A lot has changed in the three months since I released my first set of rankings for the draft, but you'll notice my top two players in the draft haven't.
Here is my second look at the top 50 prospects for the 2014 draft, which includes a lot of familiar names in different spots, plus a handful of players who are new to the rankings.
1. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
Previous rank: 1
Manziel (5-foot-11 3/4, 205 pounds) is a unique athlete who produced 10,000 yards of offense in two seasons with the Aggies. I had his 40 timed at 4.56 seconds at the combine. He's a very smart player and has great vision at quarterback.
2. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina
Previous rank: 2
Clowney (6-foot-5 1/4, 266 pounds) did not play well in his last season, but he has great talent and is an outstanding athlete with speed -- he was clocked at 4.47 seconds (hand-timed) in his combine 40.
3. Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo
Previous rank: 8
Mack (6-foot-2 5/8, 251 pounds) is the real deal. He broke Kansas City Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson's NCAA career record for forced fumbles. In 2013, he had 10.5 sacks and three interceptions and was especially impressive against Ohio State in the season opener, posting nine tackles and 2.5 sacks. He ran a hand-timed 4.62-second 40 at the combine and posted a 40-inch vertical.
4. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
Previous rank: 10
A third-year player, Robinson (6-foot-5, 332 pounds) played guard in high school in Louisiana and redshirted in 2011 before starting 24 games the past two years. He ran the 40 in 4.84 seconds (hand-timed) and had 32 reps in the bench press.
5. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
Previous rank: 4
Matthews (6-foot-5 1/2, 308 pounds) stayed in school for his fourth year and learned the left tackle position. He can also play guard or tackle and is a good pass blocker. At the combine, he ran a hand-timed 4.91-second 40 and had 24 reps on the bench press.
6. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson
Previous rank: 7
Watkins (6-0 3/4, 202 pounds) is a very strong receiver with great speed -- he ran a hand-timed 4.34-second 40 at the combine. He had a great first year in 2011, when he had 82 catches and 12 TDs and averaged 25 yards per kickoff return, then missed three games in an up-and-down sophomore season. The highlight of his 2013 campaign -- in which he had 101 catches and 12 touchdowns -- was a 16-catch, 227-yard performance against Ohio State in the Orange Bowl. He finished his college career with 240 catches.
7. Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M
Previous rank: 20
Evans (6-foot-4 3/4, 231 pounds) is a mismatch for cornerbacks. Watch his game against Auburn, in which he had 11 catches for 287 yards and four touchdowns. He's a very good athlete who played basketball in high school. He has outstanding hands and great upside. He needs to work on his route running, and I believe he'll learn.
8. Blake Bortles, QB, UCF
Previous rank: 5
Bortles (6-foot-5, 232 pounds) has emerged as a top QB prospect after receiving only two offers out of high school, including one from Purdue, which recruited him as a tight end. He completed 68 percent of his passes last season, with 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has great upside but needs to work on his footwork and mechanics.
9. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
Previous rank: 9
A fifth-year player, Lewan (6-foot-7 1/8, 309 pounds) didn't play as well in 2013 as he did in the 2012 season, which ended with him holding his own against Jadeveon Clowney in the Outback Bowl. He does things very easy and has the strength to play left tackle, but he's a better run blocker than pass protector. He ran a 4.85-second hand-timed 40 at the combine.
10. Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA
Previous rank: 3
Like his father, Barr (6-foot-4 7/8, 255 pounds) is a former running back. He had 23.5 sacks over two seasons and can rush as well as play in space. Barr ran two 40s at UCLA's pro day timed under 4.50: 4.41 and 4.49 seconds. He also had 19 reps in the bench press.
11. Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
Previous rank: 19
At 6-0 1/2, 205 pounds, Gilbert is a big corner but also a very fast one who can flip his hips to run with fast receivers. He ran a hand-timed 4.35-second 40 at the combine. He played better in 2013 than in 2012, posting seven interceptions. He averaged close to 26 yards per kickoff return last season.
12. Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina
Previous rank: 16
Ebron (6-foot-4 1/8, 250 pounds) has outstanding athletic ability and ran a hand-timed 4.50-second 40 at the combine. He's more of a receiver than a blocker and broke Vernon Davis' single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end in the ACC, with 973 yards on 62 catches. He played some defensive end in 2012 and can line up in the slot.
13. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville
Previous rank: 6
In two seasons, Bridgewater (6-foot-2 1/8, 214 pounds) had 58 TD passes and only 12 interceptions and a completion percentage of nearly 70 percent. He had a less-than-great pro day, but it was better than most people think. He ran the 40 once, clocking 4.79 seconds on a surface that wasn't as fast as the softer FieldTurf used at the combine. He needs to work out again, this time with gloves and also out of the shotgun. His thin frame remains a concern; at his pro day, he weighed 208 pounds.
14. Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
Previous rank: 25
Martin (6-foot-4, 308 pounds) was the MVP of the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers. He has good athletic ability and plays left tackle, but his best position as a pro might be at guard.
15. Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
Previous rank: 47
Beckham (5-foot-11 1/4, 198 pounds) will be a star in the NFL both catching passes and returning kicks. He won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player last season. At the combine, he ran a hand-timed 4.31-second in the 40, 3.94 in the short shuttle, and 6.69 in the three-cone drill.
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16. Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Previous rank: 35
Cooks (5-foot-9 3/4, 189 pounds) is short but is a great athlete with excellent hands and toughness. He was one of the fastest guys at the combine, running a hand-timed 4.30 in the 40, 3.81 in the short shuttle and 6.76 in the three-cone drill.
17. Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Previous rank: 41
Donald (6-foot 3/4, 285 pounds) never stops working and has great quickness. He had 28.5 tackles for loss in 2013, best in college football. You wish he were a little taller, but he has good arm length (32 5/8 inches). He ran the 40 in a hand-held time of 4.65 seconds at the combine.
18. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Previous rank: 13
Clinton-Dix (6-foot-1 3/8, 208 pounds) has very good ball skills and reminds some people of Chiefs safety Eric Berry. He was a two-year starter at safety, acting as the quarterback for Alabama's defensive backs. He has long, 32-inch-plus arms and ran a hand-held 4.50-second 40 at the combine.
19. Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
Previous rank: 32
Shazier (6-foot-1 1/2, 227 pounds) lacks size for the position but makes plays all over the field, totaling 258 tackles in his junior and sophomore seasons. He can also play in space.
20. Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Previous rank: 14
Lee (5-foot-11 3/4, 192 pounds) is an outstanding athlete who ran a 4.44 40 at the combine (4.52 officially) and had a 38-inch vertical. He also ran a sub-7.00 three-cone drill at his pro day. He isn't the most advanced route runner. A knee injury and inconsistent QB play held him back last season, but he finished with a big game in the Vegas Bowl. In three seasons at USC he had 248 catches and 29 touchdowns.
21. Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Previous rank: NR
Pryor (5-foot-11 1/8, 207 pounds) is a big hitter who is smart, tough and physical. He ran a hand-held 4.60-second 40 at the combine and improved his three-cone time to 6.98 at his pro day on a slower turf. He had 175 tackles, five interceptions and nine forced fumbles in three years at Louisville.
22. Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri
Previous rank: 24
Ealy (6-foot-4, 273 pounds) is a very athletic player with great quickness and a lot of upside. He came to Mizzou at 217 pounds; at his pro day he weighed 265. A two-year starter, Ealy had one good year, in 2013, which included a great game against Auburn: two forced fumbles and three tackles for loss. He ran the 40 in 4.69 seconds at his pro day.
23. C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama
Previous rank: 12
Mosley (6-foot-2, 234 pounds) does everything you want on the field out of a linebacker. He play all downs and is good in pass coverage. His knee injury is a concern. He didn't run at the combine, but posted 40 times of 4.62 and 4.66 seconds at his pro day.
24. Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech
Previous rank: NR
Fuller (5-foot-11, 3/4, 190 pounds) has good man coverage ability, which he showed off vs. Alabama's Amari Cooper in Week 1, and is also good playing the run. He put up impressive numbers at the combine: a 4.40-second hand-held 40 with a 1.50 10-yard split; a 38 1/2-inch vertical; and a 6.90 three-cone drill.
25. Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
Previous rank: 21
Carr (6-foot-2 3/8, 214 pounds) is the type of player a team might trade up to get if he drops to the bottom of Round 1. He has a very strong arm, which is a plus if you play outdoors in cold-weather cities late in the year. In the past two years he had 87 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions, with a 67 percent completion rate. He ran the 40 in 4.65 seconds at the combine and had a very good pro day in March.
26. Xavier Su'a-Filo, OL, UCLA
Previous rank: 38
Su'a-Filo (6-foot-4 1/8, 307 pounds) played some left tackle in 2013, but his best NFL position will be guard. He did not play football in 2010-11 because he was serving on a Mormon mission, but he started all 14 games as a true freshman. He ran the 40 in 4.90 seconds (hand-held) and had 25 strength lifts at the combine.
27. Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame
Previous rank: 22
Tuitt (6-foot-5 1/2, 304 pounds) could be a real steal in the draft. He wasn't as good in 2013 as he was in 2012, but he plays the run well, is athletic and can play end in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. He has 34 3/4-inch arms and had 31 reps in the bench press at the combine.
28. Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Previous rank: 11
Hageman (6-foot-5 7/8, 310 pounds) has size, power and explosion but lacks consistency, otherwise he would be ranked higher. He might be too tall to play defensive tackle in the NFL but is good enough to convert to end. At the combine, he ran the 40 in 4.97 seconds (5.02 officially). He has 34 1/4-inch arms and posted 32 reps in the bench press.
29. Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia
Previous rank: NR
There are some questions about Moses' work habits and toughness, but he has outstanding size for the position (6-foot-6, 314 pounds) and very long arms (35 3/8 inches). He played right tackle before moving to the left side in 2013.
30. Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State
Previous rank: 27
A three-year player, Jernigan (6-foot-1 5/8, 299 pounds) played as a true freshman in 2011 and started two games in 2012. His quickness allows him to be a very disruptive player, although he is better vs. the run. His hand-held 40 times at the combine were 4.93 and 5.09 seconds.
31. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
Previous rank: 18
Dennard (5-foot-10 7/8, 199 pounds) is very well coached and thrives in playing press coverage. He has good instincts and is a playmaker, with seven interceptions the past two years. He showed good speed at the combine, running the 40 in 4.42 seconds.
32. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
Previous rank: 17
Benjamin (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) is a big target with very good hands, but his attitude is a question. At one of his workouts, he told a coach who had just arrived that he was too tired to work out. He played only two years with Florida State after redshirting in 2011. He ran the 40 in a hand-held time of 4.53 seconds at the combine.
33. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame
Previous rank: 23
Nix (6-foot-2 3/8, 331 pounds) missed much of last season with a torn meniscus and finished with only 27 tackles; he had 50 in 2012. He looks the part of a defensive tackle, with good size, quickness and lateral movement. He ran the 40 in 5.35 seconds at the combine and had 24 bench-press reps at his pro day.
34. Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State
Previous rank: 42
Roby (5-foot-11 1/4, 194 pounds) has good size and speed -- he ran the 40 in 4.40 at the combine -- but he was much better in 2012 than he was in 2013; he didn't play up to his potential last season and was beaten a lot in coverage. He's likely to be picked in the No. 25-40 range.
35. Dee Ford, DE, Auburn
Previous rank: NR
Ford (6-foot-2 1/8, 252 pounds) is an edge rusher who has speed and quickness but isn't big enough to be a 4-3 DE. He weighed 244 pounds at Auburn's pro day, where he put up good numbers, including a 4.59-second 40. He had an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl, otherwise he would not be ranked this high.
36. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Eastern Illinois
Previous rank: NR
Garoppolo (6-foot-2 1/4, 226 pounds) had 53 touchdown passes in 2013. He has good arm strength to go with good accuracy and vision. He's also a very hard worker who is tough -- he played linebacker in high school.
37. Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada
Previous rank: NR
Bitonio (6-foot-4 1/2, 302 pounds) ran a hand-timed 4.91-second 40 at the combine. He's a good athlete who played tackle at Nevada, but he might be better at guard. He needs to get stronger, and if he does I think he'll play a long time in the NFL.
38. Ja'Wuan James, OT, Tennessee
Previous rank: NR
Not many true freshman start in the SEC, but James did, starting 49 consecutive games at right tackle for Tennessee. I think he can start as a rookie in the NFL. He's a good run blocker who plays hard every down, and he played well against Jadeveon Clowney when they were matched up.
39. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
Previous rank: 46
Verrett (5-foot-9 1/2, 189 pounds) has very good cover skills and recorded eight interceptions in the past two years, but he's small for the position; I think he could work as a slot receiver. He posted a 40 time of 4.41 at the combine (4.38 officially).
40. Tom Savage, QB, Pittsburgh
Previous rank: NR
Savage (6-foot-3 7/8, 228 pounds) is a good leader and throws a lot like Troy Aikman. He has a very strong arm and will put it where the receiver can catch it. If he had played four years at one school he might have been projected to get drafted in the top half of the first round.
41. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt
Previous rank: 45
Matthews (6-foot-3 1/8, 212 pounds) had 206 receptions for 2,800 yards over the past two years. He has great ball skills and should catch a lot of passes to move the chains, and no one will outwork him. He ran the 40 in a hand-held time of 4.40 seconds at the combine.
42. Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State
Previous rank: 44
Hyde (5-foot-11 7/8, 230 pounds) ran for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He's a power runner who has the quickness needed to be successful in the NFL. He ran the 40 in a hand-timed 4.62 seconds at the combine and had 19 bench-press reps.
43. Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois
Previous rank: NR
Ward (5-foot-10 5/8, 197 pounds) has everything you want in a safety except size. He isn't big, but he's a tough player with very good instincts. At his pro day, he posted a 4.47-second 40, 38-inch vertical and 6.89 three-cone drill.
44. Ego Ferguson, DT, LSU
Previous rank: NR
Ferguson (6-foot-2 7/8, 302 pounds) most likely would have been a first-round pick if he stayed in school for his final year. He's a very athletic lineman who is strong at the point of attack. He'll be a starter in his second year and play in the NFL for a long time.
45. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
Previous rank: 29
Seferian-Jenkins (6-foot-5 1/2, 262 pounds) is still recovering from a foot injury and has not run or jumped for teams yet. The Huskies ran more in 2013, which contributed to him catching only 36 passes for eight touchdowns. He can and will block. He served a one-week suspension last season after a DUI arrest in the spring.
46. Jeremy Hill, RB, LSU
Previous rank: 26
Hill (6-0 5/8, 233 pounds) is a big back with speed, quickness and power. He worked out very well at his pro day, catching the ball well and running the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds. He had some off-field trouble at LSU last year, but his coaches say he's a good young man.
47. Cameron Fleming, OT, Stanford
Previous rank: NR
Fleming (6-foot-4 7/8, 323 pounds) is a right tackle and a very good run blocker. He left school one year early, but started for three years. I think he will play this position for a lot of years. He needs to improve as a pass blocker, and I believe he will.
48. Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State
Previous rank: 34
Robinson (6-foot-2 5/8, 207 pounds) played as a true freshman and totaled 174 catches the past two years. He's a great leaper, a skill he showed off when he made a big catch late in the fourth quarter against Michigan last season. He improved on his combine 40 at his pro day, running a 4.49.
49. Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech
Previous rank: 30
Amaro (6-foot-5 3/8, 265 pounds) will be a tough matchup in the NFL. He caught 106 passes and seven touchdowns last year. He wasn't asked to block a lot at Tech and will need work in that area. At the combine, he ran a hand-timed 4.63 seconds in the 40, but his stock dropped a bit after he interviewed poorly. He also has had some off-field problems in the past.
50. Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington
Previous rank: NR
Sankey (5-foot-9 1/2, 209 pounds) has good quickness and running skills and will work hard on every play. He ranked No. 1 in the nation last year at breaking tackles. He has good hands and can be an every-down back. At the combine, he posted a hand-timed 4.45-second 40 and 41 1/2-inch vertical.
Wildcard: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama
Previous rank: 15
Measured 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds at his pro day, and ran 5.42 and 5.53 seconds in the 40. Some issues remain concerning Kouandjio's knee, but Dr. James Andrews, the renown orthopedic surgeon, tried to alleviate them with a letter he sent to all 32 teams, explaining how many years he expected the tackle to be able to play. Kouandjio needs work on his pass protection vs. speed rushers, but is still a good player. If you have any doubt put on the LSU tape from this year; he was dominating. He had 25 lifts at his pro day but was only credited with 21 because he didn't "lock out" on four attempts. I could see him going as high as 20th overall in the draft. Could be a perfect pick for a team like the Seahawks at the back end of the first round.
Out of top 50: Kouandjio (15); Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida (28); Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida (31); Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State (33); Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona (36); Aaron Colvin, CB, Oklahoma (37); Cyril Richardson, G, Baylor (39); Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi State (40); Tre Mason, RB, Auburn (43); Antonio Richardson, OT, Tennessee (48); AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama (49); Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas (50)
Follow Gil Brandt on Twitter _@GilBrandt_.
