Commentary

Andrew Luck tops Kiper's Big Board

After a season spent on the bench, A.J. Green is back to prove he belongs in the Top 5

Updated: September 30, 2010, 7:01 PM ET
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN.com

Two of the top three players on my Big Board will be under the spotlight for very different reasons this week. QB Andrew Luck faces what likely will be Stanford's toughest test of the season at Oregon. A win and a good performance there not only would supplement Luck's draft status but also could thrust his name into the Heisman discussion.

For A.J. Green, it's a different story. Georgia has missed him terribly during its 1-3 start, and while pegging that record to the absence of a wide receiver seems like a stretch, Green is the kind of offensive talent who changes completely the way a team will prepare for Georgia's offense. He's that dynamic. And he's also Colorado's problem this week, his first on the field this season.

Other storylines: A Notre Dame star drops off, a UCLA defender flies up, and Arkansas' lanky QB takes a slight dip. As always, underclassmen are denoted with an asterisk.


Big Board Bar

1
Andrew Luck *
QB
6-4
235

Analysis: Great arm, NFL smarts, solid footwork. Prototypical size and intangibles. Checks down with a veteran's savvy. Mostly solid in the win over Notre Dame. Last week: No. 1

2
Robert Quinn *
DE
6-4
267

Analysis: A freakish athlete. He's still developing consistency and is young for his class. Eligibility issues remain; stock still high. Last week: No. 2

3
A.J. Green *
WR
6-4
207

Analysis: The profile of a No. 1 receiver at NFL level. Great size-speed combination; instinctive, great hands. Finally hits the field vs. Colorado this week. Last week: No. 3

4
Jake Locker
QB
6-3
228

Analysis: Has all the physical tools -- size, arm, even speed and improving footwork. Accuracy and consistent decision-making remain a question. Last week: No. 1

5
Prince Amukamara
CB
6-1
202

Analysis: A big corner with a ton of talent. Amukamara has the necessary speed and leads a deep CB class. Competition about to pick up. Last week: No. 5



To see what other moves have been made on the Big Board, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Mel Kiper Jr.

Football analyst
  • ESPN NFL Draft analyst since 1984
  • Contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio
  • Writes weekly for ESPN Insider

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