Mitchell & Ford’s Top 32 NFL Prospects

Myself and another writer, Brady Ford, decided to put together both of our big boards for the 2010 NFL draft. We put together lists of our top 32 available players at this point. Mine is on top, and his on the bottom. Hope you enjoy, and we appreciate any feedback you may have.

 

John Mitchell:

 

1. 1.      Ndamukong Suh (DT/Nebraska)—For the first half of the season, I held Ndamukong Suh as the Heisman frontrunner. That was until Nebraska fell off a bit, but Suh is still a great player. He has the NFL size, and good quickness for a guy over 300 pounds. He’s a very good run stopper, and he is good at pressuring the QB. He also has a knack for getting his
   

   Both writers agree that Suh is the #1 draft prospect.

   hands in the way, and deflecting passes. Suh is better suited in a 4-3 scheme, and I believe he is the best player in the 2010 draft.

2. 2.      Eric Berry (S/Tennessee)*– You can consider Eric Berry 1A, because I had to think for a while before giving the nod to Suh, and it is by the slightest margin. Eric Berry is one of the best safety prospects I have seen. He reminds me a lot of Ed Reed. He has great instincts, and reads the play well; it sometimes looks as if he knows what the QB is thinking. Berry is a superb athlete, who is a threat to take it back for a touchdown every time he intercepts a pass. He hits hard, and it is difficult to point out a weakness in his game.
3. 3.      Russell Okung (OT/Oklahoma State)—I have Russell Okung as the top rated offensive lineman in the coming draft. He is likely to be a top 5 pick, and I think he is very deserving. He has great footwork, and pass blocks just as well as he run blocks. He is very strong, and will not be overwhelmed by quick DE’s off the edge. Okung is a four year starter and a prototypical NFL left tackle.
4. 4.      Gerald McCoy (DT/Oklahoma)*– Gerald McCoy may be the second best DT prospect for the 2010 draft if he declares, which he is likely to do so, but he may not be the second guy taken. It depends on whether a team needs a 3-4 nose tackle, or a 4-3 DT. McCoy is a 4-3 DT. McCoy is great at getting past double teams, and pressures the QB well. He has good size and quickness and shouldn’t have much of a problem adapting to the pro game. Not a whole lot separates him from Ndamukong Suh.
5. 5.      Rolando McClain (ILB/Alabama)*– Rolando McClain is going to be a star in the NFL. I believe he is the best linebacker available if he declares, and has a very bright future. Scouts have been salivating over McClain for a couple years now. His football IQ is extremely high. He is a sure tackler, and a natural leader. He reads the offense better than anyone I’ve
   

   Rolando McClain has a bright NFL future

   seen. He is a coach on the field, and one of the smartest football players you will ever see. He has great size and speed, and he is going to be an All Pro linebacker.

6. 6.      Derrick Morgan (DE/Georgia Tech)*—Derrick Morgan’s draft stock has skyrocketed. Coming into the season, he wasn’t a player on most NFL team’s radar, but after exploding in his junior season, he is ready to cash in. Morgan has 13 sacks so far this season. He has great speed off the edge, and strong footwork. If he decides to come out early, which is very likely, he looks to be the top defensive end available at this point in my opinion.
7. 7.      Joe Haden (CB/Florida)*-- Another top underclass prospect. Haden is the best cornerback in the draft in my opinion if he comes out early. Haden has great speed, and will not be blown away by any receiver. He also recovers well, and reads the play. He is a bit undersized at 5’11, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with his instincts. He’s has a solid junior season in Gainesville, and I believe he has a bright future in the NFL.
8. 8.      Jimmy Clausen (QB/Notre Dame)*-- Clausen has put together a brilliant junior season for the Irish. He has completed 67% of his passes and has thrown for over 3000 yards with 21 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. He has a very strong arm, and excellent accuracy. He has the NFL size, and plays in a pro style offense at Notre Dame, so scouts don’t have to worry about him making the change to that kind of offense in the pros. I have Jimmy Clausen narrowly edging out Sam
   

   John thinks Jimmy Clausen is the top QB in this draft class

   Bradford as the top QB prospect.

9. 9.      Sam Bradford (QB/Oklahoma)*-- Like I said, I have Clausen narrowly ahead of Bradford. The main reason is Bradford’s durability may now be a question. He had season ending shoulder surgery that ended his junior season at Oklahoma. He should be back and healthy in time for the combine, where he has a chance to jump Clausen. Bradford has good arm strength, and the NFL size. He is a very good decision maker, and he has all the tools to be a successful NFL QB. He does come from a spread offense, and we have seen QB’s from those kind of offenses have trouble learning a pro offense.

10.  Carlos Dunlap (DE/Florida)*-- Dunlap will either be a boom or a bust, there isn’t much in between. He has a ton of potential and all the physical tools to be an elite defensive end in the NFL. He has prototypical size measuring up to that of Mario Williams. He has good burst off the edge and uses his size and strength very well. If he has a good combine, he could easily jump into the top 5. But, the negative with Dunlap is his work ethic has been questioned, and he has been labeled as lazy. Dunlap has almost unlimited upside. Best case scenario you get a Mario Williams type player, and worst case, you get a Calais Campbell type player.

11.  CJ Spiller (RB/Clemson)—I think Spiller is the best RB in this draft class by a wide margin. Some have compared Spiller to Marshall Faulk, and that is some elite company for Spiller. He is an electrifying player, with great speed, and he can make people miss in space better than anyone. He can run the ball, but he is also a great receiving back. He is also a great kickoff returner. He will bring a lot to the table to any team that drafts him.

12.  Navorro Bowman (OLB/Penn State)*-- Bowman is just another great linebacker to come through Penn State. He is a tackling machine. He has accumulated 7 or more tackles in every game he played this season but one. He has sideline to sideline ability, and the NFL size. He will likely declare early for the NFL Draft, and will probably be the second linebacker taken after Rolando McClain.

13.  Dez Braynt (WR/Oklahoma State)*-- The NCAA ended Dez Bryant junior season, and likely his college career altogether, because he will enter the NFL Draft. Bryant is a very talented athlete with great hands and leaping ability. He has very good size, and is extremely dangerous in the open field. His route running could use some improving, but he could also be a threat returning punts. I think Dez Bryant will amaze scouts at the combine, and I believe he is the top WR available in this draft class.

14.  Taylor Mays (S/USC)—I used to be really high on Mays, thinking he was just a step behind Eric Berry. I’ve since changed my stance, and now think he is way behind Berry. Mays is a gifted athlete with good size, strength, and speed, but he does have some things that need working on. He isn’t a sure tackler, and sometimes uses the wrong technique. He doesn’t possess the same football instincts as Berry, and goes for the big hit way too often. Mays is a good player, but not on the same level. He is still worth a look in the middle of the first round.

15.  Trent Williams (OT/Oklahoma)—Trent Williams was the lone returning starter on the Sooners’ offensive line this season. He’s had another good season, and is set to cash in like his fellow lineman did last season. Williams has great size and is very strong. He can push people off the line, and has the lateral movement to take on fast defensive ends in the NFL. He isn’t quite the same player as Okung, but he has a good shot at being a top 10 pick because he seems to be the second best offensive lineman in the draft class.

16.   Earl Thomas (S/Texas)*-- Thomas is a third year sophomore, so he is eligible to come out this season. Some people have Thomas ranked ahead of Taylor Mays, but I can’t go that far. I do think he is going to be a solid starting safety in the NFL though. He has a nose for the ball, and is an interception machine. He’s picked off six passes this year, and performs his best in the big games.

17.  Jermaine Gresham (TE/Oklahoma)—I said last year that Gresham was one of the best tight end prospects I had ever seen.

I hold on to that statement. Gresham is an absolute beast. He has great size and speed for as big as he is. He is a sure handed receiver, and is tough to bring down in the open field. Knee problems ended his season, but he should still be the top tight end taken this year. I think he is going to be a star in the NFL and an All Pro TE

18.  Jahvid Best (RB/California)*-- Best reminds me a lot of Chris Johnson, and what team wouldn’t want that kind of back in their backfield? Best has great speed, and is very elusive in the open field. He has averaged over seven yards per carry in his career in California. I expect him to declare early, and I see him as the second best running back prospect behind CJ Spiller.

19.  Sean Weatherspoon (OLB/Missouri)—Another player that has been extremely productive in college. He has the versatility to play any of the linebacker positions in the NFL. He is a tackling machine, and has very good speed for a linebacker, and can make tackles sideline to sideline.

20.  Greg Hardy (DE/Mississippi)—Hardy is another boom or bust prospect. He could be a great defensive end for a decade, or he could find himself buried on a depth chart in a few years. He has great sideline to sideline speed, and can be relentless at rushing the QB. Durability is an issue for Hardy though. He has struggled with injuries with the Rebels, and takes some plays off sometimes. If he can stay healthy and play with that relentless fire that we have seen, then he could be a Pro bowler in the NFL.

21.  Jason Pierre-Paul (DE/South Florida)*—Who would have thought that Pierre-Paul would be drafted ahead of George Selvie? Pierre-Paul’s draft stock has skyrocketed this season, and a lot of NFL scouts are raving about him. He has great NFL size and great speed off the edge rushing the passer. He is explosive, and a natural pass rusher. 

22.  Brandon LaFell (WR/LSU)—I love Brandon LaFell as a WR prospect. I have him higher than Arrelious Benn. LaFell has great hands, and is a superb route runner. When it comes to running routes, he is better than my top WR Dez Bryant. LaFell has been

really productive at LSU, and he will be productive for whichever NFL team drafts him.

23.  Terrence Cody (DT/Alabama)—Cody would be higher, but he is likely just going to be a two down nose tackle in the NFL. For teams that need a 3-4 nose tackle, he is definitely worth the pick in the first round. I think at some point he could be able to stay on the field every down. You can not block him with one man, and he is used to the double teams. He is great at stopping the run, and is a great asset to have on special teams during field goal attempts. He plays with great heart and is a vocal leader. He has worked hard to get his weight down with Alabama. Nose tackles of his size are at a premium, so he should see a look sometime in the first twenty picks.

24.  Arrelious Benn (WR/Illinois)*-- Benn’s production is down this year, but that is not all his fault. Illinois has had QB problems all year. Benn is a prototypical possession receiver. He has the NFL size and very reliable hands. Benn is also a very good route runner, and is great at moving the chains. He doesn’t have the breakaway speed, and he hasn’t been a big time touchdown threat in his career at Illinois with just six touchdown catches in his three years with the Illini.

25.  Brandon Spikes (ILB/Florida)—Spikes has great size and strength. His senior season has been down from expectations, and his stock has taken a hit because of it, along with some labeling him as a dirty player due to the eye gouging incident against Georgia. He’s got good speed. He is a few steps behind the top ILB in this class in Rolando McClain.

26.  Charles Brown (OT/USC)—The former tight end turn offensive tackle is about to cash in on his decision to become an offensive tackle. He is very athletic and will likely amaze scouts at the combine. He is one of the best offensive tackle prospects in this draft class.

27.  Jake Locker (QB/Washington)*-- I feel like I’m one of the few people not on the Jake Locker bandwagon. A lot of people are hyping him up as the best QB in this draft class, and I just haven’t seen anything to make me jolt him over Clausen or Bradford. He is

a good athlete with solid arm strength, but he does sometimes have a problem reading the defense and that leads to a bad throw or a turnover. He definitely has the tools to have success, but I’m not completely sold on him.

28.  Brandon Graham (DE/Michigan)—Graham has been really productive at Michigan over his career. For some reason, I don’t really like him as a pro prospect. He doesn’t have great size or speed off the edge. It is possible that he makes a switch to outside linebacker in the pros.

29.  Nate Allen (S/South Florida)—A big senior season has sent Allen’s draft stock rising. He has good speed, and reads the offense well. He has been very productive at South Florida, and could see himself jump into the first round of the draft this season.

30.  Everson Griffen (DE/USC)*– Griffen’s production has gone up every year at USC. He’s gotten seven sacks so far this season. Griffen may need to wait another year before declaring for the draft, but with the fear of the salary cap, he may want to cash in while he’s got the chance.

31.  Bruce Carter (OLB/North Carolina)*-- Another player that would probably be better suited to stay in school one more year, but will likely come out because of the salary cap fear. Carter has a good chance at being a first round draft pick this coming season with a good combine.

32.  Sergio Kindle (OLB/Texas)— Kindle split time as a DE and an OLB while at Texas, but he will be an outside linebacker in the pros. He’s seen his stock fall a bit because of a lack of hustle, and his struggling to shed blockers. His production is down this season as well. He still has a chance at being a first round draft pick if he has a good combine.

 

 

Brady Ford:

 

1. 1.      Ndamukong Suh (DT/Nebraska)–Suh has been the most impressive defensive player this season, in my opinion.  It’s one thing to make your mark on a game, but Suh has dominated games.  He is an amazing force that makes doing anything behind the line of scrimmage difficult for the offense.
2. 2.      Eric Berry (S/Tennessee)--Eric Berry is a do-it-all safety.  He doesn’t really have any weaknesses.  He’s great in run support, coverage, and can even rush the passer when asked.  We could very well be looking at the next Ed Reed.
3. 3.      Russell Okung (OT/Oklahoma State)--I really like Russell Okung.  I think he’ll be a franchise left tackle for a decade
   

   Eric Berry has drawn Ed Reed comparisons

   or so.  He’s good at run blocking, but where he really makes his mark is pass protection.  At this, I’d say he’s the best in the nation.

4. 4.      Gerald McCoy (DT/Oklahoma)-- McCoy is a very good player in the same vein as Ndamukong Suh.  The reason I have McCoy at 4 is because I haven’t seen him take over a game quite like Suh has.  He’ll still be a very good pro.
5. 5.      Sam Bradford (QB/Oklahoma)--Bradford’s a bit difficult to evaluate because of his injury-riddled junior season, but I’m expecting him to bounce back to the player he was in OU’s amazing 2008 campaign.  Obviously, if there are any setbacks with the injury, he could fall down this list.  But as of now, I’m keeping him here.
6. 6.      Rolando McClain (ILB/Alabama)--McClain reminds me of Jerod Mayo.  I believe he has the potential to play ILB in the 3-4 or 4-3, as well as OLB in the 4-3.  In addition to being a good athlete, McClain is a very smart player, as he controls Alabama’s complex 3-4 defense masterfully.  Because of this, he’ll be able to contribute immediately at the next level.
7. 7.      Carlos Dunlap (DE/Florida)-- Dunlap clearly has the potential to be a terrific defensive end.  With his size and
   

   Brady thinks Bradford is still the top QB prospect

   athleticism, he reminds me of Richard Seymour.  I’d have him higher if it weren’t for his lack of elite production.  6 sacks is certainly not bad, but you’d expect more.

8. 8.      Joe Haden (CB/Florida)-- Haden has solidified himself as the top corner in this draft.  He’s very good in coverage and has 4.4 speed.  He’s also good against the run for a corner.
9. 9.      Derrick Morgan (DE/Georgia Tech)–Morgan is possibly the most feared pass rusher in the nation right now.  He has 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks.  He’s proven himself unblockable in college football.  He’d be a little higher, but he doesn’t have the elite size and athleticism that Carlos Dunlap does.

10.   Dez Bryant (WR/Oklahoma State)-- Despite missing much of his junior season, Bryant is the top WR prospect.  He’s big and makes touch catches.  The thing with Bryant is his lack of elite speed.  He’ll probably run in the 4.5s, which isn’t terrible, but it could lead to trouble if he doesn’t run crisp routes.

11.   Jimmy Clausen (QB/Notre Dame)–Clausen has been very impressive this season.  He’s completing over 2/3 of his passes and has thrown 21 TD and just 4 interceptions.  He’s made big strides each of the last two years.  He should be a good pro.

12.   Taylor Mays (S/USC)-- Taylor Mays may be the best athlete in this class.  He has the speed of corner with the strength of a linebacker.  He’s only #12 because of a senior season that’s been disappointing so far.  USC’s defense has fallen apart, and he hasn’t done much to keep it together.  Too often he seems to be chasing the big hit instead of playing sound defense.

13.   Sean Weatherspoon (OLB/Missouri)-- Witherspoon has been extremely productive at Mizzou, racking up over 200 solo tackles over the last 3 years, 40.5 for loss, 11 sacks, and 4 interceptions.  I believe he has the versatility to play any linebacker position.

14.   CJ Spiller (RB/Clemson)-- Spiller is an electric playmaker.  He can run the ball, catch the ball out of the backfield, and not just in the flat, but past the line of scrimmage in routes, and he’s a great kick returner.  I’d have him higher, but I’m not certain he

can be a 20 carry a game back.

15.  Brandon Graham (DE/Michigan)--Brandon Graham is an elite pass rusher who has been very productive at Michigan.  Over the past 3 seasons, he has 50.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks.  He’d be up with Morgan and Dunlap, but he doesn’t have their great size or athleticism.

16.   Charles Brown (OT/USC)--Brown would make Charles Schulz proud.  He reminds me of Jason Smith of Baylor from last year.  Both are former tight ends with great athleticism for the position, and expect that both will have risen very high in their final year.  While I don’t think Brown will pass Okung as the top tackle taken, I think he could be a top 10, or even top 5 pick if he continues to progress.

17.   Jermaine Gresham (TE/Oklahoma)--Gresham has missed the season with injury, but I’m not going to drop him.  He showed his amazing talent in 2008, and I doubt that’s gone away.  He has the potential to join the ranks of the elite receiving tight ends.  With his size and speed, he is a matchup nightmare.

18.   Brandon Spikes (ILB/Florida)--Spikes is a very solid linebacker.  He doesn’t really have any weaknesses as a player, except maybe his temper.  Ow, my eye!  I’m not supposed to get a finger in it.

19.   Jonathan Dwyer (RB/Georgia Tech)-- Dwyer is the best pure rusher in this draft.  He’s big and powerful, and also has above average speed.  The only problem is that the option offense makes it a little more difficult to evaluate him.  I think he’ll be a very good starter for several years.

20.  Earl Thomas (S/Texas)–Thomas, though just a red shirt sophomore, has proven himself to be an effective ball hawk.  He has 6 interceptions, 2 of which he has returned for touchdowns.  He has a bright future.

21.   Jared Odrick (DT/Penn State)--Odrick has been a big riser.  This season, he has 10 tackles for loss, 6 sacks.  Odrick’s ability to wreak havoc has led to double teams, which has led to opportunities for his teammates.  I expect his penchant for disruption to carry over to the NFL.

22.   Jahvid Best (RB/California)--Best is one of the most exciting players in this draft.  He is an electric playmaker and is a home run threat every time he touches the ball.  The main concern for Best is whether or not he can be a 20 carry a game back, same with Spiller.

23.   Colt McCoy (QB/Texas)--McCoy may not have the arm strength that scouts drool over, but I think he’ll make a good pro.  He’s accurate, mobile, and runs an offense that’s very effective despite being one-dimensional.  He’ll have to go to the right team,

 ideally a team that runs the West Coast offense.

24.   Navarro Bowman (OLB/Penn State)-- Bowman has been making plays all over the place for Penn State.  He has 74 tackles, 12 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, a fumble recovery and 2 defensive touchdowns.  He should be a solid starter in the NFL for years to come.

25.   Anthony Davis (OT/Rutgers)-- At 6’6”, 325 pounds, Davis clearly has the size to be a starter in the NFL.  The question is what position on the line we will be.  He may not have the athletic ability to be left tackle in the NFL.  He’ll probably find a home at right tackle or guard, where he will thrive.

26.   Everson Griffen (DE/USC)--Griffen has a very good size and speed.  He’d be a little higher, but his production has been good, not great.  8.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks.  I think he’d benefit from another year in school.

27.  Sergio Kindle (OLB/Texas)--Kindle has the potential to be a dangerous pass rusher, but I’d like to see more production. 3.5 sacks from an athlete of his caliber is worrisome.

28.   Mike Iupati (OG/Idaho)--Iupati is a promising prospect at guard.  At 6’5” 330, he’s a load and a great run-blocker.  He’s not swift of foot, but that’s not enough to keep this beast out of the first round.

29.  Jason Pierre-Paul (DE/South Florida)– Pierre-Paul’s a good talent, but I think he’s been overhyped.  He’s got 11 tackles for loss in 9 games, but only 3 of which were sacks.  I expect more of a player on the same line as the respected George Selvie.

30.  Brandon LaFell (WR/LSU)– This has been a disappointing year statistically for LaFell, but that’s mostly due to the complete ineptitude of the offense around him.  He has the talent to be a starter in the league, but his underwhelming senior season makes it hard to project him with any certainty.

31.  Jake Locker (QB/Washington)–I’m not totally sure why Locker is getting all the hype he’s getting.  He’s got a strong arm and he can run the ball well, but he’s been relatively inefficient as a passer.  I know Washington doesn’t have much around him, but I need to see more before I give him a high first round grade.  I think he’d benefit greatly from another year at Washington

32.  Trent Williams (OT/Oklahoma)–Trent Williams came into this year looking like a high first rounder, but he’s been a disappointment.  He seems incapable of being a left tackle, which hurts his stock.  He can still be a solid RT in the NFL.