NFL Draft Big Board
by Tyler Lurkins
- Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A and M-Joeckel is still one of the safest picks in the draft. He is athletic, fundamental, and durable. Showing great football knowledge, Joeckel has excelled in two entirely different schemes.
- Chance Warmack, G, Alabama-Obviously guards are not the most sought after position players. In terms of shear talent and ability, Warmack has established himself as an NFL ready player. For his size, he is extremely mobile with excellent footwork and hands. Though a tenacious one on one defender, Warmack’s athleticism will work in any blocking scheme, including a zone.
- Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A and M-Moore displayed great talent and ability when placing his hand in the dirt. Not particularly standing out as a rush LB when given the opportunity, Moore may only be considered by teams who run a 43 scheme.
- Eric Fisher, T, Central Michigan-Fisher has his flaws, but shows the footwork and blocking ability to be highly sought after. He will be asked to bulk up and add weight, but teams are drooling over him knowing full well he will be a sure fire starter for years to come.
- Bjoern Werner, DE, Florida St.-A beast off the edge, Werner has established himself as an excellent pass rusher. He has the tenacity and strength to set the edge when needed. Scouts may hesitate because of his lack of experience, but everyone understands he will be stalwart in the NFL. If Werner can show capability to play the rush LB position, he may very well be the most sought after prospect in the draft.
- Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah-What makes Lotulelei special is his ability to move so well for a man this big. When a 320 lb. tackle can rush like an end, teams will definitely find a way to make his talents utilized. Speed is only a bonus, as his size and strength make him a great run plugger as well.
- Ezekial Ansah, DE, BYU-Perhaps not the most refined player available, Ansah is a versatile game changer. His length makes him hard to throw around and his speed around the edge is virtually unrivaled. Showing the ability to play LB or DE, Ansah will hear his name called in the top 10.
- Barkevious Mingo, LB, LSU-If Mingo had prototype size to go with his ability, he would be the #1 pick in the draft. Instinctive and explosive, Mingo is being considered the most elite pass rusher in the draft. However, he lacks the size to play end and shows a poor ability to cover as a LB. Mingo’s only hope for success is a rush LB in a 34 system.
- Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia-Jones may have the ability to change the way LB is viewed in the NFL. With speed, strength, and a nasty attitude, Jones is a major disruptive force. He is a gamer who is impossible to block and always finds his way around the ball. However rumors of poor work ethic and injury concerns may keep him out of the top 5.
- Alex Okafor, DE/LB, Texas-Okafor is shooting up draft boards almost as much as Ansah. Okafor has overcome injuries and has shown solid play against the run and the pass. Having experience standing up, he will be a great fit in any scheme. At 6’5”, 260+, the frame alone will have teams considering him as a top pick.
- Geno Smith, QB, W. Virginia-Smith may have hurt himself staying out of the Sr. Bowl. However, his stats speak for themselves. Not as fast as Vick or RG3, Smith can still escape trouble with his legs. His arm is the biggest tool he has as he can rocket passes to all spots on the field.
- Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama-Just because Milliner is the best CB in the draft, doesn’t make him the best talent. He has the prototype size. Milliner will be a stellar bump and run, physical corner. Scouts will look at his lack of experience starting, his poor fundamentals, and lack of elite speed and will be more compelled to select an offensive weapon or a pass rusher.
- Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri-Richardson is being sought after for his rare athletic ability. Though he may lack drive and intelligence, he is the quickest DT off the snap and the fastest in the backfield.
- Kenny Vaccaro, FS, Texas-In the last two months, Vaccaro’s play has elevated him from the middle of the second round to perhaps a top 10 pick. For his size, Vaccaro shows above echelon speed and rarely misses a play. He is being considered as the most fundamentally sound safety in the draft and is plug and play material.
- Lane Johnson, T, Oklahoma-Johnson is a raw prospect but has the technique to be an instant starter. Much like Fisher, Johnson needs to pack on strength and weight. However, he is a very sound pass rusher and can be a starter from day 1.
- Matt Barkley, QB, USC-Barkley is simply not going away. The biggest deterrent is not necessarily the lack of arm strength, only the fact he has never thrown a consistent deep ball at USC. No quarterback will have the experience under center that Barkley has, nor the ability to read defenses. A team looking for either a west coast quarterback, or just a quarterback who make few mistakes, will look to Barkley.
- Keenan Allen, WR, Cal-Allen is turning into a sleeper. Injuries limited his last month of play and scouts will be unable to view him until the combine. Let’s not forget that Allen has very soft hands, runs excellent routes, and has the size that teams covet. He will be the most polished receiver in the draft.
- Datone Jones, DE, UCLA-Jones is trucking up boards with fierce play and pass rushing skills. Though not the fastest, Jones shows great technique and size. Teams will realize that Jones can overtake almost every right tackle in the league.
- Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington-Trufant is establishing himself as the second best corner in the draft. He comes from an excellent football lineage, can play in any scheme, and is a trash talking disrupter who can back his mouth up with stellar play.
- Margus Hunt, DE, SMU-Hunt is at SMU on a track scholarship. Sure he isn’t a sprinter, but rumors exist he can run the forty at a 4.5 clip. At 6’7+ and 280+, that is grounds for instant first round consideration. Teams dream how they can use those tangibles. Hunt will be asked to rush on the outside, stop the run on the outside, but move inside on pass downs. The special team plays that will be created with a man his size are numerous.
- Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama-Williams is a true three down lineman. At over 320, Williams has a unique ability to rush the passer or set the nose.
- Dion Jordan, LB, Oregon-It’s doubtful that Jordan has the weight and strength to play on the line. However at 6’6”, Jordan will be a presence coming off the edge at the LB position. Though suffering from a torn labrum, Jordan has the film to be a first rounder.
- Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford-In terms of sound play, Ertz and Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert are on par. Yet, Ertz is a huge target from a more NFL ready scheme. A decent blocker, and a sound pass catcher, Ertz should be the first TE off the board.
- Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida St.-The combine will make or break Rhodes. Rhodes has the size and flaunts it on the field with his aggressive, physical play. What concerns many teams are how fast he really his and how stiff his hips may or may not be.
- John Jenkins, NT, Georgia-Jenkins is a mountain of a player possessing NFL size and strength. Rumored to be at over 350 lbs, Jenkins will surprise many teams with his quick burst and disruptive play on the line. Jenkins is the best true nose tackle in the draft.
THE REST OF THE FIRST ROUNDERS
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee
Jonathan Cooper, G, N. Carolina
Alec Ogletree, ILB, Georgia
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio St.
D.J. Fluker, T, Alabama
Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame
Matt Elam, SS, Florida
Check out our other mock drafts including a 7 Rounder below:
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