I recently unveiled my first mock draft of the 2015 NFL Draft season. While the mock draft is based largely on what I'm hearing on where a prospect might be selected in the draft, this list is based solely on my own evaluations.
There is an enormous pool of players to comb through, especially when you consider the large number of underclassmen who have been declared eligible for the 2015 draft. So, there are still plenty of players to study more closely. As we go through the all-star games, NFL Scouting Combine, pro days, as well as taking the time to watch more game tape, this list will fluctuate as we lead up to the draft and will be periodically adjusted.
At this time of year when I was scouting, we were focused on getting a player into the right neighborhood, not necessarily the right house, when we went through putting our first draft board together. As we watch more tape and gather more information, it becomes easier to nail down a more precise order for the top draft prospects.
1. Leonard Williams, DE, USC
Williams has outstanding height, bulk and length. He could easily carry 320 pounds on his frame. He lines up at defensive end, and will also slide inside and rush from the interior. He is extremely explosive and dominant versus both run and pass. Against the run, he quickly shoots his hands to stack and steer blockers before aggressively freeing himself to make tackles. He has the quickness to split double teams, as well as the power to anchor down and hold the point of attack. As a pass rusher, he wins with pure power or a variety of quick hand moves. His effort is solid. He has a rare combination of athleticism, power and versatility, and should have an immediate impact.
2. Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Gregory lined up at defensive end for Nebraska, and split his time standing up and in a three-point stance. He has a long, lean frame and outstanding first-step quickness. As a pass rusher, he explodes upfield and has the ability to bend the edge and flatten to the quarterback. After he has a few wins with his speed, he likes to stutter at the top of his rush before attacking with a bull rush. He has plenty of snap in his hands and hips. Against the run, he effectively stacks blockers over his nose but does get washed on occasion by angle blocks. He needs to add some weight but he has all of the tools to be a dominant pass rusher at the next level.
3. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
White has excellent size and is an extremely explosive wide receiver. He uses his strength to power through press coverage, and he shows a burst to create early separation. He is still developing as a route runner, but he can drop his weight and get out of his breaks efficiently. He has outstanding tracking skills and he consistently high points the ball down the field. He had several "wow" catches this season. He excels after the catch because of his ability to run through tackles as well as make defenders miss. I love his overall competitiveness, physicality, play speed and ball skills.
4. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Cooper has average height and a lean, muscular frame for the position. He uses his foot quickness to defeat press coverage, and he is an outstanding route runner. He is sudden in his release, sets up defenders and explodes out of the break point. He has strong hands, but he will have some concentration drops where he's looking to run before securing the ball. After the catch, he has the speed to run away from defenders and he is slippery to escape tight quarters. I love his production, toughness and savvy.
5. Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
Shelton is an ideal 3-4 nose tackle. He has an enormous lower half and he effortlessly holds the point of attack versus double teams. He continually stacks and tosses single blocks to the ground, and has surprisingly good lateral range for his size. He is also effective in the passing game because of his ability to create steady movement with his bull rush as well as sneaky quickness to work the edge of his opponent. His effort is phenomenal from snap to whistle, and he makes plays in pursuit in the fourth quarter of the games I studied. He should be a dominant player on run downs, and he has value as a pocket pusher in the passing game.
6. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Winston has ideal height and a thick sturdy frame for the position. He splits his time lining up in the gun and under center. He has average foot quickness in his setup and he will take some false steps at the top of his drop. He usually throws off a wide, firm platform but he will occasionally get narrow and screw his front foot into the ground, which affects his accuracy. He has a long delivery but he overcomes it with his ability to throw with anticipation. He makes a variety of NFL throws in this offense. He has outstanding velocity to squeeze the ball into tight windows on corner routes, digs and seam routes. He also has the ability to change ball speeds and touch it up underneath with good placement. He has excellent pocket mobility and is adept at shuffling, resetting and delivering the ball under pressure. His decision-making was inconsistent this season. He forced too many balls and struggled at times to identify underneath coverage. Overall, Winston needs to mature off the field and be more careful with the ball but he has an outstanding skill set for the position and he should be ready to play early in his career.
7. Dante Fowler, Jr., OLB, Florida
Fowler is physical edge rusher who splits his time lining up with his hand on the ground as well as standing up. Against the pass, he doesn't have elite first-step quickness, but he has strong hands, plays with fanatical effort and does have a burst to close/finish. He loves to use a club/rip move to generate pressure, and he shows the agility to wrap around blockers and flatten to the quarterback. Against the run, he has the strength to hold up on the front side and plenty of speed to chase from the backside. He's not a finished product yet, but he has an enormous upside based on his blend of agility, power and effort.
8. Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Ray was a twitched-up edge rusher for Missouri. He has a dynamic first step and a variety of ways to get to the passer. He excels at powering through the outside shoulder of blockers and he has an explosive inside counter move. He rarely exposes his chest and gets locked up. He consistently wins the hand fighting and he can roll his hips on contact once arrives at the quarterback. He isn't quite as effective against the run. His lack of girth is an issue and gets collapsed by angle blocks. Overall, he lacks ideal size/length, but his explosiveness and effort makes him a special player.
9. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Parker is a tall, smooth athlete with outstanding instincts and ball skills. He lacks an explosive initial burst, but he builds speed down the field. He is a very polished route runner. He does a nice job stacking up cornerbacks at the top of the route before snapping off and creating favorable body position. He doesn't create a ton of separation but he knows how to wall off defenders, high point the ball and finish. He effortlessly adjusts to poorly thrown balls and he is nifty after the catch to make defenders miss. He should start Day 1, and provide a dynamic red zone presence for his drafting team.
10. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Gordon is an ultra-productive runner with excellent quickness and elusiveness. He presses the hole before picking and sliding his way through traffic. Once he sees some daylight, he shows burst and he excels at making defenders miss in space. He continually gets the edge on outside runs and he's produced a ridiculous amount of long runs during his career. He has an upright running style, and he's more likely to pull through tackles than lower his shoulder and punish defenders. He has soft hands in the passing game and he's an excellent pass protector. He squares up blitzers and delivers a strong shoulder before settling down and staying on balance. He should be ready to contribute on all three downs in Year 1.
11. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Mariota is a tall, lean-muscled signal-caller with outstanding athleticism. He operated in the shotgun in the Ducks' spread attack. Most of their passing game is built off run-action fakes and deception, which creates a lot of easy throws into huge windows. He has a quick three-quarter delivery and generates above average velocity on the ball despite throwing from a narrow base. He is very accurate underneath and in the middle of the field, but he has some inconsistency working down the field and outside the numbers. He has improved his ability to maneuver inside the pocket, but he still likes to bail out versus pressure. He does a nice job of keeping his eyes up once he's broken contain and he throws accurately on the move. He is a dangerous runner with outstanding burst, and he has a second gear in the open field. He rarely throws the ball into harm's way, but he has produced an alarming number of fumbles during his career. Overall, he will need some time to develop his footwork and learn to function in a traditional NFL offense, but there is a huge upside because of his physical tools, work ethic and intelligence.
12. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Waynes is a tall, wiry cornerback with quick feet and good awareness. In press coverage, he's not physical with his hands but he maintains leverage/position underneath and down the field. He has plenty of speed to stay in phase versus vertical routes and he is fluid when has to open up his hips. From off coverage, he uses a side shuffle and reads through the wideout to the quarterback. He will get caught guessing on occasion but he flashes the juice to recover. He is a physical, chest up tackler in the run game. He has the tools to be a successful starting cornerback in his first year in the NFL.
13. Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
Armstead has the same size and frame as Arizona Cardinals DE Calais Campbell. He primarily lines up at defensive end in the Ducks' three-man front and he will also take reps over the center. He is an outstanding run defender. He widens his base, quickly shoots his hands and anchors down. He has the quickness to close and make plays from the backside, but his effort is a little spotty. As a pass rusher, he doesn't have a quick first step, but he has very explosive hands to club blockers and generate pressure. He can lower his pads, latch on and create push with his bull rush. He is an ideal 3-4 DE at the next level.
14. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Gurley has outstanding size, runs hard and has breakaway speed. He is at his best on inside runs. He presses the hole, finds a crease, lowers his pads and explodes through the line of scrimmage. He likes to use a quick jump cut, and his first upfield step is dynamic. He does a great job of keeping his feet alive after making contact, which allows him to consistently break tackles or carry defenders for extra yards. On outside runs, he has enough burst to get the edge and piles up a lot of long runs. He catches the ball naturally, but he needs to improve in pass protection. He misses a lot of cut blocks and he will occasionally take a charge as well. If not for his season-ending injury, he would be higher on my list.
15. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Clemmings lined up at right tackle for Pitt, but he has the foot quickness and agility to play left tackle at the next level. In pass pro, he is quick out of his stance and uses a tight/quick punch to latch/control defenders. He has very strong hands. He can smoothly redirect versus counter moves. In the run game, he can create movement on the front side and he's athletic enough to cut off on the backside. He will get too narrow at times and get tossed around. He takes good angles when working up to the second level. He doesn't do anything to wow you on tape, but he plays under control and is steady from game to game. He should start right away.
16. Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
McKinney is a tall, long and rangy linebacker for the Bulldogs. He lines up stacked inside the box as well as over the tight end. He has good not great instincts, but once he identifies the ball, he shows an impressive burst to close and make plays. He has the strength to take on and press off blocks but he prefers to wrap around blockers with finesse. He has excellent lateral range. Against the pass, he is instinctive as a zone dropper and he has the size/speed to matchup with tight ends in man coverage.
17. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Green-Beckham didn't play in 2014 after getting dismissed from Missouri's football program. He spent the season practicing at the University of Oklahoma and elected to declare early for the draft. He has arguably the biggest upside of any wide receiver in the draft class. He is a long strider with build-up speed, and he creates a lot of separation down the field. For a bigger wideout, he does a nice job dropping his weight at the top of his route and efficiently getting out of his break. He is at his best on runaway routes like slants, posts and fades. He tracks the ball easy and he wins a lot of 50-50 battles versus cornerbacks. He is an explosive leaper and he high points the ball naturally. After the catch, he isn't very elusive but he uses his size/strength to break tackles and he has the speed to pull away. If he can stay out of trouble, he could emerge as one of the top players in this draft class.
18. Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Collins is a productive safety with a thick, square build for the position. He lines up as the high safety as well as in the box. I like him better closer to the line of scrimmage. He is quick to key/read versus the run, takes good angles and is a reliable tackler in space. He is athletic enough to match up versus tight ends in man coverage but the lacks the fluidity to cover in the slot. In deep zone coverage, he has good instincts but his range is average and his angles are inconsistent. He is an ideal strong safety and should be able to contribute right away.
19. Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Peat is a tough player to figure out on tape. He has a huge frame and very quick feet, but he needs to play with better balance in both the run and pass game. In pass pro, he has the quickness to cutoff speed rushers but he's been susceptible to inside counter moves and he gets pushed back too much versus power rushers. He does play with very good awareness versus stunts and twists. In the run game, he can generate a lot of movement at the point of attack but he will struggle to consistently latch/wall off in space. He isn't a finished product, but he has the size and foot quickness to develop into a solid starting offensive tackle at the next level.
20. Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Brown plays defensive end in the Longhorns' three-man front and he'll slide inside in their four-man looks. He has a thick, square frame and excellent foot quickness. Against the run, he has quick hands and easily locks out single blocks. He needs to get better at resisting pressure on angle blocks but he has the quickness to split double teams when he's allowed to play upfield. As a pass rusher, he uses a quick slap/rip move to generate pressure and he also has a nifty counter move. He gets initial movement with his bull rush before stalling out. His effort is excellent. He has the tools to play in any scheme and should be a longtime NFL starter.
21. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Scherff lined up at left tackle for the Hawkeyes, but I'm projecting him inside to guard at the next level. He has excellent height/bulk for the position. In pass pro, he needs to improve his balance and pad level. He is too narrow and he really struggles versus physical pass rushers that attack his inside shoulder. When he can land his punch, he can wrestle and control with upper strength, but when defenders get to his chest he struggles. He is much better in the run game. He latches on, runs his feet and clears a lot of space. He was surprisingly effective at the second level to adjust and control in space. He has a nasty demeanor, and looks to finish to and through the whistle on every snap. His limitations in pass protection will be better hid with a move inside to guard and he will provide a physical presence in the run game.
22. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Goldman has a hulking frame and is a dominating run defender. He plays with a firm base and tosses blockers at the point of attack. He consistently keeps leverage from the first to fourth quarter. He flashes some quickness to penetrate, but his game is more based on pure power. He isn't a polished pass rusher, but he can push the pocket and he has created pressure with a slap/swim move. Overall, he is an ideal fit in the 3-4 scheme, but he could also be an effective 1-technique in a four-man front.
23. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
Smith has good size and outstanding speed for the position. He is a true vertical weapon that has piled up a lot of deep ball production throughout his career. He lines up both in the slot and outside. He uses his foot quickness to defeat press coverage and he can quickly create separation. He is at his best on deep crossers, sluggos and take-off routes. He can find another gear when the ball is in the air and he tracks the football naturally. He needs some polish on his underneath route running. He explodes into his break, but he doesn't always work back downhill. He will have some easy concentration drops, but he offsets them by making difficult, full extension grabs. After the catch, he uses his burst to pull away. Overall, this is a bit of a raw player, but he's a home-run hitter than can make an impact on the outcome of games despite getting limited touches.
24. Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Funchess has a big, athletic frame and excellent play speed and athleticism. He moved from tight end to wide receiver for the 2014 campaign. He lines up both outside and in the slot in this offense. He is more smooth than explosive in his route running. He has sneaky speed because of his long stride and he does create separation down the field. He tracks the ball easy but his hands are questionable. He has a lot of drops when the defender contacts him. He will flash the ability to high point and win 50-50 balls, but he loses more than he wins. After the catch, he has some elusiveness but he doesn't run with the power you'd expect from his body type. He is disinterested as a blocker and would really struggle in that area if he's moved back to tight end. Overall, he is still a work in progress, but he has rare size and plenty of speed. There is some risk involved, but the reward could be worth it.
25. Eli Harold, DE, Virginia
Harold lined up in both a two- and three-point stance on the edge for the Cavaliers. He is a very active player who grows on you the more you study him. As a pass rusher, he is at his best when he has a runway to generate power versus offensive tackles. He has some snap in both his hips and hands to torque and unsettle blockers. As a run defender, he can lock out and set the edge as well as use his quick hands/feet to work an edge and disrupt. His overall effort is excellent. He is an ideal fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
26. Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Dupree has good size/bulk for the outside linebacker position. He is a rigid athlete, but he has power and flashes an explosive burst as a pass rusher. Against the run, he is at his best on the backside where he uses his speed/effort to close the back door. On the front side, he gets turned and sealed too easily. As a rusher, he has an explosive first step and he can convert speed to power. He is asked to drop in coverage and he has some stiffness when changing directions. Overall, Dupree isn't a fluid athlete but his combination of speed/power is intriguing.
27. Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
Perryman is a stout inside linebacker with excellent instincts and strength. He is quick to key/read/fill, and he has the strength to thump off blockers and make plays. He lacks elite sideline-to- sideline range, but he makes a lot of plays outside of the tackle box because of instincts and effort. He is an extremely explosive tackler and he separates the ball several times in the games I studied. He is a little stiff in coverage but he plays aware. He should be a long-term starter beginning with his rookie season.
28. Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Beasley is an very thin-framed edge rusher with outstanding burst and production. He lines up in both a four-point and two-point stance. As a pass rusher, he has a very quick first step and he has a variety of hand moves. Some of his moves include: chop/rip, slap/dip/rip, inside counter and pure speed. He wins with speed a lot, but he rarely converts speed to power. His lack of girth (scouts weighed him at 220 pounds in the spring) is an issue against the run. He gets washed or dumped at the line of scrimmage too much. He does make plays on the backside because of his speed/effort. Overall, he needs to add weight to be a three-down player but he should be an immediate asset on passing downs.
29. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Strong is a tall, long wideout with an excellent catch radius. He isn't very sudden or explosive, but he's a smooth route runner with outstanding ball skills. He doesn't create a lot of separation down the field, but he excels at catching contested balls. He can contort his body and haul in balls on his back shoulder as well as reach over defenders to make plays. He does set up his routes underneath, but he lacks any snap out of the break point. After the catch he is very strong to pull through tackles but he lacks wiggle and home-run burst. Overall, Strong has a big frame and he should be an immediate red zone threat.
30. P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Williams is a tall, muscled-up cornerback for the Seminoles. He lines up as the boundary cornerback and he's very instinctive in coverage. In press coverage, he isn't physical with his jam, but he effectively positions himself underneath and down the field. He had a good battle versus DeVante Parker in the Louisville game. He gave up a contested catch down the field, but he maintained leverage and made a few plays underneath. He doesn't possess elite speed, but he's rarely out of phase with his man. In off coverage, he's instinctive to pattern read and position himself for pass breakups. He is a very physical striker in run support. He can uncoil his hips on contact and creates some big hits. Overall, this is a very consistent player and he should be a solid No. 2 cornerback.
31. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Peters has good size, play speed and ball skills for the cornerback position. He is better in press coverage than when he lines up in off coverage. He flashes a quick two-hand jam to re-route wide receivers, and he has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. He is fluid when he opens his hips and he maintains leverage. From off coverage, he is a little sticky out of his plant and he is late to key/read patterns. He is a catch tackler in run support. He had some off-field issues at Washington and he was dismissed from the team. Overall, he has starter ability, but there are some questions that need to be answered in the spring.
32. La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Collins plays left tackle for the Tigers, but I am projecting him inside to guard at the next level. He is a dominating run blocker. He latches on, runs his feet and dives opponents over his nose. He can completely wash defenders down the line of scrimmage on down blocks. He will get overaggressive at times and get caught off balance. In the passing game, he gives ground initially versus power rushers before eventually anchoring down. He has a strong punch but he will overextend and duck his head on occasion. His overall awareness is spotty. That is my main concern with this player because his physical tools are starter worthy.
33. Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Flowers lined up at left tackle for the Hurricanes and has excellent height/bulk for the position. In pass pro, he has quick feet but he isn't a great knee bender. He plays upright and he catches instead of punching in his set. He often gives up his chest and he has a hang leg versus power, which opens the gate to the quarterback. He is an excellent inline run blocker. He has knock-off power and he is athletic enough to reach/seal on the backside. Overall, I like him better at right tackle and he could develop into a solid starter in time.
34. Cameron Erving, C, Florida State
Erving made the switch from tackle to center during the 2014 campaign. He is a much better prospect playing inside. He has quick hands and can latch/torque defenders in the run game. He can clear space with his lower power and he is also excellent at working up to the second level. In pass pro, he quick sets defenders and has plenty of anchor to hold the point of attack. He has added value because of his position flexibility but I think he'll make his money at the center position.
35. Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
Ajayi is a very tough, physical runner with excellent production. He is at his best on inside runs where his combination of vision, power and short area quickness is effective. On outside runs, he lacks elite speed to the perimeter, but he has the elusiveness to make defenders miss when he squares up to the line of scrimmage. He has soft hands out of the backfield but he needs to be more consistent in pass protection. Overall, I love this player's physical playing style and believe he could be a dependable starter at the next level.
36. Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Coleman is an explosive runner with good size for the position. He has a unique, upright running style, in which he grinds his off hand up and down. He is very decisive and gets north/south quickly on inside runs. He flashes the burst to get the edge and he pulls away from defenders with his galloping stride in the open field. He isn't very elusive in space and his balance is average. He needs to improve in pass protection. There are too many missed cut blocks on the tapes I studied. He is effective in the screen game because of his ability to setup blocks and change gears.
37. Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
Smith primarily lines up at defensive end, but he will slide inside to rush the passer as well. He is a strong edge setter in the run game and he does a nice job resisting pressure versus angle blocks. His effort to chase plays from the backside is excellent. As a pass rusher, I love what he does from the inside. He has a quick first step and he uses his hands to swat down the hands of blockers to create pressure. He can also generate push with his bull rush. Overall, he has inside/outside versatility and I love his effort/motor.
38. A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
Cann has a thick square build for the position and very good quickness and football awareness. In the run game, he can roll his hips and generate push at the point of attack. He is athletic enough to reach/cutoff and he is effective working at the 2nd level. In pass pro, he has a firm anchor and smoothly passes of and picks up twists. He has a very tight punch and does a good job of keeping his chest clean. He will occasionally duck his head versus both run/pass but he recovers well. Overall, this is a plug-and-play starting guard.
39. Lorenzo Mauldin, OLB, Louisville
Mauldin has excellent size, bulk and length for the position. As a pass rusher, he has plenty of snap in his hands/hips, and he's able to generate pressure with a one-arm bull rush. He is used as a walk-around pass rusher in some situations, and he has excellent timing and the ability to get skinny through gaps for pressures. Against the run, he shoots his hands and sets the edge easily. Overall, this is a very well-rounded player who should start early in his career.
40. Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
Agholor has good height and a narrow frame for the position. He lines up both in the slot and outside. He beats press coverage with his quickness and he is a very crisp route runner. He sets up defenders and snaps off his route without wasting steps. He has reliable hands and he isn't afraid to work in the middle of the field. After the catch, he has the burst to pull away and he will fight for extra yards. Overall, I wish he was a little bigger and stronger but his combination of speed, clean route running and toughness is appealing.
41. Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Johnson is a rail-thin cornerback with excellent speed. He aligns as the boundary cornerback. In press coverage, he gets his hands on wideouts, but the bigger opponents walk right through his jam. He has the speed to run vertically with anyone, but he does allow some separation when he has to work back downhill. In off coverage, he has a quick pedal and good instincts to pattern read and position for the ball. Despite his lack of bulk, he is very aggressive in run support. Overall, he needs to physically get bigger/stronger, but he has ideal height, speed and toughness.
42. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Thompson has been a two-way player for the Huskies this fall, lining up at linebacker, safety and running back. I'm projecting him as a weak-side linebacker at the next level. He is a space linebacker who is slow to key and diagnose, but once he finds the ball he flashes a burst to close. He really struggled to take on blockers and free himself. He buries his shoulder and gets stuck. When he has a clean path to the ball carrier, he is an explosive hitter. In coverage, he can run with tight ends but he is too stiff to redirect versus athletic backs and receivers in space. He has a ton of production this season, but I thought it was a little misleading after studying him.
43. Kwon Alexander, OLB, LSU
Alexander was a run-and-hit WILL linebacker for the Tigers. He is at his best when he has clear vision in space and can use his speed to close and make plays. He is an outstanding blitzer, and he has the speed and athleticism to cover running backs and tight ends. He is an ideal 4-3 WILL linebacker.
44. T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
Yeldon is a tall upright runner with good lateral agility and balance. On inside runs, he is patient to let things develop before picking and sliding through the trash. Despite running high, he's able to make defenders miss in tight quarters and he fights to finish every run. On perimeter runs, he lacks elite speed and looks to get north/south as soon as possible. He doesn't have much tread on his tires after splitting time during his career at Alabama. I think he will be a better pro player than he was in college.
45. Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
Sambrailo has an ideal frame for the position, but he needs to get physically stronger. In pass pro, he has quick feet to cut off speed rushers and he has a sharp punch to steer/control. His biggest issue is his lack of anchor. When defenders get their hands on his chest, he will get walked right back to the quarterback. In the run game, he uses his quickness to reach/seal on the backside as well as work up to linebackers at the second level. He doesn't have much knock off power versus defenders over his nose. Overall, this player has a lot of tools to work with but he needs to add core strength.
46. Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
Orchard was an ultra-productive edge rusher for the Utes. He has average upfield burst, but he's got a lot of pop in his hands and hips. He uses a shake/bull move to consistently get pressure and he knows how to finish. His effort is outstanding and he is often rewarded with production. Against the run, he has a quick punch to jar his opponent before freeing himself for tackles. Overall, I wish he was taller and had more speed off the edge, but he has too much power, production and effort to ignore.
47. Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Williams is a sure-handed tight end with good size and average speed. He is a stiff route runner and doesn't generate much separation, but he has a big catch radius and excels at positioning himself versus defenders down the field. He is at his best on runaway routes like seams, wheel routes and corner routes. He isn't as effective on option routes underneath because of his lack of short-area quickness. In the run game, he is a mirror wall-off blocker with limited ability to adjust in space. Overall, this isn't a special athlete, but he has outstanding size and ball skills.
48. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Ogbuehi entered the 2014 campaign as the top offensive tackle in the country, but he struggled this season before suffering a torn knee ligament in the Aggies' bowl game. In pass protection, he has elite foot quickness to cut off speed rushers and the agility to redirect versus counter moves. His major issue has been his inability to anchor down versus power rushers. He gets blown right back too many times on the games I studied. In the run game, he is effective as a shield/wall-off blocker, but he doesn't get consistent movement at the point of attack. Overall, he has the athletic ability to play left tackle but he needs to get stronger once he recovers from this injury.
49. Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville
Holliman is a finesse safety with excellent size, instincts and ball skills. He is at his best floating in the middle of the field where he can read the quarterback, anticipate throws and position for the ball. He has good range and he takes good angles in pass coverage. He has enough size/speed to match up with tight ends in man coverage. He is a porous run defender. He takes poor angles and misses too many tackles in the alley. He looks disinterested at times. This is a very difficult evaluation because I love his ball skills, but his lack of toughness against the run is alarming.
50. Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah
Poutasi lines up at tackle for the Utes, but I'm projecting him as a guard at the next level. He is a massive man with quick feet and strong hands. In the passing game, he bounds out of his stance with quick feet but he needs to improve his punch. He is late and wide with his hands, and gives up his chest too often. Despite defenders getting their hands on his chest, he still has the strength to anchor down versus power. In the run game, he runs his feet and generates movement at the point of attack. He will struggle at times to latch on versus quicker defenders. Overall, his size, power and quickness is appealing and should land him a starting guard spot very early in his career.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
