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The Ultimate Source for your Ph.D. in Pigskin |
2011 NFL Draft Prospect Positional Rankings
There's one difference that you will see in the rankings this year. A
couple of guys are ranked in two separate positions. I did this because
there are several players that can play at different positions and still
be a top-5 player at each (i.e. Aaron Williams of Texas), or they are
scheme-diverse, (i.e. Marcel Dareus and Robert Quinn). |
| Offense | Defense |
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Quarterbacks |
Defensive Ends |
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|
For the most part, this is a down year for quarterbacks, mostly because
of character issues. If I were running a personnel department, I
wouldn't even consider taking any of them in the first round. That being
said, if the pick were on talent alone, Ryan Mallett would be my number
one pick overall. |
There's one glaring omission from this list that I'm sure I'll be questioned about: Da'Quan Bowers. It's not that I don't think he's good enough, because he'd normally be ranked fourth or fifth. However, his degenerative knee condition would scare the hell out of me if I were a general manager, so I've taken him off my board. | |
| 1. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri | 1. Robert Quinn, North Carolina | |
| 2. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas | 2. Aldon Smith, Missouri | |
| 3. Cam Newton, Auburn | 3. Cameron Jordan, California | |
| 4. Christian Ponder, Florida State | 4. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue | |
| 5. Andy Dalton, TCU | 5. J.J. Watt, Nebraska |
|
Running Backs |
Defensive Tackles |
|
| I
don't think there's as big a difference between Mark Ingram and the
other running backs in this draft as most people. I think the next three
could be immediate impact players and Murray may be the best 3-down back
in the draft. |
In my opinion, the defensive tackles are the deepest and best group in this draft. Whether they're built for the 3-4, 4-3, or both, I could list 10 of them and every one of them would be a player that will make significant contributions in their first year. | |
| 1. Mark Ingram, Alabama | 1. Marcel Dareus, Alabama | |
| 2. Mikel LeShoure, Illinois | 2. Nick Fairley, Auburn | |
| 3. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech | 3. Corey Liuget, Illinois | |
| 4. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State | 4. Marvin Austin, North Carolina | |
| 5. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma | 5. Muhammed Wilkerson, Temple |
|
Fullbacks |
3-4 Nose Tackles |
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|
The most underrated and least heralded positions in football is the
fullback. All you have to do is ask Arian Foster how much Vonta Leach
contributed to this year's rushing title. Or, talk to any of the backs
that rushed for 1,000 yards for 10 straight seasons behind Lorenzo Neal. |
With all of the 3-4 defenses in the league, coupled with a lack of nose
tackles capable of clogging up the middle, 2-gappers are typically
overdrafted. This year, only the top four should be taken in the first
two days of the draft, and then there's a significant dropoff. |
|
| 1. Owen Marecic, Stanford | 1. Marcel Dareus, Alabama | |
| 2. Henry Hynoski, Pittsburgh | 2. Phil Taylor, Baylor | |
| 3. Anthony Sherman, Connecticut | 3. Jerrell Powe, Mississippi | |
| 4. Stanley Havili, USC | 4. Kenrick Ellis, Hampton | |
| 5. Charles Clay, Tulsa | 5. Chris Neild, West Virginia |
|
Wide Receivers |
Outside Linebackers |
|
| I
can't remember a year in which I was so sure of the top two receivers'
success as I am with Julio Jones and A.J. Green. There is no doubt in my
mind that both of them will be multiple Pro Bowl players. After those
two, there's quality, but not until the mid-second round. |
Outside of Von Miller, most of the guys listed below are only going to fit in the 4-3 scheme. Because of the lack of versatility and ability, I wouldn't be surprised if only Miller goes in the first round. Dontay Moch is a project, but could be a stud in the right situation. | |
| 1. Julio Jones, Alabama | 1. Von Miller, Texas A&M | |
| 2. A.J. Green, Georgia | 2. Bruce Carter, North Carolina | |
| 3. Leonard Hankerson, Miami | 3. Akeem Ayers, UCLA | |
| 4. Torrey Smith, Maryland | 4. Martez Wilson, Illinois | |
| 5. Greg Little, North Carolina | 5. Dontay Moch, Nevada |
|
Tight Ends |
Inside Linebackers |
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|
I'm not particularly in love with the crop of tight ends this year. As a
matter of fact, I can't remember a year in which it was as thin as this
one. The true wildcard here is Robert Housler, who looks like he could
be the type of athlete that will cause a lot of matchup problems. |
With the proliferation of the passing game, inside linebackers have fallen on the scale of importance in the league. I don't see any of them going in the first round, and it may not be until late Friday night that one of these guys hears their name called. | |
| 1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame | 1. Colin McCarthy, Miami | |
| 2. D.J. Williams, Oklahoma | 2. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina | |
| 3. Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin | 3. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU | |
| 4. Robert Housler, Florida Atlantic | 4. Greg Jones, Michigan St. | |
| 5. Luke Stocker, Tennessee | 5. Akeem Dent, Georgia |
|
Offensive Tackles |
3-4 Conversions |
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|
Unlike recent drafts, there isn't a tackle in this draft that you would
consider taking in the top five picks, but there are a lot of guys that
will make for quality starters. Smith is interesting because he didn't
play left tackle at USC, but he has the agility and arm length to excel
at the position. |
The defensive front seven is where the real meat of this draft is located, and that is certainly true of the 3-4 conversions. The five listed below will be immediate starters, with Miller and Quinn being the most NFL-ready. But, don't be surprised if Smith or Justin Houston end up being the best of them all. | |
| 1. Tyron Smith, USC | 1. Von Miller, Texas A&M | |
| 2. Anthony Costonzo, Boston College | 2. Robert Quinn, North Carolina | |
| 3. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin | 3. Aldon Smith, Missouri | |
| 4. Nate Solder, Colorado | 4. Justin Houston, Georgia | |
| 5. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi | 5. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue |
|
Guards |
Cornerbacks |
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|
Mike Pouncey needs to thank his brother for how high he's going to be
drafted this year. While he's not as good as Maurkice, I think he'll be
taken higher than his twin was in 2010. I also included Danny Watkins in
this group, because I don't think he'll be able to make it at right
tackle in the NFL. |
Patrick Peterson is in a class by himself here, and could actually play any of the positions in the defensive backfield. The interesting prospect in this group is Jimmy Smith, who has top-10 talent, but the character flags will probably cause him to slip to the latter part of the first round. | |
| 1. Mike Pouncey, Florida | 1. Patrick Peterson, LSU | |
| 2. Danny Watkins, Baylor | 2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska | |
| 3. Rodney Hudson, Florida State | 3. Brendan Harris, Miami | |
| 4. John Moffitt, Wisconsin | 4. Jimmy Smith, Colorado | |
| 5. Clint Boling, Georgia | 5. Aaron Williams, Texas |
|
Centers |
Free Safeties |
|
| I
know this sounds weird, but, unlike the last few drafts, this class of
centers is not one to be excited about. I don't see a Ryan Khalil, Alex
Mack, or Maurkice Pouncey-type difference maker. Ryan Bartholomew is
interesting because he's an above-average athlete who is perfectly
suited for the zone-blocking scheme. |
I've heard some disparaging things about this year's crop of free safeties, but I actually like the group. Of course, adding Aaron Williams certainly doesn't hurt, but it's a group of true center fielders with ball skills. The best value could be Chris Conte, who probably won't go until the third or fourth round. | |
| 1. Mike Pouncey, Florida | 1. Aaron Williams, Texas | |
| 2. Rodney Hudson, Florida State | 2. Raheem Moore, UCLA | |
| 3. Ryan Bartholomew, Syracuse | 3. Jaiqwaun Jarrett, Temple | |
| 4. Brandon Fusco, Arkansas | 4. Chris Conte, California | |
| 5. Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State | 5. Deunta Williams, North Carolina |
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|
Strong Safeties |
|
| I
think this is the weakest position in this year's draft. Outside of Joe
Lefeged, I don't see a single one that will start anytime soon. You know
it's pretty bad when you've got guys with the limited athletic ability
of Shiloh Keo and Tyler Sash ranked in the top five. |
||
| 1. Joe Lefeged, Rutgers | ||
| 2. Ahmad Black, Florida | ||
| 3. Da'Norris Searcy, North Carolina | ||
| 4. Shiloh Keo, Idaho | ||
| 5. Tyler Sash, Iowa |
