Filling Out The Depth Chart-Offense

With four days until the 2011 NFL Draft, everyone knows about the players who are going to be selected at the top of the draft. Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Nick Fairley, Da'Quan Bowers and all the rest of the potential first rounders have been dissected more than a frog in a high school biology class. Although there isn't a Sam Bradford, Ndamukong Suh or Matthew Stafford at the top of the draft, there is more than enough depth to fill out the rosters of all 32 teams in the league.


Looking at the draft, I have targeted an offensive and defensive roster that I will be keeping an eye on to see where they are selected and what kind of an impact they make in 2011. Many have been listed as possible first rounders in a number of mock drafts, but for the most part these players look to go late second round, third or fourth round:

Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick
Running Back: Daniel Thomas
Running Back: DeMarco Murray
Wide Receiver: Leonard Hankerson
Wide Receiver: Randall Cobb
Tight End: Luke Stocker
Offensive Tackle: James Brewer
Offensive Tackle: Orlando Franklin
Offensive Guard: Clint Boling
Offensive Guard: Rodeny Hudson
Center: Stefan Wisniewski


Kaepernick has all the athletic ability of Cam Newton, played in a non-pro style offense in college as did Newton, and looks to go in Round 3 where Newton will be a top 5 pick or first overall. He has his detractors who say that his game will take time to develop in the NFL, but as a later round pick he has that luxury where Newton will not. Thomas is Mr. Inside who can pound the ball between the tackles and Murray is Mr. Outside who looks to contribute as a third down specialist.

Hankerson showed his size and pass catching abilities at the Senior Bowl, and I believe he could sneak up into the early second round. Cobb is the versatile playmaker who has played quarterback, wide receiver and running back. A team looking for their Offensive Weapon similar to Dexter McCluster will find a place for Cobb. Stocker is a big target at 6'6" with very good hands.

Brewer is a man mountain who looks to fit in at right tackle or possibly guard, and Franklin looks to play the right side as well. Hudson and Boling both could use a little more size and strength to play the interior but have the talent needed to play in the NFL. Wisniewski is the top rated center with a very high football IQ who can play guard or center, but who could also use a little more size at this time.

I'll post my Defensive Depth Chart tomorrow. The 2011 NFL Draft is four days away. I'm looking forward to seeing who will be going where and how they fit into their new teams' systems. That's what the NFL Draft is all about.