With the conclusion of the 2013 NCAA football season and the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2014 NFL Draft fast approaching, it is time to take a look at the best of the best heading into the draft process. We will be bringing you the top 50 draft prospects in installments of ten throughout the week. Today we look players 40-31.
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40: Aaron Donald – DT – Pittsburgh
A player I initially wrote off based upon his size, Donald has caught the eye of many evaluators this season. A highly decorated collegian, Donald has great athleticism for a D-tackle but also plays with impressive technique and leverage. In short (no pun intended), Donald has enough talent to earn his way into an NFL starting lineup.
39: Xavier Su’a-Filo* – OG – UCLA
A rarely athletic guard prospect, Su’a-Filo has the athleticism that you would look for in a tackle prospect, along with the physicality of an interior lineman. However, he has a rather shorter, stocky build and does not have the kind of length that is required of NFL tackles.
38: Morgan Moses – OT – Virginia
An experienced four-year starter for the Cavaliers, Moses is a big, strong man, with surprising athleticism for someone of his stature. An accomplished blocker in both pass pro and moving the run game, Moses has some concerns about his weight, but is a good enough prospect to garner some first round consideration.
37: Stephon Tuitt* – DE – Notre Dame
While early indications were that he would be returning for his senior season with the Irish, Tuitt has declared for the draft, a questionable decision, considering his preseason injury which clearly affected his conditioning and performance throughout the season. A prototypical frame for a base end in a 34 scheme, Tuitt may warrant a grade for some teams similar to J.J. Watt coming out of Wisconsin, though he is not nearly as athletic as the All-Pro.
36: Bradley Roby* – CB – Ohio State
An incredibly frustrating player, Roby oozes physical talent but is still far too raw for the NFL and would be eaten alive by veteran QBs if he plays at the level he has this college season. Roby has the most potential as a press zone corner, but will need to harness his raw speed, burst, and strength in order to be even a decent pro. He has appeared disinterested for much of his junior season, which will negatively affect his stock, but could be a high reward guy for a team that decides to invest in his talent.
35: Jarvis Landry* – WR – LSU
More polished than Tigers teammate and counterpart Odell Beckham Jr., Landry has good size and strength for a wideout, and runs very good routes, showing the ability to get off the line of scrimmage and get separation. Landry also displays very strong hands to go up and come down with the ball.
34: Jason Verrett – CB – TCU
Verrett is a highly polished, instinctive player for having only three years at the FBS level, not surprising for a Gary Patterson coached player. Not an elite athlete, Verrett is very good in coverage, particularly zone, and is physical enough to hold his own against larger receivers. Verrett has perhaps the best feet and fluidity in this class’s secondary, and is not afraid to do the dirty work in the run game.
33: Justin Gilbert – CB – Oklahoma State
Gilbert is an excellent size-speed prospect who is a very good man cover corner and an even better ballhawk. However, Gilbert’s most impressive asset is his ability to return kicks as he has 6 career return touchdowns, making him the all-time leader in the Big XII. Gilbert really needs to polish his game and get stronger against the run in order to maximize his talent at the next level.
32: Vic Beasley* – LB – Clemson
An NFL linebacker, playing on the line in college, Beasley brings a skillset similar to that of former West Virginia star and Seattle Seahawk Bruce Irvin. While somewhat undersized even for a linebacker prospect, Beasley has the explosive talent to pressure the QB and can even play the run at an adequate level.
31: David Yankey – OG – Stanford
A bit of a guard-tackle tweener, Yankey is a strong tenacious player who has excellent technique. However, he doesn’t have the foot speed or the athleticism to hold up well on the outside at the next level, and he’s not the type of pass blocker coaches would feel comfortable with protecting the edge.
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