ESPN Insider - Mel Kiper Jr.: TOP JUNIOR PROSPECTS BY POSITION

[bubba9497]

By Mel Kiper Jr.

Special to ESPN Insider

http://proxy.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=kiper_jr_mel&id=1688627

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECTS BY POSITION | Dec. 17

Bowl season has begun and it's time for juniors to start declaring their intentions regarding the NFL draft, so here's a look at the top juniors in the nation by position.

OFFENSE

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger is looking at a big NFL future if he declares for the draft.

1. Ben Roethlisberger, Miami (Ohio) -- Has size (6-5, 240 pounds) and all the intangibles NFL teams looks for: passion for the game, work ethic, smarts. Roethlisberger is reminiscent of New York Jets QB Chad Pennington in that regard, but has a stronger arm and is more mobile. Completed 65 percent of his passes and threw 33 touchdowns in the regular season against just 10 interceptions. Would be a top-15 selection if he comes out.

2. Andrew Walter, Arizona State -- Came into the year looking like one of the best quarterbacks in the nation but the Sun Devils fell on hard times and Walter struggled. Too many throws came with a sidearm delivery, and while you can live with a 24-10 TD-to-INT ratio a completion percentage of 52.5. Would benefit from another year in school to improve his accuracy, but his potential could get him into the second or third round.

3. Matt Mauck, LSU -- Spent three years in the Chicago Cubs organization so he is a little older than the average junior, but Mauck goes 6-1, 217 and is a good athlete. He has had some big games in key matchups for the Tigers and had an excellent 2003 season thanks to a live arm and quick release. Has a chance to be one of the better QBs in college if he returns for his senior season.

4. Dan Orlovsky, Connecticut -- Another guy with good arm strength, Orlovsky is one of the more unheralded quarterbacks in the nation. Has excellent size at 6-4, 230 and showed the ability to bring his team back from behind. Threw for 33 TDs and nearly 3,500 yards this season, but the only concern is a long, slow release when putting the ball up.

5. Derek Anderson, Oregon State -- Came in as a very heralded prospect, but his grade has been on a steady decline for the last two seasons. Anderson threw 25 TDs and 13 INTs (47 percent) as a sophomore but regressed to 20 scores and 19 picks this season. Accuracy has also been a concern as he improved his accuracy from a 47 percent completion rate as a sophomore to just 49.4 this season. Has size (6-5&189;, 233) and a strong arm, though.

Others of note: Kyle Orton, Purdue; Chris Rix, Florida State; Stan Hill, Marshall

Running Back

1. Carnell Williams, Auburn -- 5-11, 200...Tremendous natural running ability with his balance, vision and instincts. Williams has quickness but not tremendous speed, but he can outrun defenders. Cadillac has very few peers as a pure runner and the only question is his hands out of the backfield and his ability to be a factor in the passing game. Would be a first-round pick if he declared for the draft.

2. Steven Jackson, Oregon State -- Fits the Ricky Williams mold at 6-2, 230 and is not just a straight-ahead runner. Jackson has the hip flexibility to can make defenders miss and is also adept at catching the ball out of the backfield. More of a between-the-tackles runner with the ability to bounce the ball outside. Also looks like a first-round pick if he comes out.

3. Kevin Jones, Virginia Tech -- A little upright with his running style, but tremendously athletic with game-breaking speed and the ability to catch the ball and block. A complete player.

4. Cedric Benson, Texas -- The more you watch him the more you like him. A three-year starter who can pick up the tough yards inside, Benson can also get outside when called upon. Has good body lean and patience hitting the hole, and played as well as any back in the country over the last few weeks of the season. Looks like a late-first or early-second round pick should he declare.

5. Ronnie Brown, Auburn -- Rushed for 13 TDs and over 1,000 yards as a sophomore while filling in for Cadillac Williams but fell off the radar a little this year behind Williams and Brandon Jacobs. Had some minor injuries that also limited his production, but with his size (6-1, 222) and explosiveness he could still push his way into the early-to-mid second round should he come out. If he returns, though, he will be one of the top runners in the nation next season.

Others of note: Walter Reyes, Syracuse; Darren Sproles, Kansas State; Anthony Davis, Wisconsin

Wide receiver

1. Michael Clayton, LSU -- Terrific hands and concentration in traffic. Speed will determine where Clayton gets drafted, and with the necessary 40 time he could wind up in the middle of the first round if he decides to enter the draft. Clayton is also a physical player who saw some time at safety this year and can cover kicks.

2. Reggie Williams, Washington -- Williams has already declared for the draft and has excellent size (6-3½, 218) to go with great hands and excellent natural receiving skills. Like Clayton, speed will have everything to do with whether Williams ends up in the middle of the first round or somewhere in the late first to early second round.

3. Braylon Edwards, Michigan -- Has been the Wolverines' leading receiver each of the last two years and this season almost single-handedly led Michigan to victory against Ohio State. Made several outstanding catches over the course of the year. Probably gets into the late first or early second round if he comes out, but Edwards will be one of the most coveted college receivers in the nation if he returns for his senior year and works on his attention to detail.

4. Mark Clayton, Oklahoma -- Had his best overall season this year, hooking up with Jason White every time the Sooners needed a key completion, averaging better than 18 yards on his 71 catches. Not big at 5-10&189;, 177, but a very good natural receiver. Could be a second-rounder if he comes out.

5. Reggie Harrell, TCU -- Excellent size at 6-2, 208 and has the speed to stretch a defense vertically. Harrell is the reigning Conference USA champion in the 60-meter hurdles and also has the toughness to make the tough catch in traffic. Also catches the ball with his hands rather than cradling it to his body. With that combo he has All-America potential next season.

Tight End

1. Kellen Winslow, Miami (Fla.) -- The consummate TE at 6-4&188;, 248 with tremendous athletic ability. Provides an unbelievable dimension to the passing game and would be a top-10 pick if he declares for the NFL.

2. Brian Casey, Kansas State -- Has quietly developed his pro potential and 6-6, 270-pound frame. Casey was a bigger factor than one would expect for a guy who has gotten little in the way of national attention, but his 16 catches went for an average of 19.2-yard average. He can stretch the deep middle and get the job done as a blocker.

3. Jason Peters, Arkansas -- Has a lineman's size at 6-4&189;, 320 pounds but is much more nimble than one would expect. Peters shows good hands and if he were to lose 10-15 pounds he can be effective as both a receiver and a blocker.

4. Andrew Clarke, Toledo -- A big-time player in the Mid-American Conference, Clarke is a great threat in the passing game and a tough, aggressive player at 6-3&189;, 247. One of the more underrated standouts in the MAC this season.

5. Joel Dreessen, Colorado State -- Was one of Bradlee Van Pelt's favorite targets all season and had a solid overall season. More of an H-back at 6-4, 249 with excellent speed. Also excelled in the classroom.

Others of note: Eric Knott, Michigan State; Steve Freming, Arizona

Offensive line

1. Shawn Andrews, Arkansas -- Became just the third freshman starter in the offensive line in school history and has been a dominant run blocker his entire career. Andrews is light on his feet even at 6-5, 360, and after being a first-team All-American selection as a sophomore and junior he has a Pro Bowl future as an NFL right tackle. Has declared for the draft and is a potential top-10 pick.

2. Jammal Brown, Oklahoma -- Was a key on one of the best O-lines the Sooners have ever had. Brown is a dominant physical force in the running game at 6-5, 315, but needs to continue his improvement in pass protection.

3. Ben Wilkerson, LSU -- Was part of a tremendous recruiting class before the 2001 season and had been as good as advertised. Showed no ill effects from offseason back surgery and is one of the elite centers in the country. Combines smarts and physical tools. Will be the top center in college if he returns to school but will demand first or second-round attention should he come out.

4. David Baas, Michigan -- Standout the last two seasons for the Wolverines. Baas checks in at 6-4, 322 and understands how to use leverage against his opponents while also displaying pop at the point of attack and sustaining his blocks to the whistle.

5. C.J. Brooks, Maryland -- A three-year starter for the Terps, Brooks began his career as a tackle but made a nice transition to guard. Dropped some weight to get lighter on his feet in pass protection but still comes in at 6-5, 320 and remained a good run blocker.

Others of note: Chris Colmer, NC State; Michael Munoz, Tennessee; Alex Barron, Florida State

DEFENSE

Defensive line

1. Tommie Harris, Oklahoma -- Harris has been a fixture at DT since his freshman year and dominated along the front this year. Can use brute force to occupy blockers at the point of attack and at 6-3, 280 he has the quickness to get off blocks. A top-five overall pick if he declares.

2. Kenechi Udeze, USC -- Moved from DE to DT prior to the 2001 season and has been one of the top defensive players in college football ever since. Has improved his numbers every year and piled up 20 tackles for loss this season, including 12.5 sacks. Very strong at 6-3, 279 and also does a good job against the run. Solid early-to-mid first-rounder if he comes out.

3. Randy Starks, Maryland -- Quick and athletic at 6-4, 305, Starks boasts a vertical jump of better than 31 inches and squats 765 pounds. Has shown tremendous athleticism throughout his career and would have to get first-round consideration should he declare, but Starks will be one of the top defensive players in the nation if he comes back to College Park.

4. Dan Cody, Oklahoma -- Just starting to come into his own, Cody is the Sooners' most effective pass rusher off the edge and closes quickly. Built like Adonis, he is a chiseled 6-5, 265 and has incredible strength. A workout warrior and a first-rounder if he comes out.

5. Vince Wilfork, Miami (Fla.) -- Has turned heads since early in his career but needs to drop 15-20 pounds from his 6-1, 360-pound frame. Short arms are also a concern against the taller offensive linemen in the NFL.

Others of note: Anttaj Hawthorne, Wisconsin; David Pollack, Georgia; Mike Patterson, USC

Linebackers

1. Derrick Johnson, Texas -- A terrific all-around linebacker at 6-3, 222, Johnson will likely be in the 230-235 range when he finishes his career. Fast, instinctive player who is all over the field. Led the team in tackles, tackles for loss and fumble recoveries and has already said he will return to Austin for his senior season. One of the top-10 overall players in the country next season.

2. Lance Mitchell, Oklahoma -- Was having a great year before tearing an ACL in mid-September. Mitchell has all the physical skills at 6-3, 247, and how high he rates next year will depend on how close his rehab gets him to pre-injury form.

3. Michael Boley, Southern Miss -- Did not get as much attention as senior teammate Rod Davis, but Boley emerged this season as the Golden Eagles' top defender. Excels in all aspect of linebacker play but is at his best attacking the line of scrimmage. Had 148 tackles (21.5 for loss) and 10 sacks despite not having outstanding size (6-2&189;, 200).

4. Pat Thomas, NC State -- A veteran who has started the last two seasons, Thomas is similar to former Wolfpack standout Lavar Fisher. Very adept at diagnosing the play and finding the football and recorded 119 tackles. Not real big at 602, 226, but you can't argue with the productivity and consistency.

5. James Kinney, Missouri -- Must be accounted for from his MLB spot on every play and has good read-react skills. Kinney made ballcarriers pay with every one of his 141 tackles (32 more than his next-closest teammate) and means everything to the Mizzou defense.

Others of note: LeRoy Hill, Clemson; Lionel Turner, LSU; Kevin Burnett, Tennessee

Defensive back

1. Sean Taylor, Miami (Fla.) -- Taylor is to the safety spot at Miami what Ray Lewis was to the middle linebacker position, outpacing predecessors at safety like Bennie Blades and Ed Reed. The prototype safety at 6-2¼, 225, Taylor has the necessary attitude and instincts. A top-five overall pick should he come out.

2. Chris Gamble, Ohio State -- A two-way player who also saw time at WR, Gamble has unlimited upside as a cornerback but still needs some work on the finer technical points of CB play. He has good ball skills and excellent size for a corner (6-1&189;, 181) but still needs to refine the fundamentals. Still, Gamble looks like a first round pick no matter when he comes out.

3. DeAngelo Hall, Virginia Tech -- A Tremendous physical specimen at 5-10&189;, 186, Hall has great strength and unbelievable speed (claims to run in the 4.2-4.25 range). Has recovery ability in coverage and averaged 14.5 yards per punt return this season. Probably not a shut-down corner but is very effective.

4. Matt Ware, UCLA -- Another good-size corner or safety at 6-2½, 205. Ware is a good athlete who will likely be a safety in the NFL but has the versatility to play corner as well. Durability has been a concern, though, as he has lost time to injury the last couple of seasons.

5. Marlin Jackson, Michigan -- Moved from CB to safety prior to this season in order for the Wolverines to get their four best DBs on the field together. Does not have great recovers speed and will have to show in workouts whether he will be a corner or safety at the next level.

Others of note: Sean Jones, Georgia; Antrel Rolle, Miami (Fla.); James Butler, Georgia Tech

Kickers

1. Dave Rayner, Michigan

2. Mike Nugent, Ohio State

3. Ryan Killeen, USC

4. Nick Novak, Maryland

5. Nick Hayes, Alabama-Birmingham

Punters

1.

Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee

2. Matt Payne, BYU

3. Cody Ridgeway, Mississippi

4. Chris Kluwe, UCLA

5. Bryce Benekos, UTEP

[Leonard Washington]

Ben Roethlisberger---this guy has bust written all over him.

[SoCalRaider]

Original take by Kiper Jr.

Defensive back

1. Sean Taylor, Miami (Fla.) -- Taylor is to the safety spot at Miami what Ray Lewis was to the middle linebacker position, outpacing predecessors at safety like Bennie Blades and Ed Reed. The prototype safety at 6-2¼, 225, Taylor has the necessary attitude and instincts. A top-five overall pick should he come out.

Like to see Taylor in Silver and Black

[TODD]

K Dave Rayner is from Michigan State, not Michigan MEL!

[EvilMonkeyBoy]

Originally posted by Cleotis

Ben Roethlisberger---this guy has bust written all over him.

Sure is playin like a bust tonight.