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: November 2, 2011
1. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio St.
After serving a five game suspension to start the season, Buckeyes left tackle Mike Adams didn’t waste any time upon his return. Adams has showcased the ability to be a blindside protector at the next level, keeping dangerous defenses like the Wisconsin Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini at bay. Adams was a highly-regarded five-star recruit coming out of high school and the top prospect in the state of Ohio according to Rivals. Adams committed to The Ohio State early on and earned playing time as a true freshman. Not only does Adams have a wealth of starting experience, but he is physically gifted as well. Adams keeps his feet moving in pass protection and is one of the strongest players on the team. This allows Adams to excel as both a run blocker and a pass protector. Adams will have some lapses in technique at times and isn’t quite the knee bender that you would hope for, but many of those issues are correctable. Adams could project to either left or right tackle in the NFL and clearly has the physical tools to anchor an offensive line for a decade or more. If a team selecting late in the first round is looking for a blocker, Adams could be their guy.
2. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
Last season Texas A&M was poised to have a top quarterback prospect in Jerrod Johnson, a senior who was supposed to lead the Aggies to a Big 12 title. However, when Johnson went in the tank Ryan Tannehill got an opportunity and made the most of it. A former wide receiver, Tannehill is still raw but there are many who feel he will be the top senior signal caller available in the 2012 NFL Draft. Tannehill plays in a pro style system and is surrounded by weapons such as WR Jeff Fuller and RB Cyrus Gray, who are also potential early round picks. Tannehill continued to show maturity and potential against Missouri, completing 66% of his passes for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns. Under former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman, Tannehill is carving up the competition. Tannehill still makes mistakes and throws some inaccurate passes, but progress is clearly being made. Don’t look now, but Tannehill is quietly creeping into first round consideration.
3. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
There is little doubt that Penn State’s Devon Still is steadily rising up draft boards and he may even start getting some consideration at the top of the second day. So far this season the 6’5 and 310 pound Still has showcased the ability to both disrupt the run game and 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 offensive linemen. Still seems to have put the concerns about his consistency to rest as he has been going hard almost every play, helping keep the Nittany Lions in games despite a very poor defense overall. In a defensive slugfest against Illinois, Still had 10 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The Penn St. “D” only gave up 7 points in the victory and the line, led by Still, forced plenty of three and outs. The senior class is lacking a true standout at the defensive tackle position but there should be plenty of value in rounds two and three. That run could wind up starting with Devon Still.
4. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma St.
Weeden will turn 28-years-old this season as a senior for the Cowboys. With age comes experience as an athlete though, both in Minor League Baseball and college football. Weeden had plenty of problems going through progressions and reading defenses as a junior, but he has taken a big step forward this year and is becoming a legitimate pro prospect. Of course having a stud like Justin Blackmon to throw to at wideout doesn’t hurt, but Weeden has looked very poised, has improved his accuracy and is going a better job of looking off defenders. Weeden had another great day passing against Baylor. Weeden’s 274 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air allowed the Cowboys to crush the Bears, with Okie St. easily rolling to a 59-24 victory. Weeden is likely maxed out physically and will have a much shorter career than most prospects, which could negatively affect his draft stock. With that said, Weeden has opened plenty of eyes this season and is shooting up boards around the league.
5. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin
One of the hallmarks of the Wisconsin program over the past decade or so has been the outstanding play in the trenches. The offensive line, specifically, seems to reload every year despite annually sending blocks to the NFL. Joe Thomas is the headliners 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 nothing great. Zeitler uses solid technique to get under the pads of opposing defensive linemen and lock them into position, opening holes. There are some question marks about Zeitler’s strength as he can get overwhelmed with stronger defenders, but that does not mean he is poor in pass protection. Wisconsin ran for over a hundred yards against Ohio St. and much of that came behind Zeitler and the right side. At this point Zeitler is more of a mid-round value but could conceivably push his way into the Top 100 when all is said and done, just like Moffitt did.
6. Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt
The Vanderbilt program is often overlooked in the talent-rich SEC, but the Commodores have been producing plenty of pro talent in recent years such as Jay Cutler, Earl Bennett and Jonathan Goff. Casey Hayward may be next in line and has the statistics to back it up after finishing last season with 6 interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 70 total tackles. Hayward is already on pace to match or surpass that productivity this year for a sneaky good defense. Hayward’s fundamentals are part of what makes him such a great player as he is able to stay low and smooth in his backpedal while reading receivers well. Hayward can also change direction quickly and does a nice job of wrapping up when tackling, showing impressive physicality versus bigger wideouts. Heyward had his chance to shine this week against Arkansas’ impressive crop of wide receivers. Hayward was matched up on four different wideouts throughout the game and more than held his own. Hayward broke up 6 passes in the game and seemed to be bumping receivers off of many of the short routes the Razorbacks like to run. A perfect fit for a Cover 2 scheme, Hayward is still flying underneath the radar to a degree but could be a mid-round steal.
7. Jonas Gray, RB, Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish have plenty of weapons on offense, most notably Michael Floyd and Cierre Wood, but Jonas Gray has come out of nowhere to emerge as an intriguing pro prospect. Gray saw limited action earlier in his career due to ball security issues but he is averaging nearly eight yards per carry this season. A big, 230 pound runner who doesn’t go down easily, Gray is also sneaky fast and has displayed breakaway ability at times. Gray has not broken the one hundred yard mark in a game yet this season but has excelled in short-yardage situations, racking up eight touchdowns and counting. Gray was flat out dominant against Navy this past weekend, carrying the ball 12 times for 69 yards and 3 touchdowns. Gray probably profiles as a backup at the next level but has certainly caught the attention of scouts. Gray is still more of a late round possibility, but a standout senior campaign will ensure he at least gets a look in some team’s camp.
8. Patrick Edwards, WR, Houston
The nation was buzzing after Houston’s record setting performance against Rice in a 73-34 victory. Quarterback Case Keenum and his nine touchdown passes got most of the attention, wide receiver Patrick Edwards may have helped his stock the most in that game. Edwards is your typical slot receiver, standing at only 5’9 and 175 pounds. Edwards quickness and speed make him a very tough player to match up with, especially in the Cougars wide open spread system. Though Edwards is undersized and not very strong, he is elusive and able to do some damage as a runner after the catch. Edwards was able to make quick cuts to evade defenders time after time against Rice, finished with 7 catches for 318 yards and 5 touchdowns on the day. Edwards is still a bit of an unknown nationally but is actually highly-thought of in scouting circles and should be an early to mid round pick, especially if he continues to put up eye-popping numbers.
9. Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
Arkansas has a receiving corp that would make some NFL teams jealous, with no fewer than four legitimate next level prospects at the position. While Greg Childs is often the focus of headlines, Jarius Wright has become one of quarterback Tyler Wilson’s favorite targets and could even be selected ahead of his more highly-touted teammate. Checking in at just 5’10 and 180 pounds, Wright's size may limit his pro potential but he's proven that he knows how to find holes in defenses and can utilize that 4.3 speed to blow past defensive backs. Wright also has sure hands and gets out of his breaks quickly, which is giving SEC defenses fits. Wright tore apart a solid Vanderbilt defense for 10 catches and 135 yards this past weekend. Wright’s touchdown helped the Razorbacks get a victory and Wright is quietly emerging as one of the top slot receiver prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft. Do not be surprised if Wright is selected earlier than most expect.
10. Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
Marshall may not be an elite program nationally but they have sent a lot of talent to the NFL in recent years. Vinny Curry is the next Thundering Herd star who will soon be playing for pay on Sunday's. Curry burst onto the scene last year and picked up right where he left off this fall. In fact, Curry has been downright dominant at times this season. Curry seems to have put himself squarely in the top half of the second round mix and could even be selected earlier when Draft Day rolls around. Curry’s motor and hard-nosed style makes him a matchup nightmare regardless of the level of competition. Curry continued on his rampage last week against UAB, finishing with a sack and eight tackles in a big victory over the Blazers. Curry was matched up against UAB offensive tackle Matt McCants, a very athletic pro prospect in his own right, and Curry had his way with him. McCants was unable to sustain blocks very long and Curry seemed to be living in the backfield all game. Curry isn't a household name but is well on his way to solidifying himself as one of this classes top pass rushers.
The Not-So-Hot List
Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan St.
Coming into the year there were a number of senior quarterbacks who were viewed as solid prospects with the potential to develop into starters at the next level. A handful of those players, most notably Ryan Lindley of San Diego St., haven’t quite lived up to expectations and are falling down draft boards. Kirk Cousins may fall into this category as well, especially after a poor showing against Nebraska this past weekend. Cousins is adequate from a physical standpoint at 6’3 and 205 pounds and his arm strength is above average. The major issue for Cousins this season has been pressure, as he has struggled to keep his eyes down the field against the blitz and will let his technique wane. Add in inconsistent accuracy and ball placement and there have been times when it’s difficult to project Cousins as much more than a backup in the pros. Against the Cornhuskers, Cousins threw for just 86 yards on 11 completions and one very bad interception in the game. In all fairness Cousins has also had some shining moments this season, including a big win against Wisconsin on a last second Hail Mary. Even so, Cousins lackluster senior campaign and rather ordinary talent level threatens to push him into the middle rounds.
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After serving a five game suspension to start the season, Buckeyes left tackle Mike Adams didn’t waste any time upon his return. Adams has showcased the ability to be a blindside protector at the next level, keeping dangerous defenses like the Wisconsin Badgers and Illinois Fighting Illini at bay. Adams was a highly-regarded five-star recruit coming out of high school and the top prospect in the state of Ohio according to Rivals. Adams committed to The Ohio State early on and earned playing time as a true freshman. Not only does Adams have a wealth of starting experience, but he is physically gifted as well. Adams keeps his feet moving in pass protection and is one of the strongest players on the team. This allows Adams to excel as both a run blocker and a pass protector. Adams will have some lapses in technique at times and isn’t quite the knee bender that you would hope for, but many of those issues are correctable. Adams could project to either left or right tackle in the NFL and clearly has the physical tools to anchor an offensive line for a decade or more. If a team selecting late in the first round is looking for a blocker, Adams could be their guy.
Last season Texas A&M was poised to have a top quarterback prospect in Jerrod Johnson, a senior who was supposed to lead the Aggies to a Big 12 title. However, when Johnson went in the tank Ryan Tannehill got an opportunity and made the most of it. A former wide receiver, Tannehill is still raw but there are many who feel he will be the top senior signal caller available in the 2012 NFL Draft. Tannehill plays in a pro style system and is surrounded by weapons such as WR Jeff Fuller and RB Cyrus Gray, who are also potential early round picks. Tannehill continued to show maturity and potential against Missouri, completing 66% of his passes for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns. Under former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman, Tannehill is carving up the competition. Tannehill still makes mistakes and throws some inaccurate passes, but progress is clearly being made. Don’t look now, but Tannehill is quietly creeping into first round consideration.
There is little doubt that Penn State’s Devon Still is steadily rising up draft boards and he may even start getting some consideration at the top of the second day. So far this season the 6’5 and 310 pound Still has showcased the ability to both disrupt the run game and 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 offensive linemen. Still seems to have put the concerns about his consistency to rest as he has been going hard almost every play, helping keep the Nittany Lions in games despite a very poor defense overall. In a defensive slugfest against Illinois, Still had 10 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The Penn St. “D” only gave up 7 points in the victory and the line, led by Still, forced plenty of three and outs. The senior class is lacking a true standout at the defensive tackle position but there should be plenty of value in rounds two and three. That run could wind up starting with Devon Still.
Weeden will turn 28-years-old this season as a senior for the Cowboys. With age comes experience as an athlete though, both in Minor League Baseball and college football. Weeden had plenty of problems going through progressions and reading defenses as a junior, but he has taken a big step forward this year and is becoming a legitimate pro prospect. Of course having a stud like Justin Blackmon to throw to at wideout doesn’t hurt, but Weeden has looked very poised, has improved his accuracy and is going a better job of looking off defenders. Weeden had another great day passing against Baylor. Weeden’s 274 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air allowed the Cowboys to crush the Bears, with Okie St. easily rolling to a 59-24 victory. Weeden is likely maxed out physically and will have a much shorter career than most prospects, which could negatively affect his draft stock. With that said, Weeden has opened plenty of eyes this season and is shooting up boards around the league.
One of the hallmarks of the Wisconsin program over the past decade or so has been the outstanding play in the trenches. The offensive line, specifically, seems to reload every year despite annually sending blocks to the NFL. Joe Thomas is the headliners 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 nothing great. Zeitler uses solid technique to get under the pads of opposing defensive linemen and lock them into position, opening holes. There are some question marks about Zeitler’s strength as he can get overwhelmed with stronger defenders, but that does not mean he is poor in pass protection. Wisconsin ran for over a hundred yards against Ohio St. and much of that came behind Zeitler and the right side. At this point Zeitler is more of a mid-round value but could conceivably push his way into the Top 100 when all is said and done, just like Moffitt did.
The Vanderbilt program is often overlooked in the talent-rich SEC, but the Commodores have been producing plenty of pro talent in recent years such as Jay Cutler, Earl Bennett and Jonathan Goff. Casey Hayward may be next in line and has the statistics to back it up after finishing last season with 6 interceptions, 11 passes defended, and 70 total tackles. Hayward is already on pace to match or surpass that productivity this year for a sneaky good defense. Hayward’s fundamentals are part of what makes him such a great player as he is able to stay low and smooth in his backpedal while reading receivers well. Hayward can also change direction quickly and does a nice job of wrapping up when tackling, showing impressive physicality versus bigger wideouts. Heyward had his chance to shine this week against Arkansas’ impressive crop of wide receivers. Hayward was matched up on four different wideouts throughout the game and more than held his own. Hayward broke up 6 passes in the game and seemed to be bumping receivers off of many of the short routes the Razorbacks like to run. A perfect fit for a Cover 2 scheme, Hayward is still flying underneath the radar to a degree but could be a mid-round steal.
The Fighting Irish have plenty of weapons on offense, most notably Michael Floyd and Cierre Wood, but Jonas Gray has come out of nowhere to emerge as an intriguing pro prospect. Gray saw limited action earlier in his career due to ball security issues but he is averaging nearly eight yards per carry this season. A big, 230 pound runner who doesn’t go down easily, Gray is also sneaky fast and has displayed breakaway ability at times. Gray has not broken the one hundred yard mark in a game yet this season but has excelled in short-yardage situations, racking up eight touchdowns and counting. Gray was flat out dominant against Navy this past weekend, carrying the ball 12 times for 69 yards and 3 touchdowns. Gray probably profiles as a backup at the next level but has certainly caught the attention of scouts. Gray is still more of a late round possibility, but a standout senior campaign will ensure he at least gets a look in some team’s camp.
The nation was buzzing after Houston’s record setting performance against Rice in a 73-34 victory. Quarterback Case Keenum and his nine touchdown passes got most of the attention, wide receiver Patrick Edwards may have helped his stock the most in that game. Edwards is your typical slot receiver, standing at only 5’9 and 175 pounds. Edwards quickness and speed make him a very tough player to match up with, especially in the Cougars wide open spread system. Though Edwards is undersized and not very strong, he is elusive and able to do some damage as a runner after the catch. Edwards was able to make quick cuts to evade defenders time after time against Rice, finished with 7 catches for 318 yards and 5 touchdowns on the day. Edwards is still a bit of an unknown nationally but is actually highly-thought of in scouting circles and should be an early to mid round pick, especially if he continues to put up eye-popping numbers.
Arkansas has a receiving corp that would make some NFL teams jealous, with no fewer than four legitimate next level prospects at the position. While Greg Childs is often the focus of headlines, Jarius Wright has become one of quarterback Tyler Wilson’s favorite targets and could even be selected ahead of his more highly-touted teammate. Checking in at just 5’10 and 180 pounds, Wright's size may limit his pro potential but he's proven that he knows how to find holes in defenses and can utilize that 4.3 speed to blow past defensive backs. Wright also has sure hands and gets out of his breaks quickly, which is giving SEC defenses fits. Wright tore apart a solid Vanderbilt defense for 10 catches and 135 yards this past weekend. Wright’s touchdown helped the Razorbacks get a victory and Wright is quietly emerging as one of the top slot receiver prospects for the 2012 NFL Draft. Do not be surprised if Wright is selected earlier than most expect.
Marshall may not be an elite program nationally but they have sent a lot of talent to the NFL in recent years. Vinny Curry is the next Thundering Herd star who will soon be playing for pay on Sunday's. Curry burst onto the scene last year and picked up right where he left off this fall. In fact, Curry has been downright dominant at times this season. Curry seems to have put himself squarely in the top half of the second round mix and could even be selected earlier when Draft Day rolls around. Curry’s motor and hard-nosed style makes him a matchup nightmare regardless of the level of competition. Curry continued on his rampage last week against UAB, finishing with a sack and eight tackles in a big victory over the Blazers. Curry was matched up against UAB offensive tackle Matt McCants, a very athletic pro prospect in his own right, and Curry had his way with him. McCants was unable to sustain blocks very long and Curry seemed to be living in the backfield all game. Curry isn't a household name but is well on his way to solidifying himself as one of this classes top pass rushers.
Coming into the year there were a number of senior quarterbacks who were viewed as solid prospects with the potential to develop into starters at the next level. A handful of those players, most notably Ryan Lindley of San Diego St., haven’t quite lived up to expectations and are falling down draft boards. Kirk Cousins may fall into this category as well, especially after a poor showing against Nebraska this past weekend. Cousins is adequate from a physical standpoint at 6’3 and 205 pounds and his arm strength is above average. The major issue for Cousins this season has been pressure, as he has struggled to keep his eyes down the field against the blitz and will let his technique wane. Add in inconsistent accuracy and ball placement and there have been times when it’s difficult to project Cousins as much more than a backup in the pros. Against the Cornhuskers, Cousins threw for just 86 yards on 11 completions and one very bad interception in the game. In all fairness Cousins has also had some shining moments this season, including a big win against Wisconsin on a last second Hail Mary. Even so, Cousins lackluster senior campaign and rather ordinary talent level threatens to push him into the middle rounds.