Commish’s Draft Board II

March 7th, 2011

Donald Penn's future bookend?

So what does Mark Dominik’s big board look like now? Remember, he said he’ll stay true to it during the NFL Draft.

Today, draft Guru Justin Pawlowski, The Commish of WDAE-AM 620, fires out his second ordered look at the top players in the draft. This is no mock draft — The Commish’s next one is coming this week — it’s a look at the top talents available.

Remember all of the exclusive JoeBucsFan.com draft coverage can be found here

 

1. Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU 

            6’1’’ – 219 lbs – 4.32

Commish’s Take: Great player with great measureables. Peterson might be the safest pick in the draft. 

2. AJ Green – WR – Georgia 

            6’4’’ – 211 lbs – 4.50

Commish’s Take:  Green is considered by many scouts to be the best receiver to come out since Calvin Johnson. 

3. Marcell Dareus – DT – Alabama 

            6’3’’ – 319 lbs – 4.92

Commish’s Take:  Dareus is quickly becoming the safest defensive lineman in the draft.  He has excellent size and quickness. 

4. Robert Quinn – DE – North Carolina 

            6’4’’ – 265 lbs – 4.70

Commish’s Take:  Despite not playing in 2010, Quinn is very explosive off the edge and had one of the fastest 10-yard splits at the combine.

5. Da’Quan Bowers – DE – Clemson

            6’3’’ – 280 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:  Bowers led the nation in sacks, but health is becoming a major concern.  If Bowers proves to be healthy and has an excellent pro day, he might end up as the top player on the board and top player selected.

 6. Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn

            6’4’’ – 291 lbs – 4.87

Commish’s Take:  Fairley probably had more questions come up on him than Cam Newton at the combine.  Fairly is still a playmaker, but quickly becoming a boom or bust prospect.

 7. Julio Jones – WR – Alabama

            6’3’’ – 220 lbs – 4.39

Commish’s Take:  Jones turned in one of the best performances at the combine this year…all on a broken foot!!  He is a unique talent, but his health and concentration are concerns.

 8. Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M

            6’3’’ – 246 lbs – 4.53

Commish’s Take:  Miller is a terror off the edge and probably the most natural fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker in this draft. 

 9. Prince Amukamara – CB – Nebraska

            6’0’’ – 206 lbs – 4.43

Commish’s Take:  Amukamara showed off good speed at the combine and instantly saw his stock rise. 

10. JJ Watt – DE – Wisconsin

            6’5’’ – 290 lbs – 4.83

Commish’s Take:  I think everyone knew JJ Watt was big and tough, but he showed off how great of an athlete he was at the combine.  Watt has a pretty special blend of size and athleticism.  He’s a great fit as a 5-technique in a 3-4 defense.

11. Cam Newton – QB – Auburn

            6’5’’ – 248 lbs – 4.59

Commish’s Take:  Despite poor throwing at the combine, Newton’s potential is still keeping him pretty high.  He might be a risk, but the reward might be worth it if he pays off.

12. Cameron Jordan – DE – Cal.

            6’4’’ – 287 lbs – 4.78

Commish’s Take:  Jordan continued his hot off-season that started at the Senior Bowl and continued it at the combine.  Jordan could play in any defense.

 13. Aldon Smith – DE – Missouri

            6’4’’ – 263 lbs – 4.78

Commish’s Take:  Smith is becoming the hot name on the defensive side of the ball in this draft.  He’s an athletic defensive end that can rush the passer with a hand in the ground or standing up from the linebacker position.

 14. Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri

            6’4’’ – 234 lbs – 4.62

Commish’s Take:  Gabbert did not throw at the combine, and despite reports of good meetings with teams at the combine, his downfield throwing has concerned me.

 15. Tyron Smith – OT – USC

            6’5’’ – 307 lbs – DNP

Commish’s Take:  Smith’s biggest obstacle at the combine was showing that he could bulk up.  He did just that, but did not do anything else.  His long arms and technique are quite impressive.

16. Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue

            6’4’’ – 267 lbs – 4.71

Commish’s Take:  There really is a lot to like about Kerrigan.  He might not be the flashiest player, but he was productive at Purdue, he’s a leader, he had great measureables, and he has an outstanding work ethic.

 17. Muhammed Wilkerson – DT – Temple

            6’4’’ – 315 lbs – 4.96

Commish’s Take:  Wilkerson is rising quick. He can play in any defense.  His size and athleticism will become more and more intriguing to NFL front offices as we near the draft.

 18. Anthony Castonzo – OT – Boston College

            6’7’’ – 311 lbs – 5.23

Commish’s Take:  Castonzo might have the best potential at left tackle of any offensive lineman in this draft.  Castonzo showed off great athleticism in the position drills at the combine, but his lower body strength is still a concern.

 19. Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin

            6’7’’ – 314 lbs – 5.27

Commish’s Take:  I really like Carimi as an offensive tackle.  He’s big, mean, and physical.  Unfortunately, I’m not sure he’ll be quick enough to play left tackle in the pros.

 20. Jimmy Smith – CB – Colorado

            6’2’’ – 211 lbs – 4.46

Commish’s Take:  Smith seems more and more like Aqib Talib to me.  He has all the talent in the world, but character concerns will drop him on draft day.

21. Martez Wilson – LB – Illinois

            6’4’’ – 250 lbs – 4.49

Commish’s Take:  It’s tough to find a better blend of size and speed in any draft.  Wilson needs to bulk up his lower body, but he is loaded with talent. I really like the way Wilson gets to the quarterback when he blitzes and refuses to be blocked.

 22. Mike Pouncey – OG – Florida

            6’5’’ – 303 lbs – 5.28

Commish’s Take:  Pouncey’s starting to rise up and should be the top interior lineman drafted.  I just wouldn’t let him do shotgun snaps.

 23. Corey Liuget – DT – Illinois

            6’2’’ – 298 lbs – 4.99

Commish’s Take:  Liuget has good balance vs. the run and pass.  He isn’t elite, but could be very solid inside for a long time.

 24. Justin Houston – DE/OLB – Georgia

            6’3’’ – 270 lbs – 4.68

Commish’s Take:  Everything I’ve seen from Houston has him using his speed around the edge.  I’ve never seen an inside move from him.  Everyone I’ve talked to about him has said the same thing.  It’s tough to only rely on speed off the edge in the NFL unless you have elite speed. Right now, Houston doesn’t have elite speed.

25. Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama

            5’9’’ – 215 lbs – 4.62

Commish’s Take:  I had to move Ingram down because I just can’t draft a running back real high unless I know he’s an elite player.  I know Ingram’s game isn’t speed, but a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash is hard to swallow from a top 10 pick.  With so many running backs having success as late picks or undrafted free agents, I’m considering removing all running backs from my 1st round board this year. 

26. Christian Ponder – QB – FSU

            6’2’’ – 229 lbs – 4.65

Commish’s Take:  As expected, Ponder was very good in the interview process at the combine.  Ponder was also one of the best throwers at the combine displaying excellent accuracy.  I am concerned about his elbow and arm strength, but his leadership, work ethic, and accuracy seem to be winning out.

 27. Adrian Clayborn – DE – Iowa

            6’3’’ – 281 lbs – 4.83

Commish’s Take:  More red flags came out at the combine on Clayborn.  First, we found out that Clayborn suffers from Erb’s Paulsy which effects one side of his body.  We then found out that Clayborn’s right arm is shorter than his left arm which forced him to only play right end at Iowa.  I still think Clayborn had good enough tape to get 1st round consideration.

28.  Phil Taylor – DT – Baylor

            6’3’’ – 334 lbs – 5.20

Commish’s Take:  Taylor’s the top nose tackle in this draft.  His mean streak might be a turnoff to some, but I love it coming from a nose tackle.

29. Nate Solder – OT – Colorado

            6’8’’ – 319 lbs – 5.05

Commish’s Take:  Solder is a converted tight end still learning to be an offensive lineman.  He has potential to be a starting left tackle in the NFL.

30. Jake Locker – QB – Washington

            6’2’’ – 231 lbs – 4.59

Commish’s Take:  Locker is back in the top 32, but for how long.  Accuracy is still a major concern for me, but his mental makeup, athleticism, and arm strength are very good.  There will be plenty of teams in the 2nd round looking to trade back into the first round for one of these QBs.

31. Akeem Ayers – OLB – UCLA

            6’2’’ – 254 lbs – 4.80

Commish’s Take:  With so many linebackers running well this year at the combine, it was surprising to see Ayers as one of the slowest.  He is still a very instinctual linebacker and a big hitter. 

32. Jonathon Baldwin – WR – Pitt

            6’4’’ – 228 lbs – 4.50

Commish’s Take:  It’s tough to not be impressed with a receiver as big as Baldwin.  He also has good speed to get deep.  He slips because of a lack of consistency.

7 Responses to “Commish’s Draft Board II”

  1. CreamsicleBananaHammock Says:

    Love seeing Ponder at 26…..doubt he’ll go in the first round but I wouldn’t be surprised if Carolina snags him at the top of the second

  2. Architek Says:

    I love Carolina being screwed at the QB position because thats the main element they are missing and the fact that DeAngelo is a FA.

  3. Big Marlon B Says:

    Akeem Ayers….instinctual??? Just about everything I’ve read on him says the exact opposite. And from what I have actually seen of him (albeit limited clips) he seems to react a bit late on most plays. I’m not quite sure I understand that assessment of him.

  4. Gary Says:

    I would never draft houston in the first round when he cant even run a simple backpedal drill without busting his ass twice!

  5. IMHO... Says:

    Dareus will go #1. Carolina would be dumb by showing a weakness in decision making by their scouting dept to not believe in the QB they drafted a yr ago, along with a need for DT and having a defensive-minded head coach.

  6. Travis Says:

    Gary: Houston backpedal was a problem?
    I guess we better cut Aqib Talib because he cant do a correct rip or swim move…

    Really? Houston was working out with the linebackers, but hes is and will be a DE in our system if we draft him…

    How often do we drop our backers into protection?

  7. Big Marlon B Says:

    Hey Travis I’m pretty sure you mean….
    “How often do we drop our LINEMEN into COVERAGE”
    Protection is for offensive linemen, coverage is what defensive players do. And linebackers drop into coverage quite often…linemen don’t.