After putting out my prospect rankings for the offensive and defensive players in the 2014 NFL Draft, I decided it was time to put the top 50 players on my big board. Each one of these players will get drafted and I think the descriptions attached to them will help you view each prospect. Enjoy!
DE from South Carolina – Jadeveon Clowney – Without question, the best player in the draft. Many experts say he hurt himself by not ‘trying’ last season with the Gamecocks. I think it was a smart move. He should be the first pick in the draft and the odds of the Texans trading him seem to be very unlikely in my eyes. Compares to Mario Williams
WR from Clemson – Sammy Watkins – No player is more explosive than Sammy Watkins. Every player has some kind of question mark but it’s hard to find something wrong with Watkins. He may very well be the best player in the draft. Either way, you’re getting elite out of him. Who doesn’t want that? Compares to Josh Gordon
OLB from Buffalo – Khalil Mack – Not many guys can come off the edge like Mack can and still be good in run support as well as pass coverage. Khalil Mack is an ideal fit for either defense of 3-4 or 4-3 but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a top 3 pick. Compares to Von Miller
OT from Auburn – Greg Robinson – Best fitted as a right tackle, Robinson will get drafted as a left tackle. He can still play and he’s big enough and fast enough to be considered a franchise offensive tackle. The question is it the left side or right side? I still say right side but his development as a top 5 pick will be interesting. Compares to Michael Oher.
OT from Texas A&M – Jake Matthews – Here’s a guy who is higher on everyone’s board than speculated. He may slip down the boards some come draft day but he should be a top 10 pick and either way you look at it, he’s similar to Joe Thomas, who is a very good left tackle. Compares to Joe Thomas.
OLB from UCLA – Anthony Barr – Considered undersized and not as strong as other linebackers. But he’s a pass rushing specialist and will be an absolute terror coming off the edge. I think he’s a top 10 pick and will develop into a solid pro despite being ‘raw’. Compares to Clay Matthews.
QB from UCF – Blake Bortles – The Minnesota Vikings love this kid and there’s no way they don’t try to trade up for him. I never thought of him as the first overall pick but I do believe he’s a player who can be selected between picks 2-5. Bortles has had a great pre-draft workout to allow him be the number one quarterback on the board. Compares to Ben Roethlisberger.
WR from Texas A&M – Mike Evans – Even though I’m not his biggest fan, he’s got the talent to be a great receiver. Mainly his size is his strongest part of his game while he needs to get better at running routes. Overall, I can see him in the top 10 but if he falls out of that, I don’t see him lasting long. Compares to Brandon Marshall
DT from Florida State – Timmy Jernigan – I love how fluid this kid is. Aaron Donald has been impressive but I don’t think he’s separated himself from Jernigan in personal rankings. Donald will probably go before Jernigan but I still believe the better pro is Jernigan. I see him being a tenacious run stopper and pass rusher for a defense for years to come. Compares to Glenn Dorsey.
DT from Pittsburgh – Aaron Donald – A very good defensive tackle. Considerably the best one in the draft. Again, I still like Jernigan. Donald is a bit undersized and I don’t think it’ll be a problem for him but I just think with him having short arms and the lack of ability to beat offensive lineman with them, he could be a bit over hyped. Compares to Geno Atkins.
CB from Oklahoma State – Justin Gilbert – A very explosive cornerback and I was a huge fan of him before the combine. I’ve been a fan of Dennard as well and I believe he’s more pro ready but the explosiveness from Gilbert is what ranks him higher. He takes a lot of risks and that could hurt him in his first year but his future is bright. Compares to Asante Samuel.
FS from Alabama – Hasean Clinton-Dix – Arguably the best safety in the draft. I do like Calvin Pryor but Clinton-Dix has the best ball skills of any defensive back in the draft. He can lay any player out but also reads the quarterback better than anyone. He’s going to be a fun pro to watch and I wouldn’t be surprised if a team trades up for him. Compares to Earl Thomas
ILB from Alabama – CJ Mosley – The safest pick in the draft and most times that’s the best player in the draft. Mosley can fit in any defense and is great in run support. He needs to get bigger to be considered elite but he has time. Compares to Stephen Tulloch.
CB from Michigan State – Darqueze Dennard – The most pro ready corner in the draft but lacks the explosiveness you’d like to see from a corner. He’s not as quick at the hip as others but he’s still very good. Definitely a zone coverage corner who can easily be a day one starter. Compares to Nnamdi Asomugha
QB from Texas A&M – Johnny Manziel – The most athletic quarterback in the draft is Manziel. He lacks the size of most quarterbacks as he’s barely 6’0 tall but he has a strong-arm and is very fast. I can see him being successful despite the critics. Accuracy is a concern but he can improve which with time, I think it will. Compares to Russell Wilson.
WR from LSU – Odell Beckham Jr. – Not your biggest receiver but he would be a fine fit in the slot for any team as well as a solid number two wide out. He’s climbing up draft boards everywhere and has just as much explosion as Sammy Watkins. Compares to Desean Jackson.
QB from Louisville – Teddy Bridgewater – I’m still a fan of Bridgewater but he’s had a rough series of pre-draft workouts. There’s definitely questions of whether he can grow as a quarterback at the next level. If he can find a team that has a veteran and allows him to grow within the offense, you could say he’d be similar to what Aaron Rodgers had to go through. Compares to Donovan McNabb.
TE from North Carolina – Eric Ebron – I really think this kid is the next coming of Vernon Davis or even Jimmy Graham. He’s a very athletic player who can line up in the natural tight end position or even in the slot. Catching jump balls won’t be a problem but he’ll have to sharpen his route running. Compares to Aaron Hernandez
FS from Louisville – Calvin Pryor – Pryor is a physically gifted safety who comes through the middle of the field without any worry of punishing an offensive player. He needs to improve in some coverage’s but that’s more with him struggling turning his hips. Given time, I see him becoming one of the top safeties in the league one day. Compares to Bob Sanders
OT from Michigan – Taylor Lewan – Despite his off the field issues this offseason, Lewan is one the most physically talented left tackles in the draft. Most experience at the position is given to Lewan as Greg Robinson and Jake Matthews both have seen experience at right tackle. Lewan might shift down the draft boards but he’s still a first round talent and could easily fall into the top 10. Compares to Jake Long.
DE from Missouri – Kony Ealy – At 6’4″ and 275 Ibs, Ealy didn’t post strong numbers in the bench with only 22 reps but he has quick hands and his burst off the line of scrimmage is pretty good. I see him as a possible bust though as he’s not very instinctive and isn’t athletic as you’d want him to be. Considered at one time as a hybrid defensive end, he’s not a player that will have his hand in the dirt at all times. He should still be a first round pick though. Compares to Cameron Jordan.
OLB from Ohio State – Ryan Shazier – Here’s a player who doesn’t have elite quickness or size coming off the edge but he’s pretty good in run support as well as pass coverage. If he didn’t have some off the field issues, he’d be a top 15 pick but I still think he’s a first rounder. Compares to Keith Rivers.
CB from Virginia Tech – Kyle Fuller – A physical corner who won’t let you past him without a fight. Pretty good in run support as well. Zone coverage skills can get better but with time which I think will happen. Compares to Prince Amukamara
WR from Oregon State – Brandin Cooks – Quick first step and sure handed receiver who can run routes better than just about any receiver in the draft. He had the most production of any receiver last year and could very well be a first round steal to whoever takes him. Compares to Steve Smith (the good one).
DE from Auburn – Dee Ford – To me he’s best fitted as your hybrid defensive end who can put his hand in the dirt but will see a significant increase in numbers if he’s standing up off the edge. Needs to get stronger to be considered elite but should be taken in the first round. Compares to Jarvis Jones
DT from Notre Dame – Louis Nix – Injuries have hurt his stock but I do believe he could be a first rounder. If not, he could be an early second rounder. Not fast but most defensive tackles aren’t. He carries his weight well for being 335 Ibs but he still lacks any real quickness. He won’t ever be a double-digit sack guy but will make tackles for loss a lot. Compares to BJ Raiji.
OG from Notre Dame – Zack Martin – The best guard in the draft is right here. He’s seen some time at the tackle position but his game will best transit to the guard position. There are plenty of teams in the top 20 who need an offensive guard. Compares to Kyle Long.
WR from USC – Marqise Lee – Here’s a player who has shifted down the draft boards but he still is a great possession receiver. I see him being a solid number two receiver at the next level as he lacks ideal quickness to be a slot receiver guy. Compares to Lee Evans
QB from Fresno State – Derek Carr – Very productive quarterback in college but he played against lesser talent at Fresno State. When he played against better teams, he struggled. I wouldn’t consider him a day one starter for any team but he can easily roll into a starting job eventually. Compares to Carson Palmer.
OT from Virginia – Morgan Moses – Moses has been climbing up most draft boards because of the injuries to offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. Moses though is still a very good offensive tackle in his own right who can play both the left side and right side. If a team needs a left tackle, he’ll start there but I see him transitioning best at right tackle. Compares to Jason Smith.
OG from UCLA – Xavier Su’a Filo – The most pure guard in the draft as that’s his natural position. Has a tendency to lose leverage once contact is made with a defensive player but he’s best fitted in a zone blocking scheme. The back-end of the first round should be an ideal position for him to be drafted. Compares to Rob Sims.
DT from Minnesota – Ra’Shede Hageman – Lacks the consistency you want to see from most players and has the tendency to make penalties at poor times but there is no denying his size and strength. Could very well be a sleeper in the second round but I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a first rounder. Compares to Justin Smith
CB from Ohio State – Bradley Roby – Another player who had off the field issues and seems to have consistency issues with production. Quicker than expected as he was in the 4.3 range during his 40 yard dash. Could fall into the first round to a team like the Seahawks but I see him as an early second round pick. Compares to Dunta Robinson.
FS from Northern Illinois – Jimmie Ward – A physical safety as far as grabbing the receiver and not letting him go. That will help him and hurt him at the next level. Quick feet and smooth in transition but isn’t as a strong as you’d like. Compares to Thomas Decoud.
OLB from BYU – Kyle Van Noy – Could be an edge rusher in a 3-4 defense but he doesn’t have elite quickness. Most are saying he’s best fitted for a 4-3 defense as the weak side linebacker. Isn’t an explosive tackler but he locates the ball quickly. Compares to Nick Barnett.
DE from Oregon State – Scott Crichton – A very underrated pass rusher from the Beaver Nation. Crichton will be a second round pick but he has great size and initial quickness off the ball. He will be able to compete for a starting job but he needs to improve his closing speed on quarterbacks as well as his flexibility as he gets stood up too often. Compares to Ray Edwards.
WR from Penn State – Allen Robinson – At 6’3″, Allen Robinson has the size to be a number one receiver but I think he’s best fitted next to a star receiver. Take Dez Bryant for example. Robinson can go up and get jump balls but has the skill to run the proper routes and catch the ball. Would be a solid selection in the second round. Compares to Dwayne Bowe.
TE from Texas Tech – Jace Amaro – Has great size but not as bulky as you’d like to see with tight ends. I think he’s a good route runner but he tends to run the routes too high or doesn’t finish them. Compares to Mychal Rivera
WR from Ole Miss – Donte Moncrief – On the clock he’s fast but he lacks ideal straight line speed. He has the ability to run good routes but needs to make sure he does it on every play. I see him being a slot receiver early in his career but can translate to a higher role in the future. Compares to Michael Crabtree
DE from Boise State – Demarcus Lawrence – An ideal fit for your typical off the edge rusher and he could very easily slide into a starting role for a team who needs him. I could see him becoming a double-digit sack guy pretty quick. Compares to Greg Hardy.
RB from Ohio State – Carlos Hyde – The best running back in the draft is Carlos Hyde. He was very productive at Ohio State and could very well be a starter if a team like the Giants, Jaguars or Browns take him in the second round. Lacks ideal speed at the position but is an absolute bruiser. Compares to Michael Turner.
QB from Pittsburgh – Tom Savage – A prospect that came out of nowhere. Was considered a 5th round pick and now he’s being viewed as a solid second round pick. Savage has the ideal height and arm strength of a big time quarterback. Needs to show growth in the pocket but that will come with time. Compares to Joe Flacco.
OG from Nevada – Joel Bitonio – One of the sleepers on my board for the second round. Bitonio has never played guard at Nevada but lacks that ideal length to play tackle. He can make any block but you would like to see him quicker in his back step. Compares to Marshall Newhouse
DT from Notre Dame – Stephon Tuitt – In a 3-4 defense you get a defensive lineman who can play any position. Tuitt has some consistency concerns as well as his ability in stopping the run but he can get after the quarterback. Not a pure pass rusher but he’ll be a great gap player. Compares to Andre Carter.
OT from Alabama – Cyrus Kouandjio – Injuries have really hurt Kouandjio who was considered a first rounder. He had a great career at Alabama but he lacks ideal quickness at the position. Best fitted at right tackle but could see some time at left tackle. Compares to Eugene Monroe.
CB from TCU – Jason Verrett – Doesn’t have ideal size for the position but could a great nickel back corner at the next level. Plenty of teams need a player like him who has great speed and fluid hips but he needs to improve his hands. Compares to Walter Thurmond.
OLB from Wisconsin – Chris Borland – Small inside linebacker who will transition himself to the outside. Instinctive football player who can improve his size and speed. I think he’s a backup but in the next year or two, he could be a starter for a team. Compares to DeAndre Levy.
WR from Clemson – Martavis Bryant – In the shadow of Sammy Watkins is Martavis Bryant who is a big time receiver waiting to happen. If a team waits for him in the second round, they’ll be extremely satisfied as he’s a pure route runner who has good hands but needs improvements with them. Compares to Vincent Jackson
RB from LSU – Jeremy Hill – In between the tackles Jeremy Hill is a great running back and he can really get to the next level. Again, he has maturity issues but I still think he transitions into a nice pro. Compares to Anthony Thomas
QB from Alabama – AJ McCarron – All he does is win. Doesn’t have the big time arm but he has shown his ability to run a pro style offense for the last several years. He’s more accurate than people think and can control the game with his ability at the line of scrimmage. Second rounder? I think so. Compares to Chad Henne.
C from Colorado State – Weston Richburg – Good upper body strength to move the defensive tackle and has the balance and quickness to turn and seal his opponent. Effective run blocker, but isn’t a mauler with dominating leg drive. Compares to Eric Wood.
