Last year I ranked the top-25 skill players for the 2011 draft with a little less than two weeks before the big day. The already highly exciting 2012 offseason is finally less than two weeks away from the main event, so to get a feel for the best future fantasy talent in this year's class, I've ranked 30 players that have the most potential for big pro careers.
I decided to up the total guys ranked to a nice round number because of the better depth of this year's prospects. And I also decided to change it up by doling it out in three installments over three days, just like the NFL makes you wait three days to see all seven rounds. Though I can only assume everyone is as pumped for the draft as I am, if that's not the case, hopefully this helps gets you going.
21. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 216 ; 4.53 40)|STAR|
- Last year I ranked Jonathan Baldwin as the 20th best skill guy due to similar work ethic concerns that could hurt Jeffery's draft stock. Baldwin went in the first round, but he's also a bigger, better athlete and it was a lot thinner crop of receivers in 2011. Jeffery has all the physical tools to be highly productive at the next level if he can match those gifts with the drive to excel. His size and overall athleticism make him a matchup nightmare for most corners and with his tremendous hands he should be a superb red zone weapon. The only question is whether he'll end up as the next Kenny Britt or the next Mike Williams?
PROJECTED: 2nd Round
22. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-4, 221 ; 4.87 40)
- In 26 collegiate starts Weeden lost just three games while posting a whopping 9,000+ yards and 71 touchdown passes. He brings great arm strength, accuracy and intangibles to the table, but it didn't hurt that he was throwing to a two-time Biletnikoff winner and working in a wide-open spread attack. While he has the mental make-up and arm to succeed at the next level, his learning curve going under center combined with his average mobility will likely translate to some early struggles, which given his relative geriatric age for a rookie (29 in October), means Weeden's window for success in the NFL is pretty limited.
PROJECTED: 2nd Round
23. Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson Tigers (6-3, 255 ; 4.89 40)|STAR|
- Allen is a true pro style tight end in the mold of a Visanthe Shiancoe or Ben Watson. Though he has a bit less straight-line speed than those two, his fluid route running skills and soft hands give him plenty of upside to become a more productive receiver than either of those steady veterans. With the evolution of the position, the right offense will get tremendous value out of the 2012 Mackey winner.
PROJECTED: Mid to Late 2nd Round
24. Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-11, 198 ; 4.41 40)|STAR|
- One of the better deep threats in the class, Givens brings the speed to play outside and take the top off a defense and the quickness to move into the slot and run free underneath. While his hands are not elite, Givens offers enough savvy and precision as a route runner to get the ball in the open field and gut defenses for chunks of yards at a time.
PROJECTED: 3rd Round
25. Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati Bearcats (5-10, 197 ; 4.47 40)
- One of the more electrifying open field runners in the draft, if Pead gets into the secondary he has the acceleration and long speed to take it to the house. With strong receiving skills out of the backfield and great upside as a returner, Pead is a poor man's C.J. Spiller with the potential to become an every-down back and at worst be a strong complement to a power runner.
PROJECTED: Mid 3rd to Early 4th Round
26. Robert Turbin, RB, Utah State Aggies (5-10, 222 ; 4.50 40)|STAR|
- Over his final two seasons (2009 and 2011) Turbin was highly productive as both a receiver and a runner with 41 combined touchdowns and over 3,400 total yards. His burst through the line and acceleration around the edge is impressive given his bulky build, but Turbin's lateral agility is average and his top-heavy frame warrants concern that his leaner legs will struggle to stay healthy (a torn ACL in 2010 backs up such concerns). While Turbin has the gifts to become a three-down back, he also carries the durability risk that will scare some teams off.
PROJECTED: Mid 3rd to Early 4th Round
27. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Florida International Golden Panthers (5-10, 183 ; 4.35 40)
- Hilton combines excellent open field vision, quickness and acceleration to make him highly dynamic after the catch. Despite his diminutive size, his ball skills and playmaking should allow him to thrive as a slot receiver and return man at the next level. Though concerns about his competition at the collegiate level and durability due to his small stature will keep him off some draft boards, he has the upside to be a poor man's DeSean Jackson, or at worst a Titus Young clone.
PROJECTED: Late 3rd to Mid 4th Round
28. Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple Owls (6-0, 218 ; 4.49 40)|STAR|
- Great vision and good foot quickness made Pierce into a highly productive collegiate rusher, but he is anything but a sudden athlete and doesn't offer the explosion of the other backs likely to go in the first four rounds. His limited experience as a receiver (just 19 career catches) and durability concerns will also hurt his overall stock. Pierce's good size and natural running instincts however will get him an opportunity to be a two-down back, with the upside to produce as a No. 1 in a zone-blocking, one-cut scheme.
PROJECTED: 4th Round
29. A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois Fighting Illini (6-0, 190 ; 4.39 40)
- His lean build will scare some off, but Jenkins is a good hands catcher with the speed to get over the top of a defense and stretch the field. He has experience in a pro style offense with solid instincts to find the soft spots in coverage and is capable of lining up all over the field. Getting off of a corner's jam at the next level will be a big adjustment with his frame, but Jenkins has the quickness and acceleration to adapt. He compares favorably to Nate Washington, so the upside is there to become a No. 2 in the right offense.
PROJECTED: Mid 3rd to Early 4th Round
30. Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State Aztecs (5-9, 200 ; 4.45 40)|STAR|
- Great feet and quickness allow this scatback to hit seams in a hurry and often get to the next level of the defense. With good long speed as well, Hillman is capable of being a productive change of pace runner and big play threat, particularly in a one-cut zone scheme that would take advantage of his skillset while minimizing the risk that comes with his small frame.
PROJECTED: Mid to Late 4th Round
|STAR| Denotes early entry.