Quarterbacks
1. Jameis Winston — Florida State — 6’4 — 230 Ibs. — I think it’s safe to say that Winston is probably the favorite to be the number one pick in the draft and is highly viewed as the top quarterback. He’s a winner, that’s for sure and he does have a big time arm. However, he does have baggage with off the field issues and at times he makes really poor decisions with the football. Overall he can become JaMarcus Russell (which I’ve been saying since last year) or he can become similar to Ben Roethlisberger.
2. Marcus Mariota — Oregon — 6’4 — 225 Ibs. — He’s an extremely talented quarterback who has the rare ability to get out of the pocket and makes plays with his feet. However, he stares down one receiver far too often and his ball security is probably the worst of any quarterback in the draft. Overall, he should be a top 10 pick but don’t expect him to start right away. He’s going to take some time develop and if you don’t take that time, then you might as well go in a different direction at quarterback now.
3. Brett Hundley — UCLA — 6’3 — 225 Ibs. — Slowly growing on me is Brett Hundley and his ability to make plays when you don’t think he’ll be able to. He’s very comparable to Donovan McNabb with his playmaking ability but he just doesn’t have as strong as an arm as McNabb did. However, Hundley could turn into a really nice later first round pick or early second round pick for a team that is somewhat uncertain at quarterback.
4. Sean Mannion — Oregon State — 6’6 — 230 Ibs. — As a Oregon State Beaver fan, I’m probably biased here but I’ve seen Mannion play often and he’s impressive. He’s a good decision maker who has an above average arm. He’s got great size and will take at least a year in a new offense to get better. He will get a chance to start in this league eventually and when it’s all said and done, I think we’ll compare him to Carson Palmer.
5. Bryce Petty — Baylor — 6’3 — 230 Ibs. — Want to talk about throwing the ball deep and hoping someone catches it? Look no further than Bryce Petty. He makes some questionable throws, especially in a spread offense such as Baylor’s but he was a productive player in college. I question his accuracy and how well he steps into his throws. With time he could develop into a decent pro but I don’t see it. He should be available in the 3rd or 4th round for a team looking to add a project at quarterback. Right now I would have to compare him to Jake Locker.
Running Backs
1. Todd Gurley — Georgia — 6’1 — 220 Ibs. — Despite his torn ACL injury, Todd Gurley has a legitimate chance of being a top 15 pick. He’s got a rare combination of size, speed and strength. Since he’s being checked as healthy, a lot of teams are buying into him and his stock which I would have to agree with. After a full season of recovery, Gurley could be one of the best running backs in the league.
2. Melvin Gordon — Wisconsin — 6’1 — 215 Ibs. — There’s a lot of tape on Gordon because he’s carried the ball a lot for the Badgers throughout his career. To me that’s somewhat of a concern because much like every Wisconsin back to come into the league, they get burnt out quicker. Maybe that’s just what I think and it’s not really true but it’s hard to ignore it. Gordon should be a first round pick and it would be hard to believe that he doesn’t become a starter with an offense before the first game of the season.
3. Jeremy Langford — Michigan State — 6’0 — 210 Ibs. — I don’t understand how Langford isn’t higher on other expert boards. He’s got great size and speed to be a perfect running back in a struggling offense. With that, he should be a 2nd round pick as he’s just starting to reach his prime. If teams pass on him, they will regret it.
4. Jay Ajayi — Boise State — 6’0 — 220 Ibs. — Maybe it’s the fact that he’s coming from Boise State or maybe it’s because his tape is extremely similar to Doug Martin from when he came into the league. Ajayi has the ability to be a difference maker for an offense that’s looking for a solid combination back. I say combination back as someone who can carry the ball for you on first and second down and then on third down, you throw him the ball. Ajayi could slip into the first round team for a team like the Cowboys or Panthers but if he’s available in round 2, much like Langford he’d be a steal.
5. Tevin Coleman — Indiana — 5’11 — 205 Ibs. — I see a very average running back in this position as Coleman’s tape isn’t jaw dropping. However, he’s very consistent and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet. Coleman will be a solid third round pick and could become an extremely feasible back for an offense in a year or two.
Wide Receivers
1. Amari Cooper — Alabama — 6’1 — 210 Ibs. — Do you want a flash or do you want consistency? When I look at the wide receiver position, I want a consistent one. Cooper is just that and he should be the first receiver off the board. Maybe it’s the connection with the Crimson Tide or maybe he’s just as good as Julio Jones but I think that’s the best comparison for Cooper. He’s not going to be the fastest player on the field but he’s one of the hardest working.
2. Kevin White — West Virginia — 6’3 — 215 Ibs. — It’s hard for me to believe that Kevin White slips out of the top ten. White has big playmaking ability but he could very well just be another flash in the pan like Darrius Heyward-Bey. I don’t think he will be but if he doesn’t make strides from year one into year two, expect White to move around the league quickly.
3. DeVante Parker — Louisville — 6’3 — 210 Ibs. — A player that has really grown on me during the draft process is Parker. He’s got great speed and explosion to make plays happen quickly. He might not be as muscular or as bulky as you’d want for a 6’3 receiver but his hands are reliable and he has the ability to make an impact in year one. Most comparable to Randall Cobb.
4. Devin Smith — Ohio State — 6’0 – 200 Ibs. — An extremely quick receiver who can get vertical on a defensive back quickly. Smith is a strong route runner and could very well slip into the first round despite not having the vertical leap you’d like for him to have. Overall, he’s a straight line speed guy but he will earn first round looks. Most comparable to Steve Smith.
5. Dorial Green-Beckham — Oklahoma — 6’5 – 235 Ibs. — Big time receiver who has big time off the field concerns. Certainly seems like the case with a lot of players this year but DGB has been quiet through the draft process. That’s a good sign for teams looking for a big play receiver who isn’t close to hitting his prime. Without playing a single down this past year, DGB is still somewhat raw. However, he has the ability to be really good in this league as he’s got the size and hands to go up and make time catches. Right now I think he’s a second round pick with similarities of Andre Johnson.
Tight Ends
1. Maxx Williams — Minnesota — 6’4 – 250 Ibs. — The talent at tight end this year is nowhere near it’s been in the past. However, if there’s anyone worth a first round look, it’s Maxx Williams. He’s a movable tight end who’s got good hands. He’s more of a pass-catcher than a blocker and that’s because his hips are too tight and he doesn’t push forward when blocking. That can be worked on as he’s got the natural ability to become a starter for an offense. Comparable to Jordan Cameron.
2. Clive Walford — Miami (FL). — 6’4 – 250 Ibs. — He’s been very impressive throughout the draft process as he posted the best 40-yard-dash time and had a very nice vertical jump. He’s a better blocker than his tape gives him credit for but he drops a lot of passes. He needs to clean up his routes as he breaks too quickly or takes too big of an angle. With time, he can become a solid contributor to an offense as a 2nd round pick. Compares to Dwayne Allen.
3. Jesse James — Penn State — 6’7 – 260 Ibs. — If you want a long tight end who can block well, then look no further. James struggles at times when run blocking but overall could be a very serviceable tight end. He’ll be a 4th round pick with the ability to slip into a starting role with an offense after one year. I think he’s very raw but he has a lot of potential with his ability to go up and grab the football. Compares to Luke Wilson.
4. Ben Koyack — Notre Dame — 6’5 – 255 Ibs. — I don’t think there’s anyone on the field that works harder than Koyack. He’s got nice size and big hands to go up and grab the football. He will draw single coverage and should be able to take advantage of it. He’ll probably go in the 4 or 5th round as he’s got to get better making plays down field. He’s extremely raw as he’s only started once in his career but I think he’ll go to a team that needs depth at tight end.
5. Wes Saxton — South Alabama — 6’3 – 250 Ibs. — Here’s a player that isn’t going to create a lot of buzz but could be the biggest sleeper at this position. Saxton doesn’t have ideal size for a tight end and he’s not that good at blocking or shedding the jam at the line of scrimmage. However, in open space he can make plays, especially in single coverage. I see a lot of comparable traits to Julius Thomas in his game.
Centers
1. Cameron Erving — Florida State — 6’5 – 315 Ibs. — Possibly the best all around lineman in this draft. Erving has the ability to play any position on the offensive line and could very well be a player taken in the teens. Right now, I think he’ll play guard but he could very well transition to center for a team that has an older center. Erving is a powerful lineman who’s always pushing forward. He struggles against faster defensive lineman and at times, gets turned around easily but overall, he’s going to be a solid pro.
2. Reese Dismukes — Auburn — 6’3 – 300 Ibs. — A quick player with good awareness who can hit defensive lineman quickly with his hands. Dismukes loses leverage at times and he stumbles on his feet but overall, he’s a good run blocker who has the potential to become a starter for an offense in the future. Compares to Ben Jones.
3. Shaquille Mason — Georgia Tech — 6’2 – 305 Ibs. — Has played most of his career as a guard but he’s got the size to be a center. He’s raw at the position but he’s extremely powerful and is always moving forward. He has the ability to keep his hands fighting and his hips tend to stay square. Mason might be one of the better interior lineman in this draft and should be looked at in the 4th round as he compares to Scott Wells.
4. B.J. Finney — Kansas State — 6’4 – 320 Ibs. — For being as big as he is, he doesn’t have very long arms. Finney though is a leader and a fighter as he’s only given up 2.5 sacks over the last four years. He struggles with snap-to-step quickness and when the linebackers move, he gets stuck in place. Overall he’s going to be your average center and should get a look at being a starter one day.
5. Max Garcia — Florida — 6’4 – 310 Ibs. — One of the hardest working offensive lineman on film and has the rare technique of power and hand placement. He held his own against Carl Davis at the Senior Bowl practices and should get a look as a powerful run blocker. He might get taken before the 5th round but I think that’s going to be his ideal selection.
Offensive Guards
1. A.J. Cann — South Carolina — 6’3 – 315 Ibs. — Far from being a quick offensive lineman but Cann’s a strong one. He has the ability to be a 2nd round pick and could instantly help an offensive line. Right now I think he’s a better run blocker than pass blocker but once he figures out how to hold his leverage against the pass rush, he’ll become a good pro. Right now I think he’s very comparable to Jon Asamoah.
2. Tre’ Jackson — Florida State — 6’4 – 330 Ibs. — Tre Jackson didn’t live up to the hype on his pro day as he wasn’t extremely strong. He wasn’t that quick either. Overall he’s got good leverage when the ball is snapped and he’s more of a technician than a weight room guy. Right now I think he’ll be at the end of the 2nd round but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was taken early in the 3rd round.
3. Laken Tomlinson — Duke — 6’3 – 325 Ibs. — Tomlinson’s climbing up my board as he plays low and is a bruiser. He lacks the athleticism but he’s going to be an anchor for a team’s guard position for years to come.
4. John Miller — Louisville – 6’2 – 305 Ibs. — I really like Miller as he’s got rare size and power at the guard position. He has the chance of becoming a really good guard and will be used immediately in any offensive package.
5. Ali Marpet — Hobart — 6’4 – 310 Ibs. — Marpet’s story is a good one and he’ll definitely get some screen time. However, he’s got some mechanic issues that he has to clean up for me to say he’ll be a good guard one day. He will get his chance to shine but right now I think he’s very comparable to Eben Britton from Arizona a few years back.
Offensive Tackles
1. Brandon Scherff – Iowa — 6’5 – 320 Ibs. — Probably better suited as a guard in this league or a right tackle but he should get a look at left tackle. Much like Cameron Erving, Scherff’s got the skill set to be a “hybrid” offensive lineman. Scherff will probably be the only offensive lineman taken in the top 10 and rightfully so being that he’s a good pass blocker and run blocker. He has a rare combination of skill and should draw comparisons to Riley Reiff.
2. D.J. Humphries — Florida — 6’5 – 310 Ibs. — Quite possibly the best left tackle in the draft is Humphries. He will get the chance to play left tackle and could emerge as a draft surprise as he’s highly underrated.
3a. Andrus Peat — Stanford — 6’7 – 315 Ibs. — A gifted athlete who lacks any real aggression as an offensive lineman. Peat will be best suited as a right tackle as he lacks the ideal strength for a left tackle.
3b. Jake Fisher — Oregon — 6’6 – 305 Ibs. — Fisher is extremely good at keeping a wide base and shutting down any line stunts with his quickness. He gets too grabby at times and needs to get stronger but he’s been an impressive player and is best suited for a zone blocking scheme.
4. Ereck Flowers — Florida State — 6’6 – 315 Ibs. — Many experts believe that Flowers is the 2nd best tackle in the draft. I can’t disagree with them but he’s not as quick as you’d want him to be at the left tackle position and he does have some injury concerns. Overall, he will be a first round pick but he can range all the way from the 9th pick to the 31st pick.
5. T.J Clemmings — Pittsburgh — 6’5 — 310 Ibs. — Clemmings been one of my favorite offensive lineman throughout this draft process and he should be a first round pick. However, he’s dealing with a foot stress fracture and might fall into day two. I think he has the potential to be a left tackle as he’s a much better pass blocker than run blocker due to his athletic ability. Clemmings might not become a day one starter for a team but with time, he will adjust to the game and be great. Compares to
