2001 NFL Draft - John Murphy's Big Board

The value board helps keep things in perspective, while positional analysis aids in determining what round to select a certain position based upon need, depth, and potential availability of similar prospects come the later rounds. Example, the Cleveland Browns currently have the No. 3 choice, and let’s say that QB Michael Vick goes to San Diego and Arizona selects either DE Justin Smith or DT Gerard Warren. The Browns should then grab the remaining one of those three prospects and wait until the beginning of round two to grab a wide receiver. The key reason being that the Browns also have a pressing need at defensive line, and either Smith or Warren would give them a bona fide stud to play with last year’s top overall choice DE Courtney Brown. Meanwhile, this draft potentially has six or seven receivers with first-round talent, and history would show you that at least one of them will slide into the second round, where the Browns could grab that prospect with the No. 33 pick. Essentially what I am saying is that the combination of Smith or Warren and the seventh rated receiver would be more advantageous then having drafted receiver Koren Robinson or David Terrell and ending up with the seventh rated defensive lineman. These types of decisions must be made all the time in NFL War Rooms, and sometimes, even up to the moment that the name card is being filled out at the draft.

With that said, I present you with my Top 101 Prospects for the 2001 NFL Draft. Reviewing the list and the separation of talent will then allow you to try to mix and match the prospects for yourself and determine how your favorite team should address their needs come draft day. The color separations are to indicate the different levels of talent, production, and future potential of the prospects.  For example, the group of players from RB Deuce McAllister through DE Jamal Reynolds (ranked 6-16) could easily interchange positions based on team needs or schemes employed.