Commentary

Post-combine Big Board

The NFL combine put some new names on the Big Board, but dropped others

Originally Published: February 29, 2012
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider

As I noted in my post on who aced the combine and who will face further questions, the familiarity with prospects at this point means there's little they can do to totally surprise. In fact, I think the combine has far less to do with the workouts and more to do with finally getting accurate measurements on prospects. You can question parents, coaches, friends, agents and anybody associated with a guy in the draft, but until the NFL gives a confirmed height and weight, you get numbers that are all over the place. As you scan the Board, note that the numbers for several prospects have been updated.

As always, read on and let me know who should be higher or who has been passed over, in your opinion. Juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.

More Kiper NFL draft content:

Combine winners | Mock Draft 2.0 | Latest Big Board | Top 5 by position

1
Andrew Luck *
AGE: 22
DOB: 9/12/89
HT: 6-4
WT: 234
POS: QB
Comp 288
Att 404
Pct 71.3
Yds 3,517
TD 37
Int 10

He didn't throw, but no complaints here. That's what his pro day is for. I expected him to surprise in testing, and I think he showed he's more than a thrower. Status quo remains. The total package: arm strength, size, smarts, demeanor. Ready to play.

LAST WEEK: 1 | PLAYER CARD

2
Matt Kalil *
AGE: 22
DOB: 7/6/89
HT: 6-6
WT: 306
POS: OT
GP 12
GS 12

Kalil confirmed that he is a good athlete for his position. The tape is great, and it's hard to see him falling outside the top five. The plus for him is he might not need time to develop at right tackle, a common break-in spot for many left tackles.

LAST WEEK: 2 | PLAYER CARD

3
Trent Richardson *
AGE: 20
DOB: 7/10/91
HT: 5-9
WT: 228
POS: RB
Car 283
Yds 1,679
Avg. 5.9
TD 21

Richardson couldn't run in Indy because he had a pretty routine procedure on his knee. Should be ready for pro day. Powerful, fast and showed improved vision and pass-catching skills; he runs with good pad level and breaks tackles with ease.

LAST WEEK: 3 | PLAYER CARD

4
Robert Griffin III *
AGE: 21
DOB: 2/12/90
HT: 6-2
WT: 223
POS: QB
Comp 291
Att 402
Pct 72.4
Yds 4,293
TD 37
Int 6

Confirming his height was a test he passed, but he aced all the others in Indy. Griffin III is accurate, throws a good deep ball, is a proven leader, and I think has convinced teams he is ready to play early. Likely No. 2 pick, without question.

LAST WEEK: 6 | PLAYER CARD

5
Morris Claiborne *
AGE: 21
DOB: 2/7/90
HT: 5-11
WT: 188
POS: CB
Tkl 51
Sack 0
Int 6

Showed he has adequate speed, but was never considered a total burner to start. The lesser-known but easily the better LSU corner this past season. Exceptional pure cover corner with impeccable instincts. Locates the ball and can catch it.

LAST WEEK: 4 | PLAYER CARD


To see the rest of Mel Kiper's latest 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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