1. AJ green-WR-GA-NFL Comp-Larry Fitzgerald- AZ- Clearly the best receiver in this class and has a very high floor. Tall with long arms that he uses well to snatch balls out of the air. Unless he runs a 4.55 or worse in the forty he should at least go top 10 .He's a play maker that can take it to the house in the open field .A high level red zone threat who wins jump balls and who knows where the sideline is. Hands are the best to come out in the draft since Fitzgerald. Sinks his hips and explodes out of cuts.Although his route running can still use improvement he sets up DB's very well and creates separation. Great concentration and timing when the ball is in the air and has the knack for getting to it at it's highest point. Still needs to work on getting up to speed quicker and is a bit of a long strider, but his burst is good if he's not checked at the line . Great body control and knows how to use his size to box out defenders. Hard worker and a student of the game. Willing drive blocker but won't be KOing guys ala Hines Ward .
COMBINE UPDATE: dropped some in the gauntlet but scouts don't pay much attention to that considering his tape. Didn't jump as quite as high as we expected, but measure taller and his arms are long. With his timing jump balls are still his. He's fast enough (4.48) and he clearly loves the game. Still the cleanest player in the draft of all the top 10 talents, and he's just a better football player on film than Julio Jones. Steady at # 1
2. Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU-NFL Comp-Charles Woodson-GB- A physical freak and speed is his only question for some, but he sure looks fast on the field . On tape he is so gifted and physical that as long as he runs a sub 4.6 I think he's a future pro bowler at CB or safety, but CB for now . The best ball skills of all the CB's this year with almost a receivers hands, but he isn't a ballhawk who picks off a lot of passes yet because teams fear to throw at him in college . Isn't super fluid opening his hips yet, which is why some see him as a safety, but is fluid enough for such a big man. A good hitter who will occasionally frighten receivers but he needs to play the ball more and look for the KO less. Is good in press-man right now but he doesn't move laterally as well as he does horizontally. Back pedal isn't always consistent, but he seems to stay with his man anyway, and he times his jumps well when the balls in the air. Breaks on ball in front of him with a good burst and arrives with force. Angry tackler and plays with a CB's memory and with a safety's mindset . Explosive return man so you know he has the speed and burst, but would like to see it used all the time in coverage. Good instincts against the run or pass and takes good angles to the ball, but can get caught peeking into the back field now & again . Hasn't played a lot of zone , but he's a smart player with the work ethic to learn whatever he's taught. In a limited amount of reps he already looks OK there, but the inexperience shows in his reaction time. Smart NFL QB's and coordinators will test him but I have every confidence he will adapt and be a great NFL starter early in his career. Team leader and could even play a little offense if needed.A versatile threat that should go in the top 5 because he brings so much to the table.
2. Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU-NFL Comp-Charles Woodson-GB- A physical freak and speed is his only question for some, but he sure looks fast on the field . On tape he is so gifted and physical that as long as he runs a sub 4.6 I think he's a future pro bowler at CB or safety, but CB for now . The best ball skills of all the CB's this year with almost a receivers hands, but he isn't a ballhawk who picks off a lot of passes yet because teams fear to throw at him in college . Isn't super fluid opening his hips yet, which is why some see him as a safety, but is fluid enough for such a big man. A good hitter who will occasionally frighten receivers but he needs to play the ball more and look for the KO less. Is good in press-man right now but he doesn't move laterally as well as he does horizontally. Back pedal isn't always consistent, but he seems to stay with his man anyway, and he times his jumps well when the balls in the air. Breaks on ball in front of him with a good burst and arrives with force. Angry tackler and plays with a CB's memory and with a safety's mindset . Explosive return man so you know he has the speed and burst, but would like to see it used all the time in coverage. Good instincts against the run or pass and takes good angles to the ball, but can get caught peeking into the back field now & again . Hasn't played a lot of zone , but he's a smart player with the work ethic to learn whatever he's taught. In a limited amount of reps he already looks OK there, but the inexperience shows in his reaction time. Smart NFL QB's and coordinators will test him but I have every confidence he will adapt and be a great NFL starter early in his career. Team leader and could even play a little offense if needed.A versatile threat that should go in the top 5 because he brings so much to the table.
COMBINE UPDATE- one of the stars of Indy. Showed the freakish athleticism we expected, and blazed a 4.34 forty- at 6 feet and 219 pounds! I would be stunned if he got out of the top 5. steady at #2
3. Marcel Dareus- DT/DE- ALA- NFL Comp- Cortez Kennedy-RET.- scheme versatility and a lot good film against top competition make him a safe bet to be at least a good starter. Ceiling nowhere near as high as other top D-lineman in this class but has the most polished technique of any of the DT prospects in this draft. A quick 1rst step penetrator that could be a 3 technique 4-3 DT although he has primarily played 3-4 end. Controls his man well and can either shuck him or shove him into the QB. Fluid pass rush moves and a strong burst off the snap with quick hands . Well liked team leader that has overcome a lot of hardships.Made a lot of big plays in big games, despite playing a position that required him to give up personal stats for the team . Plays with good leverage and strength against the run and stacks & sheds well. Move well laterally down the line and in pursuit but is vulnerable to cut blocks. Good (not great) motor who could be even more productive on plays away from him. Doesn't over penetrate and open up gaps in the line. Knows his responsibilities and will fight the double team till the whistle. A smart , well coached, durable player with a high floor.
COMBINE UPDATE-Bigger, faster and even more explosive than advertised. Consistently beat Fairley in many tests ,despite weighing about 30 pounds more, in drills. Just a lot cleaner and less risky pick than Fairley. At 319 and with that speed and power, he is the most versatile D-lineman in the draft. He could play any kind of 4-3 DT, either 3-4 end, and now maybe even NT in a 3-4. He made himself some money with that workout. Up 4 spots
4. Von Miller- OLB-Texas A&M- NFL Comp-Clay Mathews- GB- Best pass rusher in the draft. A physical freak with a great motor , versatility, and consistent production even when hurt.Could add 15 pounds and play weak side 4-3 DE on passing downs , play either side of a 3-4 OLB, and this week at the senior bowl even showed he can be a stud 4-3 OLB.With time he could probably be the next Patrick Willis but you don't want to waste pass rush skills like these in the middle . Elite athlete with the speed and explosion to make plays all over the field. Freakish first step from the outside rushing the passer. Can run the arc but doesn't spin or redirect quickly as I expected if his initial move is stopped. Great hands and if he gets a guy off balance he will bull him back and shuck quickly. Needs more bulk , especially in his legs . Can take on and stack & shed TE's / RB's against the run but if he doesn't slip and O-lineman he can get pushed around at times. Has the speed and fluidity to cover out of the backfield but his technique is still a tad raw here. Will pursue QB's and ball carriers to the whistle and regularly make backside plays . Great work ethic and team leader. Took well to coaching at the senior bowl and solidified himself as top 10 pick, even looking fluid in coverage . Worst case scenario he makes an impact as a pass rusher and on special teams as a rookie while he bulks up and learns his new responsibilities more .COMBINE UPDATE- All he did was confirm what a stud he is. Even when he stumbled in a few drills it just seemed like overexcitement. One of the players teams looking to trade up should target. If your a 3-4 team looking for a rush OLB he's worth the #1 pick. up 1 spot
5. Aldon Smith-OLB/DE-Missouri- NFL Comp- Tamba Hali-KC-While some others have shown they can't play 3-4 at the senior bowl OLB this week, he just looks more and more athletic on tape despite not being there. Big enough to play DE and looks fluid enough to play OLB. Could be the 1rst consolation prize team that Loved Von Miller and didn't get him. Came out early and while I think he would have been better off going back to school for year, his upside is enormous. Leg injury that caused him to miss 3 games made early entry even more unlikely, but he played well despite not being 100% when he returned. Pass rush ability is why he is ranked this high. Strong violent hand use and multiple rush moves are his greatest assets right now. Excels at going to the inside and has a good rip & club moves. Agile and quick enough to beat his man to the outside off the snap but not exactly flexible enough to run the arc. His motor seems always on rushing the passer or going upfield but he needs to give more consistent effort against the run. You can watch him stack and shed like a stud one play and then seem to just go through the motions the next, especially when the ball is away from him . Has the frame to put on even more size although his playing strength is great for a man his size. Has moved inside on some downs and excels at splitting blockers and penetrating when he does. He's still raw but when he's healthy and his motor hot he's a beast. Kind of reminds me of Charles Haley on the field ,and when Haley wanted to ,he dominated games. Since he is still young ,played hurt,and doesn't have the history of attitude problems Haley did ,we will just chalk his lapses up to youth & inexperience for now.
COMBINE UPDATE-Had a good combine ,and came in to the combine at 264 lbs, making him big enough to play weak side DE in the NFL. Still a bit raw and needs work to convert to 3-4 OL at the next level .Would be a much better fit in a scheme with less coverage responsibilities right now, but he does have some limited experience dropping into coverage already . Has only played organized football for 5 years which is a warning sign, but has produced and improved every year since he started. up one spot-UPDATE- Pro day reports makes us think he's better suited to play DE and bulk up a bit more. If you want him as 3-4 OLB, it has to be in a scheme where he is turned loose to rush the passer with very few coverage responsibilities early on. -up 10 spots
6. Cameron Jordan-DE/DT-CAL- NFL Comp-Justin Smith-SF- great hands, motor, scheme versatility and good tape all year made him a surefire 1rst rounder. His dominant senior bowl week of practices could see him go in the top 10.NFL bloodlines with a dad that was a 6 time pro bowler. Strong violent hands and a great motor jump out right away when you watch him. Has been playing 3-4 DE for years and that alone makes him more valuable than most guys projected to move there. Multiple pass rush moves and gets good pressure on the QB but lacks the elite burst to get a lot of sacks, even though he is very quick for his size. More of a smart hustle and pressure player who plays to the whistle than a stud edge rusher. Needs to secure the sack and not overrun or run by the QB less. Uses long arms to cloud passing lanes and is very aware for a guy in the trenches. Good leverage and base at the point of attack and stacks and sheds like a veteran. Very strong for a 290 pound guy and could probably add 10 more pounds with the same quickness. Knows his responsibilities and stays home but will pursue down the line when the ball goes away from him. Could easily move inside in 4-3 considering how strong he is against the run and double teams. No off the field incidents and a very smart player to boot.
COMBINE UPDATE- Nailed it. Measured well, drilled well, tested well, and interviewed well. Not only can he play 3-4 end and 4-3 DT, but also could play strong side 4-3 end . Still think he won't go top 10 and if he doesn't someone will be getting great value. up 3 spots. Steady at # 6
7. Julio Jones- WR- ALA. -NFL Comp- Andre Johnson- HOU.- A physical mismatch for any CB with size, long arms , and explosive leaping ability. Looks to be a long strider, but his ability to get to and come down with balls others can't can easily make up for that. Long strides or not he ran a 4.39 forty on a broken foot. Although he was a shade under 6"3' which we didn't expect, he's till plenty big . Inconsistent hands are the only thing keeping him from being an elite talent, but that appears to be concentration and technique lapses , as he is fearless over the middle. Separation is inconsistent as he at his best going down field and having it thrown up so he can go get it. Needs work sinking his hips and exploding out of his breaks. Uses his hands well at the line to get free and has a knack for finding holes in the zone.When he wants to he is a great blocker but needs more consistent effort here. Played hurt throughout college and is known for his high pain threshold, which his combine workout is clear evidence of . Consistently produced in big games at a big program against top competition. His injury won't hurt him. He tore up the combine injured , closed the gap between him & AJ Green some, and will be healthy when camps open. Worse case scenario is he falls to the rams at #14, but he could go as high as # 6 if Green is gone by then. Sky's the limit for him if he stays healthy and works hard. steady at # 7
7. Julio Jones- WR- ALA. -NFL Comp- Andre Johnson- HOU.- A physical mismatch for any CB with size, long arms , and explosive leaping ability. Looks to be a long strider, but his ability to get to and come down with balls others can't can easily make up for that. Long strides or not he ran a 4.39 forty on a broken foot. Although he was a shade under 6"3' which we didn't expect, he's till plenty big . Inconsistent hands are the only thing keeping him from being an elite talent, but that appears to be concentration and technique lapses , as he is fearless over the middle. Separation is inconsistent as he at his best going down field and having it thrown up so he can go get it. Needs work sinking his hips and exploding out of his breaks. Uses his hands well at the line to get free and has a knack for finding holes in the zone.When he wants to he is a great blocker but needs more consistent effort here. Played hurt throughout college and is known for his high pain threshold, which his combine workout is clear evidence of . Consistently produced in big games at a big program against top competition. His injury won't hurt him. He tore up the combine injured , closed the gap between him & AJ Green some, and will be healthy when camps open. Worse case scenario is he falls to the rams at #14, but he could go as high as # 6 if Green is gone by then. Sky's the limit for him if he stays healthy and works hard. steady at # 7
8. JJ Watt-DE- Wisc.-NFL Comp-Aaron Smith-PITT- Has the build to be a 4-3 strong side end, or a 4-3 DT, but I think his best fit is as a 3-4 End. Has the length ,long arms ,and frame to carry 300 pounds and still be athletic on the edge and he's already a solid 290. Strong hands against the run or pass but he needs to bulk up his legs more to anchor better if he's going to play 3-4 end. Fast for such a big man, and worked out well across the board, but doesn't explode off the ball as pass rusher. Uses his long arms and is aware of passing lanes to bat down and redirect passes. Smart player who could easily drop into coverage on zone blitzes and sniff out screens. Shines against the run in all phases . Can hold the point and stack and shed with the best of them against the double team , even splitting some doubles . Can blow up the backfield one vs one and make plays behind the line. Runs to the ball but doesn't make as many plays away from him as you would expect after seeing his combine workout. Great motor and a team leader. 3-4 teams will love him and that's his best fit, but we wonder why such a great athlete didn't have more big plays . A strong tough player with a high floor, but will probably never be a consistent double digit sack guy wherever he plays. up 9 spots
8. Corey Luiget- DT-ILL-NFL Comp- Gerald McCoy-TB- This guy plays physical and nasty inside . Uses his hands with force and is usually one of the 1rst people off the ball. Gets after it with a will and can hold his ground at the point.Strong hands and controls his man and goes where he wants . Can split the double sometimes and has an explosive first step. More of a bull rush , shuck & shed guy as a pass rusher, but if he developed more moves he could be one of the leagues better interior pass rushers. Great awareness in the mix and plays with good leverage and strength . Can zone blitz, be ready for screens, and contest passes at the line. Technically the most sound DT in the draft. A hustler who's motor is always on and a violent tackler. Isn't really that far behind the guys ahead of him. Guys who spend a lot of time in opposing teams backfields rarely last long. Could play 3-4 end in the right scheme. Wouldn't surprise us if he snuck into the top 10. Very high floor and it wouldn't surprise us if a cautious team took him over Fairley.-UPDATE- Fairley's loss is his gain. The more you watch the 2 of them the better you feel about taking the safer pick, despite the upside not being quite as high. up 5 spots
8. Corey Luiget- DT-ILL-NFL Comp- Gerald McCoy-TB- This guy plays physical and nasty inside . Uses his hands with force and is usually one of the 1rst people off the ball. Gets after it with a will and can hold his ground at the point.Strong hands and controls his man and goes where he wants . Can split the double sometimes and has an explosive first step. More of a bull rush , shuck & shed guy as a pass rusher, but if he developed more moves he could be one of the leagues better interior pass rushers. Great awareness in the mix and plays with good leverage and strength . Can zone blitz, be ready for screens, and contest passes at the line. Technically the most sound DT in the draft. A hustler who's motor is always on and a violent tackler. Isn't really that far behind the guys ahead of him. Guys who spend a lot of time in opposing teams backfields rarely last long. Could play 3-4 end in the right scheme. Wouldn't surprise us if he snuck into the top 10. Very high floor and it wouldn't surprise us if a cautious team took him over Fairley.-UPDATE- Fairley's loss is his gain. The more you watch the 2 of them the better you feel about taking the safer pick, despite the upside not being quite as high. up 5 spots
10.Robert Quinn- DE/OLB- NC- NFL Comp-DeMarcus Ware-DALL-If he hadn't missed the whole season I think he would be a contender for # 1 overall. If the rust is gone , teams feel they can trust his character, and he shows the ability to play 3-4 OLB in drills he can easily go as high as top 5 . However so many questions could also see him free fall. Elite burst off the edge and can run the arc even though he is rarely the 1rst man off the ball. Good hand fighter and will not only get the man with the ball but will look to force the fumble. Still a better athlete than football player right now and he needs to add more pass rush moves. Can hold the edge 1 v 1 as a weak side DE vs smaller players but not strong enough to stack a double team or beat stronger OT's at the point. Elite closing speed chasing down plays from the backside. Freakish fluid athlete that is ideally suited to switch to a 3-4 OLB role. His motor on tape is so good that I don't question his love of the game or work ethic despite the suspension. If he gets to the point that he gets off the ball fast while he's still got his explosiveness like Ware , Freeney , Mathis, etc.- he would lead the league in sacks.
COMBINE UPDATE- Didn't run the forty(4.7) as fast as most thought he would, but it was still very good for 6 ft. 4 -265 pound player. Sounds like he had good interviews and took responsibility for his part in missing a season at NC due to agent contact . I have a feeling that the rust is still coming off and he may improve some of his numbers at his pro day. If you need a 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE in top 10 he's ready to go. UPDATE- Improved his numbers at his pro day and I don't see him getting out of the top 10 now. If he slips to # 9 expect a team to trade up with Dallas and take him. down 5 spots
11. Ryan Kerrigan-DE/OLB-Purd.-NFL Comp-Aaron Kampmann- JAX- Some guys are just good football players and this is one of them. Good at everything, great at nothing but effort. You know he will at least be a productive player, and in the right system he could consistently produce double digit sacks. Can't run the arc and blow by quicker OT's off the ball , but he will cause pressure regularly . Extreme playing strength for a 255 pound end and gets into and controls bigger blockers. Great technique and leverage getting his man off balance and getting by him or running him back to the QB. Strong at the point and stays low and holds the edge. Will even fight through occasional double teams ,but he will need to put on more size to do so at 4-3 end in the NFL, and he has the frame to add 10-15 pounds of muscle easy. Not a great athlete but fluid, technical ,and hard working. Could probably play the strong side OLB in a 3-4. , but it's not his best fit as he is not a fluid athlete. Strong hands and a strong tackler, but lacks the explosion and long speed to make a lot of plays away from him or downfield. Team captain, leader, and no known off the field issues. The kind of guy who will start 10 years in the league and be a good teammate, even if he doesn't have the physical ability to be a top 10 pick.-up 13 spots
12. Tyron Smith-OT-USC- NFL Comp-Jason Peters-PHIL- .His athleticism and the way he gets after people on tape already speak for themselves . Aggressive run blocker with a finishers mentality, but lacks the sand in his pants to enforce his will against bigger/stronger defenders . Technique is still inconsistent but when he's low and gets off the ball quickly he's moving people off the line easily. Looks for someone to hit at the 2nd level and has the agility to get there quick, even though he is rarely the 1rst guy off the ball. Mostly turns and seals his man in line blocking but he goes to the whistle. Excels as pass blocker and his feet are always moving which allows him to recover when initially beat . Plays RT now but definitely has the feet for LT, even though I think he would be best suited to play RT for a year or 2. Too much too fast is never good and he still learning how to play RT, switching sides could stunt his development some. It's almost like his high level athleticism has made him cautious. He too often waits for the defender to come into him before he starts blocking, but his ability to recover anyway and block his man is amazing. Measured in as big as we hoped with really long arms , so you know the potential for dominance is there and that he has been working hard since the season ended. Being short for a guy with such long arms only helps him to get underneath a defenders pads. Uses his hands well and has a good hand punch when he uses it aggressively, but is vulnerable to inside moves. Needs to be more aware of stunts and keep his head on a swivel . Still needs to do a complete workout at USC's pro day, but we feel he will light it up there . He has the greatest potential in a OT class long on it, but he is still a work in progress, even though he is already productive. A team like Dallas that needs a RT, or even better Philly that needs a RT to protect Vicks blindside would be good fits early in his career. With reps and coaching he could slide over to the the other side if needed . Wherever he's needed he can be a franchise OT for a long time. -UPDATE-Was simply awesome at his pro day. Still needs to show what he can do at LT in a full game , but he sure looked like he could play it in drills. Chiseled and has kept on the added 30 pounds he has put on since the season ended. Very fluid and undoubtedly the most athletically gifted OL in this class. With Dallas and Philly needing a RT he could end up at # 9 if they don't trade down , or Philly could trade up for him if they pass on him. It's hard to see him getting past Minnesota at 12 and them moving him to LT . Look for him to be the first OT off the board . up 4 spots
13. Prince Amukamara-CB- NEB- NFL Comp- Aqib Talib-TB- Some teams will rank him ahead of Peterson if he runs significantly faster than him. High floor pick with pro bowl potential.Great hands at the line and redirects and controls his man well in the first 5 yards. Great feet and fluid enough hips to turn and run with receivers. Great awareness in zone and quickly diagnoses the play and breaks on the ball. Willing run defender but not a big hitter in this area. Explosive when he makes his mind up where he's going and reaches top speed quickly. Solid tackler and seems too know when to take someone on and when to cut them. Smart enough to secure a tackle or cut his man instead of going for the KO. A smart player with a strong work ethic. Big physical corner with the speed to match that teams are looking for. Hands down the most polished coverage CB in this draft class, but does allow a lot of balls to be caught . His biggest problem is the inability to catch, which is strange because he's a ballhawk.That's right I said it... A ballhawk who can't catch? Anyway he had 5 picks the year before so its possible its just an aberration but he sure dropped a lot of easy ones last year. There is a reason he's a CB (and not a RB or WR) despite having the measurables to be either. Also lacks Petersons return ability ,so there isn't much of a chance he goes ahead of him barring a big stumble by Patrick.
COMBINE UPDATE- Built like a RB and size and speed were as advertised. Fluid in drills and and confirmed everything we thought about him from watching tape.Lack of ball skills and return ability hurts him some though Just doesn't make enough plays to be a top 10 pick in our view. down 1 spot.
16. Gabe Carimi- OT- Wisc.-NFL Comp- Jake Long- MIA- Some think he can't play LT in the NFl. We disagree and think he was the best of all the OT's at the senior bowl, even though he missed the game with an injury. People seem to forget that Joe Thomas , Ryan Clady, and Jake Long also have trouble with the fastest speed rushers-EVERYONE does. Plays nasty and smart with the frame to add 20 more pounds and still be just quick enough to handle the blindside . He's already comparable to Brian Bulaga but has more upside. Long arms and won a lot of high profile battles this year . A mauler in line blocking with a finishers mentality. Can struggle down field hitting targets on the move if he's off balance ,but the effort is there, and he is better downfield when slipping off the double team. Best coming out of a 3 point stance as it helps keep him low. Uses his long arms and hands well to control his man and keeps his feet moving. Good (not great) feet in pass pro, but his technique is sound. Strong hand punch and is aggressive till the whistle. When he stays low he's clearly a NFL LT. From what they showed on the NFL network at the senior bowl he had the best week of practice overall. His willingness to play RT and G at practice( in addition to his normal LT) can only help him. A very fit 315 pound at the weigh ins and looks as if he could carry 335 with no loss of agility.4 year starter at a big program and replaced Joe Thomas without a hitch. He's a better football player than athlete and his upside is lower than the 4 other OT's likely to be drafted in the 1rst round, but his ceiling is the lowest. Strong work ethic and played through many injuries missing only 3 games his sophomore year. Could also play either guard spot if needed. He won't go this high but right now he's the most ready to play OT in the draft.
19. Mikel Leshoure-RB-ILL.-NFL Comp- Steven Jackson-STL.- A well rounded big 3 down runner who has never lost a fumble in his college career. Vision and choices picking a lane are just average. Hits the hole and looks for daylight but he could use his size more and run through more people instead of trying to find a hole thats not there. It's obviously not a fear issue as you can see him running through contact plenty of times on tape and getting extra yards because of it. One of things that separates him from many other backs is his familiarity with the passing game. A physical willing blocker who just need a little refinement on his technique to be elite. A good receiver who can take it up field and even be split out wide on occasion. His route running and catching techniques also need some work, but he is still above most backs coming out of college in this area. He's a big back with some wiggle and the ability to pass protect. Past off the field issues are the only thing keeping him out of the 1rst round . If a team believes he really did grow up last year( and his coach said he did) they should snatch him up quick. up 4 spots
20. Anthony Costanzo- OT- BC-NFL Comp- Sebastian Volmer- NE.- he's a technician and looks like a NFL LT on tape most of the time, but he needs to get stronger. Run blocking he's great coming from the side and maintains his block to the whistle, but can get stood up by stout D-lineman heads up. Active downfield and gets there quick. Played well all year( except against Bowers) but had only an average senior bowl week production wise . Gets quickly out of his stance and to his spot on the edge with a good initial hand punch. If he stops your first move pass blocking its over, but if he does't land his initial punch he struggles to recover. He keeps his feet moving when engaged but you can see he needs more strength in his leg drive. It could be that he was moved around too much at the senior bowl , but it also has to do with him needing to add 30 pounds so he can anchor better. The ability to be a top LT with more weight and strength . Frame, arm length, and technique are already there. Best current pass blocking feet of all the OT's, but isn't as nasty as you would like. Would be best suited at LT in a pass heavy offense or at LG until he bulks up his lower body early in his career. Highly intelligent student athlete with a strong work ethic and a low floor. In 2 years he will probably be very good but he isn't scheme diverse or strong enough to play outside in many offenses right now. UPDATE- After he's bulked up in 2 or 3 years he may be the best of the bunch, but right now I don't see him having the strength to start at OT in many offenses.Only a high level day 1 starter in a pass heavy offense or in a zone blocking scheme. -steady
21. *Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio ST-.NFL Comp-Trevor Price- NYJ- His motor is alway on and he will wear down opposing OT's on tape and make some of his biggest plays late in the game when they are tired. He never gives up rushing the passer and his get off is good, but he's just not quick enough to beat people around the edge regularly.Strong hands and can get control of his man and take him where he wants to go. Is stout at the point and plays low dominating most blockers one v one .Isn't always are of people coming at him from the side but can hold up a double team if he knows its coming .Not agreat athl;ete but he still makes plays. He is just a good football player and his attitude and work ethic scream 3-4 end. If not for injuries preventing him from working out and proving his long term health I would have him in the top twenty. Perfect 3-4 end or 4-3 DT with the leadership , selfless attitude, and motor to get it done in the NFL. MEDICAL UPDATE- medical recheck looks good and he should be the player he was before the injury. up 12 spots
22. Cam Newton- QB- Auburn-NFL Comp-Donovan McNabb-WASH- Great athlete and a guy who has made things happen in some big games. Probably the most gifted QB I have ever seen, but he needs to sit a year and learn an NFL offense. Strong arm ,quick release, and a good throwing motion to make al the throws necessary, but his deep balls need work. Has spread QB issues- footwork, read progression, timing etc. However the main reason he reminds me of Young is he only made 1 read and then ran if it wasn't there. Big strong runner and will deliver a blow to get the first down, but shy's away from contact if he's being rushed. Better pure passer than Vince Young and Tim Tebow ( 2 guys he is most often compared too) coming out of college, but didn't play as well as either in the national championship game. Off the field issues and possible entourage a red flag. UPDATE- he's going in the top 10. He may even go # 1 overall, but trust me the best thing that could happen to his long term career is to sit a year and learn to read defenses. If he starts from day 1 and win some games with athleticism it may make him think he doesn't need too. Vince Young, Steve Young,Tim Tebow and Michael Vick ( similar type players in college) all had this problem.Vince is still suffering from it, but his problems are also part confidence IMO. Tebow luckily didn't have to play till near the end of his rookie year and he still needs to be more accurate despite the definite improvements. It took Steve and Vick a long time and the right situation to buckle down and learn to how to be a QB and both became great when it did. Hopefully Cam won't have to fail to win big with his first 2 teams and sit behind a HOFer for awhile like Steve Young to make it . Or go to prison and have his entire outlook on life changed like Vick to succeed . He's been a winner everywhere he's played and is a fiery guy on the field that players will respect. That and his immense talent make him worth the risk of a 1rst round pick this late.If you are going to take him and expect him to play early you have to tailor your offense to him and teach how to play NFL QB piece by piece from there.NFL hits are a lot harder from bigger men though and he may even up hurt soon if he runs very often. Otherwise he needs to sit awhile
29. Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA- NFL Comp- Brian Orapko- WASH- Looks to have everything you need to play any LB position in any scheme, except a high football IQ. In his limited pass rushing chances he was explosive and showed a great spin move. Strong upper body and long arms . Gets off the ball rushing the passer and can run the arc around the edge. Uses his hands and arms well and stays low to get underneath the blockers pads to control or shuck him when rushing . Against the run he is willing to take on blockers head on but has trouble shedding them. Is better at holding the edge and stringing plays out. Can run sideline to sideline to make plays and chase down from the backside. I think 3-4 teams will be looking at him as a rush OLB. The only guy I saw all year to give Tyron Smith much trouble rushing the passer, and he won more than he lost in those battles.Needs to play more under control and go free agent less.Not as explosive in drills or fast( 4.80?) as he looks on tape at the combine. He still looks explosive on film and changes directions as good as any LB in the draft. .A great Pro day could save all, but its possible he will be limited to playing SOLB or the middle only in 4-3.
UPDATE- Much improved at his pro day ( 4. 71 forty) . Probably will go to a 3-4 team that want him to rush a passer because thats what his best attribute is, but he could bulk up his lower body and play 4-3 weak side end too. When he knows where he's going he goes all out to get there and arrives angry. Might as well send him at the QB then. steady
31. Ras-I-Dowling-CB-VA-NFL Comp-Chris Gamble-CAR- Team leader and hard worker thats clean off the field. Big & Tall physical corner that would be a top 10 pick based on his 2009 film. However he was hurt( hamstring, ankle and knee!) all last year . Still healing when the combine came, and ended pulling up running ( still in the 4.4's anyway) his forty. Looks lightning fast on tape and it was confirmed at his awesome pro day with times ranging from the low to mid 4-3's. . He has make up speed and a strong burst out of his backpedal . Physical in man coverage and on those rare times he's beaten off the line he makes up ground quick ,and goes after the ball.Long arms and good ball skills. rarely gave up big plays when healthy and can leap and win jump balls like a receiver . Smart player who makes great reads in zone and arrives with force. Physical in run support and a good open field tackler. Has the size and demeanor to play free safety if needed. He's a hitter who can force fumbles and blitz off the edge. If not for the injures( and hamstrings are sometimes chronic for CB's) we believe many teams would have him ahead of Amukamara,and a few ahead of Peterson. If a teams doctors think he's gonna be healthy he is worth a 1rst round pick, despite how badly he played( when he was able to) last year while hurt. Personally I prefer a character guy like him who's is a better player anyway when healthy than a guy who's healthy( Jimmy Smith) but has a lot of character concerns.-up 24 spots
32. Christian Ponder-QB-FLA ST. -NFL Comp- Drew Brees-NO- A smart, signal caller and team leader who is clean off the field. Comes from a pro ready offense and experienced making pro reads with his foot work on his drops already being good. Has good feet in the pocket and can run or throw on the move when it's necessary. His accuracy is above average with time to throw everywhere but deep. When he steps into it and has a clean pocket he looks good, over the middle and on check downs.Reads defense well especially before the snap, but he needs to learn to look off the safety more and disguise his intent. Has a good enough arm now ( 3 arm surgeries in 2 years) that he's healed, but he needs to stop trying to force throws he he doesn't have the RPM's to make, as just throw it away more. No QB has helped himself as much as Ponder has in the off season. After an injury plagued year he has answered questions about his arm strength and had the best senior bowl and a good combine. A mobile QB but that frame needs more weight to handle the pounding he will take in the NFL. Probably the most day 1 ready QB in the draft if he is in a west offense. up 9 spots
33. Aaron Williams-CB/S-TEX-NFL COMP- Malcolm Jenkins-NO- He'a a big athletic CB who is at his best in press coverage. He's fluid enough to plat CB but his technique is shoddy, especially his backpedal. Read and reacts well when the balls in front of him but can get turned around when a receiver makes his cut. Vertical speed is good and has can run with and deny receivers vertically. Good ball skills and timing on his jumps and if if the balls caught he makes the tackle quickly. Willing in run support and a steady tackler , but not a big hitter. Maybe's he's not polished enough to be a corner in every system but he can play it in some and with more improvement on his technique he could start right away at CB and stay there a few years till his speed goes. Might be be able to play either safety spot with more bulk but can definitely play FS now. . When somebody unexpectedly goes 5 wide on your team you need a S that can cover like a CB. My guess is he goes after R. Moore but plays a little CB and a lot of safety in the NFL well. Versatility to play both well moves him up the board .up 14 spots
34. *Stephen Paea-DT-ORE. ST.-NFL Comp- Sedrick Ellis-NO-Missed the senior bowl with an injury and measured in a little smaller than expected, knocking him back some. A stout run stuffer and bull rusher with a good motor and a lot of production on tape. Might even be able to hold the gap as a 3-4 NT with a little more weight.Clogs lane and hard to move back . Quick off the ball and you could see him becoming a better pass rusher with technique refinement. Is more of a 2 gap DT right now, but he is quick enough to become a three technique backfield penetrator with more coaching . Brutal strength and a violent hand punch inside but you would like more height and arm length . Only thing he did athletically at the combine was break the bench press record, but he needs to work out soon to stay in a 1rst round with this many d-line prospects. UPDATE- Looked pretty good at his pro day but still only around 300 pounds. Lack the long speed and pass rush moves to be a regular 3 down player right now and that moves him in to the 2nd round. -MEDICAL UPDATE- Still not fully healed and another guy with arthritis in knee whispers. down 3 spots only because of injury concerns.
35.* Da'quan Bowers-DE- Clemson-NFL Comp-Justin Tuck- NYG- The biggest knock on him is his motor didn't fully rev up till this year, but he was dominant all season and has improved every season in college at least some. Strong and physical at the point of attack as long as he stays low, but he is not consistent here, and doesn't hold up well against the double team. Strong violent upper body results in blockers being tossed aside sometimes and has strong hands on all downs. Holds the edge well and doesn't abandon his responsibility before chasing down plays . A good athlete but lacks freakish standout ability. Doesn't have that elite first step but shows a good burst up field when rushing the passer. Can get around the corner or put his man on skates shuck him ,and close on the QB fast. When he moves inside on obvious passing downs he is a mismatch for interior O-lineman. Multiple rush moves and a strong bull rush . If he actually measures at what he is listed at in college he could bulk up a bit more an even play 3-4 end if needed. Was once the nations top recruit an is used to the spotlight. His versatility is also very valued. Can play either DE in a 4-3 and move inside on passing downs. A 3 down player.-UPDATE- Not a good pro day. No chance he can play 3-4 OLB and he gassed quickly . He may still be hurt or not had enough time to get in proper shape after the injury , but he claimed to be %100. His medical recheck showed swelling still in the knee and now there is talk of arthritis in it. If that is ultimately the case he could fall out of the 1rst round altogether. As of now the surgery is still so recent there is a little more time for healing, and another recheck. He could also go in the top 10 if he checks out well and he does better in private workouts.down 26 spots
36. *Kyle Rudolph- TE- ND-NFL Comp-John Carlson-SEA- Clearly the best TE in the draft right now ,and is well rounded enough to play every down in all schemes.Great hands and body control with a wide catch radius, but occasionally try's to run before the ball gets there. Great route runner and can separate. Knows how to use his body to shield smaller defenders. Can stretch the defense lined up outside but needs more work lining up inside. Good at finding the holes in the zone and will comeback if the QB's in trouble. Can break tackles but won't run away from DB's, but he's a mismatch for LB's and can take it to the house . A efficient technical blocker but not a road grader in line . Has the frame to add more muscle and strength as a blocker. Good enough feet in pass pro and a good chipper going in to his routes. Smart kid and clean off the field. Injury history( and its significant) should knock him into day 2 despite mid first round talent.up 9 spots
37. Rahim Moore-S-UCLA-NFL Comp-Nate Allen-PHI-A smart kid with a high football IQ . Great instincts and read and reacts well. QB of the secondary and a leader on and off the field Reportedly spends a lot of time watching film and it shows on how quickly he breaks on the ball. Great ball skills and good timing when he arrives for the ball. Great feet and fluid hips with CB's technique but lacks the speed to make the transition. Best in zone and playing deep middle. He's fine in man but he won't be able to stay with quicker receivers if they make it down field. Willing in run support and good tackler but misses out on chances to really deliver a big hit too often. He' s a center fielder type FS and a ballhawk but he needs to to be a bit more physical in run support. However guys who create turnovers and don't give up big plays are at a premium in the league. He's a FS only. No CB or SS transition possible , but he's also a safe pick . Will be the first true safety off the board, but Aaron William's elevation to a possible FS candidate hurts him and likely drops him to the 2nd round. High floor. down 1 spot
41. *Jaball Sheard-OLB/DE- PITT-NFL Comp-Shaun Phillips-SD- A great pass rusher with a lot of different moves and counters. Strong active hand fighter with a non stop motor . An explosive first step firing out low and hard. Great instincts and finds the ball quickly no matter where it is and goes after it. Plays low against the run and can get into and control his man quickly and hold the edge and string out plays down the line. Can penetrate the backfield and make tackles behind the line and will pursue and chase down plays from the backside. Can't anchor against bigger stronger blockers or double teams although he will fight all the way through.Looks athletic enough to make the 3-4 transition to us. Is a violent hitter and can separate the man from the ball Not as well known as many of the 3-4 conversion candidates but teams who sleep on him could regret it. Could be a second round steal for a team looking for a pass rusher that passed on one in the first due to other needs. Reportedly a good kid but the reason I don't have him in the top 20 is twofold. First their was a off the field fight just last year where he wouldn't listen to the cops when they tried to stop it, and got beat down and arrested by them. Second he has injury issues that he's still healing from. Sergio Kindle is still fresh in my mind so 2nd round it is. Otherwise we would have him ahead of Kerrigan ,Reed ,and maybe even Quinn in the right scheme. down 6 spots
42. Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor-NFL Comp-Shaun Rogers-CLEV- Has good feet and balance for such a big man .Long arms to keep blockers at bay and active strong hands , but needs to anticipate the snap count better. Stout against the run and can clog the lane and stuff a double team when he stays low. Nimble feet and moves well laterally between the tackles. Has stamina issues and when he tires it shows in his leverage and leg drive.Has had weight problems in the past and his work ethic is questionable. Mostly a bull rusher when rushing but can surprise with quickness and penetration when he's fresh. The best chance of finding a 3-4 NT in this draft. Has freakish athleticism for such a big man, but transfered to a smaller conference and motor wasn't always on. Great senior bowl and combine on the field,but he still has off the field stuff questions to answer. The kind of player that can dominate if he puts his mind and heart to it, but on tape he's inconsistent . Boom or bust potential. Position scarcity makes him much more valuable than his play on the field warrants. down 4 spots
43. Rodney Hudson-C/G-FLA. ST.-NFL Comp- Rueben Brown-RET.- Team leader on and off the field. Durable 4 year starter and a good student in the classroom and of the game. Undersized at guard for most NFL blocking schemes, but technical and nasty inside. Quick off the ball and a violent hands and good placement to control his man. Not big enough to road grade stronger D-lineman but will seal or wall them off and make his block. Plays to the whistle and is active downfield. Pulls and traps well and while he won't blow up a lot of people he graded out extremely high across the board. Anchors like a much heavier man in pass pro and his hand punch stops pass rushers in their tracks. Good feet and mirrors well in rarely getting bet despite short arms. Head on a swivel and more aware and ready for stunts than any guard in this draft class. Showing he can play Center helps him a lot because some teams didn't like the way he looked with the extra weight put on too fast. Absolutely would fit the Redskins. Texans, or Colts to plug in and play from day one. If he was prototype guard size he would be a top 20 pick . up 1 spot
44. Orlando Franklin- T/G- Mia.-NFL Comp-Trent Wiliams- WASH.- His technique needs work and he needs more weight room time but he still gets the job done regularly with a lot of physicality. Can play RT or either G . If he played with more urgency, quickly fired off the ball on every snap ,and played lower with consistency he would be a top 10 LT . His athletic ability is unquestioned but his football IQ and effort are . Right now he is inconsistent as a inline blocker. Sometimes it looks like a lack of effort, others stamina, or the aforementioned inability to quickly get quickly off the ball on every snap. He will explode out and maul guys on one play ,and then come out of his stance too high and allow his man into his chest before he's barely out of his stance on the next. Is quick to his set pass blocking, but often too high, and doesn't use his hand punch and long arms enough. He's a willing downfield blocker but sometimes gets caught up in trash , takes bad angles, or just flat out misses his target. Was better his sophomore year at left guard, and while he has the talent to play LT, I think he would be a better fit inside till he 's coached up more. Was hurt last year so that could be part of the problem, as the one game he played at LT the previous year he looked pretty good. Is generally considered a good kid but his techniques are still a work in progress. In time with coaching and a couple of years of working out he could be a star at every O-line position but center. up 5 spots
45. *Ryan Williams- RB- Va. Tech.-NFL Comp-Curtis Martin-RET.-Injury prone in college or he would probably be a lock as the 1rst back off the board. Versatile inside and out with the ability to score anywhere on the field. Low center of gravity and great balance. Also adept out of the backfield and can make the first man miss and get big gains on swing passes. Willing physical blocker in pass pro with some pop but he needs to keep his feet moving better. A strong physical runner that stays low and can't be arm tackled. Will punish a defender rather than run out of bounds. Good vision and patience . Burst through the hole once he sees it and he's gone. Can cut back and accelerate back up to top speed quickly. Slower than expected at the combine as he routinely runs away from people on film. Injury history will still worry teams. Guys who run this hard inside are usually bigger and he needs to bulk up some or his most productive years may not last very long. down 4 spots
46. *Ben Ijalana-T/G- VILL- NFL Comp- Jason Smith-RAMS- Good kid and a hard worker . 4 year starter at OT but played at a small school where the talent level is a lot lower than any other OT likely to be drafted in the first 4 rounds. Really long arms and big hands to lock on or keep defenders at bay. Has LT feet and awareness but is more of a finesse player. Needs to get stronger and use his hand punch more. The kind of guy who can slide , mirror, and ride a guy past the pocket in pass pro, but will give up to much ground and have trouble anchoring. . He is a competitive run blocker and plays with good technique and leverage. Plays to the whistle and can make reach blocks and pull, but lacks the strength to drive stronger defenders off the ball. If it weren't for an injury preventing him from showing teams what he could do I think the first round would be a possibility. Long arms and can also RT or LG in a pass heavy , or zone offense. Has blindside protector ability and his upside is high but needs to get stronger.up 3 spots
48. Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple- NFL Comp-Marcus Stroud-BUFF-Not a guy I expected to enter the draft early and I could only find 5 games of his this year to watch.Has the frame to add even more weight(6"5"- 305 lbs. ) and still be chiseled. He's a better athlete than football player right now, but man what a athlete! Also he's a good player already, but you watch him and think how great he could be if he applies himself and takes to NFL coaching. He does everything well but get off the ball and keep his motor running all the time. Against the run he is usually slipping. swimming, or shucking his man and getting into the backfield right away. Has eyes and nose for the ball and long arms to grab ball carriers. Doesn't abandon his responsibilities, but can't hold the point against the double team and may struggle if he moves inside against the more powerful guards 1 v 1. Needs to play lower and get stronger. Really agile rushing the passer with multiple moves and slippery on stunts. Has violent hands sometimes but doesn't use them consistently. He's a better fit as a weakside 3-4 end right now, but with time he could play anywhere down along the line in any scheme. Seems to be a good kid with no off the field problems, but he didn't play much top competition even though he regularly dominated against anyone he played this year. UPDATE- Really talented but that level of comp just worries us. Might need some coaching and weight room time before he can make an impact. -UPDATE -the more tape we see the more how we see he is a better athlete than football player right now who does just enough to get by too often. Played down to his level of comp to often when he should have dominated all game all year long . He's worth the risk this late because he could be a boom, but he also could be a bust when the big checks start rolling in. down 22 spots
51. James Carpenter-T/G-ALA-NFL Comp- Carl Nicks- NO-He has 2nd round potential as a RT or either guard, but lacks the length for LT. Occasionally confused by stunts and his football IQ needs work. Strong run blocker when he stays low and active at the 2nd level. Strong physical player who can bury people when he wants to, but he doesn't always seem to want to. Played at a big program against top talent and more than held his own. We like him best at guard early in his career and think he could be a stud inside. Good fit for run heavy teams that like big physical blockers like the Jets, Giants, Dallas, and Miami
53 . Jurrell Casey-DT-USC- NFL Comp-Kyle William's-BUFF- He's a an overachiever who plays bigger than he is. Squatty build and plays with good leverage at the point and moved around well between the tackles. Can penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield. Strong bullrusher and a quick first step as a pass rusher. Good motor and active hands all around.No injury or character concerns but his ceiling isn't as high as the guys ranked ahead of him. Needs to hit the wight room and bulk up his legs and get in better shape. Could play a shaded 3-4 NT role if he hits the weights hard for a year or 2.down 4 spots
57. *Bruce Carter-LB- NC-NFL Comp-Lawrence Timmons- Pitt- If not for tearing is ACL he a top 10-20 pick and he has a history of nagging injuries to boot. Runs like a deer ( looks in the 4.4's on tape pre-injury) sideline to sideline ,and has good read and recognition skills , but lacks high level instincts. Needs to be protected as he isn't a fit as a take on LB. Can only play the weakside , whether it's 3-4 or 4-3. Excellent on 3rd down whether it's blitzing or in coverage.
58. Jarvis Jenkins-DT-Clemson-NFL Comp-Domata Peko-CINC. Team leader and no off the field problems. Plays much stronger than he tested at the combine. Good leverage and quick first step out of his stance are his keys to stuffing the run. Uses his hands well and anchors like a bull but needs to play nastier. Can penetrate occasionally but is mostly just a 2 gap run stuffer. Good motor and plays hard to the whistle but doesn't counter well if the O-lineman gets the drop on him. Bull rusher with a sloppy spin move against the pass. Needs NFL coaching and more weight room time to fill out his massive frame . One of the few guys who projects as 3-4 NT in this draft and has the second highest upside of all those that are likely to play it as a regular position. Until he develops more pass rush moves he just a 2 down player at best.
59. Jonathan Baldwin-WR-PITT- NFL COMP-Vincent Jackson-SD- Big tall receiver who could be a lot better if he played meaner. Difficult personality will keep him from going too high as he's go the diva tag already. Lacks good separation skills and would best fit a west coast offense . Strong hand and a wide catch radius but not super brave over the middle like his size would suggest. Long strider who lacks quickness out of his breaks. Rounds off his routes too often. Despite all that he's a first round pick on tape, but isn't worth the risk till here in our opinion. This guy can be the Jamarcus Russell of WR's or he could be a star. up 11 spots
63. *Tandon Doss-WR-IND- NFL Comp-Mike Williams-TB-Surgery on both groins and he played hurt last year and still played well. Explosive kick returner and big play guy. At his pro day he was a lot slower than he looks on tape. My guess is he's not all the way back yet as he sure looks like he can stretch the field on film. Great hands and catches the ball in stride without a hitch. If he was healthy I think he would be in the low 1rst round discussion, but unless he is healed enough to run a lot faster for teams he might last till the 3rd round. Also can return kicks right away and contribute on special teams . down 1o spots because of injury.
66. Marcus Gilbert-OT-FLA-NFL COMP-Max Starks-PITT- He's a finesse OT prospect who's best attribute is stopping guys to the outside. Good feet and quickness but not physical enough and doesn't play with enough knee bend. A good positional run blocker and gives good effort but isn't nasty in line. Bets fit in a zone or pass heavy scheme and shouldn't start early anywhere else. Needs to get stronger and be coached up. Good kid and played against top competition in college.
76. Lance Kendricks-TE-WISC.- NFL Comp-Zach Miller-OAK- off the field issues in his past but has reportedly grown up. Plays bigger than he is but he lacks the upside of larger framed TE's, but can play some FB or H-back too. Willing physical blocker but lacks the strength to drive bigger defender off the ball. Good hand and route running last year. Overall we rank him lower than he looks on tape last year. He may just have really grown up and buckled down, because the improvements in his play from junior to senior year is drastic in every phase of the game. However guys with past of the field issues who improve a lot right before they are going into the NFL worry us some.
77. Shane Vereen- RB-CAL- NFL Comp- Felix Jones-DALL- A hard working kid and student on and off the field. Smaller but solidly built RB with big play ability on every down. Injury issues and his frame make him more of a complimentary player even though he runs hard and physical. Speed and vision to burst outside and take it to the house. Excels in pass pro and catching out top of the backfield. At least a 3rd down back and potential KR man.
78. Martez Wilson-LB-ILL-NFL Comp-Karlos Dansby-AZ- Better athlete than football player right now, but his potential is enormous. Great speed and agility with the frame to add 15 pounds and maintain speed. Plays hard but his football IQ needs work and couldn't handle the middle in the NFL right now unless its the strongside in a 3-4. Best fit might be as 3-4 rush OLB but he's a project and special teamer to start.down 10 spots
86. Edmund Gates-WR-AB. CHR.-NFL COMP-Johnny Knox-CH- Raw receiver with great athletic ability, solid hands and home run speed. Big play threat who needs to learn how to run routes and get stronger. Past character concerns, older than the average prospect, and inconsistent hands make him a developmental guy with big play ability
89.* Demarco Murray-RB-OKLA-NFL Comp- Darren McFadden-OAK-Explosive big play back with a lot of wiggle and great in the passing game. Runs high and with a narrow base . I was surprised he didn't lose many fumbles with that many carries with his upright running style. Bad senior bowl really hurt him but on tape he looks like a 1rst rounder most of the time, but with injury issues added in he's dropped down a lot.
94. Johnny Patrick-CB-LVille-NFL COMP-Cortland Finnegan-TENN-_ Makes plays on the ball but didn't play that well till this year. Has the talent, but lacks top speed and physicality. Good feet and hands but lacks fluidity when a receiver makes his break. The more we see of him them more he reminds of us a less polished Brandon Harris with a spotty injury history
104. Jordan Todman-RB-CT-NFL COMP-Deangelo Williams-CAR-Has home run speed and ability but needs to avoid trying to bust it outside so much. Runs hard but is undersized and won't power through many tackles. He can break some ankles with his cuts but needs to spend less time dancing and get north/south quicker. Explosive when he catches the ball but hands and ball security are issues right now. Competitive blocker but gets knocked back too often.
105. Ahmad Black-S-FLA- NFL Comp-Jim Leonard-NYJ- A better football player than athlete.Vocal Leader on the field with a high football IQ. Small and slow for the NFL but quick and physical enough to make plays. High level instincts and recognition skills make up for it as well. Played against a lot of guys who will play in the the NFL in college and did it at a high level. Will play special teams and be a starter in the league sooner than many think.
106. Stanley Havili-RB-USC-NFL COMP- Matt Forte-CHI- A better fit as a lead back than a FB ,as he lacks the size and physicality to be a lead blocker. Has a 1 cut and go style that would fit zone blocking schemes. Good burst and runs hard through contact. Also a good fit as a 3rd down back because he is an excellent receiver and willing pass blocker.
107. * Taiwan Jones-RB-E.WA-NFL COMP- Jamall Charles- KC- Slightly built small school guy with big play ability. Still healing from multiple injuries. Elite long speed and explosion. Bad ball security and runs too upright. Looks like a spread back or 3rd down back with his receiving skills, but pass pro technique needs work. Not a physical runner and always looking to bounce it outside.
112. Joe Lefeged-S-RUTG-NFL COMP- Brandon Meriweather-NE-KR- team leader on the field with no off the field troubles. Excels at special teams and can return kicks. Good instincts and reads in coverage. Not as consistently physical in run support as you would like. If he played nastier with more consistency he would be a second round pick.
119. Casey Mathews-ILB-ORE.-NFL COMP- Pat Angerer-INDY- Great football IQ, motor, and toughness. NFL bloodlines and team leader. Undersized but plays bigger. needs to add 10 pounds of muscle to help him keep from being engulfed by O-lineman. Makes plays all over the field despite lacking great speed. Is a better football player than athlete with limited upside but he will develop into a good starter somewhere. Core special teams personality.
122. Brian Rolle-LB-OHIO ST.-NFL COMP-Gary Brackett-INDY- A smart fluid speedy player with size limitations. Needs to be protected but he could be a 3 down player. Can play inside or out in the right scheme. Needs to bulk up some to make it in the NFL. Special steams standout and at least a nickel linebacker in a 4-3
123. Jason Pinkston-T/G-PITT-NFL COMP-Sean Locklear-SEA- Inconsistent and injury prone in college . Flashes the meanness and strength to play RT or either Guard on tape but needs to player lower regularly. Quick enough to his pass sets but doesn't re-anchor, adjust , or reset quickly . Best fit inside till his technique is polished and his awareness is improved.
124. Curtis Marsh-CB-UTAH ST-NFL COMP-Stanford Routt-OAK-Great frame and athletic ability to develop into a star. Speed and size to spare but a raw developmental prospect in all areas except ball skills. Good kid who could end up a core special teamer while he learns how to play CB.
126. Jalil Brown-CB-COL-NFL COMP-Carlos Rogers-WASH- Team captain and good guy on and off the field. Raw prospect with top tier talent , size, and a low football IQ. Indecisive and a tick late on almost every play. Great ball skills , fluid hips , and strong hands could see him help out early in team that runs a lot press man, but anywhere else he is a liability right now. Wiling in run support but he needs more coaching there too.
127. Kelvin Sheppard-LSU-LB-NFL COMP-Channing Crowder-MIA- Aggressive player all over the field with good instincts and flashes big play ability. Can be too aggressive and get fooled with misdirection, and his reads and reactions are a tick late too often. Leader on and off the field and a good special teamer. The jury's still out on him on 3rd down. Inconsistent and a tad stiff but has the ability to be a 3 down player in time.
131. Bilal Powell-RB-Lville- NFL COMP-Thomas Jones-KC- Comes from a tough background as is now an example to kids with a troubled past. Great vision and patience picking the hole. Good wiggle and can change direction and burst up to top speed quickly. Runs hard but won't create holes and break a lot of tackles. Strong blocker but raw as a pass catcher. Has had fumble problems in the past.
139. Jerrard Tarrant-S- G. TECH-NFL COMP- Akwasi Owusa-Ansah-DALL- Could be considered a character concern due to a highly publicized off the field incident he was later cleared of. Highly athletic former CB with only 1 year at S but he has elite playmaking ability , and can take it to the house when the balls in his hands. Raw in all areas . Aggressive against the run but his technique is sloppy almost everywhere.
144. Buster Skrine-CB-CHATT-NFL COMP-Orlando Scandrick-DALL- Team captain and good person on and of the field. Track-star speed and elite special teams ability. Raw undersize corner prospect that needs to prove himself against a higher level of competition and improve his technique in all areas. Willing in run support and a hard worker but he's a developmental CB right now. Better athlete than football player.
150. *Brandon Hogan-CB-WVA-NFL COMP-Terrence McGee-BUFF-A string of off the field incident make him a risk for any NFL team to even draft . Best in a cover 2 scheme and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Plays angry in run support and can deliver a big hit or make a solid tackle where it's needed. Former receiver with good hands but gives up too many catches. Might be a better fit at FS as he breaks on the ball well when it's front of him.
152. Akeem Dent-LB-GA-NFL COMP-Justin Durant-JAX- Intelligent leader on and off the field. Physical tackle to tackle ILB. Best fit on the strong side in a 3-4 because he's willing to take on blockers in the hole or the middle of a 4-3. Should bulk up some to handle it. Good at everything and great at nothing. Hard working Special teams personality that could develop into a starter as long as there is speed on the outside around him.
154. Cecil Shorts-WR-MT. Union-NFL COMP-Julian Eidelman-NE-Small school team leader with a high football IQ . Can play RB ,wildcat QB, and WR but he needs to get stronger to hold up in the NFL . Decent after the catch and strong hands. Will be a good underneath guy but lacks long speed to outrun the NFL players downfield. Willing blocker and special teams personality.
159. Alex Greene-RB-HAW- Matt Forte-CHI-Good size and competitiveness but needs to run lower and doesn't break the tackles you would expect at 220 lbs. Good feet and a burst to top speed. Excels as a receiver out of the backfield and makes good decisions in protection but still plays too high here. Should be able to at least be a 3rd down back, help out on special teams, and maybe even help as kick returner as a rookie. Fumbling problems a must fix.
162. Ronald Johnson-WR-USC-NFL COMP-USC-Bernard Berrian-MINN- Big play potential and speed down field but inconsistent hands. Needs work on route running and put on more size so he can hold up over the middle better . Kick return skills and could also be gunner on special teams. has the work ethic to improve and be at least a slot receiver down the line.
12. Tyron Smith-OT-USC- NFL Comp-Jason Peters-PHIL- .His athleticism and the way he gets after people on tape already speak for themselves . Aggressive run blocker with a finishers mentality, but lacks the sand in his pants to enforce his will against bigger/stronger defenders . Technique is still inconsistent but when he's low and gets off the ball quickly he's moving people off the line easily. Looks for someone to hit at the 2nd level and has the agility to get there quick, even though he is rarely the 1rst guy off the ball. Mostly turns and seals his man in line blocking but he goes to the whistle. Excels as pass blocker and his feet are always moving which allows him to recover when initially beat . Plays RT now but definitely has the feet for LT, even though I think he would be best suited to play RT for a year or 2. Too much too fast is never good and he still learning how to play RT, switching sides could stunt his development some. It's almost like his high level athleticism has made him cautious. He too often waits for the defender to come into him before he starts blocking, but his ability to recover anyway and block his man is amazing. Measured in as big as we hoped with really long arms , so you know the potential for dominance is there and that he has been working hard since the season ended. Being short for a guy with such long arms only helps him to get underneath a defenders pads. Uses his hands well and has a good hand punch when he uses it aggressively, but is vulnerable to inside moves. Needs to be more aware of stunts and keep his head on a swivel . Still needs to do a complete workout at USC's pro day, but we feel he will light it up there . He has the greatest potential in a OT class long on it, but he is still a work in progress, even though he is already productive. A team like Dallas that needs a RT, or even better Philly that needs a RT to protect Vicks blindside would be good fits early in his career. With reps and coaching he could slide over to the the other side if needed . Wherever he's needed he can be a franchise OT for a long time. -UPDATE-Was simply awesome at his pro day. Still needs to show what he can do at LT in a full game , but he sure looked like he could play it in drills. Chiseled and has kept on the added 30 pounds he has put on since the season ended. Very fluid and undoubtedly the most athletically gifted OL in this class. With Dallas and Philly needing a RT he could end up at # 9 if they don't trade down , or Philly could trade up for him if they pass on him. It's hard to see him getting past Minnesota at 12 and them moving him to LT . Look for him to be the first OT off the board . up 4 spots
13. Prince Amukamara-CB- NEB- NFL Comp- Aqib Talib-TB- Some teams will rank him ahead of Peterson if he runs significantly faster than him. High floor pick with pro bowl potential.Great hands at the line and redirects and controls his man well in the first 5 yards. Great feet and fluid enough hips to turn and run with receivers. Great awareness in zone and quickly diagnoses the play and breaks on the ball. Willing run defender but not a big hitter in this area. Explosive when he makes his mind up where he's going and reaches top speed quickly. Solid tackler and seems too know when to take someone on and when to cut them. Smart enough to secure a tackle or cut his man instead of going for the KO. A smart player with a strong work ethic. Big physical corner with the speed to match that teams are looking for. Hands down the most polished coverage CB in this draft class, but does allow a lot of balls to be caught . His biggest problem is the inability to catch, which is strange because he's a ballhawk.That's right I said it... A ballhawk who can't catch? Anyway he had 5 picks the year before so its possible its just an aberration but he sure dropped a lot of easy ones last year. There is a reason he's a CB (and not a RB or WR) despite having the measurables to be either. Also lacks Petersons return ability ,so there isn't much of a chance he goes ahead of him barring a big stumble by Patrick.
14. Mike Pouncey-C/G- FLA- NFL Comp- twin- Markice Pouncey- PITT-Listed as bigger and is definitely more mobile than his pro bowl rookie twin brother, but not quite as nasty or agile in line off the ball yet. Pulls like a 290 pound zone guard and can pancake a guy he hits, but needs to hit his targets more downfield. Quick off the ball and can finish his man when he tries , but doesn't always play to the whistle . Good base drive blocking in line when he plays low enough, but usually gets the job done even when he doesn't . Strong anchor against the bullrush and has the ability to shuffle and slide with his man. Uses his arms well although he could use his strong hand punch more pass blocking. The top C and G prospect in this draft, and probably won't go this high ,but he can start at either from day 1 and do a good job of it. Improved on his snaps all year after it being a problem in the beginning, and his last game was his best all around. Improved as a Center all year after playing Guard previously . He's by no means a finesse player , but if he plays with his brothers nastiness every down he can be even better than him.
COMBINE UPDATE- numbers were all comparable to his brothers, but we thought he was a bit bigger. Still plenty big enough and he may have dropped some weight for the combine but 320 with that movement would have been even more impressive. Frame could easily handle another 20 pounds. -UPDATE- Plug and play best C or G in the draft. Other guys questions cause this high floor player to move up slightly in a draft with few sure things. .-up 1 spot
15. Mark Ingram-RB- ALA- NFL Comp- Emmitt Smith-RET.-Only a really slow forty can knock him out of the first round, but I guarantee you he runs a good 10 yard dash. Rare vision at RB and great production at a big time school. Low floor but upside not as high as 5 backs in this draft, but its really hard to watch him run and not see a lot of pro bowls in his future. Won't go this high but time will tell where he should have gone. Patient picking the hole, then burst through when he finds it. Can stop on a and dime and accelerate back up to his top speed quickly. Has the knack for avoiding big hits and and runs through or off contact well.Always falling forward and has a compact build with a low center of gravity. Won't run a lot of guys over but he's smart enough to find the crease and get to the 1rst down or goal-line. Looks to get up field quickly and doesn't bounce things outside that aren't there ,even though he has enough burst to do so when its open. Good receiver out of the backfield and can make people miss in the open field. Excellent on screens and draws and sees the whole field and goes to the best area to break out of the pack. Stout in pass pro and makes good decisions on who to block first. The most polished RB in the draft in a long time . May lack a huge upside but he's already great. Has the highest floor in the entire draft barring injury.
COMBINE UPDATE Denny Green would say) He is what we thought he was" and that still a good thing. Slow forty, fast 10, and a complete player.Won't go this high but we believe time will easily validate this ranking .This guy will move the chains. -MEDICAL UPDATE- and while it's not good. there are conflicting reports from different teams.. Some teams are saying they think arthritis could be in his knee after his medical recheck. RB is already the most punishing position on the field. Your lucky to get 5 years of high level production from one and then if your even luckier an additional 3 or 4 good years. Might not be the first back taken and the first round is iffier than before . Some teams won't touch a RB with even possible arthritis at all.down 5 spots ONLY because of possible long term injury concerns.15. Mark Ingram-RB- ALA- NFL Comp- Emmitt Smith-RET.-Only a really slow forty can knock him out of the first round, but I guarantee you he runs a good 10 yard dash. Rare vision at RB and great production at a big time school. Low floor but upside not as high as 5 backs in this draft, but its really hard to watch him run and not see a lot of pro bowls in his future. Won't go this high but time will tell where he should have gone. Patient picking the hole, then burst through when he finds it. Can stop on a and dime and accelerate back up to his top speed quickly. Has the knack for avoiding big hits and and runs through or off contact well.Always falling forward and has a compact build with a low center of gravity. Won't run a lot of guys over but he's smart enough to find the crease and get to the 1rst down or goal-line. Looks to get up field quickly and doesn't bounce things outside that aren't there ,even though he has enough burst to do so when its open. Good receiver out of the backfield and can make people miss in the open field. Excellent on screens and draws and sees the whole field and goes to the best area to break out of the pack. Stout in pass pro and makes good decisions on who to block first. The most polished RB in the draft in a long time . May lack a huge upside but he's already great. Has the highest floor in the entire draft barring injury.
16. Gabe Carimi- OT- Wisc.-NFL Comp- Jake Long- MIA- Some think he can't play LT in the NFl. We disagree and think he was the best of all the OT's at the senior bowl, even though he missed the game with an injury. People seem to forget that Joe Thomas , Ryan Clady, and Jake Long also have trouble with the fastest speed rushers-EVERYONE does. Plays nasty and smart with the frame to add 20 more pounds and still be just quick enough to handle the blindside . He's already comparable to Brian Bulaga but has more upside. Long arms and won a lot of high profile battles this year . A mauler in line blocking with a finishers mentality. Can struggle down field hitting targets on the move if he's off balance ,but the effort is there, and he is better downfield when slipping off the double team. Best coming out of a 3 point stance as it helps keep him low. Uses his long arms and hands well to control his man and keeps his feet moving. Good (not great) feet in pass pro, but his technique is sound. Strong hand punch and is aggressive till the whistle. When he stays low he's clearly a NFL LT. From what they showed on the NFL network at the senior bowl he had the best week of practice overall. His willingness to play RT and G at practice( in addition to his normal LT) can only help him. A very fit 315 pound at the weigh ins and looks as if he could carry 335 with no loss of agility.4 year starter at a big program and replaced Joe Thomas without a hitch. He's a better football player than athlete and his upside is lower than the 4 other OT's likely to be drafted in the 1rst round, but his ceiling is the lowest. Strong work ethic and played through many injuries missing only 3 games his sophomore year. Could also play either guard spot if needed. He won't go this high but right now he's the most ready to play OT in the draft.
COMBINE UPDATE- in shorts and t-shirts many looked better and more fluid than him, but on tape he gets the job done more than any of them right now. We still feel he's a LT in a run oriented offense, but many will want him at RT now, and you need 2 good OT's in todays passing league. No chance he makes it out of the 1rst round, but he will probably go in the 20's to a team looking for a plug in and play RT. down 3 spots, but still the safest overall OT in this draft if you need a starter from day 1.
17. Nick Fairley-DT-AUB-NFL Comp-Darnell Dockett-AZ- If his brain was on every play he would probably be a lock for # 1, but he is so disruptive anyway that he's a top 5 pick barring any pre draft stupidity.A freakish athlete for his size who penetrates backfields at will . Has the size and speed to play the strong side DE or DT in a 4-3 . Even if he doesn't penetrate too deeply he controls his man and moves well laterally along the line of scrimmage. Although he needs to maintain leverage on a more consistent basis. Will chase down plays from the backside or sniff out screens and arrive with force. Must do a better job of harnessing his temper . Plays violently and can get stupid penalties at times, even at the worst possible time in a big game. Is so quick off the snap he often is a step and a half ahead of O-lineman who know the snap count, but can run himself out of plays . Splits blockers and explodes at the QB even though his technique needs work . Incredibly agile feet for such a big man. Powerful bull rusher but he could use his hands better too shuck blockers . Good instincts for the run or pass and has his head on a swivel. His relentless pursuit of anyone near him with the ball is the one trait that makes me think that he will be in many pro bowls, but his motor needs to rev up on plays away from him more. If he learns more pass rush moves , has his motor on ever play , stays low on a regular basis, and how to use his hands he would be unstoppable.As is he's still really good.
17. Nick Fairley-DT-AUB-NFL Comp-Darnell Dockett-AZ- If his brain was on every play he would probably be a lock for # 1, but he is so disruptive anyway that he's a top 5 pick barring any pre draft stupidity.A freakish athlete for his size who penetrates backfields at will . Has the size and speed to play the strong side DE or DT in a 4-3 . Even if he doesn't penetrate too deeply he controls his man and moves well laterally along the line of scrimmage. Although he needs to maintain leverage on a more consistent basis. Will chase down plays from the backside or sniff out screens and arrive with force. Must do a better job of harnessing his temper . Plays violently and can get stupid penalties at times, even at the worst possible time in a big game. Is so quick off the snap he often is a step and a half ahead of O-lineman who know the snap count, but can run himself out of plays . Splits blockers and explodes at the QB even though his technique needs work . Incredibly agile feet for such a big man. Powerful bull rusher but he could use his hands better too shuck blockers . Good instincts for the run or pass and has his head on a swivel. His relentless pursuit of anyone near him with the ball is the one trait that makes me think that he will be in many pro bowls, but his motor needs to rev up on plays away from him more. If he learns more pass rush moves , has his motor on ever play , stays low on a regular basis, and how to use his hands he would be unstoppable.As is he's still really good.
COMBINE UPDATE- Still a top prospect but measured smaller ( just shy of 6 ft. 4 and 291 pounds ) than expected and his body looked softer than previously thought .Was consistently beat by Dareus in many drills,even though he had a good combine himself. Also didn't bench yet due to a shoulder injury. Teams were reportedly very curious about his dirty player rep. Needs to improve on some combine numbers at his pro day (and benching well wouldn't hurt )or he could fall out of the top 10. If he did someone would be getting a steal. -UPDATE- PRO DAY Improved some but he tired quicker than expected. The boom or bust tag is being thrown around , but the booms so high I doubt he makes it out of the top 10, but I would feel better taking him outside it. down 9 spots
18.Blaine Gabbert- QB- Missouri- NFL Comp-Joe Flacco-Balt.-I really think he would have been better served by staying in school and improving his game, but with Luck out he is considered the safest of the QB's in a draft without a clear cut franchise guy. Has a strong enough arm to make all the throws when his feet are set and he steps into it , but doesn't always do so. Throws well on the move but with a little less zip, but he is elusive in and out of the pocket. Has the problems all spread QB's do. Read progression isn't shown as much as you would like , needs to learn to work under center, learn pro set protection schemes, and not as many down field throws as you would like to see on tape. Footwork is inconsistent and this will take time to fix, but his feet are nimble. A quick delivery (if a bit low at times )and above average accuracy on the shorter throws he makes regularly. Usually runs after making 2 reads and he has made many big plays this way, but needs to curb that urge . A leader and has no off the field problems known. Has an NFL body and shows poise and confidence in a spread offense . Could go top 5, but he is still a project with upside that shouldn't be starting till year 2 if he's lucky. Could maybe start late in his rookie year if he has progressed enough and his team is out of contention. The top 5 QB's in this draft have massive physical potential and 4 of them can run too, but Gabbert's decision to come out makes him the best bet right now.
COMBINE UPDATE- Measured in as big as he looks on tape and ran fast like we thought he would, but he didn't work out at all. Some QB's received a bump for their combine performances, and some took a hit because of it, so his choice as the consensus # 1 QB in the draft may pay off later, but others guys at every position moved up and he didn't . Not as good a prospect right now as Matt Ryan , Matt Stafford, or Sam Bradford. Still may end up the # 1 pick though. Till he throws and especially shows improved footwork and deep ball accuracy he drops a little. -UPDATE- Pro day went well in all areas expect the deep ball, and he threw very few of them anyway. This is my main worry, and because of that I wouldn't take him in the top half of the 1rst round.Footwork and timing especially improved. I can't see him getting past 5 because of need, but I still feel the best case scenario is for him to sit most of his rookie year and learn. The main reason he should be the first Qb drafted is that he looks to throw first. Of all the athletic QB's in this draft that are being talked up as possible top 10 picks, he's a passer first who only runs when he has to. -Newton and Locker are run first guys right now. Mallet isn't athletic at all,Ponder upside is lower than the rest, and Kaeperneck isn't being talked about as a 1rst round guy. That makes him your safest bet if you are taking a franchise QB high.
19. Mikel Leshoure-RB-ILL.-NFL Comp- Steven Jackson-STL.- A well rounded big 3 down runner who has never lost a fumble in his college career. Vision and choices picking a lane are just average. Hits the hole and looks for daylight but he could use his size more and run through more people instead of trying to find a hole thats not there. It's obviously not a fear issue as you can see him running through contact plenty of times on tape and getting extra yards because of it. One of things that separates him from many other backs is his familiarity with the passing game. A physical willing blocker who just need a little refinement on his technique to be elite. A good receiver who can take it up field and even be split out wide on occasion. His route running and catching techniques also need some work, but he is still above most backs coming out of college in this area. He's a big back with some wiggle and the ability to pass protect. Past off the field issues are the only thing keeping him out of the 1rst round . If a team believes he really did grow up last year( and his coach said he did) they should snatch him up quick. up 4 spots
20. Anthony Costanzo- OT- BC-NFL Comp- Sebastian Volmer- NE.- he's a technician and looks like a NFL LT on tape most of the time, but he needs to get stronger. Run blocking he's great coming from the side and maintains his block to the whistle, but can get stood up by stout D-lineman heads up. Active downfield and gets there quick. Played well all year( except against Bowers) but had only an average senior bowl week production wise . Gets quickly out of his stance and to his spot on the edge with a good initial hand punch. If he stops your first move pass blocking its over, but if he does't land his initial punch he struggles to recover. He keeps his feet moving when engaged but you can see he needs more strength in his leg drive. It could be that he was moved around too much at the senior bowl , but it also has to do with him needing to add 30 pounds so he can anchor better. The ability to be a top LT with more weight and strength . Frame, arm length, and technique are already there. Best current pass blocking feet of all the OT's, but isn't as nasty as you would like. Would be best suited at LT in a pass heavy offense or at LG until he bulks up his lower body early in his career. Highly intelligent student athlete with a strong work ethic and a low floor. In 2 years he will probably be very good but he isn't scheme diverse or strong enough to play outside in many offenses right now. UPDATE- After he's bulked up in 2 or 3 years he may be the best of the bunch, but right now I don't see him having the strength to start at OT in many offenses.Only a high level day 1 starter in a pass heavy offense or in a zone blocking scheme. -steady
21. *Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio ST-.NFL Comp-Trevor Price- NYJ- His motor is alway on and he will wear down opposing OT's on tape and make some of his biggest plays late in the game when they are tired. He never gives up rushing the passer and his get off is good, but he's just not quick enough to beat people around the edge regularly.Strong hands and can get control of his man and take him where he wants to go. Is stout at the point and plays low dominating most blockers one v one .Isn't always are of people coming at him from the side but can hold up a double team if he knows its coming .Not agreat athl;ete but he still makes plays. He is just a good football player and his attitude and work ethic scream 3-4 end. If not for injuries preventing him from working out and proving his long term health I would have him in the top twenty. Perfect 3-4 end or 4-3 DT with the leadership , selfless attitude, and motor to get it done in the NFL. MEDICAL UPDATE- medical recheck looks good and he should be the player he was before the injury. up 12 spots
22. Cam Newton- QB- Auburn-NFL Comp-Donovan McNabb-WASH- Great athlete and a guy who has made things happen in some big games. Probably the most gifted QB I have ever seen, but he needs to sit a year and learn an NFL offense. Strong arm ,quick release, and a good throwing motion to make al the throws necessary, but his deep balls need work. Has spread QB issues- footwork, read progression, timing etc. However the main reason he reminds me of Young is he only made 1 read and then ran if it wasn't there. Big strong runner and will deliver a blow to get the first down, but shy's away from contact if he's being rushed. Better pure passer than Vince Young and Tim Tebow ( 2 guys he is most often compared too) coming out of college, but didn't play as well as either in the national championship game. Off the field issues and possible entourage a red flag. UPDATE- he's going in the top 10. He may even go # 1 overall, but trust me the best thing that could happen to his long term career is to sit a year and learn to read defenses. If he starts from day 1 and win some games with athleticism it may make him think he doesn't need too. Vince Young, Steve Young,Tim Tebow and Michael Vick ( similar type players in college) all had this problem.Vince is still suffering from it, but his problems are also part confidence IMO. Tebow luckily didn't have to play till near the end of his rookie year and he still needs to be more accurate despite the definite improvements. It took Steve and Vick a long time and the right situation to buckle down and learn to how to be a QB and both became great when it did. Hopefully Cam won't have to fail to win big with his first 2 teams and sit behind a HOFer for awhile like Steve Young to make it . Or go to prison and have his entire outlook on life changed like Vick to succeed . He's been a winner everywhere he's played and is a fiery guy on the field that players will respect. That and his immense talent make him worth the risk of a 1rst round pick this late.If you are going to take him and expect him to play early you have to tailor your offense to him and teach how to play NFL QB piece by piece from there.NFL hits are a lot harder from bigger men though and he may even up hurt soon if he runs very often. Otherwise he needs to sit awhile
23. Colin Kaepernick-QB-Nevada-NFL Comp-Randall Cunningham-RET.-A good kid , smart guy, team leader, and a force in the community. Great frame( 6"5" 233 lbs.) with the room to add 15 pounds of muscle and still be fast. Plays hurt and his coaches rave about him. Makes big plays at big times. Has elite arm strength( stronger than Mallets when his feet are set and he steps into it) but a elongated delivery that will have to be altered or he will get a lot of balls piked off in the NFL. . Even when he's on the move and doesn't wind it up his arm is still very strong. More accurate downfield than most spread/pistol QB's. Since he played in the pistol he will have to make the adjustment to a pro style offense. Elite running ability but a bit of along strider. More top end speed than short areas quickness and he needs to tuck the ball better when he runs. Needs to get used to making more reads consistently ,instead of taking off whenever it's not open right away, but there are times he has went through his progression up to his 3rd receiver when he had the time. If his footwork wasn't so bad we feel he would be the first QB drafted this year. Tremendous athlete and even drafted in pro baseball. If you want a slightly smaller, faster, stronger armed Cam Newton look here. Could be steal in the 2nd as a developmental guy. Anyone in the top 10 enamored with Newton who has other needs first , or doesn't want to risk a QB that high, could just wait and take this guy in the 2nd. He's a winner , en elite athlete and clean as a whistle off the field. He's a 1 or 2 year project but the payoff is as good as it gets. We believe he will be ready to start by then. NE has a lot of picks and needs to develop Bradys successor. Something to think on. up 14 spots
24. Nate Solder- OT- COL.-NFL Comp- Doug Free- DALL.- Flashes great ability and athleticism on tape and at the senior bowl as well... but you can tell he's still learning how to play OT. Will extends his arms and easily ride a guy pass the pocket one play and then cross his feet up the next. Thats a problem that can be cured with time in an offense and playing the position. Needs to play lower and thats not easy when you are 6"8". Long arms and he needs to lock them out more and lean over less. Not technical enough to be a high level LT yet and not a physical enough run blocker to be a RT for most teams right now either, although he is a aggressive run blocker. Plays to the whistle on every play and you can't fault his effort. Regularly picks off defenders at the second level downfield. He could start( would fit the colts or patriots offenses well) from day 1 for some teams on the left side but he will definitely have growing pains till he can regularly sink his hips and anchor. Better in a 2 point stance currently and gets to his spot very quickly out of it . Especially vulnerable to inside pass rush moves out of a 3 point stance. Would be a better fit in a passing offense early in his career . In 2 or 3 years he could be the best of the bunch but right now he's a reach anywhere higher than the bottom of the 1rst round unless he's in the right offense. down 2 spots
25. Randall Cobb-WR-KY-NFL Comp-Hines Ward-PITT- And I mean Hines Ward in his prime, as he's kinda like a smaller Percy Harvin when receiving. He seems to always be open. Can plant his leg and separate . Runs good enough routes and finds the holes in the zone. Above average hands with good technique, but will occasionally try to start running before the ball get to him. Becomes a RB once he gets the ball and is a shifty big play waiting to happen in the open field . He 's fast enough but super quick with a burst to find daylight. Below average size for the position but he's stout and can break tackles in the open field and is fearless over the middle. A great blocker , blind siding people every game on crack backs and giving maximum effort on the outside. This kid is smart, he gets open, he's fearless, and he blocks like he enjoys it. He can play WR, RB, QB, and return kicks. Not the biggest or fastest WR but he will make plays for you. Go get him. up 1 spot
26. Derek Sherrod- OT- Miss St.NFL Comp-D'Brickshaw Ferguson-NYJ-Up and down senior bowl , but he has the ability to play LT on tape.Quick off the ball and gets into his man run blocking but lacks the strength to maul people. More of a seal and wall off type against bigger and stronger defenders in line but he gets it done most of the time. Excellent downfield and and gets to the second level and hits his target better than any OT in this class. Quick to his spot pass blocking and has good balance in his sets. Needs a stronger hand punch and to use his long arms more . Put him in a pass heavy offense and coach him up some and he is a a day 1 starter on the blind side.Needs more strength and nastiness but he has the feet , quickness, athleticism , and frame to pull it off in time.A solid student and leader on and off the field. A couple years of NFL coaching and weight room time should se him as a safe pick. up 4 spots
27. Ryan Mallet- QB- ARK- NFL Comp- Drew Bledsoe-RET.- Off the field concerns have knocked him around, but that seems to have cooled off and teams are becoming more enamored with his ability. Elite arm strength and makes ridiculous throws on the field but he buckles under pressure right at him and panics. Also doesn't feel pressure or slide well in the pocket. More NFL ready than most in this draft on a team with a good O-line and a QB guru coach, but would struggle behind the patchwork lines you usually find in teams picking in the top 10 . Reads defenses better than any QB in the draft right now and also throws the best deep ball. In a draft filled with athletic mobile QB's his immobility really stands out even though he played in a more pro friendly offense than most of them. In this weak QB draft he had a outside shot to go # 1 overall because he's the best pure passer in the draft, but he's too immobile to be more than a top 10 guy at best ,off the field stuff aside . Carolina , Tennessee , and Miami have good enough O-lines for him to be a fit. With Carolina trading away there no# 2 ( #33 overall) last year in a draft day trade they are missing out on an opportunity here. Tennessee or one of the of the QB needy teams in the top 10 will likely take him at the top of the 2nd or trade back in to the 1rst for him. Miami could take him at 15 but they will need an upgrade at 1 or 2 interior O-line positions to make it work. However ,until he stops being a statue in the pocket (and his off the field stuff is cleared up) he's a low 1rst or high 2nd rounder . This is about where he's worth the risk unless you already have a good o-line. -up 7 spots
27. Ryan Mallet- QB- ARK- NFL Comp- Drew Bledsoe-RET.- Off the field concerns have knocked him around, but that seems to have cooled off and teams are becoming more enamored with his ability. Elite arm strength and makes ridiculous throws on the field but he buckles under pressure right at him and panics. Also doesn't feel pressure or slide well in the pocket. More NFL ready than most in this draft on a team with a good O-line and a QB guru coach, but would struggle behind the patchwork lines you usually find in teams picking in the top 10 . Reads defenses better than any QB in the draft right now and also throws the best deep ball. In a draft filled with athletic mobile QB's his immobility really stands out even though he played in a more pro friendly offense than most of them. In this weak QB draft he had a outside shot to go # 1 overall because he's the best pure passer in the draft, but he's too immobile to be more than a top 10 guy at best ,off the field stuff aside . Carolina , Tennessee , and Miami have good enough O-lines for him to be a fit. With Carolina trading away there no# 2 ( #33 overall) last year in a draft day trade they are missing out on an opportunity here. Tennessee or one of the of the QB needy teams in the top 10 will likely take him at the top of the 2nd or trade back in to the 1rst for him. Miami could take him at 15 but they will need an upgrade at 1 or 2 interior O-line positions to make it work. However ,until he stops being a statue in the pocket (and his off the field stuff is cleared up) he's a low 1rst or high 2nd rounder . This is about where he's worth the risk unless you already have a good o-line. -up 7 spots
28. Brooks Reed-DE/OLB-AZ- NFL Comp- Robert Mathis-INDY- Good athlete with a quick first step upfield. Relentless pass rusher with 3 really good moves to get the QB but he could use more. Coming up field to rush the passer only Von Miller is better in this draft and a good hand fighter. Gives max effort against the run and can get into his man and shed him sometimes and his technique and leverage are sound but he lacks the strength to anchor. Can't hold the point against stronger blockers and has no chance against a double team unless he runs around it. He's a good and fluid enough athlete to make the transition to 3-4 OLB and we think thats his best fit currently, but his coverage responsibilities would need to be limited early on . He could put 10-15 pounds of muscle on his legs and stay at end, but that would limit him to to situational pass rushing and special teams as a rookie in a 4-3. Team captain and highly competitive leader. Very few players have done so much for their draft stock since the season ended. After tearing up the senior bowl and making teams watch more tape on him(and be pleasantly surprised they did) he had a great combine. 3-4 switch looks doable and his best fit, because he's going to have to put on some muscle to hold up against the run as a 4-3 end. Just a good football player and hard worker but he'sonly worth this pick right no3 in a 3-4. up 18 spots
29. Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA- NFL Comp- Brian Orapko- WASH- Looks to have everything you need to play any LB position in any scheme, except a high football IQ. In his limited pass rushing chances he was explosive and showed a great spin move. Strong upper body and long arms . Gets off the ball rushing the passer and can run the arc around the edge. Uses his hands and arms well and stays low to get underneath the blockers pads to control or shuck him when rushing . Against the run he is willing to take on blockers head on but has trouble shedding them. Is better at holding the edge and stringing plays out. Can run sideline to sideline to make plays and chase down from the backside. I think 3-4 teams will be looking at him as a rush OLB. The only guy I saw all year to give Tyron Smith much trouble rushing the passer, and he won more than he lost in those battles.Needs to play more under control and go free agent less.Not as explosive in drills or fast( 4.80?) as he looks on tape at the combine. He still looks explosive on film and changes directions as good as any LB in the draft. .A great Pro day could save all, but its possible he will be limited to playing SOLB or the middle only in 4-3.
UPDATE- Much improved at his pro day ( 4. 71 forty) . Probably will go to a 3-4 team that want him to rush a passer because thats what his best attribute is, but he could bulk up his lower body and play 4-3 weak side end too. When he knows where he's going he goes all out to get there and arrives angry. Might as well send him at the QB then. steady
30. Stefan Wisniewski- C/G- Penn ST.NFL Comp- Ryan Kalil- CAR- Definitely the best technician of all the O-lineman the draft. A decent athlete for a center but a great football player. Hard worker on the field and in the community.3 year starter at C and G. Dad was a pro bowler for 2 teams in the league and he inherited his toughness and hard nosed attitude. Plays to the whistle on every down and his feet are always churning. Quick off the snap and plays with good leverage. Doesn't blow a lot of guys off the ball, but gets movement and at least seals or walls his man off in line. Good on the double team and slides off at the right time to the second level but can struggle to find his man farther down field . Sustains his blocks downfield once he locks on and can pull in the short area and hit his target. Makes all the line calls and has NFL veteran awareness in pass pro. Quick into his pass sets and gives penetrating DT's fits. Great hands placement and keeps his hands inside when he latches on. Can re-anchor and adjust when his hands are knocked away, but can also be walked back in the pocket by the stronger bull rushers. Interior lineman never get enough credit in the draft but this guy is NFL ready from day one at C or LG. Bigger than I expected and plenty strong , mean , and technical.-UPDATE- The wealth of college tackles transitioning to guard ( in a deep guard class) make him less valuable than he could have been. On tape he looks a lot smaller than he measured at the combine and we believe he bulked up a lot since the season ended. That alleviates any concerns we had about him. The 2nd best ready to go center prospect though because Pouncey has a higher upside, while Wisniewski is about maxed out .
31. Ras-I-Dowling-CB-VA-NFL Comp-Chris Gamble-CAR- Team leader and hard worker thats clean off the field. Big & Tall physical corner that would be a top 10 pick based on his 2009 film. However he was hurt( hamstring, ankle and knee!) all last year . Still healing when the combine came, and ended pulling up running ( still in the 4.4's anyway) his forty. Looks lightning fast on tape and it was confirmed at his awesome pro day with times ranging from the low to mid 4-3's. . He has make up speed and a strong burst out of his backpedal . Physical in man coverage and on those rare times he's beaten off the line he makes up ground quick ,and goes after the ball.Long arms and good ball skills. rarely gave up big plays when healthy and can leap and win jump balls like a receiver . Smart player who makes great reads in zone and arrives with force. Physical in run support and a good open field tackler. Has the size and demeanor to play free safety if needed. He's a hitter who can force fumbles and blitz off the edge. If not for the injures( and hamstrings are sometimes chronic for CB's) we believe many teams would have him ahead of Amukamara,and a few ahead of Peterson. If a teams doctors think he's gonna be healthy he is worth a 1rst round pick, despite how badly he played( when he was able to) last year while hurt. Personally I prefer a character guy like him who's is a better player anyway when healthy than a guy who's healthy( Jimmy Smith) but has a lot of character concerns.-up 24 spots
32. Christian Ponder-QB-FLA ST. -NFL Comp- Drew Brees-NO- A smart, signal caller and team leader who is clean off the field. Comes from a pro ready offense and experienced making pro reads with his foot work on his drops already being good. Has good feet in the pocket and can run or throw on the move when it's necessary. His accuracy is above average with time to throw everywhere but deep. When he steps into it and has a clean pocket he looks good, over the middle and on check downs.Reads defense well especially before the snap, but he needs to learn to look off the safety more and disguise his intent. Has a good enough arm now ( 3 arm surgeries in 2 years) that he's healed, but he needs to stop trying to force throws he he doesn't have the RPM's to make, as just throw it away more. No QB has helped himself as much as Ponder has in the off season. After an injury plagued year he has answered questions about his arm strength and had the best senior bowl and a good combine. A mobile QB but that frame needs more weight to handle the pounding he will take in the NFL. Probably the most day 1 ready QB in the draft if he is in a west offense. up 9 spots
33. Aaron Williams-CB/S-TEX-NFL COMP- Malcolm Jenkins-NO- He'a a big athletic CB who is at his best in press coverage. He's fluid enough to plat CB but his technique is shoddy, especially his backpedal. Read and reacts well when the balls in front of him but can get turned around when a receiver makes his cut. Vertical speed is good and has can run with and deny receivers vertically. Good ball skills and timing on his jumps and if if the balls caught he makes the tackle quickly. Willing in run support and a steady tackler , but not a big hitter. Maybe's he's not polished enough to be a corner in every system but he can play it in some and with more improvement on his technique he could start right away at CB and stay there a few years till his speed goes. Might be be able to play either safety spot with more bulk but can definitely play FS now. . When somebody unexpectedly goes 5 wide on your team you need a S that can cover like a CB. My guess is he goes after R. Moore but plays a little CB and a lot of safety in the NFL well. Versatility to play both well moves him up the board .up 14 spots
34. *Stephen Paea-DT-ORE. ST.-NFL Comp- Sedrick Ellis-NO-Missed the senior bowl with an injury and measured in a little smaller than expected, knocking him back some. A stout run stuffer and bull rusher with a good motor and a lot of production on tape. Might even be able to hold the gap as a 3-4 NT with a little more weight.Clogs lane and hard to move back . Quick off the ball and you could see him becoming a better pass rusher with technique refinement. Is more of a 2 gap DT right now, but he is quick enough to become a three technique backfield penetrator with more coaching . Brutal strength and a violent hand punch inside but you would like more height and arm length . Only thing he did athletically at the combine was break the bench press record, but he needs to work out soon to stay in a 1rst round with this many d-line prospects. UPDATE- Looked pretty good at his pro day but still only around 300 pounds. Lack the long speed and pass rush moves to be a regular 3 down player right now and that moves him in to the 2nd round. -MEDICAL UPDATE- Still not fully healed and another guy with arthritis in knee whispers. down 3 spots only because of injury concerns.
35.* Da'quan Bowers-DE- Clemson-NFL Comp-Justin Tuck- NYG- The biggest knock on him is his motor didn't fully rev up till this year, but he was dominant all season and has improved every season in college at least some. Strong and physical at the point of attack as long as he stays low, but he is not consistent here, and doesn't hold up well against the double team. Strong violent upper body results in blockers being tossed aside sometimes and has strong hands on all downs. Holds the edge well and doesn't abandon his responsibility before chasing down plays . A good athlete but lacks freakish standout ability. Doesn't have that elite first step but shows a good burst up field when rushing the passer. Can get around the corner or put his man on skates shuck him ,and close on the QB fast. When he moves inside on obvious passing downs he is a mismatch for interior O-lineman. Multiple rush moves and a strong bull rush . If he actually measures at what he is listed at in college he could bulk up a bit more an even play 3-4 end if needed. Was once the nations top recruit an is used to the spotlight. His versatility is also very valued. Can play either DE in a 4-3 and move inside on passing downs. A 3 down player.-UPDATE- Not a good pro day. No chance he can play 3-4 OLB and he gassed quickly . He may still be hurt or not had enough time to get in proper shape after the injury , but he claimed to be %100. His medical recheck showed swelling still in the knee and now there is talk of arthritis in it. If that is ultimately the case he could fall out of the 1rst round altogether. As of now the surgery is still so recent there is a little more time for healing, and another recheck. He could also go in the top 10 if he checks out well and he does better in private workouts.down 26 spots
36. *Kyle Rudolph- TE- ND-NFL Comp-John Carlson-SEA- Clearly the best TE in the draft right now ,and is well rounded enough to play every down in all schemes.Great hands and body control with a wide catch radius, but occasionally try's to run before the ball gets there. Great route runner and can separate. Knows how to use his body to shield smaller defenders. Can stretch the defense lined up outside but needs more work lining up inside. Good at finding the holes in the zone and will comeback if the QB's in trouble. Can break tackles but won't run away from DB's, but he's a mismatch for LB's and can take it to the house . A efficient technical blocker but not a road grader in line . Has the frame to add more muscle and strength as a blocker. Good enough feet in pass pro and a good chipper going in to his routes. Smart kid and clean off the field. Injury history( and its significant) should knock him into day 2 despite mid first round talent.up 9 spots
37. Rahim Moore-S-UCLA-NFL Comp-Nate Allen-PHI-A smart kid with a high football IQ . Great instincts and read and reacts well. QB of the secondary and a leader on and off the field Reportedly spends a lot of time watching film and it shows on how quickly he breaks on the ball. Great ball skills and good timing when he arrives for the ball. Great feet and fluid hips with CB's technique but lacks the speed to make the transition. Best in zone and playing deep middle. He's fine in man but he won't be able to stay with quicker receivers if they make it down field. Willing in run support and good tackler but misses out on chances to really deliver a big hit too often. He' s a center fielder type FS and a ballhawk but he needs to to be a bit more physical in run support. However guys who create turnovers and don't give up big plays are at a premium in the league. He's a FS only. No CB or SS transition possible , but he's also a safe pick . Will be the first true safety off the board, but Aaron William's elevation to a possible FS candidate hurts him and likely drops him to the 2nd round. High floor. down 1 spot
38. Torrey Smith-WR- MD- NFL Comp-Mike Wallace-PITT- This guy can stretch the field just like the player he reminds us of, and like Wallace he is also definitely a work in progress. His hands are usually consistent but he has strange concentration lapses at times. Makes a great leaping one handed over the shoulder catch then drops an easy one next time up. He needs to start snatching the ball out of the air instead of waiting for it . Ran a limited route tree in college so he needs work on his route running but he runs the ones he knows well and can separate .Explosive kick returner and it shows in his ability to run after the catch. A threat to beat you deep or take it to the house on every play. D-coordinators have to plan to stop him ,and that opens up the offense in other ways even if he used as a decoy when the balls not coming his way. He's a willing blocker but it is definitely an area that he needs more coaching in. He's a raw speed burner , but the efforts there and he's got enough size to take the pounding. Send him to a team with good possession receivers and a play action game and he could lead the league in yards per catch and long TD's.
39. *Adrian Clayborn- DE/DT- IOWA- NFL Comp- Chris Long-RAMS- High floor and a great motor. Better football player than athlete but still no slouch athletically. Opting out of the senior bowl will hurt him with some, injury or not. Had a better junior year, but his senior year was still very good, and he had numerous small injuries. Gives good effort rushing the passer but will probably end up more of a consistent pressure player than a sack man. Doesn't have lot of pass rush moves or counters ,but he tosses guys around and bulls through or by them. Needs to get off the ball faster and lacks the explosive first step of a great edge rusher. It turns out his injury is a disease call Erbs Palsy that weakens one arm some . He's had it his whole life so I doubt it will affect him much, even though some teams fear it will limit him to one side. With his strength at the point of attack he might be a better fit inside as 4-3 DT or outside as 3-4 end. In a draft filled with D-lineman with strong violent hands his are the best and that really saying something.Stacks and sheds like 10 year pro and plays consistently low with a good base and a constant leg drive. Knows his assignments and stays home when needed and pursues till the whistle when he's not. A angry hitter and can separate ball carriers from the ball. Team leader but does have an off the field incident in his past. Bottom line- he's going to be a good player and teammate but he may never be an elite one. UPDATE- Some suspect he will be limited to the right side and in a 3-4 thats fine, but in a a 4-3 he might need to move inside and be a 3 technique. Either way he he will have to bulk up more to be a fit if that's the case . Down 18 spots because of injury concerns and possible loss of versatility.
40. Andy Dalton-QB- TCU-NFL COMP- Matt Hasselbeck-SEA-He's a smart proven winner and leader . Accurate on short passes and can make reads quickly. Undersized though and only an average arm. Spread developmental QB that will need time to adjust to pro most style offenses, but he did make more reads than most spread QB's do, although it's still not near enough. Can buy time with his feet and run when he needs to. Best fit in a west coast offense and he could start soon in one . His accuracy , leadership, character, and work ethic have him flying up draft boards. -up 21 spots
41. *Jaball Sheard-OLB/DE- PITT-NFL Comp-Shaun Phillips-SD- A great pass rusher with a lot of different moves and counters. Strong active hand fighter with a non stop motor . An explosive first step firing out low and hard. Great instincts and finds the ball quickly no matter where it is and goes after it. Plays low against the run and can get into and control his man quickly and hold the edge and string out plays down the line. Can penetrate the backfield and make tackles behind the line and will pursue and chase down plays from the backside. Can't anchor against bigger stronger blockers or double teams although he will fight all the way through.Looks athletic enough to make the 3-4 transition to us. Is a violent hitter and can separate the man from the ball Not as well known as many of the 3-4 conversion candidates but teams who sleep on him could regret it. Could be a second round steal for a team looking for a pass rusher that passed on one in the first due to other needs. Reportedly a good kid but the reason I don't have him in the top 20 is twofold. First their was a off the field fight just last year where he wouldn't listen to the cops when they tried to stop it, and got beat down and arrested by them. Second he has injury issues that he's still healing from. Sergio Kindle is still fresh in my mind so 2nd round it is. Otherwise we would have him ahead of Kerrigan ,Reed ,and maybe even Quinn in the right scheme. down 6 spots
42. Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor-NFL Comp-Shaun Rogers-CLEV- Has good feet and balance for such a big man .Long arms to keep blockers at bay and active strong hands , but needs to anticipate the snap count better. Stout against the run and can clog the lane and stuff a double team when he stays low. Nimble feet and moves well laterally between the tackles. Has stamina issues and when he tires it shows in his leverage and leg drive.Has had weight problems in the past and his work ethic is questionable. Mostly a bull rusher when rushing but can surprise with quickness and penetration when he's fresh. The best chance of finding a 3-4 NT in this draft. Has freakish athleticism for such a big man, but transfered to a smaller conference and motor wasn't always on. Great senior bowl and combine on the field,but he still has off the field stuff questions to answer. The kind of player that can dominate if he puts his mind and heart to it, but on tape he's inconsistent . Boom or bust potential. Position scarcity makes him much more valuable than his play on the field warrants. down 4 spots
43. Rodney Hudson-C/G-FLA. ST.-NFL Comp- Rueben Brown-RET.- Team leader on and off the field. Durable 4 year starter and a good student in the classroom and of the game. Undersized at guard for most NFL blocking schemes, but technical and nasty inside. Quick off the ball and a violent hands and good placement to control his man. Not big enough to road grade stronger D-lineman but will seal or wall them off and make his block. Plays to the whistle and is active downfield. Pulls and traps well and while he won't blow up a lot of people he graded out extremely high across the board. Anchors like a much heavier man in pass pro and his hand punch stops pass rushers in their tracks. Good feet and mirrors well in rarely getting bet despite short arms. Head on a swivel and more aware and ready for stunts than any guard in this draft class. Showing he can play Center helps him a lot because some teams didn't like the way he looked with the extra weight put on too fast. Absolutely would fit the Redskins. Texans, or Colts to plug in and play from day one. If he was prototype guard size he would be a top 20 pick . up 1 spot
44. Orlando Franklin- T/G- Mia.-NFL Comp-Trent Wiliams- WASH.- His technique needs work and he needs more weight room time but he still gets the job done regularly with a lot of physicality. Can play RT or either G . If he played with more urgency, quickly fired off the ball on every snap ,and played lower with consistency he would be a top 10 LT . His athletic ability is unquestioned but his football IQ and effort are . Right now he is inconsistent as a inline blocker. Sometimes it looks like a lack of effort, others stamina, or the aforementioned inability to quickly get quickly off the ball on every snap. He will explode out and maul guys on one play ,and then come out of his stance too high and allow his man into his chest before he's barely out of his stance on the next. Is quick to his set pass blocking, but often too high, and doesn't use his hand punch and long arms enough. He's a willing downfield blocker but sometimes gets caught up in trash , takes bad angles, or just flat out misses his target. Was better his sophomore year at left guard, and while he has the talent to play LT, I think he would be a better fit inside till he 's coached up more. Was hurt last year so that could be part of the problem, as the one game he played at LT the previous year he looked pretty good. Is generally considered a good kid but his techniques are still a work in progress. In time with coaching and a couple of years of working out he could be a star at every O-line position but center. up 5 spots
45. *Ryan Williams- RB- Va. Tech.-NFL Comp-Curtis Martin-RET.-Injury prone in college or he would probably be a lock as the 1rst back off the board. Versatile inside and out with the ability to score anywhere on the field. Low center of gravity and great balance. Also adept out of the backfield and can make the first man miss and get big gains on swing passes. Willing physical blocker in pass pro with some pop but he needs to keep his feet moving better. A strong physical runner that stays low and can't be arm tackled. Will punish a defender rather than run out of bounds. Good vision and patience . Burst through the hole once he sees it and he's gone. Can cut back and accelerate back up to top speed quickly. Slower than expected at the combine as he routinely runs away from people on film. Injury history will still worry teams. Guys who run this hard inside are usually bigger and he needs to bulk up some or his most productive years may not last very long. down 4 spots
46. *Ben Ijalana-T/G- VILL- NFL Comp- Jason Smith-RAMS- Good kid and a hard worker . 4 year starter at OT but played at a small school where the talent level is a lot lower than any other OT likely to be drafted in the first 4 rounds. Really long arms and big hands to lock on or keep defenders at bay. Has LT feet and awareness but is more of a finesse player. Needs to get stronger and use his hand punch more. The kind of guy who can slide , mirror, and ride a guy past the pocket in pass pro, but will give up to much ground and have trouble anchoring. . He is a competitive run blocker and plays with good technique and leverage. Plays to the whistle and can make reach blocks and pull, but lacks the strength to drive stronger defenders off the ball. If it weren't for an injury preventing him from showing teams what he could do I think the first round would be a possibility. Long arms and can also RT or LG in a pass heavy , or zone offense. Has blindside protector ability and his upside is high but needs to get stronger.up 3 spots
47. Marvin Austin-DT- NC-NFL Comp-Brandon Mebane-SEA- Another of the suspended NC players from last season and was reportedly the ring leader. Work ethic questions have dogged him in the past and his motor is inconsistent. Talent wise he's a top 20 pick though. He's quick off the ball and penetrates regularly. Active all along the line and nimble feet to avoid trash inside. Can make plays in the backfield and chasing down the backside run. Stout build but plays too high too often. Can anchor 1 vs 1 if he stays low but lacks the ability to take on most double teams he doesn't split with his first step quickness. His first step rushing the passer gets him by or into O-lineman where he can control, bull, or shuck them. If his first move is stopped or he doesn't get that edge off the snap he either spins or gives up too easily. When he wants to he can dominate games but he doesn't always seem to want to, or tires a lot easier than he should. He's a potential boom or bust because of the character questions. Has worked out well and dominated the Texas vs the Nation all star game in the pre-draft process, but has way too many question marks to justify a 1rst round pick in our book. He will probably go higher than this but this is where we feel the risk is justified. -up 6 spots
48. Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple- NFL Comp-Marcus Stroud-BUFF-Not a guy I expected to enter the draft early and I could only find 5 games of his this year to watch.Has the frame to add even more weight(6"5"- 305 lbs. ) and still be chiseled. He's a better athlete than football player right now, but man what a athlete! Also he's a good player already, but you watch him and think how great he could be if he applies himself and takes to NFL coaching. He does everything well but get off the ball and keep his motor running all the time. Against the run he is usually slipping. swimming, or shucking his man and getting into the backfield right away. Has eyes and nose for the ball and long arms to grab ball carriers. Doesn't abandon his responsibilities, but can't hold the point against the double team and may struggle if he moves inside against the more powerful guards 1 v 1. Needs to play lower and get stronger. Really agile rushing the passer with multiple moves and slippery on stunts. Has violent hands sometimes but doesn't use them consistently. He's a better fit as a weakside 3-4 end right now, but with time he could play anywhere down along the line in any scheme. Seems to be a good kid with no off the field problems, but he didn't play much top competition even though he regularly dominated against anyone he played this year. UPDATE- Really talented but that level of comp just worries us. Might need some coaching and weight room time before he can make an impact. -UPDATE -the more tape we see the more how we see he is a better athlete than football player right now who does just enough to get by too often. Played down to his level of comp to often when he should have dominated all game all year long . He's worth the risk this late because he could be a boom, but he also could be a bust when the big checks start rolling in. down 22 spots
49. Jimmy Smith-CB-COL-NFL Comp-Rashean Mathis-JAX-Some years he would be the 1rst corner taken. Big, smart and, a leader on the field and in the locker room last season. Prior to this he has had some off the field issues and character questions, and how he answers these will ultimately decide where he's drafted. The more film we see of him the more we like him on the field. If he is as big and fast as he looks on tape he could be one of 3 CB's to go in the top 10 this year.Hardly thrown at all year because opposing teams feared him. Knows his job in zone and uses the sidelines well.Breaks well on the ball in front of him and secures the tackle first when the balls there, but needs work tackling in the open field. Can make the big hit but has a tendency to drop his head when he goes for it .Willing to take on blockers but is often too high when doing so. He's a big physical guy at the line and has tremendous balance . Reroutes and bumps receivers well with active hands . Quick reactions and goes for the ball before his man, although his hands are just average so far. Good feet but his backpedal is too high at times. When he stays low he flips his hips well. Long arms and uses them well to break up the ball when thrown at or beat. Good speed closing and can make it up if he bites on a double move against all but the fastest receivers. Stays home on the outside in run support but willing to come up and make the play when needed. A player who has improved every year and taken well to coaching, but if he learns to stay lower on a regular basis he could end up the best corner in the draft. Not sure about his football IQ but he still needs to be more consistent.
COMBINE UPDATE- Athletically he was all we thought he was on tape in drills. He also really is 6"2" and 211 pounds with speed... but those pesky off the field concerns reared their ugly head and he reportedly wasn't always truthful in team interviews. Some teams won't touch him now, some won't till the 2nd round, but in a draft with only 3 healthy corners that you know can play as a rookie , he will still probably go in the 1rst round somewhere despite damaging off the field stuff that hasn't gone away. Best fits on a team with a strong locker room and players that can mentor him. down 30 spots because of continuing character concerns.
50. Justin Houston-OLB/DE- GA- NFL Comp-Aaron Curry-SEA- unlike many 3-4 OLB candidates he has actually played the position and played it pretty well.... buuttt where's the effort? He has the talent to be a top 10 pick but the motors not always on and he doesn't stay low in the run game. Explodes off the ball, can bend the arc, but has inconsistent hand use & needs to be more physical. Fluid athlete that can drop into coverage ,especially in zone. Inconsistent effort, leverage, stack & shedding ability, and backside chasing efforts against the run. He is an excellent that needs to play with more strength and violence.Might remind some of Vernon Gholston and that means not worth the risk in the first round to me. He needs to go to a place with a strong locker room and positive mentors like Baltimore to have the best chance to succeed. down 6 spots
50. Justin Houston-OLB/DE- GA- NFL Comp-Aaron Curry-SEA- unlike many 3-4 OLB candidates he has actually played the position and played it pretty well.... buuttt where's the effort? He has the talent to be a top 10 pick but the motors not always on and he doesn't stay low in the run game. Explodes off the ball, can bend the arc, but has inconsistent hand use & needs to be more physical. Fluid athlete that can drop into coverage ,especially in zone. Inconsistent effort, leverage, stack & shedding ability, and backside chasing efforts against the run. He is an excellent that needs to play with more strength and violence.Might remind some of Vernon Gholston and that means not worth the risk in the first round to me. He needs to go to a place with a strong locker room and positive mentors like Baltimore to have the best chance to succeed. down 6 spots
51. James Carpenter-T/G-ALA-NFL Comp- Carl Nicks- NO-He has 2nd round potential as a RT or either guard, but lacks the length for LT. Occasionally confused by stunts and his football IQ needs work. Strong run blocker when he stays low and active at the 2nd level. Strong physical player who can bury people when he wants to, but he doesn't always seem to want to. Played at a big program against top talent and more than held his own. We like him best at guard early in his career and think he could be a stud inside. Good fit for run heavy teams that like big physical blockers like the Jets, Giants, Dallas, and Miami
52. Leonard Hankerson-WR-MIA-NFL Comp-Hakeem Nicks-NYG- Big strong guy who's inconsistent hands are the only thing holding him back from a guaranteed 1rst round spot. Has the size , speed and polish already. A lot of drops on film likely scared teams who were moving him up after a great senior bowl week, but they appear to be concentration lapses as he has strong hands. A fierce guy in the red zone as well.Boom or bust potential. down 6 spots
53 . Jurrell Casey-DT-USC- NFL Comp-Kyle William's-BUFF- He's a an overachiever who plays bigger than he is. Squatty build and plays with good leverage at the point and moved around well between the tackles. Can penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield. Strong bullrusher and a quick first step as a pass rusher. Good motor and active hands all around.No injury or character concerns but his ceiling isn't as high as the guys ranked ahead of him. Needs to hit the wight room and bulk up his legs and get in better shape. Could play a shaded 3-4 NT role if he hits the weights hard for a year or 2.down 4 spots
54. Jerrel Jernigan-WR-TROY- NFL Comp-Steve Smith-CAR-up 4 spots. Lightning in a bottle after the catch, with a good burst anywhere on field.An undersized prospect but plays stronger than his size and will go over the middle and block. Raw route runner and doesn't get off press coverage well but can explode out of his breaks and turn DB's around down field. Good kid off the field and a stud punt returner as well. Good hands when the balls near him but doesn't have a wide catch radius. Level of competition worries me., but that explosive quickness out of his breaks can't be taught -steady at #54
55. Greg Little- WR-NC- NFL COMP-Brandon Marshall- MIA- Another NC that missed the season due to suspension. Was just coming into his own the previous year so this really hurt him . Great hands and chiseled large frame.Perfect fit for a west coast offense. Fearless over the middle and uses his big body to box out defenders. Can go up and get it down field but he won't be blowing by guys downfield. Aggressive physical run blocker up 1 spot.
56. Titus Young-WR-Boise ST.NFL Comp-DeSean Jackson-PHIL- Has had a lot of off the field issues with multiple suspensions in college. Not the biggest guy and could probably add 10 pounds and still keep his speed and burst. Strong hand and a wider catch radius than his size would indicate.Good route runner that explodes out of his breaks and separates. Can beat press coverage with his wiggle and then explodes up to top speed quickly. Elusive and a big play guy after the catch with long speed to go all the way. A willing blocker but nothing special at it.He would be higher if not for the off the field and attitude problem history. -down 2 spots
57. *Bruce Carter-LB- NC-NFL Comp-Lawrence Timmons- Pitt- If not for tearing is ACL he a top 10-20 pick and he has a history of nagging injuries to boot. Runs like a deer ( looks in the 4.4's on tape pre-injury) sideline to sideline ,and has good read and recognition skills , but lacks high level instincts. Needs to be protected as he isn't a fit as a take on LB. Can only play the weakside , whether it's 3-4 or 4-3. Excellent on 3rd down whether it's blitzing or in coverage.
58. Jarvis Jenkins-DT-Clemson-NFL Comp-Domata Peko-CINC. Team leader and no off the field problems. Plays much stronger than he tested at the combine. Good leverage and quick first step out of his stance are his keys to stuffing the run. Uses his hands well and anchors like a bull but needs to play nastier. Can penetrate occasionally but is mostly just a 2 gap run stuffer. Good motor and plays hard to the whistle but doesn't counter well if the O-lineman gets the drop on him. Bull rusher with a sloppy spin move against the pass. Needs NFL coaching and more weight room time to fill out his massive frame . One of the few guys who projects as 3-4 NT in this draft and has the second highest upside of all those that are likely to play it as a regular position. Until he develops more pass rush moves he just a 2 down player at best.
59. Jonathan Baldwin-WR-PITT- NFL COMP-Vincent Jackson-SD- Big tall receiver who could be a lot better if he played meaner. Difficult personality will keep him from going too high as he's go the diva tag already. Lacks good separation skills and would best fit a west coast offense . Strong hand and a wide catch radius but not super brave over the middle like his size would suggest. Long strider who lacks quickness out of his breaks. Rounds off his routes too often. Despite all that he's a first round pick on tape, but isn't worth the risk till here in our opinion. This guy can be the Jamarcus Russell of WR's or he could be a star. up 11 spots
60. Allen Bailey-DE-MIA- NFL Comp- Will Smith-NO- Team leader and a hard worker. Chiseled high level athlete but a tweener. Best fit as a 4-3 strong-side end. Didn't look as good when he gained weight to make teams think he was a 4-3 DT.Has strength at the point to anchor and could be a 3-4 end as well. Good motor and a good kid but he needs a lot of coaching on his pass rush moves and football IQ. up 11 spots
61. Christian Ballard-DT/DE-Iowa- NFL Comp-Antonio Smith-HOU-The more I watched Adrian Clayborn film this year the more impressed I became with his counterpart.Excellent array of pass rush moves and does well 1 v 1. Struggles if his initial move is stopped and against double teams. Against the run he can hold the edge and attack and shed when he stays low, but he does have tendency to play too high occasionally. Has only average range and could make more back side or penetrating plays behind the line , but t least it's not lack of effort. Fires off the ball well and has good motor. Is ready to be a 4-3 base end now and that's currently his best fit with the ability to move inside on passing downs. With a little more size he could hold up inside full time in a 4-3 or be a weak 3-4 ends against stronger double teams. . 3-4 end , 4-3 strongside end or 4-3 DT makes him valuable. .Versatile with the frame and motor to be a long term starter. In a normal draft( less d-line studs as he's a lot like a less polished Cam Jordan) I would say he's a 1rst round pick but now I feel someone gets a steal in day 2. Back to back lit up senior bowl and combine. High floor. -UPDATE-Rumors of a failed drug test at the combine(although we haven't been able to confirm it) -down 21 spots
62. *Daniel Thomas -RB-Kan ST.-NFL COMP -Ronnie Brown-MIA- If not for the ball security issues I would like him more, but he is still new the position. Good kid and a former QB with high football IQ who could also run the wildcat and some trick plays. Doesn't play as physical as you want from a big back. Has a good burst and some wiggle but lacks home run speed. Good in pass pro and catching out of the backfield. down 3 spots
63. *Tandon Doss-WR-IND- NFL Comp-Mike Williams-TB-Surgery on both groins and he played hurt last year and still played well. Explosive kick returner and big play guy. At his pro day he was a lot slower than he looks on tape. My guess is he's not all the way back yet as he sure looks like he can stretch the field on film. Great hands and catches the ball in stride without a hitch. If he was healthy I think he would be in the low 1rst round discussion, but unless he is healed enough to run a lot faster for teams he might last till the 3rd round. Also can return kicks right away and contribute on special teams . down 1o spots because of injury.
64. Sam Acho-DE-OLB-TEX-NFL Comp- Kameron Wimbley- OAK-when he play with leverage he's a stud, when he doesn't he can get pushed around. Bets rushing the passer coming forward. A better fit at 3-4 OLB than 4-3 end because he doesn't anchor really well against stronger blockers or double teams.
65. Dontay Moch-OLB- NEV-NFL Comp-(a faster)Cameron Wake-MIA- His speed and burst are elite even for the NFL and he will chase down plays all over the field in pursuit. . A tweener who has played safety . LB, and DE in college. His bets fit in the NFL is as a 3-4 rush OLB. Good kid and locker room guy, but is still a better athlete than football player right now. He's a raw developmental prospect with enormous upside, but we like him as a double digit sack guy in a year or 2.Up 1 spot
66. Marcus Gilbert-OT-FLA-NFL COMP-Max Starks-PITT- He's a finesse OT prospect who's best attribute is stopping guys to the outside. Good feet and quickness but not physical enough and doesn't play with enough knee bend. A good positional run blocker and gives good effort but isn't nasty in line. Bets fit in a zone or pass heavy scheme and shouldn't start early anywhere else. Needs to get stronger and be coached up. Good kid and played against top competition in college.
67. Brandon Harris- CB- MIA-NFL Comp- Mike Jenkins DALL-Highly intelligent student athlete with a high football IQ to boot. Undersized but very technically sound with good feet. Tough kid who supports the run and plays with an attitude and edge on the field. .A overall good corner who lacks the size , long speed, and playmaking ability to be a pro bowl type player. Could be a steady starter for awhile but he lacks upside. Teams that play a lot of cover 2 should love him. steady at # 67
68. Johnny White-RB-UNC-NFL Comp- Ray Rice-BALT_-Leader on and off the field. A homerun hitter with great vision, patience, burst, and wiggle. Runs bigger than he is but doesn't have the bulk to move a lot of piles. Good all around in the passing game. Versatile elite special teamer.
69. Terrel McClain-DT-S. FLA-NFL COMP- Trevor Laws-PHIL- Good kid with a good motor. More of a penetrator who beats his man to his spot and disrupts from there than a stout run stuffer. Needs to get stronger and be more violent with his hands. Gets caught up if he doesn't beat his man off the ball. Raw pass rusher but gives good effort.
70. Marcus Gilchrist-CB/S- CLEM-NFL COMP- Michael Griffin-TENN-Can play CB. FS, and return kicks. Has a high football IQ but reads are a tick late. Needs to be more fluid and play with better technique trailing and coming out of the break. He'a basically a good football player that is unpolished. I would think FS is his bets position but he needs to make more plays on the ball to do so. He will make a team and help in many areas but is bit of a tweener. Corner size and speed with FS movement ability. Is a good enough run support player to play safety, but we aren't sure if his best fit is at FS or as a cover 2 corner right now. Good kid on and off the field.up 24 spots
70. Marcus Gilchrist-CB/S- CLEM-NFL COMP- Michael Griffin-TENN-Can play CB. FS, and return kicks. Has a high football IQ but reads are a tick late. Needs to be more fluid and play with better technique trailing and coming out of the break. He'a basically a good football player that is unpolished. I would think FS is his bets position but he needs to make more plays on the ball to do so. He will make a team and help in many areas but is bit of a tweener. Corner size and speed with FS movement ability. Is a good enough run support player to play safety, but we aren't sure if his best fit is at FS or as a cover 2 corner right now. Good kid on and off the field.up 24 spots
71. Kendrick Ellis-DT-DE-Hamp-NFL Comp-Gerrard Warren-NE- Multiple off the field issues, Played at a small school where he dominated lesser competition. The size and strength to maybe be 3-4 NT and the athletic ability to be a 3-4 end. A giant prototype frame and elite athleticism for such a big man
72. Clint Boling-G- GA- NFL COMP- Robert Gallery -OAK- Smart technically sound blocker in all phases of the game . Team captain who has played all over the O-line where needed. Lacks the arm length for OT, but could probably RT or RG in a pinch. Best fit is at LG but has the smarts and knee bend for center despite his height. even though thats the one position he doesn't have experience at. Physical, quick and plays to the whistle but rarely dominates his man. Better football player than athlete . His floor is high enough where you know he's a useful starter somewhere soon and a versatile player that can cover a lot of positions at least decently. Has an off the field incident and suspension for it in his past but no problems since .-up 7 spots
73. Mason Foster-OLB-WASH-NFL Comp- D'Qwell Jackson-CLEV- Great motor and willing to hit, but still a bit raw in the passing game. A high level athlete who can run and made a lot tackles, but too many of them far from the line. If he's protected and allowed to run to the ball he could be special. Some will see him at OLB, but we think he's a better fit inside.
74. Luke Stocker-TE-TENN-NFL Comp-Heath Miler-PITT- A complete well rounded TE . Runs good routes and can move the chains, but lacks the long speed to stretch the field regularly.Willing and physical blocker but he needs to play lower and with better balance. Good hands and a smart player. Better football player than athlete.
75. Curtis Brown-CB-TEX-NFL COMP- Terrel Thomas-NYG- Good kid and no character concerns. Great athlete still learning the nuances of playing CB. Improved a lot last year so you can see the progress being made,but he needs to get stronger and more polished. Great a special teamer and a lot of potential, but still a project right now
76. Lance Kendricks-TE-WISC.- NFL Comp-Zach Miller-OAK- off the field issues in his past but has reportedly grown up. Plays bigger than he is but he lacks the upside of larger framed TE's, but can play some FB or H-back too. Willing physical blocker but lacks the strength to drive bigger defender off the ball. Good hand and route running last year. Overall we rank him lower than he looks on tape last year. He may just have really grown up and buckled down, because the improvements in his play from junior to senior year is drastic in every phase of the game. However guys with past of the field issues who improve a lot right before they are going into the NFL worry us some.
77. Shane Vereen- RB-CAL- NFL Comp- Felix Jones-DALL- A hard working kid and student on and off the field. Smaller but solidly built RB with big play ability on every down. Injury issues and his frame make him more of a complimentary player even though he runs hard and physical. Speed and vision to burst outside and take it to the house. Excels in pass pro and catching out top of the backfield. At least a 3rd down back and potential KR man.
78. Martez Wilson-LB-ILL-NFL Comp-Karlos Dansby-AZ- Better athlete than football player right now, but his potential is enormous. Great speed and agility with the frame to add 15 pounds and maintain speed. Plays hard but his football IQ needs work and couldn't handle the middle in the NFL right now unless its the strongside in a 3-4. Best fit might be as 3-4 rush OLB but he's a project and special teamer to start.down 10 spots
79. Jacquizz Rodgers-RB-NFL Comp- Maurice Jones Drew-JAX- Play much bigger and faster than his listed size and 40 time would indicate. Versatile and a high football IQ. Secure runner who rarely fumbles and a constant source of big and clutch plays on tape.
80. Drake Nevis-DT-LSU-NFL Comp-Mike Patterson-PHIL.- Good kid , student, and teammate. Quick first step penetrator that can spend a lot of time in opposing teams backfield. Squatty build and good hands but can't hold the point against a double team or stronger interior O-lineman. Good pressure player as pas rusher but doesn't do well if his first move is stopped. Motor either inconsistent or stamina issues. He's disruptive enough to be a 3rd round pick but you wonder how much better he could be with more conditioning. Best fit as a 3 technique in a rotation .
81. Pernell McPhee-DE-MISS. ST.-NFL COMP-Ray Edwards -MINN- 4-3 base end with a good anchor that might need to bulk up and play 3-4 end or 4-3 DT. Great motor and toughness.Raw pass rusher who mostly relies on his power to get pressure but he sure gets it consistently . The leverage and base to hold the point of attack .While he can stack well he needs work shedding blockers. Only 1 year of major college ball but we see him becoming a productive NFL starter for awhile and his versatility means he should see a lot action early.
82. Danny Watkins-G/T-Baylor - NFL Comp-Logan Mankins-NE -Ready to play at either G spot now and on ability I would rank only behind Pouncey at G right now. Physical run blocker but he lacks the strength to be a mauler. Locks on keeps his legs churning and plays to the whistle in line.Gets down to the second level well and finds his target but doesn't declete a lot of guys. Good balance and quick sets in pass pro but not enough for quickness for the blindside. Uses his hands well and can re-anchor when knocked back.Still needs work recognizing stunts and blitzes, but he hasn't played that long and you can see the progress the last 2 years in this area. Could probably play RT early in his career as well, but is a much better fit at guard , especially on the left side. He's almost 27 and may be only to give you high level play for 3 to at most 6 years . So I wouldn't take him until after the middle of the 2nd, and only ahead some others we rank behind him if I need a starter right now. If he were 22 I would feel a lot better about because he doesn't have the mature confidence of a veteran, other 27 year old's have. The more we think about it 3 to 6 max years of even high level play and the likelihood thats its really 3 or 4 isn't worth anything more than a pick this high. down 42 spots
83. William Rackley-G-Lehigh-NFL COMP-Chris Kuper-DENV Small college LT who dominated his level of competition but lacks the ability and measurables for the blindside in the NFL. Technically sound in most areas and plays to the whistle. Best fit as a LG but could play RT in some systems someday. Plays physical but needs to get stronger if wants to play RT.Might need some adjusting to a much more complicated play book than he is used to. A talented project probably won't contend for a starting job till year 2.
84. Quan Sturdivant-LB- NC- NFL COMP- London Fletcher- WASH- Smart instinctive player who can QB a defense in a 3-4 or 4-3 and also be a fit on the strong-side in a 4-3. Doesn't play to his timed speed as he is not quite a sideline to sideline player. Stout when filing the hole but too often tries to run around other blocks. A good tackler but not a fierce hitter. He's just a good football player and he will start somewhere for a long time. Has instincts and quickness in the passing game close to the line of scrimmage , but not fluid enough to run down field with TE's and RB's. Special teams experience but off the field issue needs to be cleared.
85. Brandon Burton-CB-UT-NFL COMP-Asante Samuels-PHIL-Potentially a big time ball hawk , as he makes a lot of plays on the ball, but his hands are suspect. Good feet but overall Technique is still raw. Willing in run support but if he was as physical there as he is with receivers he would go a lot higher. Enough speed to get by but not a burner .Good special teamer.
86. Edmund Gates-WR-AB. CHR.-NFL COMP-Johnny Knox-CH- Raw receiver with great athletic ability, solid hands and home run speed. Big play threat who needs to learn how to run routes and get stronger. Past character concerns, older than the average prospect, and inconsistent hands make him a developmental guy with big play ability
87. Virgil Green- TE-NEV- NFL COMP- Jermichael Finley- GB- great hands and this dude can leap and go get it.Good kid, team leader, and hard worker. Undersized but plays bigger and works hard as a blocker. Raw route runner but he sure gets open a lot on tape. In the right system he could be a game breaker early. Highest upside of al the TE's in the draft.
88. Jake Locker-QB- WASH- NFL Comp- Carson Palmer-CINC- Sometimes he looks like John Elway and other times like Kyle Boller, but more Boller than Elway so far. Split the difference and you have Carson Palmer. His lack of accuracy and poise make me think he just doesn't have it mentally to be a franchise QB. He look to run first and pass second, although he is a dynamic runner. Tough as nails and we feel he will work hard to succeed. Physically he is gifted in every phase of the game and he's reportedly a great kid so we are pulling for him, but we would pass before the 3rd round. . Someone will probably take him in the low 1rst or high 2nd round, but even if he pans out eventually he's a project in my book. Bad senior bowl all around and he really struggles with the deep ball . Takes to long to make decisions and then too often makes the wrong one. Most of his best plays were made running not throwing. Good combine except for the most important -THROWING! The draft's a crap shoot, but if you take him in the first round and expect him to start early ,your betting the hard ways. down 8 spots
89.* Demarco Murray-RB-OKLA-NFL Comp- Darren McFadden-OAK-Explosive big play back with a lot of wiggle and great in the passing game. Runs high and with a narrow base . I was surprised he didn't lose many fumbles with that many carries with his upright running style. Bad senior bowl really hurt him but on tape he looks like a 1rst rounder most of the time, but with injury issues added in he's dropped down a lot.
90. Quinton Carter-S- OKLA-NFL COMP-Gerald Sensabaugh-DALL- Big physical in the box safety who struggles in coverage the farther he gets from the line of scrimmage. Fierce hitter and a solid tackler. Overaggressive at times and read and recognition skills need work. Makes and gives up big plays. Better athlete than football player right now but is a good kid who can contribute on special teams . Developmental SS prospect with a high ceiling.
91. Kendall Hunter-RB-OKLA. ST. -NFL COMP-Ahmad Bradshaw-NYG- Good student and hard worker on and off the field. Is undersized but runs bigger than he is with good leg drive and can break tackles and push the pile. Good wiggle and can plant and then burst into daylight. Good vision and patience and hits the hole hard once it develops. Needs work in pass pro and catching the ball right now. Size of a 3rd down back with the play of a every down back makes him a tandem back at best right now. Athletic , fearless, and selfless enough to be a special teamer while he gets coached up in the passing game. .
92. James Brewer-T/G-IND-NFL Comp- Willie Colon-PITT- Has the ability and frame of a 1rst round pick but lacks the polish and technique to be one. Physical strong run blocker in line who can move his man of the ball, but needs to extend his hands and lock out more to finish. Inexperienced and off balance at the second level and he takes bad angles down field. Strong hand punch and quick sets in pass pro but needs to avoid grabbing and keep his hands inside. Could play every position but center and LT along the o-line with coaching. Once his technique is polished and he get more experience he should be a productive starter for awhile.
93. John Moffit-G/C-WISC- NFL comp- Eric Wood-BUFF- Nasty in a phone booth and decent technique, but often off balance . Needs to get stronger and bend his knees more and lean less. Showed he can play C as well as LG at the senior bowl and he's a better fit at C till he gets stronger. Looks like a future long term starter with more strength and conditioning. Better football player than athlete.
94. Johnny Patrick-CB-LVille-NFL COMP-Cortland Finnegan-TENN-_ Makes plays on the ball but didn't play that well till this year. Has the talent, but lacks top speed and physicality. Good feet and hands but lacks fluidity when a receiver makes his break. The more we see of him them more he reminds of us a less polished Brandon Harris with a spotty injury history
95. Greg Salas-WR-HAW.-NFL COMP- Blair White-INDY- Hard nosed productive player on the field. Good hands and fearless over the middle. Route running needs work and he has limited reps running a lot of NFL routes. Smart finding holes in zone and will come back when the Qb's in trouble. Willing blocker and can break tackles after the catch but lacks the long speed to run away from defenders.
96. *Chimde Chekwa-CB-OH. ST.-NFL COMP-Eric Wright -CLEV-track star 4.38 forty. Good instincts and read and recognition skills, but raw technique everywhere but press coverage.Smart student hut his football IQ is a work in progress. Raw technique and high backpedal.
97. Jaiquawn Jarrett-S-Temple-Tanard Jackson-TB- A good athlete , good kid, good student, and a smart player. Jack of all trades master of none. Needs to work on his hands.
98. Allen Bradford-RB-USC -NFL Comp-Michael Turner-ATL.- Injuries and the wealth of talent USC has at RB hurt his production in college. Good kid with special teams experience. Big physical runner who can still make cuts and bust a long run or run over defenders. Best in a tandem role with a jitterbug back but he can carry a team for game now and then. Needs practice in the passing game but when he catches it he gets up field quickly. Doesn't have the carries on him most backs with his profile do.
99. Shareece Wright-CB-USC-NFL COMP-Terrel Thomas- NYG- Team captain who grew up a lot in college. Productive in a big conference against top competition. High football IQ and he uses the sideline well. Needs to be more disciplined and to make the right play instead of going for the big play so often . Play bigger than he is and is physical in run support. His footwork is inconsistent but he generally breaks on the ball well. Needs polish and to play more under control. Would fit well on a team that play a lot of cover 2.
100. * Vincent Brown-WR-SDSU-NFL COMP-Steve Smith-NYG-Great hands and a good route runner. Has just enough burst to separate and gets open a lot anyway, but deep speed not there. Crafty in the way he sets up DB's plays in advance. Good after the catch. Needs to bulk up as he has a history of injuries . He's not the biggest guy but he is an effective blocker downfield . Lacks the strength to drive guys off the ball in line but he gives max effort .
101. David Arkin-G-MIZZ.ST.- NFL COMP-Kris Deilman-SD-Smart player on and off the field. High motor aggressive mauler who plays stronger than he is in the run game. A year in a NFL weight room should see him being a potential starter at either guard spot. Lacks the feet and quickness to play outside, but has the punch , anchor and hand placement for pass pro inside.
102. DJ Williams-TE-ARK- NFL Comp- Dustin Keller-NYJ- Smart team leader that is active in the community working with youth, More a FB/H-back and move TE than a traditional big in line blocker. Undersized but tough as nails over the middle and can stretch the field, but doesn't run away from people after the catch.
103. Ricki Stanzi-QB-IOWA-NFL COMP-Matt Schaub-HOU- A leader who has played in a pro style offense in college. Good frame but needs to hit the weights and fill out his body. Accurate and has good footwork in his drops but stares down receivers too often. Needs to learn to read defenses better and look off and pump fake safety's. He's athletic enough in the pocket but won't break a lot of long runs when needed. He's a project that can develop into a good starter if he learns the tricks of an NFL QB.
104. Jordan Todman-RB-CT-NFL COMP-Deangelo Williams-CAR-Has home run speed and ability but needs to avoid trying to bust it outside so much. Runs hard but is undersized and won't power through many tackles. He can break some ankles with his cuts but needs to spend less time dancing and get north/south quicker. Explosive when he catches the ball but hands and ball security are issues right now. Competitive blocker but gets knocked back too often.
105. Ahmad Black-S-FLA- NFL Comp-Jim Leonard-NYJ- A better football player than athlete.Vocal Leader on the field with a high football IQ. Small and slow for the NFL but quick and physical enough to make plays. High level instincts and recognition skills make up for it as well. Played against a lot of guys who will play in the the NFL in college and did it at a high level. Will play special teams and be a starter in the league sooner than many think.
106. Stanley Havili-RB-USC-NFL COMP- Matt Forte-CHI- A better fit as a lead back than a FB ,as he lacks the size and physicality to be a lead blocker. Has a 1 cut and go style that would fit zone blocking schemes. Good burst and runs hard through contact. Also a good fit as a 3rd down back because he is an excellent receiver and willing pass blocker.
107. * Taiwan Jones-RB-E.WA-NFL COMP- Jamall Charles- KC- Slightly built small school guy with big play ability. Still healing from multiple injuries. Elite long speed and explosion. Bad ball security and runs too upright. Looks like a spread back or 3rd down back with his receiving skills, but pass pro technique needs work. Not a physical runner and always looking to bounce it outside.
108. KJ Wright-LB-MISS ST.-NFL COMP- Bradie James-DALL-He's a jack of all trades master of none. Solid in all areas but doesn't wow you or make many big plays right now. The kind of guy that can become a productive starter and special teamer, but he will have to work hard to bulk up to make a bigger splash. Great frame to add 15 more pounds of muscle and above average athlete for the middle.
109. Chris Carter-DE/OLB-Fres. ST.-NFL COMP-Tully Banta Cain-NE-Smart on and oft he field. Undersized college DE who's best fit is a 3-4 rush OLB with very little coverage responsibilities early on. Not physical enough in run support and doesn't make a lot of plays chasing. He can rush the passer and that wilt probably see him drafted higher than we rank him right now, but we se him as situational pass rusher only for at least a few years.
110.Robert Housler-TE-FLA ATL.-NFL COMP-Greg Olsen-CHIp- A great athlete that can be as good as he wants to be, but he needs to play nastier and with more urgency. Ridiculous speed for such a big man who can stretch the field. Not much as a blocker and often seems to just be going through the motions. Good hands but not the bravest guy over the middle . Better athlete than football player right now . Has to prove what he can do against tougher competition and that he has a passion to realize his potential.
111. Colin McCarthy-ILB-MIA- NFL COMP-Paul Posluszny-BUFFp- Hard nosed player who will work hard and do all he an to improve, High football IQ with good read and recognition skills . Needs to get bigger and stronger to hold up in the NFL but he is wiling to take on blockers and fill the hole. Makes plays all over the field but is till a better football player than athlete . Good enough on 3rd down in zone and close to the line of scrimmage. Isn't a fluid athlete that can run down field with faster TE's/RB's if he is playing the outside.
112. Joe Lefeged-S-RUTG-NFL COMP- Brandon Meriweather-NE-KR- team leader on the field with no off the field troubles. Excels at special teams and can return kicks. Good instincts and reads in coverage. Not as consistently physical in run support as you would like. If he played nastier with more consistency he would be a second round pick.
113. Davon House-CB-N.MEX.ST.NFL COMP--Chris Johnson-OAK- Big athletic CB prospect who is raw in most areas.Best in press coverage and is physical at the line of scrimmage . Read and recognition skills need work and he gets caught peeking into the backfield too often. Unpolished in his pedal and coming out of his breaks. Can run with receivers down field but his timing is off on jump balls. He's a better athlete than football player right now with the measurables to be a great starter if he takes to NFL coaching well.
114. Andrew Jackson-G-FRES.ST.- NFL COMP-Jake Scott-TENN-Best in pass pro with quick sets and a good punch. Needs to get bigger and stronger , especially in his base. Overpowered in the run game in line too often, but is strong at the second level. Needs to play with better leverage. Hurt a lot last season and could be a sleeper who can start at LG after a year in the weight room. Poor mans Clint Boling.
115. Tyler Sash-S-IOWA-NFL COMP- Laron Landry-WASH-Good kid and leader on and off the field. Good instincts and flies to the ball Can take bad angles to the ball and struggle breaking down in space. Aggressive in the pass and run game and can overrun plays. Needs to play more under control. Big hitter and good ball skills but almost too physical in coverage. Good enough speed and has range all over the field. With more discipline and coaching he could be a starting SS early on.
116. Ross Homan-OLB- OHIO ST. -NFL Comp- Dhani Jones-CINC- Good football IQ and he can play all 3 downs. Good at everything but taking on blockers. Needs to be protected and allowed to range all over the field. A solid player who isn't physical enough for all schemes but can be productive in the right one. Ability is about maxed out now. Good reads in pass coverage but can't cover fast guys downfield.
117. JAH Reid- T/G-UCF-NFL COMP- Phil Loadholt-MINN-Massive Mauling RT prospect who lacks the foot quickness for the blindside and the knee bend to kick inside right now.Plays angry and to the whistle. Team leader who has worked hard to be as good as he is now.
118. Kendrick Burney-CB/FS-KY-NFL COMP-Brandon Flowers-KC- Smaller and slower than we'd like, but still a very productive player in college . Hard nosed player and technique and instincts are sound. Physical and wiling tackler in run support. Cover 2 corner only and that lack of scheme versatility drops him down a lot. Would be a productive starter in that scheme though , especially in a Tampa 2. With his football IQ and ball skills he could play some FS as well .
119. Casey Mathews-ILB-ORE.-NFL COMP- Pat Angerer-INDY- Great football IQ, motor, and toughness. NFL bloodlines and team leader. Undersized but plays bigger. needs to add 10 pounds of muscle to help him keep from being engulfed by O-lineman. Makes plays all over the field despite lacking great speed. Is a better football player than athlete with limited upside but he will develop into a good starter somewhere. Core special teams personality.
120. Ian William's-DT-N.DAME-NFL COMP- Aubrayo Franklin-SF-A stout run stuffer that would translate best as 3-4 NT. Can take on the double team if he sees it coming but doesn't separate or make many plays near him. Good motor everywhere but tires easily. Not much but a bull rush as a pass rusher and mostly just a 2 down player
121. Chris Hairston-OT-CLEM-NFL COMP-Jonathan Scott-PITT- Frame and ability of NFL starting OT but needs to play with more consistency. Injury issues throughout college and while he reportedly works hard is a bit of an underachiever. Flashes a mean streak in line but it's not always there. Plays too high too often but he can move his man off the ball when he plays with proper technique. Strong hand punch but lacks foot quickness for LT. Best fit at RT or LG if he buckles down and wants it.
122. Brian Rolle-LB-OHIO ST.-NFL COMP-Gary Brackett-INDY- A smart fluid speedy player with size limitations. Needs to be protected but he could be a 3 down player. Can play inside or out in the right scheme. Needs to bulk up some to make it in the NFL. Special steams standout and at least a nickel linebacker in a 4-3
123. Jason Pinkston-T/G-PITT-NFL COMP-Sean Locklear-SEA- Inconsistent and injury prone in college . Flashes the meanness and strength to play RT or either Guard on tape but needs to player lower regularly. Quick enough to his pass sets but doesn't re-anchor, adjust , or reset quickly . Best fit inside till his technique is polished and his awareness is improved.
124. Curtis Marsh-CB-UTAH ST-NFL COMP-Stanford Routt-OAK-Great frame and athletic ability to develop into a star. Speed and size to spare but a raw developmental prospect in all areas except ball skills. Good kid who could end up a core special teamer while he learns how to play CB.
125. *Delone Carter-RB-SYR-NFL COMP- Ricky Williams- MIA- A stout power back with nimble feet and some burst through the hole and around the corner if needed. . Needs to use his power more and make better choices picking his lane. Lacks hands for the passing game but is a competitive blocker there.
126. Jalil Brown-CB-COL-NFL COMP-Carlos Rogers-WASH- Team captain and good guy on and off the field. Raw prospect with top tier talent , size, and a low football IQ. Indecisive and a tick late on almost every play. Great ball skills , fluid hips , and strong hands could see him help out early in team that runs a lot press man, but anywhere else he is a liability right now. Wiling in run support but he needs more coaching there too.
127. Kelvin Sheppard-LSU-LB-NFL COMP-Channing Crowder-MIA- Aggressive player all over the field with good instincts and flashes big play ability. Can be too aggressive and get fooled with misdirection, and his reads and reactions are a tick late too often. Leader on and off the field and a good special teamer. The jury's still out on him on 3rd down. Inconsistent and a tad stiff but has the ability to be a 3 down player in time.
128. Tyrod Taylor-NFL COMP- MIchael Vick-PHIL- Leader , hard worker, winner, and a good guy off the field. Undersized but has the arm to make all the throws. Athletic spread QB that ran for over 2,00o yards in college. Needs to learn and NFL offense, improve his accuracy, and think pass first. Can run a wildcat and give a different look as a backup coming in due to injury while he progresses as a QB.
129. Marcus Cannon -G/T-TCU- NFL COMP-Leonard Davis-DALL- A massive mauling physically powerful athletic lineman. A true dancing bear with the ability play either guard or RT , but just not consistent enough for the blindside. If he locks on it's over and he will pancake and dominate players with his strength, but doesn't play nasty on every play . Wide and long arms make it hard to get around him even when you beat him off the ball, but he does struggle with speed outside, can wear down late in games . Hand placement sucks as his arms are too wide too often allowing guys into his chest or grabbing outside . Best fit at LG and could be a pro bowler there soon. Has had weight issues in the past but was a fit 358 at the combine.
-MEDICAL UPDATE- cancer was discovered in his medical recheck .That means a possible lost year if he recovers. Doctors say he has a 90% chance of recovery which is good though. down 70 spots because of medical risk. A team with luxury picks could get a steal late. He's in our prayers.
130. Joseph Barksdale-OT- LSU- NFL COMP-Andre Smith-CINC- Potential is top tier but appears lazy. Has the size, arm length ,and feet to play RT or LG at a high level , but doesn't appear to give max effort on every play. Often plays too high and tends to lean on people when tired. A team that think they can motivate him will probably take him higher, but he's a risky guy to give a lot of money to.
131. Bilal Powell-RB-Lville- NFL COMP-Thomas Jones-KC- Comes from a tough background as is now an example to kids with a troubled past. Great vision and patience picking the hole. Good wiggle and can change direction and burst up to top speed quickly. Runs hard but won't create holes and break a lot of tackles. Strong blocker but raw as a pass catcher. Has had fumble problems in the past.
132. Justin Boren-C/G-OHIO ST.-NFL COMP- David Bass-SF- A better football player than athlete. Physical player who plays to the whistle. Quick in the short areas but is top heavy and needs to play with better balance. Good in a phone booth but not a big help downfield despite the effort he makes to do so. Aware in pass pro and has a strong punch and anchor , but short arms and lack of side step to mirror well. Can probably play center and both guard spots.
133. Joshua Thomas-CB-BUFF-NFL COMP-Jacob Lacey-INDY- He's not a burner but has good speed and athleticism. Fluid elite athlete with a short area burst , even though he lacks great top end speed. Football IQ and read skills are still developing. Right now he's a better athlete than football player. Willing and physical in run support. If he was bigger I would think him a strong safety by the way he attacks people on film, but maybe free safety is a possibility in the future. Has the personalty and work ethic to develop into an elite CB in time, but he needs to get stronger and be coached up right first.
134. Lawrence Guy-DT-AZ ST.-NFL COMP-Marcus Spears-DALL-- Good motor and frame to play 4-3 DT 0r 3-4 DE. Inconsistent leverage are the keys to why he excels one play and gets beat the next. Quick 1rst step and can penetrate when he stays low. May take awhile to digest NFL scheme .
135. Demarcus Love-G/T-NFL Comp- Vernon Carey-MIA- Looks to have the abilty to play RT in time and LG at a starter level right now, but thats it. Lacks the feet and quickness to play LT and the strength to play RG or RT right now in most offenses. Got exposed in his bowl game on the outside and had the worst senior bowl of all the potential top OT's coming in. Has played both OT positions in college due to Arkansas moving him around. He's an aggressive in line blocker but his techniques and balance need a lot of work. Inconsistent on tape looking both like a 1rst rounder and a 5th rounder in the same series sometimes. . His potential and the good tape on him may see him drafted higher.
136. Charles Clay-FB-TULSA-NFL COMP- Marcel Reese-OAK- A good kid and leader on and off the field. Can carry the ball better than most FB's and not just in short yardage . Not as punishing a lead blocker as his size would suggest and has a tendency to stop his feet on contact. Needs to play meaner and use his size on a regular basis. A good receiver out of the backfield and a willing blocker in pass pro, but he needs more coaching on technique and decisions as well. Has played RB,FB. TE, H-BACK, AND even wildcat QB. Could help on special teams as well.
137. Jerrel Powe-DT- Miss.- NFL Comp- Vince Wolfork-NE- Hard worker, team leader, and older than you average prospect. Big thick bodied 3-4 NT that can only help on 1rst and second down. but can stuff a double team when he's fresh and stays low. Good motor but tires easily.
138. Shiloh Keo- SS/LB- IDAHO-NFL COMP-Chris Harris-CHI- Great feet and fluidity in coverage but lacks the top speed to cover faster RB's and TE's downfield. Good instincts but needs to be coached up on his reads. Makes plays on the ball in the pass and running games but isn't the consistent thumper his size would suggest. Not a sure tackler in space and needs to break down and secure the tackle instead going for the big hit.Could end up a weakside LB in some schemes.
139. Jerrard Tarrant-S- G. TECH-NFL COMP- Akwasi Owusa-Ansah-DALL- Could be considered a character concern due to a highly publicized off the field incident he was later cleared of. Highly athletic former CB with only 1 year at S but he has elite playmaking ability , and can take it to the house when the balls in his hands. Raw in all areas . Aggressive against the run but his technique is sloppy almost everywhere.
140. Rashad Carmichael-CB-VA TECH-NFL COMP-Pacman Jones-CINC- His college production and ball skills will probably see him drafted higher than this. However he is a gambler that takes too many risk and is undersized and lacks physicality in his play. Best in zone and off man, but he needs to play stronger in bump and run . Iffy in run support and not a physical player anywhere. If he was more wiling to support the run I would think him a safety but he plays soft.
141. *Greg Romeus-DE-PITT- NFL COMP-Alex Carrington-BUFF.- He can play the strongside in a 4-3 but we think he would be best served putting on 25-30 pounds and playing weakside 3-4 end. He has the frame for it and excels stopping the run. Lacks the elite speed to rush the passer but gives good effort. Once considered a lock for the first round but multiple injuries have robbed him of some of his explosion, and he probably won't be ready to start the season .Considered a good guy off the field but work ethic has been questioned in the past.
142. Jonas Mouton-LB-MICH-NFL COMP-Deandre Levy-DET- Good motor and a hard worker. Cam make plays all over the field vs the run but needs to be protected. Needs better technique taking on blocks and to run around less of them. Excels in coverage and will at least help out on 3rd down and special teams early on. Big hitter but needs to play under better control in space.
143. Jeremy Kerley-WR-TCU- NFL Comp-Patrick Crayton-SD-Good kid on an off the field. Potential slot receiver with the ability to find holes in zone underneath. More quick than fast with a good burst after the catch. Will need to learn NFL routes but he shows the ability to plant his foot and separate. Tough kid with good ball skills and can returns kicks
144. Buster Skrine-CB-CHATT-NFL COMP-Orlando Scandrick-DALL- Team captain and good person on and of the field. Track-star speed and elite special teams ability. Raw undersize corner prospect that needs to prove himself against a higher level of competition and improve his technique in all areas. Willing in run support and a hard worker but he's a developmental CB right now. Better athlete than football player.
145. Maurice Hurt-G- NFL COMP-FLA-Brandon Moore-NYJ- A mean streak in line blocker that creates movement off the ball. Strong hand punch in pass pro but needs to slide step and shuffle better. Flashes the ability to dominate his man in the run game but doesn't always finish. Not very athletic overall . Will pull and make an effort downfield but his angles are off . Needs to keep his feet moving more consistently.
146. Robert Sands -S/LB-WVA-NFL COMP-Kerry Rhodes-AZ-Good kid and team leader. Tall and a big safety who is a tick slow on his reads in coverage. Not very fluid and doesn't turn and well quickly. Physical against the run and he reads his keys well there. Might be a better fit as weak-side 4-3 lb and can help as nickel LB early on. Has the speed and ball skills for safety but is almost LB size now. Developmental athlete with special teams ability.
147.Richard Sherman-S/CB-STAN-NFL COMP-Brandon Browner-SEA- Will need to either transition to free safety, play a lot of press man, or play CB in a Tampa 2 scheme at the next level due to lack of speed & flexibility. A big framed developmental guy that is really grabby right now . Physical former receiver with good ball skills .
147.Richard Sherman-S/CB-STAN-NFL COMP-Brandon Browner-SEA- Will need to either transition to free safety, play a lot of press man, or play CB in a Tampa 2 scheme at the next level due to lack of speed & flexibility. A big framed developmental guy that is really grabby right now . Physical former receiver with good ball skills .
148. Greg Jones-LB-MICH. ST.- NFL COMP-Andra Davis-BUFF- Team leader with a high football IQ that needs to play more physical. Needs to be protected and learn to take on and separate from blocks better. Really bad senior bowl week. A little more willingness to fill and a lower pad level could see him as a long term starter.
149. Wesley Saunders-TE- S. CAR- NFL COMP- Jeremy Stevens- RET.-All the talent to be a 3 down star TE in the NFL , but a lot of character issues and lack of effort could see him go undrafted. On the field he's a 3nd round pick with 1rst round potential, but his past will hurt him come draft day. Needs to go to a team with a strong locker room to mentor him to justify a 5th round pick.
150. *Brandon Hogan-CB-WVA-NFL COMP-Terrence McGee-BUFF-A string of off the field incident make him a risk for any NFL team to even draft . Best in a cover 2 scheme and he plays with a chip on his shoulder. Plays angry in run support and can deliver a big hit or make a solid tackle where it's needed. Former receiver with good hands but gives up too many catches. Might be a better fit at FS as he breaks on the ball well when it's front of him.
151. DeMarcus VanDyke-CB- MIA- NFL COMP- Fabian Washington-BALT- A Tall thin CB prospect who's track star speed will probably see him drafted higher than this( Raiders?) but is developmental guy only. Raw in every area and needs to add weight to his frame, be more aggressive, and learn how to play football.
152. Akeem Dent-LB-GA-NFL COMP-Justin Durant-JAX- Intelligent leader on and off the field. Physical tackle to tackle ILB. Best fit on the strong side in a 3-4 because he's willing to take on blockers in the hole or the middle of a 4-3. Should bulk up some to handle it. Good at everything and great at nothing. Hard working Special teams personality that could develop into a starter as long as there is speed on the outside around him.
153. Daniel Kilgore- G-APP. ST- NFL COMP-Kyle Kosier- DALL- Hard nosed versatile player. A limited athlete but physical football player . Can play multiple positions along the O-line. Needs to prove himself more against a higher level of competition and improve technique.
154. Cecil Shorts-WR-MT. Union-NFL COMP-Julian Eidelman-NE-Small school team leader with a high football IQ . Can play RB ,wildcat QB, and WR but he needs to get stronger to hold up in the NFL . Decent after the catch and strong hands. Will be a good underneath guy but lacks long speed to outrun the NFL players downfield. Willing blocker and special teams personality.
155. Derick Locke-RB-KY-NFL COMP-Leon Washington-SEA- Blazing speed and can take it to the house. Ankle breaker who can make people miss but he looks to break it outside even when it's not there. Undersized and lacks the frame and hard-nosed running style to be more than a complimentary back . Strong in pass pro for his size and can take a swing pass a long way . Still learning the finer points of RB, but he could be a star as a KR as well.
156. Henry Hynoski-FB-PITT-Huge fullback prospect that makes his block but doesn't blow up people they way you would expect from a 260 lb.man. If he played lower with more knee bend and exploded his hips better on contact he would be a declete machine. Eliminates his man from the play and keeps his feet moving consistently to the whistle. Can pass block as well and is a decent receiver out of the backfield but isn't fast enough to make big plays after the catch. Bruising short yardage runner with surprising vision and patience.
157. Cliff Mathews-DE-S.CAR.-NFL COMP-Erik Walden-GB- Leader and hard worker on and off the field. Undersized college DE who needs to bulk up before he can become a starter in the NFL . Good hand fighter but plays too high and can't hold the POA well. Array of pass rush moves but lacks the burst to be more than a pressure player right now. Good motor and the type of guy that can excel on special teams till his technique and strength improve.
158. Owen Marecic-FB/LB-Stan-NFL COMP- Spencer Larsen-DEN-Smart fierce competitor. A try hard guy who lacks NFL athletic ability but will make a roster somewhere due to his willingness to do whatever the team needs. Ability to play FB/TE/H-Back/LB and contribute on special teams.
159. Alex Greene-RB-HAW- Matt Forte-CHI-Good size and competitiveness but needs to run lower and doesn't break the tackles you would expect at 220 lbs. Good feet and a burst to top speed. Excels as a receiver out of the backfield and makes good decisions in protection but still plays too high here. Should be able to at least be a 3rd down back, help out on special teams, and maybe even help as kick returner as a rookie. Fumbling problems a must fix.
160. *Mark Herzlich-LB-BC- NFL Comp- Barrett Rudd-TB- If not for cancer the previous year he would have been a top 20 pick this season . He was the most fluid instinctive coverage LB I had seen in years and was above average in most areas as well. Doesn't look all the way back yet based on last seasons film, but he still made some big plays last season . Definitely not as fast or sudden as he was yet but he's worth the risk this late, as he was one of the few guys who could play the middle in a Tampa 2 at a high level before the disease struck. At least a nickel LB and special teamer early on, and can play ILB or OLB depending on scheme.
161. Will Hill-S- FLA-NFL COMP-Sean Jones-TB-Surprise entry for the draft who really should have went back to school to improve his draft stock. Good Special teamer. Highly talented, but wildly inconsistent. Better athlete than football player. Benched and criticized by coaches last year. Technique is shoddy in most areas and he tries too often to make highlight plays instead of making sure he makes the actual play .
162. Ronald Johnson-WR-USC-NFL COMP-USC-Bernard Berrian-MINN- Big play potential and speed down field but inconsistent hands. Needs work on route running and put on more size so he can hold up over the middle better . Kick return skills and could also be gunner on special teams. has the work ethic to improve and be at least a slot receiver down the line.
163. Dion Lewis-RB-PITT-NFL COMP-Darren Sproles-SD- Scat back with big play ability and a frame too small to be more than a complimentary player. Too weak a blocker in the passing game to be a 3rd down back right now but should develop into one in time. Good hands but needs to go north/south as soon as he catches the ball more often. Great wiggle and burst to daylight but lacks long speed. Past fumbling problems
164. Chris L. Rucker-CB/S-MICH ST.-NFL COMP-Ronde Barber-MICH ST.- A lot of off the field troubles knock him back a lot. May be off many teams boards because of it. Safety size and CB skills. Best fit in cover 2 scheme where his size and physicality are needed.
165. Jordan cameron-TE-USC-NFL COMP-Jimmy Graham- NO- Former basketball player with the frame to add a lot more weight. Long arms, height, and leaping ability to get to balls other can't. Raw developmental guy that needs to bulk/ toughen up as a blocker, learn how to run routes and improve his football IQ.
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