Draft Prospects: Who’s the Best Of the Rest?

While the first round of the draft has plenty of big names most fans have known about for months, significant upgrades to rosters are made after the first round.

Here are some names you should look out for after day one…

Quarterbacks

TEDDY BRIDGEWATER, LOUISVILLE (6’2”, 214 lbs., 4.79) – NFL ready prospect who was projected #1 overall at one time.  Intelligent player who meticulously prepares.  Does not have an overwhelming skill set.  Lacks ideal size.  Could go first in the second round to Houston.

DEREK CARR, FRESNO ST. (6’2”, 214 lbs., 4.67) – Athletic quarterback with NFL arm strength.  Field general with an NFL pedigree (brother of David Carr).  Has good field vision.  Can be flustered by the rush.  Struggled against top competition.  Cleveland, Arizona, Houston and Oakland are all rumored to be interested.

JIMMY GAROPPOLO, EASTERN ILLINOIS (6’2”, 226 lbs., 4.94) – Rising draft prospect who played in a pass-heavy offense in college.  Very quick release.  Good mechanics.  Nice touch.  Lacks ideal arm strength.  Did not play top competition.  Needs to improve ball security.  Rumored to be Jacksonville’s 2nd round choice.

Sleeper Alert:  LOGAN THOMAS, VIRGINIA TECH. (6’6”, 248 lbs., 4.54) – Big physical specimen who can run and has a strong arm.  Raw talent who will have to be groomed before he can play in the NFL.  Someone’s mid-round project pick for sure.

 

Running Backs

CARLOS HYDE, OHIO STATE (6’0”, 230 lbs., 4.61) – Tough north-south runner.  Powerful runner who is hard to tackle.  Extremely productive college player.  Game may not translate well to NFL.  Lacks top end speed.  Needs to develop pass protection skills.  Potential early second round pick, maybe to Cleveland.

BISHOP SANKEY, WASHINGTON (5’10”, 209 lbs., 4.49) – Elusive runner with good vision and agility.  An asset in the passing game as both a receiver and blocker.  Lacks ideal size and speed.  A likely day 2 selection.

LACHE SEASTRUNK, BAYLOR (5’10”, 201 lbs., 4.46) – Explosive playmaker with intriguing athleticism.  Gains yards after contact.  Has a lot of upside.  Needs to improve his vision.  Needs to improve his skill set in the passing game.  A player who will draw a lot of attention in the middle rounds when teams are looking for depth and versatility at running back.

Sleeper Alert:  DE’ANTHONY THOMAS, OREGON (5’9”, 179 lbs., 4.39) – May be the best change of pace back in the draft.  Home run hitter with electrifying speed and agility.  Will never be an every down back.  Needs to improve his route running.  Needs to show he is not just a product of Oregon’s unique system.  A possible fit in Philadelphia under Chip Kelly.

 

Wide Receivers & Tight Ends:

JACE AMARO, TE, TEXAS TECH. (6’5”, 265 lbs., 4.70) – Excellent receiver who runs good routes and has good hands.  Hard to bring down.  Lacks top end speed.  Needs to improve as a run blocker.  Will probably be the second tight end taken after Eric Ebron.

ALLEN ROBINSON, WR, PENN ST. (6’3”, 220 lbs,. 4.57) – Good route runner who will fight for the ball and make the tough, contested catch.  Big target in the red zone.  Dangerous with the ball in his hands.  Lacks deep speed.  Lacks elite size.

MARTAVIS BRYANT, WR, CLEMSON (6’4”, 211 lbs., 4.41) – Intriguing combination of size and speed.   Good length, and the athleticism to go after jump balls.  Quick release off the line.  Needs to add bulk at the next level.  Lacks experience.

Sleeper Alert:  DRI ARCHER, WR, KENT STATE (5’8”, 173 lbs., 4.16) – Lightning quick player with home run capability.  Versatile player who can contribute as a receiver, returner or runner.  Very undersized.  Easy to bring down.

 

Offensive Line

CYRUS KOUANDIJO, OT, ALABAMA (6’7”, 322 lbs., 5.50) – Prototype size and strength.  Intriguing athleticism.  Raw prospect whose technique needs a lot of work.  A borderline first rounder who will likely go early in round 2.

JOEL BITONIO, G/T, NEVADA (6’4”, 302 lbs., 4.92) – Excellent technique and deceptively athletic.  Smart, versatile player who can play more than one position on the line.  Has upside.  Lacks ideal size.  Needs to improve as a run blocker.  Rumored to be on Seattle’s radar.

MARCUS MARTIN, C, USC (6’3”, 320 lbs., 5.22) – Strong, agile run blocker.  Good frame.  Coachable player with lots of upside.  Needs to improve conditioning.  Lacks ideal height.

Sleeper Alert:  RUSSELL BODINE, OG, NORTH CAROLINA (6’3”, 310 lbs., 5.17) – Strong player with powerful burst off the snap.  Extremely tenacious blocker.  Lacks ideal length.  NFL rosters are full of guys like this who got taken in the last round or two.

 

Defensive Line

STEPHON TUITT, DT/DE, NOTRE DAME (6’6”, 304 lbs.) – Strong player who can defend the run.  Ideal 3-4 DE, but works as a DT in the 4-3 also.  Can shed blocks.  Has some health concerns.

TIMMY JERNIGAN, DT, FLORIDA ST. (6’2”, 295 lbs., 4.95) – Disruptive defender who can shed blocks to make plays in the backfield.  Has the potential to take over games in stretches.  Needs to add pass rushing moves.  Lacks ideal size.

DANIEL MCCULLERS, DT, TENNESSEE (6’7”, 352 lbs., 5.30) – Massive presence who has ideal size as an NFL nose tackle.  Tremendous strength.  Quicker than you would think for his size.  Needs to improve his consistency.  Must develop pass rushing skills.

Sleeper Alert:  JAMES GAYLE, DE, VIRGINIA TECH (6’4”, 259 lbs., 4.57) – Intriguing speed and strength.  Shows burst off the snap.  Good in pursuit.  Can drop back in coverage.  May not have much upside.  Lacks ideal size.

Linebacker

JEREMIAH ATTAOCHU, OLB, GEORGIA TECH. (6’3”, 252 lbs., 4.57) – Natural pass rusher who is great in pursuit.  Athletic and versatile.  Plenty of upside.  Needs to add strength.  Somewhat of a “tweener.”  Rumored to the Eagles in round 2.

DEE FORD, OLB, AUBURN (6’2”, 252 lbs., 4.59) – Explosive, athletic pass rusher.  Has the ability to drop back into coverage.  Needs to develop more variety of moves.  Can get run at too readily.

SHAYNE SKOV, ILB, STANFORD (6’2”, 245 lbs., 5.09) – Instinctive, physical player with ideal size for the middle.  Aggressive tackler and playmaker.  Lacks ideal speed.  Struggles in pass coverage.

Sleeper Alert:  BRANDON WATTS, OLB, GEORGIA TECH (6’2”, 225 lbs., 4.41) – Versatile, athletic player who can play any linebacker position.  Good blend of size, speed and range.  Needs to add strength and bulk.

 

Defensive Backs

LAMARCUS JOYNER, CB, FLORIDA ST. (5’8”, 184 lbs., 4.47) – Fast, aggressive player.  Big hitter with great instincts.  Lacks ideal size and speed.

DEONE BUCHANAN, S, WASHINGTON ST. (6’1”, 211 lbs., 4.48) – Hard hitter who can separate the ball from the ball carrier.  Great in run support.  Lacks range.  Need to improve coverage skills.

JIMMIE WARD, S, NORTHERN ILLINOIS (5’11”, 193 lbs., 4.47) – Instinctive player and great tackler.  Great in support.  Has the versatility to play corner if needed.  Lacks height and length.  Needs to add strength.

Sleeper Alert:  ANTONE EXUM, CB, VIRGINIA TECH. (6’0”, 213 lbs., 4.51) – Good blend of size and athleticism.  Can play corner or safety.  Productive on special teams.  Needs to improve coverage skills.