Top 10 at every position - Sleepers, Overrated/Underrated

[LZ]

It took me about 5 or 6 hours to finish this, but I finally got it done today. The post is pretty long and you can see all the top 10 rankings, sleepers, overrated and underrated at my blog here. Just so you know, the ratings are my personal ratings (with input from a few well placed friends) and the draft grade next to the player is where I think the play will be drafted. Therefore, as you can see, I have a higher rating on Heath Benedict than where he will likely be drafted. This helps combine the age old issue of "where will they be drafted" vs. "where would you rank them".

Top 10 Offensive Linemen
1. Jake Long - Michigan (OT): Top 5 pick
2. Ryan Clady - Boise State (LT): 1st Round
3. Jeff Otah - Pitt (RT): 1st Round
4. Chris Williams - Vanderbilt (LT): 1st Round
5. Branden Albert - Virginia (G/T): 1st Round
6. Sam Baker - USC (OT): 2nd Round
7. Gosder Cherilus - Boston College (RT): 1st/2nd Round
8. Heath Benedict - Newberry (OG): 3rd Round
9. Carl Nicks - Nebraska (G/T): 2nd/3rd Round
10. Duane Brown - Virginia Tech (LT): 2nd Round
Overrated: Gosder Cherilus
Underrated: Heath Benedict
Sleepers: Mackenzy Bernadeau (Bentley)
It's Like This... This is a very deep group of first day tackles (I'm still calling the 3rd round first day) and I will not be at all surprised to see five tackles off the board by the time the 20th pick rolls around. I personally think Otah, Cherilus and Long need to play RT, but Otah and Long could play LT if need be - I just don't think it is their best spot. Albert is the wildcard of this group as he could go as high as the third tackle off the board. Carl Nicks and Heath Benedict will both slide inside and both guys have a chance to be maulers. Nicks is very powerful and has a chance to be a powerful run blocker. Benedict tests like an athlete but doesn't play football like one. However, when he locks his man up, he usually wins that battle. Duane Brown is the guy who is shooting up the board, but he is still a project like Stacy Andrews was when he was drafted.

[STEEL BLUE TEXANS]

The link you posted isn't right so here is the correct one.


http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/

[beerlover]

excellent work Lance, we really appreciate it

heard today Derrick Harvey had a "unbelievable workout" @ his Pro-Day, just wondering if that means anything or the dust is already settled defensive end wise?

found this via - AP Sports Derrick Harvey sprinted 10 yards, spun around and then accidentally slammed into Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line coach Ted Monachino. Monachino stumbled back a few steps, but managed to stay on his feet -- faring better than most everyone else Harvey confronts on the football field. The 6-foot-5, 271-pound defensive end impressed NFL coaches, scouts and general managers with his speed and athleticism during Florida's scouting combine Tuesday. Monachino even got a firsthand look at Harvey's bull rush. "I hope I don't end up on YouTube because of that," said Monachino, adding that the collision might have elevated Harvey's draft status. "I kind of like a guy like that." Harvey apologized, then continued to put on a show for all the other NFL representatives. He didn't run the 40-yard dash or show off his bench-press ability. But he did enough individual drills to confirm the high grade teams placed on him at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis last month. "The thing that stands out the most about Derrick might be the way he's made, the mental makeup of that kid," Monachino said. "He is a competitor. He is a snap-to-whistle, bottom-of-his-shoes, top-of-his-head-gear kind of guy and that jumps out at you. ... His arrow is going up in a big way. I think he's going to be a good player for a long, long time."

[painekiller]

Watched the videos at the bottom of the blog, Chris Johnson is sick fast. Now why can't a team like the Texans take Anthony Alridge late in the draft and use him on 3rd down as a slot, sometimes out of the back field and also as a kick returner.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Watched the videos at the bottom of the blog, Chris Johnson is sick fast. Now why can't a team like the Texans take Anthony Alridge late in the draft and use him on 3rd down as a slot, sometimes out of the back field and also as a kick returner.

I'm ok with AA in 7th unless Smith can find us a starter with that pick as he did Chris Myers. My expectations would not be so high if Rick Smith would quit working his magic.

[TexansLucky13]

I don't see Tight Ends listed on the blog.... is it missing or am I just overlooking it somehow?

[badboy]

Originally Posted by LZ

It took me about 5 or 6 hours to finish this, but I finally got it done today. The post is pretty long and you can see all the top 10 rankings, sleepers, overrated and underrated at my blog here. Just so you know, the ratings are my personal ratings (with input from a few well placed friends) and the draft grade next to the player is where I think the play will be drafted. Therefore, as you can see, I have a higher rating on Heath Benedict than where he will likely be drafted. This helps combine the age old issue of "where will they be drafted" vs. "where would you rank them".

Top 10 Offensive Linemen
1. Jake Long - Michigan (OT): Top 5 pick
2. Ryan Clady - Boise State (LT): 1st Round
3. Jeff Otah - Pitt (RT): 1st Round
4. Chris Williams - Vanderbilt (LT): 1st Round
5. Branden Albert - Virginia (G/T): 1st Round
6. Sam Baker - USC (OT): 2nd Round
7. Gosder Cherilus - Boston College (RT): 1st/2nd Round
8. Heath Benedict - Newberry (OG): 3rd Round
9. Carl Nicks - Nebraska (G/T): 2nd/3rd Round
10. Duane Brown - Virginia Tech (LT): 2nd Round
Overrated: Gosder Cherilus
Underrated: Heath Benedict
Sleepers: Mackenzy Bernadeau (Bentley)
It's Like This... This is a very deep group of first day tackles (I'm still calling the 3rd round first day) and I will not be at all surprised to see five tackles off the board by the time the 20th pick rolls around. I personally think Otah, Cherilus and Long need to play RT, but Otah and Long could play LT if need be - I just don't think it is their best spot. Albert is the wildcard of this group as he could go as high as the third tackle off the board. Carl Nicks and Heath Benedict will both slide inside and both guys have a chance to be maulers. Nicks is very powerful and has a chance to be a powerful run blocker. Benedict tests like an athlete but doesn't play football like one. However, when he locks his man up, he usually wins that battle. Duane Brown is the guy who is shooting up the board, but he is still a project like Stacy Andrews was when he was drafted.

Lance, you stated that Charles did not run, but this moringing on one of the radio stations it was mentioned he ran in 4.2s? Also, I thought he did pretty good between tackles last season. Comments?

[LZ]

Originally Posted by badboy

Lance, you stated that Charles did not run, but this moringing on one of the radio stations it was mentioned he ran in 4.2s? Also, I thought he did pretty good between tackles last season. Comments?

Here is what a scout texted me " JC no run". Now either he is talking Jesus or he is talking Jamal Charles. The other station had bad info as far as I know. I'm not sure why Charles would choose to run again other than vanity. He's got a great time in the books and he's a track guy. Who has questions about his 40 time?

[LZ]

Originally Posted by TexansLucky13

I don't see Tight Ends listed on the blog.... is it missing or am I just overlooking it somehow?

Forgot to add TEs and will add them later today. That one is a tricky one because some teams have DRASTICALLY different boards in terms of their TE rankings.

[badboy]

Originally Posted by LZ

Here is what a scout texted me " JC no run". Now either he is talking Jesus or he is talking Jamal Charles. The other station had bad info as far as I know. I'm not sure why Charles would choose to run again other than vanity. He's got a great time in the books and he's a track guy. Who has questions about his 40 time?

Well you know it is Easter... I know I should not be listening to another station but 1560 does not come in very clear on my drive until I get closer to Houston. I would like for you to flesh out your concerns about Charles going between tackles. I do not see that or fumbling as a current issue. His size,weight and speed to me scream ZBS. I remember another RB coming into draft with a clavicle issue last season and he did all right too. I just see JC as the real deal and Charles also.

[Specnatz]

Originally Posted by LZ

Forgot to add TEs and will add them later today. That one is a tricky one because some teams have DRASTICALLY different boards in terms of their TE rankings.

Not like you have anything better to do but you could break down the TE into Blocking/Catching and overall. Of course that would make it more like three list rather than one. Just an idea I am sure you have already thought of.

[TexansLucky13]

Originally Posted by LZ

Forgot to add TEs and will add them later today. That one is a tricky one because some teams have DRASTICALLY different boards in terms of their TE rankings.

Ah, gotcha. Well make sure you give some love to my boy Money B.

[nunusguy]

Is it just Jake Long's not so long arms that makes you think he can't play LT. Again, I'm a little confused. I know the LT mystique is a little exagerated, but which GM is really going to take a RT in the first five picks.

I think he can play LT for sure, I just think RT would suit him better because he is a better run blocker than pass protector. However, you are right about teams not liking to take RTs in the top 5. I remember saying that the Cardinals overdrafted Leonard Davis and that he was a natural guard and not a tackle and Longhorn fans crushed me about "having no credibility" and "not knowing the game of football", but I was right. You don't draft guards in the top 10 to 15 and you don't draft RTs in the top 5 (unless it is Levi Brown who is protecting a left handed QBs blind-side).
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LZ has some reservations about Long being a LT in the NFL ? I say join the
club.