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 20-11.
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20: Marqise Lee* – WR – USC
Lee’s statistics have been freakish throughout his collegiate career, aided by his speed, quickness, and the play of those around him. Lee is a dedicated, hardworking player, something which doesn’t always get attributed to the wideout position, and certainly has the talent to develop into a player along the lines of Torrey Smith. He will need to prove he could up physically in the NFL, however.
19: Calvin Pryor* – SS – Louisville
Pryor threw his hat into the draft ring following his junior season and is already in close competition with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix as the top safety. Both bring very similar skill-sets, as Pryor is excellent in coverage and versus the run. Pryor is strong and instinctive, having jumped right into the starting lineup for the Cardinals following his redshirt season.
18: Cyrus Kouandjio* – OT – Alabama
Kouandjio is an interesting prospect, as he was heralded as the next best thing last season, but does not appear to be more than a mid-lottery pick. Kouandjio has at least requisite length to play left tackle, but he is not the elite athlete that you would expect to make up for his size deficiencies. He has very good strength, but lacks great technique work, surprising considering the lineage of highly polished O-linemen coming from the Crimson Tide pipeline.
17: Kelvin Benjamin** – WR – Florida State
Benjamin was kept under wraps by the Auburn Tigers in the National Title game, until he broke through on the final drive for the Seminoles, catching the winning TD. On that play Benjamin demonstrated why he is a first round pick: Elite size and leaping ability, along with a pair of strong hands. Benjamin is far from polished and consistent, however, and the amount of concentration drops are very concerning.
16: Antonio Richardson* – OT – Tennessee
With a nickname like “Tiny,” he has to be huge. Richardson has amazing girth and power, especially for an offensive tackle, along with good movement ability. His size belies his athletic ability, and he could very well play on the blindside for a team like the Steelers that like overpowering linemen at every position. While he only has two years of starting experience at the major college level, Richardson has gone up against some of the best pass rushers in the SEC and is well versed in keeping them away from his QB.
15: Austin Seferian-Jenkins* – TE – Washington
Seferian-Jenkins is one of the most freakishly athletic players eligible for this year’s draft. He has great speed for the position, has the hands of a wide receiver, and has the frame to develop into an offensive lineman, were he not so gifted in the receiving game. Were it not for a few off the field issues, ASJ could challenge Vernon Davis’ draft position in 2006.
14: Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
Jackson is the best guard prospect in this year’s draft, and honestly I don’t see him far behind Jonathan Cooper or Chance Warmack. If Jackson can improve his stamina and give more effort on the field, along with cleaning up his technique, he can easily become one of the best interior linemen in the league. Jackson combines dominating power with more than adequate athleticism to be an elite run blocker and a very good pass blocker at the next level.
13: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix* – FS – Alabama
Clinton-Dix has the versatile skill set that will allow him to play either strong or free safety at the next level and be just a notch below former Tide safety Mark Barron. His instincts and athletic prowess allows him to both defend the run and drop back into deep coverage. Clinton-Dix is also a very good tackler and has very good ball skills along with the ability to make an impact with the ball in his hands.
12: Derek Carr – QB – Fresno State
A player who has impressed more and more as the season has progressed, Carr has made himself into a legitimate franchise QB prospect. Carr has not played against top-tier competition on a game-in-game-out basis, and is not at the cerebral level of Andrew Luck, or the accuracy level of fellow prospect Teddy Bridgewater, but he has demonstrated elite tools from the QB position. Carr is a very similar prospect to Matthew Stafford and could likely have similar successes and failures in the NFL as the former number one pick.
11: Taylor Lewan – OT – Michigan
A four year starter and 2012 All-American and 2013 preseason All-American, Lewan is one of the most decorated offensive lineman in the country. A good, not great athlete, Lewan is a dominating run blocker and is very good in pass pro. Lewan has a nasty demeanor on the field, which can work both to his advantage and disadvantage as it can lead him to costly penalties. All things considered, Lewan should be a top 10 pick in the upcoming draft.
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