The NFP Super 30

[Tribal Warfare]

The NFP Super 30

by Wes Bunting
September 23, 02009


In the first installment of the National Football Post’s Super 30, we break down and rank the nation’s top junior and senior prospects for next year’s NFL Draft.

1. QB Jake Locker, Washington (6-3, 226)
The nation’s top quarterback prospect.

2. S Eric Berry, Tennessee (5-11, 203)
One of the most instinctive safeties to come along in years. Looks like an instant impact player in the NFL.

3. DT Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma (6-4, 298)
A disruptive force inside who plays with a great motor and consistently finds the football.

4. OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa (6-6, 312)
Might be coach Kirk Ferentz’s best offensive lineman prospect yet.

5. DT Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (6-4, 302)
His combination of length, body control and burst make him a big-time threat rushing the passer.

6. ILB Rolando McClain, Alabama (6-4, 256)
Possesses an impressive athletic skill set for his size and has the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

7. WR Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State (6-2, 220)
A powerful route runner who displays the short-area quickness to separate out of his breaks and can create after the catch.



8. RB Jahvid Best, California (5-10, 195)
Added some much-needed girth to his lower half last offseason but is still a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball.

9. DE Carlos Dunlap, Florida (6-6, 290)
Exhibits the power, length and quickness to develop into a disruptive three-down lineman at the next level.

10. DT Terrence Cody, Alabama (6-5, 365)
An immovable object inside who has the ability to anchor the interior of any defensive line.

11. DE/OLB Ricky Sapp, Clemson (6-4, 248)
An explosive edge rusher who looks like an ideal 3-4 OLB at the next level.

12. S Taylor Mays, Southern Cal (6-3, 235)
Possesses a rare combination of size and speed for the position, but at times will struggle with his instincts. In the Sean Taylor mold.

13. OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers (6-6, 325)
Showcases the size, power and fluidity to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber left tackle.



14. QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame (6-3, 223)
Is quickly becoming one of the nation’s top pocket passers in a pro-style offense.

15. OT Bruce Campbell, Maryland (6-7, 310)
Another physically gifted tackle who possesses the feet and body control to anchor the left side of an NFL offensive line for the next decade.

16. QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma (6-4, 223)
He’s as accurate as any quarterback in the nation, but questions remain about his ability to make decisions in the face of pressure.

17. DE Cameron Heyward, Ohio State (6-6, 287)
A physically imposing defensive end who has the makings of an impact three-down lineman at the next level.

18. DT Allen Bailey, Miami (6-4, 288)
His physical skill set is as good as it gets. He’s still a little raw, but he’s getting better with every game.

19. OT Jarriel King, South Carolina (6-5, 312)
Showcases the athleticism and footwork to reach the edge and mirror the best pass rushers the SEC has to offer. His stock should soar this season.



20. QB Jevan Snead, Mississippi (6-3, 215)
A strong-armed quarterback who can make all the throws, but he needs to become a more consistent decision-maker.

21. DT Arthur Jones, Syracuse (6-3, 295)
A physical interior presence who does a great job shedding blocks on contact and making plays away from his frame.

22. OLB Rennie Curran, Georgia (5-11, 225)
Showcases great range and a nose for the ball, but because of his size, he might be limited to more of a Cover 2 scheme.

23. RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson (5-11, 195)
An X-factor on offense who has the ability to create in both the run and pass game.

24. CB Joe Haden, Florida (5-11, 190)
His combination of speed, fluidity and physicality makes him really tough to separate from in man coverage.

25. RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech (5-11, 235)
Has yet to get on track this year, but he’s a powerful inside runner with impressive short-area quickness for his size.

26. DE Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech (6-4, 272)
Possesses the tools to get after the quarterback in a variety of ways.


27. WR Arrelious Benn, Illinois (6-2, 220)
A tough, physical wideout in the same mold as Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin.

28. OT Russell Okung, Oklahoma State (6-5, 302)
Showcases good fluidity and body control in pass protection but needs to continue to add more base strength.

29. WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas (6-3, 200)
A big, coordinated route runner who plays a lot faster than he times. Looks like a legit No. 1 wideout at the next level.

30. OT Nate Solder, Colorado (6-9, 305)
Needs to continue getting stronger, but his size/speed numbers are unmatched by any other offensive tackle prospect in the country.

Just missed the cut…

OLB Eric Norwood, South Carolina (6-0, 252)
DE Greg Hardy, Mississippi (6-4, 265)
QB Colt McCoy, Texas (6-2, 212)
QB Tim Tebow, Florida (6-3, 245)
WR Brandon LaFell, LSU (6-3, 206)
ILB Brandon Spikes, Florida (6-3, 256)
OLB Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri (6-1, 245)
OLB Bruce Carter, North Carolina (6-3, 225)
WR Mike Williams, Syracuse (6-2, 212)
FS Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech (6-1, 210)
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina (6-5, 280)

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Briscoe will drop due to concerns over the route tree, just like Maclin did. Unfortunately for him, he's not nearly as explosive, but he's got a better frame.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I know you may love the Huskers, but do you really want to see KC spend yet another top 5 pick on a 3-4 DE, given that it's just a complimentary position in the defense?

I've heard stuff about Suh as a nose tackle and I'm not sold on our other DE opposite Jackson.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

I've heard stuff about Suh as a nose tackle and I'm not sold on our other DE opposite Jackson.

Dorsey or Magee? **** man....Dorsey has actually been playing pretty well considering he's not a perfect fit for that position. Let's NOT draft another d-lineman in the 1st round....please.

[Infidel Goat]

I like Cody--the big fattie!

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I said it before in another thread....but we should be throwing money at Logan Mankins in the offseason. That would at least help shore up one position in our line. Secondly we need to go after a pass rusher. Merriman or Ware (if he doesn't sign with Dallas).

Then in 2 out of our first 3 picks....we need defense. Anywhere except the d-line.

We need the following:

2 Rush backers
1 Free Safety
1 Ted Backer
1 Nose Tackle

That assumes that Morgan works out. We shouldn't be drafting any corners or 3-4 ends, period.

On O we need

1 Burner (Harper to Bowe's Irvin)
3 OL (RT,G,C)
1 RB

That's assuming that Cassel works out, and that we can hold off on Waters for another year.

The fact of the matter is that by drafting counter to value last year, we ****ed ourselves hard this year for improving the line. We've just got to hope that the board falls in line with our needs.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

I've heard stuff about Suh as a nose tackle and I'm not sold on our other DE opposite Jackson.

That's because you don't know the difference between the DT's job in a 3-4 and 4-3. Suh is not a 0 Technique.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

I'd like some defensive combo with the first two picks and a running back with the other second-round pick.

Nah, I'd rather go RB late and hope to get a diamond in the rough.

I'd go defense in the 1st just based on the talent in this draft. In the 2nd, I'd look LB, OL, or WR.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

That's because you don't know the difference between the DT's job in a 3-4 and 4-3. Suh is not a 0 Technique.

He would have no trouble drawing double coverage as a nose tackle.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

That's because you don't know the difference between the DT's job in a 3-4 and 4-3. Suh is not a 0 Technique.

No, he's not a 0 technique. But he's also never been asked to do it.

There's alot of national guys that seem to think he can add bulk (he looks like he could to me) and play NT in the NFL.

Not saying I like the idea, just saying it's not something that came out of left field. I've heard people talking about it since the summer.

[teedubya]

Chiefs will be drafting 7th overall, methinks.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

He would have no trouble drawing double coverage as a nose tackle.

That's not the sole point of a 0 tech.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

He would have no trouble drawing double coverage as a nose tackle.

The question isn't whether or not he could draw doubles, it's whether or not he could DEAL with them.

[Sam Hall]

In no particular order, I think we're down to Berry, Mays, Suh, McCoy, Kindle and maybe Cody.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

No, he's not a 0 technique. But he's also never been asked to do it.

There's alot of national guys that seem to think he can add bulk (he looks like he could to me) and play NT in the NFL.

Not saying I like the idea, just saying it's not something that came out of left field. I've heard people talking about it since the summer.

It runs counter to his talents. He could do it, but it wouldn't be the best allocation of his abilities. With his natural skills as a pass rusher, he should work in a one-gap system where he can get after the QB.

[The Franchise]

I'll take any three of these positions in our first 3 picks.

S
WR
OT
OLB