Kiper's Big Board 1/13/06

[Milians]

Here:

Oh, how the Big Board is a changing! Right now, 15 underclassmen are carrying first round grades according to my rankings, with 10 others projected as second rounders.

We are still waiting on several potential early rounders to make their decisions known. Remember, junior's and third year sophomores (as was the case with South Carolina DB Ko Simpson) have until January 15th to decide whether to move into the 2006 NFL Draft process or return to college for another season.

As of now 13 underclassmen are in my current Top 25, with five others ever so close to making a move onto the Big Board. Obviously, film evaluation is taking place every day, so you can expect to see a few minor changes over the next month or so with the underclassmen. The all-star games are now upon us and that's when you will see some shifting of personnel from the senior class on the Big Board. Then comes the Combine Workout February, followed by individual testing.

That's why just about every week leading up to Draft Day on April 29th, you will see changes on the Big Board as well as with any first round projections. By the way, I will have my initial First Round projection coming up on Tuesday, January 17th.


My entire Big Board:



1. Reggie Bush, USC (6-0, 200 pounds) | previous rank: unranked(Junior)
He will give the team who drafts him a multi-faceted offensive attack as he will be dangerous from backfield, as a slot receiver and as a returner.



Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Matt Leinart moved down to second after Reggie Bush decided to enter the draft.2. Matt Leinart, QB, USC (6-4, 225 pounds) | previous rank: 1
His arm strength has improved since last season, and he is throwing the ball even better. Leinart might not have repeated as the Heisman Trophy winner, but he makes plays when he has to. He should remain at the top of the draft board.

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


4. Mario Williams, DE, NC State (6-7, 285) | previous rank: 3 (Junior)
A dominant physical presence and had some great individual performances at the end of year. Williams is a big, strong pro-type defensive end and has all skills NFL coaches are looking for.

5. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia (6-5½, 295) | previous rank: 3
Came back from a knee injury and still remains the top offensive lineman on the board. Ideal left tackle in the NFL.

6. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State (6-1½, 242) | previous rank: 4
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.

7. DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-1½, 235) | previous rank: 5
Leader of the Crimson Tide defense. Has impressed in the Tide's biggest games this season. Alabama's defense did all it could to try to keep undefeated season alive.

8. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 267) | previous rank: 6
Has been at the top of his game all year. Hali is the best player on one of the best defenses in the country. A natural pass-rusher who has been fun to watch all season.



Kevin C. Cox/WireImage.com
Maryland tight end Vernon Davis may very well be a top-10 pick in the 2006 draft.9. Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland (6-3, 250) | previous rank: 7 (Junior)
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.

10. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon (6-5, 338) | previous rank: unranked
He finished the season with three sacks and nine tackles for losses this season, while ranking sixth on the Ducks in total tackles with 61, including 32 unassisted.

11. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis (5-9, 215) | previous rank: 8 (Junior)
Third in the nation in rushing yards per game, despite not playing behind one of the best offensive lines. Could very well be a top-10 pick.

12. LenDale White RB, USC (6-2, 235) | previous rank: unranked (Junior)
He's big, strong and deceptively fast with a nose for the endzone.

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

14. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (6-3¼, 227) | previous rank: 10
Second-best senior QB on the board behind Matt Leinart. Has the potential to be a first-round pick, depending on how he performs in the Senior Bowl and individual workouts.



AP Photo
Laurence Maroney rushed for 3,933 in three years at Minnesota.15 Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota (5-11, 205) | previous rank: 13 (Junior)
A very good natural runner who is very smooth and patient. At Minnesota, Maroney allowed his blocks to get set up and develop. He has good vision and the ability to shift gears quickly.


16. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State (5-10, 185) | previous rank: 11 (Junior)
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. Holmes doesn't have the greatest size, but is very tough.

17. Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia (6-7, 250) | previous rank: 12 (Junior)
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.
18. Winston Justice OT, USC (6-6, 311) | previous rank: unranked (Junior)
A great athlete and very gifted, Justice is as good as any right tackle in the country at getting downfield beyond the defensive line.
19. Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa (6-2½, 244) | previous rank: 15
Has become one of the nation's topflight linebackers the past two years. A smart player with great physical skills, Greenway knows how to find the ball and can go all over the field to get to it.

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

21. Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-2½, 207) | previous rank: 14
Gives the Hokies a shutdown cornerback who can 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.

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

23. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-5½, 260) | previous rank: 16
Came back from an injury against Virginia during season. A tremendous talent who needs to polish his pass-rushing skills.

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

25. Orien Harris, DT, Miami (6-3, 307) | previous rank: 19
Blessed with a ton of talent, Harris has bounced back from a subpar junior campaign. He has maximized his ability on a consistent basis in 2005.

DROPPED

Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State (6-1½, 203) | previous rank: 17
A precise route runner who will come into the NFL in 2006 with a great understanding of what is expected to be an immediate contributor.

Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP (6-2½, 233) | previous rank: 19
Has come a long way since his days as a walk-on defensive back. UTEP's best defensive player, Howard is a gifted athlete with 4.4 speed who covers the field from sideline to sideline.

Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (5-8½ 183) | previous rank: 20
Can turn a short completion into a coast-to-coast TD. Not great size, but Moss has great speed and should excel at the next level.

Chad Jackson, WR, Florida (6-1, 205) | previous rank: 21 (Junior)
Has the ability to make a play after the catch. Jackson averaged 22.3 yards per catch as a sophomore and had 81 receptions in 2005. Worked the underneath routes for Chris Leak very well and kept chains moving in 2005.

Ryan O'Callaghan, OT, California (6-6½, 340) | previous rank: 22
Depending on who comes out early, O'Callaghan could end up being the highest-rated right tackle prospect in the draft. Prototype right tackle at the next level. Very tough; he played through a broken wrist for most of 2004 and battled through a concussion in '05.

Claude Wroten, DT, LSU (6-2, 293) | previous rank: 23
Solid and reliable, Wroten has given LSU consistent play throughout the season.

Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State (6-2½ 305) | previous rank: 24
Combines strength with quickness and a relentless approach. A very effective pass-rusher for an interior lineman.

Kyle Williams, DT, LSU (6-1½, 294) | previous rank: 25
Consistent and productive, he gets overshadowed at times by teammate Claude Wroten, who lines up next to him on the defensive line. Williams never disappears from the action.

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


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


Wide Receivers
1. Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame
2. Cory Rodgers, TCU
3. Jason Hill, Washington St.
4. Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech
5. Steve Smith, USC
5a. Joel Filani, Texas Tech
5b. 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 St.


Offensive linemen
1. Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
2. Levi Brown, Penn St.
3. Justin Blalock, Texas
4. Kyle Young, Fresno St.
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 St.

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 St.


Linebackers
1. Paul Posluszny, Penn St.
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 (Fla)
3. Michael Griffin, Texas
4. Darnell Bing, USC
5. Eric Weddle, Utah



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

[fhs623]

I still think that the saints should trade down and grab aj hawk....they can get a quality qb in the later rounds