2. QB Jameis Winston, Florida State (Soph.) 6-3, 228
Get ready for the yearlong debate between Winston and Marcus Mariota to be the No. 1 quarterback – and probably the No. 1 player – everyone is fighting for. Even with the off-field character question marks he would’ve been the first quarterback taken in the 2014 draft, and if he can come up with another brilliant year on the field, and keep everything above board off of it, he’ll be a franchise-maker. Maturity is a massive question mark, but he has a year to make everything right. With his arm, on-field poise and mobility, even if he’s not Johnny Football running all over the place, he has the NFL tools to be special.
3. RB Todd Gurley, Georgia (Jr.) 6-1, 232
Yes, the position has been devalued, and yes, Gurley is going to have question marks about his durability, but it’s not a stretch to call him the best NFL running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. Using the check all the boxes cliché, he has the size, the hands, the pass catching ability and the deep speed - he’s probably more of a 4.6 combine guy than the high 4.4s that some believe he is, but it doesn’t matter. And yes, the NFL does need top running backs with this kind of talent.
5. QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon (Jr.) 6-4, 212
With a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism, he’s a different sort of quarterback prospect with the upside to develop into a prospect to build an entire team around. Can he turn into a true pro-style quarterback? He’ll have to adjust his game and he’ll have to prove he can be a pocket passer, but any offensive coordinator worth his salt will want to take on the transformation.
11. QB Brett Hundley, UCLA (Jr.) 6-3, 223
Even though he wasn’t quite ready to come out this year, he would’ve been a first rounder to build around. With his size, maturity, and leadership skills, he’ll look and talk the part, but he needs to be a bit more decisive with his throws and has use his athleticism and speed to be elusive, rather than as a runner.
12. TE O.J. Howard, Alabama (Soph. – 2016) 6-6, 237
The prototype for the new world of the NFL, Howard has the size, the hands and the athleticism to turn into an elite part of a pro-style attack. He only caught 14 passes for 269 yards in his freshman season, but with a little time and more seasoning, he should grow into a sharper route runner and a better blocker. By the time he’s eligible in 2016, he should be a filled-out 245 pounds and ready to be a top 15 pick.
14. QB Christian Hackenberg, Penn State (Soph. – 2016) 6-4, 220
He needs to add a little bit of bulk, but his size, pro-style deep ball ability and ready-made mechanics should put him in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. He doesn’t have Bill O’Brien to tutor him anymore, and there’s no Allen Robinson to make the passing game shine, but Hackenberg has the basics to become a pure NFL passer to work an offense around.
19. WR Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss (Soph. – 2016) 6-3, 215
One of the nation’s top recruits in 2013, he didn’t disappoint with a team-leading 72 catches with 608 yards and five scores. He might not have been a deep play threat, and he was used more on the short-to-midrange plays, but if and when he runs under a 4.5 40 to go along with his size and physical ability, he’ll be a top ten pick in 2016. As is, he just might be the best wide receiver in college football.
35. TE Devin Funchess, Michigan (Jr.) 6-5, 230
With his size, catching radius and route-running ability, he’s like a big wide receiver with the upside and talent to become a phenomenal pass catcher in a pro-style attack. He already proved he can be used as a wideout, and while he might not be a thumper for the ground game, he won’t need to be.
37. RB Karlos Williams, Florida State 6-1, 219
It was tough to shine in a backfield with Devonta Freeman and James Wilder, not to mention Mr. Winston, but Williams managed to do it averaging over eight yards per pop with 11 touchdowns. With good size and blazing sub-4.4 speed, he looks the part, but he has to prove he can handle the ball more than just a few times a game, getting double-digit carries just three times.
38. RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama (Jr.) 6-2, 218
A few fumbling mistakes here and there aside, he has the talent, size and skill to be a perfect part of an NFL rotation. He might suffer from Alabama back syndrome – it’s not like Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson are tearing up The League - but his combination of size and speed could push him into the first round even with the world of running backs knocked down a peg.
44. RB Derrick Henry, Alabama (Soph. – 2016) 6-3, 238
Fast enough, combine his mid-4.5 speed with tight end size and power, and he could quickly become one of the hottest prospects for the 2016 draft. Can he thrive in a backfield rotation with T.J. Yeldon and other options? NFL scouts will love it if he’s entering the next level with tread on the tires.
45. WR Amari Cooper, Alabama (Jr.) 6-1, 202
He’s not quite big enough, and he’s going to hover around the high 4.5s instead of the 4.4s, but with his home run hitting skills and all-around playmaking ability when he’s healthy, he could be a late first round pick.
48. RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (Jr.) 6-1, 207
It’s not like Badger backs are destroying the NFL, and Gordon needs to prove that he’s not just a product of the system. However, even though he doesn’t have the right build to take a pounding, he won’t need to. Good for about 15 carries a game at the next level, they might be a gamechanging 15 touches. If he comes up with a 4.4 at the combine, his stock will soar.
50. WR Nelson Agholor, USC (Jr.) 6-0, 185
Everyone fell in love with Marqise Lee as a possible late first rounder before he fell into the second, but it’s not crazy to suggest that Agholor could be better after coming up with 56 catches for 918 yards and six scores. Coaches rave about him wanting to work and be better, and considering he’s still tuning the finer points of the position, he might be just scratching the surface.
1) He plays in a super spread offense(Outside WRs are literally 4 yards from the sideline).
