- Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
An excellent natural athlete that moves around the field with ease. Smith also has a very good arm, and can sling the ball all over the field. Playing in a spread system use to be a huge negative in terms of a players pro prospects, but not anymore. The success of Cam Newton and Robert Griffin III in the last two years has eased concerns about the transition to the pro game, though Smith will undoubtedly have to adapt his game at the next level. He will have to learn to take snaps under center, and how to survey the field while dropping back instead of receiving the ball in shot gun. Many people expect Smith to be a running threat, especially after clocking a 4.59 40 at the combine. Reality is, he has only rushed for 342 total yards in four seasons. The ability and potential to be a running threat is there though, because his natural athleticism and speed are apparent on the field. With his work ethic and dedication to the game, there are no questions that he will put in the work to give himself the best chance to succeed. Smith isn't the franchise, can't miss type of signal caller but could be a very good NFL QB.
- Damontre Moore, DE, Texas AM
At one point, Texas AM's Demontre Moore was considered a top five pick, perhaps even in the discussion for the top overall pick. How quickly things can change. On the field during the season, Moore was one of the more explosive athletes, using his quickness and athleticism to make big plays. He has extensive experience standing up in a 3-4 alignment but blew up this season playing with his hand down. That experience should help with the adjustment to the NFL and should allow him to play in any defensive scheme. Then came the combine. Moore was underwhelming to say the least, clocking a 4.96 40 at 6'5 250lbs, while only knocking out 12 reps on the bench. That has brought about some questions about his true ability level. With so many other defensive ends having tremendous physical attributes, it is causing Moore to slide down draft boards. While there is some legitimacy to the concerns, Moore was too good on the field to write off. He does need to bulk up and get stronger if he wants to play in a 4-3, but the film doesn't lie. The kid can play. If he slides out of the first round, he could be one bigger steals in the draft.
- Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Matt Barkley had a disaster of a senior season, based on expectations entering the year. He received the hype of Andrew Luck, but really should never have received that type of hype. When you eliminate the hype around him, you do have a very solid QB prospect. Barkley isn't going to impress anyone at first look or by watching him throw a couple passes. He has average size at best for a pure pocket passer, is not a very good athlete, and does not have a cannon for an arm. He does have a solid arm though, and it is not something to be concerned about in the NFL. What sets Barkley apart from most other quarterbacks are his development and intangibles. He is a polished passer from a pro style offense, and has been viewed as a team leader since his freshmen season. Barkley is very accurate on short and intermediate passes, and has the toughness to sit in the pocket and take a hit. There may be some durability questions, as he has been banged up a bit at times during his career. His college career was cut short by two games because of a shoulder injury, and the injury kept him from participating in throwing drills at the combine. Barkley did have a down season which magnified his shortcomings, but he shouldn't be held completely accountable for USC's troubles this year. He is a tough, intelligent passer with tremendous leadership qualities. He isn't a franchise savior and may fit certain offenses better than others, but Barkley is still a top notch prospect.
- Robert Woods, WR, USC
Robert Woods of USC has been Matt Barkley's top receiver the past two seasons, but super soph Marqise Lee has taken that honor this year. That is no slight on Woods; Lee is the best WR that doesn't play on Sundays. While his numbers have taken a hit, the ability has not. He is a tremendous natural athlete that is great in the open field. He is quick, can start and stop with anyone, and has the acceleration and long range speed to take it the distance. While a bit thin, he is a bit over 6' tall, and plays much bigger than his weight suggests. Woods will work the middle of the field and can take a hit. Woods is a polished route runner, with great hands, and is viewed as a team leader. The natural tools and polished skills give him a very low floor but still very good upside. The only potential issue with Woods may be minor durability concerns. There is the thin build and how that may carry over to the NFL, but he has also had a nagging ankle injury at USC, which he had surgery on after the 2011 season. Woods' combine performance didn't blow anyone away, but he did well to solidify his stock in the second round. He ran a 4.51 40 at 6' 201lbs, displaying excellent quickness and hands in drills as well.
- Keenan Allen, WR, California
Keenan Allen of Cal may not be the most explosive wide receiver, but he is one of the most consistent and dependable. He has good size, a sturdy frame, and excellent hands. Those traits will make him a great target over the middle, and the type of receiver QB's look to for first downs on key possessions. He is also a great natural athlete with great ball skills. He can go up and outjump and outmuscle defenders for the football in the red zone. Allen shouldn't be miscast as solely a possession receiver though, because he is a good athlete with the speed to get down the field and make some plays. He just does not have blazing speed and won't run by defenders consistently, but he can make some plays. Allen's size, athleticism, and hands give him a floor of solid possession receiver. If his speed can translate over well, it will give him more ability to stretch the field and make big plays, increasing his value. He looks like a solid back end of the first round selection, who can make an immediate impact in the NFL. There are some lingering questions about a knee injury that could throw a wrench into his draft stock. Although not classified as a serious injury, it is taking longer to heal, and Allen has not been able to work out at the combine or Cal's pro day.
- Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee
He has the long, lean frame that teams are looking for these days. He stands a legit 6'4, which combined with his standout athleticism and leaping ability, make him a difficult matchup for most corners he lines up against. Hunter also has excellent vertical speed, and could be very dangerous as a vertical threat in the NFL. Another trait that stands out for Hunter is his quickness and agility. There aren't many 6'4 receivers that can change direction as well as Hunter can, making him a threat after the catch. He suffered a knee injury in 2011, so he had a little rust to shake off this year. He appeared to be healthy, but wasn't as aggressive as he was prior to the injury and had a tendency to drop passes this year. If he can regain the confidence in his ability and focus a bit more, Hunter also has the tools to develop into a #1 caliber receiver at the NFL level.
- Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama
Alabama's Eddie Lacy brings an impressive blend of skills to the field. Lacy is built very well, with a compact 231lb frame that makes him difficult to bring down. Lacy is an aggressive runner between the tackles. The first defender rarely brings Lacy down, as he has quick feet, and will make decisive cuts getting up the field. He shows the speed and acceleration to see the hole and get through it, and will break off big runs once in space. Lacy has also shown to be a capable receiver when called upon. Despite his power and toughness, Lacy has never been a workhorse back, but has still suffered his share of bumps and bruises. An injured hamstring kept him from working out at the combine as well. It raises legitimate questions about how big of a load he can carry in the NFL, but the tools are there to make an impact in the NFL.
- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Stanford's Zach Ertz is pretty similar to Eiffert. He's also a receiving threat first, utilizing his great size and athleticism to cause match up problems in the passing game. He has the speed to get open and make some plays in the open field. Ertz will also have to bulk up and get stronger to aid in upgrading his blocking game.
- Sam Montgomery, DE, LSU
Sam Montgomery doesn't get as much hype as his teammate, Mingo, but is a fine prospect in his own right. In fact, Montgomery is a better football player at the moment. He isn't quite the physical specimen Mingo is, but he is a much more polished and well rounded player. Montgomery is a legitimate 4-3 end, with a solid frame and the strength to hold his ground at the point of attack. He takes on blocks well, disengages, and is very active in run support. He is also a good athlete, with the quickness and closing speed to make plays in the backfield. Montgomery isn't as explosive as some other guys, which may push him to the second day, but he would provide excellent value in that position.
- Menelik Watson, OT, Florida St.
Had Florida State's Menelik Watson played football all his life, he might have been a top five pick already. He is a physical marvel from Great Britain that actually began his collegiate athletic career at Marist College as a basketball player. He eventually landed at Florida St by way of Saddleback College in California. Watson is a phenomenal athlete, with tremendous feet and agility. He also is extremely strong and powerful at the point of attack. His physical tools would rate up there with the best of the tackles in the league the last decade. However, for all that athletic skill, his lack of experience on the gridiron have made him extremely raw. He's going to need some time to refine his skill. He is also a bit older than the average prospect, as he will be 25 this year. The talent is there to develop quickly and become a great player, but there is obvious risk as well. It wouldn't be a shock to see someone take him at the tail end of the first round, but the reward outweighs the risk much better outside the first round.
- Jonathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.
- Johnthan Banks, CB, Mississippi St.
- Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame
- Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
- Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn
- Quinton Patton, WR, Louisiana Tech
- Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
- Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas
- Ryan Nassib, QB, Syracuse
- Kevin Minter, LB, LSU
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