SEC- Alabama

Javier Arenas, CB, Sr- Arenas lacks the ideal size you want in a boundary corner, which makes me think his best fit is going to be as a nickel corner or in a Cover-2 where he can play up on the line and have safety help over the top. What Arenas has going for him are his ball skills and his return ability. He’s an elite punt returner, and he has a knack for getting his hands on the ball on defense and can make things happen once he does. I think his lack of ideal speed will push him into the third round, and he will primarily be used as a punt returner right away.

Terrance Cody, NT, Sr- I think all of the criticism you will hear about Cody is warranted. He is a two down player, they rotated him in and out a lot at Alabama so it’s difficult to know if he can even be a full time NT, and his weight will always be an issue for the off-season. Most will say he’s one dimensional, but he’s VERY good at that one dimension. Cody is impossible to move with one blocker, and his long arms allow him to jolt interior linemen back a yard or two. He’s an ideal 3-4 NT though, and those guys are hard to find, so I really think he will make it into the end of the first round. Again, had you told me that Tyson Jackson would go in the top five picks last year I would have laughed at you, so anything can happen. But with the 3-4 being so popular now, and the NT spot probably the hardest to fill, I think Cody belongs in the bottom part of the first round.

Rolando McClain, ILB, Jr- McClain is a machine. He’s one of the most instinctive LBs I’ve seen in some time. He reads his keys so quickly, and bursts to the ball. He’s a high first rounder, and I would not hesitate to take him in the top 10, and he very well could be the defensive rookie of the year. McClain’s field awareness is unparalleled. His angles to the ball carrier are the best I’ve seen since Patrick Willis.

Don’t’A Hightower, ILB, rs So- He will shine next season with McClain playing at the next level. He could be as good if not better than McClain when it’s all said and done. He’s extremely versatile and a very good blitzer with great size for the position. Watch him very closely next season.

Brandon Deadrick, DE, Sr- Deadrick is just a solid player at a position with high value right now. He stacks the run very well, and he has some ability to get to the passer. He’s not flashy though, but he’s the type of role player that will help a team. He can be had in the mid rounds as well, so he’s a solid draft value.

Eryk Anders, OLB, Sr- Anders’ short area quickness is fantastic, but his size will hinder him at the next level. He can cover, he can really rush the passer, and he chases the backside play to the whistle. I don’t think he will fit well in a 3-4 OLB position due to his lack of size, but I think he might be a great fit as a WLB in a 4-3. Very good all around prospect, and will make a great value as he will slip due to his lack of ideal height and weight.

Justin Woodall, FS, Sr- I like Woodall. He plays the run aggressively, and is a solid last line of defense as a tackler. I’m interested to see his timed speed, and how he opens his hips while running with a receiver, as he played primarily over the top in a deep centerfield zone for the Tide. If he does have trouble with deep coverage, I think he’s versatile enough and strong enough in the run game to move to SS.

Lorenzo Washington, DE, Sr- Washington is a very good speed rusher for a 3-4 end, and can move down to the interior spot on pass rushing downs. Very versatile, and good against the run as well. Seems to be a bit of a sleeper moving closer to the draft, but some 3-4 team that needs an end who can rush the passer as well (maybe SD) would do well to draft him.

Cory Reamer, OLB, Sr- It will be very hard to find the right position for Reamer in the pros. Probably best inside in a 3-4, but he’s not great in coverage either (he’s much better coming forward than moving backward). A later round prospect at best, but a versatile guy who can also play special teams.

Marcell Dareus, DE, So- Dareus is a very solid, versatile prospect. He’s quick enough to play a 4-3 DE but big enough to play 3-4 DE. I fully expect him to be a very hot commodity next year, and remember you heard it here first. He’s a big part of what makes this defense run so well, especially on third downs.

Julio Jones, WR, So- Jones got bigger this year, but did not lose one step of his speed. He’s an unreal physical specimen for a player his age and I do not think there is any way he does not come out next year. Jones is an ultra smooth strider who covers so much ground. He’s just a big, physical, playmaker. Can take short passes and make big plays out of them. Jones is the full package and should be a top 15 pick next season.

Mike Johnson, OG, Sr- Johnson was being touted by some as the best guard in this draft, but I don’t think that’s true at all. He’s very good in the run game. He gets good movement, he transitions well from the first to the second level, and he can block the moving target as well. The biggest problem is he struggles with quicker DTs, especially with the second pass rush move. Several times this year he would stall the initial move by the defensive lineman, only to get beat by a secondary rip move. It’s those consistency issues that push him down in my opinion, somewhere into the 5th round.

Mark Ingram, RB, So- Ingram’s outstanding and there is a reason he won the Heisman. He runs low and behind his pads so he’s very hard to bring down with just one guy. His balance and vision are absolutely outstanding, and that is what makes him such a good back. If you do not wrap him up, he has a great base, shakes the tackle, and can make long runs after first contact. Ingram is definitely a first rounder next year and a true workhorse running back in the NFL.

Colin Peek, TE, Sr- Peek is a decent two-way prospect, as he blocks better than his size would indicate. He’s not a seam stretcher, but he’s a good short to intermediate threat. He’s a nice throw back to the old TEs. He’s going to make a very good value pick for some team, and he’ll probably slip into the 3-5th round range

Marquis Maze, WR, Jr- Maze had a great game, and showed an uncanny knack for selling fakes with his head movement. Very smooth route runner and quickness allows him to get very open. He improved in every game I watched and I look forward to seeing him next year.

Drew Davis, RT, Sr- I would not draft Davis. He can’t play tackle due to his feet, and he doesn’t appear strong enough to move into guard and make a difference there.

Greg McElroy, QB, Jr- McElroy needs to really improve his accuracy and decision making next year. Good arm, but erratic in those other areas.

Leigh Tiffin, K, Sr- Tiffin has some value and he will get drafted. He doesn’t have a huge leg, but he’s accurate, and that is what is important.