The 2010 NFL Draft is in the books, and a memorable draft it was. The primetime format was a big hit and looks like it is here to stay. So who will be the names we'll be talking about this time next year? Let's take a look...
2011 rankings
Who Will be #1
If history has taught us anything, the number one pick in the 2011 NFL Draft will be a quarterback. Eight of the last ten number one picks have been quarterbacks, and don't look for that to change in 2011. The question is who will it be? The two candidates are Arkansas' Ryan Mallett and Washington's Jake Locker.
Locker decided to return for his senior year and it was probably a wise choice. Locker has been called "Tim Tebow of the West." But besides the fact that the both check in at 6-foot-3, the similarities end there. Locker is much lighter on his feet and runs more like Steve Young than Tim Tebow. He also has a much better release that won't be nitpicked for a nauseating four months. The negative? His INT:TD ratio is higher than his completion percentage. Locker has all the tools to be a top end quarterback, but he has to cut down on his mistakes.
At 6-foot-7 Mallett is a big, strong-armed quarterback. He probably has the strongest arm of any quarterback in the last decade. Mallett posted gaudy numbers in 2009, throwing for 3627 yards and 30 touchdowns, but he was erratic and struggled against high-caliber defenses like Alabama and Florida. With a year of starting experience under his belt, he should improve considerably. And in the end we view Mallett as the top quarterback prospect in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Skilled Underclassmen
Many believed this was a down year for running back talent. That shouldn't be the case in 2011. But much of that talent will come from the underclassmen. Barring injury, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram will come out. Ingram is the most physically ready back to come out in years. He has that rare combination of power and speed.
When it is all said and done we could see as many as four underclassmen running backs in the first round in Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers, Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams and possibly even Oregon's LaMichael James.
You add in the durable Evan Royster, burner DeMarco Murray, the versatile Kendall Hunter, big bad John Clay and a guy that is just scratching the surface at running back in Daniel Thomas, and this will be the deepest running back class in years.
The list of talented underclassmen doesn't end at running back. We have five underclassmen at the top of our wide receiver list. A cracked fibula limited Texas A&M's Jeff Fuller last season, but he should be a full go in 2010 and will quickly climb draft boards of the pundits. At 6-foot-4 and 215-pounds he has the size to dominate games. He and quarterback Jerrod Johnson will pace what will be one of the deadliest passing offenses in the FBS.
Injuries have also slowed Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd the past two seasons. If healthy, he would have likely been the Irish top receiving threat...even with Golden Tate on the field. He's another big receiver that has the uncanny ability to adjust in the air and highpoint balls.
Comeback Kids
A pair of linebackers will be looking to make their return this fall. Alabama was without Dont'a Hightower for most of the season, but the talented linebacker should return full strength in 2010 and is expected to take over Rolando McClain's spot in the middle. With the losses the Tide face on defense this fall, Hightower is going to have to anchor the defense. And if he does, there is a good chance he comes out early.
The most inspirational story of the year will be Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich. The 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in his left leg shortly after spring practice in 2009. Herzlich had a titanium rod put in his leg and returned to practice this spring, though his left leg is not back to full strength and may never be. But we aren't counting Herzlich out. He has incredible resolve and could very well return to being one of the most dominant linebackers in the country.
Pass Rushers
A pass rusher is always high on every team and fan wishlist. The guys that you should be looking at this fall include: Adrian Clayborn (DE, Iowa), Von Miller (OLB, Texas A&M), Bruce Miller (DE/OLB, UCF), Jared Crick (DT, Nebraska), Kenny Rowe (DE/OLB, Oregon), Ryan Kerrigan (DE, Purdue) and Nick Perry (DE, USC).
Clayborn is one the most dominant defensive lineman in the country and will terrorize Big Ten offenses. The most intriguing of the bunch is Perry. He was redshirted in 2008 and was unleashed in 2009, registering nine sacks. By all accounts he's been tearing up the USC practice field this spring, and we expect him to have a big year for the Trojans.
Franchise Left Tackles
Offensive tackles are always a focus in the draft, especially those that project to be the next franchise left tackles. Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi and BYU's Matt Reynolds will likely grade out as the top tackles in the draft, assuming Reynolds comes out early. Anthony Castonzo of Boston College and Nate Solder of Colorado will also receive plenty of attention between now and April.
With Ndamukong Suh exiting Lincoln, all eyes will be on DT Jared Crick. Were his 9.5 sacks the beneficiary of lining up next to Suh, or is he a dominant defensive tackle in his own right? Time will tell.
Ohio State DE/DT Cameron Heyward and North Carolina DT Marvin Austin will look to become the top defensive linemen in 2010. And Mississippi's Jerrell Powe will replace Terrence Cody as next year's biggest big man.
Fall off at Safety?
With Eric Berry, Earl Thomas and Taylor Mays, the 2010 class was one of the deepest and most talked about safety classes in years. Can the 2011 draft class live match it? Probably not, but there is no shortage of talent.
North Carolina's Deunta Williams leads the charge with 12 career interceptions, six in 2009. Heavy hitter DeAndre McDaniel had eight interceptions to go along with his 102 tackles in 2009. And once again there is a talented pool of underclassmen. UCLA's Rahim Moore led the FBS with 10 inceptions in 2009 and was also credited with 17 passes defended. And Alabama's Mark Barron is not far behind with seven picks and 18 passes defended. This group may not have the same name recognition as Mays, Berry and Thomas...but they are a talented group nonetheless.
We are in the process of compiling the 2011 rankings. We have at least a top ten (except centers and kickers) for each position complete and will be expanding the rankings over the next few months and as the season progresses. So stay tuned and get ready for next year's draft.