1. St. Louis Rams 1-15

Pick (will): QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)

Pick (should): QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)

The Rams cannot take Suh here. Albert Haynesworth and Richard Seymour last season were two of the top defensive tackles (though Seymour, at the time was playing 3-4 end in New England, which is essentially the same thing). Haynesworth went to Washington. Seymour went to Oakland. Neither team got better, in fact the Redskins got worse. Big dominant defensive tackles, which I believe Ndamukong Suh can be, don’t win this is league. They help, but they don’t win. Cortez Kennedy was one of the best defensive tackles of the 90’s, but never won a ring because the Seahawks never quite got their quarterback situation straightened out. If the Rams take Suh this year, there’s a good chance they win 6 games next year and get the 9^th-12^th pick, making it impossible to get a franchise quarterback. 19 of the last 20 Super Bowl winning quarterbacks had made a Pro Bowl before winning a ring and the only one who hadn’t, Eli Manning, made it the very next year. You simply can’t win in this league without a good franchise quarterback, They have a chance here to take one so they should jump at the chance. Clausen, contrary to Todd McShay’s belief, is actually a really good quarterback. For more on Clausen vs. Bradford, click here.

For more on why the Rams MUST draft quarterback, click here

2. Detroit Lions 2-14

Pick (will): OT Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)

Pick (should): OT Russell Okung (Oklahoma State)

The Lions have their franchise quarterback, but they need to protect him, otherwise his development could be stunted. Suh, or McCoy if they go that direction, is a dominant defensive player, but if the Lions’ franchise quarterback is lying on the ground and/or out with injuries, there isn’t much McCoy or Suh will be able to do to help this team win. Jeff Backus is not the guy you want protecting Stafford’s blindside while he’s developing. Russell Okung is. The Lions don’t want to risk passing on him and getting stuck with Roger Saffold and Jason Fox in the 2^nd.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-13

Pick (will): DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

Pick (should): DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

I am not going to mock trades in the should mock because I was have to negotiate with myself to get the deals done and I don’t want to develop a split personality. The Bucs have their quarterback and their left tackle so they can feel free to jump all over Suh, especially since defensive tackle is their biggest need after they were dead last in the league against the run last year. McCoy is a more natural fit for their defensive scheme, but Suh is a beast that simply can’t be passed on here. Contrary to Todd McShay’s belief, Suh is better than McCoy. That’s why he set the record for most Heisman votes as a defensive lineman.

For more on Todd McShay being an idiot, click here

4. Washington Redskins 4-12

Pick (will): OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowa)

Pick (should): OT Charles Brown (USC)

Normally, I wouldn’t take the 10^th player on my board over the 4^th players on my board just because the former had a much higher positional value. However, the Redskins need a left tackle here badly. The offensive line that Donovan McNabb will be playing behind this season gave up 43 sacks last year. Donovan McNabb isn’t magic. He won’t be able to have a good year behind that line and, given his history, he’ll probably get hurt. If the Redskins pass on a left tackle like Brown here for Berry, they won’t be able to take a left tackle until the 4^th round, when they pick next. Assuming they want to win know, Brown would be the best choice as he is the best available left tackle on my board.

5. Kansas City Chiefs 4-12

Pick (will): Trade with Buffalo- QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)

Pick (should): S Eric Berry (Tennessee)

The Chiefs need to protect Matt Cassel’s blindside, but all left tackles remaining would be reaches. I have Bruce Campbell ranked at 17, but even with the need at left tackle it would be very hard for the Chiefs to justify passing on Berry, my 4^th ranked prospect, here, especially when they’ve been so bad on defense. Positional value is a good motto to go by up to a point and passing on an elite prospect like Berry for a 2^nd tier left tackle is where I draw that line, unless of course I needed pass protectors as badly as the Redskins do, which the Chiefs do not. Brandan Albert is a serviceable starter at left tackle for now.

6. Seattle Seahawks 5-11

Pick (will): DT Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)

Pick (should): QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma)

Call me crazy, but I think, just because you pay him 10 million dollars and give up the equivalent of 2 3^rd rounders for him, doesn’t mean a 28 year old former 3^rdrounder who has never thrown a pass in the NFL is your quarterback of the future and solves your quarterback issue completely. If given the chance in real life, the Seahawks should take either Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford, and in this mock, Bradford, my 6^th rated prospect, is available.

7. Cleveland Browns 5-11

Pick (will): S Eric Berry (Tennessee)

Pick (should): 3-4 DE Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)

Thanks to teams going with positional value and need over best available, and rightly so, the Browns have the ability to grab my 5^th rated prospect, McCoy, here at 7. McCoy doesn’t fill an obvious need, but he’ll find a way on the field. He’s the most talented defensive lineman they have on their roster and can be an instant starter at 3-4 defensive end, even though that’s not his natural position.

8. Oakland Raiders 5-11

Pick (will): OT Bruce Campbell (Maryland)

Pick (should): DE Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)

This has to be the most poorly drafted team in the NFL. They have so many needs that I just want to fix that I just don’t know where to start. Hard to correct 10 years of bad drafting by a senile old man who spends 364 days a year dead and only drafts based on size/speed combinations. Quarterback and left tackle would be the obvious place to start, but I don’t want to reach for one, so I’ll go to the 3^rd thing on my Positional Value Chart and take Derrick Morgan, a future elite pass rushing defensive end who is also strong against the run.

9. Buffalo Bills 6-10

Pick (will): Trade with Chiefs- OT Trent Williams (Oklahoma)

Pick (should): QB Tim Tebow (Florida)

I know what you’re thinking. Tim Tebow sucks. He’ll never be a good NFL quarterback. The Bills would be ridiculous to use their 1^st rounder on him. I will agree with that 3^rd statement. The Bills would be ridiculous to use their 1^strounder on him because no other teams really have him on their 1^st round radar and he’ll still be there for the Bills in the 2^nd. However, in this mock, he’s my 12^thrated player and won’t be available in the 2^nd for the Bills. I could explain in large detail why I think Tebow will work at the next level, but, in summary, it’s basically this. His two issues are his delivery and his lack of experience under center. He made huge strides on his delivery for his Pro Day at Florida. That was in the 2 months between then and The Senior Bowl. Imagine if he has a year sitting on the bench to work things out. We’ve seen guys with weird deliveries get better before (Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, Steve Young) and it helps Tebow that he is working with Romo’s former instructor. As for the lack of experience under center, the NFL is progressively growing into more and more of a shotgun style league. Not as much as college, but if you look at the numbers, the amount of snaps taken from shotgun are increasingly steadily every year. The Bills are considering going to a pure shotgun offense next year (making them one of 6 teams in the NFL to use a pure shotgun or a variation of the pure shotgun, New England, San Francisco, Denver, Miami, and Kansas City are the other 5). That would be a perfect fit for Tebow. Also, they do have Trent Edwards, who is not a franchise quarterback, but can be a decent one year stopgap before Tebow takes over in 2011.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9

Pick (will): CB Joe Haden (Florida)

Pick (should): CB Joe Haden (Florida)

Tebow would have fit here as well, but for all the wrong reasons. His celebrity would help them sell tickets, but he would be counted on to start right away (bad) and the scheme doesn’t fit him at all. Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver wants Tebow and, if he’s lucky, he’ll get his way (probably in the 2^nd round though, not the 1^st), but in this mock he does not get to take Tebow, but instead takes his former teammate Joe Haden. Haden is not nearly as big of a celebrity in Jacksonville as Tebow, but Gainesville is only 75 miles away so bringing in a Gator to patch up one of the worst pass defenses in the league last year is not a bad idea. Haden also happens to be one of the best players available on my board.

11. Denver Broncos 8-8 (via CHI)

Pick (will): MLB Rolando McClain (Alabama)

Pick (should): MLB Rolando McClain (Alabama)

If Brandon Marshall leaves town, this pick becomes Dez Bryant, but since I am putting myself in Josh McDaniels shoes, I would go and sign Marshall to a big longterm deal before McDaniels realizes I stole his shoes. If Marshall stays, this pick has to be defense. Their defense, especially against the run, was good for the first 6 weeks of the season, but sucked the rest of the season and could get worse now that Mike Nolan has gone to Miami. And its no coincidence that the Broncos were 6-0 for the first 6 weeks of the season and 2-8 once their run defense started sucking. The way the Broncos are designed offensively, as a short throw, game manage, grind it out offense, they need to be able to stop the other team and win the field position battle. I would just take the best available 3-4 front 7 player. That is McClain who fills the void at middle linebacker left when they cut Andra Davis.

12. Miami Dolphins 7-9

Pick (will): RLB Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)

Pick (should): RLB Brandon Graham (Michigan)

This pick and the situation of the Miami puts two of my strong drafting beliefs in contrast to one another. I believe that by far, quarterback, left tackle, and defense end/rush linebacker are the three most important positions, but I also believe that rush linebackers are incredibly risky to take in the first round. For more information on that click here. That being said, I do have some confidence in Graham because, though he has never played rush linebacker, he has played linebacker before he was converted to an end, and I also love his motor and work ethic and, as far as I’m concerned, that has value anywhere on the field.

13. San Francisco 49ers 8-8

Pick (will): S Taylor Mays (USC)

Pick (should): OT Bruce Campbell (Maryland)

I don’t love Campbell as a prospect. Injuries and inconsistencies have plagued him in the past, but at his best, he is one of the best left tackles in this draft class. His upside is enormous if he can achieve it. He would allow the Niners to move Joe Staley to his natural position at right tackle and give the Niners two upgrades in one.

14. Seattle Seahawks 5-11 (via DEN)

Pick (will): OT Charles Brown (USC)

Pick (should): OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowa)

The Seahawks make a reach here for a left tackle, but I think it’s a necessary reach. Behind a good offensive line, Matt Hasselbeck can actually make this team competitive in the sure to be weak NFC West in 2010. Plus, Bulaga would be able to be their blindside protector for the next 8-10 years or so which is great for young Sam Bradford when he steps in at the beginning of the 2011 season.

15. New York Giants 8-8

Pick (will): MLB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)

Pick (should): MLB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri)

A great pick in both mocks. Weatherspoon can play middle in a 4-3 as well as 4-3 outside linebacker and 3-4 middle linebacker. He’s the best available prospect at this juncture and fills a need for the Giants after they released Antonio Pierce.

16. Tennessee Titans 8-8

Pick (will): DT Dan Williams (Tennessee)

Pick (should): DT Dan Williams (Tennessee)

Dan Williams is a perfect fit here and likely would go here in reality if he is available. As weird as it may seem, he’s a do everything nose tackle. He’s 325 pounds, but has experience playing in a system similar to the one the Titans run now and he’s also an in-state college kid. He is mobile enough to play in Tennessee’s system and, though he’s not the pass rusher Haynesworth was, he can be the big mobile body that Haynesworth was in the middle of their defense a couple of years ago and free things up for the guys on the outside. He’d be a great compliment to their roster full of sub 300 pound defensive tackles.

 17. San Francisco 49ers 8-8 (via CAR)

Pick (will): OT Anthony Davis (Rutgers)

Pick (should): S Earl Thomas (Texas)

The Niners would like to address the cornerback position, their biggest need, in the first, but they shouldn’t reach for a corner like Kyle Wilson as long as they have other needs to address, especially when you consider the strength of this cornerback class in the 2^nd and 3^rd round range. Earl Thomas allows Dashon Goldston to move to strong safety when he would be a better fit and gives them two upgrades in one.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7

Pick (will):  S Earl Thomas (Texas)

Pick (should): NT Terrence Cody (Alabama)

Nose tackle isn’t their biggest need with Casey Hampton under contract for 3 more years, but Hampton is getting old and that contract pays him 21 million dollars over 3 years so I’m guessing they would love to be able to cut him midway and safe money. Cody allows them to do that by giving them a nose tackle, something that is extremely rare.

19. Pick (will): DE Brandon Graham (Michigan)

Pick (should): WR Damian Williams (USC)

Williams is my 9^th rated player, but falls out of lack of need for wide receivers. Wideout is not a huge need for the Falcons, but Michael Jenkins could be upgraded. Matt Ryan, throwing to Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Williams, who I compare to Greg Jennings, is pretty good.

20. Houston Texans 9-7

Pick (will): RB CJ Spiller (Clemson)

Pick (will): RB Jahvid Best (California)

Given how bad the Texans were running the ball last year, taking a talented running back like Best who fits their scheme is a smart idea. Best might not be an every down back, but they have plenty of other running backs to spell him in the backfield, just no true #1 running backs unless Steve Slaton can bounce back.

21. Cincinnati Bengals 10-6

Pick (will): DE Carlos Dunlap (Florida)

Pick (should): TE Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)

I wouldn’t give up on Chase Coffman, a 2009 3^rd round pick who didn’t play a snap last year because of injuries, just yet. Unless of course Jermaine Gresham, my top tight end, fell to me at 21. Gresham had an injury problem last year, but he appears to have put it behind him. He’s one of the best pure pass catching tight end prospects since Kellen Winslow and he’d finally give the Bengals that over the middle target they are lacking.

22. New England Patriots 10-6

Pick (will): WR Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State)

Pick (should): WR Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State) 

Randy Moss is getting up there in years and only has one year left on his deal. He didn’t give a lot of effort last year either and the Pats have won without him. I don’t think he’ll be in town for anymore than a year so they’ll want to look for a future replacement. Bryant would fit the Patriots offensive scheme well because he played in one just like it in college. I think if Bryant falls to the Pats in real life, they’ll also pull the trigger.

23. Green Bay Packers 11-5

Pick (will): RLB Jason Pierre Paul (South Florida)

Pick (should): RB CJ Spiller (Clemson)

A left tackle is majorly needed, but I wouldn’t reach for a guy like Jason Fox or Trent Williams here. They can just go with best available which they probably will do in real life anyway because of how much they like going with best available. Spiller can help this team in the return game, which they struggle in, and give them a 3^rd round down back, and a homerun hitter out of the backfield, all of which are things they do not have at the moment. He’s the best available player who they could use.

24. Philadelphia Eagles 11-5

Pick (will): CB Kyle Wilson (Boise State)

Pick (should): CB Kyle Wilson (Boise State)

This is a great pick is both reality and in my own little world. Wilson would fill the need left by Sheldon Brown, who was traded to the Browns, and he can move over to the #1 cornerback spot when they decide Asante Samuel is too old and costs too much, which will probably be next season.

25. Baltimore Ravens 11-5

Pick (will): TE Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma)

Pick (should): 3-4 DE Jared Odrick (Penn State)

The Ravens have very few needs after all of their upgrades at receiver, including their trade for Anquan Boldin and resigning Derrick Mason. They will probably just look past available and Odrick certainly is that. Trevor Pryce turns 35 soon and the Ravens would be wise to take this opportunity to do what the Steelers did last year and had some youth to their again defensive line.

26. Arizona Cardinals 11-5

Pick (will): RLB Jerry Hughes (TCU)

Pick (should): RLB Jerry Hughes (TCU)

The Cardinals have the personnel to switch to a 3-4 full time next season, but if they do, they’ll need to get more pressure from their rush linebackers. They added Joey Porter, but I don’t see how much the 33 year old Porter helps their group of old rush linebackers for the future. Hughes can be the #1 rush linebacker of the future opposite Cody Brown, a 2009 2^nd round pick, assuming he pans out.

27. Dallas Cowboys 11-5

Pick (will): G Mike Iupati (Idaho)

Pick (should): G Mike Iupati (Idaho)

Youth and depth for the offensive line, that is the Cowboys’ biggest need this offseason. They were destroyed in their playoff loss to the Vikings up front because their old line had worn down and injuries struck and their backups, who aren’t very good, had to step in. Iupati is very raw, but has huge upside. He won’t be a week one starter, but could step in and be an upgrade for Kyle Kosier sometime next year.

28. San Diego Chargers 13-3

Pick (will): NT Terrence Cody (Alabama)

Pick (should): 3-4 DE Brian Price (UCLA)

They never replaced Igor Olshansky after he left as a free agent last year. I have some qualms about Price’s ability to play 3-4 defensive end, but the switch from 4-3 under tackle to 3-4 defensive end is nowhere near as big as the switch from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 rush linebacker. I also have no qualms about Price’s talent and, though I would have rather than Odrick, I am happy with Price.

29. New York Jets 9-7

Pick (will): 3-4 DE Jared Odrick (Penn State)

Pick (should): RLB Everson Griffen (USC)

Vernon Gholston is on a short leash and the only reason he is still on the team is because the Jets would look really stupid to have to release the #6 overall pick 2 years after drafting him. Gholston could bounce back, but he has 0 sacks in 2 years, so I’m not counting on it. Just in case he doesn’t, they should add Griffen, a more natural fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker than Gholston was and the best player available. The Jets aren’t going to be an elite team unless they can create more pressure on the quarterback.

30. Minnesota Vikings 12-4

Pick (will): DT Brian Price (UCLA)

Pick (should): CB Brandon Ghee (Wake Forest)

Antoine Winfield is getting up there in age and has had recent injury issues, Cedric Griffen is average at best and recently tore his ACL, and Asher Allen is a nickel at best and a kick returner. The Vikings, given the NFL is becoming more and more a pass first league every year, should add one more starting caliber corner to the mix. Ghee is that.

31. Indianapolis Colts 14-2

Pick (will): G Maurkice Pouncey (Florida)

Pick (should): OT Trent Williams (Oklahoma)

Charlie Johnson did a decent job this year at left tackle, but I think even I could do a decent job at left tackle for the Colts because Peyton Manning gets rid of the ball so quickly, like clockwork, that it’s almost impossible to sack him. The Colts need to bring in an upgrade at left tackle and Williams has the upside to be amazing in Indianapolis with Manning making him look a little better than he is. Johnson is also a free agent in 2011.

32. New Orleans Saints 13-3

Pick (will): DE Everson Griffen (USC)

Pick (should): OLB Eric Norwood (South Carolina)

The Saints can use Norwood in the way the Redskins used Brian Orakpo, a strong side linebacker on running downs, because he’s too small to play the trenches on running downs, and a defensive end on passing downs, because he’s not good enough in coverage. This way, they could make the most out of his size (he’s big for a linebacker, but small for an end) and his pass rushing ability, without having to use him in places where he does not fit. 

Wide receiver

South Carolina

6-3 216

Draft board overall prospect rank: #55

Draft board overall wide receiver rank: #8

Overall rating: 77 (2nd round)

40 time: 4.48

Games watched: South Carolina/Arkansas, South Carolina/Vanderbilt, South Carolina/Clemson

Positives

·         Excellent size (6-3 216)

·         Great hands

·         Incredibly productive 2010 season (88 catches for 1517 yards and 9 touchdowns)

·         3 year starter

·         Physical with defensive backs

·         Strong

·         Can catch the ball with a guy draped on him

·         Good blocker

·         Big, outside target

·         Good body control

·         Wide catch radius

·         Played through injuries

·         Solid 40 time (4.48)

·         Tough to tackle in the open field

·         Flashes elite talent

·         Good work ethic to lose weight after season

·         Played with terrible quarterbacks

·         Consistently double teamed

Negatives

·         Weight concerns (played in the 230s)

·         Durability concerns

·         Lost 20 pounds in the offseason to perform well in the 40, which is a sign of good work ethic, but 215 is not his playing weight

·         Will he be able to stay at 215?

·         Major regression in 2011 (49 catches for 762 yards and 8 touchdowns)

·         Only 1 100 yard game in 2011

·         Lacks top end speed

·         Slow out of his breaks

·         Route running could use work

NFL Comparison: Mike Williams (Seattle)

Alshon Jeffery is an interesting prospect. Coming into the season, he was seen as a potential top 10 pick after an incredibly impressive sophomore season in which he caught 88 passes for 1517 yards and 9 touchdowns. However, his junior year was a real disappointment in comparison and after 49 catches for 762 yards and 8 touchdowns, he’s probably a 2^nd round pick, though he could sneak into the late 1^st.

He did play through various injuries in 2011, when he only had one game of over 100 yards. He also battled terrible quarterback play. He was still his team’s leading receiver by 20 catches and almost 400 yards and he was consistently double teamed, opening things up for the rest of his team. However, the major problem was his lack of top end speed. Defensive backs were able to use this against him and sit on all of the short routes he was running.

He played in the 230s at South Carolina and looked out of shape, especially in 2011. He lost 20 pounds or so to improve his 40 time and he ran a solid 4.48 at his Pro Day (he mysteriously didn’t run at the Combine). However, NFL decision makers are still not convinced. Anyone can lose 20 pounds for a short period of time and it displays his good work ethic that he was able to do so, but his natural playing weight is in the 230s. NFL decision makers aren’t convinced that he can still in the 210s.

Jeffery looks like a 2^nd round pick and a #2 receiver. He won’t be a #1 guy, but he should be a great, outside possession receiver. He’s a great short route runner, with excellent hands and body control. He doesn’t get a lot of separation, but he’s good at making catches even when blanketed by defenders. He’s also incredibly tough to tackle in the open field and breaks tackles like a running back. However, speed, weight, and durability concerns will probably keep him out of the 2^nd round.

A comparison for him was tough. Mike Williams is a popular one because the former USC receiver (who went 10^th overall) played weight problems throughout his career. However, Jeffery has a good work ethic so I don’t see him ever ballooning up to the 250 pounds Williams was at when he eat himself out of the league. However, there are similarities, even down to the type of college receiver they each were. 

Alex Smith gets the same deal essentially as Matt Flynn (3 years 26 million with 10 million guaranteed for Flynn and 3 years 24 million with 10 million guaranteed for Smith). Flynn has made 2 career starts. Alex Smith was 2 special teams gaffes away from the Super Bowl. When you look at some of the deals that quarterbacks have gotten in recent years (Kevin Kolb: 6 years 65 million with 12 million guaranteed, Ryan Fitzpatrick: 7 years 62 million with 24 million guaranteed, Matt Cassel: 6 years 63 million with 28 million guaranteed), Smith was an absolute bargain.

Smith’s haters may say that he didn’t have a lot to do with where his team ended up last season, but given where they are, they couldn’t go forward without Smith in 2012. Smith threw 5 interceptions last season. He might not have necessarily made them go, but he didn’t hold them back either. He also showed the ability to take over the game at times, the New Orleans game comes to mind. I’m very excited to see what he can do with new receivers and a full offseason with Jim Harbaugh. There are no guarantees that Colin Kaepernick or Josh Johnson would have been anywhere near as efficient as Smith was last season.

In San Francisco’s system, Smith is a legitimate top 15 quarterback that you can win a Super Bowl with as long as everything is right around him (and in San Francisco it almost is). The 49ers are so close. Sometime in the 3 years of this contract, they could win a Super Bowl. 24 million will seem like an absolute bargain in that case and even if they don’t quite get it, it still will. If he struggles, they don’t owe him a lot of guaranteed money and they have Colin Kaepernick waiting in the wings. Remember, Kaepernick was not drafted in the 1^st round. He wasn’t drafted to be the starter. He was drafted as an insurance policy for Smith and they haven’t needed him yet. One last note: Smith made 5 million season when he was a former bust stopgap. This offseason he’s only getting 3 million more after a borderline Pro Bowl season. Bargain.

Update: This deal is bigger than originally reported, 3 years 33 million with 16.5 million guaranteed, though it’s worth noting that a good amount of that 33 million is incentive based (8 million per year base salary). I’m still giving this an A. They did overpay a little in terms of guaranteed money, but 8 million per year isn’t unreasonable for a top 15 quarterback like Smith. As well as the 49ers did last season, they had to keep their quarterback, even if it meant overpaying him. There’s no guarantee Kaepernick or Johnson could do what Smith did.

Update II: Turns out it was only 9 million guaranteed. Even better. If he regresses, they can cut him loose after a season.  Deal still worth a max of 33 million with a 24 million base.

Grade: A

Jim Harbaugh seems to have Smith picked out as his starter in 2011 and at the very least, he’ll be a stopgap to Colin Kaepernick, their high upside 2011 2^nd round pick. Harbaugh is the best offensive mind the former #1 overall pick Smith has worked with in his career so he may be able to salvage his career. I think 5 million is reasonable for him.

Grade: A

3-4 defensive end/defensive end 

Arkansas State

6-5 285

40 time: 4.89

Draft roard overall prospect rank: #94

Draft board 3-4 defensive end rank: #9

Overall rating: 70*

1/27/10: He has carried his late season momentum into his Senior Bowl week and has stepped up as one of the most dominant defensive line prospects at the Senior Bowl, which is a bit of a surprise because he’s not used to top notch competition. He also has excellent size and athleticism. 

1/20/10: A very strong prospect of a small school kid with 10 sacks in 2008 at 6-5 285, but he struggled some in 2009. He did end up with 9 sacks, but 6 of then were in his last 3 games, including an amazing 4 sack showing in the season finale. He is still a nice mid round prospect with similar measurables to Tyson Jackson who went #3 overall last year. He can play 4-3 left end and 3-4 defensive end and maybe some 4-3 defensive tackle in nickel packages, but his best fit is as a 3-4 defensive end where I think he’s a future starter. The level of competition is an issue for him though.

            8/8/09: NFL scouts love big defensive ends who can run and Alex Carrington fits that mold. He should run a low-mid 4.8 40 at 285 pounds, which will allow him to play both 4-3 left end and 3-4 defensive end, making him very valuable. He has exceptionally quickness and pass rushing ability for someone of his size. He had 10.5 sacks last season and 19 tackles for loss last season. He didn’t play against great competition in the Sun Belt, but he put up great stats and those, combined with his athleticism and measurables make him an intriguing prospect. He’s not going to be a star at the next level, but he should be a solid starter at 3-4 defensive end in the future and with more teams switching to the 3-4 and needs ends, Carrington has a bright future. His pass rushing abilities allow him to play left end, where he size is a huge plus and he can play some 4-3 defensive tackle, on pass plays, which will make him even more valuable in the NFL. His pass rushing moves, run stopping ability, speed, and size are all only slightly worse than Tyson Jackson, who went 3^rd in 2009. Pass rush ability is seen as an added plus for a 3-4 defensive end, not a necessity. Carrington has the moves and skills to get into the back field and break up plays, but also is a strong run stopper. Most importantly, he doesn’t over pursue which allows him to be strong against the pass at the right times and strong against the run at the right times. He has more to prove and needs to get himself recognized by NFL scouts more because he’s only seen as a 5^th or 6^th round prospect at this point, but he has 3^rd or 2^nd round skill if he keeps it up. 

NFL Comparison: Kendall Langford

*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here

Defensive End/Rush Linebacker

Missouri

6-4 263

Draft board overall prospect rank: #17

Draft board overall defensive end rank: #6

Overall rating: 87 (1st)

40 time: 4.74

4/23/11: Aldon Smith is an athletic freak who is on the rise as a draft prospect. His measurables may not make him look like an athletic freak, but on the field, it’s clear. He can run, he’s strong, and he’s fluid. He’s got 35 and 3/8 inch arms. His athleticism often gets him compared to Jason Pierre Paul who went 15^th to the Giants last year. Though athletically they are comparable, I don’t like that comparison.

Jason Pierre Paul was extremely raw coming off of school. He had dominated on the junior college level, but had yet to come close to dominating on the college level at South Florida. Aldon Smith has an impressive track record in college for his age. He’s just a redshirt sophomore coming out, but he had 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss in 2009 as a redshirt freshman. His production took a hit this past season with only 6 sacks, but injuries take the blame for that. He missed 3 games with injury and wasn’t right for half the season. Given that, 6 sacks is pretty impressive. Remember, that’s exactly how many JPP had in his only year of NCAA Division-I college football.

I’m not saying Smith isn’t raw, but he’s got a track record. He needs to become more one dimensional. He’s pretty weak against the run, though experts predict that he can play in the high 270s, low 280s and still maintain his athleticism. This, of course, would only happen if he played in a 4-3. I think he has the athleticism and fluidity to play in a 3-4. He might take some time to transition because it’s a new scheme for him and he hasn’t rushed from a standing position before, or done much in coverage, I think he projects well there long term athletically.

As a pass rusher, he’s tough to block. He’s got an amazing first step, a strong motor, and a good amount of pass rushing moves. He also showed toughness, only missing 3 games with a broken leg this year. Scouts love when kids play through injury and I’m not different. It shows he’s a team player and he loves the game.

NFL Comparison: Will Smith

Trade for Washington: Considering they were thinking about just releasing Albert Haynesworth, getting something for him was a good move, assuming they didn’t pick up any additional of Haynesworth’s salary in the deal (I don’t know the full financials).

Grade: A

Trade for New England: If anyone can motivate Albert Haynesworth it’s Bill Belichick. If he can’t, who cares, it’s just a 5^th rounder. They will pay him 12 million over 2 years, but none of that is guaranteed, so this is a fairly low risk move.

Grade: A

Spotlight #1: Vanderbilt CB Casey Hayward

Spotlight #2: Alabama MLB Dont’a Hightower 

1^st quarter

14:50: Hayward blankets a guy, pass incomplete behind him.

13:15: Hightower sticks his nose in on a pile.

12:30: Alabama safety Barron with back to back nice coverage plays.

12:03: Hayward sticks his nose in on a tackle on a check down for a short gain.

11:19: Alabama left tackle Barrett Jones on a hold.

8:35: Hayward thrown against in the end zone, good coverage, out of bounds, inaccurate on the pass anyway.

7:36: Hightower taken down on a cut block.

6:03: Hightower gets in on a tackle for a short gain.

4:23: Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick with an awesome tackle. He’s had some coverage issues this year, but I think he’d make a hell of a safety at the next level.

3:46: Alabama nose tackle Josh Chapman on a combined tackle for a loss on a quarterback run, huge stuff.

2^nd quarter

14:48: Mark Barron with a huge tackle. He’s having a huge game so far.

14:08: Hightower gives chase in the backfield on an option pitch.

12:46: Hayward goes around a block, puts a nice tackle on a ball carrier in space.

9:23: Hayward explosive into the backfield for a tackle for loss on a Trent Richardson screen. Richardson is not a guy who goes down for a loss all that often, especially with only a cornerback tackling him. Awesome play.

8:34: Hightower misses a tackle on a big play, lets the receiver gets big yards after the catch and doesn’t have the speed to recovery.

7:15: Hightower able to run down the fullback in the open field, but not before allowing a 1^st round on a medium gain.

6:47: Hightower thrown on again, complete.

5:39: Hightower with a poor effort on a play.

3:40: Hayward in on another tackle in the open field.

1:50: Alabama receiver with an illegal block in the back on Casey Hayward on a running play.

1:30: Hayward with another tackle on an outside run by Trent Richardson.

1:15: Hayward with tight coverage on a tight end. He’s covered tight ends on occasion all night and he’s played very well despite their size advantage.

0:32: Hayward allows a completion on an out route. Well thrown ball, nice catch, solid coverage, but not enough.

0:21: Alabama quarterback looks Hayward’s way, nothing open, decides against it after a fake.

3^rd quarter

14:43: Hightower in on a short tackle.

14:05: Mark Barron on a tackle for loss. Guy’s a stud. Can’t wait to spotlight him. He looks very improved from last season and might be the best safety in the country, unless you consider Kirkpatrick a safety.

13:24: Hightower delivers a big hit to close on a short catch.

5:49: Kirkpatrick allows receiver to get open deep on a double move, but it’s just overthrown. He’s had issues in coverage all year. If I were to rank them now, Morris Claiborne, Casey Hayward, Stephon Gilmore, and Dre Kirkpatrick would be the order of the top 4 cornerbacks in this class. Kirkpatrick would be the best safety in the country if I were counting him there. After him, it’d probably either be Mark Barron and then Markelle Martin. This is all very preliminary, however.

5:12: Hightower with a nice pressure and hit as the quarterback throws, Mark Barron with a pass deflection on the play as well.

4:28: Hayward in on a tackle for loss on Richardson after he breaks a few. This is the 2^nd time Hayward has brought Richardson down for a loss tonight. Very few players ever do that, especially not cornerbacks. Love Hayward’s technique, toughness and attitude against the run. His motor never sets off.

3:06: Alabama center Williams Vlachos with 3, count them 3, 2^nd level blocks on a screen that goes for a first. Vlachos is probably a 2^nd or 3^rd rounder and the 3^rd best center in this class after Mike Brewster and Peter Konz for Ohio State and Wisconsin respectively up in the Big 10.

0:37: Hightower brings a guy down from behind on a nice tackle.

4^th quarter

14:48: Barron with another huge tackle. Most impressive player on the field tonight and Casey Hayward has been pretty damn impressive.

14:17: Barron on an explosive tackle for loss on a screen.

0:00: In no particular order, Stephon Gilmore, Dre Kirkpatrick, and Morris Claiborne are the consensus top 3 cornerbacks in this class. I’ve watched all 3 and I’ll watch more, but to this point, Casey Hayward has impressed me more than any of those 3. Dre Kirkpatrick was in this game and he struggled at times. He’s consistently struggled with double moves this season. He’s got poor hips and doesn’t change speed well. He’s more straight line fast than anything. He’s a big, physical, rangy player and an excellent tackler, but probably belongs at safety at the next level.

Hayward isn’t as big as Kirkpatrick at 5-11 195, but he plays bigger. He brought down Trent Richardson in the backfield on assisted twice tonight and showed a great motor on run plays. He doesn’t take plays off and he’s got great technique, explosiveness and tenacity against the run. On top of this, he allowed 1 completion all game and it was on a perfect throw and an awesome catch. And it wasn’t like Alabama struggled to pass the ball. AJ McCarron was 23 of 30 for 237 yards and 4 touchdowns with no picks. He just couldn’t complete anything against Hayward except for that one time and most of the time didn’t even look Hayward’s way.

Hayward played well against South Carolina as well, limiting Alshon Jeffery to 2 catches and also picking off 2 passes. He has 5 picks on the season in just 7 games and 13 in his career. He also has 26 tackles, 3.5 for loss, and 2 pass deflections on the season. He’s very good in all facets of the game and should be a first rounder, though he’s underrated. I’ll continue work breaking down the cornerback class and have final rankings later, but Hayward should be pretty high.

However, Hayward wasn’t even the most impressive player on the field. That would go to Alabama safety Mark Barron. I wasn’t even spotlighting Barron, but he made so many impact plays on this game as Alabama’s defense was able to pitch a shutout. The 6-2 220 pound safety can play free safety and strong safety and has looked much improved this season after the potential 2011 day 2 pick returned for his senior season. He has 33 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1 pick and 4 pass deflections in 7 games and could sneak into the first round in this weak safety class.

Now onto the Alabama defender I was actually spotlighting, Dont’a Hightower. Hightower was a rising prospect early this season as he was finally healthy for the first time, but he’s actually slipping a bit of late and I can see why. He just didn’t have a huge impact. He’s a big guy, 6-4 260, but he just didn’t stand out in this game. He has some nice plays, but it wasn’t enough. He struggled in coverage, he missed a few tackles, he didn’t look all that fast, and considering his injury history, I’d have a hard time using more than a 3^rd rounder on him. Of course, I’ll watch plenty more of Alabama in the future so that’s not final.

Spotlight #1: Alabama S Mark Barron

Spotlight #2: Alabama WR Marquis Maze 

1^st quarter

14:27: Richardson with such strong hands to catch an inaccurate ball out of the backfield.

13:44: Maze in on the wildcat as a quarterback, takes the direct and and is stuffed in the backfield.

13:00: Maze targeted, but not open. McCarron forces it and senior middle linebacker Austin Johnson picks it off. The 6-2 240 pound linebacker has 40 tackles in 6 games coming in.

11:42: Dont’a Hightower with a pass deflection at the line on 4^th and 4.

10:48: Maze targeted, catches it, but can’t keep it in bounds. Tough catch, good job just catching it. Dragging a toe would have been near impossible.

9:34: Josh Chapman gets a tackle for a loss as the nose tackle. Tennessee has a talented fringe draftable running back prospect in Tauren Poole, but he hasn’t gotten anything on the ground today.

8:27: Barron can’t quite get an arm tackle on a 15 yards run by Poole.

6:04: Barron sticks his nose in on a tackle against a fullback dive for a short gain.

4:57: Barron in on a tackle after the back bounces out of one pile. Good instincts and quickness.

4:23: Barron with an awesome play to make a play on the ball, but he needs to catch this one. He should have had a red zone pick and not just an awesome deflection.

4:17: Barron gets pressure on a blitz, forces a quick decision on 3^rd and 9. Did not convert.

3:54: Maze muffs a kickoff, recovers it, but doesn’t go very far.

3:41: Maze catches a deep ball in stride, finally tackled by the last man to beat after a gain of 69 yards. Maze just blew past single coverage.

2^nd quarter

13:00: Richardson catches a pass short of the sticks, drags the pile at least 3 yards for the first. Nice, strong hands on the catch as well as it wasn’t the most accurate pass.

10:42: Hightower in on a big pressure on the quarterback. Huge hit too.

10:36: Barron on a tackle 13 yards away from the line.

9:01: Barron in on a tackle after the opposite cornerback allows a big gain.

6:05: Hightower is standing out today. Huge hit to force a drop.

5:40: Maze catches the ball in stride on a slant, good run after the catch for a sizeable gain. Brought back by a penalty before the throw.

3:38: Maze over the middle for a 4 yard catch on first down.

1:31: Barron in on a tackle for little to no gain.

0:19: Malik Jackson, a transfer from USC, with a sack. He’s athletic and he’s had a couple good games in a row.

3^rd quarter

14:08: Kirkpatrick with a nice, quick tackle.

13:28: Barron with pressure on a blitz.

12:01: Maze isn’t the tallest guy, but he makes an excellent catch to pluck it out of the air against crowded coverage.

10:52: Courtney Upshaw on a strip sack, recovered by Tennessee.

9:27: Hightower is having a huge game. Another quarterback pressure here.

7:57: Hightower in on a sack, Upshaw also giving chase.

4:18: Malik Jackson has had a few good pressures, a sack, and now draws a hold on Alabama’s William Vlachos, one of the better centers in college football.

3:51: Maze catches a short pass for a few.

3:19: Richardson somehow scores a touchdown, looked like he was going to be stopped on several occasions, but great patience, vision, toughness, and power to get it in.

2:32: Barron in on a short tackle.

4^th quarter

11:03: Hightower with a pick off a deflection by another Alabama defender. Hightower looked like a running back on the return. He didn’t look like a 260 pounder there.

0:00: Mark Barron wasn’t as good as he was against Vanderbilt, but he still had a solid game. He had a pass deflection and should have had a pick and he was around the ball quite a bit. This was a pretty neutral game for him and it should keep his stock around late 1^st or early 2^nd round. He remains the top safety in a very weak safety class.

Ironically, I was spotlighting Hightower against Vanderbilt when Barron had his awesome game. Hightower was fairly neutral in that game, but tonight he made all sort of plays. He had several pressures, a couple big hits, a quarterback hit, a sack, and a pick and I wasn’t even watching him on every play. He’s finally healthy and he has first round talent, but injuries are the issue for him. I think he’s a 2^nd rounder because of his history of knee problems.

As for Maze, he had one of his better games of the season, catching 5 balls for 106 yards. On the season, he has 39 catches for 482 yards and a touchdown in 8 games. He looks like a decent player. He’s not particularly big or fast, but he understands how to get open and he has good hands and at worst, I think he can stick as a 4^th receiver and a return man at the next level. He could be a solid slot receiver at the next level. He looks like a mid to late rounder.

As for other Alabama players, Richardson had another great game of tape. He’s so big and powerful and has great hands and always makes at least 2 or 3 highlight reel plays in every game. He only had 77 yards on 17 carries with 2 scores, but as far as bad games go, this was a pretty impressive one. Courtney Upshaw had another strip sack. Dre Kirkpatrick wasn’t thrown on a lot, which is a good thing. That helps his stock as he’s struggled when thrown on in past games. He’ll have a tougher matchup in LSU’s Reuben Randle in his next game.

Tauren Poole had a decent game for Tennessee, rushing for 67 yards on 19 carries against an Alabama defense that doesn’t give up a lot of rushing yards. This game will help him get drafted, but he’s been just too inconsistent this season to be anything more than a 6^th or 7^th rounder. He had 7 yards against Georgia and 18 against Florida. Inexcusable.

Another Tennessee guy, Malik Jackson, had a good game. At 6-5 270, he’s playing defensive tackle for Tennessee. He helped Tennessee hold Richardson to 77 yards. Tennessee’s defensive line as a whole played well against Alabama’s defensive line, which is part of why Richardson had his 2nd lowest rushing total of the year. Jackson is extremely athletic and belongs at defensive end at the next level, but he’s put together 2 good games in a row and if he keeps this up, with his athletic ability, he’ll be intrigue someone in the mid rounds.

1^st quarter

14:42: Kirkpatrick burned on the first play of the game by Andre Dubose for a 65 yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the game. Kirkpatrick played up close to the line in bump and run and Dubose just ran past him and a perfectly thrown ball by John Brantley found him for 6. Robert Lester, another potential first round pick on Alabama’s defense, didn’t give Kirkpatrick any help on that play. He needs to show better instincts on a play like that.

13:52: Trent Richardson breaks the first tackle and carries a pile with him for the first on 2^nd and 4.

12:43: Richardson finds some space and then drags some more guys with him for a 1^st on 2^nd and 7.

12:21: Richardson on the outside here and almost picks up another first down. 2^nd and 1.

11:30: Richardson finds the hole and has another first down run. He’s keeping them efficient and moving the chains for them.

10:36: Richardson runs for another first down. He’s facing stacked boxes and he’s still running well. He doesn’t go down on first contact ever, he drags guys with him, it’s as if he tackles the defense, and he has a nose for the first down. 35 yards on 5 carries on this first drive.

8:01: Robert Lester can’t cover a guy on a deep crossing route. I’m not spotlighting him, but I will be commenting on a lot of guy I’m not spotlighting because of how many NFL prospects are on the field right now.

5:28: DuBose blows past Dre Kirkpatrick again in the end zone. DuBose can’t control the ball and the play is overturned on a replay. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a very good play with Dre Kirkpatrick. He got lucky.

5:22: Kirkpatrick rebounds. He just muscles the receiver out of bounds and out of the play. Great job of establishing position and rendering his man useless.

5:04: Marquis Maze had a punt return last week. This week he has an extremely impressive looking kickoff return. He breaks several tackles and blows past several other guys. 70 yards. He’s also their leading receiver with 20 catches this year, taking over the #1 receiver role from Julio Jones, though he does have a drop in the end zone today. His stock is on the rise as a return man/receiver.

4:54: Richardson cuts to the outside, armbars one guy drags another for a 9 yard run on first down.

4:20: Richardson finishes what he started, running for the first on 2^nd and 1 for a few. He has all 5 Alabama first downs today. He has 7 carries for 49 yards.

3:41: Richardson stuffed at the line. That doesn’t happen often. It’s worth noting he fought and it took multiple guys to do it.

2:38: Richardson gets low, bowling through the line and breaks another tackle for a 6 yards on 1^st down.

2:14: Richardson breaks a couple tackles in the backfield, goes to the outside and is almost able to power his way for the 1^st, but the play is called back on a holding penalty. 3^rd and 14. The hold is on William Vlachos, a potential day 2 pick at center.

1:48: Maze makes up for that dropped touchdown earlier, Maze makes things happen on a wide receiver screen and is stopped just short on the end zone on the stretch. First and goal on the 1.

0:56: Richardson is targeted on 1^st and goal, but he’s blanketed by double coverage and the pass is incomplete on a deflection out of bounds.

0:52: Richardson runs for the touchdown from the 6 after a penalty. He emerges from the pile and then it was nothing but the punch in. All tied at 10-10. Excellent block by a potential day 2 prospect Barrett Jones on the play. Jones is Alabama’s left tackle, but is probably a guard at the next level. He has an awesome run block here to bulldoze a hole for Richardson.

2^nd quarter

14:18: Chris Rainey is one of the fastest guys in college football. Courtney Upshaw doesn’t seem to care. He tackles him in the backfield for a loss of 5 or 6 yards.

12:57: Courtney Upshaw with the pick 6. 17-10 Alabama. Brantley pretty much just threw it straight to him. Just when I thought maybe Brantley was deserving of a spotlight at a later date. As for Upshaw, the versatile linebacker should be a first round pick by a 3-4 team looking for an outside/rush linebacker.

12:07: Demps tries to run to the outside. Kirkpatrick chases him, throws off a block and tackles him. Demps is very fast. Kirkpatrick is just as fast and delivers a huge hit on him.

11:11: Florida throws complete short to Jeff Demps. Kirkpatrick’s closing speed is amazing. The Demps has space when he caught the ball. A split second later, Kirkpatrick has him on the ground with a huge hit. Keep in mind, Demps is very fast.

7:29: Richardson back into the game after taking a series off. He gets a small gain, tries to spin off for more, but is stopped for about 2 yards.

6:17: Richardson stuffed for a short gain again on 1^st down.

5:31: This looks more like Richardson. On 2^nd and 9 he powers his way to near the first down.

4:36: Richardson with another small gain on 2^nd and 10.

3:54: Alabama quarterback McCarron under heavy pressure, checks down to Richardson who takes the catch 22 yards. Just for good measure, he once again did not go down on first contact. Actually he didn’t go down at all. He was just pushed out, but not taken down.

3:18: Richardson takes the goal line carry from about 5 yards out and almost punches it in.

0:40: Upshaw is doing everything. Now he has a sack. He’s having a very impressive game matched up with Xavier Nixon, a potential 2^nd or even 1^st round pick should he declare this year as a true junior.

3^rd quarter

14:49: Pass incomplete and inaccurate to Trent Richardson.

14:41: Richardson on the run to the outside. Solid gain and again, doesn’t go down on first contact. I want to see him break one soon. The defense is getting tired.

14:05: Doesn’t break one, but Richardson is able to convert for yet another 1^st down.

13:00: Richardson on another short gain.

12:03: Richardson taken down by multiple guys in the backfield. This is rare.

2:47: Richardson back in the game and stuffed by multiple guys in the backfield. That’s on the offensive line.

1:40: Richardson bounces back with a nice 5 yard run. Still want to see him break one. He hasn’t done that much this year at all. In 4 of his 5 games, his longest run has been 31 or fewer yards. The only exception was against lowly North Texas.

0:53: Richardson with his longest run of the night, a powerful 17 yard run. Florida’s defense has to be getting worn out trying to tackle this guy. I want to see how he abuses them in the 4^th quarter.

4^th quarter

14:08: Richardson pounded in another short first down.

13:55: Richardson on a pass catch. He hasn’t had as many of those tonight as he normally has.

12:25: There we go. Richardson abuses a tired and confused Florida defense for the 36 yard touchdown. 26 carries for 155 yards and a score, with 2 catches for 27 more yards.

10:03: Richardson takes a direct snap for 5 yards on 1^st and 10.

9:20: Richardson fighting his way for the first on 2^nd and 5, again out of the wildcat. It looks like he’s now been taken out of the game leading 31-10. 181 yards and a score on 29 carries.

8:45: Richardson’s backup Eddie Lacey hasn’t done much today. Now he scores on about a 20 yard touchdown.

0:00: Trent Richardson is the real deal. He’s a true 3 down back. He’s got the whole package. He’s one of the most physical runners I’ve seen in the college game, but he’s got the ability to get to the outside when he needs to and he picks his spots well. He’s got great vision and patience and he can pass catch. He’s more of a grind it out back, but he’ll keep the chains moving for you and though he doesn’t have excellent breakaway speed, he’s definitely got the ability to take advantage of a tired defense in the 4^th quarter after he’s worn them out for the first 3. He’s in great shape and doesn’t get winded and can carry a 300 carry load.

With 622 yards and 10 touchdowns on 96 carries, he’s definitely a Heisman candidate and could be the favorite should Alabama run the table and make it to the National Title game. He’s also caught 11 passes for 148 yards and another score and this is all in 5 games.

As for Kirkpatrick, I didn’t come away convinced he was the best cornerback in this class. Stephon Gilmore had a better spotlight game against Vanderbilt and Morris Claiborne is a rising prospect. This game didn’t give us a lot of tape on Kirkpatrick because Florida struggled at quarterback after John Brantley went down, but Kirkpatrick was burned on the first play of the game and could have given up a 2^nd score had the receiver held onto the ball. He doesn’t seem comfortable in bump and run. He’s a great track athlete, but he’s more straight line fast than anything. He’s stiff in backpedal and doesn’t change direction well.

He might be more of a safety than anything. He’s a huge hitter at 6-3 195 and he’s so fast that he’s like a bullet coming at you. He closes well on receivers and plays best when he can play deep off the receiver. He’ll allow short completions and then close on you in a hurry and not let you get anywhere. Anyway, this game didn’t provide a ton of tape on him. Alabama has so many pro prospects that I’ll definitely be seeing more of Kirkpatrick this season, but for now, I’m not sold on him as the top cornerback in this class.

As for Alabama’s other pro prospects, the two linebacker Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw both had huge games. Upshaw had a sack, a tackle for loss of a speedy back, and a pick six, as well as 4 total tackles. He’s cementing himself as a first round pick and looks similar to another former Alabama linebacker Jarrett Johnson. Hightower, meanwhile, is finally healthy and showing the first round potential he’s always had. He had 4 tackles in the game to give him 29 on the season.

Robert Lester was once a first round caliber safety, but he’s not having a good season. After 8 picks as a sophomore, he has none this season and he showed poor instincts after Kirkpatrick was burnt on the touchdown. He didn’t help nearly fast enough. He might benefit from another year in school.