With the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine and pro days in the rearview, we're in the stretch run of prospect evaluation. The 2019 NFL Draft (April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee) is fast approaching, so it's time to update my top-50 list.
In terms of risers, Ed Oliver rides a highly impressive pro day into the top five. Some people doubt the Houston product's size or sack totals, but his absurd athleticism and elite quickness are impossible to deny. And my top interior offensive lineman, Garrett Bradbury, cracks the top 20. The N.C. State center has knocked the pre-draft process out of the park, checking his last box with an outstanding pro day. On the flip side, Taylor Rapp fell out of the top 40 after posting a 40-yard dash in the 4.7s during his pro day. I really like the Washington safety's instinctive, sound game, but that lack of speed's a concern. According to NFL Research, 4.63 is the slowest 40 time for a safety drafted in the first round since 2003. Lastly, one cornerback (Notre Dame's Julian Love) re-entered the board, while another corner (Michigan State's Justin Layne) fell out.
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1
Bosa has an ideal frame for a 4-3 DE, and he is consistently disruptive in every game I've studied. As a pass rusher, he can win with quickness, power and a variety of hand moves. He often incorporates the same swipe/rip/flatten move that his brother, Joey, has mastered. Nick can convert speed to power, and he also flashes some ability to slide inside and rush over the guard. He is stout at the point of attack against the run, and he's quick to locate and pursue the football. There are some durability concerns after he underwent season-ending core-muscle surgery this past fall. Bosa isn't as big as his older brother, but I expect similar dominance and production at the NFL level.
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2
Williams has good size for the position and possesses a rare combination of suddenness, strength and football intelligence. He moved up and down the line of scrimmage in Alabama's defense and was effective at every spot. As a pass rusher, he explodes off the ball, maintains leverage and pushes his opponent into the lap of the quarterback. He also uses a violent club/swim move. Williams is constantly double-teamed, but he still finds a way to generate pressures and sacks. Against the run, he plays with a low pad level, locks his hands inside and violently sheds blocks to pursue the ball carrier. Overall, this is a dominant player who's capable of emerging as a premier interior defensive lineman very early in his NFL career.
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3
Allen is a tall, long edge player with tremendous agility, versatility and production. As a pass rusher, he wins with speed, bend and a nifty inside counter move. He doesn't possess a lot of power, but he makes up for it with his Gumby-like flexibility at the top of his rush. Against the run, he uses his length to set the edge, and he's a blur closing from the back side. Allen is a huge asset in coverage, providing the athletic ability to mirror backs and tight ends all over the field. Overall, the Kentucky product possesses an ideal skill set for today's game: He can run, rush and cover.
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6
Oliver is an undersized interior lineman with exceptional twitch and pass-rush potential. He primarily lined up over the center, but he did move around a bit in Houston's defense. Against the pass, he has an explosive first step and outstanding change-of-direction quickness. He is quick to shoot his hands, but he needs to develop a better game plan once engaged. Oliver was constantly slanting in Houston's defensive scheme, and that led to quick wins versus both the run and pass. His lack of size and length does show up in the run game -- he gets swallowed up at times. His effort is excellent, despite facing constant double-teams. Overall, Oliver isn't as powerful or polished as the Rams' Aaron Donald was entering the NFL, but he has similar athleticism and should be a disruptive force for the team that drafts him.
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5
Hockenson is a fun player to watch. In the passing game, he fights through press coverage and will stair-step defenders (fights through pass coverage and understands how to attack the leverage of defenders) down the field, helping to create some separation on crossers and deep-over routes. He tracks the ball naturally, and his high-point skills are on display in the red zone. He is very physical after the catch and possesses adequate speed. Hockenson is at his best in the run game. He rag-dolls defensive ends and linebackers. He had multiple pancake blocks in every game I studied. Overall, Hockenson is one of the best blocking tight ends I've ever evaluated, and he is dependable in the passing game. He's a Day 1 impact player at the next level.
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8
White has a thick, sturdy frame and possesses prototypical explosiveness and playmaking skills. Against the pass, he has the speed and agility to cover TEs down the field, and he closes space in a hurry when he's in zone coverage. He has timing and burst as a blitzer. He wins the majority of his 1-on-1s versus running backs in pass protection. Against the run, White brings sideline-to-sideline range, but he will get stuck on blocks once engaged. He has good (but not great) instincts to key/read. However, even when he's a half count late, he makes up for it with his play speed. He is an outstanding, chest-up tackler. Overall, White has what teams are looking for at the position: The ability to run, cover and blitz.
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4
Wilkins has solid size (6-foot-3, 315 pounds) for the position, and he's been a disruptive presence along the Clemson line throughout his career. Against the pass, he has quick feet and hands, which allow him to routinely win early in the down. He's at his best when slanting and working through the edges of blockers. He isn't a powerful bull rusher. Against the run, he is much better on the back side. He relies on quickness to slip blocks and does a good job of avoiding cut blocks. On the front side, he'll occasionally get too high -- and consequently get turned and dumped. Overall, Wilkins has upside as a pass rusher and penetrator, but you'll have to live with some deficiencies at the point of attack.
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7
Jacobs is one of my favorite players to study in this draft class. He has a thick, compact build, and I love his combination of power, elusiveness and versatility. In the run game, he possesses excellent vision, burst and wiggle. His change-of-direction quickness is off the charts. He runs low to the ground and powers through tacklers in every game I studied. Jacobs has the speed to get to the perimeter -- he's a weapon when lined up as a QB in the Wildcat and when he's used on fly sweeps from the slot. In the passing game, Jacobs runs crisp routes and possesses natural hands; he's a make-you-miss specialist in space. He does need to improve in pass protection. He must come to balance as a blocker and avoid lunging at blitzers. Overall, Jacobs is a special talent, and his light workload at Alabama (251 carries in three seasons) should be viewed as a positive, not a negative.
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14
Bush is a little undersized for the position (5-11, 234 pounds), but he makes up for it with instincts, twitch and production. He's excellent as a zone dropper against the pass -- quick to key routes and get a jump on the ball. In man coverage, he has the speed to run with tight ends and running backs, but he gets a little too grabby down the field. He is an excellent blitzer, using a dip/rip move to defeat running backs. Bush really excels in the run game. He is quick to identify, fill and chest up runners. He is also capable of shocking and shedding guards when they work up to the second level. He has a high batting average as a tackler and provides some huge hits. Overall, Bush is a three-down linebacker, and he'll provide the team that drafts him with a physical presence.
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9
Gary is a freak. He has a unique blend of size, speed, explosiveness and power. Unfortunately, it doesn't always translate to production. As a pass rusher, he has a dynamic get-off and flashes the power to bull through OTs with only one arm extended. However, he lacks complementary moves and stalls at the top of his rush far too often. Against the run, he destroys TEs on the edge with pure strength and power. However, he will bury his head and fail to locate the football at times. His athleticism is on display in coverage, where I've seen him run and mirror slot receivers. There are some concerns about his durability after he missed time with injuries. Overall, Gary is more of an athlete than football player at this time, but the upside is off the charts, and his effort is exceptional.
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12
Murray is an extremely explosive quarterback prospect who lacks the ideal height/bulk for the position. He has extremely quick feet in his setup and bounces on his toes at the top of his drop. He has dynamic arm strength and doesn't need to grind his toes in the ground to generate power. He isn't as accurate as Baker Mayfield, but he flashes the touch to layer the ball on occasion, accompanying the "wow" power throws. The majority of his decisions are made pre-snap; otherwise, he resorts to scrambling around and buying time. There are examples of him working deeper into progressions, but that will still be an adjustment for him at the next level. He is an electric runner, using a quick/choppy stride to eat up ground. I had two major issues early in the evaluation process, but his full-time commitment to football and surprising bulk at the combine (207 pounds) helped alleviate those concerns. Overall, I see Murray as a solid starting NFL quarterback.
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10
Sweat is a tall, long and athletic defensive end. As a pass rusher, he relies on a quick get-off and his length to pop/separate before bending around the edge to generate sacks. He doesn't show much snap/power on contact, but he still finds ways to win. His effort is excellent. Against the run, he plays a little high and will get moved around by opposing tackles. He will improve once he learns to lower his pads. Sweat is much better versus tight ends. He has the agility to drop into the flat in coverage. Overall, Sweat needs to get stronger, but his combination of length, agility and production makes him an easy sell in the draft room.
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11
Dillard has an athletic frame for the position, and he's a very easy mover. In pass protection, he explodes out of his stance and plays with tremendous knee bend, patience and balance. He shoots his hands in tight and can redirect with very little effort. When opponents get into his chest, he is quick to re-work his hands and regain leverage. In the run game, he is more of a finesse, wall-off player than a people-mover. He has the athleticism to work up to the second level, and I believe he'll be effective on outside pulls. Overall, Dillard is a pure, pass-protecting left tackle. Yes, he needs to get stronger and more physical, but in a passing league, what he does best is highly coveted.
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13
Taylor lined up at right tackle for the Gators. He has average height and a broad frame for the position. In the passing game, he has the foot quickness to cover up speed rushers and the athleticism to redirect versus counter moves. He has a bad habit of scooping instead of punching, which allows defenders to get into his chest. However, he is still sturdy versus power rushers, despite giving up his chest. In the run game, he has tremendous upper-body strength to torque and toss defenders. He's nasty. Some teams will prefer his power inside at the guard position, but I see him as a quality starting right tackle.
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15
Fant has a tall, athletic frame (6-4, 249 pounds) and exceptional explosiveness. He moved around in the Iowa scheme, putting his hand in the dirt, splitting out wide or aligning in the wing. He explodes off the line of scrimmage and is a very fluid route runner. He creates a lot of separation and tracks the ball easily over his shoulder. Fant isn't as effective when he's working underneath. He lacks polish and drops some easy balls. He also has a bad habit of unnecessarily jumping for balls that are put on his frame. After the catch, he uses his speed to pull away from defenders. He is a shield blocker in the run game, lacking tenacity and physicality in that department. Overall, Fant is a special athlete who is at his best working vertically. He has some shortcomings in other areas, but he'll be a big-play producer right away for his drafting team.
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16
Brown is a DeSean Jackson clone. He has a similar build and the same explosive playmaking skills as the three-time Pro Bowler. He lines up outside and in the slot. He easily defeats press coverage with his quickness -- and when corners elect to play off coverage, he eats up their cushion in a hurry. He is a blur on deep posts and go routes, showing both suddenness off the line and another gear once the ball is thrown to him. He has also shown the ability to quickly get in/out of breaks when working back to the quarterback on curls and comebacks. He plays much bigger than his size (5-9, 166 pounds) down the field, attacking the football at the highest point. He is dynamic after the catch. Overall, Brown might lack ideal size, but he's a polished receiver and a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He did undergo Lisfranc surgery in January, which means he's probably not a lock for the top 20. I don't see him falling out of the first round, though.
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18
Simmons has the ideal frame, athleticism and explosiveness for the position. As a pass rusher, he has an exceptional first step and rolls his hips to uproot blockers. Simmons has tremendous upper torque to stack and toss blockers on the way to the quarterback. He excels on twists and games. Against the run, he explodes into blocks, extends his arms, peeks and frees himself to make plays. However, teams will need to do their homework on his character -- his 2016 arrest stemmed from a highly publicized video of him getting into a physical altercation with a woman. Overall, Simmons has Pro Bowl potential and a similar skill set to Eagles DT Fletcher Cox. The ACL tear he suffered during a workout in early February might hurt him a little bit in the draft, but he's too talented a player to fall very far.
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22
Bradbury is a slightly undersized player with excellent quickness, balance and awareness. He is a very clean player, rarely falling off blocks or getting caught out of position. In pass protection, he has quick hands and can easily slide mirror while displaying excellent knee bend. He will stutter back a little bit versus power rushers before settling down. He is very aware. In the run game, he uses his quickness to consistently reach and cut off defenders. He takes good angles up to the second level, and he can adjust in space. He isn't a mauler, but he stays attached to his assignment. Overall, Bradbury will be a steady, reliable starter, and I see very minimal risk.
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17
Metcalf has a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism. He's at his best on runaway routes (go, slant, post). He explodes off the ball in his release and uses his big frame (6-3, 228) to wall off opponents on slants and vertical routes. He's a little choppy at the top of his route when he's working back to the quarterback. Metcalf makes some spectacular one-handed grabs, but he will drop some passes due to lack of concentration. He is exceptional after the catch, breaking tackles and pulling away from defenders. Overall, Metcalf still has room to improve, but he's built like the Batman suit -- extremely explosive and tough. He will be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams as soon as he steps foot on an NFL field. He was fully cleared to participate in the combine, but he did suffer a serious neck injury last season, and it's a concern any time a player is coming back from that type of injury. Pre-draft medical checks figure to play a big role in his evaluation.
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19
Williams lined up at left tackle for the Tide, but I'm projecting him to guard at the next level. He has outstanding feet in the passing game. He is quick, and he smoothly redirects versus counter moves. He plays with knee bend and keeps his hands in tight. His lack of length does show up on tape, and that is why I'd prefer to see him play inside. He is dominant in the run game. He runs his feet on contact and generates movement at the point of attack. He's also effective working up to the second level. He takes proper angles and plays on his feet. I love his awareness and toughness. Overall, Williams is an excellent prospect and has a chance to be a Pro Bowl guard early in his career.
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20
Haskins is a pure pocket passer with outstanding arm strength, poise and production. He lacks ideal foot quicks in his setup, but he throws from a firm platform. He has a tight, compact stroke, and the ball jumps out of his hand. He can drive the football into tight widows and displays excellent loft and touch on the deep ball. Haskins will get a little aggressive at times, but his overall decision-making has been solid. His biggest issues arise when he's forced to move off his spot because he lacks the suddenness to create and get out of trouble. He's accurate on designed roll-outs to the right, but his accuracy is spotty on the opposite side. He's used sparingly on designed QB runs, but I love his competitiveness and toughness as a ball carrier (see: Maryland game, when he logged three rushing scores). Overall, Haskins has the necessary tools to win games from the pocket, but his success will depend greatly on his protection.
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21
Ferrell has excellent size, length and power. As a pass rusher, he lacks an elite get-off, but he has an effective dip/rip move and can generate some knockback with his hands. He has some stiffness at the top of his rush, but his effort is outstanding and he's a finisher once he gets to the quarterback. Against the run, he can hold the point of attack and does a nice job shedding blocks. Overall, Ferrell lacks elite athleticism, but I love his combination of size, effort and production.
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25
Abram has a thick, sturdy frame for the position. He aligned high and low in the Bulldog scheme. He is at his best when he's playing closer to the line of scrimmage. He's quick to key/read/fill the alley, and delivers some massive hits upon arrival. He has shown the ability to match up in the slot and flashes some range from the deep half. He does get overaggressive at times, which can lead to some fly-by missed tackles. I love his temperament and toughness. Overall, Abram is a perfect fit as a down safety, and he'll be highly valued by teams that incorporate that position.
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23
Lock has the desired height and bulk for the position (6-4, 228). He owns a quick delivery and generates plenty of RPMs with minimal strain or effort. He made "wow" drive throws in every game I viewed. He excels on hole shots along the sideline (placing the ball between the corner and safety versus Cover 2) and can jam the ball into the seam, as well. He is more accurate on drive throws than touch throws. He needs to add more loft to the ball. Lock will get sloppy with his footwork at times, falling off throws unnecessarily. He's very aggressive, which leads to explosive plays and some turnovers. He's very urgent with his movement when pressured and shows the ability to escape and extend plays. He is an excellent athlete. Overall, Lock needs to polish his footwork and tone down his aggressiveness, but he has a special skill set and tremendous upside.
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32
Lawrence is a hulking defensive tackle at 6-4 and 342 pounds. As a pass rusher, he primarily relies on his strength and power to push the pocket. He does have impressive foot quickness and occasionally flashes a nifty swim move. However, he didn't get many opportunities, because Clemson brought in more explosive rushers in obvious passing situations. He is a dominant run defender. He easily stacks single blocks on the front side and refuses to be cut off on the back side. Teams will need to investigate the suspension for a failed test for performance-enhancing drugs that kept Lawrence out of the College Football Playoff. Overall, Lawrence will be an immediate force against the run, and I believe he has the potential to develop into more than a pocket pusher in the passing game.
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26
Murphy has average height and a lean, slender frame for the position. He primarily lines up outside, but he does take some reps in the slot. He plays a lot of bail technique, keeping his eyes on the quarterback, and he's quick to key, plant and drive on the ball. He has excellent instincts and ball skills. He is a very fluid athlete, and his quickness is outstanding. However, there are some concerns about his deep speed. Against the run, he is aggressive as a force defender, but he'll dive and miss some tackles. Overall, Murphy lacks ideal size/speed, but he's ultra-instinctive and will be very attractive to teams that play a lot of zone coverage.
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24
Burns is a tall, skinny edge rusher with excellent length and athleticism. As a pass rusher, he has an explosive get-off and the ability to bend/wrap at the top of his rush. He also has an explosive inside counter move. However, he doesn't have any snap once engaged and fails to convert speed to power. He needs to win early in the down. As a run defender, he lacks the girth and strength to consistently hold the point of attack, but he plays with excellent effort on the back side. Overall, Burns needs to get stronger, but his upside is sky high because of his length and speed.
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27
Smith has an excellent blend of size, athleticism, ball skills and toughness. He lines up inline, as a wing or split out. He has a nice burst off the line and is a fluid route runner. He tracks the ball naturally and has reliable hands. He uses his speed to create after the catch. Smith is more than serviceable in the run game. He primarily seals and stalemates, but there are flashes of nasty finishes. Overall, Smith doesn't have the same upside as former Alabama TE O.J. Howard, but he should be a quality starting TE very early in his NFL career.
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28
Ya-Sin has ideal size, speed, toughness and ball skills. In off coverage, he has quick feet, and he's very fluid when he turns and opens up. He doesn't waste steps on his plant and drive -- he closes in a hurry. In press coverage, Ya-Sin needs to do a better job of using his hands, and he will occasionally get turned around versus shiftier wideouts. Fortunately, he has the speed to recover when he's caught out of position. He finds the ball in the air and gets his hands on a lot of footballs. He's very aggressive in run support and a reliable tackler in space. Overall, Ya-Sin has the competitiveness and athleticism to develop into a quality NFL starter.
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29
Ford lined up at right tackle for the Sooners, and that is where he projects at the next level. He lacks ideal tackle height at 6-4, but he's long and athletic. In the passing game, he uses his quickness to position and square up opponents, but he needs to improve his hand usage. He carries his hands low and allows defenders to get their hands on his chest. Ford has outstanding change-of-direction quickness, and he plays with awareness. In the run game, he is more of a stalemate blocker on the front side, but he has the athleticism to work up to the second level, and he can efficiently cut off on the back side of runs. Overall, I wish Ford was more consistent from game to game, but he has all of the tools to excel at right tackle in the NFL.
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30
Baker is a tough, gritty cornerback who plays bigger than his size (5-11, 193 pounds). In press coverage, he has quick hands and effectively re-routes wideouts. He is fluid when he turns and opens up, and he has enough speed to carry vertical routes. He is a little sticky when he has to gear down and work downhill versus comebacks and curls. He doesn't have a lot of ball production, but he rarely gives up plays down the field. Against the run, he is very productive when he's unchecked, but he will get stuck on blocks at times. Overall, Baker is very competitive and has the versatility to play at a high level in multiple schemes.
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31
Williams is a tall, lean cornerback with build-up speed and ball skills. In press coverage, he doesn't shoot his hands, but he uses his gliding stride to match and mirror wideouts. Williams isn't as effective in off coverage; he gets too high and lacks pop out of his plant and drive. He had a tough time against Alabama's Jerry Jeudy. When he's in phase, he does a good job of locating and playing the football. He's a low, wrap/drag tackler in the run game, and his lack of play strength shows up at times. Overall, Greedy is a tough evaluation. I love his size and ball awareness, but I'm concerned about his lack of short-area burst and physicality.
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33
Adderley is a slightly undersized safety prospect with outstanding instincts, range and ball skills. He is a former cornerback, and his movement skills reflect that background. He is very fluid in his backpedal, and his combination of recognition and burst allow him to cover a lot of ground. He has no issues locating the ball in the air and possesses strong, dependable hands. Against the run, he is aggressive to the alley and boasts a high batting average as a tackler. He also offers value in the return game, where he displays vision, speed and toughness. Overall, Adderley is an ideal, pure free safety and should be a quality starter immediately in his rookie campaign.
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35
Jones has outstanding size for the position (6-5, 221). He is always under control and throws from a firm platform. As a passer, he relies more on touch than power. He throws with anticipation underneath and puts plenty of loft on deep balls, dropping them in the bucket. He's more accurate than his stats would suggest (career completion percentage of 59.9); Jones suffered from a lot of dropped passes at Duke. He's very athletic on designed QB runs, but he lacks urgency to consistently escape when pressured. He has shown the ability to read the full field, but he was forced to hold the ball at times because his weapons failed to separate. He showed his toughness by playing through injuries this past fall. Overall, Jones lacks elite arm strength, but he has a nice blend of size, toughness and football smarts.
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34
Tillery has rare height/length for the position. He is a very streaky player on tape. As a pass rusher, there are games where he dominates (see: Stanford game, when he logged four sacks) with a combination of quick hands, power and effort. However, there are other games where he's content to hang on blocks and play too high. In the run game, he flashes the ability to stack, toss and pursue the ball. He still needs to lower his pad level, but he rarely gives ground at the point of attack. Overall, Tillery isn't going to fit every team, but he shows some flashes, similar to DeForest Buckner. He just needs to become more consistent.
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37
Brown has average height and a thick, sturdy frame. He lined up in the slot in the Rebels' offense, running a lot of slants in their RPO scheme and catching a ton of other quick-hitters. He is a one-speed route runner, but he knows how to shield off defenders and attacks the ball in the air. He does have some drops on low balls, but those are offset by his ability to play above the rim. He tracks the deep ball naturally. After the catch, he steps through tackles and fights for extra yards. Overall, Brown lacks top-end speed, but he'll have a Day 1 role as a big slot receiver.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
42
Harry is a big, physical wideout with strong hands and run-after-the-catch talent. He isn't sudden in his release, but he powers through press coverage and he's adept at using his big frame to wall off defenders underneath and down the field. He wins a lot of 50/50 balls and has a special ability to adjust down the field (see: twirling catch vs. USC). After the catch, he has the strength to break tackles and is surprisingly elusive. He has punt-return value despite lacking elite top speed. Overall, Harry isn't a burner (4.53 40 at the combine), but his size/physicality and ball skills will make him a fantastic option on third down and inside the red zone.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
36
Ridley has good size (6-1, 199 pounds), and he's a very polished route runner. He lacks an explosive burst in his release, but understands how to set up defenders and is very efficient at the top of his route. Despite lacking top-end juice, he creates separation with his clean footwork in/out of the break point. He has very strong hands and attacks the ball at the highest point. After the catch, he is tough, but he lacks premier burst or elusiveness. His relative lack of production is a concern, but there were a lot of mouths to feed in this offense. Overall, Ridley is ready to contribute right away. While he doesn't possess the ideal twitch, he consistently gets open and has strong, reliable hands.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
40
McCoy lined up primarily at center for the Aggies, but he also spent some time at guard earlier in his career. He has ideal size, quickness and power for an interior lineman. In pass protection, he is quick to close space and attack defenders. He shoots his hands quickly and controls easily. He has a firm anchor and he's aware of twists and stunts. In the run game, he can torque/turn defenders with his upper-body strength, and he looks to finish. He takes good angles to the second level, but he will struggle to adjust and latch in space. Overall, McCoy has the ability to start early in his career at any of the interior OL spots.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
38
Risner lined up at right tackle for the Wildcats and possesses a good combination of power, balance and instincts. In the passing game, he is quick to shoot his hands and he squats on power rushers. He will click his heels together at times, but he hasn't paid for it against these opponents. He should be able to correct that at the NFL level. He is very aware versus blitzes and stunts in the run game, using his upper-body strength to torque and turn defenders. He's also shown the ability to reach and seal from the back side. He will struggle to adjust in space at the second level. Overall, Risner has the tools to become a quality starting right tackle, and he adds value because of his experience at the center position during his redshirt freshman campaign.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
47
Samuel is a thick, muscular wideout. He's been extremely productive when healthy, but he battled multiple injuries during his college career. In South Carolina's offense, he caught a ton of quick hitters (primarily bubble screens and slants). He catches the ball naturally and is exceptional after the catch. He uses his lower-body strength to power through tackles, and he can also make defenders miss. He was outstanding at the Senior Bowl, proving he's a capable route runner. Overall, Samuel's durability is a concern, but he's dynamic with the ball in his hands and also offers value in the return game.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
39
Rapp is slightly undersized for the position, but he's been very productive throughout his career. He lines up in the deep half, as well as underneath in the box. He anticipates well from the deep hash and always takes the proper angle to the ball. He has good (not great) closing speed and excellent ball awareness. He has a great feel as a blitzer, displaying timing and the ability to defeat a block. He is outstanding versus the run. He can sort through the trash when in the box and takes perfect angles to the alley from the deep half. He comes to balance and is a sure tackler in space. Overall, Rapp is one of the most reliable/dependable players in this draft class. Still, his lackluster speed at Washington's pro day (where he ran a 40-yard dash in the 4.7s) will impact his draft stock.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
49
Montgomery has an ideal blend of size, vision and short-area burst. On inside runs, he can drop his pads and power through contact or avoid defenders in very tight quarters. His ability to stop/start immediately is unique for a bigger back. He lacks top-tier juice to consistently get to the perimeter. Montgomery isn't a big part of the passing game, but he's been reliable when called upon. He prefers to cut block in pass protection and he's been inconsistent in that area. Overall, Montgomery has been a steady, consistent performer throughout his college career, and I expect the same results as he transitions to the NFL.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
41
McGary has outstanding size, quickness and toughness for the right tackle position. He is very raw in the passing game. He crosses his feet over on occasion and has had some issues versus speed rushers. He does have the ability to catch/anchor power rushers, and he's very aware versus pressure looks. He is a dominant run blocker, latching on to defenders and sending them flying (see: first play vs. Oregon). He explodes into contact and is a nasty finisher. McGary collected a lot of knockdowns in the games I studied. I was impressed with the improvements he made to his pass-rush technique during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl. Overall, McGary isn't a perfect pass protector, but he has all of the necessary tools to develop, and I love his play temperament and toughness.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
44
Collier has the size and skill set to line up on the edge or inside. He is extremely twitched-up and jars opponents once he gets his hands on them. In the passing game, he uses a shake/bull-rush move, and he can also pop/separate from blocks while only using one arm. He can convert speed to power off the edge. He isn't an elite bender at the top of his pass rush, but he still finds a way to finish. He has the strength to hold the point of attack against the run and his effort is solid. Overall, Collier isn't the biggest name in this DL class, but it wouldn't shock me if he emerged as the top player at the position three or four years from now.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
43
A one-year starter at running back, Sanders took over for Saquon Barkley in Penn State's backfield. He has good size (5-11, 211) for the position and a complete skill set. On inside runs, he can make defenders miss or power through tackles. He has good vision and feel for cutback lanes. He has plenty of juice to get to the edge on perimeter runs and possesses some wiggle when he gets into the open field. He is a reliable target out of the backfield, but needs to improve in pass protection. He had some missed assignments in the games I studied. Overall, Sanders has the tools to emerge as a quality NFL starter, and he has plenty of tread left on his tires (276 carries in three seasons with the Nittany Lions).
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
45
Ferguson has ideal size, length, power and production. He has experience standing up on the edge, as well as putting his hand on the ground. In the passing game, he is a pure power rusher. He uses a violent stutter bull rush, and he'll mix in a long-arm move, as well as an occasional hand swipe. He has very heavy hands; OTs immediately give ground once he lands them. He is a little tight at the top of his rush, but he's an excellent finisher (see: 45 sacks at Louisiana Tech, including 17.5 this past season). In the run game, he can use his length to set the edge. His effort on the back side needs to improve. He'll take some snaps off. Overall, Ferguson isn't a bendy edge defender, but I love his physicality and ability to finish. He should be a Day 1 starter in the NFL.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
Not ranked
Love has average size/speed, but he has fantastic instincts, ball skills and toughness. He played inside and outside in Notre Dame's scheme, but I'm projecting him as a pure nickel at the next level. He has outstanding foot quicks and is very fluid. He relies on his instincts to properly position himself to make plays on the ball. His lack of deep speed (see: Michigan game) is a concern when lined up outside, but it hasn't been an issue inside. He is outstanding versus the run. He is aggressive to attack the line of scrimmage and is a physical tackler. Overall, Love reminds me a lot of Desmond King when he was coming out of Iowa, and I see him having similar success as a starting nickel corner.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
48
Mullen has a tall/athletic build for the position. He wasn't challenged much in the five games I studied, but I love his movement skills and play speed. In press coverage, he does a nice job mirroring underneath, and he has plenty of speed to carry vertical routes. He'll use a bail technique at times, and he's able to read through the wideout to the quarterback. In off coverage, he is a count late to key and drive, but he does possess a nice closing burst. He doesn't have much ball production, but that's because the ball is rarely thrown his way. He is a firm tackler in run support. Overall, it's tough to penalize Mullen for the lack of opportunities. He has the skill set to excel as a press cornerback at the next level.
<strong>Previous rank:</strong>
50
Howard has ideal height and length for the position. He played both left and right tackle in the games I studied. In pass protection, he explodes out of his stance and effortlessly covers up speed rushers off the edge. He keeps his hands in tight and steers opponents with relative ease. He has an immediate anchor versus bull rushers. When his hands get knocked away, he is quick to replace them. In the run game, he has the foot quicks and balance to cut off on the back side, and he always stays attached. He doesn't have a lot of knock-off power, but he's effective. Overall, the only real question about Howard involves the level of competition.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.