Good analysis!! You missed mentioning that Romeus disappears at times and has been noted to take plays off.
True WW, but hopefully that'll disappear this year with the countless amount of people that will be watching him this year.
#7. CAMERON HEYWARD, Defensive End - Ohio State - Senior Everybody's favorite prospect from last season went back to school to prove his worth as a top ten pick. Heyward is an interesting guy because he so perfectly fits in as either a 43 tackle or a 34 end. Heyward is powerful and athletic, not much unlike his father Ironhead, but at a position that could actually use his skills to their full potential. Heyward has been starting for OSU since his freshman season at both defensive line spots, a great omen for the many teams that will look at his frame, strength, and long arms and see a 34 end. Heyward might not always put up monster stats, but has tremendous value as a guy who's equally skilled at getting into the backfield as he is holding up blockers. Heyward excels at the things that turn good players into guys teams can't live without. He could very quickly turn into a Richard Seymour like player, being great himself with an ability to help every other member of that front seven look a lot better. He has a tremendous work ethic, like most offspring of NFLers do, and that will certainly help him as he settles into a true role at the next level. Whether that role is as a 34 end intended to stop up running lanes or as an Albert Haynesworth like 43 tackle, he should be successful. It's tough to throw can't miss labels on prospects, because everyone can, but he's the player that would get such a tag. I can't see his skills not turning him into at least a very solid NFL player, even if he doesn't become the game's best defensive lineman. He should at the very least be a ten year NFL player/quality starter, and at his best be an All Pro defensive end and team leader. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inKtdfodCak[/youtube]
#6. ANDREW LUCK, Quarterback - Stanford - Sophomore Just one season down in his college football career and already Andrew Luck is on his way to being one of the best quarterback prospects of the past couple decades. While starting his entire freshman season, Luck displayed the type of skill set that could make him a #1 overall pick, whether that's next May or in two and a half years. He could stand to be more consistent, improve the completion percentage and all that type of stuff, but considering, again, that he started the season as a 19 year old I'm not too worried. Compare what he last season with another Pac Ten QB who's two years his senior in experience and tell me what's more impressive. Luck has a top notch arm, size, intelligence, a developed throwing motion, a very QB friendly coach, two fantastic wideouts, and just about everything else that a team would want in a quarterback minus experience at the college level. There's no guarantee that Luck would go pro after this year even if he has a great statistical season with the negative stereotype that usually follows underclassman QBs. Plus, one would have to take that a step further with a RS Sophomore QB, even if Luck will have been starting for two complete seasons. There is a potential void at the top of this QB class, but big seasons from Locker or Johnson could catapult them up into the top ten discussion. If that happens, Luck will probably stay for a junior season that should guarantee him (barring injury) the #1 overall spot. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol_I_g_jeGs[/youtube]
Look at what his helmet says. Do you really think I believe any part of what I said or what it implies?
#5. MARCEL DAREUS, Defensive End - Alabama - Junior As long as the agent party business doesn't knock Dareus out for an extended period, he should emerge as the best 34 prospect in the 2011 draft. Dareus has only started four games officially for the Tide, yet he's one of the most feared defensive players in the country. He was dominant just about whenever he was put on the field, and made the most of his opportunities when he was able to get some exposure (see the pic above). He burst onto the national scene by dominating the National Title game, knocking out Colt McCoy and housing a interception at the end of the first half. He also has been shredding over the spring, 21 tackles 10 sacks and 11.5 for loss over the three scrimmages. Dareus is a monster prospect because he can do things that a person his size shouldn't. There will be people that will rave about Suh and McCoy from last year, but Dareus could very well end up as a higher rated prospect. I saw someone write that he was basically a running back in a 300 lb body, and I'd have a hard time arguing that. He's a tremendous athlete, a natural passrusher, and has the body/strength to excel in any defense. If he can get to this level playing as what amounted to a key role player, imagine now that he'll be a full time starter. Also, some might be concerned with how he'll play after the defense lost so much, but with the way that team can re-load they should be. As for the agent party controversy, word is that he should only miss about 3 games. Not sure if that's best case or worst, but that wouldn't be that damaging to his value. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-99CuEwY2A&feature=related[/youtube]
#4. PATRICK PETERSON, Cornerback - LSU - Junior Take all of the best cornerback prospects over the past few years and combine them. Then, eliminate all of the negatives. After that, name that frankenstein-like creation Patrick Peterson. 6'1, 200+ lbs, top notch speed, physicality, and impressive performances against some top SEC wideouts, he is a science experiment gone terrifically right. There isn't much about his game that can be improved, which is good because the chances of him getting much better at LSU isn't likely. Peterson had the skills to excel from the moment he arrived on campus, and hasn't disappointed. 15 passes defensed last year could very easily turn into near double digit INTs in what will likely be his money year, that is, if he's ever thrown at. Peterson's positives are endless, and the only weakness that one could really see in him is that he knows he's that good. It's not hard to see his cockiness after seeing him make a play or two, but that also translates to times thinking he's already Deion Sanders. As much of a natural as he is, he needs to remember that in the NFL he can't get by on his gifts alone. The one thing that teams should look forward to most is that he still has the potential that he's being held back from with the Tigers. The second that he gets in front of an NFL coaching staff expect his game to improve dramatically (which is saying a lot). [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_Y3i9p4OoI[/youtube]
You have no fucking idea, he is literally Revis of the SEC he negated Jones and Green every time he was put on him. Oh yeah except when LSU coaches thought it would be better to follow the "scheme" and put him on some slot guy. Peterson is so fucking dirty, sort of like Revis the obvious numbers (INTs and PD) dont really show it but if you watch the game you can see how good he is by the lack of passes at receivers. I'm pretty sure for AJ Green said he was the best corner he faced, thats coming from AJ Green. Even though I loved Wilson, I was sort of hoping we would trade up and get Peterson (not just because Im a huge Tigers fan). I've said it before, whats amazing about Peterson is how big he looks, he looks like linebacker, Im going to post a video further down, notice right before he makes the INT vs Bama, he is physically bigger than the receiver (its hard to describe). Physically he looks alot like Ali Highsmith a LINEBACKER, who wore 7. The two things that Peterson could do to make his stock higher would be if LSU has a better pass rush, and if LSU coaches could put Peterson on the top WR for the team we face because I have zero doubt he could essentially eliminate him. I'm a little shocked that a guy like Chavis who worked with Eric Berry for two years dosent understand how to use Peterson. I will say the only other weakness in Petersons game is that sometimes he misses his assignment. Other than that he is flat out amazing and actually maybe on of the few quality products that LSU pumps into the NFL The part I mentioned is around the 5 second mark, its only about 2 seconds [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev3JTpEnXWo[/YOUTUBE]
He's a total stud, Code. Really, any of the top four (Dareus juuuuust missing the same designation) are interchangeable, I think all are going to be outstanding players. It's just the negative influence of the LSU staff that makes him fourth. It's also the reason that Barksdale didn't have a spot in my top 50 while everyone else has him top 32.
Its ok with Barksdale I mean ESPN has a 5th round grade on him Back to the LSU coaching staff, its truly horrendous. Some would say they just prefer upperclassmen as starters, but I think they just prefer less talented players to play. They didnt redshirt Russell Sheppard to develop him into a QB but to use his speed. Fine, but then they put him in such a bad position so its almost a waist of eligibility. Your also talking about a coaching staff that last year, when both of our starting RB go down for the year, he wont take the redshirt off of Mike Ford who was highly recruited (though by the time Williams went down the season was kind of lost). Another example is that when our pass rush sucked we had Sam Montgomery tearing it up in practice every week, did he play nope. Outside of John Chavis and to a lesser extent Billy Gonzalez, the coaching staff is crap
#3. AJ GREEN, Wide Receiver - Georgia - Junior So far I've compared receiver prospects to such dominant NFL players as Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, and Vincent Jackson... it's hard to top that list of on-field role models. That is, unless you're the best receiver of this generation, Randy Moss. Enter, AJ Green, probably the closest thing to Moss the NFL Draft has seen over the past decade. He's got a similar body type to Randy, 6'4 with a lanky build and long arms built for snagging jump balls, and the same type of scary athletic ability. Green has put up over 100 catches for 1700 yards and 14 touchdowns over his first two seasons, and one can expect him to take a big step forward this year even with another new QB. What separates Green from Jones, Floyd, and Baldwin is that, like Patrick Peterson, everything he does looks like it comes naturally. Whether it's his hands, his ability downfield, or when he's jumping through the air, you can't watch him without marveling how smooth he is. Just like Randy, if there's a ball thrown his way he automatically has a great chance of catching it, no matter where the defender is. His body control eliminates defenders from the equation, his speed puts him in the right spot, and his leaping ability seals the deal. There will be people that say his body isn't NFL ready, but Moss stayed about the same size through much of his career. Plus, it's not like a DB will get very many clean shots on him. Even though it hasn't been done in a long time, as teams see how good his game can be there will be a lot of talk about him possibly going #1 overall.
BTW, I know I moved up the countdown so it was supposed to be 3 and 2 today, but I'm torn between my top 2. I'll make the pick for #1 tomorrow, and either do both or one and one the next two days.
Dont talk about life when we had co-defensive coordinators, have two three year olds trying to run an Bamas defense and youll see how bad it is. Also it was really only one play where Peterson got really exposed
But it was the most important play of the game he got beat on. 3rd and Chavis is certainly an upgrade at DC, but he's far from perfect. He likes to give WRs a decent size cushion in coverage...
If you want to talk about how crappy our coaches are consider this Jimbo Fisher, Nick Saban Will Muschamp, and Bo Pelini were all coaches at LSU so yeah we are great at having great coaches come through our system to then go and be great coaches somewhere else. While we get the crappy remains. Chavis is a good coach but one thing that Ive noticed about the great SEC defenses is that you need great players. Last year LSU had one of the weakest defensive lines of the decade (though Sam Montgomery is going to be a beast) and our linebacking group was pretty thin. But I expect a improvement in our defense
No doubt LSU has had good coaches some pass through there. LSU's DL should produce a good pass rush this season, but you have to think they are giving up a bit in run stopping with these faster players. It might help vastly against a Florida, but might have a tough time with a run first offense like Bama.
