FROM WES BUNTING:
With the NFL Combine over, it’s time to turn back to position rankings and draft boards to update the accuracy of each position. The tests and times at the Combine often carry too much weight, although they do help determine which position a prospect is best suited to play at the next level. Here are the National Football Post’s updated position rankings:
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Third Down Backs
Fullbacks
Wide Receivers
Slot Receivers
Possession Receivers
Tight Ends
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
Centers
4-3 Defensive Ends
3-4 Defensive Ends
Nose Tackles
Three-Technique Tackles
4-3 Outside Linebackers
3-4 Outside Linebackers
Inside Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Free Safeties
Strong Safeties
Specialists
Great stuff.
Wes - something to consider adding to these lists might be a general projection of where their value lies in the draft ie mid-first, late second, third/fourth, late/FA. It would really give the lists some perspective.
Scott M.: Thanks Scott, I am putting together a value chart for tomorrow with all the top ten players on it. So everyone will get a good feel tomorrow how I graded each player.
I don't believe there are 6 centers better than AQ Shipley out there. I think you are putting too much weight into arm length, height. He just dominates.
Sean: Shipley does't do a nice job at the college level. However, I get nervous thinking about him trying to block interior lineman week in and week out in the 315 pound range.
Greg: These are all their listed height/weight from the year. I have yet to get the Official NFL Combine listing on every player so I am holding out until I get my hands on them. Sorry for any confusion, but I want to do them all at the same time.
wow Wes, Shawn Nelson rated higher than Brandon Pettigrew? I didn't think Nelson's in line blocking was good enough to rate him as the #1 TE. what makes Nelson a more highly rated TE in your eyes? is it the ability to create seperation from defenders?
Sean: sorry let me try this again,
Shipley does do a nice job at the college level. However, I get nervous thinking about him trying to block interior lineman week in and week out in the 315 pound range.
Wes, I thought Maclin's official measurements were closer to 5'11 1/2", making him more Harvin-sized. There are a few places (for example Moreno's combine weight was 217) where I'm even more certain things are off. For some positions, this can make a big difference. Regardless, thanks for the post.
Wes - why the switch-round at SS with William Moore now in front of Patrick Chung?
Brian: Shawn Nelson is a MUCH better blocker then given credit for. And he can certainly can hold his own at the next level and be productive. Obviously Pettigrew has the advantage in that aspect but Nelson's overall package will make him a much more well rounded and productive TE at the next level.
Andy: I had Moore at FS, but I think he is better suited to play SS in the NFL. He is more fluid, has better range and ball skills then Chung. And I think he will end up making more plays at the next level.
Wes,
Just curious as to your thought process on the 3-4 outside backers you listed that were formally rush DE's (ie: Brown, Barwin and to a lesser extent Matthews). Do any of them have the ability to play DE in a 4-3 defense? I think Brown could stay at his natural position and excel at rushing the passer. it would seem all 3 have the size and quickness to beat a tackle but stopping running plays coming at them would prove to be a challenge.
Wes-
Great stuff as always.... Quick question: you had Curry going three to the chiefs in your latest mock draft and here you have him as a 4-3 outside linebacker. There's a lot of talk that the chiefs are going to move to a 3-4 defense next season. Curry is obviously an extremely versatile player, but do you think he could thrive in the 3-4 for the chiefs?
Wes - your #1 guard is one of my favs...do you think Duke Robinson has the tools (athleticism, quick feet, arm length, technique, etc) to play tackle?
About Sean Smith at FS...do you think there's any chance he makes it to the Niner's 2nd Rd pick or is that too much of a long shot?
Keep up the great work. What an awesome list, supremely USEFUL!!
Brian: Yes Barwin and Brown both do, I think both would be very good pass rushers but I think both forecast ideally to OLB in the 3-4. But I wouldn't be surprised to see any 4-3 team take one as a 4-3 DE.
Scott Miller: Curry has the ability to do it all. I think he is best suited for a 4-3 scheme. But his skill set would allow him to be successful in a 3-4 scheme as well, outside or inside.
Mike in MD: I think Robinson would struggle outside if he is left alone on an island, much like Herman Johnson at the Senior Bowl. I think he is a starting caliber guard and NFL teams won't want to mess with a good thing and move him to tackle.
As for Sean Smith, no way (sorry to dash your hopes) Now, anything is possible come draft day, but with the lack of talent at safety, Smith seems like to much of a commodity to get past the first round.
Thank you for breaking out the 3-4 vs 4-3 OLBs & DEs. It would also be good to see it for ILBs. How about CBs for man vs zone systems as well?
Thanks for the lists. A few things caught my eye. I like Chip Vaughn at #3 of the SS group. He caught my eye at the combine. I also like Sean Smith at #1 FS. I'm interested in where Unger will go in the draft. He looks like a 12-year player based on what I saw at the combine, and if it's true that he can play OG, C, and OT, then why wouldn't a team invest a 1st round pick in him. I haven't seen Mack yet, so I think he must be pretty good on film for you to put him ahead of Unger.
Finally, Chase Daniels doesn't make the top 10? Will he get drafted?
Wes,
If you were the Dallas Cowboys which Safety would you take with there 2nd or 3rd round pick?
Any chance for some kick return rankings?
Is Maualuga a reach for the Bengals to take at six? Him and Rivers could be the very foundation of their future defensively. Plus, he's a mean thumper in the middle. Perhaps Ray, Ray like....Baltimore.
Cushing is a prototypical 4-3 sam linebacker, I wouldn't list him as a 3-4 OLB.
I think Mike Goodson should at the very least be on your top 3rd down backs list. Great receiving skills and game breaking speed. He was out of favor at Texas A&M so you didn't see too much of him last season.
Wes,
Great work as usual. A little late to the dance today but I had a busy day. A quick point on 3-4 DE's. You don't list Fili Moala who I think can definitely play there. He's big and athletic with long arms. He also has very good body length and range. I also think Rick Jean-Francois can play there as well. Reminds me of former LSU and current Patriot Jarvis Green. Now he probably won't start but he can contribute. Just like Green he has explosive lower body strength and good arm length. Very quick off the ball which will make up for his lack of size. Your thoughts??
Good work, With 3-4 & 4-3 players, shouldn't you integrate them? Ex: Orakpo should also be on the 3-4 OLB list, Cushing, Curry, etc not just 3-4 or 4-3 prospects.
Wes, can you explain why you have Brian Robiske at #9 on your WR list? With his size, hands, and intelligence, he seems a safer bet to have a good NFL career than some of the players listed ahead of him. He ran a 4.5 at the combine, so it's not like he's a plodding runner. He consistently is not mentioned with the top WRs, so I am curious what you see with him to list him so low. I personally would love to see the Patriots get him with one of their 3 2nd round picks.
What happened to RaShon Harris. He was right behind Everette Pedescleaux, who draftdaddy has running 4.74-4.84 at 305. I hope you guys get some film of this kid at his pro-day. I have to see that.
Jerry Jones,
I would put Orlando Scandrick at CB and Mike Jenkins at Safety. Scandrick is much better than Jenkins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36SsliT6lNk&feature=related
Hey Wes,
Looking into your crystal ball and given your choice, who do you think would prove to have the highest upside as a zone corner for the Patriots? Most able to contribute right away? Most productive?
Alphonso Smith
DJ Moore
Darius Butler
Someone I haven't mentioned?
I think Butler is starting to grow on me.
David Buehler should be ranked higher
he kicked almost every kickoff out the back of the endzone and he did it something like 22 kicks in a row without a return and it was broken when a guy 7 yards deep ran one out
Hi Wes,
What do you thing Drew Willy's chances are from the University of Buffalo. I watched him all season and he looked good to great against that level of competition. Just wondering if his skills translate to the NFL? Whoever drafts Barwin is going to get a steal. This kid is for real.
Would like to see the difference in zone corners vs man like Don Ibod said.
In general,how do zone corners translate into a man system,and vice versa? I always thought the guys at the top of the list could play both regardless of what type of scheme they came from.
I am in love with Alphonso Smith(and I see he has moved up on the board from last time) and the ONLY question I have is whether he can play man coverage if needed.
From what I understand he played a lot of zone at Wake.
Small school guys will soon have their day thanks to people like Wes. A four year starter at Tennesse State Cecil Newton (c) will emerge at the end. However; we have many more miles until we sleep.
will you admit your a moron when stafford and cj are challenging the record books 10 years from now????? those of you doubting stafford can't even see what right in front of your eyes
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Mar 03, 2009
12:13 PM
Love the DB list, looks good to me the way you moved some guys around.