As the college football season nears kickoff, we bring you the top 32 prospects that are eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft, and have a realistic possibility of declaring for the draft. Since most of these prospects have already been covered in the conference preview series, each prospect will be broken down by their top strengths and weaknesses as a prospect. All rankings are fluid and relative, and serve as a watch list of players as the season develops.
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2015 NFL Draft Fall Rankings
8: Sammie Coates,* Auburn
Strengths: Elite run-after-the-catch ability, excellent athleticism and vertical separation, great run blocker.
Weaknesses: Lacks big time experience and production, played in a wide open spread offense and will need to prove he can run pro routes.
7: Landon Collins,* Alabama
Strengths: Extremely aggressive run defender, excellent tackler and hitter, is an all-around safety who is both tough and athletic.
Weaknesses: Instincts need polish and can be too aggressive in pursuit, has limited starting experience, ball skills are underwhelming.
6: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Strengths: Great fluidity and athleticism, specializes in man coverage but is also a solid zone corner, extremely willing in run support.
Weaknesses: Is vastly undersized to be a primary boundary corner, is not adepot at jamming receivers at the line, size-speed ratio is not elite, but good.
5: Shilique Calhoun,* Michigan State
Strengths: Motor runs hot and is great in pursuit, has the tools to be a double-digit sack artist, is a very fluid athlete with scheme versatility.
Weaknesses: Anchor strength is average and can have trouble holding the edge in run support, needs to develop a pass rush arsenal.
4: Randy Gregory,* Nebraska
Strengths: Elite athlete who still plays with strength to get off blocks, capable both as a pass rusher and run defender, high motor player.
Weaknesses: Needs to play with better leverage, and has not seen a lot of time at the FBS level.
3: Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Strengths: Easily the most athletic offensive lineman in this year’s class, is an adept pass protector and zone run blocker, plays with excellent bend, leverage, and sustain.
Weaknesses: Needs to add more base strength, will only have one year of experience protecting the blind side despite good versatility along the line.
2: Andrus Peat,* Stanford
Strengths: Has a rare blend of athleticism and anchor strength, very strong hands that he can lock out with, prototypical size for an NFL offensive tackle.
Weaknesses: Has not had much starting experience, has a lot of bad habits in his technique that needs polishing.
1: Marcus Mariota,* Oregon
Strengths: Possesses elite athleticism in and out of the pocket, very good arm talent and accuracy, is an intelligent, high character player who has the makeup to succeed.
Weaknesses: Has played in a college spread and will need to adapt to a pro-style offense, will need to learn to go through a full set of progressions, needs to prove he can throw receivers open.
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