A.J. Green ranked No. 4 in draft (and Bama’s loaded again)
Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green is projected the No. 4 player in the next NFL draft, according to Mel Kiper. (Bob Andres/AJC)
Good morning. Sorry, no cake blogs are on the horizon, but I’ll let you know.
I’ve made it pretty clear in the past that trying to grade NFL drafts immediately after the fact is a useless exercise, akin to reviewing a restaurant based on what’s on the menu.
So this might seem like a bit of a contradiction. But here goes: Some of the “expert” draftniks, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper, actually do a pretty decent job ranking the top players eligible for the next NFL draft. Even some general managers will tell you so.
Where they fail at times is understanding a team’s needs and how a certain player fits into a team’s schemes, based on his strengths and weaknesses. And, of course, there can be a significant difference of opinion on how extreme those strengths and weaknesses are.
For example: Some people ripped the Falcons’ first pick, Sean Weatherspoon, based on the fact that he’s not a classic blitzing outside linebacker that can help their pass rush. Left unsaid is that the Falcons see him as an EVERY-down back who can significantly help their pass coverage against the NFC South’s tight ends and running back, as well as defend the run and, yes, blitz.
With that said, Kiper — who I understand has quite a following — just came out with his first “Big Board” of the top 25 eligible players for the 2011 draft. Kiper pats himself on the back a little before listing the players, and that’s OK:
A little perspective to start. Last year, back before any games in the college season had even been played, my first Big Board came out. Looking back, six of the players in that top 10 actually went in the top 10 of the recent draft. A few guys fell for various reasons. Whether it was Carlos Dunlap’s judgment, a really odd interview process for Dez Bryant, or simply bad tape for Taylor Mays, some guys didn’t remain that high. It happens every year.
OK, here’s what will be of the most most interest to you:
♦ Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green is the highest-ranked local player on the board: fourth overall, behind only two quarterbacks, Jake Locker of Washington and Andrew Luck of Stanford, and North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn. Green will only be a junior but most expect him to come out. Kiper’s comment: “The profile of a No. 1 receiver. Great size and speed, instinctive, great hands.”
♦ There are no Georgia Tech players in the top 25, after Derrick Morgan and Demaryius Thomas both made the list last season.
♦ Anybody projecting Alabama to take a significant step back after winning the national championship should think again. Three returning players are among the top 17 on Kiper’s list: Defensive end Marcel Dareus (7), running back Mark Ingram (11), wide receiver Julio Jones (17).
♦ The top 25 list includes seven players from the ACC (below in blue) and six from the SEC (in red).
Here’s the list. Let me know what you think.
♦
1. Jake Locker, QB, Washington.
2. Andrew Luck*, QB, Stanford.
3. Robert Quinn*, DE, North Carolina.
4. A.J. Green*, WR, Georgia.
5. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa.
6. Ryan Mallett*, QB, Arkansas.
7. Marcel Dareus*, DE, Alabama.
8. Anthony Costanzo, DT, Boston College.
9. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State.
10. Patrick Peterson*, CB, LSU.
11. Mark Ingram, RB*, Alabama.
12. Aaron Williams*, CB, Texas.
13. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina.
14. Jonathan Baldwin*, WR, Pittsburgh.
15. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech.
16. Allen Bailey, DE, Miami.
17. Julio Jones*, WR, Alabama.
18. Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina.
19. Michael Floyd*, WR, Notre Dame.
20. Akeem Ayers*, OLB, UCLA.
21. Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia.
22. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC.
23. Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska.
24. Gabe Carimi, OT, Washington.
25. Rahim Moore*, S, UCLA.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
♦
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143 comments Add your comment
DP
May 6th, 2010
12:37 pm
I said I think Tebow will become a good NFL QB, but I think it will be as a conventional QB instead of some type of hybrid. No NFL team is going to put their starting QB at risk by having him run the ball on a regular basis. Tebow is not that elusive or fast and he’s not going to run over NFL linebackers. I recall a play in the ‘09 SEC championship game when Rolando McClain ran him down one on one and threw him down like a rag doll. That’s the kind of defensive players Tebow will see in the NFL.
1eyedJack
May 6th, 2010
12:54 pm
GT Baby, I wish you still worked for me so I could ask you to resign.
Paddy
May 6th, 2010
12:56 pm
#1 Bama fan. Youi are right that Jones has rings and will get more this season. But that is not the point of the article and the following posts by the fans. It is about Kiper’s top 25 and our thoughts. When we get back to college football there will be plenty of time to praise Jones and his rings. It just made no sense to bring it up at this discussion.
The most interesting man alive
May 6th, 2010
12:57 pm
1eyed, why is it Tech fans think they can talk smack in football? or for that matter they can’t even talk smack in Basketball with Dawgs either. GT baby, quit sucking your thumb.
The most interesting man alive
May 6th, 2010
12:59 pm
DP you make a lot of valid points. Tebow’s biggest problem in the 09 game with Bama was his running backs. It will be real interesting if Denver runs some sort of spread package with him and Knowshon.
The most interesting man alive
May 6th, 2010
1:00 pm
latter gentlemen, I am living vicariously thru myself…..stay thirsty.
Reality
May 6th, 2010
1:00 pm
Bama will be tough, but what will Green do when there are no QB’s left to throw to him?
bryant
May 6th, 2010
1:00 pm
The Bama train is going to be hard to derail for a long time! 5 juniors that may be drafted in the first round. Wonder what this means to high school players looking for a colllege. Well you know what it means. Kids want to play at a school that can help them move their game to next level. Saban actually told Kirby wait two more years and UGA will be calling you about the head coach job.
Whalid
May 6th, 2010
1:01 pm
I resent the comments about Pakistan!!!
Weak talent at Georgia
May 6th, 2010
1:09 pm
Has anybody on the staff at AJC noticed the longer Richt stays in Athens the fewer top players sign with NFL. Florida and Alabama are headed in the opposite direction. Best indictaor of what’s happening on the football field. Richt seems desperate this year–rolling out Dawg Days caravan in Georgia when most AC and SEC coaches are at Lake Occonee playing in the golf challenge.
If he doesn’t get the ship turned around by 2011 we will find a new leader. Bragging about visiting all 350 Georgia high schools in 4 days isn’t worthy imo. It’s what happens in the stud recruits homes in Georgia.
Germaine
May 6th, 2010
1:12 pm
I agree with the above post about Richt recruiting. I’m SICK & TIRED of other SEC schools raiding talent in our back door. I hope these new defensive coaches have some fire in their bellies for recruiting.
Murray the Midget
May 6th, 2010
1:13 pm
Hi everybody!
Murray the Midget
May 6th, 2010
1:16 pm
I will miss A.J. He is very very tall. Every once in a while he will pick me up and tickle me.
Stinger
May 6th, 2010
1:19 pm
Good point Jeff. I guess it would be difficult for UGA offense to be worse than last year.
Roll Tide
May 6th, 2010
1:23 pm
If Bama comes into Georgia and gets Crowell, Wright, Dickson and maybe Bray, Vaughters, Swann, Mitchell and Ward, or any combination of 4-5 of those….Richt and UGA are going to have a stroke.
Me
May 6th, 2010
1:29 pm
Where are the Gators?
Murray the Midget
May 6th, 2010
1:31 pm
I think Coach Richt and his staff went to all those 350 high scools to try to find offensive linemen 6′ tall and under. We don’t need a bunch of tall linemen right now.
1eyedJack
May 6th, 2010
1:34 pm
Our midgets pushed your midgets up and down the field last time and will again.
Murray the Midget
May 6th, 2010
1:36 pm
Wow, I almost got into a fight right on campus the other day. Saw some guy on his cell looking RIGHT at me saying something about a “small fry”. Didn’t realize he was just ordering lunch. I get a little sensitive sometimes.
Draft board question
May 6th, 2010
1:37 pm
Jeff,
How is it that Marcel Dareus defensive end at Bama is the forecasted #7 pick ? How can that be? The guy wasn’t even a starter last year at Alabama. Is Alabama really that deep?
Murray the Midget
May 6th, 2010
1:44 pm
Hey, speaking of lunch, has anybody tried Burger King’s brand new sandwich, the “Mettenberger”? It’s a little cheezy and slimy but goes down good with a cold beer. And usually, I don’t even go into BK because of this problem with my hands.
Scrotie McBoogerballs
May 6th, 2010
1:45 pm
I KNEW IT!
The times square non-bomber is a METS fan
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/06/2010-05-06_a_look_inside_the_terrorists_lair_li_barebones_home_li_signs_of_quick_exit_li_ra.html
Scrotie McBoogerballs
May 6th, 2010
1:46 pm
Georgia will still lost 3-4 games next season.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaawn.
Perspective
May 6th, 2010
1:56 pm
Regardless of where A.J. Green is drafted he will still be a bust in the NFL. That’s what all UGA players do – they cannot cut it in a man’s league. Kind of like their academic graduates as well!!
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
May 6th, 2010
2:01 pm
AJ Green is the real deal. However, I don’t believe there is a more useless man on planet earth than Mel Kiper. Also, perspective, please get some of yourself. You need it
Ted Striker
May 6th, 2010
2:04 pm
Good column, as usual. Still, you never call, you never write, you never offer a date with your firstborn daughter.
I’d stop reading your columns if they weren’t like crack.
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May 6th, 2010
2:07 pm
[...] A.J. Green ranked No. 4 in draft (and Bama’s loaded again) [...]
Mike Smith demanding more from Falcons in year three | Jeff Schultz
May 6th, 2010
2:08 pm
[...] ♦ A.J. Green ranked No. 4 in draft (and Bama’s loaded again) [...]
30>24
May 6th, 2010
2:15 pm
Dear Tech fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al8yCWnt8J0
That’s all.
Jeff Schultz
May 6th, 2010
2:18 pm
Brock — Guess I missed that Tech/bowls/marijuana line in the past. Maybe I was … uh, never mind.
Thirty Points To Your Twenty-Four Points
May 6th, 2010
2:29 pm
Brock is just bitter Jeff.
If my team was as embarassing as Tech in bowl games, I’d take it personal when somebody points it out too. But I doubt Tech makes a bowl this year. So he shouldnt have to worry about it for a while.
{{{{{30-24}}}}}
8-1
60-39-5
We Run This State
DP
May 6th, 2010
3:01 pm
With regard to the draft question on Dareus, here’s something from The Sporting News:
“The Tide lost a critical run stuffer and underrated pass rusher (collapsing the pocket) in massive nose tackle Terrence Cody, a two-time All-American. But Josh Chapman is the projected starter at the position, and his mobility will allow Alabama to use more stunts with ends Marcell Dareus and Luther Davis.
Dareus, especially, has benefited from Chapman’s mobility—he had nine sacks in the first two spring scrimmages. He has the size of an interior lineman (6-4, 306) and the speed of a rush end and has been unblockable this spring.
We’re more versatile with this line,” Dareus says. “We do things we couldn’t last year. It’s exciting.”"
Alabama’s starting defensive linemen last year were Cody (2nd round NFL), Brandon Deaderick (7th round NFL) and Lorenzo Washington (not drafted). They did a great job of stuffing the run but weren’t particularly athletic and didn’t generate consistent pressure on the QB. Alabama relied on a variety of blitzes (linebackers, corners, safeties) to get sacks and quarterback hurries. Next year’s defensive line is 2-3 deep and more athletic.
Tide Rising
May 6th, 2010
3:44 pm
DP,
I like Josh Chapman and at 310 lbs and the strongest player on the team he is in fact the projected starter. But what I’ve been hearing is that Kerry Murphy may well be pushing him for the starting job. Murphy is much bigger at 6′5 320 lbs and for a man that size he can do a back flip. Murphy was rated much higher coming out of high school but his development was slowed by having to go the juco route and the death of his brother. Here’s to looking for a good competition at the NT position. RTR.
Brock
May 6th, 2010
3:46 pm
Bitter? right. I really don’t care as much about football as you obviously do. Glad it consumes your life to the point where you keep posting a score to a football game. Really, get a girl or go beat up on your penis. At the very least you might actually accomplish something for once.
Pi$$onaDAWG
May 6th, 2010
3:53 pm
UGA why don’t you just call the Athens-Clarke County Jail UGA off campus housing? It will sound better in the University Catalogue. 11 Students, Faculty, and Staff arrested for DUI, Underage Drinking, Open Container, and Assult after Cinco de Mayo partying. I thought UGA DRUNK was just used for the Football Players? Come to UGA! you can party like drunk Illegal Mexicans braking the laws with your Teachers at your side.
GT BABY
May 6th, 2010
3:53 pm
Jeff- you’re not the only one on here smoking something…..All Georgia fans are still living in 1980 and think they’re good hahahahahaha. Teams that are good don’t go to the Independence Bowl!
Tweets that mention A.J. Green ranked No. 4 in draft (and Bama's loaded again) | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
May 6th, 2010
4:06 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joy L.. Joy L. said: AJ Green ranked No. 4 in draft (and Bama's loaded again) http://bit.ly/c60bv8 [...]
Chris
May 6th, 2010
4:42 pm
Gabe Carimi is a Wisconsin Badger… not a Huskie.
Flip
May 6th, 2010
6:32 pm
AJ can get 2000 all-purpose yards and win the Heisman and go #3 in the NFL Draft.
Gerogia has some other guys, of the same calibre:
Murray
Boykin
Ealey
Smith
Wooten
All Parade All Americans, besides AJ Green. Be nice to see all 6 on the field, one of the best teams to lace em’ up in the Richt era.
robertussen
May 6th, 2010
8:39 pm
hey jeff, i dont know if youre still reading this but here is something interesting. aj green played at summerville high school (my old high school) in dorchester district two. where he had former usc qb reid mccullum throwing him the ball. the only other high school in the district is fort dorchester high school. both schools are bitter rivals. summerville has a rich history and the winningest coach ever at any level for football in john mckisick. fort dorchester was built in the 90s. but anyway, aj faced former florida de and now cinn bengal de, carlos dunlap, and on the other end was unc de robert quinn. dunlap went in the 2nd round and could have been a 1st rounder, and both aj and robert are projected as 1st rounders. a good couple years for dorchester district two!
icedawg
May 6th, 2010
10:19 pm
Green had a great first year. This past year was a dud due to his injury, something over which he had no control. But one year and a few games hardly justifies the hype everyone has give him. This year will be a real test for him. Can he stay healthy? Can he put up the numbers? The schedule is not as brutal as last year. There’ll be a “green” quarterback. It could be a mediocre year. Then what do you conclude? The pressure will be on him to produce, to convince the pros that he is top talent.
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Dwight
May 10th, 2010
1:15 pm
hmmmmmm schultz……and you thought it was funny that they would build a statue in Saban’s honor a couple of months ago. u idiot, now what do u think? BAMA is rocking moron.rmft!