TOP 50 PLAYERS FOR 2014 NFL DRAFT
1. JADEVEON CLOWNEY - DE 6-5 272 Jr. South Carolina
Is now up to 272 from 256 while running a 4.52 forty which will put J.J. Watt's and
Jared Allen's sack records in jeopardy once he arrives in the NFL. Lingering shoulder
injury may keep him out of Gamecocks first game?
2. ANTHONY BARR - OLB 6-4 245 Sr. UCLA
Ideal size and quickness and was outstanding in 1st year at position after switch
from RB. Explosive pass rush separates him from the pack. Lawrence Taylor
comparisons would not be far-fetched.
3. C.J. MOSLEY - OLB 6-1 232 Sr. Alabama
C.J. and Louis Nix, III are two of the most complete football players for their positions.
Mosley can play the run by making tackles at the LOS or by chasing, can drop in pass
coverage and has an explosive pass rush. Can play any LB position and might have
more sacks if given the green light. Only negative is his less than ideal height.
4. TEDDY BRIDGEWATER - 6-2 1/2 - 220 Jr. Louisville
Could be drafted even higher if has outstanding year as QB position is crucial to a
team's success. His performances vs. Rutgers and Florida would make believers
out of any skeptic. Imagine Jacksonville's dilemma if they have the first pick and have
to choose between Clowney and Bridegewater. Clowney's shoulder may make the
selection easier. Teddy doesn't have the strongest arm in this class but has the ability
and competitiveness to be a franchise QB.
5. MARQISE LEE - WR 6-0 195 Jr. USC
His speed (4.37 best in forty and track background), athleticism and production cannot
be denied. As a Frosh in 2011, he had 73 receptions for 15.7 ypc, 11 TDs and averaged
28.5 per kick return to Soph in 2012, 118 receptions for a 14.6 average, 14 TDs and
again averaged 28.5 per kick return and returned one KR for a TD in each year. Lack
of height is only negative but can jump and is acrobatic. Deep threat on the outside who
can also play the slot.
6. LOUIS NIX, III - NT 6-2 347 rJr. Notre Dame
Up from 323 last year, he controls the LOS, makes tackles vs. the run and applies
pressure up the middle on his pass rush. Hard to find a negative for him at NT and could
play DT but is ideal NT. Three down player. Not all 32 NFL teams use a NT however.
7. AARON LYNCH - DE 6-5 244 rSoph South Florida
Notre Dame transfer who had to sit out in 2012 but gets sacks and applies pressure off
the edge as he demonstrated as a Freshman at ND. Jason Pierre-Paul comparisons
have been made based upon Spring practices at USF.
8. BRADLEY ROBY - CB 5-11 193 rJr. Ohio State
Cover corner with outstanding speed (4.28 forty places him in elite category); only 2
intercepts but 17 passes broken up earned him All-American Second Team and
All Big Ten 1st Team honors. A shoulder injury may have hindered even more
production and may be of concern.
9. JAKE MATTHEWS - LOT 6-41/2 305 Sr. Texas A & M
Moving from ROT to LOT to increase his monetary value to NFL teams, he was a
force in 2012 when he was Third Team All-American. I originally had him rated lower
as he is slightly smaller than the other OT's and I thought that his run blocking was
better than his pass blocking in 2012, but not that his pass blocking was bad, mind
you. But I just saw a replay of the Alabama game and some things stood out and
they are that he is a very physical player; that he has very good hip flexibility and
contact balance, good foot work and his arms seemed sufficiently long enough to
play LOT.
10. SAMMY WATKINS - WR 6-0 205 Jr. Clemson
Sensational freshman year to so-so soph year due to a two game suspension from an
arrest, a leg injury and sickness. Watkins is a game breaker who can line up all over
the field, even as a RB, somewhat similar to Percy Harvin. Is a more accomplished
receiver than Cordarrelle Patterson was at this stage of his career.
11. MARCUS MARIOTA - QB 6-4 211 Oregon
He can run the read option or spread offense better than anyone in this class. May
not have the velocity that Colin Kaepernick has on his throws but comparisons are
still in order. And if Johnny Manziel had kept to his original commitment and gone to
Oregon, who would have been the starting QB ?
12. STEPHON TUITT - DE 6-5 323 Jr. Notre Dame
Last year was listed at 303 and now is 323 which I believe would make him the
heaviest DE in NFL history. Could be either a DE in a 3/4 defense or a DT in a 4/3
defense or a combination of both positions in either defense. He can control the LOS
and make plays in the backfield but will he be the same player at 323 pounds and is
recovery from a sports hernia complete? Coach Kelly hopes to have him at 315 with
the ballooning to 323 being because he couldn't work out because of the hernia injury.
Tailed off during last half of 2012 and was handled easily by D.J. Fluker, which has
been attributable to the sports hernia injury?
13. KYLE VAN NOY - OLB 6-21/2 235 rSr. BYU
Many observers thought that he would declare for last year's draft after his MVP
performance in BYU's bowl game but he has returned. He has outstanding 4.56 speed
and his outstanding play included not only 13 sacks and nine tackles for loss but
six forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. Count him as a polished player who can
play right away.
14. ADRIAN HUBBARD - OLB 6-5 252 rJr. Alabama
Not the polished player that Van Noy is yet his size, length and speed for the
Position, along with his pass rush ability, gives him Pro Bowl potential.
15. JAMES HURST - LOT 6-6 305 Sr. North Carolina
His less than ideal forty time may have lowered his ranking by some but not by me.
Freshman All-American 1st Team to Second Team All-ACC as a Soph to 1st Team
All-ACC last year, his pass blocking from LOT is better than most as he has good
lateral foot quickness (also referred to as kick-slide), hand placement and balance,
which allows him to control the rusher and he is also good on run blocking as he can
get movement and can also reach the second level.
16. RYAN SHAZIER - OLB 6-2 226 Jr. Ohio State
Slightly undersized but has outstanding speed, production and playmaking ability.
If you watch an Ohio State game you don't have to look for him, he will make his
presence known to you.
17. CYRUS KOUANDJIO - LOT 6-5 310 Jr. Alabama
No. 1 rated OL out of H.S., he has good size, speed and very good athleticism for
the position. Needs work with his footwork and contact balance. Eight games into 2011
he went down with an ACL and MCL, recovered to play in 2012 and then this past
June had shoulder surgery. He is not the finished product yet but he has a high
upside because of his athleticism and this rating is based upon that potential.
18. AUSTIN SEFERIAN-JENKINS - TE 6-5 266 Jr. Washington
Imposing TE who can go deep, can high point the ball and uses his body to block out
defenders. Can be flexed out wide, can run after the catch and is an asset in the red zone.
DUI arrest is a red flag.
19. CYRIL RICHARDSON - OG 6-41/2 335 rSr. Baylor
Physically dominant player who has been the main cog in Baylor's run and passing game
the past two years.
20. BRANDON COLEMAN - WR 6-5 220 rJr. Rutgers
Deep threat and red zone threat. Not a polished receiver yet but his average yards per
catch of 16.7 and 10 TDs are impressive. At 6-5 he will always be a strider and not the
quickest in his cuts but he is a receiver that all QB's would like to have. Plaxico Burress type.
21. MARQUIS FLOWERS - OLB 6-2 230 Sr. Arizona
Defensive safety moved to OLB in 2012 where he had 100 total tackles, 7.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks,
three forced fumbles and with his DS experience three intercepts and three passes defended.
With his 4.42 forty time being the best of all the LBers, his coaches are looking for an even better
2013.
22. IFO EKPRE-OLOMU – CB 5-91/2 190 Jr. Oregon
Had terrific season which led to All-American Third Team and 1st Team All-Conference honors,
yet was torched in that wild shoot-out 62 - 51 win vs. USC, which had Marqise Lee and Robert
Woods catching and Matt Barkley pitching. Still, 16 passes broken up with four interceptions
and a really impressive six forced fumbles are hard to ignore.
23. HA'SEAN CLINTON-DIX – FS 6-1 208 Jr. Alabama
Ideal size, speed, athleticism and playmaking ability for the position.
24. CARL BRADFORD - OL 6-01/2 241 rJr. Arizona State
Continuing with the long line of outstanding OLBs, Bradford has been included in the "Freak
Athlete" listing while he is also a terror off the edge with his 11.5 sacks, nine TFL, three forced
fumbles and also showed some pass defense with one interception and four passes broken up.
25. ANTHONY JOHNSON - DT 6-21/2 304 Jr. LSU
Developing DT could be drafted higher if shows continued improvement.
