ESPN Insider Positional Rankings - The Orange Mane

epicSocialism4tw · 04-07-2005, 05:09 PM

Per request from Kansas Bronco:

Thursday, April 7, 2005
Three new leaders; wholesale changes elsewhere

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Mel Kiper Jr.
Special to ESPN Insider

Wide receiver Mike Williams of USC is atop the Big Board and California quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the projected No. 1 overall pick in my latest mock draft, but only one of the two is the top player at his position.
Williams moved past Michigan's Braylon Edwards atop the receivers list but Rodgers still ranks behind Utah's Alex Smith among quarterbacks, even though Rodgers' local connection gives him the edge as the San Francisco 49ers decide which passer is better suited to be the top selection in this month's NFL draft.

And wide receiver is not the only position with a new leader or significant changes in my latest rankings of the top five prospects at each position. There is a new man on top at middle linebacker, while all five players on the latest fullback list are new to the rankings and three players have shuffled in at tight end. There are also two new entries apiece at defensive end, center and punter.

OFFENSE
Quarterback
1. Alex Smith (jr.), Utah (same)
2. Aaron Rodgers (jr.), California (same)
3. Jason Campbell, Auburn (same)
4. Charlie Frye, Akron (same)
5. Kyle Orton, Purdue (same)

Running Back
1. Ronnie Brown, Auburn (same)
2. Carnell Williams, Auburn (3)
3. Cedric Benson, Texas (2)
4. J.J. Arrington, California (5)
5. Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech (unranked)
DROPPED
Vernand Morency (jr.), Oklahoma State (4)

Fullback
1. Justin Green, Montana (unranked)
2. Jon Goldsberry, Purdue (unranked)
3. Madison Hedgecock, North Carolina (unranked)
4. Will Matthews, Texas (unranked)
5. Branden Joe, Ohio State (unranked)
DROPPED
Paul Jefferson, Penn State (1)
Branden Joe, Ohio State (2)
Kyle Eckel, Navy (3)
Kevin Dudley, Michigan (4)
Keith Joseph, Texas A&M (5)

Wide receiver
1. Mike Williams (jr.), USC (2)
2. Braylon Edwards, Michigan (1)
3. Troy Williamson (jr.), South Carolina (4)
4. Roddy White, UAB (3)
5. Mark Clayton, Oklahoma (same)

Tight End
1. Heath Miller (jr.), Virginia (same)
2. Alex Smith, Stanford (same)
3. Kevin Everett, Miami (unranked)
4. Bo Scaife, Texas (unranked)
5. Garrett Cross, California (unranked)
DROPPED
Adam Bergen, Lehigh (3)
Tony Curtis, Portland State (4)
Steve Fleming, Arizona (5)

Tackle
1. Alex Barron, Florida State (same)
2. Khalif Barnes, Washington (same)
3. Jammal Brown, Oklahoma (same)
4. Michael Roos, Eastern Washington (unranked)
5. Adam Snyder, Oregon (4)
DROPPED
Adam Terry, Syracuse (5)

Guard
1. Marcus Johnson, Ole Miss (same)
2. Evan Mathis, Alabama (unranked)
3. Scott Young, BYU (unranked)
4. Logan Mankins, Fresno State (3)
5. Chris Kemoeatu, Utah (2)
DROPPED
Elton Brown, Virginia (4)

Center
1. Chris Spencer (jr.), Ole Miss (same)
2. David Baas, Michigan (same)
3. Jason Brown, North Carolina (same)
4. Eric Ghiaciuc, Central Michigan (unranked)
5. Junius Coston, North Carolina A&T (unranked)
DROPPED
Ben Wilkerson, LSU (4)
Scott Mruczkowski, Bowling Green (5)

Kickers
1. Mike Nugent, Ohio State (same)
2. Dave Rayner, Michigan State (same)
3. Matt Payne, BYU (4)
4. Nick Novak, Maryland (unranked)
5. Tyler Jones, Boise State (same)
DROPPED
Rhys Lloyd, Minnesota (3)

DEFENSE
Defensive end
1. Dan Cody, Oklahoma (same)
2. Shawne Merriman (jr.), Maryland (No. 2 at OLB)
3. Demarcus Ware, Troy (No. 4 at OLB)
4. Marcus Spears, LSU (2)
5. Erasmus James, Wisconsin (3)
DROPPED
Matt Roth, Iowa (4)
David Pollack, Georgia (5)

Tackle
1. Travis Johnson, Florida State (same)
2. Mike Patterson, USC (3)
3. Shaun Cody, USC (5)
4. Anttaj Hawthorne, Wisconsin (2)
5. Luis Castillo, Northwestern (same)

Inside linebacker
1. Barrett Ruud, Nebraska (2)
2. Odell Thurman (jr.), Georgia (3)
3. Alfred Fincher, Connecticut (unranked)
4. Channing Crowder (so.), Florida (1)
5. Adam Seward, UNLV (same)
DROPPED
Lofa Tatupu (jr.), USC (4)

Outside linebacker
1. Derrick Johnson, Texas (same)
2. Thomas Davis (jr.), Georgia (3)
3. Darryl Blackstock (jr.), Virginia (5)
4. Kevin Burnett, Tennessee (unranked)
5. Matt McCoy, San Diego State (unranked)
* Shawne Merriman and Demarcus Ware moved from OLB to DE

Cornerback
1. Adam "Pac-Man" Jones (jr.), West Virginia (same)
2. Antrel Rolle, Miami (same)
3. Carlos Rogers, Auburn (same)
4. Marlin Jackson, Michigan (5)
5. Justin Miller (jr.), Clemson (unranked)
DROPPED
Fabian Washington (jr.), Nebraska (4)

Safety
1. Brodney Pool (jr.), Oklahoma (same)
2. Josh Bullocks (jr.), Nebraska (3)
3. Gerald Sensabaugh, North Carolina (unranked)
4. Oshiomogho Atogwe, Stanford (unranked)
5. Sean Considine, Iowa (4)
DROPPED
Ernest Shazor (jr.), Michigan (2)
Vincent Fuller, Virginia Tech (5)

Punter
1. Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee (same)
2. Paul Ernster, Northern Arizona (unranked)
3. Chris Kluwe, UCLA (4)
4. Reggie Hodge, Ball State (unranked)
5. Bryce Benekos, UTEP (same)
DROPPED
D.J. Fitzpatrick, Notre Dame (2)
Gary Cook, UNLV (3)

Tombstone RJ · 04-07-2005, 05:19 PM

Dumbazz Kiper should have Matt Jones listed as a top five WR.

DBroncos4life · 04-07-2005, 05:23 PM

Washington runs a 4.25 40 and he drops? Tough crowd.

UltimateHoboW/Shotgun · 04-07-2005, 05:33 PM

Who cares were they rank. This guy had Watts ranked 17th. And he out played 90% of the rookie WR's last year.

Play2win · 04-07-2005, 05:59 PM

Pac-man over Rolle?!? I haven't seen pac-man too often, but I have been HIGHLY IMPRESSED everytime I have seen Rolle on the field.

Bob's your Information Minister · 04-07-2005, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UltimateSoldier

Who cares were they rank. This guy had Watts ranked 17th. And he out played 90% of the rookie WR's last year.

No he didn't.

Bob's your Information Minister · 04-07-2005, 06:02 PM

I'd like to see the Chiefs draft Shawn Merriman.

Broncoman13 · 04-07-2005, 06:12 PM

I'd hate to see the Chefs draft Shawn Merriman. I'd rather see them take say Dustin Colquitt in the first.... good player for you guys!

labronco · 04-07-2005, 06:18 PM

How about Kiper's Mock draft?

DBroncos4life · 04-07-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

No he didn't.

no but only one afc wr out played him.

labronco · 04-07-2005, 06:23 PM

Kiper's DE rank is the opposite of most other lists.

UltimateHoboW/Shotgun · 04-07-2005, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's your Information Minister

No he didn't.

Is that the extent of your retort?

watermock · 04-07-2005, 07:37 PM

Kiper takes Payola, or is on drugs, or both.

Mediator12 · 04-07-2005, 07:40 PM

Screw you Kiper! Keep Evan Mathis out of the Top 5 Guards so we can get him in the third! And stop changing your list to match My sleeper finds!

04-07-2005, 05:09 PM	#1
epicSocialism4tw Tebowing the long haul all the way to the title Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: TX, USA Posts: 37,072 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	ESPN Insider Positional Rankings Per request from Kansas Bronco: Thursday, April 7, 2005 Three new leaders; wholesale changes elsewhere -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mel Kiper Jr. Special to ESPN Insider Wide receiver Mike Williams of USC is atop the Big Board and California quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the projected No. 1 overall pick in my latest mock draft, but only one of the two is the top player at his position. Williams moved past Michigan's Braylon Edwards atop the receivers list but Rodgers still ranks behind Utah's Alex Smith among quarterbacks, even though Rodgers' local connection gives him the edge as the San Francisco 49ers decide which passer is better suited to be the top selection in this month's NFL draft. And wide receiver is not the only position with a new leader or significant changes in my latest rankings of the top five prospects at each position. There is a new man on top at middle linebacker, while all five players on the latest fullback list are new to the rankings and three players have shuffled in at tight end. There are also two new entries apiece at defensive end, center and punter. OFFENSE Quarterback 1. Alex Smith (jr.), Utah (same) 2. Aaron Rodgers (jr.), California (same) 3. Jason Campbell, Auburn (same) 4. Charlie Frye, Akron (same) 5. Kyle Orton, Purdue (same) Running Back 1. Ronnie Brown, Auburn (same) 2. Carnell Williams, Auburn (3) 3. Cedric Benson, Texas (2) 4. J.J. Arrington, California (5) 5. Ryan Moats, Louisiana Tech (unranked) DROPPED Vernand Morency (jr.), Oklahoma State (4) Fullback 1. Justin Green, Montana (unranked) 2. Jon Goldsberry, Purdue (unranked) 3. Madison Hedgecock, North Carolina (unranked) 4. Will Matthews, Texas (unranked) 5. Branden Joe, Ohio State (unranked) DROPPED Paul Jefferson, Penn State (1) Branden Joe, Ohio State (2) Kyle Eckel, Navy (3) Kevin Dudley, Michigan (4) Keith Joseph, Texas A&M (5) Wide receiver 1. Mike Williams (jr.), USC (2) 2. Braylon Edwards, Michigan (1) 3. Troy Williamson (jr.), South Carolina (4) 4. Roddy White, UAB (3) 5. Mark Clayton, Oklahoma (same) Tight End 1. Heath Miller (jr.), Virginia (same) 2. Alex Smith, Stanford (same) 3. Kevin Everett, Miami (unranked) 4. Bo Scaife, Texas (unranked) 5. Garrett Cross, California (unranked) DROPPED Adam Bergen, Lehigh (3) Tony Curtis, Portland State (4) Steve Fleming, Arizona (5) Tackle 1. Alex Barron, Florida State (same) 2. Khalif Barnes, Washington (same) 3. Jammal Brown, Oklahoma (same) 4. Michael Roos, Eastern Washington (unranked) 5. Adam Snyder, Oregon (4) DROPPED Adam Terry, Syracuse (5) Guard 1. Marcus Johnson, Ole Miss (same) 2. Evan Mathis, Alabama (unranked) 3. Scott Young, BYU (unranked) 4. Logan Mankins, Fresno State (3) 5. Chris Kemoeatu, Utah (2) DROPPED Elton Brown, Virginia (4) Center 1. Chris Spencer (jr.), Ole Miss (same) 2. David Baas, Michigan (same) 3. Jason Brown, North Carolina (same) 4. Eric Ghiaciuc, Central Michigan (unranked) 5. Junius Coston, North Carolina A&T (unranked) DROPPED Ben Wilkerson, LSU (4) Scott Mruczkowski, Bowling Green (5) Kickers 1. Mike Nugent, Ohio State (same) 2. Dave Rayner, Michigan State (same) 3. Matt Payne, BYU (4) 4. Nick Novak, Maryland (unranked) 5. Tyler Jones, Boise State (same) DROPPED Rhys Lloyd, Minnesota (3) DEFENSE Defensive end 1. Dan Cody, Oklahoma (same) 2. Shawne Merriman (jr.), Maryland (No. 2 at OLB) 3. Demarcus Ware, Troy (No. 4 at OLB) 4. Marcus Spears, LSU (2) 5. Erasmus James, Wisconsin (3) DROPPED Matt Roth, Iowa (4) David Pollack, Georgia (5) Tackle 1. Travis Johnson, Florida State (same) 2. Mike Patterson, USC (3) 3. Shaun Cody, USC (5) 4. Anttaj Hawthorne, Wisconsin (2) 5. Luis Castillo, Northwestern (same) Inside linebacker 1. Barrett Ruud, Nebraska (2) 2. Odell Thurman (jr.), Georgia (3) 3. Alfred Fincher, Connecticut (unranked) 4. Channing Crowder (so.), Florida (1) 5. Adam Seward, UNLV (same) DROPPED Lofa Tatupu (jr.), USC (4) Outside linebacker 1. Derrick Johnson, Texas (same) 2. Thomas Davis (jr.), Georgia (3) 3. Darryl Blackstock (jr.), Virginia (5) 4. Kevin Burnett, Tennessee (unranked) 5. Matt McCoy, San Diego State (unranked) * Shawne Merriman and Demarcus Ware moved from OLB to DE Cornerback 1. Adam "Pac-Man" Jones (jr.), West Virginia (same) 2. Antrel Rolle, Miami (same) 3. Carlos Rogers, Auburn (same) 4. Marlin Jackson, Michigan (5) 5. Justin Miller (jr.), Clemson (unranked) DROPPED Fabian Washington (jr.), Nebraska (4) Safety 1. Brodney Pool (jr.), Oklahoma (same) 2. Josh Bullocks (jr.), Nebraska (3) 3. Gerald Sensabaugh, North Carolina (unranked) 4. Oshiomogho Atogwe, Stanford (unranked) 5. Sean Considine, Iowa (4) DROPPED Ernest Shazor (jr.), Michigan (2) Vincent Fuller, Virginia Tech (5) Punter 1. Dustin Colquitt, Tennessee (same) 2. Paul Ernster, Northern Arizona (unranked) 3. Chris Kluwe, UCLA (4) 4. Reggie Hodge, Ball State (unranked) 5. Bryce Benekos, UTEP (same) DROPPED D.J. Fitzpatrick, Notre Dame (2) Gary Cook, UNLV (3)

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04-07-2005, 05:19 PM	#2
Tombstone RJ Ring of Famer Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In the Tetons! Posts: 19,520 Adopt-a-Bronco: WorrellWilliams	Dumbazz Kiper should have Matt Jones listed as a top five WR.

04-07-2005, 05:23 PM	#3
DBroncos4life Hey pic Mod!?!?! FU Why yes, that is Bacon Bacon. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The wrong side of right. Posts: 26,928 Adopt-a-Bronco: Julius "Fluff"	Washington runs a 4.25 40 and he drops? Tough crowd.

04-07-2005, 05:33 PM	#4
UltimateHoboW/Shotgun KKKAAAAAHHHNNNNN!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gensis Planet Posts: 4,304	Who cares were they rank. This guy had Watts ranked 17th. And he out played 90% of the rookie WR's last year.

04-07-2005, 05:59 PM	#5
Play2win Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 9,611 Adopt-a-Bronco: The Duke	Pac-man over Rolle?!? I haven't seen pac-man too often, but I have been HIGHLY IMPRESSED everytime I have seen Rolle on the field.

04-07-2005, 06:02 PM	#7
Bob's your Information Minister Chiefs > Broncos Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 25,931 Adopt-a-Bronco: CHRIS KUPER!!!	I'd like to see the Chiefs draft Shawn Merriman.

04-07-2005, 06:12 PM	#8
Broncoman13 Broncoholic JT #80 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 16,962 Adopt-a-Bronco: Orange Julius	I'd hate to see the Chefs draft Shawn Merriman. I'd rather see them take say Dustin Colquitt in the first.... good player for you guys!

04-07-2005, 06:18 PM	#9
labronco Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,015	How about Kiper's Mock draft?

04-07-2005, 06:23 PM	#11
labronco Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,015	Kiper's DE rank is the opposite of most other lists.

04-07-2005, 07:37 PM	#13
watermock "Hoodie Jr" "Hug me!" Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hot Springs, Ouachitah Posts: 77,090	Kiper takes Payola, or is on drugs, or both.

04-07-2005, 07:40 PM	#14
Mediator12 OM analyst REAL Front Seven Bandwagon !!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: INDY Posts: 9,703 Adopt-a-Bronco: Malik Jackson	Screw you Kiper! Keep Evan Mathis out of the Top 5 Guards so we can get him in the third! And stop changing your list to match My sleeper finds!