OTC's Big 254 Board - April 18

Well folks, we are just about in the home stretch here with just barely over a week to go before the 2011 NFL Draft and I have to say -- the anticipation is killing me. Here is the newest OTC Big 254 Board (with the 49ers picks in bold). I will release the final board next week -- possibly on Tuesday to at least allow a little time for any possible errors to be called to my attention.

Again, just to remind you fellas, this is NOT a mock draft. I am not projecting an exact player for a specific team at a specific spot for all 254 picks. However, you could/should consider the first round to basically be a mock, as MD had noted in his latest board.

Please feel free to shout out any feedback and opinions you have, any input or whatever else you would like to add. Let me know if you see any errors or possible omissions. You have a voice; use it!

Originally posted by MadDog49er:
Just a note to the board:

OTC was the best in the business last year at the number of players selected. Better than Mel, Todd, Walter's, everyone.

That being said, OTC, you are going down this year. The Return of the Dog is in full force. Woof!!!

I have a feeling it is going to be a close call between who "wins" the Battle of the Draft these year between MD and I, but we'll see who the victor is come next weekend. Until then. . .

Enjoy, folks.

OTC 2011 NFL Draft Big Board 254
Pick Player School Position
1 Cam Newton* Auburn QB
2 Marcell Dareus* Alabama DT
3 Von Miller Texas A&M OLB
4 Blaine Gabbert* Missouri QB
5 Patrick Peterson* LSU CB
6 A.J. Green* Georgia WR
7 Prince Amukamara Nebraska CB
8 Nick Fairley* Auburn DT
9 Tyron Smith* USC OT
10 Julio Jones* Alabama WR
11 J.J. Watt* Wisconsin DE
12 Robert Quinn* UNC DE
13 Da'Quan Bowers* Clemson DE
14 Corey Liuget* Illinois DT
15 Cameron Jordan Cal DE
16 Ryan Kerrigan Purdue DE
17 Mike Pouncey Florida OG
18 Muhammed Wilkerson* Temple DT/DE
19 Anthony Castonzo Boston College OT
20 Aldon Smith** Missouri DE
21 Phil Taylor Baylor DT
22 Gabe Carimi Wisconsin OT
23 Derek Sherrod Mississippi State OT
24 Jake Locker Washington QB
25 Christian Ponder Florida State QB
26 Jimmy Smith Colorado CB
27 Torrey Smith* Maryland WR
28 Cameron Heyward Ohio State DE
29 Nate Solder Colorado OT
30 Akeem Ayers* UCLA OLB
31 Aaron Williams* Texas CB
32 Brooks Reed Arizona OLB
33 Andy Dalton TCU QB
34 Marvin Austin UNC DT
35 Mark Ingram* Alabama RB
36 Stephen Paea Oregon State DT
37 Adrian Clayborn Iowa DE
38 Ryan Mallett* Arkansas QB
39 Danny Watkins Baylor OG
40 Ryan Williams** Virginia Tech RB
41 Colin Kaepernick Nevada QB
42 Justin Houston* Georgia DE/OLB
43 Marcus Cannon TCU OT/G
44 Mikel Leshoure* Illinois RB
45 Jabaal Sheard Pittsburgh DE/OLB
46 Martez Wilson* Illinois ILB
47 Kyle Rudolph* Notre Dame TE
48 Davon House New Mexico State CB
49 Jonathan Baldwin* Pittsburgh WR
50 Stefen Wisniewski Penn State OG/C
51 Christian Ballard Iowa DE
52 Rahim Moore* UCLA S
53 Rodney Hudson Florida State OG
54 Brandon Harris* Miami CB
55 Randall Cobb* Kentucky WR
56 Allen Bailey Miami DE
57 Leonard Hankerson Miami WR
58 Taiwan Jones Eastern Washington RB
59 Titus Young Boise State WR
60 Benjamin Ijalana Villanova OT/G
61 Jerrel Jernigan Troy WR
62 Drake Nevis LSU DT
63 Curtis Brown Texas CB
64 Kenrick Ellis Hampton NT
65 Jarvis Jenkins Clemson DT
66 Jordan Todman* Connecticut RB
67 Ras-I Dowling Virginia CB
68 James Carpenter Alabama OT
69 Greg Little UNC WR
70 Clint Boling Georgia OT/G
71 Brandon Burton* Utah CB
72 Daniel Thomas Kansas State RB
73 Dontay Moch Nevada DE/OLB
74 Sam Acho Texas OLB
75 Mason Foster Washington OLB
76 Kendall Hunter Oklahoma State RB
77 Quan Sturdivant UNC ILB
78 Marcus Gilchrist Clemson DB
79 Chris Carter Fresno State OLB
80 Quinton Carter Oklahoma S
81 Buster Skrine Tennessee-Chattanooga CB
82 Edmund Gates Abilene Christian WR
83 Bruce Carter UNC OLB
84 Colin McCarthy Miami ILB
85 Marcus Gilbert Florida OT
86 Ricky Stanzi Iowa QB
87 James Brewer Indiana OT/G
88 Tyler Sash* Iowa SS
89 Greg Jones Michigan State ILB
90 Chris Culliver South Carolina S
91 D.J. Williams Arkansas TE
92 Orlando Franklin Miami OG/OT
93 Jason Pinkston Pittsburgh OT/G
94 Jerrell Powe Mississippi NT
95 Johnny Patrick Louisville CB
96 John Moffitt Wisconsin OG
97 Jurrell Casey* USC DT
98 Terrell McClain South Florida DT
99 DeAndre McDaniel Clemson SS
100 Chimdi Chekwa Ohio State CB
101 Shane Vereen* Cal RB
102 Kelvin Sheppard LSU ILB
103 Demarcus Love Arkansas OT
104 K.J. Wright Mississippi State OLB
105 Jalil Brown Colorado CB
106 Luke Stocker Tennessee TE
107 Lawrence Wilson Connecticut OLB
108 Chris Conte Cal FS
109 Sione Fua Stanford DT
110 Will Rackley Lehigh OG
111 Jordan Cameron USC TE
112 Roy Helu Jr. Nebraska RB
113 Stephen Schilling Michigan OG
114 Austin Pettis Boise State WR
115 Lawrence Guy* Arizona State DT/DE
116 DeMarco Murray Oklahoma RB
117 Virgil Green Nevada TE
118 Delone Carter Syracuse RB
119 Tandon Doss* Indiana WR
120 Derrick Locke Kentucky RB
121 Curtis Marsh Utah State CB
122 Nate Irving North Carolina State ILB
123 Rashad Carmichael Virginia Tech CB
124 Jacquizz Rodgers* Oregon State RB
125 Dion Lewis** Pittsburgh RB
126 Stephen Burton West Texas A&M WR
127 Shareece Wright USC CB
128 Ian Williams Notre Dame DT
129 Da'Rel Scott Maryland RB
130 Pierre Allen Nebraska DE
131 Lance Kendricks Wisconsin TE
132 Rob Housler Florida Atlantic TE
133 Owen Marecic Stanford FB
134 Jeremy Kerley TCU WR
135 Joseph Barksdale LSU OT
136 Byron Stingily Louisville OT
137 Niles Paul Nebraska WR
138 Robert Sands* West Virginia S
139 Denarius Moore Tennessee WR
140 Jamie Harper* Clemson RB
141 Jah Reid Central Florida OT
142 Ronald Johnson USC WR
143 Da'Norris Searcy UNC SS
144 Ugo Chinasa Oklahoma State DE/OLB
145 Greg Salas Hawaii WR
146 Jaiquawn Jarrett Temple S
147 Adrian Moten Maryland OLB
148 Greg McElroy Alabama QB
149 Greg Romeus Pittsburgh DE
150 Tim Barnes Missouri OC
151 Deunta Williams UNC S
152 Jeron Johnson Boise State S
153 Chykie Brown Texas CB
154 Joe Lefeged Rutgers SS
155 Chris Hairston Clemson OT
156 Terrance Toliver LSU WR
157 Kris O'Dowd USC OC
158 Ross Homan Ohio State OLB
159 Casey Matthews Oregon ILB
160 Martin Parker Richmond DT
161 Cortez Allen Citadel CB
162 Alex Henery Nebraska K
163 Lee Ziemba Auburn OT/OG
164 Ricardo Lockette Fort Valley State WR
165 Justin Rogers Richmond CB
166 Keith Williams Nebraska OG
167 Cecil Shorts III Mount Union WR
168 Charles Clay Tulsa FB
169 Chris Neild West Virginia DT
170 Shiloh Keo Idaho S
171 David Carter UCLA DT
172 Pat Devlin Delaware QB
173 Stanley Havili USC FB
174 Jake Kirkpatrick TCU OC
175 Ahmad Black Florida S
176 Stevan Ridley* LSU RB
177 Jerrard Tarrant* Georgia Tech S
178 Derek Newton Arkansas State OT
179 Anthony Allen Georgia Tech RB
180 Belial Powell Louisville RB
181 Tyrod Taylor Virginia Tech QB
182 Zach Hurd Connecticut OG
183 Vincent Brown San Diego State WR
184 Willie Smith East Carolina OT
185 Mark LeGree Appalachian State S
186 Cliff Matthews South Carolina DE
187 Dwayne Harris East Carolina WR
188 Alex Green Hawaii RB
189 Julius Thomas Portland State TE
190 Mario Harvey Marshall ILB
191 Josh Thomas Buffalo CB
192 Justin Boren Ohio State OG
193 Aldrick Robinson Southern Methodist WR
194 Mark Herzlich Boston College OLB
195 Richard Sherman Stanford CB
196 Ryan Jones Northwest Missouri State CB
197 Brandon Fusco Slippery Rock OC
198 David Mims Virginia Union OT
199 Dane Sanzenbacher Ohio State WR
200 Byron Maxwell Clemson CB
201 Brandon Bair Oregon DT/DE
202 David Arkin Missouri State OG
203 Scott Tolzien Wisconsin QB
204 Bruce Miller Central Florida DE/OLB
205 Mike Mohamed Cal ILB
206 T.J. Yates UNC QB
207 Andre Smith Virginia Tech TE
208 Chris Prosinski Wyoming FS
209 Demarcus Van Dyke Miami CB
210 Loyce Means Houston CB
211 Aaron Lavarius Idaho OLB
212 Ricky Elmore Arizona DE
213 Kendric Burney UNC CB
214 Colin Jones TCU FS
215 Andrew Jackson Fresno State OG
216 Trevis Turner Abilene Christian OT
217 J.T. Thomas West Virginia OLB
218 Nic Grigsby Arizona RB
219 Vic So'oto BYU DE
220 Zane Taylor Utah C/OG
221 Johnny Culbreath South Carolina State OT
222 Brian Rolle Ohio State OLB
223 Davonte Shannon Buffalo S
224 Jason Kelce Cincinnati OC
225 Akeem Dent Georgia ILB
226 Doug Hogue Syracuse OLB
227 Dexter Larimore Ohio State DT
228 Darren Evans** Virginia Tech RB
229 Kevin Rutland Missouri CB
230 Eric Hagg Nebraska S
231 Anthony Gray Southern Miss NT
232 Alex Wujciak Maryland ILB
233 Zach Clayton Auburn DT
234 D.J. Young Michigan State OT
235 Chris White Mississippi State ILB
236 Mario Fannin Auburn RB
237 Ray Dominguez Arkansas OG
238 Jabara Williams Stephen F Austin OLB
239 Kris Durham Georgia WR
240 Michael Morgan USC OLB
241 Gabe Miller Oregon State OLB
242 Zach Williams Washington State OC
243 Jeff Tarpinan Iowa ILB
244 Eric Gordon Michigan State OLB
245 Marc Schiecl Colorado School of Mines DE/OLB
246 Kai Forbath UCLA K
247 Schuylar Oordt Northern Iowa TE
248 Armon Binns Cincinnati WR
249 Josh Bynes Auburn ILB
250 Ryan Taylor North Carolina FB
251 Kealoha Pilares Hawaii WR
252 Henry Hynoski* Pittsburgh FB
253 Andre Holmes Hillsdale WR
254 Chas Henry Florida P

Still no Byron Bell!!

(nice job as usual otherwise)

You and MadDog always give us Zoners great resources.

Thanks for your time and efforts!

Liked the board, should be an interesting draft.

Originally posted by Lobo49er:
Still no Byron Bell!!

(nice job as usual otherwise)

Sorry, Lobo. I just couldn't find room for the guy this time around. I think his massive frame and physical stature will at the very least make him a coveted UDFA as either a RT or OG prospect.

However, I think aside from his on-the-field issues that will require coaching and molding, there are some small injury and personal questions that I think will bump him just barely out of the draft.

We'll see what happens in the coming week, with all these last-minute risers and fallers, but hey.. At least I didn't put UTEP's Donald Buckram ahead of him -- because he didn't make the cut either this time.

Peterson at 5 still make my blood boil, but the more I look at it I think this is where he falls. I am still hoping that one of the QBs fall and we can move back and get Prince later. The only suitor I see is the Redskins but I don't see them giving up their 2nd rounder to move up 3 spots. Crazier things have happened though.

Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by Lobo49er:
Still no Byron Bell!!

(nice job as usual otherwise)

Sorry, Lobo. I just couldn't find room for the guy this time around. I think his massive frame and physical stature will at the very least make him a coveted UDFA as either a RT or OG prospect.

However, I think aside from his on-the-field issues that will require coaching and molding, there are some small injury and personal questions that I think will bump him just barely out of the draft.

We'll see what happens in the coming week, with all these last-minute risers and fallers, but hey.. At least I didn't put UTEP's Donald Buckram ahead of him -- because he didn't make the cut either this time.

Well, there is that

Originally posted by dwett:
Peterson at 5 still make my blood boil, but the more I look at it I think this is where he falls. I am still hoping that one of the QBs fall and we can move back and get Prince later. The only suitor I see is the Redskins but I don't see them giving up their 2nd rounder to move up 3 spots. Crazier things have happened though.

It's going to be very interesting to say the least. I think the 49ers' aggressiveness is going to depend on the moves of other clubs and obviously what else is available towards the end of the first round.

With so many teams needing a QB, you can't count out anyone as a possibility to steal "your guy" from you. Plus, teams that don't need a QB either but are looking for a future guy can also come into the picture.

It seems the 49ers likely strategy is to move if they have to, but not move too much if it's not worth it. I'm beginning to doubt we'd jump all the way up back into the 1st round or the top of the 2nd at #33. We may sit pat and hope someone falls.

There are smokescreens flying all over the place. If we believed ALL of them to be true, we'd have to be saying that Newton, Gabbert, Locker, Mallett, Kaepernick and Dalton all are going in the 1st round. Not a freaking chance. That list doesn't even include Christian Ponder who some think will go in the 1st as well.

Some teams may forgo getting a QB altogether, and why? Because what's the difference between a top FA and a rookie when they don't have much of a camp to prepare because of the lockout? Experience and proven NFL play. I imagine some teams may say "Why force the issue?" and simply will pass on QB and take BPA instead.

A team could always choose from the likely FA pool of Vince Young, Donovan McNabb (if/when cut), Alex Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, or Marc Bulger to use as a stop-gap until drafting or trading for a franchise QB next year.

Wow OTC, if Jabaal Sheard fell to us in the 2nd, we could have a really good draft:

7 Prince Amukamara Nebraska CB or Nick Fairley* Auburn DT

45 Jabaal Sheard Pittsburgh DE/OLB

76 Kendall Hunter Oklahoma State RB or Ricky Stanzi Iowa QB

108 Chris Conte Cal FS or Sione Fua Stanford DT or Jordan Cameron USC TE

115 Austin Pettis Boise State WR or Lawrence Guy* Arizona State DT/DE or DeMarco Murray Oklahoma RB

141 Jamie Harper* Clemson RB or Deunta Williams UNC S

174 Cecil Shorts III Mount Union WR or Vincent Brown San Diego State WR

191 Josh Thomas Buffalo CB or Brandon Bair Oregon DT/DE

211 Bruce Miller Central Florida DE/OLB or Trevis Turner Abilene Christian OT

231 Anthony Gray Southern Miss NT

250 Henry Hynoski* Pittsburgh FB

Originally posted by dwett:
Peterson at 5 still make my blood boil, but the more I look at it I think this is where he falls. I am still hoping that one of the QBs fall and we can move back and get Prince later. The only suitor I see is the Redskins but I don't see them giving up their 2nd rounder to move up 3 spots. Crazier things have happened though.

The Vikings at number 12 may want to move up if a QB like Gabbert is still on the board. Just saying.
Personally, I would love to see the Niners move back a few slots and then take Cameron Jordan, who I think will be a stud D lineman for a long time. With Justin Smith in his 30s now and no other real studs along that line, Jordan would be a great pick because he can play in a 3-4 or 4-3, and can rush the passer. Taking him at 7 may be a bit of a reach (or not), but I would love to see him in SF.
Very safe pick.

With their next pick, take a QB if your guy is on the board. If not, take the best CB or OLB available and take the QB with the next pick. Cheers!

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by dwett:
Peterson at 5 still make my blood boil, but the more I look at it I think this is where he falls. I am still hoping that one of the QBs fall and we can move back and get Prince later. The only suitor I see is the Redskins but I don't see them giving up their 2nd rounder to move up 3 spots. Crazier things have happened though.

The Vikings at number 12 may want to move up if a QB like Gabbert is still on the board. Just saying.
Personally, I would love to see the Niners move back a few slots and then take Cameron Jordan, who I think will be a stud D lineman for a long time. With Justin Smith in his 30s now and no other real studs along that line, Jordan would be a great pick because he can play in a 3-4 or 4-3, and can rush the passer. Taking him at 7 may be a bit of a reach (or not), but I would love to see him in SF.
Very safe pick.

With their next pick, take a QB if your guy is on the board. If not, take the best CB or OLB available and take the QB with the next pick. Cheers!

You make a great point with the Vikings. I guess in my mind they were the best suitors for Mcnabb, but with there being no CBA they can't trade their second rounder for him so they may reach.

As OTC stated in the previous post, the QB situation in this draft can go any way. He feels that someone will fall but it depends on how desperate teams become. I would expect that a run of QBs could happen anytime at the end of the first round. Those teams with late first round picks are sitting on a gold mind. It used to be us With no FA, teams are going to push to make sure they have a QB on the roster with any chance of being their franchise guy.

Personally I would prefer not to reach, but with our situation is may be tough. Due to the CBA, this draft has become very interesting or stressful if you don't have a QB

On a side note: I didn't stated this in my earlier post but great work on this. Between you and MadDog, the information and detailed work is impressive. I just wanted to thank you for the thoroughly researched boards.

Originally posted by ninertico:


You and MadDog always give us Zoners great resources.

Thanks for your time and efforts!

I have Aldon Smith much higher.

Originally posted by GMniner805:
I have Aldon Smith much higher.

FYI, this isn't a ranking list. Unless you're referring to the pick projection. He could go higher then in that case, sure. But it would require a team really thinking he has incredible potential to pick him that high. He looked rather stiff many times this season, and from my observations of his play this year, this is what I saw:

- Physically appeared very lanky this season when I watched him and not as strong/bulky as you'd think his weight would indicate.

- Consistently struggled to shed blocks and most plays were made due to stunts or creative D packages.

- Elaborating on the previous point, he seemed to get absolutely stonewalled at times and seemed helpless to move the linemen at all.

- Often played way too high, quickly losing leverage battles.

- Rarely, if ever saw him using any other pass-rushing moves other than trying to dip the shoulder and run around the tackle.

Aldon Smith was one of the poorest performers in agility drills and bench numbers compared to other top rated prospects, and had OK but not explosive speed (4.78). As well, he not only battled an injury for a few games this year, he has limited playing experience since he entered the draft as a redshirt sophomore.

His production was not terribly great either (4.5 sacks, 10 TFL). Those could all be concerns.

Originally posted by dwett:

Originally posted by nw9erfan:

Originally posted by dwett:
Peterson at 5 still make my blood boil, but the more I look at it I think this is where he falls. I am still hoping that one of the QBs fall and we can move back and get Prince later. The only suitor I see is the Redskins but I don't see them giving up their 2nd rounder to move up 3 spots. Crazier things have happened though.

The Vikings at number 12 may want to move up if a QB like Gabbert is still on the board. Just saying.
Personally, I would love to see the Niners move back a few slots and then take Cameron Jordan, who I think will be a stud D lineman for a long time. With Justin Smith in his 30s now and no other real studs along that line, Jordan would be a great pick because he can play in a 3-4 or 4-3, and can rush the passer. Taking him at 7 may be a bit of a reach (or not), but I would love to see him in SF.
Very safe pick.

With their next pick, take a QB if your guy is on the board. If not, take the best CB or OLB available and take the QB with the next pick. Cheers!

You make a great point with the Vikings. I guess in my mind they were the best suitors for Mcnabb, but with there being no CBA they can't trade their second rounder for him so they may reach.

As OTC stated in the previous post, the QB situation in this draft can go any way. He feels that someone will fall but it depends on how desperate teams become. I would expect that a run of QBs could happen anytime at the end of the first round. Those teams with late first round picks are sitting on a gold mind. It used to be us With no FA, teams are going to push to make sure they have a QB on the roster with any chance of being their franchise guy.

Personally I would prefer not to reach, but with our situation is may be tough. Due to the CBA, this draft has become very interesting or stressful if you don't have a QB

On a side note: I didn't stated this in my earlier post but great work on this. Between you and MadDog, the information and detailed work is impressive. I just wanted to thank you for the thoroughly researched boards.

I appreciate the kind words.

Roughly half of the league needs a QB. No one can be sure who will take the "Wait one more year" approach, but most of us can guess who the guaranteed-to-draft-QB teams are at least.

You've got about 6-8 FA/Trade possibilities that teams could look at, and about 10 draftees that a team could pick to either start or groom. This leaves the possibility that a few teams will pass on QB in the draft -- at least early.

With that said, it wouldn't be too shocking to see a QB we want fall to our 2nd rounder, and we wouldn't have to give up much, if anything, to get our guy.