2015 NFL Draft

Paully D

Dates: Either April 22nd-April 25th, or April 29th-May 2nd
Location: Chicago or Los Angeles
TV: ESPN and NFL Network (with Mayock spoiling every pick)

Yep, it's way too early, but over the last few years I've created the draft thread in July or August and it has gotten some decent discussion. It's also something else to talk about during the ridiculously boring offseason. In addition, it's fun to follow the thread throughout the year as things happen on and off the field to affect draft stock of various player and also to look back and have a laugh at some of our terrible predictions and praise our good ones.

The league is considering making this years draft a four day event to maximise TV and will announce whether it will be held in LA or Chicago towards the end of the summer.

Here's a few resources to kick us off, some are better than others but hey, the more draft reading the better!

Sports Illustrated 2015 Mock Draft

Walter Football 2015 Mock Draft

The Big Lead 2015 Mock Draft

Matt Miller's Early 2015 Draft Big Board

Mel Kiper's Top Prospects By Position (ESPN Insider)

Yahoo's Top 25 Offensive and Defensive Prospects

Away we go!

Paully D

Something very interesting to monitor this season will be the running back situation.

2013 was the first time a RB didn't go in the 1st round and with it taking up until the 54th pick before the Titans took Sankey, the first RB off the board in 2014, that was the latest a RB had ever gone in the draft. Proof that the position has become very devalued due to the shift in the game towards passing, the fact that they have a limited shelf-life and the impact lower round RB's have had.

It is extremely early so lots could and will change as we all know, however, this year looks like being different. There's a lot of good RB's available and many mocks and/or discussion from analysts that I have seen/read have anywhere between 1-3 (!) RB's going in the 1st round. Walter Football said the below in his mock:

For those who don't believe three or four running backs will be chosen in the first round next spring, this class has stud players at the position, so it's going to happen.

I personally think 3-4 is completely unrealistic and reckon 2 would even be pushing it a lot, but who knows at this stage?! The likes of Gurley, Yeldon, Gordon, Davis, Williams, Johnson and Abudallah up for selection may lead to us seeing a RB going in the 1st round for the first time in a couple of years.

helimachoptor

Titans linked with 3 QBs, no surprises there

HigginsJ

I will eat my sons shoes if 3 or 4 RB's go in the 1st. Think Gurley's injury history will keep him out of the 1st and unless Gordon can show he can catch out of the backfield he is out too. Yeldon has the potential but there is a fairly crowded backfield in Bama so he will need to be top of his game.

For me Abdullah might be the only one to go in the 1st.

Not sure there are too many stand outs at this stage.

Brett Hundley would be my favourite to go No.1 overall at the moment.

Amari Cooper, Randy Gregory, Ifo Expre-Olomu, Vic Beasley should all go in the top 10 as well.

Famous Jameis will have a poor year & will probably have to go back to school.

Masked Man

Looks like it's going to be in Chicago. I have absolutely no reason to feel this way, but I'm happy it's there and not in Chicago.

Realt Dearg Sec

Masked Man wrote: »

Looks like it's going to be in Chicago. I have absolutely no reason to feel this way, but I'm happy it's there and not in Chicago.

That post makes no sense.

UnitedIrishman

Masked Man wrote: »

Looks like it's going to be in Chicago. I have absolutely no reason to feel this way, but I'm happy it's there and not in Chicago.

Guessing you meant New York at some point in that sentence!

eagle eye

I was about to say that I find it mental to see this thread so early and then I notice it was started in July!:pac:

Masked Man

UnitedIrishman wrote: »

Guessing you meant New York at some point in that sentence!

Meant Los Angeles!

Hazys

Masked Man wrote: »

Looks like it's going to be in Chicago. I have absolutely no reason to feel this way, but I'm happy it's there and not in Chicago.

Reminds me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G5d8i74Wfk

Paully D

What are your opinions on Jameis Winston lads? I saw that Bo Jackson made an attempt to mentor him, but Winston didn't want to know:

During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, Jackson said that he tried to speak with Winston and the encounter didn't go well:

I really don't know who is giving this young man guidance. I have communicated with him and I just talked to him like I was his dad. The things that you need to do. And this was before the incident where he was (suspended) from the baseball team (for stealing crab legs). I'm the type of person, I will go out of my way to help anybody. Normally, I don't like giving people advice if I haven't been down that road myself. But if I give you advice on something that I know more about than you by just falling out of bed in the morning, if you can't take that advice and learn from it, then I've got nothing else to do with the situation. You're on your own.

Rome tried to get clarification about what Jackson said to Winston, but the former running back would only say, "If I told you what I told him, it'll probably singe the hairs in your ears."

HigginsJ

Paully D wrote: »

What are your opinions on Jameis Winston lads? I saw that Bo Jackson made an attempt to mentor him, but Winston didn't want to know:

There are a lot of red flags with him, some obviously a lot more serious than others, but they just keep adding up which is worrying.

He obviously has all the tangible assests you would want from a QB & seems to have good pocket presence (although wait for the VY super-cam comparisons come draft time)

Recent 1st round QB's from FSU have hardly been roaring successes & if I was Winston I would return to school next year but if they win the National Title again I would assume that he will go pro.

Brett Hundley would be my QB of choice from the upcoming draft.

Hazys

Can we just change his name from Jameis to Jamarcus already and get it over with?

Bust.

Chucky the tree

Hazys wrote: »

Can we just change his name from Jameis to Jamarcus already and get it over with?

Bust.

He's at least got talent though so he has a chance.

Hazys

Chucky the tree wrote: »

He's at least got talent though so he has a chance.

If he played any position other than QB I'd agree with you but I think playing QB in the NFL is 20% skill/talent and 80% hard work/mental.

eagle eye

I like Hundley and Conor Cook. I'm not sold on Mariota or Winston for different reasons. Mariota plays in a very different offense and I just don't know how good he will be at the next level with faster players coming at you. Winston just because of his IQ is hard to imagine being elite in the NFL.

Another guy I like a lot who is not even being mentioned is Conor Halliday form Washington State. This guy has improved each season and is playing under a coach(Mike Leach) who doesn't particularly like the style of QB that Halliday is. I certainly think this guy is worth taking in the draft to sit behind an experienced QB for a year or two. I think the Cardinals would be a good home for him.

D3PO

yeah i like the look of Halliday too that said I think it will be a QB weak draft.

I agree with others Winston is a bust in the making. The guys attitude will make sure of that, you need more than talent to make in in the NFL. Winston wont declare this year anyway, hes stated he wants to get this degree first, he needs at least another year to try and repair some of his reputational damage anyway.

Paully D

Plenty of people are putting together their initial mocks and developing their big boards now with the season ticking on. Some light reading below for any draft nerds like me who feel it's never too early

CBS Mock Draft (Rob Rang and Dane Brugler)
Sports Illustrated Mock Draft (Chris Burke)
Walter Football Mock Draft (Charlie Campbell)
Draft Tek Mock Draft

The MMQB Big Board
Matt Miller's Big Board

So, who are your favourite draft shouts so far lads? Is there anyone you think will fly up the boards by draft day or someone highly ranked now that you think will have the opposite happen to them?

On a side note, Draft Tek's take on the Bears' secondary below is fantastic :pac:

What started out as a very promising season has turned into a nightmare. The main culprit is a secondary that couldn't hold Stephen Hawking under 100 yards.

Knex*

Only really looked out for Giants picks in each of those, but SI have Big Blue taking OT Ogbuehi in the first round. I'll eat my hat if we do that, tbh.

Linebacker, safety, DT, and RB all take precedence for me. That's presuming the likes of JPP, Ayers, and the secondary talent of Thurmond, Prince, McBride etc are still around as well. Otherwise CB and DE will be put up ahead of OT as well, for me.

3rd round, perhaps, but I don't see us doing it higher. FA is probably where we'll add some depth there again, IMO. Beatty and Pugh are safe another year.

HigginsJ

Knex. wrote: »

Only really looked out for Giants picks in each of those, but SI have Big Blue taking OT Ogbuehi in the first round. I'll eat my hat if we do that, tbh.

Linebacker, safety, DT, and RB all take precedence for me. That's presuming the likes of JPP, Ayers, and the secondary talent of Thurmond, Prince, McBride etc are still around as well. Otherwise CB and DE will be put up ahead of OT as well, for me.

3rd round, perhaps, but I don't see us doing it higher. FA is probably where we'll add some depth there again, IMO. Beatty and Pugh are safe another year.

Shaq Thomson from Washington would be a smashing pick up. He is that hybrid LB/S type of player. Cody Prewitt from Ole Miss would be a good addition in the 2nd round.

Totally agree that OL would be crazy in the 1st considering we have Beatty, Pugh, Schwartz & Richburg already in place to make a solid looking line.

RB is a huge need but I would be loathe to commit a high pick to the position again. A complimentary speed player to go with Jennings would be a good place to start.

JaMarcusHustle

My favourite guys this year are all defensive. Shawn Oakman, Shaq Thompson and Shane Ray as my first round guys. Oakman in particular should soar to the top of the draft after the combine.

On offense, I'm all about Jameis and Duke.

HigginsJ

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

My favourite guys this year are all defensive. Shawn Oakman, Shaq Thompson and Shane Ray as my first round guys. Oakman in particular should soar to the top of the draft after the combine.

On offense, I'm all about Jameis and Duke.

Oakman is listed at 6ft 9 and a sub 4.7 40. That is ridiculous if true, Al Davis would have loved him!!

Chucky the tree

WR class is again looking very good this year.

helimachoptor

HigginsJ wrote: »

Oakman is listed at 6ft 9 and a sub 4.7 40. That is ridiculous if true, Al Davis would have loved him!!

Seems to be linked with the Titans, so far anyway its looking like Mettenberger is the man next year, if thats the case titans will go DE.

We'd have 2 monster DEs presuming we keep Pitoitua

kennyb3

Will be watching perryman and McKinney close, we (bears) need a mlb'er badly.

Bateman

I wonder have things changed slightly after the Rice & Peterson situations, and would organisations just think to themselves that Winston just fails too many red lights and filters, that he's not worth it. I wouldn't be surprised if he never plays in the NFL but in saying that I am likely underestimating the collective intelligence of the 32 teams, as it obviously only takes one.

nerd69

Bateman wrote: »

I wonder have things changed slightly after the Rice & Peterson situations, and would organisations just think to themselves that Winston just fails too many red lights and filters, that he's not worth it. I wouldn't be surprised if he never plays in the NFL but in saying that I am likely underestimating the collective intelligence of the 32 teams, as it obviously only takes one.

he will play in the nfl he's to talented and to be honest id be shocked if he ddidnt go in the top half of the first round. He's arguably the best pb project in the last 5-10 years outside of andrew luck off field issues may stop him going no.1 but not a hope he never plays in the nfl

Paully D

Excellent read from Bob McGinn here who details the thoughts of 6 executives on draft prospects at numerous positions:

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/an-early-look-at-the-nfl-draft-b99403379z1-284999721.html

RECEIVERS

Mix five juniors with half a dozen solid seniors and it looks to be another stellar year for wide receivers.

One scout said wide receiver and tackle were the two best positions. "There are four juniors that kind of make this class," another scout said. "History says that four or five will be in the first round."

Alabama junior Amari Cooper (6-1, 210) was a unanimous choice as the top wideout. "He's a top-10 player," said one scout. "Excellent hands. Very explosive and fast. One of the better route runners to come out in a long, long time. Very skilled. Had big-time production. Only thing that's starting to creep up on him is a few injuries."

Two big seniors, West Virginia's Kevin White (6-3, 211) and Louisville's DeVante Parker (6-2½, 207), figure to be drafted next.

Of White, one scout said: "He's more of a (Larry) Fitzgerald type receiver in that he doesn't have great speed. I never see him beat people deep. But (if) he is even with them he's going to get the ball. Very good player."

Of Parker, the same scout said: "He's got size, speed and was dominating at the end of the season. He looks a little faster than White."

The other leading juniors with chances to be taken in the first round are two Auburn players, D'haquille Williams (6-2, 216) and Sammie Coates (6-2, 200), and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong (6-3, 215).

"Coates can go vertical," one scout said. "He's definitely going to (run) 4.3. The key will be, does he have consistently strong hands?

"Strong plays big."

Williams was compared by scouts to Chicago's Alshon Jeffery and Tampa Bay's Mike Evans. "Big, long, physical," said one scout. "He can run a little bit. JUCO kid. Just been a one-year deal there."

Junior Dorial Green-Beckham (6-5, 222) was thrown out of Missouri and transferred to Oklahoma.

"He's the wild card of all of them," said one scout. "He's a first-round talent, no question. Is there a team that will take a chance on him there?"

It's a weak year at tight end. Michigan's Devin Funchess (6-4½, 235), a junior, played wide receiver this season but spent much of 2013 at tight end.

"He's not unlike Jared Cook, who's with the Rams," one scout said. "Pretty talented kid. Will he be your split-out tight end-H-back or a bigger wideout? I lean more toward the mismatch at tight end. He's going to be kind of a hybrid player."

Jordan Aikens (6-3, 240), a junior from Central Florida who played 3½ years of minor-league baseball before joining UCF this fall, has excellent speed. Senior Nick O'Leary (6-3, 235) of Florida State is Jack Nicklaus' grandson.

According to one scout, Ohio State's Jeff Heuerman (6-5, 250) might be the most complete tight end.

OFFENSIVE LINE

"It is a very deep draft for tackles if all the juniors come out," one scout said. "It's not a great group inside but a lot of these tackles can be guards as well. Depends where you play guys."

Most often mentioned as the No. 1 tackle was Cedric Ogbuehi (6-5, 304) of Texas A&M. He played right tackle last year when Falcons rookie Jake Matthews was at left tackle before moving to the left side this year. One scout said Ogbuehi was playing as well as former linemates Matthews (No. 6 pick, 2014) and Luke Joeckel (No. 2 pick, '13).

"But he's soft," said one scout. "Never practices."

The next senior is Iowa's Brandon Scherff (6-4½, 320).

"Not unlike (Bryan) Bulaga," one scout said. "Little short-armed. Kind of like a Sam Baker kind of tackle with the Falcons but he could be a really good guard."

Louisiana State's La'el Collins (6-4½, 324), Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings (6-4½, 313) and Florida State's Cameron Erving (6-5, 305) are the next seniors.

"Collins is a lot like Scherff," said one scout. "He was a guard early in his career. Right now Erving is playing center but he's been a left tackle his whole career. Very versatile."

Based on recent draft history, the majority of juniors with a legitimate chance for the first round declare. Stanford's Andrus Peat (6-6½, 310) might be the exception even though four scouts said he'd be the first tackle taken.

Peat's father, Todd, played six NFL seasons as a squatty guard for the Cardinals and Raiders.

"He's got everything," one scout said. "Size, the bend, the feet, the tenacity."

Besides Peat, the other top juniors being looked at by teams are Miami's Ereck Flowers (6-5, 324), Florida's J.J. Humphries (6-5, 295), Baylor's Spencer Drango (6-5, 315), Texas A&M's Germain Ifedi (6-5, 320), Ohio State's Taylor Decker (6-6½, 315) and Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley (6-6, 318).

"Humphries is more of a second-rounder," one scout said. "Talented kid. He's like most 20-, 21-years-olds. He needs to get a little bit stronger but he has the athleticism.

"Ifedi is playing left tackle now but he's more of a guard. He and Flowers are more second-rounders. Decker and Stanley are more mid-rounders."

South Carolina's Brandon Shell (6-6, 334), Art Shell's nephew, didn't have a good junior season and might last until the fourth round if he declares.

Possibly the best guards are South Carolina's A.J. Cann (6-4, 315) and Alabama's Arie Kouandjio (6-5, 326), but there is mixed opinion on Kouandjio. The top centers looks like Auburn's Reese Dismukes (6-3, 299) and Oregon's Hroniss Grasu (6-3, 295).

"Cann is square, big, gets movement at the point," one scout said. "He'll need a little bit of work in pass pro.

"Dismukes has quickness, good angles and position. I'd like to see him work to finish better, run his feet better."

QUARTERBACKS

With no senior expected in the first two and possibly three rounds, the four leading underclassmen all are expected to declare.

"This will not be one of your top quarterbacks drafts," said one scout. "It may be a busted quarterback draft."

Oregon's Marcus Mariota (6-4, 215) stands as good a chance as any player to be selected with the first pick even if the team with the choice ends up trading it.

"He's clearly the best," said one scout. "He's perfect for the new breed of football. He knows how to play the spread-option stuff pretty good and he can throw."

Several scouts compared Mariota to Colin Kaepernick.

"I don't think of (Andrew) Luck at all," another scout said. "Luck was born to be an NFL quarterback. Mariota's probably a more complete player than Colin Kaepernick but more of the athlete type."

Next is Jameis Winston (6-4, 230), the redshirt sophomore from Florida State who has had all kinds of problems off the field.

"He has an uncanny ability to know what's around him and get himself out of trouble," one scout said. "He's not that impressive on some throws but he's the reason they're undefeated."

Said another scout: "I would be deathly scared to have him. He's so freaking inaccurate to start games. He's off the mark more than he's on. He has arm strength and a good delivery. He's a nightmare."

Michigan State's Connor Cook (6-4, 219) says he plans to return.

"But somebody will get to him and tell him that Jameis Winston will fall in the draft once people continue to do background work on him," said one scout. "I'd feel much more comfortable taking (Cook) in the second round but the (NFL) coaches are going to love him.

"He's big and has a strong arm and a quick release and he's very smart. Just not a very accurate quarterback."

UCLA's Brett Hundley (6-3, 225), much like Blake Bortles, needs development. He does have size, arm strength and talent.

"He's going to be a bust," one scout said. "He's one of those guys who seems to lock in right away. His shortcoming is accuracy."

Oregon State's Sean Mannion (6-5½, 220) drew the most praise among the seniors. He scored 36 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.

"More of a third-rounder," one scout said. "Just lacks arm strength. Good size, good production."

RUNNING BACKS

Juniors Melvin Gordon (6-1, 215) of Wisconsin and Todd Gurley of Georgia (6-1, 226) were set to compete for top back in the draft honors when Gurley blew out his ACL.

Gordon was called a top-10 pick by one scout, a top 10 to 15 pick by another, a top-15 pick by a third and a second-round selection by a fourth.

"He's a bigger version of Jamaal Charles," one scout said. "He'll run 4.42. He's really good."

As for Gordon's record-setting production, another scout said, "He's good against those slow-(expletive) Big Ten guys. It (the Big Ten) is terrible. That's what bothers me a little bit."

A third scout said the comparison to the Chiefs' Charles was skewed because Gordon hasn't proven himself anywhere near as accomplished catching the ball and sorting out the blitz.

"I know he makes a lot of yards but I don't think he's special," the scout said. "I don't think he runs with good pad level or contact balance. He's got good straight-line speed. I don't think his vision is outstanding. He'll try to be a slasher at times but he goes down pretty easily."

Gurley wasn't featured until this season but made a lasting impression before the knee injury.

"He was a top-five talent before the injury," said one scout. "He's special. I don't think he'll ever run before (the draft) but you don't need him to because he's so fast on film. Not a lot of wear and tear on him because they rotate so many backs."

Alabama junior T.J. Yeldon (6-2, 220) is regarded as another definite first-round choice.

"Different type than (Eddie) Lacy but he could be (better)," one scout said. "He runs hard like Eddie. He has more speed than Eddie."

Indiana's Tevin Coleman (6-0, 210), Miami's Duke Johnson (5-9, 208), Boise State's Jay Ajayi (6-0, 215) and Florida's Matt Jones (6-2, 226) are juniors expected to go between the 25th and 60th picks.

Of Johnson, one scout said: "He's short but productive as hell. He's explosive, stumpy. He's a block."

Of Jones, another scout said: "Second round. Physical runner with enough speed. His best football is ahead of him."

Perhaps the leading senior is Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah (5-8½, 199). "He's kind of similar to Giovani Bernard," said one scout. Another said Abdullah reminded him of LeSean McCoy.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The best defensive tackle is junior Leonard Williams (6-4½, 300) of Southern California.

"Top-five pick," said one scout. "He was 312 during two-a-days, 300 now. He'll run in the 4.7s. And he's a great kid."

Behind Williams, and with a solid shot at the first round, are defensive tackles Eddie Goldman (6-3, 320) of Florida State, a junior, and Danny Shelton (6-0½, 324) of Washington, a senior.

"Goldman didn't play much the year before," said one scout. "Really getting better as the season goes along. Big body."

Shelton moves as well as B.J. Raji, according to one scout. "True nose tackle," said another. "When there's a rare nose tackle like that, they go (high)."

Two Big Ten seniors, Michael Bennett (6-2, 286) of Ohio State and Carl Davis (6-4½, 318) of Iowa, should be gone by the second round.

"I see Bennett being explosive initially," said one scout. "Strong. Sheds. Three-technique, not a nose....Davis is not just a plugger. Strong."

Alabama junior Jarran Reed (6-4, 315), a junior-college transfer, is expected to declare and be at least a second-round pick. Oklahoma junior Jordan Phillips (6-5, 305) could be an early second-rounder as well.

Nebraska junior Randy Gregory (6-6, 248) is projected as a top-15 pick by some teams. He might be the first taken from among a cluster of players that could be 4-3 defensive ends or 3-4 outside linebackers.

"Gregory's the pass rusher," said one scout. "He's taller than DeMarcus (Ware) but he's got some of that sneaky stuff in him."

One scout said junior Dante Fowler (6-2, 261) of Florida is "quick, athletic, physical. A stud. He's first round."

Juniors Shane Ray (6-3, 245) of Missouri and Danielle Hunter (6-6, 240) of LSU won't be available after the second round. The same might be said for seniors Nate Orchard (6-4, 255) of Utah and Lorenzo Mauldin (6-3½, 241) of Louisville.

"Ray gets off the ball as good as Gregory," said one scout. "Plays with a lot of effort. I keep hearing Gregory is the best one in this draft but I think he looks lean, thin. I don't see him holding the edge a lot."

Junior Mario Edwards (6-3, 294) of Florida State has enough size to play anywhere in any defense.

"Very, very strong upper body," one scout said. "Plays the run extremely well but also can rush the passer. He goes back end of the first."

Kentucky senior Alvin Dupree (6-3½, 268) also has a chance for the first round.

"He can be a physical player but he also can be an athlete," said one scout. "Has played both up and down. As he's gotten better the defense has gotten better. Great kid. All the intangible stuff."

Junior Shawn Oakman (6-7½, 275) of Baylor drew mixed reviews. He looks great but doesn't produce.

"Looks like he's going to be whoop (expletive) and he just isn't," said one scout. "Looks like a pro but he's got a lot of rawness to his game."

Junior Shilique Calhoun (6-4, 260) of Michigan State and senior Trey Flowers (6-3½, 269) of Arkansas are 4-3 base ends with pass-rush potential.

"Calhoun should be a guy that plays the run and plays the pass, which is kind of a rarity," said one scout. "He's got size, strength, production. He's got a game that will just continue to get better."

LINEBACKERS

Mississippi State Benardrick McKinney (6-4, 255), a junior, looks like the top inside prospect if he declares.

"He makes plays," one scout said. "He's big. We don't know if he can run yet. I don't know if he's a dinosaur or he's a new-breed 'backer."

Whereas McKinney is regarded as a possible first-round choice, senior Denzel Perryman (5-11, 248) of Miami seems to be a second-round player. One scout said Perryman has gotten too heavy.

"He's short," said another. "But he's got a really good nose for the football."

UCLA senior Eric Kendricks (5-11½, 229) and Clemson's Stephone Anthony (6-2½, 238) are in the third-round category. Trey DePriest (6-0½, 258) runs the defense at Alabama.

"The only quality DePriest has is he's smart and they (Crimson Tide coaches) really like him," one scout said. "I think he's slow, short, lacks length."

Washington junior Shaq Thompson (6-2, 231) leads the group of conventional outside linebackers.

"Really good athlete," one scout said. "Not great instincts but he's got a chance. He's the best athlete on that team. He could be the best running back. He's just running around being an athlete. First round."

Clemson's Vic Beasley (6-3, 227) is a completely different player from Thompson but has a shot for the first round, too.

"He'll be a rusher," said one scout. "Beasley is a better football player. He can really run. He understands leverage. They don't crush him."

Oklahoma junior Eric Striker (6-0, 218) is a difficult player to evaluate.

"He makes plays but he's so small," said one scout. "He's an outside rusher. I'm just trying to figure out what you do with him. He's not going to get any bigger but he ends up with a bunch of sacks."

SECONDARY

"Corner is not a great group overall unless somebody really comes on," one scout said. "It's a suspect group. I don't see one in the first (round) but I'm sure somebody will run well and sneak up there.

"There's a little bit of depth at safety but there's nobody right off the top that you just love."

Michigan State junior Trae Waynes (6-1, 183) was a high school teammate of Melvin Gordon's at Kenosha Bradford. Assuming Waynes declares, he might join Gordon to give the Red Devils the first player drafted at two positions.

"He's pretty good," one scout said. "He's probably the best one of the bunch. He can press, he can play off, he can go vertical and he's got length."

Said another scout: "Really been well-coached. He's good at press. Kind of a weird built kid. He's long but he's kind of thin. At the right place he'll have a chance to be a player as a press guy. Second round."

If Mississippi State junior Will Redmond (6-0, 182) declares, he could be next. But there are no indications he will.

"I'd say late first or second round," said one scout. "He will be more of an off corner. I think he will run in the 4.3s."

A pair of juniors from Florida State, P.J. Williams (6-0, 195) and Ronald Darby (5-11, 195), figure to go in the second round. Notre Dame senior Cody Riggs (5-9, 190) might as well.

"Williams can't run but he's got length," one scout said. "Darby can run but I don't like him. I think he plays soft."

Senior Kevin Johnson (6-0½, 178) is in that second-round territory. "Long, tall, very thin," said one scout. "Runs OK. Very good technique, awareness, instinct, ball skills. All that good stuff. He's just lean."

Senior Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (5-9, 186) of Oregon has made a lot of plays but probably projects as a nickel back.

"He'd be much better playing him in the slot," said one scout. "Good tackler, good blitzer, around the football. Little stiff. Probably not great top-end speed."

Senior Marcus Peters (6-0, 198) of Washington is regarded as one of the most talented cornerbacks but also an enormous character risk. He has had several physical altercations with assistant coaches and was kicked off the team Nov. 5.

"He tried to strangle a coach on the sidelines," one scout said. "Then they let him back on the team and he did it all over again. Try selling that to your head coach."

Two seniors, Steven Nelson (5-10½, 199) of Oregon State and Senquez Golson (5-9, 185) of Mississippi, figure in the first three rounds. LSU junior Jalen Collins (6-2, 195) has size but might lack speed.

"Collins is very much like P.J. Williams," one scout said. "Good size but isn't going to blow your socks off with his speed. Second round."

If Alabama junior Landon Collins (6-0, 222) declares he probably will be the first safety selected.

"I thought he was better than Green Bay's guy (Ha Ha Clinton-Dix)," said one scout. "Little better movement. Coming out of there he probably will be (a first-round pick)."

Junior Gerod Holliman (6-0, 201) of Louisville has an incredible total of 14 interceptions.

"He needs to go back to school," said one scout. "He's horrible. He can't make a tackle to save his life. He's got pretty good instincts but he's not that athletic."

Michigan State senior Kurtis Drummond (6-0½, 205) and Samford senior Jaquiski Tartt (6-1½, 223) might be next.

"Drummond is more of an athletic space player than a box safety," one scout said. "Tartt's physical and he can run."

Stanford senior Jordan Richards (5-10½, 209) might fall in the third round. "Tough, try-hard, smart," said one scout.

West Virginia junior Carl Joseph (5-10, 196) also has redeeming qualities. "Short, but a very good hitter," said one scout. "He can cover. He'll make it on special teams right away."

JaMarcusHustle

I never believe these articles that references X number of NFL executives said this, or Y number of scouts said that. Mainly because there's hundreds of them and too many of them are just made up, no different to your "Sources close to Manchester United have revealed...." you get in the rags this side of the Atlantic.

That, and the fact that all the scouts that guy mentions above all happen to sound the exact same - listing off traits without pronouns, short burst sentences.... it's as if they were all "spoken" (see: written) by the same person.

In the unlikely scenario that they are legitimately sourced, why oh why would an executive let it be known which guy he likes? It's would be smoke and mirrors, say you like the guys you have no interest in and that you don't like the guys you want.

robluvshandegg

Team|W|L|T|G15|G16|G17|W|L|T
Buccaneers|2|11|0|@Panthers|Packers|Saints|3|13|0
Titans|2 |11 |0 |Jets |@Jaguars |Colts |3 |13 |0
Jaguars|2 |11 |0 |@Ravens |Titans |@ Texans |3 |13 |0
Jets |2 |11 |0 |@Titans |Patriots |@ Dolphins |2 |14 |0
Raiders |2 |11 |0 |@Chiefs |Bills |@Broncos |2 |14 |0
Redskins |3 |10 |0 |@Giants |Eagles |Cowboys |3 |13 |0


Big big last three weeks for the bottom feeders!

The Bucs could easily lose all three games, but I also think they could win against the Panthers (No Newton), and the Saints in the god awful NFC South.

Jets vs Titans should be fun. A win here could kill one teams hopes for the No.1 pick.

Jags could make a late play for the top spot if they beat my prediction and lose out.

Raiders are pretty much guaranteed to not get No.1, SOS is way to good, (AFC West + NFC West on your schedule will do that)

Be really really interesting if Washington somehow ends up at the top. Go QB or trade out?

My guess above says J-E-T-S No.1.

nerd69

ifo ekpre-olomu (one of the better cbs in the draft) suffered an acl and he's gone for the season he's gone from a definite first round pick to probably 3rd rounder would be well worth a bash at that stage