ESPN.com - Big Board has top WR rising
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Big Board has top WR rising
By Mel Kiper
ESPN Insider
You have to be a pretty special talent to be where Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter finds himself. Now up to No. 5 on my Big Board, Hunter is in that position despite two years where he really hasn't had the opportunity to show what he's capable of. Hunter was limited to only 33 total catches over his first two years in Knoxville because of injuries, but off to a great start in 2012, he's once again giving us all a glimpse of what he's capable of. While there's plenty left to see, with health certainly a considerable question going forward, Hunter is a gamebreaker when right, and with strong-armed Tyler Bray throwing the ball, his combination of size, speed and pass-catching talent can be on full display.
Also back on the board is an SEC talent who could cross paths with Hunter. Johnthan Banks is another big, rangy defensive back capable of defending receivers of great size that dot college and NFL rosters. Regarding comments you'll see week to week: The scouting perspective remains similar week to week for people catching up, but I'll note matchup highlights. If there's a player you don't see here, but want feedback on, I find some time to respond on Twitter. Hit me @MelKiperESPN. As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1 Matt Barkley USC
Will be tested more against Stanford. Working with great talent, Barkley is piling up totals, but that's a two-way street. Won't wow evaluators with physical skills, but sound across the board: ball-placement, timing, use of his eyes, poise, leadership skills and a ton of experience. Has improved every year.
2 Jarvis Jones Georgia
Simply dominated Missouri, showing off the full range. An explosive, relentless edge rusher, he profiles as a 3-4 OLB. Jones has a quick first step and violent hands, tackles well and closes fast. Improved against the run, and he can really cover, which many don't know.
3 Barkevious Mingo LSU
Mingo uses exceptional length and a lightning first step to turn the corner. Pass-rush skills are there, but could diversify. Still learning concepts after late start in football, but reads game well given lack of experience.
4 Sam Montgomery LSU
Montgomery has added some size and could be considered a fit in almost any system; and his frame can handle it if he adds more. Athleticism and pass-rush skills are there, and he really holds up against the run. Max-effort player, natural athlete, instinctive rusher. Still a lot of projection left.
5 Justin Hunter Tennessee
Overshadowed by his teammate against N.C. State, but Hunter is dangerous. Stats haven't done him justice. Most of 2011 was wiped out by injury. Blazing speed, but uses good technique and gets in and out of breaks. Good hands, a major threat down the field.
6 Chance Warmack Alabama
With a great start to the season, Warmack is dominating the interior. A powerful run-blocker, he isn't just massive; Warmack moves well, with initial power plus the ability to seek out LBs on the second level. Solid pass-blocker, able to lock up rushers.
7 Star Lotulelei Utah
Brings consistent, relentless effort. Demands double-teams, clogs up the middle of the field. A great sense for disrupting the run game, with power to bull rush. Quick off the ball, with great upper-body strength. Coaches rave.
8 Corey Lemonier Auburn
Showing off with big games against Clemson and Mississippi State. Light for a defensive end prospect, Lemonier has the speed, but must hold up better against the run. He utilizes quickness as a pass-rusher, with great burst off the snap and a few counters.
9 Johnathan Hankins Ohio State
Explosive first step for a big man, but not really a pass-rushing type. Size allows him to drive blockers into the backfield. Impressive agility; gets down the line well. Will draw constant double-teams all season, but has bouts of inconsistency.
10 Manti Te'o Notre Dame
Huge matchup approaches with Le'Veon Bell and Spartans. Should be the top interior linebacker in 2013 draft class. Has blitzing skills. Te'o is a big, strong, instinctive tackling presence in the middle of the field. Reads plays well and gets through traffic.
11 Luke Joeckel Texas A&M
Showed his form against Florida. Really experienced, he has started on the left since his freshman season. Joeckel is best in pass protection and doesn't get rattled by speed or secondary moves. Not an elite athlete, but he's a good technician; faces great pass-rushers this season.
12 David Amerson North Carolina State
Tough first week, but bounced back nicely. Exceptional cover skills, with a sixth sense for when to improvise. Size and speed to match up with any receiver, so he can go up for the ball, but freelances effectively. Led nation in INTs last year. Competitive.
13 Kawann Short Purdue
Played well against Notre Dame -- disruptive and into the backfield. A very good athlete who can control the line of scrimmage. Doesn't always show explosiveness, but uses his hands well to clear blocks and was constantly in the backfield. A better fit in a 4-3.
14 John Jenkins Georgia
Jenkins is simply a massive human being, perhaps the player in this draft class who, right now, best profiles as a true zero-tech, 3-4 nose tackle. The thing is, Jenkins can move pretty well, so he's not locked into that role. Guys like these have serious value.
15 Logan Thomas Virginia Tech
OK start to the season, but Thomas is still getting comfortable with new pieces on offense. Huge kid with elite arm strength, and still building his repertoire as a passer. But he's not raw. In fact, has very good mechanics. Can drive the ball downfield, but displays nice touch.
16 Keenan Allen Cal
Great athlete -- Allen could play defense if he wanted. Strong hands; catches the ball with ease away from his body. Sets up defenders, sees the field well, settles in creases against zones. Not a total burner, but can sell short routes and break deep. Run-after-catch skills.
17 Dee Milliner Alabama
Another big corner in the Tide secondary, Milliner is another player who is extremely physical, and isn't shy in run support, but is fluid, reads the game well and can turn and run with top wideouts.
18 Eric Reid LSU
Great instincts, and a sound tackler from the secondary. A safety who can cover but also play close to the line. Tied for team lead in tackles on a team that can really pursue the ball. Big hitter.
19 William Gholston Michigan State
Slow start against Boise State, but dominant in Week 2. Great length and frame, with very good pass-rushing skills. Has legit size and skills to be a 4-3 DE at the next level. Experience shows; reads offenses well.
20 Xavier Rhodes Florida State
Didn't pile up INTs last year, but the tape shows how much QBs avoid him. A starter since his freshman season, Rhodes has elite size, handles deep routes well and can hang with smaller WRs. Can move up the board.
21 Robert Woods USC
Hasn't stretched defenses yet in 2012, but Woods is quick, crafty and dependable, and you can't discount his speed, as he'll beat teams over the top. Soft hands and will pick up yards after the catch. Uses space along sidelines and in the corners well.
22 Marcus Lattimore South Carolina
A little tentative in his cuts, coming off ACL tear, but still effective. Just needs to regain confidence is my guess. Explosive, tightly packed player who packs a punch but moves better than a player his size should. Elite if healthy.
23 Le'Veon Bell Michigan State
Piling up carries early in 2012, Bell runs, catches, blocks and is humble afterward. A bruising back, Bell follows blocks well and will run over tacklers. Not a burner, but has quick feet and can get wide where he won't run out of bounds.
24 Johnthan Banks Mississippi State
Off to a great start to reclaim his spot here, and was great against Auburn. A very good man corner, he's excellent in his backpedal and turns well. Plenty of speed to stay with speedy WRs, has length to battle up high. Tape shows he challenged line of scrimmage; gets TFL.
25 Bjoern Werner Florida State
Gaudy numbers early against soft competition, but Werner showed this last year, too. Strong but athletic, he has great ball awareness as he rushes, and knocks down balls at a high rate. Developing as a pass-rusher; high ceiling because of late arrival to the game.
Man sit yo dumb ass down.
I really do not get the hype around this dude. I seen a lot of people picked him to win ACC offensive player of the year, I was like 
What are all of these "experts" seeing that I'm not?