as always, amateur thoughts with no personal training in football evaluation are provided free of charge. I'm still catching up on practically every position, but let's get this started.

It should be noted that my evaluations of this position are historically terrible. I watched about a dozen games per each of the top guys (intently), spread over the 2011-12 seasons, so I feel informed...but will still probably fuck these up.

I still like him. This was one of those seasons were everything snowballed, and a lot of his mistakes were him overcompensating for team flaws. Probably learned a lot from it, and his decision errors are correctable.

Mechanically, he's extremely thorough: footwork and drops are tight, he squares his shoulders on the move, and he's got a short, high release. Height and arm strength are not idealistic, although both are NFL-quality and his deep ball looked stronger than ever. Mentally, he's mature at reading progressions (although he will have lapses with locking on), is fearless in the pocket and knows how to position defenders with his eyes.

He may not be a savior, but I see him working hard enough to be a high-level caretaker who can make plays when needed.

Overhyped, coddled, Hollywood media machine bullshit.

Thanks for the continued LULZ, Trojans!

Their track record the last 10-12 years has been awful

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He ran really hot or cold this year. It may be a similar issue to Barkley, where the team's collapse had him trying to do too much. Either way, he's got NFL ability and no grave deficiencies. He isn't frayed by a collapsing pocket and steps up very well, although he can be oblivious to backside pressure and is careless securing the ball. Release, footwork and arm strength are all fine. He's a surgeon when throwing down the seams; a NFL tight end would do him wonders.

His deep ball can be strangely erratic though -- as in, "different zip code" erratic. West Virginia didn't move the pocket much, but he does throw well on the run. However, don't confuse that with attacking mobility: he can leg out a run to the sticks, but that's about it. I'd say his biggest issue is staying with his first read. College defenders started getting huge jumps on his throws because of that (NFL players will house those).

Not a superlative prospect, but a good one who has not yet maximized his talent.

drop off the second half of the season.

It seems that opposing teams figured something out about WVU's O, and they never really adjusted. Or was it a deficiency on the QBs part? I tend to think the former, simply because of how big the drop-off was.

I could be wrong tho

he had the rough two-game stretch against Texas Tech and Kansas State, but after that it was business as usual in the Big 12 (minus the winning, because the defense was even worse).

him locking onto the first read was a serious problem tho. even if defenses have figured out tendencies, you can't stare a guy open -- move on or get rid of it. he's got to fix that, his sideline accuracy on deep passes and his awareness of backside pressure (Syracuse got two safeties from his obliviousness).

Right now, he projects as a poor man's Jay Cutler. His main problem is a lack of anticipation; he needs to "see it" before he throws. That's a concern when NFL passing windows are open for a second or less, and why he makes a lot of mistakes against disguised coverages. He's got a strong arm but trusts it too much, a problem compounded by his Stafford-esque throwing slot. Although he had protection and weapons (Tennessee might have six NFL players from the 2012 offense), to his credit he's tough in the pocket and will stand and deliver.

Immature for the position, both in experience and attitude, but with a competitive drive and the skills to eventually start.

coming back was the right choice. he's an imposing, Cam/Luck physical presence who stands tall under pressure...while that doesn't completely mitigate his awful season, he's talented enough to repair his stock (a lot).

plus, Virginia Tech has been a retardant school for offensive skill position players. nobody gets developed there. so although Scot Loeffler has some shaky resume stops, he can't be much worse than past offensive coaches.

More Nick Foles than Matt Ryan. He's largely a rhythm passer, and is best in a no-huddle, shotgun offense where he can keep firing rapidly. Good, not great, arm, but throws an extremely catchable ball. I'm a bit shocked at the six drops per game his receivers had, because his touch is mostly excellent.

His foremost problem, and it's a big one in the NFL, is how he degrades against pressure. He actually has the ability to sidestep and reset, but once he takes that *big* hit (or makes an awful decision), he'll feel ghosts for the rest of the game. That also contributes to how he reads progressions, which are often low-to-high instead of high-to-low. I realize he's a great intermediate passer, but seems too quick to check-down instead of seeing something develop behind it.

His inconsistent footwork and reads can be coached up, but his upside is limited to being a "system quarterback", one who is reliant on a certain type of offense and level of personnel to succeed (opposed to those who elevate their surroundings). meh.

I wonder if he'll be picked in the 1st round, I see at least 8 picks that could go QB!


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Many scary habits, but he's more talented than every other quarterback in this draft. Great arm, perfect size, threatening mobility and plenty of experience (31 starts) *should* indicate a first round prospect, yet his projections vary wildly.

To me, his style of play is negatively unpredictable. At times he's robotic, trying to be over-precise with a simple throw or settling for pointless dump-offs. The next series he'll be off-kilter, abandoning his progressions to scramble wildly or forcing a throw into a dead read.

Accuracy-wise, his numbers are fantastic but he misses high too much (especially deep). Against pressure, he can make all the throws in a collapsed pocket -- the problem is when he's the one stepping into rushers. In general he could use his legs more wisely; there's a ton of scramble drill yardage he leaves on the field when he runs.

Talented guy, but he felt like less than the sum of his parts when watching him in college. If he can harness all his skills, consistently, he might be special. That's the second round gamble.

we're gonna have to call Jimbo Fisher "The QB Whisperer".

And if Trickett gets drafted PERIOD, then Jimbo is the QB-BasedGod. That being said I hate Trickett.


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that write up gives me pause

but this team is basically "all new". I have no idea what Chip-ball will be.

uber talented underachiever

Who is clearly NFL starter material

He'll be fine

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Remember when he was a top ten pick? While projections don't always coincide with reality, his game hasn't really changed much. He's the same guy he was before, he just got dissected over three years instead of three months.

My biggest problem with him is how long he takes to process defenses. A lot of his career was spent throwing quick-hitters and screens, as directed by the sideline call. When he actually has to drop back and read through coverages, however, things fall apart. He doesn't anticipate well, his footwork is sloppy when moving around the pocket, and by the time he's realized his first option isn't available, he's got a defender breathing on him -- forcing him to throw up another lowlight-reel decision.

Even when he sets and throws in rhythm, a different flaw shows up: scattered accuracy. He leaves a ton of yards on the field by not hitting receivers in stride, and some of his uglier completions will be batted down or intercepted with NFL corners closing.

Now, there are successful NFL quarterbacks who have the same delay issues in the pocket, but they have other qualities to compensate. Elite arm strength (to force late throws into closing windows) or the mobility to escape. Jones has neither, with his arm being very much average and his deep ball dying on arrival. An elongated motion doesn't help.

So yeah, I'm not a big fan. Mid-rounds as a back-up on a good offense. Should he be forced into a spot start, he'll need weapons and protection.

Have for quite a while.

Don't disagree with any of this.

I don't like this guy either. Firstly, his footwork is miserable -- he floats into drops and short-steps most his throws. It's as if his upper and lower body are working independent of each other, leading to predictably sporadic accuracy. Decreases his velocity too.

That can be fixed, though. More troubling is how unsettled he became in the pocket. He's shotgun-reliant, and when pressure started closing in, he wasn't able to step around it. Dump-off or duck and run time. He was actually a bit better in 2011, and *does* stand and deliver against free rushers, but overall I didn't see much ability to slide around the tempestuous NFL pocket.

What also ended up happening, was he settled for a lot of shallow routes. I understand that Arkansas was running shorter concepts -- rubs, short outs and the like -- but even when given time, he left big plays on the field for a six-yard completion.

Some of those throws also had me questioning his vision. He doesn't disengage safeties, and sees the levels in progressions with very narrow vision. Basically, he can go high-med-low with the ball, but often to just one section of the field. I've seen safeties break from the far hash as soon as his head turns at the snap, because they know he won't come back to their side.

I guess if you're giving Matt Barkley a mulligan, Wilson deserves one for playing injured amid the absurdity of Arkansas' season. But I don't think he's a great prospect in the best conditions -- he needs a lot of development and has decent, not special, physical tools. Third or fourth round.

After getting over the shock that he was considered a legitimate prospect, there's actually plenty to like. His release is very quick, and his anticipation is great -- he puts the ball on receivers immediately out of their breaks. He also knows how to move defenders; his head fakes and stare-offs when scanning the field are impressive.

While he throws well in tight spaces, his movement in the pocket is a bit frenetic. Happy feet and double clutches. He steps up nicely under pressure, but his mechanics get sloppy when sliding to reset. Inconsistent accuracy when rolling outside the pocket.

His biggest and most limiting issue, though, is his arm strength. It's quite average, and several of his deep throws (especially to the sideline) have little velocity. Overall his arm is good enough to play, but he'll have trouble throwing into tight downfield windows.

Possible starter, but with low upside. Second or third round.

He's fun to watch, with some projectable NFL skills amid his deficiencies. Very intriguing arm talent; his deep passes sail a bit, but he'll complete intermediate throws into shoebox windows. I'm not sure if he just trusts his arm that much, or doesn't know any better. His accuracy is not as impressive, however -- receivers are constantly adjusting to his simplest throws, preventing a ton of YAC.

Pocket presence is OK; he stands in against free rushers but the offense he played in was heavy on shotgun, quick throws and rollouts. Oh, and that'll be another issue -- Rich Rodriguez's system has produced Woody Dantzler, Pat White and Denard Robinson. His mobility is also curtailed by a rail-thin build; I'd be surprised if he played above 200 pounds last fall. You can't put him in the open field against NFL defenders, as the hits he takes in the pocket are scary enough.

Plenty to critique (he only started one season), but that's true for nearly any prospect at his position. As a developmental back-up though, he has more upside than most. Middle rounds (and trending higher).

He can look really good and equally as bad, averaging out to development prospect status. His arm can play in the NFL, and he spins a well-arcing, catch-friendly deep ball. The height and size are there, he's comfortable rolling out to either side, and he keeps his head up when moving around the pocket.

He's *long* on his first read, though. Slow to recognize later progressions, eventually forcing throws that account for his worst decisions. He also plays with heavy feet. Three-step, five-step drop and he's good -- he throws pinpoint lasers over the middle. Not as pretty when he's resetting, or turning back around off play-action.

With his arm talent and ability to extend plays (right now, for better or worse), I see him in the fourth or fifth round. A stash that may become a viable back-up or low upside starter.

Really weak year on paper, but maybe a couple guys to surprise. I think running back production is really based on opportunity these days, as most elite offenses treat hand-offs as a quota obligation.

he's already declared.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/8746488/north-carolina-tar-heels-rb-giovani-bernard-declares-nfl-draft

thoughts?

Cut-and-go runner who finishes with surprising power. There's not much you can really critique about him; his all-around game is quite balanced and he's an asset in all three phases of running back duties (rushing, receiving and protection). Very smooth in everything he does, whether it's setting up angles on screens or picking through trash and making that extra cutback.

I don't think he'll have an amazing track time, and there will be questions about his size despite being solidly built. A potential lead horse in a committee and at worst, a third down ace.

I think he can go late int he first depending on the combine but definitely 2nd. I am biased but I think he's going to be a good back in the pros.

eventually

Amazing at no particular trait, yet good enough at all of them. His leg drive lacks brute force...but he usually falls forward. He doesn't have premier agility...but his jump cut and spins are quick enough to beat defenders. He isn't a home run hitter...but attacks the second level with decisiveness, and can surprise with a long gain.

His best skill is balance, which he uses to break most of his tackles. Vision is good, not superlative, but his pad level makes him hard to target. You can't overlook the touchdowns, either -- converting goal-line chances is an underrated talent.

I actually don't knock him much for running behind NFL lines his whole career (and they weren't even dominant this season). Other college backs have done the same, with less comparable numbers. More concerning are the 950 touches he accumulated in Madison. And he'll need a high level tutorial in the passing game (shows capability as a receiver, but his pass protection is tentative at best).

His times might push him out of the top 50, but then again, I can see a team becoming enamored with his tape and production. Either way, he's a would-be upgrade for several backfields.

with the NFL devaluing the position, you can start at running back while not making a huge impact. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Shonn Greene, Vick Ballard, Mikel LeShoure, Alex Green, James Starks...etc. in the case of a superstar though, I'd say this draft is lacking at the position.

there are some guys I like, but most of them are ideal as number two backs or the fourth option on a stacked offense. kind of like Stevan Ridley -- he's a good back, but one-dimensional and benefiting from playing with the Patriots. put him on the Browns and all his numbers are cut in half.

although I haven't seen everybody yet. actually, Bernard (above) can do a lot of Doug Martin things on the right team tho.

Is Eddie Lacy the next in a long line of Crimson Tide 3 yard and a pile of dust rbs?

a guy may be stuck in a bad offense or behind a bad line in college and not able to show his full potential. You got a guy like Arian Foster who wasn't even drafted and he might be the 2nd best RB in the NFL...

He wasn't just a diamond in the rough.

He actually sucked.

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good, he came back and had a rough senior year, didn't work out at the combine then ran a 4.7 at his pro day. But he's still the #2 all-time rusher in UT history so to say he "sucked" is a bit extreme

>good, he came back and had a rough senior year, didn't work
>out at the combine then ran a 4.7 at his pro day. But he's
>still the #2 all-time rusher in UT history so to say he
>"sucked" is a bit extreme


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I love how he never fumbles in the NFL

Just curious

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Semi-pro player. Productive in college, but he lacks NFL power, acceleration and cutting ability. If he's not running downhill his options are extremely limited. Not a creator when trapped or someone who can get to the edge.

Good receiver, though. That might get him on a roster.

thanks for this

n/m

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I watched pretty muuch every game he played at Lincoln

He has good hands a willing blocker

underrated cutting ability

is best between the tackles but doesnt have the size to make a living off of it

and being only 210 he isnt really that fast either
(at least to my eyes maybe he can run a good 40 at the combine)

has really good hands
and he is a solid blocker

I think he can be a decent 3rd running back in the danny woodhead mold

Patrick Pass is his ceiling

Upright, narrowly built runner who will help in the passing game. He's decent between the tackles as a one-cut, north-only runner (who runs south?), but his acceleration is average and he can't make multiple moves without slowing his feet down too much. No power in his legs and his pad level gets him tackled weakly.

That said, he gets a big upgrade in the aerial game. Fluid receiver in the flats and down the seams; he's capable of running advanced routes in time. Hands-catcher. Maybe most importantly, he's an anchor in pass protection who meets rushers in their lanes.

Flawed like most backs in this class, but his strength on third downs is something all NFL teams can use. Mid-rounds.

but otherwise, accurate.

reminds me a bit of demarco murray. maybe just because i saw a lot of both.

A churner who can play three downs, but you're leaving yards on the field relying on him for more than back-up duties. Quick feet and vision are his assets, he simply lacks the burst to create dynamic plays in the running game. Will get what's blocked and not much more. Mid-rounds based off collegiate resume.

giving out high second round grades and whatnot. I don't see the burst or suddenness worthy of a top 50 pick, but I've been blatantly wrong about running backs before.

I doubt he'll be a star but he'll probably stick around a bit.

There's a lot to be said for being durable, sturdy,
with good balance, good hands and above average vision

Non-Peterson running backs are mostly good because
of these characteristics

Jamal Charles and Chris Johnson have olympic speed,
but other than them the elite NFL backs are good
because they are solid and balanced

Dunno if Stefan Taylor qualifies but he's a lot closer
to Ray Rice as a prospect than we seem to think

I don't know what the fuck they're doing with medicine now.

The rare case of a running back who benefited from returning to school. He's matured into the position and is a more consistent, well-rounded player. Mostly an outside speed back as an underclassmen, now he looks to cut inside first, showing much better lean and pad level. This year he took it a step further, breaking second level tackles that he never did before.

He's still retained his wiggle in the open field, with good burst and straight-line speed. It's just now those runs come naturally, instead of being forced. Solid receiver who will be fine for swing passes and screens. He does lack bulk, which may limit him some in the NFL. He's also a "whoops" blocker in pass protection: right assignment, wrong technique. He reaches at rushers and doesn't anchor with a strong base.

Best for zone blocking as a cutback runner, he's going to be a good value in the middle rounds.

The knee injuries sucked, mainly because he wasn't that fast to begin with. If you go back and watch his freshman season, he was never a guy who outran angles -- against Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Auburn (twice), he only had three carries of 20 yards or more.

He's always been a power back, but with exceptional lateral ability. At his best he makes hard, decisive cuts, giving him room to evade and slice through the line of scrimmage. That trait is now in question with new ligaments in both legs. An accelerated recovery and the recent play of Jamaal Charles -- who relies on quick cuts as much, he just finishes with speed instead of power -- are encouraging, but anecdotal until Lattimore can show it himself.

Should he prove healthy, he'll first settle in as a short-yardage runner. He's unbelievable in goal-to-go situations: gets small, finds invisible creases and slides under tackles with stupefying balance. Even if he never regains feature back ability, he can become an automatic touchdown inside the five.

Although he starts and finishes with good pad level, he runs tall in-between those transitions. Big target for defenders. I'm not sure how much he can do about that, but it's another worry with his history. Adequate receiver who makes all the catches he's supposed to. He could stand to get better in pass protection -- he's great with assignments, only OK at finishing blocks. I guess a silver lining to his injuries is that Spurrier would've put 500 more touches on him if allowed to.

He'd be best on a team that can afford to stash him, similar to how Baltimore worked in Bernard Pierce this past season (or New England with Stevan Ridley in 2011). Pending medical clearance, somebody will bite by the third round.

He's been a legit prospect since he stepped on campus, but it's been a bizarre route getting to the draft. I remember watching him as a freshman in A&M's bowl game against Georgia -- only 19 years old, running over and around future NFL starters (Geno Atkins, Justin Houston, Akeem Dent, Reshad Jones).

That was the last and only time he finished a season. He broke his leg as a sophomore, tore his ACL as a junior, and was benched as a senior after clashing with Sumlin. The medical history alone is alarming, but combined with new character flags (suspended for the opener, then got on Twitter during the game and told Sumlin to "run the ball") and his risk level is at code red.

Watching him run, though, and you start to forget all of that. He's a compact guy who runs with quick, short steps and bursts through the line. He also makes hard cuts -- able to make defenders at all three levels miss -- and plays with good pad level. It's hard to get a clean shot on him. Against Arkansas, his junior year? That was a NFL running back.

If you add up all the strikes (he was also never the feature runner, splitting time as Cyrus Gray's back-up before his lost final season), he'll definitely go lower than his talent suggests. But I'm still a fan. He's probably the best candidate to "surprise" at his position, should he end up with the right team. Mid-rounds.

He's got a low ceiling as a feature runner, but I like his style. He's a huge guy -- you hardly see backs built like him anymore -- but his feet are light. Cuts are quick enough, and his vision is good. Adequate receiver (albeit with some awful performances mixed in).

Speed is lacking, though. Probably a 4.7 guy. His pad level also needs to get better in the open field, as NFL linebackers are much stronger than the college ones he shrugged off. And he fits best in a power, man-blocking scheme -- he lost a little something when Michigan State ran their zone plays.

He doesn't have big play or much third down ability, but could find his place as a grinder between the tackles. Mid-rounds.

if the Rams could use their 2 1st picks on Vacarro and Leveon Bell....then their 2nd on a WR.... we'd be super straight.

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[font size=4 font color="green"

He's got some talent, but it's hard for me to separate his production from his offensive line. I can't say he has great vision, because he had about four different seal blocks to choose from on every run. He broke tackles, but he also was able to charge downhill without being touched near the line of scrimmage. He burst into the second level quickly, but then again, most of his running lanes were ridiculously massive.

I will credit him with nimble feet; he plants and accelerates better than I assumed (shocking, since he looked like he was pulling a sled in the 2011 BCS title game). He also finishes runs with power, although he runs extremely upright. Just kind of there as a receiver.

His 40 time could push him up or down 15 picks, but isn't relevant otherwise. He's a hammer, not a long speed guy. I'm wary of his running style without a dominating offensive line, but I'm sure he'll be gone before the second round ends.

It's weird, he runs tall for his height, and negates the advantages of being a smaller back. Stepper, not a cutter, through lanes, which prevents him from maximizing his solid vision. Powerless and lacking great speed. Not the greatest route-runner but he makes nice adjustments to throws (hands look a tad small, though).

Maybe a team's third back if he can cover on special teams.

Bores me to tears. He can't create space for himself, and screeches to a stop when making his wide, exaggerated cuts. Little burst through the hole. Tries to bounce many of his runs outside, which is absurd for a guy who can't win the corner against college defenders. Not even that powerful when he stays inside, either.

He can pass protect and ably catches dump-offs, but that doesn't make up for the wasted carries you’d be using on him as a runner. UFA.

Darting, slippery runner who was helped immensely by scheme. He earned his yardage in chunks, mostly due to Oregon's extreme spacing and misdirection. Those overloads (and huge lanes) will not be there in the NFL.

Quicker than fast, his lack of power is another problem. His leg drive is particularly weak, and he doesn't possess the game-breaking speed to make up for that. Receiving value is there, but he rarely pass protected and doesn't look to have the strength to anchor.

Overall, a very narrow skill set. Sixth or seventh round.

He's a good dude with speed. He won't get down on his situation. He'll have a chance as a slot player somewhere... and he can be useful on special teams - even as a gunner.

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Very fun to watch as a runner, despite his lack of physical gifts. He's not fast, he's not big, and his acceleration and cuts are average...so every yard he gets is hard-earned. He does it by pressing the narrowest of lanes, squeezing through with great body lean -- a low, shifty style that's hard to square up. He always seems to fall forward as well.

The kind of player you target in the last 50 picks or as a high-priority free agent. If he gets into camp, he could be hard to cut.

Another good, not great, running back prospect. His feet are his strongest attribute (he slides them well), and he uses great balance to extend runs. Solid burst and speed. I think his vision is closer to average, though. He bounces off-tackle a lot.

Wasn't asked to do much as a receiver last season; basically swing passes and little five-yard option routes. Catches the ball fine. I would like to see less hesitation in pass protection, as he waits on blitzers at times.

From most accounts he's a high character guy, which is a great bonus. Third round as a secondary back.

He tries to run around most defenders, and he's not that kind of fast. But he's got a nice burst. If he sticks to exploiting inside seams, he has a third-down future, since he catches everything thrown with reasonable accuracy.

Similar to Kenjon Barner in his limitations, although Williams shows more responsibility in protection and finishes inside runs a shade better. Sixth round.

Not a big back, but relies on an inside running style. He's tougher than you'd expect; keeping between the tackles and making compact cuts. Lacks great speed and looks ordinary when trying to get to the corner. Not much of a tackle breaker.

Although he played a full season, he was rather beat up and took some hits that forced him out of games early. I'd question how durable his frame and style will be against NFL defenders. He's also merely adequate on third downs -- not really a receiving, make-you-miss-in-space back -- which will limit his availability. Sixth round.

Damn, I thought he'd gotten a waiver for another year. He should have, since he's been very unfortunate with injuries, fracturing two vertebrae in 2011 and tearing his ACL last October.

When healthy though, he showed Tavon-Austin-esque potential in the open field. Video game cuts with very good acceleration and excellent receiving skills. He might not have been quite as fast or quick as Austin, but definitely finished runs stronger. Before the ACL injury, I thought he had a great chance to find a third-down, special teams role as a dynamic match-up player.

Unfortunately he can't make an impression during testing, and medical clearance will be an issue (the spinal injury nearly forced him to leave football). Maybe seventh round, but more likely a high priority free agent. I'd love to get him into camp and see if he can contribute.

The back-up for your back-up. He runs tough for his size, bouncing off bad tackle attempts, and adds a dimension in the passing game with his downfield routes. Natural hands-catcher.

Unfortunately, he lacks the burst to get through narrow, NFL running lanes before they close. That basically puts him on third down duty, without the explosive element other smaller backs offer. Late rounds.

Man, he looked promising in 2011. Not a burner or pile-mover, he got his yards using explosive cutting ability -- beating angles with multiple jump cuts (without losing speed). A quicker, better-receiving version of Montee Ball.

Since coming back from the ACL tear, however, there's only been flashes of the same ability. Which is expected. I'm betting on a full return in 2013, and combined with his excellent receiving ability (great hands and body control), this is a three-down back who'd fit well in a pass-first attack with lots of spacing. Bargain in the mid-rounds.

I'm not very high on him. He's an upright, cutback runner who doesn't play as fast as he times or as big as he weighs.

Even disregarding last year's slow return from his 2011 injury (the third time he's broken an ankle), he showed the same limitations as a sophomore -- getting stood up by linebackers, and not turning the corner like you'd expect from a 4.3 back. His small hands could also be an issue, as he fumbled a lot in college, often from soft contact. You can't play if you can't hold on to a football.

Not my style, but he'll go on the higher side of the middle rounds based off size-speed.

He's extremely limited as a NFL runner, but I like him as a utility player. With the ball in his hands, he shows good leg drive and quickness, but runs tall and isn't that fast or strong. He started two years as a receiver though, so his route tree from the backfield is unusually varied -- very helpful for his third down aspirations. He's also been a kick returner, and could probably cover on returns.

A fringe, seventh-round-type, but he can back-up several positions and maybe save you a roster spot.

I think it's kinda pointless to talk about them at this point. well, not pointless, but there's enough draftable prospects I'm trying to figure out and that's my (valid) excuse.

f$c tho

Love this guy. He's got the ability to become an elite second receiver, who can also play all three positions. His height will be a knock but he plays much taller, thanks to long arms and power mitts for hands. Smooth, effortless routes and real YAC ability (he dusted Morris Claiborne more than a couple times). He's a sneaky red-zone target, a box cutter against zones and despite not being a true burner, he can work outside against big corners. Hell, he even blocks decently.

A must-have second rounder to me.

He ideally fits as your third outside receiver. Very natural when adjusting to passes, showing off a great wingspan and catching with his hands. NFL height (6'2, 195), with room to add weight on his rangy frame. Competitive guy who finds a way to produce.

He's limited by his lack of explosiveness, though. Route-running needs consistency -- some are exceptional, others just OK, and he doesn't have the separation ability to be less than perfect. Otherwise, corners are going to press and camp on him because he lacks runaway speed. If he tightens up his routes, he'll have a chance on deep plays due to his ball skills. Possibly top 150 if his timed speed is near acceptable.

I would put my two cents in, but I love this guy far too much to be remotely objective.

He could latch on as a fifth receiver somewhere. His hands are reliable, never fighting catches and tracking deep passes exceptionally well. Special teams value on punts, which will be important for him. He'll move inside in the NFL, but has better size than a lot of receivers at the end of a rotation. Not always enthusiastic about blocking.

Late rounds or a priority free agent unless he burns up the track.

Maybe the most intriguing prospect in the draft. I'd argue he's the best athlete available: his cuts, speed and acceleration are insane from his height/weight ratio. He'll help immediately on punt and kick returns, a legitimate home run threat on every touch.

The thing is, he's raw. Painfully so. I wouldn't even call what he does route-running, it's more like being in the vicinity of a designated area. His hands and focus are equally maddening; he'll make an amazing catch, then drop an easy touchdown. He hasn't had a lot of high-level coaching (sat out a year and played JUCO in 2011), but does he possess the drive to refine his skills, or will he become a package-player only?

It's a risk, but this draft is devoid of superstars, and he's potentially one of them. If you can afford to be patient, the reward might be the best offensive player of the entire draft.

I'll take his teammate too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6pGFvDqt0

NFL coaches are pretty self-confident they can teach technique, and the upside is ridiculous. He's a top percentile talent in the open field.

fuck it, might as well reach, shit if michael floyd can go top 15 then so can Patterson.

i mean, even if we did draft him he'd suck because were the Titans. but i can dream right?

didnt really know how good this guy was til the video. lol @ him just embarrassing Mississippi St in that highlight.

looks like a first round lock to me but it IS a highlight vid. but usually when guys are running sideline to sideline untouched 50 yard touchdowns they play well on Sundays a few years later.

his return game skills was the most surprising to me.

A wind-up toy for offensive coordinators. No linebacker or safety wants to get isolated against him in space, not with his acceleration, so he can govern defensive personnel if used creatively. Downsides: small target for quarterbacks, can't break outside press, and is easy to bring down once you put hands on him (that's the problem, though).

You could run him out of the backfield like Sproles or a good version of Danny Woodhead, then play match-ups in the slot and let him bend zones until they snap. The return ability is a bonus.

Talent-wise, he's in-between Calvin Johnson and Stephen Hill. Large disparity, I know, but you see shadows of both from him -- he's a huge target who can fly downfield, but is raw in his receiver technique. He extends his hands much better than Hill ever did, although he still lets too many passes into his body. Great long speed; give him space to gear up and you'll be chasing his back numbers.

The negatives: misuses his size at times, especially when shielding defensive backs, and runs a basic route tree with inexperienced precision. His agility is also average in tight quarters. However, he's started for just two years, so I expect exponential improvement in the future.

A legit number one receiver prospect. He'll be a huge wild card if he declares -- the combine should push him up a half-round, minimum -- as this is an unsettled draft for his position.

Rutgers had more size at WR than most NFL teams.

Would've loved to see them with a QB superior to Nova, which is pretty much all QBs.

is Harrison draftable? I'm still watching Jamison, Greene and Ryan

big guy, decent hands, not much wiggle.

i'm thinking his size alone gets him a look.

doesn't have anywhere near the upside or skills that Coleman does, but he's a big strong target.

good move. his numbers will probably stay inconsistent, but he can improve on a lot of things regardless. plus he has size that Sammy Watkins and Marqise Lee can't match.

Carolina has to replace Steve Smith eventually and he might be there at 14...

might have that boy filming Bojangles commercials on draft day lmao.

I wouldn't draft him as a number one receiver. He's a big target and does some nice things, but the totality of his game isn't impressive. In the good column, he's a versatile player who lines up in the slot or outside, showing a great release when pressed. Wins jump balls and adjusts well to most passes (which were often off-target in his career). Has some cutting ability for YAC.

Lots of other traits bother me. He's a long-strider who takes awhile to get up to speed, and his balance after the catch is awful at times. Lapses in awareness, whether it's running short of the sticks on third down or unnecessarily stepping out of bounds. He'll also put some easy catches on the turf, and is a little soft for his size (gets redirected too much).

He should improve with competent quarterbacking -- something he didn't enjoy at Cal -- but is not a centerpiece to build a passing game around. An in-betweener who is better than several twos but not a clear top dog.

Decisive route-runner who'll make his money underneath and on third downs. He can make hard cuts or stops at any level of the route tree, with great body control. I think the fade is his best route; he dominates corners with that one.

Mostly reliable hands (drops come on transition moves) with excellent extension. Not a home-run hitter after the catch, but he can do some damage laterally. There are instances where he can't get separation over the top, so I'm interested to see his times -- although that won't be his game in the NFL anyway. Tough player who blocks downfield and played most of his sophomore season with an ankle injury that needed surgery.

Production dipped because he switched positions with Marqise Lee and was not force-fed the ball like in 2011, which he was somewhat bitter about. He'll have to get used to it though, because he's ideally a number two in the NFL. Second round.

A very smart, consistent option who outplays his size and speed. He's a natural route-runner who gears up and down quickly, finding holes in zones and getting separation in man with crisp breaks. Even without elite speed, he puts a lot of pressure on defensive backs because his uniformity off the line of scrimmage. Streaks, double moves (which he's awesome at), corners and comebacks all look the same before his breakdown.

He also has great awareness in the open field. Again, he doesn't have highlight-reel elusiveness, but knows where defenders will be -- turning and cutting aggressively to find the sticks. His wingspan is perfect for sideline throws, and he extends for everything over the middle. Strong hands, although he'll drop or trap passes now and then.

Needs some strength and better hand usage against physical corners. Against FSU, Xavier Rhodes basically erased him by playing tough press coverage. A little more weight and technique will prevent him from getting bullied into the boundary.

Big enough, fast enough, and with a polished game that can help nearly every team. Late first or early second.

First rounder when it comes to catching deep passes, and a fifth rounder at doing anything else. He's got deceptive build-up speed, but what really stands out is his concentration on sideline catches. His hands, feet and body control are insane when pinned against the boundary, coming down with highlight grabs routinely.

Too bad he's not great at much else. He runs routes without nuance and his transitions are ugly. Makes some bad drops, especially on soft-contact by defenders. He's also not physical or especially elusive. A one-trick pony, but he's great at that one trick.

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Really intriguing at the right price. You're betting on his athleticism, with no guarantees he'll ever develop into a slot receiver (or wherever you see him playing). He may not even have a full-time position. Devin Hester never found one. Dexter McCluster is still looking.

To me, his ability in space is worth looking into. Punt returns, screens, gadget plays...even as the last man in a receiving corps, that flexibility could be a huge value. And who knows? Maybe he becomes something more than that.

Of course, there's a reasonable chance he never makes any NFL contribution, but that's true for the majority of players taken outside the top 100. Fifth or sixth round? I'd be interested.

He looks NFL, but his moments are sporadic. Nicely sized, arms-and-legs receiver who should become even stronger down the line. Runs and cuts well enough. Neither unbelievable quick or fast, he's more of a smooth strider who secures deep passes with his size and body shielding. Stayed mostly at flanker in college and showed the ability to beat press.

He's got highlight hands, for better and worse. While capable of an amazing catch per game (usually one-handed), what they don't show on SportsCenter are all the traps and near-drops he makes. Gets into a lot of fights with the ball. I also feel like he floats at times, leading to said catching troubles and little mental mistakes.

Big, agile and a tad inconsistent. Starting talent but I'd probably wait until the third round.

Intriguing number two/slot receiver who can take the top off a defense. I'll bet he has a good 40 time, but what matters is how he accelerates past deep coverage and gets separation. All his other routes play off that speed, as corners give him the cushion to run screens and comebacks all day.

Tracks the ball well and has good hands when he needs them, although sometimes a little awkward securing the catch. Solid press-beater who simply needs to get into his route faster. Kind of a crappy blocker who tries hard.

While a shade undersized as a deep threat, his speed can be used in other ways. End-arounds, drags, the aforementioned screens -- anything short and he has the burst to get loose. He's also a tough runner for his stature after the catch. Late second or early third round.

Very comparable to Malcom Floyd; both are tall, leggy deep threats who dominate on jump balls. Some receivers win downfield because they run past everyone, whereas Hunter uses incredible leaping ability and wingspan to achieve the same result (ones who do both are top ten picks). When he boxes out and extends, he's unguardable down the sideline.

Too bad he's not a natural hands-catcher otherwise. He traps a lot of passes into his chest or on his hip, and doesn't position his hands properly as targets. He also had a ton of drops this past season, usually on third down or anytime he needed to do something important. Might be an aberration (missed most of his sophomore year with an ACL tear, and played with the fun-slinging Bray). Might not.

Aside from his inconsistent hands, he's also limited by his body type on intermediate routes. Straight-line, stilted runner with route cuts that are somewhat exaggerated. He can lose one defender after the catch, but lacks explosive change-of-direction and is an easy tackle.

Since he's only started 17 games, combined with another year removed from surgery, there's a ton of upside. His lack of YAC potential caps his potential as a number one, but he should find his niche as a secondary, downfield option -- if he irons out the inconsistencies. Second round.

More immature than he can get away with. He's NFL starter talented, not NFL superstar talented -- the difference being how much babysitting he'll get from his future employer.

Built like a taller running back, he's at his best over the middle. He can absorb huge hits and still retain possession; sticks-mover on third down. Tennessee played him in the slot a good deal, and if given space to catch-and-run, he has some wiggle (not a lot) and the strength to finish powerfully.

Lots of issues, though. His hands are unreliable; he'll make catches and drops that are equally ridiculous. Fights the ball too much, with some awkward body adjustments to passes (turning completely the wrong way, unnecessarily jumping). And part of the reason he was used in the slot is because he lacks deep speed. He's fast enough to play, but won't run past NFL corners. That shows up when trying to get separation, although he'll be fine once he masters the forearm push-off.

I like my possession receivers to have a lot more polish and a lot less baggage. He could be a big, physical third down monster, or out of the league in three years. Risk-weighted, that's fourth round territory to me.

I'm one of the racists who was shocked by his time (4.34) at the Combine. To be fair, he was used sparingly as a vertical threat last season. When he did get the green light, it often came off a double move or wheel route, where it was harder to gauge his long speed (it didn't help that Manziel missed seeing him downfield a bunch of times). And there are plenty of instances where teams manned a safety over him without big play consequences.

Judging how he was used, though, and he's an OK prospect in the slot. He ran lots of pivot and stick routes, sitting in zones for third downs. Faster than quick; he gets corralled in the open field but has a stocky, running back build that can take punishment.

It'll be interesting to see if his speed wasn't fully utilized, or he just plays slower on the field. Fourth round.

The youngest member of the Razorback's stacked 2010 receiving group, he was seen as the guy who could be the best of them. Yet as his production and role increased, his flaws have become more prominent.

He's fluid for his size, but not top-end fast and plays like a shorter receiver (in a bad way). He has small hands and fights the ball, with nearly every pass getting into his body. Doesn't attack downfield throws or come back for shorter routes -- corners can easily play around him to break up passes. He'll put up big games, but frustrates from snap to snap.

A very incomplete player without the upside once thought. Fifth or sixth round.

He's got quality hands and a ton of production (averaged 98 receptions / 1,382 yards / 14 TD over his past three seasons), but his flaws have been masked by the level of competition.

As a one-speed player who can't get deep separation, he's limited to the intermediate game. He's fluid enough to run all the shorter routes, but sometimes he runs to spots and doesn't feel coverage well. For his size, he doesn't give much fight after the catch either.

I don't think his speed plays on the outside, and with his imprecise short game, he'll be a fringe draft selection.

I'm a fan. He's a power receiver: built like a rock, huge hands, and runs like a bull after the catch. He's got some wiggle, too, so he's not just an undersized tight end bumbling down the field.

Even though he's a possession-type, he can hurt defenses downfield because he knows how to use his body as a shield. His production would also be a lot higher if he wasn't limited by his quarterback. That said, he's very obvious in his routes -- he got away with it because he could box out college corners, but he needs major sharpening up in the NFL.

Some fine-tuning necessary, but an athletic bargain. I'd take him as early as the third round.

A wild card that teams will have to do plenty of homework on. His vertical speed is ridiculous -- he pulls away from corners like they're standing still -- and he might be worth a fourth rounder as a kick returner alone.

The question is if he can be more than that. It's impossible to tell from games, as he was criminally underused (49 touches last season), perhaps due to time missed for the Olympics. The routes he did run were a bit jerky and limited, although he can get away with mediocrity because of his speed. How he adjusts to passes is another unquantifiable; it's been somewhat tested during the pre-draft process, but the gauntlet and drills are not a game.

Ultimately, you're paying for potential. He needs a lot of development (how committed he is to improving is also in question), but can be a special threat on even the simplest of plays. I still say fourth, but wouldn't be surprised if he's in the top 75.

His draft value will be an interesting call. Whatever the context of him quitting as a senior, it's not going to help him in April. Especially since he's not without flaws on the field.

A spindly guy, he's adept at beating press and gets just enough separation at the top of his routes -- he's not explosive from the snap, and more of a sneaky threat against deep zones. He'll make some great catches, but lose others due to a weak grip. Same thing happens in traffic, as stronger defenders can rip and jostle him out of a reception.

He'd be a fringe third-rounder without the baggage. This is a deep receiver class though, with a lot of comparable guys who are good but not great. And didn't leave their programs in the middle of the season.

His size limits his receiving duties, but he's an absolute killer on punt returns. Although not a straight-line burner, he knows how to create space laterally, and is able to cut immediately in any direction. He's just one of those players who has perfect vision amid the chaos of a return.

Those skills are also shown as a receiver, as he gets easy separation (undresses corners on double moves) in his routes. It's too bad he's so short. He has trouble winning contested passes, his durability over the middle is a concern, and he's useless as a blocker. He can be used in an offense, but it'll take some effort to fit him into a game plan.

Regardless, a proven field-flipper who will contribute in certain packages offensively. Mid-rounds.

Interesting toolkit. He's very fast (although his acceleration isn't as good as his top end speed), fluid, has a compact build and strong hands. A guy who can win deep or catch-and-run over the middle.

His showings are erratic, though. Although he played in a run-heavy offense, he didn't always flash his talent from game to game, disappearing too much for what he can do. Maybe it was being a product of his situation, or the rotating felon and freshman at quarterback. Or maybe he drifts through games on his own.

Either way, he has second receiver upside with a slot receiver floor. He might sneak into the top 100, but all the better if you can nab him later.

Like Robert Woods, he's effective, but limited to a supporting role. Average size, average strength (probably less than that), average hands...he's not a player that impresses you immediately. Where he does excel is getting separation, whether it's downfield or him speeding through his breaks.

That quickness hides some of his route imperfections, the same way his spectacular catches (many near the boundary) overshadow his easy drops. As a runner, you can't whiff on him because of his speed, but he's not going to do much against disciplined players. Not laterally elusive or powerful. How he matches up against stronger defensive backs is a concern, since his skills will be used over the middle and for jump balls against safeties.

Solid potential as a second receiver, more as a third. I'll guess he's gone around picks 70-120.

Absolute monster down the seam and sideline. Tall, lean, athletic target who dominates on jump balls -- he's got great leaping ability and extension, making catches at indefensible heights. Smooth route-runner who can get open from the slot, split wide or in-line.

He's really improved his blocking, too. While hardly a mauler, he's using better technique and driving back smaller players, while holding up OK in pass protection. He should get stronger in the NFL, but you don't want overdo it and negate his downfield fluidity.

A true number one tight end and top 30 pick.

Cam flourished in the two TE sets when it was Olsen and Shockey...

The Steve Smith replacement can wait one more season...

He's got some old man game to him. His quickness isn't special, but he gets separation with head fakes and discreet push-offs. Solid hands and excellent body control (he uses his frame to shield defenders well), although he could secure catches in traffic a little better.

He's not a good blocker though. Borderline awful, in fact. He puts his head down way too much, doesn't use proper hand placement and has little strength. Apathetic blocker in the open field (he targets linebackers like he's giving out hugs). The only assignment he completes reliably is leaning against a defensive end on a double team.

He should get open in the NFL because of his aforementioned craftiness, and is really comfortable running slot routes and scramble drills. If you have the luxury of putting up with his limited in-line abilities, second or third round seems worth it. This is a relatively thin tight end class though, so he'll get a boost from scarcity.

he'll follow ballard's footsteps in making people wonder why the fuck OSU never threw him the ball.

my one reservation with stoney is that he dropped too many easy ones...which looked even worse given how few chances he had.

stoneburner is a freak athletically and moreso than but ballard...but ballard never dropped anything. see his catch in the rose bowl.

What a blocker. He's not a huge, extra offensive lineman, but for his height and skill set he's outstanding. Stays upright, uses great extension and moves his feet. He's experienced at H-back and takes on all comers, even as a lead blocker on run plays.

What makes his blocking impressive is that he profiles as a receiving tight end. He's a big target with soft hands, running well enough to press safeties down the seam. A little deliberate in his routes, however, as if he's counting steps in his head instead of cutting decisively.

Maybe the best in-line receiver at his position. An extremely balanced player who'll convert third downs with a perfect seal block or big catch from the slot. Top 100.

>What a blocker. He's not a huge, extra offensive lineman, but
>for his height and skill set he's outstanding. Stays upright,
>uses great extension and moves his feet. He's experienced at
>H-back and takes on all comers, even as a lead blocker on run
>plays.
>
>What makes his blocking impressive is that he profiles as a
>receiving tight end. He's a big target with soft hands,
>running well enough to press safeties down the seam. A little
>deliberate in his routes, however, as if he's counting steps
>in his head instead of cutting decisively.
>
>Maybe the best in-line receiver at his position. An extremely
>balanced player who'll convert third downs with a perfect seal
>block or big catch from the slot. Top 100.

Really hoping my Bucs get him in the 3rd round. He could be the best TE in this draft. Big receiver and good blocker.

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Strike what I wrote about this being a thin tight end class. There's more depth than I thought, and this guy might be the best pure receiver of them all. He's got better hands than most wideouts, and runs the field extremely well. Adjusts easily to passes. Super smooth in and out of his breaks. Attacks from all three receiver positions.

As good a pass-catcher as he is, he's nearly as bad as a blocker. There's effort there, he just can't sustain. He's basically trying to survive in-line if he's not going out for a pass. He'll get stronger in the NFL, but I don't see him ever thriving at blocking.

Even being one dimensional, he's still an absolute match-up problem in the passing game. You can isolate him on a variety of defenders to gain an advantage -- tight ends good enough to win fades over anybody can get away with mediocre blocking.

The *other* tight end for the Cardinal, who stayed in-line while Coby Fleener and Zach Ertz ran around catching touchdowns. A sound strategy, because he's clearly a less natural receiver than either. Plodding route-runner and a bit uncoordinated for his size. Stiff in his catching motions. He also plays smaller than his height, as he doesn't extend for passes well or break many tackles.

More reps in the passing game will help, but he's probably a stealth target at best. Red-zone and the like. Good news is, he's a solid blocker who has yet to maximize his strength. Lunges a bit after initial contact, but he holds his ground well against linemen and can whip outside linebackers. Mirrors rushers naturally in pass protection. He'll be even better once he's stronger: his arms look underdeveloped right now.

Although blocking tight ends seem passé, most don't have his size and reach. His receiving development will be a bonus.

Decent utility player to have on the roster, depending on the offense -- he's more of an H-back than tight end. He outplays his eye test, using surprisingly soft hands and body control to beat better athletes. And although not runaway fast, he does a great job sneaking down the seam or finding a zone hole on third down. Competent blocker for his size (gives effort and won't get anybody killed).

He could get a late call after a strong Senior Bowl. Otherwise, priority UFA with a solid chance to make a team.

should be the first TE mentioned...

dude is a beast..

If we're talking about triangle numbers and such, he's as good as any tight end this year -- a tall, lean athlete with great wingspan and huge hands (biggest of his position at the Combine). He's exactly the kind of mismatch you're looking for in the slot or the red-zone.

There's two issues that are capping his potential right now. Firstly, he's not a very good route-runner. He doesn't stem his routes at all, making pointless contact with defenders that prevents separation. It's a lack of finesse, which is evident when he ping-pongs around in zone or makes robotic cuts on simple routes. In fairness, UCLA did use him a lot on pick plays, but he still has a ways to go regardless.

Secondly, and what makes the first issue more glaring, is he's a terrible blocker. Low-effort, grabby, powerless...all the adjectives apply. When he's in the slot, he repeatedly misses targets, and seems to be in "receiver" mode (not caring). He shows more effort in-line, although his poor ability to sustain isn't any better. Now, Zach Ertz and Gavin Escobar aren't great blocker either, but they're miles ahead as receivers. So Fauria has to drastically improve one aspect or the other.

He'll be taken with the second-tier of tight ends, probably anywhere from the fourth to sixth round (how he runs during his pro day will be big).

Throwback tight end. He played a lot heavier in college, and was used foremost as an in-line blocker. When he's being aggressive, he looks like a second offensive tackle in the run game. He tends to go soft for stretches though, losing his form and not finishing his blocks. By virtue of his size he got away with it, but if he's going to play at this weight (he was listed around 285 at Michigan State) he needs to keep the tenacity.

Soft hands as a receiver, and doesn't fight the ball. I'm actually a bit shocked by his 10-yard split at the Combine, since he looked painfully sluggish off the line in college (must be the weight loss). Routes are rounded and he lacks quick change of direction; he's mostly a box-out receiver. Daniel Graham-type who should be around in the middle rounds.

More of an H-back than tight end (although the difference between either is dissipating). As a receiver, he does the all the little things: catching with his hands, extending for passes, sitting in zones, coming back to the ball. Many tight ends (hell, a lot of wide-outs) don't have his precision.

Not a special athlete, he relies on being smooth. Good short-area quickness and some YAC ability. His blocking is surprisingly mediocre; he gets in some quality punches against defensive ends, even the well-regarded ones. He's not good, but competitive, and could be trustworthy with simpler assignments.

His game is off the line of scrimmage, though. He can run advanced routes out of the backfield and work intermediate areas from the slot -- presenting a tricky match-up that coordinators are looking to use on third down. Him quitting during the Orange Bowl (benched) is concerning, though. If that checks out, he should get a call in the fourth or fifth round.

A very good blocker, of the few left at his position. He went head-to-head with all the SEC first and second rounders, winning his fair share of battles. Holds up well on both run and pass plays, but isn't as strong at the second level -- he misses his target more often, and doesn't show the same power.

His draft position is capped by marginal receiving skills, however. While he moves decently for his size, he's a head-down route runner and very awkward securing passes. He'll work as a second tight end who plays in-line and sneaks out for some surprise catches. Sixth round.

Seems like every Razorback gets a disclaimer for 2012, and in Gragg's case it was injuries that made it a lost season. When healthy he's another one of the tier-two tight ends, not exemplary at anything but decent enough skills to find a roster.

Sized as a receiving option first, he looks a little sloppy as an athlete on short distances -- although he does get separation at the top of his longer routes. Average hands and body control. His blocking was a bit surprising, as it's adequate for his size and sometimes even impressive.

Fifth round as a guy who could earn playing time, but is not expected to become a difference-maker.

The dividing line between the good and average tight end prospects. I like his size, I like his speed -- he eats up cushions quickly on vertical routes -- and he's an adequate blocker in space.

That said, his hands are average, and should be better considering he was used as a slot receiver. He's not an elusive ball-carrier, as his extra yardage has to come by running through tackles. And he was asked to do almost nothing in-line, which is disappointing for his size.

Overall, he lacks the polish or athleticism to put him among the best prospects at his position. Fourth rounder.

Kiper called him a poor man's Eifert, which is a fair comparison. Same build and adjustments to passes, just in a lessened form. He's a bit sluggish down the hashes and gets limited separation, but (like Eifert) he compensates with his wingspan. Natural receiver who pulls in throws from all angles, contested or not.

He's also an average in-line blocker, which is a compliment. Good enough to play with his hand down or detached in space, he'll be a problem on third downs. Fourth round.

Complete project in all phases. He was a defensive end until his senior season, so nearly everything he does is at an infantile level. The appeal is he can be molded from the ground up, using his great size and athleticism as the starting point.

I question how natural a receiver he'll become, because right now he's scary. I can literally see him thinking when he puts his hands up for a pass; he's concentrating that hard. How much he'll improve is up for a position coach to gauge.

Those sorts of questions make him a luxury pick, likely for an established team with draft choices to burn. I'd guess the fifth to seventh round -- he could be a valuable blocker, and has the speed that defenses will have to account for (even if he drops every other target).

Franchise left tackle prospect has room to get even better. His frame, wingspan and athleticism are all covetable, and he plays with great technique instead of relying on his talent. Completely erases speed rushers with his footwork and arm length. His run blocking is solid; he won't always dominate, but it's overstated as a negative.

I thought he had a rough start to the season (against Florida in particular), but played at his expected high level since then. He gets in trouble when defenders beat him with their punch -- while he has enough athletic talent to redirect those mistakes, NFL rushers give less room for error.

Not sexy, but a blindside protector who can be plugged in and start for the next decade.

Prototype size and loads of athleticism, but needs refinement in the finer points of pass protection. Great wingspan for walling off defenders and he can really run; Michigan gives him some tough assignments but he's a monster on the second level.

His hand placement gets sketchy though. He'll end up grabbing a lot. And while most of the time his pass blocking is impressive, he'll stop his feet and become vulnerable to speed rushers. Run blocking is fine; as mentioned, he's fantastic in space, but he needs to finish better against linemen.

I thought he could've moved past Joeckel this year, but not yet. Still a potential starter for a lot of teams on the left side, with the upside to become elite.

he got beat once outside on that speed rush that led to denard getting rocked

but other than that Clowney did nothing against him

because his mirroring and hands are better, but the Outback Bowl was what I expect from Lewan -- he has the talent to diffuse elite rushers.

Improved immensely since last season, mostly in pass protection. He's always been a dependable run blocker, but got much quicker off the snap this year and his feet are miles ahead of where they were in 2011. A classic right tackle who could try the left side, but I wouldn't depend on it.

no decision yet though

Great potential at left tackle, it just might take him a couple of years to realize it. He played quarterback in high school, began as a tight end in college, moved to defensive end, then right tackle as a junior and finally the blindside as a senior. Oklahoma continued to use him at right tackle this past season (mostly in unbalanced heavy formations), so he's never gotten the chance to learn the nuance of any one position.

Regardless, his athletic talent is evident. He moves well, has a great wingspan (longest reach of any left tackle at the Senior Bowl) and is still growing into his prototypical frame. His biggest detriment right now is strength; he's got narrow legs and needs more muscle to handle NFL grown-ups. And while he's already a good player, his age (24) will be a slight downgrade due to his power and technique still developing.

Likely the third offensive tackle selected and a definite first rounder.

The biggest beneficiary of Taylor Lewan's return to school. He's a great prospect in his own right, and I believe he would've passed Jake Matthews (had he declared), but now he's entrenched himself in the top 12.

His merits are obvious: he's got the height, reach and feet to man the left side for any pass-addicted offense. Those guys are somewhat rare and important. In Fisher's case, his reach and athleticism stand out -- for his size he moves very well, easily hitting targets past the line of scrimmage.

While he's well-developed in pass protection, he's got some points to work on. His windup is slow when punching, and he often gets beat by the defender on first contact. Strong hands (which he has) are wasted when he's late to plant them inside an opponent's chest. His wingspan and movement let him get away with it in college, but the MAC isn't the NFL. He also over-widens his stance at times, and needs to get stronger in his lower body. That shows up more in the run game, where he blocks with less balance.

Overall though, definitely a starting talent at one of the toughest positions in football. Whenever Joeckel goes, Fisher won't last much longer.

I have serious doubts he can stay at right tackle. His feet seem tied to the ground, and he's expending all his energy just to kick slide. Combined with his leaning posture, he has no recourse against quick fakes or outside rushers. He's off-balance from the snap.

His wingspan is incredible -- longer reach than Eric Fisher and Lane Johnson by a considerable amount -- but he has awful hand placement. No plan when he punches; he just reaches for whatever part of the body he can grab: armpits, outside shoulders, back of the jersey. So even with the great extension, he doesn't know how to use it.

Engulfing mass and scheme (Alabama's opponents always had to defend the run first) protected him in college, but his technique is bad enough he may move to guard. And it's unproven how well he would perform there. High bust potential as a top 64 pick; do not want.

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A raw, intriguing project. His athleticism is special, shown in his fluidity on the field and confirmed during testing (4.71 in the 40, 31 bench reps). You see it when he pulls -- he explodes to the second level -- and also in pass protection, especially when he redirects multiple rushers on a single play.

Weak lower body, however. His base lets him down when trying to drive block or keep balanced; smaller defenders can push him around with leverage. While he gets to assignments quickly, he misuses his hands and doesn't always get a seal. And this is all against FCS competition.

He needs plenty of growth in his footwork and strength before you can put him up against NFL edge defenders, which is scary depending on how high he goes. But the upside is there, particularly for zone-blocking teams.

While he never grew into a true left tackle prospect, he'll do fine on the right once he gets meaner. Great frame and decent, if a bit inconsistent, technique. His feet aren't light enough for elite rushers, but they play well against most left defensive ends.

As mentioned, though, he needs to become more aggressive. Right now he doesn't finish blocks with authority. He's also surprisingly slow to the second level, which is a point of concern for zone-blocking. Still, I'd take him in the third round.

I hate to get sucked into the narrative, but in this case it's true: his arms *are* noticeably short. And at left tackle, one of the most demanding positions in football, any flaw is going to be magnified (exposed).

The issue with his wingspan is he gets beaten to the punch. Defenders can get to his chest quicker and stun him, which is usually a play-killer. A lack of reach also makes the route to the pocket more direct.

It's a shame, because he has left tackle footwork. He gets into his set effortlessly, with a smooth, natural kick slide. As far as moving him to guard, he would need some improvement in the run game. He lunges and ends up on the ground too much, plus he's not the strongest guy to begin with. You can get away with subpar run-blocking at left tackle (many in the NFL do), but not inside.

His footwork and technique are good enough to give him a start at tackle. I wouldn't go higher than third round, though, because he might end up as an in-between player with mismatched skills.

I don't see the special athleticism he's being touted as having. Certainly not to where I'd project him as a left tackle, as his skills don't seem to match up there. Combined with the fact he's old (25) to be learning a new position at the NFL level.

His feet and movement are solid, but he gets overpowered in protection. Defenders who know how to use their hands are all over him. His awareness is also questionable, and there are three to four plays per game where he blocks nobody.

Physical upside is capped by inexperience and age, which equates to an average starter on the right side and third or fourth round pick. He'll be overdrafted, however.

He might be the best right tackle prospect in this draft. Another former tight end, he didn't convert until last season -- but made the prerequisite transition of adding strength while keeping athleticism. Great frame, he uses his wingspan to lock out rushers and has the footwork to handle speed. Smooth at the second level, getting to smaller defenders with ease.

He's also surprisingly powerful. He showed the ability to move ends off the line, and can be an above-average run-blocker with more experience. That's probably the most exciting part of his projection right now -- he already looks like a veteran after one year at the position. Great pick in the top 100.

Borderline starter at left tackle, with the potential to be a very good right tackle if he gained consistency.

He can be mean as hell as a run blocker, but doesn't show that drive all the time. Some games you get a guy who buries linebackers into the ground, other games he seems content to be a standing obstacle. It's not even a case "big game syndrome", as he had lulls against several marquee opponents.

I wish he'd be more dominant on runs, because his protection is flawed. The initial kick-out goes well for him, but his feet drag after that. Often he goes wide to compensate, plants, then gets eaten alive with an inside counter. He has the right build and looks good in spurts, but his foot speed may be too much to correct.

I like him in the right round, though (third or fourth). He may eternally frustrate, but even his inconsistent efforts are better than others' best.

He's being slightly overlooked in left tackle conversations, but I like him a lot. On paper, he's a little short of the prototypical measurements for the blindside, although I think his other strengths make up the difference.

Firstly, his arms are still long enough, so he can reach speed rushers and wall them off. In fact, he's great at striking first against ends, getting into their shoulders and finding a latch point. His footwork is also solid; he widens and mirrors while keeping his balance.

He can stay square when faster linebackers blitz, reading delays and stunts with poise. Lastly, he has a run-blocking mentality. Most left tackles are apathetic in that regard, but he carries out his assignments with an attitude (admittedly, he can get a little wild).

If he can't stay on the left (which I believe he can, especially if you have a good quarterback), he'd be a solid right tackle, particularly for zone teams. If those don't work for you, he could play left guard as well. Some even think he's a center. So no matter what, he's going to help you out. Top 100.

He looks the part, but it may be a project getting him to play like it. To be fair, his last season deserves an asterisk; he reportedly played with a torn labrum the entire year (missing the last four games as it worsened). So he gets a pass for his inconsistent blocking moments, especially when he used his frame as a shield instead of attacking linemen.

Even healthy though, his footwork needs improvement. His feet look taped to the ground when he kicks out in protection -- lots of awkwardness when better rushers use leverage and speed on him. Because of that, he'll definitely be a right tackle in the NFL (which he mostly played in college). Great size, decent potential, and could be a value pick if his health drops him into the middle rounds.

From an on-field standpoint, I believe he made a mistake declaring early. He moves and looks like a guard, but without the power. So he's trapped between two positions.

If you want to keep him at tackle, there are a number of issues. His feet are average, and even when he sets up well, he'll get pushed into the backfield because he has no strength. He huffs and puffs trying to reach second level assignments, usually lunging at them before he collapses. Rarely makes a proper cut block.

Of course, those are all problems that apply at the guard position too, so I don't know where he fits. He could have improved his technique (or strength) with another season, but now he's coming off an ACL injury and only has a season of sophomore tape to go by. Sixth round.

One of the most athletic guard prospects in the last half decade. I've seen him running stride for stride with running backs and picking off corners 30 yards downfield. He's like a second left tackle in pass protection, and has incredible vision for stunts and blitzers. Not a mauler in the run game, but he's sound in the fundamentals and won't get overpowered. Put him on the move and he'll cut down linebackers like a scythe.

A special player at his position, and he'll come with a rightful premium in April.

belly shirt and all

i would not be mad at all if the giants take him at 19 but i feel like the cowpies might take him or maybe even the chargers.

edit: fuck, actually the rams are a possibility too

His status as a prospect is less about being amazing on every play, and more about never doing anything wrong. Along with textbook fundamentals and technique, his awareness is through the roof -- he knows exactly when *not* to extend a block (and invite a hold call), where disguised rushers are coming from and who to target in the open field.

None of that is meant to undersell his talent, however. He's a bull-strong run blocker, showing more nimbleness than the eye test suggests, and "fits" through holes as a pulling guard with perfect balance. He holds up just as well in pass protection, with the power to anchor against nose tackles and feet to stay in front of quicker gap-shooters. Probably the one critique that pops out is him getting off-balance against athletic linebackers who blitz inside. It's not consistent, but it happens.

I prefer Cooper's athleticism a little more, but Warmack's overall game is pretty infallible. An easy pick in the top 20 -- and thankfully, the NFL has a stricter uniform policy.

Stout right guard with a classic playing style. He's a mauler inside, anchoring well in protection and knocking even the biggest defensive tackles onto their heels. Some of his most dominating moments came against the best SEC and Senior Bowl linemen.

What caps him to the second or third round is his movement. He's fine straight ahead, but has some problems on pulls. He gets out of control and falls through the hole, especially when pulling left. So not really a zone fit. It's workable, though, because he's a road paver who also holds the line against athletic rushers.

With his size, I was surprised he didn't play at tackle more, but guard is probably his best fit. His athletic ability is well-used inside; he leads the charge downfield, and can pull to either sideline. Quick off the snap and has a lot more power than I assumed.

I don't like his footwork though, at least not as a tackle. In protection, he plants his feet and chases with his upper body too much -- at guard it's not as much an issue, because you get help on the interior. However, his questionable recognition of defenses is a concern for either position (only two years of experience on offense). Third round, with the bonus ability to fill in at tackle in emergencies.

With his size, I was surprised he didn't play at tackle more, but guard is probably his best fit. His athletic ability is well-used inside; he leads the charge downfield, and can pull to either sideline. Quick off the snap and has a lot more power than I assumed.

I don't like his footwork though, at least not as a tackle. In protection, he plants his feet and chases with his upper body too much -- at guard it's not as much an issue, because you get help on the interior. However, his questionable recognition of defenses is a concern for either position (only two years of experience on offense). Third round, with the bonus ability to fill in at tackle in emergencies.

While he played left tackle in college, he'll be a guard in the NFL. He cannot handle outside speed rushers, not even if he moved to the right side.

As a run-blocker, however, once he puts his hands on you, you're going to the ground. He needs to get better at the second level -- he lunges often, missing linebackers -- but he's the kind of nasty, play-finisher you want between the tackles. Third, fourth round.

The old jack of all trades, master of none. He played mostly left tackle and guard in college, although in the NFL he'll be a guard first and back-up at right tackle. He's not quick enough to stay on the left side, and not powerful enough to anchor the right -- as an interior lineman he moves well, but isn't a mauler.

Despite his lack of strength, he uses his arms well, and stays in front of his man even when overpowered. Reliable on pulls and finds linebackers. Overall, you're getting is a workmanlike, multipurpose starter who completes his assignment but won't be a star.

He's another Aggie who made a huge leap this fall. Good first step, not great. His outside rush is just threatening enough to set up his power and inside moves, which are better. Kind of a one-speed player, but extremely strong and a guy who finishes plays. Several of his sacks were the result of second-chance pursuit and effort.

It's his first year at end, so he's still learning how to use leverage. Right now he gets unbalanced and starts lunging. He's also wild against the run -- for every play he makes, he'll give up two more by being out of gap. I'm not sure if I like him as one of the 10 best players in this draft, but he's rising so fast that might be the market price.

Not quite as dominant as his numbers indicate, but his best football is ahead of him. Five of his 13 sacks came against Murray State and Savannah State, one more in garbage time against Miami (Seantrel Henderson owned him all night), and Jeff Driskel gave up two freebies by dancing around forever.

Regardless, he's a three-down end who is surprisingly instinctive for having played just five years of organized football. He's rarely out of control, and fantastic against read option plays or batting down screens. A good, not spectacular athlete who can set the edge against runs or drop into shallow zones.

His main deficiency is a lack of pass rush moves. He's got a dangerous outside rush, dipping his shoulder consistently to win leverage, but doesn't show much variation. His inside counter is weak, and he needs to use swims or rips more than occasionally. He's already good at fighting his hands free, so those moves should come with more experience and coaching.

A little uninspiring as a top five pick, but that seems to be the story of the draft this year.

Definitely a top 5 pick.


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Not the best athlete, but he's got a sneaky repertoire that keeps linemen guessing. Head fakes, a nice little rip move, hard inside slants...all of it compensates for his average first step. So he can still beat tackles to the edge because he sets them up so well. Strong hands that he drives into linemen's shoulders also help.

Top heavy though, in body and playing style. It shows up more against the run (although he is decent) and in space, where he can look bad laterally. He could stay at end or stand up outside in a 3-4. For the latter, his pass drops are decent at best, but that's an improvement over the frightening attempts as a sophomore.

Great pursuer and competed all year despite his team's abysmal performance. I like him in the second or third round.

I love projects at the DE spot, this guy is a freakish athlete, new to the game but I definitely think with the right coaching he can be elite.



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Measurables say five-technique, but he's limited to four-man lines or a one-gap 3-4 because he can't play the run. He stands up and skates backwards right now; even NFL tight ends are going to eat him alive on the ground.

His best skill is actually splitting the gap between linemen. He gets extremely narrow for a man of his size, has a nice little outside fake he uses, and bursts into the backfield. It's what made him an elite special teams player, as he blocked more kicks (17) than he had sacks (15.5) in his career. Although as a rusher, his hand usage is promising -- he's got some power and technique there, which is great to see from a raw player (only four years of football experience).

One of those players I tend to ignore because they're usually over-drafted. Plus he's old as hell (26). I suppose you could do worse in the top 100, especially if you can use him as a situational rusher.

Dontari Poe, Robert Quinn, Jason Pierre-Paul...this is *that* guy in the 2013 draft. An inimitable athlete, he'll be taken off projection more than production, with the former varying a lot per team.

What I see is an anchor at defensive end; not an elite pass rusher but a five-technique who can hold ground and pursue with a special burst. He's got great strength in his frame (amazing how he carries 270) and challenges linemen with the simplicity of being big and quick. Better yet is his chase ability -- he can get anywhere on the field in a hurry, and closes exceptionally quickly (he even plays on the kickoff coverage unit). Violent tackler who will fill out an opposing team's injury report.

He's only got three years in the sport, however, and it shows. Way too much hand fighting on every play; wasted action that gets him nowhere. His backfield penetration comes mostly off slants and stunts, his other move being a bull rush -- altogether, not an every-down NFL strategy. He's not a dynamic edge player who can beat tackles to any spot; more of a bull with great length and relentlessness.

BYU played him from nose tackle to linebacker, but as mentioned, I like him as a run-stopping end. He'd get lost inside right now, where bad technique is death and it's easier to double him. Linebacker is a stretch with his limited recognition skills. In time he has the flexibility to do all three, but moving him around now will only steepen his learning curve.

A project for sure, and his upside is more of a quiet dominance than sack monster. He'll go in the top half of round one, because if you like him, you're only going to get one shot to take him.

A dirty work player who lacks explosive skill. His game is power; he's always been strong (even at a younger 240 pounds) and can walk back any opposing tackle. Stout frame, built to play the run at left defensive end. Slightly insane competitor and a very sure tackler.

However, his positives are mostly by necessity. He's slow off the snap, often "last man with his hand down" slow. A little stiff and he's not going to win the corner against NFL blindside protectors. He also relies heavily on his power move and lacks variance in his pass rush.

Not sure why he and Mingo didn't switch positions in college, since the latter is better at beating left tackles and Montgomery is the one who can absorb tight end doubles. That'll be his professional home, though, with the question being how much is that worth to your team? Not a first-rounder to me, but still a top 60 choice who can stick around for a decade stopping the run.

One of the more overrated college players of the last two years. He's got a massive, imposing frame, but doesn't met those physical expectations once the ball is snapped.

His biggest issue is flexibility -- he plays high and tight, without the bend to threaten from the outside consistently. When he does force his way into the backfield, those stiff hips prevent him from finishing (even the slowest quarterback side-step puts him off-balance). Leverage is another problem with his height, as well as disengaging and keeping a free arm.

It's not all bad, though. He's got a hell of a wingspan and deflects a ton of passes (which is good, since he'll be stalled outside the pocket a lot). Quick enough to beat linemen to a gap and force runs outside the blocking scheme. Also a high-effort player; he chases from the backside to the whistle and is always giving effort. Middle-rounder who'll need a positional boot camp before transitioning to the five-technique in the NFL.

Comparable to Mathias Kiwanuka. Both are tall, rangy types who can rush with a hand down or stand up on the strong side. At this point Buchanan is still growing into that potential, both as a pass rusher and strength-wise, but I see a similar usage pattern in the NFL.

He's noticeably quick for his height, showing the twitch to dart inside linemen and threaten from outside. His hand use is also decent, but I wish he'd show more of his advanced moves -- like that rare spin attempt which flashed potential -- instead of relying on speed.

He plays the run hard, if not always smart. He can try to slide inside too much, although Illinois asked a lot when they put him at linebacker (five yards off, fighting through pulling guards at his height). He mostly acquitted himself well, but his main goal should be to add some weight. He's still 15 or 20 pounds short of what he can easily carry, and he needs the bulk to handle 4-3 end duties.

While he didn't have a banner year as a prospect, he remains intriguing and with some untapped ability. Third or fourth round.

Not a star, but a multipurpose defender who'll force negative plays that don't show up on the stat sheet. Bruins played a 3-4 base with hybrid looks, and he lined up anywhere from zero tech to the offensive tackle's outside shoulder. Inside, his first step really stands out; he plays with great leverage and abuses guards when he fires under their pads. It's what makes him a bear against the run -- even though he doesn't always get tackle credit, he was the one in the backfield clogging the lane.

What suppresses his draft position is a lack of outside speed. He's lumbering and doesn't pursue in space well. He's also a little underweight for his style of play, and needs some secondary escapes when his get-off is slow.

I like him, though. He can play the left side of a four-man front, shifting inside on passing downs, or bookend a 3-4 one-gap. Dirty work run-stopper who expands the roster with his versatility.

He reminds me of Alex Brown. When he puts his hands down and plays the pass, he absolutely fires into the backfield -- at least a yard or two deep before tackles can get out of their stances. From there it's long arms and active hands, with a great swat to nullify punch attempts.

Texas played him standing up a lot, though, which I wasn't a fan of. He's not as quick off the snap and is terrible in coverage. Regardless, he could stand to lower his shoulder better in either stance when pass-rushing. Leverage would also improve his run defense, which is marginal at this point.

He's got the rangy frame and speed you look for, and will help on third downs right away. If he builds on his overall game, he could become a solid full-timer.

He plays like Ezekiel Ansah's cousin. Near-identical frames and on-field style; Carradine has more advanced technique but less explosiveness. Like Ansah, he'll be an impact run defender quickly -- he stacks and sheds with power, and holds a great edge with his reach. Incredibly active, second-effort guy who plays through the whistle.

His pass rush is promising (he kills tackles when he goes inside), although I'd like to see him generate more strength with his hands. Sometimes he looks like he's playing with just his forearms. Great bend for his size but a little herky-jerky in his routes. That reflects on his lack of top speed, and he needs a moment to gear back up when redirected. He could get away with playing strong-side linebacker in certain schemes, as long as he's *never* allowed to drop in coverage. Otherwise, keep him at end.

You may not get much out of him as a rookie, since he tore his ACL in late November. But I see the injury being a discount -- he's only started 12 games (JUCO transfer), produced in all of them, and is still figuring out his potential. First-rounder who'll be taken in the third.

He's a generic prospect in nearly every respect, save one quality: ridiculously long arms. Those alone don't make you a good football player, but certainly make his projection more interesting. If he can play off that strength more -- he shows the ability to, especially against the run -- he's got a chance to be more than typical roster filler. Fourth round.

He was a bit of a top prospect in his younger days, but never outgrew his stiff, stop-start playing style. His height is his own disadvantage, as he exposes too much of his body to blockers and has problems bending around the pocket. Same story against the run, where he gives an initial push, but loses leverage as the play develops.

Mediocre burst off the line, inconsistent hand use, poor ability to finish...I could go on. End of the rotation lineman who can bat down some passes.

He has a really interesting approach to pass rushing. His get-off is average as they come, but he makes up for that with a great second surge. It's like how a receiver sets up an off-man corner -- closing distance, swiping their arms and stacking them for a release. He'll be blocked halfway to the quarterback, but then dip and burst his way to a sack.

There are times when he's *too* patient, however. He can wait himself out of a play, especially if the tackle has a key on his counter move. He has to be even faster against the run -- if he doesn't shed his block immediately, he's not strong enough to maintain his gap. Good tackler though, and I think he's got some ability to stand up as a rush linebacker (mostly if you want another down lineman in passing situations). Just make sure he's hidden in coverage.

He did tear his ACL in November, although that's becoming a superfluous detail for a prospect, akin to what major you studied. I'm a fan of his style, and think he's a perfect third rounder.

Seems lost in the shuffle right now, but he's an intriguing five-tech prospect. Although he's a bit linear as a rusher, he can break down in space and closes fast on ball-carriers. Good punch, good jump (for his size) at the line of scrimmage helps him win a lot of battles.

But like most college players with his height, he loses leverage too often. Stands up when trying to find the ball and will get bulldozed out of the play. Needs more weapons from a technique standpoint.

I like him as a value pick, however, as he's a solid athlete for his position and has some unearthed ability. Third to fourth round.

Most are DE that become 3-4. LBs but still

I like him better lined up over center. He's more inconsistent at three-tech and easier to redirect. At nose, however, he dominates with extremely strong hands and forces double-blocking. There are some pad level issues and mercurial displays of effort, but I thought he generally improved those issues from last season -- a positive sign.

Not a great threat on passing downs, but sneaky. He'll surprise a lineman with his burst, then show off a swim move he'd been saving for third and long. He had more quarterback takedowns in 2012 than Corey Lemonier, Michael Buchanan, Barkevious Mingo and Dion Jordan. If he slides some because of consistency issues, I like him a lot. Higher and I'm warier -- he's one of those guys that three years from now, you'll wonder how he got picked in the spot he did (for better or worse).

As an irrelevant aside, he was also a beast HS bball player that won a state title over Eric Gordon's team in the final along with the legendary Smoooooge

At his best, he forces offenses to change their entire run games. He can demand double teams, redirect the flow of plays and even fight through traffic to make stops near the sideline. He's not always at his best though, mostly because his hands are light -- he doesn't use them well enough to shed blocks. His burst off the line (which is excellent) and strength are irrelevant when he lets linemen control his chest.

That's a coaching point though, and I believe he'll improve at the NFL level. He'll never be a pass rushing threat, but can play one or two gaps effectively and will be responsible for making a lot of future teammates look better.

Equipped as a penetrating three-technique, right now he's best at defending the run. He's not a two-gap wall, but makes plays with surprising pursuit ability -- he moves off blocks quickly, and doesn't give up until he finds the ball-carrier (where he's good for a backside forced fumble every other game). Missouri got a little carried away with his athleticism (standing him up as a linebacker...no), but he can really, really run.

While his first step is very good, he's still learning how to rush the passer consistently. If he doesn't win off the snap, he can start leaning into linemen and forget to use his long arms. So I wouldn't expect him to get a half dozen sacks right away. He can still affect the passing game with his quickness, he just needs to refine his approach.

Lots of potential if he learns to anchor better and become more threatening with pressure. Possibly the best pure 4-3 under tackle in this class (not counting Lotulelei, who can play anywhere), and should be gone in the mid to late first round.

There's no such thing as a one-man run defense, but he comes close. Absurdly powerful, he doesn't just win match-ups -- he walks opponents into their backfield like training sleds. He's got anvils for hands, and his quickness off the snap lets him outbox linemen immediately. After using them as a punching bag for awhile, he'll break out a much improved swim move to continue the terror.

Not just a gap-occupying bully, though. He's extremely fluid in space, attacking outside runs to the sideline or dropping back and tackling receivers on crosses. Sidesteps cut blocks like ants on the ground. Still developing as a pass rusher...right now he's best at collapsing the interior and shortening the pocket "ladder." Instinctive and active batting down passes.

It's not all roses -- he'll get upright against double teams, run himself out of several plays and there were typical complaints of inconsistent effort. And fair or not, only four of the last 14 defensive tackles drafted in the top ten have made All-Pro teams. It's a high-bust position.

A top five selection who is scheme-diverse (he can play nose, under tackle, one gap or two) and in the conversation for number one overall.

I don't really like him. He's an impressively large human, with some quickness about him as well -- he passes the eye test for a two-gap nose tackle. Unfortunately, he doesn't really play like one. His pads are either too high or he's picking himself off the ground. Doesn't use his hands to disengage. Not even reliable as non-moving obstacle, as he tries to win his individual match-up regardless of his responsibilities.

He has a three-tech mindset trapped in a nose tackle's body. And it's questionable how effective he'd be even if that changed, since he gets moved off the point *a lot* for a man of his size. I wouldn't be happy if my team took him in the first round.

This guy's a beast. Dual-threat tackle who can play across the line and on any down. People mention Richardson's first step a lot, but Floyd's can be as good or better. That penetration blows up run plays routinely, and makes him an accountable threat against the pass, despite not being a pure rusher.

His arms look a little short, though. His quick, disruptive hands help compensate, but you do see linemen with better wingspans lock him out. And while a wrecking ball on any play to his adjacent gaps, he can get stood up and pushed around on direct double teams.

He played everywhere at Florida but I'd like to see him stay inside; you lose some of his explosiveness on the end of a three-man line. An already disruptive force who should become even better (he's only 20 years old). Mid-to-high first round.

He shows up in spurts. Watch the Alabama game, and he looks phenomenal -- turning Chance Warmack into the backfield, and giving Barrett Jones all he can handle. Same against South Carolina, where he's the best LSU defender on the field. Turn on Texas A&M or Florida though, and you could fall asleep waiting for him to make a play.

A lot of that inconsistency depends on whether he wins off the snap. He's three-tech sized, with a first step that varies in effectiveness; sometimes it's explosive, sometimes it lags. When he's late he becomes a space-eater, and not in a good way. He needs to stay compact better, develop some counters and stop getting his arms pinned.

Flashes of talent, but underdeveloped. Tail end of the second round.

One of my favorites in this deep tackle class. He's perfect for the three-technique, primarily due to a great first step. It's consistently quick, and he explodes through gaps with unblockable speed. His hands are also impressive; maybe better than every tackle aside from Lotulelei. He varies how he uses them -- his swim move is best, but shows a decent rip and uses straight power when necessary.

Teams can get push against him when doubling, although he's hard to target because he disengages so well. And he's a killer against zone runs, as his quickness is impossible to reach block. First-rounder who'll be an outright steal if taken later.

A nose tackle with plus athleticism. He's ox-strong, especially in the upper body, and fits very well as a two-gap player over center. But he also shows decent lateral quickness -- he played at end and fullback in college, and moves down the line better than expected.

Sometimes he gets in trouble doing so; he'll raise his pads and try to play outside the scheme. If he keeps assignment, however, he can hold the line against double-teams and delay blockers from reaching the second level (Alabama's linebackers stay remarkably clean). Not an advanced pass rusher but does enough by compressing the pocket with brute strength.

He doesn't have the burst or movement of Hankins, but his hands are much heavier. It's possible he breaks the bench press record at the NFL Combine (as well as the record for lowest Wonderlic score; he has "YOLO" tattooed on his head). Either way, he'll make a fine, workmanlike player for any front. Second round.

Try-hard, agitating tackle who can get into the backfield despite limited athleticism. He creates problems when you try stretching the line of scrimmage -- he has fast hands, a great swim move and keeps separation while on the move.

The way to beat him is going right at him. He isn't the anchoring type, and if he doesn't have space to get around blockers, he'll be swallowed up. Still, his consistent effort and hand use should at least make him a solid rotational lineman.

He doesn't stand out, good or bad. He maintains leverage and can shake blockers a little, but not to the point where he's dominant against the run or pass. A live body that absorbs some snaps while the starters rotate out. It's not an exciting role, but every team needs guys like him on their second unit.

I don't think he does anything at a NFL level. He attacks with his hands, but doesn't shed well and lacks polished moves. He's not explosive or quick off the snap. He's not very big and gets blown out of gaps. And the few times he's free of a blocker, he doesn't have the burst to redirect and tackle.

It's as if he doesn't have a plan when facing opponents. Tweener, the bad sort, who can't start -- he'll ruin you on runs, and can't get enough pressure on passing downs. Later rounds.

Entirely mediocre. His pad level is really bad; he gets walked out of running lanes because he's standing straight up. Arms are too short, and he doesn't show the hand power to disengage. The final nail is his lack of athleticism. Nothing special about his initial jump, so he has to guess pre-snap if he wants to shoot a gap. Once the play develops, he can't reset and redirect.

Sixth rounder who will need to fight to stay on a team.

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He's got strong hands, disengages from blocks quickly and shows advanced rush moves...but he's sluggish changing direction and lacks closing burst. It's the same story in coverage, where he keeps position well but has tight hips when defending the pass. Built as an outside 3-4 backer, he's best as a part-time player to build depth with.

After that performance in the bowl game you've got to believe he's leaving.

Have to believe he's no later than a 3rd round guy, at worst.

Kyle Van Noy, BYU (6'3, 235) -- He does two things the NFL always wants from linebackers: rush the passer and cover. Quality first step, and he's an oversized safety in coverage. Really vulnerable against the run though, especially on the edge -- he gives effort but lacks strength.

A classic nickel backer with every-down upside. I'm surprised he stayed since his buzz was growing, but if he gets tougher against the run, he can push into the second or first day.

He can be a true "joker" defender, capable of playing a number of positions on any given down. An extremely fluid, rangy athlete who can run with backs and tight ends or turn the corner on offensive tackles. Watch offenses try and throw to his side on screens: he's a bitch to cut, has the vertical jump of a receiver and can run to the flat quicker than the back and line can set up.

His numbers weren't big, mostly because he was out of place at full-time defensive end -- his pass rush skills are raw, and he went for a ride when doubled on runs. Offenses also paid him a lot more attention, and he didn't always step up to that challenge. While he could grow into a stronger presence at end, I like him standing up in space more than with a hand down.

The less you constrict him, the better he'll become. He's raw but instinctive, and his versatility is what's next against no-huddle offenses that have removed substitutions from the game.

Smart, efficient defender who doesn't make a ton of splash plays but does little things that are important. He's very heady about his positioning, especially when making choices against the run. Great inside blitzer who challenges and sheds linemen. Comfortable in pass defense and a reliable tackler in the open field. Not a star on the outside, but an asset.

The ultimate clean-up man. A lot of his impact comes from secondary effort, sifting through trash to make plays out of nowhere. Ridiculous closing speed and pursuit, and he's a solid tackler upon arrival. His ability to cause turnovers is beyond luck or circumstance -- it's an ascribable, coveted talent.

Obviously, he can rush the passer too...with some caveats. His first-step is quick, not lightning-quick, and he'll need better escapes when linemen reset against him in the backfield. Arm length will be questioned but he keeps his chest clean against most opponents.

Run defense is acceptable, with impressive plays sprinkled in. He holds ground and can use his athleticism creatively (you rarely see a spin move on a pulling guard). However, his frame is a bit lithe and he can get engulfed at the point. His medical history (spinal stenosis) is also a real concern; some teams will remove him off their boards entirely.

I loved him in 2011, but a lot of times he was just pinballing around. This past season he was more under control in coverage and gap protection. A dynamic edge + chase player whose innate "football sense" should keep him in the first ten picks -- as long as doctors clear him.

Skill-wise, he's the 2013 template for inside linebackers: rangy, coverage-first athletes who can keep a scheme diverse. A former safety, his pass defense is tantalizing -- he gets insane depth on his drops, and breaks on underneath routes like a corner. That kind of asset in the front seven cannot be understated.

However, his finesse doesn't translate as well against the run. His first instinct is to slide around blocks, which works in college but is less effective against bigger, more athletic interior NFL linemen. Instead of meeting guards at the line of scrimmage, he lets them reach him at the second level, opening up all sorts of cutback lanes and gaps (inconsistent tackling doesn't help). He could stand to finish plays better, too -- many times he's a step away from a TFL, a sack, or an interception.

So there's a trade-off here. He's got the most potential of any inside linebacker this year, but coverage ability is wasted if an opposing offense is always in 2nd and 4. You're betting on his intermittent physical play becoming consistent. A worthwhile gamble near the end of round one, and even better if you can move him outside if he doesn't adapt. He has a real burst off the edge, and with more technique he could be an untapped asset as a rusher.

I love his forcefulness in the run game. He attacks linemen, not the other way around, and clogs lanes before they have a chance to develop. His squatty frame is another benefit (I'll be surprised if he measures to his listed height), giving him leverage and letting him sneak around clutter. Sturdy tackler upon arrival, with range to the sidelines.

It's a passing league now, though, and his coverage skills are merely adequate. He rides tight ends and backs instead of running with them -- instant flag in the NFL -- and is choppy in his movements. He's also a repeated victim to play-action; he overplays backfield motion instead of reading the keys of the offensive line. One positive is that his pass defense *has* improved since 2011, so maybe there's still an untouched ceiling here. But right today it's a concern.

Still probably a top 75 guy, although run-stopping inside linebackers have become the '90s-era safety on NFL value charts.

Intriguing athlete who is either underdeveloped or limited, depending on your vantage point. His size and movement jump off the screen -- he looks like a man among boys, while being fluid enough to run in coverage or break down for an open-field tackle.

However, his height is near the point of diminished returns. Especially as a pass rusher. Currently his only move is the speed rush, and he runs himself out of most plays with it. Since he never threatens inside, offensive tackles simply set up outside and direct his tall frame (an inviting target when exposed) into no man's land.

Now, you can say that he's only been playing defense since his sophomore year in college, and his technique will improve with experience -- a fair point. But I question his coordination or flexibility to master those advanced tactics. I've seen him literally fall down while trying a spin move, and his height makes it harder to bend around the corner.

His hands are developing as weapons, as they have some jolt and could be really something with his wingspan. There are enticing moments where he throws linemen aside or gets into their shoulders and rips past them. Yet he still has trouble disengaging from tight ends, especially against the run. Which is another one of his problems -- holding an edge. Direct runs give him lots of problems; while he understands leverage, he just lacks the strength to execute at times.

Position-wise, I think he should start out at linebacker. Right now he's better in space. He flows extremely well down the line, and can learn to be a better rusher in spurts (without full-time end duties). He’ll also assist in coverage, man-up or in zone against deep curls -- Oregon lined him over the slot on passing downs, and he can press and shuffle better than some safeties.

Too many questions for me as a top ten pick. For players with unique talent, sometimes hybrid equates to homeless. If you can steal him later in the first round, great, but I doubt that will happen after his testing numbers. A team will have to go all-in on his potential.

really compelling take

he didn't have the best season... injury coupled with being a focal point for offensive units that knew he *could* be the major factor if not dealt with properly

possibly top 10.

One of those players who is great in college but doesn't have sellable skills for the professional world. He shows some ability with his hands and plays with leverage, knowing his only way around most linemen is under their pads. Consistent wrap-tackler. Good leader; two-time captain and desirable adoptee for Urban Meyer.

However, I don't see him staying at defensive end for a number of reasons. Short for the position and lacks bulk (he gets rolled against big tackles). That would be mitigated if he was quick, which he is not. Once he starts in a direction, he's committed. I think he'll be too sluggish at linebacker and has never shown any drop-back ability.

A package substitution and back-up type; mid-to-late rounds.

He's always been good, but getting leaner last season really rounded out his game. He was faster to the sidelines, and much more comfortable in coverage -- he recognized routes quicker, and had the foot speed to be in better position. Pass defense is not his calling, but he showed he's a true three-down backer.

That aside, he's still foremost a downhill player. Everything about defending the run is in his wheelhouse: crashing down on guards and fullbacks, shooting gaps and fighting through traffic is what he does. It's give-and-take, though, because he sometimes over-pursues or shades the wrong way out of anxiousness. And while he's a reliable, forceful tackler, he's just OK in space -- elite runners can leave him reaching.

Obviously his intangibles have gone from a strength to enigmatic, but I don't think it'll be a huge deal. I'm sure his future teammates will initially see him as a weirdo, but working hard and producing is all that matters. Nobody cares about your social skills outside the facility, as long as they're not criminal.

He fits inside for any defense, and that will keep him in the first round despite the circus.

oh, and i'm 241 lbs, not 255.

dude ran a 4.8

how much do y'all think his stock has slipped?

and a lot of the top guys elect to bench at their pro days. Kevin Minter, who some believe is the top ILB with Ogletree's and Te'o's issues, was listed at 6'2 at LSU and measured at 5'11. he ran a slower 40 too.

which is another reason why I thought Mortensen's report about Te'o being too small to stay inside was a bit laughable. he's the same size as Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman. he's an inch shorter than Daryl Washington and 10 pounds heavier. he's the same weight as Luke Kuechly and has longer arms.

my favorite mighta been michael crabtree going from 6'3" to 6'1" overnight.

Hard to figure out. He does things that are starter-worthy, but his overall game isn't inspiring for a top-50 pick. I like how he flows to the action, his coverage drops are smooth, and he's excellent at defending routes that cross his face. Dangerous inside blitzer and fantastic at ripping the ball out after a tackle.

He's not great at shedding blockers, though. Sometimes he looks slow to read and react against the run. Nothing special as an outside rusher -- he's strictly a 4-3 weakside prospect. And while he retains the fluidity of his previous position (free safety), he stares down quarterbacks and is easily manipulated. If the quarterback starts looking at a sideline camera, Greene will abandon his man and run over there to tackle it.

His high character will help him (especially in this linebacker class, with idiots like Ogletree and Te'o) and I can see him sticking in the NFL for awhile. He doesn't look like a big play-maker, though.

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Fearless against the run. He attacks linemen without pause and flies into the backfield, shooting through running lanes as they develop. Generates a ton of tackle power when he meets his target, often driving them back violently. He does overrun some plays, but I love his aggression in the box.

He's also fairly solid in coverage. Runs well and has recovery speed, while looking comfortable in man or zone. Due to his size, some see him as strictly an outside backer -- while I agree he'd be a tackling machine on the weakside, I also think he could make it inside, due to his downhill style and use of leverage. Top 64.

write-up coming sooner or later.

Slightly smaller version of Brandon Spikes. He's a really good player between the tackles, and can be impossible to block at times -- the way he slides off guards pops out. Great timing against the run.

Unfortunately, he's not the best finisher. There are instances where he does everything but make the tackle. Sometimes that's enough to force a negative play by his teammates, but he needs to improve on his form. Him not being the greatest athlete may also be part of it.

He's acceptable in coverage because he reads his keys so well. Which is important, since his pass rushing is not useful. He jumps offside an alarming number of times, to the point where I would never send him on third down.

Overall though, I'm a fan. The top inside linebackers all have notable issues, so I'd rather spend a later pick on him instead.

Good athlete who is much further behind as a football player. On the outside, he's best when he only has to read one side of the field -- on toss plays, for example, he makes an impression. Initiates contact and flows to the sideline with his speed.

That's about the extent of his instincts. He has a lot of stop-start motion, wasting his athletic edge, and goes to full backpedal on inside runs. Follows receivers in a desperate manner. Usually when you watch a lot of one player (Sheldon Richardson), his teammates stand out. I could barely remember who this guy was.

I suppose his size and speed could be good on special teams, so he's likely worth a fifth or sixth round pick as a project.

Makes the play in front of him, and that's it. Compared to the other inside linebackers, he looked like an athletic phenom at the Combine, but he doesn't play with that speed. Average at everything. I don't think you grow into instincts, so he's strictly a back-up and special teams contributor. Middle rounds.

Reminds me of Andre Branch. Outside speed rusher who is mostly situational, as he doesn't offer much else. He's *extremely* fast at times, nearly offside quick. Bends to the point and varies his repertoire just enough to cause hesitation.

However, he lacks ways to win if his initial move is stopped. Gets bowled over against the run. Not a factor when standing off the line in space. Also coming off a Lisfranc injury -- which is more concerning than an ACL, in my uniformed opinion -- although he'll be nearly a year removed from the incident when the season opens.

He's limited to a third down, hand down role, but potential sack producers will always be coveted. Third or fourth round.

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although not as good (and he'll kill you on runs as a full-time 43 end)

He's not consistent, but his "moments" are more exciting than most players'. A great-looking athlete, when he's on the attack he can take over a play -- great closing burst, and he tackles violently.

Rangy with strong hands, he also rushed from a three-point stance quite a bit -- he's not yet elite from that position, but looks natural and can be useful in spots. On the downside, he plays at half-speed sometimes, and his coverage ability is limited. Might get the most out of him as an outside 3-4 backer. Second to third round.

Perfect example of what should happen at elite programs: starting upperclassmen are phased out by bigger, faster and younger versions of themselves. Johnson went from a future star in 2010 (outplaying Dont'a Hightower at times) to a situational run defender as a senior, mostly because his teammates became a lot better.

A scheme-protected inside linebacker, he didn't look as good when he had to eat more blocks (cut very easily) this season. He also has to come off the field against spread offenses, as he tries hard with coverage positioning but can't run with most backs. Two-down defender who I'd take around the fifth round.

Overrated out of high school and a low-impact player in college, his career has been based off potential. I'm not sure why he'd fulfill it against NFL players that are just as big and fast, but he'll fool a team into taking him earlier than warranted.

The problems are many: he lacks football instincts, avoids taking on blocks and overruns everything. When he does make tackles, they're often after big gains -- the defensive version of a five-yard curl on 3rd and 12. Maybe he improves his coverage recognition and becomes a nickel backer, but I'm guessing he'll be a special teams ace. Sixth round.

He made a ton of plays coming off the edge in college, but I believe the rise in competition will show off his flaws more. He's great in backside pursuit and shows a functional pass rush, mostly using his first step. Tight in the hips though -- he's a straight-line player, and has trouble changing directions. That extends to coverage, where he's a bit lost. Late rounds.

He's a solid outside defender against the run, but does little to distinguish himself otherwise. Offenses can move him around; he's susceptible to play-action, quarterback look-offs and backfield misdirection.

To isolate that, he rushed with his hand down quite a bit. He shows some bend and has long arms, although I wouldn't say he's an asset in that role. It's better than his coverage, however.

I'm not seeing the same player that others seem to love, as he's just a guy to me. Middle rounds.

A tackling machine that may be limited to two downs. He's a fast player around the line of scrimmage; very quick closer, and very good at wrapping up. Sometimes a little too fast, whether it's rushing into the wrong gap or leaving the edge, but he rarely whiffs on a tackle attempt.

I don't know if he'll hold up on passing downs, though. He's a former safety and has some burst, but looks stiff to me -- going from a confident player against the run, to a more hesitant one versus the pass. Reserve-type, late rounds.

Really smart, multidimensional outside backer. I love his awareness, and he's comfortable anywhere on the field. He can take on guards near the line, or be left in space against slot receivers and tight ends. Extremely calm in coverage; he reads the route and never panics himself into a compromised position. Good ball skills too -- he's going to turn mistakes into interceptions if given a chance.

My main criticism would be his tendency to leave plays unfinished. Often he’s in the action, but a step or two late. He's also not the greatest athlete (decent enough) or a rush option on third downs, but I'd be happy with him in the fourth round or so.

It's easy to argue he's the best inside linebacker in this draft. Against the run, he makes a ton of tackles for loss because of how hard he reads his keys. Try and stretch him laterally, and he'll dodge cuts while forcing ball-carrier to the sideline. Show him power, and he's tough enough to meet guards in the hole. And he can do nearly anything needed on third down, since he's a fantastic A/B gap blitzer and fluid in coverage (reading route breaks and undercutting them).

At times his aggression defeats him -- he can take false steps when seeing motion, or shade the wrong way when chasing -- but he's got excellent recovery speed to compensate. His tackling is also inconsistent when he's flying around, with him often being a hitter instead of wrapping up. Overall I love the way he attacks, and you have to be a grown man to defend between the tackles in the NFL, but his style is right at the edge (borderline dirty).

His support system also needs investigating. He was suspended for the entire 2010 season and opening game of 2011 due to alcohol abuse (because of that missed time as a starter, he's got even more room to improve). If you're comfortable with his recovery, he's a top 50 prospect who can play behind a three-man front or 4-3, inside or out. He's most valuable as a middle though, and I can see him going quite high because of that.

good shit.

I think he's moved past the "character concerns" phase, but that's based on admittedly very little.

he's a monster though. Just keep him away from the post-game interviews, sheesh.

Yeah, he played with a great front, but he was also overlooked because of them. As an inside run-stuffer though, he's legitimate. Like a Venezuelan cab driver in traffic, he can go inside-out, sideline-to-sideline, and is rarely put on the ground. When he finds his target he flies down the alley, and is a true stopper when tackling.

All great stuff, but with the usual caveats in coverage. He overplays his position, setting up well initially but selling out on the first move (pivot routes are like 20 yard gains against him). Still, he's smart about his limitations and does enough to hang in there. As far as the intangibles go, he shows intensity and reportedly has leadership qualities.

Probably not an every-down backer, but he'll outplay his draft slot. Middle rounds.

For an inside linebacker, he sure struggles to get off blocks (and that's being kind). Guards, fullbacks and tight ends all took turns punting him out of running lanes. It's partly due to him being frenetic and on his knees too much, but I don't see him holding ground in the NFL.

In short coverage he fares better. Under control, he guards the flats and simple backfield releases well. OK tackler in space; ducks some but hits with force and aims well. Not really a rushing option, although he shows more power and technique when blitzing than he does in run support.

Overshadowing all of that, however, is his injury history. He's had three ACL tears since 2009, most recently in November (the second time he's shredded his left knee). You have to wonder what condition he'll be in after a third rehab, and he was a heavily flawed prospect to begin with. I think he's a UFA, but good luck to his recovery.

Generic inside linebacker who will look for a back-up spot. A decent shedder and tackler, his problem is making one-on-one stops in the open field. Mostly, he can't. He also relies too much on what the backfield shows him in coverage, running to spots and wasting steps (he's better in straight man). Sixth, seventh, UFA range.

Talented, just not talented enough to keep his bad habits. He's got size and can cover, but does a lot of questionable things (late grabbing, jump ball panic, staring into the backfield flat-footed). He's also probably the worst run defender in the nation -- he gives literally no effort. He might as well play on offense when opponents run.

Not sure where he'll end up (I've seen 1st to 6th round), but either way he might get an infernal baptism as a rookie until he addresses the traits he gets away with at the WAC level.

You have to be very careful here. He's not a plug-and-play defender, and will look bad in the wrong system. Press-man is his calling; he can use his long arms to jam receivers and redirect them to his advantage. He's also great at contesting jump balls.

In slot or off coverage though, he gets ordinary. His long legs give him a higher center of gravity, and his footwork is choppy away from the sidelines. Despite Kenny Bell (Alabama) being more of a 4.5 guy, in the slot he blew past Banks for a long touchdown.

I could see him growing into a safety-corner type, as he has solid instincts and the frame to get stronger. In that regard though, his 2012 was concerning -- he lost his aggressiveness from the year before and avoided contact as if he was trying not to get hurt.

Nnamdi-esque in his strengths and limitations. If you're going to draft him, be smart with his usage.

An effortless technician and the best corner in this class. He's tremendously smooth in his movements, with no awkward transitions or wasted steps. Saban puts a ton of responsibility on him and he answered all season, whether it's staying in the slot to shut down Ryan Swope or lining up outside against Tyler Eifert with no safety help.

He's also enthusiastic about the physical demands of the position. Great blitzer from the slot or boundary, unhesitant versus the run and a dependable tackler in the open field.

As far as playing the ball, he's elite at breaking up passes -- however, he leaves too many interceptions on the field. He's a little grabby downfield, which is legal in college but will have to be cleaned up in the No Touching League. Speed is good enough and masked by technique.

Extremely valuable because he can play off-man and the slot equally well, two of the hardest tasks in the NFL, while stopping the run. An easy pick in the top 15 and may go higher than that.

Seems like exactly what they need, assuming he isn't a headcase or a fuckup.

the best 10-20 guys are all pretty close to each other in talent, so you might as well just take who you like in the top five. I like Milliner a lot though -- he may not be a superstar, but he's plug-play-produce

First, we spent three draft picks on CBs last year, and the two best guys out of the three were non-factors last year. So I don't expect this front office to use the fifth pick on a CB until they know what they've got from last year's haul. We get Bill Bentley and Chris Greenwood back, and Jonte Green is good depth. If we resign Chris Houston, that's good enough (though If we don't that changes everything). Shit, safety is a far bigger concern than CB, imo.

Second, we could have 4 Dee Milliners in the secondary and it wouldn't matter, because no one can cover an NFL wide receiver for 10 seconds. And unless we get SOMETHING out of our DEs, that's what we'll be asking our secondary to do--again. We have enormous resources tied up in our DTs, and they're completely hamstrung. They could collapse the pocket on every play, but QBs have acres of space to work with on the sides as Avril runs himself out of the play and KVB gets dominated at the point of attack. Picking a stud DE would pull even more production out of Suh and Fairley.

Third, I'm not convinced that Milliner's ceiling reaches as high as All-Pro, and I think that's the type of player you need to get with the fifth pick. A guy like Joeckel is pretty universally hailed as a slam-dunk franchise LT. Someone out of the Jordan/Werner/Moore camp COULD end up being a JPP-like factor, which would improve every level of our defense. I'm not sold that Milliner COULD be a Revis-type player, and if he can't, then he's simply not worth a top-5 pick. Not to this front office--which leads to the next point.

Finally, I doubt Milliner will be the best available player on the Lions' draft board. This front office goes BPA every single year, and there's probably going to be a potential All-Pro available at 5. That's who they'll pick, unless it's Star Lotulelei (and even then, I'm not convinced they wouldn't take him).

We'll see what they do in free agency. Probably not much, with the cap situation. But I think resigning Houston would be a pretty big indicator that Milliner's not coming to Detroit.

Probably the best press corner in this class. He loves to do it, and strikes quickly into receivers' shoulders to redirect. Super long arms and his hands stun even the biggest wideouts he faces. I've seen him kill so many fade routes by using inside leverage, jamming the outside shoulder and forcing the receiver to the sideline -- where there's not enough room for the pass.

He does need to adjust to NFL rules, as he's currently an illegal contact nominee. While dominant in the five-yard allowance, he makes that one extra push downfield which won't be permitted. He also needs to work on using his position to play the ball. He'll often hand-grab and end up in trail, where his closing burst isn't elite. If he simply turns earlier and plays receiver, his reach will make the break-up (he did get a lot better at this than in 2011).

Best at the line of scrimmage, but agile enough to play off or deep zone. Really flexible for his size and keeps his pads low to drive on passes. Willing, tough run defender who wrap tackles consistently.

A do-everything asset with fantastic length and physical technique. He'd be a perfect Chicago or Seattle corner, although he can play for anybody. Late first round.

He's got some quality traits, but is too damn slow for me. He plays quick in zone, and I think he presses well when asked (hits with force and stays square...not sure what the detractors of his technique are seeing). He just doesn't have the speed or recovery to stay with receivers downfield.

I don't like him in off-man, either, since he stares at the quarterback and drives too early on guesses. Those gambles leave his hips open and him turned around -- not a good place for a slower guy who needs to do everything right.

As a run defender, he's hit-or-miss. He forces some stops, but also gets tied up on blocks too long and is short on tackle strength.

Overall, I see him in a defense that plays a lot of cover two. He can build on his solid press ability, and in short zones he gets his hands on tons of passes. I don't see him as slot corner, because inside receivers get free releases and he can get beat just as easily down the seam or to the corner (which I've seen happen to him in college). With his average measurables, fourth or fifth round.

Maybe a player without a position. Because he's a bigger guy with average speed and good ball skills, the consensus is he should move to safety. I'm not sure he'd be much better there, however, because he can't tackle. He's dreadful in the open field; players juke him onto his ass or run past him with ease. Even when he lines up a shot, he's more of a hitter than tackler -- which cannot be relied on as the last line of defense.

Of course, he has his own problems at corner, too. He played with a big cushion at field corner in most games, masking his speed, but his technique is an issue as well. He's ragged out of his backpedal, falling over himself trying to drive because his feet are wider than his shoulders. The few instances he came up to press he was not good at it. Opened his hips right off the snap and started chase-grabbing in desperation.

He's got size, good recognition and lots of interceptions because he finishes plays. But where to put him? Perhaps a hybrid safety-corner who defends shorter zones and routes. He doesn't have the foot speed to play on a deep island and keeping him in the box is a recipe for finishing last in run defense. Later rounds.

Such an odd, compelling prospect. One look and you know he'll have limitations against bigger receivers, but what's surprising is how weak his cover technique is. He's stiff out of his backpedal, and can't close distance on even average opponents. LSU kept him at nickel, but that was because they had two better outside corners, not as any statement on his ability.

His game profiles better at safety, where he can do all the disruptive things he's known for, without as much coverage stress. The problem there is size -- he's about 30 pounds light by NFL standards, and his smallish frame can't handle much more bulk.

A player without a position. Most evaluations would end there, but he has an unquantifiable "play-making ability" that keeps you interested despite his shortcomings. He's a great blitzer, he makes impressive tackles (inconsistent overall, though) and forces turnovers at a rate that's beyond coincidence. Not to mention his antagonistic little man persona, which distracts opponents and rubs off on teammates.

Too bad his reliability concerns have made him risky instead of intriguing. As a star player in an elite program, you have to be extremely insubordinate and apathetic to get kicked out. Two habits that don't fly in the NFL, since everybody is talented and work ethic separates the starters from the scrubs. Whereas everyone knew Janoris Jenkins could play, I don't have the same conviction with Mathieu -- even if he's a choirboy from here on out, he might never become a starter.

I do think he'll be drafted though, anywhere from the fifth to seventh round. He has punt return value, and a curious organization will try and find a place on the field for him.

Super competitive, aggressive slot corner. He's always around the ball, never scared in run support and blitzes well. Hips are average, but his quick feet and technique compensate. One of the best at driving on throws and contesting without drawing interference. I think he'll run faster than several comparable corners, and should go in the top 100 if so. A natural play-maker.

I had high expectations after 2011, but he was brutal this past season. He got exposed as a long-legged, stiff player with balance issues, and was picked on by most teams (DeAndre Hopkins roasted him to a crisp). That lack of body control prevents him from breaking on passes; you can back-shoulder throw against him all day.

His height and long arms suggest he'd be better in press coverage, but he's not very good at that, either. He lacks the strength to redirect, so even when he makes contact, he ends up being spun out of position. Strictly a back-up on the outside, I don't see him earning much NFL playing time until he revamps his footwork. Fifth or sixth round, maybe.

It's too bad the Tampa 2 is an outdated base defense, because he's best near the line of scrimmage. He comes up hard against the run, challenging linemen and holding the edge aggressively. Right now I like him better as a short-zone defender, but he's capable in press and could be better with refinement.

His speed lets him down, though. He ends up trailing receivers often -- even the not-so-talented ones. I also think his ball skills are a little overrated; he got credit for a lot of defended passes, but I saw him turned around and flailing too much. While Rutgers gave him plenty of responsibility, I don't see him surviving on the same island in the NFL. Late third, fourth round.

The one question I had about him before the Combine was his long speed, which he answered emphatically (4.38). Now he needs to trust it more. Often he'll be even with a receiver downfield, then start grabbing and shoving for no reason. At that point the route has been broken, so you're not going to be run away from. Play the damn ball.

I also think he outsmarts himself, as some completions against him are truly baffling. Too much guessing. Again, with his burst there's no reason for inferior athletes to get so open underneath.

While I'm harping on the negative, it's only because he's got all the tools: a wiry frame with quick hips, the speed to play cover one, and the feet to play slot or off-man. He's even unafraid to mix it up against the run. Once he starts utilizing his talent better, he can be as good as any other corner in this draft. Mid-first round.

Short of elite, but a very good headliner for the next tier of corners. Technique-wise, he checks out well: stays square in tight man coverage, smooth pedal, and has a feel for when to peel off his assignment in zone. Great timing to break up passes. Noticeably aggressive in run support; throws his body at every size of blocker (doesn't wrap up well, though). Long speed is average, and he'll put some easy interceptions on the ground.

His height is going to be really attractive to most teams, though, and will push him up in the draft after the top three guys are gone. A number two NFL corner; second round.

For NFL defenses searching for bigger corners, he strikes that coveted balance between height and flexibility. He's got the length to contest big receivers, agility to cover smaller targets, and the speed to run with anybody (fastest cornerback at the Combine).

The next step is filling out his lean frame. Right now, he does well to prevent being pushed around (although he offers next to nothing in run support), but needs to get stronger. That, plus some growth in his recognition ability (coming from JUCO, he only started one year in the SEC) could make him one of the better corners in this class. Second round.

Perfect as a team's third or fourth corner. Hyper-competitive, confrontational defender who can play all over the field, fitting best against slot receivers. He gets his hands on a lot of passes, and plays bigger than his size. Solid tackler.

His aggressiveness does get him beat by better route runners, and while very quick in his breaks, he lacks the long speed to recover deep. I love his attitude though; he'll be an asset in the middle rounds.

He's more of a priority free agent than draftable prospect, with a list of issues on and off the field. Kicked out of Florida State for weed, he didn't play at all last season because of a torn ACL.

When healthy and not suspended, his problems came from being short, underpowered, and plagued by sloppy technique. What a great returner, though. Naturally explosive, and his stature helps him be elusive. Worth a flyer if you need field position help.

First off, he's already in the Name Hall of Fame. As a prospect, he'll have to find his niche as a situational, inside corner (he played largely outside in college). Kind of a gambler, but a smart one, he has excellent jumps on underneath passes. Best at squatting and reading the 10-15 yard routes, either in zone or manned on a team's fourth receiver.

He does get run away from deep, but I don't think it matters -- he can't cover flankers with his size anyway. Even as a slot corner, he's going to have catches pulled off his helmet no matter how good the coverage is. He also has trouble getting off blocks, but gives effort tackling and has value returning punts. Late rounds.

He had a rough year. I love his aggression, from how he goes after ball-carriers to his tackling, but there are some serious issues that negate the talent he has in coverage.

Athletically, he plays on his heels and moves tighter than you want from someone under six feet. That means his technique has to be always on point, which it's not. His ball skills need work, as he has trouble tracking deep passes, and his footwork could be cleaner, since he's fast enough in a line but lacks the recovery speed to make up for mistakes.

Worth a latter round selection to see if he has bad habits or true deficiencies.

Great athlete still learning how to be a cornerback. He can defend all three receiving positions, nobody is going to run past him, and he has the lateral movement to cover any route.

That said, using all those talents is a work in progress. His anticipation is very average, and his strength is even worse -- bigger receivers will box him out and win contested passes. He does have great leaping ability, which he can use against taller opponents, but I'm not sure what he'll do against the run. He bounces off ball-carriers and gets blocked into the sideline.

His experience on returns is a help (although he's a very straight-line runner), as he needs plenty of refinement to play at the NFL level. Second round talent with fourth round instincts, so let's say third.

You can't talk about him without mentioning his heart surgery, which occurred due to an absolutely bizarre injury. During practice last season, a teammate kneed him in the chest, which tore a major vein to his heart and nearly killed him. From all reports he's fine to play now, but his future in a collision sport still seems like uncharted territory.

Ignoring that, he's a well-rounded (size, speed and tackling) corner who does his best work in tight coverage. He has very quick feet, and can open his hips and run with most anybody. There's less polish when he's playing off; he catches route breaks late and gets a little high in his backpedal (although he improved at that since his junior year).

If the medical staffs like him, I like him. Third round is my guess from an upside-risk standpoint.

went straight to this post. And you say 3rd round and heart issues.

My response: "It fucking figures."

which I was cool with. at 24.

I still think Milliner is the best corner in this class, and even he's probably not worth the third pick. Raiders are in a tough spot, but I'd take Lotulelei and feel good about it.

If they can trade down though, that'd be the ideal scenario.

I definitely don't want a DB. Especially since they don't pick again until Round 3.

There's more depth at CB and you should be able to get a good player there in the 2nd, but I wouldn't be totally mad if they took a CB in the 1st and a lineman in the 2nd. Hopefully its all a smokescreen though and they only move back enough to still get Lotouleilei or Floyd and pick up some extra draft picks.

He's best at off-coverage. He sees route tendencies quickly, breaking hard out of his shuffle to disrupt passes. Very smart at getting deflections without sacrificing position or a penalty.

When starting closer to the line of scrimmage, he's decent with his hands but can get beaten over the top. Gets in trail too quickly, and he doesn't have the long speed to make up that ground. OK against the run -- he gives enough effort and can tackle decently. Also returned kicks and punts in college, but wasn't very good at either.

He's among that second tier of corners, actually closer to the dividing line between the twos and threes. Fourth round.

What wonderl33t said

<--- Blind faith

An enforcer who plays fast all over the field. Awesome blitzer; he kills it from the slot and can juke past guards on A-gap calls. He presses the issue against the run as well, knifing into lanes and closing quickly. Very good tackler who stands up opposing players.

His aggression can be used against him, however. He has linebacker tendencies against play-action; he gets caught a lot, even when the offensive line is showing pass block off the snap. His burst makes up for that slower recognition, especially in coverage over the top -- he has impeccable timing when it comes to disrupting the catch. A little tight in the hips, though.

Reggie Nelson is a popular comparison, which I agree with. I don't think his tackling ability will deteriorate in the same way (Nelson started playing flag football in Jacksonville), but he does need the same coverage improvement to match his seek-and-destroy style.

*excuse the OCD relabeling, but he measured smaller at the Senior Bowl.

Lions are going to end up around pick #5, which is probably too high for him, but damn would I like to see him in Detroit.

He plays over slot more than any other safety in this class. Difficult assignments, too: Tavon Austin, Kenny Stills, Markus Wheaton and Ryan Broyles (2011) can embarrass anybody. Yet he's been extremely successful -- on 31 pass plays as the primary defender, he held Austin, Stills and Broyles to a combined four catches for 38 yards. While he did get help over the top at times, the ability to match-up inside is huge.

Against the slot he can play press or off-man, with very good route anticipation and acceptable recovery speed. Tackling-wise, he's willing and solid (if not always fundamental). His game downgrades some as a split-high safety, because he lacks elite tracking and his LOS aggressiveness is neutered, but he can assume that role if needed.

An intriguing hybrid who will bring diversity to any secondary. His times and size won't pop, but he's the best safety I've seen in 2012 so far.

Possibly the best tackler at defensive back in this draft. He absolutely crumples players, regardless of their position or size. With that frame, you do wonder if he'll be a victim of his own violence (Bob Sanders), but I'd rather have a smaller safety who can hit than one that can't.

Coverage-wise, he's got quickness and fluidity as a smaller guy, but with a lot to improve on. He showed best against USC, staying with Robert Woods in man and coming up with an interception (while also destroying him on a couple of screens). His personal story is also inspiring, having lost both his parents in the same year of college. That doesn't count for any tackles in the NFL, but I don't think he'll be outworked or unmotivated either.

Reportedly he'll do numbers at the combine, so he may be out of sleeper range, but I'm smitten by this guy.

Great tackler, great leader, flies around the field and just brings it to anybody. He played his ass off, and seems like a real high character kid. But yeah, he had so many violent collisions he got himself banged up quite a few times, a few scary moments where he seemed out of it.

Fastest 40 among the safeties (4.42), best vertical (40.5"), most bench reps (28) and he aced the broad jump (11'1). He's a more athletic, harder-hitting, inch-shorter version of Matt Elam. At a better round value.

A relentless player in the box. Fills hard against the run, while understanding angles and contain. Solid tackler in the open field and a fearless, big hitter. He'll be instant help on coverage units as well.

However, he doesn't have the same instincts in the passing game. His stature gives receivers a bigger catch radius -- he'll have issues against the NFL tight end specimen -- and he's tentative in his movements. While he shows some centerfield ability and the speed to cover, he panics (illegal holds) when receivers transition into their breaks. I also wonder about his ability to diagnose routes, and his aggression towards the run leaves him vulnerable to play-action.

If he can improve his recognition and technique, he could become a viable player.

Enigmatic. He can look like an ideal single-high safety, thanks to a gliding style and rangy frame. You watch him break smoothly out of his backpedal, then close distance quickly, and you start to think of a star.

Unfortunately, his instincts belie a true centerfielder. He is very slow to recognize what the quarterback is doing (despite obvious cues) and is too often late to the action. His shoulder-charge style of tackling is a hubris that will become humiliation in the NFL. Effortless style can also look like disinterest -- something that worsened over the course of the season. His performance against Oregon was an undrafted free agent kind of game. I'm guessing he was either hurt or lost his will to compete...maybe both.

A player with NFL tools but not the craftsmanship to make use of them yet.

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A decent prospect who makes and gives up big plays. He can be an incredibly sloppy tackler, which is disappointing because he has instances of textbook wrap-ups. Part of his problem is getting greedy with fumble strips (which he's had success with), instead of realizing when to make a simple stop. He scares me coming down against the run -- lots of questionable angles, bad breakdowns, and he gets caught in traffic too much.

In coverage, Georgia puts him over the top in their high-low safety alignment, where he generally finds the ball well. Closing speed is not elite, but he'll convert bad throws into interceptions and plays like a bigger defender on jump balls. Doesn't man-up much, although he's got a compact frame with decent-enough athleticism.

A mid-rounder who needs to become more physical and fundamental to earn NFL playing time.

He didn't put it all together this past season, but I still like his potential. He can be an elite run stopper in the NFL -- even as a larger defender (really the perfect build for the position), he tracks and drops smaller, elusive targets with ease. Some of his open field tackles against De'Anthony Thomas and Chris Rainey are spectacular. He still has the muscle to stop an Eddie Lacy or Trent Richardson, and you cannot block him with a fullback or receiver. Even guards rarely shield him.

He's got some issues against the pass, but I think they're mildly overstated. While he has the athleticism to play single-high or two-deep, he does take false steps and is too aggressive. His positioning is often fine, but he doesn't turn and locate the ball consistently. Not a guy you want manned up a bunch. His tackling also degrades in pass defense, as he lines up kill shots (that often miss) -- ducking his head and shoulder charging. Lastly, he makes at least one or two bizarre plays per game, whether it's a blown assignment or three-Mississippi-count late hit.

Love the run defense and measurables, and believe he'll improve his coverage inconsistencies. Pair him with a true centerfielder and he's going to make a ton of plays. A nice get in round two, and I'd be ecstatic if he fell to my team in the third.

Box safety with some real, perhaps unfixable issues in coverage. He's an average tackler who plays the run OK; sometimes he's a little passive and takes curious angles when more aggressive.

Lots of things going wrong in pass defense, though. He's got dead feet in man coverage, letting receivers freeze him and blow right by. Uncertain and slow to read routes in zone. Bites hard on any run-action -- Steve Spurrier seemingly designed half his game plan around attacking him last season. It's frightening to watch him at times, because his uncertainty is a touchdown waiting to happen.

Georgia tries to hide him around 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, but the NFL is going to find you regardless. And I don't think he's a good enough run defender to compensate for his lack of coverage intuition. Sixth round, maybe.

This guy tore up Senior Bowl week, and it's easy to see why. He's aggressive, fluid, and makes plays anywhere on the field. He loves being in the box, often as an extra linebacker, and is an intense run defender who charges down alleys. Great edge blitzer. He's similarly impressive in coverage -- he shows range over the top, good recognition and some skills in man.

Really, the best part of his game are his instincts. He's a natural football player who flies to the ball (fantastic closing speed) and is always physical...it's controlled recklessness. With an arrow pointing up, he could go in the third round right now -- a good track time and he's pushing even higher.

Mayock was gushing about him, but I don't share the same enthusiasm. He's got the outline of a solid player, yet needs a lot of work before trusting him with NFL snaps.

His senior season was his first on defense, having played running back and receiver before the switch, and you can see some hesitation because of that. At times he looks to be thinking on the field instead of reacting. While eager in run support, his tackling is a bit unnatural -- like he's trying to reach out and touch ball-carriers instead of running through them. He has the makings of a good tackler (he made some nice stops against Georgia), though.

More pressing is his need to improve in coverage. He's on his heels too much, and late on breaks. I see him contributing on special teams -- he's an experienced kick-off returner -- while getting reps at his position and beefing up (his strength looks underdeveloped). Late rounds, maybe UFA.

Versatile strong safety with that extra bit of crazy. He has what I'd call a "defensive attitude" -- he's out there to punish people, while letting everyone know about it. For the most part it serves his team well, setting an unrelenting tone on defense. But you'll have to deal with the flexing over tackled players, balls thrown into the stands, and helmet-to-helmet hits in the process.

He backs up all the noise with his play, though. Really good near the line of scrimmage, he's swift around blockers without over-committing in pursuit. Good tackler who can lay ball-carriers out, but needs to keep his balance better in the open field (he ends up ankle-diving).

Maybe most impressive is how he holds up in coverage. He can be trusted over the slot and certain outside match-ups, thanks to nimble feet and great technique. He's got cornerback awareness, playing the ball accordingly -- turning like a receiver when he's in position, and timing an arm hack when trailing. A lot of safeties can run with receivers, but don't show his instincts when the ball is in the air.

While coverage-savvy, he doesn't have the best closing speed, so he's better near the box. He's a couple of steps late when playing centerfield. Oh, and for all his borderline aggression, he's got Darrelle Revis-like footwork when avoiding tackle piles. He must've rolled his ankle badly once...smart, yet comical preservation. He'd be a surefire second rounder in last year's draft, but with so many good safeties this year, I think he'll end up a steal.

He's a very passive defender, which is slow death for a safety. In coverage he's repeatedly a step late; he sees what's developing, waits too long, then tries to make a play. Instinctual players don't hesitate.

That'd be more forgivable if his tackling was reliable, but it's not. He ducks and lunges on most of his attempts, which isn't effective and extremely dangerous for him. He's also got a high center of gravity and looks awkward breaking down -- combined with the poor technique, and you get a ton of whiffs.

He was used everywhere in college, which will boost his stock, but this safety class is too deep for his flaws to go ignored. Sixth round.

He was considered as good a prospect as Mark Barron three years ago, although retrospect shows that was based largely on interceptions. I don't think he got significantly worse, he just didn't have the same volume of splash plays to mask his weaknesses.

Foremost among those is stiffness. He moves in direct lines, and gets frozen in the open field too much. While he's a strong wrap tackler when he makes contact, he'll have problems breaking down against elusive NFL ball-carriers. He was dire against Texas A&M, and the primary culprit on Manziel's bobbled-ball-360-touchdown-pass.

His speed is another issue -- it's not fast enough to stay with receivers, and limits his ability to secure turnovers (one of the things he does well) when playing over the top. And although he has 14 career interceptions, many came by taking advantage of mistakes rather than forcing the issue -- all the credit for securing them, but NFL passers make you earn it more.

A depth chart name who plays assignment football with limited tools. Sixth or seventh round.

I know it seemed like Te'o had footprints on him all night, but amazingly, this guy played even worse against Alabama. By the second quarter Notre Dame was run blitzing on every down, he'd be unblocked, and he still couldn't grab a shoelace. It was dreadful.

I thought he had a chance to be drafted before then, but a lot of his success was predicated by schedule. The Irish only played two passing offenses in the top 30, and five opponents were ranked 85th or worse. That let him focus on crashing the box, which he did fairly well. Well, until the BCS Championship.

"He ran a slower 40 than Te'o" could be the summation of this report, but if he adds some weight, he could try and make it as an UFA linebacker on special teams.

He profiles as a typically aggressive, big-hitter who plays slower in deep zones, except for one trait: he's actually damn good in man coverage. Mostly lining up over the slot, he backpedals and flips without panic, and has the speed to compete downfield. He also tracks the ball well, knowing when to sell out for a break-up (a bit grabby, though).

Now, he's not going to shut down anybody, and he'll give up his share of yards. But it's a nice dimension to have, since his tackling consists of too much launching and his angles aren't the greatest. Mid-to-late rounds.

Straight-line, box-filler. To repeat myself, he's another one who goes for hits more than tackles, but usually gets his targets down to the ground. Plays his spots decently in coverage, although he drops hard on play-action and isn't the fastest guy. He also doesn't play with much bend, against the run or pass. Draftable though, probably in the fifth or sixth.

look forward to it yearly.

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It's only funny till someone gets mad. Then it's hilarious.

Glad that Will decided to keep doing this.

If you're a defensive minded ball-control team, it seems like you could talk yourself into giving BYU's punter a 3rd or 4th round grade.

The kid is masterful at dropping the ball inside the 5.

He can be a real weapon on a team with a strong defense.

Wow. Is this common? No one pays attention to punters.

he'll probably go higher than Mathieu

>he'll probably go higher than Mathieu

Probably so, assuming Matthieu is drafted at all.

What resource do you use to go back and watch these guys? The thoroughness of this post every year is what fascinates me. (That and my secret desire to do a similar post for the NBA Draft.)

and by "watch", I mean intently focus on them every play, with DVR rewind -- there's a difference between watching a game and studying a guy.

Youtube cut-ups are helpful to fill in the blanks. however, most of those are missing several plays per game so you may get a skewed picture (depends on the position). luckily there are plenty of recorded TV broadcasts available, which you can skim through and watch the pertinent series. the best videos have full cut-ups of every offensive and defensive play.

linemen are the easiest to evaluate. for running backs and linebackers I'd prefer to have end-zone views (to see their gap choices better). quarterbacks, receivers, corners and safeties really need an All-22 tape, which I suppose you can't get in college unless you're a connected scout. fortunately, offensive plays get a lot of TV replays from different angles, so you can judge quarterbacks and receivers better, but corner and especially safety are toughest.

>and by "watch", I mean intently focus on them every play,
>with DVR rewind -- there's a difference between watching a
>game and studying a guy.

Right, I figured the Notre Dame/Bama/Georgia/etc players would be easy enough to simply watch a few games while keeping an eye on them.

>Youtube cut-ups are helpful to fill in the blanks. however,
>most of those are missing several plays per game so you may
>get a skewed picture (depends on the position).

Yeah, these tend to have either an agenda to promote or knock down a player's perceived value.

luckily there
>are plenty of recorded TV broadcasts available, which you can
>skim through and watch the pertinent series. the best videos
>have full cut-ups of every offensive and defensive play.

See, now this is where I'm intrigued. Where are these? If it's an off-the-beaten-path source, feel free to just inbox, but finding recordings of full games I've missed is of definite interest.

While I'm sure any resource you use would be different between football and basketball, I always find myself getting grouchy that I can't fairly evaluate any mid-major player receiving oodles of hype, since I watch maybe one game of theirs all season, and Youtube mixtapes always make them seem like unquestioned future All-Stars. Hence why your process is compelling to me.

>linemen are the easiest to evaluate. for running backs and
>linebackers I'd prefer to have end-zone views (to see their
>gap choices better). quarterbacks, receivers, corners and
>safeties really need an All-22 tape, which I suppose you can't
>get in college unless you're a connected scout. fortunately,
>offensive plays get a lot of TV replays from different angles,
>so you can judge quarterbacks and receivers better, but corner
>and especially safety are toughest.

Which position would you say you miss the most on? I know in the past you've said QBs tend to not be your strongest suit.

I'm sure you could torrent some others, but most of those seem to be big games anyway. I will say that individual cut-ups, while not perfect, are getting better and better. three years ago they were too inconsistent to watch, but the quality has improved a lot -- more people are getting into them.

from what I can tell, basketball is less "draft nerdy" than football, mostly because the latter is a bigger event with many more relevant players. even the top prospects in basketball are regulated to highlight reels. however, the good part with basketball is it's *way* easier to project players. there's what, 150 starters in the NBA? how many are good? how many are elite? I think you can watch a game or two of a player and determine where he fits in that group, just based of his size and skill level.

>Which position would you say you miss the most on? I know in
>the past you've said QBs tend to not be your strongest suit.

quarterback is difficult because a lot of their success/failure rate doesn't show during games. also what teams they go to play more of a role than other positions. that said, even Youtube cut-ups are pretty good since they show every throw (you just miss out on the entire field, but that's true for TV as well). and every year I learn more about every position, so past opinions have been clouded with a less-informed mind.

I'm not great at running backs. I look for explosion first, and downplay other aspects. harder for me to see little differences between prospects as easily as other positions.

center is impossible for me outside of judging their strength to anchor. a lot of that job is in the calls and protections, which again, you can't see too well on TV. I stopped even trying with them. and while safety and corner are the toughest to evaluate, those are my favorite positions and ones I feel best about.

>I'm sure you could torrent some others, but most of those
>seem to be big games anyway. I will say that individual
>cut-ups, while not perfect, are getting better and better.
>three years ago they were too inconsistent to watch, but the
>quality has improved a lot -- more people are getting into
>them.
>
>from what I can tell, basketball is less "draft nerdy" than
>football, mostly because the latter is a bigger event with
>many more relevant players. even the top prospects in
>basketball are regulated to highlight reels. however, the good
>part with basketball is it's *way* easier to project players.
>there's what, 150 starters in the NBA? how many are good? how
>many are elite? I think you can watch a game or two of a
>player and determine where he fits in that group, just based
>of his size and skill level.

While really there's no need to watch more than, say, 25-30 players any given year, I do like being somewhat familiar with the 2nd rounders. It's a lot more fun to accurately predict which second rounder will stick than to be the guy boldly claiming the #1 pick will be an All-Star one day.

There's always a Paul George or Kenneth Faried or Damian Lillard who I get basically no exposure to unless they have a big tourney game (Faried). Hopefully living on the West Coast, where I find I get far more mid-major games on my TV, will help that.

The only problem with watching a game or two is that matchup and style of play can shift to some degree from game to game. I like to try to watch at least one "bad game" a player has to see how they still impact the game even when their shooting is off.

>>Which position would you say you miss the most on? I know in
>>the past you've said QBs tend to not be your strongest suit.
>
>
>quarterback is difficult because a lot of their
>success/failure rate doesn't show during games. also what
>teams they go to play more of a role than other positions.
>that said, even Youtube cut-ups are pretty good since they
>show every throw (you just miss out on the entire field, but
>that's true for TV as well). and every year I learn more about
>every position, so past opinions have been clouded with a
>less-informed mind.

I hear that (ghosts of Jonny Flynn call my name).

>I'm not great at running backs. I look for explosion first,
>and downplay other aspects. harder for me to see little
>differences between prospects as easily as other positions.

>center is impossible for me outside of judging their strength
>to anchor. a lot of that job is in the calls and protections,
>which again, you can't see too well on TV. I stopped even
>trying with them. and while safety and corner are the toughest
>to evaluate, those are my favorite positions and ones I feel
>best about.

Whenever Duke or the Jaguars get a center, I just look at their raw height and weight and pray, lol.

Did you make this same type of post for the 2012 draft? I know you did for 2011, but I can't seem to find one for 2012.

Anybody got a link to that one? I'm curious about what was said about some of last year's prospects.

Thanks.

lots of things were going on last fall and I didn't watch as much football as usual. having opinions on so many players can also be draining, but I think I'm already committed to 2014 -- it's a loaded class on paper, with a *high* number of potential superstars.

seriously, this is better than anything mcshay or kiper spout off regularly

well done.

but these are just hobbyist opinons. I don't know as much as I think I do.

- Lots of shrinking players, as usual. Sheldon Richardson and Star Lotulelei were considered two of the tallest tackles (6'4) before the draft, but are actually two of the shorter ones (6'2; a shade under Floyd, Hankins, Williams and Short, who were listed at 6’3 in college).

- Sam Montgomery's interviews dropped him a round, minimum. I don't think he misspoke; he's probably just a stupid human being. LSU coaches calling him selfish doesn't help, either. He's not worth a big risk as a one-dimensional run defender.

- Barkevious Mingo (6'4, 241) had the same 10-yard split (1.55), vertical (37") and broad jump (10'8) numbers as Cordarrelle Patterson.

- Tyrann Mathieu helped himself a lot. He weighed more than expected (186) and most importantly, ran well enough (4.5).

- Arian Foster (4.68), Doug Martin (4.55), Alfred Morris (4.67), Stevan Ridley (4.65), Jordy Nelson (4.51), Hakeem Nicks (4.63), Stevie Johnson (4.59), Brian Cushing (4.74), Sean Lee (4.72), Navorro Bowman (4.72), Joe Haden (4.57).

Well, the first is more of a "damn" than an "lol"

>- Barkevious Mingo (6'4, 241) had the same 10-yard split
>(1.55), vertical (37") and broad jump (10'8) numbers as
>Cordarrelle Patterson.

But this is a noble attempt to preempt some bound-to-happen-anyway board stupidity in the next couple months.

>- Arian Foster (4.68), Doug Martin (4.55), Alfred Morris
>(4.67), Stevan Ridley (4.65), Jordy Nelson (4.51), Hakeem
>Nicks (4.63), Stevie Johnson (4.59), Brian Cushing (4.74),
>Sean Lee (4.72), Navorro Bowman (4.72), Joe Haden (4.57).

He was a complete terror at times this past year.

Anyone in this post you expect to see shooting up the boards? Feel like every year the last moth pre-draft sees some new names raise up a couple rounds, seemingly out of nowhere.

Tank Carradine. a lot of his games are more impressive than Werner's, and he's bigger, longer, and probably faster. nobody seems to care about ACL injuries anymore.

EJ Manuel, as mentioned above. Barkley isn't proving he's the polished, DLTG quarterback he's supposed to be -- if you figure him and Manuel both have issues, you take the more talented one (Manuel). I also like Matt Scott at quarterback. He might pass over a few more recognizable faces at that position.

Christine Michael keeps being mentioned as a second rounder despite all his problems. that sucks, because I was hoping the Colts could steal him in the fourth.

Ace Sanders and Conner Vernon might be taken higher than assumed. Sanders does a lot of things that Tavon Austin is known for (I think Austin may be overvalued at this point), and Vernon is a slot receiver with great hands and very good height.

Reid Fragel I love; he could go in the second.

I think Sylvester Williams is better than Sheldon Richardson as a three-tech. I also see Jordan Hill as being next in line after those two (3T). everybody has been down on Johnathan Hankins, but he's still a massive NT with agility down the line -- those guys are rare, and 3-4 teams value them differently.

Arthur Brown was already a top 64 guy, but with all the other inside backers bombing their drills, I wouldn't be surprised if he's the top ILB for some teams. I think he's better on the weakside, but he'd be fine in the middle too. Kevin Reddick is also getting a boost at MLB.

my sleeper crush Shamarko Thomas might be in the top 100 now. Darius Slay can cover more positions than Johnthan Banks, and might go high second. I can see Desmond Trufant being graded higher than Xavier Rhodes. there's also going to be a run on corners: Jamar Taylor, Robert Alford and D.J. Hayden could all end up in the second.

(sorry, no completely out of the blue sleepers)

>Tank Carradine. a lot of his games are more impressive than
>Werner's, and he's bigger, longer, and probably faster. nobody
>seems to care about ACL injuries anymore.

This was the one name I DIDN'T want to see. I've been dreaming of a world where the Lions can get Fisher in the 1st and Tank in the 2nd, and let me tell you--that's a beautiful place to be. He's probably going in the first, though. Maybe Mayhew can pull one of his patented "trade back into the back of the 1st round" moves and get both.

>my sleeper crush Sharmako Thomas might be in the top 100 now.
>Darius Slay can cover more positions than Johnthan Banks, and
>might got high second. I can see Desmond Trufant being graded
>higher than Xavier Rhodes. there's also going to be a run on
>corners: Jamar Taylor, Robert Alford and D.J. Hayden could all
>end up in the second.

Definitely would love to see Shamarko in Honolulu Blue. Louis Delmas can not be a 16-game starter, and after him and Quinn our depth chart is a disaster.

>Reid Fragel could go in the second.

so glad he collected dust at the TE spot for 4 seasons

.

In parenthesis is my round grade (which is not a prediction where they'll be selected). The few guys ranked without write-ups, I simply couldn't muster enough interesting thoughts about. I've seen them play, have an opinion, but never got past the throwaway sentence stage.

1. Geno Smith, West Virginia (1)
2. Matt Barkley, USC (1)
3. E.J. Manuel, Florida State (2)
4. Ryan Nassib, Syracuse (2)
5. Mike Glennon, NC State (3)
6. Tyler Bray, Tennessee (3)
7. Matt Scott, Arizona (4)
8. Zac Dysert, Miami-OH (4)
9. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (5)
10. Landry Jones, Oklahoma (6)

Matt Barkley and Geno Smith are nearly interchangeable to me, with many overlapping flaws (pocket presence, locking onto targets, deep ball inconsistency). Smith has more potential with his arm strength, and Barkley has done himself no favors since his shoulder injury, but I don't see them as incredibly far apart.

Ryan Nassib is a better quarterback than E.J. Manuel today, and maybe the next two years as well, but his potential is closer to being maxed out. For quarterbacks, most like to take the long view. In that case, Tyler Bray has plenty of talent but is immature and makes some of the worst throws you'll ever see. Tyler Wilson and Landry Jones are clipboard holders.

1. Giovani Bernard, UNC (2)
2. Christine Michael, Texas A&M (2)
3. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina (3)
4. Eddie Lacy, Alabama (3)
5. Ray Graham, Pittsburgh (3)
6. Montee Ball, Wisconsin (3)
7. Johnathan Franklin, UCLA (3)
8. Andre Ellington, Clemson (4)
9. Le'Veon Bell, Michigan State (4)
10. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford (4)

Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State (4); Knile Davis, Arkansas (5); Kerwynn Williams, Utah State (5); Mike Gillislee, Florida (5); Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt (6); Kenjon Barner, Oregon (6); Theo Riddick, Notre Dame (7); Jawan Jamison, Rutgers (7); Chris Thompson, Florida State (7-UFA); D.J. Harper, Boise State (7-UFA); Rex Burkhead, Nebraska (7-UFA); Spencer Ware, LSU (UFA)

A lot of secondary backs in this muddled class; not many lead dogs. The top ten are a lot closer than apart, and teams' boards will probably be all over the place (depending on scheme).

1. Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee (1)
2. Stedman Bailey, West Virginia (2)
3. DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson (2)
4. Tavon Austin, West Virginia (2)
5. Markus Wheaton, Oregon State (2)
6. Justin Hunter, Tennessee (2)
7. Keenan Allen, Cal (3)
8. Robert Woods, USC (3)
9. Da'Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech (3)
10. Chris Harper, Kansas State (3)

Kenny Stills, Oklahoma (3); Terrance Williams, Baylor (3); Aaron Dobson, Marshall (3); Josh Boyce, TCU (4); Marquise Goodwin, Texas (4); Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech (4); Ryan Swope, Texas A&M (4); Ace Sanders, South Carolina (4); Marquess Wilson, Washington State (5); Denard Robinson, Michigan (5); Conner Vernon, Duke (5); Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas (6); Aaron Mellette, Elon (7-UFA)

Tavon Austin has become a troublesome player to me. I, like everyone else, is impressed by his acceleration and cuts. But he goes down on first contact *a lot*, can't beat press, and gets lost with his height. He'll be a good player, but is more situational than I prefer out of a projected mid-first rounder.

I'm also the only person who isn't in love with Quinton Patton. He's fluid and does some nice things, but I see his lack of burst and long speed as pretty limiting. If Justin Hunter decides to start practicing like a number one, he can become that. Right now he's maddening. Marcus Lattimore was ready for his pro day before Keenan Allen.

Stedman Bailey might be one of my top five favorites in this entire draft. His performances against *next* year's top draft-eligible corners are ridiculous. Also big on Chris Harper; his potential was capped by his college offense, but he can be Da'Rick Rogers with better hands (and without the pacifier) if he cleans up his routes.

1. Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (1)
2. Gavin Escobar, San Diego State (2)
3. Travis Kelce, Cincinnati (3)
4. Zach Ertz, Stanford (3)
5. Ryan Otten, San Jose State (4)
6. Vance McDonald, Rice (4)
7. Jordan Reed, Florida (4)
8. Joseph Fauria, UCLA (4)
9. Dion Sims, Michigan State (5)
10. Chris Gragg, Arkansas (5)

Nick Kasa, Colorado (5); Michael Williams, Alabama (6); Levine Toilolo, Stanford (6); Mychal Rivera, Tennessee (7-UFA)

I like Travis Kelce over Zach Ertz because the former can block, but depending on your offense you may not need that out of your tight end. Flexed out, Ertz is better. Vance McDonald and Joseph Fauria look like better prospects than how they play, with Jordan Reed and Ryan Otten being the opposite.

1. Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M (1)
2. Eric Fisher, Central Michigan (1)
3. Lane Johnson, Oklahoma (1)
4. Reid Fragel, Ohio State (2)
5. David Bakhtiari, Colorado (2)
6. Justin Pugh, Syracuse (3)
7. Xavier Nixon, Florida (3)
8. Terron Armstead, Arkansas Pine Bluff (3)
9. Menelik Watson, Florida State (3)
10. Oday Aboushi, Virginia (3)

Brennan Williams, UNC (4); Jordan Mills, Louisiana Tech (4); Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin (4); Chris Faulk, LSU (6)

Terron Armstead is the toughest projection of this group. He has special athleticism, and could be the value of the draft if you can polish him into a starting blindside tackle. That said, he's got some incredibly rough moments on the field. I do like him as a lottery ticket more than Menelik Watson, who's already old and limited to right tackle.

1. Jonathan Cooper, UNC (1)
2. Chance Warmack, Alabama (1)
3. D.J. Fluker, Alabama (2)
4. Kyle Long, Oregon (3)
5. Larry Warford, Kentucky (3)

Dallas Thomas, Tennessee (3); Brian Winters, Kent State (3)

D.J. Fluker can't play tackle to me, not even on the right. He doesn't have the feet. He'll make a good guard though.

1. Ezekiel Ansah, BYU (1)
2. Tank Carradine, Florida State (1)
3. Bjoern Werner, Florida State (1)
4. Datone Jones, UCLA (2)
5. Alex Okafor, Texas (2)
6. Damontre Moore, Texas A&M (2)
7. Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky (3)
8. Michael Buchanan, Illinois (3)
9. Joe Kruger, Utah (3)
10. Corey Lemonier, Auburn (3)

Margus Hunt, SMU (3); William Gholston, Michigan State (4); Sam Montgomery, LSU (4); Malliciah Goodman, Clemson (5); Devin Taylor, South Carolina (6)

Damontre Moore has come full circle, and is now intriguing as almost a value pick. He goes quiet for long stretches, isn't explosive off the snap and dice rolls as a run defender, but he's got experience in 4-3 and 3-4 fronts, with ample power and second effort.

I still have hope for Michael Buchanan, even if he's verging on the bad side of tweener-status. Corey Lemonier is a smart rusher but I don't see him standing up. He looks worse in space and can't drop. Quaterus Smith is a favorite.

1. Star Lotulelei, Utah (1)
2. Sharrif Floyd, Florida (1)
3. Sylvester Williams, UNC (1)
4. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State (1)
5. Sheldon Richardson, Missouri (1)
6. Kawann Short, Purdue (1)
7. Jesse Williams, Alabama (2)
8. Jordan Hill, Penn State (3)
9. Bennie Logan, LSU (3)
10. John Jenkins, Georgia (4)

Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern (4); Everett Dawkins, Florida State (5); Josh Boyd, Misssissippi State (6); Akeem Spence, Illinois (6)

Still on the Star Lotulelei bandwagon, heart scare and all. How teams value the rest of the tackles depends on their alignments.

1. Barkevious Mingo, LSU (1)
2. Jarvis Jones, Georgia (1)
3. Dion Jordan, Oregon (1)
4. Arthur Brown, Kansas State (1)
5. Jamie Collins, Southern Miss (2)
6. Khaseem Greene, Rutgers (3)
7. Sean Porter, Texas A&M (3)
8. DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina (4)
9. Sio Moore, Connecticut (4)
10. Brandon Jenkins, Florida State (4)

Chase Thomas, Stanford (5); Gerald Hodges, Penn State (5); Jelani Jenkins, Florida (6); Zaviar Gooden, Missouri (6); Stansly Maponga, TCU (6); John Simon, Ohio State (6); Keith Pough, Howard (7-UFA)

I think there's a good chance Barkevious Mingo becomes the best player in the draft. It's interesting how many people love Dion Jordan's potential (wow, he's covering tight ends), but deride Mingo for a lack of production (ugh, he's playing contain), when there's a half sack difference between their 2012 numbers.

Jamie Collins and Sean Porter I like a lot. Both could be monsters if used in the right schemes.

1. Alec Ogletree, Georgia (1)
2. Kiko Alonso, Oregon (2)
3. Manti Te'o, Notre Dame (2)
4. Kevin Minter, LSU (3)
5. Kevin Reddick, UNC (3)
6. Vince Williams, Florida State (4)
7. Jon Bostic, Florida (4)
8. Nico Johnson, Alabama (6)
9. A.J. Klein, Iowa State (6)
10. Michael Mauti, Penn State (7-UFA)

I succumbed to ranking Alec Ogletree based on his talent, which is clearly superior to every other inside prospect (and most outside ones, as well). That said, getting a DUI during the draft process, then sucking at the Combine, raises so many questions it's frightening. Washout-type questions. And you still might have to kick him to the weak-side anyway (which may be his best position; he could be a middle-class Derrick Brooks if his head is on straight).

1. Dee Milliner, Alabama (1)
2. Xavier Rhodes, Florida State (1)
3. Desmond Trufant, Washington (1)
4. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Connecticut (2)
5. Jamar Taylor, Boise State (2)
6. Darius Slay, Mississippi State (2)
7. Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State (2)
8. D.J. Hayden, Houston (3)
9. Robert Alford, Southeastern Louisiana (3)
10. Logan Ryan, Rutgers (4)

B.W. Webb, William & Mary (4); Josh Johnson, Purdue (4); Jordan Poyer, Oregon State (4); Will Davis, Utah State (4); Tyrann Mathieu, LSU (5); Tharold Simon, LSU (5); David Amerson, NC State (5); Johnny Adams, Michigan State (5); Leon McFadden, San Diego State (5); Nickell Robey, USC (6); Terry Hawthorne, Illinois (6); Greg Reid, Florida State (7-UFA)

This is probably the deepest position in the draft. Defensive tackle has more top level prospects, but falls off harder after that. Here, even the later round guys have some kind of size-speed-playmaking ability to trumpet; the optimist sees them as projects with upside.

1. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas (1)
2. Eric Reid, LSU (2)
3. Johnathan Cyprien, Florida International (2)
4. D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina (2)
5. Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse (3)
6. Phillip Thomas, Fresno State (3)
7. Matt Elam, Florida (3)
8. T.J. McDonald, USC (4)
9. Baccari Rambo, Georgia (5)
10. Duke Williams, Nevada (5)

Josh Evans, Florida (6); J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern (6); Shawn Williams, Georgia (6); Robert Lester, Alabama (6); Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma (6); Zeke Motta, Notre Dame (UFA)

Kenny Vaccaro is a top 10 overall player to me; you don't see safeties with his kind of ability in slot coverage very often. It's a huge counterstrike for defenses. Eric Reid is polarizing, but he can stop anybody in the open field if his mind is right. I think his read-and-react coverage style will improve, or be hidden enough at the next level.

I've also seen Tony Jefferson as a top 50 pick, and couldn't disagree more.

he might fuck around and get picked up in the 6th or 7th... I wonder if Chip is considering it