Kiper's top 10 at every position.

[Dustin]

Running backs

1. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
2. *Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona
3. *Bishop Sankey, Washington
4. *Jeremy Hill, LSU
5. *Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
6. *De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon
7. *Tre Mason, Auburn
8. Charles Sims, West Virginia
9. Dri Archer, Kent State
10. Andre Williams, Boston College

Wide receivers

1. *Sammy Watkins, Clemson
2. *Marqise Lee, USC
3. **Mike Evans, Texas A&M
4. *Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
5. *Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
6. **Davante Adams, Fresno State
7. *Jarvis Landry, LSU
8. **Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
9. Robert Herron, Wyoming
10. Josh Huff, Oregon

Tight ends

1. *Eric Ebron, North Carolina
2. *Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
3. *Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
4. *Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
5. CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa
6. Crockett Gillmore, Colorado State
7. Marcel Jensen, Fresno State
8. *Jake Murphy, Utah
9. *Colt Lyerla, Oregon
10. Jordan Najvar, Baylor

Offensive tackles

1. *Greg Robinson, Auburn
2. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
3. Taylor Lewan, Michigan
4. Zack Martin, Notre Dame
5. *Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
6. *Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
7. Morgan Moses, Virginia
8. Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
9. Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee
10. Seantrel Henderson, Miami (Fla.)

Offensive guards

1. Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
2. *David Yankey, Stanford
3. Brandon Thomas, Clemson
4. *Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA
5. Cyril Richardson, Baylor
6. Joel Bitonio, Nevada
7. Jon Halapio, Florida
8. John Urschel, Penn State
9. Chris Watt, Notre Dame
10. Ryan Groy, Wisconsin

Centers

1. *Marcus Martin, USC
2. Weston Richburg, Colorado State
3. *Russell Bodine, North Carolina
4. Travis Swanson, Arkansas
5. Bryan Stork, Florida State
6. Jonotthan Harrison, Florida
7. Tyler Larsen, Utah State
8. Dillon Farrell, New Mexico
9. James Stone, Tennessee
10. Zac Kerin, Toledo

Defense

 

Defensive ends

1. *Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
2. *Kony Ealy, Missouri
3. *Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
4. *Scott Crichton, Oregon State
5. Chris Smith, Arkansas
6. *Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
7. Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
8. Kareem Martin, North Carolina
9. *Jeoffrey Pagan, Alabama
10. Marcus Smith, Louisville

Defensive tackles

1. *Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
2. *Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
3. Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
4. *Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
5. Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
6. Will Sutton, Arizona State
7. *Dominique Easley, Florida
8. DaQuan Jones, Penn State
9. *Anthony Johnson, LSU
10. *Ego Ferguson, LSU

Inside linebackers

1. CJ Mosley, Alabama
2. Chris Borland, Wisconsin
3. Shayne Skov, Stanford
4. Preston Brown, Louisville
5. Max Bullough, Michigan State
6. *Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
7. Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA
8. Glenn Carson, Penn State
9. Avery Williamson, Kentucky
10. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky

Outside linebackers

1. Khalil Mack, Buffalo
2. Anthony Barr, UCLA
3. *Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
4. Dee Ford, Auburn
5. Kyle Van Noy, BYU
6. Trent Murphy, Stanford
7. *Carl Bradford, Arizona State
8. Telvin Smith, Florida State
9. Lamin Barrow, LSU
10. *Adrian Hubbard, Alabama

Cornerbacks

1. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
2. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
3. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
4. Jason Verrett, TCU
5. *Marcus Roberson, Florida
6. *Bradley Roby, Ohio State
7. Keith McGill, Utah
8. *Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida
9. Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
10. *Bashaud Breeland, Clemson

Safeties

1. *Calvin Pryor, Louisville
2. *Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
3. Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois
4. Deone Bucannon, Washington State
5. *Dion Bailey, USC
6. Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
7. Terrence Brooks, Florida State
8. Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
9. Marqueston Huff, Wyoming
10. Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State

Special teams

 

Kickers

1. Anthony Fera, Texas
2. Zach Hocker, Arkansas
3. Chris Boswell, Rice
4. Cairo Santos, Tulane
5. Carey Spear, Vanderbilt
6. Mitch Ewald, Indiana
7. Andrew Furney, Washington State
8. Vincenzo D'Amato, California
9. Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson
10. Cody Parkey, Auburn

Punters

1. Steven Clark, Auburn
2. Pat O'Donnell, Miami (Fla.)
3. Tom Hornsey, Memphis
4. Richie Leone, Houston
5. Cody Mandell, Alabama
6. Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa State
7. Michael Palardy, Tennessee
8. Cody Webster, Purdue
9. Ben Skaer, New Mexico
10. Tyler Campbell, Mississippi

[Superman]

No mention of some of my favorites. Interesting...

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Not gonna lie, I'm not okay with Tre Mason's ranking at 7. He is a monster.

[Beauregarde]

 

Running backs

1. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State
2. *Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona
3. *Bishop Sankey, Washington
4. *Jeremy Hill, LSU
5. *Lache Seastrunk, Baylor
6. *De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon
7. *Tre Mason, Auburn
8. Charles Sims, West Virginia
9. Dri Archer, Kent State
10. Andre Williams, Boston College

Wide receivers

1. *Sammy Watkins, Clemson
2. *Marqise Lee, USC
3. **Mike Evans, Texas A&M
4. *Odell Beckham Jr., LSU
5. *Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
6. **Davante Adams, Fresno State
7. *Jarvis Landry, LSU
8. **Kelvin Benjamin, Florida State
9. Robert Herron, Wyoming
10. Josh Huff, Oregon

Tight ends

1. *Eric Ebron, North Carolina
2. *Jace Amaro, Texas Tech
3. *Troy Niklas, Notre Dame
4. *Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington
5. CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa
6. Crockett Gillmore, Colorado State
7. Marcel Jensen, Fresno State
8. *Jake Murphy, Utah
9. *Colt Lyerla, Oregon
10. Jordan Najvar, Baylor

Offensive tackles

1. *Greg Robinson, Auburn
2. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
3. Taylor Lewan, Michigan
4. Zack Martin, Notre Dame
5. *Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
6. *Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
7. Morgan Moses, Virginia
8. Jack Mewhort, Ohio State
9. Ja'Wuan James, Tennessee
10. Seantrel Henderson, Miami (Fla.)

Offensive guards

1. Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
2. *David Yankey, Stanford
3. Brandon Thomas, Clemson
4. *Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA
5. Cyril Richardson, Baylor
6. Joel Bitonio, Nevada
7. Jon Halapio, Florida
8. John Urschel, Penn State
9. Chris Watt, Notre Dame
10. Ryan Groy, Wisconsin

Centers

1. *Marcus Martin, USC
2. Weston Richburg, Colorado State
3. *Russell Bodine, North Carolina
4. Travis Swanson, Arkansas
5. Bryan Stork, Florida State
6. Jonotthan Harrison, Florida
7. Tyler Larsen, Utah State
8. Dillon Farrell, New Mexico
9. James Stone, Tennessee
10. Zac Kerin, Toledo

Defense

 

Defensive ends

1. *Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
2. *Kony Ealy, Missouri
3. *Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
4. *Scott Crichton, Oregon State
5. Chris Smith, Arkansas
6. *Demarcus Lawrence, Boise State
7. Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas
8. Kareem Martin, North Carolina
9. *Jeoffrey Pagan, Alabama
10. Marcus Smith, Louisville

Defensive tackles

1. *Timmy Jernigan, Florida State
2. *Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
3. Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
4. *Kelcy Quarles, South Carolina
5. Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
6. Will Sutton, Arizona State
7. *Dominique Easley, Florida
8. DaQuan Jones, Penn State
9. *Anthony Johnson, LSU
10. *Ego Ferguson, LSU

Inside linebackers

1. CJ Mosley, Alabama
2. Chris Borland, Wisconsin
3. Shayne Skov, Stanford
4. Preston Brown, Louisville
5. Max Bullough, Michigan State
6. *Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
7. Jordan Zumwalt, UCLA
8. Glenn Carson, Penn State
9. Avery Williamson, Kentucky
10. Andrew Jackson, Western Kentucky

Outside linebackers

1. Khalil Mack, Buffalo
2. Anthony Barr, UCLA
3. *Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
4. Dee Ford, Auburn
5. Kyle Van Noy, BYU
6. Trent Murphy, Stanford
7. *Carl Bradford, Arizona State
8. Telvin Smith, Florida State
9. Lamin Barrow, LSU
10. *Adrian Hubbard, Alabama

Cornerbacks

1. Justin Gilbert, Oklahoma State
2. Darqueze Dennard, Michigan State
3. Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
4. Jason Verrett, TCU
5. *Marcus Roberson, Florida
6. *Bradley Roby, Ohio State
7. Keith McGill, Utah
8. *Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida
9. Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech
10. *Bashaud Breeland, Clemson

Safeties

1. *Calvin Pryor, Louisville
2. *Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama
3. Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois
4. Deone Bucannon, Washington State
5. *Dion Bailey, USC
6. Antone Exum, Virginia Tech
7. Terrence Brooks, Florida State
8. Ahmad Dixon, Baylor
9. Marqueston Huff, Wyoming
10. Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State

Special teams

 

Kickers

1. Anthony Fera, Texas
2. Zach Hocker, Arkansas
3. Chris Boswell, Rice
4. Cairo Santos, Tulane
5. Carey Spear, Vanderbilt
6. Mitch Ewald, Indiana
7. Andrew Furney, Washington State
8. Vincenzo D'Amato, California
9. Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson
10. Cody Parkey, Auburn

Punters

1. Steven Clark, Auburn
2. Pat O'Donnell, Miami (Fla.)
3. Tom Hornsey, Memphis
4. Richie Leone, Houston
5. Cody Mandell, Alabama
6. Kirby Van Der Kamp, Iowa State
7. Michael Palardy, Tennessee
8. Cody Webster, Purdue
9. Ben Skaer, New Mexico
10. Tyler Campbell, Mississippi

 

Except QB....

[Dustin]

Except QB....

 

T'was only a technical error.

 

1. Bridgewater

2. Bortles

3. Manziel

4. Carr

5. McCarron

6. Garopollo

7. Mettenberger

8. Logan Thomas

9. Brett Smith

10. Murray

[Manning1887]

I am kind of surprised that Travis Swanson is the #4 center. I have not even seen much mentioned regarding Marcus Martin from USC.

[Iancolts]

You think we can get josh huff like in the 6th round?

[Dustin]

You think we can get josh huff like in the 6th round?

 

He's projected as a 3rd-4th rounder. 

[chad72]

I am kind of surprised that Travis Swanson is the #4 center. I have not even seen much mentioned regarding Marcus Martin from USC.

 

Yay, I drafted Marcus Martin in round 3 for the Bengals in the colts forum mock draft .

 

One thing I do wonder is if a small speed back like Dri Archer will end up being a one trick pony at the NFL level, might be a tad too high, IMO, to put him in the top 10. I know he has great highlight reels but the quality of competition and questions of running between tackles is not going to be easy at the next level.

 

Everyone wants to look for the next Sproles but there have been more misses than hits. Besides, I am finding that you can put a talented guy on any roster but the playcaller has to maximize the potential, only a few playcallers can do so.

[John Dee]

Just an opinion...   from X

 

Nothing more...  nothing less...

[markabrown96]

Man we picked the the wrong USC center

[Gavin]

Meh, Plenty I disagree with...Just one mans opinion, I think not having Aaron Donald as anywhere but #1 at DT is looney

[chelsea_fc]

So when did Jordan Matthews drop out of the top 10 WR's?

[Gavin]

To follow up on my original statement, I enjoy different takes on rating draft eligible players but what about the reasons for why for example Kiper has Donald is rated below Jernigan and a  DT that didn't even play this year, Rankings give ya an idea of what somebody thinks about a player but what about actual reasons?

[BOTT]

He's projected as a 3rd-4th rounder.

Hopefully he gets kicked to the 5th due to the WR depth in this draft

[Beauregarde]

T'was only a technical error.

 

1. Bridgewater

2. Bortles

3. Manziel

4. Carr

5. McCarron

6. Garopollo

7. Mettenberger

8. Logan Thomas

9. Brett Smith

10. Murray

I think he is right about them but I just have this feeling that Manziel is going to find a way to be a star in the NFL in the Drew Brees mode. I think a Bridgewater and Bortles are OK but not game changers like Manziel will be. Just my take so take it for what it is worth (not much probably).

[Track Guy]

Wow I'm shocked Christian Jones didn't even crack the top 10 at ILB. And Smallwood only 6th?

 

A few names he's got up there that I would especially keep an eye on: OG Brandon Thomas who I've seen projected to be a 3rd - 4th round pick, S Marqueston Huff who I've seen projected to go 5th - 6th, and ILB Preston Brown who I've also seen projected to go 5th-6th.

[arkana04]

Please tell me how DAT is better than tre mason. 

 

DAT will never be anything more than a sproles type weapon. 

 

Mason has the chance to be a feature back.

[Patagonia Chris]

How has no one made a post yet asking if every Stanford player on the list would be a good fit?

[Superman]

So when did Jordan Matthews drop out of the top 10 WR's?

 

Shhh, maybe no one will notice and he'll drop to #59...

[Nobody]

No mention of some of my favorites. Interesting...

Same here.

[NewColtsFan]

Meh, Plenty I disagree with...Just one mans opinion, I think not having Aaron Donald as anywhere but #1 at DT is looney

 

Sure one man's opinion.    An opinion Kiper has made public for more than 30 years and with pretty good accuracy.

 

I'm always amused when people start trashing guys like Kiper and McShay....    it's February....   these opinions are going to get revised and updated plenty before the draft.     These are NOT final rankings.     Just as of today.

 

By the way.....     as for Donald....    is there a big history of 4-3 DT's who weigh less than 290?     He's got a first round grade, 

I hardly think he's been disrespected.

 

Just some food for thought....

[esmort]

He has to install enough changeable (often inaccurate) variables/picks in his early rankings/mocks so that when he does his late pre-draft "accurate" ones they will look like he has made some big changes.  Plus he gets an additonal benefit that if a couple of these "unconventional picks" actually do shoot up the draft boards he gets to point to his rankings/mock and say how he saw it coming.

[Dustin]

Please tell me how DAT is better than tre mason. 

 

DAT will never be anything more than a sproles type weapon. 

 

Mason has the chance to be a feature back.

 

Mason is 200 lbs, has mediocre speed  can't really block or catch and who played in an extremely RB friendly system. He'll be decent in a RBBC, but he's nothing special.

 

I don't see how DAT being "nothing more than a Sproles type weapon" is a knock against him. Darren Sproles is probably one of, if not the best receiving RBs in league history and hold the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a season .

[chelsea_fc]

Shhh, maybe no one will notice and he'll drop to #59...

that was my same thought, he's for some reason been losing steam lately. That or other guys are just the hotter names right now. If he doesn't run a good 40 time st the combine, I'm starting to think he really might be there at our pick. Fingers crossed.

[Defjamz26]

I'll lose my mind if Mason drops to like the 5th or 6th round. That guy is a Ray Rice clone. But I'm glad to see someone else realizes how ridiculous Carlos Hyde is. He's First round talent. And Thomas is just the latest "Swiss army knife" to come out of Oregon. He can't ever be a feature back, but he can be Darren Sproles. But let's all hope Mason drops far so we won't have to feel as bad at the Richardson situation. Seriously, Mason had one of the best rushing performances of his career against a stacked Florida State defense.

 

Can't believe he doesn't have Matthews at least in the top 10. But WR is always a deep class anyways.

 

On defense it's nice to see McGill and Deone Bucannon ranked where they are. And I've been thinking that it's "Buyers Beware" on those 2 corner from Florida anyways. I'm hoping those are our first 2 picks(Bucannon and McGill). DT rankings surprised me though. Jones that low Is crazy. And what sold him on Chris Borland? That guy has some short arms.

 

Not a bad list though. Biggest surprise is no SJB in his CB rankings. I'd take him over Roberson who has a questionable motor.

[COLTS449]

I'm surprised by this list actually, and Kelvin Benjamin has bust written all over him. My WR list would be....

 

Sammy Watkins

Mike Evans

Marquis Lee

Jordan Mathews

Odell Beckham

Allen Robinson

Jarvis Landry

Davante Adams

Brandon Cooks

Donte Moncrief

[NewColtsFan]

Mason is 200 lbs, has mediocre speed  can't really block or catch and who played in an extremely RB friendly system. He'll be decent in a RBBC, but he's nothing special.

 

I don't see how DAT being "nothing more than a Sproles type weapon" is a knock against him. Darren Sproles is probably one of, if not the best receiving RBs in league history and hold the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a season .

 

I don't know yet if I agree with the Mason assesment,  but I very much agree with the DAT view...   talented kid...   can really help a team in a variety of ways...

[Archer]

Big snub for Dakota Dozier (OG, Furman), James White (RB, Wisconsin), and E.J. Gaines (CB, Missouri), IMO.

[COLTS449]

Big snub for Dakota Dozier (OG, Furman), James White (RB, Wisconsin), and E.J. Gaines (CB, Missouri), IMO.

 

Agree. Dozier could end up being the best guard in this class.

[NewColtsFan]

Meh, Plenty I disagree with...Just one mans opinion, I think not having Aaron Donald as anywhere but #1 at DT is looney

 

Just wanted to share another thought because you're a Donald fan (just an observation, NOT a criticism)...   but McShay also has out his latest top 32 players...

 

Donald is 26...   Nix is 14.     By the way, Hageman, the big kid from Minnesota is a little higher than Donald,  in the low-mid 20's.

 

Just passing it along to share that Kiper is not alone in his view...    just for whatever it's worth...

[coltsfanatic24]

Daquan Jones should be ranked higher and Pierre Desir CB should be on the list. Both players could fall to us in the 2nd and 3rd round.

[Defjamz26]

Daquan Jones should be ranked higher and Pierre Desir CB should be on the list. Both players could fall to us in the 2nd and 3rd round.

Desir isn't as big a snub as Stanley Jean-Baptiste. I like his size and arm length, but if its a big physical corner you want, I'd rather have SJB or Keith McGill. Perhaps I need to see some tape on Desir though. Can he actually press?

[wig]

You think we can get josh huff like in the 6th round?

I wish. He would fit it great in Indy. He's a playmaker and great blocker for a WR.

[coltsfanatic24]

Keith Mcgill is a 2nd round prospect he won't make it to our pick in the 3rd round. If we were to draft a defensive front 7 player in the 2nd then Desir, Baptiste, and E.J Gaines are CB's that could be available in the 3rd. Pierre Desir is 6'2 200 lbs 4.45 40 can press and play zone coverage. In college Desir had 13 INT's with 30 passes defended in just two years. I like both Baptiste and Desir but i prefer Desir because of his superior ball skills.

 

Desir isn't as big a snub as Stanley Jean-Baptiste. I like his size and arm length, but if its a big physical corner you want, I'd rather have SJB or Keith McGill. Perhaps I need to see some tape on Desir though. Can he actually press?

[Defjamz26]

True. But If that's the case we should draft him early. One thing about Grigson is that he loves guys who can play multiple positions. McGill is a corner, but he can play safety if you wanted him too. Think about how we would have Hilton in the back field at times, or how he can play in the slot or outside. Or Lavon Brazil who can also return punts.

 

But like I said, I have to see more on Desir. It's hard finding tape on him because he went to such a small school. Does he get physical at the line? Will he re-route WR's?

[bellboys]

look out for Keith Wenning out of Ball State. This kid can play the QB position. He has the size and arm strength to play in the NFL.

[Gavin]

Just wanted to share another thought because you're a Donald fan (just an observation, NOT a criticism)...   but McShay also has out his latest top 32 players...

 

Donald is 26...   Nix is 14.     By the way, Hageman, the big kid from Minnesota is a little higher than Donald,  in the low-mid 20's.

 

Just passing it along to share that Kiper is not alone in his view...    just for whatever it's worth...

Im more interested in the reasons for the ranking of one player above another, I haven't really watched any segments dealing with the draft from Kiper or Mcshay

[Defjamz26]

I'm actually sold on Bullough. He's a very smart player. Definetly a guy who can be a signal caller on defense in few years. And he's what everyone works. He can play the run, rush the passer, and yes he can actually drop in coverage. But most importantly he diagnoses plays very well. I wouldn't at all be opposed to him being our 3rd round pick. Watch his tape:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIU-U7rseGU