Player Bios 2015

PLAYER BIOS

2015 NFL DRAFT PLAYER RANKINGS – NON TEAM SPECIFIC

Sorry for the numbering, the computer wouldn't let me switch it over.... but you can see their overall ranking on the other post. THanks!

Leonard Williams – DT USC 97

Williams is a very complete football player from the defensive line position. I’ve heard an evaluator whom I trust very much, say his floor is Muhammad Wilkerson. That is scary. He can play 34 DE, 43 DT, or 43 DE. He can play anywhere from the 1 technique all the way out to the wide-9 and can dominate at the point of attack. I think he clearly is the best fit at 34 DE where he can shuck blockers, eat up double teams, and get penetration. He is a good pass rusher from the interior with his great power but is even better using leverage against the run. Has a great work ethic both on and off the field as well. You’d be very comfortable taking him in the top 5 with attitude, work ethic, versatility, and production.

Danny Shelton – DT Washington 95

Shelton is a tremendous prospect for a number of reasons. He has great size and can play the zero technique right away at the NFL level which is an extremely tough transition. Shelton has an awesome motor and his speed and quickness for his size is rivaled by only a few players in the NFL. He has the potential to have a Suh or McCoy type impact in the league. For a majority of the year he led the Huskies in tackles as a defensive tackle. That same defense has Shaq Thompson on it. Think about that for a second. He has a great size and speed combination along with ridiculous productivity from an inside defender. Guy should be a top ten pick.

Amari Cooper – WR Alabama 93

Cooper doesn’t possess the greatest size and speed combination for a wide receiver, which means that he doesn’t get as high of a grade as some of the top players coming out in the previous years. What Cooper does do is run the best routes of any player you’ll ever watch as a prospect. He glides and uses tremendous football IQ and route savvy to create separation. His floor is almost as high as his ceiling in that there is no doubt he’ll be a good NFL receiver. I wonder about his overall upside because he doesn’t have ideal H-W-S, but he sort of reminds me of a younger Reggie Wayne. He just always seems to be open. I think the kid has the highest floor of all the receivers in the draft, and the people at Alabama said this guy’s work ethic was legendary.

Kevin White – WR West Virginia 94

The kid reminds me a bit of Larry Fitzgerald coming out of school, and that’s a bit of a scary proposition. He has a really good combination of height, at 6’3, weight at 220 pounds, and speed, which Is elite for the position at 4.35. He is tremendous in the red zone and on contested catches down the sideline. He seems to track and high point the football well, and when the throws aren’t contested he can simply run by defenders with good power to get off the press and the speed to run by players. He doesn’t have elite hands, although they are probably a notch below that and his route running needs work, but both of those can be improved. He has a skill set that can’t be taught and shows good toughness and ability to make people miss after the catch. I think it’s a toss up between White, Parker, and Cooper who is the best receiver in the draft, all three are really good players, and I wouldn’t have a problem with any of the three being the first wideout taken, somewhere in the top 5.

Andrus Peat - OT Stanford 93

Peat is your prototype when you want to build a left tackle. He’s not a perfect prospect in that his technique and balance aren’t perfect but they are well above average. He’s a long, thickly built kid who is around 6’6 and 320 pounds and possesses more than adequate arm length. Peat can absolutely maul people in the running game and can open up big holes on the left side of an offensive line. Peat moves well for his size and seems to have above average speed, he also locates and drives through second level defenders. He can get caught off balance at times and he can either overstep his kick step or get caught lunging, but those are technical aspects that can be taught. Peat could dominate at right tackle immediately, as his power and strength could elevate an entire offensive line, but he’s a terrific left tackle candidate. If this guy gets a top tier offensive line coach the ceiling on him is as high as anyone in the league. He gets a major bump in value because he is a left tackle at the next level, he is clearly a first round talent although he may experience some growing pains the first year or two. His upside is pretty darn high if you can wait out some young mistakes.

Vic Beasley – OLB Clemson 93

Beasley has some exceptional physical abilities that will translate very well to the NFL. He’s a high motor, very quick football player rushing the passer and chasing down plays from the backside. Beasley can beat you with quickness against flat footed tackles to put tremendous pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The biggest question you have to ask yourself with Beasley is if he can hold up in the run game. He weighed in at less than 230 pounds during the season and seemed to struggle at the college level when teams ran right at him. That being said, he jumped his weight to 246 pounds and dominated on the bench and in 40 at the combine, answering a number of questions about his size. He’s extremely productive, which bumps his value going into the draft. Overall, Beasley provides major upside as a pass rusher while his run stopping abilities aren’t in the top tier of defensive players, the kid’s motor, quickness, and upside, along with increased weight and strength mean that he shouldn’t drop past 13 on draft day and he may even be in the conversation all the way up to number 3.

Devante Parker – WR Louisville 92

Parker might end up challenging Cooper and White to be the first wide receiver taken when the process plays all the way out. He has ridiculous athletic ability teamed with nice route running and recognition skills. Parker has the potential as a true number one and could instantly help any team he goes to as a 1000 yard plus receiver. He can make people miss in space and does a nice job high pointing the football down the field. He has no weaknesses to his game and while his floor probably isn’t as high as Cooper’s his ceiling could be much higher. This guy could end up being one of the top 6-8 receivers in the game when it’s all said and done, I’d be surprised if he makes it out of the top 13 picks.

Melvin Gordon – RB Wisconsin 93

Gordon is a Jamaal Charles clone. You watch them run and you can’t help but notice the obvious comparison. He runs with both a nasty edge and combines that with true breakaway speed. Gordon averaged over seven yards per carry this season with nothing that even resembled a passing game. He can go around you, through you, over you, or past you in the blink of an eye and has already shown he can carry more than his fair share of the load. A quick, powerful back with tremendous vision; Gordon is the total package. Gordon has a chance to transform an offense as a rookie, he’s that good.

Brandon Scherff – OL Iowa 93

Scherff is a nice easy top ten draft pick for a number of reasons. Number one is that his floor is very high because he could make such an easy transition to guard. I think there is a possibility he could play four positions in the NFL at a high level. Kirk Ferentz might be the best offensive line coach in all of college football so you know the kid’s technique and football IQ are going to be very high. He has really nice power and shows good footwork in all facets of the game. While I don’t know if he’s ever going to be a truly dominant left offensive tackle, I do think he will be a pro-bowl guard or a really good right tackle. His versatility and consistency makes this kid a nice pick somewhere in the top 10.

Landon Collins – S Alabama 92

As good as Ferentz is at preparing offensive lineman to come into the league, Nick Saban is as good at coaching defensive backs. Collins is an extremely heady and tough safety who can play in a variety of schemes. He plays fast because he can diagnose so quickly and attacks the football and ball carriers with reckless abandon. You watch him in coverage and he seems to know where to go immediately and looks comfortable in zone. He plays the run well, tackles well, and has a high football IQ. I wonder about his overall speed and quickness and he does look more comfortable in zone than in man but those are average things and not deal breakers. A very nice player especially if you want to play some sort of zone man combination defense where you give your safeties some flexibility.

Marcus Mariota – QB Oregon 92

Mariota is a unique player. I think people use unique too much when doing evaluations but it fits with Mariota. His coach at Oregon has called him the “perfect person.” He’s by all accounts a great teammate and a great guy. On top of that he blends rare athletic ability in the run game with tremendous anticipation and a great blend of risk and reward passing. He can run away from almost every defender at the next level, which is a feat unto itself, but what Mariota does is mix that in with the ability to make every throw you’d want him to make at the next level. He has great accuracy and decision making ability. His work ethic and personality, along with not making any mistakes, he has the NCAA record for touchdown to interception ratio, makes him a tremendous prospect. There are a couple of things that would concern me at the next level with Mariota, however. He does have a lean frame, which worries me a bit when he will be asked to run and make plays with his feet, and he does have a history of minor injuries. Mariota, while boasting the best interception percentage in college football history, does have a tendency to put the ball on the turf. The other issue, which is perhaps bigger than the other two, is the fact that when he comes off of his first read a lot of the time his feet don’t match his eyes and he struggles with accuracy on secondary and tertiary targets. The Oregon offense is not translatable to the NFL and you would have to worry about how long that growing process would take. Mariota has incredible tools and upside but you’d have to be patient with him because it will take a while for him to achieve that potential.

12. Trae Waynes – CB Michigan State 92

Waynes is the highest graded corner in this draft class. He’s long and physical at the line and shows nice anticipation on routes and at times it seems as though he’s almost baiting the quarterback to throw his way. Waynes, although thin, is a notch below elite in the tackling and run support game. He is an excellent tackler and attacks the flats with reckless abandon. He is well above average in zone and in press man, I think he would fit very well in either situation. He has good ball skills and attacks and tracks well with the ball in the air, doesn’t seem to panic. He’s got elite speed, running a ridiculous 4.32 at the combine. But he’s faster than quick at times, and that’s the skill that bothers me at times when I watch him on tape. I think some of that is technique so maybe there is some extra upside there. Not a perfect player, but he should be taken easily in the first half of the first round.

Todd Gurley – RB Georgia 92

Gurley would have received the highest grade I’ve ever given to a running back had he not gotten hurt this season and torn his ACL. The kid is the total package as a back, combining incredible vision, power, and a burst to take an eight yard run and turn it into an 80 yard touchdown. When I watched him play I thought he was a faster, quicker, Marshawn Lynch. That’s a terrifying proposition for any defensive coordinator to try to prepare for. Gurley runs violently and yet still has the ability to make you miss and hit the hole while seeming to glide. He has shown great ability in the passing game as well, catching over 50 passes in his career and showing up adequately as a blocker in pass protection. If he can come back healthy from the ACL injury this guy could be the best back in the NFL, that’s not hyperbole.

Jameis Winston – QB Florida State 91

If I were giving a grade purely on NFL translatable skills and a true prospect grade not factoring in off the field issues, he would be a top 3 player in this class. When Winston gets into a rhythm there are times when he may be the best quarterback in the league. He’s a big, strong kid with a very high football IQ. He is asked to make every read and he does so quickly and efficiently. He distributes the ball well and has uncanny accuracy with the football. He also forces the football too much, doesn’t take the easy throw at times, and tries to make too many plays happen all by himself. This season he seemed to feel pressure that wasn’t there and you wonder if he’s going to start taking his eyes off down the field at the next level. Winston is a terrific prospect and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t go in the top 5. Winston also measured in with very small hands for a quarterback prospect, and that is a major issue with some evaluators, myself included. He looked flabby at the weigh in and that coupled with small hands and some more tape evaluations that showed his on field decision making left something to be desired as well. That being said his off the field issues do bring up a major red flag, and that coupled with some poor decision making on the field drops him down the list a bit. High upside here but you have to do your due diligence and really ask yourself if you’re willing to trust your entire franchise to this kid.

Randy Gregory – OLB Nebraska 91

Gregory could be flat out nasty as a pass rusher at the next level. You have to be a bit worried about his lack of ideal size for the position as a hybrid 34/43 pass rusher, but his overall skill set and upside are through the roof. It’s a very simple comparison to Aldon Smith in terms of what he can be with his long lanky frame. He is a terrific athlete and seems to have an explosive first step when getting off the snap. He is better against the run than you’d think with his frame, mainly because his length disallows him getting tied up with bigger blockers. It may take him a year or two to really get adjusted and add ten pounds of muscle but his upside is as high as any pass rusher that you’ll see coming out of any draft.

Shane Ray – DE Missouri - 90

I know some people think Ray’s on field behavior is a bit suspect. He plays with a nasty edge and at times can hit people late or jump onto the pile. Personally, I like a player with an edge, especially when that player’s motor is 100% full go at all times. That’s exactly what Ray will bring to the table. It’s one thing to have freakish athletic ability, it’s another to compete every single play at the highest level you can. Ray has and does both. His productivity is ridiculous, and his first step is extremely explosive, but his size and strength could be an issue. His lower half looks like he might struggle to hold up against the run, but the nice thing is this kid’s effort and speed will allow him to chase down plays away from him that other players might not. I think worst case scenario this guy ends up like Cliff Avril, which means he’s going to be a really nice player at the next level.

Dante Fowler Jr – DE/LB Florida 89

Fowler is the definition of what you want as a first round pick in that he can do multiple things and is above average to very good at everything. He lined up all over the place at Florida, playing every single defensive line and linebacker spot at one point in a game against Tennessee. Fowler shows good overall tenacity although I don’t know if he’s going to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. He uses his hands very well and his a good, violent punch, with active hands. He sets the edge well against the run and uses a variety of moves to avoid blockers in both the pass and the run game. Fowler has an above average motor and stamina for a guy his size. I think he has a really high floor and a fairly high ceiling as a right defensive end or strong side outside linebacker in the NFL.

Erick Flowers – OT Miami 89

This guy has everything you look for in a left tackle at the next level. He possesses good length and his power is above average in the running game. Flowers can anchor against the bull rush but also does a really nice job with his movement skills which are well above average. He did a lot of zone blocking and screen blocking at Miami and while he does move very well for an offensive line prospect he did miss a few of those blocks in space. He bends his knees well and shows nice balance. He doesn’t completely jump off the screen for any one singular category but he is a nice prospect with few holes in his game. Flowers has a lot of potential to improve as he refines his technique on the second level, if he can learn to get under control in space he could become an even better player. I think he translates well as a left tackle.

Cameron Erving – C Florida State 89

Erving was to me an overrated tackle prospect going into his senior season. He struggled at times as a pass blocker and I thought he wouldn’t cut it as a starting left tackle in the league. It turns out Florida State’s experiment in moving Erving to center in the middle of the season made Erving a lot of money because the kid looked like a monster as a center for the Noles. He has really good agility and a high football IQ and recognition skills, something you need in a center prospect. He has good pass blocking potential from the inside, as he did manage to play tackle for a few seasons before his shift to the interior. Erving’s biggest potential as a center though, is his ability to pull, trap, and get to the second level creating massive running lanes for the backs. If you put him in a good zone blocking scheme the kid could end up being a pro-bowl caliber center. If he doesn’t work out there, his floor is high because there were a lot of people who thought he could play tackle in the league, and in some of those zone concepts he may even be able to play guard. First round versatility, a high floor, and good potential means I’d be shocked if Erving makes it out of the first round.

Jaelen Strong – WR Arizona State 88

Strong is a physical possession receiver who has tremendous hands and catch radius. He has perhaps the best hands in this draft and does an excellent job on contested catches. Those are good things because Strong isn’t a very good route runner and has below average quickness. When he gets up to speed Strong can get deep very well and his deeper routes are much better than his underneath ones, but there is some worry for me about his ability to create enough separation routinely in the league. I heard a comparison with Marques Colston and I totally agree with that, it seems spot on to me. If you put him into a good situation with quarterback play Strong could be a really solid number two wide receiver with potential to be a number one at some point. Good player overall and whether a 2 or a 1, he’ll help your team.

Erik Kendricks – LB UCLA 88

I understand that Kendricks is undersized and might not have that monster in the middle look to him that a lot of teams covet in a linebacker. What Kendricks does is make plays all over the football field. Forget the fact that people say he’s too small to play in the league. I know what my eye tells me on film, and it’s that this guy has tremendous instincts, speed, and football IQ. He had 482 tackles in his career, that is an absurd number. He flies to the football, can play all three downs, shows an ability to rush the quarterback and to cover. You put him in day one and all you do is watch him get triple digits in tackles for a decade. One of the highest floors in the entire draft.

Brett Hundley – QB UCLA 88

I think Hundley could end up being one of the better quarterback prospects in the NFL and he may make a lot of GM’s look silly for passing on him in the first round. There is almost nobody saying that the UCLA signal caller will be a first round pick, but I’m telling you the kid has the tools and the toughness to transition into being a really good NFL quarterback. I am curious as to why this kid gets a mid 70s grade from people when Blake Bortles ended up the third pick in the draft? He has good size and frame, and made it through an entire season at UCLA with one of the worst offensive lines in the PAC-12. He hangs in and shows toughness and strength in the pocket, showing really good pocket mobility, although at times he holds the ball too long trying to make a play. He has a well above average NFL arm, I won’t say elite but plenty good enough to make all the throws. His offense was complex, and required many NFL caliber throws and decision making skills, which he was above average at doing. Add better than average accuracy and a notch below elite athleticism and strength. I understand there are some issues there in terms of reading defenses but that’s something that he can learn, and he showed a willingness to learn in the offseason, going to camps with Jeff Garcia and Phillip Rivers. I’m not sure he’s a starter right away but I think the kid should go in the first round and I know I’m in the minority and I don’t care.

Denzel Perryman – ILB Miami 88

Perryman is perhaps the best tackler in this entire draft, and there is a lot to be said about guys who simply make the plays they are supposed to make. While he doesn’t have very good height or length at only around 5’11, he makes up for that with extremely quick diagnostic skills and by well above average speed. He’s not a fluid athlete, but does a good job in coverage for the most part as he gets good depth in zone and sees the play unfold before him. I can’t give him a grade in the 90s because he simply doesn’t possess the raw tools to be dominant, but Perryman’s floor is among the highest in this class, I think if you have a chance to take the best blocker or the best tackler in any draft you jump at the chance, and this kid is the best tackler by far. I’m not sure if he’s too tight to play man coverage or not but his overall skill set mean he’s a decade long starter in the league. I’ll use a first round pick on him, no problem.

Eddie Goldman – DT Florida State 88

Goldman is a tough, run stopping defensive tackle who shows a little bit of an ability to rush the passer. Goldman was a major cog in the Florida State machine that went to two straight national title games the past two seasons. He’s got really good length, which helps when he engages a center or a guard and then moves them to the side to make a play on a running back. Goldman doesn’t really wash down the line like you’d want because his quickness is average, but he has a good motor and will try to chase down a play if he can. He can flash some really good get off on the snap and his length gives interior offensive lineman some problems in pass protection, but he’s not going to be a great dominate interior pass rusher. I think the kid is a middle to late first round pick, as a zero or one technique depending on system. Good football player with a high floor.

Shaq Thompson – ATH Washington 87

This kid might be my favorite player in the whole draft. He’s an extremely hard worker who will do anything coaches ask of him. I believe if he came out as a running back he’d probably be the third or fourth best running back in this class, but as it is he’s the second best safety, or a top five outside linebacker, or the best dime linebacker in the draft. The kid can cover tight ends and running backs alike, he runs in the low 4.5 range. He has great vision in both man and zone coverages, which allow him to drop into deep zone and make plays on the football. The kid has perhaps the best closing burst in the entire draft class and can eat up space as fast as any linebacker in the league. He says he compares himself to Lavonte David, which is a damn good comparison. I think he’s David with better cover skills and more versatility. No way this kid isn’t a high level contributor and he absolutely can not make it out of the first round. I would consider taking him in the top half of the first round.

La’el Collins OL LSU 87

I absolutely love players who can play both inside and outside on the offensive line. These guys have an extremely high floor because even if they struggle at tackle you can always move them inside, and they provide you with a guy who can play multiple positions which can save roster spots. The great thing about a player like Collins is that with his ability to be a dominant run blocker from the minute he walks into your building you know you have a building block at guard. The other reason you might like him is that he can play right tackle right now and be a pretty good player in the league. I really believe the kid should be a dominant mauling guard as he could truly be a pro-bowl or all pro caliber guard if given some time. If you want to see him play tackle though you may have to deal with a few things that aren’t perfect in that respect. He reaches too often and can get caught lunging at times and he gets his arms too far extended, at times it doesn’t seem like he needs to do that but catches himself doing it anyway. I’m not sure if he has the best length either, but he’s strong enough to anchor even if defenders can get to his chest. If he allows pass rushers to make the first move and then slides and mirrors instead of getting over aggressive he does a nice job in pass pro. He’s got a high floor and I would be surprised with his ability to be a dominant run blocker if he gets out of the first round.

Dorial Green-Beckham – WR Oklahoma (Missouri) 87

On talent alone DGB is a top 5 pick in any draft. He has the best combination of height-weight-speed coming out of college since Calvin Johnson at the wide receiver position. The kid can absolutely go get the football in contested situations, and his athletic ability, combined with his speed means this guy could be a true top 5 receiver in the NFL. He can run away from you on the outside, through you underneath, and go over you in the redzone. Green-Beckham doesn’t have much wiggle but he can power through tackles because of his size at 6’5, 235 pounds. He runs pretty good routes as well, but his ball skills are a bit inconsistent as he’ll double catch the ball at times or drops the throws over the middle, but he’s still a freak on contested throws for the most part. The issues with this kid though are MAJOR red flags. Got himself into trouble a number of times for marijuana possession, pushed a female down in an apartment after breaking his way in, dismissed from Missouri football team, etc. If you’re willing to take the risk on this kid, which someone will certainly do because of his potential, you are either going to look really smart, or really stupid. Top 5 talent, 7^TH round character, I’ll hedge my bet and say if he’s there at the first part of round two, jump on him because the reward at that point outweighs the risk.

Benardrick McKinney- ILB Mississippi State 87

McKinney is a player who is sort of the opposite of what you find when you’re doing draft analysis typically. He is a player who actually projects better to the NFL game than he does to the college game in a couple of different ways. Number one, the college game is so sideline to sideline that middle linebackers going against the spread typically don’t get the tackle numbers that they’d get in the NFL. Secondly, his ability to diagnose and drop deep into zone pockets is something that is more needed in the NFL game where quarterbacks are more accurate and have stronger arms and more intricate pass patterns. McKinney was a tougher evaluation for me because while his measurements and skill set are without question first round grades, it is tough to give a middle linebacker that type of number when he only ended up with around 70 tackles and 3 sacks the entire season. I think he can guard tight ends in man coverage without any problem at all, because of his speed but he’ll struggle with running backs because he lacks the true quickness. He could end up being a really good zone linebacker though if a team runs a lot of cover 2 or cover 3 wants to bring him in. Overall I think the kid is a good player with a high upside and according to his coaches, he loves the game and loves film study so his floor should be high too. I’d be very surprised if he makes it out of the top 40 and I personally think he’ll end up in the end of the first round.

Maxx Wililams – TE Minnesota 86

Williams is your protypical high floor tight end prospect. He’s a fluid athlete who won’t wow you with the numbers he’ll run or the vertical he’ll jump, but he moves well for the position and uses his body well. You can flex him out wide in the redzone and let him overpower corners or safeties, or you can move him inline and let him outrun linebackers. He’s a really solid run blocker, who wasn’t asked to pass block much in college and won’t be asked to do it much in the NFL either. The kid is a really solid player who gets a B+ grade in virtually every category. The kid is simply going to be a good player, reminds me a lot of Jason Witten. Clearly a first round player.

Bud Dupree – OLB Kentucky 86

Dupree is a freak athlete in the body of an outside linebacker. The kid can really move and does an excellent job both dropping into coverage, as well as coming off the edge with speed. He’s not long for a pass rusher, but uses good agility and can drop his hips and attack downhill. Dupree has an ability to play both a 43 RDE as well as either 34 outside linebacker. There is mixed opinion on whether he can diagnose plays when he drops in coverage or as a read and react player, some say he’s slow, other’s say he’s fast. I think he’s a bit on the slower side, but once he does recognize a play he has the speed to get to the attack point. I think the kid is a really good athlete who could grow into a better player the longer he goes in his career. Upside is absolutely through the roof but you could end up seeing a team use him a lot like Minnesota used Anthony Barr this year, dropping him into coverage and playing him at a different position than he’s used to playing.

Malcolm Brown – DT Texas 86

Brown is a really nice player on the interior of the defensive line. While he doesn’t jump off the screen with athleticism or size he possesses better than average at both of those key elements. Brown is 6’3 and 317 pounds and shows nice range on outside run plays and counters, getting to the outside and washing down the line well. He isn’t a refined pass rusher, and his array of moves and hand placement is below average for a NFL defensive tackle, but those are things that can be taught and learned. He has above average quickness, and decent length for a defensive tackle so there is some potential, although I wouldn’t bank on him being a useful pass rusher. What he does very well is diagnose running plays and uses his hands and vision to get into lanes and his strength to pull down runners and anchor against double teams, although he could use a bit of work there as well. He has played all over the interior of the defensive line positions from zero all the way to five technique, meaning he gives you scheme versatility and has a good motor. All of these things mean his floor is really high, which means that he gets a first round grade from me.

Clive Warford – TE Miami 86

The second best all around tight end prospect in the 2015 NFL draft class, there isn’t a thing that Warford doesn’t do well. He’s an above average blocker, and with more time he could project to be a notch below elite in terms of blocking as a tight end. He is tall enough at almost 6’5 and has good hands, and a nice feel for finding the soft spot in zone coverage. He played all over the field at Miami, playing out with, the slot, inline, and even at times lining up as an H-Back as a lead blocker or a flat receiver. Warford is a good athlete and can get open off the line of scrimmage with good movement skills. I’m not sure if Warford will end up as an elite tight end in the NFL but his overall skill set as both an above average blocker in run and pass pro, as well as an above average pass catcher means his floor is as high as anyone in this draft. If someone wanted to use a first round pick on him it would make a lot of sense to me.

Arik Armstead – DE Oregon 85

If you could build a perfect five technique in terms of height, weight, speed combination, you would build Arik Armstead. He’s 6-7 and legitimately 285 pounds, he has powerful quick hands and uses his size and length very well. The major issue with Armstead is being consistently inconsistent. He would flash throughout every game tap you’d watch of him but then it would seem as though he would disappear for large sections of the game. He has top ten talent, and there’s no question that the kid could turn into a tremendous professional if given the time and the coaching. My big issue with Armstead is a lack of productivity, just 2.5 sacks and 6 hurries his junior season, and lack of consistency. If you can be patient with Armstead, however, you may just get a superstar in years three and four.

Devin Funchess – WR Michigan 85

I have a tough time when a lot of people are giving Funchess a first round grade for a couple of reasons. One, he definitely projects as a hybrid flex tight end but he can’t block, and seems disinterested in doing so. The other thing is I’m not sure he has the speed to play the wideout position and consistently generate separation so he’ll have to make a lot of contested catches. However, Funchess is 6’5 and almost 235 pounds and he can dominate smaller defenders, using his size and elite leaping ability to simply outmuscle and go over the top to make huge plays. He seems a lot to me like Kelvin Benjamin from last year’s draft class in that while he lacks a lot of abilities you’d like in a receiver, his upside as a redzone and downfield threat because of his size and vertical leap means he could make a big impact. If you have a scheme and specific idea of what you want from him Funchess could become a valuable chess piece.

David Johnson – RB Northern Iowa 85

This kid is my favorite player in this draft in terms of sleepers. When I watch him play I can’t help but see a mixture of Leveon Bell and Arian Foster. He glides when he runs and has incredible short area quickness, making people miss in the hole with a jump cut or quick feet. I thought Dion Sims, coming out last year, was advanced in his pass catching and route running but this guy is the best receiver out of the running back position since Reggie Bush came out. He runs crisps routes, uses his hands well, and snatches the ball out of the air. He has good burst and sneaky speed when he gets in the open field. He doesn’t finish runs as well as I’d like, but that was the knock on Foster coming out of Tennessee. I think this guy could be an absolute stud. Easily a second round back, but will the small school see his draft stock fall to a day three pick?

Breshad Perriman – WR Central Florida 84

I could see someone becoming really enamored with Perriman and taking him a lot earlier than where he’s projected. The kid is a big strong player with length who can simply out-physical smaller players down the field. He averaged 20 yards per catch over the past two seasons in college and it seems like he runs away from defenders at the college level. His route running is incomplete, as he is pretty good down the field but when he has to make cuts or wind down to come back to the football he’s fairly stiff so he may be sort of a one trick pony down the field at the next level. The other issue with Perriman is that he just drops the football too much, he can make some spectacular catches and then he’ll drop one right in his numbers (see Missouri tape, 3 drops). Major upside but his game needs refinement, he’s screaming a second round pick to me. Could be totally worth the risk. Also a good blocker with good effort overall.

Lorenzo Mauldin – DE Louisville 84

If I could describe Mauldin in two words it would be versatility and effort. This kid plays as hard as any player in college football on every single down. He can play outside linebacker in a 34 or defensive end on either side in the 43. Mauldin, during Senior Bowl week, showed that even though he wasn’t asked to do it much during his career seems like he could even drop into coverage at times, getting his hands up in passing lanes and getting depth in zones. I personally think with his work ethic and strength he might even be able to play 43 SAM or 34 ILB as well. He has the strength to set the edge against the run and does a really good job with speed to power moves in the pass game, getting tackles on their heels. I’m not sure what this kid can end up being, but he reminds me of Rob Ninkovich, and he’s a damn good football player.

D.J. Humphries – OT Florida 83

Humphries is a guy that a lot of teams will get excited about on their draft boards. The kid projects as a good left tackle if given some time and some coaching. He’s a natural knee bender and a rally good athlete for his size. He plays a bit soft but doesn’t have the mentality that you’d want in a tackle when it comes to contact. His technique isn’t great, he can stop his feet when engaging with his hands which is really what causes his problems when he gets in trouble. That can be fixed in the NFL and that’s really his only major issue. Humprhies is a really good athlete and could play anywhere you wanted on the offensive ilne. He’s a good run blocker, can get out on screens and draws and squares up to make good contact on the second level. The kid is a good football player who has high potential and his versatility gives him a decently high floor. Won’t get out of the second round, and I doubt he gets out of the first round, as he’s a high riser toward the end of the process.

Devin Smith – WR Ohio State 83

If you want to go out and get the best deep threat in the draft, you go after Devin Smith. There hasn’t been many players I’ve scouted that track the deep ball and go get it better than Smith. He isn’t a complete receiver, and will probably never turn into a true number one, but Smith can fly and his explosiveness is second to none. He struggles to run the entire route tree, as he was essentially a screen game guy or a nine route guy. It takes him a while to wind down and get out of breaks on anything other than those two routes at this point. Those things are things that can be taught, however, so as he goes along his career he may develop that. I personally think he’s a nice number two or three weapon who has a truly unique skill of making the big play. However, his upside is even higher than that in that the things he struggles with right now are things that can be improved upon throughout his career. I would think a team taking him somewhere toward the end of the first round to somewhere in the middle of the second makes a lot of sense for a player with his skill set The other great thing you get with Smith is the fact he played on coverage teams at Ohio State and excelled. That means while he is learning to be a true NFL receiver and run real NFL routes he can help out and dominate as a gunner on special teams.

Marcus Peters – CB Washington 83

Peters is a good player whose off the field situation and concerns don’t outweigh the talent that he shows on the field. In one hand, the kid is a physical corner who uses his size and ball skills to cover bigger receivers down the field and makes plays on the ball. On the other hand Peters is perhaps the most immature player in this entire draft and got himself kicked off a team with everything to lose this season. He got himself suspended for throwing a “temper tantrum” which is itself a ridiculous thing to hear from a 21 year old. Then Peters was kicked off the team, something he later said was his fault. While the kid is really talented, and has really impressive ball skills and size for the position, he also isn’t good with technique. He can get a little grabby, I think because he might not watch enough film and gets tricked by routine routes. Peters is a really good player, but he’s not perfect, and with his off the field issues he would probably need to be perfect for me to use a first round pick on him. He has a similar skill set and off the field issues as Aqib Talib coming out of school. Talib got it figured out in the league, the question is whether or not Peters can make that transition. I don’t think drafting him in the first round would be worth the risk, but the upside is way up there.

Carl Davis – DT Iowa 83

Davis is a guy who is extremely frustrating to scout. He flashes ability that few players have in the league for a few plays a game, and then for three quarters he’s completely non-existent. He was the practice player of the week at the Senior Bowl, and looked at times better than my number two overall prospect, Danny Shelton. What Shelton has that Davis doesn’t have though, is an intense motor, super high production, and consistency. You watch him and he shows he could be a good interior pass rusher but doesn’t seem like he has put the time in to develop an array of pass rushing moves. Davis might end up going in the first round on talent alone, and I really don’t blame someone for taking a chance on him because the potential is clearly there, but kids who don’t put the effort in during college scare the hell out of me once it becomes a job. If he’s there in round two, I say why not, but late round one personally I’d stay away.

Kevin White – CB TCU 83

If only White was a little bit taller he’d be a top fifteen selection in this draft. White is a really good football player who may be the best true cover corner in the draft. However, at only around 5’9 and about 180 pounds he lacks the size to play consistently on the outside at the NFL level, where taller receivers are becoming more the norm and less the outlier. I keep hearing comparisons to Jason Verett, his teammate in 2013 at TCU, but I don’t think he plays the run as well as Verett and isn’t quite as quick. I do think though that if you want a guy who can come in right away and be one of the better nickel backs in the league you can take White in round two and shore up that position for the next half decade. The kid is a really good player with a pretty big deficiency in size making him a second round pick, but one who can help you right away.

Eli Harold – DE/OLB Virginia 82

I like Harold as a player, just not as much as a lot of people who have him ranked in the middle of the first round. Harold has a nice array of pass rushing moves, speed and power. He gets after the quarterback in a lot of different ways, he can speed rush and push to the inside, which he seems the most comfortable doing. He also can dip and turn the corner using speed or go upfield and spin. His array is a solid positive, but his lack of true athleticism and power means that he needs to use scheme and technique to win a lot of the time, which will be tougher to do in the NFL. Harold is a pretty good player against the run, using his good initial get-off and quickness to get an advantage over slower offensive lineman. He chases well and cuts off the sideline frequently at the college level. I think the kid is a good player, but not a superstar.

Kevin Johnson – CB Wake Forest 82

I only watched Johnson a couple of game films but the kid seemed like a really fluid athlete, whose length could cause receivers problems in the NFL. He has to add some serious bulk to his size as he weighed in around 170 pounds, but is lanky at 6’1 so his size could be an issue in press man and in run support. He’s flexible and is perhaps the best player in this draft at winding down and changing directions. Johnson is a good cover guy but he does have some physical limitations in his strength. The kid projects as a nice cover corner with above average ball skills.

Tevin Coleman – RB Indiana 82

Coleman is a home run hitter as a running back with great burst and with speed that is just a tier below elite. In all the film I watched of him I never saw someone out run him. Coleman has played in a fairly simplistic passing offense at Indiana in terms of the route tree and pass protection schemes. He shows good overall potential catching the football and creating big plays in the screen and wheel game. Coleman has good size but runs with below average power and at times can get too high both in pass protection as well as when he tries to finish runs. He has good vision and is a prototypical one cut and attack downhill runner. Coleman has the ability to go the distance at any time, and he reminds me a bit of Chris Johnson but without the truly elite speed.

Jamison Crowder – WR Duke 82

I don’t believe in drafting slot receivers or running backs early in a draft unless they are really special players. I believe that this draft has two of each who are really special and Crowder is a one of those players. He has truly rare foot quickness to get in and out of breaks and not only does he possess that quickness he is a highly intelligent player who uses his quickness well. I’m not sure if he has tremendous straight line speed or not, but in the slot and on punt returns, it’s the ability to move quickly in short bursts that creates that underneath separation. Crowder has a really good feel for both man and zone coverage and shows above average hands on a regular basis. While slot receivers are typically easy to find later in the draft, just like running backs, but when you find one who could make the impact Crowder can you feel comfortable making a move on him early in the draft process. Crowder can dominate on third down and has the ability to be a pro-bowl level punt returner as well. I wouldn’t hesitate to take him in the second round and just watch the chains move.

Tyler Lockett – WR Kansas State 82

Lockett is a sneaky player in this year’s draft in that he isn’t going to be your prototypical number one wide receiver. That being said he is perhaps a poor man’s Tavon Austin in that he is a tough, extremely quick slot receiver who can make people miss in space. Lockett isn’t afraid to go over the middle and make plays to move the chains. He’s not big but will hang onto the ball in space and make people miss. Lockett projects as a really nice slot receiver and is a well above average punt returner and gunner on special teams. You don’t see guys who are projected to play the slot run 4.4 flat 40’s either so he’s a bit of an anomaly for the position. He won’t play on the outside in the league which limits his upside as a number one receiver, but his toughness, quickness, and ability on special teams means the kid should go on day 2 in the draft, and you know you’re getting a really good football player.

Trey Flowers – DE Arkansas 81

I think Flowers is a guy who could find himself on an NFL roster for a long time. The kid is perhaps the best run stopping 43 defensive end in this draft class. He has long arms and anchors really well against tackles, using his vision to push plays back to the inside and his anticipation to stretch out plays to the sideline. He’s a tough guy who overpowers tight ends trying to block him and makes a lot of tackles for a defensive end. Flowers dosen’t have much upside as a pass rusher, as although he’s long he’s only around 6’2 so his length may be a bit of an issue. His effort may get him a few sacks a year but that’s not where he’s going to make his living. The kid can play multiple schemes and his versatility and high grade as a run stopper means there’s no way he gets out of day 2, and he shouldn’t get out of round 2.

Jalen Collins –CB LSU 81

Collins has the upside to be a tremendous corner at the next level. The kid has really good speed, not sure what he’ll run his 40 in, but I watched him chase down Melvin Gordon, so I know he’s fast. He’s got good length, at around 6’1.5 and is a physical player, seeming to love coming up to lay the lumber. His ball skills are really bad though, it’s so irritating to see a guy in great coverage who just never gets his head around. I think in all the film I watched of him he really truly got burnt only twice, the rest of the time he just didn’t locate the ball. Never going to be a star because his ball skills are bad, but his ability to shadow and be a physically gifted player in cover 3 or straight press means he’s a good one. I’d say a round 2 guy as he won’t create enough turnovers to warrant round 1, but somewhere safely in round 2, if he starts to fall to round 3 you’ll get a steal.

Preston Smith – DE Mississippi State 81

This guy is a really solid run stopping defensive end. He plays with good leverage and has big hands and really long arms and uses his strength very well. He has very limited upside as a pass rusher, and doesn’t have the speed to even really get effort sacks. He can definitely win a few battles inside if he gets shuffled in there on passing downs, which happened a few times for the Bulldogs. I think he has the length and strength to play the 34 defensive end spot, or the strong side defensive end spot in the 43 to defend the run. I like this kid overall as a football player, he is a tremendous run stopper for a defensive end and having some versatility to kick inside as a pass rusher will suit him well. That being said he has a limited upside and is a one trick pony in his skill set, but a quality player who should go early on day 2.

Owa Odighizuwa – DE UCLA 81

Odighizuwa is a terrific athlete who constantly gets compared to Jason Pierre Paul, although I think he more closely resembles Dion Jordan coming out of Oregon. The kid is a tenacious player, who goes to the whistle and plays hard on every snap. He shows a good variety of pass rush moves and has the ability to dip and rip, using his speed and quickness to get around slower tackles. He’s good against the run and can anchor pretty well, although could add some strength in lower body, upper body is strong. Odighizuwa is a relentless player and has elite speed for a defensive lineman. He would probably get a higher grade but his durability is a major concern as he has missed a lot of time in his career. He needs to refine his pass rush skills but the upside is there. Second round would be a nice spot because worst case scenario you have a kid willing to work his tail off and a rotational defensive end or 34 outside linebacker.

Laken Tomlinson – G Duke 80

This kid was underrated going into the draft process and he finally got some of the top draft pundits on board. He has really good hands and does a nice job of anchoring and then reanchoring against powerful pass rushers. Tomlinson isn’t an elite mover when it comes to the run game but he does show above average power and can move players off their spot to create running lanes and space for running backs. The kid is a smart football player with a high IQ, and he notices stunts and defensive line games well, although at times his average movement skills doesn’t let him get there and in perfect position every time. I’m not sure the kid has enough dominant traits to end up as a pro-bowler on a consistent basis but what Tomlinson does is play consistently well to the whistle on each play. I think you can plug him in at guard and get a nice starter day one who can help in both run and pass protection and will instantly upgrade your line.

A.J. Cann – G South Carolina 80

I think Cann has among the highest potential of an offensive line prospect in the draft. He shows an ability to absolutely dominate as a run blocker at times and can create seams bigger than any interior offensive lineman coming out this season. He uses good functional strength and moves players off the spot. He’s a decent pass blocker for the most part, but is by no means a finished product in this sense. He can struggle at times during tape in pass protection and when he gets to the second level. He can get himself off balance pretty consistently and catches himself leaning way too often. His technique is below average at this point and he’ll need some coaching to get himself to the best possible position in the league. The fact that he can play guard only limits his versatility but he’s a good player. In his rookie season he might struggle in pass protection, but this kid has the potential to be a really top end player if given some time. With Cann patience is the key.

Michael Bennett – DT Ohio State 80

Bennett isn’t going to dominate at the NFL level but the kid is going to be a good player. He’s one of those guys who you can easily make a decision on what he’s going to be in the league. He doesn’t have the raw power that you sometimes want to see in a 3 technique 43 DL but he uses good leverage and hand placement to hold up against the run and slides down the line to make more than his fair share of plays. He isn’t big enough to consistently dominate in pass rush skills but he has good quickness and is a decent hand fighter, meaning he could be a pretty good pass rusher from the interior. While I think Bennett is a good player, and will end up being a solid pro, his lack of ideal movement skills and bulk means he’ll end up being a good player but his ceiling is limited. Second round pick to me in the right scheme.

Steven Nelson – CB Oregon State 80

Nelson might not be the size that everyone is falling in love with now, but what he does have is really good feet and feel for the game. Nelson can cover both out of the slot and on the outside, which is something that most players can’t do coming out of college. Nelson comes in at around 5’10 and 200 pounds, but plays with tremendous toughness, and isn’t afraid to play bump and run, even on players much bigger than he is. Nelson is comfortable playing both off man, press, and the cover 2 and cover 3 defenses, which gives him great scheme versatility. Obviously his size limits what he can do at the next level, but Nelson has great instincts and above average ball skills. On top of all of that he was the best corner at the Senior Bowl. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Nelson ends up at the end of the second round, and I’d be absolutely floored if he makes it out of day 2.

Cedric Ogbuehi – OT Texas A&M 80

This is a guy you draft on potential and hope that he reaches his ceiling, which is as high as anybody in this draft. Ogbuehi is one of the best athletes I’ve seen at the tackle position in the past five years. He can mirror with any edge rusher one on one, a skill that very few players have in the league today. Ogbuehi can get to the second level in the run game and will finish you off if he gets you off balance. He seems like he has a good feel for pressure and understands his assignments and protection scheme well, using his quickness to get in position frequently. That being said there are some major concerns when you watch him on film. I think his technique and hand placement are consistently horrible and in that he can get bull rushed or simply get beat by lesser athletes. His lack of functional core strength has been a problem at times, and although his potential is through the roof as a left tackle in pass pro, he gave up a number of sacks the past season. I wonder if he can truly anchor against stronger NFL players, and if that’s the case will he short step and get beat outside despite his elite feet. There are some things that he can improve upon at the next level, which means he has pro-bowl potential because of his skill set. It also means that if he doesn’t improve his technique, hand placement, and to a lesser extent his conditioning, he could turn into a complete bust. Risk reward pick in the truest meaning of the term.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – CB Oregon 80

Ekpre-Olomu would have been my number one corner if he hadn’t torn his ACL this past season. He can absolutely shut down another team’s number one option on the outside with quick hips, a nice backpedal, and can wind down and attack the football on someone’s hip. He isn’t the most physical corner, but uses his speed and quickness to shadow receivers all over the field. Ekpre-Olomu has very good ball skills and attacks the football, showing good anticipation on routes and while watching the quarterback. His upside is so high because he offers the potential for being a turnover causer in the back end. The ACL injury was major and he might even need to redshirt as a rookie in the league. But even if he comes back at 80 percent you have a really good slot corner, and if he makes a full recovery your one year wait could net you a pro-bowler on the corner.

Byron Jones – CB UConn 79

Absolutely freak athlete, set combine record in broad jump, can run in 4.3’s, 44.5 vertical, and he’s a good player overall too. Jones was a team captain who his teammates said was the toughest player on the football team. He has good ball skills and attacks the football when it’s in the air. His technique is very shotty but that is something that can be addressed at the NFL level. He can get himself caught on the backpedal, and although he can recognize the route combination or scheme he’ll be a tick late getting there because of poor technique. The kid is a hard worker and a leader in the locker room, as well. The kid was probably a late second or third round pick going into the combine. I rarely put much stock into that or move players much there but he’s a good player who turns out is a world class athlete. Now he’s firmly in the second round range.

Nate Orchard – OLB/DE Utah 79

Orchard is your typical really good college player who might not translate to the NFL game. At college he used his good quickness and good inside moves to create tons of pressures and sacks, albeit for just one season. He’s not the strongest player you’re going to see play the outside linebacker spot and his film shows that he’s a bit tentative in the run game and taking on players. He has good skill set and really good short area quickness to evade blockers and fullbacks or lead tight ends to make plays on the running game. He’s not going to be a good run stopper at the start of his NFL career, but that’s something that could hopefully develop. Some scouts have said he could totally wash out, other scouts say they love his upside as a situational pass rusher and think he could end up with double digit sacks. I like the kid but I think he’s more of a one trick pony, although it’s damn good trick as a speed rusher. To me he’s a late second or early third round pick in that he provides a really useful skill set as a pass rusher but it’ll probably be 2-3 seasons before he can play every down because he projects as a below average run stopper.

Senquez Golson – CB Ole Miss 79

Golson has a really nice mix of quickness and straight line speed. He has really good ball skills and attacks the football, especially when he’s playing in zone and is allowed to watch the quarterback and then attack. He’s an explosive athlete and has good hips. There are a couple of problems with Golson, however, in that he played almost exclusively zone for the Rebels and he’s only 5’8.5. There’s no way he can play outside in the league because of his size limitations, which to me means that his grade instantly goes from a 2^nd round grade to a 3^rd round grade. Nickel corners exclusively just don’t have the same value. That’s not to say there isn’t huge value in a great nickel corner which is exactly what Golson could become at the next level. He has the skill set to play man, it just might take him a year to really get a good feel for that particular skill set. He obviously loves the game in that he turned down a ton of money as an 8^th round baseball draft pick to focus on football. Could be one of the better nickels in the league if you give him a couple years to develop into a man corner, need some patience and a good defensive backs coach and the kid could really help your team.

Jordan Phillips – DT Oklahoma 79

Phillips is a big strong defensive tackle who has a really good upside. The kid wasn’t as productive or dominant as some people think he could be, myself included. You watch his size at 330 pounds and his movement skills which are really good for a player his size. The kid has washed down the line and made numerous plays along the sideline, which is pretty rare for a true zero or one technique defensive tackle. He has good quickness and is disruptive as an interior defensive tackle on pass downs, and shows the ability to play all three downs at an above average level. His conditioning and consistency aren’t what I’d like to see from him. Conditioning is pretty normal for a player that big to only be able to play 50 percent of the downs, which is what you’ll typically get in the NFL anyway, so that’s not as big of a deal, but his consistency brings about some problems. You watch him completely give up on pass rushing downs at times and although, he can flash absolutely first round talent, his effort is 5^th or 6^th round grade. I’d say if you can get him in the third round he’s worth the risk other than that his floor doesn’t outweigh his ceiling.

Ameer Abdullah - RB Nebraska 79

Abdullah is a specialty scat back, but a very good one. I personally don’t believe in taking a back who can do only three of the five things I want from a running back in the first two rounds, but a team who has a complete roster could utilize Abdullah as a luxury pick. Abdullah is a dynamic play maker in both the passing game and as a homerun hitter in space. He has a nice combination of quickness and straight-line speed and can take it to the house or get the edge on most runs. He is small for a running back at around 5’8 and 190 pounds and therefore won’t ever be able to provide you with power or hold up in pass protection consistently. His biggest issue also is that he fumbles a lot, over twenty in his college career. That’s a number that isn’t likely to shrink moving up a level. He could be an explosive kick returner, adding value as a draft pick.

Hayes Pullard - ILB USC 79

I like Pullard overall and think that it’s always a positive to have a three down linebacker on the inside. He doesn’t have ideal size and could really use about 10-15 pounds added to his frame. He has good instincts in diagnosing plays and seems to have a better idea of figuring out play action versus run looks. He’s reliable in coverage and does a nice job getting depth in zone coverage while more than adequate in man. He doesn’t blitz well though, simply getting pressure on effort alone. Pullard is a good tackler but won’t overwhelm people when he hits, and at times can miss tackles. Won’t get off blocks extremely well but uses above average athleticism well in space to avoid blocks. I think he’s more of a chase down WILB in a 34 but could probably transition to a 43 Will as well. Pullard has high football IQ, and from everything I’ve read and heard would be a great locker room guy and a leader from the minute he steps foot in your facility. I love guys who have this high of a floor because you won’ t waste a pick on someone who plays this hard and can contribute on all three downs.

Tony Lippett – ATH Michigan State 79

Lippett is truly a rare player in today’s draft evaluation process. He’s a guy who could probably be drafted somewhere in the third or fourth round as a tall and physical possession receiver, and he could be a really nice developmental pick in rounds 4-5 as a cornerback. I personally think his best chance at the next level is as a press corner. Lippett is physical on either side of the ball and stands at 6’3 with long arms. The guy was the wide receiver of the year in the big 10, and showed great feel for coverage and strong hands. The only real question I have about his translatable skill set is whether or not he has the explosiveness to come in and out of breaks on either side of the ball, but overall I think he’s adequate. He’s a guy who could legitimately play on both sides of the ball with his skill set be a solid contributor at both. His floor is so high because if he doesn’t succeed at one, he has the chance to be a nice fit on the other side of the ball and on special teams. Good football player.

Jake Fisher – OT Oregon 78

Fisher is a really good player who is flying under the radar right now. I would think there will be a couple of teams who fall in love with him, and although most rankings sites have him somewhere in the 3-5^th round range I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him go in round two. Fisher is athletic and consistent, and uses his hands to redirect pass rushers. Fisher doesn’t have the functional strength you’d like to see, but adding ten to fifteen pounds at the NFL level and getting a year or two in the weight room will help him a bunch. The guy ran a 5 flat 40 yard dash at 303 pounds, which shows he’s a very good athlete and has great feet. The thing I like the most about Fisher is his awareness though. He has good feel for defensive schemes and gets himself into position consistently. His footwork and technique need refining and he’ll lose his leverage at times in the run game, but overall the kid has a chance to be a nice tackle in the league, especially in years two and three.

Nelson Agholor WR USC 78

Agholor projects as a pretty good possession and second or third receiver in the NFL. I’m not sure Agholor has the explosiveness that other people do, as I think he’s a bit overrated in that area. He has decent ball skills, sometimes making tremendous catches but he’s pretty inconsistent here. I’ve seen him double catch the ball too much, especially with contested catches. Agholor has good underneath route running and zone feel in the passing game and does a nice job finding separation. He shows above average ability with the ball in his hands and is a good punt returner. He’s not a potential number one but he should find his way onto a team as a number two or most likely a number three receiver.

Donovan Smith – OT Penn State 78

Smith may have been the player who hurt his stock more than anyone else in the draft by coming out a year early. I think if Smith had stayed in school he had a really nice chance to be a second round pick in 2016. Now that Smith came out and didn’t have an outstanding year at Penn State, I would think Smith will end up somewhere in the fifth or sixth round of this draft. Smith has good length and was extremely difficult to get pass rush against at the Senior Bowl. He seemed very calm and composed in the pass pro drills and had a nice tendency to re-anchor against opposing players. I don’t know if he’s tremendously suited to run block at a high level in the NFL, but his hand placement is good and overall I like his potential as a left tackle. Worst case scenario he ends up as a swing tackle, but he has solid upside as an above average left tackle in a couple of years, might end up being a sneaky steal late in this process just because he declared early.

Marcus Hardison – DT Arizona State 78

Hardison is a guy who really flashed elite ability at times. He is extremely quick for someone 311 pounds with 34 inch reach. He times the snap as well as any defensive lineman in this draft and parlayed that into 10 sacks from the interior of the defensive line, which is very impressive. During the Senior Bowl he was perhaps the second best interior pass rusher behind Danny Shelton and he constantly gave interior lineman trouble all week long, culminating the week with a really good Senior Bowl game. He played all over the field for Todd Grantham at Arizona State, lining up at every single spot in both 34 and 43 schemes, meaning his versatility and speed gives defensive coordinators a lot of options with him. I wonder at times at his run stopping ability, as he can get too high with his pads, but he can win with quickness at times in those situations. He has absolutely shot up my draft board, I would be good giving this guy a second round pick. He won’t go that early but he has that high of potential, if not higher, one of my favorite sleeper picks this year.

Anthony Harris – S Virginia 78

I think this kid is your perfect day three pick if he can last that long. He’s going to be a core special teams player as he can run and hit well, and is a good overall tackler. The kid was extremely productive at Virginia, he had over twenty five passes defended and ten picks during his career. Probably a top two or three safety overall in terms of getting a break on the football, he has tremendous instincts. Harris is really thinly built but still managed over 100 tackles this past season. I know that there are some limitations when you have a safety that is as thin as Harris but his instincts, toughness, and leadership along with the ability to potentially be a special teams star means that Harris gets a late second or early third round grade from me.

Jacquiski Tartt – S Samford 77

Tartt is one of the guys in this draft that I think could really turn into a good player in the league. Tartt is 6’1 and 221 pounds and he still ran a 4.51 at the combine at safety. He has good length and bulk and plays and attacks like a missile. Tartt reminds me of a poor man’s Kam Chancellor. He’s limited in coverage, not because of skill set but because he can get caught peeking at times. I was only able to get my hands on a couple of tapes the kid was unbelievably impressive. His ball skills are decent but not great and while he has awesome size he doesn’t match up super well with tight ends because he’s a bit tight in his hips. I think the kid should be a downhill zone safety with major upside. Low level of competition may mean he has a bit of a learning curve but he has true starter’s potential as a really good strong safety.

PJ Dawson –ILB TCU 77

I wish this kid didn’t have the character concerns that he does, because if he didn’t he be my steal of the draft. There’s an AFC west guy that I read a lot about who said that while he’s probably a late first round grade, he’ll give him a mid 3 because of the character issues. Dawson as a football player is one of the most instinctive, fluid linebackers you’ll watch play. He made triple digit tackles while excelling in pass coverage, allowing under 40 percent of throws against him to be completed. He forced almost ten fumbles in his career and showed a knack to know where the ball was going. At times he almost seemed like he knew the play was coming, which was both a positive and a negative in that sometimes he might guess wrong and get out of position. He’s much smaller than you’d like weighing in at around 229 pounds, but his ability to cover, blitz, and read defenses means he could be a good player in the league. His 40 at the combine, coming it at 4.9 definitely hurt his stock. I would probably give this kid somewhere around an 84 or 85 grade, despite his size limitations, because I like his game so much. His character concerns drop him down 7 or 8 points for me and I’ll give him a 77. If someone gets this kid at the end of round 2, he may end up being one of the steal of the draft if he can keep his nose clean.

Hau’oli Kikaha – DE Washington 77

Kikaha is one of those players who really dominates at the college level but doesn’t necessarily have the measureables to translate as effectively to the next level. Kikaha has well below average length and speed for a traditional defensive end prospect, but lacks the speed and size to play the outside linebacker spot. He has awesome hands and offensive tackles get ripped and pulled by Kikaha when he shows his relentless pass rushing ability. The kid led the entire nation in sacks this past season with 18. His lack of length and speed makes me think he’ll struggle against the run in the NFL, so it’s tough to try to say where he’ll end up playing in terms of position. I would think he’s probably a pass rushing specialist and a rotational defensive end or outside linebacker prospect with somewhat limited upside.

Nick Boyle – TE Delaware 77

This kid is a good player who can do everything you want out of a tight end in today’s NFL. Boyle has more athleticism than you’d think a 6’6 270 pound kid should have. He shows good hands, catching 80 passes the past two seasons for the Blue Hens. He’s one of the two or three best blockers in this draft and uses his length and size to move defensive ends out of the way and has the quickness to get a hat on a linebacker when you need him to do that. He doesn’t have any weakness in his game. While he’s not a Ebron or Vernon Davis type prospect by any stretch, this is a kid who can at worst be a number two tight end in the league, but definitely has the upside as a one. One of the highest floors in the draft for his position and will end up being a really good blocking, 40 catch per year tight end.

Javorius “Buck” Allen RB USC 77

Allen is a quiet riser on my board from the start of the year until now. This guy glides a bit when he runs and shows good patience and very nice vision. Allen doesn’t have a ton of wear and tear on the tires as this was his only true year as the feature back in college, therefore moving his ranking up in terms of the NFL. Allen has nice power, and has shown the ability to lower his 220 pounds and power through to fall forward for a few extra yards. He has more speed in the open field than he appears and although he doesn’t look like a speedster he has deceptive speed getting chunk yardage when a hole opens up. He shows really nice ability in the passing game, running a variety of routes and is a willing and capable blocker. He had over 60 catches in his college career. I watch him and think he could be a sleeper with a ton of upside and potential. He can play all three downs, has a nice combination of power and vision, and has little wear on the tires. I think this kid could really be a solid back in the NFL.

Ben Koyack – TE Notre Dame 77

Koyack is a really nice player with an extremely high floor. The kid is an excellent blocker as a tight end, and was asked to both pass protect, which he did a nice job of in college and has high upside doing in that he’s 6’5 with long arms as a tight end. Where Koyack excels though is as a run blocker, where he’s possibly the top run blocking tight end in this class. He doesn’t have elite strength but Koyack gets himself in position constantly and opens up huge holes on the playside, although when he comes across formation he’s not as good, but still well above average. As a pass catcher there is some upside there but he wasn’t used much in the passing game at Notre Dame. He has good hands though, but he seems really raw in his route running, and I don’t know if he’s athletic enough to constantly get open in the NFL. The kid is a number two tight end early in his career but I really believe he’s going to develop into a good starter in the league and his receiving numbers will grow each year as he gets a better feel for what teams want to use him for.

Nick Marshall – CB Auburn 77

Marshall played cornerback at Georgia for a season before transferring to quarterback at Auburn. Now, three years later he’s going into the NFL as a cornerback again. Raw but long and fast, if he had stayed at corner at Georgia he may have been a borderline first round guy. Marshall has great length and although his footwork needs a lot of work his instincts and recognition skills should be good. Marshall has good quickness and his skill set is designed to be a good press corner, using his length and speed to redirect and then chase. I think the kid has a high upside but you have to remember it’s been a long time since he’s played corner consistently, so there is some wash out potential there.

Alex Carter – CB Stanford 76

There were a lot of people early in the year who had Carter as a first round corner but he eventually regressed to the mean, which is where he belongs. The kid has a good size speed combination at 6 feet and running a 4.50 40 at the combine. He doesn’t have the fluidity that you’d want and is a little stiff hipped when I watch him play at times. Carter works hard in run support but his tackling technique overall is average to a bit above average. The kid is definitely a zone corner, as he does a decent job in man, when asked to mirror or turn and chase but he’s clearly at his best when he’s allowed to sit and watch, and then attack downhill. He actually reminds me a bit of Kyle Fuller coming out last year, but without as high of an upside.

Henry Anderson – DE Stanford 76

Anderson is a really solid player who can help you in both the run and pass game and projects as a fringe starter as a five technique defensive end in a 34. Anderson is extremely well coached, by perhaps the best defensive line coach in all of college football and has shown good technique and leverage on perhaps the most consistent basis in all of college football. Anderson doesn’t have upside as a pass rusher, but he does work hard and makes effort plays on the backend. Occasionally he can get tackles or guards off balance and will push the pocket with leverage and above average strength. I’m sure you’ll get a good player in Anderson who can help you at worst in a rotational capacity but I see him as a fringe starter who can help almost any team with a high floor but a pretty limited ceiling as well.

Quinten Rollins – DB Miami (OH) 76

Rollins is a converted basketball point guard who ended up only playing one year of college football. The kid is truly a remarkable athlete. I can only count on one hand the guys in the past five years who can start and stop as quickly as he can. He has great hands and attacks the ball, whether in the air or the ball carrier in the flat. He has poor overall technique, which is to be expected at this point. What he runs at the combine is going to be hugely important for him, as his quickness is probably close to the rare “elite” word, but his long speed might not be enough for him to play on the outside. That might be okay though, as given time he could be a great slot corner or even give him time to make the move to safety. Big question on Rollins is how long it will take him to make a contribution as year one will likely be a special teams “red-shirt” season. It might even take 2-3 years before he’s truly ready to contribute consistently, but his overall skill set is really high. Very high potential but, you have to be really patient.

Karlos Williams – RB Florida State 76

One of my biggest sleepers for this year’s draft is Karlos Williams from Florida State. The kid has elite height weight speed combination, which means that his potential is there for him to be a stud. He is 230 pounds during the season and ran under 4.5 at the combine. Williams played safety at the beginning of his career so there is some lack of experience there which will lead to him not playing up to his potential as of yet. He runs really upright, so he loses some of his power. He does a really nice job of pressing the hole and then bouncing to the outside or cutting back to get upfield. Williams doesn’t have much wiggle and his evaluation in the passing game shows that he’s probably average as a third down back, although I doubt he does that much in the NFL. The kid has some serious potential, he runs hard and physical but doesn’t make people miss very often in the second level. I think there’s a high upside here and if you can get him on day 3 I would not be surprised at all if he ends up being a highly productive player.

Robert Myers – G Tenn State 76

I was impressed with Myers at the Senior Bowl week. Watching him in one on ones was impressive. He showed little panic, kept his feet moving, and didn’t bend at the waist, showing good overall balance in pass protection drills. Myers looks like he can be a really plus pass-blocker as he keeps his feet balanced as well as his hands for the most part, with good awareness. As a run blocker he struggles in a zone scheme as of right now, but I think that is something that he could improve upon as he goes in his career. In a phone booth he’s really solid, getting good movement and absolutely dominating when he’s asked to double team players. I really believe this kid could be a good starter in the league. I want him to take a year to develop as he needs to get more functional strength and turn more of his weaknesses into strengths. If you can get him on day 3 it’d be a good selection. Reminds me a bit of James Carpenter from Seattle.

Kwon Alexander – LB LSU 76

When you watch Alexander on tape you notice immediately how fast he is for a linebacker. He moves extremely well and plays with a nice edge to him. At times Alexander can even get his motor going too quickly and will run himself out of position or come in too hard and miss tackles. The passing game is where he shows the most ability in that he covers easily and sticks in both man and zone coverage. I didn’t see him make too many plays in the passing game on tape but he seems to be in good position often and his fluid movement skills allow him to get deep into zone coverages. Alexander is undersized for his position and he can get washed out against zone or base blocking schemes. He’s quick enough to avoid lineman who are off balance in space but there are times where he just simply gets overwhelmed. His speed is a true asset but you have to wonder how many tackles he can make at the next level because of his lack of true size. He weighed in somewhere around 225 pounds during the season. I think he’s a really good player, and in a league more and more dependent on playing in space and in the passing game, Alexander provides really nice value and a player who can play right away in nickel and dime situations. Huge ceiling as a special teams player as well.

Garrett Grayson – QB Colorado State 76

Grayson is the fourth quarterback on my board and his stock is rising not just for me but for almost every other pundit as well. He has good movement skills and has good zip on the football both from the pocket and on the move. Grayson struggles a bit with the underneath throws because his release is a bit slower so his timing has to be almost perfect, which leaves little room for error and creates some mistake throws. He isn’t going to get out and run for a lot of first downs either, but I don’t think he’s a horrible athlete, as he looks fluid on boots and waggles. Grayson throws a beautiful deep ball and does a good job changing trajectories and throwing into deep windows. The kid is really intriguing and although he definitely should get a year or two to sit and learn, he has the potential to develop into a good starting quarterback.

Sammie Coates – WR Auburn 76

Coates is one of the most gifted wide receivers in this year’s draft in terms of Height,weight,speed combination. The issue with Coates is that while he’s 6’1 and 215 pounds and runs a straight line as well as anyone in the country,( 4.43 seconds with a 41 inch vertical) he has major drop issues. Coates I would say on the traditional 1-5 ranking scale has 5 hands, which is the worst category you can get. The kid had a 19% drop rate in college, and along with that he would stop on routes that can cause incompletions or worse. He has the potential to be an absolute beast in the NFL. He’s rare in his athletic ability and size, and can absolutely take over games on the outside at times, just watch the Alabama tape where he was the best player on the field for that game that included Amari Cooper. His inconsistency and lack of focus is a problem, but has enormous upside. Round 3 guy for me, worth the risk at that point and the reward could be a monster.

Danielle Hunter – DE LSU 75

Hunter is a long and lean defensive end who plays with good pursuit and effort. He’s very raw as a pass rusher and really doesn’t give you much in terms of pass rush ability at this point in his career. Hunter only has a handful of sacks in his career but shows tantalizing promise in that area and flashes throughout games. He played very well against Alabama in terms of the pass rush against a future top pick in Cam Robinson. Hunter is the exact opposite of what you would expect from a 240 pound long defensive end prospect. Hunter plays the run very well and makes a lot of plays in pursuit and with high energy and speed. Very quick for his size, he has nice balance and agility and makes plays in the run game both through penetration and pursuit. He’s raw as a pass rusher but plays hard and has tremendous upside in that area, just might need to develop him for a couple of years to see what you really have.

Gerod Holliman – S Louisville 75

This guy is the best defensive back in the draft in terms of being a ball hawk and a playmaker in the pass game. Holliman had 18 pass break ups this season, his lone season as a starter for the Cardinals at free safety, which is an insane amount. To better that though, he had a NCAA leading 14 interceptions on top of it! Holliman is extremely aggressive and fluid in his movement skills, baiting quarterbacks and attacking the football with elite ball skills. The kid has good size at 6’ and 218 pounds as well. That being said he’s probably the worst free safety in the draft in terms of run support. Holliman is actually scared of contact, giving ground in run support instead of taking people on and is a poor tackler on top of it. He’s got a lean frame, but not lean enough to avoid contact. Holliman likes to do one thing and one thing only, and that’s go after interceptions. He’ll void his area in zone, giving up big plays at times because he’s not where he’s supposed to be. Holliman will be a perfect fit for teams that want to play single high or deep cover 2 and let him be that high safety making plays in the pass game. Probably twenty teams won’t even have the kid on their draft board though because they need a guy who will be in the exact perfect spot and won’t make mistakes. Completely scheme dependent, but he’s got 12 out of 10 in terms of ball skills and big play ability.

Derron Smith – S Fresno State 75

Smith is an undersized safety, but one who is plenty good enough to play effectively at the next level. He’s only around 5’9 and weighed in a little under 200 pounds. He has good explosiveness and cover skills on slot receivers and wideouts, and does a great job attacking the boundary. He likes to play downhill and attack near the line of scrimmage, but he can get caught in overpursuit or out of position when he tries to make too many things happen. He’s a good playmaker but can get beat deep occasionally so you have to take the good with the bad. I think he’s a good player but his size and aggressiveness are causes for concern.

Josh Harper – WR Fresno State 75

Harper is an intriguing case because he probably doesn’t have the top end speed to play outside the hashes at the NFL level but he isn’t your typical slot NFL guy either. Harper is about 6’1 but is lean so a bit bigger than what you’d consider for your slot player. He doesn’t run crisp routes either but he does figure out ways to get open and is sort of savvy when it comes to that. Harper is quicker than fast and has some wiggle to get open underneath. He’s a highly productive player, recording over 1000 yards this past season on 90 catches. I watched in two tapes him take 5 passes well short of a first down and turn them into big gains and moved the sticks. He’s not as quick as the other top slot options in this draft but his size gives him an advantage over the others. The best thing that he does though is catch the football. One evaluator said he had a one percent drop rate throughout his career and that he almost never double catches the ball or lets it get into his body. I think this guy is a nice piece who can come probably cheaper than the other elite slots in this draft but could end up with similar production depending on scheme.

Jalston Fowler – FB Alabama 75

Fowler is the best fullback I’ve scouted in the past three seasons and his versatility could make him a pro-bowl fullback. Fowler catches the ball naturally out of the backfield, runs quality routes, is a load with the ball in his hands and has elite movement skills for the position. Of course, fullback is a blocking first position and Fowler is a beast in terms of run blocking. He gets his hands and shoulders square and is quick enough to get in to position against linebackers at the second level. I’m not sure if he’s great at pass protection yet, but he makes up for that with the ability to perhaps be the best pass catcher at his position in the NFL early in his career. Saban has said he’s one of his favorite players he’s coached. Fowler could potentially play on all four special teams units as well, increasing what is already a tremendously versatile player.

Daryl Williams – OT Oklahoma 75

Williams is a pretty good prospect overall with a fairly high floor. He has the ability to play right tackle in the NFL with adequate quickness, decent length, and good power and base. I think actually that Williams might be a better prospect at guard where he can use his ability to maul and get to the second level as well as use his awareness to his advantage. Williams is exceptional at picking up stunts, delays, and T-E games and therefore he may be better suited to the inside where he can pick those up. He doesn’t have great foot quickness and can get beat with speed moves to the outside. I don’t think his upside is huge because he’s a little flat footed at times, but overall his size, strength, and awareness means that he can translate to three positions in the league. I see either an average to above average starter at right tackle, a swing tackle, or a solid guard candidate with a decent ceiling but a good floor.

Tre Jackson – G Florida State 74

Solid player, potentially a starter at guard, his worst tape out of 6 I watched was an even grade, which means even when he’s bad he’s average. Jackson understands what teams are trying to do on the defensive side of the ball and it’s obvious he’s been coached well while in Tallahassee. Jackson was a better player last year than he was this year though, at times he was dominant and at times he was average. One of the biggest issues with Jackson is his lack of quickness, though, running one of the slowest 10 yard splits at the combine and it shows up on film. Jackson has good length and moves players where he wants them to go, once he gets his hands on them but quickness gives him some problems. I like Jackson, but he needs to play in a man scheme up front because of his lack of foot speed, but if you give him a good scheme for him he could end up being a nice player.

Ty Montgomery - WR Stanford 74

Montgomery is one of the most frustrating players I’ve scouted in the past three or four seasons. The guy has absolutely all the tools you’d want out of a star dynamic play maker and yet he seems to lack the production that you feel should follow all of those tools. He’s a tremendous athlete with top end speed and can simply blow by defenders when he’s allowed to get off the line of scrimmage. The guy isn’t just a burner though, Montgomery has really good size at around 210 pounds and stands around 6’1. Montgomery is an explosive kick returner and has taken three kicks to the house in his career. He has good hands for the most part but at times can struggle, I’d say he’s above average in this area. Despite his good size he isn’t great at contested catches, which is one of the reasons for his mediocre production. I would think that you’d take him in round two but the kid has clear top ten talent, I think refining his skill set and putting in some work with this guy could end up giving you an absolute steal. At absolute worst you have yourself a dynamic weapon in the kick return game and a high IQ, high character locker room guy. As of right now you’re projecting what he could be, and that upside is as high as anyone in this class.

Stefon Diggs – WR Maryland 74

Diggs could be one of the biggest sleepers of this year’s draft. I compare him a lot to Donte Moncrief coming out of Ole Miss last year, in that he possesses some skills that are without question first round skills, but he never seemed to fully put it together. Diggs has a history of injury issues, as well, including a lacerated spleen at one point. He’s got really good long speed for a slot type receiver, running a 4.44 and great suddenness and explosiveness with the ball in his hands. He could be a good kick returner in the league as well. He’s not a physical player by any stretch, he avoids big hits and doesn’t like to block. The kid could end up being a really dynamic third weapon in the NFL. If you can get the ball into his hands, he’s elite when he’s in space so if a team can figure out a way to get him the ball he could be a good pro.

Bryce Petty - QB Baylor 74

Petty is a guy who you have to try to evaluate based on skill set and not as much on film, he is a true projection. He played in a system at Baylor under Art Briles that is completely different than anything you’d see at the NFL level, except under Chip Kelly in Philadelphia. He doesn’t take snap from under center, he isn’t asked to read defenses, and his throws were very rarely NFL quality routes and throws. That being said there is a lot to like about Petty. He throws a tremendous deep ball with great touch and accuracy. Petty has good movement skills and seems to throw fairly well on the move. I think he might be the second best quarterback in this draft at holding safeties and manipulating defenses post read. I think Petty has average to above average arm strength and pretty decent size around 230 pounds. I’m not sure Petty does a good enough job when there is pressure at his feet or up the middle, however. If you pressure him and can take away read number one and especially read number two, move him off his spot he really struggles. When you ask him to simply make a read and chuck it he’s extremely accurate, but make him come off of that read and he’s not nearly as good. I think Petty, if he goes into the right offense for him could be a nice player, but if you try to play him too early or put too much on his plate he may struggle. I compare him a lot to Nick Foles, in that he’s a nice player but there is a limit there in terms of what he can be.

Ali Marpet – C Hobart 74

This kid is a really solid player, might need a year to get up to the speed of the game and to add strength but he’s got a lot of talent. Marpet was a guy I knew nothing about coming out of Division III Hobart until Senior Bowl week. Then, the kid showed up there and was a really impressive player. He has exceptional quickness for a lineman and showed off great athleticism in the 40 as well, running the fastest time of all offensive linemen. Marpet isn’t the strongest player but he takes good angles and does a better than average job of squaring people up. The kid was a dominant tackle in college but he projects much better as an interior lineman in the pro’s and I think with his skill set and knowledge that there is a great chance he could be a great center.

T.J. Clemmings – OT Pittsburgh 74

Clemmings has an extremely high ceiling and has tremendous athletic ability and movement skills for a guy his size. With that being said, Clemmings is the most overrated player in the entire draft. For a team to use a pick on Clemmings in the middle of the first round at this point in his development is completely ridiculous. He has horrible footwork and got absolutely destroyed in one on one pass pro at the senior bowl. Clemmings has only played on the offensive side of the ball for a couple of seasons and therefore his offensive skill set is completely unrefined and raw. I just don’t see the appeal of drafting a major project in the first round when there is a legitimate chance he doesn’t make any impact in his career as he may never fully achieve his potential. He may just never have the ability to pass protect at the NFL level. Top 5 ability, 5^th round tape.

Grady Jarrett – DT Clemson 74

People have compared Jarrett to Aaron Donald from last year’s draft. A quicker, undersized defensive tackle Jarrett can create havoc with his first step and initial jump. The major difference between Jarrett and Donald is that Jarrett’s productivity is about 20% of what Donald’s was. He comes from an extremely good football family, with his father being five time pro-bowler Jessie Tuggle and Ray Lewis as a major influence in his life. The kid is a good effort player, but being 288 pounds means that he’s constantly overpowered at the point against double teams. His quickness and array of pass rush moves means that he can win with quickness against slower interior lineman. The kid is limited but I could see him becoming a good three technique on the interior, and a rotational lineman with a long career.

Damarious Randall – S Arizona State 74

Randle is a player who plays longer than his 5’11 frame. He’s a talented kid with quick feet and is well above average in his change of direction and when he winds down to change direction. I think Randall is an intriguing prospect who could play multiple positions in the league. He plays tough in the box although he weighs around 195 pounds, which is about 20 pounds light for the safety position in the league. I think he could end up playing zone corner in the league as well, or even a bit of press man as 5’11 with long arms means he could play press on the outside. He’s a well above average athlete which means he could end up being a stud special teams player. Seems overall like a good football player who might end up being somewhat of a tweener but could find his way on the field for teams who like to use 5 DB’s or 3 safeties a lot.

Stephone Anthony – LB Clemson 74

The kid is a pretty good football player but doesn’t have an elite skill set or an elite trait that gives him an edge. Anthony can take a false step in play recognition and it costs him, especially in the passing and screen game. He’s got decent size, although his length isn’t ideal. He’s much better attacking in the middle of the field against the run or the pass, but when he’s forced to read and react he isn’t as good. He’s a pretty good tackler, although at times he can fail to wrap up and bring people down, as he has adequate but not overwhelming power. He will overrun and overpursue at times, but he’s a pretty good player. To me I think he’s a decent inside linebacker or 43 outside linebacker candidate.

Tyler Varga – FB Yale 74

It’s not often that I would say that a kid from Yale needs to make an NFL roster but this kid does. Typically toward the end of your draft to take a flier on a small school kid at running back is what teams do like throwing a dart at a dart board. I think this kid would be the perfect player to throw a dart at because he’s a damn good football player. He played fullback during the week at Senior Bowl and showed he has some ability as a lead blocker. The kid is built like a Greek god and weighs in at around 225 pounds. He moves well and can definitely play on third down whether as a blocker or as a receiver where he looks comfortable. He could be a stud on special teams and a really nice third down back, with a high upside, and clearly a high football IQ coming out of the Ivy League. A day three pick who will end up making a roster and then an impact.. A guy every single team in the league could use.

Hroniss Grasu – C Oregon 73

Grasu is an athletic center with good awareness and movement skills. If Grasu had come out in last year’s draft there were a lot of people who thought that he would have been a late first round pick. I had a second round grade on him but thought it was entirely possible he would have gone in the first as well. This year, Grasu battled injuries and some inconsistent play and his stock has dropped off precipitously. Grasu moves well, but isn’t your traditional pull all the time center that you’d think of when you see someone who weighs in a little under 300 pounds. He does a better job zone blocking and using his angles to get to the second level and seal off seams for running backs. Grasu is a good overall pass protector and can reanchor and reestablish his hands when they get knocked down. He’s not built extremely well and although he has good length for a center he can miss with a punch and get pushed back at times. The kid has upside, and perhaps some of the reason he underachieved this season was the injury bugs that bit him throughout the year. I would think he’s now probably a fourth round pick, but a third round selection wouldn’t necessarily be a reach. He has starters potential without question, and his leadership and intelligence were praised all the time at Oregon by coaches and players alike. He lacks the true power to play any system so you have to know what you’re getting yourself into when you draft him.

Phillip Dorsett – WR Miami 73

One of the fastest players in college football, Dorsett can absolutely fly. His route running is very raw and he didn’t really end up taking off the way you would expect him to at Miami, finishing with just 35 catches the past season. His drop percentage is really good, close to elite, as I’ve heard he had only two drops his entire career. He’s a very difficult guy to project, because he’s really small at about 5’8 and while he doesn’t mind playing over the middle, his route running is poor and he’s got tight hips for someone with his athleticism. My issue is wondering where to play him, and although I love the potential, as he averaged over 20 yards per catch, his size and limitations mean to me he’s a third or fourth receiver which drops his grade. Good niche player but floor is pretty low.

B.J. Finney – C Kansas State 73

I know that Finney might not blow you away when you watch tape of the kid. He doesn’t really have an elite skill set and he won’t wow you with athleticism, which is probably below NFL average. What Finney does that impresses me so much is his consistency and awareness on every snap and in every game. He’s not a really powerful blocker but he uses his leverage well and is almost always in the correct position to make a block. Finney isn’t a slow mover, as he has pretty good quickness overall and gets himself into good position after the snap. He’s not an elite finisher but he gets himself into position. I think Finney is going to eventually be a starting center in the league and will develop into a nice player. He may need a year or two as a backup guard or center; but his ability to play both and understand blocking assignments means at worst he’s a really quality three spot backup with starting potential. I do worry a bit about his short arms, but overall solid prospect.

Arie Koundijo – G Alabama 72

I’m pretty torn on what I’ve seen from Koundijo throughout his game tapes. On one hand there are times when he looks like he’s a really good starting guard at the next level. On the other hand there are times when he looks like he simply gets overmatched due to his lack of overall quickness. It’s going to be very scheme dependent on what teams would even be interested in taking Koundijo in the middle of the draft. A team that uses a lot of zone blocking and throws a bunch of screens and tunnels can’t use Koundijo. However, somebody who wants a phone booth guard who can push the pile and runs nice traps and powers could use a player like him and he may even been a good starter. Koundijo projects as an average to slightly below average pass blocker in the league in that he has the power to anchor and absorb but doesn’t have the quickness to get to blitzing linebackers or quick stunts. He loses some points because he has a lack of versatility in both scheme and position, making him a fringe starter and a decent overall prospect.

Ladarius Gunter – CB Miami 72

Gunter improved his stock during Senior Bowl week and his reps in one on one drills were really impressive. Gunter looked like a smooth athlete in his backpedal and had loose hips to rotate and drive down at the football on shorter underneath throws. His size at the combine surprised me in a good way, coming in at 6’1 and 202 pounds opened up my eyes even more. His tape wasn’t as good as his potential tools are however. He’s not really strong in run support, as he isn’t super physical at the point, but that’s not a killer for a corner, just a slight knock. He doesn’t find the football well enough at times in man coverage, but when he does he flashes some nastiness so there’s an issue there with a possible solution. He played a little safety at Miami and played both inside and outside, which is a major plus as I could see him transitioning to safety in the NFL as well. He is better in zone than in man but he’s good in man. I like Gunter overall, the kid could play multiple positions and attacks the football when he sees it. I don’t think he’s going to be a game changer for a team but I think his stock is too low for his potential.

P.J. Williams – CB Florida State 71

I think Williams is a rotational defensive back in the NFL or a number two corner in a good scenario. I understand that some people like his upside and potential, but I simply think he’s an average corner in the NFL. He has good top end speed but sometimes doesn’t use it as well as he could. Williams does a good job in trail technique but at times can get lost in zone. He tries to jump routes at times although I don’t know if he has the best overall read on what’s happening. Williams does a pretty good job against the run, and uses his length to get off of receivers and works hard to set the edge. He has average to below average ball skills, and because of that his lack of size and lack of ball skills mean that he might get overpowered by bigger receivers. He did not play his best against top end competition. Could be a decent round 3-5 pick.

Jay Ajayi – RB Boise State 71

Ajayi is your typical volume running back. Which means that he’ll get you typically the yards that are blocked for him and not much else. He has decent college speed, but nothing that will translate into him consistently getting the edge in the NFL. That could be a problem as Ajayi doesn’t run with very good toughness and breaks very few tackles and almost never pushes the pile. He’s a decent number two running back prospect, and he can definitely help in the passing game. He had 77 catches his last two seasons and shows natural hands and feel in the passing game. Ajayi also is above average in pass protection, so the kid could be a pretty good third down back and rotational option. Have to take into account that although the kid has played through a number of injuries in his career, he also did have aa torn ACL in his past and a lot of wear and tear on the tires. Reminds me of Pierre Thomas.

Gabe Wright – DT Auburn 71

Wright is going to be a rotational defensive tackle in the NFL. He plays with good leverage and does an adequate job anchoring against double teams. The kid has really good quickness off the snap and can be disruptive pretty consistently in the passing game as well. He has a nice closing speed to make plays toward the sideline and he plays hard consistently. I’m not sure he’s strong enough to constantly hold up in the run game at the NFL level but his quickness can get him into the backfield. His production wasn’t as good as his overall production, as he misses some tackles and ended up with five sacks although I think he probably could have had two or three more if he hadn’t missed the tackles. Good player.

Rashad Greene – WR Florida State 71

Greene is a saavy number two or three receiver in the NFL. He’s undersized at 5’11 and just 175 pounds and doesn’t really make up for that with true blazing speed or quickness. He’s a really good route runner but while he projects as a good slot receiver in the NFL he struggles to hang onto the ball during contact. Not sure he has the toughness consistently and therefore he could go out of bounds or get tackled before he actually picks up first downs. Greene is a good player but his upside is limited as he will struggle outside against corners because he just doesn’t have the strength to get off of press. He’s a good player but he has major limitations and therefore he’s a number 3 receiver or at tops a second weapon in the league.

Sean Mannion – QB Oregon State 71

There are certain things that Mannion can do on a football field that almost no one else in this draft can do other than Jameis Winston. He played in a pro-style system at Oregon State under Mike Riley for a full four seasons and can make every single NFL throw. You have to remember than Riley has cultivated some really nice pro careers for Derek Anderson and Matt Moore. I think Mannion will probably be somewhere in there when his career is done. Mannion’s biggest issue is that while there isn’t a throw he can’t make, and he can make absolutely incredible throws at times, he is so deliberate in what he does that it affects his play. He has a slow delivery, and will wait too long in the pocket or with his reads at times, and takes unnecessary sacks or throws unnecessary picks. Mannion has the potential to develop into a really quality backup, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a starter at some point. He reminds me a lot of Mike Glennon coming out of school, a fringe starter with some really good backup tendencies and potential.

Tre McBride – WR William & Mary 71

McBride’s tape is interesting to say the least. He is a poor route runner, and despite good speed and size at that level he had to make a lot of contested catches. I question his overall ability to get open at the next level, but he has the speed and size to cause some matchup problems. He’s 6’0 200 pounds and runs a legitimate 4.4 40 consistently. McBride has elite ball skills and catches virtually everything thrown his way. A couple of his films were extremely impressive watching him attack the football. The kid has excellent body control and wins more than he loses on downfield throws. McBride has potential, but he may take a couple of years to develop at the NFL level. However receivers with elite ball skills and good combinations of size and speed are enticing to almost all NFL GM’s and especially a future one like myself.

Chris Conley – WR Georgia 71

Conley is a freak athlete who never quite put it all together at Georgia. Conley put on an absolute show at the combine, and while that might not be enough to move him into the day two conversation at receiver, it definitely means he’s getting drafted. His production at Georgia wasn’t what I would have liked but I’m not sure that’s as much about Conley as it is about having Gurley and Chubb in the backfield there. He runs pretty good routes and has extreme explosiveness out of breaks, but it does take him a beat to wind down at times. Conley isn’t really shifty with the ball but his long speed is nasty at 4.35 and his good feel for defensive schemes means he has a chance to get open a bunch. His ridiculous athletic ability means that someone is going to become enamored with him. I love 6’2 215 pound guys who run 4.35, that’s an extremely intriguing combination. I would think someone may fall in love and take him in round 2 or 3, but I project him as a nice number three option with number two upside.

Lorenzo Doss – CB Tulane 70

Doss is a risk reward cornerback coming out of Tulane. The kid has ridiculous ball skills and was highly productive at Tulane with 15 interceptions and almost 30 passes defended as a three year starter. He doesn’t have very good size at just 5’10 and his 33 inch vertical didn’t make me feel comfortable he can play consistently on the outside in the NFL. He’s weak against the run and doesn’t love contact, but I think he can play the slot and not have to worry too much about that in the league. He’s too aggressive at times and will get called for penalties or destroyed on double moves at times. The kid could end up getting a lot of picks, but he is going to give up big plays on the other end as well. If you’re a turnover reliant team, or one that is willing to take chances this kid could end up as a starter for you. Buyer beware but there is a lot of upside here.

Cody Prewitt - S Ole Miss 70

Prewitt is going to be a second or third safety on most rosters and a special teams guy in the NFL. Prewitt has good instincts both against the run and the pass. He’s a decent, not great tackler despite his good size for the position at 6’2 and 215 pounds. Prewitt has decent speed for a safety but looks much more comfortable in zone than he does in man, although I think if a team used him like a nickel linebacker closer to the line against tight ends and backs he could hold up. That’s where I think he’l l be used in obvious passing downs. Prewitt has good recognition and ball skills, had 13 interceptions in his career. He’s limited by being an average athlete and not being as physical as you’d want in a safety but he’s a good rotational player and special teams guy.

Jarvis Harrison – G Texas A&M 70

If you want to take a day three gamble, this would be a really good gamble to take. I think Harrison has late second round talent and when you watch him play he can dominate for stretches throughout a game, especially when he gets into a rhythm. Harrison has elite size and power at 6’4 and 330 pounds and moves way better than you’d think for someone that size. His teammates like him a lot and although he’s not elite in terms of pass protection he sees things happening in front of him and does an average to above average job picking up and sliding for a guard. I don’t have any concerns about him in terms of talent, but as far as love for the game and work ethic I’m worried from everything I’ve read. Scouts have said that they really question whether he likes the game and there have been questions about whether or not he watches enough film to be successful. If you feel like you can trust him to put in the necessary time this guy could be a pro-bowl level player, he’s really good. However, it’s a risk in that he may just let his weight get the better of him and not ever get any better because he may not have the love for the game you’d like. If he fell to the fourth round I think you’d want to jump on the pick because you might get a star.

Antwan Goodley – WR Baylor 70

I like Goodley but he is a strange prospect to try to grade out. He’s only around 5’10 but he weighs about 220 pounds and is built completely like a running back. He runs decent routes, although at Baylor he wasn’t asked to run a full route tree by any stretch. I’m not sure how good his hands are as I watched him double catch a few passes and can fight the ball a bit at times, especially when he’s trying to sit down in a zone or running through traffic. I think he has pretty good speed, but lacks that quickness that you’d want from a guy who probably has to play inside. I’m not sure exactly where he’ll play at the next level but his physicality and ability to get past defenders is something teams are going to want. Will be very interested to see where he goes come draft day.

Ronald Darby – CB Florida State 69

He’s a nice player with a shady past and that’s something you have to consider when the kid doesn’t have top end upside. Darby is around 5’11 and 190 pounds, and he possesses elite top end speed, running in the 4.35 range consistently. He shows terrific instincts in diagnosing route combinations and he recognizes run quickly. He does a great job shadowing and trailing receivers, which shows that he has good upside as a nickel. He has bad ball skills and lets the ball get into his frame too much, and sometimes doesn’t pick the football up down the field, which means you might see him get beat on back shoulder throws and fades consistently in the NFL. He was accused of sexual misconduct while at Florida State, and people in the program have questioned his maturity. Major red flags and poor ball skills mean that this kid, while probably a 2^nd -3^rd round grade, I’d probably take him somewhere in the 4-6 range.

Kurtis Drummond – S Michigan State 69

Drummond is a pretty good football player overall. He likes to play more toward the line of scrimmage and shows a willingness to tackle in space and attacks the flats and lead blockers well. Drummond has pretty good ball skills, he played receiver in high school, and made one of the sickest catches I’ve ever seen (Western Michigan tape, 1^st quarter). My biggest question with Drummond, however, is whether or not he has the speed to truly run with receivers at the next level. He seems like he can see the play coming, but just doesn’t really have the speed to get there a lot of the time. I doubt he could play free safety at the next level because of his lack of speed, and what he runs at the combine is imperative to his draft stock. I do believe he could be a really good special teams player but ultimately he’s a day 3 pick as someone who might struggle with coverage but could come up and help in run support and definitely on your coverage teams.

T.J. Yeldon – RB Alabama 69

Yeldon is your typical third day running back draft prospect. The kid has really good lateral movement skills and can get small through the hole and come out on the second level quicker than most running backs. He was blessed with a tremendous offensive line at Alabama and it meant that many of his yards occurred well before contact. His vision is above average but he rarely runs behind his pads, meaning he won’t fall forward or push the pile consistently. He’s a decent but not good route runner and catches the ball pretty effortlessly. That being said he doesn’t have a skill set that really lifts him over other running backs, which is a prerequisite to get drafted on the first two days. Good player but not someone I’d fall in love with on my draft board. He’s a guy who can give you 6-10 carries a game or a spot start and get you the yards you block for him though.

Duke Johnson – RB Miami 69

Johnson is a guy who is really high on a lot of draft boards at the running back position. I can see some of the appeal; he has good tape speed, although his 40 time is just average for an NFL running back at 4.54 for the 40. Johnson has been hugely productive, and is the all-time leading rusher at Miami. A lot of people like the characteristic, but to me it means he has a lot of wear on the tires for someone who is less than 210 pounds. He’s a guy who doesn’t have much power so he’s more of an outside only running back as he’s maxed out his short frame. He’s quicker than fast but without the ability to really finish runs at the next level he limits how much you can use him. Johnson is dangerous in the open field, so throwing him the ball will help his cause, but he’s well below average as a pass blocker. To me he’s a day 3 pick as a quick hitter but not a feature back.

Jeff Heurmann – TE Ohio State 68

Huerman is a prospect that would be picked entirely based on potential as he had virtually no productivity at Ohio State. The kid is 6’5, 250 pounds, and runs very well for his size. He doesn’t separate well despite his speed because he doesn’t have much wiggle and his route running is a little without feel at this point. He’s a good inline blocker, but could improve overall in this area, but he’s not completely lost while blocking either. The kid has a high ceiling as people with his size and athleticism are hard to find, he’s a terrific athlete, a former hockey player who was damn good from what I’ve read. He seems like the perfect round 4 or 5 pick to me, he will give you something regardless, as a core special teams player and a number two or three tight end, but his upside is that of a really solid pass catching tight end.

Vince Mayle – WR Washington State 68

Mayle is a raw football player but he has a couple of skills that you can’t teach that might translate well to the NFL. Mayle is a physical football player who displays toughness both when battling for a contested catch, and in his blocking. The other thing you like about him is Mayle is his size and speed combination. While he doesn’t have the good wind down quickness and change of direction skills you’d want, his straight line speed and 6’3 frame makes him a tough down field threat. He really needs to work on his separation ability and route running as he was only asked to play one side of the field at Wazzu and ran a very limited route tree. He had two years at junior college where he simply overpowered and outran lesser athletes. Mayle has a high ceiling as a player, and if you could simply give him a year or two to develop I could see him turning into a really quality player. I saw some James Jones in him when I watched him the first two times.

Kenny Bell – WR Nebraska 68

When I first started watching Bell at Nebraska on tape I wasn’t that impressed. He seemed like a one trick pony who ran really weak routes and was outmuscled by receivers. While that is sometimes the case with him, the more I watched the more I saw him compete and make big plays in big time games. He has really good speed running a sub 4.4 at his pro-days and having pretty decent size at 6’1 and about 200 pounds. While he’s stiff on his routes, meaning you don’t want to move him inside to the slot he has the potential to become a good deep threat and third option. The kid is a competitor who works hard and can make big plays down the field. Underrated guy who could end up being a solid third option.

Jeremy Langford – RB Michigan State 68

Langford is your prototypical volume back. He will get you the yards that you block for him and if you give the guy 20 carries he’ll pick up some first downs and make some things happen. He’s not going to create much on his own and he won’t really make you miss or run away from everyone at the next level. Langford does have good vision and patience in the hole and shows some pretty nice lateral quickness. The couple issues I have with Langford is his lack of balance, as he seems to get tripped up by arm tackles or loses his footing fairly often when watching him on tape. He also runs with a bit of a lack of power, as he is only around 205 pounds and runs pretty much straight up and down. I think he’s a quality number two running back at the next level but I don’t see a ton of upside for him.

Rob Havenstein – RT Wisconsin 68

I’m typically not a big fan of drafting a player on the offensive line who only can play one position in the league. Havenstein doesn’t have the quickness to play the left side in the league and his extreme height, standing at 6’7.5, means that guard is out of the question. That being said Havenstein has the potential to be a starting right tackle in the league. He has, as mentioned, ridiculous length and is a very effective drive blocker. He projects as an average pass blocker with better feet than you’d think for someone who is that tall. He mirrors pretty well and can move defend the inside rush fairly well. He’s stiff in the knees, which is to be expected, and can get caught without the necessary knee bend, getting himself off balance against counter moves. He’s a fairly risky player because if he doesn’t work out as your right tackle you can’t have him on your roster as a backup swing tackle because he’d be a train wreck on the left side. However, if you feel comfortable with a mauling run blocking right tackle and he fits your scheme taking him somewhere in the 4-6 round range makes some sense.

Justin Hardy – WR East Carolina 67

Hardy is your prototypical third wide receiver in the NFL. Hardy doesn’t have elite quickness or foot speed but he plays hard and goes after the football in a way that many don’t in the league today. He rarely lets the ball get into his pads and does a good job attacking the ball in traffic. He doesn’t get a lot of separation and didn’t run many routes at East Carolina so he might be a bit of a project. I like the fact that he does a good job run blocking, using his length to attack defensive players and keep them at bay. The kid plays hard but his limited skill set means that he’s probably going to be a mid to late round pick and he’ll end up being a nice third or fourth option on a team

Mario Edwards Jr – DE Florida State 66

Edwards was projected to be a first round draft pick by many pundits at the start of the 2014 season, and he quickly fell out of favor with analysts and Seminole fans alike. The kid has the potential to be a really good player but never once achieved anything close to what he was expected to produce at Florida State. He showed almost nothing as a pass rusher, struggling both against power and speed tackles and guards. He is a pretty good run defender, and to me he projects best as a 34 defensive end where he can anchor and use his lower body explosiveness to create havoc. Edwards is pretty scheme versatile as he could play the RDE in a 43, and possibly the three technique as well. You’re not going to get anything in terms of consistent pass rush from Edwards but he could be a pretty good rotational and situational run player.

Corey Robinson – OT South Carolina 66

This guy has some potential that I think will intrigue some teams. Robinson is 6’7 325 pounds and fills out his frame well. Robinson doesn’t have great bend or technique as he can overslide or underslide on different rushing combinations and doesn’t have the power you’d want on pass rushing moves, which is strange for someone with his length and size. He seems like he’s a pretty decent athlete and moves well for his size in a straight line. I’m a bit torn on whether or not he has the knee bend to play inside at guard while being 6’7 but I think he could end up being a pretty decent right tackle or a swing tackle at some point as well. I could see him washing out and I could see him being a pretty decent starter, he’s a tough grade, but I think whichever team takes him on day 3 is taking a good risk. I’d like him on my team as a day 3 guy with starter’s potential long term.

Za’Darius Smith – DE Kentucky 66

Smith plays as hard as any player you will ever watch on tape. The kid gives absolutely maximum effort on every snap of every game, and there is a roster spot for someone who can do that. He was asked to two-gap more than I would have asked a guy at 270 pounds to but he held up rather well when asked. He’s not a very good pass rusher at this point because he doesn’t have very long arms, but he has active hands and does a pretty good job with the bulrush. I wish he had more of a repertoire of moves so I’m not sure he’ll ever really be a good pass rusher but you see flashes of him showing ability on tape. The thing that I like about him is that he played the 5 technique in the 34 defense as well as the RDE and LDE in the 43 and he could do it all in the same game. He’s versatile, has good speed for a defensive end, and works his tail off. I’m thinking core special teamer and rotational guy. One of those late round glue guys that might stick around for a long time.

Jordan Hicks – LB Texas 66

Hicks is a bit of an undersized linebacker, but he fits more with today’s NFL than some of the other more imposing linebackers in this draft. Hicks was extremely productive in Charlie Strong’s scheme notching 147 tackles his senior year, despite never getting more than 50 before Strong came into Austin. According to numerous reports the kid is an exceptional student of the game, living in the film and weight rooms respectively. He’s not a great tackler despite his numbers as his lack of strength hurts him a bit at times, but that’s something that can be improved upon. He’s a ltitle indecisive when working his way through traffic but typically he makes the plays that are in front of him. I’m not sure he’s a starter in the league I think he’s more of a special teams guy and perhaps a third down guy or rotational weakside backer. Good player who I think you’d clearly want in a locker room, and a guy who could become a glue guy.

Mike Hull – LB Penn State 66

Hull is an undersized linebacker with good speed. He was a captain at Penn State and comes from great bloodlines with his father and uncle both playing in the NFL. Hull is a good tackler, despite his size at just 5’11 and 235 pounds, but he isn’t a take-on guy, when someone gets him blocked he typically stays blocked. He takes decent angles and battles consistently to get around blockers and plays sideline to sideline. The kid is good in coverage overall, especially zone and can get deep into the areas and gets better than average depth. Not a great blitzer but has some potential in that area with good short area quickness. The kid doesn’t have the size or length to be elite but could be a really good special teams guy and a chase and cover guy in the league. I think this guy could play in the league for a while.

Ty Sambrailo – OT Colorado State 65

To me Sambrailo is your traditional swing tackle in the NFL. He has really good athleticism and nice length at 6’5 with 33 inch arms, but he lacks the functional strength you’d look for in a tackle prospect. Sambrailo struggles when people bull rush him and he can get caught on his heels because of that and pushed back into the quarterback. He has really good feet and it’s rare to watch tackles pull and move like he does but he doesn’t finish his blocks as well as you’d like, therefore he can’t kick inside to guard. Sambrailo has potential to improve, simply because adding strength isn’t something that’s hard to do, especially because he has the frame to add more weight. I would think it’ll take a couple of years before he becomes a consistent force, but he has some long term potential.

Marcus Golden – DE/OLB Missouri 64

Golden is your typical day 3 draft pick with a high floor. He shows great effort on almost every down and battles with tackles and tight ends to hold the edge against the run. Golden pursues to the football and tries to play sideline to sideline. He doesn’t have much explosiveness though and he is pretty much an average pass rusher with limited get off and short arms. I think the guy is a solid rotational defensive end or outside linebacker prospect who can give you 10-20 snaps per game as a backup or spot starter. Good enough speed at 4.9 with his size to be a special teams contributor very early.

Charles Gaines – CB Louisville 64

Good player with some limitations in coverage. He gets beat on double teams as his recognition skills, being a former wide receiver, hurts him a bit. Gaines was almost never targeted his final season at Louisville as I’ve read he was thrown at less than four times per game. The kid has good instincts and route recognition skills so he’ll be able to guard for short area bursts. I question his ability to cover on downfield routes consistently but he’s average at that skill set. He’s undersized at 5’10 and around 180 pounds and he’s not really physical in press or in the run game so he’s somewhat limited. Despite being a former wide receiver he has decent ball skills. He’s a mirror and match corner who needs the correct scheme to be successful in the NFL.

Taiwan Jones – ILB Michigan State 64

Jones isn’t an elite athlete but he has good recognition in run versus pass. Seems like he has been very well coached at Michigan State in terms of knowing his responsibilities. I worry a lot about his third down capabilities as I’ve watched numerous times when he was matched up on a running back in coverage and looked completely overmatched. He has good take on skills and is an above average tackler. I think players like Jones are useful on a team if he can play special teams as he does run fairly well and is a downhill, attacking player. He could also find himself on the field against teams as a decent run stopper on first and second down. He’s a complete liability on third down defense, however, and therefore he’s limited as a prospect. A guy who could be a good special teamer and could do a few things for you defensively means he has a draftable grade.

Titus Davis – WR Central Michigan 64

I think Davis could end up being a pretty decent overall player in the NFL. Davis runs good routes and has decent separation skills in the NFL given his route running and 4.51 speed. He has good size at 6’1 and around 200 pounds and helps set defenders up with his moves, using his size at times. He has good ball skills, rarely dropping the football, but he does have really small hands for a receiver which is a bit unnerving when doing an evaluation. He doesn’t have breakaway speed but he seems like a long strider who eats up cushion and can get behind people because his double moves are excellent. He’s a good player with some limitations and seems like he’d be a nice number three guy in the right offense. Could have a Harry Douglas or Andre Roberts type role throughout his career.

Doran Grant – CB Ohio State 63

Grant is a pretty decent day three prospect at corner coming out of Ohio State. Grant is a fast corner with a good frame, although he is a bit short armed and is around 5’10 and about 195 pounds. He plays the run fairly well although he can miss some tackles, seems willing to play downhill though and works hard to get off blocks. I think he’s more of a zone corner as he does a better job when he’s watching the quarterback and can read and react. He has good speed as a 4.44 corner, and I think although he’s a tight hipped guy for the most part when he can turn and run he gets going quickly. His short arms work against him versus bigger receivers but he isn’t great in off man either. I really like him in a zone heavy look and I think he can develop into a pretty solid third or possibly second corner down the road. Figure he’d be a good special teams player and has good ball skills. Typical day three corner.

Josh Shaw - S USC 63

Shaw is someone who has some ability but he’ll likely have to transfer that ability to play safety at the next level. He doesn’t have the true speed to stay with receivers on the outside at the next level. Shaw struggles winding down and transitioning out of breaks but has the physicality to at times muscle up bigger receivers. His size and strength give him an advantage at times and he seems to show good recognition when the play is being developed. He’ll have to play safety at the next level to be successful and be a key special teams player to make a roster. Obviously, the off the field issue early in the season at USC is going to play a part as well, and will likely take him off numerous team’s respective draft boards. I don’t know if I’d use a pick on a borderline draft prospect with character concerns, but if you are convinced he can transition to the safety position maybe a 6^th or 7^th round pick would be worth a flier.

Nick O’Leary – TE Florida State 63

O’Leary is an interesting flex type option for teams as a tight end, h-back combination. O’Leary isn’t very tall at 6’3 and has underwhelming speed, running a 4.93 at the combine, while looking slow on tape. He’s not a very fluid athlete and has really tight hips which limits his flexibility and chances to get open in man coverage. O’Leary lined up in the slot and at times at fullback in the Seminoles attack. He’s a decent run blocker, but nothing that I would get excited about. To me the kid is someone who can be a number two tight end, H-back type in certain sets and move into the slot to be a fourth or fifth receiving option.

Ellis McCarthy – DT UCLA 63

I think McCarthy could end up being a steal on day three of the draft. He has ridiculous size and length at 6’5 335 pounds with a 34.5 inch reach. You can’t teach size or speed and he has rare size, while also running a super impressive 5.21 at the combine. McCarthy came in as one of the top players in the country out of high school but hurt both of his knees and had weight issues really hamper his development. The kid can really control two gaps up front and shows some power as a pass rusher to move the pocket and collapse the interior. He’s very inconsistent, with a motor that definitely runs hot and cold. Doesn’t make many plays outside of his area. McCarthy might completely wash out in the league due to weight, injuries, or lack of passion but he has the potential to be a really good two gap stuffing defensive tackle, which are hard to find in today’s game. I would take him toward the end of day 3 and hope he pans out because he has starter’s potential but also has a chance to not even make your team out of camp.

Reese Dismukes – C Auburn 62

Dismukes is a guy who is one of those guys without many of the attributes you look for in an NFL center, but he works hard and battles every snap. He’s definitely below ideal in terms of height, weight, and quickness but he works hard and is a great leader according to Auburn coaches. He started for four years at Auburn and his team enjoyed great success. A strong player against him, especially playing right over the top of him gives him serious problems. He lacks functional strength but takes good angles and has a good grasp of offense so he’s rarely out of position. He doesn’t have the measurable you’d draft but i wouldn’t be surprised if this kid figures out how to make a roster and eventually become a starter.

E.J. Bibbs – TE Iowa State 62

Bibbs is going to be a fringe player on a lot of draft boards but I think I’d use a day three pick on the kid. He has good hands and concentration, runs decent routes and works hard in the run game. I don’t think he’s an elite blocker by any stretch but he works hard at it, and if he’s given a zone or stretch scheme I think he can be successful. He’s short for a tight end at a little under 6’2 but he’s got a good frame and weighs in around 255 pounds. Bibbs has good hands and was productive at Iowa State, showing the ability to make some really nice catches. He’s a pretty stiff athlete without really good speed but has a good feel for zone and uses his body well to make plays. I think he’s a third tight end, special teams hybrid type player but I think he could stick in the league.

Dezmin Lewis – WR Central Arkansas 62

Lewis is a sleeper in this year’s draft. He has good size and has really plus body control, using it to shield smaller defenders on downfield throws. Lewis isn’t consistently strong going up after the football, however, and his playing against small school competition typically meant he didn’t have to outwork players, but simply overwhelm them with his size. He doesn’t have any suddenness to his game, and therefore is going to be a one trick pony in the league, going deep and running longer crossing routes and deep fades. That being said a 6’4 receiver is the en vogue thing at the moment so I could see someone wanting to take a shot at the kid on day 3. Lewis could create some red zone mismatches.

Davis Tull – OLB Chatanooga 62

Tull is a small school kid that absolutely dominated small school competition. He was a three time all league player in college and twice an All American in college, racking up ridiculous sack numbers and tackles for loss. The kid doesn’t have the size at 240 pounds to play defensive end in the NFL so he’ll have to play outside linebacker, or the occasional rush end. The problem with all of that is that he hasn’t played much in a two point stance in his career. He doesn’t have great speed, although it’s pretty darn good for a pass rushing prospect. He gets beat up a bit by longer tackles and won’t beat a double team consistently so he’ll need to win by effort and scheme fits. The kid has an array of effective pass rush moves and consistently figures out how to get to the quarterback. Pretty explosive athlete, with a 42 inch vertical and over a 10 foot broad jump. Great student, posting a 4.0 GPA. He is going to be a developmental player, as he needs time to transition, but there is some potential here and definitely something to work with.

Josue Matias – G Florida State 62

Matias has good potential as a pass blocker on the interior. He started his career at tackle and moved inside to guard where he started for three years on a good Florida State offensive line. He plays too high in the run game for someone with that much power potential and doesn’t quite play to the potential size that he has. He has good overall awareness and picks up blitzes and stunts well in pass protection. There’s high end potential as a pass blocker, but he overextends sometimes both against the run and the pass which means counter moves or second moves can rally cause him problems. I think he has starters potential on a pass happy team but he won’t be a fit for every scheme.

Quandre Diggs – CB Texas 61

I’m worried that he might not be able to translate directly to the NFL. Diggs is small and doesn’t have the top end speed to match up outside the numbers which instantly drops his value by a full round. The kid is a pretty decent athlete and he has consistently improved every season at Texas which means that he might continue to improve when he gets to the league. He’s a pretty fluid athlete who works hard and plays hard. I think the kid could make the roster of some team as a sixth or seventh defensive back, and his experience comes into account early in his career as he has 40 starts. Super limited in terms of what he can be but he should be drafted based on experience and that teams can always use more depth at corner.

Jeremiah Poutasi – OT Utah 61

Borderline NFL prospect who could end up needing to move to guard to make a roster. I think Poutasi made a huge mistake by entering the draft this season. As a sophomore he was really overmatched in pass protection and he made big strides this past season although he still has a way to go. Poutasi reaches and gets himself off balance too much and his poor hand technique means that despite being 335 pounds he can get manhandled by speed to power moves as he doesn’t re-anchor. He is a decent run blocker but doesn’t dominate as speed gives him problems on the outside. I think that the kid has some ability but he would have really benefited from staying in school one more year and growing with technique and footwork improvement. Some upside as a guard but I see him as a three position backup in the league, at LG,RG, and RT.

Cameron Artis-Payne – RB Auburn 61

Artis-Payne is a volume system running back. He played in a very downhill spread attack at Auburn and used his speed and quickness to his advantage. Payne doesn’t make many people miss in space but he outruns them to angles and uses his vision to get to the outside and the second level. He hasn’t shown the ability to catch the ball much at Auburn, which doesn’t mean he can’t do it just that he doesn’t have experience with that. That’s a scary thing for Artis-Payne because he projects much more as a third down back or scat back as a lead back in the NFL which means that if he doesn’t learn how to play in the passing game he might wash out quickly. I think Payne projects as an average NFL backup running back, and is a guy to take in the second half of the third day.

Tyrus Thompson – OT Oklahoma 60

Love the guy’s tools hate the guys effort. Only watched him specifically a couple of times on film and turned it off because I got angry at how soft he plays for someone who has every gift you’d want in a tackle. He’s an unbelievable athlete for his size and has good arm length but gets pushed back by mediocre speed to power rushers. Worst technique in the draft and it’s not because it’s not coached it’s because he doesn’t put the effort out there. He doesn’t chase plays down the line and really only engages when plays are designed to go off tackle his side. I personally wouldn’t draft him until round 6 or 7 because the risk significantly outweighs the reward, but the guy clearly has potential, I just don’t know if he even likes football.

Lynden Trail – OLB Norfolk State 60

I have absolutely no idea what this guy will be at the next level. All I know about Trail by watching a little bit of tape and all his reps at the Senior Bowl is that there is some potential there for him to play in the league. He had pretty good production as a defensive end at Norfolk State against a low level of competition but he didn’t dominate like you’d want someone at 6’7 and 270 pounds to dominate. Trail didn’t really convert speed to power or dip and rip through defenders like you’d want to see from someone with that skill set. He played receiver in high school and showed good hands and comfort catching the ball at Senior Bowl practices. I believe that he could be some sort of hybrid tight end, defensive end, special teams guy in the league. He needs a lot of seasoning but I’m extremely intrigued by his body size, super long arms, and decent knee bend.

Zac Hodges – LB Harvard 60

Hodges is one of those guys who you’d like your team to draft on day three of the draft. He’s someone who is extremely intelligent, clearly because of his Harvard education, plays with high football IQ and good bend and instincts. He’s a battler in the trenches and fights to hold the edge in the run game, although he can get overpowered by strong offensive tackles. He has decent speed running a 4.65 at the combine and I could see him being a rotational 34 outside linebacker especially in passing downs. He gets good depth in his drops when asked to do it which wasn’t a lot judging by his tapes. I think Hodges can play special teams and add depth to an NFL roster although I’d think it’d be somewhere in the round six or seven stage.

Martrell Spaight – ILB Arkansas 60

Spaight is a borderline draft prospect with below average size and speed. What Spaight does do well is tackle, as he was first team Juco All-American twice and then had 115 tackles this past season for Arkansas. He is a tight athlete who doesn’t do a good job in coverage, and that’s not what he’ll be asked to do in the league. Spaight is going to be asked to play on the first down or two and play some special teams. I think the kid is a day three prospect who can’t play three downs but has some potential to play in a smash-mouth system and play downhill.

Chris Jasperse – C Marshall 60

I seriously doubt this kid gets drafted, and I understand why people would be skeptical of drafting him. He’s a smaller center, coming in at less than 300 pounds. He doesn’t possess ideal length either, meaning longer inside linebackers and tackles can cause him some problems. That being said, I think Jasperse shows really good overall awareness in pass protection. He moves very well in short bursts and has good quickness for the position, taking excellent angles to get to the second level. Jasperse has a lot of work to do in terms of strength, especially in the running game, but if you could draft him as a center in a zone blocking scheme the kid could really end up being a nice piece. I doubt he’s picked, but I think he should be.

There were also a handful of players I didn’t have enough film on or time to study. I couldn’t give these guys a complete grade in all good conscience but they need to be included. The numbers in parentheses are the grades I would have given them based on the limited tape I studied.

Eric Rowe – CB/S Utah (2)

Tyler Kroft – TE Rutgers (3-4)

D’Joun Smith – CB Florida Atlantic (4)

Mycole Pruitt – TE Southern Illinois (4-5)

50 grades:

Jeff Luc – ILB Cincinnati

Trey Depriest – ILB Alabama

Justin Cox – CB Mississippi State

James Sample – S Louisville

Clayton Geathers – S Central Florida

Mario Alford – WR West Virginia

Zach Zenner – RB North Dakota State

David Cobb – RB Minnesota

Shaq Mason – G Georgia Tech

Trey Williams – ATH Texas A&M

Obum Gwachum – DE/OLB Oregon State

Damian Swann – CB Georgia

Tony Washington – DE Oregon

Rannell Hall – WR Central Florida

Chucky Hunter – DT TCU

Dres Anderson – WR Utah

Blake Bell – TE Oklahoma

Max Garcia – C Florida

Louis Trinca Passat – DT Iowa

J.T. Surrat – DT South Carolina

Tye Smith – CB Towson

Joey Mbu – DT Houston

Tevin McDonald – S Eastern Washington

Durrell Eskridge – S Syracuse

Leon Orr – DT Florida

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