As anyone who follows the NFL Draft knows positive or negative momentum can play a big role in determining where a player is ultimately chosen. The following is a look at some prospects who have that buzz at the moment as well as some who do not. Please be sure to keep in mind that this is not a replacement or an update to the positional rankings or mock draft. For example, a player could be #1 on this list but that might only mean he has gone from a 7th round pick to a 5th rounder or an undrafted free agent to a late round possibility. So without further adieu, here are the senior prospects with the most helium:
Updated: December 21, 2011
1. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Baylor has been nothing short of prolific on offense this season and as a result a number of their explosive playmakers are drawing the attention of pro scouts. While star quarterback Robert Griffin III gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, his top target Kendall Wright is shooting up draft boards around the league as well. Wright is a bit undersized but he is a premium athlete with elite speed and quickness, outstanding body control and excellent hands. With 101 catches for 1,572 yards and 13 touchdowns, Wright cemented himself as both a reliable pass catcher and a deep threat that opposing defenses must always be aware of. Drawing comparisons to everyone from Steve Smith to Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace, there is little doubt that Wright has improved his stock dramatically this season. Coming into the season Wright was considered by most to be a borderline early round value but after a meteoric rise up draft boards there are many who feel the first round is now well within reach.
2. Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
At the start of the season Melvin Ingram was the forgotten man on one of the countries most talented defensive lines. Not only was Ingram overshadowed by junior Devin Taylor, but the Gamecocks also added highly-touted freshman Jadevon Clowney to the mix as well. However, it didn’t take long for Ingram to remind everyone that he is a pretty talented player too, finishing the year with 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Ingram also tacked on a couple of defensive touchdowns for good measure. A high school running back who made the move to linebacker and eventually defensive end in college, the 6’2 and 276 pound Ingram will bring a wide ranging skill set to some creative organization. In fact, Ingram could conceivably play defensive end, defensive tackle or outside linebacker at the next level depending on the scheme. Just a few months ago Ingram was considered by most to be more of a mid-round option but his production, leadership, versatility and motor have thrust him into the first round conversation. In a class that is somewhat lacking when it comes to impact pass rushers, Ingram should prove to be an extremely valuable commodity on Draft Day.
3. Audie Cole, ILB, North Carolina St.
Audie Cole made the move from the strongside to the middle for the Wolfpack last offseason and really took to the new position. Cole’s most intriguing attribute is his ability to read offenses and react to plays as they develop. Although Cole doesn’t display superior speed, quickness or change of direction skills, he does show good technique and appears to be that prototypical thumper in the middle. On the season Cole finished with 98 tackles including 8.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Cole also emerged as the leader of NC State’s defense as a senior and scouts have taken notice of that production and those intangibles. On the heels of that outstanding final campaign Cole has solidified himself as the top senior at his position and is now a legitimate early round possibility. Cole is still somewhat underrated on a national level but has steadily risen up draft boards around the league and could ultimately be selected even earlier than former teammate Nate Irving, who was a third round pick of the Broncos.
4. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
Nobody ever doubted Devon Still’s potential, but as a senior he finally translated all of that talent into consistent on-field production. As a result Still has shot up draft boards around the league and is even starting to be mentioned as a first round possibility. As a senior the 6’5 and 310 pound Still showcased the ability to both disrupt the run game and also apply pressure to the quarterback. One aspect of Still's game that stands out is how he keeps his pad level low and manages to outleverage opposing blockers. Still finished the season with just 4.5 sacks but also posted an incredible 17.0 tackles for a loss. Still could technically project to either defensive tackle (three-technique) or defensive end (five-technique) in the pros but his ability to penetrate and make plays on the interior will likely make that his future home. As long as Still plays hard and keeps working to improve his technique there is no reason why he can’t continue to be a playmaker in the NFL, which is why the majority of scouts have jumped on his bandwagon.
5. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma St.
Brandon Weeden was a 28-years-old senior for the Cowboys this season, but with that age comes experience as an athlete in Minor League Baseball and college football. As a junior Weeden had issues with going through progressions and reading defenses, but he took a big step forward this year and emerged as a very intriguing pro prospect. Of course having a stud like Justin Blackmon to throw to at wideout doesn’t hurt, but Weeden looked very poised, improved his accuracy and also did a better job of looking off defenders. During the regular season Weeden completed 72.6% of his attempts for 4,328 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while nearly leading his team to the national championship game. However, the problem with Weeden is that he's already in his physical prime and may only have five to seven good years left. Needless to say it will be interesting to see how much of a factor Weeden’s advanced age turns out to be on Draft Day, but the consensus in scouting circles seems to be that he could come off the board as early as Round 2 or 3 and no later than Round 5.
6. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
In a poor senior tight end class, Stanford’s Coby Fleener has clearly separated himself from the rest of the pack. Not only did Fleener emerge as Andrew Luck’s favorite target as a senior but he also made himself a lot of money in the eyes of pro scouts. Fleener finished the regular season with 32 receptions for 648 yards (which is an eye-popping 20.3 yard avg. per catch) and 10 touchdowns. A good natural athlete with a large frame, enormous catch radius and soft hands, Fleener may never be mistaken for Antonio Gates or Jimmy Graham but is a terror in the redzone and a reliable target in the short to intermediate range. While Fleener is best known for his pass catching prowess he is also a very underrated blocker, showing the ability to get the job done both in-line and in space. At the end of the day Fleener isn’t dominant in any one area but is the type who simply does everything well and should compete for a starting job in the NFL. Fleener currently projects as a second or third round pick and could prove to be in high demand on Draft Day due to the renewed emphasis on the tight end position and the emergence of players like Rob Gronkowski in New England.
7. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
One of the hallmarks of the Wisconsin program in recent years has been the outstanding play in the trenches. The offensive line in particular seems to reload every season despite annually sending blockers to the NFL. Joe Thomas is the headliner, but former Badgers like Kraig Urbik and John Moffitt were also early round picks. Look for Kevin Zeitler to follow in their footsteps next April. Zeitler is the type of player who does everything well but great. A polished technician, Zeitler is able to get under the pads of opposing defensive linemen and lock them into position thus opening holes for the always potent rushing attack of the Badgers. In fact, Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball owes a large part of his success to Zeitler. While not the most physically talented or athletic blocker, Zeitler is a well-rounded player who is ready to step in and contribute at the next level immediately. As a result Zeitler is firmly in the early round conversation and could even sneak into the late first or early second round range when all is said and done.
8. Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida St.
When Andrew Datko went down for the season with a shoulder ailment, Sanders was moved from right tackle to left tackle. While Datko’s injury was certainly unfortunate, it provided Sanders with an excellent opportunity to impress pro scouts by protecting the blind side down the stretch. Sanders took full advantage, more than holding his own and giving everyone a preview of the type of potential he offers at the next level. Sanders still needs to fill out his frame but he is a great athlete with quick feet who is effective in both the pass and run games. Sanders also has a ton of experience against quality competition, a factor that shouldn’t be discounted. On the heels of that impressive senior campaign Sanders is shooting up draft boards and could generate interest in the latter stages of round one if he can perform well at an all-star game and in pre-draft workouts. In fact, do not be surprised if Sanders battles to be the first senior offensive tackle chosen.
9. DaJohn Harris, DT, USC
Up until this season the college career of DaJohn Harris was considered to be a disappointment as the former top recruit struggled to live up to his immense potential. However, Harris had one more year to take his game to the next level and he took full advantage of that last opportunity, soaring up draft boards in the process. Checking in at 6’4 and 310 pounds, Harris is a force in the middle and the type of player that opposing teams find it difficult to run or pass against. Harris finished the year with just 7.0 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks but the stat sheet doesn’t accurately convey the type of impact he had on games. Harris also showcased his athleticism by defending six passes as a senior, which was the most for a defensive tackle in the Pac-12. After entering the year with a mid to late round grade Harris has established himself as one of the countries top seniors at his position and is now a legitimate early round possibility. Look for Harris to help carry on the strong tradition the Trojans have of sending defensive tackles to the NFL, following in the footsteps of guys such as Darrell Russell, Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson, Sedrick Ellis, LaJuan Ramsey, Fili Moala and Jurrell Casey.
10. Leonard Johnson, CB, Iowa St.
The Cyclones aren’t exactly known for producing a lot of early round picks in the NFL Draft, but Leonard Johnson is going to be an exception. Even though Johnson only possesses an average combination of size and speed, the guy is simply a good football player. Just ask Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon, an All-American performer and two-time Biletnikoff Award winner who Johnson was able to hold in check for the most part in one of the biggest upsets of the season by playing physical at the line and providing tight coverage. Johnson is not much of a playmaker but he is rarely targeted by opposing passers and compensates by making his presence felt in other ways, most notably as a tackler. After entering the season as more of a mid-round value, Johnson is now firmly in the second or third round mix and is widely considered to be one of the top senior corners in the country.
The Not-So-Hot List
Andrew Datko, OT, Florida St.
Coming into the season Datko was considered by many to be the nations top senior offensive tackle prospect and a potential first round pick. Unfortunately, the biggest knock on Datko was durability and health continues to be a problem. Datko suffered a shoulder injury during the season and underwent surgery to repair it, which has kept the Seminoles blocker out for the majority of his senior campaign. Datko actually went under the knife this past summer too after he separated one shoulder and tore the labrum in the other. To say that Datko is prone to injury would an understatement and these recurring shoulder issues have really hurt his draft stock. Now the major question teams are facing is when to take a chance on an injury-prone offensive lineman who may continue to have health problems going forward. If the medical checks out okay Datko can still salvage a spot in the second or third round but considering his body is already damaged goods don’t be shocked if he falls even further than expected on Draft Day.
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Baylor has been nothing short of prolific on offense this season and as a result a number of their explosive playmakers are drawing the attention of pro scouts. While star quarterback Robert Griffin III gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, his top target Kendall Wright is shooting up draft boards around the league as well. Wright is a bit undersized but he is a premium athlete with elite speed and quickness, outstanding body control and excellent hands. With 101 catches for 1,572 yards and 13 touchdowns, Wright cemented himself as both a reliable pass catcher and a deep threat that opposing defenses must always be aware of. Drawing comparisons to everyone from Steve Smith to Santonio Holmes and Mike Wallace, there is little doubt that Wright has improved his stock dramatically this season. Coming into the season Wright was considered by most to be a borderline early round value but after a meteoric rise up draft boards there are many who feel the first round is now well within reach.
At the start of the season Melvin Ingram was the forgotten man on one of the countries most talented defensive lines. Not only was Ingram overshadowed by junior Devin Taylor, but the Gamecocks also added highly-touted freshman Jadevon Clowney to the mix as well. However, it didn’t take long for Ingram to remind everyone that he is a pretty talented player too, finishing the year with 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Ingram also tacked on a couple of defensive touchdowns for good measure. A high school running back who made the move to linebacker and eventually defensive end in college, the 6’2 and 276 pound Ingram will bring a wide ranging skill set to some creative organization. In fact, Ingram could conceivably play defensive end, defensive tackle or outside linebacker at the next level depending on the scheme. Just a few months ago Ingram was considered by most to be more of a mid-round option but his production, leadership, versatility and motor have thrust him into the first round conversation. In a class that is somewhat lacking when it comes to impact pass rushers, Ingram should prove to be an extremely valuable commodity on Draft Day.
Audie Cole made the move from the strongside to the middle for the Wolfpack last offseason and really took to the new position. Cole’s most intriguing attribute is his ability to read offenses and react to plays as they develop. Although Cole doesn’t display superior speed, quickness or change of direction skills, he does show good technique and appears to be that prototypical thumper in the middle. On the season Cole finished with 98 tackles including 8.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Cole also emerged as the leader of NC State’s defense as a senior and scouts have taken notice of that production and those intangibles. On the heels of that outstanding final campaign Cole has solidified himself as the top senior at his position and is now a legitimate early round possibility. Cole is still somewhat underrated on a national level but has steadily risen up draft boards around the league and could ultimately be selected even earlier than former teammate Nate Irving, who was a third round pick of the Broncos.
Nobody ever doubted Devon Still’s potential, but as a senior he finally translated all of that talent into consistent on-field production. As a result Still has shot up draft boards around the league and is even starting to be mentioned as a first round possibility. As a senior the 6’5 and 310 pound Still showcased the ability to both disrupt the run game and also apply pressure to the quarterback. One aspect of Still's game that stands out is how he keeps his pad level low and manages to outleverage opposing blockers. Still finished the season with just 4.5 sacks but also posted an incredible 17.0 tackles for a loss. Still could technically project to either defensive tackle (three-technique) or defensive end (five-technique) in the pros but his ability to penetrate and make plays on the interior will likely make that his future home. As long as Still plays hard and keeps working to improve his technique there is no reason why he can’t continue to be a playmaker in the NFL, which is why the majority of scouts have jumped on his bandwagon.
Brandon Weeden was a 28-years-old senior for the Cowboys this season, but with that age comes experience as an athlete in Minor League Baseball and college football. As a junior Weeden had issues with going through progressions and reading defenses, but he took a big step forward this year and emerged as a very intriguing pro prospect. Of course having a stud like Justin Blackmon to throw to at wideout doesn’t hurt, but Weeden looked very poised, improved his accuracy and also did a better job of looking off defenders. During the regular season Weeden completed 72.6% of his attempts for 4,328 yards with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while nearly leading his team to the national championship game. However, the problem with Weeden is that he's already in his physical prime and may only have five to seven good years left. Needless to say it will be interesting to see how much of a factor Weeden’s advanced age turns out to be on Draft Day, but the consensus in scouting circles seems to be that he could come off the board as early as Round 2 or 3 and no later than Round 5.
In a poor senior tight end class, Stanford’s Coby Fleener has clearly separated himself from the rest of the pack. Not only did Fleener emerge as Andrew Luck’s favorite target as a senior but he also made himself a lot of money in the eyes of pro scouts. Fleener finished the regular season with 32 receptions for 648 yards (which is an eye-popping 20.3 yard avg. per catch) and 10 touchdowns. A good natural athlete with a large frame, enormous catch radius and soft hands, Fleener may never be mistaken for Antonio Gates or Jimmy Graham but is a terror in the redzone and a reliable target in the short to intermediate range. While Fleener is best known for his pass catching prowess he is also a very underrated blocker, showing the ability to get the job done both in-line and in space. At the end of the day Fleener isn’t dominant in any one area but is the type who simply does everything well and should compete for a starting job in the NFL. Fleener currently projects as a second or third round pick and could prove to be in high demand on Draft Day due to the renewed emphasis on the tight end position and the emergence of players like Rob Gronkowski in New England.
One of the hallmarks of the Wisconsin program in recent years has been the outstanding play in the trenches. The offensive line in particular seems to reload every season despite annually sending blockers to the NFL. Joe Thomas is the headliner, but former Badgers like Kraig Urbik and John Moffitt were also early round picks. Look for Kevin Zeitler to follow in their footsteps next April. Zeitler is the type of player who does everything well but great. A polished technician, Zeitler is able to get under the pads of opposing defensive linemen and lock them into position thus opening holes for the always potent rushing attack of the Badgers. In fact, Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball owes a large part of his success to Zeitler. While not the most physically talented or athletic blocker, Zeitler is a well-rounded player who is ready to step in and contribute at the next level immediately. As a result Zeitler is firmly in the early round conversation and could even sneak into the late first or early second round range when all is said and done.
When Andrew Datko went down for the season with a shoulder ailment, Sanders was moved from right tackle to left tackle. While Datko’s injury was certainly unfortunate, it provided Sanders with an excellent opportunity to impress pro scouts by protecting the blind side down the stretch. Sanders took full advantage, more than holding his own and giving everyone a preview of the type of potential he offers at the next level. Sanders still needs to fill out his frame but he is a great athlete with quick feet who is effective in both the pass and run games. Sanders also has a ton of experience against quality competition, a factor that shouldn’t be discounted. On the heels of that impressive senior campaign Sanders is shooting up draft boards and could generate interest in the latter stages of round one if he can perform well at an all-star game and in pre-draft workouts. In fact, do not be surprised if Sanders battles to be the first senior offensive tackle chosen.
Up until this season the college career of DaJohn Harris was considered to be a disappointment as the former top recruit struggled to live up to his immense potential. However, Harris had one more year to take his game to the next level and he took full advantage of that last opportunity, soaring up draft boards in the process. Checking in at 6’4 and 310 pounds, Harris is a force in the middle and the type of player that opposing teams find it difficult to run or pass against. Harris finished the year with just 7.0 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks but the stat sheet doesn’t accurately convey the type of impact he had on games. Harris also showcased his athleticism by defending six passes as a senior, which was the most for a defensive tackle in the Pac-12. After entering the year with a mid to late round grade Harris has established himself as one of the countries top seniors at his position and is now a legitimate early round possibility. Look for Harris to help carry on the strong tradition the Trojans have of sending defensive tackles to the NFL, following in the footsteps of guys such as Darrell Russell, Shaun Cody, Mike Patterson, Sedrick Ellis, LaJuan Ramsey, Fili Moala and Jurrell Casey.
The Cyclones aren’t exactly known for producing a lot of early round picks in the NFL Draft, but Leonard Johnson is going to be an exception. Even though Johnson only possesses an average combination of size and speed, the guy is simply a good football player. Just ask Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon, an All-American performer and two-time Biletnikoff Award winner who Johnson was able to hold in check for the most part in one of the biggest upsets of the season by playing physical at the line and providing tight coverage. Johnson is not much of a playmaker but he is rarely targeted by opposing passers and compensates by making his presence felt in other ways, most notably as a tackler. After entering the season as more of a mid-round value, Johnson is now firmly in the second or third round mix and is widely considered to be one of the top senior corners in the country. 
Coming into the season Datko was considered by many to be the nations top senior offensive tackle prospect and a potential first round pick. Unfortunately, the biggest knock on Datko was durability and health continues to be a problem. Datko suffered a shoulder injury during the season and underwent surgery to repair it, which has kept the Seminoles blocker out for the majority of his senior campaign. Datko actually went under the knife this past summer too after he separated one shoulder and tore the labrum in the other. To say that Datko is prone to injury would an understatement and these recurring shoulder issues have really hurt his draft stock. Now the major question teams are facing is when to take a chance on an injury-prone offensive lineman who may continue to have health problems going forward. If the medical checks out okay Datko can still salvage a spot in the second or third round but considering his body is already damaged goods don’t be shocked if he falls even further than expected on Draft Day.