National Football League

Brian Billick's NFL Draft big board

Published Apr. 13, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford: Doesn’t possess elite arm strength, but can easily make all the throws and has Aaron Rodgers-like athleticism.

2. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor: Has been given the “athletic quarterback” stigma, but he is a pocket-passer first and foremost, and throws the ball better than both Newton and Vick when they were rookies.

3. Matt Kalil, OT, USC: More finesse than power, but can be trusted on an island with opposition’s best pass rusher.

4. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: Best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson, but the position as a whole has been devalued.

5. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU: Doesn’t have Patrick Peterson’s big return capabilities, but Claiborne grades out as a better overall prospect than his former teammate.

6. David DeCastro, OL, Stanford: Versatile interior lineman who is more experienced as a pulling blocker than any other in the draft. Hard to find flaws in his game.

7. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State: Reminds me of Warren Sapp with his athleticism and foot speed, but could bulk up and improve his overall core body strength.

8. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State: May not have elite top-end speed, but everything else about his game is very polished.

9. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Just what you’d expect from a Big 10 offensive lineman. He is a mauler and a bulldozer, but needs to improve his pass set to become a franchise left tackle.

10. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame: Had some alcohol-related problems in college, but had an incident-free senior season and has narrowed the gap on Blackmon as the top receiver in the class.

11. Quinton Coples, DE, UNC: Superior Senior Bowl began to dismiss concerns about a subpar senior season at Carolina, but this guy isn’t Julius Peppers, yet. He is the prototypical body type, but needs to be more refined.

12. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU: He could be a boom-or-bust prospect with only one solid year of production and a disappointing Combine, but he has all the tools to be special.

13. Melvin Ingram, OLB, South Carolina: You will see him listed as either a defensive end or an outside backer, but could be just as special lining up as a 3-technique in nickel packages. That versatility to very attractive.

14. Luke Kuechly, ILB, Boston College: Could have been a little bit of an overachiever in college, but there is no question he has the speed, power and instincts to be the first middle linebacker off the board.

15. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: Plays with solid fundamentals and technique and his experience within Stanford’s NFL-style offense will make him a quick study at the next level.

16. Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama: May be best suited as a 4-3 defensive end as the evaluation process continues, but either way, he is an impact edge rusher.

17. Cordy Glenn, OT, Georgia: Glenn made the most of the evaluation period as he has quickly ascended draft boards. Originally seen as an interior lineman, but has shown the strength and balance to de a dominant tackle in the NFL, albeit on the right side.

18. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina: A rangy player with great instincts and route recognition and doesn’t carry the same off-filed baggage as his counterparts.

19. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis: He crushed the Combine, but his game tape doesn’t back it up. He gets sloppy late in games and has a subpar motor to boot. He can’t afford to take off any plays in the NFL.

20. Dont’a Hightower, ILB, Alabama: Similar to Brandon Spikes of New England, but faster on the field and more versatile. He is labeled as an inside backer, but could just as easily play on the edge.

21. Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama: Great combination of size and speed. Great coverage radius due to superior wingspan, but will get beat guessing at times. May be a better safety in the NFL.

22. Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State: When I think of an NFL offensive tackle, this is the body type that I imagine, but he needs to get stronger.

23. Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama: Easily the top safety in the NFL Draft, it’s not even close. Barron makes for the fifth Crimson Tide player on this list…is that even fair?

24. Nick Perry, DE, USC: Scheme diverse and could play anywhere along the defensive front. His versatility reminds me of Adalius Thomas.

25. Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama: Some teams have removed him from their draft boards altogether, but he is a special talent. Not unlike Jimmy Smith last year.

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