Mercifully, we are finally less than two weeks away from soaking up the sweet embrace of one of the three most exciting events on the football calendar (the other two being your fantasy draft and the first Sunday of the season). The Super Bowl comes in 4th, unless of course your team makes it like my Pack did this year. Then of course it would trump pretty much everything that year with the possible exception of the birth of a child (if it's your first child). But I digress.
With under two weeks til the Panthers are on the clock, it's crunch time for examining the best draft prospects. In this post I've ranked the best 25 skill players, with 5 QBs, 10 RBs, 9 WRs and 1 TE making the cut. Most of these talented young men grade as what used to be day 1 picks (the first 3 rounds), and none should slip past the 4th round. So without further ado, let's look at the class of the class of '11 skill guys and a few future fantasy stalwarts:
1. A.J. Green, WR, Georgia Bulldogs (6-4, 211 ; 4.48 40)|STAR|
- The best WR prospect since Calvin Johnson in the '07 class, Green is a pure playmaker with elite hands and the ability to separate from coverage and pick up extra yards after the catch. He's the total package and will start from day one—a future Pro Bowler and fantasy stud.
PROJECTED: Top-10
2. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide (6-3, 220 ; 4.34 40)|STAR|
- Jones is a small step down from Green but has all the tools to be an equally productive pro. He's built like Andre Johnson with great speed and strong hands. He's shown great toughness and willingness to play through pain and will instantly be one of the best blocking wideouts in the league. He will boost an offense immediately.
PROJECTED: Top-15
3. Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers (6-4, 234 ; 4.61 40)|STAR|
- The best combination of size, athleticism and passing skills the draft has to offer, Gabbert brings the competitive drive and football IQ to progress into a franchise QB. Having played in a spread at Mizzou, he will need to develop a pocket presence and learn the pro style to realize his potential. His brain and his arm will get him there.
PROJECTED: Top-10
4. Cam Newton, QB, Auburn Tigers (6-5, 248 ; 4.56 40)|STAR|
- One of the flashiest prospects in years, Newton brings a huge sculpted physique, a big arm and a big grin to the big stage. The one year of production (albeit monster Heisman numbers) is scary. It's hard not to question any QB that had more rushing attempts than passes in 8 of his only 14 starts and only exceeded 15 completions in 4 of those games. His upside is undeniable. But will he be the next Vince Young or Donovan McNabb?
PROJECTED: Top-5
5. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide (5-9, 215 ; 4.62 40)|STAR|
- The speed should not concern GM's searching for a RB, as Ingram showed sub-4.5 speed at his pro day. All they need to pay attention to is the balance, the tackle-breaking and the will to make plays. This is a very focused, complete back who will not fail.
PROJECTED: 1st Round
6. Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech Hokies (5-9, 212 ; 4.59 40)|STAR|
- Williams is the most dynamic runner in the draft. He reminds me of a slightly more elusive Knowshon Moreno. He will drop due to injury concerns, but will make those GM's that pass on him pay in the end. This supremely confident back set the single-season TD record in the ACC as a freshman and he will translate that production to the NFL.
PROJECTED: Top Half of 2nd Round
7. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU Horned Frogs (6-2, 215 ; 4.82 40)
- Dalton is a winner, pure and simple. A 4-year starter, he improved every season and is the most pro-ready QB in this class from an experience and maturity standpoint. While his physical skills can't match Gabbert's or Newton's, he has the intangibles to be a very successful starter at the next level.
PROJECTED: Early 2nd Round
8. Mikel LeShoure, RB, Illinois Fighting Illini (6-0, 230 ; 4.56 40)|STAR|
- This hoss just got stronger as the season wore on last year with an incredible 917 yards and 13 scores over his final 5 games. LeShoure reminds me of the recent, grown-up Cedric Benson with a bit more upside. He runs with excellent body lean, has good power and just enough wiggle to elude defenders in the open field.
PROJECTED: Top Half of 2nd Round
9. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami Hurricanes (6-2, 209 ; 4.40 40)
- The next in the line of great Hurricane receivers after Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson, Hankerson brings terrific speed and very sticky hands to the league. Though living up to his Miami predecessors is a tall order, don't be surprised to see him become a legit #1 with Pro Bowl potential.
PROJECTED: Top Half of 2nd Round
10. Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-7, 199 ; 4.46 40)
- Hunter may be the best open field runner in his class. He uses his excellent vision, quick feet and terrific balance to get into space and then has the long speed to take it the distance. He is a poor man's Ahmad Bradshaw right now with the upside to be a poor man's Ray Rice.
PROJECTED: 2nd Round
11. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-6, 259 ; 4.78 40)|STAR|
- The only complete TE in the draft, Rudolph has the chance to use his combination of size, speed and hands to be a special TE at the next level for many years to come. With improved blocking, it's not inconceivable that he could be the next Jason Witten. The upside is that high.
PROJECTED: Mid 1st to Early 2nd Round
12. DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma Sooners (6-0, 213 ; 4.37 40)
- Murray offers the most versatility of any skill player in the '11 class. A gifted slashing runner, he is a tremendous weapon out of the backfield as well as a dangerous kick returner, with the ability to break any touch for a long score. The career leader in TD's at OU with 65, he is a poor man's Darren McFadden (the '10 version of Run DMC that is).
PROJECTED: 2nd Round
13. Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland Terrapins (6-1, 204 ; 4.41 40)|STAR|
- The best deep threat available, Smith tracks the ball very well over the shoulder and has the speed to burn d-backs. He's also elusive after the catch and brings elite kick return skills to the table. A bit raw as a route runner, with the right coaching he can become a true #1 WR.
PROJECTED: 2nd Round
14. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas Razorbacks (6-7, 253 ; 5.37 40)|STAR|
- While not the most mobile QB around, Mallett moves just enough to bide the time he needs in the pocket before unloading the cannon attached to his right shoulder. At 6-7, he can scan the field with ease and his experience working in Arkansas' pro style O should have him ready for the big league very early. Questions about his maturity will be overshadowed by the nearly 7,500 yards he threw for in two years as an SEC starter.
PROJECTED: Top Half of 2nd Round
15. Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana Hoosiers (6-2, 201 ; 4.56 40)|STAR|
- Doss is a chains mover, a pure slot receiver who has the instincts to find holes in the defense and the sticky hands to snatch the ball in traffic. He's solid after the catch, and while his lack of speed and big play ability will likely limit him to being a #2 WR, he could be one of the premier slot men in the league and will have excellent production in the right offense.
PROJECTED: Late 2nd to Mid 3rd Round
16. Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky Wildcats (5-10, 191 ; 4.46 40)|STAR|
- Mr. Everything at Kentucky, Cobb is ready to take his bag of tricks to the next level as an explosive slot receiver, wildcat QB and return specialist. He will have GM's drooling over the many ways he can be effective. Despite his lack of size, his character, leadership and tenacity will take him far in the pros.
PROJECTED: Late 2nd to Mid 3rd Round
17. Greg Little, WR, North Carolina Tar Heels (6-3, 231 ; 4.51 40)|STAR|
- Little was recruited as a WR, then converted to a RB before being converted back to a WR. Frankly, he's just a weapon. He reminds me a bit of Tampa's Mike Williams the way he is considered too immature and diva-like (he was suspended for all of '10). But I chalk that up to a young man's confidence and competitiveness being misinterpreted. Bottom line is that he is a physical specimen with great hands and speed that has ginormous upside with the right coaching.
PROJECTED: 3rd Round
18. Shane Vereen, RB, California Bears (5-10, 210 ; 4.49 40)|STAR|
- A very quick, shifty back, Vereen is capable of making defenders grasp at air and has the burst to break off long runs. He's also a reliable receiving threat and a quality return specialist. He was a bit underutilized at Cal and has the potential to be a productive lead back at the next level in the mold of a LeSean McCoy.
PROJECTED: Mid 3rd to Early 4th Round
19. Bilal Powell, RB, Louisville Cardinals (5-11, 207 ; 4.54 40)
- In his only year as the Cards' top option, Powell dominated using good vision and explosiveness to average over 6 yards a carry. He is faster with the football than his 40 suggests and he has enough size and speed to be a great fit in a zone blocking or one-cut run scheme. He will fall farther than he should, making him a great value pick when he does go.
PROJECTED: Late 3rd to Mid 4th Round
20. Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh Panthers (6-4, 228 ; 4.49 40)|STAR|
- A huge target with terrific speed and overall athleticism, Baldwin is one of the trickiest picks to project as he's widely considered to be too immature for the pro game and has a questionable work ethic. His upside though is tantalizing. He could very well wind up the next Vincent Jackson. Or he could end up looking more like Dwayne Jarrett. Scary thought, huh?
PROJECTED: Mid 2nd to Late 3rd Round
21. Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State Wildcats (6-0, 230 ; 4.60 40)
- Thomas' two year production at K-State is impossible to ignore, but he will be over-drafted. He's a quick-footed big back who can get 4 yards a carry using finesse and vision, but has almost no big play ability and won't outrun linebackers at the next level. He also runs too upright, leaving his legs open to big hits and injury. He should be moderately productive in a committee.
PROJECTED: Late 2nd to Early 3rd Round
22. Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State Seminoles (6-2, 229 ; 4.63 40)
- Ponder is an intelligent, gritty West Coast QB with an above average skill set and the intangibles to be a solid starter at the next level. He may get pegged as a game manager, but he has the pocket presence and athleticism to develop into much more. Questions about shoulder and elbow injuries to his throwing arm will drop him a bit.
PROJECTED: Late 2nd to Mid 3rd Round
23. Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State Broncos (6-3, 209 ; 4.56 40)
- Some knock Pettis for being too thin and too slow to excel at the next level. Those who do will be sadly mistaken (they must not have noticed his 39 career TD grabs). Pettis is a pure football player. He catches everything with his hands and has superb ball skills. His competitiveness and high football IQ will lead him to be at worst a high level #2, and he will be a major mid round steal.
PROJECTED: 4th Round
24. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State Beavers (5-7, 193 ; 4.59 40)|STAR|
- Easily one of the most productive backs over the past 3 seasons of college football, this mighty mite will make his mark at the next level as a super tough, highly competitive 3rd down back. Rodgers' hands out of the backfield, his quick cutting ability and open field vision will make him the next Darren Sproles, minus the explosive returns.
PROJECTED: Mid 3rd to Early 4th Round
25. Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut Huskies (5-9, 203 ; 4.40 40)|STAR|
- Todman is too lean to be an every down lead back in the NFL, but he is ultra-tough and can squirt through holes that don't appear to be there. He should find success in a committee backfield and is an ideal fit for a zone blocking team with a bigger back. His toughness and high character may lead to him being over-drafted a bit.
PROJECTED: 3rd Round
|STAR|Denotes early entry.