[Dynasty] 2016 Draft Class (1 Viewer)

[Denver724]

15 for '15: Best players on non-contending teams

Bundrage over Lazard? Interesting.

 

[tdmills]

15 for '15: Best players on non-contending teams

Bundrage over Lazard? Interesting.

I'm not a fan of either as a FF contributor, but agree it's a little odd.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

Does anyone else hate the senior rankings? most of the best prospects are the underclassman, the senior only rankings just seem like a complete waste.

 

[Faust]

2016 NFL Draft: Iowa Preview

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25230319/nfl-draft-iowa-preview

 

[JohnnyU]

Does anyone else hate the senior rankings? most of the best prospects are the underclassman, the senior only rankings just seem like a complete waste.

wothless rankings. I remember walterfootball.com used to do this and I ignored their rankings for a long time. They are better lately however.

 

[Faust]

Top 12 2015 Pac-12 running backs: Devontae Booker best running back in the Pac-12

An embarrassment of riches at running back in the Pac-12

 

[Faust]

Cleveland Browns RUMORS: Connor Cook Replacing Johnny Manziel in 2016 NFL Draft?

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Ohio State graduate QB Braxton Miller told the Dispatch he "expects to announce his immediate plans next week."

By all accounts, Miller is nearly fully recovered and cleared from a second shoulder surgery. Head coach Urban Meyer and others have consistently stated Miller will be with OSU this fall and will compete with two quarterbacks for the starting job. Miller's announcement could absolutely back this line of thinking up, or he could transfer and play for another school immediately.

Source: Columbus Dispatch
Jul 2 - 11:53 AM

 

[Faust]

2016 NFL Draft: Maryland Preview

 

[Faust]

2015 College Football Preview: NC State Wolfpack

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Auburn senior WR Duke Williams only dropped two catchable targets last season, according to PFF.

PFF credited Williams with 44 catches (it is 45 in other places), giving him a drop rate of just 4.35. We could not say the same for his former teammate Sammie Coates. It is worth noting that almost every charting service sides with the wide receiver, but good drop rates tend to stay in the good to average range. The JUCO transfer was frequently used in the slot on short and intermediate routes.

Source: Jack Farrell on Twitter
Jul 3 - 1:07 PM

 

[Faust]

15 for '15: College football's most explosive athletes

 

[Faust]

NCAA scrutiny on potential Top 5 pick Laremy Tunsil

 

[Faust]

2016 NFL Draft: Michigan Preview

2016 NFL Draft: Michigan State Preview

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Per Sports on Earth's Matt Brown, USC redshirt senior QB Cody Kessler is "a smart, poised leader who distributes the ball accurately with impressive timing and rhythm."

"He's mechanically sound, and while he's not a runner, he has pocket mobility and keeps his eyes downfield in the face of pressure," Brown wrote. "At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Kessler won't wow anyone physically, but mentally he's ahead of anyone else in the country, and even if he doesn't have a huge arm, he's accurate anywhere on the field." The draft expert ranks Kessler as the No. 2 signal-caller in the land but noted an interesting stat. "In four games against ranked opponents, he averaged 6.6 yards per attempt with four touchdowns and three picks. In nine games against unranked opponents, he averaged 9.3 yards per attempt with 35 touchdowns and two picks," Brown wrote. " To compare, Marcus Mariota averaged 8.9 yards per attempt against seven ranked opponents last year." The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Kessler completed 69.7 percent of his attempts and threw for 3,826 yards (8.5 yards per attempt) with a 39/5 TD/INT ratio last year.

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 6 - 12:09 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Rutgers senior WR Leonte Carroo "is both big and fast," writes NFL Media.

True story. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has been clocked in the high 4.3s in the 40-yard dash. "He was productive in 2014 working with a quarterback with a scattershot arm and will be challenged again by mediocre quarterback play in 2015," wrote College Football 24/7 writer Mike Huguenin. "The key is to picture him working with a consistently competent quarterback." NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter recently wrote that Carroo "reminds scouts of Golden Tate with his running back-type body." Carroo, who posted 55 receptions for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, has 83 catches and 19 scores in the past two seasons.

Source: NFL.com
Jul 6 - 11:54 AM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Penn State junior QB Christian Hackenberg is "still coveted as the possible No. 1 overall pick in the draft, despite last season's frustrations," writes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

"After a stellar freshman season under Bill O'Brien, Hackenberg faced a 2014 sophomore season with: 1) a new coaching staff; 2) perilous offensive line depth due to NCAA sanctions and the preseason loss of senior guard Miles Dieffenbach; and 3) a receiving corps filled with unproven underclassmen," Brown wrote. "Hackenberg had his own issues, with sloppy footwork, inconsistent accuracy and problems holding onto the ball too long, but frustrations built over the course of the season as the offensive line struggled to create a pocket and struggled to open holes for the running game, while receivers were inconsistent in getting separation." The scribe pegs Hackenberg as the No. 8 quarterback in the country. "When Hackenberg is protected, he can be brilliant, and we mostly recently saw him throw for 371 yards and four touchdowns in the Pinstripe Bowl," Brown wrote. "With a favorable 2015 schedule, Hackenberg has a chance to rebound in a big way."

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 11:34 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Colorado redshirt senior WR Nelson Spruce "is a good route runner the Buffs move around and are able to consistently target," writes ESPN's Mel Kiper.

"His speed is about at 4.5, but he's able to gain separation and catch the ball consistently," Kiper wrote. Spruce reached out to the NFL Draft Advisory Board over the winter but decided to return for his senior year. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder caught 106 passes for 1,198 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 7 - 11:20 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Cal junior QB Jared Goff "is more than a product of Sonny Dykes' Bear Raid system," believes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

"The system allows him to throw a ton of passes and rack of a ton of yards, of course, but Goff's talent goes beyond the plug-and-play types we often see in these offensive schemes," Brown wrote. "He has real NFL potential." Goff has completed 62.1 percent of his passes over 21 career games for 3,973 yards (7.8 per attempt) with a 35/7 TD/INT rate. "He's still a work in progress with the potential for more," Brown wrote. "He didn't average more than 6.9 yards per attempt in any of his last five games; he could stand to add some weight to his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame; and his accuracy still needs refining. But all of the tools are there, and he's had a lot of responsibility as the quarterback for a still-developing team that can't stop anyone defensively."

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 11:07 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

TCU redshirt senior WR Josh Doctson "is one of the best-kept secrets in college football," writes ESPN's Mel Kiper.

The analyst ranks Doctson as the No. 2 senior wide receiver in the upcoming draft class. "He had more than 1,000 yards last year and knows how to use his length on high, contested balls, where he relies on his basketball skills to consistently win the rebound, so to speak," Kiper wrote. "He's not an elite runner, but perhaps strength will help. He needs to add some bulk anyway." The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Doctson recorded 65 receptions for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 7 - 10:54 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Sports on Earth's Matt Brown grades TCU redshirt senior QB Trevone Boykin as the nation's No. 4 quarterback.

"Boykin was hardly flawless as a passer [last year], as he plenty of room for improvement in the pocket, but he's a dynamic quarterback surrounded by talent, including one of the nation's top receiving corps and offensive lines," Brown wrote. "No one will be taken by surprise by this offense in 2015, but that won't matter." The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Boykin threw for 3,714 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushed for 642 yards and eight scores in 2014. Boykin caught 26 passes for 204 yards two years ago; some believe he's a better fit at WR in the NFL.

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 10:26 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Michigan State QB Connor Cook "at times can look like the best quarterback in the country," writes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

"He has a solid arm, and he's capable of fitting fastballs into tight windows, as well as making brilliant downfield throws," Brown wrote. "He's also streaky with accuracy and decision-making. Michigan State's offense -- with the run as a foundation and downfield throws working off of it -- lends itself to a somewhat lower completion rate, so Cook's 58.1 percentage isn't a surprise. Still, he's the type of quarterback who can blow away the competition for one drive, then miss easy throws the next, as his accuracy on short and mid-range throws can be erratic." The draft expert ranks Cook as the No. 6 signal-caller in the nation. "Cook -- with the help of an excellent line -- doesn't take sacks, and despite some bad decisions, he's thrown a total of 14 picks over the last two seasons," Brown wrote. "He's unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks in the country entering his senior year."

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 9:31

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Sports on Earth's Matt Brown wonders if the public has forgotten how good Ohio State graduate QB Braxton Miller is.

"He's not just one of the best running quarterbacks in college football; he's one of the best runners period, with Urban Meyer's offense giving him a perfect chance to maximize that ability," Brown wrote. "The problem? His style leaves him vulnerable to hits, and now the chief concern is whether the shoulder will ever be 100 percent again." In two seasons as starter before he missed 2014 due to injury, Miller logged 4,133 passing yards and 2,339 rushing yards. "Unlike Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett, his NFL future is probably not at quarterback," Brown wrote. "He's a senior who has done great things for Ohio State, and it seems absurd that he won't be a staring quarterback, if healthy. But that's what makes Ohio State's quarterback battle an impossible decision, and perhaps the greatest 'problem' any team has ever faced."

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 8:44 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

BYU senior QB Taysom Hill is "physical and fast, and his passing has improved over his career," writes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

Hill suffered a gruesome leg injury against Utah State in October, with eight screws and a plate inserted to repair a broken left leg. It appears as though he'll be fully healthy for this fall. He's going to have to be. "A healthy Hill returns to face a tall task: BYU's independent schedule, which opens with Nebraska, Boise State, Michigan and UCLA," Brown wrote. "Survive that, and Hill could re-emerge as a darkhorse Heisman candidate." The expert ranks Hill as the No. 9 signal-caller in the country. Hill (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) threw for 2,938 yards with a 19/14 TD/INT ratio with 1,344 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 2013, his last healthy campaign.

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 7:28 PM

 

[Faust]

All three Buckeye QBs make Maxwell Award preseason watch list

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

UNC senior QB Marquise Williams "has a chance to make a big name for himself in his final year, even if recent history has made it dangerous to get too excited about the Tar Heels as a whole," notes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

"Williams has been a bit underrated during his career," Brown wrote. "Like the rest of the Tar Heels, he's inconsistent, but he could turn into a star if UNC ever realizes its potential." The expert ranks Williams as the No. 15 signal-caller in the land. "A 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior, Williams is one of the better running quarterbacks in college football, and his rushing numbers would be even better if he didn't take so many sacks," Brown wrote. Williams leads an offense which is returning 10 starters. He broke 18 UNC records in 2014 and his 4,893 career passing yards ranks fifth all-time at the school, 94 shy of Ronald Curry (1998-2001) in fourth place.

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 7 - 6:09 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper ranks Auburn senior WR Duke Williams as the No. 1 senior receiving prospect in the country for the 2016 NFL draft.

The key word there is "senior," as studs like Laquon Treadwell and Tyler Boyd are on the underclassmen list. Still, this is a great honor for Duke, who edged out such prospects as Josh Doctson, Nelson Spruce and Leonte Carroo. "Not nearly as raw a route runner as you might expect in his first SEC season coming out of junior college, Williams was moved around and was able to win with strong hands and a big frame he uses to keep defenders away from the ball," Kiper wrote. "If he cleans up the drops, there's first-round potential."

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 7 - 4:12 PM

 

[Faust]

2016 NFL Draft: Minnesota Preview

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Colorado State junior WR Rashard Higgins as the No. 5 underclassmen wide receiver in the nation.

"Higgins has shown he was underrecruited coming out of Texas as he exploded for 96 catches and 1,750 yards last year. Already under the microscope as an emerging prospect, he'll have to continue his upward trajectory without Garrett Grayson at QB," Kiper wrote. The 6-foot-2, 188-pounder posted 96 catches for 1,750 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns last year, averaging 18.2 yards per reception.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 1:55 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Though Notre Dame junior WR William Fuller "lacks elite size and isn't even the best-known pass-catcher on his own team," ESPN's Mel Kiper believes he doesn't have any major weaknesses.

Kiper ranks Fuller as the No. 2 underclassmen wide receiver in the nation. "Fuller -- a reliable pass-catcher with separation skills and an ability to beat any kind of coverage -- doesn't have any clear weaknesses," Kiper wrote. "He should become more of a household name in 2015."

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 3:08 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Arkansas senior RB Jonathan Williams as the best senior running back prospect in the country.

"Williams has quick feet and can create space laterally without losing much steam," Kiper wrote. "The fact that he gets to split the carries is a good thing for his NFL prospects." Williams shares running duties with Alex Collins, another prime NFL prospect. The 6-foot, 223-pounder rushed for 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014 to earn inclusion on the AP All-SEC second team.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 2:47 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Utah senior RB Devontae Booker as the No. 3 senior running back prospect in the land.

"Compact and explosive, Booker broke out last season after going the junior college route," Kiper wrote. "Health will be worth watching, as he's the focal point of this offense -- he caught 43 passes to go with 292 rush attempts last season." The 5-foot-11, 212-pound Booker had 1,512 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground and 42 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns through the air last year.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 3:23 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Because of his receiving skills, Arizona State senior OW D.J. Foster has "a high floor in the draft," believes ESPN's Mel Kiper.

Kiper ranks Foster as the No. 2 senior RB prospect in the country. "A nifty runner, Foster gets major bonus points because he's also a gifted receiver out of the backfield, piling up 163 catches in three years," he wrote. The 5-foot-11, 203-pound Foster had 1,081 rushing yards and 688 receiving yards on 62 catches last year. He's been moved to WR on the depth chart, but he's going to play everywhere this fall.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 3:39 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper believes that there's "an argument to be made" that Ohio State redshirt sophomore WR Michael Thomas is "the better prospect than Devin Smith, who went early in the second round of the draft this year."

The analyst pegs Thomas as the No. 4 senior WR in the country. "The nephew of Keyshawn Johnson, Thomas has good length and ball skills," Kiper wrote. "He made some exceptional contested catches for the Buckeyes during their title run." Thomas posted 54 catches for 799 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Interestingly, CBS Sports' Dane Brugler wrote in January that Thomas is "a much better NFL prospect" than Smith.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 4:11 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper writes that Pittsburgh junior WR Tyler Boyd "has been completely unstoppable through his first two seasons."

In that short amount of time, the Panthers star has slapped down 163 catches and 2,435 receiving yards. "A great size-speed-hands combo, he simply needs to continue what he has started and stay focused after a recent DUI arrest," Kiper wrote. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler compares Boyd to Philadelphia Eagles WR Nelson Agholor.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 4:51 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Louisiana Tech senior RB Kenneth Dixon is "not extremely shifty, but he's difficult to square up," writes ESPN's Mel Kiper.

"A decisive runner, Dixon is explosive once he puts a foot in the ground and drives down the field," he wrote. "Dixon does not shy from contact, and can drop a shoulder on you if you try to tackle him high in open space." The analyst ranks Dixon as the No. 5 senior running back prospect in the 2016 draft. Last year, he recorded 1,299 yards (5.1 YPC average) and 22 touchdowns.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 5:21 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Stanford redshirt junior QB Kevin Hogan "has always had impressive physical tools," writes Sports on Earth's Matt Brown.

"Hogan dealt with things much bigger than football during the season, as his father passed away in December," Brown wrote. "Hogan and the Cardinal did catch fire down the stretch, and with nine starters returning to the offense, Stanford has high hopes for a bounce-back season in which it can contend for the Pac-12 title again. If he can find consistency next to an improved running game, his senior year could be memorable." The draft expert ranks Hogan as the No. 19 signal-caller in the land. He threw for 2,792 yards (completing 65.9 percent) with 19 touchdowns and eight picks last year.

Source: Sports on Earth
Jul 8 - 5:35 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Per ESPN's Mel Kiper, Marshall senior RB Devon Johnson "has relatively quick feet -- he can appear off-balance when he's moving laterally -- and is tough to drop at the second level."

The 243-pounder played tight end for two years before moving to running back last year. He posted 1,767 yards (8.58 per carry) and 17 touchdowns last year even though a shoulder injury limited Johnson to seven carries across three games.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 5:49 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

If you don't square up Pittsburgh junior RB James Conner, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper, he's "going to run right through you."

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Connor rushed for 1,765 yards and scored 26 touchdowns last season. "He's a well-proportioned 250 pounds, and he shows patience in allowing blocking lanes to emerge, as well as a second gear to run away from defenders," Kiper wrote. "Expect the Panthers, with a run-first offensive coordinator in town, to load Conner up in 2015." Conner earned ACC Player of the Year and First Team All-American honors in 2014.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 6:19 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper grades Northwestern senior FB/TE/H-back Dan Vitale as the No. 3 senior tight end prospect in the nation.

Interestingly, the top four senior TEs in the nation, according to Kiper, all come from the Big 10, with Nick Vannett, Kyle Carter and Jake Duzey joining Vitale. "A 'superback' for Northwestern -- which means he's part tight end, part fullback, part extra blocker, part wide receiver -- Vitale was the second-leading receiver for the Cats last year and is a versatile talent," Kiper wrote. Vitale posted 40 catches for 402 yards last year.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 8 - 8:45 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Nick Vannett - TE - Buckeyes

Per ESPN's Mel Kiper, Ohio State senior TE Nick Vannett is the top senior tight end prospect in the country.

Where exactly does that put his stock? Well, Walter Football grades Vannett as a Rds. 3-5 prospect heading into the year (Kiper doesn't offer specific draft grades). "Jeff Heuerman is the name many were more familiar with last season, and while he ended up with the Denver Broncos in the draft, Vannett actually had more catches in 2014, including a key TD in the championship game against Oregon," Kiper wrote. "The Buckeyes don't need a lot out of this position given how well they run the ball, but Vannett will get his share of targets." Vannett logged 19 receptions for 220 yards with five touchdowns in 2014.

Source: ESPN Insider

Jul 8 - 9:28 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Georgia senior WR Malcolm Mitchell is healthy and "ready to lead" the Bulldogs receiving group, according to Edward Aschoff of ESPN.

"His devastating knee injury in 2013 was one thing, but having lingering knee issues in 2014 had to be incredibly frustrating," Aschoff writes. Mitchell caught 31 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns last season after missing the first four games. At one time Mitchell was expected to be Georgia's next star and a possible two way player, but his impact and development has been limited for multiple reasons.

Source: ESPN
Jul 9 - 10:15 AM

 

[Faust]

2016 NFL Draft: Nebraska Preview

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah highlighted Ole Miss junior WR Laquon Treadwell's ability to win in contested situations.

"Doesn't matter if he's smothered, just throw it to him," Jeremiah tagged to a play showing Treadwell elevating along the sideline in one on one coverage against Alabama. Jeremiah added the receiver has a "natural feel" for back shoulder throws and is competitive after the catch. We are excited to see Treadwell return from his serious leg injury and work with a different quarterback. He should remain the focus of Ole Miss' offense, along with Evan Engram.

Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Jul 9 - 1:26 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Ohio State graduate QB Braxton Miller told the Columbus Dispatch he will finish his career with the Buckeyes.

"I’m from Ohio, this is my home state," Miller said. "This is where I started and this is where I’m going to finish it." Miller acknowledged schools reached out to him after he graduated from OSU in the hopes of luring him to transfer. Miller underwent a second shoulder operation which kept him out of the 2014 season, opening the door for J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones, and a College Football Playoff Championship. It is now official that Miller will be playing for the Buckeyes in 2015, in his final collegiate season.


Source: The Columbus Dispatch
Jul 9 - 3:28 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

TCU redshirt senior WR Josh Doctson reminds NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah of Jordan Matthews.

"Studying TCU WR Josh Doctson-- reminds me of Jordan Matthews. Tall, rangy athlete with high point skills. Similar play speed," Jeremiah tweeted. CBS Sports' Dane Brugler also made the same comparison between Doctson and Jordan Matthews recently. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Doctson has the ideal size for the next level and utilizes his frame to body-up smaller defenders. Docston posted 65 receptions for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.


Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Jul 9 - 3:33 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Arkansas junior RB Alex Collins is the No. 4 underclassmen running back draft prospect in the country, according to ESPN's Mel Kiper.

"Collins has backed up a stellar prep career that saw him ranked as the top RB in the country by one recruiting service," Kiper wrote. "He has been able to add muscle without sacrificing speed, and should have a huge year in the Razorbacks' system." Despite sharing time with Jonathan Williams, Collins has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, becoming the first Razorback to do that since Darren McFadden. In part because of that duo, Arkansas is one of Rotoworld's favorite deep darkhorses for the playoffs this year.


Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 9 - 4:26 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Leonte Carroo - WR - Scarlet Knights

Rutgers senior WR Leonte Carroo is "quietly a vertical threat and was a big-play target last season," according to ESPN's Mel Kiper.

"A physical receiver both at the catch point and when dealing with contact or press coverages, Carroo has great physical strength and strong hands," Kiper wrote. Kiper ranks the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder as the No. 5 senior wide receiver draft prospect in the country. Carroo, who has been clocked in the high 4.3s in the 40-yard dash, posted 55 receptions for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.

Source: ESPN Insider

Jul 9 - 8:39 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Mel Kiper ranks Stanford junior TE Austin Hooper as the No. 4 underclassmen tight end prospect in the country.

"He came to Stanford as a big-time defensive end prospect but has transitioned well to tight end; he caught 49 passes last season after not playing as a freshman," Kiper wrote. Recently, Hooper made the Phil Steele All-Pac-12 preseason first team and the Athlon All-Pac-12 preseason third team. Last season, Hooper logged 499 yards (12.5 yards per catch).

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 9 - 9:41 PM

Georgia State TE Joel Ruiz is the No. 5 senior tight end prospect in the country, writes ESPN's Mel Kiper.

"A former high school quarterback who transferred to Georgia State, Ruiz had a breakout 2014 season, with 39 catches and 478 yards," Kiper wrote. "His good hands and athletic frame will be an asset at the next level." Ruiz figures to be targeted plenty this fall on the Panthers, who went 1-11 and mostly played from behind last year.

Source: ESPN Insider
Jul 9 - 9:09 PM

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah beleives Pittsburgh junior WR Tyler Boyd is "polished and elusive with the ball in his hands," and compares to Keenan Allen coming out of college.

While Boyd's DUI arrest during the off season will cause some concern for scouts, he should keep his draft stock intact, keeping his nose clean and following up with another productive year. Boyd finished the 2014 season with 78 receptions for 1,261 yards (16.2 avg.) and eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Boyd earned first team All-ACC honors as a receiver and second team All-ACC honors as a return specialist.

Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter
Jul 10 - 2:02 PM