I am going to base my on 12 on value.
1. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. He's the epitome of today's athletic QB who can pass from the pocket and on the run. His arm strength is superb---and he has a great sense of timing and how to buy the extra time he needs with his feet.
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. The epitome of the game general---smart as they come. Is a lot more gifted athletically than people think. Could be the next Tom Brady.
3. Luke Keuchly, LB, Boston College. Best defensive player in the draft in terms of consistent production, instincts and fundamentals. Three down ILBers who can stop the run from all angles and excel in coverage over the middle are a rare find these days and thus are at a premium value.
4. Mark Barron, S, Alabama. To me he's the second best defensive player in this draft (best DB in the draft for sure) and like Keuchly he provides you with something rare: the ability to be a game changing factor versus both the run and the pass. His versatility is a DC's dream come true. he would have been the best CB at Alabama had they played him there---but, they loved his versatility so much that they made him their "spy" or "rover".
5. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford. Best pass catcher in the draft, bar none. Has the size, hand to eye coordination and speed (4.4) you drool over. I don't care if he's not a good blocker---that's not what his value is. His value is in commanding the middle of the football field and forcing teams to play their safeties honest and tight. Thus, he opens up the field for everyone else---and when you get into the red zone and you can isolate him one-on-one, he's a mismatch nightmare a la Rob Gronkowski who scored 17 TDs last year. Fleener nearly had one TD a game himself last year. I see Fleener as the top offensive game changer skill player in this draft which is why a rate him this highly.
6. Riley Reiff, T, Iowa. Having spent more time than I probably should have comparing tapes of Reiff and Kalil---Reiff stands out to me as a more physical run blocker and equally agile and consistent pass protector---in fact I saw Reiff maul more DEs in pass pro than I did from Kalil. I also realized that Reiff over the past two years has faced much stronger defenses and pass rushers...and nothing or no one seems to deter him. The tape on him is so good---if you haven't seen it, treat yourself. This guy reminds me of Jake Long.
7. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama. A consummate winner who plays tough and smart. He's a three down back because he is a triple threat. Barring injury, he will have a more successful career than Adrian Peterson, maybe not in terms of sheer numbers, but in terms of taking his team to conference championships and beyond.
8. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU. A starter from day one---think Patrick Peterson only with a little stronger fundamentals coming in. I think Peterson will be the better player once he gets his fundamentals down, but Claiborne will be right there with him in Honolulu year after year.
9. David DeCastro, G, Stanford. Talk about winners---this guy simply will not accept defeat in any form. He's a hard nosed and technically polished player---not the greatest of athletes but definitely among the greatest of competitors. DeCastro was the best offensive lineman in the Pac 12, which is why I have him ahead of Matt Kalil, whom I think is solid, but not elite.
10. Melvin Ingram, OLB/DE, South Carolina. Has the total package---the speed and strength you want in an edge player.
11. Trumaine Johnson, CB/S, Montana. I think this kid is going to be special because like Mark Barron, he can play anywhere in the secondary and do the job.
12. Cordy Glenn, G/T, Georgia. Gifted player. If he gets with the right offensive line coach, he will be a dominant player at his size and with his blend of brute strength and foot quickness. Offensive linemen of his size almost always are stiff in the hips---but this kid has fluid hips and when he rolls them it is pancake city.
