Updated 2011 NFL Draft Big Board- Dove's Take

by Jon Dove on Mar 21, 2011 1:14 PM EDT

The great thing about the NFL Draft is that everyone has a different opinion about the various prospects. We are no different at Mocking the Draft so expect to see several Big Board articles from our different writers. I have had a fluid Big Board going since right after the 2010 NFL Draft.

I wanted to highlight a player that made his debut on my big board, Danny Watkins. Watkins has enjoyed a successful draft process that has pushed his stock sky high. Watkins played tackle at Baylor but is expected to make the move to guard. In recent seasons, interior linemen are getting more and more attention with Mike Iupati getting selected #17 overall by the 49ers in the 2010 NFL Draft. Watkins has the type of skills to develop into a powerful force on the inside of the offensive line. After the jump check out the rest of my rankings and be sure to take in some of our Scouting Reports!

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Da'quan Bowers	DE	Clemson
2	Nick Fairley	DT	Auburn
3	Patrick Peterson	CB	LSU
4	Marcell Dareus	DL	Alabama
5	Von Miller	LB	Texas A&M
6	A.J. Green	WR	Georgia
7	Prince Amukamara	CB	Nebraska
8	Julio Jones	WR	Alabama
9	Tyron Smith	OT	USC
10	Robert Quinn	DE/OLB	UNC
11	Mark Ingram	RB	Alabama
12	Blaine Gabbert	QB	Missouri
13	Cameron Newton	QB	Auburn
14	Corey Liuget	DT	Illinois
15	Cameron Jordan	DL	California
16	Gabe Carimi	OT	Wisconsin
17	J.J. Watt	DL	Wisconsin
18	Justin Houston	DE/OLB	Georgia
19	Ryan Kerrigan	DE/OLB	Purdue
20	Brandon Harris	CB	Miami
21	Anthony Castonzo	OT	Boston College
22	Aldon Smith	DE/OLB	Missouri
23	Ryan Mallett	QB	Arkansas
24	Jimmy Smith	CB	Colorado
25	Phil Taylor	DT	Baylor
26	Adrian Clayborn	DL	Iowa
27	Nate Solder	OT	Colorado
28	Muhammad Wilkerson	DL	Temple
29	Mike Pouncey	OG/C	Florida
30	Mikel Leshoure	RB	Illinois
31	Danny Watkins	G	Baylor
32	Martez Wilson	LB	Illinois

Poll

Would you be opposed to your team selecting a guard in the 1st round?

Yes

132 votes

No

139 votes

271 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 18 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

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Comments

I think I will add this to consensus

by Pablo Escobar on Mar 21, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

This is interesting because I have not seen a big board in a while that has Bowers at the top…..

by Pablo Escobar on Mar 21, 2011 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t be opposed to my team taking a guard as long as it is Mike Pouncey

by The Legend on Mar 21, 2011 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

I can't possibly see Bowers atop any big board

the knee is turning a lot of teams off and his weight fluctuation has also made scouts waiver on him.

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by DBroncs1414 on Mar 21, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

I would be opposed to my team drafting a guard

since they really don’t need one given the entire OL is a bunch of guards.

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by Rorschach44 on Mar 21, 2011 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

not if the guard can also play center

such as a Pouncey

mmmmm.... delicious

by Cup Noodles on Mar 21, 2011 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't be opposed to my team drafting a Guard in the 1st

I would be opposed to drafting a 26 year old Guard in the 1st round

"We feel very strongly that our best policy is to draft the best player. This isn't fantasy football." - Ted Thompson

by Steve_Chiefs on Mar 21, 2011 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

by Yankees10 on Mar 21, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

what's the difference if he plays 10 years in the NFL?

whether he’s 36 or 30 he’s still a 10 year vet.

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by Rorschach44 on Mar 21, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

The 30 yrd old vet can give you 8 to 10 more years and the 36 year old vet gives you 2-4. Its not a big thing, but if there are several guards/other positions with similar grades and projections, why would you take the guy that (at best) gives you 14 years of work vs the guys whose going to give you 20 years of work?

Mocking the Draft - Writer
MTD's Prospect Library - http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshMTD

by Josh_D on Mar 21, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Most guys play less than four years

I wouldnt take a guard in the first if the guy was a 20 or 26 year old superstud but thats just me. Personally I do not think there’s any reason to ever take a player than doesnt rush the passer, throw the ball, play CB, or left tackle. Your squad isnt going anywhere without those positions set, even with HOF offensive guards

Winning

by Foilhat on Mar 21, 2011 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Just helping to make the argument. Personally, I agree with you that if your team doesn’t have a QB, LOT, Pass rusher, or CB than it shouldn’t take anyone till it has at least one of each. However, there is only so much value at each position in each round and if there is a player who isn’t playing a Top 4 position, but has the talent to be a multiple Pro Bowler, you have to consider them regardless of position.

Mocking the Draft - Writer
MTD's Prospect Library - http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshMTD

by Josh_D on Mar 21, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I would take a guard in theory

But voted yes in the poll because #4 is too high for such a thing.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 21, 2011 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

The Jaguars draft at 16

At 16, I’d have no problem drafting a guard…but not any of THIS year’s guards. Iupati is better than any guard in this draft.

Lower in the first round, guard is absolutely on the board. 15 or so is probably the earliest even the best guard should go, meaning an elite guard prospect should go in the mid to late teens. That’s my opinion, anyway.

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by CaliforniaJag on Mar 21, 2011 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

Excellent big board....

Good job. The only change I would make is moving Ingram down to twenty something. Nice work.

by swg777 on Mar 21, 2011 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

I don't get why AJ Green has dropped so much

the talent is still there and I don’t think his low wonderlic would have hurt him as much as a low wonderlic would hurt Peterson or Newton etc

by vitzeng on Mar 21, 2011 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

The Ravens drafted Ben Grubbs in the first round (29th overall). I’d say it’s been a solid pick. I’d like to see more consistency from him in the future, but he and Yanda are a great tandem overall.

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by Ampallang on Mar 21, 2011 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

NICE

I can defenitely live with ur top 5. In fact, I’m going to adopt it as mine (assuming Bower’s knee checks out.

There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?

by spoc on Mar 21, 2011 10:35 PM EDT reply actions