Kiper Big Board 2/1/06

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Here:

With the week of practice and Senior Bowl now complete, there are some minor adjustments to this week's Top 25 Big Board.

Two newcomers this week are Clemson cornerback Tye Hill and USC guard Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui. Hill, who spent some time during the season on the Big Board, had a great week of practice at the Senior Bowl and that could very well help him get into the first round of April's draft.

Lutui is a versatile offensive lineman who played tackle as a junior for the Trojans. He would be ideal for a team like the Indianapolis Colts, who showed in the AFC Divisional Playoffs that the interior of their line could use an upgrade.



My entire Big Board:





Jeff Gross/Getty Images
If Bush is the first pick in the draft, he will be the first running back picked No. 1 overall since Ki-Jana Carter in 1995.1. Reggie Bush, USC (6-0, 200, Junior) | previous rank: same
He will give the team that drafts him a multifaceted offensive attack. Bush will be dangerous from the backfield, as a slot receiver and in the return game.


2. Matt Leinart, QB, USC (6-4, 225) | previous rank: same
His arm strength has improved since last season, and he threw the ball even better in 2005. Leinart might not have repeated as the Heisman Trophy winner, but he makes plays when he has to. He should remain near the very top of the draft board.


3. Vince Young, QB, Texas (6-5, 233, Junior) | previous rank: same
Young's stock has risen considerably since an amazing performance in the Rose Bowl. He's big, strong and exceptionally fast. The New Orleans Saints will have to consider taking him as the No. 2 pick in the draft.


4. Mario Williams, DE, NC State (6-7, 285, Junior) | previous rank: same
A dominant physical presence who had some great individual performances at the end of the season. Williams is a big, strong pro-type defensive end and has all the skills NFL coaches are looking for as an every-down player.


5. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Virginia (6-5½, 295) | previous rank: same
The top offensive lineman in this draft, Ferguson will be an ideal left tackle in the NFL.


6. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State (6-1½, 242) | previous rank: same
The top defensive player in the senior class. An instinctive player and a sure tackler, he knows which angles to take to the ball and finds his way through traffic very well. Hawk should be able to help out a team right away.


7. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis (5-9, 215) | previous rank: 12
An exceptional running back, especially since he did not play behind one of the best offensive lines. Could very well be a top-10 pick for a team that needs a running back who can do it all.


8. Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland (6-3, 250, Junior) | previous rank: 9
Physically gifted athlete who plays the tight end like a wide receiver. Davis is a phenomenal pass catcher and is a better prospect than when Kellen Winslow came out of Miami.


9. Michael Huff, DB, Texas (6-1, 205) | previous rank: 10
Athletic and instinctive, he has shown the versatility to play cornerback or safety at the next level.




Haloti Ngata will be more than a defensive tackle who just clogs the middle of the line.10. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon (6-5, 338, Junior) | previous rank: 11
Ngata will be more than a defensive tackle who just clogs the interior because his strength and athleticism will allow him to penetrate and makes plays behind the line of scrimmage.


11. LenDale White, RB, USC (6-2, 235, Junior) | previous rank: 13
He's big, strong and deceptively fast with a nose for the end zone. White will be a running back at the next level who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game.


12. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (6-3¼, 227) | previous rank: 14
He's the next best QB in the senior class behind Leinart. Cutler has gone from being a potential first-round pick to possibly going in the top 10.


13. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 267) | previous rank: 8
He's the best senior defensive end in this draft. Hali's a natural pass-rusher who play with a lot of intensity and never takes a play off.


14. Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa (6-2½, 244) | previous rank: 19
He was one of the nation's topflight linebackers the last two years. A smart player with great physical skills, Greenway has a nose for the ball. He'll help out a team right away.


15 Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota (5-11, 205, Junior) | previous rank: same
A very good natural runner who is smooth and patient. Maroney allowed his blocks to get set up and develop and then showed a good burst of speed through openings. He has good vision and the ability to shift gears quickly.


16. Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State (6-0, 200, Junior) | previous rank: 20
Sims finished fourth on FSU with 70 tackles this season. He's an extremely fast 'backer who's used to being the focus of opposing offenses' game plans.


17. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State (5-10, 185, Junior) | previous rank: 17
He is very tough and is willing to make catches in traffic. Holmes is a very good route runner and has a good burst out of his break. He doesn't have the greatest size, but toughness counts. He should be the first wide receiver taken off the board.


18. Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia (6-7, 250, Junior) | previous rank: 17
He's an absolutely huge target and is a mismatch every time he's on the field. Georgia relied heavily on Pope in the passing game because he is a rare talent for a player of his size.


19. Winston Justice T, USC (6-6, 311, Junior) | previous rank: 18
A great athlete and very gifted, Justice is as good as any right tackle in the country at getting down field beyond the defensive line. He'll be able to play either tackle position in the NFL.


20. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-2½, 207) | previous rank: 21
Gave the Hokies a shutdown cornerback who could lock up the opposing team's top receiver. He eliminates one side of the field. A former safety who moved to corner before the 2004 season.


21. Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State (6-1, 188, Junior) | previous rank: 22
The first-team All-Big Ten selection has very good cover skills and excellent on-field intelligence.


22. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson (5-9½, 181) | previous rank: unranked
Hill is not especially big, but he has long arms, phenomenal speed and great confidence. He had one of the better weeks at the Senior Bowl which should propel him into the first round.


23. DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-1½, 235) | previous rank: 7
Has impressed in the Crimson Tide's biggest games this season. Ryans is a smart and fundamentally sound player who will be solid contributor at the next level.


24. Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui, G, USC (6-6, 365) | previous rank: unranked
A versatile offensive lineman who played tackle as a junior. Lutui has the potential to be a Pro-Bowl caliber offensive lineman.


25. Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State (6-3, 255) | previous rank: same
Carpenter was consistent on a weekly basis. He has very good speed for a player of his size and will be able to help a team out either as an outside pass rusher or playing in the middle.


DROPPED


Ko Simpson, DB, South Carolina (6-1, 201, third-year sophomore) | previous rank: 23
The former freshman All-American completed his sophomore season with 103 tackles and one interception.


Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-5½, 260) | previous rank: 24
A tremendous physical talent who needs to polish his pass-rushing skills.



Mel's Top 5 Juniors
Quarterbacks
1. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
2. Drew Stanton, Michigan State
3. Troy Smith, Ohio State
4. Jordan Palmer, UTEP
5. John Beck, BYU



Running Backs
1. Michael Bush, Louisville
2. Kenny Irons, Auburn
3. Tony Hunt, Penn State
4. Brian Leonard, Rutgers
5. Courtney Lewis, Texas A&M
5a. Kenneth Darby, Alabama



Wide Receivers
1. Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame
2. Jason Hill, Washington State
3. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech
4. Steve Smith, USC
5. Joel Filani, Texas Tech
5a. Courtney Taylor, Auburn



Tight Ends
1. Clark Harris, Rutgers
2. Martrez Milner, Georgia
3. Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
4. Ben Patrick, Duke
5. Joe Newton, Oregon State



Offensive Linemen
1. Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
2. Levi Brown, Penn State
3. Justin Blalock, Texas
4. Kyle Young, Fresno State
5. Doug Free, No. Illinois



Place-Kickers
1. Mason Crosby, Colorado
2. Justin Medlock, UCLA
3. Mike Barrow, Idaho
4. Brandon Pace, Virginia Tech
5. Andrew Wellock, Eastern Michigan
5a. Kyle Schlicher, Iowa
5b. John Deraney, NC State


Defensive Linemen
1. Gaines Adams, Clemson
2. Adam Carriker, Nebraska
3. Kareem Brown, Miami (Fla.)
4. Quentin Moses, Georgia
5. LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
5a. Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame
5b. Mkristo Bruce, Washington State



Linebackers
1. Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2. Patrick Willis, Mississippi
3. Ahmad Brooks, Virginia
4. Oscar Lua, USC
5. Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma
5a. Prescott Burgess, Michigan
5b. H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh
5c. Anthony Waters, Clemson



Defensive Backs
1. LaRon Landry, LSU
2. Brandon Meriweather, Miami
3. Michael Griffin, Texas
4. Eric Weddle, Utah
5. John Talley, Duke



Punters
1. Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
2. Adam Graessle, Pittsburgh
3. Brandon Fields, Michigan State
4. Adam Podlesh, Maryland
5. Michael Gibson, Memphis