Rivals rankings and the NFL Draft

Thanks for dinner Pat, those hush puppies must be laced with cocaine, I had at least 25 of 'em.

I promised Rivals rankings of NFL Draftees, analysis to follow.

First round only, Rivals rankings, results at the bottom, if you want details I'm listing those as well.

2011 Draft:
1.  Cam Newton - 5* 2007
2.  Von Miller - 4* 2007
3.  Marcell Dareus - 3* 2008
4.  A.J. Green - 5* 2008
5.  Patrick Peterson - 5* 2008
6.  Julio Jones - 5* 2008
7.  Aldon Smith - 3* 2008
8.  Jake Locker - 4* 2006
9.  Tyron Smith - 5* 2008
10. Blaine Gabbert - 5* 2008
11. J.J. Watt - 2* 2007
12. Christian Ponder - 3* 2006
13. Nick Fairley - 3* 2007
14. Robert Quinn - 4* 2008
15. Mike Pouncey - 4* 2007
16. Ryan Kerrigan - 3* 2007
17. Nate Solder - 3* 2006
18. Corey Liuget - 4* 2008
19. Prince Amukamara - 3* 2007
20. Adrian Clayborn - 4* 2006
21. Phil Taylor - 4* 2006
22. Anthony Castonzo - 2* 2007
23. Danny Watkins - NR 2007
24. Cameron Jordan - 3* 2007
25. James Carpenter - 2* 2007
26. Jonathan Baldwin - 5* 2008
27. Jimmy Smith - 3* 2006
28. Mark Ingram - 4* 2008
29. Gabe Carimi - 3* 2006
30. Muhammed Wilkerson - 2* 2007
31. Cameron Heyward - 4* 2007
32. Derek Sherrod - 4* 2007

32 players, 7 5*s, 10 4*s, 10 3*s, 4 2*s, and 1 NR player.  Avg * rating 3.53

2010 Draft:

1.  Sam Bradford - 3* 2006
2.  Ndamukong Suh - 4* 2005
3.  Gerald McCoy - 5* 2006
4.  Trent Williams - 3* 2006
5.  Eric Berry - 5* 2007
6.  Russell Okung - 3* 2006
7.  Joe Haden - 4* 2007
8.  Rolando McClain - 4* 2007
9.  CJ Spiller - 5* 2006
10. Tyson Alualu - 3* 2005
11. Anthony Davis - 4* 2007
12. Ryan Mathews - NR - (couldn't find any info on Rivals)
13. Brandon Graham - 5* 2006
14. Earl Thomas - 4* 2007
15. Jason Pierre-Paul - 2* 2007
16. Derrick Morgan - 4* 2007
17. Mike Iupati - 2* 2005
18. Maurkice Pouncey - 4* 2007
19. Sean Weatherspoon - 2* 2006
20. Kareem Jackson - 4* 2007
21. Jermaine Gresham - 4* 2006
22. Demaryius Thomas - 3* 2006
23. Bryan Bulaga - 4* 2007
24. Dez Bryant - 4* 2007
25. Tim Tebow - 5* 2006
26. Dan Williams - 3* 2005
27. Devin McCourty - 2* 2005
28. Jared Odrick - 4* 2006
29. Kyle Wilson - 2* 2005
30. Jahvid Best - 4* 2007
31. Jerry Hughes - 2* 2006
32. Patrick Robinson - 4* 2006

32 players, 5 5*s, 14 4*s, 5 3*s, 6 2*s, 1 NR player, Avg * rating 3.375

1.   Matthew Stafford - 5* 2006

2.   Jason Smith - 2* 2004

3.   Tyson Jackson - 3* 2004

4.   Aaron Curry - 2* 2004

5.   Mark Sanchez - 5* 2005

6.   Andre Smith - 5* 2006

7.   Darrius Heyward-Bey - 4* 2005

8.   Eugene Monroe - 5* 2005

9.   B.J. Raji - 2* 2004

10. Michael Crabtree - 4* 2006

11. Aaron Maybin - 4* 2006

12. Knowshon Moreno - 4* 2006

13. Brian Orakpo - 4* 2004

14. Malcolm Jenkins - 3* 2005

15. Brian Cushing - 4* 2005

16. Larry English - 2* 2004

17. Josh Freeman - 4* 2006

18. Robert Ayers - 4* 2004

19. Jeremy Maclin - 4* 2006

20. Brandon Pettigrew - 2* 2004

21. Alex Mack - 2* 2004

22. Percy Harvin - 5* 2006

23. Michael Oher - 4* 2004

24. Peria Jerry - 3* 2004

25. Vontae Davis - 3* 2006

26. Clay Matthews - NR 

27. Donald Brown - 3* 2005

28. Eric Wood - 2* 2004

29. Hakeem Nicks - 4* 2006

30. Kenny Britt - 4* 2006

31. Chris Wells - 5* 2006

32. Evander Hood - 3* 2005

32 players, 6 5*s, 12 4*s, 6 3*s, 7 2*s, 1 NR, Avg * ranking 3.44

2005 Rivals Breakdown:

5*s     36

4*s   285

3*s   700+

Assuming the averages, the percentage of each category taken in the first round is as follows:
5*s - 16%
4*s -  4%
3*s -  1%

I could not find an accurate number of 3*s or 2*s, Rivals site was not working properly.


Next, I want to find out the production level of * rankings in different leagues.  For instance, in the SEC does a 5* LB make more tackles or interceptions than a 4, 3, or 2* athlete.  I'm going to assume averages and only use 5 players per * category and their production from 2006, 2007, and 2008 classes.