04-25-2014, 02:26 AM
In December, I started a thread posting my top 5 players at each position with a blurb about how I came to my ratings. Most of it has turned out to be fairly accurate thus far, excluding players that I had ranked that didn't declare. If anyone is interested in the old thread ---> http://jungle.jaguars.com/index.php?/top...-position/
The following is my final top 10 of each position and where I feel their value is at according to how I evaluated them.
Quarterback
1.) Blake Bortles - Top 15
2.) Teddy Bridgewater - Top 15
3.) Johnny Manziel - 2nd round
4.) Derek Carr - 2nd round
5.) A.J McCarron - 3rd round
6.) Jimmy Garoppolo - 3rd round
7.) Logan Thomas - 4th round
8.) Zach Mettenberger - 4th round
9.) David Fales - 5th round
10.) Aaron Murray - 6th round
I had Bortles and Bridgewater neck and neck the whole way and I still do. This time I gave the edge to Bortles just because they were even and he worked out better. Manziel is still hit or miss for well documented reasons. Derek Carr has quietly put together a good offseason. If he can fix his eye level under pressure he'll be a steal. A.J. McCarron has everything you look for in a quarterback except elite level arm. I have no doubt he'd be a top 10 pick if he had Logan Thomas' arm. Jimmy Garoppolo is in the same boat as Derek Carr, but with less arm talent. Logan Thomas has an elite #1 overall skill set, but is terribly inconsistent during games and practice. He has the best arm in this draft class and is also the most athletic. Mettenberger, besides the obvious ACL issue, is a bit of a statue in the pocket. He steps up well and is comfortable in the pocket, but between the slow feet and occasional hesitation he will have a tough adjustment to get clean balls off at the next level. Fales had an opportunity to help himself at the senior bowl, but failed to impress or disappoint - which was more of a disappointment since I was interested to see how he would do with better overall talent around him than his last year an San Jose State. Aaron Murray will be a good backup in the league as he is a well-rounded quarterback similar to Fales, but with less than ideal size. I left Savage off the list as I feel he has a lot more work to go than players like Thomas and Mettenberger. I would use a 7th on him.
Running Back
1.) Isaiah Crowell - 2nd round
2.) Bishop Sankey - 2nd round
3.) Andre Williams - 2nd round
4.) Tre Mason - 3rd round
5.) Dri Archer - 3rd round
6.) Carlos Hyde - 4th round
7.) Ka'Deem Carey - 4th round
8.) Lache Seastrunk - 4th round
9.) Terrance West - 5th round
10.) Branden Oliver - 5th round
Crowell seems to be making a rise up most people's boards. He has a good combination of speed, power, and is an elite finisher. Sankey solidified his position as a 2nd rounder with good workouts and a good 40. Andre Williams is a power back that helped himself by timing well this offseason. Tre Mason and Dri Archer can be playmakers receiving out of the backfield, but they'll be primarily 3rd down backs initially. Carlos Hyde is probably only a 2 down back. Ka'Deem Carey hurt himself with a poor combine. I had him just behind Sankey initially, as they are similar runners. Lache Seastrunk is a very good runner, but incomplete. He struggles in pass pro and will have to come off the field on 3rd downs unless he can develop there. West is a good all around back. He actually ran faster and lifted less than I expected at the combine. Branden Oliver is intriguing as a cutback, shifty runner. He may be suited best for zone and stretch schemes. Storm Johnson ranked just outside the top 10 because of ball security issues. I'd take him in the 5th or 6th. Jeremy Hill also gets an honorable mention as a 5th or 6th rounder for being a smart runner with good vision. He lacks home run ability and is inconsistent as a pass protector.
Wide Receiver
1.) Sammy Watkins - Top 5
2.) Mike Evans - Top 15
3.) Odell Beckham - 2nd round
4.) Jordan Matthews - 2nd round
5.) Jared Abbrederis - 2nd round
6.) Marqise Lee - 2nd round
7.) Brandin Cooks - 2nd round
8.) Donte Moncrief - 3rd round
9.) Cody Latimer - 3rd round
10.) Kevin Norwood - 4th round
I had Watkins and Evans pretty close throughout. I gave the nod to Evans before because I question the use of Watkins in Clemson's offense. They both had outstanding offseasons and Watkins demonstrated he could run NFL routes well. I have Evans just outside the top 5 - probably 8 or 9. Beckham had a good offseason and showed up good speed and route running. Although he has large hands, 10 inches, I've seen him struggle slightly in the elements. Jordan Matthews is another with a stellar offseason, combined with SEC records as a receiver. I originally had Abbrederis as a 1st rounder on my board, but moved him down after struggling through an injury in the offseason, which limited him. Marqise Lee plays a lot more athletic than he actually is... We'll see how that translates to the NFL. Brandin Cooks is similar to Tavon Austin, but won't get overdrafted like Tavon did last year. Moncrief is a big, strong target. I view him like Marquess Wilson in a lot of ways. Cody Latimer timed better than he actually runs and could use work in route running, but has solid hands and the ability to win the jump ball. He is not an effort guy - he won't sellout for low percentage balls and can be seen jogging out routes. Norwood is very inconsistent. I have Norwood and Kelvin Benjamin ranked very closely in the 4th round.
Tight End
1.) Jace Amaro - 1st round
2.) Eric Ebron - 1st round
3.) Austin Seferian-Jenkins - 2nd round
4.) Troy Niklas - 2nd round
5.) C.J. Fiedorowicz - 3rd round
6.) A.C. Leonard - 5th round
7.) Colt Lyerla - 5th round
8.) Trey Burton - 6th round
9.) Crockett Gillmore - 7th round
10.) Jacob Pedersen - 7th round
Jace Amaro remains my top tight end. He is a good pass catcher, solid blocker, and consistent. Eric Ebron has elite potential, but has some issues with his hands and is a little bit of a work in progress. ASJ and Troy Niklas are both well-rounded tight ends. ASJ had some legal issues before this last year. Niklas was used primarily on the line and not split out. Fiedorowicz helped his stock with a good 40 time. A.C. Leonard is an athletic move tight end which a checked past. Colt Lyerla is a slight more athletic move tight end with an even more checkered past. Trey Burton is more of an H-Back than a tight end, but makes an intriguing piece to an offense. Crockett Gillmore made himself draftable after being a late addition and having an excellent Senior Bowl. Jacob Pedersen probably won't be used much split out in the NFL.
Offensive Tackle
1.) Jake Matthews - Top 15
2.) Taylor Lewan - Top 15
3.) Greg Robinson - Top 15
4.) Zack Martin - 1st round
5.) Cyrus Kouandijo - 2nd round
6.) Joel Bitonio - 2nd round
7.) Morgan Moses - 3rd round
8.) Antonio Richardson - 3rd round
9.) Seantrel Henderson - 4th round
10.) Cornelius Lucas - 5th round
I had Cyrus Kouandijo #1 before. He drops because of subpar workouts and rumors of knee issues with career implications. I still think he has potential to be the best of the lot if healthy. Jake Matthews takes over #1, although not the perfect prospect. Taylor Lewan has had some character issues and had a subpar season, but there is no doubt he has the ability to turn it on and bury defenders when he wants. Greg Robinson doesn't come off as the sharpest knife in the drawer when I see him being interviewed and I docked him a little for it, perhaps unfairly. Zack Martin had an outstanding Senior Bowl. Joel Bitonio is an athletic tackle that seems like a good zone fit and has shown some excellent cut blocking. Morgan Moses and Antonio Richardson both play a little high and aren't very powerful. Moses has the better kick step of the two. Seantrel Henderson was every bit the prospect as Clowney was coming out of high school. He can be as good as he wants to, but most feel he doesn't want to put in the work to be that good. Cornelius Lucas is intriguing. He could use a year or two to hit the NFL weight room and work on his technique, but there is no denying he has the frame to be a unique NFL tackle.
Offensive Guard
1.) Xavier Sua-Filo - 1st round
2.) Gabe Jackson - 2nd round
3.) Cyril Richardson - 3rd round
4.) Dakota Dozier - 3rd round
5.) David Yankey - 4th round
6.) John Urschel - 4th round
7.) Brandon Thomas - 5th round
8.) Chris Watt - 5th round
9.) Trai Turner - 6th round
10.) Anthony Steen - 7th round
Xavier Sua-Filo is a fringe 1st rounder. He is versatile and a playmaker. He'll occasionally whiff some plays, but he can absolutely spring a running back. He'd fit well in a zone scheme. Gabe Jackson had a good Senior Bowl and helped his stock as a power guard. Cyril Richardson had a rough offseason and his stock as dropped from potential 1st rounder. I look at his game tape, especially his bowl game, and I see a dominant player, however. Dakota Dozier is a small school prospect who had a great offseason and is versatile and can play guard or tackle. He had a great game against Clemson 2 years ago. David Yankey has good technique, but lacks a lot of athleticism. He gets by with his college resume. John Urschel is the last of the players I think that can be plugged in as an immediate starter. Brandon Thomas is a tackle who was recently injured and projects more to guard. Thomas may become a starter in a year or two. Chris Watt packs a powerful punch, but has slow feet and can be beat by speed occasionally. Trai Turner and Anthony Steen lack a little bit of power at the point. They aren't pushed around, but they rarely get any significant push in the run game either.
Center
1.) Weston Richburg - 3rd round
2.) Travis Swanson - 3rd round
3.) Tyler Larsen - 4th round
4.) Gabe Ikard - 4th round
5.) Bryan Stork - 4th round
6.) Jonotthan Harrison - 5th round
7.) Russell Bodine - 6th round
8.) Marcus Martin - 6th round
9.) James Stone - 6th round
10.) Corey Linsley - UDFA
Weston Richburg is the best moving center prospect in the draft. I have Swanson right behind Richburg. I like Swanson's nasty demeanor and finish. Tyler Larsen has probably the best blend of speed and power in his game. He'll miss occasionally, but can get to the 2nd level and create some plays. Gabe Ikard isn't physically gifted, but he has a high motor and plays a little stronger than he actually is. Stork is a solid all-around prospect, but lacks stoutness against bigger nose tackles. Jonotthan Harrison was the least underachieving of an underachieving Florida o-line. He flashes dominance, winning in space and against nose tackles, but lacks great footwork. Russell Bodine is a lump of muscle without much athleticism. Marcus Martin olay's way too often to be rated as highly as many have him. James Stone plays well when not on his heels. He tends to get pushed back into the backfield when he's not in space. Linsley has bad feet and also misses a lot of 1 on 1's.
Defensive End
1.) Jadeveon Clowney - Top 5
2.) Dominique Easley - Top 15
3.) Dee Ford - 1st round
4.) Scott Crichton - 1st round
5.) Demarcus Lawrence - 2nd round
6.) Trent Murphy - 2nd round
7.) Kony Ealy - 3rd round
8.) Stephon Tuitt - 3rd round
9.) Chris Smith - 4th round
10.) Kareem Martin - 5th round
JD Clowney for obvious reasons - even if I question his drive and think he isn't as athletic in space as many think he is. I think Dominique Easley could be duking it out for the #1 pick if he never tears his ACLs the last 2 seasons. Easley has the best 1st step in the draft and is easily better than Shariff Floyd last year. Dee Ford has the "it" factor and could be a Freeney/Mathis 2.0. Scott Crichton doesn't get talked about as much as he should, but he's a beast. Demarcus Lawrence has a good initial step, but I feel he lacks closing speed and sometimes gets broken down and caught flat footed. Trent Murphy is a very underrated athlete and is extremely versatile. Kony Ealy's athleticism has been overrated and it proved out during the offseason. Stephon Tuitt makes a perfect 3-4 defensive end. Chris Smith is very explosive and one of the best athletes in the draft as far as D-line goes. Kareem Martin gets good penetration, but often gets lost in traffic.
Defensive Tackle
1.) Aaron Donald - Top 15
2.) Rashede Hageman - 1st round
3.) Daniel McCullers - 2nd round
4.) Louis Nix - 2nd round
5.) Timmy Jernigan - 3rd round
6.) Anthony Johnson - 3rd round
7.) Caraun Reid - 4th round
8.) Ego Ferguson - 4th round
9.) Khyri Thornton - 5th round
10.) Will Sutton - 5th round
Aaron Donald had as amazing of an offseason as he had a season. His stock has soared. Rashede Hageman still reminds me of a skinner/nicer John Henderson. He's a very hot/cold prospect. Daniel McCullers and Louis Nix are your prototype nose tackles. I gave McCullers the edge based off his freakish measurables at 6'7" 352 pounds, 37 inch arms, and still repping out at 27. Timmy Jernigan and Anthony Johnson were still neck and neck. Both get pushed back occasionally at the line of scrimmage. Jernigan gets the nod because of a better combine. Caraun Reid has gone from UDFA to a mid round pick this offseason, beginning with his excellent Senior Bowl. Ego Ferguson can be stoned by better interior lineman, like against Travis Swanson, but he scrapes down the line and still makes plays. Khyri Thornton doesn't usually dominate his man, but he wins almost all of his 1v1 matches and holds his own against double teams. Will Sutton has issues with being driven back off the line of scrimmage and he timed very slow for a 3 gapper.
Outside Linebacker
1.) Khalil Mack - Top 5
2.) Kyle Van Noy - 1st round
3.) Anthony Barr - 1st round
4.) Ryan Shazier - 2nd round
5.) Jackson Jeffcoat - 2nd round
6.) Jeremiah Attaochu - 2nd round
7.) Kevin Pierre-Louis - 2nd round
8.) Christian Kirksey - 4th round
9.) Carl Bradford - 5th round
10.) Ronald Powell - 5th round
Khalil Mack possesses the strength, speed, and playmaking ability to be a difference maker in any defense. Kyle Van Noy is an extremely versatile linebacker who makes plays rushing the passer, playing the run, and dropping into coverage. Anthony Barr is a bit of a 1 trick pony at this point, but has tremendous potential. Ryan Shazier is a small, but fast linebacker who will do well in the right scheme. Jackson Jeffcoat rushed from everywhere at Texas and was disruptive - although he lacks a true position. Attaochu has the versatility to play anywhere, but is probably more suited with his hand in the dirt. Pierre-Louis was a lot like Jeffcoat, except his coverage skills are a little behind. Christian Kirksey is a good linebacker, but he lacks the speed to chase a play down from behind. Bradford played mostly with his hand in the dirt at end, but I doubt he can do the same consistently in the pros. Ronald Powell has a ton of potential, but can't get off a block to save his life.
Inside Linebacker
1.) Shayne Skov - 2nd round
2.) C.J. Mosley - 2nd round
3.) Christian Jones - 2nd round
4.) Lamin Barrow - 3rd round
5.) Max Bullough - 4th round
6.) Yawin Smallwood - 4th round
7.) Chris Borland - 4th round
8.) Avery Williamson - 4th round
9.) James Morris - 5th round
10.) Jordan Zumwalt - 6th round
Shayne Skov lacks speed, but plays like a bull. C.J. Mosely has issues on 3rd down. Christian Jones has a lot of versatility and reminds me a little of Brian Orakpo. Lamin Barrow is a late riser with a good Senior Bowl and measurables. Max Bullough was slightly down this season and, as a team captain, was suspended from the teams bowl game, but I feel he is a very safe pick. Yawin Smallwood timed a lot slower than I thought he would. Chris Borland is like a shorter version of Max Bullough. Avery Williamson takes on blocks well and is solid in zone - he may go a little higher than expected. James Morris is like a poor man's Paul Posluszny - he makes quick decisions and fills gaps well. He takes on blocks very well, but struggles to shed when engaged. I didn't like what I saw from Zumwalt in the drills at the combine. He seemed very stiff.
Cornerback
1.) Justin Gilbert - Top 5
2.) Darqueze Dennard - 1st round
3.) Keith McGill - 2nd round
4.) Jason Verrett - 2nd round
5.) Kyle Fuller - 2nd round
6.) Pierre Desir - 3rd round
7.) Bradley Roby - 3rd round
8.) Jaylen Watkins - 4th round
9.) Marcus Roberson - 5th round
10.) Aaron Colvin - 5th round
Justin Gilbert is as physically gifted as any top 5 pick. Darqueze Dennard is a physical corner that's highly coveted in the NFL. Keith McGill is a big, physical corner as well. Jason Verrett would be a top 15 pick if he had good size. Kyle Fuller really helped himself with a good offseason and surprising 40 time. Pierre Desir had a good Senior Bowl and proved he belonged with the big boys. Bradley Roby came off a terrible year, but he's a workout warrior. Jaylen Watkins and Marcus Roberson come from an always excellent Florida secondary. Watkins is the more athletic of the two. Aaron Colvin would have probably been a 3rd rounder if he didn't get hurt this offseason.
Safety
1.) Calvin Pryor - 1st round
2.) Lamarcus Joyner - 3rd round
3.) Antone Exum - 3rd round
4.) Ahmad Dixon - 3rd round
5.) Craig Loston - 3rd round
6.) Haha Clinton-Dix - 4th round
7.) Jimmie Ward - 4th round
8.) Deone Bucannon - 4th round
9.) Terrence Brooks - 5th round
10.) Dion Bailey - 7th round
Calvin Pryor is clearly the top safety of the class with great athleticism and a fast playstyle. Lamarcus Joyner is small, and shockingly timed worse and lifted more than expected. He's a hair on fire type of player. Antone Exum has elite potential, but is battling injuries. Ahmad Dixon is a well-rounded thumper who stood out in Baylor's bowl game. Craig Loston is very similar to Dixon except he submarines instead of shoulder tackles. Haha Clinton-Dix was very overrated. He misfits in the run game far too often. Jimmie Ward is a physical, in-the-box type safety. Deone Bucannon is athletic and physical, but finds himself out of place at times. Bucannon seems like a perfect special teamer. Terrence Brooks is another super athlete, but he misses too many tackles. Brooks is also a good special teams candidate. Dion Bailey is a bit of a tweener. He also jumps the pile more than actually making the play.
Kicker/Punter
1.) Who
2.) Cares?
Who cares?
The following is my final top 10 of each position and where I feel their value is at according to how I evaluated them.
Quarterback
1.) Blake Bortles - Top 15
2.) Teddy Bridgewater - Top 15
3.) Johnny Manziel - 2nd round
4.) Derek Carr - 2nd round
5.) A.J McCarron - 3rd round
6.) Jimmy Garoppolo - 3rd round
7.) Logan Thomas - 4th round
8.) Zach Mettenberger - 4th round
9.) David Fales - 5th round
10.) Aaron Murray - 6th round
I had Bortles and Bridgewater neck and neck the whole way and I still do. This time I gave the edge to Bortles just because they were even and he worked out better. Manziel is still hit or miss for well documented reasons. Derek Carr has quietly put together a good offseason. If he can fix his eye level under pressure he'll be a steal. A.J. McCarron has everything you look for in a quarterback except elite level arm. I have no doubt he'd be a top 10 pick if he had Logan Thomas' arm. Jimmy Garoppolo is in the same boat as Derek Carr, but with less arm talent. Logan Thomas has an elite #1 overall skill set, but is terribly inconsistent during games and practice. He has the best arm in this draft class and is also the most athletic. Mettenberger, besides the obvious ACL issue, is a bit of a statue in the pocket. He steps up well and is comfortable in the pocket, but between the slow feet and occasional hesitation he will have a tough adjustment to get clean balls off at the next level. Fales had an opportunity to help himself at the senior bowl, but failed to impress or disappoint - which was more of a disappointment since I was interested to see how he would do with better overall talent around him than his last year an San Jose State. Aaron Murray will be a good backup in the league as he is a well-rounded quarterback similar to Fales, but with less than ideal size. I left Savage off the list as I feel he has a lot more work to go than players like Thomas and Mettenberger. I would use a 7th on him.
Running Back
1.) Isaiah Crowell - 2nd round
2.) Bishop Sankey - 2nd round
3.) Andre Williams - 2nd round
4.) Tre Mason - 3rd round
5.) Dri Archer - 3rd round
6.) Carlos Hyde - 4th round
7.) Ka'Deem Carey - 4th round
8.) Lache Seastrunk - 4th round
9.) Terrance West - 5th round
10.) Branden Oliver - 5th round
Crowell seems to be making a rise up most people's boards. He has a good combination of speed, power, and is an elite finisher. Sankey solidified his position as a 2nd rounder with good workouts and a good 40. Andre Williams is a power back that helped himself by timing well this offseason. Tre Mason and Dri Archer can be playmakers receiving out of the backfield, but they'll be primarily 3rd down backs initially. Carlos Hyde is probably only a 2 down back. Ka'Deem Carey hurt himself with a poor combine. I had him just behind Sankey initially, as they are similar runners. Lache Seastrunk is a very good runner, but incomplete. He struggles in pass pro and will have to come off the field on 3rd downs unless he can develop there. West is a good all around back. He actually ran faster and lifted less than I expected at the combine. Branden Oliver is intriguing as a cutback, shifty runner. He may be suited best for zone and stretch schemes. Storm Johnson ranked just outside the top 10 because of ball security issues. I'd take him in the 5th or 6th. Jeremy Hill also gets an honorable mention as a 5th or 6th rounder for being a smart runner with good vision. He lacks home run ability and is inconsistent as a pass protector.
Wide Receiver
1.) Sammy Watkins - Top 5
2.) Mike Evans - Top 15
3.) Odell Beckham - 2nd round
4.) Jordan Matthews - 2nd round
5.) Jared Abbrederis - 2nd round
6.) Marqise Lee - 2nd round
7.) Brandin Cooks - 2nd round
8.) Donte Moncrief - 3rd round
9.) Cody Latimer - 3rd round
10.) Kevin Norwood - 4th round
I had Watkins and Evans pretty close throughout. I gave the nod to Evans before because I question the use of Watkins in Clemson's offense. They both had outstanding offseasons and Watkins demonstrated he could run NFL routes well. I have Evans just outside the top 5 - probably 8 or 9. Beckham had a good offseason and showed up good speed and route running. Although he has large hands, 10 inches, I've seen him struggle slightly in the elements. Jordan Matthews is another with a stellar offseason, combined with SEC records as a receiver. I originally had Abbrederis as a 1st rounder on my board, but moved him down after struggling through an injury in the offseason, which limited him. Marqise Lee plays a lot more athletic than he actually is... We'll see how that translates to the NFL. Brandin Cooks is similar to Tavon Austin, but won't get overdrafted like Tavon did last year. Moncrief is a big, strong target. I view him like Marquess Wilson in a lot of ways. Cody Latimer timed better than he actually runs and could use work in route running, but has solid hands and the ability to win the jump ball. He is not an effort guy - he won't sellout for low percentage balls and can be seen jogging out routes. Norwood is very inconsistent. I have Norwood and Kelvin Benjamin ranked very closely in the 4th round.
Tight End
1.) Jace Amaro - 1st round
2.) Eric Ebron - 1st round
3.) Austin Seferian-Jenkins - 2nd round
4.) Troy Niklas - 2nd round
5.) C.J. Fiedorowicz - 3rd round
6.) A.C. Leonard - 5th round
7.) Colt Lyerla - 5th round
8.) Trey Burton - 6th round
9.) Crockett Gillmore - 7th round
10.) Jacob Pedersen - 7th round
Jace Amaro remains my top tight end. He is a good pass catcher, solid blocker, and consistent. Eric Ebron has elite potential, but has some issues with his hands and is a little bit of a work in progress. ASJ and Troy Niklas are both well-rounded tight ends. ASJ had some legal issues before this last year. Niklas was used primarily on the line and not split out. Fiedorowicz helped his stock with a good 40 time. A.C. Leonard is an athletic move tight end which a checked past. Colt Lyerla is a slight more athletic move tight end with an even more checkered past. Trey Burton is more of an H-Back than a tight end, but makes an intriguing piece to an offense. Crockett Gillmore made himself draftable after being a late addition and having an excellent Senior Bowl. Jacob Pedersen probably won't be used much split out in the NFL.
Offensive Tackle
1.) Jake Matthews - Top 15
2.) Taylor Lewan - Top 15
3.) Greg Robinson - Top 15
4.) Zack Martin - 1st round
5.) Cyrus Kouandijo - 2nd round
6.) Joel Bitonio - 2nd round
7.) Morgan Moses - 3rd round
8.) Antonio Richardson - 3rd round
9.) Seantrel Henderson - 4th round
10.) Cornelius Lucas - 5th round
I had Cyrus Kouandijo #1 before. He drops because of subpar workouts and rumors of knee issues with career implications. I still think he has potential to be the best of the lot if healthy. Jake Matthews takes over #1, although not the perfect prospect. Taylor Lewan has had some character issues and had a subpar season, but there is no doubt he has the ability to turn it on and bury defenders when he wants. Greg Robinson doesn't come off as the sharpest knife in the drawer when I see him being interviewed and I docked him a little for it, perhaps unfairly. Zack Martin had an outstanding Senior Bowl. Joel Bitonio is an athletic tackle that seems like a good zone fit and has shown some excellent cut blocking. Morgan Moses and Antonio Richardson both play a little high and aren't very powerful. Moses has the better kick step of the two. Seantrel Henderson was every bit the prospect as Clowney was coming out of high school. He can be as good as he wants to, but most feel he doesn't want to put in the work to be that good. Cornelius Lucas is intriguing. He could use a year or two to hit the NFL weight room and work on his technique, but there is no denying he has the frame to be a unique NFL tackle.
Offensive Guard
1.) Xavier Sua-Filo - 1st round
2.) Gabe Jackson - 2nd round
3.) Cyril Richardson - 3rd round
4.) Dakota Dozier - 3rd round
5.) David Yankey - 4th round
6.) John Urschel - 4th round
7.) Brandon Thomas - 5th round
8.) Chris Watt - 5th round
9.) Trai Turner - 6th round
10.) Anthony Steen - 7th round
Xavier Sua-Filo is a fringe 1st rounder. He is versatile and a playmaker. He'll occasionally whiff some plays, but he can absolutely spring a running back. He'd fit well in a zone scheme. Gabe Jackson had a good Senior Bowl and helped his stock as a power guard. Cyril Richardson had a rough offseason and his stock as dropped from potential 1st rounder. I look at his game tape, especially his bowl game, and I see a dominant player, however. Dakota Dozier is a small school prospect who had a great offseason and is versatile and can play guard or tackle. He had a great game against Clemson 2 years ago. David Yankey has good technique, but lacks a lot of athleticism. He gets by with his college resume. John Urschel is the last of the players I think that can be plugged in as an immediate starter. Brandon Thomas is a tackle who was recently injured and projects more to guard. Thomas may become a starter in a year or two. Chris Watt packs a powerful punch, but has slow feet and can be beat by speed occasionally. Trai Turner and Anthony Steen lack a little bit of power at the point. They aren't pushed around, but they rarely get any significant push in the run game either.
Center
1.) Weston Richburg - 3rd round
2.) Travis Swanson - 3rd round
3.) Tyler Larsen - 4th round
4.) Gabe Ikard - 4th round
5.) Bryan Stork - 4th round
6.) Jonotthan Harrison - 5th round
7.) Russell Bodine - 6th round
8.) Marcus Martin - 6th round
9.) James Stone - 6th round
10.) Corey Linsley - UDFA
Weston Richburg is the best moving center prospect in the draft. I have Swanson right behind Richburg. I like Swanson's nasty demeanor and finish. Tyler Larsen has probably the best blend of speed and power in his game. He'll miss occasionally, but can get to the 2nd level and create some plays. Gabe Ikard isn't physically gifted, but he has a high motor and plays a little stronger than he actually is. Stork is a solid all-around prospect, but lacks stoutness against bigger nose tackles. Jonotthan Harrison was the least underachieving of an underachieving Florida o-line. He flashes dominance, winning in space and against nose tackles, but lacks great footwork. Russell Bodine is a lump of muscle without much athleticism. Marcus Martin olay's way too often to be rated as highly as many have him. James Stone plays well when not on his heels. He tends to get pushed back into the backfield when he's not in space. Linsley has bad feet and also misses a lot of 1 on 1's.
Defensive End
1.) Jadeveon Clowney - Top 5
2.) Dominique Easley - Top 15
3.) Dee Ford - 1st round
4.) Scott Crichton - 1st round
5.) Demarcus Lawrence - 2nd round
6.) Trent Murphy - 2nd round
7.) Kony Ealy - 3rd round
8.) Stephon Tuitt - 3rd round
9.) Chris Smith - 4th round
10.) Kareem Martin - 5th round
JD Clowney for obvious reasons - even if I question his drive and think he isn't as athletic in space as many think he is. I think Dominique Easley could be duking it out for the #1 pick if he never tears his ACLs the last 2 seasons. Easley has the best 1st step in the draft and is easily better than Shariff Floyd last year. Dee Ford has the "it" factor and could be a Freeney/Mathis 2.0. Scott Crichton doesn't get talked about as much as he should, but he's a beast. Demarcus Lawrence has a good initial step, but I feel he lacks closing speed and sometimes gets broken down and caught flat footed. Trent Murphy is a very underrated athlete and is extremely versatile. Kony Ealy's athleticism has been overrated and it proved out during the offseason. Stephon Tuitt makes a perfect 3-4 defensive end. Chris Smith is very explosive and one of the best athletes in the draft as far as D-line goes. Kareem Martin gets good penetration, but often gets lost in traffic.
Defensive Tackle
1.) Aaron Donald - Top 15
2.) Rashede Hageman - 1st round
3.) Daniel McCullers - 2nd round
4.) Louis Nix - 2nd round
5.) Timmy Jernigan - 3rd round
6.) Anthony Johnson - 3rd round
7.) Caraun Reid - 4th round
8.) Ego Ferguson - 4th round
9.) Khyri Thornton - 5th round
10.) Will Sutton - 5th round
Aaron Donald had as amazing of an offseason as he had a season. His stock has soared. Rashede Hageman still reminds me of a skinner/nicer John Henderson. He's a very hot/cold prospect. Daniel McCullers and Louis Nix are your prototype nose tackles. I gave McCullers the edge based off his freakish measurables at 6'7" 352 pounds, 37 inch arms, and still repping out at 27. Timmy Jernigan and Anthony Johnson were still neck and neck. Both get pushed back occasionally at the line of scrimmage. Jernigan gets the nod because of a better combine. Caraun Reid has gone from UDFA to a mid round pick this offseason, beginning with his excellent Senior Bowl. Ego Ferguson can be stoned by better interior lineman, like against Travis Swanson, but he scrapes down the line and still makes plays. Khyri Thornton doesn't usually dominate his man, but he wins almost all of his 1v1 matches and holds his own against double teams. Will Sutton has issues with being driven back off the line of scrimmage and he timed very slow for a 3 gapper.
Outside Linebacker
1.) Khalil Mack - Top 5
2.) Kyle Van Noy - 1st round
3.) Anthony Barr - 1st round
4.) Ryan Shazier - 2nd round
5.) Jackson Jeffcoat - 2nd round
6.) Jeremiah Attaochu - 2nd round
7.) Kevin Pierre-Louis - 2nd round
8.) Christian Kirksey - 4th round
9.) Carl Bradford - 5th round
10.) Ronald Powell - 5th round
Khalil Mack possesses the strength, speed, and playmaking ability to be a difference maker in any defense. Kyle Van Noy is an extremely versatile linebacker who makes plays rushing the passer, playing the run, and dropping into coverage. Anthony Barr is a bit of a 1 trick pony at this point, but has tremendous potential. Ryan Shazier is a small, but fast linebacker who will do well in the right scheme. Jackson Jeffcoat rushed from everywhere at Texas and was disruptive - although he lacks a true position. Attaochu has the versatility to play anywhere, but is probably more suited with his hand in the dirt. Pierre-Louis was a lot like Jeffcoat, except his coverage skills are a little behind. Christian Kirksey is a good linebacker, but he lacks the speed to chase a play down from behind. Bradford played mostly with his hand in the dirt at end, but I doubt he can do the same consistently in the pros. Ronald Powell has a ton of potential, but can't get off a block to save his life.
Inside Linebacker
1.) Shayne Skov - 2nd round
2.) C.J. Mosley - 2nd round
3.) Christian Jones - 2nd round
4.) Lamin Barrow - 3rd round
5.) Max Bullough - 4th round
6.) Yawin Smallwood - 4th round
7.) Chris Borland - 4th round
8.) Avery Williamson - 4th round
9.) James Morris - 5th round
10.) Jordan Zumwalt - 6th round
Shayne Skov lacks speed, but plays like a bull. C.J. Mosely has issues on 3rd down. Christian Jones has a lot of versatility and reminds me a little of Brian Orakpo. Lamin Barrow is a late riser with a good Senior Bowl and measurables. Max Bullough was slightly down this season and, as a team captain, was suspended from the teams bowl game, but I feel he is a very safe pick. Yawin Smallwood timed a lot slower than I thought he would. Chris Borland is like a shorter version of Max Bullough. Avery Williamson takes on blocks well and is solid in zone - he may go a little higher than expected. James Morris is like a poor man's Paul Posluszny - he makes quick decisions and fills gaps well. He takes on blocks very well, but struggles to shed when engaged. I didn't like what I saw from Zumwalt in the drills at the combine. He seemed very stiff.
Cornerback
1.) Justin Gilbert - Top 5
2.) Darqueze Dennard - 1st round
3.) Keith McGill - 2nd round
4.) Jason Verrett - 2nd round
5.) Kyle Fuller - 2nd round
6.) Pierre Desir - 3rd round
7.) Bradley Roby - 3rd round
8.) Jaylen Watkins - 4th round
9.) Marcus Roberson - 5th round
10.) Aaron Colvin - 5th round
Justin Gilbert is as physically gifted as any top 5 pick. Darqueze Dennard is a physical corner that's highly coveted in the NFL. Keith McGill is a big, physical corner as well. Jason Verrett would be a top 15 pick if he had good size. Kyle Fuller really helped himself with a good offseason and surprising 40 time. Pierre Desir had a good Senior Bowl and proved he belonged with the big boys. Bradley Roby came off a terrible year, but he's a workout warrior. Jaylen Watkins and Marcus Roberson come from an always excellent Florida secondary. Watkins is the more athletic of the two. Aaron Colvin would have probably been a 3rd rounder if he didn't get hurt this offseason.
Safety
1.) Calvin Pryor - 1st round
2.) Lamarcus Joyner - 3rd round
3.) Antone Exum - 3rd round
4.) Ahmad Dixon - 3rd round
5.) Craig Loston - 3rd round
6.) Haha Clinton-Dix - 4th round
7.) Jimmie Ward - 4th round
8.) Deone Bucannon - 4th round
9.) Terrence Brooks - 5th round
10.) Dion Bailey - 7th round
Calvin Pryor is clearly the top safety of the class with great athleticism and a fast playstyle. Lamarcus Joyner is small, and shockingly timed worse and lifted more than expected. He's a hair on fire type of player. Antone Exum has elite potential, but is battling injuries. Ahmad Dixon is a well-rounded thumper who stood out in Baylor's bowl game. Craig Loston is very similar to Dixon except he submarines instead of shoulder tackles. Haha Clinton-Dix was very overrated. He misfits in the run game far too often. Jimmie Ward is a physical, in-the-box type safety. Deone Bucannon is athletic and physical, but finds himself out of place at times. Bucannon seems like a perfect special teamer. Terrence Brooks is another super athlete, but he misses too many tackles. Brooks is also a good special teams candidate. Dion Bailey is a bit of a tweener. He also jumps the pile more than actually making the play.
Kicker/Punter
1.) Who
2.) Cares?
Who cares?