2. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

3. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Claiborne is the best pure cover corner in the draft, and reminds me some of a young Champ Bailey.  His ability in run support is a work in progress, but in terms of pure coverage ability he stands alone.  Leslie Frazier is a former defensive backs coach, and drafts as potential shutdown corner that he hopes can cover the likes of Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, and Brandon Marshall, each of whom the Vikings face twice a year.

4. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is a special talent and the best running back prospect the league has seen since Adrian Peterson.  He’s a complete back and a workhorse that personifies the blue collar mentality of a city like Cleveland. This draft’s deepest position is wide receiver, and Mike Holmgren knows he can get a quality receiver to pair with Greg Little later in the draft.   The Browns believe in a balanced offense, and a running back like Trent Richardson will hopefully take some of the pressure off of who ever the quarterback is in Cleveland next year.

5.Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

The Bucs would have loved to get Trent Richardson, but he’s off the board.  They’ll look to add a running back later, and instead spend this pick on the best player available in my opinion- Luke Kuechly.  Kuechly is a blue-chip linebacker prospect with all the tools to be be the next Brian Urlacher.  Head coach Greg Schaino is old school. His top priorities are running the ball on offense and stopping the run on defense.  Paired with another insanely productive linebacker in college (Mason Foster), and the talent they already have on the defensive line, the Bucs would have one of the best front sevens in football.

6. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox is the type of defensive tackle that head coach Jeff Fisher could fall in love with.  He fits the Rams scheme perfectly as a penetrating 3-technique defensive tackle. He has the versatility to be able to play both defensive tackle and defensive end similar to Jason Jones who Fisher drafted in Tennessee and tried to sign this offseason. This draft is rich at the receiver position. I suspect the Rams will go with the best defensive tackle prospect, over the top receiver in the class Justin Blackmon.

7.Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

If the Jaguars want Blaine Gabbert to succeed they desperately need to get him some help.  Laurent Robinson and Mike Thomas aren’t going to cut it.  Blackmon is the top wide receiver in the draft and would give a young quarterback like Gabbert a fighting chance.

8.Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

As we all know, quarterback is the single most important position in sports. The impact of having a franchise quarterback in the NFL is unmatched by any other position in any sport. A franchise quarterback can single-handedly take a team from being a cellar-dweller to a division champion and beyond.  Franchise quarterbacks are rare, and any time you have the chance to get a player with franchise quarterback potential, you’d be foolish not to consider it.  Tannehill may not be ready to play right away, but he does have all the tools of a future franchise quarterback.  You’re not going to find players with a franchise quarterback caliber skill set like Tannehill’s floating around in the middle rounds. If you want a chance at franchise quarterback you’re going to have to pay the price.  The position is a premium today.  Look at what the Redskins gave up to get RG III. If he turns out to be what I think he is capable of, they could’ve given up ten first round picks and it would still be worth it.  That’s how valuable a franchise quarterback is. Tannehill is a superior prospect to Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder, who went in this range last year.  He may not be the eight best football player in the draft at this point in time, but the Dolphins can’t pass up this shot at their first franchise quarterback since Marino. The Dolphins finally get a quarterback of the future they can sell to their fans with Ryan Tannehill. If their wise, they’ll let their investment develop for a year behind a quality starter in Matt Moore, and turn the reigns over to Tannehill in 2013.

9. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

The Panthers are in desperate need of a corner.  Vincent Jackson is now a member of the Panthers’ division which also includes the likes of Roddy White, Julio Jones, Marques Colston, and Jimmy Graham.  Ron Rivera comes from a defensive background, and as enticing as drafting someone like Michael Floyd might be, the Panthers turn their attention to defense here. The two top corners available are Stephon Gilmore and Dre Kirkpatrick.  Gilmore and Kirkpatrick are similar players.  Both prospects boast above average size, strength, and arm length, as well as the physicality and tenacity of a safety.  The Panthers opt for Gilmore, who is the more polished of the two prospects. Although Kirkpatrick has more upside, his character issues may give the slight edge to Gilmore in the eyes of Carolina’s brass.

10. Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The Bills are clearly interested in upgrading at corner, but they can’t pass up a shot at a premier left tackle like Matt Kalil. Kalil is already a tremendous pass protector and has the potential to become an elite left tackle in the NFL. His addition would potentially give Buffalo one of the best offensive lines in the league.  Eric Wood and Andy Levitre are already two of the best interior offensive linemen in the game, and Erik Pears played well at right tackle last year.  Chris Hairston is still developing and would provide quality depth at both tackle spots. On paper they may already have the best defensive line in the league. Throw in Matt Kalil on the offensive line, and Buffalo would personify winning games in the trenches. The Bills do not seem interested in spending their first round pick on Michael Floyd, and apparently feel they can find a good receiver later in the draft. Rueben Randle, Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery, A.J. Jenkins, Juron Criner, and Greg Childs are all possibilities for Buffalo in the second and third round.  Jenkins is a personal favorite of mine, and I think he’d be a great fit for the Bills offense.

11.David DeCastro, G, Stanford

This will be a tough decision for the Chiefs.  They’re biggest need is on the defensive line and two perfect candidates to play the nose for them are available with this pick- Michael Brockers and Dontari Poe.  I’m not very high on either of these players. While they both have prototypical size and outstanding athleticism for their size, they don’t play like first round prospects on tape.  I just don’t see either of them getting off blocks consistently enough. Both prospects are raw and will have a learning curve to overcome before they can make an impact in the NFL. In the 3-4 defense, all that is really asked out of the nose tackle is to be a plug and occupy two blockers in the interior.  The Cheifs can find quality candidates do this later in the draft. Josh Chapman, Alameda Ta’amu, and Brandon Thompson all would make sense in rounds two and three.  They pass on Brockers and Poe, and elect to go with arguably the best player available, David DeCastro, who many feel is the best pure offensive lineman in the draft.  DeCastro will improve the interior of the Chiefs’ offensive line, and with a healthy combination of Jammal Charles and Peyton Hillis, this team could be a powerhouse on the ground.

12.Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina

Chris Clemons was the only Seahawk to record more than four sacks last year.  Brandon Mebane and Red Bryant are dominant run stuffers in the interior, but Seattle needs someone that can get after the quarterback.  Melvin Ingram is the best pass rusher on the board, and possesses the athleticism and versatility that Pete Caroll loves in his defensive linemen.

13.(from Arizona) Mark Barron, S, Alabama

San Diego moves up ahead of the Cowboys to take Mark Barron who they are reportedly enamored with.  No one on the board here is a great fit for the Cardinals, and their lack of a second round pick makes them a strong candidate to trade down. Barron is far and away the best safety in the draft, and the best defensive back available at this point in the draft. He’s got size, speed, athleticism and a high football IQ.  Barron is a ball hawk capable of reading throws, jumping routes, and running back pick sixes. He’s very good in 1-on-1 coverage, and his potential ability to cover move tight ends like Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Jimmy Graham make him especially in valuable in today’s NFL.  Barron has some Brain Dawkins in him, and he’ll bring leadership, physicality, and passion to the Chargers defense.

14.Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama

The Cowboys have needs all over their defense.  Courtney Upshaw would be a perfect book end complement to DeMarcus Ware, and would immediately make the Cowboys a better team.  Upshaw is well-versed in 3-4 schemes and complex defensive concepts after playing for Nick Saban. Because of this, he is someone Rob Ryan could trust to make an impact right away. His versatility is amazing.  He played snaps at inside linebacker, outside linebacker, defensive end, and defensive tackle at Alabama.  He can get to the quarterback, stop the run, and drop in coverage. An innovative defensive coordinator like Rob Ryan’s could capitalize on Upshaw’s versatility and maximize his value.

15. Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama

The Eagles are in desperate need of a middle linebacker.  With the wide-9 front they play, they are very vulnerable against the run and need a presence in the middle of the field like Hightower to prevent runs from getting to the second level.  The Eagles have been lacking leadership on defense since they cut Brain Dawkins, and Hightower has the leadership qualities you look for in a potential captain of your defense.

16. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Floyd is ready to come in and start right away, which is good because Mark Sanchez needs someone to throw the ball to besides Santonio Holmes.  Sanchez is on a short leash, but the Jets are still going to do everything in their power to allow him to be successful, and that means surrounding him with talented wide receivers. Floyd is a huge target with a large catch radius that can compensate for some inaccurate throws and make plays after the catch. He’ll be a great red zone target as well.

17.Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

The Bengals go best player available with their first pick of the first round.  They have other needs, but the prospect of getting a Julius Peppers caliber of defensive end is too much for Marvin Lewis and Mike Zimmer to pass up.  Motor and work ethic concerns don’t seem to be an issue for Lewis and Zimmer. See 2009 1st round pick Andre Smith and 2010 second round pick Carlos Dunlap for example.

18. (from San Diego) Riley Rieff, OT, Iowa

The Cardinals are able to pick up an extra pick by trading down with San Diego, and still get their man.  Levi Brown has struggled at left tackle and would likely be a better fit on the right side.  Rieff is an athletic tackle prospect with a blue collar attitude that coach Ken Whisenhunt could fall in love with. The Cardinals need to be able to protect Kevin Kolb/John Skelton.

19.Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The Bears defensive tackle situation is weak.  They drafted Stephen Paea in the second round last year, but even if he pans out they could still use another defensive tackle. Brockers is raw but he has a ton of potential and is a good fit for the Bears defense.  At this point in the first round it’s tough to get an elite player, so the Bears swing for the fences hoping to put it on the board with Brockers.

20.Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

Tennessee needs to get Jake Locker another receiver to throw to besides Kenny Britt.  Wright is a dynamic playmaker that can stretch the field vertically, and complements Britt’s style of play quite well. He’s great with the ball in his hands, and would also be an asset on quick underneath routes that get him the ball in space.  He’s also exceptional in the screen game.

21.Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

NFL Films legend, creator of NFL Matchup, and respected talent evaluator Greg Cosell had Janoris Jenkins going fifth overall in his mock draft, which was purely based on tape and disregarded all off the field issues.  Cosell called Jenkins “the best pure man-to-man corner in the draft”. I have a great deal of respect for Cosell and trust his evaluations.  There’s no doubt that NFL teams see what Cosell sees, and know how good Janoris Jenkins can be. However, there are very few teams out there who are willing to look the other way when it comes to off the field issues like the Bengals are.  He fits defensive coordinator’s Mike Zimmer’s scheme to a tee, where ability in man coverage and strong tackling is a necessity.  He’s better in man-to-man coverage than Dre Kirkpatrick, who is another strong possibility for the Cincy here.  Jenkins and Coples are both risky picks, but the Bengals aren’t afraid to roll the dice.

22. (from Cleveland) Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

The Broncos move up ahead of Detroit to select the player I suspect is at the top of their short list- Dre Kirkpatrick.  The Broncos have a need at defensive tackle, but John Elway expressed faith in the guys on the roster in his pre-draft press conference saying “We don’t feel as bad about our [defensive] tackles as every body else does.” Elway indicated the Broncos would take the best player available, and not try to draft based on need.  He also said the Broncos were willing to move up or down in the draft.  Denver had Kirkpatrick in for a pre-draft interview, and are apparently very high on the Alabama corner.  They have an extra fourth round pick so parting with it to ensure they get their guy here would not be too big of an issue for Denver.  The defensive tackle position could be addressed in the second round with prospects like Brandon Thompson, Billy Winn, or Mike Martin.

23.Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The Lions could use some help on the offensive line and Mike Adams is a promising prospect.  They have to keep Stafford healthy and give him enough time to throw those deep patterns to Calvin Johnsons.  Adams is very athletic, has long arms and quick feet- all the makings of a franchise left tackle.  He could be a tough sell to the fan base though considering his positive test for marijuana at combine.

24. Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis

The Steelers need to find a replacement for Casey Hampton, who is not only getting up there in age, but will likely miss the start of the season because of ACL surgery.  Poe is exactly what the Steelers are looking for as a potential anchor in the middle of that 3-4 defense, and I think they pull the trigger on the boom or bust prospect from Memphis.

25.(from Broncos) Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois

The Browns are able to pick up a fourth round pick from Denver and still get their guy- Whitney Mercilus. Jabaal Sheard was outstanding as a rookie, but the Browns need another defensive end to pair him with.  Mercilus has rare pass rushing ability. He led all of college football last year in sacks (16) and forced fumbles (9).  His first step off the edge is unmatched by anyone in this draft class, and he has elite closing speed to get to the quarterback.  He’s still developing as a run defender, but as a right end this shouldn’t be too big of an issue, especially with Sheard, Phil Taylor, and Ahtyba Rubin on the line with him.  Some feel that the Browns will target Brandon Weeden with this pick, but I just can’t see Weeden going in the first round.  I don’t hink he’s even the best available quarterback at this point in the draft, I’d rather have Kirk Cousins.  I think Justin Blackmon made Weeden look a lot better than he really is over the course of their time together in Stillwater. The Browns do seem to like Weeden quite a bit, but he should still be available for their second round selection at 37 overall.  If they’re worried about a team like Kansas City potentially moving up for Weeden in the second, they could always use that fourth round pick from Denver as ammunition to move up higher than the Chiefs.

26.Cordy Glenn, OT/OG, Georgia

The loss of Eric Winston leaves the Texans with a hole along their offensive line. Glenn could play right tackle or guard for Houston, and will go a long way towards helping the Texans dominate teams on the ground again this season.

27.Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse

The Pats need players that can get after the quarterback, and Jones is a nice fit if the Patriots stick with the 4-3. Some would argue he is a steal at this point in the draft.  He has good size and upper body strength. He also has very long arms and uses his hands well. The motor he plays with is something that will get Bill Belichick’s attention, as hustle and effort is a staple of the Patriot way.

28. Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Boise State

The Packers spent five of their first six picks on offense last year, so I suspect they will turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball early in this year’s draft.  They’re in need of another pass rushing option aside from Clay Matthews, and McClellin is a nice complement as a book end to Matthews.

29.Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Matt Birk is on his last legs, and the Ravens can get a head start on replacing him by selecting Wisconsin’s Peter Konz.  Konz is a polished prospect that has the blue collar attitude of a Wisconsin offensive lineman.  He’ll be right at home playing for a team like the Ravens.  Konz excels both in pass protection and as a run blocker. He is arguably the third best pure offensive lineman in the draft behind David DeCastro and Matt Kalil.

30.Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

The 49ers don’t really have a glaring need here.  They could take this pick in a lot of different directions, and will likely go best player available, whoever that may be in their mind.  I think a receiver makes a lot of sense for them.  The 49ers can opt out of Michael Crabtree’s contract at the end of the year, and the current regime isn’t tied to him.  Moss is a short term solution at best, and there’s no guarantee he’s even a solution at all. Stephen Hill is essentially a clone of 2010 Georgia Tech 1st round receiver Demaryius Thomas.  They are both freakishly athletic and physically gifted.  Like Thomas, Hill will need time to develop.  His route running is very limited coming from a triple option offense, and it will take him time to learn the mental nuances of the position.   The 49ers have the luxury of not needing their first round pick to make an immediate impact, so taking a developmental, high-upside prospect like Hill makes sense.  Hill could be used as a situational deep threat and return man as a rookie while he develops.

31. Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

Brian Waters can’t have much left in the tank.  The Patriots are always one step ahead of these things and take a polished, prototype right guard to be the heir apparent to Waters.  Zeitler is big, strong, tough, mauler with that quintessential blue collar mean streak of a Wisconsin offensive lineman.  He’s actually quite similar to Logan Mankins coming out of college, so I would guess Zeitler is on the Patriots short list for both of their first round picks.

32.Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Giants offensive line is pretty weak at both tackle spots.  Will Beatty has had injury problems, and James Brewer, who was a fourth round pick last year, is yet to start his first game. Martin is a good value here at the end of the first round. He’s a smart, athletic pass protector that will help keep Eli Manning upright.

-Ryan

Position: CB

College: Alabama

Height/Weight: 6’2″/186

40 time: 4.51

Projected Round: 1

My grade: 1st round

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Prototypical size, strength, and speed for a corner. Very physical defender that takes pride in making tackles.  Tough and tenacious. Swarms to the ball on running plays, fighting through blocks and throwing small receivers out of the way. Is very agressive in pursuit of the ball carrier and will never shy away from contact. Strong, consistent tackler that is capable of laying the lumber and knocking the ball lose. Fluid athlete, with smooth backpedal.  Can change directions quickly and easily.  Accelerates to top end speed quickly, and closes to the ball hard and fast. Very comfortable in zone coverage.  Understands his zone and his teammate’s zones around him.  Shows good read and react skills in zone and man coverage.  Understands what offenses are trying to do, and is a smooth athlete that can adjust quickly once he reads the play. Good closing speed, compounded with his read and react skills and physicality make it tough to complete passes on him. Closes to the ball hard and can break up passes with his arms, or by jarring the ball lose with a strong hit.  Decent ball skills. Long frame helps him box defenders out, and has good hand eye coordination to break up passes, but not great at intercepting passes. Good blitzer off the edge.  Closes to the quarterback quickly and forcefully. Good on special teams.

Negatives: Not a lockdown cover corner.  His ability in man coverage is no where near the level of  someone like Morris Claiborne. Doesn’t anticipate receivers routes well, and is very susceptible to double moves. Kirkpatrick is very focused on his man, and doesn’t always get his head around to find the ball. Despite his size, he’s not a strong press corner.  There is a myth out there that Kirkpatrick has long arms, but in reality his arms are only 30.5″ inches long.  That’s about 3″ shorter that Claiborne, who is only 5’11″. Doesn’t use his hands well in press coverage.  Doesn’t always wrap up, instead throws his body at ball-carriers legs, trying for a big hit. His agressive play hurts him at times, as he is prone to over-pursuit.  Bites on head fakes and double moves of receivers, and sometimes loses outside contain in running game because he is so agressive. Questionable hands.  Only three career college INT’s. Doesn’t always high point ball.

NFL Comparison: Charles Tillman

Projection: Kirkpatrick has an ideal blend of size, strength, and speed at the cornerback position.  His physicality and tenacity are rare for a cornerback, and his teammates respond to the way he plays the game.  The most glaring hole in his game is in man to man coverage.  Receivers separate from him too easily.  Kirkpatrick is a fluid athlete with dominant closing speed.  When he got beat in college, he could usually adjust and get back in time to break up the pass. This may not always be the case in the pros.  He has his back turned to the quarterback too often, and NFL quarterbacks will pick on him all day if he can’t correct that. Kirkpatrick only had three career college interceptions, but this is partially the result of quarterbacks not throwing his way very often. Still, his value as a defensive playmaker is more in the vein of forcing fumbles than housing pick sixes anyway. It’s not likely that Kirkpatrick will ever put up gaudy interception numbers in the pros, but he will break up a ton of passes, and is more than capable of taking away the opposing team’s best receiver. His deficiencies in man coverage could be remedied by good coaching of press coverage technique. He has the size, strength, and tenacity to be a great press corner, but doesn’t currently have the proper technique.  If he can improve at pressing receivers at the line, he’ll be dominant in press-bail type coverage where he can disrupt the receiver at the line, and keep the play in front of him at all times.  Given his read and react skills in zone,  how strong of a tackler he is in the flats, and his potential as a press corner, Kirkpatrick is strongly suited for a cover 2 scheme, which would best maximize his talent.

-Ryan

Game Film:

Position: RB

College: Cincinatti

Height/Weight: 5’10″/187

40 time: 4.47

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Downhill, north-south runner with a quick, powerful burst. Tough and physical for his size.  Runs with good pad level and is able to fight through arm tackles at the line. Hits the hole hard, and accelerates to top end speed very quickly.  Tremendous vision at the line and in the open field. Creative runner that sees things most backs wouldn’t.  Great at finding cutback lanes. Can make plays for you even when the blocking isn’t there. Slippery runner that is good in traffic. Looks like he is going to be bottled up at the line, but he finds a crease and will get you ten yards.  Very sudden runner with lightning quick burst and changes in direction. Quick feet. Can side step defenders with ease, and stop on a dime. Gets in and out of his cuts quickly, and changes directions effortlessly. Exceptional lateral agility.  Doesn’t lose much, if any of his momentum when he changes directions. Despite his elusiveness, Pead still runs hard with force and determination, always fighting for every yard. Smart back, that is not usually tackled for negative yards. Even when defense penetrates into the backfield will get 1-2 yards.  Good receiver out of the backfield because of his ability to create in open space. Used in the screen game a lot.  Willing blocker, good cut blocker. Can return kicks.

Negatives: Needs to improve his balance. Sometimes is tripped up by weak tackle attempts at his legs. Could improve lower body strength to be able to drive through weaker tackles. Hands are an issue.  Great with the ball in his hands, but has dropped numerous passes in the screen game due to lack of concentration.  Needs to focus on securing the ball first, then running with it.  Same issue present as kick returner. Muff punts due to errors in his concentration. Blocking is a concern.  Is a willing blocker, but doesn’t have the frame to stand up linebackers.  Somewhat of a liability in pass protection at this point. Could improve patience when he gets to the second level, sometimes outruns his blocks, or doesn’t let them develop. Somewhat undersized, which raises durability concerns. Could stand to add 5-10 pounds.

NFL Comparison: LeSean McCoy

Projection: Pead has special talent in terms of vision and elusiveness.  He is able to create runs for himself because he sees this most backs don’t and has amazing agility. He is similar to LeSean McCoy in that respect.  Pead needs to work most on becoming more sure-handed. Given his ability in space, he could be a weapon as a receiver out of the backfield.  He’ll also have to improve in pass protection to be trusted on the field on NFL third downs.  If he can he can do those things, and bulk up a little bit, he has a very bright future ahead of him in the NFL.

-Ryan

Game Film:

Position: CB

College: Virginia Tech

Height/Weight: 5’10″/178

40 time: 4.47

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Quick, smart player.  Very good in zone coverage.  Knows his zone and his teammates’ zones around him. This allows him to always put himself in the best possible position to make a play.  Keen and observant of what the offense is trying to do.  Improves as the game goes on because of this.  Closes to the ball very quickly. Good in man coverage as well.  Reads receivers breaks.  Smooth, fluid backpedal, can adjust and change direction quickly allowing him to stick with shifty receivers.  Aggressive player. Good punt returner.

Negatives: Small frame.  Won’t be able to cover bigger NFL receivers.  Isn’t always willing to take on the ball carrier head on.   Needs to learn to wrap up, instead of throwing his body at the ball carrier.

Projection: Projects best as a nickel corner.  Wouldn’t be crazy about him playing outside at his height. Hosley is a smart player that could excel in a scheme that is geared towards his strengths. He has playmaking ability, but his skill set is limited.  Whatever team drafts him will have to make sure they have a good idea of how they’re going to use him.  Hosley has drawn comparisons to Asante Samuel. Given his smarts and versatility, Hosley is likely on Bill Belichick’s radar.

-Ryan

Game Film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF3F6vWANVM

Position: CB

College: LSU

Height/Weight: 5’11″/188

40 time: 4.50

Projected Round: Top 10

My Grade: Top 5 talent

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Dominant cover corner that is very difficult to gain separation from. Smooth and fluid athlete that can change directions quickly and easily.  Accelerates and closes on the ball with great speed.  Sticks on his man very tightly. Even when a receiver manages to get open, Claiborne possesses the speed to recover and close on the ball to break up the pass. Reads receivers movements and anticipates their routes.  Has long arms (33.25 inches), and uses his hands well in press coverage. Surprisingly strong in press coverage for his size. Good instincts to jump routes. Tremendous ball skills and leaping ability to go up and make plays on the ball that most corners could only dream of. Tracks and locates the ball well, despite keeping his eyes almost solely on his man. Great with the ball in his hands.  Fast and has good vision to set up blocks to get extra yards after an INT.

Negatives: Doesn’t always get his head around to find the ball, because he is focused only on his man.  Not a strong tackler.  Doesn’t fight through receiver’s blocks, to get to the ball carrier. Not aggressive in pursuit. Shies away from taking ballcarrier on head-on by himself. Somewhat of a liability against the run.

NFL Comparison: Champ Bailey

Projection: Claiborne has coverage and ball skills on par with Bailey, but unlike Bailey, he is only a pure cover corner at this point in time.  Bailey isn’t the biggest corner in the world, but he doesn’t shy away from contact, and is a strong form tackler.  Bailey is one of the best corners in the league at making tackles in the flats and in the open field. Claiborne will not only have to improve his tackling technique, but also become more aggressive and willing to make tackles, if he wants to earn the moniker of “shutdown corner” at the next level.

-Ryan

Game Film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8fogK7Rx0o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqhwZjCxjyY

Position: CB

College: Montana

Height/Weight: 6’2″/204

40 time: 4.61

Projected Round: 2-3

My Grade: First Round

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Above average size. Big and strong corner. Long frame with long arms ideal for jamming receivers at the line. Hard hitter and very strong tackler that doesn’t shy away from contact. Tough, agressive, and physical. Strong corner that fights through blocks, in pursuit of the ball carrier. Closes to the ball hard and fast on underneath routes. Good instincts.  Reads receivers’ breaks well. Plays faster than a 4.61 40 time.  Good athleticism and leaping ability. Shows great closing speed and recovery speed if he gets beat.  Dominant ball skills.  Closes on the ball like a ball hawking safety. High points the ball. Uses long frame to box out receiver and positions himself to make a play on the ball. Has the hands of a former receiver, and playmaking ability after the catch. Tough to complete passes on in the red zone. Routinely took away the opposing teams best receiver. Can rush off the edge. Closes to the quarterback hard. Four year starter.

Negatives: Doesn’t always wrap up, instead tries to launch himself at the ball-carrier. Prone to over-pursuit when blitzing off the edge on running plays. Needs to work on press coverage technique.  Has the size and strength to be great press corner, but doesn’t use his hands well enough.  Is a bit stiff.  Could struggle against quick, shifty receivers if he can’t jam them at the line. Played against inferior talent, could struggle adjusting to NFL receivers. Eligibility issues in college. Arrested and tased at a party by police at a party last October.

NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson, Malcom Jenkins

Projection: Johnson is an intriguing small school prospect that possesses ideal size and speed for an NFL corner.  With some good coaching of press echnique he could be dominant in the pros. This will be crucial to Johnson’s success at the next level, as he could struggle against smaller, shifty receivers if he can’t disrupt them at the line.  Johnson’s tenacity and physicality in run support is unquestionable, and he’ll likely earn the respect from his coaches and veteran teammates quickly because of this.  Johnson is a ball hawk and has the potential to swing the game in his team’s favor on every play.  He brings versatility to a defense in that he can play corner or safety, as well as blitz hard off the edge. His combination of size, strength, and speed also makes him a candidate to cover tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, something NFL teams are desperately searching for.  Johnson is talented and versatile enough to be used in a role similar to Charles Woodson’s in Green Bay. To me, Johnson is a first round talent that is on par with Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick. However, level of competition and character concerns will likely prevent him from being selected until day two. As long as his character checks out in the interview process, he shouldn’t make it out of the second round.

-Ryan

Game Film:

Interview at combine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hREXGwE0yE

Position: QB

College: Texas A&M

Height/Weight: 6’4″/221

40 time: 4.62

Projected Round: Top 10 overall pick

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Strong Arm. Can make all the throws at the next level. Ideal height allows him to survey field from pocket. Good mobility and can make plays with his legs.  Throws the ball very well on the run. Can scramble right or left and deliver the ball accurately. Anticipates throws and throws receivers open.  Quick release despite unorthodox throwing motion. Drives the ball with good velocity. Very accurate on underneath routes.  Good touch on deep balls, especially on fades.  Hits receivers in stride allowing them to run after the catch. Comfortable in the pocket. Throws sideline patterns such as outs, curls, and comebacks particularly well with good anticipation, timing, zip, and accuracy. Occasionally audibles at the line. Very comfortable at the line, looks like a natural playing the quarterback position. Smart player and member of academic all-Big 12 team. Considering he’s only been playing quarterback for two years, his play is very impressive, and indicates he’ll be able to pick things up quickly at the next level. Can punt the ball.

Negatives: Deep ball is not very accurate.  Needs to work on reading defenses and diagnosing coverages.  Comfortable when throwing to sidelines, but not over the middle.  Middle of the field is crowded and he hesitates to pull the trigger. Sometimes telegraphs throws and locks onto receivers. Needs to work on moving the coverage with his eyes.  Bit of a gunslinger, sometimes forces things that aren’t there.  Converted wide receiver, has only been playing quarterback position for two seasons. Throwing motion is more ¾ than over the top and comparable to Phillip Rivers. Like most quarterbacks, is not ready to play in the NFL right away. Would benefit from sitting a year before taking over.

NFL Comparison: Jay Cutler minus the attitude

Projection: Tannehill has all of the physical gifts of an NFL franchise quarterback.  Sometimes it’s hard to believe he’s only been playing quarterback for two years, as he consistently makes NFL quality throws.  Still, Tannehill is raw when it comes to some of the mental aspects of the position, but so are most young quarterbacks. There’s no reason to think a player as smart as he is can’t improve in these areas. He would benefit from being able to sit a year and hone his game, but likely won’t be afforded that opportunity.  I don’t see Tannehill getting past Miami at the eighth overall pick, and still wouldn’t rule out Cleveland at four overall.  It’s possible a team like Seattle or Kansas City could trade up ahead of Miami to take Tannehill before the Dolphins can.

-Ryan

Game Film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXDEzCf3C7Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js5si7nyzSE

Position: QB

College: Baylor

Height/Weight: 6’2″/223

40 time: 4.41

Projected Round: 2nd overall pick

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Strong arm with good zip on all his throws. Throws an incredibly accurate deep ball with good touch, velocity, and precision. Puts the ball in a spot where only the receiver can get it on deep ball.  Elite speed and overall athleticism for a quarterback. Uses his legs to keep plays alive, but not as primary means of moving the football downfield.  Keeps eyes downfield while scrambling.  Good accuracy while throwing on the run as well. Very elusive within the pocket.  Because of his speed, defenses swarm to him and things open up in the passing game when he even hints at taking off and running. Can make you think he’s running and beat you with his arm. Although not a pro-style offense, he demonstrated mastery of his offense, always knowing where to go with the ball, and anticipating throws. Good playfake. Tough kid that doesn’t shy away from contact. Confident, natural leader.  Calm and clutch under pressure. Very smart and appears capable of learning any offense. Humble, level-headed player. Very marketable. Great athlete that is incredibly versatile.  Can throw, run, catch, and punt the ball well. Valuable goalline weapon as runner and passer.

Negatives: Doesn’t always protect ball when running with it. Footwork is raw, and could use improvement. Did not see him roll out to left side, something he will be asked to do in Shanahan’s offense. Played in a spread offense predicated on screens and shots downfield.  Because of the offense- usually only read half of the field, inexperienced going through progressions. Didn’t take a ton of snaps under center.

NFL Comparison: None. The NFL has never seen a quarterback with a skill set like RG3′s.

Projection: Griffin should have no issues picking up a pro style offense, and has all the makings of a true franchise quarterback.  He should excel in Mike Shanahan’s offense that is basically perfect for him.  The offense features a ton of throws from outside of the pocket, on the move off play fakes, as well as a lot of shots downfield.  An offensive minded head coach like Shanahan will likely be wise enough to make use of Griffin’s unique skill set and implement some of the read option type stuff Griffin ran to improve the Skins redzone offense, and generally gear the offense to Griffin’s strengths. They may have over paid for Pierre Garcon, but his ability as a deep threat will be called upon early and often with RG3 under center. Along with some other great athletes playing quarterback like Cam Newton, Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck, Griffin’s athleticism is indicative of the evolution of the quarterback position in the NFL.

-Ryan

Game Film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xURPOglz7hQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pbgG1r-RFM

Position: QB

College: Stanford

Height/Weight: 6’4″/234

40 time: 4.67

Projected Round: 1st overall pick

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Ideal size to survey the field from the pocket. Good deep ball. Smart is an understatement. Was high school valedictorian. Drives through his throws, delivering the ball with good zip.  Puts nice touch on throws that require it.  Good pump fake. Strong enough arm to make all NFL throws. Calls plays at line of scrimmage. Comfortable in pocket. Senses pressure well, and avoids the rush well within the pocket. Knows his offense like the back of hand. Makes pre-snap reads, can diagnose coverages quickly, and knows where the open man will be. Moves defenders with his eyes. Anticipates throws and throws receivers open. Mechanically sound in all aspects.. Can throw on the run.  Good speed allows him to make plays with his feet as well.  Can roll left or right and deliver accurate throws.  Keeps eyes downfield while scrambling. Experienced in prostyle offense and undercenter. Fiery leader that plays the game with passion.

Negatives: Sometimes forces things because he has so much faith in his ability to deliver accurate throws.  If initial reads are covered will sometimes throw ball into double and triple coverage instead of throwing ball away. Generally played against fairly vanilla Pac-12 defenses. Struggled somewhat in high pressure games.  Takes unnecessary risks at times. Hyped as best QB prospect since John Elway, and will be charged with replacing Peyton Manning- he’s going to be under a lot of pressure to perform well, and do so immediately.

NFL Comparison: Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers

Projection: Face of the Indianapolis Colts for a long long time.

-Ryan

Game Film:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyvG8w3wT5A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRaBCb4xNg8

Position: QB

College: Michigan State

Height/Weight: 6’3″/214

40 time: 4.93

Projected Round: 2-3

My Grade: 2

Stats

Combine Results

Positives: Very smart quarterback with tremendous intangibles. Tough and competitive player that isn’t afraid to put his body on the line for the team. Sound mechanics with a compact and quick release. Gets the ball out quickly and accurately on underneath routes. Shows anticipation on underneath patterns, getting the ball out before his receiver breaks.  Mobile quarterback that can make plays with his feet. Keeps his eyes downfield at all times when he scrambles. Accurate when throwing on the run. Cerebral quarterback who knows his offense well, and goes through progressions quickly. Capable of reading defenses, looking off safeties, and diagnosing coverages. Good height to survey the field from the pocket. Clutch player with somewhat of a gunslinger mentality. Capable of taking a game over in the fourth quarter. Field general with great leadership qualities. Delivered an impressive speech at the Big 10 Kickoff luncheon that exemplifies the type of leader, player, and person Cousins is. Skill set of average quarterback, but the intangibles of a great one. Three year team captain. 28-12 as starter.  Student of the game. Film room junkie. Experience in pro style system and smart enough to pick up an NFL system fairly quickly. Experienced taking snaps under center.

Negatives: Needs to improve his maneuvering within the pocket. Does a good job of sensing pressure, but sometimes panics and throws the ball in harms way when he’s about to get hit. Needs a clean pocket to be truly effective. Footwork and accuracy falls off when the pocket is crowded, and he loses focus on his progressions.  Throws off back foot and off balance a lot when under duress. Doesn’t always drive the football on deep throws, resulting in under throws. Room for improvement here with coaching of technique. Accuracy is spotty on downfield patterns, and his arm strength is only average. Although again this can be improved with better technique. Doesn’t always trust what he sees when throwing into high traffic areas. Double clutches, and gives defense an opportunity to recover.

NFL Comparison: Ryan Fitzpatrick

Projection: Cousins is a starting quality NFL quarterback, and at the very least will be a reliable game manager. There’s potential to be more than just that with Cousins though, as he has demonstrated the ability to take over a game like a true franchise quarterback would (see Georgia game below). He’ll need to work on improving his mechanics when the pocket breaks down, throwing deep patterns with more zip and accuracy, and being more decisive on throws into high traffic areas to reach his true potential of being a franchise quarterback. His talent can be maximized in a west coast system with an offensive line that excels in pass protection to keep the pocket clean for him.  A big time wideout that Cousins can trust to come away with the ball would also go a long way. Think A.J. Green for Andy Dalton. Mentally, the transition to the NFL level shouldn’t be a problem for an intelligent player like Cousins. His experience in a pro-style offense will help, and he should be able to pick up the playbook quickly given his high football IQ. I like to think of Cousins as a mobile version of Kyle Orton, with the intangibles of Drew Brees.

-Ryan

Game Film: