Mayock's top 32 Prospects 2011 Draft

[darrelgreenie]

Let's get one thing clear. This is not a mock draft. This is a list of the best 32 players in the 2011 NFL Draft.

You're going to see that 20 of my 32 players are defensive players, 14 defensive linemen. That's not going to happen in the first round. But these are the guys I'll bang the table for, and here's why

1. Marcell Dareus*, DT, Alabama

This is my favorite player in the country this year. He has tremendous foot speed for a player his size. He can play the nose, the three-technique and showed he can play the five-technique. From my perspective, I don't think he can possibly get past Denver at No. 2.

2. Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M

He's a special guy off the edge and reminds me an awful lot of DeMarcus Ware that way. However, he's not as big, so therefore won't generate quite as much power.

3. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

A lot of people think he might be the best player in this draft, and he might be. He has the return skills of a man 40 pounds smaller than he is. He has the ability to move, to press, to play off. He's a little tight in the hips, but I don't care. He's a great football player.

4. A.J. Green*, WR, Georgia

Oh my goodness. If you have any questions about this kid, after being suspended the first four games last season, he came out in week five against two future NFL cornerbacks against Colorado and had seven catches for more than 100 yards. That includes one of the best back-of-shoulder catches I've ever seen in my life.

5. Blaine Gabbert*, QB, Missouri

He's my No. 1 quarterback. He comes out of a spread offense, and his footwork needs to improve, but he has all the rest. He's athletic, has a big arm, loves the game of football, has anticipation to throw into small windows, and the accuracy to back it up. He could be the first guy off the board.

6. Robert Quinn*, DE, North Carolina

He's a one-year wonder because of his NCAA suspension. I think from an edge-rush perspective, he might be the best guy in the draft.

7. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

He's a warrior. He ran 4.39 at the combine, but on tape I think he plays more like a 4.5 guy. That's what I think he plays at, and that's fine. His throwing radius, ability to run and ability to catch are phenomenal.

8. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn

To me he's a lightning rod. I was at his pro day workout, and from a foot-speed perspective, it doesn't get much better than what he can do. He ran through the bag drills, and it was ridiculous. However, he's a boom-or-bust guy. Right now, I have him here, but he's got more talent than that. Depending on what type of kid he is, I could have him dropping out of the first round entirely.

9. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

This kid is a gifted cornerback who can play press and can play off. Watch the game tape against Oklahoma State and Justin Blackmon, maybe the best one or two receivers in college last season, because there are some misnomers. The kid played a lot better than people give him credit for.

10. Da'Quan Bowers*, DE, Clemson

I boxed him in here for a reason. He has more ability than No. 10, but he's a one-year wonder. He had 15.5 sacks last season, and the two years before that he only had four combined. I want to know why.

11. Anthony Castonzo, OL, Boston College

I really believe he or (Tyron) Smith are the first tackle off the board. He's a tough guy in the run game, he has great feet as a former tight end. I love his upside, and he had a great week of Senior Bowl practice, although he didn't play quite as well in the game.

12. J.J. Watt*, DE, Wisconsin

I believe this kid is the real deal. He's another prototype of a five-technique, a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. If you don't like him, put the TCU game tape on. The numbers weren't big, but the kid dominated.

13. Tyron Smith*, OT, USC

He played on the right side and came out as a junior, and has the most potential of any tackle in the draft.

14. Aldon Smith*, DE, Missouri

This young man has so much potential, it's scary. Put the 2009 game tape on against Russell Okung and Danny Watkins and you'll get a better view of what he can do. He played through a lot of pain last season.

15. Cameron Jordan, DE, California

He brings scheme-versatility. I think he's an ideal defensive end in a 3-4, but can kick inside and overwhelm guards too. He can even play out on the edge.

16. Mark Ingram*, RB, Alabama

This is one of the angriest runners I've ever seen. He's a three-down back. This is a kid who can play 16 games and want to play more. He can pass protect, catch the football, and has tremendous balance and vision.

17. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

Had 33 sacks, 14 forced fumbles. With this kid, you know what you're getting. You know what your floor is, and he might not have the same upside as some of these other kids. But I think he can play defensive end or stand up and be an outside linebacker.

18. Muhammad Wilkerson*, DT, Temple

He can play the 5-technique, and he can get kicked inside. He reminds me of Trevor Pryce.

19. Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin

I think the kid is a plug-and-play right tackle. Throw him in there and he's a starter on day one. And he's a starter for the next 10 years. He's got a little attitude and there's something tough about him. He's a good football player.

20. Jake Locker, QB, Washington

He's got top-10 ability but he's got a hole in his game -- poor pocket awareness and accuracy within the pocket. He's as accurate on the edges as any quarterback I've seen on tape. I've talked to a lot of NFL quarterback coaches that believe over time, a one-year period, that his pocket awareness can be corrected. He's a little bit of a project.

21. Cam Newton*, QB, Auburn

I know, Cam Newton at 21 -- why? I believe in this kid. I believe in him as an athlete, I believe in his arm strength, but I don't believe he's in the top 10. He's got top-10 ability, but he's a developmental prospect. As a general manager, I would be comfortable taking him somewhere in the 20s.

22. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa

Interesting guy. After his junior year, most would have called him a top-10 to top-15 pick. All that stuff about Erb's Palsy and will it affect his draft stock, I say watch the tape. He's a football player. Gabe Carimi got the better of him this year, but I though he dominated Carimi a year ago. If he goes in the low 20s, what a great football player you're going to get.

23. Corey Liuget*, DT, Illinois

He's a prototypical 3-technique -- a defensive tackle in a 4-man front. At 298 pounds, he ran a sub-5 40. As we get closer to the draft, I expect his stock to continue to increase. A lot of upside for him.

24. Akeem Ayers*, OLB, UCLA

On tape, he's a natural edge pass rusher. He didn't perform well at the combine; ran in the 4.9 range in the 40. There's also questions about whether he can handle a complicated defense, both with his hand down or standing up. But he is a great athlete and a natural 3-4 outside linebacker.

25. Nate Solder, OL, Colorado

Solder has a wonderful skill set, but he needs to get stronger and have more consistent technique. He reminds me of D'Brickashaw Ferguson in that he's a little bit underpowered, has great feet, and an awful lot of upside. That's value right there.

26. Aaron Williams*, DB, Texas

He didn't run well at the combine and I didn't think he looked particularly great, but I've been struggling all along with whether he's my No. 3 corner or my top safety. Every time I look at this kid, I think you could drop him on the slot, or he could also play free safety. One thing I do know, he makes plays.

27. Cam Heyward, DT, Ohio State

In the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas, but if you watch that game, you might be convinced he's a top 15 pick. He's had injuries, he's a little inconsistent, and there's a question about where you play him, but he's got a great motor. To me, he's a 5-technique, the defensive end in a 3-4. Some team at the end of the first round is going to get a bargain.

28. Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida

If the name sounds familiar it should. His twin brother was an all-pro as a rookie with the Steelers last year. He's remarkably similar to Maurkice. He didn't test very well but he can play all three interior positions on the offensive line, and he should do it in Year 1.

29. Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor

He's one of the biggest risers in this draft class. There aren't many 334-pound defensive tackles in the league that have the movement skills of this kid. he's had some off-the-field issues, but I don't think a guy his size and with his movement skills gets out of the first round.

30. Jimmy Smith*, DB, Colorado

He had an inconsistent junior season at Colorado, but he's a tremedous athlete. He's long and physical, but he's too inconsistent, which is the reason he isn't higher up on the board.

31. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

He lifted 225 pounds a record 49 times at the combine, and the best part about those reps is it translates to functional strength on the field. He's a 3-technique player who can really get it done.

32. Kyle Rudolph*, TE, Notre Dame

Someone's going to get value when they pick this guy. This guy is Rob Gronkowski. He's an inline blocker if you need him to be, but he can also get down the field and he's a tremendous athlete.

[BLEED-B&G]

Nice thread.

Honestly with as many holes asthis team has right now, there aren't too many picks I'd be unhappy with at this point.

BPA all the way through and I'd be happy.

[jflow78]

I'm excited about this draft. There is so much talent in the first round that I don't know if we COULD pick wrong. If we trade down there's still tons of talent. It will be really interesting to see how the team handles this.

The only crappy part is that we get all excited to see who we get, then we get to sit and wait to see if we can even watch them play. :mad:

I hate CBA years.

[SWFLSkins]

Thinking all those guys are can't miss is wrong for sure. I hope the Skins get Jones, Green or Ingram but would be happy with one of the DE's/LBers.

[jflow78]

Thinking all those guys are can't miss is wrong for sure. I hope the Skins get Jones, Green or Ingram but would be happy with one of the DE's/LBers.

I didn't say they were all "can't miss" since there's no such thing in the draft, just that every one of those players is very talented, even compared with the previous couple years in the draft, especially at positions we are in need of.

And, going WR with the first round pick in any pick is a HUGE gamble, so either Green or Jones are likely to be a huge bust. It's extremely unusual to have two WRs actually succeed when both are first round picks. It's even less likely that either will have much impact on the team they're drafted by for the first couple years.

[ABSTRACT]

As I've wanted all along....Trade back and pick up JJ Watt and Phil Taylor/Stephen Paea

[SWFLSkins]

I didn't say they were all "can't miss" since there's no such thing in the draft, just that every one of those players is very talented, even compared with the previous couple years in the draft, especially at positions we are in need of.

And, going WR with the first round pick in any pick is a HUGE gamble, so either Green or Jones are likely to be a huge bust. It's extremely unusual to have two WRs actually succeed when both are first round picks. It's even less likely that either will have much impact on the team they're drafted by for the first couple years.

I was actually agreeing with the "Can't Miss" part, because many of them look that way. And you are right about the WR's, however via FA or the Draft I think the Skins need a playmaker at WR. I don't think everyone of those DE's are going to be all great either. It would be nice to trade down and get some addtional picks.

[CrypticVillain]

Nice thread.

Honestly with as many holes asthis team has right now, there aren't too many picks I'd be unhappy with at this point.

BPA all the way through and I'd be happy.

And that is why this is the draft when we should be trading down; but because of the lockout, we can't trade nothing but picks.

I hope they find a way to get this deal done a week before the draft.

[WeThreeKingsRuleU]

I just watched this segment on NFL network, I love what he says about Von Miller (I'll paraphrase):

"He's a great football player, he reminds me a lot of Demarcus Ware, except he's nothing like him."

[sportjunkie07]

here is that catch that mayock was referring to on aj green, so sick

[Mahons21]

here is that catch that mayock was referring to on aj green, so sick

LOL, did you check out the comment section of this clip, it's hysterical.

[jflow78]

I was actually agreeing with the "Can't Miss" part, because many of them look that way. And you are right about the WR's, however via FA or the Draft I think the Skins need a playmaker at WR. I don't think everyone of those DE's are going to be all great either. It would be nice to trade down and get some addtional picks.

I agree, and to be fair, these two WR prospects are amazing compared to some draft years.

I actually had a friend tell me the other day (Broncos fan) that he thought the Broncos were picking Fairley because he was the safer pick when compared to Dareus. Thought that was interesting.

I'd be happy with any of these players:

Marcell Dareus*, DT, Alabama (NT/DE)

Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (OLB)

Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU

A.J. Green*, WR, Georgia

Blaine Gabbert*, QB, Missouri

Robert Quinn*, DE, North Carolina (OLB)

Julio Jones, WR, Alabama

Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (DE)

Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska

Da'Quan Bowers*, DE, Clemson (either DE or OLB, not sure which would be better)

Anthony Castonzo, OL, Boston College (RT)

J.J. Watt*, DE, Wisconsin (DE)

If the Skins trade for more picks, I'd be happy with:

Aldon Smith*, DE, Missouri (OLB)

Tyron Smith*, OT, USC (RT)

Cameron Jordan, DE, California (DE/OLB)

Mark Ingram*, RB, Alabama

Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (OLB)

Muhammad Wilkerson*, DT, Temple (DE)

Gabe Carimi, OL, Wisconsin (RT)

Jake Locker, QB, Washington

Akeem Ayers*, OLB, UCLA (OLB)

Nate Solder, OL, Colorado (RT)

Aaron Williams*, DB, Texas (FS and Nickel CB)

Cam Heyward, DT, Ohio State (DE)

Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida (G/C)

Phil Taylor, DL, Baylor (NT)

We might even be able to get one of those last guys in the 2nd round.

As for Ingram, he would give us an elite RB corp, not that I WANT a RB this high in the draft, but he would be our starter and Torain would be a monster coming in for change of pace.

I'd be happy with one of the Tackles if we're not planning on resigning Brown, but I'd rather resign him and look at other spots we need to fill, since Brown is only 29, then look for a replacement later in the draft that we can train up, and who can provide depth until Brown is done.

I haven't paid a ton of attention to the players because I feel more comfortable with our FO and so I'm not as worried about who we pick. Hopefully my faith is rewarded.

---------- Post added March-12th-2011 at 06:41 PM ----------

"He's a great football player, he reminds me a lot of Demarcus Ware, except he's nothing like him."

What does that even mean?

[jthor99]

Mike Mayock is the man

[jasjhughes]

another Mallett-free top 32.

[Dukes and Skins]

another Mallett-free top 32.

Not a surprise at all, he has his issues and is a fringe 1st to 2nd rounder now

[HailToTheRedskins14]

AJ did that kinda stuff every game. Best hands I've ever seen on the college level and I can't think of a lot of NFL players with his hands. Dude never drops it. Must have huge hands. And no, he's not Malcom Kelly 2.0.

I'm down with DE in the 1st then NT in the 2nd. Let's give the defense some life and hope our offense can improve with an extra year of coaching. If Gabbert slips to us and our staff feel he's a legit starting QB in this league, I just don't think you can pass up on that.

As for Ingram, if we select Ingram at #10 that would be a HUGE mistake. Guy isn't a blazer, has very average speed. He's damn shifty with great balance. But with our current state, I don't think there would be anway to justify #10 overall being spent on a RB, THE plug-and-play position in the NFL. It would be ridiculous. I'm almost at the point where you shouldn't draft a RB in the first round regardless.

If we get Watt and Taylor out of this draft, it will be a success.

[jnhay]

There are so many needs that this team has, I think this is truly a BPA draft if Shanahan is thinking long term. It seems like we either need a position right now or have aging veterans at a position. We need to get who we think are the best players in the draft and fill in needs through free agency (within reason) that preferably will help us for more than just a couple years. Getting 30+ big name FAs won't cut it at all, and will leave us worse off (I'm not saying no 30+ players, but they better have a lot left in the tank and be leaders).

[WeThreeKingsRuleU]

---------- Post added March-12th-2011 at 06:41 PM ----------

[/color]

What does that even mean?

SIGH, if I have to explain it, it's not funny anymore...

He said, "Von Miller really reminds me of Demarcus Ware, except he's not this, he's not that, and he doesn't do this"

If thats the case, why even bother comparing him to Demarcus Ware?

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I'll take a #20 at #10 please. Thank you.

Hail.

[mi6]

There are 2 Maryland players to watch out for and draft ... Torrey Smith. And, the RB D'Ray Scott!

[Laxpunk2006]

As for Ingram, if we select Ingram at #10 that would be a HUGE mistake. Guy isn't a blazer, has very average speed. He's damn shifty with great balance. But with our current state, I don't think there would be anway to justify #10 overall being spent on a RB, THE plug-and-play position in the NFL. It would be ridiculous. I'm almost at the point where you shouldn't draft a RB in the first round regardless.

If we get Watt and Taylor out of this draft, it will be a success.

I agree that we aren't in a position to be spending a first round pick on a running back. The only teams that should do that are the ones that are ready to compete for a championship or close to it. First round selections need to be guys you build a team around. With the limited shelf life of a running back in this league that is just difficult to do when you're as far away as we are.

[Vooskin]

I want us to have the best offensive line in the league. I'm tired of seeing our QB's get pressured as soon as the play starts and RBs getting having contact behind the line of scrimmage. A great offensive line makes an entire offense better and makes it harder for teams that like to bring pressure get to the QB making them need to gamble more often which gives more opportunities for big plays on offense. I'm tired of teams being able to get pressure with 4 and sometimes even three man fronts. A great offensive line means less nickel packages and less coverage in general. The offset to a bad offensive line is the spread offense and lots of screens which is the opposite of our philosophy.

[redskins55]

And, going WR with the first round pick in any pick is a HUGE gamble, so either Green or Jones are likely to be a huge bust. It's extremely unusual to have two WRs actually succeed when both are first round picks. It's even less likely that either will have much impact on the team they're drafted by for the first couple years.

This is actually a myth. Most first round graded WR do well. It's the 2nd tier WRs that most teams miss on. For the last 15 years if a WR was graded as a first round talent then drafted in the first round they have avergaed 48points their rookie seasons. That's 8 TDs.. not busts at all. So going Green or Jones wont be a gamble. Waiting to get Hankerson or Baldwin is.

As far as the top 32. Alot of people like Aldon Smith as their most talented prospect with the highest celing, but its based off what they beleive he can do not necessarily what he did.His tape this year was ok, but less than impressive. Yet if Mayock is true when he says look at his 2009 season vs Russell Okung then he could grow on me real quick.

[Dukes and Skins]

This is actually a myth. Most first round graded WR do well. It's the 2nd tier WRs that most teams miss on. For the last 15 years if a WR was graded as a first round talent then drafted in the first round they have avergaed 48points their rookie seasons. That's 8 TDs.. not busts at all. So going Green or Jones wont be a gamble. Waiting to get Hankerson or Baldwin is.

As far as the top 32. Alot of people like Aldon Smith as their most talented prospect with the highest celing, but its based off what they beleive he can do not necessarily what he did.His tape this year was ok, but less than impressive. Yet if Mayock is true when he says look at his 2009 season vs Russell Okung then he could grow on me real quick.

Well what you saw in Aldon Smith was a guy playing this year after breaking his leg earlier in the season. That's a warrior of a player and let me say it this way, he returns for the 2011 season and goes into the 2012 draft he's probably a top 10 pick maybe even a top 5 he's just that good

[Enter Apotheosis]

SIGH, if I have to explain it, it's not funny anymore...

He said, "Von Miller really reminds me of Demarcus Ware, except he's not this, he's not that, and he doesn't do this"

If thats the case, why even bother comparing him to Demarcus Ware?

It was never really funny to begin with. All he said was that Miller was a smaller version of Ware, he didn't rattle off a list of ways they were different.