[Dynasty] 2014 Draft Prospects (5 Viewers)

South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington and QB Connor Shaw worked out for Patriots scouts on campus on Friday.
Ellington is not frequently mentioned among the top 10 receivers in this class, but do not be surprised if he ends up in that area on draft day. Shaw is an intriguing talent, as he put up excellent production and minimized mistakes each season. Shaw has a legitimate chance to be drafted.

Source: Josh Kendall on Twitter

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Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo told CSN Chicago that his skill set compares to Aaron Rodgers.
"I like to think I'm pretty close in comparison to Aaron Rodgers," Garoppolo told CSN's SportsTalk Live Thursday. "He's very athletic and gets the ball out quickly. He's very knowledgeable of the game, controls the offense totally and that's something I try to do. Just know the offense inside and out, and if you're able to do that as a quarterback, it makes your team that much better." Like Rodgers, Garoppolo does possess a quick release, but he'll have to work on his pocket presence if he wants to mirror his game after Aaron Rodgers. Garoppolo stock has risen as of late, and it looks like he could go in the second round. However, our own Josh Norris has Garoppolo as his fifth ranked quarterback prospect.

Source: CSN Chicago

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Faust said:

2014 Pro Days: De'Anthony Thomas clocked at 4.34 at Oregon workout

De’Anthony Thomas has electric workout at Oregon’s pro day

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jurb26 said:

Hadn't realized Watkins had that many drops until watching that. He dropped 2 in each game I think.

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cstu said:

jurb26 said:

Hadn't realized Watkins had that many drops until watching that. He dropped 2 in each game I think.

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I saw a screen he dropped against BC that was his fault. Against FSU there was one thrown too low and another behind him.

Boyd threw a lot of inaccurate passes that you must be counting as drops.

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cstu said:

jurb26 said:

Hadn't realized Watkins had that many drops until watching that. He dropped 2 in each game I think.

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I saw a screen he dropped against BC that was his fault. Against FSU there was one thrown too low and another behind him.

Boyd threw a lot of inaccurate passes that you must be counting as drops.

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Whitney26 said:

Cut some games for some high-profile WR's in case anyone wants to watch a little tape on a Saturday afternoon:

Sammy Watkins vs Wake Forest, Boston College, FSU, Georgia Tech, South Carolina

Davante Adams vs Boise State, San Diego State, Wyoming

Marqise Lee vs Washington State, Utah State, UCLA, Notre Dame (2013)

Marqise Lee vs Hawaii, Stanford, Washington State (2012)

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NFL.com's Gil Brandt believes that Boston College RB Andre Williams showed improvement as a pass catcher, at Boston College’s pro day.
"Williams had a good workout, and most important for him, he showed dramatic improvement catching the football, with only two drops at his pro day. That’s something everyone will be checking on when they evaluate him, because if he does that he’ll have an excellent chance to advance in the draft," Brandt wrote. No one questions Williams skills as a downhill-runner, but the NFL is a passing league these days and he'll have to prove he can be effective on passing downs. Williams did not catch one pass last season for the Eagles, but his recent performance at his Pro Day was a step in the right direction. While Brandt was high on Williams running ability, He thinks Williams could slip to the third or fourth round because of his receiving skills.

Source: NFL.com

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NFL Media analyst Charles Davis doesn't believe Clemson WR Sammy Watkins is "far and away the draft's best wide receiver."
In a deep WR class, Watkins is the only prospect that has garnered top-5 consideration from experts. Until recently, in fact, Watkins was the only WR considered a top-10 probability. "Watkins is a great prospect and deserves the praise he has received, but I still think USC WR Marqise Lee isn't getting enough credit," wrote Davis. "Also, Texas A&M WR Mike Evans is being discussed as a top-10 pick now, and we weren't hearing that prior to the combine, where he impressed with his 40-yard dash. We might look back and say this year's class of receivers was even better than we once thought -- and we thought it was great."

Source: NFL.com

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NFL Media analyst Charles Davis says some NFL teams rank Fresno State QB Derek Carr above at least one of the group of Blake Bortles, Teddy Bridgewater and Johnny Manziel.
"I wouldn't count Carr out of the first tier just yet," Davis said. The analyst likes that Carr improved throughout his collegiate career and was consistently productive. Some NFL teams are smitten with his howitzer right arm, which dispenses slingshots even when his feet aren't properly set. Those feet need work, and Carr's next employer will surely work to stabilize his base immediately.

Source: NFL.com

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Former Oregon TE Colt Lyerla is a "prototypical F-tight end prospect" on tape, according to Scout Inc.'s Steve Muench.
An F-tight end is a term used for smaller, faster tight ends best suited as receivers; Denver's Julius Thomas and Miami's Charles Clay are two examples in the pros. Muench likes Lyerla's ball skills, but believes he needs to improve his route running. In a column comparing two draft-eligible TEs with off-the-field problems -- Lyerla (who was arrested for cocaine possession last season) and Tennessee State’s A.C. Leonard -- Muench threw out Seattle, Green Bay and Atlanta as three organizations that might take a Day 3 chance on either because they "have the stability and leadership to help players with red flags overcome past mistakes and realize their potential."

Source: ESPN Insider

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Scout Inc.'s Steve Muench believes Tennessee State TE A.C. Leonard won't be able to rely on his natural athletic ability as much in the NFL as he did in college.
"There is one area of concern when it comes to Leonard after the catch and that’s ball security," wrote Muench. "The ball drifts away from his frame too much and too often on tape." Leonard, who finished with the best TE forty (4.50) and tied for the best broad jump (10-8) at the combine in Indy, was charged with misdemeanor battery while at Florida in 2012. Leonard (6-foot-2, 252 pounds) doesn't care much for blocking, but he has a wide receiver's speed and fluidity in the body of a TE. Because of the strong combine performance, his name could be called on Day 3 of the draft. Muench mentions Seattle, Green Bay and Atlanta as three organizations that could take a chance on either Leonard or former Oregon TE Colt Lyerla.

Source: ESPN Insider

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Oklahoma State WR Josh Stewart "did an unbelievable job of catching punts" at his pro day on Thursday, says NFL.com's Gil Brandt.
Stewart needed to look like a punt returning virtuoso because he goes 5-foot-9 7/8, 176 pounds and managed forty times of just 4.69 and 4.65 seconds in Stillwater, better than he put up at the combine. Stewart led OSU with 60 receptions and ranked second in receiving yards with 703 last season. In addition, he's a tremendous punt returner who finished fourth in the nation with 16.7 yards per attempt (two TDs in 22 returns). You might think that he'd be confined to special teams in the pros, but Stewart's ball skills are good and he has an innate ability of finding open spaces on the field as a receiver.

Source: NFL.com

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Oregon RB/WR De'Anthony Thomas was "absolutely electric" Thursday at Oregon’s pro day, according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt.
Thomas (5-foot-8 5/8, 174 pounds) ran speed-of-light forties of 4.34 and 4.35 seconds. He added a 34-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-3 broad jump, a 4.21 second short shuttle and a three-cone drill time of 6.83 seconds. "Thomas is going to be a lot like a running back version of Philadelphia Eagles WR DeSean Jackson," wrote Brandt. "That is, Thomas will be a luxury for an NFL team, which will have to design a special set of plays for him to get him on the field. Thomas is really special as far as being an athlete is concerned. A lot of people will be chasing him around on the field, but I don’t think he can hold up at his structure/size."

Source: NFL.com

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Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro ran a 4.69 second forty against the wind and 4.68 with the wind at Texas Tech's pro day event.
For sake of comparison, Amaro officially logged a 4.74-second 40-yard dash at the combine in Indy. Former Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege threw to Amaro at the event in Lubbock and the TE "looked smooth running routes," according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt. Amaro (6-foot-5 3/8 and 265 pounds) snagged 106 receptions and set an NCAA record for a TE with 1,352 receiving yards. "Amaro could be drafted as high as late in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft," Brandt believes.

Source: NFL.com

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Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be selected ahead of Fresno State QB Derek Carr.
"And he should," McShay added. No further explanation was given, but this is a bit of a surprise at this point in the process. Carr is frequently mentioned as the fourth quarterback in the class, with Garoppolo somewhere in the 5-7 area. Both tend to panic under pressure, leaving clean situations, but Carr has a stronger arm. Garoppolo likely translates best to a quick hitting offense.

Source: ESPN

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Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay believes Wyoming QB Brett Smith "is not very good" and understands why he was not at the NFL Combine.
"I've done four games of him, it makes total sense why he was not there," McShay said of Smith. "It would be unfair to the other quarterbacks if Brett Smith" was at the Combine. On the same podcast, ESPN's Mel Kiper called Smith draftable. The Wyoming passer has earned some comparisons to Johnny Manziel for his improvisational style, but while Manziel is a bit more fluid, Smith seems a bit more robotic with his movements.

Source: ESPN

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Faust said:

Boston College RB Andre Williams improving as receiver

You’d Better Be Better

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Boston College RB Andre Williams improved on his 4.56 second forty from the combine at the Eagles' pro day.
Williams, however, elected not to share the new number with the media. The 6-foot, 227-pound back showed improvement as a pass catcher at the event, according to NFL.com's Gil Brandt. He's coming off a season in which he won the Doak Walker award and set the school's single-season rushing record with 2,177 yards on 355 attempts. "Today, for me, I really wanted to improve on my 40 and just perform better at catching the ball," Williams said. "I think I did very well on both of those, and it was a good day for me." Gushed BC coach Steve Addazio: "A lot of NFL teams are looking for big, strong running backs, first- and second-down running backs that can pass protect. He's tremendous in pass protection and can stop a linebacker on a dime. He can get that 4-yard carry for you and he has home run hitting capability, and I think that's what makes him very attractive."

Source: Associated Press

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Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be selected ahead of Fresno State QB Derek Carr.
"And he should," McShay added. No further explanation was given, but this is a bit of a surprise at this point in the process. Carr is frequently mentioned as the fourth quarterback in the class, with Garoppolo somewhere in the 5-7 area. Both tend to panic under pressure, leaving clean situations, but Carr has a stronger arm. Garoppolo likely translates best to a quick hitting offense.

Source: ESPN

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Faust said:

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger high on Aaron Murray

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03:56 – Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis bust through the cluster of tight ends ranked below Eric Ebron in the 2014 NFL Draft, gauging the order they should be taken off the board.

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Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay believes Wyoming QB Brett Smith "is not very good" and understands why he was not at the NFL Combine.

"I've done four games of him, it makes total sense why he was not there," McShay said of Smith. "It would be unfair to the other quarterbacks if Brett Smith" was at the Combine. On the same podcast, ESPN's Mel Kiper called Smith draftable. The Wyoming passer has earned some comparisons to Johnny Manziel for his improvisational style, but while Manziel is a bit more fluid, Smith seems a bit more robotic with his movements.

Source: ESPN

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Arizona State RB Marion Grice met with Patriots staff members on Monday.
Grice has been unable to workout during the draft process due to a broken left fibula, but will hold a personal workout on April 8. He might be a better receiving option out of the backfield than ball carrier, but that is a coveted skill at the NFL level.

Source: Tyler Lockman on Twitter

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cstu said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be selected ahead of Fresno State QB Derek Carr.
"And he should," McShay added. No further explanation was given, but this is a bit of a surprise at this point in the process. Carr is frequently mentioned as the fourth quarterback in the class, with Garoppolo somewhere in the 5-7 area. Both tend to panic under pressure, leaving clean situations, but Carr has a stronger arm. Garoppolo likely translates best to a quick hitting offense.

Source: ESPN

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Garoppolo looks really, really good to me. I think any team passing on a QB in the 1st would be very happy to get him at the top of the 2nd. I'll be surprised if the Cardinals don't take him.

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Spike said:

cstu said:

Faust said:

Rotoworld:

Scouts Inc.'s Todd McShay believes Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo will be selected ahead of Fresno State QB Derek Carr.
"And he should," McShay added. No further explanation was given, but this is a bit of a surprise at this point in the process. Carr is frequently mentioned as the fourth quarterback in the class, with Garoppolo somewhere in the 5-7 area. Both tend to panic under pressure, leaving clean situations, but Carr has a stronger arm. Garoppolo likely translates best to a quick hitting offense.

Source: ESPN

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Garoppolo looks really, really good to me. I think any team passing on a QB in the 1st would be very happy to get him at the top of the 2nd. I'll be surprised if the Cardinals don't take him.

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I think we will see (or, after the fact, hear of) lots of jockeying around at the bottom third of the first round of teams at the top of the draft who didn't take a QB with their first pick.

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ESPN's Louis Riddick believes Fresno State QB Derek Carr can and should rise on boards following other quarterbacks' pro days.
"As if there is ever legit reason (for) draft prospects (to) "rise" when games aren't being played, Derek Carr can/should do just that this week," Riddick tweeted. The former NFL exec added that evaluators should take a look at Carr from 2011 to get a sense of how he would handle a pro style offense. Carr chose not to throw at the Combine after participating in Senior Bowl week.

Source: Louis Riddick on Twitter

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Florida State running back Devonta Freeman is positioning himself to be a prized mid-round pick, although NFL teams who are excited about him might be disappointed when he goes off the draft board too soon for them, according to NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

Tuesday on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft," Jeremiah and fellow analyst Charles Davis had strong praise for Freeman, who performed at Florida State's pro day but stood on his 4.58 40-yard dash clocking from the NFL Scouting Combine.

"He's a player you keep hearing about," Jeremiah said. "Everybody loves him, and they think they're the only team that loves him. I keep telling them, 'You're not alone here.' If you want to get him in the fourth round, I think you're going to be out of luck. You're going to have to take him a little bit higher than that."

Davis said he likes Freeman for his ability to do everything that's required of a rusher, beyond simply carrying the ball.

"To me, he's a guy who does everything well," Davis said. "I think he'll be a mid-round guy who is going to make somebody's team much better. ... He catches it, he blocks, he runs (and was) over a 1,000-yard rusher last year. I think Devonta Freeman is a steal for someone waiting to happen. People just have not locked in on him."

Freeman enjoyed his best collegiate season by far last year in the Seminoles' BCS national championship run, amassing 1,016 yards on only 173 carries and 14 touchdowns. He added 278 receiving yards, all career highs. With the running back position in a period of draft devaluation, Freeman might prove to be as viable a backfield option as a number of backs chosen ahead of him. Ohio State's Carlos Hyde is expected to be the first running back chosen, although it's unclear whether he'll even go in the first round.

Freeman's draft ceiling figures to be in the second or third round.

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.

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Faust said:

Faust said:

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger high on Aaron Murray

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Tony Dungy: Aaron Murray will be like Russell Wilson

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Kevin Weidl ‏@KevinW_ESPN 52s

Kevin Norwood maybe 1 of the bigger day 3 steals due to the depth of WR class. Outstanding focus and ball skills. pic.twitter.com/BxjmlrqklC

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Appearing on the Ross Tucker Podcast NFL Films' Greg Cosell suggested North Carolina's Eric Ebron "theoretically" has a chance to be a Vernon Davis-type tight end in the pros.
"And he's probably, see Vernon Davis is much more of a straight-line speed guy," Cosell added. "This guy (Ebron) is more lateral in his movement. You could argue overall that he brings a little more to the table, as a more complete receiver." Cosell did acknowledge Ebron's college tape at times "leaves you wanting more," but described Ebron as a "smooth, athletic mover who looks like a big wide receiver on film" and is "certainly capable of the spectacular."

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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NFL Films' Greg Cosell stated on the Ross Tucker Podcast that he sees "style" similarities between Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief, and Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon on Moncrief's college tape.
Cosell made it clear he wasn't wholeheartedly comparing Moncrief to Thomas and Gordon, but did liken their playing styles. "I really, really like this kid," Cosell said. "He's a big, physical kid who can run." Cosell also hinted he sees Moncrief as talented enough to be a "No. 1" NFL receiver. Moncrief measured 6-foot-2, 221 at February's Scouting Combine. His official forty time was 4.40.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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Mike Garafolo ‏@MikeGarafolo 9m

UCF RB Storm Johnson right around 4.5 on his first 40

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Paul Kuharsky ‏@PaulKuharskyNFL 18m

.@gregcosell on @Midday180: In vogue to think you can get a RB anywhere. Disagree. Can't find foundation RBs anywhere. Role guys, yes.

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Paul Kuharsky ‏@PaulKuharskyNFL 16m

.@gregcosell on @Midday180: Lache Seastruck can be Titans rookie back if they want shifty. Can't be starting point for offense.

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Paul Kuharsky ‏@PaulKuharskyNFL 16m

.@gregcosell on @Midday180: Hyde is like Bell of the Steelers, big with light feet. Can be foundational.

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Paul Kuharsky ‏@PaulKuharskyNFL 15m

.@gregcosell on @Midday180: Jeremy Hill won't be able to bounce outside in the NFL.

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Paul Kuharsky ‏@PaulKuharskyNFL 14m

What @gregcosell looks for in RBs in draft: Lateral agility, explosiveness. Decisiveness downhill. Not long speed.

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Jimmy Durkin ‏@Jimmy_Durkin 13m

David Fales' day is complete. He was on target with 52 of 53 throws. One deep post route was long. #SJSU

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Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro is a better player than UNC's Eric Ebron at this point, but not a better athlete, says NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
Cosell said the delineation was important, implying that Ebron's ceiling is higher, but the opinion should still be viewed as a feather in Amaro's cap. "He's not quite the vertical receiver that Ebron is, but he's a very good player," Cosell said. The analyst compares Amaro to a smoother Jason Witten and believes he'll be an impact player right away. The blocking could use work, however. "Is he big enough to be a blocker on the line of scrimmage? Sure," Cosell said. "But he hasn't done that yet." Amaro (6-foot-5 3/8 and 265 pounds) snagged 106 receptions last year and set an NCAA record for a TE with 1,352 receiving yards.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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Georgia TE Arthur Lynch shares similarities with the Steelers' Heath Miller, according to NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
The analyst stresses that Lynch isn't at Miller's level, but "his skill set is reminiscent" of the Steelers' stalwart "in that he's a combination blocker and receiver." Lynch, a highly regarded prep prospect, excels as an in-line blocker. He'll be a third-day pick.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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NFL Films' Greg Cosell mentions Cal's Richard Rodgers as a potential tight end sleeper.
Cosell compares Rodgers to the Redskins' Jordan Reed when the latter came out of Florida. Rodgers is "bigger than Reed, but maybe not quite as athletic." Cosell believes he'd be used in a similar way in the pros as a finesse, pass-catching TE, a subset of NFL player that is increasing in value. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound junior ranked third on the Bears in receptions (39) and receiving yards (608). Rodgers' dad, Richard Rodgers Sr., was part of The Play in the 1982 Big Game.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas has a chance to be a "top NFL tight end," according to NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
"I think he has a chance down the road to be a top NFL tight end," Cosell said. "He needs a lot of experience, he needs a lot of refinement, even as a blocker, although he's a huge kid. ... He's very intriguing because of that size, athleticism, movement dynamic. There aren't a lot of guys that have that. He's somewhat similar to Austin Seferian-Jenkins in that regard." Niklas (6-foot-6 and a 1/2 and 270 pounds), who declared early for the NFL Draft, is a jumbo prospect who generates movement in the running game. Cosell disagrees with experts that call Niklas "stiff."

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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Washington TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins possesses "impressive" size and movement, says NFL Films' Greg Cosell.
Seferian-Jenkins has got "a more complete skill set" than UNC's Eric Ebron, according to Cosell, due to his blocking ability. Seferian-Jenkins underwent surgery late last month to stabilize a stress fracture in his left foot and probably won't be ready to participate in Washington's pro day on April 2nd. Although ASJ didn't work out at the NFL Combine, he measured in at 6 foot 5 and 1/2 inch and 262 pounds. He also has 33 3/4 inch arms and an 80-inch wingspan.

Source: Ross Tucker Podcast

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Faust said:

Jeremiah: David Fales good third-round option for Jaguars

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