NFL prospect tier rankings
Tier rankings is a tool used by decision makers come draft day to keep them from reaching on need over talent. It allows them to stay focused on the best prospects available, easily cluing them in on just how much of a talent drop there would be between the best player on their board and the best player at the position(s) they need. Therefore, below is a look at the NFP’s rankings split up into tiers.
Tier 1 (Will become one of the premiere players at his position in the league)
WR A.J. Green: Georgia
CB Patrick Peterson: LSU
WR Julio Jones: Alabama
Tier 2 (Starts first game as a pro, a featured player on an NFL team)
ICONQuinn can be a difference maker off the edge.
DE Robert Quinn: North Carolina
OLB Von Miller: Texas A&M
DT Nick Fairley: Auburn
Tier 3 (Starts during his rookie year, becomes a featured player on a team)
RB Mark Ingram: Alabama
DE Aldon Smith: Missouri
OT Tyron Smith: USC
DE Da’Quan Bowers: Clemson
DL Cameron Jordan: Cal
Tier 4 (Becomes a quality NFL starter during his rookie year)
DL Marcell Dareus: Alabama
OG Danny Watkins: Baylor
OT Gabe Carimi: Wisconsin
TE Kyle Rudolph: Notre Dame
CB Brandon Harris: Miami
CB Prince Amukamara: Nebraska
OL Stefen Wisniewski: Penn State
DE Adrian Clayborn: Iowa
DL J.J. Watt: Wisconsin
WR Jon Baldwin: Pittsburgh
OLB Akeem Ayers: UCLA
DE Cameron Heyward: Ohio State
OT Derek Sherrod: Mississippi State
Tier 5 (Contributes first year, starts second)
Foster is one of the more underrated prospects in the draft.
OL Ben Ijalana: Villanova
OL Mike Pouncey: Florida
OLB Mason Foster: Washington
OLB Martez Wilson: Illinois
OT Anthony Castonzo: Boston College
RB Mikel Leshoure: Illinois
WR Titus Young: Boise State
Tier 6 (Contributes first year, eventually will be expected to assume a starting role)
WR Leonard Hankerson: Miami
CB Curtis Brown: Texas
DE Jabaal Sheard: Pittsburgh
DT Corey Liuget: Illinois
CB Curtis Marsh: Utah State
DE Justin Houston: Georgia
DB Rahim Moore: UCLA
DE Ryan Kerrigan: Purdue
DT Stephen Paea: Oregon State
OL Jason Pinkston: Pittsburgh
QB Christian Ponder: Florida State
QB Blaine Gabbert: Missouri
DT Drake Nevis: LSU
RB Ryan Williams: Virginia Tech
Tier 7 (Becomes a dynamic sub package option)
RB Shane Vereen: Cal
WR Randall Cobb: Kentucky
Tier 8 (Gifted talent with inconsistencies, boom or bust pick)
ICONLocker has "boom" or "bust" written all over him.
QB Jake Locker: Washington
QB Cameron Newton: Auburn
QB Ryan Mallett: Arkansas
DT Marvin Austin: North Carolina
DT Jurrell Casey: USC
DT Kenrick Ellis: Hampton
DT Phil Taylor: Baylor
CB Jimmy Smith: Colorado
OT Nate Solder: Colorado
Tier 9 (Potential starter with one deficient area of skill that he should be able to overcome)
OL Rodney Hudson: Florida State
CB Aaron Williams: Texas
DT Muhammad Wilkerson: Temple
TE Jordan Cameron: USC
DL Christian Ballard: Iowa
SS Deunta Williams: North Carolina
WR Niles Paul: Nebraska
CB Rashad Carmichael: Virginia Tech
OT Marcus Gilbert: Florida
OLB K.J. Wright: Mississippi State
Tier 10 (Potential starter with one deficient area of skill that will be difficult to overcome)
ICONStanzi is an intriguing mid round option.
C Tim Barnes: Missouri
OL Clint Boling: Georgia
TE Luke Stocker: Tennessee
OG Stephen Schilling: Michigan
LB Quan Sturdivant: North Carolina
CB Johnny Patrick: Louisville
QB Ricky Stanzi: Iowa
CB Brandon Hogan: West Virginia
WR Torrey Smith: Maryland
FS Chris Culliver: South Carolina
DL Lawrence Guy: Arizona State
CB Brandon Burton: Utah
ILB Kelvin Sheppard: LSU
OT James Carpenter: Alabama
SS DeAndre McDaniel: Clemson
Tier 11 (Potential starter with one deficient area of skill that will never be able to be overcome)
SS Quinton Carter: Oklahoma
ILB Josh Bynes: Auburn
QB Andy Dalton: TCU
WR Tandon Doss: Indiana
RB Jamie Harper: Clemson
OLB Brian Rolle: Ohio State
OLB Dontay Moch: Nevada
CB Chimdi Chekwa: Ohio State
OL Marcus Cannon: TCU
DL Pernell McPhee: Mississippi State
OLB Lawrence Wilson: Connecticut
TE Lance Kendricks: Wisconsin
OLB Brooks Reed: Arizona
