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 10-1.
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10: Mike Evans** – WR – 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.
9: Greg Robinson** – OT – Auburn
Sophomore offensive linemen who declare for the draft are about as common as junior kicking specialists declaring. With that said, Robinson is by far the most athletically gifted OT this year. Robinson is powerful and nasty, capable of being a dominant run blocker and can hold his own in pass protection. The latter aspect is the biggest concern for Robinson’s jump to the NFL, but he has tools to mold into an All-Pro left tackle.
8: Sammy Watkins* – WR – Clemson
Having been on NFL radars since his freshman campaign, Watkins has the speed and outstanding acceleration to separate downfield, and the size and strength to get off the line and power through tight coverage. He has excellent hands and ball-skills, and is dangerous after the catch. However, he needs to refine his routes and attention to detail, as well as keep his nose clean off the field.
7: Louis Nix III* – DT – Notre Dame
A colossus up the middle, Nix has the size and strength required to play the nose on an NFL D-Line. For a man who weighs in excess of 320 pounds, Nix is a good athlete who can do more than just occupy blockers, but can collapse the pocket and range to edge when fresh. His weight will naturally need to be monitored, but he compares very favorably to Packers NT B.J. Raji.
6: Khalil Mack – LB – Buffalo
Mack is a big-time player at a small-time school, and could very well surpass Dontari Poe as most highly drafted player from a small school in the past few years. What makes Mack such a special prospect is that he can contribute in every aspect of the position: rushing the passer, playing the run, and dropping into coverage. While he may not be better than Anthony Barr, Mack certainly can make an impact quicker, being the more well-rounded player. One concern for Mack is whether or not he can play at full effort for a full 16 game schedule, as he has been able to get away with playing down to inferior competition in the MAC, while getting up for big games Ohio State in 2013.
5: C.J. Mosley – LB – Alabama
Rarely do I give such a high grade to linebackers who aren’t edge rushers in a 34 scheme, but Mosely breaks that mold. He has outstanding instincts and movement skills to range across the entire field and get to the ball carrier. Mosley doesn’t have great take-on skills but is still very effective against the run and is as sure thing as a tackler as you could ask for. Mosley can play on third down from day one, showing great coverage skills, as well as great ability to blitz from the inside or outside in either front. Versatility could be Mosley’s ticket to a top 15 pick the draft process goes according to plan.
4: Jake Matthews – OT – 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.
3: Anthony Barr – LB – UCLA
A guy who took a while for me to warm up to as an elite prospect, Barr is the best standup pass rusher since Von Miller. Barr has outstanding burst, strength, and size despite the fact that he was converted from the offensive side of the ball just last season. He is still exceptionally raw, but has the ability to eventually become one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
2: Teddy Bridgewater* – QB – Louisville
Despite lacking the upper-echelon arm strength of other quarterback prospects in this year’s class, though no noodle-armed passer himself, Bridgewater brings an excellent skill-set as a pro-style QB. Bridgewater has a franchise-caliber approach to the game and better athleticism than most QBs in the NFL. Outside of Andrew Luck, he is the best QB prospect in the past five years that I have evaluated. And yes, that includes RG3.
1: Jadeveon Clowney* – DE – South Carolina
One of the rare defensive talents that only comes along once in a decade, Clowney has an elite combination of size, speed, and strength, which makes him an impactful pass rusher, as well as a very good run defender. Clowney has the athleticism to play at either DE spot in either front, with the ability to drop back as a rush linebacker in a 34 scheme. For all of his talent, however, Clowney has had a rocky junior season, due largely to the combination of intense media and game-planning scrutiny, as well as a recurring foot injury that has hampered his ability. Clowney’s talent is undeniable but the risk is there that he may not live up to his billing as a top prospect.
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