FantasySP Blog

 

A week from now, fans and experts alike will be breaking down round one of the 2011 NFL draft.

Historically, offense takes center stage with the top picks, but this year, marquee defensive players may rule the early going. Since the end of the bowl season, no less than five defenders have been mentioned as possible top overall selections.

Defensive lineman are a premium and this year’s draft will be no exception. Linebackers and defensive backs are rarely taken near the top, but both positions have an elite athlete that could go very high.

Defensive Tackle

With the rebirth of the 3-4 defensive scheme, you hear more specialized categories of d-lineman, 3 technique, 4 technique, 3-4 end, 4-3 end, etc. This year’s draft features a pair of elite athletes that may fit anywhere along either alignment.  Auburn’s Nick Fairley was a one man wrecking crew for Auburn’s National Championship defense. Fairley excels at interior penetration and some have projected him as the top pick in the draft. Across the state, Alabama’s Marcel Dareus  arrived on the scene after destroying Texas in the 2009 National Championship Game. Dareus has the versatility to perform both inside and outside.  Baylor’s Phil Taylor is exciting 3-4 coordinators with his mammoth size and strength. Nobody is stronger than Oregon State’s Stephen Paea. Paea set a combine record with 49 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press. Looking for a sleeper? Look no further than North Carolina’s Marvin Austin. Austin sat out the 2010 season due to off the field issues, but showed why he was the nation’s to defensive recruit coming out of high school during his career in Chapel Hill.

Defensive End

One of the biggest wild cards in the 2011 NFL draft is Clemson defensive end DaQuan Bowers. Once considered by many as a potential top overall pick, Bowers has seem his stock drop due to injury concerns. A healthy Bowers could be an absolute steal mid-way through the first round.  UNC’s Robert Quinn was another premiere Tar Heel defender that was suspended for the entire season. A strong combine has Quinn soaring up mock draft boards. Defensive end may be the deepest position of stellar athletes. Not unlike defensive tackle, alignment plays a role. 3-4 defenses seek more stout run stopping ends, while 4-3 defense’s go with more mobile pass rushing types. Wisconsin’s JJ Watt, Missouri’s Aldon Smith and California’s Cameron Jordan all project as first round selections. Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward is down the list a bit, but has upside above any other, and could be the steal of the draft.

Linebacker (Inside)

3-4 defenses seek more mobile inside linebackers, while 4-3 schemes deploy a larger, thicker run stopper.  Inside linebacker is one of the weakest groups in the 2011 draft. Michigan State’s Greg Jones was once thought of as a high first rounder, but has slipped quite a bit. A pair of high-profile athletes may be the best bargains on day two. LSU’s Kelvin Sheppard and Oregon’s Casey Matthews have good upside and would be smart picks by those of need. Sheppard led a rugged Tigers defense while Matthews comes from a family of NFL stars.

Linebacker (Outside)

Texas A&M’s Von Miller’s stock has grown more than anyone since the end of the 2010 season. Miller struggled early on, after a sensational junior season. Miller running a blistering 4.42 at the combine at 6’3″ 246 pounds. He is the premiere linebacker in the draft. UCLA’s Akeem Ayers is the next best on the board, thought to be an ideal outside man in the 3-4 setup. Georgia’s Justin Houston has the most intriguing size/speed combo. The All-SEC ‘backer is 6’3″ 270 with 4,6 speed.  The feel good story of the draft is certainly Boston College’s Mark Herzlich. Herzlich beat cancer, coming back for a fine senior season after sitting out 2009.

Cornerback

Was there a more exciting player in college football than LSU’s Patrick Peterson? Imagine a true cover corner, weighing 220 pounds with 4.3 speed! Throw in one of the elite kick returners in the game and you have Peterson. Peterson has been compared to Hall of Famer’s Rod Woodson and Mel Blount. Peterson may eventually grow out of the position when he tops 230 pounds, at which time he will move back to safety. Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara is the only other corner that is a sure-fire first round pick. After Peterson and Amukamara, those selecting a corner in round one may be reaching a bit. Colorado’s Jimmy Smith has nice size and speed, while Texas’ Aaron Williams may project at safety due to slow forty times. While Peterson is a game breaker, there is a serious lack of depth at corner in this draft.

Safety

Safety is not a position that usually is addressed early in the draft. Every couple of  years, an Ed Reed, Laron Landry or Eric Berry comes along. This is not one of those years. UCLA’s Rahim Moore is the consensus at free safety, he’s expected to go off the board early on day two. The top strong safety is Clemson’s DeAndre McDaniel who projects late on day two. Potential mid-round value will come from Florida’s Ahmad Black,  South Carolina’s Chris Culliver, Jeron Johnson of Boise State and Idaho’s Shiloh Keo.

Next week, we will give you a closer look, with our own mock draft.

 

Are you as eager for a taste of some NFL as I am? It’s only the draft, but its the closest thing we are going to get for a while I’m afraid. While free agency and trading of players is on hold, NFL teams may trade draft choices.

What needs do your team have? To give you a preview, we will take a look at some of the draft picks that will garner the headlines next week. First the offense.

Quarterback

Without question, Auburn’s Cam Newton will (and should be) the #1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. Newton has off the chart measurables and is coming off an unbeaten National Championship season celebrated with a Heisman Trophy.  Blaine Gabbert of Missouri is the only other QB certain of a first round selection, while Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett and Washington’s Jake Locker will also be considered. The best value may come from the next group who will be selected on day two. TCU’s Andy Dalton has done nothing but win and is a perfect fit for a West Coast offense. Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick is second only to Newton in measurables, with mid major competition the only question mark. If you are looking for sleepers, Virginia Tech’s Tyrod Taylor and Texas A&M’s Jerod Johnson fit the bill.

Running Back

There is a reason that Alabama running back Mark Ingram has paid a visit to so many NFL teams leading up to the draft. Ingram is NFL ready and without question to top player at the position. He has many of the same attributes as Emmitt Smith and while pedestrian in the forty, nobody is faster in the ten yard sprint to the hole. A trio of backs are a step down from Ingram and figure to go anywhere from late on day one to early on day two. Illinois’ Mikel Leshoure and Daniel Thomas of Kansas State are big backs, while Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams offers more moves. Projecting as late round sleepers are Alex Green from Hawaii and Maryland’s Da’Rel Scott.

Fullback

Fullback continues to be phased out by many NFL offensive coordinators and those at the college level as well. A trio bringing very different skills figure to have their name called during the draft. Tulsa’s Charles Clay was a college tailback, USC’s Stanley Havili a traditional fullback while Stanford’s Owen Marecic was a two-way star for the Cardinal.

Wide Receiver

Two future Pro Bowler’s highlight the wide out position in Georgia’s AJ Green and Alabama’s Julio Jones. Both arrived in the SEC as elite recruits and didn’t disappoint. Both could end up in the top 10 overall, with Green projecting as high as the top 5.  Maryland’s Torrey Smith and Jonathan Baldwin of Pittsburgh may be the next two to go. Smith has incredible speed numbers and excels at returning kicks while Baldwin has prototype size, much like his Panther predecessor Larry Fitzgerald. Those looking for late round value will consider Hawaii’s Greg Salas and Terrence Tolliver of LSU. Salas was highly productive but may be viewed as putting up system numbers while Tolliver’s numbers were limited by weak play at quarterback.

Tight End

It is uncommon for a tight end to be selected in the first round, but Notre Dame’s Kyle Rudolph is uncommon talent. Rudolph arrived in South Bend as the top prep player at the position in the nation and delivered. Kyle missed much of the 2010 season due to injury but has elite skills.  There is no clear-cut next best at the position, I like Arkansas’ DJ Williams.  If you are looking for a sleeper, look no further than South Carolina’s Weslye Saunders. Saunders was suspended in 2010 for violation of team rules, but is massive and mobile.

Offensive Line (Tackle)

Usually one offensive tackle stands out as the sexy pick at the position. Not so this year with four players worthy of first round selection, in no particular order. USC’s Tyron Smith and Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin helped themselves with strong combines. Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo and Nate Solder of Colorado have prototype size and will be in the mix. Someone will get a late round steal with Auburn’s Lee Ziemba. Ziemba who started at left tackle for four years for the defending national champs, figures at right tackle at the next level.

Offensive Interior (Guard/Center)

NFL scouts are looking for athletes that can contribute at both center and guard. The flexibility is a huge advantage as teams only have eight lineman active on game day. Three figure to be considered on day one, Florida’s Mike Pouncey, Danny Watkins of Baylor and Florida State’s Rodney Hudson. Pouncey is the brother of Maurkice, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with Pittsburgh this season. Watkins is old for a rookie, having served as a firefighter for four years out of high school before attending Baylor. Hudson is the finesse player of the bunch, having been honored as the top lineman in the ACC for two seasons running. USC’s Kris O’Dowd has a big upside and could be a steal for the team that selects him mid draft.

Tomorrow, we will take a look at the defense