Stock Up
Morris Claiborne Cornerback LSU Junior Now a Top 10 Pick Previously a 1st Round Pick Morris Claiborne has really stepped up in coverage for LSU today against Kentucky. Claiborne had 2 interceptions against Mississippi State and returned a kickoff against West Virginia last week.
Christine Michael Running Back Texas A&M Junior Now a 3rd Round Pick Previously a 6th Round Pick Christine Michael had 31 carries for 225 rushing yards, and 3 rushing touchdowns against Arkansas. After Trent Richardson and Chris Polk, Christine Michael has emerged as my #3 overall running back prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft.
Matt Kalil Left Tackle USC Junior Redshirt Now a Top 5 Pick Previously a Top 10 Pick I was wrong about Matt Kalil. I was wrong about labeling Kalil a bust. I knew Kalil had the pass blocking skill set, but I questioned Kalil’s ability as a run blocker and a zone blocker. Kalil has excelled in both run blocking and zone blocking. Kalil has practically made mincemeat of my original impression on him. He may appear undersized due to the fact that he weighed 282 pounds out of high school and only put on 13 pounds in 4 years. At the same time Kalil has been so dominant for USC at left tackle over the last two seasons its hard not to see him developing into a blue chip left tackle who can protect a quarterback’s blindside down the road. Kalil can also move to right tackle, left guard, center, or right guard as secondary positions in case Kalil does not work out at left tackle. I went back to the film room and watched tape on Kalil again. I am really impressed with what Kalil brings to the table. Sometimes its really difficult for me to admit I was wrong about a college player before they enter the NFL because I have already generated an impression on them. If I admit I am wrong about a player then they managed to impress me.
I still am not going to admit I am wrong about Cam Newton. Newton is not an elite quarterback. Newton has David Garrard type potential, but he is no Josh Freeman. If Cam Newton is the next Josh Freeman then Tim Tebow is the next Ben Roethilsberger.
I think Newton will be a David Garrard type quarterback. I cannot see Newton becoming an elite quarterback even though I can see Newton becoming a starting quarterback on Sunday’s.
Back to Kalil though. Kalil is beginning to establish himself as the clear cut #2 overall prospect after Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
Derek Wolfe Defensive Tackle Cincinnati Senior Now a 4th Round Pick Previously a 5th Round Pick Derek Wolfe had a monster game helping Cincinnati record a shutout over Miami Ohio. Wolfe moves up from a 5th round to a 4th round pick.
Brandon Lindsey 3-4 Right Outside Linebacker Senior Redshirt Pittsburgh Now a Top 10 Pick Previously a 1st Round Pick Brandon Lindsey now ranks in the top 5 in sacks. Lindsey can play 3-4 outside linebacker or defensive end on either side.
Marcus Forston Defensive Tackle Miami FL Junior Redshirt Now a Top 10 Pick Previously a 1st Round Pick Marcus Forston has elite run stuffing and pass rushing ability at the defensive tackle position. If any defensive tackle goes in the top 10 it will be Marcus Forston.
Chase Thomas 3-4 Left Outside Linebacker Stanford Junior Redshirt Now a 2nd Round Pick Previously a 4th Round Pick Next to Shayne Skov, Chase Thomas is Stanford’s best 3-4 pass rusher. Some mock drafts earlier this week moved Chase Thomas ahead of Shayne Skov.
Jonathan Martin Left Tackle Stanford Junior Redshirt Now a Top 5 Pick Previously a Top 10 Pick Jonathan Martin is a top 5 left tackle prospect. He may be considered the 2nd best left tackle after Matt Kalil, but he should be the 2nd left tackle along with Matt Kalil with top 5 talent.
Michael Floyd Wide Receiver Notre Dame Senior Now a Top 5 Pick Previously a Top 10 Pick Michael Floyd once again has another monster game. Floyd has more size than Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon so Floyd is now my new #1 receiver prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft.
Andre Branch Right End Clemson Senior Now a 1st Round Pick Previously a 2nd Round Pick Andre Branch recorded a sack against Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas. Andre Branch has started at right end each of the last two seasons at Virginia Tech. The best way to game plan against Branch is to use a blue chip left tackle or to double team Andre Branch.
Stock Down
Ryan Tannehill Quarterback Texas A&M Senior Redshirt Now a 5th Round Pick Previously a 4th Round Pick Ryan Tannehill had another bad outing. Tannehill went 25 for 33 with 247 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Tannehill is graded out as my 2nd best 5th round quarterback behind Northern Illinois’s Chandler Harnish.
Jeff Fuller Wide Receiver Texas A&M Senior Now a 2nd Round Pick Previously a 1st Round Pick Fuller could have prevented an interception that Tannehill threw. Fuller had 9 receptions for 82 receiving yards, and no receiving touchdowns.
Donnie Fletcher Cornerback Boston College Senior Now a 5th Round Pick Previously a 3rd Round Pick Donnie Fletcher had a penalty that cost Boston College. Fletcher also did horrible in coverage against Wake Forest. Fletcher should go from late day 2 prospect to a day 3 pick.
Edwin Baker Running Back Michigan State Junior Now a 5th Round Pick Previously a 4th Round PIck Edwin Baker had 12 carries for 36 rushing yards against Ohio State. Baker had a lackluster game against Ohio State.
Bernard Pierce Running Back Temple Junior Now a 6th Round Pick Previously a 5th Round Pick After Bernard Pierce had a monster game on the road against Maryland he got shut down and contained by the Toledo Rockets. Toledo limited Pierce to 75 rushing yards on 24 carries. Pierce had no rushing touchdowns in Saturday’s contest against Toledo.
Kelechi Osmele Left Guard Iowa State Senior Redshirt Now a 6th Round Pick Previously a 2nd Round Pick Kelechi Osmele really struggled with pass blocking, run blocking, and zone blocking against Texas. Osmele plays left tackle at Iowa State, but he needs to make the adjustment to guard. Osmele left this game with an injury. We could see Kelechi Osmele fall in the 2012 NFL Draft the same way Marcus Cannon fell in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Jeff Demps Running Back Florida Senior Now a 7th Round Pick Previously a 5th Round Pick Jeff Demps struggled to get up with his injury. Demps lacks the size of an NFL running back.
Stephen Good Left Guard Oklahoma Senior Now a 5th Round Pick Previously a 4th Round Pick Stephen Good really struggles in run blocking at times. Stephen Good would be a good left guard prospect if he falls to round 5.
Brandon Bolden Running Back Ole Miss Senior Now a 7th Round Pick Previously a 6th Round Pick Brandon Bolden is struggling to run the football for Ole Miss once again. Bolden is now considered a 7th round pick on most draft boards.
Vick Ballard Running Back Mississippi State Senior Now a 7th Round Pick Previously a 6th Round Pick Vick Ballard struggled against Georgia. Ballard is now considered a 7th round prospect.
