By Michael Schneid
The NFL Draft is now just two weeks away. Our Mock Draft 2.0 edition will be posted this week. In the meantime, we have our top three at each position, plus our overall quarterback rankings.
QB Rankings
- Matt Barkley, USC
- Tyler Wilson, Arkansas
- Geno Smith, West Virginia
- Zac Dysert, Miami (OH)
- Mike Glennon, North Carolina St
-
Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
- EJ Manuel, Florida St
- Tyler Bray, Tennessee
- Landry Jones, Oklahoma
- Matt Scott, Arizona
Thoughts: This class is incredibly weak. Especially compared to the last few years. I can see up to three first round QBs - Barkley, Smith, Wilson. I think
Tyler Wilson is the sleeper of this class. He had a very good career but finished poorly last year, a year of turmoil and confusion at Arkansas.
Geno Smith may have an average career in the NFL but I wouldn't look for him to become anything special.
Matt Barkley has a chance to be good after some impressive workouts. He needs the perfect system and weapons around him to be successful.
Zac Dysert is another sleeper.
Mike Glennon and
Ryan Nassib are both overrated in this class. Both were mediocre, maybe slightly above average QBs in college and I am not sure their games will translate too strongly.
EJ Manuel and
Matt Scott are going to be draft higher than they should be because of their familiarity with the spread.
Tyler Bray and
Landry Jones will land somewhere in the middle of the draft and could be solid NFL backups.
Running Backs
- Eddie Lacy, Alabama
- Giovani Bernard, UNC
- Jonathan Franklin, UCLA
Thoughts: Everyone loves Lacy but I would consider any of these three in the first round. I am particularly high on Jonathan Franklin. I love the way he runs and he was a huge part of UCLA's offense last year, a pro style offense with former NFL coach Jim Mora, so Franklin might be ready for the pros. Eddie Lacy is a big bruising back but durability and injuries may be a question mark, is he able to stay healthy in the NFL? Giovani Bernard is a guy not many people know but I can see him slipping into the end of the first round.
Wide Receiver
- Tavon Austin, West Virginia
- Corderelle Patterson, Tennessee
- Keenan Allen, California
Thoughts: Tavon Austin has a chance to be Percy Harvin 2.0. Small, fast WR who can play in the slot and stay short and run, or can be a deep threat. Austin can also return kicks and punts if needed. He is one of the most overall talented players in the draft.
Corderelle Patterson has a chance to be special. He had over 1800 total yards last year at Tennessee and NFL.com compared him to Donald Driver. Patterson's size, 6'3, will also be an advantage.
Keenan Allen might be the best possession receiver in the draft, he has been hurt by weak offenses and QB in his time at Cal. Injuries have also slowed him during workouts.
Tight End
- Travis Kelce, Cincinnati,
- Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame
- Zach Ertz, Stanford
Offensive Tackle
- Luke Joeckell, Texas A&M
- Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
- Lane Johnson, Oklahoma
Thoughts: Joeckell and Fisher have both been rumored as options as #1 overall pick. Lane Johnson had strong workouts and is now considered as top 10-15 pick. Joeckell shouldn't get past the top 2-3. Fisher won't get past the Lions at 5.
Offensive Guard
- Chance Warmack, Alabama
- Jonathan Cooper, North Carolina
- Justin Pugh, Syracuse
Thoughts: Warmack and Cooper are both first round picks and Pugh could wind up being a second rounder and starter for a team,
Defensive End
- Bjourn Werner, Florida State
- Domantre Moore, Texas A&M
- Ezekial Ansah, BYU
Thoughts: Ezekial Ansah has come on strong recently but I am not sold on him.
Bjourn Werner is a guy people are down on now but I see him as a top 10 talent in this draft. Motivation is a factor for him, if he tries on every play, but he was dominant at times at FSU and can have a major impact in the NFL.
3-4 OLB
- Dion Jordan, Oregon
- Jarvis Jones, Georgia
- Barkevious Mingo, LSU
Thoughts: Dion Jordan might be the most talented defensive player in the draft. We list these guys as LBs because they were pass rushing DEs in college who will translate well into the pass rushing linebacker position in the NFL. Jordan would fit perfectly with former Seattle Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley in Jacksonville.
4-3 OLB
- Alec Ogletree, Georgia
- Sio Moore, Connecticut
- Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
Thoughts: Khaseem Greene has been under the radar and could end up being a steal for someone on day 2 of the draft. Greene may not be receiving the hype as
Alec Ogletree but he has the talent to be very successful
Defensive Tackle
- Star Lotuleli, Utah
- Shariff Floyd, Florida
- Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
Thoughts: Entering his senior season at Utah,
Star Lotuleli was considered a possible #1 overall pick. While his stock is not that high, he should still be a top 10 pick, despite some people having
Shariff Floyd listed ahead of him now. Lotuleli did not have a dominant senior season as many hoped and also had medical issues during the combine.
Middle Linebacker
- Arthur Brown, Kansas State
- Kevin Minter, LSU
- Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
Thoughts: No need to make any jokes about
Manti Te'o. He is very talented and intelligent linebacker whose stock dropped due to a poor 40 time at the combine and his pro day. His highlight reel in the National Championship against Alabama is also very underwhelming.
Cornerbacks
- Dee Milliner, Alabama
- Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
- Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State
Thoughts: Dee Milliner has the most potential of this group and should be a top 10 pick.
Xavier Rhodes should also go in the top 15-20
. Johnthan Banks struggled in coverage in his senior season and will drop because of that. But he is still thought highly of around the league.
Safety
- Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
- Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
- DJ Swearinger, South Carolina
Thoughts: Kenny Vaccaro is projected to be the only first round pick at safety and should be an immediate starter for someone (Rams?, Cowboys?)
What are your thoughts on the upcoming draft? Which players do you see having an immediate impact and what rankings do you agree or disagree with?
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