Spartan Nation NFL Draft Top Twenty

This is a unique list that we will continue to update as the draft approaches. Four of my friends who are NFL scouts (or personnel people) agreed to give me

This is a unique list that we will continue to update as the draft approaches. Four of my friends who are NFL scouts (or personnel people) agreed to give me their top twenty players at this point of the off season process leading up to the draft. They represent four different teams.Â

I will keep each of their identities confidential as you can imagine that their respective teams wouldn’t appreciate their participation in this endeavor. All I asked from them was that they give me their personal top twenty and why they like them. I weighed all four lists and put them in the appropriate order.

This list is not the order that I think they will be drafted, it is simply four men who get paid to do this for a living and who they think are the best twenty. There are a lot of pro days and workouts, as well as the combine left so I expect the list to change.

One scout had an interesting take that I want to share with all of you about the draft process. He said, “The way we draft is what do we need and who on the board at the time we pick fits a need the best. For example, Calvin Johnson was the best player in the draft on our board last year but had we been Detroit we wouldn’t have taken him. With the huge needs at offensive tackle and middle backer, we would have taken Joe Thomas or Patrick Willis. Both had Pro Bowl seasons. Now some pundits would have said those guys would have been too high of picks for the money (and we would have tried trading down) but would the Lions have been better of with either those two than Calvin? I sure think so. We draft (and have been successful) at picking guys that meet needs with priority given to lineman if we have a need there. I based my list on who best fits needs.”
Â
Here are some interesting stats about the list. All four scouts say that they place a high importance on a pure franchise QB (of which none listed any QB as a top notch franchise pick such as Peyton Manning) and on offensive and defensive line. Cornerback was also a position of high value. Something I learned was that offensive tackles, defensive tackles, defensive ends and cornerbacks all had a higher point of value (other than a sure fire franchise QB) to all four of our contributors.

Here is how the top twenty broke down as far as position.

1. Defensive Line 7
2. Offensive Line 4
3. Defensive Back 4
4. Running Back 3
5. Line Backer 1
6. Quarterback 1

I will update this after the combine and again as we get closer to the draft.

 

1. Glen Dorsey DT LSU Strong motor that never stops. He is able to get up the field and has deceptive speed. He is unstoppable. Scouts Take: “He makes your linebackers and entire defense immediately better because he instantly requires a double team. When healthy he made the SEC look like children and will come in and have an immediate impact. Is better suited for a 4-3 scheme.”                                                                                           Â
2. Jake Long OT UM He is the most dominant offensive player available at any position. He comes in and starts from his first practice at the LT. You don’t see Long make technique mistakes and has tremendous leverage. Scouts Take: “If you watch his film and don’t know what you’re looking at, you would think he is not motivated. The reason is that he has technique right now as good as any LT in the NFL and uses his mind and his body. I don’t care what position you compare him to; NO ONE has the hip movement of Long. Watch his film and you see a guy you draft and put at LT for the next ten years.”
   
3. Sedrick Ellis DT USC Unstoppable. Very similar to Dorsey, but at times does get winded. He also has great speed, but also is good at lateral movement. Scouts Take: “Not as good as Dorsey because of conditioning, but the drop off is not huge. He is fast and we really want to get a look in workouts at his quickness in drills.”
   
4. Darren McFadden RB ARK He is clearly the best RB in the draft. He has an attack style running attack that could shorten an NFL career, but has all the tools to play right now. Scouts Take: “Running backs are easier to get later in the draft and for the most part, they have a very short shelf life, so the issue will be what team is willing to make a pick so high. Who ever does get him gets a back like the Viking’s AP that will not need a learning curve. He makes a team with a less than stellar offensive line look good because he won’t require as much help.”
   
5. Vernon Gholston DE OSU Clearly the best DE in the draft. Is very fast, but his lateral movement, hand technique and vision makes him an incredible talent. Scouts Take: “This young man is number two on our board. He and Long (Jake) have the best technique in the draft. He is an instant contributor and we have him rated higher than we had Mario Williams.”
   
6. Aqib Talib CB Kansas Talib is a thinker and an athlete. He has sound technique and isn’t afraid to make a hit. He also has great peripheral vision and can see the field and read well. Does a good job of not committing early and biting on fakes. Scouts Take: “When you watch that guy, you don’t see him open his hips early or get his feet in the wrong place. He can play the ball or the receiver and is blessed with great closing quickness. I think the upside is huge for him simply because I think he can improve withNFL coaching. Want to interview him to see how coachable he is.”
   
7. Chris Long DE Virginia Long is an attacker. He many not have the technique of Gholston (although not far from it) but that just gives him upside. Scouts Take: “He was able to out speed and power people at UV. I certainly think he makes the transition to the NFL. We think he is as good as and in fact we have him rated the same as we had Mario Williams. He may have some adjustments, but he will be a good player. He loves the game and you can’t teach passion.”
   
8. Phillip Merling DE Clemson He plays the run very well. All of the DE’s ahead of him have exceptional technique. His technique is not as good, but he makes up for it with heart. He also has a great motor and is just more raw. Scouts Take: “He didn’t get developed for whatever reason at Clemson, but he is not just a kid that tee’s it up and rushes. He understands that he has to cover the run and he does it. He is this high because he understands the run, and technique can be taught and improved. Great kid that loves this game. He is a film freak and although he has room to improve as a rusher, he still is good at it. His rushing defense doesn’t need development, he just needs to get more reps.”
   
9. Chris Williams OT Vandy He is a very athletic OT, with a killer instinct. He is mean and punishes people. He possesses great hands and is very strong. Scouts Take: “Williams could end up being better than we project him. The only issue we have with him is that he stays with his blocks too long. He has to learn to get to that second and third defender rather than just staying with one guy and tearing him a new one.”
   
10. Leodis McKelvin DB Troy There is an old adage that speed kills and McKelvin has it. Scouts Take: “Upside is the name on this kids badge. He has all of the physical abilities. If he was from a BCS school he may be even higher.”
    
11. Ryan Clady OT Boise State Clady is athletic and gifted. Has tendencies to use his physical size more than technique, which could hurt him at the next level. Not fast, but quick on his feet. Scout Take: “Has not had to be the most technically sound because he is not in a BCS conference and hasn’t performed against top rate competition week in and week out. Very gifted physically, but will have to make some adjustments at the next level. He is a great player however and will do well.”
    
12. Jon Stewart RB Oregon Elusive and able to make guys miss. RB’s struggle with longevity in the NFL because they accumulate hits and their bodies simply give out. He avoids contact better than anyone in this draft. Scouts Take: “Maybe not an immediate three down back like McFadden, but he has qualities that allow him to avoid contact. He has good hands and reminds us a lot (surprisingly) of Addai at Indy.”
    
13. Calais Campbell DE Miami Strong motor and very good technique. Loves to get after the QB, but struggles with rush defense. Scouts Take: “Doesn’t cover the run as well as Merling, but he has a high motor and gets after the QB. If he can develop a commitment to stop the run, the sky will be the limit on his ability.”
    
14. Kentwan Balmer DT UNC Fast at the point of attack with exceptional lateral movement. He is very fast and at 310# is big but not fat. Scouts Take: “He impresses us with his motor. He just goes at and blows people up. Unlike Dorsey who is a pure 4-3 guy, Balmer has the ability to play both simply because of his phenomenal lateral movement. Of all the guys in the draft we can’t wait to see him in workouts and interview him.”
    
15. Sam Baker OT USC He is very athletic and has nearly perfect technique. He will not overpower anyone, but he simply doesn’t make mistakes. Scouts Take: “Baker is probably the most football smart guy in the draft. At 300# he will have to bulk up to play tackle,, but there is no on in this draft that has more football smarts. He is a film-watching machine and studies the game. The most sound technically. May actually be a better guard prospect.”
    
16. Kenny Phillips S Miami Hard-hitting headhunter. Phillips vision is his best attribute, which is great for a safety. Not afraid to deliver the hit. Scouts Take: “He is a punisher and brings a sense of fear to receivers going across the middle. His talent is unquestionable, but will have to work on technique at the next level where everyone is good. The only real weakness is that when he does have to cover, he opens his hips to early. That is teachable so it isn’t a real concern.”
    
17. Felix Jones RB Arkansas Fast and elusive is the best way to describe Jones. Not a big back, but he also is a great returner. Scouts Take: “We really like this kid. Not only is he one of the best reuturners in the draft, but he also has great third down back qualities. Lot’s of value because he does so much and has great football character.”
    
18. Mike Jenkins CB South Florida One of the fastest players in the draft. He also can close very well. He has battled being consistent, but has all of the tools to be very good. Scouts Take: “Needs to be more consistent and play well on every play. There is not CB prospect in the draft that is faster, but he has to really put energy into giving 100% effort on each play. He isn’t afraid to come up and play the run and that is a huge plus for him.”
    
19. Dan Connor LB PSU He is the best LB in the draft and is very tough. He is a step below Patrick Willis from last year, but he still is very tough and sound. Great football sense and tough at the point of attack. Scouts Take: “You have to love how Connor sheds blocks. He is always around the football. He isn’t the fastest LB in the draft, but his ability to get off of blocks and technique make up for it. He is a solid backer that can contribute immediately.”
20. Matt Ryan QB BC He is sound technically, but does struggle under pressure. Throws a good ball and is accurate. Scouts Take: “It really hurt him that Henne and the kid from Delaware (Flacco) had great Senior Bowls. Flacco was great in practice and showed a lot even though his game stats were not good. He is a good QB, but there are several good QB’s in this draft and that hurts him. He has a great work ethic and has all the physical features. He will have to get better under pressure, but all in all is the best of a good QB class.”