AS GOOD AS GONE (10)
Amari Cooper*, WR, Alabama: 6-1, 211. In 2014, he broke the Southeastern Conference single-season record for receptions (124) and was second all-time in receiving yards (1,727). "Dynamic player," one scout said. "Quick, fast, agile, good hands. Difference-maker." Third-year junior with 228 receptions for 3,463 yards (15.2) and 31 TDs. "One of the better route runners to come out in a long, long time," another scout said. "Very skilled, explosive and fast." On Saturday, he ran 40 yards in 4.42 seconds.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: 6-3, 215. Junior-college player for two years. "He's more of a Larry Fitzgerald-type receiver in that he doesn't have great speed," said one scout. "I never see him beat people deep. But if he is even with them he's going to get the ball. Very good player." Caught 35 passes in 2013 for Mountaineers before breaking out with 109 for 1,447 yards (13.3) and 10 TDs in '14. "He's got another level to his game that I don't think we've seen yet," another scout said. Admits that he loves trash-talking opponents. Made a ton of money with 40 time of 4.35.
Brandon Scherff, T, Iowa: 6-4 1/2, 319. Part-time starter at LG as a redshirt freshman in 2011 before starting at LT from 2012-'14. "I like (Bryan) Bulaga, but I think this guy is better," said one scout. "I didn't think Bulaga could play left tackle, but I think this guy can. Everybody thinks he's the best guard, but I'd keep him at tackle and have him disprove he can't play there. He got hurt early last year and never missed a practice or a game." Like Bulaga, his arm length (33 3/8 inches) will be an issue for some teams. Massive hands (11 inches). "Real tough guy and can really run," another scout said. "Good technician. Little stiff. Kind of straight-line. Not real good change of direction. But when he gets you he mauls you. This guy is a lot stronger than Bulaga. He's tight and can't use his length. I think guard will be his best position." His 40-yard dash time was 5.05.
Andrus Peat*, T, Stanford: 6-7, 313. Third-year junior rotated at LT in 2012 before starting the past two years. "He's the most talented (O-lineman)," one scout said. "His dad was really talented but fat. The dad was probably 6-2." Todd Peat was a squatty guard for the Cardinals and Raiders from 1987-'93. "Ready-made NFL player," another scout said. "Left tackle or right tackle. Little bit like Jake Matthews. He won't be an overly dominating type athlete but just sound. Bigger than Jake. A very good, solid player, no question about it." Arms were 34 3/8, hands were 10 5/8.
Marcus Mariota*, QB, Oregon: 6-3½, 222. Heisman Trophy winner in 2014. "Kid's a good athlete," one scout said. "I kind of like him. But he's not a passer right now. He's a thrower. He's like a better Colin Kaepernick. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but this kid is kind of quiet. He's going to be a project the first year. But, other than Andrew Luck, all those guys are." Finished with a phenomenal NFL passer rating of 121.3, and also rushed for 2,237 yards (6.6) and 29 TDs. "You know he'll put the time in to be a good pro," said another scout. "That's about as big an obstacle as there is at the position: guys that are willing to put in the time." Hands were 9 7/8. Vertical jump of 36 inches. Ran 4.52.
Jameis Winston*, QB, Florida State: 6-3½, 231. Led Seminoles to national championship in 2013 and won the Heisman Trophy. "Has an uncanny ability to know what's around him and get himself out of trouble," one scout said. Finished with NFL passer rating of 107.9, and also rushed for 284 yards (2.0) and seven TDs. Has had numerous run-ins with the legal system. "Someone will take him in the first round, but how could you even let that guy in the building?" another scout said. "The second law of thermodynamics basically is the more ways something can happen, the more likely it is to happen. That's true of players. The more ways they can (expletive) up, the more chances they (expletive) up. This guy's got a lot of stuff that would lean him more likely to be a bust than a good player." Played two seasons of baseball at FSU as a closer-outfielder. "If he doesn't (mature) he won't be playing football," a third scout said. "Knows how to play the position. I don't think he's Andrew Luck. He's not a John Elway arm coming out, but he's a talented kid." Tested poorly with 4.97 40, 28½ vertical jump.
Melvin Gordon*, RB, Wisconsin: 6-1, 215. Finished second in Heisman Trophy voting as fourth-year junior. "Unique runner," one scout said. "He's got a little bit of Jamaal Charles in him. Upright, fast runner. He's quick and has very good feet." Surpassed 100 yards in 22 of his 45 games. Also fumbled six times in his last five games. "He's good, but against those slow (expletive) Big Ten guys," said another scout. "That's what bothers me a little bit." Played at Kenosha Bradford. Ran 4.52.
Leonard Williams*, DT, Southern California: 6-4½, 302. Nicknamed "Big Cat." "Probably the most talented player on the defensive side of the ball," said one scout. "He's an end and a three-technique. He's quick, strong and plays athletic." Has been compared to former Patriot Richard Seymour. Dominating presence for three seasons, finishing with 21 sacks and 36½ tackles for loss. "He's not a gigantic guy," another scout said. "He's not (Ndamukong) Suh. He's athletic. He moves around good. He played inside and was getting doubled and held and everything else."
Randy Gregory*, OLB-DE, Nebraska: 6-5, 235. Played two years of junior college and two seasons at Nebraska, where he piled up 17½ sacks and 29 tackles for loss. "I think he's better than Ziggy Ansah," one scout said. "He'll be pretty good. I think he could stand up, too." Sidelined for two games and playing sparingly in two others last season due to injury. "He's a run-around guy," another scout said. "Athletic. Can chase things down. I can't see him playing the point real well. He's not that big. (Wisconsin's Rob) Havenstein did a hell of a job against him."
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: 6-3, 246. Fifth-year senior. "He's a rusher," one scout said. "He's a better football player right now than (Shaq) Thompson. "He's just running around being an athlete. If you played him as a 4-3 'will' (weak-side LB) you'd take away what he does best. He can really run. He understands leverage. They don't crush him." Two-year starter with 33 sacks and 52½ tackles for loss.
PROBABLY GONE (8)
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: 6-2½, 209. Hauled in 156 passes for 2,775 yards (17.8) and 33 TDs in four seasons. "He's a large, smooth, play-making receiver who has average speed," said one scout. "Very good hands. Has run after the catch." Dogged by injuries as a senior. "He's got size, speed and was dominating at the end of the season," said another scout. "He looks a little faster than (Kevin) White." Ran 4.45.
Ereck Flowers*, T, Miami: 6-6, 329. Third-year junior. "Big frame, good technician, good with his hands, good bulk and anchor," one scout said. "Has ability to hold up against power rushes but also can handle speed. Physically and athletically, probably more of a right tackle in the NFL." Started 2½ years at LT. Arms were 34½. Led O-line with 37 bench-press reps.
Arik Armstead*, DE, Oregon: 6-7, 292. Three-year player didn't start until 2014. "He plays like a man," said one scout. "Can be a five-technique. Damn right he has pass rush. Really a good player." Finished with 10 sacks. "A little bit like Datone Jones but much taller and bigger," said another scout. "Same kind of player. He has the athleticism but production has been minimal. When you're a really tall player you have to have either really good strength or play with really good technique and fundamentals. He doesn't have either yet. He plays hard. He's got the ability. It's just not totally there yet. He's going to be a rusher on the inside."
Mario Edwards*, DE, Florida State: 6-3, 279. Registered 7½ sacks in three seasons, including two as a starter. "Still kind of a project," one scout said. "Big athletic guy. Just didn't have much production or feel as a rusher. You hope he'd be a better rusher to take him in the first round but he's got size and is athletic." Father, Mario, played cornerback for the Cowboys after being drafted in the sixth round (2000). Also played some LB and FB. "Huge D-end but could even bounce inside and rush as a three-technique," another scout said. "Very, very strong upper body. Plays the run extremely well but also can rush the passer." Huge hands (10 7/8).
Shane Ray*, DE, Missouri: 6-3, 245. Declared a year early after being named Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year. "Tough, fast," one scout said. "He's better than the guy (Kony Ealy) from there last year. Little straight-line." Posted a school-record 14½ sacks in 2014 to go with 22½ tackles for loss. "I don't like him," said another scout. "People see who he is, they're going to fall off him quick. The body structure. No way in hell he can be an outside backer. Competitive, smart and reliable. Wins with effort, urgency and great first step. He has a degree of stiffness. He's got to win with quickness because of his lack of size and strength." Tiny hands (9).
Danny Shelton, NT, Washington: 6-1, 339. Three-year starter with 208 tackles (24 for loss) and 11½ sacks, including 9 as a senior. "True nose tackle," one scout said. "Big body. Big noses go (early)." Another scout said Shelton moved as well as Green Bay's B.J. Raji. Patterns his game after Baltimore's Haloti Ngata. Dominated at the Senior Bowl.
Eddie Goldman*, DT, Florida State: 6-4, 336. Third-year junior. "He's a powerful, explosive guy," one scout said. "Strong at the point." Two-year starter with 62 tackles (12 for loss) and 6 sacks. "Three-technique," another scout said. "He can do it all. Plays hard."
Dante Fowler*, OLB, Florida: 6-3, 261. Third-year junior, two-year starter. "Played on a very average football team but stood out," one scout said. "You saw offenses (slide) his way. Double-teaming and chipping. Definitely a pass rusher first. He has the athleticism and skill to play outside linebacker." Voted team MVP in 2014 after registering 8½ of his 14½ career sacks. "Probably has to be an outside backer for a 3-4 team," another scout said. "Edge guy. He's got those first two steps."
THE NEXT LEVEL (37)
Devin Funchess*, WR-TE, Michigan: 6-4, 232. Enrolled as a WR, played 2012-'13 as a TE and went back to WR last year as a third-year junior. "He's a wide receiver," one scout said. "He's not physical enough as an inside blocker. He'll be like a hybrid player. He drops a lot of balls." Terrific high school basketball player in Michigan; declined invitation as a freshman to double as a basketball player. "Not crazy about him," said another scout. "He won't block. He's got good hands but he drops balls. He can't play tight end. He'll get drafted high, too high for me." Disappointing 40 of 4.70.
Jaelen Strong*, WR, Arizona State: 6-2, 217. Junior-college transfer caught 157 passes for 2,287 yards (14.6) and 17 TDs in two seasons for Sun Devils. "(Plays) like his last name," said one scout. "Average to above-average speed. He'll probably play early. His ceiling isn't high, but he's going to be a good, solid, starting wide receiver with good hands. Physical frame. Really good field awareness. Very good in the red zone. Just not a stretch-the-field vertical receiver. More of a short to intermediate type." Ran surprisingly fast (4.44).
Dorial Green-Beckham*, WR, Oklahoma: 6-5, 237. "He's the wild card of all of them," said one scout. "He's a first-round talent, no question. He may even be better than (Amari) Cooper. He's that talented. But is there a team that will take a chance on him there?" Kicked out of Missouri after drug-related issues, transferred to Oklahoma but wasn't eligible in 2014. Started 15 of 25 games at Mizzou, catching 87 passes for 1,278 yards (14.7) and 17 TDs. Ran 4.49.
Nelson Agholar*, WR, Southern California: 6-0, 198. Third-year junior coming off 2014 season in which he caught 104 passes for 1,313 yards (12.6) and 12 TDs. "Very similar to Marquise Lee," one scout said. "Slender build. Good speed, not special speed. Good hands. Probably will make his mark early as a returner. He can line up in all the spots inside and outside." Returned four punts for TDs. Ran 4.42.
Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State: 6-0½, 196. Consummate deep threat. "A vertical receiver," one scout said. "That's where he's at his best. Hands are average. Route running was average. But a really good stretch-the-field vertical type. Probably not as fast as (Miami's) Mike Wallace." Three-year starter with 121 receptions for 2,503 yards (20.7) and 30 TDs; his 33 catches in 2014 averaged an astounding 28.2 (12 TDs). Ran 4.42.
Sammie Coates*, WR, Auburn: 6-1, 212. Fourth-year junior. "Once he runs fast they're all going to drool over him," one scout said of his fellow personnel men. "I'm not on board. He's a large, explosive, stiff, inconsistent guy with big hands. I wouldn't touch him, but I think he goes late second (round)." Finished with 82 receptions for 1,757 yards (21.8) and 13 TDs. Labored on a bad knee in 2014. Ran 4.43.
Maxx Williams*, TE, Minnesota: 6-4, 249. Third-year sophomore with 61 catches for 986 yards (16.2) and 13 TDs. "He's one of those guys that jumps over people and stiff-arms," said one scout. "Real good hands. He blocks downfield and can get on linebackers. He'll (block) better in-line." His father, Brian, also played for the Gophers and generally started at center for the Giants from 1989-'99. "I would not put him in the category of an athlete like Jimmy Graham or someone like that," another scout said. "You're not talking about a dominating type player. Need at the position and lack of players there could move him up to the top of the second (round). If he's bottom of the first round it's an overreach." Ran 4.78.
La'el Collins, T-G, Louisiana State: 6-4 1/2, 305. Started at LG in 2012 and at LT the past two seasons. "I think he has to move to guard," one scout said. "Big and strong. His effort wanes at times." Voted team MVP in 2014. Impressive week at the Senior Bowl. "Very talented, athletic," another scout said. "Good size, good strength and a lot of production. Really effective at guard." Arms were just 33¼.
T.J. Clemmings, T, Pittsburgh: 6-4 1/2, 309. Spent three seasons at DE (six starts in 2012) before starting at RT in 2013-'14. "An athlete first," said one scout. "He has the athleticism to start. Just going to take a little bit of time. Still developing his technique, fundamentals and understanding the position." Long arms (35 1/8). Scored 15 on the Wonderlic intelligence test. Turned down offers to play basketball at Providence and Seton Hall.
Cameron Erving, T, Florida State: 6-5, 313. Fifth-year senior moved from D-line to O-line in spring 2012. "He's athletic," said one scout. "Not a very good technician. Still learning the position." Three-year starter at LT but forced to start the last five games at center in 2014. Arms were 34 1/8. "He's a lot like Collins," another scout said. "He could be a left tackle, center or guard. Very versatile second-round pick."
D.J. Humphries*, T, Florida: 6-5, 307. Third-year junior. "He's a smaller guy who has gotten bigger each year," one scout said. "He'll still need to continue adding weight and growth. He lacks anchor on bull rushes and isn't going to generate a lot of movement with his drive blocks." Missed half of the 2013 season with a knee injury and two games in '14 with an ankle injury. "Talented kid," another scout said. Arms were 33 5/8.
A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina: 6-3, 313. Started 51 games at LG. "He has size, length, mass, toughs and he's competitive," said one scout. "He'll need a little bit of work in pass pro, and the mental part will scare you a little bit." Two-time captain. Arms were just 32 5/8. "Second round probably," another scout said. "Good player. He's got enough strength and he can move, too."
Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke: 6-3 1/2, 323. Really helped himself during Senior Bowl week. "He's a big, square, flexible athlete," one scout said. "He's got good movement. He needs to work on his technique and balance." Four-year starter at guard. Arms were 33 5/8.
Donovan Smith*, T, Penn State: 6-6, 338. Fourth-year junior. "Big guy who is more athletic than his peers," one scout said. "He has to work through some natural laziness." Started for three years at LT. Arms were 34 3/8. "Looked good in the Senior Bowl," one scout said. "Now he's got to get through the interviews. He's kind of a different kid. Not bad. Just different."
Cedric Ogbuehi, T, Texas A&M: 6-5, 306. Started for 3½ years, including both tackles and guard. Followed Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews at LT in 2014. Suffered a torn ACL in third quarter of a bowl game and had surgery about five weeks ago. "He did everything as well as those two (Joeckel, Matthews)," one scout said. Arms were 35 7/8. He still has hopes of being drafted in the first round and playing this season. "He is really talented but soft and doesn't play very strong," another scout said. "I've been in there three years in a row and have never seen him practice. Guy's always hurt."
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