NFL Draft 2011: Early Entrants Analysis
by Drew Kerr on Jan 17, 2011 6:00 AM PST
in NFL Draft
Email
PrintEach year, there are early entrants into the NFL Draft and 2011 is no different. Some of them are sophomore's who have been three years removed from high school, and the others are juniors. Over recent years, plenty of analysis and opinion have been provided on the subject.
There has always been debate as to whether or not a player entering the NFL early has an impact on their careers; or at least the early portions of it. No matter what side of the fence you are on in regards to the subject of early entrants, it is extremely difficult to prove how a specific athlete will do at the next level. Lists could be formed on either side of the equation in the matter of success and failure. I believe that most of the debate usually revolves around specific positions. Basketball is in no way related to football, but there are plenty of success stories of guys coming out with no college experience at all. Talent is talent anyway you chalk it up.
I am under firm belief that if a players is ready and has the talent, if they feel like it is the right decision, then they should go for it.
This years draft could be one of the thinnest in a long time. If you take a look at some of the more important positions, and the guys that are in those positions, its hard to build a case that there is an abundance of talent entering the 2011 NFL Draft. I do think that there will be a few guys that will carve out their legacies from this draft. Just about every draft has at least a few, but some more than others.
The official list will not be confirmed for at least a few days. Players had until this past Saturday, January 15th to declare for the draft and have until Tuesday, January 18th, 2011 to rescind that declaration. After that, there will be a few more that will make themselves eligible for the supplemental draft ... but that will not come until after the official draft in April.
After the jump, the list of this years underclassmen so far will be provided. Give your thoughts as to whether you agree or disagree with a guy should be allowed to come out before he is senior.
TOP 5 UNDERCLASSMEN THAT HAVE DECLARED:
1. A.J. Green, WR -- Georgia
2. Nick Fairely, DT -- Auburn
3. Patrick Peterson, CB -- LSU
4. Da'Quan Bowers, DE -- Clemson
5. Akeem Ayers, LB -- UCLA
And here's the rest of the guys so far. There will be a few stragglers that come in between now and Tuesday but this list is going to be very close to the final cut.
Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama.
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri.
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn.
Julio Jones, WR, Alabama.
Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama.
Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri.
Shane Vereen, RB, California.
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin.
Mikel Leshoure, RB, Illinois.
Martez Wilson, LB Illinois.
Ryan Williams, RB, Virginia Tech.
Rahim Moore, S, UCLA.
Robert Sands, S, West Virginia.
Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple.
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Notre Dame.
Stevan Ridley, RB, LSU.
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State.
Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland.
Jurrell Casey, DT, USC.
Tyron Smith, OT, USC.
Tyler Sash, S, Iowa.
Dion Lewis, RB, Pittsburgh.
Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana.
Jordan Todman, RB, Connecticut.
Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky.
Henry Hynoski, FB, Pittsburgh.
Tom Keiser, LB, Stanford.
Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas.
Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh.
Brandon Harris, CB, Miami.
Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State.
Brandon Burton, CB, Utah.
Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois.
Aaron Williams, CB, Texas.
John Clay, RB, Wisconsin.
DeAndre Brown, WR, Southern Mississippi.
Darren Evans, RB, Virginia Tech.
Will Hill, S, Florida.
Jamie Harper, RB, Clemson.
Tori Gurley, WR, South Carolina.
Zane Parr, DE, Virginia.
Jerrard Tarrant, S, Georgia Tech.
Nick Claytor, OT, Georgia Tech.
Sealver Siliga, DT, Utah.
Thearon Collier, WR, USC.
If there is anyone missing off this list, feel free to provide their name in comments.
55 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
First
I hate what college football has become in reference to BCS, BS. I say have a minor league for guys fresh out of high-school, but players should be able to leave after one season.
Don't make me "JEEBUS" you!!!!
This isn't exactly baseball or basketball
The physical growth and conditioning that occurs for most football prospects between their senior year in high school and their JR/SR year of college is probably the greatest in professional sports.
Go look at any national high school All-American or All-Star game and you can immediately see the size difference.
I actually agree with the football system for declaring.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Jan 17, 2011 6:59 AM PST up reply actions
the current system
basically takes individuals and forces them into college. A minor league system would be far more appropriate in my opinion. It doesn’t make sense that football players are forced into an academic institution when all they want to do is play football.
PLEASE get McFadden out of Oakland. The pain is more than I can handle. Oakland, where careers go to die.
Academic Institution
I think it keeps young men out of trouble a lot more than it would if they just had zero responsibility and obligation to the school to continue playing. I guarantee that if there were a minor league football system, a bunch of guys would be getting busted all the time. School keeps some guys grounded.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
That's the NCAA's fault
Not the NFL’s, imo. The NFL is doing their job, the NCAA’s bowl system, as pretty much everyone agrees, is a farce
The NBA: "Where 27 free throws happens"
That’s nonsense. The NFL is the only major professional sport in N. America that doesn’t have a professional developmental league. They’re more than content to let the NCAA do that for free.
I tend to agree
if the NFL wanted a developmental league they could get it done. NFL Europe used to be that, but it folded sometime back. The UFL might be that.
The early entrants list turned this draft in one position
The running back class was very mediocre until a few surprises like Ryan Williams, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Dion Lewis declared.
Now this draft looks very promising in rounds 2-4 to grab either a change of pace back or potential feature back.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
About Running Backs
Do we know something about Gore & Westbrook status?
Do you see the 9ers draft a RB at some point in the draft?
-Lazy fool- ;)
I'd be surprised if they didn't target one
This draft has suddenly become pretty deep with change of pace backs so it makes sense to grab one if they are available.
That doesn’t mean they NEED to draft one, just means that the BPA philosophy will likely have a few backs on the board in those middle rounds.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Jan 17, 2011 8:05 AM PST up reply actions
Me too
but the first 3 rounds should be targeting other positions. Finding a good RB who can play special teams in the 5th and 6th is a steal.
by asmithisaverage on Jan 17, 2011 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
Or Devine
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
SHANE VEREEN!
It looks like dancing frog in the sky because it's green.
by howtheyscored on Jan 17, 2011 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
Great work Drew.
What makes you say that there’s a dearth of talent in this draft? Won’t that be hard to evaluate until at least the combine? How do we know that it isn’t a case of some really good players canceling out each other’s talent?
By the way, where do you find the time to follow all these different guys? Do you write about college football elsewhere? Or for you job? I’m fascinated by draftniks, and am glad we at Niners Nation get to reap the benefits!
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
I have an enormous database that I have been working on. It's a compilation of virtually every NCAA D-1 player.
It’s not finished yet… but getting close. Anyway… throughout the season and year, I create a “watch-list”. From that watch-list I try my best to pay attention to all of the guys from every position that are on there. I have a college football package through my cable service, so I am able to catch hours and hours of a bunch of every game.
I actually worked with a guy for a while who was a pro scout for the NY Jets in the 90’s. He sort of did something similar with the databases. Before he got the job, he was doing that for a couple years. Eventually he started created scouting books and sending them off to each and every NFL team. The Jets eventually called and then set up an interview… the rest was history.
I’m not trying to become a scout though, I am sure there would only be like a 1% chance for that to happen. Maybe less. It’s mainly just a hobby right now. It’s fun to watch players grow up and become stars from nothing. When I saw Adrian Peterson as a freshmen, I was like, “this guy has something”. Wasn’t sure it would materialize until midway through his sophomore year. Then I was like, “this guy is special…potential HOFer”.
Anyhow, I watch a lot. I pay attention to alot…and that’s sort of what’s what. I just enjoy the sport minus the few flaws there are in the way the BCS is set up.
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
I'm with Drew
this draft seems fairly weak in most of the positions. One of the excepsions is defensive line where it seems like there are several more top candidates this year compared to last.
Happily at DE, OLB and CB
(Especially in the case of CB) The talent is extraordinary. Peterson reminds me of a cross between Taylor Mays power and athleticism and Earl Thomas’ instincts for breaking on a ball. If he’s still around at 4 he’s worth it.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 17, 2011 6:28 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
So how does this CBA mess effect these players?
I know they can be drafted, but will any of them actually be signed before a new CBA? These guys could be sitting around with no money OR scholarship for a full year if the CBA doesn’t get done, right?
contracts
They’ll be draft but remain unsigned until a new CBA is figured out.
As for money, they don’t get contract money, but I believe they do make some money off playing cards and some basic sponsorships. When Crabtree was holding out he had made some money off early sponsorship deals. Obviously this doesn’t help late round picks nearly as much.
by David Fucillo on Jan 17, 2011 7:37 AM PST up reply actions
I am guessing their agents may play a role
Agents already pay for various speed camps for their clients to train for the combine and pro-days. I think it is also standard practice for them to give loans for transportation/housing during that gap between school and when they actually sign their deal even in a normal year. I am guessing it will be harder on the fringe 7th round to UDFA type guys without bigger-name agents though. Might have to find a temp job.
That would be epic to have Drew Rosenhaus at the bank with me cosigning on a loan..,.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 17, 2011 6:30 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Just out of curiosity
Not to put anyone in a spot, but tomorrow marks 100 days to the draft I believe. Will a 100 in 100 (or was it 50 in 50) be done this year?
Don't mind me, I'm on a roller coaster. . .
www.twitter.com/@yougomango
posts
Drew can answer better but I don’t believe we’ll have 100 in 100 this year. It’s going to be scaled back a bit from that. More to come though.
by David Fucillo on Jan 17, 2011 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
Too bad WR is not a main need for us
I’d say Green would be a great possibility for the new offensive system. Would be ideal for us to be looking for at least one or two big physical type WR’S.
Don't mind me, I'm on a roller coaster. . .
www.twitter.com/@yougomango
I like Josh Morgan as much as the next guy, but there’s no such thing as too many receivers. He might not be the right pick, but, you know, could be fun anyway.
It looks like dancing frog in the sky because it's green.
by howtheyscored on Jan 17, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
Maybe this doesn't belong here, but what's the story on Jerrod Johnson?
Looks like he hangs up some balls here, and he got benched halfway through his senior season, but still, he looked like a Heisman candidate in 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7VFdi_WhLY
Props to York/Baalke for reeling in Harbaugh. Now everybody get back to work!
twitter me @grantmp1
Don't like him at all
His decision making was flat out terrible in the few games I’ve seen him play the last two years. Especially terrible this year.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Jan 17, 2011 9:25 AM PST up reply actions
Peterson at CB?
Niners need a CB to shore up the secondary. I think he would be a great fit and help us up front tremendously.
Jay Cruise
Ab Workouts Mind Body Spirit Arthritis Treatment
yeah,
well, odds are one of the 6 teams in front of us will like him too. A good DB is about the only position I’d be OK with filling in the first outside of QB.
PLEASE get McFadden out of Oakland. The pain is more than I can handle. Oakland, where careers go to die.
Kurt Warner on early entrant Cam Newton
..and on Vick and other FAs:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2011/01/15/20110115arizona-cardinals-kurt-warner.html
""As great as Michael Vick played this year, when it came down to it, he had to win games in the pocket. And his team was eliminated in the first round. This is not a knock on Newton or how great a player he is or can be. There’s just a big difference in the way the game is played in the NFL." "
That quote is ridiculously stupid. They lost to the team that is most likely going to the Super Bowl. And as good as Vick was this year, the rest of that roster still has some real problems. They were going to be exposed by somebody.
All of which has nothing to do with Cam Newton. Cam Newton is not Michael Vick. They are very different players.
Shut up, Kurt Warner.
It looks like dancing frog in the sky because it's green.
by howtheyscored on Jan 17, 2011 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
I mean, only 10 teams in the league gave up more points this season than the Eagles. That’s bottom third territory on defense. And only one team in the league gave up fewer points than the Packers. That’s a terrible matchup for any quarterback or team.
It looks like dancing frog in the sky because it's green.
by howtheyscored on Jan 17, 2011 11:13 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, Cam Newton is not Michael Vick.
His ceiling is maybe as high as Falcons era Vick. He has no chance of ever being as good as Vick is now.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 17, 2011 6:34 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
He’s not a runner the way Vick was a runner.
It looks like dancing frog in the sky because it's green.
by howtheyscored on Jan 17, 2011 7:51 PM PST up reply actions
Dante Culpepper all over again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HChKZDA3oGk
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
Cam Newton that is
Some of us will do our jobs well and some will not, but we will be judged by only one thing -- the result. -Lombardi
That’s actually a comparison I can see.
It looks like dancing frog in the sky because it's green.
by howtheyscored on Jan 17, 2011 11:20 PM PST up reply actions
worst case scenario
1.Panthers-Fairley
2.Broncos-Peterson
3.Bills-Quinn
4.Bengals-Bowers
5.Cardinals-Amukamara
6.Browns-Dareus
If the draft were to look something like this (you can interchange them any way you like) what do you do with #7? BPA says WR Green (obviously not a huge need), but there are other options like Aldon Smith (probably a top 15) or trading down. Wondered what people thought in a worst case scenario like this one
In this case you take Green and run or trade down to the 20s. Green and Crabtree could easily end up being the best WR duo in the league.
I will not be surprised at all if the Nines trade down. They will be looking for “HarBaalke players”: smart, coachable, system players, not just big, good athletes of the McNolan era. After the Niners cut off deadwood like Moran Norris and lose to FA, they will need players at several positions.
by Mood_Indigo on Jan 17, 2011 11:58 AM PST up reply actions
I like the trade down if
Amukamara isn’t available at #7
peterson at 7, yes
prince at 7, no thank you. If we are absolutely not taking a QB, and peterson is off the board, I hope they trade down and get some really good value for the pick. Personally, the QB question is big enough to me to answer at 7, but I don’t hate the QB class. If They don’t want the guys, no way you use a 7 on prince. Prince at 15-20, that’s a deal.
PLEASE get McFadden out of Oakland. The pain is more than I can handle. Oakland, where careers go to die.
I really cant say you don’t draft Green but there are at least 3 other NEEDS. I don’t know that would go over well with anyone outside of the people making the decision to do so. I was just looking at need to BPA ratio for the other teams and this is what I see as a worst case scenario. I personally think at that point you trade down a few spots and grab a pass rushing OLB or maybe there is a QB Harb likes that they can grab in the late first while adding a pick for next year
The NFL does have developmental leagues
The NFL has financial agreements with the CFL and had one with the Arena league as well but thier status is up in the air right now. They can sign any player from the CFL without a legal challenge because they pay the CFL a few million bucks a year to stay afloat financially. If the Arena league reemerges from bankruptcy I’m sure the NFL will offer another deal with them again. We’ve seen some talented QB’s & WR’s come from Arenaball and some decent defensive players have emerged from the CFL, as well as a few QB’s.
by NorCalFaithful on Jan 17, 2011 12:03 PM PST reply actions
Couple of things wrong here.
The Arena League started up again last season and even had a bunch of games broadcast on the NFLNetwork. It’s not in any sense a development league for the NFL because the rules and conditions are so drastically different.
The NFL loaned the CFL $3 million back in 1997. Part of that loan was the option for CFL players to transfer without a fee during a very limited window. That part of the agreement expired in 2006, so now there is a transfer fee. That’s the only kind of financial agreement that the NFL has had with the CFL. The only financial agreement they’ve made with the AFL is paying for the broadcast rights to their games.
The closest thing to a developmental league you’ll find now is the UFL. Both the AFL and the CFL have too many differences to make a smooth transition into the NFL. The UFL plays by the same rules as the NFL.
what if StL offers to move into this years 7th (AJ Green)
so, if we don’t pick the guy, is it worth keeping him out of the division? they’re a team that needs a primetime WR
To me no
I have never been a big fan of taking a player that isnt needed unless you have a trade set up. If we do trade #7 I would like to see us get an early 2nd round this year (#37 or better) and a first next year. You could still get the best pass rushing OLB available and a Jimmy Smith or Ras-I Dowling which would fill 2 needs, you would also be set up to trade up in 2012 to get Luck with the (2) first round picks you have. This would all be assuming that you got a QB that could win this year in FA, otherwise you would be looking at a Pat Devlin type instead of a pass rushing OLB and still have (2) 1st round picks for 2012.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Niners Nation
Related FanShots on Niners Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
