DYNASTY: Top 2013 College Prospects (1 Viewer)

'Faust said:

Pro Days: RB Shavers runs blistering 40 at Purdue workout

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05:04 – Is there a quarterback worth taking beyond the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft? "Path to the Draft" explains how teams can find value with a later pick.

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04:02 – How much of an impact did the NFL Scouting Combine make on various defensive prospects? Mike Mayock breaks down some defensive players who are rising and falling on the draft boards.

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'Faust said:

Mock draft No. 2: Chiefs' moves open door for Milliner to go No. 1

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'Faust said:

Matt Barkley or Geno Smith? Quarterback class still unsettled

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04:46 – NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell chats about the top defensive players in the draft, including which players should be targeted with the first several picks.

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Pro days will be inconsequential for the majority of draft prospects, because many already have put their workout hay in the barn. But a good number of prospects still have something to prove. Here are the players who scouts say have the most to gain at their upcoming pro days.

Keenan Allen, Cal WR—The order of the top wide receivers still is somewhat in flux, and Allen could move up into the top half of the first round with a flashy workout. He couldn’t work out at the combine after tweaking a knee injury.

Matt Barkley, Southern Cal QB—There are many questions about his arm strength. Barkley, who has been building strength in his throwing shoulder after an injury, can answer those questions at USC on March 27. He missed the combine workouts, but still has a chance to be the first overall quarterback taken.

Jonathan Cyprian, Florida International S—He had a nice vertical jump of 38 ½ at the combine but didn’t do anything else because of a pectoral injury and hamstring strain. A good workout could vault Cyprian past a number of other safety prospects and put him high in the second round.

Zach Ertz, Stanford TE—His stock is down after a combine workout that made him look very ordinary athletically. He needs to improve his 40 time, his vertical jump and his three cone drill at his pro day in order to stop the slide.

John Jenkins, Georgia DT—Four of the top six defensive tackles, including Jenkins, weren’t able to work out in Indy. So this order of the top DTs remains up for grabs. Jenkins still has a chance to go in the first round, but he needs to show his back and thigh injuries are good to go, and it would help if he dropped a few pounds from his combine weight of 346.

Barrett Jones, Alabama G/C—He is coming off a lisfranc surgery and probably will not be ready to go by his pro day March 14. But he could help himself if he is ready.

Jarvis Jones, Georgia DE—If teams are OK with his neck problems, Jones should be a top five pick. But after skipping the combine workouts, he needs a good showing at his pro day March 21 in order to create some good vibes.

Eddie Lacy, Alabama RB—He should be the top running back taken, but Lacy needs to prove he has the speed to go high in the draft. He sat out combine drills because of a hamstring injury.

Star Loutulelei, Utah DT—The real issue with him isn’t how he will work out, but if his heart is healthy. A clean bill of health and a strong workout could vaunt Loutulelei past Shariff Floyd and make him the No. 1 DT on most draft boards.

Michael Mauti, Penn State LB—He is coming off his third serious knee injury in five years, and NFL scouts doubt he will be able to work out at his pro day. But if Mauti can somehow show he has made progress and regained strength, speed and explosion, he could become a draft wildcard.

Sam Montgomery, LSU DE—His combine workout was not very impressive, but he should be able to improve on his numbers in multiple areas if he wants to try. The stock of Montgomery is headed in the opposite direction of the stock of his LSU teammate Barkevious Mingo, who had a great combine workout.

Damontre Moore, Texas A&M DE—A poor combine workout has NFL teams thinking Moore went from a potential top five pick to a player who will be chosen in the middle of the first round. Unless he can prove otherwise on his pro day, the feeling is he is nowhere near as athletic as some of the other top pass rushers.

Bacarri Rambo, Georgia S—His athleticism is a question mark for NFL scouts, and Rambo wasn’t able to showcase it in Indy because of a hamstring issue.

Sheldon Richardson, Missouri DT—He needs to reverse his stock drop at his pro day after running a 5.02 40 yard dash at the combine and showing up with 23 percent body fat.

Kawann Short, Purdue DT—A hamstring injury made him a DNP at the combine. Short needs a good workout to solidify himself as a bona fide first rounder.

Manti Te’o, Notre Dame MLB—He needs to improve his 40 time of 4.82 and show he is more explosive after a subpar combine workout.

Bjoern Werner, Florida State DE—He had a very average combine workout, including a 4.83 40 yard dash and a 31 inch vertical. It will be difficult for a team to justify picking Werner in the top 10 with those kinds of numbers. As it stands now, he has fallen behind Ziggy Ansah, Dion Jordan and Barkevious Mingo.

Sylvester Williams, North Carolina DT—He didn’t look very explosive or quick at the combine, but he still could move up significantly if he can work out better at his pro day.

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This being the first full week of pro days, NFL personnel are traveling around the country working out numerous players. Not only are they looking at the high end prospects, but really taking the time to thoroughly evaluate potential third day draft picks and free agent signings. Below is what I have heard from scouts over the last few weeks.

1. Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego State, Junior (6057, 254 and 4.84): Zach Ertz and Tyler Eifert are generally considered the top two tight ends in the Draft, but some NFL personnel we spoke to told us that Escobar is right there with them. They expressed to us that because Escobar’s play on film was so impressive that if he workouts well at San Diego State’s pro day he could push himself to the top of the tight end class. Deceptively quick accelerating to full speed, he has a burst out of his cuts to gain separation and the speed to make plays running after the catch. A natural receiver, Escobar catches the ball away from his body and has consistently shown the ability to twist body to adjust and make tough catches with surprising ease. In addition, he has the speed to stretch the field and the jumping ability and hands to go up and catch contested high passes over defenders.

2. Zaviar Gooden, LB, Missouri, Senior (6014, 234 and 4.47) and Khaseem Greene, LB, Rutgers, Senior (6006, 241 and 4.71): While Greene is considered a top prospect and Gooden a rising one, some NFL people we spoke with said their teams view them as similar prospects who do not warrant consideration before the third round of the Draft. They both are athletic linebackers with the speed to chase plays down in pursuit and the explosiveness to drive into the ball carrier to make a hard tackle. A concern is that both players seem to be better athletes than football players right now and do not make as many plays as they should. Regardless of how athletic a defender is, when they are often a beat late reading and reacting to the play they rarely are able to make up for it. Neither is a big, powerful linebacker and they can be engulfed and ridden out of the play if a blocker gets ahold of them. In the end, where Gooden and Greene get drafted is impossible to predict because they are viewed so differently around the league, but there is definitely no consensus that they are elite prospects.

3. Onterio McCalebb, WR/RB/RET, Auburn, Senior (5102, 168 and 4.34): After a stellar career at Auburn as a versatile contributor carrying the ball, catching passes and returning kickoffs, McCalebb was somewhat of an afterthought because of his slight frame and having not been a full-time starter. However, after blazing his 40 at the Combine, teams are taking a closer look to see what role he can fill despite his size. An elusive runner who makes big plays when he has space to work, McCalebb’s slight frame, bad pass blocking technique and questionable effort in pass protection make him a hard fit as a third down back. NFL personnel have told us that while McCalebb will likely get used some as a backup running back at the next level, he will most likely have to earn his keep as a slot receiver and kickoff returner. Because of these concerns about his size and therefore his ability to be a durable NFL player, McCalebb will likely still only be a third day pick despite his great 40 time.

4. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama, Senior (6033, 323 and 4.90 E): There are many defensive tackles being discussed by the media as likely first round picks, but one who is not is Alabama’s Jesse Williams. According to NFL people that I spoke to, Williams has received first round grades from numerous teams and could end up being selected higher than expected. While still learning the game after coming over from Australia, Williams needs to improve his technique and has to get quicker reading the play and identifying blocking schemes. What gives Williams the opportunity to be a high pick is that he has the uncommon combination of quick feet, good athleticism and rare playing strength. Williams is viewed as a versatile defensive lineman who could start as a nose tackle or defensive end for a team that plays a 34 defense or as a defensive tackle in a 43 scheme. Do not be shocked if a team like San Francisco or Baltimore at the end of the first round drafts him because he would fit so ideally in their defensive schemes.

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'Faust said:

'Donnybrook said:

Post Senior Bowl Notes

With the Senior Bowl barely 48 hours in the books what's the word trickling out from NFL teams and scouts as they finally reach home? Edition one focuses on broken rules and one of the fastest receivers in the draft. Jan 29th: Super Sleeper at Receiver getting a lot of attention!

January 29th

- The name making the rounds in the scouting community as one of the biggest sleepers at the receiver position is Courtney Gardner of Sierra College. The 6-foot, 3-inch/220lb pass catcher was expected to play for Oklahoma in 2013 but opted for the NFL draft after academic "difficulties". We hear scouts have been raving about the physical skills Gardner brings to the field. Besides his large frame the big pass catcher also has the speed (10.7 sec in the 100 meters) to match. Even college coaches in the area are awed by his ability on the field but focusing at the task at hand seems to be an issue.

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http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=6730 I never heard of him prior to reading this report. Is there anything to this other than wishful thinking?

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NFL Draft 2013: Courtney Gardner, WR, Sierra Emerging as Super Sleeper

Jan 29th, 2013 at 1:55 pm by Josh Sanchez

The 2013 NFL Draft is still months away, but teams will be digging deep into the college football film to analyze the top prospects in the game and see if any lesser known players emerge. In draft terms, a “sleeper” is an under the radar player who could turn out to be an incredible value for the team who selects him in the later rounds.

This year, a small school wide receiver is creating a lot of discussion early in draft season.

Per draft insider Tony Pauline, Sierra College wide receiver Courtney Gardner’s name is “making the rounds in the scouting community as one of the biggest sleepers at the receiver position.”

Gardner stands an impressive 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 220-pounds.

His frame and physical prowess are what is generating the hype. He is certainly a big-bodied wide receiver that can use his size well to keep defenders away and elevate for the ball.

On top of his size, Gardner has some impressive speed. As a track athlete, Gardner was able to run the 100 meters race in 10.7 seconds.

Gardner undoubtedly has the physical skills to cut it as a NFL wide receiver, but he comes with some baggage and off-field concerns. This past March, the wideout was arrested on misdemeanor obstruction charges. He was in a car that had a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana.

He was also arrested in November of 2009 for for possessing alcohol as a minor.

On top of the minor legal issues, Gardner had struggles in the classroom. He had academic problems that kept him from enrolling at the University of Oklahoma. Gardner was expected to play for the Sooners in 2013, but he opted for the NFL instead.

Gardner has the skill and physical talent to succeed at the next level, he will just need to convince teams that he is focused and ready to develop mentally as a pro prospect.

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'cstu said:

Any more news on this guy?

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'cstu said:

'Faust said:

'Donnybrook said:

Post Senior Bowl Notes

With the Senior Bowl barely 48 hours in the books what's the word trickling out from NFL teams and scouts as they finally reach home? Edition one focuses on broken rules and one of the fastest receivers in the draft. Jan 29th: Super Sleeper at Receiver getting a lot of attention!

January 29th

- The name making the rounds in the scouting community as one of the biggest sleepers at the receiver position is Courtney Gardner of Sierra College. The 6-foot, 3-inch/220lb pass catcher was expected to play for Oklahoma in 2013 but opted for the NFL draft after academic "difficulties". We hear scouts have been raving about the physical skills Gardner brings to the field. Besides his large frame the big pass catcher also has the speed (10.7 sec in the 100 meters) to match. Even college coaches in the area are awed by his ability on the field but focusing at the task at hand seems to be an issue.

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http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=6730 I never heard of him prior to reading this report. Is there anything to this other than wishful thinking?

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NFL Draft 2013: Courtney Gardner, WR, Sierra Emerging as Super Sleeper

Jan 29th, 2013 at 1:55 pm by Josh Sanchez

The 2013 NFL Draft is still months away, but teams will be digging deep into the college football film to analyze the top prospects in the game and see if any lesser known players emerge. In draft terms, a “sleeper” is an under the radar player who could turn out to be an incredible value for the team who selects him in the later rounds.

This year, a small school wide receiver is creating a lot of discussion early in draft season.

Per draft insider Tony Pauline, Sierra College wide receiver Courtney Gardner’s name is “making the rounds in the scouting community as one of the biggest sleepers at the receiver position.”

Gardner stands an impressive 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 220-pounds.

His frame and physical prowess are what is generating the hype. He is certainly a big-bodied wide receiver that can use his size well to keep defenders away and elevate for the ball.

On top of his size, Gardner has some impressive speed. As a track athlete, Gardner was able to run the 100 meters race in 10.7 seconds.

Gardner undoubtedly has the physical skills to cut it as a NFL wide receiver, but he comes with some baggage and off-field concerns. This past March, the wideout was arrested on misdemeanor obstruction charges. He was in a car that had a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana.

He was also arrested in November of 2009 for for possessing alcohol as a minor.

On top of the minor legal issues, Gardner had struggles in the classroom. He had academic problems that kept him from enrolling at the University of Oklahoma. Gardner was expected to play for the Sooners in 2013, but he opted for the NFL instead.

Gardner has the skill and physical talent to succeed at the next level, he will just need to convince teams that he is focused and ready to develop mentally as a pro prospect.

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Any more news on this guy?

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With the 2012 NFL season in the books, and the scouting combine in the rear-view, it's time to take a closer look at the 50 players we think will be the biggest difference-makers at the next level from this draft class. To that end, we're happy to start this year's Shutdown 50 scouting reports (Hint: There may actually be more than 50). You can read last year's group here. The final 50 players listed were chosen and ranked based on game tape, combine results, overall positional value, and attributes and liabilities on and off the field.

46. Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse

We continue this year's series with Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib, the first of five quarterbacks we'll cover in this year's Shutdown 50. As has been said many times before, the 2013 draft class isn't exactly awash in franchise-changers at the position -- at best, this year's quarterback prospects are reasonably talented players who need a lot of finishing work. Nassib is just such a player. Through three years as the main man in Syracuse's offense under head coach Doug Marrone, Nassib put up some impressive numbers.

In 2012, he led the Big East in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards, plays, total yards, and total touchdowns. However, a few other numbers point to the root of Nassib's primary negative issue -- he was third in completion percentage in 2012, third in yards per pass, and third in efficiency rating. This would seem to imply that Nassib is a quarterback good enough to lead an offense, but not quite transcendent enough to push that offense over the top without some help. Nassib did some good things and won two Pinstripe Bowls with the Orange, but projecting his skill set to the NFL level isn't always easy.

Pros: Nassib is conversant with the play-action and boot-action game; he's very good at both out of shotgun, which is interesting and somewhat rare. Good quick passer who will time up with hot reads in plays designed to get the ball out of his hands right away. More than a one-read passer -- does a decent job of discerning where coverage is and will go, though the throws don't always match up. Good feet in and around the pocket -- not frenetic with his lower body. Has the pure velocity to throw into tight windows.

Will zing balls into his receivers with converging defenders and hit the mark. Tough and willing runner who's pretty good at eluding potential tacklers in space. Takes a lot of snaps out of shotgun, but doesn't seem to have any overtly weird mechanical issues when dropping back from under center. Doesn't always deal well with pressure, but certainly isn't afraid of it -- showed at Senior Bowl practices that he can occasionally make accurate deep throws with people right in his face. Adapted quickly to a new offensive system in 2012.

Cons: Has a definite and well-documented tendency to sail balls over the heads of receivers, especially on throws that go longer in the air. Doesn't always set his feet before throwing, particuarly when he's on the move, which leads to some erratic throws that should be relatively easy. Doesn't always process quickly enough, especially under pressure, and will avoid using his athleticism even when the play has broken down. Holds the ball with both hands before deciding to throw and then cocks the ball around and up in a quick but elongated overhand delivery, which may be at the root of some of those late and iffy throws -- too many moving parts. Steps up in the pocket well, but doesn't always re-align -- another reason for erratic throws that shouldn't be.

Needs work on longer touch passes (fades and sideline throws downfield) when timing coverage versus his own receiver on the move. Tends to fall away from those throws. Is asked to do more than just "see it and throw it," but isn't always a great anticipation thrower because of those aforementioned timing issues. Will tend to over-condense his delivery at times, reducing his throwing arc and leading to batted passes. Did not distinguish himself at the Senior Bowl or scouting combine.

Conclusion: The Mark Sanchez comparison below is not to the current version of Sanchez, who's had his mind messed up with the Tebow distraction and Tony Sparano's terrible play-calling. When I watch Nassib, I'm reminded of the Sanchez I saw out of USC -- a tough, effectively mobile quarterback with outstanding footwork who was occasionally erratic but showed interesting potential in certain ways. Believe it or not, Sanchez was highly praised for his football acumen coming out of college, and all indications are that Nassib is a film and gym rat. That's not the problem. The problem with Nassib's current game is that there's a random element to it that should give every NFL team pause.

As my buddy Greg Cosell likes to say, you can play quarterback with some randomness and make it work, but it isn't a random position. For every amazing shot play Nassib pulls off, there are five easy throws that should have been completed but aren't. Just as I believe Sanchez had the potential to be great in the right system and with the right approach, I think Nassib has most of the tools required for success at the quarterback position if he's given what he needs. Perhaps that's a reunion with his college coach (who now coaches the Buffalo Bills), though with all due respect to Doug Marrone, Nassib wasn't able to iron out those kinks at Syracuse.

We'll see how it goes for Nassib. At best, I think he could be what Sanchez might have been in a more QB-friendly system and a little more elbow grease. At worst, he's Brady Quinn waiting to happen.

NFL Comparison: Mark Sanchez, USC, 2008

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45. E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State

We continue this year's series with Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel, perhaps the most interesting quarterback prospect in a draft class full of projects at his position. Despite some impressive stats in 2012 (263 completions in 387 attempts for 3,397 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, as well as 310 yards and four touchdowns on 103 rushing attempts), Manuel is seen by many as a player with an incomplete grade. There are questions about his on-field decision-making ability, his ability to read defenses at an advanced level, how well he throws under pressure, and how able he is to throw with a sense of anticipation.

On the positive side (yes, there is a positive side), the 6-foot-5, 237-pound Manuel has all of the physical tools you'd want in a modern NFL quarterback. He has the arm to make every throw, and he's the only quarterback in this draft class with the running ability to take on the league's increasing number of read-option, zone-option, and Pistol packages. He was the best quarterback during Senior Bowl week, showing off some pretty good throws in practices, and he was named Most Outstanding Player in the game. He did this despite dealing with his mother's fight against breast cancer. More than any other quarterback that week, he seemed to be able to take new practice concepts into a game -- his seam throw to Alabama tight end Michael Williams for a touchdown in the game was the exact same throw he made during Wednesday practice, and it was one of the more impressive throws of the week in both instances.

So, the question is whether E.J. Manuel is a running quarterback whose skill set has topped off, or a relatively raw player who can be coached into something more special. Based on what I've seen, I think Manuel is hitting the NFL at exactly the right time.

Pros: Excellent play-action and boot-action quarterback with good touch on first-read screens and slants out of simple rollouts. Sells playfakes very well, especially on reverse boot rollouts. Smooth and elusive runner for his size who gains acceleration the longer he's carrying the ball. Will keep his eyes downfield even as he's running (a must for any option quarterback who can actually throw the ball). Can run to break pressure when the pocket collapses, but this is not a run-first guy who sees the pass as an afterthought. Good pocket presence and movement -- will slide around out of pressure without losing his bearings and can shift out of the pocket and still make accurate downfield throws. Reads blitzes and pressure well and can adapt on the fly. Practiced at stepping up in the pocket and driving the ball. Has a quick, efficient, overhead delivery for the most part -- doesn't revert to sandlot stuff, and you can tell that he's trying to keep technique in mind.

Has the velocity, accuracy. and confidence to throw into tight windows. Nice touch on downfield timing throws -- he doesn't hang everything on a rope. Ideal shotgun quarterback, but he's lined up under center more than enough, and his dropback is quick, smooth, and without obvious mechanical issues.

Cons: Though Manuel will scan the field and find second and third receivers, he is primarily a "see it/throw it" passer in an offense designed for quick and easy first reads. That's common in college and more prevalent in the NFL these days (it's basically what Tim Tebow did for the Denver Broncos in 2011), but Manuel will have to develop the multi-read aspect of his game. Will occasionally get too fine with his delivery, try to over-finesse throws, and lose his bearings for a few snaps at a time.

The concerns about his relative inability to throw with anticipation are legitimate -- though he was not often asked to do so, you can see instances in which he can throw his receivers open and doesn't. Must learn to make stick throws to receivers tied up in zone defenses -- this is still a clear weakness. Will occasionally pull the ball down and go with receivers open in these situations. Benefitted from a lot of open receivers -- will need to learn to better deal with receiver re-distribution at the NFL level.

Conclusion: When I first saw Colin Kaepernick at Nevada a few years back, I wondered if a guy with an elongated "pizza delivery" throwing motion, a gangly running style, and a primary role in one specific style of offense (the Pistol under Chris Ault, the man who invented it), I wondered if he could become a legitimate NFL quarterback. Jim Harbaugh saw what a lot of other people didn't, took Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft, and built a perfect weapon for his run-heavy/deep-passing offense.

Similarly, I think that E.J. Manuel is a willing student under the right kind of teacher, and that became apparent to me during Senior Bowl week. Working with new coaches (the Detroit Lions' staff) and a bunch of receivers he'd never timed before, Manuel looked to grasp a system he'd had little time to prepare for.

My final thought on Kaepernick back then was that he could be drafted a lot higher than people think, and that he had the potential to be a star in the right system. I think the same two things are true of E.J. Manuel, and if I were a general manager, this is the one quarterback in this draft class I would specifically covet -- but only if I could get him in the second round.

NFL Comparison: Colin Kaepernick, Nevada, 2010

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43. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

We continue this year's series with Clemson wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, one of the more intriguing and complete receivers in this start class. In 2012, Hopkins finished off his third straight productive season for the Tigers and blazed a few statistical trails along the way. He caught 51 passes for 626 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman, improved with 72 receptions for 978 yards and five touchdowns in 2011, and went off the hook in 2012. That's when he caught 82 passes for an ACC-best 1,405 yards and a school record 18 touchdowns. With nothing more to prove after his junior year was over, Hopkins made the wise move to go pro. Though he hasn't been a big name like Cordarrelle Patterson, Keenan Allen, or Tavon Austin, it's possible that in the right system, Hopkins could be the most productive receiver in this class.

Pros: Generally speaking, plays bigger than his size. Dynamic and physical receiver in space who can be a legitimate yards-after-catch and yards-after-contact threat. Doesn't have a fifth gear, but manages functional field speed with good elusiveness on quick cuts, especially little nods on vertical routes. Will consistently bull through tacklers for extra yards. Excellent cuts on quick routes; will use them to gain instant separation, and then, it's off to the races. Adjusts well to defenders in front of his after the catch -- uses quick foot fakes and lateral agility to remain upright when some receivers wouldn't.

Outstanding boundary receiver who will bring in sideline routes and end zone fades with defenders on him. Consistently high-points catches and comes down with the ball -- 36-inch vertical leap was one of the highest among receivers at the combine, and that shows up on tape. Adjusts to the ball well in the air and will lay out to make the catch. Practiced at feigning routes and turning on a dime -- would seem a natural in any system with heavy option route designs (think New England).

Puts forth consistent effort as a run and downfield blocker, though this is not yet a strength -- he struggles to get his body turned around quickly at times. Adjusts to press coverage with foot-fakes and physical hand-fighting. Very effective with digs, curls, and other comebacks to leave cornerbacks on their own islands. Continues to fight for position and stay open when his quarterback is flushed out of the pocket.



Cons: Could use a bit more weight on his frame -- high-cut, long-legged player who occasionally gets clumsy with his feet in the open field. Not a returner at all -- had one of the more comical fair catch attempts in NCAA history against North Carolina State. Needs to better establish the sideline on longer routes when the cornerback has inside position -- tends to get muscled out too easily. Will occasionally short-arm balls thrown to him over the middle, though this doesn't seem to be a consistent issue.

Conclusion: Hopkins' real breakout game from an NFL projection standpoint may have been his last with Clemson, when he caught 13 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 25-24 Chik-Fil-A Bowl win over LSU. That game was a great capsule of all his attributes -- he got open downfield quickly on vertical routes, got open underneath over and over with quick cuts, and continued to make plays even when LSU's defenders were beating him up. In that game, and through most of the 2012 season, Hopkins showed every attribute common to the best possession receivers in the NFL. Quarterback Tajh Boyd completed less than 20 passes in four of the last six regular-season games in 2012, and in a more wide-open system, I think Hopkins was playing at a level that would have netted him well over 100 catches.

In the pros, Hopkins could be a featured "X-iso" receiver for some teams, but among teams in need of a second receiver with toughness and route awareness to complement a pure speed receiver, Hopkins might be even more effective. Make no mistake, though -- in this receiver class, there's nobody that stands head and shoulders above him, and the more you watch Hopkins, there's more to like.

The 4.57 40-yard dash he ran at the scouting combine may reinforce the perception that Hopkins doesn't have a burner gear, but improving his times to the sub-4.5 level at Clemson's Pro Day on Thursday will have some NFL teams going back to tape and wondering if he isn't their ideal late first-round pick. The Julio Jones comparison is a bit of a stretch at this point (interestingly, Hopkins also has elements of Roddy White in his game), but over time? Hopkins could have that kind of impact.

NFL Comparison: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

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01:54 – Greg Cosell of NFL Films joins "Path to the Draft" for a look at the most undervalued quarterbacks in this year's draft.

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02:21 – Daniel Jeremiah explains which prospects are creating the most buzz, who's the most intriguing, and most exciting heading into the 2013 NFL Draft.

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02:04 – Mike Mayock looks at what his no. 1 rated quarterback, West Virginia's Geno Smith, needs to do at his pro day and where he might be drafted.

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01:49 – Greg Cosell joins "Path to the Draft" to discuss whether or not he thinks USC quarterback Matt Barkley is overrated, and he predicts which round Barkley will go in.

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01:38 – After Mike Mayock ranked FSU quarterback EJ Manuel higher than USC quarterback Matt Barkley on his top QB prospect list, former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum debates who is actually the better quarterback to draft.

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Is EJ Manuel the second-best quarterback in the 2013 NFL Draft? According to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, that's exactly what he is.

Mayock released the third edition of his position-by-position draft prospect rankings Thursday, and the biggest head-turner came under center, where Manuel, the Florida State passer, shot up to No. 2 behind West Virginia's Geno Smith.

When Mayock released the second edition of his list on the heels of the NFL Scouting Combine, Manuel wasn't even in the top five.

So what happened?

"The first three tapes I saw of Manuel prior to the Senior Bowl included the Florida game, and that's probably the worst game he ever played ... so I had a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth heading into the Senior Bowl," Mayock told NFL Network's "Path to the Draft" on Thursday. "I thought he had a solid Senior Bowl week, and coming out of the combine, I felt like there was a quiet buzz among some of the teams. Not just his workout. More importantly to me, they like the kid, they think he's smart and in the meeting rooms at night, he passed that test.

"This week, I went and put three more tapes on, so I've seen six of his games now. I like the Clemson tape, I thought he was really athletic and threw the ball well. ... You know I don't like this quarterback class, so if I'm going to make a mistake, I finally decided I'm going to make a mistake with a kid with size, arm talent and athletic ability, and I think that's what Manuel has."

Manuel's rise dropped USC's Matt Barkley to No. 3 and N.C. State's Mike Glennon to No. 4 among quarterbacks. Syracuse's Ryan Nassib and Oklahoma's Landry Jones now are tied at No. 5.

Manuel is an ascending prospect. The 6-foot-5, 237-pounder gained heavy experience in the shotgun at Florida State and impressed coaches with his arm at the Senior Bowl. He's seen as one of the few quarterbacks in this draft physically equipped to operate out of the read-option. Manuel's mobility is a major plus, but he's widely seen as a raw talent. He's easily the most intriguing quarterback of the bunch, and that's the kind of player who often rises as April approaches.

At the same time, it has not been a banner week for Barkley. NFL Films guru Greg Cosell told NFL Network's "Path To The Draft" that Barkley is a fourth-round talent being paraded around as a first- or second-round pick on draft boards.

"No. 1, he has average arm strength by NFL standards," Cosell said. "No. 2, his feet are not particularly quick, he has slower feet. And three, he's a little shorter."

Manuel, meanwhile, has ideal NFL size, he can wing it and his mobility is a separating quality. This quarterback group remains hazy, but it makes sense Manuel is starting to climb in the eyes of those who obsessively watch tape.

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NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock has watched enough tape on EJ Manuel to call him the second-best quarterback prospect in the draft.

NFL Films guru Greg Cosell -- like Mayock, knee-deep in game film -- also sees something intriguing in Manuel's game.

"When you look at Manuel, there's a lot to work with. There's size, there's arm strength, there's athleticism, and I think he can run read-option stuff," Cosell said Thursday on the Yahoo! Sports Shutdown Corner draft podcast.

"Now, are there other things? He's a little sloppy with his footwork. He had a tendency to fall away from throws. I thought at times he was a bit of a pusher (of the ball) with a very high elbow position. There were times when he leaned over his front foot when he had to re-set, and that impacted his ability to make accurate throws. As most quarterbacks are in college, he was very over-reactive to bodies around him."

Said Cosell: "There are concerns here, but then when you look at some of the positives -- stronger arm, the movement, at times he was very composed -- I'm very anxious to see where he gets drafted, because he gives you that read-option factor."

The read-option factor alone might catapult Manuel up the charts. If not a day one starter, Manuel is attractive as a layaway plan: Let him learn for a year and develop in hopes he can make an early-career impact ala Colin Kaepernick. If you can draft a guy with the ability to open up your offense and utilize read-option concepts, plenty of teams are going to consider it. Of course, that doesn't mean Kaepernick 2.0 is imminent. It's a crapshoot.

Manuel's rise, from another angle, is linked to waning enthusiasm for Matt Barkley and most of this quarterback class. Barkley, specifically, comes with questions of arm strength, scattershot footwork and stature. Cosell labeled the USC passer a fourth-round talent, but these evaluations are based on where players should go. If we see a steady early run on quarterbacks come April, look for a flurry of arms to be drafted higher than they should.

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Really intrigued by Swope's tape so far. Needs polish but a quick starter that can separate. Fearless working the MOF

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You really need to dig deep and do you homework on the Tenn WR duo (Hunter/Patterson). Two of the biggest boom/bust prospects this year.

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Watching TCU WR Josh Boyce and I like what I've seen so far. Catches ball well and competitive after the catch.

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'Faust said:

NFL prospect Ryan Swope impresses in trick-shot video

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'32 Counter Pass said:

Earlier in this thread I brought up Swope. I am very impressed with his skills and think he is being overlooked by a lot of people.

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West Virginia's Geno Smith is widely considered the top talent among this year's gang of draft-eligible quarterbacks.

If you're waiting for the next Andrew Luck to walk through the door, you're in trouble, but Smith comes equipped with some visible attributes of an NFL quarterback -- along with areas that need work. This according to NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell.

"There's no question that he has an NFL arm -- he's an NFL talent," Cosell said Thursday on the Yahoo! Sports Shutdown Corner draft podcast. "He's got some other issues. He's got footwork issues, but that can be corrected. He plays almost exclusively in the shotgun and he's a bit of a bouncer -- in other words, he doesn't take the snap, drop back, stick his foot in the ground and get ready to go.

"He sort of bounces, so when he decides where he wants to throw the ball, he then needs to plant and deliver. Sometimes he hurries himself doing that if there are bodies closer to him, and at other times, he's a beat late with throws, because he has that extra half-second where he then has to plant and throw. At times, I thought he was a little bit erratic and scattershot with his accuracy, and he left some routine throws on the field."

Cosell was quick to point out that this group of quarterbacks -- considered an underwhelming collection of passers, to say the least -- shouldn't be judged against last year's wunderkinds.

"There are some talented quarterbacks, but they're further from finished products than other quarterbacks have been, like an Andrew Luck," Cosell said. "They all have some flaws, some weaknesses, some things that need to be coached hard, some refinements that need to be made. I think that's what we're ultimately saying."

The problem for these young passers is an issue of patience. After watching Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson tear up the league as newbies, tolerance for slow-cooked arm talent is at an all-time low. Smith and the rest of this class would benefit from time to watch and learn, but the NFL is no longer a watch-and-learn league for first-year signal callers.

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The rundown from College Station:

Damontre Moore, DE/OLB: Moore came in ten pounds heavier (260 vs. 250) than he was at the Combine. Some might wonder how he gained ten pounds over two weeks, but there is a better than average chance that he lost some weight pre-combine in an attempt to record a faster 40-yard dash time. It didn't work. While Moore improved his bench press total from the 12 he posted at the Combine to 19, he passed on running the 40-yard dash due to concerns over a lingering hamstring issue.

What is strange to me is that that Moore decided to run the short shuttle, which is essentially a mini version of "gassers" or "horses" and that kind of quick-twitch stopping and starting can't be good for your hamstring, either. Moore slipped on his first attempt and looked genuinely upset about how his pro day was going before clocking a 4.30 short shuttle on his second attempt. Unfortunately, Moore never clocked in with an official 3-cone time since he knocked a cone down on all three attempts, but his unofficial time was 7.01.

Moore was stretching and grimacing after his final 3-cone attempt, which seemed to indicate that his hamstring was an issue. Defensive line drills were run by Kris Kocurek (Lions), Jay Hayes (Bengals) and Terrell Williams (Raiders) and Moore was just average in drills. Nothing special. After Moore was finished with the defensive linemen, he went to work out with the linebackers because teams who run a 3-4 system wanted to see how he moved in space. Moore did not look fluid at all in linebacker drills, but he was also coming off of a pretty intense workout with the defensive linemen.

The Takeaway: Moore needed to improve his bench press and he did just that, but he didn't run the 40 and he didn't stand out in position drills, so I don't think you'll see Damontre Moore in the first round unless a team is absolutely in love with the tape.

Ryan Swope, WR: Swope stood on all of his combine numbers, as he should have. During the workout phase, Swope was very crisp in and out of his breaks and showed a terrific ability to burst off the line of scrimmage and breakdown very quickly. I don't recall seeing Swope drop a single catchable ball the entire workout. In fact, on one deep pass, the scout next to me said, "No way he gets to that one," but Swope closed the distance and made a fingertip catch with his outstretched hands.

The Takeaway: Swope opened everyone's eyes to his terrific athleticism at the Combine and his solid performance today did nothing other than solidify his draft position.

Luke Joeckel, LT: Joeckel stood nearby and offered teammates encouragement as they attempted the bench press, but he did not participate in the bench or any other drills other than his individual offensive line drills. Joeckel and A&M center Patrick Lewis worked out with Raiders offensive line coach Tony Sparano and Joeckel displayed the outstanding balance and technique that he's always had. What I was happy to see (hear) was heavy hands when he shot his punch on the pads during drills. One concern that may have arisen about Joeckel at the pro day was his arm length. At the combine, Joeckel's arm length was measured at a solid 34 1/8, but today it was measured at 33 1/8.

The Takeaway: Joeckel said that his technique is so good because his dad (a former college offensive lineman) started working with him on hand placement all the way back in pee-wee football. Joeckel has the frame to add another ten pounds of muscle and I didn't see any reason why he would have hurt his stock today.

You also need to know....

*According to scouting sources, OLB Sean Porter ran a 4.63. Porter was good, but not great in position drills, but likely cemented his draft stock.

*DT Spencer Nealy was the star of the show. While his workout was okay, his comedic timing was amazing. Nealy had guys like "Mean" Joe Green, Dennis Allen and Rex Ryan chuckling at some of his commentary during workouts, including when he tripped and fell over a blocking dummy and screamed out "f@ck*ing chop block!"

*CB Dustin Harris was very smooth in drills and did a great job of high-pointing interceptions during the workout. Dubbed "Skinny Badger" due to his slight build and blond mohawk, Harris also had a vertical leap of 35.5 inches.

*RB Christine Michael and WR Uzoma Nwachukwu were built like Greek Gods and Nwachukwu had a vertical of 39.5, a broad jump of 10.10 and ran a 4.51. The problem for Michael (who killed it at the Combine) is that his character concerns may cause him to fall to the fourth round, while Nwachukwu is more athlete than football player right now.

*The "workout warrior" award goes to CB C.J. Jones who had a vertical leap of 40.5, an explosive broad jump of 11.5 and ran a 4.41. Unfortunately, scouts in attendance said he will not be drafted.

*Former Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson was throwing to wideouts and running backs during the pro day and the zip on his passes was noticeable. Johnson suffered a shoulder injury while in college that took awhile for him to recover from, but Johnson's arm strength and accuracy looked pretty solid to my eyes.

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02:20 – "Path to the Draft" experts Charles Davis and Brian Baldinger debate which college quarterback should be drafted after West Virginia QB Geno Smith in the 2013 NFL Draft.

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Tony Villiotti takes a closer look at the draft by position

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We tell the stories of William Hollis, a DE/MLB whose story will move and inspire you, and 30-year old WR prospect and former Marine, Brandon O'Brien.

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'Faust said:

while this technically doesn't fall under "Top 2013 College Prospects", I thought it was worth a look:

Character Guys Episode 1: Bumps in the Road

We tell the stories of William Hollis, a DE/MLB whose story will move and inspire you, and 30-year old WR prospect and former Marine, Brandon O'Brien.

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Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter

From West Virginia's Pro Day RT @McShay13: Geno Smith put on a show. Tavon Austin stole the show!

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