He struggled a little bit with press coverage and had a double catch at one point, but overall he was solid and showed up for the 2nd day in a row which is encouraging. His routes still looked crisp and he also showed a lot of confidence in his hands. Graham’s stock should be on the rise after this week and I am interested to see how the coach’s use his talents in the game saturday.

Marvin Jones (California) once again had a good day as he showed natural burst and acceleration. He absolutely blew by coverage at one point and simply out ran the coverage. This deep speed is good to see and I will be watching him closer the rest of the week.

Brian Quick (Appalachian State) once again struggled for the 2nd day in a row. He had a couple dropped passes again today and was seen body catching more often than he had during film or yesterday at practice. There is no denying he has physical raw talent and potential with his size and length but he needs some refinement and work. His lack of explosiveness off the line is making him easy to turn and run with as he has created little separation all week. He looks stiff in and out of his breaks and is struggling to make much of an impact at this point in the week.

Gerrel Robinson (Arizona State) is a player who has caught my eye and intrigued me a little here and there. He has shown flashes of greatness by consistently catching the ball away from his frame. His long strides eat up cushions quickly and he is very quick to get on his man. His route running needs work but he is a smooth strider who covers a lot of ground and has been impressing me some this week. He’s a player on my radar that I will be watching closer in the coming days.

Tight Ends

Michael Egnew (Missouri) showed some potential as an in-line blocker yesterday but the same could not be said today. He struggled sustaining blocks and seems to lack strength at the point of attack. His routes were not as clean today and he showed less athleticism and ability to threaten the seam/stretch the field as well. I like Egnew but he needs to come out with a better showing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Offensive Tackles

Mike Adams (Ohio State) had a much more quiet day today than he did on monday. I liked the patience he showed setting into pass pro as he looked very strong and balanced. His play was quiet today and didn’t stand out on any good or bad levels, tomorrow I will watch closer.

Mike Brewster (Ohio State) is a player that has me frustrated. His battles in 1 on 1’s with Michigan’s Mike Martin are extremely chippy and fun to watch, especially considering the rich rivalry between their schools. However, his play has been too inconsistent to this point for my liking. One play he will get bull-rushed and knocked back into the quarterback and the next he will show good technique and movement skills to beat his man for positioning. Brewster has never really wowed me athletically and I am not that high on him as of right now.

Kevin Zeitler (Wisconsin) made some snaps from the center position today but looked a little uncomfortable and out of his element. He looked confused and out-of-place and his most natural place is inside at guard. I absolutely love his lunch pail type attitude as he is an absolute mauler and road grader up front. His technique is solid although he does struggle to reposition and sync together his feet and hips to recover on counter moves at times. Zeitler is very solid overall however and has helped himself this week, I have a solid 2nd round grade on him as of right now.

 Defensive Lineman

Vinny Curry (Marshall) has shown flashes but has yet to put it all together at this point. He is showing solid effort trying to bend the edge and run the arc but he is struggling with balance. He seems to be playing a bit stiff and bending at the waist, which is severely limiting his ability to turn the corner without being knocked off-balance around the corner. His pad level is nice but his ankle and hip flexibility seems to be lacking a bit. I wish I had the opportunity to see Curry run the figure eight drill to test this and see for myself firsthand, but I will just have to go with what I am seeing from him in 1 on 1 drills for now. Curry intrigues me and I am excited to watch more of him in the coming days of practice.

Mike Martin (Michigan) has been battling with Ohio State C Mike Brewster during 1 on 1’s for the last couple days and boy has it been fun to watch! Martin is built like a brick shit house and I got to meet him this summer during my internship with the Detroit Lions. I came away impressed with his attitude as he seemed to be a very well-spoken young man. He is squatty but thick, especially in the upper body where he has plenty of bulk. He is a relentless pass rusher that is very strong and powerful at the point of attack who wears you down with his persistent attitude as a rusher. Martin has improved his draft stock so far and scouts love his effort and motor on every play….he will find a way to make an impact in the NFL somehow , someway I can guarantee you that.

Kendall Reyes (Connecticut) has flashed all week and is one of the players I am going to go do more work on, based on the effort and film he has put out so far. He looks very quick and explosive off the line and is displaying nice handwork. His violent hands and impressive array of counter moves has gotten him noticed…he has been a riser and welcome surprise for many, including myself this week.

Alameda Ta’amu (Washington) responded well to a poor showing on monday. He showed nice quickness and explosion off the ball and gets a good push to collapse the pocket. We already know he lacks much to be desired in the pass rush department but his effort and tenacity on every play make him a good fit for a nose tackle role in the NFL.

Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati) didn’t stand out too much today but overall I liked what I saw from him. Wolfe plays with great pad level and gets a good push to collapse the pocket consistently. He struggles to get much arm extension to create space between he and his man, but did a wonderful job disengaging and finding the football. His versatility to play 3 technique in a 4-3 or 5 technique in a 3-4 is something that makes him very marketable to many teams and I expect his value to rise following his performance this week.

Linebackers

Lavonte David (Nebraska) has always been one of my favorite players in this draft and is being under-valued in my opinion. He absolutely bull-dozed Chris Polk during one on ones and is a much more stronger/powerful player than he is given credit for. It was also noted by the broadcast crew that he excelled on special teams. David is lacking in size some but I currently have him rated higher than more highly touted weakside linebacker prospect Zach Brown because of his ability to defend against the run.

Cam Johnson (Virginia) is another player who has flashed plenty all week. His quickness and athleticism has been extremely impressive as he was able to beat Mike Adams soundly with an up and under move. He also sealed the edge well and attacked with the proper shoulder by keeping his outside shoulder and arm free on the edge. He has been one of the more impressive players so far this week for me and I am excited to watch more film on him based on his performance.

Bobby Wagner (Utah State) had an impressive day overall. He was very good in coverage and displayed above average pass rushing ability in 1 on 1’s. Wagner is a bit on the shorter side but he is quietly putting together a strong showing.

Defensive Backs

Alfonzo Dennard (Nebraska) was exposed for his lack of foot speed and inability to turn and run with receivers yesterday. I thought he responded well today after being allowed to play up at the line in press coverage where he is most comfortable. One of my favorite things about Dennard is his ability to recognize routes and reads his wide receivers movements and body language. This allows Dennard to stay in his man’s hip pocket very well and I thought he played very disciplined overall. He also excelled on special teams today which was good to hear given the criticism he has received to this point.

Jamell Flemming (Oklahoma) was one of the more impressive corners today in my opinion. He displayed loose hips and quick feet to turn and run with his man. His ball skills and ability to locate the football was also a very good thing to see. I am excited to see him play the rest of the week to get a better understanding of his overall skill level.

Donnie Fletcher (Boston College) had a very rough first day but bounced back nicely today. He looked much more comfortable pressing at the line as he was able to get a hand on his receiver and re-route/control him from the get go. I liked the way he responded, as he seemed much more patient and didn’t seem to be guessing and sitting on routes as much today.

Georg Iloka (Boise State) is creating all sorts of buzz this week, as many are very intrigued with his combination of size and athleticism. At 6-3 225 lbs, Iloka looks more like a linebacker than defensive back but his length and physical ability is hard not to notice. He has great range and length and made a fine interception on QB Kirk Cousins today. He does a nice job staying in his man’s hip pocket and was rewarded by his effort on the football field today. Iloka is generating some buzz this week and scouts are excited to see what he has to offer.

Biggest Winners:

1. RB Doug Martin Boise State

2. DL Kendall Reyes Connecticut

3. LB Lavonte David (Nebraska)

Biggest Losers:

1. RB Chris Polk Washington

2. TE Michael Egnew Missouri

3. C Mike Brewster Ohio State

South Squad

Quarterbacks

Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State) has to be one of the biggest risers from today. He looked very balanced when asked to drop back and did a great job with ball placement, putting the ball over the correct shoulder on a deep touch throw to Joe Adams. His maturity is noticeable as well as he looks poised and confident as well as cool, calm, and collected. His accuracy and ball speed on the run was also a very promising thing to see as he also displayed solid footwork to get his body around into his throw. Weeden is easily the best quarterback on the South roster and is putting on a fantastic performance at this point. The game will be a better indicator but for now I have to say I am eating crow for having doubted his skill…just mentally biased because of his age, but if a team can look past that they could be getting a very fine quarterback capable of starting early.

Nick Foles (Arizona) has not been as impressive unfortunately. He looked like a wide-eyed rookie at moments today as he was less than commanding in the huddle or under center. He also looked slow going through his motions to execute the play and overall just looked out of his element and uncomfortable. Foles isn’t showing me the type of intangibles needed to become a starting franchise quarterback at this point.

I didn’t get much information on Ryan Lindley today but will try again tomorrow.

 Running Backs

Chris Rainey (Florida) was really the only player I got to take many detailed notes on today. He was used as a receiver today and although his routes were extremely raw, he flashed potential and unbelievable quickness and speed. A true track star Rainey absolutely blew by his former team-mate Janoris Jenkins at one point and seemed to be almost gliding down the field. Rainey may be one of the most versatile players in this game and I am excited to see how Mike Shanahan and the Redskins use his speed and skill in the game Saturday.

Wide Receivers

Joe Adams (Arkansas) had another impressive day. His suddenness and quickness allowed him to beat the press and he has proved to be a very hard player to keep covered for very long. He gained inside positioning with his footwork and will have extra value because of his return ability..Adams has helped himself so far this week.

Juron Criner (Arizona) was the star from practice today after making an excellent one handed stab on a comeback route near the sidelines. The catch showcased Criner’s superb athleticism, concentration, and hand-eye coordination skills. He also looked fast and fluid showcasing a solid double move to create separation. Criner is creating some buzz this week and is looking to move up the draft rankings.

Jeff Fuller (Texas A&M) has been less than stellar and the analyst brought up a point/concern about Fuller that I have also noted in the past. For being so big, Fuller is just way too soft and needs to be much more physical to get the most out of his impressive frame/size. He showed little burst and his ability to accelerate was modest at best. His routes seemed to be leggy and slow developing for me and I am concerned with his ability to separate at the next level.

Tight Ends

Ladarius Green (Louisianna-Lafayette) didn’t look as sudden or explosive as I would have liked, however he used his length very well and showed effortless hands to snag passes away from his long frame. I need to see much more from Green in the coming days and will be paying closer attention.

Another player who is starting to generate some buzz and caught my eye today was LSU TE Deangelo Peterson who has NFL size and athletic ability. Keep an eye on Peterson, as he could be one of those rare players who has a better pro than college career.

Offensive Lineman

James Brown (Troy) is a player Mike Mayock has mentioned as a potential sleeper and player he is intrigued by and I saw a little bit why today. He gets good inside hand placement and shows nice ability to re-set and close door back inside on counter moves. His patience is also nice and the only thing I noticed was that he played a little upright at times but this flaw is correctable. Brown is a player to watch in the coming days as he is faced up with some very talented defensive lineman on the South squad.

Cordy Glenn (Georgia) gets good pop and is quick off the snap. He also keeps his elbows in for the most part and did a nice job re-anchoring and recovering with solid footwork. He got beat with a spin move when he failed to keep his feet moving but overall I like his ability to reset his feet if beaten initially. Glenn has a better chance of staying outside at tackle than Keleche Osemele in my opinion.

Ben Jones (Georgia) is never going to look to great in 1 on 1’s and he struggled a bit today. He exposes his chest and lets players into his body far too easily, but Jones just seems to get the job done consistently. This is why I currently have Jones ranked higher than Ohio State’s Mike Brewster.

Matt McCants (UAB) is a player I see some potential in. He got matched up with some great players today in Upshaw and Ingram but did well for the most part. I loved his discipline to not flinch or jump when Upshaw twice tried to time the snap and twitched to try to draw a false start from McCants. However, Matt stood in there strong and didn’t get flustered or uncomposed. This shows me some mental alertness and concentration, all while standing across from the most feared pass rusher in the entire Senior Bowl. He bent at the waist a little and got a little straight legged, leaving him unbalanced and susceptible which Upshaw took good advantage of by knocking him to the ground. McCants is raw but there is definitely potential here, keep an eye on him.

Zebrie Sanders (Florida State) was a bit inconsistent today as he showed both some good and some bad things. I love his ability to anchor and neutralize the bull-rush as he also re-set his hands and feet well. However, he dropped his head and bent at the waist when lined up with Ingram, which is more a testament to Ingram’s athletic ability than anything in my opinion. Sander’s was one of my potential break-out players heading into the week but that has yet to culminate as he has struggled against Coples and Ingram to this point.

Defensive Lineman

Quinton Coples (North Carolina) has very stong and powerful hands that allow him to disengage with relative ease. I don’t believe he has a very good get-off, as his quickness is lacking but I never thought of him as a dominant pass rusher coming in. His burst and athleticism is good relative to his size and he is a player that can help vs. the pass and run…he has been solid so far, but is probably not worth a Top 10 pick at this point.

Jaye Howard (Florida) flashed a bit today during 1 on 1’s. His spin move had Cordy Glenn rendered off balanced and he looked pretty disruptive inside during team, shooting gaps and showing his quickness/explosion off the ball. Howard caught some people’s attention today and will be getting a much closer look in the coming days of practice.

Melvin Ingram (South Carolina) played like a man possessed today. His athleticism was on full display and his versatility to play with his hand in the dirt or standing up has defensive coordinators chomping at the bit. Ingram flashed very good explosion and quickness as he was able to beat his man with both and inside swim and deceptive swim move. Ingram is definitely catching people’s attention today and is one of the high risers of the week so far…he is creating plenty of buzz.

Courtney Upshaw (Alabama) was the big winner of the day, flashing very agile and fluid movements. Upshaw can change directions suddenly and uses very little wasted movements to do so. His quick twitch athleticism and burst allows him to mix up his speed and power moves with the best of them, as he completely knocked OT Matt McCants to the ground with a fantastic push-pull technique. His arm extension and handwork is very good and allows him to disengage suddenly, making him an absolute nightmare to defend one on one. Upshaw is the best player in Mobile in my opinion and is slowly staking claim to a Top 10 pick…he could have a Von Miller type impact if put into the right situation.

Linebackers

I really didn’t get too great look at the linebackers from the South squad today. However, both Zach Brown and Keenan Robinson impressed me in coverage. Robinson used his length very well and Brown looks very natural/comfortable in man to man, making him a good weakside linebacker candidate. I still think Brown is a liability in run defense however and question his overall instincts, but I am excited to see him compete in the game and see how he fares in this area.

 Defensive Backs

Antonio Allen (South Carolina) was/is a player I am extremely excited to see and watch in the coming days of practice. I didn’t get to see much today but did see him get physical and use his long arms and length well in coverage. Allen is a player I am higher on than most.

Dwight Bentley (Louisianna-Lafayette) definitely caught my eye today. He is light at 173 lbs. but I like his ability to read and recognize routes. He made a great break on the ball and did a great job at closing to a point rather than his man, almost coming up with the interception. He doesn’t seem to be backing down or shying away from the big stage and has come here to compete this week, which is something I really like and appreciate from a small school player.

Brandon Boykin (Georgia) was another cornerback on the South squad who impressed me today. Boykin displayed a certain physicality and scrapiness to his play today and is really competing and fighting to finish drills on a consistent basis. The effort and passion is definitley evident and his athletic ability is starting to turn some heads. He does a great job mirroring or shadowing his man and does a great job sticking in their hip pocket down the field. Boykin is a player who can contribute on special teams instantly and line up over the slot in a nickel back type role. He is starting to win me over and has impressed me so far this week.

Casey Hayward (Vanderbilt) was another impressive corner. On film, Heyward always seems to be around the football. I really appreciate his mirroring skills as well, as he reads his receivers movements and has a great feel for when his man is about to break into his route. Hayward did get a little over-aggressive however as he got a little grabby downfield after 5 yards, which will not fly in the NFL. I will be watching this closely over the next couple days.

Janoris Jenkins (North Alabama) was burned by former team-mate Chris Rainey early but responded well on his very next rep by squatting on the route and taking away inside positioning. This showed me that Jenkins is a competitor who is also very savvy in figuring out how to best defend his man by not allowing to get beat twice by the same move. Jenkins has had a good week and I am excited to hear more on how he has interviewed with teams.

Markelle Martin (Oklahoma State) is a very fluid athlete with nice footwork. His quickness and acceleration allowed him to undercut a route and nearly make an interception during team. One of the questions on Martin coming in was his ability in coverage so this was a very positive thing to see from him. If Martin can continue to look good in coverage he could secure his spot in the 2nd round.

Ryan Steed (Furman) has been unimpressive and overmatched in my opinion. He’s not physical enough and is struggling to break down and change directions. I am not too big of a fan of his from what I have seen. However, when the lights go on Saturday you never know what can happen…he will need to do a lot however to change my stance on him.

Biggest Winners:

1. LB Courtney Upshaw Alabama

2. QB Brandon Weeden Oklahoma State

3. WR Juron Criner Arizona

Biggest Losers:

1. QB Nick Foles Arizona

2. WR Jeff Fuller Texas A&M

3. CB Ryan Steed Furman

Sorry this posting was so late…had to work and didn’t get around to starting this until later, hope you enjoyed nonetheless!

-Brandon

North Carolina vs Missouri

North Carolina WR Dwight Jones-

Jones has a solid blend of height, weight, and speed for a #1 WR in the NFL but his inconsistent hands are a huge disappointment and liability.

Dwight Jones started off this game hot and made an instant impact by coming down with a very nice catch for the first score of the game. On this play Jones demonstrated his natural receiving skills by going up over the defender and out positioning him for the football. This catch showed that Jones has pretty good concentration skills, although he did somewhat mis-time his jump. Jones has proved that he can be a reliable red-zone threat, but I would not consider him to be elite in this area of the field by any means. The big issue I have and many others do as well is Jones inability to catch the ball with his hands. Far too often Jones lets the ball get into his body, resulting in drops and even turnovers at times. In this game for instance his quarterback Bryce Renner fired a pass down the left sideline to squeeze it in between the cornerback underneath and safety closing in from over top. The ball got to Jones in perfect stride, however Dwight was unable to secure the pass and bobbled it some, leading to an interception after the ball was dis-lodged from his body. Here I would have liked to see Jones secure the catch with his hands instead of letting it get to his body, giving the safety that extra split second to dis-lodge the pass. Jones needs to show much more confidence in his hands if he is ever to be relied upon as a #1 wide receiver at the next level. Overall I have come away unimpressed by Dwight Jones this season despite his solid statistics. I just don’t see the type of player who can be considered your go-to-guy when you need a reception or big play. I like his combination of speed and size but he is lacking in one, if not the most important areas of wide receiver play in consistently making the catch with his hands and not his body. Jones should not be considered a potential 1st round pick and is much closer to the 3rd round than the former in my opinion.

North Carolina G Jonathon Cooper-

Jonathon Cooper has very good movement skills for a big man and all the tools necessary to become a starting guard at the next level. He should come back to school his Senior year and continue to refine his game in hopes of becoming one of the top overall prospect at his position for the 2013 NFL Draft.

Jonathon Cooper was a player who caught my eye in the game I watched between North Carolina and Virgina Tech. Only a Junior it would be wise for Cooper to by-pass the NFL this season and come back for his Senior season in my opinion. I say this because if he can continue to play at the level he has been playing this season next year, he should find himself towards the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft as one of the premier interior line prospects available. The 2012 NFL Draft will be top heavy with very talented OG prospects such as David DeCastro, Cordy Glenn, Keleche Osemele, and Kevin Zeitler that would likely push Cooper out of the initial two rounds and maybe even Day 2 altogether. The thing I love about Cooper is his superior movement skills for a man his size at 6-3 310 lbs. He is very agile and light on his feet and his quick release off the line of scrimmage gives him initial leverage and advantage in gaining positioning on his opponent. Due to Cooper’s athleticism he is capable of getting to the 2nd level almost effortlessly, making him a natural pulling guard capable of getting out in front on screens and other plays designed to the outside. At times Cooper can however be a little indecisive and could show more awareness when asked to get out in front and block for the ball carrier. On one designed screen in this game Cooper was hesitant and didn’t keep his eyes up field, allowing a defender to take down the ball carrier. With that said Cooper displays very good awareness in pass protection when working with team-mates and executing combination blocks. Cooper shows the awareness necessary to pick up stunting or twisting defensive tackles or delayed blitzes from linebackers. His athleticism and nimble feet allow him to re-direct and re-set quickly enough to pick up these oncoming defenders who threaten his zone. Another area I think Cooper could stand to work on is learning how to stick his foot in the ground and anchor. At times he was easily pushed back but held his own for the most part. Cooper has areas of his game to work on but the future will be bright for him if he can continue to develop his technique and work on his strength. Should Cooper declare he may fall behind other highly notable players at his position, but he will present one of the better values in the draft due to his upside as he continues to develop.

North Carolina DE Quinton Coples-

Coples may never become a feared pass rusher in the NFL but he has more than enough skills and ability to find a way to impact the game on a weekly basis.

Quinton Coples is a player who was projected by some to be a Top 5 overall type player entering this season. However, after a somewhat disappointing Senior season in which he drew extra attention and protection to his side of the field, Coples struggled to make much of an impact as he saw double and even triple teams on a weekly basis. Coples came on late this season and while he didn’t replicate or exceed the numbers he put up last year, he was still pretty effective given the circumstances he was facing. Many are projecting Coples to be a better fit in a 3-4 system, but he also has some value as a 4-3 DE in my opinion.  Coples does a good job using his hands to disengage from his opponent and force pressure on the quarterback or finding his way to the ball carrier. Coples shows natural strength and his impressive frame allows him to easily control his man at the point of attack before making his way to the ball carrier. Coples doesn’t show elite awareness as a read and react defensive end but he seems to understand containment and gap responsibility/discipline. North Carolina’s defense was gashed in this game but most of that came up the middle where the interior line was consistently moving defenders off the football and opening up huge holes to run through. While Coples isn’t necessarily to blame for this, he also made his share of mistakes that led to extra yardage as Missouri continually handed it to the North Carolina defense which is jam-packed with what some consider future NFL starters. Questions have arisen about Coples motor as it seems to run a little hot and cold at times, but for the most part I was generally pleased with the amount of effort he gave in pursuing to the football. Coples showed a lot of hustle in chasing down ball-carriers and seemed to be one of the only players on the UNC defense who was consistently giving their best effort.  Coples doesn’t possess elite quickness and speed to turn the corner but his combination of length, power, and athleticism make him a menace for opposing tackles responsible for containing him. Many times Coples is just one step away from getting to the quarterback but is just a second or step to late. In this game Coples was at the forefront of a forced turnover in which he disrupted the quarterbacks throwing motion leading to a mis-throw and one interception. I really appreciate how Coples always seems to pin-point the quarterbacks high shoulder and football when coming around the edge. The know with all to understand how to force fumbles and mental alertness to go after the football is an encouraging sign and something I think he will be very good at the next level. Coples may never be a 10 plus sack a season type player but he finds ways to make an impact and is a very solid player overall, who seems to  have a knack for forcing turnovers. While he may not have lived up to the Top 5 billing he was garnished with at the beginning of the season this is still a very solid player who shouldn’t fall out of the Top 15 picks overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.

North Carolina LB Zach Brown-

Zach Brown's inconsistencies in tackling and below average read and react skills make him a risky player to be drafted in the 1st round despite his athleticism.

North Carolina linebacker Zach Brown is one of the most physically gifted and athletic players eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft. He has shown elite burst and closing speed to get after the quarterback and many times he looks more like a secondary player than linebacker when asked to drop back into coverage. However, this was a very poor showing by Brown in this game as he accounted for multiple missed tackles and never truly wrapped up, which was something that had concerned me in his previous game I scouted. Brown was able to lay a big hit early in this game on a pass out in the flats on an unexpecting running back, but even on this play he simply dropped his head and threw his shoulder into the player rather than wrapping up. Brown was also able to make an acrobatic/athletic interception on a pass intended for a wide receiver 20 yards down the field. This speaks to the type of range Brown has as a player as he is able to cover a vast amount of ground. His interception showcased the impressive coverage, concentration, and ball skill ability he has as a player, which should entice many teams. However, this does not tell the whole story with Brown. Early on in the game he was caught out of position on a mis-direction play that subsequently went for six as Brown tried to recover but was too late in his recognition. On another play he was in pretty good position working the left sidelines in a zone coverage before he allowed Missouri Tight End Michael Egnew to sneak and sit down along the sideline behind him and secure the catch. On this play Brown got a little flat-footed and off-balance when the ball was in the air and seemed a little lost in coverage, allowing Egnew to make the play behind him. The biggest thing that concerns me about Brown is his lack of an impact in the run game. His instincts are only average at best and due to his slight size he tends to get caught up in the wash on many occasions. In fact it has been very rare to see Brown make many plays from behind the line of scrimmage as many of his tackles happen down the field. His lack of size has always been concerning but when you pair this with questionable instincts, recognition, and awareness you have a player that may in fact be a tad over-rated. Look, there is no doubting Zach Brown’s potential but the fact is he has many holes in his game and red-flags that do not make him a complete player. I would not feel comfortable drafting a player like Zach Brown in the 1st round and his stock will take a dip due to his performance in this game, where many of his weaknesses were polarized on a national stage.

North Carolina LB Kevin Reddick-

Kevin Reddick offers good size and tackling ability but has failed to make many impact plays and stand out for me much this season.

I’ll be the first to admit I haven’t  given Reddick the type of attention when scouting games that I should. However, I do feel like I have somewhat of a read on him as a player after watching some games he has played in this season. Todd McShay is a huge Reddick supporter and I can see why he would be. Reddick possesses good size for an NFL linebacker at 6-3 240 lbs. Reddick’s overall range and athleticism has been questioned by some but while he may not have elite quickness I do believe he has enough to make an impact and be effective at the next level. Reddick seems to have better overall instincts than team-mate Zach Brown and most definitely is the more reliable tackler of the two. Reddick also offers pretty good coverage skills as he is rarely caught out of position. I will agree that Reddick probably is a bit under-rated in comparison to his team-mate and fellow linebacker Zach Brown, but it should also be known that Brown may be one of the more over-rated players in this entire draft. Reddick failed to fill many holes and blow up plays before they happened in this game and is as much to blame for the struggles the UNC defense had in defending the run in this game as his fellow team-mates, including Zach Brown. Reddick failed to fill holes and make plays for a defense that struggled all night and never really made any impact plays the entire season, judging by his lack of a statistical output in the sack or interception/turnover categories. I still need to do more film work on Reddick but I would have to say the fact that he hasn’t really jumped off the film once to me when scouting other players on the UNC defense this season is a bit concerning for a player that many consider a Top 50 player.

Missouri TE Michael Egnew-

Egnew's combination of size, speed, and athleticism will entice team's looking for a player who can create the type of mis-match current NFL Tight Ends Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski present for NFL defenses everywhere.

Micahael Egnew is a player I have highlighted as being one of the more under-rated players at his position in this draft. Egnew offers great size and pretty impressive athleticism for a player of his stature. As I highlighted last time I spoke about Egnew here; Egnew is a player whose production has dropped off some this season, mostly as a result of losing star quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Egnew has always displayed strong hands and the unique ability to make the tough catch in traffic. His strong hands and physical demeanor after the catch are two of the things that most excite me about a player like Michael Egnew. Missouri likes to use Egnew lined up in the slot and off the line of scrimmage and he is very rarely asked to come down inside and become an in-line blocker. This is the biggest question mark with Egnew as he is definitely far from refined in this particular category and will need to work on his hand usage, strength, and technique to become a player who can make a positive contribution on running plays. However, Egnew is playing in the perfect era for his nearly perfect combination of size and physical skill-set as the Tight End position has changed from a more blocking based position to a position that values the ability to create mismatches and make a bigger impact in the passing game. Egnew looks to have just enough speed to stretch the defense vertically and find holes down the middle of the field (seams). It will be fun to watch what type of impact Egnew will have and how quickly teams pounce on a player that represents this type of value after seeing what players like Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Jermichael Finley have done for their respective offenses.

Thanks again for reading my post, I hope you enjoyed and come back for more!

– Brandon

Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina

Virginia Tech RB David Wilson-

David Wilson's incredible blend of speed, balance, and burst make him a supremely gifted and talented athlete. However, he still has some holes in his game that will need to be cleaned up before I can proclaim him as a future 1st round draft pick.

David Wilson has had a very solid Junior season in Blacksburg with 1627 yds. on 266 carries with 9 td’s (10 overall). Although he has yet to declare for the 2012 NFL Draft like other ACC standout RB Lamar Miller already has, Wilson will have a very tough decision to make considering his increasing draft stock. In past games I have watched of Wilson he has displayed an excellent blend of balance, speed, and burst. His ability to finish runs and continue to make yards after contact make him a very special weapon as well. In this game Wilson showed the same type of burst and top-end speed that makes him a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. However, he still struggles to try and bounce things outside far too often and really believes in his speed too much at times. Playing against a defense like North Carolina really put this issue on full display as Wilson tried to force things outside against a defense that was just too fast and too disciplined to allow Wilson any running room inside or out throughout the game. This to me is the biggest difference to me between Wilson and Miller as Miller consistently takes what the defense gives him and gets up field in a hurry. I would like to see Wilson attack the line of scrimmage with more authority instead of bouncing it outside, trying to create something that isn’t there. It should also be noted that Wilson had done much of his damage against inferior competition in playing early season games against teams like Appalachian State, East Carolina, and Marshall. In this game he faced a legitimate defense with speed and talent and struggled to make an impact, which could be a concern depending on your vantage point. Wilson also showed a lack of blitz pick-up by more or less letting LB Zach Brown get to the QB, resulting in an errant and dangerous throw. I need to see him be much more physical and take on defenders to protect his QB before writing him off as a complete player and potential first round prospect. Wilson also had some ball-security issues in this game, coughing it up twice although one was not called a fumble and the other was luckily recovered by Virginia Tech. The skill is there for Wilson, but is obvious he is not yet there as a prospect as he is not as talented as former Virgina Tech RB Ryan Williams who went on to become a 2nd round pick last year.

Virginia Tech WR Jarrett Boykin-

Boykin is an intriguing prospect with size and speed. He shows the natural ability to make the tough catch look easy and seems to do the small things that make all the difference for his team.

Boykin is a player who has caught my eye on multiple occasions in the past and he continued to impress in this game. Boykin has an impressive frame standing 6-2 215 lbs. In this game Boykin really displayed his field awareness and natural hands as he routinely plucked the ball away from his frame and showed the uncanny ability to make the tough catch look easy. At times he has a tendency to let the ball get into his pads, but he seems to have above average mits for a WR at the next level. I love how he always knows where he is on the field at all times and comes down in bounds no matter where his body is in space. To me this is a skill that cannot be taught and shows just how much work he has put in to work on his superior concentration and receiving skills. Boykin also shows the ability to make plays both on the short and long routes, speaking largely about his ability to become a legitimate weapon at the next level. Boykin has already become Tech’s all-time leading receiver and his future sure seems bright as I see him becoming a solid #3 WR at the next level. Boykin is a player who does all the small things right, including working to make blocks downfield to spring his team-mates for a few extra yards. I have also noticed that Boykin has above average to good top-end speed to separate from defenders and his ability to create after the catch is also a plus in his book. Overall I like Boykin and think he will find a way to contribute at the next level in what is already a deep WR class. Somebody very well could be getting a steal with a player like Boykin in the 4th round or later.

Virginia Tech CB Jayron Hosley-

Hosley plays with a chip on his shoulder and shows a lot of heart, however his size might limit his effectiveness and ability to become a starter at the next level.

Hosley had a strong game overall and seemed to really be competing and bringing his A-game against one of the better receivers in the nation in North Carolina WR Dwight Jones. Hosley has a slight frame at 5-10 170 lbs., but seemed to be playing with a chip on his shoulder as he would not back down from anyone tonight. Hosley routinely came up in run support and did an above average job in taking down the ball-carrier, although he did miss on one occasion. He seems to be a reliable open field tackler who knows that the low man usually wins, as he consistently attacks his opponents by cutting their legs out from under them. On one pass down the sideline to Jones, Hosley failed to turn his head and locate the ball, although it was later concluded that Jones had actually pushed off to gain separation and offensive pass interference was called. Despite this I would still like to see Hosley get his head around much quicker, even if he was interfered with. Hosley seems to be most comfortable playing off coverage in a zone coverage scheme where he can mask some of his size deficiencies and convert on his skills to make a play on the football. On ca couple of occasions in this game Hosley did an exceptional job in playing the football and breaking up the pass. He shows above average awareness and ball skills to consistently bat balls away without drawing contact or costly pass interference calls. I have always had somewhat of a soft spot for undersized players who play with a lot of toughness and heart and that is exactly the type of player Hosley showed me he is with his play tonight. However, it will be difficult for Hosley to match up with taller more physical receivers due to his lack of great size or length. I love his toughness and attitude I’m just not sure he can match up with these type of players in the NFL on a consistent basis quite yet….more tape and information is needed before I can make this claim/assumption.

North Carolina DE Quinton Coples-

Quinton Coples displays an impressive combination of size, length, and strength. While he may not be a true edge rusher, Coples is one of the most complete players in this draft and should come off the board early.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Coples is his frame standing a strong 6-6 285 lbs. Coples numbers are down this year but that can largely be attributed to the double and even triple teams he has experienced at times this season. Teams are also doing a good job of using their RB’s to help chip before releasing out into their routes on Coples. Despite all this Coples numbers aren’t down that much and he has really starting to come on as of late. In this game Coples was in complete control and it was very easy to see his natural ability to effect the play on any down. One thing you notice when watching Coples is that he doesn’t exactly display the type of elite burst or get-off the line of scrimmage you would expect from an elite pass-rusher. You also notice that Coples tends to fire out of his stance a little high and his upright style can get him in trouble from time to time. This is not to say that Coples doesn’t display great athleticism and speed for his size, just that his burst and explosion off the line of scrimmage is not enough for tackles to be truely concerned with his speed around the corner. The area Coples excels at is utilizing his body and hands to create space between he and his defender to continually work the edge and force the QB up into the pocket. Coples is extremely effective at using his body lean and tight footwork/ankle flexibility to get below his opponent’s shoulder pads. He shows that he is very balanced, coordinated, and flexible and knows how to get after the QB despite his lack of true speed. In the run game Coples is your classic stack and shed player who knows how to hold the point and use his hands and leverage to routinely disengage from his defender and track down the ball carrier. Coples also did a nice job wrapping up and punching towards the football as he was able to jar the ball loose from RB David Wilson on more than one occasion in this game. Scouts have questioned Coples motor as he sometimes will stop pursuing and doesn’t show the type of consistent effort you would like from a top 10 player. However, in this game I saw a bit of both as Coples slowed up at times and at others kept pursuing to the football laying a vicious hit on an unexpecting RB on one occasion. It was also nice to see Coples get his hands up and deflect a pass when he knew he wasn’t going to make it to the QB. This was a game in which Virginia Tech left Coples in one on one situation more times than not and we saw exactly how impactful this big man can be when given these types of opportunities. There is no doubting Coples physical abilities and overall skills as he has the talent to become an impact player at the next level. While Coples may never be that true edge rusher in the NFL who puts up huge sack numbers, he has solid skills and size that will make him a very good pro. His ability to make an impact in both the run and pass game make him a complete player who can play all three downs as well. While he may not be the top 10 pick many projected him to be, this is still a very solid football player who should be the first player drafted at his position and come off the board within the top 15 picks if not sooner.

North Carolina LB Zach Brown-

There is little doubting Zach Brown's coverage and blitzing ability as he shows impressive burst and closing speed to get after the QB. However, his slight frame and inability to make much of an impact against the run has to concern most scouts and teams.

The “Zach Brown Band” as I like to call him displays incredible athleticism, however his size is a meer 6-2 230 lbs. One of things you have to appreciate about Brown is his coverage ability as he seems to feel very natural and comfortable settling into coverage. Brown has safety speed and cover skills to pick up backs coming out of the backfield and shows the ability to turn and run with players vertically when asked to. Brown is also an effective blitzer whose closing speed and acceleration/burst to get after the QB is second to none in this linebacker class and has even drawn comparisons to potential Defensive Rookie of the Year Von Miller now with the Denver Broncos. Brown’s knack for getting in the backfield and disrupting timing and passing lanes is something that cannot be taught and comes very natural to him. I would like to see him be utilized more in this capacity at UNC as I don’t believe his 5.5 sacks on the year do him any justice in this department and his skill-set could be used better by the Tarheel’s coaching staff. The questions I have in regards to Brown come in his ability to make any sort of impact in the run game. His smallish frame makes him an easy target for downfield blockers and most of his tackles happen down the field. He needs to become more aggressive and show me the type of instincts to consistently make plays in the backfield and disrupt plays before they happen. I will say that Brown is a pretty slippery player who knows how to avoid blocks and escape oncoming defenders, however I would like to see him stick his head in the play more often and show the type of aggressiveness and willingness to make an impact in the running game. Right now I am up in the air on Brown as I feel he has a very unique skill-set with his ability as a blitzer and player in coverage, but his ineffectiveness in the running game concerns me to a degree. Brown natural fit is at weak side linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and it will be imperative that whoever drafts him has the players up front to keep him clean and best utilize his skills in the areas of blitzing and coverage.

North Carolina WR Dwight Jones-

Dwight Jones had a lack-luster game overall and his effort in this game left a lot to be desired. I will be watching closely to see how he responds in his bowl game against Missouri on December 26th.

If there is one thing this draft has a ton of talent and size at it is at the WR position where Jones is one of many who displays great body size at 6-4 225 lbs. Lets just say this wasn’t one of Jones better games, although he was able to eclipse the 100 yard mark for the 5th time this season. One thing that has concerned me in the past about Jones is his tendency to let the ball get into his body and trap the ball against his shoulder pads. Jones did this again on a couple of occasions in this game resulting in one drop and a bobbled ball which he was able to haul in just before heading out-of-bounds. This shows me he doesn’t always trust his hands despite his impressive hand size. I need to see Jones pluck the ball away from his frame and show the natural hands that many other WR’s in this draft possess. I also came away unimpressed in Jones effort blocking downfield to help spring his team-mates. His angles and commitment seemed lack luster and truthfully half-ass and as if he was simply going through the motions at times. This definitely needs to change if he is going to get a complete grade from me as I need/want to see more effort to become an all around WR who helps out on plays he isn’t the necessarily the focus of the defense on. At one point Jones did make a nice catch in traffic along the sidelines but was subsequently called for an offensive pass interference for pushing off his defender to create separation. I’m not quite sold on Jones deep speed or acceleration/burst just yet, but that will come with more film work, when I can get a better feel for him overall as an NFL prospect. This was not the type of game I expected from Jones who is considered one of the better WR prospects in this draft. I will be watching closely to see how he follows up this performance against Missouri in the Independence Bowl December 26th, 2011.

North Carolina G Jonathon Cooper-

North Carolina Guard Jonathon Cooper plays with very good technique and his quick feet/athleticism are a strength that give him an advantage in both the run and pass game.

Jonathon Cooper was a player who caught my eye in this game and for very good reason. The area Cooper excels in is his ability to shuffle and move his feet as he shows the type of nimbleness and lateral agility to consistently get him in great position to execute his block. Cooper is extremely light on his feet and always keeps his feet moving and shuffling, allowing him to re-direct and re-set quickly. He also plays with good overall technique, always maintaining a wide base and active hands, although he could stand to drop his butt more as he is somewhat of a waist bender. The other area that was impressive to me was Cooper’s ability to fire low out of his stance and gain initial leverage and position on his opponent, allowing him to consistently seal off his player from the ball. Jonathon’s ability to keep his pad level low and keep chopping his feet allowed him to consistently move his defender off the ball and create room to run for his back. In the pass game Cooper displays good patience and gets good arm extension to wall-off his defender from his body. I wouldn’t say that Cooper displays a powerful punch or over-powering strength, but his sound technique and active/good hand placement allows him to control his defender on a relatively consistent basis. Cooper also did some pulling in this game and was extremely effective at getting out in front and locking onto the first defender. He did a nice job breaking down while hitting a moving target, although he was somewhat over-anxious on occasion to pre-maturely release to the 2nd level and was thus called for an ineligible player down the field penalty. The other thing I liked was how he always seemed to play with his head on a swivel, actively searching for and picking up players who threaten his zone on combination blocks. Cooper is definitely a player you can trust to use out in space and get out in front of his runner on screens, due to his supreme athleticism and quick feet. Cooper is a player I am excited to watch more film on as he shows a very good skill set that translates nicely to the pro game. Right now Cooper is a better run blocker that pass blocker at this point, but shows good enough ability in the passing game to be effective. Watch out for Cooper if he declares to be a player who might move into the top 100 selections before it’s all said and done and surprise some people who unaware about this big man’s pro potential.

Initial 2012 NFL Mock Draft

*Team Rankings are as of Week 14 NFL Standings*

1- Indianapolis Colts: QB Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback to come out since Peyton Manning. The Colts would be foolish not to draft Luck and move from one franchise quarterback to the next without having to deal with the ups and downs many franchises endure. Just look what it did for the Green Bay Packers who moved on from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers and went on to win the Superbowl last year. Point is you don’t pass up on a player like Luck who comes around once in a decade, unless you receive a ransom of picks in exchange.

2- Minnesota Vikings: OT Matt Kalil

The Vikings desperately need to invest in a tackle to protect their future franchise quarterback Christian Ponder who already has somewhat of  a slight build. This is especially apparent when you play in the same division as players like Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews who can wreak havoc on your quarterback and send him to the IR at a moments notice.

3- St. Louis Rams: WR Justin Blackmon

Bringing in Brandon Lloyd was a great move by the Rams organization and they would be wise to make it a priority to resign him this off-season. With that said, Lloyd makes a much better #2 WR and the Rams and especially Bradford could use a big play threat with the ability to become a star. Enter Justin Blackmon who would be the best wide receiver to suit up in Rams uniform since the days of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

4- Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Morris Clairborne

Jacksonville could really use some offensive firepower to help out their young quarterback Blaine Gabbert. However, with no solid wide receiver options available this high in the draft, a cornerback like Morris Clairborne would be a wise investment and a wise move in taking the best player available.

5- Washington Redskins: QB Matt Barkley

The Redskins need to find a franchise quarterback after doing essentially nothing in last year’s draft to fix the broken position. Both John Beck and Rex Grossman have proved to be good fill-in starters from time to time, but nothing special. Barkley would give them a player to build around and possibly take them to the next level as an offense and as a team.

6- Philadelphia Eagles: LB Luke Kuechley

The Philadelphia Eagles may have some elite names on their defense, but so far those elite names have done little defensively to make an impact on the struggling Eagles team. Linebacker is a position that has plagued this franchise the entire season and is in definite need of an upgrade. Kuechley would come in and immediately start and contribute for a team struggling to find its defensive identity.

7- Carolina Panthers: WR Michael Floyd

The Panthers would be wise to invest in another receiving threat for their top rookie gun Cam Newton. Michael Floyd has had some off the field concerns, however he seems to have moved past them and grown into a much more mature human being. There is no doubting Floyd’s ability, although some have questioned his route running ability and lack of true speed. Another receiver to pair with the electric Steve Smith would give them both a speedy exciting playmaker receiver and true red-zone threat in Michael Floyd.

8- Miami Dolphins: QB Robert Griffin III

Chad Henne just hasn’t turned into the quarterback prospect the Dolphins were hoping they were getting when they drafted him. Now would be a good time to invest in another quarterback in Miami and hope for the better as Robert Griffin possesses a unique skill-set that could make him a true game-breaker at the next level. Griffin has some work to do and should not start immediately, however his talent and upside as a passer is undeniable.

9- Cleveland Browns: RB Trent Richardson

The Browns would be getting great value in nabbing Trent Richardson at this point in the draft. Although running back importance has declined some in the NFL there is something to be said for a player of Richardson’s ability to become an every down back in the NFL. The Browns played exceptionally well when they had a true running back last year in Peyton Hillis and have struggled since he has been banged up. Montario Hardesty also cannot stay healthy and has looked lack luster when given his opportunities up this point. The Browns need to surround their young QB Colt McCoy with solid options, and one of the best ways to help him is by giving him a legitimate running game, which they would be getting with Richardson.

10- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Dre Kirkpatrick

Let’s face it, CB Ronde Barber isn’t getting any younger and their other starting CB Aquib Talib may not be on the team much longer due to some off field incidents/arrests. The Bucaneers have done a solid job addressing their defensive line, however they must now look for a potential replacement for their aging and longtime CB Ronde Barber. Dre Kirkpatrick has plenty of skill, talent, and size to match up with some very good receiver’s who call the NFC South home.

11- Arizona Cardinals: OT Jonathon Martin

Current RT Brandon Keith has had his fair share of struggles this season and has proved to be nothing, if even an average NFL tackle. Jonathon Martin possesses very good skills as both a pass protector and run blocker as he excels at getting to the 2nd level and opening up holes in the running game. I belive Martin is much better suited for the right side in the NFL and would do an exceptional job as a rookie as he continues to get better.

12- Seattle Seahawks: DE Quinton Coples

The Seahawks would love to grab their QB of the future with their pick here, however not many options other than Landry Jones are available to them. Quinton Coples would give them a solid defensive end with the ability to get after the QB and make plays in the backfield. Coples has great upside and could become yet another good defensive lineman to come out of North Carolina and contribute to an NFL team.

13- Buffalo Bills: OG David DeCastro

The Buffalo Bills already have one of the leagues most potent rushing attacks and adding a player like David DeCastro would only do more wonders for them as a running team. DeCastro excels in the run game and is one of the best guard prospects to come out in quite some time. Not only does DeCastro fill a need for the Bills, but he also presents a very good skill-set to open up even more holes for the both Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller.

14- San Diego Chargers: DE/LB Courtney Upshaw

The Chargers seem to have struck out with former first round pick and pass rushing specialist Larry English. Upshaw can fill this void and fits in very good with the what the Chargers look to get out of their linebackers. Courtney Upshaw is an exceptional talent who flashes the ability to use both his speed and strength effectively to set the edge.

15- Kansas City Chiefs: OT Riley Reiff

Kansas City is another team who could look to fix their QB problem as current starter Matt Cassell does not seem to be the franchise QB everyone was beginning to think he could be. However, Riley Reiff presents very good value for the Chiefs in this position and fills a definite need. The Chiefs have done a nice job assembling their line and replacing Barry Richardson with a player like Riley Reiff would be another move in the right direction for this franchise.

16- New York Giants: LB Vontaze Burfict

Injuries and inexperience at the linebacker position have costed the Giants against both the run and pass this season. Adding a player like Vontaze Burfict who is a notoriously hard hitter and relentless defender could be the spark this team needs to put their defense over the edge. The Giants also have a very veteran heavy locker room that could groom and nurture Burfict to play both with passion, but also within himself and rules of the game. To me the New York Giants would be an excellent spot to land for a player like Burfict whose mental-makeup has been highly questioned by scouts and the like.

17- Dallas Cowboys: S Mark Barron

The Cowboys could really use an upgrade in their secondary, especially at the position of safety where Mark Barron could become an integral member of this unit. Barron is a heavy-hitter who can come up in the box and help out against the run as well as lay the big hit from time to time. Barron is still developing in coverage but seems to have all the necessary tools to become a good starter at the next level, replacing Gerald Sensabaugh.

18- Tennessee Titans: DT Brandon Thompson

The Tennessee Titans found some great role players with the potential to become starters down the road in DT’s Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug. However, another player like Thompson to add to the rotation would do wonders for this team as they would be able to keep players fresh and rotating in and out consistently throughout the game. Brandon Thompson gets up field quickly and can penetrate the opponent’s backfield in a hurry, making him a desirable commodity in today’s NFL and for a team still looking to replace the hole left by Albert Haynesworth. They may also consider adding a weapon at receiver or a cornerback to replace soon to be free agents Cortland Finnegan and Michael Griffin.

19- Cleveland Browns: WR Kendall Wright

The Browns continue to look for playmakers to help out QB Colt McCoy. After grabbing Trent Richardson with their first pick they now turn their attention to a wide receiver with the ability to stretch the field and get vertical. Wright possesses great straight line speed and his quickness makes him a nightmare to defend one on one.

20- New York Jets: DE/LB Melvin Ingram

Rex Ryan loves athletic players, especially ones he can mold and play around with in to get the most out of their ability much like he has done with recently acquired and former first round pick Aaron Maybin formerly off the Buffalo Bills. Ingram is still developing but his athleticism makes him one of the most intriguing players in this draft due to his upside. Ingram should test well at the combine and catch the attention of a defensive guru like Rex Ryan who can get the most out of his potential.

21- Cincinatti Bengals: CB Alfonzo Dennard

The “Fonz” is an extremely good cornerback with the type of skills to become a very good starter at the next level. Although Dennard doesn’t necessarily stand out in one particular area his overall skills and feel for the game are highly attractive. The fact that the Bengals may lose CB Leon Hall this upcoming free agency also makes the cornerback position a serious area of need for this team.

22- Chicago Bears: C Peter Konz

Last draft the Chicago Bears wisely invested their first pick on an offensive tackle from Wisconsin named Gabe Carimi. Carimi was off to a very good start before an injury to his right knee landed him on the IR as many prominent Bears have suffered injuries this season. Carimi has a very positive future with this team and it would be of no surprise for them to add another player like Konz whose ability as a center is rare and second to none in this draft. Konz and Carimi were team-mates at Wisconsin and would prove to be very good additions to a line in charge of protecting QB Jay Cutler and opening up holes for stud RB Matt Forte. Not to mention the ability for Konz to fill the void left by former stand out Center Olin Kreutz.

23- Cincinatti Bengals: RB Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller is one of the few RB’s in this draft who has the ability to become a first round pick. Although not elite Miller displays very good vision, speed, and footwork to become an effect back at the next level. Teaming with the aging Cedric Benson would give the Bengals a good 1-2 punch from the RB position and take some pressure off QB Andy Dalton.

24- Denver Broncos: RB David Wilson

The Broncos choose to jump at the opportunity to add another dimension to their running game with the addition of David Wilson. Seeing that the Broncos seem to be committing to the “All I do is Win” approach set forth by Tim Tebow by adding in what looks to be a spread option type offense makes Wilson a reasonable play in this situation. His speed and ability to get out on edge of the defense would add another element to what is already an extremly rare and exciting offense to watch.

25- Detroit Lions: OG/OT Cordy Glenn

The Lions have ignored their offensive line for far too long and are need of a serious upgrade at many spots if they are going to take the next step. Glenn offers great size and inside run blocking ability, as well as the potential to fill in at RT if need be. His versatility and ability to create holes in the run game make him a sound choice to become the Lions first round pick this year.

26- Houston Texans: DT Dontari Poe

The Houston Texans have already proven to be one of the better overall defenses in the entire NFL. Poe is a small school player from Memphis with a tremendous amount of upside, but also comes with some risk due to his level of competition. If Poe can become an effective NT in the Texans scheme this defense will add yet another playmaker in what is already a very sound defense.

27- New England Patriots: WR Alshon Jeffrey

One thing you have to respect about Bill Bellichick is his propensity to take calculated risks on a yearly basis. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not, but he and owner Robert Kraft always seem to put their team in a situation to succeed. Alshon Jeffrey is the type of player who has all the ability in the world to become a special WR and playing in an offense with future hall of famer Tom Brady slinging you the ball could become one of the more exciting QB-WR combinations to watch in the NFL. Not to mention that New England could really use a big red zone threat at WR, although they already have a reasonable threat in TE Rob Gronkowski who is an absolute beast.

28- New England Patriots: DE/DT Jared Crick

Jared Crick is a highly active player who always hustles to the football and gets by more on his sheer will power and strength than his actual skill. Crick would make for a perfect fit in the Patriots defense and give them a player to groom after losing All-Pro player Richard Seymour a couple seasons ago.

29- Baltimore Ravens LB/DE Ronnell Lewis

Ronnell Lewis possesses more than just the same initials to fill the vacancy that will soon be left by future hall of famer Ray Lewis. Drafting Lewis now would give Ray the ability to groom and mold Ronnell into the type of player that can become a leader, role model, and team spokesman for the Ravens both on and off the football field. Ronnell flashes impressive closing speed and overall instincts and surely has the ability to become one of the better prospects to come out of this draft.

30- Pittsburgh Steelers OT Mike Adams

Protecting the QB and not giving up sacks has proven to be very difficult for the Steelers since they brought in Ben Roethlesberger to play the position. Roethlesberger has been sacked 34 times already this season and is well on pace to be the most sacked QB in NFL history. The Steelers would be wise to invest in some offensive lineman who can give Ben some time back there, even though he has a tendency to escape the pocket prematurely and account for sacks that lie mostly on his shoulders. Adams is one of the better right tackles prospects in this draft and is a player who works hard to sustain his blocks, making him a good fit along the Steelers offensive line.

31- San Francisco 49er’s- CB Chase Minnifield

The 49er’s defense is already among the leagues most elite, however adding a CB opposite Carlos Rogers would make this team even more stout against both the run and pass. Surely the offense could use some more playmakers, but Minnifield presents what could be very good value in a player that has been under-rated and overshadowed by some of the bigger names in this draft at the CB position.

32- Green Bay Packers- DE/OLB Andre Branch

The Green Bay Packers are set on offense and their defense isn’t far behind, allowing them to take some risks with a pick this low in the first round. Branch is a player that has come on as of late and is starting to climb his way up NFL Draft Boards. His ability to play upright or with his hand in the dirt makes him a valuable pass rusher and somebody the Packers can mold into being an effective player in Don Capers aggressive 3-4 scheme.

Initial 2012 NFL Draft Big Board

First edition of my 2012 NFL Draft Big Board. Things are sure to change as we continue to advance into the scouting season. Hope you enjoy and will let me know if you think there is a player I missed that should be included.

1- QB Andrew Luck Stanford: This is the one part of these rankings that will not change between now and the 2012 NFL Draft. Luck is the best quarterback prospect I have ever scouted and probably ever seen coming out of college since Peyton Manning, who he ironically might replace in Indianapolis.

2- OT Matt Kalil USC: Matt Kalil is an oustanding athlete with unbelievable size and length. In my opinion Kalil is the only franchise worthy left tackle in this entire draft, which will make him a very valuable and hot commodity come draft time.

3- RB Trent Richardson Alabama: You can’t say enough good things about Trent Richardson. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, and he is an absolute load to bring down. Trent does most of his damage after contact and is a complete running back that can become a feature back in the NFL…something that is extremely rare in today’s game.

4- WR Justin Blackmon Oklahoma State: Blackmon doesn’t possess elite speed to burn you deep consistently, but he has outstanding hands and ball skills. His body control and ability to high point the football make him a threat in the red-zone and potential #1 wide receiver in the NFL even though he sometimes has lapses in concentration resulting in dropped passes.

5- CB Morris Clairborne LSU: Clairborne has made everyone in Baton Rouge forget about Patrick Peterson this year. His play has been great and he possesses elite size/length, athleticism, and excellent ball skills to become a lock down cornerback at the next level.

6- QB Matt Barkley USC: Matt Barkley has grown up and grown up nicely in the bright lights of Southern California where the quarterback position is talked about more than in some NFL cities. Barkley has rare intangibles and his pocket presence, poise, and decision making is second to none outside Andrew Luck.

7- LB Luke Kuechley Boston College: You want to talk about a great player, look no further than Boston College’s Luke Kuechley. Kuechley possesses rare instincts and very good coverage ability as he seems to have an extraordinary feel for the game and his position. I believe his best fit lies in a 4-3 scheme, particularly the Cover 2 where his skills can be on full display from the middle linebacker position.

8- QB Robert Griffin III Baylor: Is there a more exciting player in all of college football right now than RG3? Griffin has unbelievable athleticism and has a very strong/accurate arm. His deep ball and ability to hit receivers in stride on stick throws 20+ yards down the field is fun to watch. Griffin has some clean up work to do in the areas of footwork and transitioning from a spread offense, but the sky is the limit with this kid.

9- LB Manti Te’o Notre Dame: When talking about aggressive football players Manti Te’os name is one of the first to come up. Te’o flashes impressive athletic ability and blitzing skills. His downhill attacking style of play makes him a perfect fit in the 3-4 scheme where he can contribute on all downs.

10- WR Michael Floyd Notre Dame: I can’t wrap my head around why Floyd has been downgraded so much this season by NFL Scouts. Floyd is an exciting player with the ball in his hands and is a player who can beat you on short, intermediate, and long routes. His skill-set is rare and I for one am a firm believer in his ability to become a #1 wide receiver in the NFL.

11- OT Jonathon Martin Stanford: Jonathon Martin plays with very good pad level and his mirroring ability is extremely fun to watch. I’m not quite sure Martin has the ability to play on the left side in the NFL, but his ability to get to the 2nd level and run block is one of his greatest strengths.

12- DE Quinton Coples UNC: Coples has had somewhat of a disappointing Senior season after bursting onto the scene in 2010. Coples has elite size and his scheme flexibility makes him a very intriguing option for team’s in need of an impact defensive end. In a weak defensive end class overall Coples should benefit by being the first player taken from his position.

13- OT Riley Reiff Iowa: Iowa seems to put out massive talented offensive lineman prospects every single year and Reiff is next on that list. A former All-State Wrestling Champion from South Dakota, Reiff knows how to use leverage and techniques to neutralize his opponent. I love the way he finishes blocks and keeps his feet chopping. Reiff has some work to do in terms of balance and being more patient but he looks to be every bit as good if not better than former Hawkeye and 1st round pick Bryan Bulaga.

14- OG David DeCastro Stanford: Seeing a guard rated this high is extremely rare and speaks to the immense physical talent DeCastro has shown this season. DeCastro has great size and is an absolute road-grader in the run game, consistently opening up holes for his running back to run through. His ability to get to the 2nd level is exceptional and his pass protection is above average, making him a complete player worthy of this ranking.

15- CB Dre Kirkpatrick Alabama: Kirkpatrick possesses more than adequate NFL size and length, but it is his physicality and effort in run support that really stands out. Dre has the ability to be a great cornerback in the NFL, however his ball skills need some work if he is to become a complete player who can impact the game from a turnover standpoint. Upside is most definitely there though.

16- DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw Alabama: Upshaw is just a part of the piece that makes up a talented and scary defense for the Crimson Tide. Courtney Upshaw is an effective pass rusher who shows natural ability to disengage from his defender and get after the quarterback thanks in large part to his strength. In run support he sets the edge better than any player in the country and his versatility to play upright or with his hand in the dirt makes him special.

17- CB Alfonzo Dennard Nebraska: Dennard has somewhat flew under the radar this season as he has been hampered with an injury. Now healthy, we are starting to see the same player who looked better than former Cornhusker and #1 draft pick Prince Amukamara last season. Dennard will probably get drafted later than he should and will present excellent value for whoever drafts him.

18- LB Vontaze Burfict Arizona State: Bufict has had a rough season this year with many mistakes and penalties that have caused evaluators to question his mental make-up. Despite all this Burfict still presents a freakishly athletic skill-set that is better than any I have ever seen at his position. He plays out of control at times, but when he is on he is on. Burfict needs to go into the right situation where he can get the proper coaching and guidance from teammates he needs to become great.

19- C Peter Konz Wisconsin: You want to talk about tough, physical, and mean then you have to watch Peter Konz play football. Konz is an extremely good run and pass blocker who takes pride in finishing his blocks and driving his opponent all the way to the ground. Konz is a special center who should be one of those rare players at his position to wind up being a first round draft pick.

20- WR Kendall Wright Baylor: Wright is RG3’s favorite target and a heck of a football player and prospect in his own right. His speed and quickness allow him to separate and beat you deep. Kendall Wright is the type of player who can blow the top off the defense and make big plays, making him a bit of a poor man’s Mike Wallace.

21- OT/G Cordy Glenn Georgia: Cordy Glenn is the kind of prospect that grows on you the more and more you watch film of him. He has great size and above average feet for a man his size. His best fit in the NFL will be inside at the guard position, but I’m starting to believe he has right tackle ability, which would make him very valuable due to his versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line.

22- DT Brandon Thompson Clemson: Brandon Thompson benefits some from what is somewhat of a poor defensive tackle class. There are no elite defensive tackles but a number of above average ones in this draft (depth). Thompson creates penetration and gets into the backfield quickly thanks to his impressive burst and get-off the line of scrimmage.

23- LB Ronell Lewis Oklahoma: Ronnell Lewis is an extremely good football player. He’s smart and instinctive as he always seems to be in position to make a play thanks to his supreme awareness and discipline. Lewis also displays fantastic closing speed and ability to deliver the violent hit. 3-4 teams will love Ronell’s skill and he could end up being the type of player who has a better pro career than college career.

24- WR Alshon Jeffry South Carolina: There is little doubting just how physically imposing and dominating Alshon Jeffry is as he continually out-muscles defenders for the football. However, I have questions regarding his ability to consistently separate at the next level due to his lack of great top-end speed. Jeffry does possess great hands and uses his big frame well to shield defenders from the football. Should Jeffry decide to come out this year his workouts leading up to and through the combine will be closely watched and scrutinized by talent evaluators looking to see just how athletic/skilled this big man is.

25- WR Mohammed Sanu Rutgers: Sanu may be the best kept secret in all of college football and may not mean more to his team than any other player outside Andrew Luck. Sanu has been a staple for the Rutgers football team and in the Big East Conference since his Freshman season. Those who don’t know much about Sanu as a prospect soon will once film begins to get broken down by NFL evaluators as he displays great pass catching skills and is absolutely a terror as a blocker down the field.

26- QB Landry Jones Oklahoma: Landry Jones is an intriguing and interesting prospect. On one hand he has a great arm that is capable of making all the throws. On the other hand his decision-making and accuracy is erratic, unpredictable, and inconsistent at times, especially in the face of pressure. Jones would be wise to stay another year at Oklahoma to better improve his skills and declining draft stock in my honest opinion.

27- DE/OLB Jarvis Jones Georgia: Only a red-shirt Sophomore Jones would be wise to come back to school and continue to develop size, strength, and more pass rush moves. With that said Jones has a tremendous amount of upside and his ceiling is possibly higher than any other defensive player eligible for this year’s draft. He can bend the edge like no other and gets after the quarterback, never giving up on the play.

28- DT Devon Still Penn State: Devon Still has played lights out this season as he has the ability to get skinny and penetrate the opposing team’s backfield in a hurry. His burst and explosion is undeniable, but I still have some questions about his stamina and ability to anchor in the run game as he plays with somewhat of a narrow base at times and has a tendency to twist his upper body and raise his pad level when neutralized off the snap.

29- DE/OLB Melvin Ingram South Carolina: Ingram has burst onto the scene this season and has had an enormous impact making splash plays for the Gamecocks all season. I still need to do more film-work on Ingram and I could be way off by saying this but my initial impression of Ingram is that he is a better athlete than football player right now. Not saying he can’t become a good one, but I just don’t feel comfortable putting him in my top 25 as of yet.

30- CB Chase Minniefield Virginia: Chase Minnifield is a vastly under-rated player in my opinion. He is the son of former All-Pro cornerback Frank Minnifield who played for the Cleveland Browns. Minnifield displays impressive ball skills and I love the way he challenges and is willing to fight wide receivers for positioning and the ball. Chase is also a film room junkie, which is something that always entices me as an talent evaluator.

31- S Mark Barron Alabama: Barron has really improved his play from a year ago. He seems to be much more comfortable in coverage and his ability to come up and fill versus the run is something that has always been impressive about his game. I’m not completely sold on Barron just yet and need to put in more film work, but he seems to be the best saftey prospect in what is a relatively weak position in this draft.

32- LB Zach Brown North Carolina: Zach Brown is an incredibly athletic linebacker who has the ability to play sideline to sideline. His first-step quickness and closing speed is second to none, making him a terriffic blitzing linebacker. He also seems to be reliable in coverage and is quick to pick up receivers coming out of the backfield, with the ability to run with them vertically. However, Brown lacks prototypical NFL size for the position and his tackling leaves something to be desired. Brown will need to get stronger in order to dis-engage consistently from bigger lineman/tight ends and would be best off by going to a team with two big DT’s that can keep him clean (Lions). Sky is the limit for Zach, but he definitely has some areas of his game to improve upon before he can be considered an elite prospect.