Mel Kiper Updated Big Board: Offensive Line, Pass Rushers Dominate Top 10
By Josh Sanchez
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has rolled out his updated Big Board for the 2013 NFL Draft. There were a few changes in the top ten, but as you would expect, offensive line and pass rushers dominate the top of the draft board.
The recent emergence of North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper landed him in the top ten, while Florida’s Shariff Floyd has continued his climb into the top spot of Kiper’s rankings.
Two very interesting notes about Kiper’s rankings are Central Michigan offensive tackle came in ahead of Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel, who many consider the favorite to be the first-overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, along with Cooper jumping Alabama’s Chance Warmack as the best available guard. Cooper’s incredible athleticism has him climbing draft boards.
The biggest mover in Kiper’s big board was Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who leaped five spots into the top ten. Johnson is a nimble-footed offensive lineman with a very high ceiling. Here is what Kiper wrote about him:
"He’s already a pretty good player, and his ceiling is what gets teams excited. A tackle who was playing quarterback in junior college, he’s still learning the tricks. Has the long arms you look for, can absorb rushers and gets a decent push in the run game but then can get out and use his athleticism downfield and on the edges. Technically solid with his feet, given a relative lack of experience on the O-line. Plays relaxed."
Utah’s Star Lotulelei continued his fall and dropped from the No. 8 spot to No. 12.
As for new entries into the rankings, Florida International safety Jonathan Cyprien, a personal favorite prospect of yours truly, and Alabama running back Eddie Lacy came in at No. 24 and No. 25 respectively.
Here are Kiper’s top ten rankings:
- Sharrif Floyd — Defensive Tackle — Florida
- Dee Milliner — Cornerback — Alabama
- Eric Fisher — Offensive Tackle — Central Michigan
- Luke Joeckel — Offensive Tackle — Texas A&M
- Jarvis Jones — Linebacker — Georgia
- Dion Jordan — Defensive End/Outside Linebacker — Oregon
- Barkevious Mingo — Defensive End/Outside Linebacker — LSU
- Jonathan Cooper — Guard — North Carolina
- Chance Warmack — Guard — Alabama
- Lane Johnson — Offensive Tackle — Oklahoma
You can check out Kiper’s entire top 25 big board HERE and be sure to let us know what you think about his rankings.