With the NFL lockout over I thought I would take a look at the players that went undrafted back in April’s NFL draft and pick a few I think can still be very successful at the next level.

On opening weekend of the 2010 regular season, there were 59 undrafted free agents on 53-man rosters. A number of those players made huge impacts for their teams. Undrafted free-agent running back LeGarrett Blount rushed for 1,007 yards, the most by a rookie in 2010. Chris Ivory was pressed into action when injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas forced the undrafted rookie running back into the starting lineup for the defending Super Bowl champion Saints. In Week 5, Max Hall’s first career start, the undrafted rookie QB led the Cardinals to a shocking upset win over the defending champion Saints. Undrafted cornerback Sam Shields had two interceptions in the Packers’ NFC Championship Game win over the Bears. Could some of this year’s undrafted players have similar impacts in the 2011 season ?

Here are a few I think will do very well.

Got to start with this guy….

Mark Herzlich, Linebacker, Boston college. NEW YORK GIANTS

Still in shock over the fact 32 teams decided not to draft Mark. With his mentality and ability I would be shocked if he failed at the next level. Let’s face it he’s already overcome worse things in his life than not getting drafted and I don’t think the word CAN’T is in his vocabulary. The Giants were wise to pick him up and I think the media superpower in New york will love him. I also believe he and Greg Jones who they drafted in the 6th round will have a great career together at linebacker. Tom Coughlin will love his attitude.

Here’s a video of his story. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d81f57ead/Game-Changers-Herzlich-s-story

Like many, I thought Mark would have gone in the top 15 had he decided to turn pro a few seasons ago and I am frustrated that he wasn’t drafted at all. I thought at least one franchise would have taken a chance on him during the draft. Herzlich participated in practice just three times before playing in Boston College’s 2010 season opener. He’s a strong player (29 bench-press reps at the combine), and is very good at diagnosing plays (his four interceptions are evidence of that ability). He’s a special player as far as work habits, and appears to slowly be regaining his speed and quickness. I think the Giants will get someone who can lead by example in the locker room and be an instant special teamer with massive upside and eventual pro bowl potential. He’s still regaining his strength and speed from his illness and the guy has inspired so many to the point that I think almost every fan would like to see him on their roster. I think fans would pay see him continue this inspiring story. Imagine if the guy makes it to a superbowl and helps win it. I honestly think I would finally get started on writing a screenplay and put my Ebbw vale media college course skills into action. I know Mickey rourke is playing Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas in an upcoming movie so maybe I could ask around hollywood and see who will take this role on. Maybe Herz could play himself. Who would you cast in the role ? I know if it was the Jeremy Shockey story I would cast Chris Hemsworth, the Australian actor that played Thor. I honestly could have passed him for Shockey at times during that movie,, But anyway, Back to football !!!

Kendric Burney. Cornerback, North Carolina. CAROLINA PANTHERS.

At the start of Burney’s senior season I had him as a top 20 pick in this years draft. He was a top Thorp award candidate and a pre season second team all American. I was very disappointed at his six game suspension and to be honest I wasn’t all that impressed when he returned for the Tar heels final five games. He had 24 tackles and just 1 interception. That’s a far cry from his 5 interception junior all ACC season. I think the suspension hit Burney hard and I think he just has to put it all behind him now and concentrate on what he can do for the Panthers. I was very impressed with him at the senior bowl. He had a good, solid week but apparently not good enough to get drafted. I remember Mike Mayock comparing him to current Chiefs corner Brandon Flowers. That’s very high praise indeed. Theres no doubt with 44 career starts that pro scouts know him well. He’s small in stature at 5,9″ 181lbs and with his sub par senior year I wasn’t expecting higher that round 3 but to go undrafted was a shock. There were many that went before him that to be honest just did not compare. On the whole Burney is a savvy experienced cornerback. He’s rarely out of position and is an active defender willing to mix it up with the big boys to make plays near the line of scrimmage. I think he can eventually be a solid nickel corner in the NFL. It’s good to see him stay in state with the Panthers and I think he will be a fan favourite immediately.

Dane Sanzenbacher, Wide receiver, Ohio state. CHICAGO BEARS.

The first thing I thought of when I heard the Bears had signed Sanz was how he would fit the Mike Martz offense and how he reminded me of a few players that have played in the offense. His great hands will be a huge asset if he can make the roster. It’s a receiving corps that I think he could make the cut with for sure and like I said. I love how he could fit. Sanzenbacher is the type of player coaches want on a roster. A well-spoken and intelligent leader, he was a buckeye team captain in 2010. He was named team MVP and was the recipient of the Bo Rein Award as the Buckeye’s most inspirational player. Jim Tressel said the double-hardware was a first in his 25 years of coaching. Will catch anything that’s thrown his way and has amazing ability to jump and make the catch. A very clutch player also and despite his frame he is as tough as nails. I think he will be a very valuable slot receiver and I think Jay Cutler will be looking for him on third down when he gets a feel for him. I really hope he makes the roster as it would mean he will travel over here to the U.K for the Bears game against the Buccaneers this October.

Kris O’Dowd, O line, USC, ARIZONA CARDINALS.
Russ Grimm will know what he’s getting with Kris and I think there’s an opportunity for him on that offensive line in Arizona. He’s an extremely smart player. He has good technique and great feet and he’s very explosive. Just in shock that he wasn’t drafted. I can’t wait to see what he can bring to challenge Lyle Sendlein and Ben Claxton. It will serve the Cards well to have that competition in camp. With Kevin Kolb as the new starter it will help if O’Dowd can get comfortable with him immediately. He will have the same opportunity to do that as Sendlein and Claxton. He could be a good back up at either Guard position also.

Pat Devlin, Quarterback, Delaware, MIAMI DOLPHINS.

The Dolphins have former UCLA head guy and former fins wide receiver coach Karl Dorrell as a first year quarterbacks coach and Brian Daboll as a first year offensive coordinator. Daboll is coming off the Colt McCoy project in Cleveland so he has had recent experience helping groom a rookie QB. With Chad Henne yet to secure the starting job I feel there’s a great opportunity for Devlin with the Fins.

When Miami took to the practice field on the first day of training camp earlier this week  next Davone Bess or Dan Carpenter could have been among them.

Bess and Carpenter were undrafted college free agents in 2008. They not only made the final cut but also have since gone on to exceed normal expectations. Carpenter is the team’s Pro Bowl kicker and Bess has become one of the NFL’s top slot wide receivers. Pat Devlin is not as big as his predecessor with the Blue Hens, Joe Flacco, but he took a similar career path, having started his career at Penn State before transferring. At 6-3, 225, Devlin is three inches shorter than Flacco with an accurate arm, as his senior season showed. He threw 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions while completing 261-of-384 passes for 3,032 yards.

Derrick Locke, Running back, Kentucky, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES.

The Vikings originally wanted to sign Locke but he failed a physical in Minnesota due to a chronic condition in his spine and was off most teams’ boards during the draft because of the ailment. He has a lot of speed when healthy, but I think almost everyone was betting heavily against him having a long career and this is the only reason I can see why he wasn’t drafted.

Locke joins Noel Devine, Greig Cooper, and Dion Lewis as rookie running backs in Philly this year and when I think of all those guys in their prime at the college level it’s a bit mind-blowing to try to comprehend how they all ended up together like this and when you add Mike Vick, Shady McCoy, Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson into the mix I think a few defensive coordinators can expect some sleepless nights before they play against Philly. I like how Andy Reid took a chance on Vick two seasons ago and now on Derrick Locke and Vince Young this season. I think a few things that went on with him and his sons off the field may be at the core of him pushing to give these guys a chance.

Here are a few I think could do well but don’t rank as high as the players above..

Ryan Bartholamew, O Line, Syracuse, BALTIMORE RAVENS.

Damien Berry, Running back , The U, BALTIMORE RAVENS.

Jake Kirkpatrick, O Line, TCU, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.

Joe Lefeged, safety, Rutgers, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.

Brett Swenson, Kicker, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS.

DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson, Safety, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS.

Sealver Siliga, D Line, Utah, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers.

Ian Williams, D Line, Notre Dame, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers.

Jeramiah Masoli, Quarterback, Ole Miss/Oregon, SAN FRANCISCO 49ers.

Charlie Gantt, Tight end, Michigan state, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS.

Zach Etheridge, Safety, Auburn, OAKLAND RAIDERS.

Terrence Toliver, Wide receiver, LSU, HOUSTON TEXANS.

Kyle Hix, O Line, Texas, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.

Noel Devine, Running back, West Virginia, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES.

Weslye Saunders, Tight end, S. Carlolina, PITTSBURGH STEELERS.

John Clay, Running back, Wisconsin, PITTSBURGH STEELERS.

Alex Linnenkohl, O Line, Oregon state, CHICAGO BEARS.

Ricardo Lockette, Wide receiver, Fort vallet st, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS.

Jeron Johnson, safety, Boise st, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS.

Pierre Allen, D, Line, Nebraska, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS.

Scott Lutrus, Linebacker, Connecticutt, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS.

Armon Binns, Wide receiver, Cinncinnatti, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS.

Ryan Donahue, Punter, Iowa, DETROIT LIONS.

Kai Forbath, Kicker, UCLA, UNSIGNED.

Scott Tolzien, Quarterback, Wisconsin, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS.

Thanks for reading my latest column for sportcitychefs.com. I really can’t wait to do many more during the season. I travel over to the states for some NFL, High school and NCAA football this September and again later in the season. I will be keeping a diary of my travels and will be writing about it for sportcitychefs.com. I will also be covering the London game this October where the Buccaneers return to London to face the Chicago Bears.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, United kingdom.

sportcitychefs.com

With the 2011 NFL draft just a week away I thought I would put pen to paper and mention a few players I feel owners, General managers, scouts and coaches should be careful of letting pass bye during the draft. To make it a little more interesting all the players I will mention are ranked lower than fifth at their position by most top football analysts and their web sites. We all know about the Patrick Peterson’s, Von Miller’s and Marcell Dareus’s of this draft but unless you follow the college game like many of us do you will not be aware of some of the players I’m about to mention.

I’m going to start by looking back over a few of the drafts from the last fifteen years and look at how some of the highest ranked prospects drafted have faired compared to some drafted in rounds six and seven. Every year we see a player drafted in the later rounds fair better than a top prospect.

Here are some of the notable players.

Had to start with this one.

QB. Ryan Leaf. – 2nd pick. San Diego.

OL. Matt Birk. – 173rd pick. Minnesota.

QB. Tim Couch. – 1st pick. Cleveland.

QB. Akili Smith. – 3rd pick. Cincinnati.

WR. Donald Driver. – 213th pick. Green Bay.

DE.  Courtney Brown. 1st pick. Cleveland.

QB. Tom Brady. 199th pick. New England.

QB. David Carr. 1st pick. Houston.

QB. Joey Harrington. 3rd Pick. Detroit.

DT. Ryan Sims. 6th pick. Kansas City.

DE. Brett Keisel. 242nd pick. Pittsburgh.

WR. Troy Williamson. 7th. Minnesota.

DL Jay Ratliff. 224th. Dallas.

QB. Matt Leinart. 10th. Arizona.

S. Antoine Bethea. 207th Indianapolis.

C. Scott Wells. 251st. Green Bay.

CB. Courtland Finnegan. 215th Tennessee.

WR. Marques Colston. 252nd. New Orleans.

QB. Jamarcus Russell. 1st overall. Oakland.

FB. Madison Hedgecock. 251st. St Louis.

RB. Ahmad Bradshaw. 250th. NY Giants.

There are many more worthy of a mention but I think you get the point i’m making. I have not gone past 2007 as many still have a chance to be successful in the NFL but as you can see many great players get passed on. Also, when you consider the undrafted free agents that slip through it’s incredible how many players scouts fail to get a good read on.

All of the prospects I am about to mention may not go in the first three rounds but I would not be surprised if their names are down on the final roster by the end of August before some of the players taken ahead of them.

I have based the players ranking on average from four top NFL sites.

-

Mark Herzlich, Linebacker, Boston College. Ranked 16th olb. 212 overall.

With Boston College searching for a star athlete to build around after quarterback Matt Ryan left for the Atlanta Falcons a year earlier, Herzlich responded, earning the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year award with an all-around season few linebackers could beat — 110 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two touchdowns off of his six interceptions, more than any linebacker in the country.

Herzlich considered leaving Boston College early for the NFL. He returned because he was enjoying the collegiate experience. Had he left, he would have been a first-round pick. After all, Herzlich was given the top grade among all senior prospects by National Football Scouting entering the 2009 draft.

Herzlich in May 2009 decided to investigate the pain he’d been experiencing in his left leg and was given shocking news by doctors. The pain was caused by a rare form of bone cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma. Though the cancer has approximately a 70 percent recovery rate, the infection was in his left leg. Doctors cautioned that even if Herzlich survived, his football career was almost surely over. Instead, after seven months of chemotherapy and an additional five weeks of radiation, Herzlich was cancer-free.

Despite battling through various injuries that limited him from the time fall camp began, Herzlich played in all 12 regular-season games for the Eagles in 2010. He finished third on the team with 67 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. Herzlich’s play improved as the season progressed, demonstrating he still has the knack for making big plays with four interceptions.

He might have proven he has ample fortitude and could be considered a second-round pick. But before any NFL team is willing to invest a draft selection in Herzlich, he will undergo a battery of tests performed by NFL team doctors. They’ll test for cancer and gauge the strength in his left leg, in which Herzlich had a titanium rod inserted to expedite his recovery.

-

John Moffitt. Offensive line, Wisconsin, Ranked 7th Guard. 137th overall.

Maybe you can find a well-spoken offensive lineman or two in every NFL locker room, but a loquacious one is as rare as a balmy January in Madison. Moffitt might be a walking sound bite, but the 42-game starter can play a little bit, too. He was a first-team All-American and consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection as a senior who has started more than 30 games at left guard and a handful at center. The 314-pounder won’t outrun many of his teammates at the next level, but his phone-booth quickness, mobility and footwork paint the picture of a longtime NFL starter. He’s better than expected on the move and against behemoth nose tackles and if he can quicken his step against three-technique pass rushers, Moffitt could be a Pro Bowl steal in the middle rounds.

-

Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio state. Ranked 22nd at WR, 185th overall.

Sanzenbacher is the type of player coaches want on a roster. A well-spoken and intelligent leader, he was a team captain in 2010. He was named team MVP and was the recipient of the Bo Rein Award as the Buckeye’s most inspirational player. Jim Tressel said the double-hardware was a first in his 25 years of coaching. Will catch anything that’s thrown his way.

-

Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh, Ranked 7th at WR, 57th overall.

Baldwin is giant wide receiver that has the potential to develop into a starter at the next level. He is a speed builder that can get behind defensive backs and he quickly finds the ball in the air. He is a weapon over the middle, as he has strong reliable hands and the body control to make acrobatic catches in traffic. He is dangerous after the catch as he can run away from linebackers and over defensive backs. Baldwin has to refine his route running skills, but he could sneak into the first round due to his freakish measurables.

-

Tyler Sash, Safety, Iowa. Ranked 5th at safety, 94th overall.

One of the premiere underclassmen at the safety position is the University of Iowa’s Tyler Sash. In his first two seasons, he had 11 interceptions combined.

Sash has good speed and adequate size for the position, although he will need to add some weight when making the transition to the NFL.

His biggest asset as a safety is simply having great instincts and awareness for being in the right position at the right time. Sash is terrific in zone coverage and a more than capable tackler. Like most college safeties, he struggles in man to man coverage and lacks proper technique, but these are things that can be coached up in the NFL. He has a tendency to play downhill and tackles with a reckless abandon at times. Sash must continue to develop some of the finer tackling techniques rather than rely on collision tackling.

-

Greg Jones, Linebacker, Michigan State. Ranked 6th at LB, 86th overall.

Jones has been one of the most productive linebackers in college football over the last few seasons. He fits as a starting middle linebacker in a Tampa-2 or great backup with special teams upside. Displays outstanding effort and is fearless on the field. Flies around the field, whether pursuing the ball-carrier, rushing the passer, or dropping into coverage. A lot of coaching staffs would love to bring Jones’ work ethic and intangibles into their locker room.

-

Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, Nevada. Ranked 7th at QB. 63rd overall.

The morning after Colin Kaepernick finished one of the most productive careers for any college quarterback by winning a bowl game, he boarded a plane to Atlanta. This was no vacation. The Nevada quarterback spent seven weeks rigorously training, and we’re not talking sit-ups and biceps curls, He was training for the NFL combine, with a side trip to Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl worked in. In that time, an interesting thing has happened to Kaepernick. He’s gone from an intriguing prospect and a spread-option quarterback from an off-the-radar school, 6-foot-6 with a strong arm and good wheels who might be selected in the mid-to-late rounds to a player who seems to have a legitimate shot to be picked in Round 1. It’s quite a rise for someone who passed up a chance to give pro baseball a shot out of high school so he could take the one and only football scholarship he was offered.

-

The safety position seems to become more important every year, but it still ranks behind cornerback when it comes to the draft. In order to be a top safety, one needs to be a good tackler, as many teams now play eight defenders in the box against the run. You have to be a good blitzer and be able to cover big, fast tight ends. It also doesn’t hurt to be a good special teams performer.

Seven defensive backs were selected in the first round of the 2010 draft and a total of 12 overall in the first two rounds, including the fifth-overall pick and the seventh-overall pick of Round 1 (Kansas City’s Eric Berry at five, Cleveland’s Joe Haden at seven). Very seldom do we have two defensive backs picked this high.

Two of the best safeties of all time, Willie Wood of the Packers and Cliff Harris of the Cowboys, were both undrafted free agents. Both players were selected to All-Decade teams. The two combined for 77 interceptions, played in 14 Pro Bowls and won a combined four Super Bowls.

Here are my top 5 junior and senior safeties.

5. Deunta Williams,  North Carolina,  6’1″,  215lbs, Sr.

When Deunta Williams arrived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina he was a receiver. Despite switching to safety prior to the start of his freshman campaign, Williams never stopped catching the ball. As a freshman he started all 12 games and led the team with three interceptions. He also ranked fifth on the squad in tackles that season and was on just about every All-Freshman team that exists. As a sophomore Williams kept it up, starting all 13 games, increasing his tackle total to 65 and picking off three more passes.

The production did not stop during his 2009 campaign. While the tackle numbers were down a little (mostly due to a more talented defense around him), Williams still earned First-Team All-ACC honors and had six interceptions, increasing his career total to 12. On a team that is loaded on defense (four players made First Team All-ACC according to the coaches), Williams is the big play guy. Williams was suspended for four games to start his senior campaign and he took his time to get back into the swing of things, however he is pretty much a proven commodity at this point in his career.

Williams’ three years of consistent production have proven to scouts that he is a safe pick and what makes him even more desirable are his instincts and eagerness to learn. Williams will study game tape more than most quarterbacks and that is the type of player every team wants.

4.  DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson, 6’0″, 215 lbs, Sr.

DeAndre McDaniel did not move into a starting spot at strong safety until the 2009 season, but he was a big part of the Clemson defense since his freshman year in 2007. McDaniel earned some All-ACC freshman honors that season when he tallied 33 tackles. As a linebacker in 2008, McDaniel started off the season slowly, but had 51 of his 77 tackles on the season in the last seven games. Arguably the best game of his career up to that point came in the Gator Bowl against Nebraska when he had two tackles-for-loss and returned a fumble 28 yards for a touchdown.

The late season success in 2008 paved the way for high expectations in 2009. Despite moving to the strong safety position, McDaniel posted 102 tackles, 3.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks and picked off an amazing eight passes, including one that went for a touchdown.

Heading into 2010, NFL scouts wanted to see what McDaniel could do as the leader of the secondary. The Clemson pass defense is certainly not as effective this season compared to last, but McDaniel’s decision to return for his senior season has paid off I think. McDaniel should be near the top (if not at the top) of the list of strong safeties taken in the 2011 draft.

3. Tyler Sash, Iowa, 6’1″, 210lbs, Jr.

One of the premiere underclassmen at the safety position is the University of Iowa’s Tyler Sash. In his first two seasons, he had 11 interceptions combined. Sash was receiving a lot of consideration from All-American teams and award watch lists at the start of the season.

Sash has good speed and adequate size for the position, although he will need to add some weight when making the transition to the NFL.

His biggest asset as a safety is simply having great instincts and awareness for being in the right position at the right time. Sash is terrific in zone coverage and a more than capable tackler. Like most college safeties, he struggles in man to man coverage and lacks proper technique, but these are things that can be coached up in the NFL. He has a tendency to play downhill and tackles with a reckless abandon at times. Sash must continue to develop some of the finer tackling techniques rather than rely on collision tackling.

Sash’s athleticism makes him a candidate to leave early although this year’s safety class is very thin and anyone can make a name for themselves overnight.

2. Rahim Moore, UCLA, 6’1″, 196 lbs, Jr.

Rahim Moore is widely considered the best safety prospect in the nation…and he is just a junior. Moore has been a starter for three years and has never missed a start. As a freshman he tallied 60 tackles and picked off three passes. He had his coming out party in 2009 and it started right from the beginning when he picked off three passes in the season opener. Moore went on to pick off a total of ten passes, the most in a single season by any player since 2003. He even ranked second in the nation in passes defended. For his superb season, Moore was named to just about every all-conference and all-American team.

The accolades continued heading into 2010. However, Moore would have a bigger challenge on his hands as the UCLA defense was decimated by graduation. Moore has become a leader on the field and through seven games ranks third on the team in tackles and has one of the team’s three interceptions so far in the season. The absence of a consistent pass rush has certainly diminished Moore’s effectiveness this year. He has even practiced some at the corner position due to a lack of other options.

Moore has enough size and strength to play safety in the NFL, but his ability to also play corner is not a bad thing. He will be good in preseason workouts and should sneak into the first round if he opts to go pro early.

1. Mark Barron, Alabama, 6’2″, 210lbs, Jr.

On a defense filled with playmakers, Mark Barron managed to make a tremendous impact during his time with the Crimson tide. At 6’2″, 210 lbs., Barron possesses great size and above average upper body strength. If he can get his mitts on the ball-carrier, Barron most likely will come up with the tackle. Barron will bring a hard nosed winning style of play to any NFL team that decides to draft him.  He possesses above average size and speed for the safety position and utilizes those abilities to make a difference on the field.  He further enhances his athletic ability by being a student of the game.  He spends countless hours in the film room searching for every possible way to make himself a better player.  That effort is seen with this play on the field as he quickly diagnoses plays and is rarely out of position.  He is a willing and ferocious run defender and has some highlight reel hits in his corner.  His combination of size and speed allow him to match-up 1 on 1 with both tight ends and slot receivers. I see him as a top 20 pick but I don’t have him ranked that much higher than Moore, Sash or the other safeties in the class. Much will come down to the combine and private workouts for the juniors in this class and their performance will have a massive impact on who will go first in April.

By Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, United Kingdom.

Defensive backs become more important every year because of the proliferation of the passing game. In 2008, 32 teams passed 16,350 times and ran 14,207 times. In 2009, they passed 17,033 times and ran 14,088 times (56.5 percent). In 1997 there were no 4,000-yard passers. In 2008, there were six. In 2009, 10 quarterbacks passed for over 4,000 yards.

The feeling around the NFL is that you can never have too many good cornerbacks. The key trait for this position is speed — speed to break on the ball and the speed to turn and run with a wide receiver. Height is also important due to the size of wide receivers.

Because of the empty backfield, one running back and multi-receiver sets, teams feel it’s important to have three cornerbacks on the field a high percentage of the time in order to match up against all the fast wide receivers in coverage. Sometimes teams will have a third (slot) corner on the field as much as 75 percent of the time. The league average is about 64 percent.

The highest a cornerback has been drafted is third, when Seattle took Shawn Springs in the 1997 draft.

Pittsburgh steelers defensive coordinator and football Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau holds the NFL record for most consecutive starts at cornerback (171). He played 14 seasons and started 185 games.

Here are my top five junior and senior prospects that scouts will be keeping a close eye on this winter/fall.

5.  Ras -I Dowling, Virginia, 6ft,2″, 200 lbs, Senior.

Dowling played as a true freshman but attended Hargrove Military Academy after high school, therefore he was an older true freshman than normal. He has very good athletic ability and speed, along with outstanding ball skills. He has eight interceptions in three years of college. During his junior campaign, Dowling tallied 58 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions. His 2008 season earned him a few accolades, like second-team All-ACC honors and his 2009 campaign earned him plenty more conference accolades. The 2010 campaign has not gone well for Dowling. He has struggled with a nagging knee injury and has missed most of the season. Dowling’s size is what makes him such an attractive cornerback. At 6-2 and 200 pounds, Dowling has more size than most corners, but he does not lack the coverage skills or the speed to keep up with most NFL receivers. His size could also mean Dowling could play some safety and that versatility, not to mention his great cover skills, make him a very attractive prospect. Dowling’s lack of playing time during his senior season has hurt his stock, but Dowling could have been a borderline first round pick last year. He needs to prove that his knee injury is healed sooner or later, but NFL scouts can look at his junior season and know that they have a quality player who is worthy of a late first round selection.

4. Brandon Harris, Miami (the U), 5ft 11″, 195 lbs, Junior.

As a freshman at Miami, Brandon Harris was thrown into the fire. He was often beat for big plays, but Harris showed his attitude and stuck with it game after game. While that would crush the confidence of many players, for Harris it was a learning experience. He has gotten better and it did not take long. Just a year later he led the ACC in passes defended per contest and tied for second nationally with 15 pass break-ups. His junior campaign in 2010 has been equally successful. Harris has the right attitude, but he has the skills to play at the next level too. He has a quick first step and amazing overall speed. Very few players at any level will blow by him. For a player who relies on speed, Harris is surprisingly tough and the opposition cannot pick on him anymore or Harris will make them pay. Miami got torched by Ohio State and Florida State early in the 2010 season and Harris has some work to do before he will be considered a consensus first round pick. He definitely has the skills to be considered a first round pick by the end of his junior season and I believe in him a great deal.

3. Jimmy Smith, Colorado, 6ft 2″, 205 lbs, Senior.

Rather quietly Jimmy Smith has turned into one of the best cornerbacks in the Big 12…and it is never easy to be a corner in that conference. Smith saw most of his action as redshirt freshman on special teams where his pure speed helped him make a big impact. By the end of his sophomore campaign, Smith was starting at corner and he has been there ever since. Smith was not too consistent as a sophomore, but he was making some big plays in big games. By the time he was an upperclassman, Smith did emerge as the consistent cornerback Colorado was looking for. He tallied 70 tackles and was named to the All-Big 12 second-team by the Associated Press. Heading into 2010 Smith picked up where he left off and is on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award (given to the nation’s top defensive back). Once again Smith is not putting up eye popping numbers, but most of the competition tries to stay away from him. Since he has his wide receiver blanketed most of the time anyway, it becomes very tough to throw to his side of the field. Smith’s speed is going to impress a lot of people at the NFL Combine. This is a player who can run a 4.4 40 on a good day. That is great speed for anybody, but having a corner who is 6-2 that can run that fast is special. That may push Smith into the top 25 of the draft. He has four brothers that have also played college football.

2. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska, 6ft 1″, 200 lbs, Senior.

Quarterback Taylor Martinez provides all the flash for Nebraska, but it is their defense that wins games. And nobody plays a more vital role than cornerback Prince Amukamara. However, that has not always been the case. Amukamara barely saw the field during his freshman campaign in 2007. In 2008 he made three starts against non-conference opponents and played a relatively small role off the bench for the rest of the season. Once he was given a full-time starting job as an upperclassman, Amukamara made a big name for himself, totaling 64 tackles and five interceptions. By the end of the year the opposing offense rarely threw his way. For his efforts he was named to a variety of all-conference and all-American teams. Amukamara is not putting up great numbers so far in 2010, but his presence alone has made this a great defense. The opposition cannot afford to throw anywhere near the 6-1 corner. In part, that has led to 11 interceptions for his teammates, but none for Amukamara. He does lead the team with seven pass break-ups, but do not expect Amukamara to put up great numbers again this season…the Big 12 knows better. No matter what the numbers are, Amukamara is an elite cornerback coming into the draft this season and should not last long on draft day. He could easily be a top ten selection in April barring a major injury or some very disappointing workouts leading up to the draft. He was a great high school athlete in Arizona and was a starting point guard on a state championship team. He was an Arizona player of the year in high school as a running back, rushing for 366 yards and four touchdowns in a playoff game. He was also the state high school track champion in the 100 and 200 meters. Just an amazing athlete.

1. Patrick Peterson, LSU, 6ft 1″, 222 lbs, Junior.

222 lbs is not a miss print. Peterson is the best cornerback prospect for the 2011 NFL Draft. The LSU Tiger is just a junior, but he will almost certainly leave early. And why not? The guy can do it all. Peterson is the best shutdown corner in college football and he has been clocked as fast as 4.30 in the 40-yard dash. He is averaging 27.5 yards per kick return this season and 19.7 yards per punt return, while returning two punts for touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks have been avoiding him like the plague, so his defensive numbers don’t exactly stand out. Still, Peterson has two interceptions and he has returned those for a combined 46 yards. His combination of size and speed really is incredible. Peterson can be physical at the line of scrimmage while also matching opponents’ best receivers stride for stride. He did not have a ton of experience heading into this season, but eight straight starts give him 25 for his career. As such, he will head into the NFL with basically no question marks. Peterson will be the first cornerback off the board and that should come within the first five picks of the draft.

Thanks for reading.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, United Kingdom.

The Monday following the draft two seasons ago I spoke with great NFL analyst Gil Brandt and the first thing I asked him was why two of my favourite players Rey Maualuga and James Laurinitis had fallen into the second round of the draft. With their talent level I was shocked. Gil said that Laurinitis’ dad ( Animal from WWE fame ) had phoned him during the first round and asked the same thing.  Gil said it wasn’t that they didn’t have first round or even top 10 talent but the position value wasn’t as high as it had been. And when you look at it, he was spot on.

Over the past 10 years (2001-2010), only four inside linebackers have been drafted in the first round of the draft — the only position with less first-round picks over that time is fullbacks with none (not including specialists). The reason for this is because unless a prospect can play all three downs as an inside ‘backer, or can rush the passer and create big plays, teams are waiting until the later rounds to fill a need at the position. Over the past three years, only 27 inside linebackers have been selected over the entire draft. And as I said earlier one very good player (James Laurinaitis from Ohio State) did not get picked until the second round by the Rams in 2009. He played well and played all downs.

With outside linebackers, it is important to be able to use their hands to jam receivers, because they will be forced to cover. Speed and strength are also very important (speed to cover in space and strength to take on blockers). Recognition is necessary to be outstanding at this position.

Over the past 10 years, 20 outside linebackers have been selected in the first round. The 2011 NFL Draft should have about the same number of players talent wise.

Here are the top 5 junior and senior outside and inside linebacker prospects NFL scouts will be keeping a close eye on this fall. I would not pigeon hole most of these as inside or outside backers as many will have the ability to play any linebacker spot.

Outside.

5. Von Miller, Texas A&M, 6,2″, 240 lbs, Senior.

Miller’s role in the A&M defense over the past three years has been fairly simple: he goes after the quarterback on almost every play. The Big 12 sackmaster has been a thorn in the side of passers and offensive linemen since he arrived in College Station, but his breakout 2009 season put him in the national spotlight. Miller earned All-American honors, leading the nation in sacks in ’09 as a junior with 17, forcing four fumbles, broking up five passes; 21.5 of his 48 tackles resulted in lost yardage. This success was not a great surprise, as he earned Freshman All-American accolades in 2007 after making 22 tackles, four for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble as a situational pass rusher. He then earned four starts as a sophomore, playing in all 12 contests after moving to outside linebacker, accumulating 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. The highly-touted Texas recruit plays the Jack/Joker position, a defensive end/rush linebacker hybrid spot that almost always sees him stand up at the nine-technique position outside the left or right tackle. With the increased use of the 3-4 base scheme in the NFL, Miller’s prowess as a pass rusher (with improvement in his ability to stop the run and handle coverage responsibilities) could earn him a high draft slot – and millions of dollars.

4. Akeem Ayers, UCLA, 6,4″, 254 lbs, Junior.

Simply put, Akeem was a beast last season for the Bruins. He is very quick and tracks down ball carriers like a bloodhound. Is very alert and always around the football. Ayers is already big, but he could potentially add 15 pounds, maintain his speed, and play at defensive end full time as a pass rusher. Or he could stay as is and be a very talented SAM in a 4-3 or an Rush OLB in a 3-4. He has put up great numbers so far, but his best football is still ahead of him. There is so much talent and potential in Akeem that if he can keep improving as the focal point and leader of the UCLA defense, he will go early when he declares.

3. Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma, 6,3″, 261 lbs, Senior.

The injury situation of quarterback Sam Bradford and the outstanding play of defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, two of the top three players selected in last April’s draft, kept Beal’s spectacular season from receiving the attention it deserved. He was a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award, the Associated Press named him a third-team All-American, and several media outlets placed him on their All-Big 12 first team (though he only made second team by the coaches’ vote). His 70 tackles, 19 for loss, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups hint of the overall game that excites NFL scouts. Beal started all 14 games in 2008 as a sophomore, earning second-team all-conference recognition from league coaches after racking up 61 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 8.5 sacks, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles. He made a great impression as a redshirt freshman in 2007 with 25 tackles, five for loss and a sack — he even started twice in 13 games played and made six tackles with a sack in the Big 12 Championship Game win over Missouri. Beal’s production, strength and versatility give him a great chance to succeed at the next level. Oklahoma coaches stand him up, put his hand down, drop him into the flat, even stuck him at middle linebacker at times when needed in 2009. Defensive coordinators using 3-4 or 4-3 base systems, therefore, will covet his skills. NFL scouts will likely feel the same way Bob Stoops did when he saw Beal’s high school game film: they will want to have the well-rounded, hard-working and intelligent player.

2. Mark Herzlich, Boston College, 6,4″, 245 lbs, Senior.

Herzlich did not play in 2009 due to a rare form of bone cancer (Ewings Sarcoma), which he overcame. Herzlich is the blueprint for linebackers. He is physically imposing, gives 100% effort every down, and lays big production down on the field. You will be hard pressed to find any highlight or game film in which Mark isn’t around the football moving like a freight train. Does a great job of finishing tackles and tracking the ball in the run game. His cover skills have improved greatly over his career and he does a great job of reading routes and keeping up with slot receivers. In the 2009 Draft, there were many reports about how LB Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest was the surest bet player in the draft and even a few voices chimed that he was the best player overall. High praise indeed, but it is interesting to note that that year Aaron Curry wasn’t even the best defensive player, let alone linebacker in his conference as Mark Herzlich took home the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award. Even people who don’t follow college football that closely have heard of Mark’s battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of cancer found in his leg. He announced at an October 3rd football game against Florida State that he was cancer free and would be playing in 2010. Recovering from any cancer treatment takes a tremendous toll on your body and it shouldn’t be expected that Mark be back to his old form completely. From a scouting stand point his evaluation should be treated like any player returning for a major injury: knowing that he has a ton of potential and seeing how he and his body respond to these new challenges. However, there isn’t a lot of precedence for returning to play football after beating cancer and I am sure he will be eased back into it if the coaches can help it. Herz has been a massive inspiration in my life and I can’t wait to follow him on his NFL journey.

1. Bruce Carter, North Carolina, 6,3″, 230 lbs, Senior.

Bruce Carter is yet another top defensive prospect from the University of North Carolina.  He is an explosive athlete that uses a disciplined approach to the game of football.  He has decent size but good speed.  He uses his speed and athleticism to create pressure in the offensive backfield.  He covers a ton of ground and is threat to make a play form anywhere on the field, which is evident by the 6 blocked kicks he last season.  He would fit nicely as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defensive scheme because he has the ability to get to the quarterback on a blitz but also is sound when dropping back into coverage.  Carter is a hard working individual and gains praise from his teammates about being a tremendous leader. He has a ton of physical ability that will allow him to overcome some size concerns.  He is going to be the target of a 3-4 defensive team looking for a linebacker that could both rush the quarterback but also drop back into coverage.

INSIDE

5. Martez Wilson, Illinois, 6,4″, 250 lbs, Junior.

Wilson is cat-quick off the line and has very good quickness of the edge. He can speed rush right by you or use his natural power. Wilson can get after the quarterback and stop the run. He’s terrific in pursuit because he has a wealth of speed and he also moves well down the line of scrimmage. Wilson has the frame to add a lot of weight. He needs to use his hands more and learn technique but that should come in time at the next level. His 4.5 – 40 yard dash will blow scouts away at 250 plus pounds. Wilson can be moved around if needed.

4. Tank Carder, TCU, 6,2″, 232 lbs. Junior.

I can relate to this guy a lot as I know personally that although there’s no way to prove the theory, it’s safe to assume that Carder cherishes his success just a little more than the average college athlete. That happens when you come close to never walking again.  Seven years ago, he was a passenger in a harrowing car accident that nearly made this chapter of his life impossible. He suffered serious injuries, including a punctured diaphragm, collapsed lung, and broken bones in his back, which required a six-week hospital stay and a hairpin shift in priorities. For a time, hopes of the NFL were replaced by the possibility of competing in the Wheelchair Olympics. It’s the transgression of dreams that occur when a young teen is flung from a moving vehicle that winds up rolling over him. Carder? Well, he had different plans for his future. Not only did he walk again, but he’d also play football, though contact was prohibited until his junior year of high school. Prior to then, he settled on handling kickoffs, provided he sprinted off the field shortly after picking up the tee. It was better than nothing as far as feeding the yen for competition, but not nearly enough for a kid pining to hit something.
Once Carder finally got the green light, his athleticism quickly bubbled to the surface. No, there weren’t a ton of offers coming out of Sweeny (Tex.) High School, but the one from TCU was more than enough. He jumped at it, knowing the reputation of Gary Patterson and his staff for turning decent recruits into defensive studs. Patterson saw something that absolutely no one else did, a familiar occurrence on this campus. After learning behind all-star Jason Phillips in 2008, Carder was turned loose last fall, making 89 tackles, 10 stops behind the line, and breaking up 11 passes in an All-Mountain West debut. With two years left and expectations percolating, he’s now bucking to keep the Frogs among the nation’s elite while further defying the odds that were stacked against him as a battered and broken 13-year old.  TCU is a program that perennially develops at least one or two outstanding defensive players worthy of national recognition and attention from pro scouts. Carder has the potential to be that guy in 2011. In just his first season as a starter, he played an integral role on the nation’s top-ranked defense, earning a spot on the All-Mountain West second team. That year of experience coupled with the graduations of some key veterans means he’s poised for the kind of breakthrough junior year that reverberates outside the walls of the conference. Carder is a versatile 6-2, 232-pound athlete, with excellent instincts and a natural feel for the position. Not only can he go sideline-to-sideline effortlessly, but he’ll also make plays vertically as a pass rusher and a pass defender. There’s a reason why he was able to redirect 11 passes last season—he knows where he belongs on the field at all times. You want multi-dimensional? The junior could be the Horned Frogs’ choice to handle kickoffs and long-range field goal attempts in 2010.  It’s pretty sad I know this but years before he ever took up football, Carder was a national and world BMX bike champion at the tender age of 9. Blessed with incredible balance as a toddler, he was riding without training wheels shortly after his second birthday. After seven U.S. crowns and numerous trips abroad, he retired from the circuit before the end of elementary school, citing a desire to compete in new sports and spend more time with friends. Like Herzlich, Carder is an incredible story and having gone through something similar as a rugby player growing up in South Wales in the United kingdom I can appreciate what he’s gone through to get where he is today.

3. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina, 6,2″, 235 lbs, Senior.

Do-it-all linebacker Quan Sturdivant did not spend any time learning on the sidelines at North Carolina. As a true freshman he played in all 12 games and earned five starts, tallying 47 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack, one interception and even blocked a punt. That set the stage for his breakout sophomore campaign. In 2008 Sturdivant started every game and led the team with an incredible 122 tackles, including an NCAA FBS high 87 unassisted tackles. For the 2009 season Sturdivant moved to the middle of the linebacker corps and his leadership has led to a stifling Tar Heel defense. He was not asked to do as much as far as tackling is concerned from his new position thanks to an improving defense around him, but he still lead the team with 75 tackles during the regular season and did a great job getting into the backfield, totaling 12.0 tackles-for-loss, one sack and six quarterback hurries. Sturdivant has turned into a leader during the 2010 campaign after many of the other stars on defense have been suspended. However, a hamstring injury has limited him to just three games so far this year. What makes Sturdivant so valuable is his versatility. He can play any linebacker position and once he is there he can do everything one would want a linebacker to do. He can obviously use his 6-2, 235 pound frame to fight his way into the backfield, but he is also more than capable of dropping back into coverage.

2. Greg Jones, Michigan state, 6,1″, 235 lbs, Senior.

After originally committing to Minnesota, Jones decided to go to East Lansing instead because of the Spartans’ more recent success and a shorter drive for his parents from Cincinnati. The Spartans have enjoyed having the relatively unheralded Ohio product in their defensive huddle — as a player and leader — since he arrived on campus. Several outlets named Jones a freshman All-American. He led the team in tackles (for the first of three straight years) with seven starts in 13 games from the strong-side linebacker spot. He also led Big Ten freshmen in that category with 78, accumulating 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. The league’s coaches awarded him first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore when he made 127 tackles (80 solo), 14 for loss and two sacks while starting at both SAM (eight games) and MIKE (five). In 2009, Jones was a consensus All-American and named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the league media with 154 tackles (67 solo), 13.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. A similar prospect to former Missouri linebacker and 2010 first-round pick Sean Weatherspoon, Jones doesn’t wow scouts with his size (he hopes to weigh in at 240 pounds before the draft next April). But his production, leadership and speed in the middle may help NFL teams overlook his lack of height and slight frame. He is a likely starter in whatever defensive system he is asked to play, though some teams might choose to move him back outside with the hope he could be a pass-rushing force and factor in coverage at the next level. One of my favourite players in the draft.

1. Donta Hightower, Alabama, 6,4″, 260 lbs.

I know he’s not even a junior but if he went pro like I think he could do and I didn’t have him in I would not be able to forgive myself. This inside linebacker is an incredible physical specimen—he’s 6’4”, 260 pounds and incredibly athletic—and has healing powers that have to be considered otherworldly. Hightower’s remarkable recovery from a season-ending knee injury has been downright shocking. On the field the Tennessee native has impressive short-area quickness for a man of his size. Agile, he can change directions well; not many can sift through the garbage as well as he does. Even when Hightower’s quick feet aren’t enough to dance around blockers, he is more than strong enough to take them on at the point of attack. His powerful upper-body strength allows him to absolutely blow up fullbacks who try to block him one-on-one. He is thick, with the wide frame to anchor when engaged and the strong hands to shed blockers and complete tackles. As a blitzer Hightower could be the rare inside linebacker who averages over five sacks a season. The primary negative from a scouting perspective remains the horrible injury he suffered during his sophomore year. Yes, Hightower is on the fast track to recover and looked good during the spring, but that doesn’t change the fact that he tore his ACL, MCL. He is much more natural instinctively and athletically when moving forward as opposed to moving back. If he comes out and lights up the SEC with his aggressive brand of football and proves to have no lingering issues surrounding his knee, Hightower has the size, athleticism, and versatility to force his way into the first round of next year’s draft. According to scout-turned twitter god-turned scout Daniel Jeremiah, people around the NFL were buzzing more about the true sophomore than the guy playing next to him, 2010 top ten pick Rolando McClain. He said when the two linebackers played side by side, Hightower clearly was the more aggressive LB. Whether it was going in for the tackle after losing his helmet in the Virginia Tech game or using his nice closing burst to deliver some semi-late wallops to FIU’s QB, He said Hightower looked like the kind of linebacker who could intimidate opponents and take over games.  And because Hightower had success both as a run stuffer and a pass rusher, he appeared to be one of the rare linebackers who could excel both inside and outside in a 3-4 defense. I agree with most of that but I don’t think you can compare him to McClain as McClain had his own assignments and offensive lines targeted him more last season than they did Donta but Hightower’ talents are incredible and the sky is well and truly the limit.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, United Kindom.

Sport city chefs.

To be a good defensive tackle you need great quickness (Chicago’s Tommie Harris ), functional football strength (Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata ), instincts (Dallas’ Jay Ratliff), the ability to use one’s hands to shed blockers and the athletic ability to drop into coverage on zone blitzes. To be effective, defensive tackles need to have great stamina and be able to rush the passer late in the game, especially in warm weather early in the season. Many teams use a rotatation on the interior of the line to keep players as fresh as possible.

Did you know…

At one time, defensive tackles were one of the lowest paid positions. That’s changed over the years, especially with the contract of Albert Haynesworth last off season.

Only one defensive lineman has been selected league MVP, Defensive tackle Alan Page for the Minnesota Vikings in 1971.

Here are my top five Junior and Senior prospects.

5. Jerrell Powe, Mississippi, 6,2″ , 328 – 360 lbs, Senior.

Powe started 10 games at nose tackle in 2009. Named Mississippi’s Mr. Football in high school, Powe is a very strong and nasty player. He reminds me of Ravens second-round pick and former Alabama DT Terrence Cody. So far this season he has not hit the form he showed last season. Some of this can be attributed to the fact that Ole Miss rotates their defensive linemen. Some also may be due to the fact that he’s playing this season as much as 60 pounds lighter than he’s played in the past. I’m hoping for a rise in form soon or he may fall out of my top five. With the nose tackle position being so big in the NFL today with more teams switching to a 3-4 defense, Guys like Powe are very valuable.  He’s had some academical problems but i’m not concerned with these as he’s proved to be the real deal on the field and in the training room but there was an instance when the police came to his house after giving him a written notice about the noise that was being created from some parties he had been throwing. Powe told the police that the reason he did not follow the warning is because he cannot read, which was first interpreted as a joke to avoid trouble. However, his mother has also been quoted as saying “Jerrell really is a good child, but he just can’t read.” Either his mom is hilarious or he really can’t read, or at least couldn’t at the time. Opposing fans got a kick out of that and held signs that said things such as “Jerrell Powe, can you read this sign?” at games. Say what you will about him but overall he is a great story and as he has lost the weight coaches asked him to. He has matured as a leader on the Ole Miss team, displaying a great work ethic on the field and in the classroom. He will likely be drafted in the first 20 picks of the 2011 draft if all goes well from here on in.

4. Marcell Dareus, Alabama, 6,3″, 318 lbs, Junior.

Marcell Dareus burst onto the national scene with his MVP performance in the BCS National Championship Game against Texas last season. He’s a powerful defensive end who can also slide inside in passing situations and in my opinion will play 3 technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 or 5 technique defensive end in a 3-4. He’s a tremendous pass rusher who can play the run very well. Dareus produced the two biggest plays of his Alabama career to date in the 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game to earn Defensive MVP honors and vault the Crimson Tide to their 13th national championship. He had some trouble during the off season. Dareus had been declared ineligible for the first two games this season for receiving preferential treatment and agent benefits, including airfare, lodging, meals and transportation during trips to Miami in the off season. In my opinion I think It is important to note that Marcell never intentionally violated any NCAA rules and did not knowingly receive any benefits from an agent. I think many that made that trip had no idea they were breaking NCAA rules and I hope it does not hurt their draft status. At the end of the day Dareus was a force in Alabama’s defense last season and despite starting only three games had 6½ sacks and made some of the biggest plays of the game against Texas with the national title at stake. He knocked quarterback Colt McCoy out of the game with a shoulder injury and intercepted a shovel pass late in the second quarter and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. He’s looked good since being back and I see him as a top 15 pick if he decides to turn pro after this season.

3. Marvin Austin, North Carolina, 6,3″, 310 lbs, Senior.

Add Marvin Austin to the list of top defensive prospects from North Carolina.  Austin has ideal size for a defensive tackle and at 310lbs he won’t get pushed around by NFL offensive linemen.  Austin couples his size with excellent strength which makes him a dominate run stuffer.  He uses his strength to fight off blockers and make plays in the running lanes.  He boasts good quickness which allows him to move down the line of scrimmage and make plays all over the field.  His lateral quickness is what makes him a special player.  When watching film you really notice Austin’s love of the game and passion.  He is always going full speed. Unfortunately he’s also had problems during the off season but coach Butch Davis maintained that the defensive tackle wasn’t suspended for allegedly making improper contact with an agent. Instead, he indicated that Austin was disciplined for violating team rules and neglecting his responsibilities to the team. All problems aside, His ability to chase down the ball carrier and his freakish speed make him among the most dangerous defensive players in college football. He has the full arsenal of strength, size, speed and awareness that NFL General Managers are looking for in today’s defensive tackle. While Austin may not be the pure player Suh is, he does have a deadly combination of Suh’s ability to collapse the pocket and Gerald McCoy’s speed and athleticism. I think he’s going to be a great one and he would be ranked higher but for some off the field issues.

2. Jared Crick, Nebraska, 6,6 “, 285 lbs, Junior.

Jared Crick entered 2009 known mostly as the defensive tackle who played alongside senior All-American Ndamukong Suh. However, by mid-season Crick’s name stood on its own as he racked up huge numbers to earn a spot in the Nebraska record books. With Suh now in the professional ranks, Crick has stepped into the spotlight this fall as one of the leaders of a Nebraska defense that returns seven starters for 2010. Crick’s play as a sophomore helped the Nebraska defense rank as one of the nation’s most complete units. The Blackshirts finished first nationally in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense and ranked second in the nation in sacks. Crick and the starting front four accounted for 32 sacks and 67 tackles for loss. The Big 12 coaches honored Crick as a first-team all-conference choice, while nearly every other outlet listed him as a second-team all-conference selection in a league stacked with outstanding linemen. He has received numerous preseason accolades heading into the 2010 campaign.  Some are pegging him as the best non-quarterback prospect for next year’s draft.  I am sure he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Cornhusker Ndamukong Suh.  Crick had a breakout season and put together good numbers with 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.  He has good quickness and is continuing to develop good pass rush techniques.  I think he would best fit as a 3-4 defensive end where he would be asked to create pressure but also hold strong against the run. Regardless of Suh’s impact, Crick showed that he can be a disruptive force.  He is going to face more double teams this season and he needs to find ways to make an impact.  With his physical skills and football smarts there is no doubt that Crick will have a solid season and if he decides to turn pro be a top defensive prospect.

1. Stephen Paea, Oregon state, 6,2″, 310 lbs, Senior.

A native of New Zealand and born on the island chain of Vav’u (within the Tongan Island chain), Paea moved to the United States when he was 16. He did not learn English until he was seventeen, and he is one of the best players in recent Beaver history. He is short but well built, thick bodied but very quick and athletic. He has great penetrating skills and diagnoses plays well. Is more effective when on the move. Never stops hustling. Has quick swim and spin moves. Anticipates the snap well and explode off the football. Plays with good leverage and is able to win most battles with his first two steps. Despite his lack of experience, Paea is very mature on the field. He has played in 26 games over the past two years. He’s destined to become a first-round pick and should play at a high level for many years. Like Haloti Ngata has a rugby playing history and has a chance to break the bench press record in Indy with his strength. He can do 44 reps at 225 lbs consistently. He also has great speed and quickness having clocked a sub 4.9 40 so I can see him having a great combine for sure and elevating himself as one of if not the top defensive prospect in this class. I’m really excited to see him at the next level.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, United Kingdom.

To win games, and ultimately championships, teams must be able to stop the run and pressure the passer, which is why defensive line talent is so important. Much like the 2010 draft class offered defensive line depth, the list of front four prospects for 2011 is also deep. The trickledown effect of a solid defensive line can be immense, including helping defensive backs in coverage.

More and more, teams are looking for linemen who thrive in a 3-4 scheme. In 2001, only one team played a 3-4. In 2007, more than 10 teams used the 3-4 as one of their defenses. This year, the figure has jumped to about 16, with the Washington Redskins among the teams having made the switch. The 12 teams that played in the last six Super Bowls have all had very good defensive lines that produced lots of sacks. Only four of the 12 had less than 40 sacks (2006 and 2009 Colts, 2008 Cardinals and 2009 Saints). The 2007 Giants and 2008 Steelers each had over 50 sacks during the regular season.

For defensive ends, size and long arms are needed on the strongside, while speed is a key trait on the weakside. Defensive ends who can apply pressure from the quarterback’s blindside (Minnesota’s Jared Allen) are a real asset.

Here are my top five Junior and Senior defensive end prospects.

5.  Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson, 6,4″, 275 lbs. Junior.

Two years ago, Da’Quan Bowers  signed as Clemson’s top rated recruit in history. After enrolling into Clemson a semester early, Bowers found himself making an immediate impact in front of the Death Valley faithful. While his numbers in the last two seasons may be a bit disappointing to some, Bowers’ potential stands at a first round caliber for most NFL teams. He spends most of his free time on weekends in the off-season playing guitar in his father’s Gospel band, the “Legendary Singing Stars.” I’m very impressed with his 4.64 40 yard dash.

4. Allen Bailey, Miami (The U), 6,4″, 288 lbs, Senior.

Allen Bailey has not spent much time at defensive tackle, but that has not stopped NFL scouts from drooling over his potential. As a freshman in 2007 he spent most of his time on special teams and played just two downs as a linebacker. In 2008 he started four games at defensive end. However, he would often move to the interior of the line during third down situations. He ended his sophomore campaign with 36 tackles, 9.0 tackles-for-loss and a team high 5.0 sacks. His potential and versatility led to high expectations heading into 2009; Bailey did not disappoint. Bailey’s tackle numbers slipped to 32 during the regular season, but he ended up with 11.0 tackles-for-loss and 7.0 sacks, leading the Hurricanes in both categories. At 6-4 and 288 pounds, Bailey is a fine pass rusher and could be a good tackle in the NFL if he adds some weight. His versatility is a plus, but NFL teams will want him to be either an end or a tackle. For me his best position is the 5 technique defensive end position. I like Hayward and Clayborn in that role also.  Bailey runs a 4.79 – 40.

3. Robert Quinn, North Carolina, 6,5″, 268 lbs, Junior.

Robert Quinn is expected to be the next great pass rusher out of North Carolina since Julius Peppers.  Quinn is a super athletic defensive end that possesses all the physical skills to take over games in the NFL.  Quinn has a rare initial burst off the line which allows him to get into the opponents backfield.  Quinn’s quick burst and overall speed makes him a target for double teams.  However, he has developed several pass rush moves that allow him to get around those double teams.  His 6 forced fumbles last season only enhance his playmaking ability.  Quinn makes his living in the offensive backfield. In high school, he was told he had a brain tumor. Luckily, it was benign and they performed successful surgery to remove it. Quinn hasn’t been slowed by it and there have been no ill effects from it either. It’s not all sunshine and lollipops with him, however. He’s been involved with the talk about ongoing investigations into North Carolina players who might’ve received improper benefits. Right now, it’s too early to tell if it’ll have any affect on his draft status. Either way, there’s a good chance he’ll declare early for the 2011 draft.

2. Cameron Hayward, Ohio state, 6,5″, 285 lbs, Senior.

Cameron Heyward has football in his blood. His father was an NFL running back and his step father was a great college player. Heyward has proven himself to be very versatile for the Buckeyes during his career. He has started games at both defensive end and defensive tackle, with equal success at each position. He became a starter early in his freshman season, finishing with 33 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and forcing a fumble. He followed that up with a solid sophomore campaign where he registered 36 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and forced another fumble. As a junior in 2009, Heyward tallied 46 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks for the Buckeyes. He could play left end in a 4-3 alignment, he can play defensive end in a 3-4 defense, and would also fit well as a defensive tackle in a cover 2 defense. If Heyward had declared, he could have slipped into the late first round, or early in round two. Heyward decided to return to Ohio State for his senior season in an attempt to vault himself higher into the first round in 2011.

1. Adrian Clayborn, Iowa, 6,3″, 285 lbs, Senior.

Adrian Clayborn enjoyed a breakout season last year for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  Clayborn is a quick and athletic defensive end.  He utilizes his speed and athleticism to generate pressure on opposing offenses.  Clayborn does a great job at keeping offensive lineman’s hands off of him which allows him to use his speed to get to the quarterback.  In the situations where a lineman is able to get position, Clayborn is able to use a wide array of pass rush moves.  The thing that makes Clayborn special is his high motor.  He never quits on a play which causes trouble for offenses. He put up 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss last season. He also showed up on the big stage, helping Iowa beat Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Clayborn has all the traits to be a very good player and is an outstanding person. He should go in the top 10 of the 2011 draft. I think he could go 1st overall with his talent. He’s my favourite defensive end at the moment.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, United Kingdom.

Offensive linemen keep getting bigger, faster and stronger and last April’s draft was no exception. Of the 51 offensive linemen at the 2010 NFL Combine, none weighed less than 300 pounds and none measured under 6-foot-2.

For years, everyone heard or read about how important it is to have an outstanding offensive line. To be successful and to have that, you need above average tackles. In the 2008 draft, seven tackles were selected in the first round. All seven started at some time during the 2008 season. Dolphins OT Jake Long (First overall pick) was named to the Pro Bowl following the 2008 season, his first in the NFL.

Former Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews is tied with Merlin Olsen for the most consecutive Pro Bowl selections (14). Matthews played in 296 games — the most in NFL history for a non-specialist.

In this column I will rank my top five offensive tackles and then my top five interior offensive line men.

Here are my top five Junior and Senior offensive tackle prospects.

5. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi state, 6,6″, 305 lbs. Senior.

Derek Sharrod caught my eye during a game that was on 1.00 am u.k time last season and I could not sleep afterwards out of excitement from watching him play. He was that good. He was an All-American candidate headed into this season and was a heavily recruited high school lineman who broke into Mississippi State’s rotation at the line of scrimmage as a true freshman. Sharrod has played in 34 of a possible 37 games for the Bulldogs. He might be the best pass-blocking left tackle in the SEC in my opinion and that is saying something, as the conference is loaded with talented senior offensive linemen. I rated Sherrod as the 4th best senior prospect in the SEC conference, regardless of position entering the year. He could be the first Bulldog drafted in the first round since 1994. He has long arms and good upper body strength to jolt the defender. Sherrod plays on the balls of his feet and has good lateral agility and balance to mirror pass-rushers, including linebackers coming on the blitz. He plays with leverage and has the impressive core strength to handle the bull-rush. As a run-blocker, Sherrod relies more on positioning and athleticism than pure strength. While he can knock the defender back with his initial surge, Sherrod doesn’t currently possess the elite power to drive his opponent downfield. I’d like to see him play with a little more nastiness, as well. Too often Sherrod seemed content with pushing his opponent initially, but not dominating as consistently as his size, power and technique advantage would make seem possible. Sherrod’s athleticism, however, does make him a quality zone-blocking candidate. He is often asked to pull in this scheme, showing good agility and straight-line speed in getting to the second level.

4. Gabe Carimi. Wisconsin, 6,7″ 320 lbs, Senior.

Gabe Carimi isn’t one of the more well known offensive line prospects, but (like Bulaga and Calloway of Iowa) he comes from a program that consistently churns out a lot of very good linemen to the NFL. Carimi took over for former first round pick Joe Thomas at Wisconsin, starting at left tackle as a redshirt freshman. Carimi isn’t quite the athlete Thomas was, but he is a solid pass blocker. He is however a very dominating run blocker from the left tackle spot. He has quick feet for a huge man, and uses his long arms to lock onto defenders and force them out of plays while pass blocking. He loves to get to the second level in the run game and continue blocking downfield. Carimi started all 13 games for the Badgers as a freshman, but missed three games last year with minor injuries. Carimi would fit best on a team that relies heavily on the run, as that is the strength of his game. Depending upon what team drafts him, he could be moved to right tackle (where he would be an absolute force, and it would take pressure off of him as a rookie). He does however, have all the tools to succeed at left tackle in the future. Carimi was likely to be a second round pick if he had declared this year. I thought it was wise that Carimi  decided to return to Wisconsin for his senior season, and now because of this should be one of the top tackles available in 2011.

3. Anthony Costanzo, Boston College, 6,7″, 300 lbs. Senior.

As a long time supporter of the NFL from Wales in the u.k I have corresponded with many analysts from the states and one of my favourite people in the industry is Gil Brandt and he raves about Costanzo. Gil has him as his top offensive line prospect, so that is a huge compliment and to be honest I don’t think there is much between these top three tackles. Costanzo has played and started since his true freshman year in 2007. He played right tackle in 2007 and left tackle the past two years, totaling 41 starts in that time. He was All-ACC in 2009, and is also a very smart (he’s a biochemistry major) athlete with quick feet and long arms. He should be a top-10 pick in the 2011 draft in my opinion.

2. Matt Raynolds. BYU. 6,6″, 322 lbs, Junior.

BYU has not had a player selected in the first round of the NFL draft since 2000, when linebacker Rob Morris was picked No. 28 overall by the Indianapolis Colts. Matt Raynolds will be the next If he enters early. I think he has the chance to be the first tackle taken in the 2011 draft.  He has prototype size for an NFL Tackle.  Very mature young man, he went on his Mormon mission to Germany from 2005-2007.  Matt has strong football bloodlines as his father Lance was an offensive lineman at BYU and the NFL, brothers  Lance and Dallas also started for the Cougars offensive line, and even younger brother Houston is an offensive lineman at BYU.  He has a punch in his pass protection that is a definite strength, he derailed many opponents with it last year, including Oklahoma DE Auston English multiple times.  His thick base is also a strength against power rushers.  Only the second sophomore to make Mountain West Conference first team all conference in the short history of the MWC. Playing in the Mountain West Conference doesn’t allow Matt to face high level opponents every week, so comparing him to other top tackles is difficult at this time.  I have noticed a few cons as I do with every player I look at. With Matt I think his back pedal in the pass pro is sometimes very sloppy against quicker opponents.  His run blocking can look like a lean sometimes as he just uses his size to overwhelm opponents.  This will not happen in the NFL but with work he can overcome this with his talent and great work ethic.

1. Nate Solder. Colorado, 6,8″, 320 lbs. Senior.

Solder is a fifth-year player who started four games at tight end in 2007. He will be starting his third year at left tackle. Solder has gained over 60 pounds since coming to Colorado and he can run the 40-yard dash in under 4.9 seconds. His speed is one of the reasons I have him at one as I learned a lot from the rise of Trent Williams last year who I compare to Solder. He has the long arms and great footwork necessary to play the tackle position really well. He needs to develop more strength, which will come and I think he should play for a long time in the pros, and at a high level. I have not seen him ranked one on any other board so i’m looking forward to seeing how things go between now and the draft next April. I just love former tight ends who switch to tackle. That great footwork is a massive advantage and I think Solder has made the switch perfectly with the time he’s had now in the tackle position. I’m really high on this one.

INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINE MEN, MY TOP FIVE.

5. John Moffitt. Wisconsin, 6,4″, 323 lbs. Senior.

My reasons for having Moffitt in at five ahead of the likes of Ziemba, Schilling, Cannon, O’Dowd, Potter and Ijalana are way to far fetched to post on here but just know I do prefer Moffitt and let’s just leave it at that. Moffitt is able to play center or guard and his 5.26 – 40 is the only reason I don’t have him ranked higher. Many analysts have Moffitt going in the 4th or 5th round at the moment but I would bet any of them he goes in the first three. If he works hard and the right team spots him for his skill set in their system I believe he could go in the first round in my opinion. He’s worth keeping an eye on. Moffitt teams with Carimi to lead the way for Clay in Wisconsin. He’s a massive reason behind Clay’s success.

4. Rodney Hudson. Florida state, 6,2″, 282 lbs, Senior.

Rodney Hudson was named the ACC Lineman of the Week, after producing a season-high grade of 94-percent in the win against BYU. He won the ACC Jacobs Award last year as the league’s best offensive lineman. Hudson matched a career high with 10 knockdown blocks in a near-perfectA four-year player who started 10 games in 2007, Hudson gave up a sack in his first game as a starter, then went 16 consecutive games without giving up a sack. He plays guard at Florida State, but I’m not sure center wouldn’t be his best position in the NFL. Hudson’s potential is limited by his small frame, but he is a very good athlete. He would fit in great to a zone blocking scheme in my opinion as a center I would prefer.

3. Mike Brewster, Ohio state, 6,5″, 295 lbs, Junior.

Michael Brewster is already a two year starter entering his junior year, and he’s shown great potential for the next level. Brewster possesses great mobility and instincts, and has turned into a leader on a young and developing line. He is a dominating drive blocker that once he locks up on you it’s all over. Brewster has super leg drive and is overpowering at the point of attack. Equally impressive is the way he blocks on the move when pulling and trapping. Brewster shows excellent quickness for a big man and is tough even when he gets to the second level. You also have to love Brewster’s motor as he plays until the whistle blows. He is always moving and attacking. I think he will be a first or early second round pick as a center.

2. Mike Pouncey. Florida. 6,5″, 315 lbs, Senior.

Like his brother I think he will be a first round pick. I don’t think his bad snaps will hurt him as I project him to be a guard in the NFL but he will perfect his snapping regardless as he needs to be versatile. Pouncey played on the offensive line in high school, but he was moved to defensive tackle during his freshman season at Florida. A versatile lineman, Pouncey switched back to offensive guard prior to his sophomore campaign and, along with twin brother Maurkice, he has been a mainstay of Florida’s offensive line ever since. Pouncey helped pave the way for a dynamic offense in 2008 en route to an undefeated season and National Championship. More of the same continued this season, even though 2009 ended in disappointment with a loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship. The Gator offense finished first in the conference in an incredible amount of categories, including total yards (5,751, or 442.4 per game), rushing yards (2,928), and rushing yards per carry (5.6). He was a Second Team All-SEC selection by the conference’s coaches in 2008 and this season he was named to the All-SEC First Team by both the coaches and the media. Pouncey stands at 6’5 and 320 pounds, perhaps ever so slightly bigger than his brother. Mike is not quite as agile as Maurkice, Mike has been clocked at 5.29 in the 40-yard dash and generally runs in the 5.3s. He does not have the pass-blocking skills necessary to be an elite tackle in the NFL, but he has the ability to be a major force in the running game at guard and I see him being a first round pick as a guard.

1. Stefen Wisniewski. Penn state, 6,3″, 298 lbs. Senior.

Stefen Wisniewski joins a talented crop of interior linemen in the 2011 NFL Draft.  He is a seasoned player that possesses a lot of strength and the necessary athletic ability to succeed at the next level.  Wisniewski has been starting since his freshman season at Penn State where he was the recipient of excellent coaching.  He utilizes his above average strength to drive defenders backwards and open up holes for the running backs.  He isn’t the fastest lineman but he has good quickness that allows him to get out in front of the back when he is required to pull.  Wisniewski has rotated back and forth from guard and center during his career at Penn State.  His versatility is a major positive in the eyes of NFL scouts.  Wisniewski also brings a ton of leadership to the table, he was credited with helping bring along a young Penn State offensive line last season. Overall Wisniewski’s combination of quickness and strength will prevail over the concerns about his size.  He has the skills to hold down a guard or center spot in the NFL for 10 plus seasons, while providing great leadership. I think he will be a top 20 pick in April.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, U.K.

Speed is important at the wide receiver position, but the ability to run routes (Steve Largent and Wes Welker for example), have a burst (Jerry Rice) and catch the quick slant for a first down to keep a drive alive (Michael Irvin and Cris Carter) are all important as well. Speed is an important trait for success because it makes it possible to stretch the field. It’s not often that you find a receiver that can run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash after the third round of the draft these days.

Wide receiver is a position in which players selected after the first round have a chance to play at a high level. Chad Ochocinco, Anquan Boldin, Sidney Rice and DeSean Jackson were all second-round picks while Steve Smith (Carolina), Hines Ward and Mike Wallace went in the third round. Brandon Marshall went in the fourth round, Donald Driver in the seventh while Miles Austin and Welker weren’t even drafted.

Since the common draft began in 1967, only two WRs have been selected first overall: Irving Fryar (1984) and Keyshawn Johnson (1996)). Both caught over 800 passes and recorded over 10,000 receiving yards. Here are my top five senior and junior prospects.

5.  Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, 6,3″, 220 lbs, Junior.

Michael Floyd is one of the top prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft.  While at Notre Dame Floyd has developed into one of the top receivers in the country.  He possesses great size at 6-3 and 220lbs, he utilities that size to make a lot of big plays.  Floyd has great body control and uses that and his size to pluck jump balls out of the air.  Floyd threatens the defense with his ability to make plays deep down the field.  All of these skills would mean less if it weren’t for his impressive hands.  Another thing that helps Floyd’s stock is the fact that he has experience in Charlie Weiss’s pro style offense. Floyd is usually a mismatch against smaller corners. He is very explosive off the snap and is physical enough to beat a jam. He has outstanding ball skills and is always a threat down field. Floyd is deceptively quick for his size.

4. Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, 5,9″, 178 lbs, Junior.

One of my favourite players in the game and he can do it all. I honestly think he could go in the first round as a corner back if he wanted to but he’s such a great weapon on offense it’s almost a waste of talent not to see him with the ball in his hands. With Landry Jones throwing to him this season it would not surprise me if he’s in New york for the Heisman ceremony. Last year he set an OU season record with 89 receptions and tied TD mark at 15 . He was a great high school corner and had 73 tackles and 6 interceptions as a senior and came into college football as one of the top corners in the country. He’s also a dynamic kick returner and along with his many other skills, Scouts will love this about him. He’s just a really exciting player and with what guys like Harvin, Cribbs and McCluster and co are doing on a Sunday I don’t think Broyles who is similar to these will get out of the first round if he decides to turn pro next April. I just can’t wait to see him at the next level.

3. A.J. Green. Georgia, 6,4″, 205 lbs, Junior.

Suspended for the first four games for selling a jersey to someone the NCAA says qualifies as an agent. Green sold his Independence Bowl game jersey for $1,000 but gave the money to charity. I’m not holding this against him as a flaw in my evaluation of him. He has great height for a wide out and he uses that height and excellent body control to come down with the ball in most jump ball situations.  This skill comes in handy with deep balls and in the Red Zone.  Green possesses superior speed which only enhances his big play ability.  Although he is only entering his Junior season he has a lot of game experience.  He has performed well under pressure at a very young age and that speaks well for his character.  Green also benefits from playing in Georgia’s pro style offense. Green has the size and physical skills needed to be a great NFL wide out.  He will continue to improve and should have a solid season. After playing for one of the most decorated high school programs in South Carolina (Summerville HS), He came to the Bulldog program as one of its top rated recruits ever. It could be argued that he was the school’s most highly regarded wide out since former star WR Andre Hastings, who was the number one recruit in the nation when coming out of Morrow, GA. Green is tall, athletic, possesses fine stride length and can adjust to nearly any ball. He should go early if he decides to turn pro. I think he will. He runs a 4.4 sec 40 yard dash. That’s great for his size.

2. Julio Jones, Alabama, 6,4″, 220 lbs, Junior.

If you watch college football you have heard the name Julio Jones.  Jones has been leading the Alabama receiving team since his freshman season.  Jones is a tall and athletic receiver.  He uses his good size and excellent body control to make plays on jump balls.  Jones utilizes his speed and elusiveness to find cracks in the opponent’s defense.  Jones excels with the ball in his hand and often breaks many tackles on his way to gaining extra yardage.  Jones isn’t afraid to take big hits and makes a lot of his catches in the middle of the field where massive linebackers wait.  Jones has been starting since his freshman season and has excelled under the immense pressure at Alabama.  His ability to perform under pressure will help with his transition to the NFL.  Alabama runs a pro style offense so that will limit some of the adjustments Jones has to make. It was a tough task for me to rank these top 3 as all have similar attributes. I have Jones a little ahead of Green at the moment due to what I think he has physically over Green. I think Jones will be a little better after the catch at the next level. Like Green, Julio runs a great 40 time for his size and has also clocked a 4.4 sec 40 yard dash at 220 lbs. Incredible athlete. Should be a top 15 pick if he decides to turn pro next April.

1. Jon Baldwin. Pittsburgh, 6,5″ 225 lbs, Junior.

When you look at Jonathan Baldwin the first thing you notice is his unbelievable size.  At 6-5 Baldwin is an immediate mismatch for most cornerbacks.  Not only is Baldwin tall but he also possesses great strength.  His size and strength allow him to make plays on jump balls and in tight coverage.  Those skills also make him a great Red Zone threat.  When watching video of Baldwin another thing that jumped out at me is that he always gets the ball at its highest point and doesn’t allow the ball to get to his chest.  Baldwin also excels at finding the opening in a defensive zone and settles nicely in those openings. I mentioned I was impressed with Julio Jones and A.J Green running good 40 yard dash times, Well Baldwin has clocked faster in the 4.4 range and at 225 lbs it’s going to be very impressive to scout’s coaches and G.M’s next April.  With Baldwin’s great size and strength he is a quarterback’s best friend.  He will make plays on a lot of poorly thrown balls.  A quarterback can count on Baldwin to be the first to touch the ball in a jump situation. He flashes the skills of Larry Fitzgerald in that Pittsburgh uni and I often have to look twice to check it’s not Fitzgerald on some old footage I have. I think Baldwin could be a top five pick when all is said and done. He’s my favourite receiver in the college game and I expect him to decide to turn pro next season with the talent level of this senior class of receivers. Can’t wait to see him on Sunday’s also.

Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales.

To play the tight end position in the NFL, you need to be able to block in the running game and catch in the passing game. Tight ends will line up outside to try and create matchup problems in pass coverage. They will also line up in the backfield and force coverage by linebackers or to help block blitzers.

Here are my top five junior and senior prospects.

5. George Bryan, North Carolina state, 6.5″, 265lbs, Junior.

One of the few bright spots in what was an overall disappointing 2009 campaign for the Wolfpack was the development of Bryan. He displayed some flashes in his red-shirt freshman season, but really started coming into his own during his sophomore campaign; he tied with wide out Owen Spencer for second on the club in touchdown receptions. Bryan is the perfect complement to receivers Spencer and Jarvis Williams, providing quarterback Russell Wilson with another option in the passing game. The North Carolina native has solid hands and above average quickness for a man of his size, and continues to improve his route-running skills. He can be a real weapon in the middle of the field and is especially dangerous in the red zone. Bryan (6’5” and 265 pounds) is blessed the type of size NFL teams crave in their tight ends and is far from a one-dimensional player. While he has room to grow as a receiver and a blocker, Bryan was a first team All-ACC performer in his first full season as a starter. That growth is expected to continue during his junior season and he will be a key cog in what could be the conference’s top passing attack.

4. Weslye Saunders, South Carolina, 6,6″, 273 lbs, Senior.

I had Saunders ranked second in this list about a month ago but Saunders was interviewed earlier this summer by NCAA investigators regarding a trip he took to Miami and whether it was funded by agents. He’s also one of at least nine South Carolina players who was living at the Whitney Hotel, which has come under NCAA scrutiny. So I had to re evaluate his off field mind set. Saunders played as a true freshman in 2007 and has started 13 games going into the 2010 season. He is a very difficult matchup in the passing game because of his size and speed. Saunders has the toughness needed to be a good blocker in the running game so on the field he is very impressive.

3. D,J Williams. Arkansas, 6,2″, 251 lbs, Senior.

Williams is more of an H-back than a tight end. He’s not the type of blocker you need to be successful in the running game. Much like Colts TE Dallas Clark, Williams lines up all over the field and uses his speed (4.55 40-yard dash) and hands to create matchup problems for the defense. He could eventually be a first round pick if he works hard on his blocking skills. Great athlete.

2. Luke Stockar, Tennessee, 6,5″, 253 lbs, Senior.

A fifth-year senior who will be starting for the third consecutive year at the tight end position, Stocker has improved a great deal over the last three seasons. He is more of a blocker than a receiver, but he has athletic ability. A former defensive lineman in high school, Stocker is tough and smart; very smart. He’s a great prospect and should be a great player in the NFL. I think he could go in the first round but like Williams he has to continue to get better.

1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame, 6,6″ 260 lbs, Junior.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a long history of developing high draft picks at the tight end position. Most recently John Carlson (2008) and Anthony Fasano (2006) were second round picks, and in 1992 and 1993 they produced back-to-back first-round selections in Derek Brown and Irv Smith, with Monty Stickles going in the first round back in 1960. The next in line figures to be Rudolph, who combines the prototypical size (6’6” and 265 pounds) and brute strength of an in-line blocker with the skill of a pass-catcher. The Cincinnati native can be a true weapon through the air with his soft hands, ability to make catches on the run, and the toughness to secure the football in traffic. His wingspan also provides the quarterback with a big target as he is able to make plays on passes that are wide as well as high. The security blanket is at his best in third-down situations. Despite missing the final three games of the 2009 season due to a shoulder injury, Rudolph was the lone sophomore to be a John Mackey Award semifinalist and is the only nominee to return in 2010. So he is not only the top junior prospect at the tight end position, but many believe he will be the first tight end selected should he declare for the 2011 NFL Draft. To do so, he will have to build on his sophomore success and recover fully from the shoulder injury, which needed off-season surgery. If Rudolph has the type of year he is capable of as the Irish’s second option behind Michael Floyd, the versatile tight end could vault into the first round.

By Rhodri Jones.

Tredegar, Wales, U.K.