2011 NFL Prospects

Top College Pro Prospects 1-5
1.Jake Locker QB Washington- Locker had he come out in 2010 would have given serious challenge to Sam Bradford as rights to be the first overall pick. Locker is listed at 6-3 226, an optimal height for an NFL QB, especially one with the speed he possesses. Locker has also displayed good arm strength and throwing motion that would transition well into a pro system. Locker as well displays certain intangibles that recently gave Tim Tebow a favorable selection in this year’s past draft. Locker’s leadership abilities and constant hustle on the field make him an ideal leader on any team. Though he will not overly impress with stats in his final year for the Huskies, his dual threat ability, leadership qualities, and ability to make those around him better should land him in the first pick of the 2011 draft.
2.A.J. Green WR Georgia- A better receiving class in 2011 than in 2010 and Green is the valedictorian. A player, who through the high school ranks and in college has made defensive backs look clueless, demonstrates so by possessing deceiving speed and pro caliber height. Listed at 6-4 205 the JR. looks like a pro with his physical attributes, though Green also has the qualities that make a top prospect in his ability to go after difficult to catch passes, he also has become a great route runner. Playing against the toughest competition in the country in the SEC, as well as the absence of a top flight QB for the Bulldogs, only further adds to the impressive 808 yards and 6 TD last year for a WR like Green. Look for a lock in the top 5 as the draft draws near.
3.Andrew Luck QB Stanford- Luck, if he were to stay in school another year would be a lock for the top spot, however with the ability shown last year and a shallow QB class in 2011, he should make the jump to the pros. With that said, Andrew Luck given a strong performance in the upcoming campaign could indeed challenge Locker for best QB in the nation. October 30th in Seattle when the two square off, should be interesting with possible Heisman implications involved. Luck is your more traditional pocket QB listed at 6-4 235, yet with exceptional pocket mobility and well tuned accuracy (4 INT in 2009), the lack of speed is overlooked for pro-style systems. A good competitor and leader, Luck could accumulate a lot of hardware this year if he is able to lead Stanford to a conference title. As for his future, similarities to Phillip Rivers draw comparison with better mechanics.
4.Patrick Peterson CB LSU- Should grow in time to become a shut down corner he has proved to be in college. Peterson who is listed at 6-1, 211, has ideal size for the corner spot, and showed last season his ability to stifle skilled and taller receivers A.J. Green and Julio Jones to 7 receptions between the both. Another impressive stat for Peterson was his 15 defended against passes, 2 of which he intercepted. I draw comparisons to recently drafted Eric Berry as a resemblance to Petersons in his agility and awareness to disrupt plays. Given health, he should go on to a very successful pro career at the corner spot or even a transition to safety.
5.Robert Quinn DE North Carolina- Listed at 6-5 270, the ferocious Tar Heel end has massive potential in a 3-4 system at OLB. Forcing 15 QB pressures to go along with 16 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in 2009, Quinn is prime to become the next great pass rusher in the NFL. He has shown ability to get off the snap fast enough, as well as showing adequate technique to get past college blockers. His speed and size offer the biggest upside if he were used in a 3-4 along with his impressive ability to stop the run. Quinn and other teammates Bruce Carter and Marvin Austin all will be first round picks in their own right, only adding to the danger of the Tar Heel defense in 2010. Yet it is Quinn who shows the most potential for a long and prosperous NFL career.