Based on the way I think it should go, not how it will go. Did the same rankings/setup as Mr. E except with the added 43 positions. Quarterback 1. Cam Newton, Auburn 2. Jake Locker, Washington (I know, but I really am that low on the other QBs) 3. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 4. Andy Dalton, TCU 5. Colin Kaepernick, Nevada S. Ricky Stanzi, Iowa Running Back 1. Mark Ingram, Alabama 2. Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech 3. Mikel LeShoure, Illinois 4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma 5. Da'Rel Scott, Maryland S. Bilal Powell, Louisville Wide Receiver 1. AJ Green, Georgia 2. Julio Jones, Alabama 3. Leonard Hankerson, Miami 4. Randall Cobb, Kentucky 5. Greg Little, North Carolina S. Armon Binns, Cincinnati TE/FB 1. Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame 2. DJ Williams, Arkansas 3. Luke Stocker, Tennessee 4. Jordan Cameron, USC 5. Cameron Graham, Louisville S. Zach Pianalto, North Carolina Offensive Line 1. Tyron Smith, USC 2. Anthony Castonzo, BC 3. Danny Watkins, Baylor 4. Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin 5. Mike Pouncey, Florida S. Kris O'Dowd, USC 34 Defensive End 1. Marcel Dareus, Alabama 2. Cameron Jordan, Cal 3. Nick Fairley, Auburn 4. Cameron Heyward, Ohio State 5. Muhammed Wilkerson, Temple S. Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas 43 Defensive End 1. Robert Quinn, North Carolina 2. Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson 3. JJ Watt, Wisconsin 4. Aldon Smith, Missouri 5. Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue S. Ricky Elmore, Arizona 43 Defensive Tackle 1. Nick Fairley, Auburn 2. Marcel Dareus, Alabama 3. Corey Liuget, Illinois 4. Cameron Jordan, Cal 5. Stephen Paea, Oregon State S. Terrell McClain, USF 34 Nose Tackle 1. Phil Taylor, Baylor 2. Stephen Paea, Oregon State 3. Kenrick Ellis, Hampton (if Big Jenks wasn't this tall I wouldn't have had him as a Nose, but I'll give him a shot) 4. Jerrell Powe, Ole Miss 5. Sione Fua, Stanford S. Anthony Gray, Southern Miss 34 Outside Linebacker 1. Robert Quinn, North Carolina 2. Aldon Smith, Missouri 3. Von Miller, Texas A&M 4. Akeem Ayers, UCLA 5. Justin Houston, Georgia S. Ugo Chinasa, OK State 43 Outside Linebacker 1. Akeem Ayers, UCLA 2. Mason Foster, Washington 3. Bruce Carter, North Carolina 4. Chris Carter, Fresno State 5. KJ Wright, Mississippi State S. Doug Hogue, Syracuse Inside Linebacker 1. Martez Wilson, Illinois 2. Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina 3. Nate Irving, NC State 4. Mark Herzlich, BC 5. Kelvin Sheppard, LSU S. Alex Wujciak, Maryland Cornerback 1. Patrick Peterson, LSU 2. Brandon Harris, Miami 3. Prince Amukamara, Nebraska 4. Jimmy Smith, Colorado 5. Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State S. Kendric Burney, North Carolina Safety 1. Aaron Williams, Texas 2. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia 3. Joe Lefeged, Rutgers 4. Rahim Moore, UCLA 5. DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson S. Jermale Hines, Ohio State
Shorter height and big time strength sell Nose for me. If he can anchor in and control the gaps, which he absolutely can as powerful as he is with the natural leverage advantage, then he'll be a fantastic fit in any 34. He'd actually work really well in a one gap 34 too (or 34s that are versatile like the Jets).
Any reason why Watt was left out at the 3-4 DE Ranks? The rest of this is really solid, I love Binns and Gray as later round sleepers.
He'd be #6 on that list. To be perfectly honest, i'm not sure that what Watt does best is absolutely in line with what teams are looking for a traditional 34 de to do. I'm not saying I'd necessarily pass on Watt for Heyward or Wilkerson, but that's just because Watt's overall ability is clearly higher. It's similar to the Corey Wootton debate, he fits the physical mold but his instincts are as a passrusher.
