This group is made up of draft eligible players. Some may return to college, but we won't know who's staying and going till declaration day,and pre-draft workouts can tell a lot about a player sometimes.The NFL comparison has a caveat. It's what a player could be if he reaches his potential. The higher I rank a player the more likely think he is to do so. Injuries, scheme,opportunity , fame & fortune , and other things can all derail or help improve a NFL players career.
11. Earl Thomas- DB- Texas- The reason I have him as just a DB is because teams are split on where to play him in the pros. Plays SS now, but is more of a ballhawk than your average SS. Isn't very large for a guy that would have to play in the box a lot but is a solid run support guy. Many team think he is athletic and fast enough to play CB. As a draft eligible sophmore you would like him to go back to college and continue to improve, but with a stricter rookie cap looming a lot of guys are going to come out early. Leaving him at safety would probably be advisable, especially after what happened to Michael Huff and the time it took him to finally start to live up to his draft slot because of it, I think he whoever drafts him will. Could improve some as a form tackler, but he is definitely aggressive in run support. Manhandles receivers who try to block him and is an intimidator when the ball sin the air. Excels in every type of coverage and goes for the ball in the air.If he can learn play a little more under control and keep his aggression he could be the next Troy Polamalu. - NFL comparison- Brandon Meriweather- NE Patriots
12. Dez Bryant-WR -OKLA. ST. - Suspended from the team for something so petty that NFL teams probably don't mark it against him. A large fast play maker with good separation skills. Uses his big body well to shield defenders, but has occasional concentration lapses. Explosive burst after the catch he also uses to return punts and kicks. Better football speed than a stopwatch may show.Some question his possible work ethic once he gets paid, but he is far and away the best receiver prospect in this draft if a team is convinced he loves football. - NFL comparison- Miles Austin- Dallas Cowboys
13. CJ Spiller- RB- Clemson- A bit undersized but a homerun hitter. Strong in the passing game and while he's not a bruising inside runner it's not for lack of trying. Probably best used with 20 touches a game in the NFL between running, passing,and returns.Blazing speed and sick wiggle shows up on every film you watch. If he turns the corner its over - NFL comparison- Reggie Bush- NO Saints
14. Rolando McClain- LB- ALabama- His talent and run instincts are unquestioned, but his technique and consistency are a little cause for worry. Explosive and usually finds the ball quickly and can cover almost sideline to sideline in run support . Can deliver a big hit but could be a little better form tackler , though he's still good at it. Strong blitzer and already plays in a base 3-4, so that versatility can make him more valuable. At his best when protected so a 4-3 team may be an even better situation for him. Can be overaggressive and vulnerable to cutbacks. Needs to be coached up more and a position coach who will stay on him, despite showing a high football IQ. Some will think him a top 5 talent , one or 2 will think he would be an even better weak side rush linebacker ( although why move a stud ILB) with time, and some teams probably won't touch him till the 30's. A polarizing player whose post season workouts will play a heavy part in where he is drafted.He's not the complete player Patrick Willis was coming out yet, and he's not quite as fast, but he looks like a guy who can lead a defense for a long time-NFL comparison- Karlos Dansby- AZ. Cardinals
15. Bruce Campbell-OT- Maryland- Amazing upside becuase of his quickness and athleticism,but still raw with inconsistent technique . Could have used another year in school more than any of the early entry OT's and needs to get a finishers mentality. Dominates the majority of the time in the passing game, but occasionally his inexperience shows in a big way, but thats due to his shoddy technique. Comes from a program that is not very successful, but he stands out on film and moves like a much smaller man. One of those guys who often seems to find a way to make his block even when he makes a mistake ,and you wonder how great he could be once he got coached up. If he just bent his knees more with regularity he would probably be a top 5 pick. Agile & mobile ( though he could be more hostile) but at least he plays to the whistle .With the right coaching he could be amazing, and has the feet to play LT already. Not an overly physical run blocker yet, but quick to at least seal his man away from the play. Doesn't have has as many college starts as you would prefer and injury history is a cause for concern. Will probably wow teams at the combine as he looks and moves like a giant TE. Might need some time to be a star, but the talents definitely there and his upside is enormous. To put it as simply as possible : he's an excellent pass blocker despite shoddy technique and only a average run blocker, but protecting the QB's blindside is the most important thing a LT does. Translation- There is no way a guy with this much athletic and pass blocking ability gets out of the top 20 picks. The raiders might even take him in the top 10, and if he reaches his potential he's worth a lot more than that. -NFL comparison- Jason Peters- Phil. Eagles
16. Sergio Kindle- OLB- Texas- This DE looks like a convertible NFL 3-4 OLB more than anyone in the class because his pass rush ability already stands out, and he has played it some in college. Add that he has fluid hips when he needs to drop into coverage ,and you can see the transition going well in time. Still needs technique work when dropping, but he should still see the field early . Needs to bulk up some to play in the NFL, but has the frame to add 20 -25 pounds easy and still keep his speed and quickness,and if he did bulk up he could play DE in the NFL as well. A guy who can probably play 4 positions is a valuable commodity . Past off the field incidents will leave him off some teams draft boards entirely and it could cause him to fall a lot farther than his talent warrants.If not for those incidents I think he would have been a top 10 pick-NFL comparison.- Clay Mathews- GB
17. Taylor Mays - FS- USC- Linebacker size and cornerback speed playing safety. A huge hitter who needs some work diagnosing plays. Might be better fit at SS or WLB in a 4-3. The kind of physical freak, intimidator, and attitude the raiders love. A team moving him might retard his growth, but he could still have similar career path to that of Thomas Davis of Carolina. If he stays at FS , he is going to need to get much better at reading the play. If he went for the ball instead of the highlight hit he would get a lot more picks. - NFL comparison- tragic former Redskin- Sean Taylor
18. Jason Pierre-Paul-DE/OLB-S. Florida- Another high ceiling projectable athletic guy . Once his football instincts match his motor and athleticism look out.Looks like a dream of a 3-4 OLB, and reportedly has the measurable and speed you want there, but can he make the transition quickly? As a 4-3 Rush DE he could be an immediate help on passing downs, but might need a bit more time working on holding the point against bigger OT's.Can run the arc and gets off the ball quickly.Gets hi slong arms to redirect passing lanes and will bat down some passes. Was a junior college transfer and only played 1 year of major college ball, but it was a great one. Hasn't been focused on football long , but his workout numbers could be Vernon Gholston like , although he has a better motor, even though its not as good as it could be.-NFL comparison- Jevon Kearse- Tennesee Titans
19. Anthony Davis-OT -Rutgers- 2nd best upside in this class for OT's, but he could be a boom or bust guy. Ideal measurables if he stays in shape and dominant when he's on, but technique and effort need work. Plays down to his competition sometimes and could be the type of guy that needs constant monitoring and motivation. Barring some Andre Smith- like( he is not as consistently good as Smith was on film before coming out last year by the way) catastrophes he will still go in the first round based on projectability, but he could take awhile to be productive on the outside even if he is a hit. Good feet and a natural knee bender but maturity issues are a red flag. His upside is high enough to warrant a mid to late 1rst round pick, but might be a fit at RT or even guard for awhile , or even his whole career. If he is a hit he's a franchise LT, but we will make the safe bet and project him in the middle of the 2 possibilities. Buyer beware, -NFL comparison- Leonard Davis - DALL
20. Jermaine Gresham-TE- OKLA-Big, fast, and has great ball skills. A matchup problem for any defense, and the most likely receiving TE in the draft to be a star. If not for a knee injury his senior year he would be much higher, but he missed the season. Needs work on his route running but still gets some separation. Has the speed to run away from the defense after the catch but doesn't use his size to run over as many people as he could at the end of the play. Needs work on his consistency blocking in-line , and this keeps him from being an elite player right now, but when he buckles down there he is decent .Already legit at walling off and gives effort down field. At the very least he is a willing blocker, but he needs to add strength to avoid getting backed up at the point .If he is as fast as he was bfore th injury he's a likely 1rst rounder- NFL comparison- Antonio Gates-SD
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