Mel Kiper Top 10 by position
Mel Kiper (insert jokes here) posted his early look at the top ten NFL prospects by position. (link). Interesting things to note:
- Jake Butt is the #2 TE
- Jourdan Lewis is the #7 CB
- Joe Kerridge is the #8 FB
- No other Michigan player appears anywhere.
- MSU has 5 players on the list (Cook, Conklin, Allen, Pendleton, Calhoun)
- PSU has 4 players on the list (Hackenberg, Nassib, Johnson, Zettel)
- Ohio State has a stunning 12 players on the list. I'm not going to name them all because it makes me sad.
That last bullet point is the best way to explain why OSU is ranked ahead of Iowa despite a worse resume. (Iowa has one person on this list.)
It will be hard for Jake Butt to stick around if he's the #2 TE on the board when the draft rolls around. If that's the case, let's hope he tears it up the rest of the season in a bunch of Michigan victories.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:27 PM ^
Butt should stick around until he's the top TE. Clearly.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
I know this is said in jest, but there's something to it. The second TE taken hasn't gone in the first round in at least the last six seasons. And in at least two drafts over that span, the second TE has dropped ot the third round.
Being the top TE doesn't guarantee first round status, but at least he would have a chance. And any improvement would see his chance at being at least in the second round improve.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:52 PM ^
Thanks for the post. I was assuming there would be an incentive to leave as the #2 at his postion group but your post suggests there is a real incentive to stay around for another year. I am surprised at the low value the NFL apparently assigns to tight ends.
November 19th, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 4:08 PM ^
I'm not "asking him to stay." I'm saying there's a rational reason for him wanting to stay. If he can improve, and I think he can (certainly with respect to blocking), he can improve his draft position despite currently being the #2 rated TE. If he goes pro as a potential 2nd to 3rd round pick, that's a perfectly reasonable decision too.
Despite TE becoming a more and more popular position, TE still isn't a high draft priority for teams. For positions such as QB, OT, and DE, being the second rated player at the position is a winning lottery ticket. That's not true of TE. That's my only point.
November 19th, 2015 at 5:22 PM ^
There's a more rational reason for him to leave. Injuries
November 19th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^
#1 TEs go to teams like the Lions.
#2 TEs go to teams like the Patriots.
November 19th, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^
Mel Kiper has a haircut like a lion. I don't believe him. Lewis is not ready. Believe me I know. I'm short as well. Real recognize real. Short recognize short. I'm short, and am not ready for the NFL. If Lewis is short too (like me), surely he cannot be ready either. I've been watching football for over 20 years, and I know a short person when I see one, and Lewis is one.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^
Butt also is not ready. People will make fun of him. "Hey, nice catch BUTT!" they'll sneer, or call him "stinky Butt" after a long game. I've seen it dozens of times, perhaps fewer. I think he needs another year of college to make sure he can take the tough talk.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:03 PM ^
On the other hand, all of the OSU and MSU players are ready and they should go. They should leave because they are ready to be protectors of the shield, and lords of the league. I would bet a delicous, piping-hot Arby's roast beef sandwich on it!
November 19th, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^
Mel Kiper thinks 6 more CBs have more NFL potential than Lewis and HE IS TOTALLY RIGHT NFL SO LOOK AWAY CAUSE LEWIS TOTALLY NEEDS ANOTHER YEAR TO DEVELOP
November 19th, 2015 at 1:59 PM ^
Think both Glasgows could also arguably be included.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:02 PM ^
Was conversing with a few on Twitter, Houma seems to me like he's going to play on Sundays. He blocks well, he can get carries, he catches the ball out of the backfield, he plays special teams. Dude just seems poised for a 7 year NFL career even if he's undrafted
November 19th, 2015 at 3:00 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^
Well one Glasgow is injured and has more elgibility left, so I do not think he should be included.
The one whose elgiblility expires following this season should most definitely be included on any list of interior O linemen. He's a beast, a stud, a warrior... fill in your own football cliche here.
What I'm saying is he's a proud and true Wolverine, multiple time recipient of the Loyal Order of Kovacs. 1st rd grade from me!
November 19th, 2015 at 2:03 PM ^
Listen to Mel Kiper, Jourdan Lewis is only the #7 CB.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
That's only two spots ahead of the PITCHER in the batting order!
#notready
November 19th, 2015 at 2:03 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
I don't want to see Butt crying the rest of the year like the OP wants unless these are tears of joy.
OSU in 2016 is young to be like UM in 2017 - a very very young team that has to replace a ton of established talent.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
Are there really 10 guys better at DT than Ryan Glasgow?
November 19th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^
Glasgow is good but its a loaded yea for DT. Big 10 probably has 5 of the nations top 15. Loaded year for DL in general in Big 10 just on UM, PSU, OSU, and MSU lines.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2016/DT
November 19th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
He's a walk-on...
/s
November 19th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^
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November 19th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
I think ross will get drafted late as a potential LB out of our seniors, Graham Glasgow also should be a late round pick because he can play multiplepositions and NFL teams like that flexibility.
I don't see it for Bolden in terms of reading the game fast enough. Morgan might not have the athleticism. Wilson same issue with athleticism at that level. Maybe one the FBs get taken late.
It just shows (a) we are still relatively young and (b) Harbaugh and staff are doing a great job with a roster that lacks the elite NFL prospects, at least at the senior level. Quite a few juniors should have a great chance next year ala Wormleys, Henrys, Glasgow. Butt and Lewis obviously and Peppers prob goes early too.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
We've had someone drafted every year since 1938. According to Maize N Brew, that's tied with USC for the longest streak. If everyone comes back this year, doesn't it seem like we're more at risk of breaking that streak than we have been in recent memory? Between Glasgow, Wilson, Ross, Morgan, O'Neill, Rudock, potential early entries, etc., I'd be pretty shocked if no one gets drafted, but I can't remember a time when there was any question about it.
November 19th, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^
I just have to believe Glasgow gets drafted. I dont know if he can play every position in the NFL but he is a guy who has played all 3 line positions in CFB. If he can play guard and center in the NFL even as a 7th OL guy he is invaluable as he saves you a roster spot that you would otherwise have to spend on a dedicated center.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:06 PM ^
Jake Butt better not leave early. Jourdan Lewis, either. If everyone returns who is able, Michigan is going to be really good next year, assuming we have a good quarterback.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^
Havent you heard???? Taysom Hill is coming.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:38 PM ^
See, Jim Harbaugh himself just said it so it must be true!
November 19th, 2015 at 2:10 PM ^
Who are the 1st 6 CBs just out of curiousity? Is Desmond King from Iowa one of them? Also what about the 2 Gopher CBs? I assume Hargreaves is 1.
I dont think its just height - Lewis is 175ish and has a pretty narrow frame so there will be durability concerns considering how often DBs seem to go down in the NFL. A couple of these guys ahead of Lewis are only 5'11 (1 inch taller) but are 190+. The MN CBs are both 6'+ I believe.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 2:20 PM ^
DISrESKEPT for Big 10!
King is having a monster year- must be too short.
Didnt realize Apple was so high. Very legit chance OSU D is decimated with Darron Lee, Bosa, and Apple all going early along with the other 3-4 guys who will leave due to graduation.
November 19th, 2015 at 3:05 PM ^
DISRESKEPT because no SEC speed in the Big 10 of course!
November 19th, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^
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November 19th, 2015 at 2:21 PM ^
1. *Jalen Ramsey, Florida St.
2. *Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. *Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
4. *Tre'Davious White, LSU
5. **Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
6. **Eli Apple, Ohio St.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:09 PM ^
Kelly must have a good eye for talent and can develop them. Their recruiting rankings were not that high the last 4 years. 9,18,5,11 for 2011-2014 and almost every year ranked behind UM.
Damn you Hoke.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
lol those are good recruiting rankings...man we are spoiled. If you are pulling top 15 in the rankings you will find plenty of NFL guys. Some of Carr's classes were "11, 15, 12" etc and those were loaded with NFL guys.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:22 PM ^
That averages out to about a top-10 class for 4 years. You better be able to find a couple pros in that group. The fact they only have 6 top-10 position group kids should be the shocker.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:22 PM ^
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November 19th, 2015 at 2:45 PM ^
according to Rivals, twice by quite a bit. In 2013 they had the highest average ranking and were #3 overall.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:58 PM ^
4 to 5
November 19th, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
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November 19th, 2015 at 2:21 PM ^
I'm still amazed Hackenberg keeps be talked up as an NFL QB despite really struggling to do the whole QB part consistently.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
I agree on that one. Dude has only completed >54% of passes once in Big 10 play!!! Are you kidding me in the NFL - that lack of accuracy will destroy him.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
Shhhh...
save the bulletin board material for the week psu plays msu.
Hackenburg is a throw god, who will find tiny windows to fit impossible throws in against us - or haven't you been watching the past 5 or so years of Michigan football?
November 19th, 2015 at 2:22 PM ^
I think there's a good chance that Butt sticks around next year, for a couple reasons.
1) He's a pretty one dimensional player right now. He gets average or slightly below average grades for his blocking in UFRs, and I seriously doubt he'd be able to block an NFL defensive end one on one right now.
2) While there's a chance we could still win the division and league, the odds are greater that we'll fall short. And one of the main reasons players come back are to accomplish additional team goals. Cook and Calhoun have said they came back because they lost to OSU and didn't win the Big Ten last year. It could be a similar situation for Butt.
3) He has a good family situation, so he might not feel as much pressure to go to the NFL than some other NCAA athletes.
November 19th, 2015 at 2:23 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^
Five hookers said he only has 4 inches of credibility. Allegedly.
November 19th, 2015 at 3:49 PM ^
I see.. and then Mel must have paid Craig James to kill those 5 hookers -- allegedly