Kiper's Top-10 at every Position -- 11/19/15

[NewColtsFan]

Here is Kiper's latest list.     There are more than 220 names listed below.    Some may not declare for the draft in January.    Either way,  the list is fluid and will change many times before April.

 

An asterisk means the player is a junior (one more season of eligibility); two asterisks means the player is a third-year sophomore (two more seasons of eligibility).

 

Quarterbacks

1. *Paxton Lynch, Memphis
2. *Jared Goff, California
3. Carson Wentz, North Dakota St.
4. Connor Cook, Michigan St.
5. *Christian Hackenberg, Penn St.
6. Dak Prescott, Mississippi St.
7. *Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
8. Cody Kessler, USC
9. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky
10. Trevone Boykin, TCU

A few other names who would be next include Cardale Jones from Ohio State, Brandon Allen from Arkansas and Jacoby Brissett from North Carolina State. 

Running backs

1. *Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio St.
2. *Derrick Henry, Alabama
3. *C.J. Prosise, Notre Dame
4. Devontae Booker, Utah
5. *Alex Collins, Arkansas
6. *Paul Perkins, UCLA
7. James Conner, Pitt
8. Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
9. Jordan Howard, Indiana
10. *Corey Clement, Wisconsin

It's not a knock on Henry, but there isn't a huge gap between him and Howard, which is a size comparison but also underlines how close this group is overall. It can come down to preference as much as anything.

Fullbacks

1. Derek Watt, Wisconsin
2. Dan Vitale, Northwestern
3. *Glenn Gronkowski, Kansas St.
4. Chris Swain, Navy
5. Quayvon Hicks, Georgia
6. *Freddie Stevenson, Florida St.
7. Soma Vainuku, USC
8. Joe Kerridge, Michigan
9. Trevon Pendleton, Michigan St.
10. Cody Clay, West Virginia

Ready for another Watt and Gronk in the NFL?

Wide receivers

1. *Laquon Treadwell, Mississippi
2. Josh Doctson, TCU
3. *Michael Thomas, Ohio St.
4. *Corey Coleman, Baylor
5. *Will Fuller, Notre Dame
6. *Tyler Boyd, Pitt
7. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers
8. *Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
9. *Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
10. *Rashard Higgins, Colorado St.

Treadwell looks healthy and explosive. The name you might not know here is Kupp, who has simply dominated at his level. Doctson's health isn't a major concern, but it's something to watch given his 6-foot-3, 195-pound frame.

Tight ends

1. *Hunter Henry, Arkansas
2. *Jake Butt, Michigan
3. Jerell Adams, South Carolina
4. *Jordan Leggett, Clemson
5. *Austin Hooper, Stanford
6. *O.J. Howard, Alabama
7. Nick Vannett, Ohio St.
8. *Evan Engram, Mississippi
9. **Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech
10. Bryce Williams, East Carolina

This group looks better than it did early in the season. So many good sets of hands here.

Offensive tackles

1. *Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi
2. *Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
3. *Jack Conklin, Michigan St.
4. Taylor Decker, Ohio St.
5. Jason Spriggs, Indiana
6. Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
7. Tyler Johnstone, Oregon
8. Kyle Murphy, Stanford
9. Parker Ehinger, Cincinnati
10. Spencer Drango, Baylor

The gap between Tunsil and Stanley isn't significant. Spriggs has been a riser -- his recent showing against Michigan was impressive.

Guards

1. *Denver Kirkland, Arkansas
2. Cody Whitehair, Kansas St.
3. *Pat Elflein, Ohio St.
4. *Greg Pyke, Georgia
5. Christian Westerman, Arizona St.
6. Joshua Garnett, Stanford
7. Landon Turner, North Carolina
8. Vadal Alexander, LSU
9. Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas
10. Joe Thuney, NC St.

Not many changes here since the last update. Whitehair is a tackle who I project at guard -- not uncommon.

Centers

1. Ryan Kelly, Alabama
2. Max Tuerk, USC
3. *Dan Voltz, Wisconsin
4. Nick Martin, Notre Dame
5. Jack Allen, Michigan St.
6. Matt Skura, Duke
7. *Kyle Fuller, Baylor
8. Evan Boehm, Missouri
9. Austin Blythe, Iowa
10. *Ethan Pocic, LSU

Kelly makes the biggest jump. He has been consistent and has done a great job creating room for Derrick Henry.

Defensive end

1. *Joey Bosa, Ohio St.
2. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
3. *Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma St.
4. *Shaq Lawson, Clemson
5. *Jonathan Allen, Alabama
6. Jonathan Bullard, Florida
7. Shilique Calhoun, Michigan St.
8. **Carl Lawson, Auburn
9. Carl Nassib, Penn St.
10. Shawn Oakman, Baylor

Lawson has been the biggest riser during the season, but remember he didn't get full reps last season. Nassib's production hasn't gone unnoticed. All these guys could be gone before Round 3.

Defensive tackles

1. *Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
2. *Kenny Clark, UCLA
3. *A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
4. Jarran Reed, Alabama
5. *Austin Johnson, Penn St.
6. Jihad Ward, Illinois
7. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
8. Sheldon Day, Notre Dame
9. Anthony Zettel, Penn St.
10. Adolphus Washington, Ohio St.

Deep group with a few really good players I couldn't squeeze in. Robinson is the guy who has risen the most over the past month, and I had Ward on the edge of the top 10 but have pushed him up.

Inside linebackers

1. Reggie Ragland, Alabama
2. *Myles Jack, UCLA
3. Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
4. Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
5. *Reuben Foster, Alabama
6. Steven Daniels, Boston College
7. *Kendell Beckwith, LSU
8. *Scooby Wright, Arizona
9. Antonio Morrison, Florida
10. Terrance Smith, Florida St.

Ragland and Jack are so different, but that's what makes linebacker such an interesting group. It's all about the fit. Brothers has moved up a lot on my board. Guy is just always on the ball.

Outside linebackers

1. *Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
2. *Su'a Cravens, USC
3. Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
4. **Darron Lee, Ohio St.
5. *Leonard Floyd, Georgia
6. Kyler Fackrell, Utah St.
7. Joshua Perry, Ohio St.
8. Tyler Matakevich, Temple
9. Joe Schobert, Wisconsin
10. Deion Jones, LSU

Smith is going to go wire to wire at the top of this group. I know many people see Cravens as a box safety, but this is really where he needs to be listed based on how they use him.

Cornerbacks

1. *Jalen Ramsey, Florida St.
2. *Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. *Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
4. *Tre'Davious White, LSU
5. **Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
6. **Eli Apple, Ohio St.
7. *Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
8. William Jackson, Houston
9. KeiVarae Russell, Notre Dame
10. *Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma

 

Hard to beat the top two on this list. Different skill sets but so much talent. This is a really deep group. If Apple declares, he can move up.

Safeties

1. *Vonn Bell, Ohio St.
2. Jeremy Cash, Duke
3. *Jayron Kearse, Clemson
4. *Tony Conner, Mississippi
5. *T.J. Green, Clemson
6. *Marcus Maye, Florida
7. Darian Thompson, Boise St.
8. Karl Joseph, West Virginia
9. Jalen Mills, LSU
10. Miles Killebrew, Southern Utah

Cash is exceptional near the line of scrimmage, while Bell brings more value in coverage. I went back and forth on them for that top spot.

Kickers and punters

1. *Roberto Aguayo, PK, Florida St.
2. Brad Craddock, PK, Maryland
3. Drew Kaser, P, Texas A&M
4. Ka'imi Fairbairn, PK, UCLA
5. Hayden Hunt, K, Colorado St.
6. Jaden Oberkrom, PK, TCU
7. Riley Dixon, P, Syracuse
8. *Jake Elliott, PK, Memphis
9. Nick O'Toole, P, West Virginia
10. Ross Martin, PK, Duke

 

 

[Defjamz26]

Vadal Alexandet that low? Why.

[Superman]

No Joey Hunt at center. I'll be watching him and doing a report on him at some point, but I was very impressed by him while watching other players last season. Most notably, he shut down Jordan Phillips.

[Defjamz26]

No Joey Hunt at center. I'll be watching him and doing a report on him at some point, but I was very impressed by him while watching other players last season. Most notably, he shut down Jordan Phillips.

Same. I thought he was very underrated. I get the love for Kelly though. 4 year starter and a team captain. Opens up big holes as well.

[wig]

Between the players available and team needs, I would guess we picked a CB or OT, which probably means we won't. That's how I see it as this stage, though.

Guys like White, Fuller, Conklin or Decker.

That's with still thinking they take the South.

[NewColtsFan]

Between the players available and team needs, I would guess we picked a CB or OT, which probably means we won't. That's how I see it as this stage, though.

Guys like White, Fuller, Conklin or Decker.

That's with still thinking they take the South.

 

I think if we take the South at 8-8, and get bounced in the first round,  I think we'd be drafting 21st in every round.....

 

Certainly might make things interesting with the possible players available at those sports.....

[akcolt]

I think if we take the South at 8-8, and get bounced in the first round, I think we'd be drafting 21st in every round.....

Certainly might make things interesting with the possible players available at those sports.....

You have us losing at home? If Luck is back I think we can get this turned around. We are going to be forced to run the ball with Matt. I think that pays off in the playoffs.

[NewColtsFan]

You have us losing at home? If Luck is back I think we can get this turned around. We are going to be forced to run the ball with Matt. I think that pays off in the playoffs.

 

I hope you're right.

 

But until I see Luck back healthy and the team looking like the Colts we've all been expecting to see,  then I'll remain a bit skeptical about our chances.

 

Believe me,  I'd rather be wrong than right in this case.

[Black0ut117]

Desmond King, Iowa was leading all cornerbacks in the nation with interceptions this year and he is a senior and he is not listed as top 10? Cmon man...

[akcolt]

Desmond King, Iowa was leading all cornerbacks in the nation with interceptions this year and he is a senior and he is not listed as top 10? Cmon man...

Walter Camp Finalist. I would guess when it's time he will be on a lot of boards.

I was suprised Yannick Ngakoue from Maryland wasn't on the list at OLB. He wasn't as big a miss as King but I expected him to be there.

He beat Schreff like a drum last year looked good vs Conklin too. I have not watched the Terps too much this year but I know he's putting up numbers 12.5 sacks last I looked.

[NewColtsFan]

Desmond King, Iowa was leading all cornerbacks in the nation with interceptions this year and he is a senior and he is not listed as top 10? Cmon man...

 

I don't know anything about King....   too early in the process for me...

 

But,  typically,  in most drafts,  roughly 10 corners or so go in the first two rounds.

 

Perhaps King is seen as a 3rd or 4th rounder?      Nothing wrong or insulting with that?

 

Just thinking out loud trying to address your question.....

[akcolt]

I don't know anything about King.... too early in the process for me...

But, typically, in most drafts, roughly 10 corners or so go in the first two rounds.

Perhaps King is seen as a 3rd or 4th rounder? Nothing wrong or insulting with that?

Just thinking out loud trying to address your question.....

It’s tough to watch any Iowa Hawkeyes games from the 2013 or 2014 season and not come away impressed by young cornerback Desmond King, who vaulted himself into the starting lineup as a Freshman and never looked back.

He's doing it all this year 8 int's 25 yards a KR 13 a PR.

He will start getting attention. He's in Iowa things move slowly. He's at least a 2nd rounder IMO. Honestly I wouldn't watch much of the Hawks if my buddy wasn't from Iowa. He claims he's the next prime time, that's an exaggeration but the kid can play.

[NewColtsFan]

It’s tough to watch any Iowa Hawkeyes games from the 2013 or 2014 season and not come away impressed by young cornerback Desmond King, who vaulted himself into the starting lineup as a Freshman and never looked back.

He's doing it all this year 8 int's 25 yards a KR 13 a PR.

He will start getting attention. He's in Iowa things move slowly. He's at least a 2nd rounder IMO. Honestly I wouldn't watch much of the Hawks if my buddy wasn't from Iowa. He claims he's the next prime time, that's an exaggeration but the kid can play.

 

A note of caution....

 

In the 2013 draft,  Washington drafted David Amerson, a CB out of NC State.

 

In Amerson's junior year, he led the national in interceptions....    I think the number was 13,  but it might have been 11.     It wasn't anything less than that.

 

He was one of the more popular players on the wish list of most Colts fans. 

 

Turns out,  two things were important to know.....    one,  Amerson is a zone corner and not a man to man guy,  making him a bad fit for the Colts.

 

Two,  most of his interceptions were against the *s on the Wolfpack's schedule...   the non-conference games were you schedule some lower level team you know you're going to crush.     And watching the tape, you saw some of the the poorest QB play you could ever hope to imagine.   Just terrible.    It wasn't hard to see how Amerson came up with so many interceptions.

 

After two years (maybe 3?) with Washington,  Amerson was cut.     Not sure if any other team picked him up yet,  but his stock has plummeted.    

 

Bottom line:    There's more to a players resume' than his stats......    sometimes stats can be misleading...

[akcolt]

A note of caution....

In the 2013 draft, Washington drafted David Amerson, a CB out of NC State.

In Amerson's junior year, he led the national in interceptions.... I think the number was 13, but it might have been 11. It wasn't anything less than that.

He was one of the more popular players on the wish list of most Colts fans.

Turns out, two things were important to know..... one, Amerson is a zone corner and not a man to man guy, making him a bad fit for the Colts.

Two, most of his interceptions were against the *s on the Wolfpack's schedule... the non-conference games were you schedule some lower level team you know you're going to crush. And watching the tape, you saw some of the the poorest QB play you could ever hope to imagine. Just terrible. It wasn't hard to see how Amerson came up with so many interceptions.

After two years (maybe 3?) with Washington, Amerson was cut. Not sure if any other team picked him up yet, but his stock has plummeted.

Bottom line: There's more to a players resume' than his stats...... sometimes stats can be misleading...

I'm just saying the kid can play this is starting to. feel like Darby all over again.

[NewColtsFan]

I'm just saying the kid can play this is starting to. feel like Darby all over again.

 

I don't know that Darby's on the field play is what kept him out of the first round.

 

I think Darby fell to the 2nd round due to off the field concerns.     He, and the other starting CB had some off the field issues that may have knocked them down a around each....

 

Not saying that is the case for King -- again, I don't know -- but for Darby,  I think that's what hurt him....

[Defjamz26]

A note of caution....

In the 2013 draft, Washington drafted David Amerson, a CB out of NC State.

In Amerson's junior year, he led the national in interceptions.... I think the number was 13, but it might have been 11. It wasn't anything less than that.

He was one of the more popular players on the wish list of most Colts fans.

Turns out, two things were important to know..... one, Amerson is a zone corner and not a man to man guy, making him a bad fit for the Colts.

Two, most of his interceptions were against the *s on the Wolfpack's schedule... the non-conference games were you schedule some lower level team you know you're going to crush. And watching the tape, you saw some of the the poorest QB play you could ever hope to imagine. Just terrible. It wasn't hard to see how Amerson came up with so many interceptions.

After two years (maybe 3?) with Washington, Amerson was cut. Not sure if any other team picked him up yet, but his stock has plummeted.

Bottom line: There's more to a players resume' than his stats...... sometimes stats can be misleading...

Amerson was a desperation pick and a shining example of when you shouldn't draft for need. Redskins were working with little picks because of the RGIII trade, and needed CBS bad. They basically drafted whatever CB was left and it happened to be Amerson I'll have to look up King though.

[NewColtsFan]

Amerson was a desperation pick and a shining example of when you shouldn't draft for need. Redskins were working with little picks because of the RGIII trade, and needed CBS bad. They basically drafted whatever CB was left and it happened to be Amerson I'll have to look up King though.

 

Huh?

 

Amerson was highly thought of.

 

No one called this a "desperation pick" at that time.  

 

Not even you.

[Defjamz26]

Huh?

Amerson was highly thought of.

No one called this a "desperation pick" at that time.

Not even you.

Most rankings had him as like the 4th-5th best CB. Some even lower than that

[NewColtsFan]

Most rankings had him as like the 4th-5th best CB. Some even lower than that

 

 

You have to understand that most years 4-5 cornerbacks go in the first round.......

 

So, when I see someone's list of, say,  the top-10 cornerbacks for the draft,  I'm thinking that should cover the first two rounds.

 

Seriously.     Not kidding.

 

Certain positions are in demand and corner is one of them......