Updated 4/4/12

QB RB FB WR TE OT G C DE RLB DT NT 3-4 DE OLB MLB CB S K P

Scoring System

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
<40 No NFL Future

 

1. Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State) 90

2. Michael Floyd (Notre Dame) 89

3. Kendall Wright (Baylor) 87

4. Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech) 82

5. Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma) 78

6. Reuben Randle (LSU) 77

7. Mohamed Sanu (Rutgers) 77

8. Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina) 76

9. Chris Givens (Wake Forest) 74

10. Nick Toon (Wisconsin) 74

11. Juron Criner (Arizona) 73

12. Joe Adams (Arkansas) 72

13. Marvin McNutt (Iowa) 71

14. Gerell Robinson (Arizona State) 71

15. Marvin Jones (California) 71

16. Dwight Jones (North Carolina) 70

17. TY Hilton (Florida International) 69

18. Tommy Streeter (Miami) 66

19. Greg Childs (Arkansas) 65

20. Brian Quick (Appalachian State) 64

21. Jeff Fuller (Texas A&M) 62

22. AJ Jenkins (Illinois) 61

23. TJ Graham (NC State) 60

24. Jarius Wright (Arkansas) 59

25. Danny Coale (Virginia Tech) 58

26. Devon Wylie (Fresno State) 57

27. DeVier Posey (Ohio State) 57

28. Tim Benford (Tennessee Tech) 56

29. LeVon Brazill (Ohio) 55

30. Chris Owusu (Stanford) 52

31. Risard Matthews (Nevada) 51

32. BJ Cunningham (Michigan State) 48

33. Jordan White (Western Michigan) 45

 

 

 

Updated 4/20/11

QB RB FB WR TE OT G C DE RLB DT 3-4 DE NT MLB OLB CB S K P

Scoring System 

100 Once in a decade prospect 
95-99 Elite talent 
90-95 Solid top 10 pick 
85-90 Solid first round pick 
80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 
75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 
70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 
65-70 3rd-4th round pick 
60-65 4th-5th round pick 
55-60 5th round pick 
50-55 6th round pick 
45-50 7th round pick 
40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 
30-40 Career practice squader 
20-30 No NFL future 
0-20 No football future 

 

1. AJ Green 96 (Georgia)

2. Julio Jones 96 (Alabama)

3. Jonathan Baldwin 86 (Pittsburgh)

4. Leonard Hankerson 82 (Miami)

5. Titus Young 81 (Boise State)

6. Torrey Smith 69 (Maryland)

7. Vincent Brown 69 (San Diego State)

8. Randall Cobb 67 (Kentucky)

9. Edmond Gates 67 (Abilene Christian)

10. Dwayne Harris 66 (East Carolina)

11. Greg Little 65 (North Carolina)

12. Tandon Doss 62 (Indiana) 

13. Jerrel Jernigan 61 (Troy)

14. Jeremy Kerley 61 (TCU)

15. Lyle Leong 57 (Texas Tech) 

16. Dane Sanzenbacher 56 (Ohio State)

17. Terrance Toliver 55 (LSU)

18. Niles Paul 54 (Nebraska)

19. Denarius Moore 51 (Tennessee)

20. Cecil Shorts 50 (Mount Union)

21. Stephen Burton 49 (West Texas A&M)

22. Aldrick Robinson 47 (SMU)

23. Ronald Johnson 46 (USC)

24. Darvin Adams 45 (Auburn)

25. Jeff Maehl 43 (Oregon)

26. Armon Binns 42 (Cincinnati)

27. Ryan Whalen 42 (Stanford)

 

  

 

QB RB WR TE OT G C NT DT 3-4 DE DE RLB OLB MLB CB S K P

Updated: 4/17/10 

Scoring System: 

100 Once in a decade prospect 

95-99 Elite talent 

90-95 Solid top 10 pick 

85-90 Solid first round pick 

80-85 Late 1st-early 2nd 

75-80 Solid 2nd round pick 

70-75 Solid 3rd round pick 

65-70 3rd-4th round pick 

60-65 4th-5th round pick 

55-60 5th round pick 

50-55 6th round pick 

45-50 7th round pick 

40-45 Undrafted, invite to training camp 

30-40 Career practice squader 

20-30 No NFL future 

0-20 No football future 

 

1. Damian Williams (USC) 87

Doesn’t get the big hype of guys like Dez Bryant and Golden Tate, but I think he’s the best overall wide receiver in this draft class because he possesses two traits, in addition to his natural athleticism, that very few wide receivers his age do, good route running, and a humble personality. He really knows how to get open and catch the ball at the best possible point and he’s not one to complain if a quarterback doesn’t throw to him. He’d be a perfect fit for a west coast offense and he can also return punts. He hasn’t been off the charts in terms of production, but he’s led the Trojans in catches and receiving yards in each of the last two years and had 70 catches for 1010 yards and 6 touchdowns this year in a pro style offense, despite having a true freshman at quarterback.

2. Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State) 86

3/30/10: Bryant’s measurables and workout in the positional drills, especially after basically a year off of football, were really impressive considering he was wearing brand new cleats that had not been broken in before. However, when you consider that the reason he did not have cleats is because he “forgot,” it’s hard to consider this pro day a success. He is known for having mental lapses on the field, and dropped a few catchable balls today, so forgetting something as important as your cleats cancels out the good that the strong workout did, especially when it’s something as important of your Pro Day after being suspended a whole year for something stupid. He really did not seem to get the importance of this day. 

Suspended for something bizarre, but that shouldn’t hurt his draft stock too much. The character red flags are there and he doesn’t always seem to have his head in the game. He drops way too many passes and isn’t a good route runner, but he’s going to be an excellent #2 deep threat at the next level at worst. He has an amazing size, speed combination and is extremely dangerous in the open field.

3. Golden Tate (Notre Dame) 82          

2/28/10: He’s got more speed than I thought. I was expecting 4.4-4.45 and he ran 4.36 on a day where some receivers have been running slower than expected. I still have concerns about his ability to be a #1 option at 5-10, but this kind of speed helps.      

2/26/10: We knew Tate was on the short side, but he barely measured at 5-10 at his weigh in. There aren’t a lot of #1 options that are that short. He’ll still be a good player and he’s the second most NFL ready player in this draft class after Damian Williams, but he has future #2 written all over him and not future #1.

His production 151 catches for 2576 yards and 25 scores over the last two years, in a pro style offense is amazing, but he may be maxed out athletically and he doesn’t have a great upside. His 40 time is poor for his size and he may have trouble finding a niche as a wide receiver at the next level. A lot of his statistical prowess can be attributed to having Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, but he should still be a fine #2 wide receiver at the next level because he has very reliable hands and runs good routes for someone his age.

4. Brandon LaFell (LSU) 79                  

2/28/10: He wasn’t supposed to be a speed demon, but a 4.59 hurts a lot. He’s not going to get a lot of separation at the next level. He also measured in at 6-2 this week instead of 6-4 so his stock could be taking a drop this week.

The perfect fit for a run heavy pro style offense because he has experience running pro style routes and he’s an amazing run blocker for his age. His frame is still a bit wiry and that could lead to injuries at the next level as he tries to make some of the crazy catches he made in college, but he’s certainly not afraid of anything and will throw his body around for the ball fearlessly. 57 catches for 792 yards doesn’t seem like much for a senior season, but when you consider that LSU passed 336 times this season, all of a sudden those numbers look really good. He was by far the most dominant end zone threat on his roster and his 11 touchdowns more than tripled the total of the guy who was second on the team. He’s got good height, good hands, good fearlessness, good run blocking, and a good red zone presence, but needs to put on more muscle and he’s not fast in comparison to some of the receivers in this draft class.

5. Eric Decker (Minnesota) 77

What you see is what you get with him, but what you’re getting is a big consistent #2 option with good hands. He’s not overly athletic, but he’ll be a good red zone threat and possession receiver with his size and good hands. He’ll compliment an inconsistent deep threat very well at the next level, but there isn’t a ton of upside with him.

6. Dezmon Briscoe (Kansas) 76             

2/28/10: He’s a talented physical receiver, but receivers who run 4.61 40s normally have a lot of trouble gaining separation in the NFL. I was afraid his time would be bad, but I didn’t expect this bad.

A handful to take down in the open field and a great red zone presence, but he doesn’t run routes well, his 40 time and straight line speed are very poor, and his strong stats came in a weird offense that inflates stats. Still, he can be coached into being a good route runner and if he is, he’ll be a very dangerous wide receiver because he moves and breaks tackles like a running back in the open field. He may be a late bloomer as a wide receiver, but he has good upside and could contribute right away in a big way in a spread style offense.

7. Jeremy Williams (Tulane) 75

1/30/10: He was the South’s Marshawn Gilyard, leading all receivers with 6 catches, and also added a nice 27 yard run where he flashed a lot of speed I didn’t even know he had. He has a nasty injuries of injuries, two ACL repairs, but he has all the skills and could be looking at the 2nd round now.

He’d be ranked higher if he weren’t always hurt, but he has a long history of injuries. He finally put all the tools together this year and he has a good size speed combination and the upside to be a nice #2 receiver but his past inconsistencies and injuries will drive scouts nuts and that should drop him into the 3^rd round. He also never played a tough level of competition.

 

8. Arrelious Benn (Illinois) 74

If he gets drafted high it will be on what he can do not on what he has done. He dropped way too many passes this season, looked timid going over the middle of the field and in the end zone, but he has an amazing physical build and coaching staff may look to bring a future #1 option out of him. Scouts could also blame his awful statistical season this year on the fact that Juice Williams was his quarterback. Williams is probably the worst quarterback to ever play the game. I’m barely exaggerating.

9. Marshawn Gilyard (Cincinnati) 74              

2/28/10: I have a feeling Gilyard was just having a bad day, he looked WAY faster this season than the 4.56 he ran today. However, I’m moving him down my board a little until he runs a faster time at his Pro Day.

1/30/10: He was the North’s leading receiver with 5 catches for 102 yards and a score and made some very impressive catches against tough coverage. These catches were ones where the defender didn’t give him a ton of room, but he either was able to create just enough separation to get the ball, or able to make an acrobatic catch away from his body. He also was one of the better kick returners in this game as well. I think he dispelled the concerns about his size from earlier this week (weighing in at 8-10 lighter and 2 inches shorter than he was listed), and actually got a comparison to DeSean Jackson by the commentators. I wouldn’t quite say that, but he certainly has the look of an NFL wide receiver and also a kick returner.

1/26/10:  Measuring 2 inches shorter than what you were listed at is never a good thing. 

Needs to bulk up, but he projects as a nice slot receiver at the next level. He has very good agility and would be a welcome addition to a team as a punt returner as well and he runs fast straight line like a gazelle, but he comes from a spread offense so he may be a system player that doesn’t translate well to the NFL.

10. Dexter McCluster (Mississippi) 73                 

2/28/10: Surprisingly, his 4.55 40 at 5-9 173 doesn’t hurt him that much in my book, but it has to hurt him some considering we were expecting a high 4.3, maybe low 4.4 at worse. However, this is one of those guys who is faster in pads than he is timed and stronger than his size. He should still catch on somewhere in the NFL as that Percy Harvin type player.

2/27/10: How do you bench 20 reps of 225 pounds when you are a mere 173 pounds? That is crazy! This little guy may be small, but he is tough, he is strong, he is committed, and he is damn fast as well. 

A blur of a football player who is a bit undersized. He has lined up at both running back and wide receiver in his career and had 1169 rushing yards and 520 receiving yards last season. He has also lined up as a wildcat so there’s going to be a spot in the NFL for him, though it is not going to be a conventional one. He will play the Percy Harvin role for a team, a slot receiver, return guy, and occasional 3^rd down back and wildcat and will be plenty valuable doing so.

11. Danario Alexander (Missouri) 73                     

1/30/10: For all he was targeted, and he was one of the most targeted wide receivers in the first half, he didn’t make a catch. He looked about two steps slower than everyone on the field and didn’t seem to have his head in the game. On one play he was wide open, but failed to catch the ball because he didn’t know it had been thrown to him until it was too late. He played very little in the 2nd half, not surprisingly.

Played in a weird offense and has awful speed, but his size and strength could make him a very nice red zone specialist wide receiver at the next level. He’ll also fit into a wide receiver rotation well right away if a team runs a shotgun style offense. His hands are reliable and he’s a big moving target at 6-5, but his route running and speed are very poor.

12. Demaryius Thomas (Georgia Tech) 69

Played in a weird offense and doesn’t have great speed, but a 25.1 YPC is nothing to overlook. He’s got good size at 6-3 229, but he’ll have trouble getting separation at the next level. He’s like a running back in the open field and he has good size. He may have a future as a goal line receiver and he’s also a strong run blocker. He did hurt his foot and was unable to work out at the combine and may not have a chance to workout for teams before the draft, which hurts, but he should be good to go for team workouts.

13. Andre Roberts (Citadel) 66                   

1/27/10: Another small school kid showing that he can play with the big boys, he may only be 5-11 180, but he’s showing excellent hustle and discipline (going to Citadel a military academy esque school will do that for yoy), but also amazing route running abilities. He doesn’t have elite NFL athleticism, but he’s looking like a mini Wes Welker this week.

A small school receiver who held his own against the big school kids at the Senior Bowl. He’s got very solid hands and, at the very least, he’ll be a solid slot guy. He’s drawing premature comparisons to Wes Welker because of his hands and his ability to contribute as a kick returner.

14. Jacoby Ford (Clemson) 65                       

2/28/10: Ford currently holds the record for fastest 40 time at the 2010 combine by running a blazing 4.28. He didn’t produce much on the field last year, but speed thrills. He should be a solid slot receiver, who can help on special teams, at the next level.

A speed demon with a 4.28 40, but I have a few concerns about his abilities to be an elite receiver at the next level. He doesn’t run great route or have great hands or do anything that receivers are supposed to do very well, except, of course run. He would be a 6^th round prospect if he ran a 4.4 so I have some concerns about him being ranked 3 rounds higher just because he was .12 seconds faster than 4.4.

15. Dorin Dickerson (Pittsburgh) 64

2/27/10: The biggest question Dickerson has to answer is what is his position. He can produce on the field, but he’s played everything from fullback to linebacker to tight end (where he was an All-American) to wide receiver. After measuring in at 226 pounds he proved too small for the first 3 positions, but after running a 4.40 40 with 34 inch arms and benching 225 pounds 24 times, I think he could be a fairly decent wide receiver in the NFL. A 4.40 40 at 6-1 226 with that kind of strength makes him a very interesting wide receiver option for teams in the mid to late rounds.

1/26/10: Does he have a position? He played both tight end and fullback in college, but he doesn’t appear to be anywhere near big enough to play either of those at the NFL level which is a shame because of his production. His 40 time will have to be wide receiver esque for him to get drafted.

He played linebacker, full back, tight end, and wide receiver at Pittsburgh, making the All-American team as a tight end last year. However, at 6-1 226, he doesn’t have the size to play either of the first 3 positions so he would have to be a wide receiver or just a special teamer who doesn’t have a true position. However, at the combine, he ran a 4.40 showing true wide receiver speed. He has good size. He’s a good run blocker. I have some concerns about how he’ll transition full time to wide receiver, but he did run pro style routes as a tight end for Pittsburgh. 

16. Jordan Shipley (Texas) 63

2/28/10: Again, maybe another guy who has having a bad day, but a 4.57 hurts his stock until he proves himself to be faster than that at his pro day. This is a guy who needs to be fast at the next level to succeed.

He’s a fairly boring prospect, a what you see is what get type player, with good solid hands, but lacking athleticism and no major upside. He’s already 24, but he’s also already one of the most accomplished receivers in college football and he proved with his strong game in the BCS Championship that he could do it without Colt McCoy. He should be a good slot guy at the next level, but he lacked good speed at the combine which is a bit concerning.

17. Carlton Mitchell (South Florida) 59

Every draft class has it. That wide receiver with amazing athleticism that lacks the production to match it and gets over drafted. Last year we had Darrius Heyward Bey, this year, it could be Carlton Mitchell and his 4.40 speed at 6-3 215. However, because Al Davis doesn’t need receivers, I don’t think he’ll go in the first. The 3^rd or 4^th makes more sense for him and there’s no denying the upside, but I’ll be conservative with his grade because he never was dominant statistically.

18. Riley Cooper (Florida) 56

A very athletic wide receiver, but what other type does Florida have. He didn’t put it all together until this year when he had 51 catches for 961 yards and 9 touchdowns, so there’s the issue that he’s could be just a one year wonder. He is very similar to Louis Murphy coming out of Florida last year with his measurables.

19. Shay Hodge (Mississippi) 56

A pro style receiver with very good production this year with 1135 yards and 8 touchdowns, but he lacks breakaway speed, will struggle to get separation in the NFL, and he’s a bit of a one year wonder. He’s not a true one year wonder, but he does have some of the characteristics, plus, his hands are a bit inconsistent. He could be worth a 5^th rounder for depth.

20. Seyi Ajirotutu (Fresno State) 55

A big tall receiver at 6-4 and change who former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer compared to a young Vincent Jackson, who he worked with in San Diego, at the East-West shrine game. However, he never dominated on a college level, despite not facing BCS conference caliber competition very often. He had 3 decent years and 2 above average ones, but his career high in receiving yards is 795 and that was in 2008. He’ll also struggle to get separation at the next level with his low 4.6 speed, so, I could see him panning out, but it’s not likely. He may just be a goal line option at the next level.

21. Mike Williams (Syracuse) 55

He has second round talent, but it’ll take a miracle and a stupid GM for him to be drafted in the first 3 rounds. He has been suspended for academic reasons for an entire year before and last year, he quit on his team unexpectedly and, at the combine, he showed up out of shape, only benching 8 reps despite putting on 15 pounds, and when asked about quitting on his team, he didn’t seem to even think it was a big deal. Proceed with caution.

22. Taylor Price (Ohio) 54

An athletic freak capable of many acrobatic catches who is loved by Todd McShay, but his hands are way too inconsistent. He makes tough catches, but he’ll drop easy ones and his instincts in terms of route running and getting open aren’t great.

23. Emmanuel Sanders (SMU) 54

One of the more accomplished wide receivers in this draft class with 285 receptions for 3791 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career, but a big chunk of that came in June Jones’ offense, which is notoriously bad at producing NFL players. However, he still showed good hands on tape, as well as a lot of other nice things, so he could be a solid depth guy at the next level, he has experience as a return man. 

24. Joe Webb (UAB) 53

1/30/10: I know he’s a former quarterback, but he really didn’t show that he has what it takes to be a wide receiver at the next level, which is what he needed to do because he’s not, I don’t think, an NFL caliber quarterback. On one play when Tim Tebow was in trouble, Webb needed to come back to his quarterback and help him out and he did not. His route running was poor and he also had a fairly easy drop. I think he’ll still get drafted late, but I’m not sure about his upside.

A three year starter at UAB, 2 as a quarterback, one as a receiver. He was actually pretty good as a quarterback this year with a 59.8% completion percentage, a 8.5 YPA, and 8 interceptions to 21 touchdowns and 1427 rushing yards on 227 attempts. However, he played in a shotgun offense and only really had one good year and I don’t think he has an NFL arm. He has NFL athleticism and could play wide receiver as well, but he wasn’t that great as a receiver as a sophomore and he struggled in the Senior Bowl. He’s a project, but he’s also an athlete with upside at multiple positions. 

25. Marcus Easley (Connecticut) 52

26. Naaman Roosevelt (Buffalo) 50

27. Blair White (Michigan State) 47

28. Chris McGaha (Arizona State) 46

29. David Gettis (Baylor) 46

30. David Reed (Utah) 45

31. Scott Long (Louisville) 44

32. Donald Jones (Youngstown State) 44

33. Stephen Williams (Toledo) 44

34. Freddie Barnes (Bowling Green) 42

35. Thomas Harris (Alabama A&M) 40

Every week, I point out the diamond in the rough gems sitting on the waiver wire that you want ASAP, the players owned in fewer than 30% of all leagues that should be owned in most. In addition to that this week, I’m doing an article called, “why are these guys still on your roster,” highlighting the garbage that’s on more than 50% of rosters that should be promptly disposed of.

WR Roy Williams- Dallas

Percent owned (ESPN): 67.1%

He played well for a 3 week stretch but right now he’s Jon Kitna’s #3 receiver. He has 1 catch for 21 yards in his last two games.

RB CJ Spiller- Buffalo

Percent owned (ESPN): 65.6%

You may have thought that because the Bills drafted him 9^th, they’d use him. Apparently not. His season high in carries is 7.

QB Tony Romo- Dallas

Percent owned (ESPN): 65.5%

He probably won’t play a game for the rest of the season.

 

RB Donald Brown- Indianapolis

Percent owned (ESPN): 64.6%

He’s battled injuries problems all year and even if healthy, he’s probably their #3 back behind the emerging Mike Hart.

RB Tim Hightower- Arizona

Percent owned (ESPN): 62.9%

He hasn’t had more than 10 carries since week 3 when Chris Wells was still hurting and now he’s moved to #3 on the depth chart behind LaRod Stephens-Howling.

RB Cadillac Williams- Tampa Bay

Percent owned (ESPN): 59.8%

He’s averaging 2.5 YPC and has clearly lost his job to undrafted rookie LeGarrette Blount.

WR Bernard Berrian- Minnesota

Percent owned (ESPN): 52.6%

He’s yet to record more than 2 catches in a game this season, with or without Moss.

WR Vincent Jackson- San Diego

Percent owned (ESPN): 52.3%

He hasn’t played all year as he’s been holding out and suspended. He can’t play until week 12, when I doubt the Chargers will use him at all, even with all the injuries they have suffered at receiver.

RB Jerome Harrison- Cleveland

Percent owned (ESPN): 50.1%

Let’s see, he lost his job in Cleveland to Peyton Hillis and then got traded to Philly where he has 6 yards on 6 carries behind LeSean McCoy.

 

 

Defensive End/Rush Linebacker

Illinois

6-4 261

Draft board overall prospect rank: #5

Draft board defensive end rank: #1

Overall rating: 92 (top ten prospect)

40 time: 4.63

Games watched: Illinois/Michigan, Illinois/Wisconsin, Illinois/Penn State, Illinois/Ohio State

Positives

·         Incredibly productive 2011 season (57 tackles, 22.5 for loss, 16 sacks, 9 forced fumbles)

·         Very consistent (TFL in every game but 1, sack in every game but 2)

·         Very good pass rusher

·         Wide variety of pass rush moves

·         Good hand use

·         Athletic

·         Quick off the edge

·         Explosive off the line

·         Has experience rushing in a 2 point and 3 point stance

·         High level of competition

·         Played well against elite competition (2.5 sacks combined against Mike Adams/Ohio State and Ricky Wagner/Wisconsin)

·         Adequate size to play in a 4-3 (6-4 261)

·         Good 40 time (4.63)

·         Athletic enough to play in a 3-4 as a rush linebacker

·         Hard hitter who forced 9 fumbles

·         Good tackler in space

·         Played well against double teams

·         Great motor

·         High character kid

·         Great work ethic

·         Played through injury

·         All the intangibles

·         Breakout star who worked his way up the depth chart

Negatives

·         Only average functional strength

·         Can get washed against the run

·         Can get over powered by bigger offensive linemen

·         Only one year of production (2 sacks before this season)

·         Not a lot of experience in coverage

·         Could play with better leverage

NFL Comparison: Aldon Smith

This is a deep pass rusher class with guys like Mercilus, Quinton Coples, Courtney Upshaw, Melvin Ingram, Chandler Jones, Shea McClellin, and Nick Perry all candidates to come off the board in some order in the first round and guys like Andre Branch, Vinny Curry, and Ronnell Lewis all likely to go in the 2^nd round. However, Mercilus was the most productive of them all last season and I think he’s the best pure pass rusher.

Mercilus came out of nowhere this season to lead college football in sacks (16), forced fumbles (9), and come in 2^nd in tackles for loss (22.5). Coming into the season, no one knew who Mercilus was. He was a mere 3 star recruit who only had 2 sacks in 2 seasons as a backup. However, he worked his way up the depth chart into the starting lineup and didn’t look back from there. He was also extremely consistent as he had a tackle for loss in every game but one and a sack in every game but two, including against Wisconsin, who has one of college football’s best offensive lines, and Mike Adams, a likely 2^nd round pick.

The one year wonder thing is the reason why he’s not a legitimate consideration for the top 15. However, if Mercilus had come back for another season and had a strong year, he likely would have been a top 10 lock and a candidate for the top 5 and probably the first pass rusher off the board. At the same time, you can’t blame him for coming out and striking when the iron was hot since he’s a 1^st round pick lock. His family is also having financial troubles, another reason for declaring early.

As a pass rusher, the only thing you can knock is his one year of experience because he’s the real deal in that regard of the game. In the NFL today, that’s extremely valuable. All Aldon Smith did was rush the passer as a rookie, but he still proved to be well worth a top 10 pick and may have even exceeded his draft pick with 14 sacks as a rookie, even though he was only a part time player.

Against the run, he’s only average. He has adequate size at 6-4 261 to stay as a 4-3 down lineman at the next level, but he needs to become stronger at the point of attack. He did put up 27 reps of 225 pounds at The Combine so the weight room strength is there. He’ll just need to translate that to the field, which I think he can do.

Remember, because he’s only a one year starter, he’s still incredibly raw and only scratching the surface of his potential. Aldon Smith was the same way last season and he still has a bright future as he’s expected to be a full time player in 2012. Mercilus has the same tremendous work ethic and motor as Smith so I love his chances to become that complete player.

He played hurt this season (something Smith did in 2010), playing through a finger injury. He also never takes a play off and did a great job to exceed where he was recruited and move up the depth chart to lead college football in sacks. And, given, his family’s financial situation (as the son of Haitian immigrants), he comes from humble beginnings in more ways than one. I think in a few years we’ll look back and wonder why he wasn’t drafted higher, in the top 10.

I think his draft stock starts at 18 to San Diego. Both of the top 2 pass rushers (Melvin Ingram and Quinton Coples) should be off the board by that point, but from 18 to 31, there are a good amount of teams that need pass rushers. San Diego at 18, Chicago at 19, Tennessee at 20, Detroit at 23, Houston at 26, Green Bay at 28, New England at 27 and 21, and Baltimore at 29 are all options for him. He, McClellin, Jones, Upshaw, Perry, could all go in that range, it’s just about the fit. Chicago at 19 is known to be interested in the local kid. That’s where I have him going in my mock draft.

 

Spolight #1: Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu

Spotlight #2: Rutgers DE Manny Abreu 

1st quarter

7:04: Manny Abreu blocked off the play by Don Barclay when run at. He’s been a non factor early in this game. He hasn’t done anything against either tackle, especially not Don Barclay, a projected late round pick.

6:14: Abreu can’t disengage on an outside run to his side. Touchdown.

5:53: Sanu targeted, but an inaccurate pass behind him against the blitz.

5:48: Keith Tandy with a great coverage and a pass deflection. He wasn’t matched up with Sanu, but a nice play to almost get a pick.

4:43: Abreu with a fumble recovery on a blitz. The quarterback wasn’t even pressured. He just dropped the ball and Abreu, who had been blocked well, got to the right place at the right time for the recovery.

3:32: Sanu catches one short over the middle, covered by Tandy. Tandy with a terrible tackle, doesn’t wrap up Sanu, tackle broken easily be the 6-3 220 Sanu, who runs into the end zone for a touchdown.

2:47: Tandy learned from his mistake. Nice wrap up on the fullback out of the backfield.

1:41: Keith Tandy not covering Sanu, but still allows a 45 yard touchdown downfield. This was a 45 yard touchdown without much YAC. Not very good coverage, though it was a perfect throw by the quarterback.

2^nd quarter

14:26: Abreu hasn’t been too impressive, but another Rutgers defensive lineman, 6-2 275 defensive tackle Justin Francis, has made a few plays tonight. Here he gets a tackle for loss. He could get drafted late as a left end. He has 48 tackles, 7 for loss, and 4 sacks on the year coming into this game, in 7 games.

11:30: Julian Miller with a fumble recovery for West Virginia.

10:54: Sanu targeted deep, very underthrown and very well coverage, but he doesn’t even make an effort to come back to the ball.

9:07: Abreu has his spin move stood up. He’s not having a very good game.

2:53: Tandy is the last man to beat on a long touchdown run, but he can’t get off a very good block. Touchdown, the 3^rd allowed touchdown that Tandy has been a part of tonight.

0:50: Abreu with a quarterback pressure.

0:23: Justin Francis in on another tackle for loss.

0:16: Abreu finishes a guy off on a tackle for loss. Not going to be credited to him in the stat sheet.

 

3^rd quarter

14:16: Sanu targeted deep against a safety on a cornerback blitz. He runs a poor route here. Had he just keep going straight, he would have been wide open, but he tried a double move with the safety far off of him, allowing him to catch up and cover him well for an incomplete, though there could have been PI on this one.

6:34: Sanu is covered well short, but it doesn’t matter. Nice hands to catch it with a guy blanketed on him and then he shows nice, physical moves to take it for 16 with a lot of yards after catch.

5:22: Sanu targeted on the sideline against tight double coverage deep. Picked. Sanu could have done more to break up the interception, but he was tight coverage and it wasn’t the best throw.

1:10: Sanu tries to make a tough catch, but can’t. Off his hands. This is one a player of his caliber should have made.

0:20: Abreu run at, nothing happening, one of his best plays of the night.

4^th quarter

11:08: Tandy with a pass deflection and almost a pick.

5:43: Abreu pancaked on outside containment, allows a big run.

4:14: Sanu with a short catch.

3:59: Tandy with his 3^rd deflection/near pick of the night.

3:53: With Rutgers trailing by multiple scores for the first time tonight, we finally get to see what this West Virginia pass rush can do. Bruce Irvin getting consistent pressure, as is sophomore defensive end Will Clarke. Julian Miller is on the bench.

3:32: Irvin got pressure on almost every pass play on that drive.

1:51: Sanu with his 4^th catch of the game, first down, gets out of bounds as Rutgers is trailing.

1:36: Sanu with his 2^nd catch for a first down on the drive, tackled well by Tandy.

1:01: Will Clarke with a sack for West Virginia. Irvin got pressure as well.

0:00: Keith Tandy looked like a mid round prospect coming into this game and I was looking forward to the matchup between him and Mohamed Sanu, a rising prospect who is having an awesome year and a potential late first round pick. The 6-3 220 Sanu has 65 catches for 683 yards and 6 touchdowns in 7 games coming in. Unfortunately, the two didn’t match up very often.

One play where they did, Sanu caught the ball short over the middle and Tandy whiffed on a tackle, allowing a touchdown. Tandy was involved on two other touchdowns allowed. He surrendered a 47 yarder through the air and failed as the last man to beat on a long touchdown run.

On the flip side, Tandy also had 3 pass break ups and could have had several picks. After that first touchdown allowed, he did tackle better for the rest of the night, even though he couldn’t get off a block on that long touchdown run. Aside from the two touchdowns allowed, he didn’t only allowed one more catch and that was a catch that he kept in front of him late with a lead. Tandy looks like a mid rounder. On the season, he has 45 tackles, 2 for loss, 3 picks, and 9 pass breakups.

Sanu didn’t have his most dominant game, but he did lead Rutgers receivers with 5 catches for 48 yards and a score even though his quarterback was inconsistent at best going 18 of 46 for 235 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. He also flashed a lot of physicality. He is 6-3 220 and plays bigger than that. He is very tough to bring down in the open field and a good run blocker with a feisty motor. He also has big, strong hands and is a natural pass catcher.

However, he did have a few mental lapses. He dropped a pass, blew a chance at a long reception with a poor route run. He also failed to come back for a very underthrown ball deep and didn’t do enough to break up an interception thrown at him. I’ll need to see more of him, but even with all of his physical gifts, he looks like an early 2^nd rounder rather than a late 1^st rounder to me.

Another guy matchup I was intrigued to watch was Rutgers’ Manny Abreu against West Virginia’s Don Barclay. Barclay dominated that one, but it’s hard to give him a stock up for it. Abreu struggled matched up with either tackle, the left tackle Barclay or the right tackle. Abreu doesn’t look draftable at this point. He had a few nice plays, but really struggled to get consistent pressure and looked very bad against the run. Meanwhile, Don Barclay looks like a late rounder. I don’t know if he has the athleticism to be anything other than a right tackle at the next level.

Another Rutgers defensive lineman did stand out and that was 6-2 275 pound Justin Francis, a defensive tackle. He had 2 tackles for loss to give him 9 tackles for loss and 4 sacks on the year. He’ll have to move to left end or possible 3-4 defensive end at the next level, but he has some promise and looks like someone who is deserving of a late round flier. He’ll be spotlighted at a later date.

West Virginia is known for its pass rush and it really flashed late when Rutgers was trailing by multiple scores for the first time all game. Bruce Irvin is the leader. At 6-3 245 pound defensive end is very undersized, but he also is a very good pass rusher. He had 14 sacks last season. He is disappointing this season with just 2.5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss, but he looked very good late in this game, getting pressure on almost every play. However, it wasn’t the toughest matchup and he’s really disappointed this season as a pass rusher, while remaining weak against the run. Unless he gets things together, he might fall out of day 2 entirely.

Another defensive end for West Virginia with slipping stock is Julian Miller. Miller came into the season as a potential day 2 pick, but he is losing a lot of playing time to sophomore defensive end Will Clarke. Clarke had a sack today and was in exclusively on those last 2 drives with West Virginia winning. Miller didn’t see the field. He did have a fumble recovery, but he’s having a bad year. He had 9 sacks and 14 tackles for loss last season, but this year the 6-4 260 pound end has just 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. Someone might still draft him late.