RG3 to No. 2 on Big Board

Free agency will play a part in where a number of these guys are drafted

Originally Published: March 14, 2012
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider

NFL free agency is already starting to shift how front offices view some of the players below. It's not that rankings will change based on value, but if you're a team like the Rams and you just landed a top free-agent cornerback, you might shift your need priorities a bit. Cornerback might drop to a secondary need. This kind of shift will happen all over the place and is something to consider as you start looking at the Big Board next to the order of the draft board.

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

More Kiper NFL draft content:

Mock Draft 3.0 | 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

The best news for Luck this week is that Reggie Wayne is staying in Indy. Luck is working hard in Palo Alto to prepare for next season. Status quo remains in terms of profile. The total package: arm strength, size, smarts, demeanor. Ready to play.

LAST WEEK: 1 | PLAYER CARD

2
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

He moves up again and should be enjoying the moves Washington is making. He's accurate, throws a good deep ball and is a proven leader, and I he think has convinced the Redskins he is ready to play early.

LAST WEEK: 3 | PLAYER CARD

3
Matt Kalil *
AGE: 22
DOB: 7/6/89
HT: 6-6
WT: 306
POS: OT
GP 12
GS 12

Kalil worked out well and is fairly locked in as a high pick, likely to Minnesota. His video is great, and 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

4
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 missed his pro day but will work out for scouts in the coming weeks. That'll be key, given his surgery. He's powerful and fast; he showed improved vision and pass-catching skills; he runs with good pad level and breaks tackles with ease.

LAST WEEK: 4 | PLAYER CARD

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

The question on Claiborne for me is whether it's Rams or Bucs. Not a total burner, more a true technician; he was the lesser-known but easily better LSU corner last season. Exceptional pure corner with impeccable instincts. Locates the ball and can catch it.

LAST WEEK: 5 | 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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