Perhaps the most important week in this series, we finally turn our attention to the NFL Jr. As to be expected, there are several early-round caliber prospects in the SEC who did not even make the first team, including Tennessee’s Antonio Richardson, a likely first-round pick. For this reason an entire B-Team is provided for the offense and defense. Today’s focus is on offense.
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QB: A.J. McCarron, Alabama
McCarron might not jump off the board when being evaluated like his other SEC counterparts might, but he possesses more traits in common with quality starting QBs in the NFL. McCarron does not have a particularly strong arm, but he does have excellent leadership, intelligence, and work ethic that can enable to outplay his physical abilities. He is also highly experienced on the big stage and in the most competitive conference week-in-week-out, making his learning curve more gradual.
RB: Tre Mason,* Auburn
In the past few weeks, Mason has vastly increased his visibility as an NFL prospect and could very well parlay a strong stretch drive to a National Championship into a first round selection in this year’s draft. While not possessing an ideal frame, Mason combines elite speed and movement skills, with the leverage to power through arm tackles. Mason also brings an extra dimension as a returner.
WR: Mike Evans,** Texas A&M
Evans is one of the most impressive receiver prospects to watch, in that he is so big and powerful that he is difficult to corral, even when covered. While he does not possess the speed or separation skills of Larry Fitzgerald or Calvin Johnson, Evans compares favorably to Vincent Jackson as he can power off the line and be a threat downfield, despite a possession receiver skill-set.
WR: Donte Moncrief,* Mississippi
Another big receiver, Moncrief does not have the power and upside of Evans, but he does exhibit more burst and brings more savvy and experience right away. Moncrief’s ability to separate despie his large frame and lack of elite speed sets him apart from the big plodders who normally possess his kind of frame. Moncrief plays like a power RB after the catch, showing the ability to plow through would be tacklers in the secondary.
WR: Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
Less athletically gifted than the two aforementioned wideouts, Matthews is an NFL ready player, who has great route running ability and attention to detail, along with the tenacity to maximize his ability. Matthews can work the outside or the inside, showing off valuable versatility, though he could improve catching the football more consistently, as he is not a burner who can get away with dropping passes.
TE: Arthur Lynch, Georgia
Lynch is a marginal prospect, who does not contribute much to passing game, but is a good blocker for a tight end. Lynch’s best chance to survive in the NFL would be as an H-Back who can move block, as opposed to lining up on the line where he could be more easily dominated by professional talent.
OT: Jake Matthews, Texas A&M
As a prospect, Matthew warrants a very similar grade to former teammate and number two overall pick Luke Joeckel, though they are very different prospects. Matthews is not as athletic as Joeckel but he is stronger and brings the footwork and technique to start at tackle immediately and play at a high level. However, Matthews does not have elite upside and may not be a true left tackle, though he could very be a solid starter there in the NFL.
OT: Cyrus Kouandjio,* 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.
OG: Gabe Jackson, 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.
OG: Anthony Steen, Alabama
Steen is undersized for anything but the center position, and would be a prime candidate to move inside at the next level, as many college guards do. Steen is your prototypically polished Alabama lineman, but he lacks good athleticism and is not particularly strong enough to make up for his deficiency in this area.
OC: Travis Swanson, Arkansas
Perhaps the best C prospect in this year’s class, Swanson is highly experienced and brings good tenacity to the position. His NFL fit would be in a primarily man-blocking, power scheme, where he can take advantage of his strength, without exposing his limited lateral movement skills.
The B-Team:
QB: Johnny Manziel,** Texas A&M; Zach Mettenberger, LSU; Aaron Murray, Georgia
RB: Jeremy Hill,** LSU; Raijion Neal, Tennessee
FB: J.C. Copeland, LSU; Jay Prosch, Auburn
WR: Jarvis Landry,* LSU; Odell Beckham Jr,* LSU
OT: Antonio Richardson,* Tennessee; Ju’Wuan James, Tennessee
OG: Zach Fulton, Tennessee; Jon Halapio, Florida
C: James Stone, Tennessee; Jonotthan Harrison, Florida
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