[Dynasty] 2014 Draft Prospects (2 Viewers)

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

USC WR Marqise Lee has had to overcome unique obstacles during his childhood.

Both of Lee's parents are deaf, so he communicates with them through sign language. Lee also had one brother murdered and another who is currently in jail. NFL teams already have this information after conducting extensive interviews since the summer, but it is just another example of hardships and story lines many of these prospects must live through during their careers.


Source: NJ.com

 

[Faust]

The red flag report: Austin Seferian-Jenkins

 

[Faust]

Jadeveon Clowney, Greg Robinson top 2014 NFL Draft Big Board

By Bucky Brooks

NFL Media analyst

The conclusion of the Super Bowl officially kicks off the 2014 NFL Draft season. Teams are currently huddled up in pre-NFL Scouting Combine meetings attempting to set their initial draft boards. Coaches and scouts are discussing their fall reports and all-star game analysis, while introducing the background information and potential character concerns. Given the amount of information flying around in these meetings, the final draft board will feature a host of tweaks and adjustments based on the new discoveries at workouts, interviews and pre-draft visits in the coming months.

With that in mind, I thought I would reveal my top prospects in the 2014 class. This list is not a mock draft, but my opinion on how the top prospects rank based on film study and conversations with various scouts around the league. If you disagree with the order or a player left off the list, feel free to voice your opinion to me via Twitter (@BuckyBrooks). Here's my first Big Board:

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

The freakishly talented pass rusher is an athletic marvel with the potential to wreak havoc on the NFL. Of course, concerns about Clowney's inconsistent motor and questionable judgment (Clowney was cited for speeding on multiple occasions) will prompt coaches and scouts to dig into his character, but the talent and potential far outweighs his immaturity at this point.

2. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

The Tigers' punishing running game was fueled by the dominance of Robinson on the edge. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is an impressive athlete with a nasty disposition. Most importantly, he is a technician with the body control and agility to neutralize elite rushers in pass protection.

3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

The buzz has seemingly cooled on Bridgewater's prospects, but astute evaluators recognize his exceptional intangibles and pocket-passing skills. Bridgewater capably makes every throw in the book with zip, velocity and touch. Additionally, he is a superb leader with a high football IQ and a knack for playing well in big games.

4. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

Pass rushers with speed, athleticism and high motors are coveted at a premium at the top of the draft. Although he has spent only two seasons on the defensive side of the ball, Barr is one of the most disruptive defenders in the 2014 class.

5. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

After experiencing a slight sophomore slump, Watkins bounced back in a major way as a junior. The Tigers' standout was indefensible on the perimeter, displaying exceptional speed, quickness and burst with the ball in his hands. In addition, Watkins displayed improved route-running skills and awareness, making him a legitimate playmaking threat from anywhere on the field.

6. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M

It's hard to find a better technician than Matthews in the college game. He plays with exceptional balance, body control and patience, while displaying a strong punch and active hands. Although Matthews will not impress scouts as an athlete in workouts, coaches will fall in love with the game tape when they study him extensively over the next few weeks.

7. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

The most exciting player in college football will serve as a fascinating case study for evaluators in the spring. While Manziel is an improvisational wizard with an alpha dog mentality, he is an undersized quarterback who prefers to do his damage outside of the pocket. That trait will make him a coveted commodity by coaches willing to live on the edge, but some coaches will question whether Manziel can play within the confines of a rigid system.

8. C.J. Mosley, OLB, Alabama

Mosley is a fluid athlete with outstanding instincts, awareness and playmaking skills. He capably plays in base and sub packages, displaying the kind of versatility defensive coordinators covet at linebacker. In addition, Mosley is strong locker-room leader with a winning pedigree and experience playing in a pro-like system. Those intangibles are huge in some draft rooms, which is why he is a lock to be a top pick in the spring.

9. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Gilbert is a talented cover corner/kick returner with size, speed, athleticism and ball skills. Gilbert bounced back from a mediocre junior campaign to re-emerge as the top lock-down defender in college football. With teams poised to look for long, rangy athletes on the perimeter following the Seattle Seahawks' blueprint, Gilbert will be a hot commodity in draft rooms around the league.

10. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Offensive coordinators have made the tight end position the queen on the chessboard in the passing game, with big, athletic pass catchers terrorizing the middle of the field. Ebron is a dynamic athlete with explosive speed and soft hands. Although he remains a work in progress as a route runner, Ebron's natural talents could make him an immediate impact player as a pro.

11. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Considered a potential top-10 prospect a season ago, Lewan returned for his senior season to refine his technique as a standout pass protector. Lewan has certainly made tremendous strides throughout his career, suggesting his game will continue to improve at the next level.

12. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

Once a prized recruit for the Seminoles, Jernigan has blossomed into a versatile interior defender capable of stopping the run or getting after the passer. The 6-2, 298-pounder plays with a relentless motor and shows exceptional body control battling blockers at the point of attack. Although Jernigan has only been a full-time starter for a season, he has shown enough potential to warrant serious consideration at the top of the draft.

13. Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame

It's rare to find a big man with the kind of strength, power and athleticism that Tuitt displays on the edge. The 6-7, 320-pounder moves around like a dancing bear, yet flashes the strength and power to attack and win with brute force on the interior. With 20 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in three seasons, there are few doubts about his disruptive potential, but scouts would like to see Tuitt play with more effort and grit.

14. Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

It's hard to find another defender in the 2014 class capable of matching Shazier's disruptive impact. The 6-2, 222-pound junior notched 15 sacks and 45.5 tackles for loss in three seasons, while serving as a "Jack of all Trades" defender for the Buckeyes. He is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker with the speed, quickness and burst defensive coaches covet at the second level. Size could be an issue based on his slender frame, but production and playmaking ability could outweigh those concerns on draft day.

15. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo

There is little doubt that Mack is a big-time playmaker with a knack for knocking the ball loose (FBS record 26 forced fumbles in his career) and making disruptive plays in the backfield. However, the fact that he played against lesser competition leads to some concerns about his ability to shine on a bigger stage. While his supporters will point to his spectacular performance against Ohio State, naysayers will cite the disappointing career of former MAC superstar Larry English as a cautionary tale of a small-school prospect failing to adjust to the NFL game. Now, I'm not saying that Mack is a "boom-or-bust" prospect, but I do believe the competition question will gain more steam as the draft process moves forward.

16. Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame

Martin might have been the most impressive offensive tackle at the Senior Bowl. He showed scouts that he was athletic enough to play left tackle, but some evaluators view him as a potential Pro Bowler at offensive guard. Regardless, the versatility makes Martin a hot commodity in draft rooms around the league.

17. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama

The safety position is growing in importance around the NFL, with teams looking for athletic defenders capable of locking down tight ends and punishing running backs in the hole. Clinton-Dix fits the bill as a headhunting rover with solid ball skills. If he performs well at the combine, he should be the first safety off the board on draft day.

18. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

Classic nose tackles aren't valued like their 3-technique brethren, but Nix is a stout two-gap player capable of snuffing out inside runs between the tackles. Additionally, he is a space eater who allows agile linebackers to run freely to the ball without obstruction. With more teams employing traditional or hybrid 3-4 fronts, Nix's talents as an interior plugger are certainly valued by defensive-minded coaches.

19. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State

Dennard is arguably the most polished and pro-ready cornerback in this class, exhibiting sound technique, ball skills and toughness. He excels at cutting off a receiver's release angles, making it tough for the quarterbacks to squeeze the ball into tight windows. While there are concerns about Dennard's overall athleticism and top-end speed, the fact that he is so solid in his play will prompt defensive coaches to admire his game.

20. Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

Pryor flew under the radar at Louisville due to overwhelming attention thrown in Teddy Bridgewater's direction, but scouts have been lauding his play and potential over the past year. Pryor is a punishing tackler with superb anticipation, awareness and timing. He attacks runners in the hole, yet displays the patience to read and recognize play-action pass. With the potential for a spectacular performance at the NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon, Pryor could shoot up the charts in the coming weeks.

21. Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Scouts across the NFL will have to wage the production vs. potential debate when discussing Hageman. The 6-6, 311-pound defender is an athletic freak with the natural talent to blossom into a Pro Bowler. However, he is maddeningly inconsistent on tape and rarely produces the splash plays expected from a defender with his athletic gifts. Although he seemingly put it together at the Senior Bowl, the fact that he didn't consistently dominate makes it tough to rank him higher at this point.

22. Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

The momentum is building behind Bortles as a franchise quarterback due to prototypical physical dimensions, arm talent and athleticism. He has checks in all of the boxes in those areas, but remains a work in progress as a playmaker in the pocket. Now, some coaches believe those traits can be developed on the practice field, making Bortles a candidate to go much higher than his film suggests at this time.

23. Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Quarterback issues and nagging injuries marred Lee's play this season, but don't expect scouts to hold those issues against him leading up to the draft. The 6-0, 195-pound junior is an electrifying playmaker capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. He excels on "catch-and-run" plays where he can take advantage of his explosive quickness and running skills in the open field. While there are some concerns about his route running and concentration (drops), Lee is such an explosive weapon that teams in need of a playmaker will find it hard to bypass him if he is on the board.

24. Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona

Carey has toiled in relative anonymity on the college football landscape despite posting 22 100-yard games over the past two seasons. The hard-nosed scat back excels at running between the tackles in a zone scheme, but flashes the burst to turn the corner on perimeter runs. In addition, Carey is a solid receiver out of the backfield with strong hands and superb ball skills. Scouts question whether Carey possesses elite top end speed, but his toughness, vision and short-area quickness should make him an impressive playmaker as a pro.

25. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

Donald has been rising up the charts since posting a dominant senior campaign that prompted scouts to compare his game to Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl DT Geno Atkins. The 6-1, 288-pounder dominated the Senior Bowl drills with his exceptional first-step quickness and burst, yet also displayed impressive strength, power and leverage against the run. The spectacular showing erased some doubts about his size being a factor at the next level, boosting his stock in draft rooms across the NFL.

On the bubble:

» Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
» Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
» Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
» Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
» Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
» Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
» Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
» Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
» Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
» Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
» Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
» Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
» Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
» Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

 

[Faust]

Braddock: Assessing Derek Carr

 

[Faust]

NFL prospect focus: Xavier Su'a-Filo and Austin Seferian-Jenkins

 

[Faust]

Senior Bowl 2014 Position Reviews:

The RB's: Sims leads the way

The TE's: Fiedorowicz leads pack

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Eastern Illinois QB Jimmy Garoppolo will throw at Northwestern's pro day on March 4.

This will likely make Garoppolo the first quarterback in the top two or three tiers to throw after the Combine. We have already seen a lot of Garoppolo throughout the draft process, after he attended the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl. Our own Josh Norris loves Garoppolo's quick feet, quick eyes, and quick trigger but worries if he wastes movement in the pocket, especially when pressured.


Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

 

[Faust]

Brandin Cooks says he should run in the 4.3 range in the 40By Mike Huguenin

College Football 24/7 writer

Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who led the nation with 1,730 receiving yards in 2013, is looking to run the 40-yard dash in about 4.3 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Cooks, who has been compared with Carolina Panthers star receiver Steve Smith, also told the Charlotte Observer he should measure in at around 5 feet 10 at the combine.

"I know I'll measure in at 5-10," Cooks told the Observer. "We're going to find out in a week and some change."

Cooks, who set a Pac-10 single-season record with 128 receptions in '13, said he played this season at 184 pounds. Smith is 5-9 and 185 pounds.

"I know a lot about Steve Smith. That's one of the guys I actually model my game after," said Cooks, who is training in San Diego for the combine.

Cooks said the Smith comparisons go beyond size.

"He's not scared to do anything," Cooks said. "He's not scared to go over the middle. ... That's how I like to see myself, too -- a fearless receiver who's not afraid to do those things."

If Cooks does runs the 40 in the 4.3 range, he will be among the fastest wide receivers. Clemson's Sammy Watkins and Wyoming's Robert Herron also are expected to turn in times in that range.

Cooks is considered one of the top 12 receivers available, but he is the shortest of the group. The only other receiver in the top dozen shorter than 6-0 is LSU's Odell Beckham Jr., who is listed at 5-11 and outweighs Cooks by almost 10 pounds.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter

 

[False Start]

Few things I notice about some of the prospects fantasy wise:

*Seems like the Top 3 TEs are really interchangeable and all 3 have the ability to be major factors in the NFL.

*Everyone seems to think Watkins is the #1 overall pick by far, I do not agree with that. He had a terribly down year as a Sophomore after lighting it up as a Freshman and then made major strides again this past year. Would like a little more consistency from a #1 overall pick. The Sophomore year wasn't just a down year it was a brutal year.

*People are forgetting all about Bridgewater and that is not smart, he is a good passer and can move in the pocket and thats what survives in the NFL. While Manzeil is the same type of player his arm is not as good he is smaller and makes more mistakes in my eyes.

 

[Xue]

Few things I notice about some of the prospects fantasy wise:

*Seems like the Top 3 TEs are really interchangeable and all 3 have the ability to be major factors in the NFL.

*Everyone seems to think Watkins is the #1 overall pick by far, I do not agree with that. He had a terribly down year as a Sophomore after lighting it up as a Freshman and then made major strides again this past year. Would like a little more consistency from a #1 overall pick. The Sophomore year wasn't just a down year it was a brutal year.

*People are forgetting all about Bridgewater and that is not smart, he is a good passer and can move in the pocket and thats what survives in the NFL. While Manzeil is the same type of player his arm is not as good he is smaller and makes more mistakes in my eyes.

Watkins did not have a terrible down year. Someone by the name of DeAndre Hopkins simply broke out.

 

[voiceofunreason]

Few things I notice about some of the prospects fantasy wise:

*Seems like the Top 3 TEs are really interchangeable and all 3 have the ability to be major factors in the NFL.

*Everyone seems to think Watkins is the #1 overall pick by far, I do not agree with that. He had a terribly down year as a Sophomore after lighting it up as a Freshman and then made major strides again this past year. Would like a little more consistency from a #1 overall pick. The Sophomore year wasn't just a down year it was a brutal year.

*People are forgetting all about Bridgewater and that is not smart, he is a good passer and can move in the pocket and thats what survives in the NFL. While Manzeil is the same type of player his arm is not as good he is smaller and makes more mistakes in my eyes.

It's easy to say Watkins isn't the number but doesn't really mean anything. Who is better than him is the question.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Clemson WR Sammy Watkins will fully participate in all drills at the NFL Combine.
Watkins' workout will be a fun to watch, as he consistently showed explosive athletic ability while in school. Many of Watkins' catches were screens at the line of scrimmage, but he also flashed winning at the catch point downfield. He is the favorite to be the first receiver selected in May.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

 

[Faust]

Johnny Manziel, the next Tony Romo? Prospect/pro similarities

 

[Faust]

Sammy Watkins should be class of WRs at 2014 combine

 

[Milkman]

Allen Robinson has a decent chance of being the best WR in this class. He has a little Brandon Marshall/TO in him. He is an outstanding playmaker after the catch. Elite vision. He's extremely physical. His footwork/route running look good. He's huge. Good hands. He takes a hit for not having elite top end speed but it doesn't stop him from getting open and once he gets the ball in his hands look out.

Check 4.40 mark of the video below. He's not really open there but it doesn't matter. High points the ball perfectly.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

Check out the foot work at 6:19 in this vid. That is going to translate to the NFL.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-nebraska-2013/

Again at 2:43 in this vid. At 6'3 he's turning DB's and LB around all over the place.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

One of my favorite plays. Check out the 5:02 mark. Look how he throws this DB 5 yards out of bounds. Nobody talks about it much because his most exciting attribute is probably his open field vision but this kid is kind of a beast.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-wisconsin-2013/

The more I watch him the more I see him as a legit WR1 in the NFL. What he does well is very hard to stop.

 

[EBF]

Allen Robinson has a decent chance of being the best WR in this class. He has a little Brandon Marshall/TO in him. He is an outstanding playmaker after the catch. He's extremely physical. His footwork/route running look good. He's huge. Good hands. He takes a hit for not having elite top end speed but it doesn't stop him from getting open and once he gets the ball in his hands look out.

Check 4.40 mark of this video. He's not really open there but it doesn't matter. High points the ball perfectly.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

Check out the foot work at 6:19 in this vid. That is going to translate to the NFL.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-nebraska-2013/

Again at 2:43 in this vid. At 6'3 he's turning DB's and LB around all over the place.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

One of my favorite plays. Check out the 5:02 mark. Look how he throws this DB 5 yards out of bounds. Nobody talks about it much because his most exciting attribute is probably his open field vision but this kid is kind of a beast.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-wisconsin-2013/

I've got him at the bottom of my first tier. I don't know if I'd say he's "huge" because although he's tall and relatively strong, he doesn't have a hulking VJax/Fitz/Demaryius type of frame and doesn't play with the same degree of strength. IMO he's a lot more comparable to someone like Reggie Wayne or AJ Green. Wayne was never expected to be a great #1 NFL WR and there were many better "on paper" athletes like Koren Robinson, David Terrell, and Rod Gardner picked ahead of him in 2001. In hindsight, he was the class of that WR group along with Chad Johnson and Santana Moss.

I think you'll see Robinson fly under the radar this year for similar reasons. He's tall, but he's not super big. He's not super fast. He'll probably do okay at the combine, but he's unlikely to put up numbers that attract a lot of attention. He could run a 4.5. On the field though, he seems like the kind of WR who will be successful at the next level. Fluid. Good initial quickness. Elusive. Good body control and hands. Those guys usually work out okay.

Some rough parallels in the last few drafts: AJ Green, Rueben Randle, and Keenan Allen. Being economical and quick is worth a lot for a WR. Robinson would be a solid pick in the late 1st for a team like Denver or Indianapolis who needs a 1B type of guy to come in and replace a veteran (Wayne, Decker).

 

[Milkman]

He's going to come into the combine 6'3 215ish. He seems really lean to. I mean I guess I might of overstated his size a little but he's def a big receiver. He also has a great vertical so he's going to play even bigger. God I hope he falls to the Skins in the second. I don't see it though. Some team probably jumps on him in the first.

 

[cloppbeast]

I think you'll see Robinson fly under the radar this year for similar reasons. He's tall, but he's not super big. He's not super fast. He'll probably do okay at the combine, but he's unlikely to put up numbers that attract a lot of attention. He could run a 4.5. On the field though, he seems like the kind of WR who will be successful at the next level. Fluid. Good initial quickness. Elusive. Good body control and hands. Those guys usually work out okay.

I'm picking up what you're putting down, but are you a little concerned about how Robinson performed against top competition? For instance, I don't think he made a catch while matched up with Ohio State's Roby.

 

[EBF]

I think you'll see Robinson fly under the radar this year for similar reasons. He's tall, but he's not super big. He's not super fast. He'll probably do okay at the combine, but he's unlikely to put up numbers that attract a lot of attention. He could run a 4.5. On the field though, he seems like the kind of WR who will be successful at the next level. Fluid. Good initial quickness. Elusive. Good body control and hands. Those guys usually work out okay.

I'm picking up what you're putting down, but are you a little concerned about how Robinson performed against top competition? For instance, I don't think he made a catch while matched up with Ohio State's Roby.

I wouldn't let one bad game sway me too much. That sort of thing can hinge on any number of factors. IIRC, Penn State got absolutely crushed in that game. I didn't watch it, but maybe their line couldn't block Ohio State. Maybe their QB had a bad day. Maybe their gameplan just didn't call for many looks to Robinson. I know he made a couple big plays in garbage time in that game. Putting that aside, Every WR is prone to having a bad game here and there. They don't touch the ball as frequently as a QB/RB and arguably have less control over their own success.

Going back a LONG time, I remember being really impressed by the fact that Reggie Williams (Washington Husky and moderately big Jaguars draft bust) had some of his best games against top corners in college. At various times in his college career he topped 100+ yards against Ohio State (Chris Gamble), Washington State twice (Marcus Trufant), and Cal (Nnamdi Asomugha). He also had a halfway decent game against Texas (Quentin Jammer) in the Holiday Bowl as a true freshman. Those are four first round corners. How much predictive value did Reggie's success against them have? Not much, as it turns out.

Likewise, Steven Jackson had a pretty mediocre final season at Oregon State. He only averaged 4.4 YPC. He had below 4 YPC in 6 out of 13 games that year and was especially bad against good teams (2.8 YPC against USC, 3.8 YPC against Oregon, 2.2 YPC against Washington). What did all of this say about his NFL potential? Not much, as it turns out. He's had one of the best careers of any RB in the past decade.

I think the stats are important, but ultimately the goal is to evaluate the player and try to project whether or not he has the tools to be effective (and how effective) against a higher level of competition. Scrutinizing the stats might tell you certain things about that, but there's also a risk that you'll confuse the noise with the signal. For example, Jackson's struggles almost certainly come down to a combination of defensive attention and inferior supporting cast, as opposed to saying anything about his ability.

I don't think Robinson is going to be a Randy Moss or Terrell Owens who just destroys everyone who lines up against him, but from what I've seen there's a good chance that he can be a solid starter and maybe more than that. I've said that I think his talent level will end up being somewhere between Eric Decker and Reggie Wayne. So either a solid #2 who can produce #1 stats in a friendly offense (Decker) or a sneaky good #1 who puts together several solid seasons without ever being lauded as a freak talent (Wayne).

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

Allen Robinson has a decent chance of being the best WR in this class. He has a little Brandon Marshall/TO in him. He is an outstanding playmaker after the catch. Elite vision. He's extremely physical. His footwork/route running look good. He's huge. Good hands. He takes a hit for not having elite top end speed but it doesn't stop him from getting open and once he gets the ball in his hands look out.

Check 4.40 mark of the video below. He's not really open there but it doesn't matter. High points the ball perfectly.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

Check out the foot work at 6:19 in this vid. That is going to translate to the NFL.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-nebraska-2013/

Again at 2:43 in this vid. At 6'3 he's turning DB's and LB around all over the place.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

One of my favorite plays. Check out the 5:02 mark. Look how he throws this DB 5 yards out of bounds. Nobody talks about it much because his most exciting attribute is probably his open field vision but this kid is kind of a beast.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-wisconsin-2013/

The more I watch him the more I see him as a legit WR1 in the NFL. What he does well is very hard to stop.

I agree

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=676170&p=16501612

As I don't watch college ball, I just got around to watching some highlights of the top 7 or so WRs. To my eyes (I have good eyes), here's my top 3 in order:

1a) Allen Robinson - Dare I put him on top? I did. It's a tough call between him and Lee but, imo, this guy has everything you need to be a WR1. Prototypical size and everything else. He sees lanes that most don't and to my eyes, he looks special.

1b) Marquise Lee - Only his size (compared to Robinson) matters here. This is a 1a, 1b situ, folks. Lee is so fluid, so quick. I'm not sure of his rout running in college, but he appears to me to have all the tools to be supreme at route running. Despite his measurements of 6-0/195, he looks strong to me. He's not lean, more like a Pierre Garcon build.

3a) Sammy Watkins - He looks good. It just seems, from the highlights I saw, the other two guys had more moves, more juking ability, more power and smoother in changing directions. Watkins seems to be limited to straight line speed.

3b) Mike Evans - I liked what I saw from Evans. I watched him a few times before he grew on me. He looks a little lumbering to me but what I liked most is his drive to get to the house. He's almost Jimmy Grahamesque in a way. So much larger than everyone but wins jump balls and body positioning. I like his fiery attitude.

Again, I've only watched highlights and I know that puts me near the bottom compared to most of you who watch games several times. I do, however, have a good eye for talent. I will be paying closely to the combine and the draft to finalize thoughts. I'm just excited I've finally watched some of these guys after months of reading about them. Can't wait for the combine.

 

[Milkman]

If I had to rank them right now i would probably go

Watkins

Lee

Robinson

Evans

Any of these 4 could end up being the best wr in this class. Really strong wr class this year.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Allen Robinson has a decent chance of being the best WR in this class. He has a little Brandon Marshall/TO in him. He is an outstanding playmaker after the catch. He's extremely physical. His footwork/route running look good. He's huge. Good hands. He takes a hit for not having elite top end speed but it doesn't stop him from getting open and once he gets the ball in his hands look out.

Check 4.40 mark of this video. He's not really open there but it doesn't matter. High points the ball perfectly.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

Check out the foot work at 6:19 in this vid. That is going to translate to the NFL.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-nebraska-2013/

Again at 2:43 in this vid. At 6'3 he's turning DB's and LB around all over the place.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-ucf-2013/

One of my favorite plays. Check out the 5:02 mark. Look how he throws this DB 5 yards out of bounds. Nobody talks about it much because his most exciting attribute is probably his open field vision but this kid is kind of a beast.

http://draftbreakdown.com/video/allen-robinson-vs-wisconsin-2013/

I've got him at the bottom of my first tier. I don't know if I'd say he's "huge" because although he's tall and relatively strong, he doesn't have a hulking VJax/Fitz/Demaryius type of frame and doesn't play with the same degree of strength. IMO he's a lot more comparable to someone like Reggie Wayne or AJ Green. Wayne was never expected to be a great #1 NFL WR and there were many better "on paper" athletes like Koren Robinson, David Terrell, and Rod Gardner picked ahead of him in 2001. In hindsight, he was the class of that WR group along with Chad Johnson and Santana Moss.

I think you'll see Robinson fly under the radar this year for similar reasons. He's tall, but he's not super big. He's not super fast. He'll probably do okay at the combine, but he's unlikely to put up numbers that attract a lot of attention. He could run a 4.5. On the field though, he seems like the kind of WR who will be successful at the next level. Fluid. Good initial quickness. Elusive. Good body control and hands. Those guys usually work out okay.

Some rough parallels in the last few drafts: AJ Green, Rueben Randle, and Keenan Allen. Being economical and quick is worth a lot for a WR. Robinson would be a solid pick in the late 1st for a team like Denver or Indianapolis who needs a 1B type of guy to come in and replace a veteran (Wayne, Decker).

Robinson just looks like a football player to me. May not have all the elite mesurables but much like Keenan Allen, just has the natural ability to play the position

 

[cloppbeast]

Watkins

Beckham

Lee

Robinson

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl believes UCF RB Storm Johnson ran laterally too often last season.

"Love Storm's agility/burst combo but must improve discipline as an inside runner," Weidl tweeted. "Too much east/west on tape." Our own Josh Norris loved Johnson's vision and anticipation once hitting the second level, allowing him to find more open space. It is a unique trait for a running back of his size.


Source: Kevin Weidl on Twitter

Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl called UCF QB Blake Bortles' field presence and pocket awareness outstanding.

Bortles is "even keeled and never appears rattled on tape," Weidl writes. "High competitive temperament." We continue to think that Bortles will earn poor man's Andrew Luck comparisons, but there are some major differences between the two. Bortles command of the offense and willingness to hit receivers in tight situations is very appealing, though.


Source: Kevin Weidl on Twitter

UCF head coach George O'Leary believes there are no franchise QBs available in the 2014 draft.

This includes Blake Bortles, the quarterback that played under O'Leary. We think the head coach is just very stingy with the term "franchise quarterback," adding the only one in recent years has been Andrew Luck. Everyone would be better off if they removed Luck, the prospect, from their memories. He is rare. CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman cites sources who say O'Leary did not offer Bortles a scholarship until he missed on four other recruits.


Source: CBS Houston

LSU WR Odell Beckham Jr. debuted on Mel Kiper's big board at No. 21 overall.

This makes Beckham Jr. the No. 4 receiver on the board, behind Sammy Watkins, Marqise Lee and Mike Evans. "What first catches your eye with Beckham is the speed, with a potent initial burst off the line and then a good second gear to reach full speed quickly," Kiper writes. "But the pass-catching skills are also good because not only does Beckham create good separation underneath, but he'll also make plays in traffic..." Our own Josh Norris listed Beckham Jr. No. 19 overall in his latest set of rankings.


Source: ESPN

 

[Faust]

Casserly: Film review shows big flaw in Johnny Manziel's game

By Chase Goodbread

College Football 24/7 writer

That Johnny Manziel might run too much for his own good in the NFL is the longest-standing red flag, along with his size, about the former Heisman Trophy winner's pro potential as a quarterback. That Manziel tucked and ran despite having open receivers at Texas A&M, however, raises that flag a bit higher.

But that's what NFL Media analyst and former Texans and Redskins personnel executive Charley Casserly told "NFL AM" he sees in watching film of the former Aggies star who could be the No. 1 overall pick to the quarterback-needy Houston Texans.

"Pocket discipline. When you watch tape on this guy, there are times I'm not sure what this guy sees. You've got guys wide open and, boom, he takes off and runs," Casserly said. "He may be a victim of his (own) ability to make plays running the football, so he doesn't stay in the pocket. I'd want to watch tape with him, what are you seeing, why are you running when you don't have to run?"

Manziel did a better job of staying in the pocket as a sophomore in 2013 than he did in his Heisman Trophy season of 2012, rushing for roughly half the yardage in his second year as a college starter while showing more pocket patience. Casserly, however, wants to see more.

"Clearly the other thing, you've got to get a handle on this guy's maturity. When he goes to the big city, it's not going to be College Station any more," Casserly said.

In a candid look at the draft's other quarterback prospects, Casserly had the following thoughts about Central Florida's Blake Bortles, Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, and Alabama's AJ McCarron:

On Bortles: "This guy might be No. 1 when it is all said and done because he's a big strong-armed guy. When you watch the tape, in every single game I watched, he'll make some throws you can't explain, as far as making bad decisions. ... (Also) you'd like him to be a little more consistent on the accuracy to be the top pick."

On Bridgewater: "Everybody talks about (Bridgewater's) body build, being a lean guy, they worry about his durability. What is his strength and size potential? (That's) something we want to look at. The other thing is vocal leadership. You want to get a good handle on that at the combine and in the spring."

On McCarron: "Very productive quarterback, smart guy, but what I want to see (is) arm strength. I want to see this arm live. I just want to see at what level it's not strong. ... Is this guy Andy Dalton? I'm trying to make a positive out of that, but Dalton has his deficiencies, and one of them is accuracy, deep especially. Is he Andy Dalton, or is he a lesser Andy Dalton? That's my question on him."

Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.

 

[Faust]

Eric Ebron still says his size/speed mix should be 'illegal'

By Mike Huguenin

College Football 24/7 writer

North Carolina's Eric Ebron, considered by most analysts to be the No. 1 tight end in the 2014 NFL Draft, has a confession he wants to make about San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.

"I've been studying him since high school," Ebron told College Football 24/7 on Wednesday afternoon. "I watch his highlight tapes before every game."

But Ebron admitted that would have to end when he gets to the NFL because you don't watch tapes of an opposing player to get ready. "That's kind of cheesy," Ebron explained.

Ebron will head to the NFL Scouting Combine next week looking to further impress NFL scouts and front-office personnel. He impressed them on the field in each of the past two seasons, showing off his athleticism and speed. He had a combined 102 receptions for 1,598 yards (15.7 yards per reception) and seven TDs in 2012 and '13.

Ebron was listed at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds at UNC and said that he will weigh in at 250 pounds at the combine, scoffing at reports that he has added "significant" weight.

Ebron said he is looking for a "great overall day" in the combine events, but said he is most interested in the "meeting and greeting" that goes on with NFL executives. "The physical part comes naturally," he said.

Before the season, Ebron said his size/speed mix should be "illegal" and he stands by that statement.

"It should be illegal," he said, laughing. "I'm going to continue to run around illegally."

After serving as a reserve as a true freshman in 2011, Ebron started in each of the past two seasons. While athletic, Ebron also is known as a willing blocker. That is one area in which he has greatly improved, he said.

"I definitely got better at UNC," Ebron said, noting that he was just a big-bodied pass catcher in high school in Greensboro, N.C. "I had to become a better blocker if I was going to be a complete tight end."

Ebron signed with UNC when defense-minded Butch Davis was coach and finished his career under offense-minded Larry Fedora, so he has played in two vastly distinct offensive styles. That will help him in his transition to the NFL, Ebron said, by giving him a "more detailed resume."

Ebron has been training at the EXOS facility in Gulf Breeze, Fla., alongside the likes of South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry and Penn State defensive tackle DaQuan Jones. After the combine, Ebron said he will return to Chapel Hill to prepare with UNC's training staff for the Tar Heels' March 23 pro day.

Ebron, Clowney and former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray are featured in an eight-part web series about getting ready for the combine and the draft produced by the NFL, NFL.com and NFL Films. The "Pressure Points" series is sponsored by Gillette Deodorant and is available at www.nfl.com/pressurepoints starting Wednesday night. Fans can submit combine- and draft-related questions to the players at @Gillette on Twitter, and they will answer some questions in videos that will be posted on Gillette's YouTube channel and on social media.

Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.

 

[Faust]

NFL Prospect Focus: Brandin Cooks and Scott Crichton

 

[Faust]

The red flag report: Jeremy Hill

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater's throwing skill set and movement "will remind some of Russell Wilson," according to NFL Films' Greg Cosell.

"He's got all the arm strength to make all the necessary throws, but he doesn't have a gun," Cosell said. We understand concerns about Bridgewater's smaller-than-expected frame and deep ball accuracy, but are smitten with the former Cardinals' star's eye level and pocket movement. He's a potential No. 1 pick, and he remains the No. 1 QB on our board.


Source: Sports790.com

NFL Films' Greg Cosell said UCF QB Blake Bortles is "not a great thrower."

"He doesn't drive the ball," Cosell said. While the writer liked Bortles timing and anticipation, he didn't like Bortles' pocket footwork or balance at the time of release. Bortles is clearly a work in progress, but everybody agrees that the tools are there.


Source: Sports790.com

NFL Films' Greg Cosell called Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel a "see it, throw it passer" and that he is not an anticipation thrower.

"He's not a patient pocket player, if he does not see it right away, he will be gone," Cosell said during an interview. "Then you have to decide if these crazy improvisational plays, which he is obviously exceptional at, you have to decide how many of those he can make in the NFL." Throwing with anticipation is a must in order for an NFL quarterback to sustain success. Cosell notes there is a wide variation in his play. Our own Josh Norris believes Manziel's pocket movement is his gift and his curse.


Source: Sports Talk 790

 

[Faust]

Greg Cosell: Sammy Watkins best WR prospect since A.J. Green, Julio Jones

Aaron Wilson

NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches a lot of football film.

So when he says Sammy Watkins could be the best receiving prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones, it's something that will catch your attention.

Speaking on 104.5 FM in Nashville, Cosell touted Watkins' abilities as a receiver and how he'll translate into the professional game.

"There's no debate here," Cosell said. "I think Sammy Watkins, based on what I've seen, is the best wide receiver in this draft."

Cosell went on to say Watkins is the best since that 2010 draft when Green and Jones were taken in the first round.

Watkins is a different type of receiver than Green and Jones. He's just 6-1 and 205 pounds, compared to the tall frames the other two have. But Watkins is an explosive playmaker when he has the ball in his hands.

If Cosell's assertion pans out, there will be a team that's very happy with selecting Watkins.

Follow me on Twitter: @RavensInsider

Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

 

[Faust]

Zach Mettenberger's recovery 'close' to Adrian Peterson's

 

[Faust]

In #Raiderschat, I said 8 players (bad asses was the term) are better than anyone in 2013 #NFLdraft. Here's list:

Vic Tafur

DE Jadeveon Clowney – Size, power, explosiveness to be elite pass rusher.
QB Teddy Bridgewater – Reads defenses well, moves well, and is accurate.
OT Greg Robinson – Clears out space in run game, length for pass protection.
WR Sammy Watkins – 6-1, 205 and elite before, during and after the catch.
LB Khalil Mack – Has athletic ability, motor, to be top rusher and drop into space.
OT Jake Matthews – Could step in from Day 1 at right or even left tackle.
LB Anthony Barr – Can’t coach quickness and instincts, and he has those.
DT Timmy Jernigan – Powerful inside with quick feet, especially appealing in 4-3

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis' "speed is a question, and his 40 time will be important" at the NFL Combine, writes NFL.com's Mike Huguenin.

Huguenin likes Abbrederis' "excellent hands" and "crisp routes," but he's right in drawing attention to the importance of the receiver's 40 time. Abbrederis was highly productive at Wisconsin and does his best work on the edge. We were impressed with the 6-foot, 189 pounder's agility, ability to separate, and propensity to come down with the ball in contested situations at Wisconsin.


Source: NFL.com

Scouts will closely monitor the output of Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief at the NFL's Scouting Combine.

"Ole Miss coaches raved about his freakish athleticism, but he had only a so-so junior season before deciding to turn pro," wrote NFL.com's Mike Huguenin. "He has intriguing size, and if he runs well in the 40 -- most expect a sub-4.4 time -- it will bode well for his draft status." The 6-foot-3, 226-pounder collected 59 catches for 938 yards and six touchdowns last season. He's more talented than his collegiate production suggests, the primary reason that evaluators are hoping for excellent test numbers.


Source: NFL.com

NFL.com's Mike Huguenin believes Wyoming WR Robert Herron "might be the fastest receiver at the combine."

"Expect a sub-4.4 40 time," wrote Huguenin. "He should test well in the other events, too." Herron was hugely productive at Wyoming, forming one of the nation's most underrated aerial duos with QB Brett Smith. Yes, Herron is undersized, but we've been on his bandwagon since the summer. He's got serious wheels and sticky hands. Draft insider Tony Pauline compared Herron to Don Beebe in the fall.


Source: NFL.com

 

[Faust]

Big Board: OT Robinson overtakes Matthews near top of talented class


by Rob Rang | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst



Feb. 13, 2014 5:03 PM ET

There is a stark difference in the caliber of talent available in the 2014 NFL Draft class compared to a year ago.

It isn't just at quarterback, obviously the game's most important position -- virtually every position offers more tantalizing prospects. The Kansas City Chiefs felt offensive tackle Eric Fisher was the best player in the 2013 draft, using the No. 1 overall pick on him. If Fisher was in this year's class, he would rank behind two players at his own position -- Auburn's Greg Robinson and Texas A&M's Jake Matthews.

Robinson, a redshirt sophomore, is one of the fastest-rising prospects, and has overtaken the more polished Matthews in the eyes of many talent evaluators.

My Big Board is not a mock draft and does not factor in the individual needs of teams. It is simply a ranking of the best draft-eligible prospects in the country.

*--denotes player is an underclassman

1. Jadeveon Clowney*, DE, South Carolina (6-feet-6, 268 pounds): There is no question Clowney failed to live up to expectations in 2013 from a statistical standpoint. On closer review it was clear that opponents made stopping him their top priority, often assigning multiple blockers to slow him down. Boasting a once-in-a-generation combination of size and explosiveness, Clowney offers immediate-impact ability at a premium position. He's a virtual guarantee to be the first defender selected and remains the favorite to go No. 1 overall simply because he is unquestionably the most talented player in the draft.

2. Greg Robinson*, OT, Auburn (6-5, 320): Redshirt offensive linemen rarely earn more than a whisper in scouting circles, but the buzz around the Tigers' star left tackle is venturing into deafening. Physical and tenacious, Robinson is a grizzly bear in the running game, mauling opponents with an exciting blend of size, strength and athleticism. Auburn's reliance on the running game, however, provided Robinson few opportunities to hone his craft as a pass protector.

3. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M (6-5, 305): The son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, Jake proves the cliché -- the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He played well at left tackle as a senior after starring at right tackle over his first three years. Like his father, Matthews projects well to any position along the offensive line. While perhaps not an elite athlete, he is a terrific football player, demonstrating impressive technique, strength and consistency.

4. Sammy Watkins*, WR, Clemson (6-1, 200): Watkins doesn't have the elite size that helped A.J. Green, Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson earn top-six selections since 2007, but he does have virtually everything else -- including instant acceleration, impressive body control and the natural hands to pluck the ball outside of his frame. Watkins could go as high as No. 2 to the St. Louis Rams.

5. Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo (6-3, 248): With an FBS-record 16 career forced fumbles and record-tying 75 career tackles for loss, Mack's statistics jump off the page. Against the most gifted opponents he faced this season (Ohio State, Baylor, Connecticut), it was his game that jumped off the screen. His size, instincts and agility as an edge rusher make him equally intriguing to teams operating out of a 4-3 or 3-4 alignment. That versatility could land him a spot in the top five. Some, in fact, view him as a dark-horse candidate for the Texans at No. 1 overall.

6. Teddy Bridgewater*, QB, Louisville (6-3, 210): In an era in which college quarterbacks' numbers are often inflated by short passes and relatively simplistic schemes, Bridgewater's sparkling production was due to Pro Bowl-caliber accuracy in the critical short to intermediate levels. His success (71 percent completion rate with 31 touchdowns against just four interceptions) came out of a pro-style offense that requires him to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage and complete NFL throws. His slight frame is a legitimate concern and he's not an elite deep ball passer, but he has shown great toughness over his career and is a better athlete than many realize.

7. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA (6-4, 238): Barr's emergence as one of the nation's elite NFL prospects after languishing as a running back early in his career has been well documented. Barr exploded in 2012 in his first season on the defensive side of the ball and backed it up with another spectacular campaign in 2013, including 65 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and five forced fumbles, earning him the Lott IMPACT Trophy. His burst off the snap is exciting but he flashes rather than dominates and is not as polished as his hype may lead you to believe.

8. Blake Bortles*, QB, Central Florida (6-3, 230): A prototypically built pocket passer with good awareness, athleticism and arm talent, Bortles looks the part of an NFL starting QB. He is methodical in his setup and delivery and is a bit inconsistent with his accuracy, but the mettle he showed in guiding UCF to several comeback victories in 2013 has scouts buzzing. Bortles isn't as polished as Bridgewater, but he may have an even higher upside. A top-10 pick is likely and it isn't out of the question that he'll rank as the best quarterback for some, potentially including Texans coach Bill O'Brien, whose Penn State team lost to Bortles and UCF in 2013.

9. Marqise Lee*, WR, Southern Cal (6-0, 195): A nagging left knee injury hampered Lee for much of the 2013 season, robbing the 2012 Biletnikoff Award winner of his trademark elusiveness and acceleration. Finally healthy in the Las Vegas Bowl against Fresno State, however, Lee showed off his playmaking ability, hauling in seven passes for 118 yards and two scores. Lee's relatively slight frame could lead to durability issues in the NFL, but his first-round skill set is undeniable.

10. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (6-0, 200): With NFL rules increasingly favoring passing games, the value of playmakers on either side of the ball has never been higher. Gilbert led the Big 12 with seven interceptions in 2013 and returned six career kickoffs for touchdowns. There are other defensive backs in this class who offer a more well-rounded game, but in terms of size, agility and speed, no cornerback offers a more intriguing skill set than the Cowboys star.

11. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State (5-11, 197): Quick feet, loose hips and a fluid turning motion make Dennard a classic cover corner capable of shutting down half the field. Dennard allowed only three completions in 31 targets of 15-plus yards this season. His ability in coverage played a huge role in the Spartans' run to a Rose Bowl victory, and was recognized with Dennard winning the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. The only factor keeping Dennard from a selection in the top half of the first round is a question about his straight-line speed.

12. Kony Ealy*, DE, Missouri (6-5, 275): While teammate Michael Sam garnered more hype on the field, scouts are increasingly intrigued by Ealy due to his impressive combination of size and athleticism. A highly versatile defender with experience inside and out for the Tigers, Ealy projects nicely to both the 4-3 and 3-4 alignments and the first-team All-SEC pick is just scratching the surface of his potential.

13. Johnny Manziel*, QB, Texas A&M (5-11, 210): Manziel's vision, elusiveness and accuracy on the move make him a mesmerizing prospect who will almost surely be drafted higher than his ranking. While dynamic throughout his career -- including in the Aggies' thrilling comeback over Duke in the Chick-fil-A Bowl -- red flags were raised with mediocre performances against LSU and Missouri to end the 2013 regular season. Bottled in the pocket by both, Manziel was unable to throw his receivers open and he struggled. The NFL rule books have never been more accommodating to dual-threat passers, but consistent accuracy from the pocket remains the most critical element to quarterback play at the next level.

14. C.J. Mosley, OLB, Alabama (6-2, 232): While a bit undersized, Mosley might be the best pound-for-pound player in the country. Athletic and instinctive, he is a true three-down linebacker capable of making plays against the run and pass. Mosley lacks the bulk scouts want in a pass rusher but his awareness in coverage is special. While the tape is phenomenal, Mosley has undergone multiple surgeries (knee, shoulder) over his career and could be the latest Alabama player to receive medical red flags from some evaluators.

15. Stephon Tuitt*, DL, Notre Dame (6-5, 303): Clowney isn't the only highly regarded defensive lineman who struggled under the burden of monstrous expectations in 2013. After dominating as a sophomore, Tuitt began his junior campaign out of shape (after missing spring due to hernia surgery) and struggled with consistency all season. Highly athletic with the frame to star as either a 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end, Tuitt's upside is just too tantalizing to ignore. Tuitt is earning comparisons to Richard Seymour from some scouts.

16. Zach Martin, OL, Notre Dame (6-4, 308): The vast majority of Martin's school-record 52 career starts came at left tackle but his square-ish frame and 32¼-inch arms will earn him a projection inside to guard for many. Regardless of where he lines up, Martin plays with the controlled aggression I love on the offensive line, latching on and controlling opponents with excellent strength. Martin was the best player on the field in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.

17. Dee Ford, DE/OLB, Auburn (6-2, 243): Ford's dominating performance at the Senior Bowl caught my attention. The film study I've done since confirms the exciting improvement he showed in 2013, his second season as a starter for the Tigers. After improving his burst, power and fluidity when dropping into coverage, the question is rapidly not if Ford will earn a selection in the top 32 but how high his rapidly escalating stock can take him.

18. Calvin Pryor*, FS, Louisville (6-2, 208): With all the focus on Bridgewater, Pryor was overshadowed a bit with the Cardinals but his stock will climb once scouts turn their attention to the instinctive and hard-hitting defender. Boasting the size, agility and physicality that every team is seeking to lead the deep patrol, Pryor is my top-rated safety of the 2014 draft class and projects as a first-round pick if he can assure scouts of his straight-line speed.

19. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan (6-7, 310): The perception among many in the media is that Lewan's stock has fluctuated the past two seasons, but among scouts he remains one of the more polished linemen in the draft. There is some debate as to whether he has the light feet to remain at left tackle against NFL speed rushers, but his length, power and nastiness make him an easy projection to the NFL.

20. Louis Nix III*, DT, Notre Dame (6-2, 345): To earn this high of a selection in the draft Nix will have to prove his health after knee surgery cut short his 2013 season. I have been told that Nix is working out well and looking trim at EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance Institute) in Phoenix, which is certainly a positive sign. When healthy, he is the best run-plugger of this class, controlling the middle with his girth, power and surprising athleticism.

21. Mike Evans*, WR, Texas A&M (6-5, 225): In dominating SEC competition the past two seasons, Evans has earned comparisons to Tampa Bay Bucs star Vincent Jackson, exhibiting a shocking combination of size, strength and deceptive speed. He is a nightmare to defend in jump-ball situations, a trait teams are finding increasingly valuable with the size of cornerbacks growing throughout the NFL.

22. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina (6-4, 245): Ebron has a jaw-dropping combination of size and athleticism that has earned comparisons to 49ers star Vernon Davis. Like Davis, however, Ebron struggles with consistency, relying too much on his athleticism rather than dedicating himself to learning the finer techniques of the position. Ebron is expected to be one of the stars of the scouting combine workouts.

23. Hasean Clinton-Dix*, FS, Alabama (6-1, 208): Seattle All-Pro Earl Thomas has emerged as the new prototype free safety due to his remarkable speed and ball skills, virtually eliminating opponents' ability to throw deep against the Seahawks. Clinton-Dix has the fluidity in coverage, instincts (seven interceptions in 19 career starts) and physicality to take advantage of teams' eagerness to find a Thomas-like weapon in the deep patrol.

24. Ryan Shazier*, OLB, Ohio State (6-2, 226): Shazier may be 10-15 pounds lighter than scouts would prefer but his instincts, speed and bone-jarring hits make him a fearful defender offenses must account for on every snap. Statistics don't always tell the story, but they do with Shazier, whose 143 tackles, including an eye-popping 22½ tackles for loss, not only led the Big Ten this season, they combine to rank among the best seasons from any Buckeyes defender over the past quarter century.

25. Timmy Jernigan*, DT, Florida State (6-2, 298): Jernigan played a critical role in the Seminoles' rise to the BCS national title, showing a unique burst to penetrate gaps as well as the leverage and strength to hold up against the run. His upside is undeniable and could earn him a significantly higher grade from some. The fact that he started just one year at the collegiate level and was clearly gassed against Auburn raises red flags about his readiness for the NFL, however.

26. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (5-10, 182): Verrett lacks the size so en vogue in today's NFL, but agility and ball skills never go out of style for cornerbacks. Verrett led the Big 12 with 22 passes defended and six interceptions in 2012. Through the end of the 2013 regular season he led again in pass deflections (16) while recording two pass thefts. While light, Verrett is scrappy and tenacious, making him an ideal nickel corner with the tackling ability to threaten on an occasional blitz.

27. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh (6-1, 288): Donald was arguably the Senior Bowl MVP throughout the first three days of practice, routinely penetrating to make big plays behind the line of scrimmage in the same fashion that led to his earning CBSSports.com's college Defensive Player of the Year, along with a host of other awards. Scouts wonder if he can hold up to the size and power of the NFL as a full-time defender but given his burst, 8-10 sacks a year as a pass-rushing three-technique defensive tackle deserves late first-round consideration for me.

28. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (6-2, 215): Carr's staggering production (68.2 completion percentage, 50 TDs, 8 INTs) was certainly inflated by head coach Tim DeRuyter's QB-friendly spread attack and talented receiving corps, but any questions about his talent were put to rest with a stellar week in Mobile. While no one questions Carr's arm, some wonder if he has the grit to hold up as the leader of an NFL huddle.

29. Cyrus Kouandjio*, OT, Alabama (6-5, 312): Nick Saban questioned draft analysts for pegging Kouandjio as a first-round talent before the season, but given the junior left tackle's exciting skill set the projection is confirmed. Long-armed, athletic and aggressive, Kouandjio boasts many of the traits scouts are looking for in a potential Pro Bowl offensive tackle. However, a lack of elite foot quickness was exposed by the Oklahoma Sooners' pass rush in their Sugar Bowl upset win over the Tide.

30. Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (6-6, 318): Just as he did at times during his career with the Golden Gophers, Hagemen flashed a dominant combination of size, strength and athleticism at the Senior Bowl. Scouts wish he was more consistent but given his position and scheme versatility, Hageman is a first-round gamble worth taking.

31. Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU (6-3, 244): Van Noy may not be the most physical linebacker in the draft but he might just be the most efficient. As he demonstrated throughout a spectacular career in Provo and again in Mobile, he's as slippery and savvy in attacking the line of scrimmage as he is in dropping back into coverage.

32. Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA (6-3, 308): Despite playing out of position at left tackle due to teammate injuries, Su'a-Filo was voted the top offensive lineman in the Pac-12 last season by those who would know -- the conference's defensive linemen. Quick, powerful and balanced, he's equally effective driving defenders off the ball in the running game or settling in pass protection.

Just missed the cutMarcus Roberson, CB, Florida
Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Brandin Cooks*, WR, Oregon State
Davante Adams*, WR, Fresno State
Ka'Deem Carey*, RB, Arizona
Bradley Roby*, CB, Ohio State
Troy Niklas*, TE, Notre Dame
Scott Crichton*, DE, Oregon State
Kelvin Benjamin*, WR, Florida State
Austin Seferian-Jenkins*, TE, Washington
Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
Kelcy Quarles*, DT, South Carolina
Jarvis Landry*, WR, LSU
Jeremy Hill*, RB, LSU
Marcus Smith, OLB, Louisville
Marcus Martin*, C, Southern California
Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State
Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State
Jimmie Ward, FS, Northern Illinois

 

[MAC_32]

Rotoworld:

Wisconsin WR Jared Abbrederis' "speed is a question, and his 40 time will be important" at the NFL Combine, writes NFL.com's Mike Huguenin.

Huguenin likes Abbrederis' "excellent hands" and "crisp routes," but he's right in drawing attention to the importance of the receiver's 40 time. Abbrederis was highly productive at Wisconsin and does his best work on the edge. We were impressed with the 6-foot, 189 pounder's agility, ability to separate, and propensity to come down with the ball in contested situations at Wisconsin.

Source: NFL.com

ridiculous, lazy analysis. Look past the dude's skin color. Speed is a non issue.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

Greg Cosell: Sammy Watkins best WR prospect since A.J. Green, Julio Jones

Aaron Wilson

NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches a lot of football film.

So when he says Sammy Watkins could be the best receiving prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones, it's something that will catch your attention.

Speaking on 104.5 FM in Nashville, Cosell touted Watkins' abilities as a receiver and how he'll translate into the professional game.

"There's no debate here," Cosell said. "I think Sammy Watkins, based on what I've seen, is the best wide receiver in this draft."

Cosell went on to say Watkins is the best since that 2010 draft when Green and Jones were taken in the first round.

Watkins is a different type of receiver than Green and Jones. He's just 6-1 and 205 pounds, compared to the tall frames the other two have. But Watkins is an explosive playmaker when he has the ball in his hands.

If Cosell's assertion pans out, there will be a team that's very happy with selecting Watkins.

Follow me on Twitter: @RavensInsider

Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Big fan of Watkins, but that's not really saying much. There haven't been any elite prospects since the AJ Green/Julio class.

So he's a better prospect than Tavon Austin/Justin Blackmon/etc were, so what.

 

[EBF]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

 

[Brewtown]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

Good list of rankings. I like your list for the most part - other than Bishop Sankey, Kadeem Carey, and Isaiah Crowell being too low...

 

[ZWK]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

Looks pretty good to me; my top 7 is the same as yours (though not the same order).

At RB, I'm not as high as you on Andre Williams, Storm Johnson, or Terrance West. Good call on Tim Flanders - he hadn't been on my radar but I just looked at him & liked what I saw (really quick feet, a lot of missed tackles, and solid in traffic). I would also include Andrews, Wilder, Josey, and Fluellen on there somewhere.

 

[Team Legacy]

Thanks EBF! Love your analysis!

First of all, you're wrong about Teddy. He's going to tear up the league. He's accurate and a natural born killer. (See Miami and Florida)

Secondly, [SIZE=13.63636302947998px]wasn't it you that used to do the player comparisons? Those were really valuable to me. For example: Sammy Watkins isn't Julio Jones he's more like.... [/SIZE]

In fact, what would be most valuable to me, would be,

His skills/size combo is most like:

His career production will be most like:

I know I'm hoping here, but anyway you can edit your post to include those?

Thanks man!

 

[EBF]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

Looks pretty good to me; my top 7 is the same as yours (though not the same order).

At RB, I'm not as high as you on Andre Williams, Storm Johnson, or Terrance West. Good call on Tim Flanders - he hadn't been on my radar but I just looked at him & liked what I saw (really quick feet, a lot of missed tackles, and solid in traffic). I would also include Andrews, Wilder, Josey, and Fluellen on there somewhere.

Thanks. I'm encouraged by the fact that our processes are converging on a lot of the same names even though we have very different methods. I feel a lot better about my handle on this group than I did last year, where my stuff was all over the map.

Been watching Flanders for a couple seasons. Nice feet and elusiveness. Bit like a Westbrook or McCoy. Don't think he will be drafted that high, but it will be interesting to see if/when someone rolls the dice on him. He had a monster game against Texas A&M this past season in his only real opportunity against a quality opponent.

I'm not super high on Johnson or West. Just threw them out there as names to monitor. Williams is one that I seem to like more than a lot of draftniks. His warts are obvious, but I think maybe people underestimate his strengths. I think he has a chance to be a pretty impressive size/speed guy at the combine.

I didn't care for Wilder coming into the season, but at this point his stock may have dropped enough to where he could be a bargain.

 

[EBF]

Thanks EBF! Love your analysis!

First of all, you're wrong about Teddy. He's going to tear up the league. He's accurate and a natural born killer. (See Miami and Florida)

Secondly, [SIZE=13.63636302947998px]wasn't it you that used to do the player comparisons? Those were really valuable to me. For example: Sammy Watkins isn't Julio Jones he's more like.... [/SIZE]

In fact, what would be most valuable to me, would be,

His skills/size combo is most like:

His career production will be most like:

I know I'm hoping here, but anyway you can edit your post to include those?

Thanks man!

I could add that later.

As far as Teddy goes, I think he's got the most mental ability of the big three rookie QBs. Also probably the least physical talent. It's really just a question of how far his athletic ability will take him. I used Pennington as my comparison because he was a guy with solid QB skills who just didn't have the extra something as an athlete.

I should also add that I'm not a big believer in spending rookie picks on QBs. Unless I have special knowledge about a prospect or the value is really really good, I'd just rather draft what I know (RB/WR/TE) and trade for a QB who has already shown that he can play in the NFL. I'd rather add a little something extra to a rookie pick to get someone like Matt Ryan or Russell Wilson than draft one of these guys and cross my fingers.

 

[Team Legacy]

You're seriously comparing Pennington to Bridgewater? Homey, all due respect. I hate you now. lol... In all seriousness, why would you think that? Kid could do ANYTHING he wanted on the field. He chose to sit in the pocket and throw. When he ran, he did it with ease, but when you're as accurate as he is, with the receivers that he has, he would typically always have faith in the downfield or checkdown throw to move the chains. I am shocked that you don't see him as a special athlete.

 

[Milkman]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

I have the same top eight except a little bit different order.

1. Watkins

2. Hyde

3. Lee

4. Seastrunk

5. Robinson

6. Hill

7. Ebron

8. Evans

Hill has kind of grown on me. He just looks so natural catching the football and he looks fast for his size. He does seem a little stiff to me. Hyde looks more fluid than Hill and I think he has the size and enough wiggle to be special. I think Hyde is a special talent. Does everything well. Can start day one and be 1200 yard 10+ TD back right out of the gate.

I only have Watkins #1 because everybody who's opinion I respect has him #1. So I figure I'm most likely mistaken about him. The way he got his yards in college scares me a little bit. NFL level CB's are not going to play 8-10 yards off of him and let him catch bubble screens all day. Watkins also looks a little stiff to me. He does have elite acceleration, good hands, and good size so his floor his pretty high.

Ebron's floor is very high imo. He reminds me of Vernon Davis (I know you say that's a bad comparison ) He's much more fluid than Davis. I could see him being a top 2-3 TE in the league in a couple years "if" he can be a good redzone target. That's a big if and the biggest question mark on Ebron.

I have no idea why Seastrunk is falling so far but I have the #5 pick and if he's there I will be jumping up and down. If he can catch the ball well he is going to be a 3 down back with homerun play ability. That's potentially top 10 overall dynasty value down the road.

Robinson really excites me because I think he is going to fall into the bottom of the 1st round in most rookie drafts. You made a great comparison his route running/footwork remind me of Keenan Allen. We all know how that worked out.

Lee looks amazing on tape but his drop rate scares me. Particularly his drop rate on long passes. He would be a great fit for Detroit with Calvin Johnson doing all the deep stuff and Lee the underneath routes.

Evans is kind of the forgotten man but he dominated some good SEC defenses. He has a huge upside. I heard or read somewhere that he is an extremely hard worker which I personally love. He hasn't been playing football for very long and he was a total stud this year in the SEC. That counts for something.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

You're seriously comparing Pennington to Bridgewater? Homey, all due respect. I hate you now. lol... In all seriousness, why would you think that? Kid could do ANYTHING he wanted on the field. He chose to sit in the pocket and throw. When he ran, he did it with ease, but when you're as accurate as he is, with the receivers that he has, he would typically always have faith in the downfield or checkdown throw to move the chains. I am shocked that you don't see him as a special athlete.

Pennington never had a rocket arm, but before the injuries/surgeries (and even after, to a degree) he was a good QB. That's not really a negative comparison, if Bridgewater can play as smart and accurately as a prime, healthy Pennington, that's not a terrible ceiling. That's like a poor man's Brees.At Bridgewater's size and with his build, you'd be better off if he NEVER showed what a special athlete you think he is, in the NFL. People think RG3 got rocked? He makes Bridgewater look like a bean pole.

 

[EBF]

You're seriously comparing Pennington to Bridgewater? Homey, all due respect. I hate you now. lol... In all seriousness, why would you think that? Kid could do ANYTHING he wanted on the field. He chose to sit in the pocket and throw. When he ran, he did it with ease, but when you're as accurate as he is, with the receivers that he has, he would typically always have faith in the downfield or checkdown throw to move the chains. I am shocked that you don't see him as a special athlete.

I'm willing to reconsider. My stance on him might be a bit harsh. I like that he played well against Miami and Florida in the bowl games (not that they're any good these days). I know you're a Louisville homer, so I respect your take on him. I also think sometimes homers can be prone to oevrrating their local players. Not saying you're guilty of that here, but it's sometimes easier to exaggerate someone's talent when there's a high level of familiarity.

An issue for Bortles and Bridgewater is that their league is not the best. Teddy is a lot more mobile than Pennington. I know he can move around a little bit, but he's not the nimble athlete in the pocket that Manziel is. And honestly it seems like the NFL is putting greater selection pressure on QB mobility these days (i.e. Kaep, Wilson, Luck, Newton). You can still get away with being a pure pocket passer if you're Peyton or Brees. Is the THAT good though? Difficult to make that assumption.

Ultimately, a lot of it comes back to my personal philosophy. Unless I'm convinced that a QB is special (i.e. Luck), I'm really unlikely to spend a 1st round rookie pick on him in most of my leagues. It's too easy to wind up with a Bradford or a Sanchez. Even hits like Ryan and Roethlisberger don't carry massive trade value. For a QB to become a significant trading chip in a typical 12-14 team 1QB league, he basically needs to be a top 5-6 player at his position. That is a lot to ask.

On the other hand, any RB with a pulse who gets his hands on a starting job for a while will rocket up the charts (see: Bell, Lacy, Stacy). I'm more inclined to play that lotto.

 

[EBF]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

I have the same top eight except a little bit different order.

1. Watkins

2. Hyde

3. Lee

4. Seastrunk

5. Robinson

6. Hill

7. Ebron

8. Evans

Hill has kind of grown on me. He just looks so natural catching the football and he looks fast for his size. He does seem a little stiff to me. Hyde looks more fluid than Hill and I think he has the size and enough wiggle to be special. I think Hyde is a special talent. Does everything well. Can start day one and be 1200 yard 10+ TD back right out of the gate.

I only have Watkins #1 because everybody who's opinion I respect has him #1. So I figure I'm most likely mistaken about him. The way he got his yards in college scares me a little bit. NFL level CB's are not going to play 8-10 yards off of him and let him catch bubble screens all day. Watkins also looks a little stiff to me. He does have elite acceleration, good hands, and good size so his floor his pretty high.

Ebron's floor is very high imo. He reminds me of Vernon Davis (I know you say that's a bad comparison ) He's much more fluid than Davis. I could see him being a top 2-3 TE in the league in a couple years "if" he can be a good redzone target. That's a big if and the biggest question mark on Ebron.

I have no idea why Seastrunk is falling so far but I have the #5 pick and if he's there I will be jumping up and down. If he can catch the ball well he is going to be a 3 down back with homerun play ability. That's potentially top 10 overall dynasty value down the road.

Robinson really excites me because I think he is going to fall into the bottom of the 1st round in most rookie drafts. You made a great comparison his route running/footwork remind me of Keenan Allen. We all know how that worked out.

Lee looks amazing on tape but his drop rate scares me. Particularly his drop rate on long passes. He would be a great fit for Detroit with Calvin Johnson doing all the deep stuff and Lee the underneath routes.

Evans is kind of the forgotten man but he dominated some good SEC defenses. He has a huge upside. I heard or read somewhere that he is an extremely hard worker which I personally love. He hasn't been playing football for very long and he was a total stud this year in the SEC. That counts for something.

Pretty much with you on all of this.

As far as Watkins goes, I see what you mean about stiffness. That's why I mentioned Mike Wallace as part of my comparison. Watkins is just a little bit straight-linish like that. He doesn't have the agile open field moves of Lee, Robinson, or Beckham. I have a pretty strong preference for agile players, so that's a little bit of a negative for me. Ultimately though, does he do enough things at a high enough level to be successful? I think the answer's yes. I'm not valuing him like he's a 21 year old Julio or Demaryius. I've got him around WR9-12 and I think at that stage you're not passing on anyone who's obviously superior.

Hyde vs. Hill is an interesting one. Hyde has grown on me throughout the season. I think he's a little more put together than Hill. He sort of reminds me of Doug Martin, but maybe a bit taller and with a fraction less explosiveness. I tentatively have him ranked over Hill, as you can see on the list. Part of that is just the cleaner character profile. I've been burned by guys like Justin Blackmon and Santonio Holmes, so if two guys look pretty close on talent then I'm probably going to prefer the one who isn't gonna be getting in bar fights. Putting that aside, Hill is a deceptive athlete.

I posted this little clip before, but he's not just a plodding power back. He has better lateral ability than people might realize. You can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgGpQYFfs3c

He has a little bit of that Marshawn Lynch/Ray Rice thing where he runs on a swivel and can make hard cuts in the second level to leave tacklers grasping air. That's a quality that I always like to see in a RB. One of the hallmark traits of the great ones like ADP or LT is that they have very active feet/hips. Defenders can never get a clean shot on them because they're always bouncing around and redirecting their momentum. Hill is no LT, but for a guy who might weigh 230 he's pretty slippery.

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

EBF - I am digging the rankings. I basically agree with your tier one, except I would bump RBs to the bottom of that tier and probably have a different group of RBs. I'm not sold on Seastrunk, He always goes for the edge, I just don't think he has enough moves to make his style work in the NFL. Maybe I'm wrong, wouldn't be the first time. Here's how I would have it.

1. WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson –

2. WR Marqise Lee, USC

3 (6). WR Allen Robinson, Penn State – Allen is truly my #1 but until everyone else ranks him that way, I'll draft him as my #3. In other words, if I had picks 1 and 4 in a rookie draft, I'd go Watkins first because I know (assume) I'll still get my guy at 4. Obviously, a lot can change between now and draft day to change that…

4 (8). TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina

5 (7). WR Mike Evans, Texas A&M

6 (3.) RB Carlos Hyde, Ohio State

7 (14.) RB Tre Mason, Auburn

I'll stop there because I don't really have favorites at this point. Since rankings are naturally biased on what the ranker needs etc… I'd probably throw Teddy in after Evans at the 6 spot.

 

[Concept Coop]

I posted my first top 24 of this draft season. It's the top link in my signature if you're curious.

Now it's time to sit back and see what these guys look like at the combine.

Thanks. Enjoyed the read.

Arm strength is overrated in today's NFL, and, thus, Teddy is being underrated in your rankings, IMO. He's not Flacco, but he's not Pennington, either. Evans, ASJ, and Mason also feel low. Lee, Freeman, and Bortles feel high.

 

[Concept Coop]

I'm willing to reconsider. My stance on him might be a bit harsh. I like that he played well against Miami and Florida in the bowl games (not that they're any good these days).

Florida had a valid argument for best defense in the nation, supported by the NFL draft. They were a couple plays away from playing in the National Championship game, no thanks to Driskel and Co.