MadDog49er First Top 32 Graded Players in NFL Draft

Greetings Draft Junkies!

In the lull before the combine, lots of time to review players who I believe are at the top of this draft. Below is my list of who I believe at this moment are the 32 best players in the draft. As stated before, I am not high on the top level players this year, feeling that it has a TON of question marks in that top group. Last year, I felt much more secure in my top 10, with receivers Watkins, Evans and Beckham, and lineman such as Martin, Donald, Robinson, as well as my number one overall, Mack. My only regret from last year is that I chickened out and graded Clowney at number 13, instead of lower. Lesson learned- stick to your guns.

This year, it feels very topsy-turvy, and I think this draft could be a wild one. The depth of this draft is excellent, and there will be superb value for mid-third round selections.

1-Leonard Williams USC DT
2-Kevin White West Virginia WR
3-Dante Fowler Florida DE/LB
4-Amari Cooper Alabama WR
5-Shane Ray Missouri DE/LB
6-Brandon Scherff Iowa OT
7-La'El Collins LSU OT/G
8-Danny Shelton Washington DT
9-DeVante Parker Louisville WR
10-Eddie Goldman Florida St DT
11-Melvin Gordon Wisconsin RB
12-Carl Davis Iowa DT
13-Nate Orchard Utah DE/OLB
14-Trae Waynes Michigan St CB
15-PJ Williams Florida St CB
16-Todd Gurley Georgia RB
17-Paul Dawson TCU LB
18-Shaq Thompson Washington LB
19-Denzel Perryman Miami LB
20-Cameron Erving Florida St C/G
21-Vic Beasley Clemson LB
22-Maxx Williams Minnesota TE
23-Arik Armstead Oregon DE/DT
24-Tevin Coleman Indiana RB
25-Ereck Flowers Miami OT
26-Andrus Peat Stanford OT
27-Marcus Mariota Oregon QB
28-Jameis Winston Florida St QB
29-Randy Gregory Nebraska DE/LB
30-Ty Lockett Kansas St WR
31-John Miller Louisville G
32-Laken Tomlinson Duke G

I'd be happy to entertain any questions regarding players on the list and off. I currently have first round grades on 23 players. Did a complete reversal on Kevin White recently. Personal prejudices against players can cause some unfair evals. Mea culpa on me for White- I think he is a terrific football player.

A final note before submission- One of my personal favorite players in the draft may fade on and off this list as time passes. Paul Dawson of TCU may be the best LB in this draft, but character issues are a big, big question mark. Hopefully, this can be clarified. On the field, he reminds me of a player I had a top 15 grade on a few years ago, Bobby Wagner. Just a stud monster.

Right now, I am flipping coins regarding Mariota and Winston. Honestly, I don't care for either, but the QB position is so valuable, and the next QB off the board is so bad (don't even get me going on Hundley), that I have them on this list. For the record, Yuck!

Cheers.

Of course we have our differing opinions on overall ranks, but a lot of positional ordering I think we seem to agree on for the most part. I didn't realize you liked Kevin White that much, MD.

Carl Davis is a 1st round caliber talent, but if the reports that he "flunked" team interviews are true, that'd make me have reservations. I consider him a dark horse 49ers target in the first round at the moment. He and Malcom Brown (who I believe can be looked at as a 3-4 DE) are guys I'd certainly hope the 49ers target. But Davis, only if they can determine he doesn't have any of these "effort" flags.

From my review of Davis, I saw a kid that moves insanely well for his size and a player who can beat you in a number of ways, whether it's with his quickness, or simply bulldozing right over you.

There is a disconnect on Davis, especially when you see all the physical size/speed/strength combination at the Senior Bowl, when he was a total stud. Maybe the best player of the week in Mobile. I am betting the lightbulb has turned on, so right now, the benefit of the doubt.

White plays angry. In that way, he reminds me of T.O. when he played for the Niners. Very unique player.

No love for Mr Gregory, eh?

MD, if White and Cooper are off the board by 15, what would you do with the Niners pick?

Originally posted by xcfan:

No love for Mr Gregory, eh?

In looking at snap by snap consistently, Gregory lacks when compared to guys like Ray, Beasley, and Fowler. He is the most athletic of the group, and may end up the best, but I simply do not see the productivity. Hate to say it, but he reminds me of Dion Jordan a LOT. Be careful of the athletes who flash. You want consistently great players who make an impact often. All of this being said, I still grade him as a second round prospect. But, I'd go to war with Fowler and Ray any day of the week before Gregory

Originally posted by Butter:

MD, if White and Cooper are off the board by 15, what would you do with the Niners pick?

Go in order with your board. You are going to get a really good player. Let's face it, the team has a lot of needs and nearly all of these positions could use a new horse in the stable

Originally posted by MadDog49er:

There is a disconnect on Davis, especially when you see all the physical size/speed/strength combination at the Senior Bowl, when he was a total stud. Maybe the best player of the week in Mobile. I am betting the lightbulb has turned on, so right now, the benefit of the doubt.

White plays angry. In that way, he reminds me of T.O. when he played for the Niners. Very unique player.

Davis certainly drew the praise of being "unblockable" at the Senior Bowl. As far as White, I'm hoping he can pick up an NFL system better than Tavon Austin, but he certainly has the physical attributes. I like the way he wins contested jump ball situations and repeatedly beat the press coverage against Alabama.

In the last mock draft by bleacherreport or SBnation (have forgotten which one, sorry), White was picked by the Raiders whereas Cooper fell a little bit. The draftnik explained it with the higher upside, so MD is not alone with his love for White.

No Landon Collins?

Same with OTC's post, I was also surprised Kevin White was ranked so high. There's not doubting his explosion and athleticism, but I'm weary about a guy that has only two years of division 1 experience and had a great year last season. how will all that athleticism and lack of experience translate on an NFL team? will he be a slow developer like Cordarelle Patterson? I like what I see from him, though. In some clips, I see Terrell Owens.

Also happy to see Dante Fowler ranked third. He is one of my favorite players in the draft. I see a violent defender. A bigger James Harrison.

Originally posted by LZRD_WZRD:

No Landon Collins?

Not sold yet. I have Chris Hackett right there with him as second round prospects right now.

Maddog what is your assessment on Shaq Mason of ga tech? Since tech doesn't pass very much its hard to get a feel for his pass blocking but he was as dominant a run blocker as there was in college football last year.

Soemthign tells me that Cooper is gonna be a bust in the NFL. Not sure why but I just don't see it in him.

What's your take on Malcolm Brown outta TX?

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Davis certainly drew the praise of being "unblockable" at the Senior Bowl. As far as White, I'm hoping he can pick up an NFL system better than Tavon Austin, but he certainly has the physical attributes. I like the way he wins contested jump ball situations and repeatedly beat the press coverage against Alabama.

Davis was great in practice, and in my opinion, the best player in the game. He blew up so many plays in the backfield.