Week 2, 2012 - On the Rise

Another week in the books, and this week there is movement on the big board.  Some guys have their stock rising quickly and now it is time to spotlight some of them.


Matt Barkley, QB, USC  23/30-187-6/1

Barkley was the highest rated QB in the nation coming into their week 2 game, and after a 6 touchdown performance, there are very few left doubting him.  Had he come out last year, he would have pushed RG3 for the second position in the draft, and this year, he seems to have a stranglehold on the top spot as he climes even further up the big board.





Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA 26-217-0

Franklin could have easily made this list last week, posting 214 yard on a gaudy 14.3 ypc, but that was against Rice.  Now after adding another 217 yards against Nebraska, Johnathan Franklin and his surprise UCLA Bruins are soaring.  Bottom line with Franklin is he has looked simply unstoppable the first two weeks of the year, and he is starting to attract some serious national attention.



Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia 9-2-1

Jones was already a highly rated pro prospect, but he continues to exceed even the loftiest of expectations.   He picked up 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 pick against SEC newcomer Mizzou on Saturday, and he also continues to climb up the big board.  Bad NFL squads with suspect defenses have to be excited about the possibility of getting their hand on a talent like Jones.





Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon 34-201-3

Picking up 3 TDs in a game is not easy, nor is 5 over the first two weeks, but that is exactly what Ducks RB Kenjon Barner has done.  This team has a lot of talent, especially on offense, but Barner is leading the way.  Chip Kelly has found a way to mix the talents of both Barner and backfield mate De'Anthony Thomas to create great results and both guys are moving on up.

Week 1, 2012 - On the Rise

After each week, I like to take a look at some individual players whose performance has their stock on the rise.  This week, 4 players stood out as guys who are on the upswing.  Lets take a look.

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee 6-93-1
      After the Vols lost Da'Rick Rodgers for the year, folks wondered who would pose a threat to opposing defenses opposite Justin Hunter.  Lets call that question answered.  The JUCO transfer Patterson stepped it up in a big way against the Wolfpack, and simply looked uncoverable at times.  At 6'3", 205 lbs, Patterson has both the size and skills necessary to take attention off Hunter (who had 9 grabs of his own in week 1), and should help make this Tennessee offense one of the sneaky good units in the nation.

Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State 44-210-2
     On a night where the Spartans were in a tough battle with the Boise State Broncos, MSU really needed to rely on the running game to get this win.  New QB Andrew Maxwell was less than impressive, and if not for Bell, this game definitely would have went the other way.  Bell was a workhorse, staying on the field, giving and taking a beating, while picking up a tough 210 yards to kick off the year. If he continue to produce in this manner, Sparty will continue to rise in the polls.

Duke Johnson, RB, Miami 7-135-2
     One of the more common positions to see Freshmen make an impact from is Running Back.  With their defense not showing up for this game, the Hurricanes needed to get a good performance from their offense to beat conference rival Boston College in week 1.  Freshman, Duke Johnson was the key factor to making that happen.  135 yards and 2 touchdowns is a nice week, but what made it outstanding was that he did it on only 7 carries in relief of starter Mike James.  At 19+ yards per carry, the Hurricane fans have to be excited about what Johnson brings, and as Miami sports personality, Armando Salguero tweeted during the game, "If Johnson keeps this up, they will be changing his name from Duke to King very soon."


Other Week 1 Players on the Rise
Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska

Week 1 2012 Hot Stocks

So with the initial Hot Stocks list of 2012, lets once again remind everyone what this list is, and what it isn't.  This Hot Stocks list reviews the 25 best college football players as they project to the pros.  This is not going to completely fluctuate each week.  It will however change as I continue to learn more about the players.  One of the factors that effect a players rating is performance though, so as the individuals play each week, their grades will change some.

Also, this is not a mock draft.  Although many of the guys on the list will eventually be drafted, this is not meant to indicate a specific order, as mock drafts include the drafting team needs. Underclassmen are marked with an *.

So lets get down to business.  Below are the EZ Football Futures Hot Stocks.

1. Robert Woods*, WR, USC
          Simply put, Robert Woods has everything it takes to become an elite wide receiver at the next level.  I have not seen a receiver like him since Calvin Johnson was at Georgia Tech.  Few, if any corners can match up to him one-on-one, and he is a big time difference maker for an offense.

2. William Gholston*, DE, Michigan State
          This guy is a freak.  At 6'7", you would expect him to be a bit slower, but he is not.  He is deadly coming off the edge.  He has an excellent burst, and pass rushers are worth a premium at the next level.

3. Barkevious Mingo*, DE, LSU
          Mingo will have a lot of NFL teams drooling when he declares for the draft.  Mingo is a solid all around end who can seal the edge and get after the QB.  He plays on an excellent defense, and he should have a great opportunity to shine.

4. Jarvis Jones*, DE/OLB, Georgia
          Jones may be the single best overall ballplayer in the nation.  He has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt, or upright.  He has exceptionally fast hands, and a violent streak necessary to be a dominant linebacker in the NFL.

5. Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
          Top notch OTs are difficult to find in the NFL.  O-linemen from Wisconsin are like gold at the next level.  When those two things combine, you have Wagner.  He projects better than Matt Kalil who was picked 4th overall this past April.

6. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
          An elite DT in the NFL can be a difference maker.  If that guy can penetrate, he can shut down a run game, or put direct pressure on an opposing QB.  Star Lotulelei can be that kind of guy.

7.  Jackson Jeffcoat*, DE, Texas
          Jeffcoat has the ability to get in the backfield, and that will be a reason he will be a highly sought after talent when he makes the jump to the NFL.  If Texas improves to the levels I expect, Jeffcoat should get the chance to move up this list.

8.  Manti Te'o, MLB, Notre Dame
          Had Te'o come out last year, he likely would have been the top interior linebacker taken.  He has all of the tools to be successful, and he still has room to grow. He may not come in as a rookie and take the league by storm, but he can be a long term pro-bowler for a team.

9. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
          QBs are so valuable.  Barkley is the best in college football this year.  He is not as athletic as many others, but he is an excellent leader, and he knows how to win.  Depending on how things shake out he very well could wind up being the first name called next April.

10. David Amerson*, CB, North Carolina State
          Amerson is the top corner in the nation, and with a pass happy league, the NFL values guys who can match up with a receiver as well as Amerson does.  He led the nation in picks a year ago, and he should be at or near the top of that list again this season.

11. Alex Okafor, DE, Texas
          Okafor is the second standout DE from Texas.  He is a better athlete than his teammate, but he is still more raw.  He does have the ability to play standing up at the second level, and that flexibility is a real asset to him.

12. Logan Thomas*, QB, Virginia Tech
          Logan Thomas is an exceptional athlete at the QB position, but he is also a very good QB with an elite arm.  If he can continue to develop his decision making, he could be a guy who impacts the league in similar ways to what Cam Newton did last season.

13. Keenan Allen*, WR, California
          Allen is not as fast as some receivers out there, and he is not as strong as some others, but he runs great routes, and has great hands.  Allen is a great weapon because he does so many things so well.  His overall game should make him a very good contributor for a long time.

14. Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
          Top notch OGs worthy of a first round consideration are rare.  Last year Stanford's David Decastro was that guy.  This year, Cooper is one of the two who are worthy of that consideration.  He has an excellent all around game, and he can be a dominant road grader at the next level.

15. DJ Fluker*, OT, Alabama
          The Crimson Tide have so many elite o-linemen this year, and Fluker is the top of that elite crew.  Fluker projects to be an exceptional pass blocker at the next level.  Although I expect he would be a top 15 selection if he declares, I think staying for his Senior season would make him a top 3 consideration in 2014.

16. Sam Montgomery*, DE, LSU
         Like Texas, the LSU DEs are both standouts.  Montgomery is a more polished product than his counterpart, but he lacks some of the overall athleticism that Mingo has.  Montgomery is a very good technical player and he can use that strong technique to make plays.

17. Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
          While not a great a cover man as Amerson, Adams is a athletically gifted player who plays a physical, tough form of football.  He has the wheels to stay with most receivers, and a good nose for the football too.

18.  Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
          Eifert is the best TE in the nation this year.  He is one of the new breed of TEs sweeping the NFL.  He is a big body with the skills of the wide out.  He will stretch opposing defenses up the seam.  With the success of Jimmy Graham, and Rob Gronkowski, Eifert will be in high demand.

19. Johnathan Hankins*, NT, Ohio State
          Nose tackles are often though of a big bodies who plug up holes.  Hankins is a bit different.  He is a big body, but he can do som much more than just plug holes or eat up blockers.  He is very athletic for his size, and will make some 3-4 defense in the NFL very happy.

20. Johnathan Banks, CB, Mississippi State
          Playing in the SEC, Johnathan Banks has faced the best competition anywhere in the nation.  Not only has he faced them, but he has excelled against them.  He doesn't pick as many passes as Amerson, and he is not as physical as Adams, but he is more complete than either.

21. Oday Aboushi, OT, Virgina
          Aboushi is an athletic tackle who can keep speed rushers off his quarterback.  With some of the talent on this list, and already in the league, a guy like Aboushi will be a hot commodity if he keeps his play up.

22. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
          Short is a very good prospect because of how complete a player he is.  From a defensive tackles perspective, there is nothing he cannot do, and do well.  His ability to do so much for a defense will be what has teams excited when they see him play.

23. Marcus Lattimore*, RB, South Carolina
          Lattimore suffered a big injury a year ago, but now he is back faster, stronger, and leaner.  He has the ability to take over a game on offense, and even in a pass heavy league, Lattimore will be a sought after addition to many NFL clubs.

24. Shane Skov, MLB, Stanford
          Skov reminds me of an old school middle linebacker.  He plays a hard nosed brand of football.  He is also a very smart player and should project well at the next level.

25. Michael Buchanan, DE/OLB, Illinois
          Last year, Whitney Mercilus exploded onto the scene from Illinois.  Buchanan has the potential to be even better.  I expect his explosion to be difficult to deal with for tackles in the Big 10.

Risers and Fallers - Defense

A few days ago we took a look at those player on the offensive side of the ball, who most helped and hurt themselves with their performance  at the combine.  Now prior to our next Mock Draft, we will take a look at the players on the defense whose performance in Indy most impacted their value.



Stocks on the Rise 

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

Except for RG3, no one player's performance was more talked about than Dontari Poe. All 348 pounds of this big fella had a remarkable combine performance which has redefined what can be athletically expected of a big man.  44 reps from a guy this size was excellent, but not unheard of.  Where he truly shined was in his 40 time.  For a guy of his size to run a 4.8 is simply jaw dropping.  Poe's combine feats we better than those of Ravens D-lineman Haloti Ngata.  No we can only wait to see if his career path reaches such heights.  He most definitely helped his draft stock with this performance.  Now, if he can answer lingering questions about his work ethic (took too many plays off at Memphis), Poe will be an early first round selection.


Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, West Virginia

Heading into the combine, Bruce Irvin was one of those guys who had a great opportunity to use the combine to catapult his draft stock.  Everyone knew that he was an athletic freak, so if he could show it on the big stage, he would have some teams sniffing around.  Irvin did not disappoint.  His freakishly fast 4.5 40 time and his strong work on the drills made him one of the more intriguing prospects.  He will likely play OLB in a 3-4 defense at the next level, and he has moved himself into discussion for being picked in the end of round 1, early round 2 depending on how the board falls.



Josh Robinson, CB, Central Florida

The former UCF standout made his mark on the 2012 combine, becoming the official fastest man in attendance.  His 4.33 40 was blazing fast, and he was even hand timed at 4.29 by some scouts.  This along with a 38.5" vert has opened scouts eyes to this one-time 4th - 5th round projection.  Robinson can sure run fast, but looking at his tape, he doesn't seem to play as fast.  He struggle a little in man coverage, and his combine performance won't make all that disappear.  Having said this, his showing at Inday earned him some serious stock rise, now projected as a solid 3rd round pick at the latest.


Mychal Kendricks, ILB, California

The Golden Bear's, Mychal Kendricks was another one of the combine's football-player-turned-track-star stories.  This middle linbacker ran a blazing 4.47 40 and leaped an incredible 39.5" vert.  In college Kendrick was a productive presence in the middle of the cal defense, and his on-field attitude translates well to the pro arena.  He would best be suited to land in the middle of a 4-3 front, but he could play as an ILB if drafted by a 3-4 team.  Either way, expect Kendrick to be off the board before the end of the second round.





Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

On my board, this Tiger DE was already a first round prospect.  On the boards of some other experts however, Branch was looked at as a better value if selected in the second round.  After his all-around great performance at the combine, there will be very few experts left who do not project his name to be called on the draft's first night.  Branch did everything he was asked to do, and he did it all well.  His measures were all solid if not better, and his performance in position drill stood out as one of the best.  He seems to be fairly polished, and with his considerable athletic talents, he should be a valuable commodity in April.






Stocks Falling












Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

Those that follow this blog know that I have been a Vontaze Burfict fan for some time.  I have always loved his aggressiveness on-field, and felt that his play is exactly what you want from a middle linebacker.  unfortunately, Burfict seems to also be one of those guys with a real knack for shooting themselves in the foot.  There have always been questions about Burfict's character and when given the chance in Indy to show them to be unfounded, he failed.  He did not take ownership for his decisions, nor his mistakes, and that did not play well with the teams with whom he spoke.  Then he topped off the weekend with a inexplicably terrible 5.0 40 time.  Unfortunately for Vontaze, this will cost him and most certainly drops him to second or third round consideration.


Sean Spence, LB, Miami

Coming from "The U", Spence was expected to put on a great athletic performance.  When he ran his 40, he did not disappoint.  But when he hit the bench press, he sure did.  One of the qualities of an NFL linebacker is that he has to be strong.  With a 225 lb bar, the former Hurricane only managed to put up 12 reps.  Now for the average guy, this is nice, but Spence is not a weekend warrior.  he wants to play football for a living.  To put it in perspective, that was the lowest total for a LB.  Also 23 DBs, both QBs who benched, and 29 WRs all out benched him.  This does not bode well for him.  A team will still draft him, and they may do him a favor and look to move him to safety at the next level, but I have a very hard time seeing someone who only puts up 12 reps on the bench as a pro linebacker.



Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

Unlike many of the pundits out there, I have not been quite as high on Michael Brockers.  My reasoning has been two-fold.  First, he has a very small resume of games under his belt.  Whereas it is not always a pre-req to be a 4-year starter for me to grade you high, I would like to see enough tape to see how your performance is over time, and with Brockers, we don't have that.  The other thing I don't like is he is from LSU.  Now this is not a knock on the Tigers, as I respect their program quite a bit. There are just some schools however that seem to put out guys at a certain position that seem to have it all, only to fail at the next level.  With d-linemen, LSU fits that bill.  The last two Tigers to go high in the draft, Dorsey and Jackson, have done nothing thus far in their time in the league, and I am afraid Brockers could be on a similar track.  His below average showing in Indy dropped him down some draft boards, mine included.

Risers and Fallers - Offense

The workouts in Indy for the players at positions on the offense have been completed and we have the opportunity to look at some guys who made an impact to their draft status with their work at the combine.


Stocks on the Rise 

Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State

Although most of the chatter in Indy has been about Heisman Trophy winner, RG3, Kirk Cousins did a very good job helping his stock.  He participated fully in the drills and workouts, and he made it pay off for him.He ran an official 4.93 which is not bad for a QB.  He will never be confused with Cam Newton, but he is not a rock in the pocket either.  Cousins looked very good throwing the ball too which is really where he made his mark.  Coming into the combine, Cousins was rated as the 9th best QB on my board and a solid mid round guy.  Now, he moves up two spots to 7, and has himself in the discussion with names like Foles, and Osweiler as a second/third round signal caller.

Ronnie Hillman, RB, SDSU

Coming into Indy, I had Ronnie Hillman as an afterthought.  I suspected that he would be a late round draft pick for a team looking for depth at back, but more likely help on special teams.  After watching his performance in Indy, I have gone back to look at some Hillman footage again.  After this second look, my opinion on his prospects have improved.  I see him as a 3/4, and he projects better as a pro back than a guy like Chris Rainey.  In addition, Va Tech's David Wilson solidified himself as the number 2 back on my board, and Boise State's Doug Martin, showed he can be an every down back.

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

As a Yellow Jacket, Stephen Hill had a reputation as a superb athlete, but there always seemed to be something missing from his game.  The combine was the ultimate set to be the ultimate stage for him to showcase himself.  He did not disappoint.  His athletic performance was spectacular, and he catapulted himself into a second round grade with his showing.  Alshon Jefferies from South Carolina also has a lot riding on this weekend, and I was happy to see him show up.  He appeared lean, and looks like he is taking this next step in his career seriously, which will most certainly help his cause.  He has solidified himself a first round grade.  Michael Floyd also had a good weekend and has himslef as the number 2 WR on my board.

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Matt Kalil arrived in Indy with a top 5 overall grade, so there seemed more a chance he could be a Faller rather than a riser.  He rose.  1 month ago it looked like he had a slight lead over Riley Reiff and Jonathan Martin for top tackle honors.  He widened that gap considerably and I think cemented himself the honor of being one of the first three names called at Radio City.





Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

At the end of the college football regular season, I pegged Glenn as 3rd rounder.  I did not see him playing tackle at the next level, so the move inside I though may cost him.  Just kidding.  After this weekend, Glenn has solidified his position as a 1st round Guard, a rarity in NFL circles.  He has all of the makings of a 12 year starter/cornerstone to an NFL o-line.  David DeCastro from Stanford solidified his position as the top interior lineman on the board.  In fact, he is a borderline top ten overall talent right now on my board.

David Molk, C, Michigan

Before the combine started, Molk was rated as the second best center on my board.  Coming out that position has not changed.  How can he be a riser then?  He has closed the gap significantly on the top center on my board, Peter Konz.  Molk was a beast on the bench press and he seems to have all of the tools you want in a center.  This Wolverine should hear his name called before the end of round 2.  With a strong pro day, he could garner himself some 1st round consideration.




Stocks Falling












Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

With a limited resume available for scouts to digest, Osweiler came into Indy as one of the guys folks were most anxious to see throw.  Someone however, gave him some very poor, and ultimately costly advice, telling him instead to sit it out.  With a 6'7" frame, he could have gone a long way to answering some of the questions about him with a strong performance.  Instead, he finds himself falling further behind Brandon Weeden, and he saw Kirk Cousins catch him from behind.



Orson Charles, TE, Georgia

Prior to the combine, there were three TEs with low first round grades.  Charles was one of them, and he had what could have been the best upside of them all.  After the combine, there are no TEs with round 1 grades, and Charles took the biggest fall.  It was expected he would shine in the drill, considering he is a converted receiver.  He did not.  He struggled bringing the ball into his frame, and this was noticed.  He did bench well, but he doesn't show a lot of other skills to make one think he will be a good blocker at the next level.

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

What an awful weekend for Adams.  In my last mock he had a solid 1st round grade, and projected to be in demand at the middle to bottom of round 1 in April.  Then came the bench press and an uber-disappointing 19 reps.  At tackle in the NFL you have to be strong.  19 reps will not cut it.  Then he compound the disappointment by struggling in position drills, and not doing well on interviews either.  Mike Adams, meet the 3rd round.FSU's Zebrie Sanders also hurt his draft stock with a poor performance in Indy.

Hot Stocks 5-11-10

As we embark on a new season of college football, we have to start the watch on a whole list of new stocks. The following players are, during the pre-season, the hottest stocks in the nation, to keep an eye on.

 

1. Jake Locker, QB, WashingtonHad he come out after his Junior campaign, he would have pushed Sam Bradford for the top spot in the draft. As a result, he goes into this year in the cat-bird seat.
   
   
   
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford *Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh has been grooming Luck to become one of the next great NFL signal callers. This could be his season to put pressure on conference-mate Locker as the best in the class.
   
   
   
3. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina *When you play DE at North Carolina it is hard to not draw comparisons to alum Julius Peppers. For Quinn, he has the talent to live up to the high expectations that accompany that comparison.
   
   
   
4. Marcell Darius, DT, Alabama *Alabama is loaded this season with talent on both sides of the football. Calling Darius the best of the bunch is saying quite a lot.
   
   
   
5. Mark Ingram, RB, AlabamaLast year Ingram became the Tide's first ever Heisman Trophy winner. This year he will take a stab at becoming the first player since Ohio State's, Archie Griffin, to do it twice.
   
   
   
6. Adrian Clayborn, DE, IowaPass rushers are acquired at a premium in the NFL. Clayborn has an explosive first step that will be very enticing to potential investors next April.
   
   
   
7. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio StateThe son of former NFL player Ironhead Heyward, Cameron is on his way to becoming a highly sought after commodity next spring. A strong fall is the first step in that campaign.
   
   
   
8. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas *One of the more hyped players in the last decade, Mallett is living up to expectations at Arkansas after bolting from Michigan. If he continues to develop, he will be a first round pick in either 2011 or 2012.
   
   
   
9. AJ Green, WR, Georgia *This underclassman is still the class of collegiate wide receivers, despite battling injuries last year. His natural abilities are unparalleled in the game right now.
   
   
   
10. Julio Jones, WR, AlabamaJones is the third member of the defending national champs in the top ten. He has all of the right abilities to become a contributor at the next level.
    
    
    
11. Prince Amukarmara, CB, NebraskaIn the pass heavy NFL, having good corners has become increasingly important. Amukarmara is the best of a very talented corner back group that could be available next year.
    
    
    
12. Bruce Carter, OLB, North CarolinaBruce Carter had a borderline first round grade before announcing his return to Chapel Hill. Now he enters this season as the nation's premiere prospect at linebacker.
    
    
    
13. Ras-I Dowling, CB, VirginiaDowling is fast and flashes the ability to develop into a shut-down corner at the next level. His senior season will be his opportunity to showcase his abilities.
    
    
    
14. Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU *This underclassman has to be accounted for on every play. He covers ground real quickly, and he plays with immense tenacity. He could push Dowling and Amukamara for the top corner spot if he comes out after this year.
    
    
    
15. Marvin Austin, DT, North CarolinaJoining forces with Quinn and Carter will give the Tar Heels one of the most feared front seven's in the country. With so much talent, it is hard to imagine anyone putting up very many points against this defense.
    
    
    
16. Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston CollegeLast year's draft boasted some real talent and good depth at the OT position. Castonzo will use this senior season to prove he should be the toast of next year's class.
    
    
    
17. Greg Romeus, DE, PittsburghPittsburgh has quietly developed some real good NFL talent over the last decade. Romeus can be the next in a line of players who are prepared to succeed in the big time.
    
    
    
18. Demarco Murray, RB, OklahomaIf Murray can avoid injury he can move up this board as the season progresses. If he stays healthy, he will also garner himself some Heisman consideration.
    
    
    
19. Mike Pouncey, C/G, FloridaAfter his twin brother traded his Gator blue for his Steelers Black last month, Mike Pouncey become the man on the Florida o-line. If he transitions to center as well as I expect, you can expect to hear Mike's name called sometime during the first round next year.
    
    
    
20. Vonn Miller, OLB, Texas AMMiller is a playmaker on the Aggie defense. His gets after the ball well, and uses leverage to bring down ball carriers very effectively. The fact that he is currently higher rated than any Longhorn will not be lost on the Aggie faithful either.
    
    
    
21. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson *Bowers is amongst a group of talented edge rushers who could become pros after this next season. Of course if he has another strong season, and chooses to return to college for one more year, they sky will be the limit in 2012.
    
    
    
22. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame *Floyd will now be able to step out of the shadow of Golden Tate and establish himself as one of the nation's premiere weapons during this next season. This is of course dependent upon someone being able to get him the football.
    
    
    
23. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC *Casey is the top Trojan on Lane Kiffen's sqad right now. If he performs well, he could earn himself a place in the first round of the draft should he decide to skip school early.
    
    
    
24. Jurrell Powe, DT, Ole MissThis big fella is going to be difficult for lineman in the SEC to content with. If he can't toss them out of his way, he may just pick them up and eat them instead.
    
    
    
25. Cliff Matthews, DE/OLB, South Carolina

 I like the determination that Matthews brings to the field on Saturdays. He is the best player on this South Carolina program, and could be the primary reason that the Gamecocks become one of this coming season's surprise teams.

Hot Stocks - March 2010

The annual NFL Scouting Combine is now history, and as usual we have plenty of movement as a result of performances, both good and bad in this month's chart.  Despite the volatility the top of our board looks awfully similar to last month however. 

We do however find ourselves saying goodbye to a few guys who have been on the board for some time.  Earl Thomas has fallen off with a tough showing in Indy and he falls to just off the chart.  Jermaine Greshem, Brian Price, and Navarro Bowman have also slid outside of the top 25 this month.


Lets take a look at how things shake out now...

1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Even)
Suh dominated during his workouts in Indy.  He is still the top player on my board because of his combination of physical talent, and his potential to become a game changing linemen at the next level.

2. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (Even)
Berry showed great speed and athleticism at the combine.  His natural instincts will serve him well as he patrols the secondary of some very lucky team next fall.

3. Gerald McCoy, DT, USC (Even)
McCoy continues to show teams in need of a line penetrating tackle why he is the tops in this class.  His workout was strong and he continues to challenge Suh for rights to be the first tackle off the board in April.

4. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (+7)
The big boost that Bradford experienced this month was a result of good medical reports.  Considering he did not even work out in Indy, it was the report from Dr James Andrews, that Bradford should be ready for the start of mini camp that has allowed him to separate from Jimmy Clausen.

5. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State (-1)
Okung is maintaining his status as the best o-linemen on my board, primarily thanks to his consistency. In a risky, volatile marketplace, having an asset in the portfolio like Okung lends security and stability. 

6. Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida (+3)
JPP is using his freakish athletic ability to continue to climb up boards.  This raw talent continued to impress with great workouts in Indy, and of course a you tube video of him "flipping out".

7. Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa (+7)
Bulaga took a page out of Okung's book to continue to climb up boards this month.  He showed great consistency in Indy, working out hard, meeting expectations physically, mentally, and emotionally, and thus has captured the number two spot amongst o-linemen.

8. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (-2)
Bryant continues to reinforce why he is the top receiver of this year's crop.  His showing in Indy was strong, and his slide this month is more a result of other players rise, than anything he has done.

9. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech (-1)
Despit a slight dip in his ranking, Morgan actually utilized the combine to really help himself.  He was able to showcase himself as the more polished, NFL ready of the two top DE's in this year's class, and even though he rates out a tad lower on this board, I am actually expecting him to be drafted slightly higher come April.

10. Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma (+3)
Thanks to a solid combine effort, Williams has re-entered the top ten on this list.  His reverse of fortune comes on the heels of a real good physical performance, showcasing the skills needed to be sucessful playing on Sundays.

11. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers (-4)
After catapulting up the board in previous months, Davis starts to fall as a result of a real sloppy turn out at the combine.  Where as other o-line prospects showed up looking strong and ready to impress, Davis simply didn't, bring up questions about his desire, and long term ROI.

12. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (-7)
His very slow 40 times was just one of the reasons that this one time top 5 rated player has fallen out of the top ten.  On top of slow speed, Haden looked stiff in the hips, and showed limited change of direction ability, all of which lead to this big fall.

13. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee (+4)
Dan Williams continues to rise up board as he has established himself as the top D-Tackle not named Suh or McCoy.  His workouts in Indy confired he is a legit first round talent and should not be viewed as a consolation prize at all.

14. Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho (+5)
it is rare to see interior linemen rated this high on the big board, but Iupati is deserving.  He has the skills to play all three interior positions, and he is the kind of guy who will cornerstone a line for a team for years.

15. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson (+6)
Spiller was exceptionally impressive working out at the combine.  This with the success he had on the field at Clemson has propelled Spiller up this board.  Teams love talent skill position players and Spiller is one of them.

16. Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama (-6)
Choosing not to work out really hurt McClain in the eyes of some folks.  The mysterious, previously unreported, hamstring injury has some thinking McClain may not be as fearless as previously thought.  In fact some were thinking this "injury" was more a ploy to avoid running poor times that anything else.

17. Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas (-1)
Kindle has awesome athleticism but questions about his mental makeup have created some doubt.  His physical tools have some teams with him in their top ten.  His lack of mental acuity has others with him as a fringe round 1 selection in the draft.

18. Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan (Even)
Graham holds his position this month after a good performance at the combine.  This college end will likely transition to linebacker in the pros, and he showed he has the skills to facilitate the switch as needed.

19. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (-7)
Clause is the classic example of a guy who will be over-drafted based on position and hype.  Although he is a low round one talent in my book, Clause will benefit from playing QB, and someone will take a flier early in round 1.

20. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (+2)
Dunlap used Indy to remind folks why he was once a top five talent on this board.  His strong workout reminded team he has all the tools to hold up on the end of a line in either a 4-3 or 3-4 at the next level.

21. Taylor Mays, S, USC (+3)
His workout was what legends are made of, and this alone has halted his fall down the board.  If only he had played better during this past year however, he would still be a top 3 on this board.

22. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (+3)
Benn's excellent performance at the combine wondering what type of production he could have had if only he had a QB that could have gotten him the ball.  He was fast, fluid, and showed great hands at the combine.  These skills should translate to success on Sundays.

23. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland (+4)
It can be argued that no player helped their draft stock more than Campbell in Indy.  He showed up cut and ready to play.  His measurables were awesome, and this has him moving up this board, and the mock drafts too.

24. Javhid Best, RB, California (+5)
Although there were, and still are questions concerning his durability, Best showed excellent skill and determination when he had the spotlight on him.  Obviously investors will have to consider his long term viability before making a decision on draft day though.

25. Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State (+5)
After a strong Senior Bowl, Wilson grabbed some attention.  After a strong combine, he has emerged as the clear number two at the cornerback position.  Good speed, excellent change of direction ability, and a nose for the ball have made teams take notice of the Boise State product.

Hot Stocks - Feb 2010

The Senior Bowl is in the books and the invites to Indy have been sent.  Some players really helped themselves with their post-season play including; Anthony Davis, Dan Williams, Brandon Graham, and Kyle Wilson.  Guys like Taylor Mays and Tim Tebow struggled though, and as a result they continue to loose some value in this months review of our Hot Stocks.


1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Even)
Another update and Suh maintains his rank as the top stock in the nation.  This guy will makes some team (Rams?) very happy in April's draft.

2. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (Even)
Berry is the top playmaker in any defensive backfield in the nation.  He can hit, support the run, and he is a superb ball hawk.  The comparisons to Ed Reed are warranted.

3. Gerald McCoy, DT, USC (Even)
McCoy is the best pass rushing DT to come from college since Warren Sapp matriculated from the U.  He will be a disruption to opposing lines, and OC's around the league need to account for this guy.

4. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State (Even)
Okung is still the best of the deep O-Line crop, but the gap has closed quickly with the recent rise of Davis.  I still really like what Okung brings to the table, and I think potential investors (NFL Teams) will be very please with his ROI.

5. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (Even)
Clearly the best cover corner in this years class, Haden has shut down ability.  He has excellent explosion, and can play physical football too.

6. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (+1)
Despite some character concerns, Bryant is no doubt the most talented receiver in this year's class.  He can run, catch, and return kicks.  He will be an impact player at the next level.

7. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers (+10)
Davis continues to rocket up the board with his tremendous potential.  He could soon be looking at the top spot amongst tackles if this type of rise continues.

8. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech (-2)
As is common this time of year, sometimes we see player slide not because of what they do, but because of the rise of others.  Morgan's fall is a result of the rise of Davis and Pierre-Paul closing the gap at the DE spot.

9. Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida (+4)
JPP's raw skills have talent evaluators drooling.  The potential ROI on this kid is off the charts, and it continues to result in him rising up the board.

10. Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama (Even)
McClain is still the best linebacker in this year's class.  Despite movement all around him, McClain manages to maintain his position at the end of the top 10.

11. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (-2)
This month shows good news and bad news for Bradford.  The bad news is he slipped two more spots on our board.  The good news is that he has leaped Jimmy Clausen to reclaim the top spot at the QB position. This will likely result in Bradford being drafted higher than his 11th position would indicate.

12. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (-4)
Jimmy has fallen again.  Despite the hype, I am beginning to feel like Clausen was overvalued.  With Bradford looking healthy for the start of the season, he has retaken the top QB spot.  This could result in a draft day fall for Jimmy.

13. Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma (-2)
Williams has been steadily been losing ground on this list, and now he has been eclipsed by Davis.  However, this info should be put into perspective, considering the strength of the O-linemen as a whole.

14. Bryan Bugala, OT, Iowa (+4)
Bugala is another reason the tackles are expected to fly off the board on draft day.  He continues to rise up the board and for good reason.  This Iowa product will succeed at the next level.

15. Earl Thomas, S, Texas (Even)
Thomas continues to show his stregnth in this class as he, like McClain, maintains his position despite movement all around him.  He should perform well in Indy, and that could push him up the board by a few spots.

16. Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas (-4)
Kindle has been supplanted on this board by his collegiate teammate.  His high energy will serve him well, but we will have to see how he performs in Indy before we know how he will shake out.

17. Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee (+11)
Williams was a super riser this month, mainly resulting from a superb Senior Bowl week.  He proved he can be dominant at the point-of-attack, and thus he crashes the party entering our list at 17.

18. Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan (+11)
Graham is another player who had a real big Senior Bowl week.  My only knock on him is that I am not certain he will play DE in the pros.  I see him as a high motor player who could be great in the right system.

19. Mike Iupati, G, Idaho (+12)
Mike Iupati is an interior lineman who holds the distinction of being the biggest riser in a month filled with high risers.  This guy has all of the intangibles you want out of an interior lineman, and I think he has the potential to be every bit as valuable to a team as Alan Faneca is to the Jets.

20. Brian Price, DT, UCLA (+4)
Brian Price continue to impress me with his skills.  He has good technique, and I think he is one of the reasons that the D-Tackle position is looking so deep this year.

21. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson (Even)
I really like Spiller and all he brings to the table.  My only concern is that I am not sure there are a whole lot of places he could go and be utilized to maximize his production.  He is quick, and he can serve as both a RB and a return man, but I am not convinced he can withstand the punnishment absorbed by an every down back in the league.

22. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (-3)
Dunlap has some real upside, but the more I read about him, the more I question if he is just another talented head-case.  Even if he does bring game, how many teams are going to be willing to put up with the baggage this guy brings?

23. Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State (-9)
Bowman has raw talent and the right pedigree.  Yet still, I have some reservations about how he will perform in the pros.  Under the right system, I can see him flourishing, however, I think there are more wrong systems out there for him than right, and this has me concerned.

24. Taylor Mays, S, USC (-8)
Because of another week of failing to live up to expectations, Mays again finds himself falling down the chart.  Fortunately for him, I see this being his low point, as I expect he will wow folks in Indy, and start climbing boards again as me move towards the draft.  He is just too talented to be ranked this low, but this could ultimately spell bust.

25. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (Even)
This months top stocks closes as it did last month.  Arrelious Benn is a very talented player who I think is going to provide some real value to his investor.  Right now I think some team at the back end of the first round is facing a "buy low" situation.  Now the only question for me is... who?

Hot Stocks - Jan 2010

For those of you who are new to football futures, this Hot Stocks section is where we review the 25 hottest players around the country. These players rated by me, EZ, are the players who should be the most valued by NFL teams currently. As with stocks, value fluctuates, so check back monthly and see how your favorite players are moving around the board.

These ratings are following the bowl games, but before any post-season games like the East West Shrine Game, or the Senior Bowl.

1. Ndmukong Suh, DT, Nebraska (Even)
This kid flat out has game changing ability. D-tackles with this type of upside are a very rare breed.


2. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee (Even)
Safeties usually don't work their way up the board to these high ratings.  When your closest NFL comparison is Ed Reed though, it seems warranted. 

3. Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma (Even)
Because of the press surrounding Suh, McCoy has been looked at recently as a consolation prize.  Boy is that a mistake.  This guy is a legit stud.

4. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (+1)
Haden is a stud, but his value is getting a boost because of how he is outperforming the rest of his industry (other players at his position).  Clearly the top cornerback in the nation currently.

5. Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State (-1)
Okung's slight fall has more to do with Haden than his own performance.  Despite the depth of the tackle position this year, Okung has remained the best of the class all season long, and his consistency has to make investors (NFL Teams) excited.

6. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech (Even)
Morgan is the best edge rusher in this class.  At the next level, his game is the most polished of this year's crop as well.

7. Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State (Even)
Bryant has risen back from a strong decline earlier this season.  There is no denying his talent, but there are character questions in play here.

8. Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama (+2)
McClain proved why he is a special player in the National Championship game.  His stock rises as a result.

9. Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame (-1)
Clausen his still holding position over Bradford, but the question is for how long?  The knowledge that Jimmy played his senior season suffering from Lis Franc Foot improves his toughness score, and has to make teams wonder what he could do when healthy.

10. Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (-1)
Bradford has seen better days (ie #1 overall last year) and his decline is a result of his injury.  Once the full extent of his injury and recovery time are known, his stock will fluctuate accordingly.


11. Jason Pierre Paul, DE, South Florida (+2)
JPP continues to climb these rankings.  He is very raw, but has unbelievable upside.  Investors have to be willing to be patient with him, but could maximize their ROI with his addition.


12. Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma (-1)
Trent is a powerful lineman who is a beast at the point of attack.  He can stand to improve his footwork a little bit though. 

13. Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas (-1)
Kindle is another player who had a nice showing during the National Championship game.  He showed a great motor, and a nice burst off the line.

14. Earl Thomas, S, Texas (+1)
Following a strong season, Thomas has now unseated Mays as the number two safety on the watch board.  Because of his position however, he could experience some more fluctuation before the draft.

15. Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn St (-1)
The most recent product of Linebacker U has a lot of talent, but still needs some time to develop.  He has great upside though, so many teams will maintain interest.

16. Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers (+1)
Davis has been steadily rising up the watch board all season long.  This update proves no different.  His potential continues to soar, and this will remain very attractive to potential buyers (teams).

17. Taylor Mays, S, USC (-1)
Mays continues to slide down the board.  The one time top 5 stock, has fallen due to an inconsistent performance this season.


18. Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa (Even)
Bulaga is an interesting prospect, and I continue to like him the more I see of him.  I think he could be on the rise in future months if his performance in Indy is what i expect of him.

19. Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (Even)
Dunlap's slide down the board seems to have come to a halt, holding stead at 19 the last two months.  His character questions which lead to this fall will continue to haunt him unless his interviews in Indy are outstanding.

20. CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson (+1)
Spiller continues his slow move up our board because of the versatility he shows on the field.  His multidimensional talents compare to those of Saints back Reggie Bush.  The fact that no one is quite sure of how to turn this tremendous talent into tremendous production will continue to hurt him. 

21. Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland (+1)
Campbell is confounding.  Sometimes I think he is on the verge of a soaring rise towards the top of the board.  Other times however, I think he could be preparing to free fall. Until he becomes more consistent, this volatility will continue. 

22. Brian Price, DT, UCLA (+2)
A large riser this week, Price continues to impress with his determination, and his production.  If this trend continues, Price will solidify himself as a round 1 selection in April.

23. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma (-3)
Gresham has a tremendous upside but his injuries combined with the rising of Florida's Aaron Hernandez has the value proposition on Gresham continuing to fall.

24. Brandon Spikes, LB, Florida (-1)
Spikes has a great nose for the ball, and is a great leader both on and off the field.  His measurables however, are hurting him.  Spikes needs a good post-season to stop his slow slide.

25. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois (+1)
Benn breaks into the top 25 this month, after barely missing it during our last update.  He, along with fellow wide out Damian Williams from USC have leaped former top 25 presence Golden Tate. A strong post-season will continue to move him up these rankings.