Top 15 Early Entrants in the NFL Draft

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 23, 2012

Top 15 Early Entrants in the NFL Draft

Andrew Luck

There's little doubt that the record-setting Stanford quarterback will be the No. 1 pick in the draft. Whether or not Indianapolis takes him or trades the selection is another question.

Robert Griffin III

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner lead Baylor to its best season in years in 2011, guiding the Bears to a 10-3 record and an Alamo Bowl win. The dual-threat quarterback out of Copperas Cove, Texas, is almost certain to be a top-10 pick.

Justin Blackmon

There was hardly any doubt that the two-time Biletnikoff Award winner would leave Oklahoma State early. The record-setting wideout declared for the draft immediately after OSU's Fiesta Bowl win.

Trent Richardson

Richardson had a monster first year as a starter, rushing for 1,679 yards and 21 touchdowns on 283 carries. The powerful back is projected to be a top-10 pick in April.

Morris Claiborne

The big corner -- Claiborne is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds -- had an outstanding year for LSU, making six interceptions and winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back.

Matt Kalil

The younger brother of Panthers center Ryan Kalil, former USC left tackle Matt Kalil is considered the best offensive lineman in the draft. Look for him to get taken very early.

Dre Kirkpatrick

The consensus All-America starred for Alabama's No. 1 pass defense, finishing the season with nine passes defensed and 29 tackles. His draft stock might take a hit because of a recent arrest on a marijuana possession charge.

Riley Reiff

Reiff isn't as highly rated as Kalil, but he's not far behind. The replacement for former Iowa standout (and current Packers starter) Bryan Bulaga is projected to go in the top 10.

Michael Brockers

Just a redshirt sophomore, Brockers has loads of talent but is still a little bit raw. The 6-foot-6 defensive tackle was third on LSU in tackles for loss in 2011 and is being projected to go anywhere from the mid to late first-round.

Luke Kuechly

The 2011 Butkus Award winner had an outstanding career at BC, finishing with over 150 tackles in each of his three seasons and setting the NCAA record for tackles per game in 2011. He's the top linebacker in the draft and is projected to go in the early to mid first-round.

Jonathan Martin

A second-team All-America, Martin protected Andrew Luck's blindside for the last three years. The big tackle will likely be a mid first-rounder.

David DeCastro

He's being called an immediate NFL starter by some draft analysts. The three-year starter seems like he'd be a natural fit for the Dallas Cowboys at No. 14.

Nick Perry

Perry had a great year for the Trojans, finishing first in the Pac-12 in 2011 with 9.5 sacks. The Detroit native could end up as a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

Dont'a Hightower

Hightower was a machine for the Crimson Tide's record setting defense, leading the team with 85 tackles and registering four sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

LaMichael James

The 2010 Heisman Trophy finalist isn't projected to be a first-round pick despite an impressive 2011 that saw him rush for a school-record 1,805 yards. He's hoping to improve his stock in pre-draft workouts.