Scout Russ Landy's draft top 40 for next April (1 Viewer)

[Bracie Smathers]

Never too early and this subject was throw aournd on in the latest Audible show so a nice piggy-back on what, Cecil, Matt, and Sig touched on.

-Only posting the top 20, skipped over much supporting info so go to link for full read-

Lande's Sporting News top 40 draft list

Draft Top 40: Fairley, Green are better NFL prospects than Newton

... Lande's Fab 40

1. Andrew Luck*, Stanford, QB

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

3. Nick Fairley, Auburn, DT

4. Da'Quan Bowers*, Clemson, DE

5. Cameron Jordan, Cal, DE

6. Patrick Peterson*, LSU, CB

7. Von Miller, Texas A&M, OLB

8. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB

9. Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE

10. Robert Quinn*, North Carolina, DE

11. Jonathan Baldwin*, Pitt, WR

12. Ryan Williams*, Virginia Tech, RB

13. Michael Floyd*, Notre Dame, WR

14. Stephen Paea, Oregon State, DT

15. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State, OT

16. Bruce Carter, North Carolina, OLB

17. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, OT

18. Leonard Hankerson, Miami (Fla.), WR

19. Julio Jones*, Alabama, WR

20. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

 

[cvnpoka]

not even a mention of ryan mallett. weird.

 

[NorrisB]

how is ryan williams over ingram?

 

[vandyt]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.

I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

 

[Area51Inhabitant]

FWIW, I don't think there's a chance in hades that Ponder is the second QB off the board in April. Frankly I would be surprised to see him go in the Second round.

 

[munchkin]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

And obviously not a fan of the Patriots

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Ryan Mallet?

Blackmon - wr -OkSt??

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I don't know much about college football these days so I tune into the top collegiate prospects later around bowl time but I figured that people who follow college ball closer could come up with some insights or suggest other players and explain why they should or should not be on the list.

Waldman?

Cecil?

Sig?

You guys seem to know your college ball and how prospects stack up for the draft. If anything, Lande's list gives a sounding board for someone with keener insight to add some meat and I admit I don't have that insight so I was hoping for someone who follows these prospects closer to chime in.

The one player I have seen and was suprised that he didn't rate higher is Ingram but I don't know the other prospects from this year but Ingram has the, speed, power, explosion, low center of gravity, balance, to be a far better prospect than Mathews from this last draft IMHO.

If Mark Ingram comes out, and he should, then I think he should be the first RB off the board.

I will add that in standard FF leagues he will be the guy taken over his team mate AJ Green in many rookie drafts.

 

[kencav]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

Thug

 

[vandyt]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

And obviously not a fan of the Patriots

No problem with the Pats, but they do accumulate alot of dirty players. Now that Rodney and Vrabel have left, Wilfork and Merriweather are the best they have.Specifically thinking of what Wilfork did to JP Losman and Brandon Jacobs, and what Meriweather did in the incident with FIU and against Heap.

 

[smashingsilver]

The one player I have seen and was suprised that he didn't rate higher is Ingram but I don't know the other prospects from this year but Ingram has the, speed, power, explosion, low center of gravity, balance, to be a far better prospect than Mathews from this last draft IMHO.

If Mark Ingram comes out, and he should, then I think he should be the first RB off the board.

I will add that in standard FF leagues he will be the guy taken over his team mate AJ Green in many rookie drafts.

I assume you are referring to Julio Jones, as Green plays for Georgia. And yes, I can't see how Ingram isn't the highest rated RB in any list. I don't think it's even close.

 

[njherdfan]

I'm surprised Gabe Carimi of Wisconsin isn't on the list. I've seen him play a fair amount of times and he's VERY impressive, and today against Michigan he looked like he was blocking 12 year olds. Wisconsin ran the ball 26 (i think) consecutive times and almost every play was right behind Carimi.

 

[shader]

I think Ingram has the potential to lose the top spot. He had a knee injury, and had some tough games this year where he didn't seem to have the same speed of last year. Also, defenses committed to taking out the running game this year as well.

I could see Ingram's .40 time being lower than some expect and for him to fall.

It's been said a million times, but he's an Emmitt Smith clone. Put Ingram behind a great line, and he'll be a perennial top 3 RB.

If he's on a bad line...........who knows. Still solid, but who knows.

 

[Don Quixote]

I think Ingram has the potential to lose the top spot. He had a knee injury, and had some tough games this year where he didn't seem to have the same speed of last year. Also, defenses committed to taking out the running game this year as well.I could see Ingram's .40 time being lower than some expect and for him to fall.It's been said a million times, but he's an Emmitt Smith clone. Put Ingram behind a great line, and he'll be a perennial top 3 RB. If he's on a bad line...........who knows. Still solid, but who knows.

No other RB has really stepped this year to take Ingram's place at the top though. And Ryan Williams over Ingram in the OP list makes no sense as Williams has been dealing with injuries and been pedestrian (to where he's splitting carries in committee) all year.

 

[fruity pebbles]

I think Ingram has the potential to lose the top spot. He had a knee injury, and had some tough games this year where he didn't seem to have the same speed of last year. Also, defenses committed to taking out the running game this year as well.I could see Ingram's .40 time being lower than some expect and for him to fall.It's been said a million times, but he's an Emmitt Smith clone. Put Ingram behind a great line, and he'll be a perennial top 3 RB. If he's on a bad line...........who knows. Still solid, but who knows.

No other RB has really stepped this year to take Ingram's place at the top though. And Ryan Williams over Ingram in the OP list makes no sense as Williams has been dealing with injuries and been pedestrian (to where he's splitting carries in committee) all year.

He certainly looked good today.

 

[Matt Waldman]

I don't know much about college football these days so I tune into the top collegiate prospects later around bowl time but I figured that people who follow college ball closer could come up with some insights or suggest other players and explain why they should or should not be on the list.Waldman?Cecil?Sig?You guys seem to know your college ball and how prospects stack up for the draft. If anything, Lande's list gives a sounding board for someone with keener insight to add some meat and I admit I don't have that insight so I was hoping for someone who follows these prospects closer to chime in.The one player I have seen and was suprised that he didn't rate higher is Ingram but I don't know the other prospects from this year but Ingram has the, speed, power, explosion, low center of gravity, balance, to be a far better prospect than Mathews from this last draft IMHO. If Mark Ingram comes out, and he should, then I think he should be the first RB off the board.I will add that in standard FF leagues he will be the guy taken over his team mate AJ Green in many rookie drafts.

Kind of busy actually just watching games heavily right now so as I see enough I'll comment in a thread I'll create in late December. Ingram is definitely a player I would have on a list like this based on what I studied of him last year. I doubt anything will change that unless he suffers a catastrophic injury.

 

[SoBeDad]

Hard to see 5 WRs go in the first 20, even though it has become a passing league. Hankerson has been mentioned locally as a late first round pick. He has size and strength, but his 40-time will determine if he makes it into the 1st round. He's a superb route runner - I've seen several times when he had to fight through a defender or make multiple moves to get to the spot that Jacory Harris was throwing the ball. He had a bad case of the drops as a freshman, but then Mark Duper worked with him and now he has good hands.

 

[TitusIII]

Daniel Thomas(RB- Kansas State) should be a top 5-10 pick, no question, in my mind, that he will be a stud at the NFL level...tune in to KSU's bowl game for proof

 

[Drew RosenhausFan]

I don't see any way how there are 40 prospects better than Alabama DL Marcel Dareus.

Honestly, I'd be shocked if there are 10.

 

[TitusIII]

I don't see any way how there are 40 prospects better than Alabama DL Marcel Dareus.Honestly, I'd be shocked if there are 10.

 

[Sinrman]

I still see Locker in these lists. The guy looked terrible this year. I don't see him getting drafted in the first 2-3 rounds at this point.

Of course the closer we get to the draft, the more he might move up as people forget.........

 

[BallparkFrank]

I didn't see the game, but I noticed that Mikel Leshoure (ILL RB) had 33-330-2 yesterday against NW. I don't know anything about his running style, but he has ideal NFL size at 6-1, 230 and has been mentioned several times in the 2011 prospects thread as one of the RB's in a pretty weak group that could step up and give this class some much-needed depth. I'm curious to hear thoughts on him from those that have seen him?

 

[DansRams]

I didn't see the game, but I noticed that Mikel Leshoure (ILL RB) had 33-330-2 yesterday against NW. I don't know anything about his running style, but he has ideal NFL size at 6-1, 230 and has been mentioned several times in the 2011 prospects thread as one of the RB's in a pretty weak group that could step up and give this class some much-needed depth. I'm curious to hear thoughts on him from those that have seen him?

I think he looks very good...quick feet, power and vision...great back in right sytem, but certainly not an elite talent. My guess is he will go in the 2nd or 3rd round

 

[The Comedian]

I still see Locker in these lists. The guy looked terrible this year. I don't see him getting drafted in the first 2-3 rounds at this point.

 

[gump]

Did this guy go to Auburn? No Dareus or Ingram...and Julio is the 5th WR?

 

[TitusIII]

I didn't see the game, but I noticed that Mikel Leshoure (ILL RB) had 33-330-2 yesterday against NW. I don't know anything about his running style, but he has ideal NFL size at 6-1, 230 and has been mentioned several times in the 2011 prospects thread as one of the RB's in a pretty weak group that could step up and give this class some much-needed depth. I'm curious to hear thoughts on him from those that have seen him?

I think he looks very good...quick feet, power and vision...great back in right sytem, but certainly not an elite talent. My guess is he will go in the 2nd or 3rd round

Agreed, he's no Ingram/Daniel Thomas/elite talent....but CBS has him as the #3 RB off the board in the 2012 draft, if he stays in school(which I doubt he will, as Illinois has a group of solid RB's who need carries, and I doubt he can increase his value, as NFL GM's know LeShoure has the goods to produce in the NFL. Still think Daniel Thomas and Ingram are the only "locks" to produce at the NFL level, but LeShoure certainly has what it takes to be a fine back as long as he doesn't end up in a terrible situation. Probably the best "specimen" of all the RB's in the 2011/2012 class(well, Daniel Thomas is a freak as well, so maybe the 2nd best)...great size/speed combo, but I don't know if he has the agility to be an uber-stud in the NFL...solid starter/backup? Mos def...time will tell...

 

[vandyt]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

And obviously not a fan of the Patriots

Shaun Hill, who has been playing with a broken left forearm, accused the Patriots of trying to break it again in Thursday's game.Hill appeared to fumble the ball on a second-quarter QB sneak only to be ruled down on the play. "That's why I eventually gave up the ball," Hill said. "Somebody was down there literally trying to break my arm, which is already broken. Literally, trying. And, uh, y'know, I guess wasn't seen (by officials)."Source: MLive.com

 

[munchkin]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

And obviously not a fan of the Patriots

No problem with the Pats, but they do accumulate alot of dirty players. Now that Rodney and Vrabel have left, Wilfork and Merriweather are the best they have.Specifically thinking of what Wilfork did to JP Losman and Brandon Jacobs, and what Meriweather did in the incident with FIU and against Heap.

No problem There are a lot of dirty players in the HOF.

 

[flc735]

i'm anticipating the adp 1.1 to be whichever running back miami takes, whether that be ingram or ryan williams

(if they take an rb in the 1st)

running behind jake long!

 

[Bracie Smathers]

I think Ingram has the potential to lose the top spot. He had a knee injury, and had some tough games this year where he didn't seem to have the same speed of last year. Also, defenses committed to taking out the running game this year as well.I could see Ingram's .40 time being lower than some expect and for him to fall.It's been said a million times, but he's an Emmitt Smith clone. Put Ingram behind a great line, and he'll be a perennial top 3 RB. If he's on a bad line...........who knows. Still solid, but who knows.

No other RB has really stepped this year to take Ingram's place at the top though. And Ryan Williams over Ingram in the OP list makes no sense as Williams has been dealing with injuries and been pedestrian (to where he's splitting carries in committee) all year.

Yesterday Ingram fumbled two times but the thing that stood out was that the announcers said that Ingram had only fumbled once in his last 600 attempts so although his fumbles were bad if you put it into proper context of only 3 fumbles in over 600 attempts then ball security is another thing that stands out in his favor. Also he looked good catching the ball out of the backfield and his acceleration was clearly evident.He looks like a stud fantasy back and he'll probably come out early.

 

[Whizzinator]

Nick Fairley will instantly join James Harrison, Brandon Merriweather, Vince Wilfork and Jared Allen in the top 5 dirtiest players in the NFL.I'm a fan of neither team, but what I saw of him in the AUB/UGA game last weekend reminded me a whole lot of Vince Wilfork going tomahawk chop on J.P. Losman's knee.

And obviously not a fan of the Patriots

No problem with the Pats, but they do accumulate alot of dirty players. Now that Rodney and Vrabel have left, Wilfork and Merriweather are the best they have.Specifically thinking of what Wilfork did to JP Losman and Brandon Jacobs, and what Meriweather did in the incident with FIU and against Heap.

Vrabel is dirty? I think your lens is what is dirty here....

 

[Illegal Pants Downfield]

<snip>[ingram] looks like a stud fantasy back and he'll probably come out early.

Do you guys think the potential lockout this offseason will sway would-be underclassmen draft candidates to stay in school?It's my understanding that if there is a lockout, that the 2011 NFL draft would happen as normal, but the season may not be played, or may be shortened.

Does anyone know:

[*]When does an underclassman have to declare for the draft? I've read the current CBA expires March 3, 2011.

[*]If a player declares for the draft, and is drafted, would they still be paid for 2011, or is that part of the bargaining of the lockout? (Thinking this may have an impact in the decision of the money-hungry underclassmen vs. the love-of-the-game underclassmen?)

 

[fruity pebbles]

<snip>[ingram] looks like a stud fantasy back and he'll probably come out early.

Do you guys think the potential lockout this offseason will sway would-be underclassmen draft candidates to stay in school?It's my understanding that if there is a lockout, that the 2011 NFL draft would happen as normal, but the season may not be played, or may be shortened.

Does anyone know:

[*]When does an underclassman have to declare for the draft? I've read the current CBA expires March 3, 2011.

[*]If a player declares for the draft, and is drafted, would they still be paid for 2011, or is that part of the bargaining of the lockout? (Thinking this may have an impact in the decision of the money-hungry underclassmen vs. the love-of-the-game underclassmen?)

Middle of January. Cant imagine anyone would be swayed by the chance theres a lockout.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

<snip>[ingram] looks like a stud fantasy back and he'll probably come out early.

Do you guys think the potential lockout this offseason will sway would-be underclassmen draft candidates to stay in school?It's my understanding that if there is a lockout, that the 2011 NFL draft would happen as normal, but the season may not be played, or may be shortened.

Does anyone know:

[*]When does an underclassman have to declare for the draft? I've read the current CBA expires March 3, 2011.

[*]If a player declares for the draft, and is drafted, would they still be paid for 2011, or is that part of the bargaining of the lockout? (Thinking this may have an impact in the decision of the money-hungry underclassmen vs. the love-of-the-game underclassmen?)

Middle of January. Cant imagine anyone would be swayed by the chance theres a lockout.

The bigger issue is how they get signed. If the owners wait (and they likely will) for a rookie salary cap to be installed, there's little incentive to wait to come out. If there's any hint that the rookie cap may get phased in, the floodgates will open.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Updated list:

Lande's Fab 40

(* - denotes junior or third-year sophomore)

1. Andrew Luck*, Stanford, QB

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

3. Da'Quan Bowers*, Clemson, DE

4. Nick Fairley, Auburn, DT

5. Cameron Jordan, Cal, DE

6. Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE

7. Von Miller, Texas A&M, OLB

8. Jonathan Baldwin*, Pitt, WR

9. Patrick Peterson*, LSU, CB

10. Ryan Williams*, Virginia Tech, RB

11. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB

12. Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, OT

13. Robert Quinn*, North Carolina, DE

14. Michael Floyd*, Notre Dame, WR

15. Stephen Paea, Oregon State, DT

16. Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State, OT

17. Bruce Carter, North Carolina, OLB

18. Leonard Hankerson, Miami (Fla.), WR

19. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU

20. Julio Jones*, Alabama, WR

21. Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

22. Ryan Broyles*, WR, Oklahoma

23. Mark Ingram*, Alabama, RB

24. Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State, C

25. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

26. Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy

27. Ross Homan, Ohio State, ILB

28. Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson, DT

29. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, RB

30. Jacquizz Rodgers*, Oregon State, RB

31. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, QB

32. Kyle Rudolph*, Notre Dame, TE

33. DeMarcus Love, Arkansas, OT

34. Orlando Franklin, Miami (Fla.), OT

35. Christian Ponder, Florida State, QB

36. Blaine Gabbert*, QB, Missouri

37. Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss, DT

38. Greg Jones, ILB, Michigan State

39. Marvin Austin, North Carolina, DT

40. Rodney Hudson, C, Florida State

Read more: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-...y#ixzz17LrjqIF7