Midseason Top 50 draft board Tony Pauline>INSIDE THE NFL

[RS12]

As the college football season reaches the midway point, it's time to look at the players expected to impact the first two rounds of April's NFL Draft. It'll be an offense-heavy class at the top of the first round, with a majority of the players selected coming from the junior class. (* denotes underclassman)

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford*: In an SI.com piece in August 2010 I referred to Luck as the most NFL-ready quarterback on the college level. More than 12 months later Luck has improved his game and exceeded all expectations. He is expected to enter the draft, will be the first pick of the event and is legitimately the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning.

2. Matt Kalil, T, USC*: The Trojans have a storied history of sending premier offensive tackles to the NFL, and Kalil is the next in line. He's a dominant blocker with the skills necessary to be an elite left tackle.

3. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama*: His game offers an outstanding combination of quickness, power and speed. He's a better NFL prospect than former Alabama running back and 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram. Richardson will be one of the few feature backs available in the draft.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/tony_pauline/10/24/top.50/index.html#ixzz1bkyusAnt

 

[supercowboy8]

Out of those 50 here are my favs.

13. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU*: Claiborne answered many of the questions scouts had about his game this year after playing alongside Patrick Peterson in 2010. Though not the athlete his former teammate is, Claiborne possesses better ball skills and offers a more polished game.

17. David DeCastro, G, Stanford*: DeCastro looks like a man amongst boys most days and is dominant in every aspect of the game. He's been compared to Olin Kreutz, but will be selected much earlier in the draft than the former All Pro.

18. T.J. McDonald, S, USC*: The next top safety from USC, McDonald is a complete player who defends the run and covers the pass. He lacks classic safety size, but his top-notch ball skills intrigue NFL decision-makers.

19. Devon Still, DT, Penn State: The big defensive lineman can play in a variety of systems and is well thought-of in the scouting community.

20. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State*: When on his game, Burfict is a dominant linebacker who outclasses the opposition in all areas. Unfortunately, the junior is also known as a loose cannon on and off the field, which has raised red flags.

23. Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College*: Kuechly is tough, instinctive and football smart. He's a terrific run defender, but possesses ordinary size and speed, which will undoubtedly hurt his draft stock.

24. Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall*: Curry thought long and hard about entering the 2010 draft, but ultimately made the proper call and returned for his senior season. He's a dynamic pass rusher who can line up at defensive end in a conventional scheme or play outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.

26. Manti Te'o, ILB, Notre Dame*: A fierce, run-defending linebacker with a great head for the game, Te'o has the ability to line up at middle linebacker in a 4-3 scheme or on the inside of a 3-4.

36. Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin*: Konz is the next great lineman from the Wisconsin program and the best center from the Big Ten since Nick Mangold. He's a dominant run blocker who also stands out in pass protection, besides possessing the skills needed to block in motion.

40. Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis*: The 350-pound junior is an imposing defender in the middle of the Memphis line. He has the power to drive opponents off the ball but also moves well in the box. Poe is expected to enter the draft and could end up the highest-rated nose tackle.

44. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana: Johnson ranks as the top small school prospect available in the 2011 draft. He offers outstanding measurables and is rarely challenged by opponents. A postseason invitation to the Senior Bowl looks in the offing for Johnson, and his performance at the event will be critical.

46. Billy Winn, DL, Boise State: Winn can line up at a variety of positions at the next level. He has the movement skills to be used as a three-technique tackle and the size to play defensive end in a 3-4.

50. Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia: Minnifield has been slightly disappointing this season, but the senior remains a quality cornerback who can produce as a return specialist if called upon

 

[realtick]

Matt kalil is going to make someone a nice consolation prize. Really like that kid. Plays with a mean streak.

 

[xwalker]

Assuming DeCastro is off the board:

Round 1 - Konz

Round 2 - Trade up to early/mid 2nd for the best available CB.

 

[Dawgs0916]

I don't ever do the "I told you so" crap. Except for this one topic. Which I have been claiming for three years. That Robert Griffin would be an elite NFL QB.

Every single person on this board mocked me.

 

[VACowboy]

Assuming DeCastro is off the board:

Round 1 - Konz

Round 2 - Trade up to early/mid 2nd for the best available CB.

According to this list we should draft a corner in the first and trade up for Konz in round two.

Just sayin'.

 

[DFWJC]

I don't ever do the "I told you so" crap. Except for this one topic. Which I have been claiming for three years. That Robert Griffin would be an elite NFL QB.

Every single person on this board mocked me.

Exaggerate much?

Maybe 30-40% actually disagreed (and maybe a tiny number voiced that opinion) another 40-50% had no opinion and maybe 10-20% agreed.

There are a lot of people n this board.

Oh, and of course the obvious comment: How can anyone say "I told you so" on something that has not happened yet? We'll know if RG3 is an an elite NFL QB in about 2-5 years.

If it helps, I'm sure pulling for the guy.

 

[Dawgs0916]

I meant three years ago when I originally expressed it. I also meant more about him actually getting drafted in a premium spot.

Of course I don't know if he'll be an elite NFL QB, I worded that very poorly. Do I expect him to? Absolutely.

 

[visionary]

Rd 1: Decastro/Konz (OG/C)
Rd 2: Poe/Ta'amu (NT)
Rd 3: best CB

 

[JonJon]

According to this list we should draft a corner in the first and trade up for Konz in round two.

Just sayin'.

Luckily, this year is deep at CB, so I think we can find a future starter later in the draft. I still wouldn't mind Morris Claiborne, because he is the best true CB in the draft to me, better than the hyped Dre Kirkpatrick, whom I have said before that I want no part of. I'm keeping a close eye on Janoris Jenkins, because he is probably the most talented CB in the class, but ran into off the field issues that has lowered his stock. But if he interviews well and says the right things, he could end up being a steal.

Also keeping my eye on S Robert Lester. I think he is the best cover S in the draft and may be available in round 2 or possibly 3.

The focus of the draft, however, should be on the offensive line. If we solidify the line, we will see the Cowboys start to dominate good teams like we dominated the Rams this past Sunday. G David DeCastro in the 1st round and/or G Jonathan Cooper or C Peter Konz in the 2nd round will go a long way to accomplishing that.

Though I am not a fan of trading down, I think we will trade out of round 1 for an extra 2nd and 3rd. Here is a dream scenario for the first 3 rounds:

2nd: G Jonathan Cooper
2nd: C Peter Konz
3rd: S Robert Lester
3rd: CB Janoris Jenkins

 

[realtick]

I meant three years ago when I originally expressed it. I also meant more about him actually getting drafted in a premium spot.

Of course I don't know if he'll be an elite NFL QB, I worded that very poorly. Do I expect him to? Absolutely.

Sorry Charlie, he the 2012 Draft, let alone the scouting combine has yet to roll around.

Griffin hasn't been drafted in a "premium" spot.

Lol c'mon man.

 

[realtick]

I like OG DeCastro a lot.

CB Morris Claiborne has also grown on me a bit. Having watched a few of his games this year and keying in on him specifically, he's got great man-to-man skills and is a willing tackler. I'd like to see how he measures out because he appears to be on the thin side. I'm also interested in how he times out.



I would also like for us to take a look at Ole Miss DT/NT Dontari Poe in the 2nd-4th round. The kid has a huge frame being listed at 6'5" 350 lbs and was voted as one of the Top 5 strongest collegiate players in the country.

He carries his weight well too, he's not just a fat slob ala Shaun Rodgers. I think this line could use some heft. Ryan is not unfamiliar with using bulkier NT in his defense. He doesn't have to be Ratliff's replacement, but he can come in on packages and be useful.

 

[Dawgs0916]

Sorry Charlie, he the 2012 Draft, let alone the scouting combine has yet to roll around.

Griffin hasn't been drafted in a "premium" spot.

Lol c'mon man.

Fair enough. We'll see.

 

[realtick]

Fair enough. We'll see.

What range do you believe he'll be drafted around? First 10 picks?

 

[Dawgs0916]

I really do think he will be a top 10 pick. 22 TDs and 2 ints for Baylor shows the smarts and passing ability. That alone makes him a first rounder.

When he runs a 4.5 at the combine, its going to send him into the top 10...

 

[realtick]

I really do think he will be a top 10 pick. 22 TDs and 2 ints for Baylor shows the smarts and passing ability. That alone makes him a first rounder.

When he runs a 4.5 at the combine, its going to send him into the top 10...

Being a Texas Tech fan, you should know that gaudy statistics don't necessarily translate into prime draft position.

Graham Harrell, B.J. Symons, Kliff Kingsbury....?

 

[Dawgs0916]

None of those QBs had Roberts arm strength....and certainly not his athletic ability.

 

[VACowboy]

Good stuff, Jon-Jon.

I love your scenario, but I'm afraid if we want Konz we'll have to get him in the first.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

44. Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana: Johnson ranks as the top small school prospect available in the 2011 draft. He offers outstanding measurables and is rarely challenged by opponents. A postseason invitation to the Senior Bowl looks in the offing for Johnson, and his performance at the event will be critical.



lol......kid just got tazed by the police