The NFL Draft Bible big board rankings are based on the accumulation of BLESTO and NATIONAL reports, in addition to feedback from NFL personnel, college football coaches and internal scouting department:
QB RB FB WR TE OT OG C DT DE OLB ILB CB SS FS ST
| TOP DRAFT ELIGIBLE INSIDE LINEBACKERS | ||||||||
| # | FIRST NAME | LAST NAME | SCHOOL | HT | WT | 40 | INFO | |
| 1 | Greg | Jones | Michigan State | 6010 | 225 | <span
NFL Team Capsules: Washington RedskinsStuds: QB Donovan McNabb, LB Brian Orakpo, CB DeAngelo Hall Duds: DT Albert Haynesworth Sleepers: QB Rex Grossman, RB Ryan Torain, WR Devin Thomas X-Factor: Old and washed up or Established and savvy? M.Shanahan/D.McNabb Synopsis: There’s a new sheriff in town with the arrival of new head coach Mike Shanahan, who brings a Super Bowl pedigree with him and instantly command respect in the locker room, something they have lacked in years past. The spat between the Redskins and DT Albert Haynesworth got very ugly during the offseason. Both sides are trying to work through the power struggle. The defense was ranked 10th in the league last season, led by rookie LB Brian Orakpo, who registered 11 sacks. Despite the team’s success, Washington decided to convert from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4 attack. NFL Team Capsules: New York GiantsStuds: QB Eli Manning, WR Steve Smith, Justin Tuck, Antrel Rolle Duds: WR Sinorice Moss Sleepers: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Victor Cruz, OL Shawn Andrews, JPP X-Factor: Can new DC Perry Fewell restore order in Big Blue Country? Kenny Phillips? Synopsis: The Giants played like dwarfs on defense a year ago as, the Bill Sheridan trial by fire lasted just one season. New defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell has brought a fiery intensity to the defense, who are banking on big things up front from DEs Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Mathias Kiwanuka. As if that weren’t enough, the G-Men went out and added yet another defensive end in the first round of this year’s draft with the selection of Jason Pierre-Paul (JPP). The search for a starting MLB continues though, with Jonathan Goff receiving NFL Team Capsules: Philadelphia EaglesStuds: WR DeSean Jackson, DE Trent Cole, CB Asante Samuel Duds: Stewart Bradley (plagued by injuries) Sleepers: QB Mike Vick, WR Riley Cooper (rookie), OT Austin Howard (UDFA) X-Factor: Are Kolb/McCoy ready to take on the role of McNabb/Westbrook? Synopsis: The Eagles have transitioned from an aging team, to a core of young players, especially on the offensive side of the ball where WRs DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin will provide new starting QB Kevin Kolb a pair of speed-burner deep threats capable of blowing by any defense in the league. Add TE Brent Celek and RB LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy into the mix and this group of starters is an entirely different team from just two seasons ago. Kolb has waited patiently behind the departed Donovan McNabb and the team will NFL Team Capsules: Dallas CowboysStuds: WR Miles Austin, DE DeMarcus Ware, DT Jay Ratliff Duds: WR Roy Williams Sleepers: RB Tashard Choice, WR Dez Bryant X-Factor: Can QB Tony Romo get over the hump and win the big game? Synopsis: Destination Dallas. That will be the theme this year in Big D, as owner Jerry Jones hopes to feel the thrill of his Cowboys playing for the championship in his own backyard, as the Super Bowl comes to the new Cowboys stadium. QB Tony Romo has been under scrutiny for his failure to win the big game and the team is hoping that new starting LT Doug Free can keep him upright, as Dallas decided to part ways with OT Flozell Adams. The talented trio of RBs include Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, which should Marvin Austin Speaks Out About AllegationsSince word first broke that the NCAA was investigating, amongst others, North Carolina and Marvin Austin became the central figure in a scandal that could ultimately put several players on the sidelines to start the season or longer the Tar Heels defensive tackle has said nothing public about the situation. That changed Sunday night via the same avenue that that started this mess in the first place a social media website. In a posting on what’s believed to be his personal Facebook account, Austin questioned coming back for his senior season given the situation he now finds himself in. “I came back to school to have my character questioned..[expletive]..i thought education was key.. I dont really understand…i though it was the right thing to do..maybe i was mistaken, “Austin wrote. “i like to say thanx to all those who stand by me i really No Redhsirt | Seantrel Henderson To Play ASAPUniversity of Miami top signee Seantrel Henderson, rated the No. 1 incoming freshman in the country, might play some Thursday. Henderson, an offensive tackle listed at 6-8 and 355 pounds (coach Randy Shannon said he has lost some weight), has been doing well in practice, the coach said. On Monday, Henderson played with the second team, and defensive end Marcus Robinson was having no luck getting past him during the first few minutes of practice attended by the media. Shannon said Henderson “knows about a quarter to half of the playbook, and he’s getting better every week and every day.” — Miami Herald Subscribe to the NFL Draft Bible All Access Membership now and receive our 2011 NFL Draft Prospectus, in addition to 18 issues of the College Football Insiders Newsletter, FF Rookie Preview and the 10th Annual NFL Draft Bible (over 300+ pages). Evan Royster Bulks Up For Increased WorkloadPenn State running back Evan Royster, who redshirted as a freshman, announced he would return for his senior season less than one week after the Nittany Lions ended their 2009 campaign with a Capital One Bowl win over LSU. NFL draft observers had projected Royster as a mid-round pick. Royster does not possess one great quality as a back but combines a number of attributes to be among the best. He possesses patience and vision, is able to pick out the smallest crease and shoot through it or use his quick feet to avoid a direct hit from a would-be tackler. The one aspect he tried to improve during the off-season was power. Royster underwent a weight-training program in the summer that helped him check into preseason camp at 228 pounds, 15 pounds over his playing weight from last season. Royster explained he wanted to increase his Georgia’s AJ Green Is A One Man Wrecking CrewUniversity of Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green is projected as a high first-round NFL draft pick if he leaves after this season. Not that he still isn’t trying to add to his arsenal. “I’m just getting better, putting some more tools in my tool box,” Green said. “Getting more explosive, getting out of my breaks a little quicker. Little stuff like that.” It’s Tony Ball’s job to squeeze as much as he can out of Green’s immense talents. The Bulldogs receivers coach this offseason challenged the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Green to learn more of the offense, to become more mobile as a receiver by studying defenses from the inside receiver position to “broaden his knowledge base.” Green has 109 catches for 1,772 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career. Both ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. rate Green as the No. 4 overall prospect for the 2011 Tennessee Banking On Matt Simms To DeliverQuarterback Matt Simms can handle the playbook and the huddle. The Tennessee quarterback has also proven he can operate the offense without turning the ball over. But coach Derek Dooley won’t call Simms simply a game-manager though, because that backhanded compliment undersells his ability to do more than just avoid mistakes. “I don’t know why people view that (being a game-manager) as a negative,” Dooley said Monday. “I think it’s because people say it sometimes when a guy can’t throw it a lick, when he can just hand the ball off real well. That’s not what I mean. “Matt’s got a really strong arm. He makes throws that not a lot of guys can make. His game management is just a lot better than Tyler (Bray’s) right now.” That difference has separated the junior college transfer from the true freshman, with Simms making the contrast even more clear | ||