1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB (Florida State)- Winston is the proverbial choice here at number 1, and there really isn't much debate. He showed out at the NFL Combine (minus his 4.97 second 40 yard dash time) and FSU's Pro Day, addressed his off-field issues, and exudes the exact confidence you wish to see in a potential number 1 pick. Systematically, Winston is the ideal choice due to his successful operation of Jimbo Fisher's pro style, 10/11/12 personnel offense. Winston can be the Bucs' much-needed field general with the ability to stretch the field and get the ball to playmakers Vincent Jackson and second year phenom Mike Evans on their intermediate to long routes and in the red zone, along with their big-bodied touchdown threat of a tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Many critics will look at the dip in production between Winston's freshman and sophomore year and cringe; however, Winston was able to get his team out of any holes he may have put them in with a cast that wasn't as talented as the one in their National Championship season. Winston is a fantastic athlete who can make plays with his feet, with an equally fantastic arm that allows him to have an impact on the run and on opposite-field throws. His frame (6'4", 231 pounds) allows him to not be taken down easily, and has shown no fear when taking off down the field. At the next level, Winston must improve his decision making and rely on his second and third reads. He often trusted his accuracy too much and tried to force throws, causing interceptions (see: his games against Florida and Louisville). Winston did have a saving grace in the Rose Bowl game against Oregon, making the tight throws, escaping the pocket, and checking down; his competitiveness was on full display as well, a trait that has not been matched by the other quarterbacks in this class.
2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB (Oregon)- The second pick in this year's draft has generated plenty of buzz. The rumors surrounding the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles trading up have run rampant the past month and half and have continued to grow. Philip Rivers is in a contract year-surprising considering that they chose not to resign him this past offseason-and has made it known he wishes to be. He won't be 34 until December, so one must figure he has at least four years left in him, enough years that would caution teams to spend a first rounder on a quarterback who is rarely injured. Rivers has also expressed his discontent with the Chargers' success, or lack thereof, in the postseason. While the Browns (two first round picks) and Eagles (a first round pick and starting quarterback in Sam Bradford) have plenty of ammo, the Chargers' offer of Rivers is by far the most appealing: the Titans drastically improved their defense and added offensive weapons Anthony Fasano (tight end) and Harry Douglas (wide receiver), coupled with other pieces Kendall Wright and Delanie Walker and a young running back in Bishop Sankey. The Titans threw the 10th most interceptions last year (16) and have 3 unproven quarterbacks on their roster with the retirement of Jake Locker, and trading for a successful quarterback in Philip Rivers could turn this team into an eight or nine win franchise. Should the trade not occur, the Titans would be drafting arguably the Pac-12's most accomplished quarterback. While Mariota was labeled as a "system guy" who can't "throw his receivers open," he often didn't need to due to his fantastic ability to move defenders with his eyes, allowing guys to break open on their routes and still get hit in stride with a quick release and consistent mechanics. His inability to "throw guys open" stems from the age of his receiving core, as they were often late getting out of breaks or getting jammed at the line; that portion of his game was not a flaw the prior year having played with experienced guys such as Josh Huff and Bralon Addison. Mariota also possess far greater pocket presence, having been sacked only been sacked 16 times behind an offensive line that featured at least five different starters across the board all year. He is arguably the best in his class at throwing on throwing on the run with his swift athleticism, translating to 27 TDs to only three interceptions, a 68.9 completion percentage and a QB rating of 137.5, all on play action (according to Pro Football Focus); a threat when scrambling, Mariota was excellent in the pocket this past season, completing 66.7% of his passes when facing pressure (second in the 2015 draft class according to PFF). At the end of the day, don't be surprised if San Diego trades Rivers for Mariota.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, Edge (Florida)- While I love Fowler's athleticism and big play ability, this pick is more of a "taking the best player available." The Jaguars were absolutely putrid up front, allowing the most sacks in the NFL since 2006 (71). With a young and promising quarterback in Blake Bortles, restructuring the line to provide him some support seems like the best idea; Jacksonville brought in Jeremy Parnell to replace Austin Pasztor at right tackle and Stefan Wisniewski to provide a huge boost at center. Left tackle Luke Joeckel has yet to meet his expectations and Brandon Scherrf appears to be an upgrade, this pick is just too high to pass up on the better prospect. Chris Clemons will be 34 in October and the Jaguars allowed 8.1 yards per pass attempt, last in the NFL. At 6'3", 261 pounds Fowler was an absolute monster at Florida last year registering 10 tackles for loss. His explosiveness allows him to get his hands on or around offensive linemen arguably better than anyone in this class. Fowler displays great athleticism and excellent body control, putting himself in situations to force sacks or ball carriers in the opposite direction, while his agility and speed for someone his size are unbelievable. At the next level, Fowler will have to temper his desire to go for kill shots in the backfield has it occasionally lead to whiffs on ball carriers. He will also have to learn to play assignments and not simply roam and rely on athleticism to make plays. Playing in Gus Bradley's 4-3, Fowler won't be asked to line up as a stand up linebacker and can play naturally, with his hand in the dirt; his massive frame, coupled with his 4.6 40, is a huge advantage as well. Fowler ranked 8th in the draft class in Pass Rush Productivity (PFF: "To arrive at our Pass Rushing Productivity score, all pressures (sacks, hits and hurries) are held against the number of pass-rushing opportunities for a player, with sacks being weighted heavier in the formula.") according to PFF, pressuring the quarterback 51 times in 311 pass rush snaps (good for a score of 13, only 2.3 away from the top spot). He was even better on third down (when pass rushers rush the quarterback in an obvious passing situation), ranking 3rd with a score of 17.3. Fowler has the potential to be the impact player on a line filled with talented players in Ryan Davis (averaged an impact play every 23 snaps according to PFF, a rate better than JJ Watt), Chris Clemons (eight sacks and four forced fumbles), and Sen'Derrick Marks (8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, second and third amongst interior linemen respectively). In a division that ahs to face Andrew Luck twice a year, Fowler could help provide some reckoning. However, a receiver such as Amari Cooper rarely comes around and it is a dire need of Jacksonville's, so don't be surprised if they go that direction here at number three.
4. Oakland Raiders: Kevin White, WR (West Virginia)- The Raiders had a rather successful offseason, signing viable running backs Roy Helu and Trent Richardson and bolstering their offensive line with All-Pro center Rodney Hudson to provide quarterback Derek Carr some help. Oakland couldn't retain receivers Denarius Moore and Vincent Brown, hurting an already-depleted receiving corp. The Raiders were last in the NFL in average yards per pass attempt last season, averaging roughly 6 yards. They also haven't a 1,000 yard receiver in a decade (Randy Moss) and had only one receiver with 47+ catches and 4+ TD's (James Jones); PFF also graded Kenbrell Thompkins and Andre Holmes as Below Average last year. Case in point? The Raiders are in dire need of a down field threat. While Amari Cooper is the more polished product, White's production (109 receptions, 1447 yards and 10 TD's) with far less talented quarterback play cannot be overlooked and ignored; to take it a step further, White hauled in 38% of his deep pass targets, passes that traveled in the air for 20+ yards, for 543 yards and 7 TDs. Those numbers rank him fourth in this year's draft class, but second vs. Power 5 teams, telling us two things: White has the explosiveness to blow the top off of a defense and stretch the field and has the ability to do it against college football's best. Although impressive numbers, White had a drop rate of 7.63, ranking him 19th out of the 43 receivers in the class. The drops stem from unrefined footwork and route running, and struggles to beat press off the line. Unlike previous West Virginia stat wizards Tavon Austin and Steadman Bailey, White is not simply a product of the system and has the size (6'3," 215 lbs.) you drool over when he blends it with a 4.35 40 and 24 reps on the bench press. A jump ball demon who can high point the ball and can out jump almost any corner, White flashes the ability to beat defenders inside and is fantastic after the catch; he also possesses my favorite trait: game speed (for those of you unfamiliar with the term, turn on his highlights against Oklahoma and Maryland). White has the potential to come in Week 1 and have an Odell Beckham Jr.-like impact.
5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DL (USC)- The Redskins spent the offseason bolstering their defensive line, and after last season it's not hard to see why: Washington finished 19th in sack percentage (6.9) and 21st in sacks (36). Although they lost their most gifted pass rusher in Brian Orakpo, new addition Stephen Paea had an 8.7 rating in Pass Rush Productivity last season, fourth amongst all defensive tackles; his fellow new teammate, Terrance Knighton, had a score of 8.9 in 2013, eighth amongst all defensive tackles as well as a +18.9 rating against the run in the past two years. Washington also addressed some of the holes in their secondary with the signing of safety Jeron Johnson and defensive back Chris Culliver, but did not address their need of an inside linebacker and are still weak at defensive back and were terrible in pass defense last season: last in pass TD's allowed (35) and second to last in interceptions (7). Still, the fifth pick is far too high for any of the inside linebackers and three to four spots too high for any of the defensive backs in this class, leaving Washington to pick the best player available. Williams is arguably the best player in this class, and 6"5," 302 pounds, it's not hard to see why. Williams solely stopped the run on 14.3% of the 322 run snaps he was apart of, second in the draft class, first against Power 5 teams. He tallied 59 solo tackles (second amongst draft-eligible defensive linemen) and 51 total pressures (third) in 2014. Although USC's 3-4 scheme derailed Williams from being the fantastic athlete he is, often being asked to use his size to control two gaps or take take on two blockers when moving down the line, and his numbers on 3rd and long (passing situations) weren't very good, recording only eight total pressures in 94 snaps. He is slow off the snap and will need to expand and improve his pass rush repertoire, using his hands rather than relying on brute strength and push., and will need to do so at a consistent level. On the other hand, Williams has the versatility to play anywhere on the line as a one, two, or three tech; he plays with excellent pad level and possess fluid hips, not allowing zone blocking to maneuver him or cross his face. Don't be surprised if Williams comes in and makes a huge impact; another scenario to be on the lookout for is the possibility of Cleveland trading their two first rounders if Mariota is still available. It will allow the Browns to take the quarterback they've had their eyes on and provide the 'Skins with two first round picks to improve their defense.
6. New York Jets: Brandon Scherff, G (Iowa)- As I've said before, this isn't a popular or sexy pick, but it makes sense. I understand Geno Smith's numbers: a 35.4 QBR last season, only 39 completion percentage under pressure, and more career interceptions (34) than touchdowns (25); he will also be entering the third year of his four year contract, meaning he will be gone after this season if he fails to produce. Should Mariota or Winston fall, I would be surprised if they passed on either. There is however, more talent in next year's quarterback class and will be in position to grab UCLA's Brett Hundley early in the second round, and try to push Smith to be his best. With new pieces Stevan Ridley and Brandon Marshall, along with slot man Eric Decker and solid running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, the Smith has weapons, but still needs help up front. They brought in James Carpenter from Seattle, who would appear to be a good fit in their zone blocking scheme and a much better upgrade over right guard Brain Winter in regards to pass blocking. Scherrf is an exceptional talent who has the ability to come in and play right away, and will likely challenge Breno Giacomini at right tackle. He excelled in the run game last season, ranking ninth in run blocking last season according to Pro Football Focus. At 6'5," 319 pounds, Scherff is a weight room warrior whose ability to reach second level blocks (something the Jets struggled with last year, ranking 20th in second level according to Football Outsiders) and drive defenders downfield are unmatched, while displaying incredible speed and power when pulling, opening running lanes, and pancaking numerous defenders. Should they move him to tackle, he will need to improve his pass blocking after ranking 62nd out of 95 draft eligible linemen in Pass Blocking Efficiency (PFF breaks it down: "Pass blocking efficiency is a pure stat that simply measures how often a blocker allows pressure, but it doesn’t differentiate between how quickly it got there or how bad the block actually was – that’s the job of the grades. The stat also doesn’t account for plays that were negated by penalty as well as poor blocks that may not have resulted directly in pressure but still received a downgrade. Also, sacks are weighted a little higher when it comes to pass blocking efficiency."). Those below average numbers for a first round pick stem from Scherff's inability to get ahold of pass rushers with his hands inside and dictate and control their movements. Despite his struggles, the Jets ranked 25th in Adjusted Sack Rate ("sacks plus intentional grounding penalties" per pass attempt adjusted for down, distance, and opponent," per Football Outsiders) and would be getting an impact player at either position on the line. A sneaky choice, New York could potentially take Georgia's Todd Gurley to truly solidify their run game
7. Chicago Bears: Amari Cooper, WR (Alabama)- Jay Cutler was disastrous last season, but replacing him only a year removed from his $126 million contract would be asinine. Chicago made moves in the offseason, brining in veteran slot man Eddie Royal, speedy running back Jacquizz Rodgers, and guard Vlad Ducasse to potentially play right guard and move Kyle Long to right tackle to replace the struggling Jordan Mills. Although the loss of Brandon Marshall will be noticeable, running back Matt Forte, Marshall's opposite-side threat Alshon Jeffrey, and tight end Martellus Bennet are all still there. Cooper brings a package of speed and athleticism that is not found in any of the other receivers in the class: a 4.42 40, 34 inch vertical jump, and a 6.71 second 3-cone drill and 3.98 in the 20 yard shuttle, both tops at the combine amongst receivers. His production last season was also amongst the best since 2000: 124 receptions, 1,727 yards, and 16 touchdowns (first, second, and second in the nation respectively and first amongst all draft-eligible receivers). According to Pro Football Focus, Cooper also forced 26 missed tackles, first amongst all receivers in the 2014 class. The best aspect of Cooper's game is his route running, looking as polished as an NFL veteran. Although he lacks ideal size (6'1," 211 pounds), Cooper played much bigger, relentlessly going across the middle to make the difficult catches, boxing out defensive backs on sit down or fade routes, and then proceeding to out jump those corners. He made a living on the outside, using top end speed to run by defenders and second level speed to run past them after the catch; he uses his impressive athletic ability to adjust to the ball or come back to make the tough catch. So the proverbial question: why does he fall after White? For starters, Cooper has dropped 13 passes over the last two seasons, whereas White's issue of dropping passes was nearly non-existent. White has slightly better size, but also ran a much fast 40 (4.35), had a higher vertical jump (36.5 inches) and did four more reps on the bench press (23, tops in the draft class).
8. Atlanta Falcons: Randy Gregory, Edge (Nebraska)- The Falcons finished 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, prompting owner Arthur Blank to move on from head coach Mike Smith. Atlanta tabbed Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their head man who should be able to improve a putrid defensive performance in 2014: 31st in sacks (22) and Adjusted Sack Rate (4.5) and last in passing yards per game allowed (279.9) and third down conversion (48.8 percent). The Falcons signed Brooks Reed this offseason, but he offers more assistance in the run game (a career 6.6 run stop grade over the last four years) over the passing game (-19.6 the past four years) and has only registered 24 career sacks. Enter Gregory who, at 6'6", is a great fit for Quinn's 4-3 defense. His quick, long arms allow him to press linemen and create separation, giving him the ability to keep his eyes on the backfield and not make any wasted movements. In a talented class of defensive linemen, Gregory is arguably the most explosive off the line and has that rare blend of speed and power off the edge that makes him a nightmare to block; very good athlete and should be seen dropping into coverage much like Quinn's defensive ends in Seattle. His score of 13.1 in Pass Rushing Productivity ranks him seventh in the draft class; he scored a 16.8 on third down (fifth in the class) on only 98 snaps, the sixth fewest out of the top 10. While Gregory has the ability to come in and play right away, he is very light for an edge rusher (235 pounds) and has a rather thin frame, thus affecting his lack of strength when rushing the passer; Gregory also doesn't play instinctively and appears to think too much when playing. Gregory also tested positive for marijuana at the combine and could factor in to a further slide down the board. A trade with the 49ers is very possible here as well. Picking 15th, corner back Trae Waynes will likely be gone and the Niners have a huge need at the position, while two first round picks will allow the Falcons some flexibility.
9. New York Giants: Shane Ray, DE (Missouri)- The Giants are in a tough and interesting position at this point in the draft. The interior part of their offensive line was atrocious last year, but there are no viable options worth taking this high besides Scherff (if he falls this far, they will most likely draft him). They were terrible at center last season as J.D. Walton received a Poor grade from Pro Football Focus (the lowest a player can receive) and back up Dallas Reynolds, along with left guard Weston Richburg, was rated as Below Average. Richburg was rated as the 65th best guard, out of the 78 that were eligible, in run blocking, which didn't help the Giants' 23rd best run offense in the NFL, averaging less than 4 yards a carry. Ray is arguably the most NFL-ready amongst pass rushers in this class. A Von Miller-type product, Ray's explosiveness and speed off the edge lead to a school record 14.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, tops in the SEC, earning him SEC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus first-team All-America status. He played a consistently high level (recorded at least a half-sack in 11 of 14 games this and two sacks in five separate games) while often times fighting double teams. Ray's strength and motor were on display when he shifted inside and was able to get push up the field or chase the quarterback down from behind; seldom gives up on plays has a innate nose for the ball. Fast hands when taking on one-on-one blocks on the edge allow him to be in position to get to the quarterback faster than most. On the contrary, he does not have the ideal size and use of hands to be a dominant pass rusher, but could become on with work at the next level; he will be an asset in stunts and twists if he can improve that aspect of his game as well. Ray ranked 16th amongst draft eligible defensive ends in Third Down Pass Rush Productivity with a score of 13.5 and had the third most sacks on third down with eight (per Pro Football Focus). He was even better in the run game, ranking ninth in Run Stop Percentage with a stop percentage of 9.4.
10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR (Louisville)- Similar to the Giants, the Rams are in a bit of a pickle here at number 10. Although they upgraded at the quarterback position by trading oft-injured Sam Bradford for Nick Foles, they have a chance to draft a franchise guy in Mariota (should he be available at number 10, I believe the Rams will take him), with a situation that won't require him to play immediately and allow him to learn. Furthermore, the Rams' biggest need is at offensive line and the only top 10-worthy pick in Scherff is gone (if he's available but Mariota is not, expect them to go with Scherff). St. Louis finished in the bottom five of total QB pressures allowed and allowed the third most hits. Experience at right tackle is gone after parting ways with Jake Long, as well as horrific center Scott Wells, thus the biggest need being wide receiver: Tavon Austin has yet to live up to he expectations set before him, leaving them without the true number one receiver the Rams thought they were getting; Kenny Britt is also without a true threat opposite of him, something Parker could provide. He arguably has the best hands in the class (only three drops in the last three seasons) and had incredible production last season, catching 43 passes for 855 yards and five touchdowns in only six games (missed the first seven due to injury); as Pro Football Focus noted, "Parker only played 359 snaps this season before injury struck (compared to over 1,000 by some receivers) and yet graded well enough in those snaps to still end up in the Top 10, in a comparable area to Jaelen Strong." They also pointed out his uncanny ability to make defenders miss: " Forced 15 missed tackles from defenders on just 43 receptions. Only 16 players in FBS notched more over the season and just four beat his mark by more than two despite the time he missed hurt." His measurables (6'3", 209 lbs.) are NFL caliber, as are fade and jump ball abilities and ability to high point the ball. Parker is arguably the best prospect in this class at not being out-jumped or out-muscled when the ball is the air. His body control and ability to adjust to any pass are tremendous and perhaps his greatest trait (i.e. his over-the-shoulder catch against Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl), as he was truly a receiver that you can "just throw the ball up to" and expect him to make an acrobatic catch (2013 vs. Cincinnati, watch it. Seriously). Parker runs crisp, clean routes, not wasting any movement or parts of his body when trying to create separation; he is equally impressive after the catch, using his burst and long strides to run by defenders. Despite the myriad impressive things about Parker, he needs to get stronger when fighting off the press and trying to block. While his route running is a huge asset, it isn't always done at a consistent level and seemed to lack his quick burst after his injury. Parker was incredible after the catch, registering 19.9 yards. With a huge need at wide receiver, look for the possibility of Kansas City trading up from 18 to take Parker should White and Cooper be gone. The Rams would receive the Chiefs 18th pick, deep enough to address their offensive line need, and their 49th pick, allowing the Rams great flexibility to select a wide receiver.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Trae Waynes, CB (Michigan State)- Continuing the Want vs. Need debate, the Vikings need to help Teddy Bridgewater. The quarterback cemented himself as their potential franchise guy last season, doing so with very little help up front (left tackle Matt Khalil allowed 12 sacks and 36 hurries, while the group as a whole allowed the fifth most sacks and second most total pressures and finished last in Pass Blocking Efficiency per Pro Football Focus) and from his wide receivers (Cordarrelle Patterson's production dropped significantly as there were questions about his commitment and desire to be in Minnesota. In the past two seasons, new addition Mike Wallace has only recorded 12 receptions, on 60 targets, of 20 or more yards). There are also many questions as to whether or not running back Adrian Peterson will return, and in a draft featuring two can't-miss prospects at that position, you have to wonder whether the Vikings will reach for one. The ideal situation for Minnesota would be trading back to the early-mid 20's (perhaps Pittsburgh, who is in dire need of a corner, or Arizona who needs a running back, but is picking behind three teams who could realistically spend their first round pick one), allowing them to draft an offensive lineman and an extra second rounder for defensive back and wide receiver. Should they choose Waynes, they're getting a phenomenal athlete out of Michigan State who likens himself to Al Harris, and rightfully so. At 6'1", 186 pounds (Harris was also 6'1" and weighed 194), Waynes is an exceptional athlete with fluid hips and incredible strength for some weighing 186 pounds as he did 19 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the combine. He can turn and run very smoothly, allowing him to cover receivers tightly and run with them down the field due to his great speed (4.31 40). What separates him from other corners is his play making ability. Much like Seattle's Richard Sherman, Waynes uses his length to snag any ball away from the receiver and gets his head and body around quick enough to put himself in perfect position to make a play; my favorite quality of Waynes' is his lack of fear when putting his facemask into ball carriers when tackling. Also does a solid job of wrapping up, but will need to do so at a more consistent rate, put on at least 20 pounds to take down NFL backs and not get bullied by receivers, and become less hands-on and grabby with receivers. He also allowed more than 50 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed and ranked 19th in NFL Passer Rating Allowed (measures when a player would have yielded the worst NFL passer rating on throws where they were targeted). Waynes is a great athlete who has generated buzz and increased his draft stock due to his measurables rather than his play, making him a boom or bust prospect and one that requires a more in depth look.
12. Cleveland Browns: Vic Beasley, Edge (Clemson)- The circus that was the Cleveland Browns last year was far better than most remember. They finished only one game below .500 with disastrous quarterback play and had nine players who had "elite" or "good" years according to Pro Football Focus, seventh best in the NFL.Defensively, the Browns had a phenomenal year, considering they were responsible for keeping the games close. The outside linebackers struggled however, registering only 15 sacks, 11 of which were from a single player (Paul Kruger). Beasley seems like the ideal fit in Jim O'Neil's hybrid defense as he himself is a hybrid player, a 4-3 edge rusher who can play Will or Sam (similar to Bruce Irvin and Vonn Miller) or 3-4 outside linebacker who can walk down, rush the edge, or play the gaps. At a slender 246 pounds, Beasley isn't going to physically dominate offensive lineman, and should realistically put on upwards of 10-15 pounds. He absolutely showed out at the combine however, running an outstanding 4.53 40 and registering 35 reps on the bench press, both ranking him as the top OLB in the draft class. Where he makes his living his speed and angle off the line, using his quickness to put linemen out of position and then sliding underneath, them making himself virtually unblock able. While he made his mark in the passing game, he stopped the run on 6.8% of run snaps, ranking inside the top 30 of all prospects according to Pro Football Focus. He also uses his hands and swim move better than any other prospect, thus allowing him to get to the quarterback where he does his damage the most. Beasley's long arms allow him to knock the ball out of the quarterback's arm and force fumbles, something he did countless times at Clemson; when he doesn't reach the quarterback, he uses his speed to chase them down from behind before they have time to get their roll out progressions established. Despite the fit makes sense on paper, there's still concern as to where Beasley truly fits and can make his biggest impact: "The question of balance in Beasley’s game that he will need to answer is whether he is simply a one-trick pony as a pass rusher or whether he was so one-dimensional as a pass rusher because college pass protectors couldn’t deal with his outside move, so he never had to counter it. Some NFL offensive tackles will be able to live with his speed off the edge more consistently so he will have to prove that he can work off of that outside rush as he showed glimpses of this season for the Tigers" (Pro Football Focus). Beasley's production is impossible to ignore, ranking first in school history in sacks, fourth in tackles for loss and tied for seventh in forced fumbles. He was a two-time first-team All-American and two-time first-team All-ACC selection. His 2014 campaign made him finalist for the Bednarik, Lombardi and Hendricks Awards and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
13. New Orleans Saints: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB (Kentucky)- New Orleans' secondary was atrocious last year, finishing 31st in passing yards allowed. Safety Kenny Vaccaro missed 19 tackles last season, sixth most amongst safeties according to Pro Football Focus and was continuously burnt. Backfield mate Jairus Byrd missed 12 games last season and, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, "through four weeks, he was trending poorly, especially as a run-defender, according to PFF." Corey White received a "Poor" grade via PFF as well, and Stanley-Jean Baptiste is untested. While they signed Brandon Browner and Kyle Wilson this past off season, they too weren't very good last season earning a -5.0 and -4.6 rating respectively, according to Pro Football Focus. With two first round picks, the Saints have a perfect opportunity to address their secondary (should they choose to) with the 31st pick and nab an excellent pass rusher at number 13. A superb athlete (6'4", 269 pounds and 4.53 40), Dupree can play both defensive end or outside linebacker, a perfect mold for the Saints' 3-4 defense that allowed the most runs of 20+ yards and had the fourth worst run defense. His quick twitch muscles allow him to consistently be in position to make a play on the ball or set himself up for easy tackles and violent hits on the ball carrier that creates turnovers. He can bend very well for someone his size and can get around pass blockers very well; uses his long arms to get to the quarterback and swat the "ball off the shelf." His pass rush prowess ranked him 19th in Third Down Pass Rush Productivity with a score of 13.0. Very high motor guy who loves the weight room (put on 15 pounds between his freshman and senior year), but will need to get stronger to succeed at the next level. He will not be able to man handle tight ends and fullbacks in the NFL like he did at Kentucky and will need develop a go-to pass rush move, rather than depend on athleticism.
14. Miami Dolphins: La'el Collins, OT (LSU)- Unfortunately for Miami, Parker is not available and he is the guy I think they were truly looking for. Central Florida's Breshad Perriman is also a real possibility, as well as Washington's Danny Shelton. Nevertheless, the Dolphins need to address their issues up front after allowing 210 total pressures (most in the NFL) and 46 hits (third most), and the six lowest graded players by Pro Football Focus were all linemen. Left guards Shelley Smith and Nate Garner were graded as Below Average according to Pro Football Focus, while right guard Dallas Thomas was graded as Poor; they signed free agent center J.D. Walton to most likely replace Shelley Smith after he was cut and keep Mike Pouncey at center. The only problem is that Walton earned a -19.6 rating last season (the third worst amongst free agent centers) via Pro Football Focus, thus making it difficult to believe he's going to be much of an upgrade. Enter Collins, whose versatility allows for him to have an impact at the guard position despite playing tackle at LSU. He has great guard size (6'5", 321 pounds), upper body strength that allows to essentially control defensive linemen when engaged, and can both pass and run block exceptionally. LSU's pro style offense will have prepared him for pass and run sets the next level, and verbiage should not be an issue. Collins will need to break the habit of playing tall in pass protection and improve his ability to play even lower on short yardage or goal line battles; leverage is a key to success at the next level. Athleticism won't wow you, but he posses the ability to make second level blocks and pull with speed and power which will help his translation to guard in the NFL; is very good at crossing defender's face and setting himself up in better position than other defenders. He was Pro Football Focus' number one rated offensive lineman in Pass Blocking Efficiency, allowing just four hurries in 334 passing snaps. While he offers an upgrade in pass protection, Collins was equally successful in the running game, receiving the third highest score in this draft class (21.9) via Pro Football Focus. Although the Dolphins spent a first round on right tackle Ja'Wuan James last year, he didn't quite pan out. Miami has a talented quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and has surrounded him with weapons, and with an upgraded defense, the Dolphins could become a formidable opponent if they can keep Tannehill upright. If Gurley lasts this long, I think Miami will take a chance on him with their lack of depth at running back.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Danny Shelton, NT (Washington)- The 49ers experienced a horrific situation with a mass exodus this offseason, something no one could have possibly predicted. There are numerous holes on this team, but perhaps the biggest was in the passing game (prior to losing both linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland). In regards to quarterback Colin Kaepernick, his production dipped heavily from 2013, finishing 24th in the league in completion percentage (60.5), 17th in QBR (55.9 in 2014, 68.6 in 2013), and was the most sacked quarterback in the NFL, who you have to believe receives most of the blame as someone who does his damage escaping the pocket. Pro Football Focus rated him 18th out of 27 qualified quarterbacks in overall accuracy (drops, throwaways, and spikes did not count). They averaged 191 yards per game, third fewest in the NFL and caught only five passes that traveled 30+ yards in the air, tied for 26th (per Pro Football Focus). However, Torrey Smith is an upgrade over Stevie Johnson and Reggie Bush offers another threat in that offense, just as Shelton does in this defense. At 6'2," 339 pounds, he is the prototypical nose tackle that can rush the passer and be a factor in the run game. His production cannot be overlooked, leading the nation in fumble recoveries with five and finishing second on the team with 93 tackles, while earning first team All-Pac 12 his junior and senior year. According to Pro Football Focus, his 50 run stops were second only to Leonard Williams amongst draft eligible defensive tackles and 3-4 defensive ends Shelton uses his strength and placement to push and bully linemen, and uses his thick frame to stop the run and plug gaps. With a low repertoire of pass rush moves, Shelton relies on his size and incredible strength to move linemen and bull rush the quarterback, something he will need to develop at the next level. Shelton runs very well for someone his size and never gives up on plays, a trait that was on display against Arizona and Oregon as he chased down the like of Mariota, Royce Freeman, and Anu Solomon; his speed and ability to run laterally should translate well to the NFL. With Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams coming off of IR, Shelton provides much needed depth and talent at this position. Oregon's Arik Armstead and Texas' Malcom Brown are possibilities here as well.
16. Houston Texans: Arik Armstead, DT (Oregon)- Houston started four different quarterbacks and still finished 9-7 despite missing the postseason, due in large part to all-everything JJ Watt. Despite his heroic efforts, Watt desperately needs help along the line. As PFF's Sam Monson pointed out, "D-linemen not named J.J. Watt had just seven sacks and 11 QB knockdowns. OLBs Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus weren't much better: seven sacks and 16 knockdowns;" Continuing the trend, defensive end Jared Crick was rated as Below Average. At 6'8," 290 pounds, he is arguably the draft's most unique product. He has serious length and strength in both the upper and lower parts of his body; one doesn't dominate or over shadow the other. Uses his wide frame and long arms to latch on to blockers and drive them into the backfield, and can shed and fight through them at will. Wraps and tackles well for someone his size and posses the quick twitch and explosiveness you hope to see from someone his size; Armstead also has great balance and feet. Subsequently, his uniqueness may also be his downfall. He lacks pass rush moves, relying simply on bull rushing and a straight shot at the quarterback. With his length and size, you can imagine teams would like to drop into question which I question whether he has the speed to do so; didn't have a high level of production which certainly raises some questions. Armstead is simply a raw, boom-or-bust product that the Texans may be willing to take a chance on, but he can easily shed that label with the right coaching and dedication to improving his game. As Pro Football Focus noted, "his Pass Rushing Productivity of 5.3 against Power 5 opposition placed 15th among draft eligible 3-4 defensive ends," an important note considering teams rarely ran his way during conference play; he also lead the Ducks with four run stops in their National Title bout against Ohio State. With Watt on one side, new addition Vince Wilfork, and in the middle and an incredible athlete with incredible size on the other side, the Texans will have more than enough fire power when facing Andrew Luck twice a year.
17. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB (Georgia)- San Diego struck gold when they able to sign defensive back Brandon Flowers to a one year deal worth $3 million. He recorded three interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 14 games, while also helping the Chargers finish fourth in pass yards allowed after finishing 29th in 2013; he was rewarded with a new deal this past offseason. They retained left tackle King Dunlap and also signed Orlando Franklin to (most likely) replace Johnnie Troutman at right guard. Now, I know I previously made a rather large ordeal about the Chargers trading Rivers for the second pick, the reality is trades are nearly impossible to predict and anything could happen; I would even be partly surprised if Gurley lasted this late in the draft. There is no debate, however, that the Chargers need a running back. According to Pro Football Focus, they had the third least productive running game in the NFL last season, averaged 3.2 yards per carry on first down (second worst), and called a pass play on 63% of their plays (10th most). Although Branden Oliver received a Good rating from PFF, he only had three runs of 20+ yards and averaged 3.6 yards per carry on 160 carries. The oft-injured Ryan Matthews is gone and Donald Brown, who was given a four year/$3 million contract prior to last season, ran for a paltry 223 yards, averaging 2.6 yards per carry. Had Gurley finished the season he was having, he more than likely would have found his way to New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation and cemented himself as top 10 talent. A very established back with very established feet, Gurley is extremely powerful and fights through one armed tackles, requiring many defenders to take him down (forced a miss tackle every 3.2 rush attempts and at least six missed tackles against Power 5 teams, tops in the entire nation last season according to PFF). As that rare blend, Gurley is incredibly quick and can accelerate between the tackles using great angles. He is a powerful, downhill runner with good forward lean and runs behind his pads; a great athlete who possess soft hands and uses his size (6'1", 225 pounds) to make an impact when blocking. Gurley is a yards-after-contact machine ("Gurley’s average of 4 yards after contact per rush against Power 5 opponents was nearly a half-yard more than the next 2015 draft prospect," per PFF), who has also fumbled the ball only three times out of 510 career carries. On the other side of the spectrum, he will need to be more patient when setting up blocks at the next level and doesn't have the most precise vision. Most importantly, he missed three games in 2013 due to a high ankle sprain he suffered against LSU and then the ACL tear this past season against Auburn. Gurley may be the best all around prospect in this years' draft class, so don't be surprised if he's chosen long before this. Should he be gone, the Chargers will most likely go with a corner here and a running back in the second round.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrus Peat, OT (Stanford)- I understand just about everyone expects the Chiefs to draft a receiver here (Arizona State's Jaelen Strong, Oklahoma's Dorial Green-Beckham, or Perriman are all real possibilities), but Kansas City was still competitive despite ranking last in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns (0). Alex Smith has proven himself as a winner and a guy who plays smart football, and they need to keep him up right. The Chiefs could go the route of getting the best player on the board with a receiver, but the offensive line was absolutely horrible last season. Four of the five starters were scored as Below Average, and the best one in Rodney Hudson, is gone. Kansas City brought in guard Paul Fanaika this offseason, but he received a score of -20.9 last season according to PFF and isn't anything of an upgrade. Jake Fisher, the first overall pick in the 2013 draft, made the move to left tackle last season, resulting in a putrid performance: PFF ranked him 72nd of 84 eligible left tackles; he and left guard Mike McGlynn also allowed a combined 13 sacks, 15 knockdowns, and 42 additional hurries. Should Kansas City select Peat (or LSU's Collins is he's still available), it would allow Fisher to move to right tackle where he should have more of an impact. At 312 pounds, Peat is very lean for someone standing at 6'7". Subsequently, it can be his downfall as he occasionally stands straight up in pass protection and bends at the hips rather than the knees. His lower half is unbelievably strong and agile for someone with this frame, allowing him to move and slide towards edge rushers. Peat's reach and strength in his arms allow him to get great push and separation on rushers, but will need to break the habit of leaning into rushers. His numbers last year are in his favor though, as PFF rated him fifth in the class in Pass Blocking Efficiency and he earned the third highest production grade out of draft eligible tackles. In the run game, his 13.2 run blocking score was 17th in this year's class as he earned a negative grade on only 5.7% of run plays, 10th best in the class all according to PFF. He was also the 10th best in the class in Run Blocking Efficiency (PFF: "run block efficiency is simply a percentage of non-negative run blocks for offensive linemen. Whether executing the expected block (a 0-grade in our system) or earning a positive, avoiding negatives is the key to showing well in this particular stat. Also as above, this measure does not necessarily account for the quality of the positive blocks, but it’s a good indicator of which blockers avoid the bad blocks that can destroy a running game."). The Chiefs have talent in Jamaal Charles, Jeremy Maclin, De'Anthony Thomas, and Travis Kelce; with the talent in this year's wide receiver class, they can use their second and third day picks on talented pass catchers.
19. Cleveland Browns: Ereck Flowers, OT (Miami)- Having addressed Cleveland's need for a pass rusher with the 12th pick, the Browns could bolster their offensive line with a unique product at number 19. While there is a strong probability the Browns could package their first two round picks with Josh McCown for the second pick or fifth pick (should Mariota still be available), it doesn't make much sense for Cleveland to move on from their first round quarterback after only one season. Rather, surround him with pieces up front that will allow to be successful and build some confidence. Flowers missed all of one game last season due to a knee injury, that has since been surgically repaired, garnering second team All-ACC honors. Flowers' fantastic size (6'6", 324 pounds) translates into solid run blocking technique. Flowers absolutely mauls opposing defenders with his strength (37 reps on the bench press at the combine) and long arms (34 inches), as he gets defensive linemen turned around or removes them from the play entirely; this should allow him to make the transition to guard with ease. On the contrary, his pass protection is often sloppy and unrefined. Smaller defensive ends have been able to have their way with Flowers, who tends to pass set with too narrow of base and likes to lean on defenders; these struggles often lead to Flowers pass blocking with very little balance. He also hasn't quite mastered the use of his hands and getting them inside pass rushers, causing himself to revert to pure strength or holding. His saving grace is the use of his feet, which appear very polished and well utilized. His 97.9 Pass Blocking Efficiency rating ranks him 12th in the draft class, as he did not allow a single sack all season (out of 359 pass snaps), and even more impressively, only had one negative-graded game. Flowers was even better in the run game, ranking as the second best offensive lineman in the class with a 95.5% Run Blocking Efficiency score with less than 10 negatively-rated blocks on 322 run snaps. He also projects as a guard and could be slotted at either position.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S (Alabama)- Following a dismal 2014 performance by Philadelphia's secondary, particularly in December when they allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 61 percent of their passes for over 1,100 yards and six touchdowns. During their three game losing streak that eliminated them from playoff contention, Philly allowed 14 pass plays of 20+ yards (second most in the league), translating to the fourth worst pass defense. They upgraded at the defensive back position, bringing in Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell to replace the departed Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams, but chose not to replace Nate Allen causing a hole at the strong safety position. Collins is gifted athletically, running a 4.53 (also possessing incredible acceleration) and jumping 35 inch vertical at 6'0," 228 pounds who will be an instant impact player, a trait current strong safety Earl Wolff does not posses. His size will regulate him to being a "box safety" whose primary objective is stopping the run, something Collins succeeded in last season while only playing 211 of his 916 snaps at the strong safety position: he only missed 4 tackles and had a 16.7 Tackling Efficiency score, fifth best amongst draft-eligible safeties (all according to PFF). Has great ability to track down ball carriers, wrap and drive with a balanced base, and finish tackles; tackles and hits with power, ferocity, and physicality that translates well to coverage as he is able to cover tight ends and slot players. Collins only surrendered 8.3 yards per completion, ranking him among the 10 best safeties. Overall, he graded well in coverage and defended six passes defended, along with three interceptions, for the fifth spot in the class, while his 15 stops in the passing game were second best. Lapses in route recognition and coverage, coupled with average hands, were the product of a 63.8 completion percentage against him, 84th amongst all draft eligible safeties; Collins also gave up the game tying and eventual game winning touchdowns against Ole Miss. Much like Cleveland, Philadelphia could package their first round pick and Sam Bradford for a quarterback-needy team as another team in the Marcus Mariota sweepstakes, thus reuniting him with his former head coach at Oregon.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Malcom Brown, NT (Texas)- The Bengals only sacked the quarterback 20 times last season (last in the league and the second fewest since Marvin Lewis has been there), an absolutely horrid number; to put that into perspective, two players had 20 or more and 18 had half as many alone. They signed defensive end Michael Johnson in the offseason, but his -12.8 rating isn't reassuring one bit. In the middle they weren't much better: coming off ACL surgery, Geno Atkins registered a 6.7 pressure percentage, which ranked 22nd overall. Next to him, Domata Peko was worse, ranking dead last among qualifying defensive tackles with a 1.7 pressure percentage. He was also underwhelming against the run, finishing 31st out of 48 qualified DTs with a 6.3 run-stop percentage and finishing 80th out of 81 qualified defensive tackles overall. Behind them, Brandon Thompson and Devon Still were also underachieving as they earned a Below Average rating. Brown racked up the praises and accolades at Texas, as a 2014 finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy (most outstanding defensive player) and Outland Trophy (top interior lineman). He was a first-team All-American and a member of the All-Big 12's first team, becoming the first defensive tackle to lead Texas in tackles for loss and sacks since Tony Degrate in 1984. Brown's durability and talent level remained consistent as he started every game during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.At 6'2", 320 pounds, Brown is an absolute behemoth. As one can imagine, he does not get pushed or moved around easily. With his blend of size and strength, Brown strikes linemen violently and bench presses them, allowing himself to push the pocket; more impressively, Brown was .05 seconds from a 5 flat 40 time, mind blowing for someone of that girth. He fights double teams exceptionally by using athleticism and agility to get between them. Has the ability to redirect and chase down the ball carrier; hits and tackles with sheer power, while playing low for someone of his girth. Sinks hips very well when playing against the run. Brown will need to develop an array of pass rush moves at the next level to become a successful pass rusher in a three-tech. 11.1 Run Stop Percentage ranks him third amongst all draft eligible interior lineman, missing only three tackles. His Pass Rush Productivity score of 6.8 wasn't spectacular, giving him the 25th best mark amongst interior lineman, but playing in a 4-3 or a 3-4 is something Brown has the ability to do as rotating along the line will allow him chances to get to the quarterback. His production at Texas cannot also not be ignored.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Collins, CB (LSU)- Pittsburgh is in dire need of a youth takeover in their secondary: both safeties Troy Polamalu and Will Allen (-3.5 rating last season) didn't record a single sack or interception last season and Allen will be 33 years of age by the beginning of next season (Polamalu has retired). The Steelers were also incredibly underachieving at the defensive back position as well as Ike Taylor was a liability in the latter part of the season after coming off a broken forearm, and did not suit up for the Wild Card matchup against the Ravens despite being healthy enough to play; many assume he will not return next season. Cortez Allen was resigned to a five year, $26 million contract last season, only to play far below expectations. He missed six games due to injury and was rated as PFF's 103rd corner back (out of the 108 that qualified) and was rated dead last at the half way point, ultimately earing a Below Average rating. William Gay is another name added to the list with a 5.8 Tackling Efficiency Rating, ranking tied for fourth in missed tackles. The Steelers allowed 30 touchdowns as well, tied for fourth most in the league last season. At 6'1", 203 pounds, Collins is a fluid athlete with great speed and acceleration (he impressively snatched Melvin Gordon 65 yards down the field) who can turn and run with receivers, use his athleticism and length to play the jump ball, and cover a receiver of any size. Perhaps Collins' most notable trait is his fearlessness to throw his body at bigger running backs and desire to make an impact in run defense. What sets him back is his lack of experience as a starter and doesn't appear to have the playmaking ability to start from day one and lacks polished ball skills, but can still be a contributor. Some regard Collins as the best corner in the class, and the numbers don't lie: he limited Amari Cooper to four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown on only seven targets. Most notably, "Collins allowed just 18 receptions all season long and though he only had one interception he did break up seven passes" and "allowed a completion percentage of just 40.9% on passes sent his way during the 2014 season, allowing 18 catches from 44 targets" via PFF, numbers far more remarkable than Waynes'. The biggest red flag is the fact that Collins only started 10 games in his college career, but shouldn't be something that scares NFL teams as he played in all 13 games, starting seven, in 2014 and while lead the Tigers with 10 passes defensed. In 2013, he played in all 13 games, allowing 10 completions for 163 yards on 18 targets. The year before, he intercepted two passes and made the Freshman All-SEC team. Alabama's Collins is also a possibility here.
23. Detroit Lions: D.J. Humphries, OT (Florida)- Perhaps one of the most interesting picks in the first round, the Lion's franchise is in a rough spot right now. They lost their monstrous defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley and, despite signing All-Pro Haloti Ngata, have very little depth at the position, and Armstead, Brown, or Florida State's Eddie Goldman would be viable selections here. With Reggie Bush departing for San Francisco in free agency, Detroit does not have a dependable starting running back and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon would be a steal at 23. However, the Lions have cemented Matthew Stafford as the franchise quarterback for years to come, and the results upfront were staggering. They finished 16th in Pass Blocking Efficiency last season according to PFF, allowed 45 sacks (11th most), were stuffed on 22% on runs via Football Outsiders ("Percentage of runs where the running back is tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage. Since being stuffed is bad, teams are ranked from stuffed least often (#1) to most often (#32);" the Lions finished 28th), averaged 3.18 yards on runs off of the right tackle, 26th best according to FO, and PFF rated all seven qualifying offensive linemen as average or bad (Below Average or Poor) as Detroit's run game regressed from 17th to 28th between 2013 and 2014. Humphries is a guy who can come in and start right away. He ran a 5.1 40 and registered a 31 inch vertical leap, outstanding for a guy who stands 6'5" and tips the scale at 307 pounds. His 33" arms allows him to cut the distance between he and a pass rusher, being able to create space. He posses a desired base that he uses to his advantage, getting his feet into position to wall off defenders, make second level blocks, and be an adequate play side and back side blocker. Humphries' best quality is the quickness of his feet that never stop moving, making him a nasty blocker and nearly impossible guy to beat. 307 is too lean for someone of his stature and position, thus resulting him often leaning or lunging into defenders and not generating enough push in the run game. Most importantly, his sloppy hand placement needs major improvement, something that was on display in many conference games when trying to block some of the nation's best athletes and defenders. Watch for this pick to go in numerous directions, as Detroit may end up picking the best player available in Gordon or any of the aforementioned interior defenders.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon, RB (Wisconsin)- The Cardinals upgraded their offensive line this offseason with the signings of center A.Q. Shipley and guard Mike Iupati, giving quarterback Carson Palmer a little more help upfront. Starting tailback Johnathan Dwyer was lost for the year due to an injury he suffered during an apparent aggravated assault case, which lead to an expectation of increase in Andre Ellington's workload. Unfortunately, Ellington suffered a foot injury in Week 1 that hampered his production all season and eventually had his season cut short after a hip injury in Week 13; Ellington finished with 3.3 yards per carry and only 12 broken tackles according to Pro Football Focus (his 660 yards were 17th most for a starting running back last season) and Arizona finished with an astoundingly low six rushing touchdowns. Case in point, Dwyer will almost certainly not returning to the NFL anytime and Ellington's lack of frame (36th in DYAR: "Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement. This gives the value of the performance on plays where this RB carried/caught the ball compared to replacement level, adjusted for situation and opponent and then translated into yardage,") the Cardinals need a running back. Gordon has quality size at 6'1", 213 pounds and would absolutely thrive in the Cardinals'' system behind a vastly improved offensive line predicated on creating huge running lanes. Gordon ran for 2,587 yards last season, second most in FBS history, including a previous-NCAA record 408 in one game. As PFF noted, "he led the nation in yards after contact with 1,229, and was only one of three to eclipse 1,000 yards. Gordon’s 74 missed tackles forced were 10 more than the next running back in the draft class. While Gordon had eye-popping totals, his success went beyond being a product of his second-most 343 rush attempts. His 7.6 yards per rush attempt led the draft class, and his 3.6 yards after contact per rush ranked third. He showed a knack for making big plays with an FBS-best 40 runs of 15-plus yards while Duke Johnson (31) was the only other back to break 30." While many see Gordon as an outside runner and a guy who wants to hit the sideline, he attacks the line of scrimmage and isn't afraid to run through the gaps, a downhill runner who will stick his nose wherever he can find a crease. There were times however where Gordon didn't trust the blocking however and was indecisive as a one-cut back, things that will require work at the next level. Gordon also possesses a very strong torso and lower half, and never goes down easily which is why I believe his best trait is his ability to break tackles, extend plays (8 runs of 40+ yards, 5 of 50+ in 2014), and generate yards after contact. He will be asked to block and have a bigger role out of the backfield at the NFL, the latter of which he struggled with the most. Adding 10 pounds to his frame will help tremendously when blocking and shedding tacklers. Overall, Gordon is a special talent and projects as a solid future pro. One thing Gordon will need to improve at the next level is his pass blocking, as pointed out by PFF: "He stayed in to block on 27.5% of pass plays, the 12th-lowest rate among qualifying backs in this class. Gordon allowed one sack and five pressures for a Pass Blocking Efficiency of 93.4, tied for 41st out of 59 backs."
25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT (Pittsburgh)- Cam Newton is without the question the cornerstone of the franchise and a guy who will become a mainstay at the quarterback position as he helped guide Carolina to the playoffs. The Panthers will need to vastly upgrade their offensive line to protect Newton and keep him up right after the disastrous season they just completed: left tackles Nate Chandler and Byron Bell were porous last season, ranking 38th and 48th in Pass Blocking Efficiency respectively, while Bell finished 83rd out of 84 eligible left tackles according to PFF and right tackle Mike Remmers allowed seven quarterback hurries in their playoff loss to Seattle; Bell also allowed two sacks in the same game and he too is a free agent. Carolina brought in tackle Michael Oher to try to boost the 27th best offensive line (via Football Outsiders), but his career -31.3 rating shows the Panthers must turn elsewhere to upgrade the position. The unfinished prospect, Clemmings comes with uncertainty having played offensive line for only two years at Pitt, coupled with his poor performance at the Senior Bowl. Scouts question whether he can make the transition to left tackle at the next level after spending those two years playing on the right side and the two before on the defensive side of the ball. His measurable however cannot be overlooked, tipping the scale at 307 pounds and standing at 6'4"; at the Senior Bowl, his arms were also listed as 34" but his play did not support his intriguing intangibles: he gave up five pressures in 28 pass blocking snaps playing left and right tackle, a sign he must refine his skills before he becomes a formidable force. He is a very athletic tackle prospect with adequate feet and balance for someone of his size and (relative) inexperience. The Panthers are in need of both a right and left tackle, allowing for Clemmings to start immediately on the right side and potentially move to the left if he improves and develops into an elite player. Clemmings has the accolades to support his play however, starting all 13 games at right tackle as senior and being selected second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and first-team All-ACC. Despite switching from defensive end to offensive tackle in 2012 (he would end up redshirting that year), he started 13 games at right tackle his junior year. The Panthers are also in need of a wide receiver, so trading back to take a tackle and possibly two receivers in the second round is a probability.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Jaelen Strong, WR (Arizona State)- Much like the Panthers, the Ravens should be in the market for a wide receiver, and are in prime position to take one at 26. While Strong is a very good prospect, I view this as choosing the best available, especially coming off their poor performance against New England in the AFC Divisional Championship. Baltimore's corners struggles last season, as Jimmy smith and Ladarius Webb missed 11 total games while only intercepting 11 passes. They signed Anthony Levine this offseason, but he had a -2.8 rating last season and has zero career interceptions; with the depth in the wide receiver class, UConn's Byron Johnson, Wake Forrest's Kevin Johnson, Or Washington's Marcus Peters are all excellent choices here. Nonetheless, the Ravens need a playmaker and someone to help Flacco after losing both Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Torrey and his counterpart, Steve, the team's top two targets, "combined for 18 dropped passes and neither caught more than 61 percent of the passes sent their way, a figure bettered by 64 wideouts in 201" (Sam Monson, PFF). Furthermore, no other receiver had more than 25+ receptions, Steve Smith will be 36 when the season starts, and Torrey Smith, the team's second leading receiver, is no loner there. Strong is 6'3", 215 pounds and posses long arms and soft hands; his one-handed touchdown reception against Notre Dame was marvelous. Aptly named, Strong isn't going to blow past defenders after the catch or make them miss in the open field, but does posses 4.44 speed to stretch the field. He uses his huge frame and length to out muscle and out jump defensive backs (42 inch vertical leap) to make acrobatic catches; after the catch, he is difficult to bring down as he shakes off defenders and sometimes requires two or three to bring him down. While he does not possess blazing speed, Strong's long strides allow him to run very well for someone his size, making him a true deep threat the Ravens are in need of. His body control, intertwined with his reach, make him a serious jump-ball threat. At the next level, he will need to sharpen his route running ability and eliminate his tendency to his body to catch passes rather then extending his arms. Strong is a raw talent with a very high ceiling that the Ravens need to help a depleted receiving core. "His 1,168 yards were the ninth-most of any player at the position in this draft class, while his CFF receiving grade was the sixth-highest. He also finished 12th in terms of Yards Per Route Run, averaging 2.71 YPRR from his 431 routes run in 2014" (PFF) while also doing plenty of damage from the slot, "averaging 4.06 YPRR against teams from the Power Five conferences, the highest average of all draft eligible receivers" (PFF). The First-team All-Pac 12, Biletnikoff Award semifinalist started 12 game last season and earned second-team All-Pac 12 in 2013 after playing in all 14 games, starting 13 of them.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Peters, CB (Washington)- Cowboys signed defensive back Brandon Carr to a five year, $50.1 million free agent contract in March 2012 and has yet to play to even half of his expectations. He has only intercepted six passes in three years with the Cowboys and didn't have a single one last season, while defending a mind-blowingly low eight passes. To make matters worse, PFF rated him as the 90th best defensive back as he allowed a 116.6. passer rating against opposing quarterbacks. They signed Corey White this offseason, but his -17.8 rating offers very little help. 2012 first round pick Morris Claiborne has rightfully earned the bust label with only 88 career tackles and three career interceptions; he is also coming of major knee surgery and it's uncertain how much of an impact he will have. Both Caliborne and Carr surrendered nine TDs last season, Claiborne giving up three in only 151 snaps. Dallas does have quality talent in Orlando Scandrick, but a major lack of talent and depth after him is an issue that Collins can aid. An exceptional talent, Peters comes with baggage having been suspended for a sideline tantrum and was later kicked off of Washington's football team in for disciplinary reasons, all in 2014. His production cannot be understated, picking off 11 interceptions, recording 129 tackles (5.5 for loss), a sack, and a forced fumble in his career. At 6'0", 197 pounds, Peters has first round size to go along with his first round ability. He is an immensely athletic ball hawk who can go up and get any ball and then take it back, giving his offense great position or his team six points. He possesses excellent recognition, allowing him to turn and run with receivers and then get his head around to make a play on the ball. Uses size and physicality in coverage and can cover just about anybody, including top level competition; coverage technique is rather shoddy and too often relies on bodying and grabbing receivers, drawing pass interference calls. Uses his size and physicality in the run game and is not afraid to tackle or deliver a blow to someone. The only reason Peters falls this low is simply because of his off-field issues, which are a huge factor as teams don't wish to invest millions in an immature athlete. In my mind, Peters is the best defensive back prospect in this class, and had he played the entire year, there would be universal agreement. He is an absolute playmaker with all the tools, and all the confidence and swagger, you wish to see in a defensive back. His production cannot be overlooked as well, allowing just 38.1 percent of the passes to be completed against him in the 2013 and 2014 season, while defending 24 passes and intercepting another eight. After a 2012 campaign in which he started eight games and played in 13, he was a second team All-Pac 12 selection in 2013. Peters missed just one tackle against the run all year, but missed seven on passing plays.
32. New England Patriots: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT (Texas A&M)- Despite winning the Super Bowl, New England lost an incredible amount of talent on both sides of the ball. Naturally, one would expect them to try to replace Brandon Browner and Darrelle Revis with talented corner backs still available. There will still be talent in the second round as well, not to mention the Pats signed Robert McClain, Bradley Fletcher, Chimdi Chekwa this offseason and resigned safeties Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung. With Tom Brady at quarterback, and unlikely any time soon, it would be wise for the Patriots to upgrade an offensive line that finished 20th in Pass Blocking Efficiency, 23rd in Power Success, 27th in Run Stuffed Percentage, and the interior part of their line struggle: center Bryan Stork and right guard Ryan Wendell were rated as Below Average and backup center Jordan Devey as Poor. The 6'5," 306 pound product has an extensive in injury history, tearing his ACL in their final game against west Virginia and missed three games during his freshman year due to an ankle injury. Ogbuehi also experienced major success at A&M, being named third-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC last season after starting all 13 games, including 11 at left tackle and two at right tackle. The previous year, he started all 13 games at right tackle and did so n 2012,but at right guard for Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. He played in 10 games as a redshirt freshman in 2011, missing the other three due to his ankle injury. He is a talented athlete with quick, nimble feet that allow to work and operate sufficiently in space; plays at a very high speed, using his quickness to get to the second level and maintain blocks. Despite his technique flaws, narrow base, and lack of leverage in pass protection that lead him to be one of the leaders in the SEC in sacks allowed, the biggest issue may be the fact that he tore his ACL so close to the draft, cause for major concern possible slipping in the draft. Ogbuehi's good outweighs the bad, and the fact that he has started at both guard and tackle allows the Patriots woefully needed depth on the interior, as well at the tackle position if need be.
Second Round
33. Tennessee Titans: Jake Fisher, OT (Oregon)- This appears to be a match made in heaven, pairing their franchise quarterback with his left tackle for the past three seasons. After signing Michael Oher prior to last season, the Titans have decided to part ways with the wildly unproductive right tackle: as Paul Kuharsky of ESPN pointed out, "He gave up six sacks in 11 games, and the Titans managed just 2.5 yards per carry on runs outside right tackle when he was on the field. (That number jumped to 5.9 ypc on the seven runs that direction without Oher on the field.)." If they wish for Mariota and their offense to have any success, they must improve up front. Fisher is a 6'6," 306 pound monster who ran a 5.01 40 and jumped 32.5 inches in the vertical test. His production at Oregon is impressive, playing in 50 career games while starting 35. Oregon's offensive line was a disaster last season, starting more than seven different players throughout the year. Fisher started 13 games at left tackle after switching from the right side, and was named Third-team All-American and First-team All-Pac 12 but did miss one game due to a leg injury; he made 11 starts at right tackle in both 2013 (named honorable mention All-Pac 12) and 2012. Fisher was also a recipient of Oregon's "Pancake Club" award in 2013 and 2012 for most pancake blocks. He has some experience at right guard, playing in 13 games in 2011. As a former tight end, Fisher has swift feet, fluid hips, changes direction well, and moves very well in space. He pass sets with a good base and makes the necessary second level blocks. At 306 pounds, Fisher has room to add weight, and will need to should he become a starter at tackle; his 25 reps on the bench press are extremely low and alarming for an offensive lineman. Fisher also racked up the penalties last season as one of most penalized in the country, including six holding calls. Michael Renner of PFF also noted that "60% of Fisher’s pressures yielded came to his outside. This is extremely concerning considering Fisher pass blocked for just nine seven-step drops (or five-step from shot gun) all season long." He would make for a good guard, but will need to take better angles and be more active with his feet in run blocking, strike more violently with his hands, and set up more technically-sound in pass pro to make the transition to the next level more smoothly. I expect Tennessee to choose the more polished Ogbuehi should he be available here.
34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Byron Jones, CB (UConn)- After getting their quarterback of the future, it's time for the Bucs to improve their defense. Tampa is dire need of a shutdown corner opposite Alterraun Verner, whose coverage grade of -0.8 affected his overall rating, but was salvaged by his play against run, earning a Good rating by PFF. Outside of Verner, cornerbacks Johnathan Banks, Leonard Johnson, and Isaiah Frey were Below Average. Jones started in seven games last season before missing the final five games with shoulder surgery. He converted to cornerback from safety and started all 12 games finishing with three interceptions in 2013, while starting 12 games at safety in 2012. Jones displayed incredible athleticism at the combine, jumping 44 inches in the vertical leap test and 12'2" in the broad jump and saw his draft stock soar; mix in his size (6'1," 199 pounds) and astounding arm length (32 inches), Jones may have the best measurables in the entire draft class. Despite playing in only seven games, Jones didn’t give up a single touchdown and only allowed 12 catches for 123 yards; PFF also noted that "Quarterbacks throwing into his coverage this season had an NFL passer rating of just 26.3, the best mark in the FBS for all corners." On top of Jones' leadership and dedication, he is very instinctive in coverage, knowing when to jump routes and make plays on the ball. He has incredible downfield speed and closing burst that allows to disrupt deep balls and not get beat deep. Jones' injury history raises red flags however, and will likely need to add 10-15 pounds to his frame to improve his physicality in the run game and improve his ability to bring down bigger receivers at the next level. Jones is an intriguing and rising prospect, and I would be partly surprised if he fell this far; Tamps could also be in the market for another pass rusher such as UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa.
35. Oakland Raiders: Laken Tomlinson, OG (Duke)- While I really like Odighizuwa here to add an edge rusher that Oakland needs opposite Mack, Carr is the cornerstone of the franchise, and it's best to provide him with as much help as possible. The signing of Rodney Hudson was huge, providing more stability along the line. The right side struggled however, as right guard Khalif Barnes and back up right tackle Menelik Watson were rated as Below Average; also, behind Barnes is an unproven Lamar Mady and no depth after that. Tomlinson is a 6'3," 323 pound monster that started every game at right guard for Duke following his 2010 redshirt season. Last season, he was selected first-team A.P. All-American and first-team All-ACC, second-team All-ACC selection in 2013 and was an Academic All-ACC selection in 2012 and 2011. PFF chronicled his success last season: "Tomlinson played 943 of a possible 1011 snaps at right guard for the Blue Devils last season and graded positively in all but one game (vs. Miami). He finished as our second-highest graded guard and was downgraded on just 4.34% of his snaps in 2014, the lowest percentage in the country." His run block grade of 29.1 ranked him fifth in the class (out of 103 eligible), while his 99.4 Pass Protection Efficiency ranked him first out of 85 eligible. Tomlinson's most impressive stat however, is that he has not allowed a sack in the last two seasons; his low pad level and ability to generate power and push will drastically improve the Raiders run blocking. He will need to improve his footwork in the run game and not allow defenders to disengage so quickly at the next level; footwork in the run game must be efficient more consistently and his lack of athleticism is alarming. Tomlinson will thrive in the Raiders zone run game and could be the starting right guard from Day One.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinten Rollins, CB (Miami of Ohio)- Rollins is an interesting prospect with tons of upside. After playing basketball for four years (Rollins was a four-year starter, the only player in school history to record seven steals in a game twice, and received the Richard Shrider Defensive Player of the Year Award for the basketball team three different times), Rollins had a semester of eligibility remaining, and decided to give football a shot in 2014. How did the transition work out? Rollins earned MAC Defensive Player of the Year and made first-team All-MAC after recording seven interceptions, including one returned for a TD, and a forced fumble. Rollins was aslo amongst the class' best as noted by PFF: "Only three draft-eligible players earned a higher coverage grade over the season and only two corners a higher overall grade." With eight pass break ups, Rollins intercepted or broke up 24.6% of passes thrown his way. Despite doing a low 14 reps on the bench press, Rollins plays with excellent strength to which he uses as a solid wrap-up tackler, and showing no fear when throwing his smaller frame (5'11," 195 pounds) at bigger receivers and running backs; possess incredible foot quickness, hip fluidity, and jumping ability and timing. Also plays physical with receivers down the field, making it difficult for them to create space and body Rollins up. Jacksonville did a great job in bolstering their offensive line with center Stefen Wisniewski and tackle Jeremy Parnell, and providing Bortles with weapons Julius Thomas at tight end and Bernard Pierce at running back. While a wide receiver would be a good pick here, that group is much deeper than the corner back class, and Rollins would be an absolute steal here. He projects better as a safety, where Jacksonville was awful (free safety Josh Evans was Poor after allowing 8.1 yards per pass attempt; he has also started only 24 games without recording a single interception and Jonathan Cyprien was Below Average, allowed a 137.7 passer rating and missed 21 tackles, tied for second amongst all sfaeties according to PFF) but will still make an impact at corner should he earn a spot.
37. New York Jets: Jay Ajayi, RB (Boise State)- While a defensive back (outside of Revis and Cromartie, Millner has a history with injury, Antonio Allen has struggled, and Skrine had a -6.3 rating last season) or inside linebacker may be better moves, a big running back (6'0," 220 pounds) will tremendously improve the Jets zone run game. Ajayi became the first player in FBS history with 1,800 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in a single season and graduated tied for second in school history with 50 career rushing touchdowns while set school records in rushing yards and touchdowns last season; his production earned him third-team AP All-American and first-team All-Mountain West honors. In 2013, he rushed for 1,425 yards and caught 22 passes for 222 yards while scoring 19 touchdowns (18 rushing, one receiving), and was first-team All-Mountain West. After playing in 11 games in 2012, Ajayi rushed for 548 yards on 82 attempts (6.7 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. He rushed for 1,165 yards after contact, second most in he class, forced 51 missed tackles, and "Ajayi’s 1.55 Yards per Route Run ranks fifth in the draft class even though his 346 routes run were at least 70 more than each of the players ahead of him" (via PFF). Ajayi offers a rare blend of speed and power, running a 4.57 in the 40 yards dash at the combine; he is a true downhill runner who plays with ideal power. Incredibly strong trunk and lower half that makes him a yards after contact monster and every down back. An elusive athlete with nimble feet, Ajayi can get skinny and show excellent acceleration through the hole. His 28.4 touches per game last season are an alarming amount that makes you wonder how many years he has in him; his 11 fumbles in 678 career rushes is also an eye popping figure that he will need to improve at the next level. Ajayi will most likely start as the Jets' third down and goal line back, but as a threat out of the back field, he figures to become a staple in the Jets' offense and another weapon for Smith. A three headed monster of Ajayi, Ridley, and Bilal Powell and improved guard play with James Carpenter and Scherff will make for a formidable zone scheme.
38. Washington Redskins: Eric Kendricks, ILB (UCLA)- After bolstering their secondary with the signings of defensive back Chris Culliver and safety Jeron Johnson, safety is still a need. Phillip Thomas and Duke Ihenacho were rated as Below Average last season and new addition Dashon Goldson was atrocious last season, earning a -20 rating last season; in addition, the Skins have no depth at free safety. Washington was equally poor at inside linebacker as Keenan Robinson, Perry Riley, and Will Compton were all rated as Below Average. As opposed to the safety position, Washington failed to sign any free agent linebackers Kendricks is too polished to pass on. Despite being a middle of the road pass rusher ("He wasn’t quite as good from an overall grading standpoint, finishing as the sixteenth-ranked linebacker with just a decent grade in run defense. And as a pass rusher, despite four sacks, 14 total pressures and good per-snap production, he seldom had to actually beat a block to get to the quarterback," per PFF), Kendricks was excellent in pass coverage, allowing less than a yard per snap. His production last season deserves recognition, earing second-team All-Pac-12 and second-team AP All-American and winning the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT after leading team with 149 tackles; set a school record by recording 10-plus tackles in 11 games. Along with impressive combine and Pro Day results (4.6 40, 38 inch vertical leap, and 22 reps on the bench press), Kendricks plays sideline to sideline and is seemingly always around the ball. He is a tackling machine and has been the nation's most productive tackler the last three seasons which can be accredited to his play downhill and ability to change direction. Kendricks size is a bit of disadvantage, struggling to be a factor when blitzing, making tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and engaging bigger blockers. His decorated career as a Bruin suggests he has what it takes to succeed, making this one of the biggest potential steals in the draft.
39. Chicago Bears: Damarious Randall, S (Arizona State)- With Amari Cooper falling into the Bears' lap at number seven, Chicago is in prime position to improve their otherwise poor pass defense that allowed an average passer rating of 101.7. Chris Conte's release provides the Bears with no depth behind Ryan Mundy who only has six career interceptions, four of which came last season. After becoming a junior college All-American in 2012, Randall signed with Arizona State in 2013 and started nine games; his production last season (106 tackles and three interceptions) earned him first team All-Pac 12. A tackling machine (177 tackles in two seasons at ASU), Randall was also a nightmare in coverage as "one of six safeties in the class who saw at least 60 targets into their coverage in 2014. His 53.2 completion percentage allowed was lowest of that group" (PFF). His lack of size (5'11," 196 pounds), safety technique, wild-play, and instincts may transition him to defensive back, something the Bears are also in need of. Randall also has incredible hands for a secondary player, and with a 38 inch vert, he is not going to be beat on jump balls. His athleticism, fluid hips, and 4.46 speed allows him to cover the slot position and number one and two receivers along the sideline as a guy who can turn his hips and run with anyone. He is also a solid, violent tackler who has the intangibles you wish to see in a do-it-all safety.
40. New York Giants: Eli Harold, OLB (Virginia)- The Giants still need to address their needs at the interior offensive line, but a player such as Harold could be the final piece for an impressive defense. Harold had a bang up year in 2014 registering 54 tackles (14.5 for loss), seven sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble, earing second team All-ACC. His numbers were equally impressive the year before, starting all 12 games at defensive end and recording 51 tackles (15 for loss), 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Harold is a thin-waisted, 6'3," 247 pound hybrid that could be a stand up edge rusher in a 3-4 or defensive end in the Giants' 4-3. With 24 reps on the bench press, Harold posses quality strength for someone with a frame such as his. His first two steps off the snap are done deliberately and with elite speed. He uses no extra movement when rushing the passer and beating linemen off the edge, contorting his body to make for perfect angles; sinks his hips well enough that linemen have difficulty striking and engaging in pass pro. Should he and Ray become early starters, Harold's ability to set the edge could turn Ray into a double-digit sack leader. Where he thrives in incredible hand speed, he lacks in hand strength, often stating engaged with linemen for too long; his smaller frame also allows linemen to knock Harold off balance or redirected with a swift, strong strike that suggests he will likely make for a better linebacker than defensive end. With Jon Beason coming off a season in which he was injured and struggled and Jameel McClain lacking the impact trait, while sharing a Below Average rating with Beason, Harold is a player who can come in and start immediately. Ray and Harold will make for a surefire front seven that can rush the passer.
41. St. Louis Rams: AJ Cann, G (South Carolina)- With a number one receiver in tact, it's time for the Rams to support their offensive line. 2014 first round selection Greg Robinson is expected to stay at left tackle, leaving a hole at left guard with Travis Bond as the only left guard on the roster. Cann leaves South Carolina as an accomplished player who has the upside that will translate into a Day One starter. The four-year starter recorded 51 starts at left guard, missing only one start in 2012. In 2014, he was named first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American, playing in 96.7 percent of team's offensive snaps as a team captain for the second year in a row; Cann is also a three-time SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll honoree. Cann made his living in the run game with a Run Blocking Percentage of 92.2, 10th best in the class, and should bolster St. Louis' pedestrian run game: they finished 20th in rushing yards and 17th in yards per carry and touchdowns. Cann was less adequate in pass pro, finishing with the "35th best Pass Blocking Efficiency vs. Power 5 teams, at 96.9 with 17 total pressures." that stems from his unrefined technique and tendencies to catch rushers and set up with a forward lean. Cann possess ideal guard size (6'3," 313 pounds) and impressed at his Pro day with a 32 inch vertical leap, 9'1" broad jump, and 30 reps on the bench press. He is very good with his hands, displaying excellent hand placement and strength that allows him to generate push and stand defenders up. Very strong lower body that he uses to play hash-to-hash and drive defenders down.
42. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Phillips, DT (Oklahoma)- The Falcons are in dire need of a defensive back (free agent signee Phillip Adams registered a -7.8 rating last season, one of the lowest in the FA class while only playing 315 snaps, Robert Alford was rated as Below Average, and Ricardo Allen is untested); Atlanta also signed Jacob Tamme and Tony Meoaki this offseason and O"Brien Sschofield, Brooks Reed, and Justin Durant to address their tight end and front seven issues respectively. Atlanta also needs to upgrade at defensive tackle after Tyson Jackson and Paul Soliai were Below Average and Average respectively last season. Now, Atlanta spent a second round pick on a defensive tackle in Ra'shede Hageman, and with solid defensive backs on the board, this is more of taking the best player available that still has the potential to make an impact early on. Phillips has had difficulty staying healthy, starting just 17 games since arriving at Oklahoma in 2011. However, Phillips was selected second-team All-Big 12 last season after starting all 13 games. He started in four games in 2013 before having season-ending back surgery and played in 11 games in 2012, but did not start, finishing with 12 tackles. Phillips often plays too upright, lacking bend in his knees and adequate pad level to generate push and be a force when rushing the passer, thus leading to Phillips often disappearing during games. He did however, post " a PRP of 10.5, which was in the Top 20 for all interior defensive lineman with at least 50 pass rushes on third down" according to PFF, showing that he was still had an impact in passing situations. Phillips made his mark when stopping the run, stopping the run on nine percent of run plays against Power 5 teams which ranks him fifth amongst all interior defensive linemen in the class, and is something the Falcons will bring him in to do. At 6'5," 329 pounds with 34" arms, Phillips can play every position along the line and will be a giant in Atlanta's 4-3 system, using his long arms to create space, split double teams, and disrupt the quarterback's passing lanes.
43. Cleveland Browns: Maxx Williams, TE (Minnesota)- Cleveland's first two rounds should be about upgrading their offense (unless they trade for Mariota), and after losing Jordan Cameron, Cleveland has no depth besides Below Average Jim Dray. Williams' game cannot be ignored: "averaging 8.4 YAC per reception, a figure that ranked seventh overall in this class and second when limiting that to players with at least 10 receptions...He saw more targets (17) and gained more yards (166) on deep passes (20+ yards) than any other draft eligible tight end last season...More than three quarters of his catches (28 of 36) resulted in a first down or touchdown (13 of those were caught short of the sticks) and against Power 5 opponents he gained 2.71 Yards per Route Run, ranking third among his peers in this class and besting Rob Gronkowski’s NFL-leading mark. He graded negatively overall just twice last season, both against teams in the top five cumulative defensive grades (TCU, Ohio State)" (PFF); Williams also saw time in the slot as well, spending 29.2% of his snaps there, which makes for a nightmare matchup. Williams ran very well for his size (4.78 40 at 6'4," 249 pounds) and showed elite athleticism for a tight end with a 34.5 inch vertical leap, 9'7" broad jump, and 4.37 seconds in the 20 yard shuttle, to which he uses to run by linebackers in coverage, win jump balls in the red zone, gain yards after the catch, and make sideline catches, coupled with great feet. While he is a possible first round talent, Williams will likely need to add weight to his frame and work through stiffness in his hips and upper body. More importantly, and perhaps the biggest thing keeping him out of the first round, he will need to improve his impact when run blocking as he often fails to generate push along the line. If a team doesn't wish to take a shot at the Mackey Award finalist, it will be a huge pick up for Cleveland.
44. New Orleans Saints: Stephone Anthony, ILB (Clemson)- With two first round picks, there is speculation the Saints could package them in a trade package to nab Drew Brees' eventual replacement. However, defensive reinforcements remain an important aspect of New Orleans's draft process. With Dupree off the edge, Anthony has the opportunity to replace Curtis Lofton at middle linebacker on a defense that allowed the most runs of 20+ yards and had the fourth worst rush defense. Anthony was a first-team All-ACC selection and Butkus Award semifinalist last season after leading the team in tackles with 90, forcing two fumbles, and recording an interception. The year before he was selected third-team All-ACC with 131 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks and played in 13 games, making three starts, as true freshman in 2011, recording 32 tackles (six for loss, two sacks). As PFF noted, "Anthony finished with the third-highest overall grade in this class (fifth when you include non-draft eligible players), grading positively in all three facets. He graded negatively just twice last season (three times including his 36 snaps in the Senior Bowl): at Georgia in Week 1 and against Louisville...racked up 37 stops and missed just five tackles all season (three against Georgia), one of the lowest totals at the position...finished with the highest cumulative defensive grade in FBS" with players such as Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett along the line. He appears to be a player that could solve the Saints' run defense woes: "Opposing rushers gained an average of just 3.2 yards on plays where Anthony was the primary tackler" (PFF). Possessing the desire size for a linebacker (6'3," 243 pounds), Anthony plays fast and sideline to sideline, is a consistent tackler with perfect technique, and is a playmaker in coverage; also has great closing speed and ability to be an effective blitzer. Despite being an incredibly underrated prospect, Anthony lacks proper leverage and hand usage that leaves him engaged with linemen longer than necessary. His over eagerness causes him to react late against play action and take bad angles when attacking ball carriers as a result of coming down hill too fast. While Beasley is the more acclaimed prospect between the two, Anthony will make for a great pro in his own right.
45. Minnesota Vikings: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR (Oklahoma)- DeVante Parker appears to be penciled in at number 11 should he slip past St. Louis, but with Waynes still on the board, it would make sense for Minnesota to address their need for another impact player at corner and select an incredible talent in Green-Beckham. After recording 87 receptions for 1,278 yards, and 17 touchdowns through his first two seasons at Missouri, Green-Beckham appeared to be on his way towards an illustrious career before being met with controversy. In October 2012, he and two teammates were arrested after they were allegedly caught smoking marijuana in a campus parking lot, leading to his suspension for the Vanderbilt game. Nearly a year and a half later, in January 2014, he and two other men were arrested after police found a pound of marijuana in their car; no charges were filed. He was eventually dismissed from Missouri after being a subject of burglary and assault investigation by police and allegedly pushing a female down some stairs during the incident that was investigated but did not face charges from the incident; he enrolled at Oklahoma in 2014 but was ineligible to play due to transfer rules. On the field, Green-Beckham lacks desired strength, route discipline and sharpness, and ability to create separation and fight through press coverage. What he lacks in desired he makes up for in desired intangibles, standing at 6'5" and weighing 237 pounds. Possess long, effortless strides, excellent body control that allows him to adjust to passes, an incredible second gear, and a catch radius rivaling that of Calvin Johnson; Green-Beckham's 4.49 40 and 33 inch vertical leap makes him a down field threat and jump ball threat, as well as an undoubtedly top 10 talent. With the numerous off-field and dedication issues, it will be interesting to see what becomes of Green-Beckham, but with the right supporting cast and Mike Zimmer as a no-nonsense guy, he will flourish beyond belief.
46. San Francisco 49ers: Phillip Dorsett, WR (Miami)- Should Dorsett fall this far, this will be a huge addition to San Francisco's offense that lacks a deep threat. He was a second-team All-ACC wide receiver in last season after ten of his 36 catches (on only 67 targets) were for touchdowns, averaging 24.2 yards per catch and 10 yards after the catch. In 2013, Dorsett played in eight games and caught 13 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns despite missing five games due to a partially torn MCL. The year before, he led Miami in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, racking up four games of 100-plus yards. Dorsett did sustain an injury prior to the Senior Bowl that held him out of the game, something teams will take note of. Speed is an "it" factor that can't be taught and something that Dorsett possess: at the Miami Pro Day, he was clocked at 4.27 and 4.29 in the 40; Dorsett also recorded an astounding 38 inches in the vertical jump, an incredible figure for someone who stands 5'10." He uses that speed to take the top off defenders, hit top speed quickly, explode out of routes, and accelerate down the field; Dorsett can also work outside and isn't confined to the slot. With all the factors teams drool over, the slide occurs because of Dorsett's size (5'10," 185 pounds) that will make it difficult for him to withstand hits over the middle, lack of route sharpness, and injury history over the last two seasons. With guys like T.Y. Hilton and Antonio Brown dominating the league today, Dorsett could have a great career.
47. Miami Dolphins: Devin Smith, WR (Ohio State)- With the addition of Kenny Stills, the Dolphins have an opportunity to take another receiver that can stretch the field. Smith made 11 starts last season, racking up 931 yards (28.2 per reception) and 12 touchdowns and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Smith also accomplished the feat in 2013 after making 12 starts). In 2014, "His 754 yards on passes traveling 20 or more yards in the air lead all of the FBS in 2014," according to PFF, and 54.5 percent of his catches were for 25-plus yards. Smith's explosiveness coupled with his size (6'1", 200 pounds) is remarkable compared to other renowned speedsters DeSean Jackson (5'10", 178 pounds), T.Y. Hilton (5'9", 183 pounds) and Harvin (5'11" 185 pounds). Despite Smith's phenomenal athleticism, he is not a finished product as a receiver. There is a very small sample size of Smith running an expanded route tree, as he made most of his impact on post and nine routes. He has the habit of double catching and needs to rely on using his hands to haul passes in, unpolished route running, and was successful playing with quarterbacks with strong arms; he will not be able to run by bigger, faster defensive backs at the next level and will need to add roughly 10-15 pounds to his frame. What entices teams the most is the fact that every facet of his game is done with incredible speed and quickness. The agility and quickness in his feet and flexibility in his hips and shoulders allow him to get off the line and break off routes with precision and make acrobatic catches (check his ridiculous one handed catch against the Hurricanes); Smith will almost certainly make an impact on special teams as well.
48. San Diego Chargers: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE (UCLA)- Kendall Reyes had the lowest run stop percentage of any 3-4 defensive end with 200 or more run snaps (3.8) and was rated as Poor via PFF, while Corey Liuget was the team leaders in sacks with a lowly five; he was rated as Average. Odighizuwa was selected second-team All-Pac-12 in 2014, lead the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and finishing second with six sacks. In 2013, he was granted medical redshirt in 2013 after missing the entire season following surgery on both hips; Odighizuwa also played in 38 games from 2010-2012 with 8 starts. At 6'3," 267 pounds, he is a little light for a defensive end in San Diego's 3-4 defense and will likely be asked to add more to his frame or move to outside linebacker. The pass rushing ability, lateral movement, and range are all in question and are all traits that could lead to Odighizuwa's fall, while his hip surgeries are red flags that teams will take notice of. He was equally successful along the line as he had "Almost an even split in his pressures in terms of beating tackles (20 pressures; 1 Sk, 2 Ht, 17 Hu) and guards (22 pressures; 2 Sk, 2 Ht, 18 Hu) over the course of his final season at UCLA." He fires off the ball with desired strike and pad level while maintain a balanced base; incredibly strong lower body that is relentless when rushing the passer. Odighizuwa will likely be an special teams player early on, but expect him to break his way into the starting lineup.
49. Kansas City Chiefs: Benardrick McKinney, ILB (Mississippi State)- With Derrick Johnson coming off a ruptured Achilles and turning 33 in November, the Chiefs are in position to select his replacement. Their defense wasn't very good last year anyway, finishing 30th in yards per carry allowed and 28th in rushing yards per game allowed; Kansas City signed inside linebacker Josh Mauga this offseason, but he registered a -14 rating and the second most missed tackles last season according to PFF. McKinney has started every game and lead the team in tackles the last two seasons, and was first team All-SEC a second team All-American last season; he was also a member of the Freshman All-SEC team in 2012. McKinney is an athletic freak: at 6'4", 246 pounds, was clocked at 4.66 in the 40 and has an explosiveness 40 inch vertical leap. His athleticism allows McKinney to play sideline-to-sideline and play laterally very well. Has the speed, acceleration, and versatility to chase down ball carriers and make touchdown saving stops and uses his length to trip them up even when he is not in position to make a play. He lined up at every linebacker position for the Bulldogs showed great explosiveness off the edge when rushing the quarterback and strength when fighting through blockers. There are some concerns about coverage ability as he often times was late to his spots and his lack of pass rush prowess, both of which will be asked of him at the next level.
50. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Perryman, ILB (Miami)- After the blockbuster deal that sent All-Pro middle linebacker Kiko Alonso to Philadelphia, it's time to nab his replacement to bolster their defense. In 2014, Perryman was a third-team All-American and first-team All-ACC choice and Butkus Award finalist, leading Miami with 110 tackles and three forced fumbles. The year before, started all 13 games, setting a single-game career high with 15 tackles against Virginia Tech, and earned first-team All-ACC; Perryman was also Honorable Mention All-ACC in 2012. Small in stature (5'11," 236 pounds), Perryman displays great strength (30 reps on the bench press) and athleticism (33 inch vertical leap). He is extremely powerful, blowing up linemen in the second level and tackling with his pads and driving his feet; Perryman also does an excellent job of keeping his eyes in the backfield and striking and sheading blocks. Where Alonso was great in coverage, Perryman struggles as he was targeted on 5.3 of snaps in coverage according to PFF. He lacks a lateral burst that prohibits him from being a playmaker from sideline to sideline, change direction, and take down elusive running backs; his short arms will also make it difficult to create separation between linemen and wrap up. Perryman will be a special teams early on, and should earn quality playing time early on.
51. Houston Texans: Derron Smith, S (Fresno State)- With D.J. Swearinger on the trade block, it's time for Houston to find his replacement. Smith, who was a three time all-Mountain West selection and recorded 15 career interceptions. He had a huge junior year, registering 87 tackles, seven interceptions, four sacks, and eight tackles for loss. He was diagnosed with a sports hernia prior to his senior season and still had a productive year: 80 tackles (2.5 for loss), an interception, and two fumble recoveries, all while playing injured. On tape, Smith struggled last year due in part to his injury and his workload; the Bulldogs were awful on defense, asking Smith to do much more in the running and passing game. His size (5'11", 200 pounds), speed, and style of play compare favorably to Seattle's Earl Thomas. In 2012, Smith's tackling struggles lead to a decrease in playing time and required him to improve. Smith never looked back, recording 167 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss between his junior and senior year. In games against USC (two), Nebraska (two), Utah, Rutgers, Oregon, Colorado, Cincinnati, Ole Miss, Illinois, and Cal (all Power 5 teams), Smith recorded 90 tackles (18 against USC in the 2013 Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl)and four interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown against USC); there is absolutely no question Smith can play with the best of the best. Unquestionable hands and nose with incredible athleticism and return ability: he is Fresno State's all-time leader in interception return yards. Every bit of a ball hawk and sideline to sideline player as Louisville's Gerod Holliman and is a far better tackler.
52. Philadelphia Eagles: Sammie Coates, WR (Auburn)- Jeremy Maclin departed in free agency, Riley Cooper was rated as Below Average, and new addition Seyi Aijrotutu had a -7.1 rating last season. Case in point? The Eagles need weapons. Coates was a second team All-SEC selection last season and started 12 of 14 games in 2013; he finished his career averaging 21 yards per reception. At 6'1," 212 pounds and 4.43 speed, Coates is a desired rare blend of speed and athleticism (41 inch vert and 10'9" broad jump): "His 488 yards on passes traveling 20 or more yards in the air were 7th the most in this draft class," as noted by PFF. Coates is a guy that will take the top off of a defense, work outside and across the middle, and make big plays vertically; with 33 inch arms and his vertical leap, Coates could transition into a Red Zone monster early in his career. He lacks an extended catch radius, ability to track the ball and make contested catches, and with a drop rate of 19.1 percent last season, he may find his way into the third round. Nevertheless, Philadelphia needs depth and Coates is a guy who could be the Eagles number three receiver by Opening Weekend.
53. Cincinnati Bengals: Preston Smith, DE (Mississippi State)- The Bengals signed Michael Johnson this offseason, but after a -12.8 rating last season, his production is unpredictable. There is also very little depth at right end as starter Wallace Gilberry was Below Average and back up Robert Geathers was Poor, proving that Cincy is in need of another pass rusher opposite Carlos Dunlap. Smith was wildly productive at Mississippi State and had a nice showing at the Senior Bowl (recorded five tackles and one sack). He started all 13 games in 2014, while leading the team with 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks and recording a interception returned for a touchdown on his way to earning selected first-team All-SEC. In 2013, he played in 12 games, making11 starts, and registering 44 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. He has fantastic size (6'5," 271 pounds with 34 inch arms) and measureables (4.74 40, 34 inch vert, and 10 foot broad jump) that may propel him into the first round. He has rushed the passer from both ends of the line, using active hands, long arms, and strength to fight through gaps; Smith is also a very technically-sound tackler who won't be pushed around at the next level. While he has the strength, he often fails to generate power to bull rush and is an average interior pass rusher at best; he will also need to refine his rushing angles off the edge and not loaf as much as he has in the past.
54. Detroit Lions: Carl Davis, DT (Iowa)- Losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley were monumental for Detroit, and while the signing of Haloti Ngata provides tremendous help, there is still a force opposite him missing. Prior to the Senior Bowl, the two time second-team All-Big Ten selection's stock was steadily rising, and after a productive week of practice that saw him finish with a rating of 4.2, he was projected by many as a first round pick. He has the ideal size and frame of a 4-3 defensive tackle (6'5," 320 pounds, with 34 inch arms), his 28 reps on the bench press show Davis' strength that allows him to fight double teams and allows for an effective club and rip; his spin move is also powerful and effective. Explosive lower half that he uses to fire off at the snap with leverage. His fall into the second round is attributed to Davis's success against the lesser teams Iowa faced and his inconsistencies (nearly half of his 37 pressures came in the first and last games of the season). His number also suggest that he wasn't force when rushing the passer, despite being one against the run; he will also need to learn to play fatigued and not give up on plays.
55. Arizona Cardinals: Eric Rowe, CB (Utah)- Antonio Cromartie departed in the offseason, leaving a hole opposite Patrick Peterson that Justin Bethel and Jimmy Legree have yet to prove can be filled. The Cardinals were also 29th in passing yards allowed and 19th in yards allowed to number two receivers, courtesy of FO. With Peterson has their number one corner, Rowe has the potential to earn the number two spot and improve their pass defense against number two receivers. Rowe stands 6'1," weighs 205 pounds, and possess 31 inch arms, impeccable length. He successfully jams receivers off the line, matches them stride for stride (4.45 40), and mirrors movements as an incredible athlete; despite three career interceptions, Rowe has instinctive ball skills and uses his 39 inch vert to high point the ball and disrupt passes with great timing. He is also a fearless and wrap-up tackler that will handle bigger ball carriers at the next level. The biggest issue with Rowe is where he projects better, at safety or corner. As a three year starter at safety, he has very little experience as a corner that lacks elite strength and change of direction; his linear frame will also restrict him from being a physical defender unless he adds at least 7-10 pounds. I also question his acceleration and recovery speed, making him a potential liability in man coverage (he was targeted once every 6.6 snaps in coverage).
56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Shaq Thompson, OLB (Washington)- Pittsburgh is solid on offense and their biggest issues are on the other side of the ball. The Steelers' 33 sacks was their lowest since 1989, and with last years' sack leader Jason Worlids early retirement, there is a hole on the left side as Jordan Zumwalt and Howard Jones have yet to prove themselves; Jarvis Jones also struggled on the right side, earning a Below Average rating, and has no depth behind him. Although Pittsburgh re-signed James Harrison, he will most of his snaps with his hand in the dirt. Thompson was the recipient of t Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation's most versatile player least year, scoring six touchdowns, two as a running back and four on defense (one interception return and three fumble returns). In 40 games career games, Thompson finished with 3.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 16 passes defensed and five fumble recoveries. A fluid athlete that could be an emergency safety or running back, he ran for 456 yards last season, averaging 7.5 per carry. His incredible vision, read-and-react play, and nose for the ball were all catalysts for his four defensive touchdowns; Thompnson moves laterally very well and engages second level blocks with violence. He also flashed potential in coverage and was a special teams demon. His biggest set back is his size, however. At 6'0," 228 pounds, there is debate as to whether he will be a Will linebacker or a safety. He lacks the speed to play safety (4.64 40) and strength to play linebacker, being redirected when blitzing and failing to knock pulling guards off track; he lacks adequate tackling form as well. While Thompson could become a quality starter in the league, he will need to find a position and develop his game.
57. Carolina Panthers: Nate Orchard, DE (Utah)- Addressing their need for an offensive lineman in the first round, it's time for Carolina to do the same on the other side of the ball. Losing Greg Hardy was detrimental enough, but Kony Ealy and Wes Horton were being rated as Poor was vindictive of Carolina finishing tied for 13th in sacks and 22nd in opponent third down conversion percentage allowed. Orchard followed up a 2012 season that saw him earn All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention by starting all 13 games in 2013, forcing three fumbles. He broke out in 2014 by leading FBS and setting a school record with 18.5 sacks; he also lead the nation in quarterback knockdowns with 28 and finished second on the team with 84 tackles. Orchard was Selected second-team All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end. Orchard posses many qualities that will translate at the next level including his foot quickness, explosion out of stance, flexibility through chest and shoulders, interior pass rush moves, and very little wasted movement. His size won't wow you (6'3," 250 pounds), but that mixture of size and speed will make it difficult for tackles to stop him. Where he was great against the pass, he was something of a non factor against the run, often relying on quickness over skill; inconsistent aggressiveness and one year of major production will scare some teams, but he has potential to make an immediate impact.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Ameer Abdullah, RB (Nebraska)- Although they retained Justin Forsett, he has no serviceable backups and Abdullah is too talented to pass. As a sophomore, he became the first running back at Nebraska to record 100-plus yards rushing in his first five starts since 1994, finishing 2012 with 1,137 yards rushing and 8 touchdowns while being named second-team All-Big 10. As a junior, Abdullah broke out and ran for 1,690 yards and nine touchdowns while topping 100 yards in 11 of 13 games; he became a first-team All-Big Ten selection and the team MVP, as well as a 2013 Academic All-American. Abdullah was even better last year as he ran for 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 269 and three through the air, finishing his career with 4,588 rushing yards. Although he lacks the size and frame of an every down back (5'9," 205 pounds), Abdullah was clocked at 4.54 in the 40 and jumped an incredible 42 inches in the vertical jump 10'8" in the broad jump. A decisive runner with great vision, Abdullah is patient and sets up his blocks and will hit the necessary cut back lanes; he is incredibly elusive and a threat in the passing game, catching 48 passes over the last two seasons without a drop. His small frame holds him back from being an affective and aggressive pass protector; Abdullah also has a fumbling issue with 13 in his career. He will most likely spend his first years as a return man first with 1,592 and 316 career kick and punt return yards respectively (he has taken one of each back).
59. Denver Broncos: Hroniss Grasu, C (Oregon)- Despite Denver signing Gino Gradkowski this off season, Denver is in need of depth at center in an attempt to bolster their offensive line. Grasu's 52 starts, every game he's played in, were all at center, both astounding figures. He was Named second-team All-American, first- team All-Pac 12 and was a Rimington Award finalist as the nation's best center. He fought through injury last season, missing three games, including Pac-12 Championship Game with a leg injury; he was also named first-team All-Pac 12 in 2013 and 2012, starting 26 games, a finalist for the Rimington Award in 2013, and the recipient of Oregon's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award in 2012. Grasu is 6'3," 297 pounds with 32 inch arms, using those intangibles to succeed against bigger interior linemen and be aggressive at the point of attack. He excels in second level and reach blocks, using ideal hand placement. While he possess great hand placement and power at the point of attack, he needs to do so at a more consistent level. Lacks acceleration when pulling and will often slow the running back's path; addition weight and betterleverage will also help him win in short yard situations
60. Dallas Cowboys: Grady Jarrett, DT (Clemson)- The Cowboys need to go defense again and address their issues at defensive line. They ranked 20th in Power Success and Stuffed Percentage, 29th in yards allowed, and 28th in sacks. While the addition of Hardy will help, he is suspended for the first 10 games and Dallas couldn't retainAnthony Spencer, Geroge Selvie, or Henry Melton. Drafting Jarrett this late would be a huge steal as he could immediately help. Despite being a little light for a nose tackle (304 pounds), he posses an explosive first step and leverage. He's a factor in the run game, shooting gaps with incredible speed and power to cause disruption. Jarrett has a variety of pass rush and hand movements that, coupled with his motor, makes him a factor in both the pass and run game. His motor only lasts so long as he struggled with finishing the fourth quarter; he also struggled with being too reliant on speed instead of technique.
61. Indianapolis Colts: T.J. Yeldon, RB (Alabama)- After cutting ties with the consistently unproductive Trent Richardson and signing veteran Frank Gore, the Colts upgraded the position significantly, but Dan Herron and Ahmad Bradshaw are average and a guy like Yeldon could become the missing ingredient. Yeldon left his mark as one of Alabama's most successful running backs since 2000: he was a second team All-SEC choose after starting 10 games. He made the first team in 2013 and was an All-Freshman SEC selection in 2012 after becoming the first Alabama true freshman to rush for 1,000 yards while backing up Eddie Lacy. At 6'1," 226 pounds, Yeldon has great size and speed (4.53 40), also posting an impressive 22 reps on the bench press and 36 inch vert. Arguably the most elusive back in the class, Yeldon's hip and foot fluidity and quickness slow him to move laterally, between tackles, hit his running lane, make defenders miss, and weave through traffic without any wasted movement; shows a feel for developing holes as well. Yeldon must break his running upright and high pad level tendencies that will leave him exposed for big hits. He lacks desires power to be a factor in pass protection, short yardage situations, and fighting through arm tacklers; his 10 fumbles in only 576 career carries are a huge area of concern as well. It could create a crowded back field, but Yeldon has excellent intangibles.
62. Green Bay Packers: Clive Walford, TE (Miami)- While it's not a sexy pick, Richard Rodgers was Below Average and doesn't prove to be a serviceable back up; Andrew Quarless also only caught three touchdowns last season, ranking 22nd in DYAR and 26th in DVOA. Walford had a breakout season, earning second team All-ACC and third team AP All-American while being recognized as a Mackey Award finalist. He posses great measurables (6'4," 251 pounds, 4.7 40, and 35 inch vert) and is a great blocker. He spent time inline and at the slot and H-Back spots, allowing for greater usage at the next level. Very tough and good after the catch, using his big hands and long arms to elevate his game. He did have trouble with drops as he recorded 10 between 2012 and 2013; consistent speed, route running, and run blocking are also areas of concern that he will need to address to have a lengthy career.
63. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Conley, WR (Georgia)- After watching the Super Bowl, it became evident more than ever that Seattle needs more depth at the receiver spot. While Doug Baldwin has been successful, Paul Richardson and Jermaine Kearse we're rated as Average last season; they also threw for 20 touchdowns last season, good enough for 22nd best in the league. Conley was Georgia's leader in yards and TD's last season and made nine starts the year before. His combine numbers were incredible, running a blazing 4.35 in the 40 yard dash and jumping 45 inches in thee vertical leap test and 11'5" in the broad jump. A smooth route runner, he sets corners up only before accelerating right past them with long strides. He stems and breaks off routes very well, ran an expanded route tree at Georgia, and can made the sideline catches; will be able to play outside and in the slot. He posses a lean frame (6'2," 213 pounds) that makes it difficulty to beat press and get back on his route. His drops are an issue as they were on display at the combine, lacks desired foot speed to et open in short to intermediate routes, and isn't a huge factor after the catch. Nonetheless, he could be the down field threat Seattle needs.
64. New England Patriots: Michael Bennett, DT (Ohio State)- The defending champs have very little holes on their roster at all, but losing Vince Wilfork is one of them. Bennett was a bit of a forgotten man along Ohio State's defensive lineman due to the superb play of All-American Joey Bosa but was a great player in his own right, earning third team All-America honors and second team All-Big Ten honors in 2014 as well second team All-Big Ten honors in 2013. Brings violent, active hands first in pass rush, and his long arms disrupt passing lanes. Uses near perfect technique and pad level to fight through double teams and wreck havoc amongst interior lineman. There are questions surrounding his motor and where he fits along the line, speciaficslly as a three tech. The fact he had a more productive junior year than senior will alarm some teams, but he exemplifies the type of players wanted in the Pats' system.
61. Indianapolis Colts: T.J. Yeldon, RB (Alabama)- After cutting ties with the consistently unproductive Trent Richardson and signing veteran Frank Gore, the Colts upgraded the position significantly, but Dan Herron and Ahmad Bradshaw are average and a guy like Yeldon could become the missing ingredient. Yeldon left his mark as one of Alabama's most successful running backs since 2000: he was a second team All-SEC choose after starting 10 games. He made the first team in 2013 and was an All-Freshman SEC selection in 2012 after becoming the first Alabama true freshman to rush for 1,000 yards while backing up Eddie Lacy. At 6'1," 226 pounds, Yeldon has great size and speed (4.53 40), also posting an impressive 22 reps on the bench press and 36 inch vert. Arguably the most elusive back in the class, Yeldon's hip and foot fluidity and quickness slow him to move laterally, between tackles, hit his running lane, make defenders miss, and weave through traffic without any wasted movement; shows a feel for developing holes as well. Yeldon must break his running upright and high pad level tendencies that will leave him exposed for big hits. He lacks desires power to be a factor in pass protection, short yardage situations, and fighting through arm tacklers; his 10 fumbles in only 576 career carries are a huge area of concern as well. It could create a crowded back field, but Yeldon has excellent intangibles.
62. Green Bay Packers: Clive Walford, TE (Miami)- While it's not a sexy pick, Richard Rodgers was Below Average and doesn't prove to be a serviceable back up; Andrew Quarless also only caught three touchdowns last season, ranking 22nd in DYAR and 26th in DVOA. Walford had a breakout season, earning second team All-ACC and third team AP All-American while being recognized as a Mackey Award finalist. He posses great measurables (6'4," 251 pounds, 4.7 40, and 35 inch vert) and is a great blocker. He spent time inline and at the slot and H-Back spots, allowing for greater usage at the next level. Very tough and good after the catch, using his big hands and long arms to elevate his game. He did have trouble with drops as he recorded 10 between 2012 and 2013; consistent speed, route running, and run blocking are also areas of concern that he will need to address to have a lengthy career.
63. Seattle Seahawks: Chris Conley, WR (Georgia)- After watching the Super Bowl, it became evident more than ever that Seattle needs more depth at the receiver spot. While Doug Baldwin has been successful, Paul Richardson and Jermaine Kearse we're rated as Average last season; they also threw for 20 touchdowns last season, good enough for 22nd best in the league. Conley was Georgia's leader in yards and TD's last season and made nine starts the year before. His combine numbers were incredible, running a blazing 4.35 in the 40 yard dash and jumping 45 inches in thee vertical leap test and 11'5" in the broad jump. A smooth route runner, he sets corners up only before accelerating right past them with long strides. He stems and breaks off routes very well, ran an expanded route tree at Georgia, and can made the sideline catches; will be able to play outside and in the slot. He posses a lean frame (6'2," 213 pounds) that makes it difficulty to beat press and get back on his route. His drops are an issue as they were on display at the combine, lacks desired foot speed to et open in short to intermediate routes, and isn't a huge factor after the catch. Nonetheless, he could be the down field threat Seattle needs.
64. New England Patriots: Michael Bennett, DT (Ohio State)- The defending champs have very little holes on their roster at all, but losing Vince Wilfork is one of them. Bennett was a bit of a forgotten man along Ohio State's defensive lineman due to the superb play of All-American Joey Bosa but was a great player in his own right, earning third team All-America honors and second team All-Big Ten honors in 2014 as well second team All-Big Ten honors in 2013. Brings violent, active hands first in pass rush, and his long arms disrupt passing lanes. Uses near perfect technique and pad level to fight through double teams and wreck havoc amongst interior lineman. There are questions surrounding his motor and where he fits along the line, speciaficslly as a three tech. The fact he had a more productive junior year than senior will alarm some teams, but he exemplifies the type of players wanted in the Pats' system.
