2015 Pro Football Draft Preview

Pro Football Draft Preview March 2015

Melvin Gordon “Melvin Gordon is a rare talent that makes him a distinct possibility to become one of few running backs selected in the first round.�

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CONTENTS 4

Letter from the Editor

5

End of Each Round But Top of the League

6

Packer Transplants LIVE

7-9

Linebackers From Between the Hedges

10-11

A Belldozing Tight End

12-13

He Reminds Me Of...

14-18

The Top 100

19-24

Mock Draft

25

Packers Team Needs

26-30

NFL Team Needs

31-36

Quarterbacks

37-42

Runnings Backs

43-47

Fullbacks and H-Backs

48-53

Wide Receivers

54-59

Tight Ends

60-66

Offensive Tackles

67-73

Interior Linemen

74-79

Defensive Linemen

80-86

Edge Defenders

87-93

Inside Linebackers

94-99

Cornerbacks

100-105

Safeties

106-112

Special Teams

113-114

Packers Mock Draft

115-120

Packers Position Analysis

121-123

All-Bowl Team

124-126

What They’re Saying

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Publisher: Corey Behnke Editor: Brian Carriveau Designer: Alex Tallitsch Writers: Al Bracco Andrew Garda Paul Guillemete Jay Hodgson Zach Kruse Aaron Nagler Jayme Snowden Thanks to everyone who bought the fifth-annual edition of the Cheesehead TV NFL Draft Preview.

We would never be able to create this publication without all of the great readers, followers and sponsors of Cheesehead TV. Cover photo: David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications Inside cover photo: University of Alabama Athletics Back cover photo: Michigan State Athletic Communications NFL Combine photos: Brian Carriveau * All stats from 2014 unless indicated ** All rankings and mock drafts are the author’s own opinion and not a consensus *** All measurements are from the NFL Combine. If a player was not invited to the Combine, measurements published by his university were used. = Return to Contents

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR DEAR NFL DRAFT FANS, Thank you purchasing Cheesehead TV’s fifth annual Pro Football Draft Preview, which I’m confident is our best edition yet. Although this guide is catered specifically to fans of the Green Bay Packers, any follower of the NFL Draft can appreciate it for the analysis of the prospects, no matter where they end up playing football.

Each and every year we attempt to take our digital magazine up a notch, and this year is no exception. The newest addition is a draft-centric episode of Packer Transplants available exclusively to those that purchase the publication. We hope you enjoy this feature, giving you a little extra bang for your buck.

Also new this year, you’ll notice that players formerly labeled as “outside linebackers” have been given a new title this year as “edge defenders.” We’re following the lead of other draft analysts that are responding to a new trend in the NFL. When the Packers acquired Julius Peppers last season, they showed that they weren’t going to limit themselves to one mold of player at the position.

Edge defenders come in different sizes, shapes and styles, and it doesn’t matter if they’re called outside linebackers, defensive ends or even elephant ends.

As for how the Packers will approach the draft, defense is sure to be the focus. That won’t necessarily prevent them from taking a few players on the offensive side of the football considering they have one selection in every round plus a few compensatory picks.

But because the Packers have all 11 starters on the offensive side of the football under contract through the 2016 season (assuming Richard Rodgers is a starter), they can afford to go defense-heavy.

Inside linebacker stands out as the team’s biggest need. The need was actually just as acute last season, although the Packers chose to ignore it, trusting A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones would hold down the fort. As evidenced by the duo’s release this offseason, the organization’s trust was misplaced. Unless an elite prospect like a Danny Shelton or a Trae Waynes happens to drop, I can’t see any way the Packers would pass on UCLA inside linebacker Eric Kendricks should he be available. Lasting all the way to the 30th selection is no guarantee, but if Kendricks is there, there’s a good chance he’s destined to wear green and gold.

Cornerback also stands out as a position of need after Tramon Williams and Davon House departed Green Bay in free agency, leaving the Packers devoid of depth at the position. Jalen Collins and P.J. Williams are other names Packers fans can keep tabs on as first-round possibilities. And a big run-stuffing defensive lineman would also be a welcome addition given the difficulty the Packers had against opposing running backs last season, including Marshawn Lynch in the NFC Championship.

As always, thanks to everyone involved with putting this publication together from the writers to the design team. And an extra special thanks to all our new sponsors this year. Take note that the people behind these businesses are fans of the Packers, which is one reason they’ve chosen to advertise with us. Please consider giving them your patronage.

Without further ado, please enjoy the rest of this in-depth NFL Draft preview.

GO PACK GO!

4 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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BY: AARON NAGLER

FROM OUR CO-FOUNDER

ROUND EACH OF END BUT TOP OF THE LEAGUE

The NFL Draft. This is what it’s all about for Ted Thompson and the Green Bay Packers, although perhaps not what it’s all about for some parts of Green Bay Packers fandom.

Year after year Thompson operates in much the same way, mostly re-signing his own players, eschewing the early days of free agency (if not ignoring it all together) and putting most of his energy and focus into the draft.

Of course, there are the occasional surprises, such as the Julius Peppers signing last year. But mostly, Packers fans can count on each and every offseason under Thompson playing out pretty much the same way.

That doesn’t stop some fans from getting upset each and every year as they watch big name free agents switch from team to team while their beloved Packers sit on the sideline.

This is only natural, especially when they saw their team within five minutes of playing in the Super Bowl. Fans naturally think this equates into the team only being “one or two players away!”

The truth is, there are a handful of teams capable of playing in and winning the Super Bowl every year, and the Packers are one of them.

Those teams always seem “one or two players away” because they are good football teams that come up short. Look at last year’s game against the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle was every bit as good as the Patriots. They just weren’t better on the day that it mattered.

The same goes for the Packers.

Thompson has had an excellent start to this offseason, trying to ensure that this team is in the mix in late January and early February once again. Re-signing Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga is the personification of his “draft and develop” mantra.

Letting Davon House and Tramon Williams walk has obviously weakened the cornerback position somewhat, but giving House starter’s money was never in the cards for the Packers and Williams got $10 million guaranteed from the Cleveland Browns, a figure Thompson was never going to be able to match, not for a 32-year-old cornerback.

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No, Thompson will do as he always does: trust in the development of his younger players, whether that’s Demetri Goodson at corner or guys like Carl Bradford and Adrian Hubbard at linebacker.

The Packers general manager will do so while also mining the draft for new talent, something he’s done better than nearly everyone in the NFL during his nine years running the Packers. Yes, he’s had his misses, his poor draft classes. Every general manager has them.

What makes Thompson better than most is his ability to consistently find quality players even while continually picking from a spot far down the in the draft order. In fact, that’s something the Packers have done well since Ron Wolf, Thompson’s mentor, came to Green Bay. Since 1994, the Packers have drafted 22 Pro Bowlers despite averaging the second-lowest first round slot in that time. That’s a pretty good track record of using the draft to find quality football players.

This year should be no different. Yes, there are soft spots on the roster. But between Thompson’s picks and the development of the youth already on board, 2015 figures to be yet another successful campaign for the Green and Gold.

Author Aaron Nagler is the co-founder of Cheesehead TV. He currently works as an on-camera NFL analyst for Sports Illustrated. Aaron lives in New York City with his wife and three daughters. You can follow him on Twitter: @AaronNagler.

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SPECIAL CHEESEHEAD TV PRESENTS

There is only one

PASSWORD: TRUSTINTED2015

EDITION

special

“Stillmank Brewing is an independently owned Wisconsin craft beer company” 6 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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FEATURE BY: BRIAN CARRIVEAU

LINEBACKERS FROM BETWEEN THE HEDGES Ramik Wilson and Amarlo Herrera have known each other since they were teenagers.

In four years, they’ve combined for nearly 600 tackles, experienced 40 wins—an average of 10 per season—two SEC East division championships and four bowl game appearances.

Although they attended different high schools, as highly touted football players both from the state of Georgia, they became acquainted through athletics. They were part of the same recruiting class and enrolled at the University of Georgia at the same time.

“That’s what you want,” said Mike Ekeler, the team’s inside linebackers coach. “That’s why you come to the University of Georgia. You want to have that opportunity to come out and compete in the best conference in the country and then to move on and compete in the NFL. It’s really kind of an expectation.”

For the better part of four years, this pair lined up next to each other at linebacker, just a pace or two between them, roughly five yards off the line of scrimmage. They were also roommates. Quite literally, they ate, lived and breathed together.

RAMIK WILSON

In a day and age when more and more underclassmen are declaring for the NFL Draft before their eligibility is exhausted, Wilson and Herrera stuck it out. This dynamic duo came to Athens together, and they’ll leave together.

The job interview process in the NFL can be an intimidating one. And a grind.

Now that they’re on the doorstep of professional football, more than likely their paths will finally diverge. Wilson, however, is holding out hope that somehow, someway, he and his friend wind up on the same NFL roster.

“Me and Amarlo, we’ve been together since high school, All-American games,” said Wilson. “We’ve always played right next to each other.

“That’s like my brother. We’re always together, do everything together. I’d love to have him on my team again.”

It’s remarkable what Wilson and Herrera have accomplished, not just individually—although they’ve earned their share of individual accolades too—but what they’ve helped the Georgia Bulldogs achieve.

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Following a long season and an appearance in a bowl game, Wilson received an invitation to an all-star game, the Senior Bowl, which amounted to a weeklong engagement in Mobile, Ala., where he practiced in Philip Williams front of NFL personnel evaluators for several days before taking part in the game itself.

Then there was an appearance at the NFL Combine, another almost weeklong affair, where Wilson worked out and was poked and prodded in his medical exam and had countless interviews with NFL teams, some on an informal basis, others more formal.

Next would be Georgia’s pro day, where he and the rest of his Bulldog teammates wouldn’t have to leave campus. NFL decision makers would come to them.

For many people, the process would be overwhelming. A job with a career earnings potential that numbers in the millions would make

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FEATURE almost anyone nervous. But Wilson tries to remember that everything he’s done up to this point has prepared him for this moment.

“To relax, do what I’ve been doing this my whole life, competing against the best,” said Wilson of his mindset. “I’ve been doing that in the SEC, one of the best conferences, and I love the challenge and I’m ready to show what I can do.”

During his senior season, Wilson once again hit triple digits in tackles, notching 110. One reason he’s been so productive: Since playing in eight games as a freshman and 10 games as a sophomore, Wilson played in all 13 contests both his junior and senior campaigns.

“I would say I’m durable,” said Wilson. “I give great effort; I play fast.

I’m a sure tackler, and I have knack getting to the ball.”

While at the Combine, Wilson had a formal interview with the Green Bay Packers. Of the 320 players invited to Indianapolis, the Packers chose Wilson to be among their 60 allotted formal meetings.

AMARLO HERRERA If Ramik Wilson is durable, Amarlo Herrera is an Iron Man.

The Bulldogs linebacker recalled the whole staff being present, all the figures he’d interact with on a daily basis if he were selected by Green Bay: head coach John Kelly Mike McCarthy, defensive coordinator Dom Capers, linebackers coach Winston Moss to name a few.

“It was intense,” said Wilson. “They were asking a lot of questions.

They had my game film on there, certain plays, why I do this, why I do that, talk through the scheme. It was great work, and I felt that I had a great connection with them.”

If there’s any position on the roster where the Packers need help, it’s inside linebacker, a point made abundantly clear when the team released A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones in the offseason.

The Packers are looking at Wilson as a replacement, a player to supplement depth at the position, perhaps a prospective starter, even if some might describe him as better suited for a 4-3 defense.

“Ramik is more of an outside, a ‘Will’ linebacker,” described Mike Ekeler, “really, really runs well, makes a lot of plays in space, very instinctive and just a bigger-bodied guy: 6’ 2”, 245 lbs. who can cover a lot of ground. He led the league in tackles two years ago and very, very productive.”

As Ekeler notes, Wilson paced the SEC in tackles as a junior, making 133 of them, 11 for a loss, on his way to earning first-team allconference honors from both the coaches and the Associated Press.

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In four years, Herrera played in every one of Georgia’s 54 games, becoming increasingly more productive each season of his college career.

“You can’t get better if you’re not out there practicing every day,” said Ekeler. “You can’t get better if you’re not out there playing, and those guys, they didn’t miss a beat. I can’t remember any snaps this year, we may have taken them out one or two to give them a break, but other than that, they were in there the whole time, grinding away and playing their tails off.”

Herrera’s season tackle total improved from 37 as a freshman to 70 to 112 to 115 each subsequent year. As a senior he was honored as a first-team All-SEC selection by the media.

Whereas Wilson was a sideline-to-sideline attacker, Herrera was the linchpin of the Georgia defense, an experienced leader that teammates looked to for direction.

It’s a role Herrera took very seriously because when coaches analyzed his film on a game-to-game basis, he was graded not only on his own performance but also on how he communicated instructions to his teammates.

“If anybody ain’t lined up right, I get a minus on that play,” explained Herrera. “They don’t get a minus, I get a minus, so I kind of take that personal.”

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FEATURE When he reaches the NFL, Herrera will be expected to hold similar responsibilities as more of the prototype middle linebacker at 6’ 1” and 244 lbs.

Herrera and Wilson are going to be rookies in the NFL. They’re not finished products, nor will they be first round draft choices.

When it’s all said and done, it doesn’t matter that they’re going to be mid-round draft picks. All it matters is what they do once they join a team.

Philip Williams

“Amarlo is a guy who’s kind of a field general,” said Ekeler. “He makes all the calls; he’s got tremendous command, and again, you’re talking about an extremely productive player who just makes plays. And I think that’s the mark of a great linebacker, guys that can get off blocks and make plays.”

where there are a lot more spot drops, and we’re a lot more manmatch. … I think you continuously work on that.”

Herrera acknowledges that one thing he has to do better at the next level is staying low and keeping his pad level down.

Something both he and Wilson need to work on, however, is pass coverage, not exactly a strong suit for either player. The Packers are looking for three-down linebackers, not just two-down run defenders.

“It’s in what you’re asking these guys too,” said Ekeler. “We do a lot of different things coverage-wise than maybe they do even in the NFL

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For now, as part of the pre-draft process, Herrera and Wilson are just working to get better, pushing each other to be the best linebacker each of them can possibly be.

“It’s definitely fun, because we’re doing the same drills,” said Herrera.

“We’re going to compete against each other regardless, but we’re trying to make each other better, so it’s good to see what he can do, and I know he loves to see what I do, so we’re just going to build off each other.“

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FEATURE BY: BRIAN CARRIVEAU

A BELLDOZING TIGHT END

Bell might have been a good college quarterback but not a great one. He was, after all, best known for being the “Belldozer,” the goal-line package quarterback, taking advantage of his 250-pound body to put a shoulder down and plunging into the end zone.

No one knew Bell for his arm talent. It was always his size and his legs. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he scored a combined 24 touchdowns on the ground but not a single one through the air. He’d eventually get a shot as a full-time quarterback his junior season, but by the end of that campaign, he’d been passed

by Knight.

Credit Bell for swallowing a degree of pride.

There’s so many talented athletes playing the quarterback position that don’t let go, ones that played the position in college but couldn’t hack it in the NFL. College stars like Tim Tebow, Colin Klein and Jordan Lynch come to mind.

OU Athletics Communications

It didn’t take long for Blake Bell to see the writing on the wall following Oklahoma’s takedown of highly regarded Alabama in the 2014 Sugar Bowl.

After starting eight games at quarterback during the 2013 regular season, Bell didn’t attempt a single pass, didn’t have a single rushing attempt as the Sooners turned to Trevor Knight, who completed 72.7 percent of his passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns against the acclaimed Alabama defense.

When the season came to a close, Bell had the opportunity to reflect on his future. He’d be entering his senior year in college, and indications were that Oklahoma was going to place its eggs in Knight’s basket at the quarterback position. Bell had a decision to make, one he’d make himself.

“It was 100 percent me,” said Bell. “Obviously laying out my options, whether to transfer and play quarterback, or switch to tight end and just talking to my family, we made the decision to switch, and I wanted to stay at Oklahoma, finish my career there, and I felt like that was the best opportunity for me.”

The final call was made between the end of the season and the start of spring practice.

Bell spent his entire life preparing to be a quarterback, and those days were coming to an end. No longer would he be playing a position that comes with so much attention and scrutiny.

“combined 24 touchdowns on the ground” 10 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

“I used to tease Blake the whole year, especially when it was announced that he wasn’t our starting quarterback, so that whole season I’m like, ‘C’mon over to me,’” said Oklahoma tight ends coach Jay Boulware. “I just kind of teased him a little bit. At the time, I had no idea that he had lineage to the position with father playing tight end and playing in the NFL.” Blake’s father Mark Bell played professional football for six seasons, remarkably as both a tight end and defensive end, with the Seahawks and Colts from 1979 to 1984. If that isn’t enough, Blake’s uncle Mike Bell was talented enough to become the No. 2 overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft and played for 12 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1979 to 1991. Mike was strictly a defensive end but talented nonetheless.

For Blake, the bloodlines are there. They’re enough to suggest he’s got what it takes to develop into a legitimate pro-caliber tight end.

“It helps a lot,” said Bell, “just with my dad and uncle telling me different things to work on or taking me through their process when they were going through this and stuff like that.”

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FEATURE

THE TRANSITION

Blake Bell won’t be a first round draft choice. He’s still rough around the edges. But considering the progress he made in just one season playing tight end, he’s on the correct trajectory.

“First of all, he hasn’t trained mentally and physically like a tight end needs to, ever in his life,” said Jay Boulware. “He’s always been from a quarterback mindset, and it gets a little rough in those trenches from time to time, especially when you’re down on the goal line and short-yardage and those types of things.

“You could just see him grow, and it’s only been a year, but you can see him grow just tremendously from spring practice No. 1 to the end of spring. He got hurt in spring, so he didn’t finish it out. And then through two-aday camp and through Game 1 to Game 2, so he’s just been growing and growing and growing the entire season.”

Boulware recalled how impressive it was to see Bell fight through a knee injury in a midNovember match-up with Texas Tech and finish the contest, even though the injury was bad enough to sideline him for the next game. In his first game back, Bell had a career-high 59 receiving yards, including a career-long 47yard reception.

On the season, Bell had 16 catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns. By no means are those eye-popping statistics, but again, considering the headway Bell made in just one season as a tight end, he would appear to be on the right track. That was confirmed when he received an invitation to a postseason all-star game to perform in front of NFL scouts.

“I’ve got a long ways to go, but I’m also only getting better,” said Bell.

“I felt like I was getting lot better toward the end of the season, and every single game I was picking up new things and better technique and stuff like that. Even going into the East-West Shrine I felt good going against some of the best guys in the country. So I’d say that I’m happy with where I’m at, but I obviously want to keep getting better and better and better.”

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When Bell took part in the NFL Combine, his performance was perhaps the biggest indicator yet that he’s ready to take the next step on his journey. His time of 4.80 seconds in the 40-yard dash wasn’t jaw-dropping, but it was right on par with Minnesota’s Maxx Williams (4.78) and Miami’s Clive Walford (4.79), generally considered as the Top 2 tight ends in this year’s draft class.

Where Bell really stood out was in the change-of-direction events such as the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle. His times of 6.85 and 4.32 seconds in each respective discipline ranked first and second among tight ends at the Combine.

Bell’s times are all the more impressive for a player that measured in at 6’ 6”, taller than all but one other tight end at the Combine. For many people, it takes more time to get their longer limbs moving, particularly one that weighs 252 lbs. like Bell.

Unfortunately for Bell, a Combine-low 14 repetitions on the bench press among players at his position sticks out in a negative way. In light of his relative inexperience at tight end, however, it can also be argued that Bell’s functional strength has yet to hit its peak.

“I think the No. 1 thing he does as a tight end is the accumulation of all of it,” said Boulware.

“I don’t think he’s Jimmy Graham as a receiver, and I don’t think he’s (Rob) Gronkowski maybe as a blocker. But in between all of that, he’s pretty good at blocking; he’s pretty good at receiving; he’s well rounded as a player right now.”

And that’s maybe the highest praise Bell can get. He’s considered versatile: not just a blocker, not just a receiver. When he finally finds himself on an NFL roster, Bell’s flexible, adjustable, multitalented resourcefulness will be a calling card.

“Anytime you can get down and block people in the run game, whether it’s power or outside zone,” said Bell, “and then you can split out and have a linebacker on you, that’s something that’s pretty dangerous.”

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DRAFT PREVIEW BY: PAUL GUILLEMETTE

HE REMINDS ME OF It’s time to journey into those murky waters of trying to project which current draft prospects are reminiscent of certain current or ex-NFL players as they went on to play for pay. These comparisons take into consideration position, size and style of play. No two humans are exactly alike, but correlations can sometimes be drawn.

DANNY SHELTON - WASH VINCE WILFORK

ERIC KENDRICKS - UCLA

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BOBBY WAGNER

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Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton is one of those freaks of nature that looks like the ‘Incredible Bulk’ but plays with athleticism and the energy of a safety. His number of plays in the opponent’s backfield last season was astounding for a guy double-team blocked in the middle of the line each down. What impresses the most about Shelton was the fact that he played a very high percentage of downs and was always on the field in the fourth quarter. In that sense, he is comparable to Vince Wilfork, who dominated play in the middle of the field for a decade with the New England Patriots.

UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks has been a tackling machine for the Bruins with three straight years of over 100 tackles. In addition to his tackling totals, Kendricks has shown coverage ability and picked off three balls in 2014. The only hesitation may lie in the fact that at 6’ 0” tall and 232 lbs., he is a bit undersized for an inside linebacker slot.

That was also what concerned personnel people about a tackling machine named Bobby Wagner of Utah State three drafts ago. Now Wagner is considered perhaps the most productive middle linebacker in the league, playing sideline to sideline for the Seahawks. He and Kendricks look very similar in size, style and results.

MAXX WILLIAMS - MINN

VICTOR BEASLEY - CLEMSON

JASON WITTEN

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VON MILLER

One of the weakest position groups in the 2015 draft will be that of the tight ends. Thank goodness that Minnesota’s Maxx Williams has declared to enter and forego the remainder of his college eligibility.

Williams, whose father Brian was a former first rounder with the Giants, is not an elite prospect but is clearly rated as the leader of the tight end pack. His size (6’ 4” and 250 lbs.) and large hands (10 3/8”) make him a solid target, and even though he’s not a deep threat, he can get separation and run over a few defenders after the catch. His potential evokes images of Jason Witten of the Cowboys, who was not considered elite coming out of Tennessee but has been reliable and highly productive in Dallas.

LANDON COLLINS - ALABAMA ROY WILLIAMS - DALLAS

SS

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Clemson’s Vic Beasley has truly been a wonder as a speedy edgerushing defensive end for the Tigers. Even though his career tackles number is less than impressive with only 98 in three years as a starter, it is amazing than more than 50 percent of them were behind the line of scrimmage with 52.5, which included 33 sacks. Just as impressive physically was his showing at the Combine in February at a rocked-up 246 lbs. (at least 15 above his estimated college playing weight) and still pushing up 35 reps in the bench press while blistering the 40-yard dash at 4.53 seconds. Beasley is a freakish athletic specimen and a dynamic player. After showing off his recent frame, he’s comparable to Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller.

BUCK ALLEN - USC MARCUS ALLEN - RAIDERS

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JAELEN STRONG - ARIZONA ST. ALSHON JEFFREY - BEARS

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HE REMINDS ME OF LEONARD WILLIAMS - USC RICHARD SEYMOUR

JAKE FISHER - OREGON

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OT

NATE SOLDER

Many folks will tell you that on pure talent and athleticism alone, the best prospect in the 2015 draft pool is Southern Cal defensive lineman Leonard Williams. The athletic and naturally gifted Williams looks like a prototype that could play any and all defensive line slots in any scheme. He is expected to become a perennial Pro Bowler in shor t order. In all those regards he is ver y similar to Richard Seymour, who starred with the Patriots and Raiders for 12 NFL seasons. His athleticism and natural strength made him a monster to be schemed around every week by NFL offenses, and he plugged into multiple positions and roles during his career. Seymour played most of his career at 6’6” and 317 lbs., while Williams measured just short of 6’ 5” and weighed 302 lbs. He looks even bigger and is probably not done filling out yet. Like Seymour, Williams shows potential to dominate games as a pro.

Oregon offensive tackle Jake Fisher rocked the Combine as well, showing up at 306 lbs., with 33 ¾” long arms pushing up 25 reps on the bench press while running the 40 in 5.01 seconds. That combination of numbers left some personnel people literally awestruck.

A young man that was considered a late third rounder two months ago is now on the edge of Round 1. If your memory goes back just four years, you might recall a somewhat surprising Round 1 pick of the Patriots that has been a permanent starter on their left side by the name of Nate Solder from Colorado. Neither guy is a mauler, but their length and athleticism allows them to control their side of the line and protect their quarterback.

AMEER ABDULLAH - NEBRASKA

KEVIN WHITE - W. VIRGINIA

BISHOP SANKEY

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JULIO JONES

The NFL has become a lot more receptive to shorter running backs in the past decade, just as the league has seemed to devalue the position itself. Recently successful running backs that are well under six feet tall include Maurice Jones-Drew, Jamaal Charles, Alfred Morris, Frank Gore and Ray Rice to name a few. The difference between small and short is all-important around the league. One of the better rookie running backs last season was the Tennesee Titans’ Bishop Sankey, who is similar to Nebraska’s Ameer Abudullah. Sankey is 5’10” and 209 lbs., while Abdullah at the recent Combine was 5’9” and 205. What they have most in common is quick-cut explosion to and through the hole. Abdullah also has decent hands and can catch when sliding out of the backfield. Sankey rushed for 569 yards for the Titans last year and caught 18 passes while splitting duty with Shonn Greene. Both are quicker than fast with decent power.

“quick cut explosion through the hole” GRADY JARRETT - CLEMSON GENO ATKINS - BENGALS

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“left some people literally awestruck”

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There are certain players that many folks feel very uncomfortable about making comparisons. They are considered once-in-a-generation players that cannot be compared to mere football mortals, which is the direction this comparison is headed. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has been considered an elite athlete and receiver since his five-star recruit status at Alabama. It’s hard to believe that he’s only played four seasons in the NFL. He lost most of the 2013 season to injury but bounced back to catch 104 balls in 2014 to pretty much validate all the hoopla about his ability since being drafted in 2011. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s Kevin White —a JUCO transfer— exploded as a senior with 109 catches in 13 games. Then he really moved his stock up at the Combine when at 6’ 0” and 215 lbs. he rocketed to a 40 time of 4.35 seconds, the third-fastest at the venue.

He has Jones’ size, speed and productivity to demand elite draft position consideration, and make people believe his pro potential is considerable.

JAY AJAYI - BOISE STATE FRED JACKSON - BILLS

RB

MARCUS MARIOTA - OREGON COLIN KAEPERNICK - 49ERS

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DRAFT PREVIEW NFL DRAFT 2015

COLIN LINDSAY - EDITOR PAUL GUILLEMETTE - CHIEF SCOUT

The Top 100 Prospects FROM THE STAFF OF THE GREAT BLUE NORTH DRAFT REPORT #1

#3

#5

#7

#9

#11

#13

LEONARD WILLIAMS USC

MARCUS MARIOTA OREGON

DANTE FOWLER FLORIDA

RANDY GREGORY NEBRASKA

VIC BEASLEY CLEMSON

BRANDON SCHERFF IOWA

SHANE RAY MISSOURI

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#2

#4

WWW.GBNREPORT.COM

JAMEIS WINSTON FLORIDA STATE

AMARI COOPER ALABAMA

KEVIN WHITE

#6

WEST VIRGINIA

TRAE WAYNES

#8

#10

MICHIGAN STATE

DANNY SHELTON WASHINGTON

BUD DUPREE

#12

#14

KENTUCKY

LANDON COLLINS

ALABAMA

QB

WR

WR

CB

DL

ED

SS

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THE TOP 100 #15

#17

#19

#21

#23

#25

#27

#29

MELVIN GORDON WISCONSIN

LA’EL COLLINS LSU

DeVANTE PARKER LOUISVILLE

TODD GURLEY GEORGIA

JAELEN STRONG ARIZONA STATE

ERECK FLOWERS MIAMI

JORDAN PHILLIPS OKLAHOMA

ARIK ARMSTEAD OREGON

15 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

RB

OL

WR

RB

WR

OT

DL

DL

#16

DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM OKLAHOMA

ANDRUS PEAT

#18

#20

#22

#24

#26

#28

STANFORD

T.J. CLEMMINGS PITTSBURGH

EDDIE GOLDMAN FLORIDA STATE

MALCOM BROWN TEXAS

SHAQ THOMPSON WASHINGTON

MARCUS PETERS

#30

WASHINGTON

CAM ERVING FLORIDA STATE

WR

OT

OT

DL

DL

LB

CB

OL

CheeseheadTV.com

THE TOP 100 #31

#33

#35

#37

#39

#41

#43

#45

BENARDRICK McKINNEY MISSISSIPPI STATE

JALEN COLLINS LSU

A.J. CANN SOUTH CAROLINA

ELI HAROLD VIRGINIA

SAMMIE COATES AUBURN

BRETT HUNDLEY UCLA

DEVIN SMITH OHIO STATE

DONOVAN SMITH PENN STATE

16 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

LB

CB

OG

ED

WR

QB

WR

OT

#32

OWAMAGBE ODIGHIZUWA UCLA

CARL DAVIS

#34

#36

#38

#40

#42

#44

IOWA

NATE ORCHARD UTAH

MICHAEL BENNETT OHIO STATE

MAXX WILLIAMS MINNESOTA

D.J. HUMPHRIES FLORIDA

TEVIN COLEMAN

#46

INDIANA

P.J. WILLIAMS FLORIDA STATE

ED

DL

ED

DL

TE

OT

RB

CB

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THE TOP 100 #47

#50

#53

#56

#59

#62

#65

#68

#71

JAKE FISHER OREGON

DANIELLE HUNTER LSU

QUENTIN ROLLINS MIAMI UNIVERSITY

ERIC KENDRICKS UCLA

CEDRIC OGBUEHI TEXAS A&M

BRESHAD PERRIMAN UCF

PHILLIP DORSETT MIAMI

HAU’OLI KIKAHA WASHINGTON

DERRON SMITH FRESNO STATE

OT

#48

ED

#51

CB

#54

LB

#57

OT

#60

WR

#63

WR

#66

EP

#69

FS

#72

17 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

DEVIN FUNCHESS MICHIGAN

LORENZO MAULDIN LOUISVILLE

KEVIN JOHNSON WAKE FOREST

NELSON AGHOLOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

DENZEL PERRYMAN MIAMI

IFO EKPRE-OLOMU OREGON

CLIVE WALFORD MIAMI

PAUL DAWSON TCU

TRE McBRIDE WILLIAM & MARY

WR

#49

ED

#52

CB

#55

WR

#58

LB

#61

CB

#64

TE

#67

LB

#70

WR

#73

DUKE JOHNSON MIAMI

TYLER LOCKETT KANSAS STATE

CODY PREWITT OLE MISS

STEPHONE ANTHONY CLEMSON

MARIO EDWARDS FLORIDA STATE

JAQUISKI TARTT SAMFORD

JAY AJAYI BOISE STATE

ALEX CARTER STANFORD

JEREMY LANGFORD MICHIGAN STATE

RB

RS

FS

LB

DL

SS

RB

CB

RB

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THE TOP 100 #74

#77

#80

#83

#86

#89

#92

#95

#98

JOSH SHAW USC

TY SAMBRAILO COLORADO STATE

BRYCE PETTY BAYLOR

TY MONTGOMERY STANFORD

JAVORIUS ALLEN USC

JEREMIAH POUTASI UTAH

XAVIER COOPER WASHINGTON STATE

SENQUEZ GOLSON OLE MISS

ELLIS McCARTHY UCLA

CB

#75

OT

#78

QB

#81

WR

#84

RB

#87

OT

#90

DL

#93

CB

#96

DL

#99

18 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

ANTHONY HARRIS VIRGINIA

RONALD DARBY FLORIDA STATE

BYRON JONES UCONN

LAKEN TOMLINSON DUKE

JUSTIN HARDY EAST CAROLINA

T.J. YELDON ALABAMA

MIKE DAVIS SOUTH CAROLINA

ARIE KOUANDIJO ALABAMA

STEVEN NELSON OREGON STATE

FS

#76

CB

#79

CB

#82

OG

#85

WR

#88

RB

#91

RB

#94

OG

#97

CB

#100

AMEER ABDULLAH NEBRASKA

TRE’ JACKSON FLORIDA STATE

PRESTON SMITH MISSISSIPPI STATE

ALI MARPET HOBART

TREY FLOWERS ARKANSAS

DAVID JOHNSON NORTHERN IOWA

DEON GRANT OHIO STATE

KURTIS DRUMMOND MICHIGAN STATE

JOHN MILLER LOUISVILLE

RB

OG

DL

OG

ED

RB

CB

FS

OG

CheeseheadTV.com

DRAFT PREVIEW ANDREW GARDA

MOCK DRAFT 2015 #1

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS JAMEIS WINSTON - FSU

QB

This pick as a “no-brainer” is a bit debatable. While most people are reasonably sure that the Buccaneers go quarterback, which one they will fall in love with is unclear. Winston is the selection here because he possesses a skillset more easily translated to the pro game, and while Mariota has a lot of upside, he also needs more work, and the Bucs need someone who can step in immediately.

There are certainly off-the-field concerns about maturity, but believe the Bucs are in a better position to know what Winston is about than anyone given their presence in Florida. At the end of the day, Tampa Bay has the weapons—including last year’s first round pick Mike Evans and stud receiver Vincent Jackson—and need a guy who can step right in. The smart money is on them feeling fine about Winston’s off-the-field issues and take him.

#2

TENNESSEE TITANS LEONARD WILLIAMS - USC

#3

DL

With the number of holes this team has, it can go with a spot other than quarterback. Zach Mettenberger is a promising young player, but while the Titans don’t know if he’s the long-term answer yet, they can get much better value by trading back or filling another spot.

Could they go with Marcus Mariota? Sure. They don’t have the weapons around him to make him successful, and hopefully they realize that.

Williams is a great defensive lineman, and the former Trojan can play either at end or tackle as well. That versatility and a desperate need on the defensive line make this a pretty solid pick, especially in the hybrid defense the Titans will run. Williams can slide around the line, could easily play defensive end and then kick inside if need be.

19 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS RANDY GREGORY - NEBRASKA

ED

With a ton of talented defensive-line players worthy of this pick— and good fits—the Jaguars could go a few directions here. They had the money to throw around on free agents, but they were not willing to pour enough money into Ndamukong Suh to land him, and that leaves the line as a concern.

Gregory is another versatile defensive lineman who can be really disruptive against both the pass and the run. He’s effective coming off the edge because he has a really nice burst and can be very tough for tackles and tight ends to handle.

“they had the money to throw”

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MOCK DRAFT #4

OAKLAND RAIDERS AMARI COOPER - ALABAMA

WR

After watching Cooper, he shouldn’t be counted out of top spot. The Raiders need a weapons like this to help out second-year starter Derek Carr, and it’s hard to imagine they do anything but get a receiver and make Cooper their guy.

A tremendous route-runner with good speed and nice hands, Cooper is the No. 1 Oakland needs so much. James Jones is good, but he’s a No. 2 at best and the other guys they have all lack something.

They need help at wide receiver and while there are good receivers in this class, once we get past the cream of the crop, you aren’t likely to find a No. 1 option.

#5

WASHINGTON SHANE RAY - MISSOURI

ED

There are a lot of directions Washington can go here, although they have a lot of offensive pieces in place. It can argued whether or not the quarterback situation is settled, but there’s no way they draft Mariota here—alternatively, however, they could trade out and find someone else that wants him. With the Jets a likely quarterback landing spot, this is the place someone would jump into to cut them off. Washington added to the interior with Stephen Paea and Terrance Knighton, but they need help off the edge too.

Ray is a great pass rusher who can beat blockers inside and out, as well as bring pressure from any direction. As with many of the Dlinemen that will go in the first round, versatility is a word that comes to mind here. Secondary continues to be a bigger need, but there’s arguably nobody worthy of taking quite this early.

#6

NEW YORK JETS MARCUS MARIOTA - OREGON

The danger is if, in Jets fashion, they throw Mariota out too early. He has tremendous upside, but he’s raw and his game might take some massaging. On the other hand, if the Jets and new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey are willing to build the offensive scheme around Mariota rather than force him into a regular offense, they might find a lot of success. Either way, can they afford to pass on a quarterback here?

#7

CHICAGO BEARS DANNY SHELTON - WASHINGTON

DL

John Fox and company will find it hard to pass up Shelton, a guy who is a clear head and shoulders better than the players they have in house right now. Shelton gets a lot of offensive-line attention, which will free up those around him to do more. On his own, he does a great job both clogging up running lanes and penetrating into the backfield.

Fox and friends are in the midst of a massive reboot on defense, and adding an impact defensive lineman like Shelton would be a big step in helping put this defense back on the map.

#8

ATLANTA FALCONS VIC BEASLEY - CLEMSON

ED

The Falcons spent one year with a 3-4 hybrid defense and now will be shifting back to a 4-3 with Cover 3 aspects so picking defense here would be important. Of course, as was the case last year, offensive line is an issue as well. The question is, can they add a tackle here that they intend to put on the right side since Jake Matthews is on the left?

Between the somewhat greater issues on defense and the fact that it is too early to grab a right tackle, the Falcons are likely to go defense.

Beasley is a great pass rusher who is tremendously disruptive. He can fit in either the 4-3 or 3-4 and could play defensive end as well.

QB

If—and it’s a reasonably big if—Mariota is still here, the Jets would be wise to take him. Sure, they could get really good value if they trade out, although probably not the fantasy football trade numbers that people think Philadelphia would be willing to give. But you cannot win without a quarterback, and right now it would be hard to imagine they think Geno Smith is the guy or that Ryan Fitzpatrick is the long-term answer.

20 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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MOCK DRAFT #9

NEW YORK GIANTS BRANDON SCHERFF - IOWA

#12

0L

CLEVELAND BROWNS DeVANTE PARKER - LOUSVILLE

WR

You don’t miss the playoffs in back-to-back years without needing help in more than one place, although some things are more critical than others. The Giants need defensive help, sure, but if they learned one thing this past season, it’s that the offensive line needs a makeover too.

Last draft, it was discovered that Josh Gordon would be suspended for a year during the early rounds. Likewise, it was also discovered that this was not news to the organization, which went ahead and didn’t draft a replacement wide receiver not just in the first round but any round.

Scherff can play either tackle or guard, and any team can never have enough offensive-line depth. This line needs a ton of help and needs to be rebuilt with young players in addition to the free agents they have brought in over the past year or so. The only hesitation in mocking an offensive lineman here is that G.M. Jerry Reese has not done much in the past to add good talent in the trenches, which is why they need to now.

This year, the Browns already know Josh Gordon is suspended for a long time, and they know they can’t blow off the position again. This team is not bereft of talent, nor is it a complete loss. Parker has good hands, nice speed and great body control, all of which is a huge help for whatever quarterback the Browns use. The other problem here is, who is throwing the ball? There are rumors they tried to trade for Sam Bradford, rumors they are interested in Mariota and rumors they would trade out of the first for the right quarterback.

#10

ST. LOUIS RAMS LA’EL COLLINS - LSU

OL

#13

Defensively, this team is in decent shape, but the offense needs help.

With Nick Foles in the house, the Rams won’t be reaching for a quarterback this early. They’re probably not going receiver, either. What they might do, though, is improve the offensive line, so whoever lines up under center is protected and has time to throw.

Who specifically they’ll take is fluid. Unlike years past, there doesn’t appear to be a consensus as to the top tackles yet. It’s early, though, and for right now, Collins has the look of a good one. The LSU product could play right or left tackle as needed.

#11

MINNESOTA VIKINGS KEVIN WHITE - WEST VIRGINIA

WR

Yes, the Vikings just got Mike Wallace. However, they can’t be totally certain he’s going to work out—he barely did in Miami, especially in terms of chemistry. Cordarrelle Patterson seems to be a bust right now, Charles Johnson may not repeat last season’s numbers, Jarius Wright is a nice but limited receiver and Greg Jennings is gone.

White is dangerous after the catch, finds ways to create space from coverage and will fight for the ball. He’d be a great addition for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and could help cushion the blow on shorter routes from the apparent missed pick of Patterson. Now watch coach Zimmer go another way and draft a linebacker.

21 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ALVIN “BUD” DUPREE - KENTUCKY

ED

No defense regressed as badly as the Saints did from 2013 to 2014.

One minute Rob Ryan looked like a genius and the next he was overseeing a team with zero pass rush.

Dupree would be a huge help in turning things around in 2015, as he is a tremendous pain to stop when coming off the edge. He’s a powerhouse, and that’s something Ryan’s defense lacked last season. The NFC South is not likely as bad as they looked last season, but there is plenty of room for a team like the Saints to wrest control early if they have their defense going. Of course, the Saints also booted some key pieces from the offense, so nobody will be shocked if they go to that side of the ball.

#14

MIAMI DOLPHINS SHAQ THOMPSON - WASHINGTON

LB

Miami’s defensive situation isn’t awful by any stretch, especially with Ndamukong Suh, but an upgrade at linebacker would help shore it up. The Dolphins could go wide receiver since Mike Wallace is gone, but they do have some talent there, so they may stand pat.

Thompson is not only an incredible athlete but seems to have a sixth sense about what is about to happen on offense and takes advantage of it. He is good at disrupting pass catchers crossing his area and can pursue sideline to sideline with no problem.

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MOCK DRAFT #15

SAN FRANCISCO 49ers JAELEN STRONG - ARIZONA STATE

#18

WR

While the defense has been a bit torn up with the retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, there’s no linebacker here that is a great fix. Meanwhile, the Niners have to be concerned about an aging Anquan Boldin with a whole lot of question marks behind him.

The future is uncertain for quarterback Colin Kaepernick now that Jim Harbaugh is gone, but if the Niners are going to have any success offensively, he needs some weapons.

Strong is one of a number of players drifting behind the top receivers, but he’s no slouch. He’s big; he’s fast; he can catch balls all over the place, and he can be a vertical threat the Niners haven’t had in a while.

#16

HOUSTON TEXANS

DEVIN SMITH - OHIO STATE

WR

Much like the Browns and Niners, Kansas City can’t really ignore wide receiver this year. Alex Smith has held things together with what he already has, but why push it when you can grab a player like Devin Smith? Devin Funchess and Dorial Green-Beckham (on the field but not off it) are other good options, but Smith is their best bet.

A deep threat for the Buckeyes that will fight for a catch and has a knack for big plays, Smith would be a great fit in the Chiefs offense and a big upgrade over what they have there—an upgrade they desperately need.

#19 OT

CEDRIC OGBUEHI - TEXAS A&M

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

CLEVELAND BROWNS EDDIE GOLDMAN - FLORIDA STATE

DL

Since Houston has worked very hard to continue adding defensive weapons in free agency, shoring up the right side of the offensive line is the way to go with their first pick.

If the Browns did one thing right from the actions they took in the first round last season—and to be fair, the jury is still out on both their picks—it’s that they acquired a second first-round pick. Of course, among last year’s first-round selections, the early returns aren’t good. So do you trust them to get it right this year?

There is some concern about whether or not Ogbuehi can anchor in pass protection, but he’s a phenomenal run blocker and concerns about his pass pro are more technique-based than overall skill and can be fixed. Given that there is still no clear answer at quarterback (Ryan Mallett vs. Brian Hoyer), Houston will likely want to run the ball again, which means that in this case, a run-blocking stud with passblocking upside is more critical than a guy who can pass protect but not block for a run.

Lost in the quarterback and wide receiver messes, as well as the Alex Mack injury, was the problem this team had up the middle, especially after Phil Taylor got hurt. Overall, the Browns defensive line hasn’t been as deep as it needs to be, and Taylor’s injury just exposed that. Goldman has a nasty streak and can really abuse offensive linemen one-on-one. He can play in several different schemes, jam the middle and stop the run and feels like the type of guy who has a ton of upside.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

#17

ANDRUS PEAT - STANFORD

#20

OT

With Collins, Scherff and now Ogbuehi off the board, it’s no given the Chargers address the offensive line here, but it’s such a critical need that they nearly must. Luckily, if they’re going to have to grab whatever tackle is available, Peat is a good one to fall in their lap.

Peat is very quick on his feet, has great length and could eventually line up at either tackle. Given how many guys are hurt, leaving in free agency and struggling, any help would be good help. Peat has the potential to be of great assistance to a line that is desperate for it.

22 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

TRAE WAYNES - MICHIGAN STATE

CB

Byron Maxwell was a solid acquisition in free agency, but another corner would be good to have. Enter Waynes, a playmaking corner with great ball skills, who has the athleticism and instincts to be a very good cover corner. He’s also not shy about stepping up to engage in the run game, which is always a plus for a corner.

There still seems to be the possibility that the Eagles move up for Marcus Mariota because Chip Kelly loves his quarterback. While sources say that Kelly has been talked off the ledge when showed how expensive that would be, having Sam Bradford might give him some leverage to move up.

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MOCK DRAFT #21

CINCINNATI BENGALS LANDON COLLINS - ALABAMA

#24

S

Corner is probably a little bigger need, but Collins really fits well here—a safety that can play down in the box but also drop back, attack the ball in the air and make plays that way. An impact safety with all the tools to be a tremendous asset immediately, Collins would be a nice pick for Cincy and one of several in this class they hope can come in and help them get past that wildcard round.

ARIZONA CARDINALS ARIK ARMSTEAD - OREGON

DL

Offensively, the Cardinals are set if they can get through the season with a quarterback intact. They could spend a pick on a running back, but they should like what they have, and Todd Gurley may not be Bruce Arians’ guy here. Instead, they go for the defensive side of the ball and shore up the interior.

The only concern is that many Alabama players come into the NFL and struggle. Some feel it’s because the program wrenches all they can out of the players, and it takes them a year or two to recover enough to excel at the pro level. It is a concern, but right now there’s enough evidence to feel Collins can buck that trend.

Armstead has a ton of potential, and his combination of size and explosiveness make him tough to overcome. He can use his first step to get his hands on an offensive lineman before they can react and move them into a run lane or just out of the way. He’s a bit raw rushing the passer but seems very coachable, so that shouldn’t be a worry.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

CAROLINA PANTHERS

#22

MARCUS PETERS - WASHINGTON

#25

CB

CAMERON ERVING - FLORIDA STATE

OL

This pick should make Steelers fans happy as it addresses a big area of need. Safety was given consideration, but Peters is a great pick and probably the best value. The former Washington defender is very versatile with great instincts, ball skills and cover skills, but potential character issues as well.

While things seemed to work out okay for Cam Newton with the wide receivers, it wasn’t so wonderful for him and his offensive line.

That line failed to protect him far too much and really needs a reboot to occur. It didn’t come in free agency, so they need some high-end rookies as well.

Peters was dismissed from the Huskies program after multiple disciplinary actions, but has since admitted (per Tom Pelissero of USA Today) that he deserved the punishment and might have done the same thing if he had been in charge. Given how little responsibility players are willing to take for their own errors, this could be a very good sign and perhaps the Steelers will be willing to take a chance on him.

Erving was once a defensive tackle but then moved to left tackle and eventually center for the Seminoles. He’s fast off the snap, has quick, agile feet and is a fierce blocker. He can bring versatility and consistency to the line and through that, Cam Newton.

DETROIT LIONS

DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM - OKLAHOMA

#23

CARL DAVIS - IOWA

DL

With Ndamukong Suh taking his talents to South Beach and Nick Fairley in St. Louis, this team needs help in the middle suddenly.

Haloti Ngata will help a lot, although even he cannot fill the void left

by Suh and only takes up one of the two tackle spots for the Lions.

Tyrunn Walker is a nice player, but he can’t be relied upon totally.

That’s why Davis fits here, a guy who is versatile, can rush the passer a bit but also shut down the inside run. Even with Ngata there, it’s smart to make this pick.

23 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

#26

BATIMORE RAVENS

WR

Torrey Smith is gone and Steve Smith is aging, so at some point the team needs to get some more receiver help. In other words, there’s a fairly good chance the Ravens look at receiver here. The trick here is off-field. Green-Beckham can ball, but he has some off-field concerns which could send him dropping further down the round than this pick.

According to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com, those concerns include the fact that Green-Beckham “was twice charged with marijuana-related crimes while at Missouri and was dismissed from the program after an investigation for burglary and assault.” He never actually played for the Sooners, but after sitting out for a year, he has declared for the draft.

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MOCK DRAFT #27

DALLAS COWBOYS TODD GURLEY - GEORGIA

#30

RB

GREEN BAY PACKERS JORDAN PHILLIPS - OKLAHOMA

DT

This selection depends on a few things. First, will Gurley be healthy enough to ease any concerns about his ability after last season’s injury? Second, do they find a way to pull off a trade for Adrian Peterson? And third, how much do the Cowboys think their success with the defense they had last year can be repeated?

Is there a way to draft a time-travel machine to go back to the playoff loss in Seattle and warn the team that they are about to collapse?

If not, then they should probably address the interior of their front seven because the late collapse and dropped onside kick aside, it was Marshawn Lynch that really stole their lunch.

There’s a chance Jerry Jones thinks that the defense will be just fine, although a cornerback or edge rusher here would be a good idea. But it’s also possible Jones realizes that the team’s success offensively was more about the run game and the offensive line than anything else. Gurley is a tremendous runner and a fantastic back, and while Melvin Gordon is a very good back if he’s healthy, Gurley is even better.

The Packers figure to firm up the interior with a guy like Phillips. Linebacker is another clear need, but Phillips has value here. His athleticism and versatility (three- or five-technique, he can do it all) make him a dangerous addition to a defense. Green Bay had issues against the run last season and adding Phillips would go a long way towards making sure that doesn’t happen again.

#28

DENVER BRONCOS MAXX WILLIAMS - MINNESOTA

#31

TE

Here’s another team late in the first round which could actually have a lot more holes to fill than some of the teams picking earlier.

Demaryius Thomas was franchised tagged, but Julius Thomas is in Jacksonville. They did pick up Owen Daniels, but at most Daniels is a space-filler—someone who is athletic enough to catch the ball but not a game-changer in his ninth season.

There’s a good chance the Broncos try to replace Thomas here by selecting Williams, the best tight end in a class with very few good options. He’s got good size and speed, can beat linebackers on routes and can stretch the field.

#29

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DANTE FOWLER - FLORIDA

ED

Indianapolis has focused more on the offensive side of the ball by adding Frank Gore and Andre Johnson, so now it’s time to get the defense some new toys. After all, they lost to the Patriots because they couldn’t get to Tom Brady enough. They’ll correct that in the draft, otherwise they won’t be getting another shot at the title.

24 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

KEVIN JOHNSON - WAKE FOREST

CB

While it’s tempting to pick a wide receiver here that doesn’t seem like New Orleans’ style. The Saints took Brandin Cooks last season and he did well, plus he was the first receiver they’ve taken in the first round since Robert Meachem in 2007. They’ve picked a wide receiver in the first round three times since the turn of the century, usually about five or six years apart.

It’s possible the Saints grab a guy like Melvin Gordon instead, but they seem content with Mark Ingram right now. What they need is secondary help. They got Brandon Browner, but Keenan Lewis is slated for the opposite side, and he was pretty awful last season. Enter Johnson, a very good cover corner who does a good job wrapping up ball carriers and adjusts well when the ball is in the air.

#32

Fowler is a terrific prospect, so he might go earlier. If he falls, however, don’t believe that he falls any later than this. A versatile defensive lineman that can play all along the line, Fowler uses savvy and great technique as well as his athleticism to get past linemen.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS MELVIN GORDON - WISCONSIN

RB

It makes sense for the Patriots to add cornerback here since they lost both of their starters in free agency, but P.J. Williams isn’t worth a pick here. Shane Vereen is gone, though, and if Stevan Ridley isn’t brought back, the running game could be an issue. They could really use a guy like Gordon.

He’s fast, he’s tough, and he’s got all the skills you need to lean on.

Having Gordon to keep defenses honest and move the chains would be a huge help in getting a few more years out of Brady.

CheeseheadTV.com

DRAFT PREVIEW

PACKERS TEAM NEEDS ZACH KRUSE

HELP WANTED AD

2014 SEASON RECAP

The 2014 season will long be remembered in Packers lore by what could have been. Twelve regular-season wins, a fourth-straight division title and a dramatic home-playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys will eventually fade from memory, but the crushing loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship Game will live on for ages.

The Packers were minutes away from upsetting the defending champions and playing in Super Bowl XLIX, but a stunning collapse—punctuated by a failed onside kick recovery and Seattle’s walk-off touchdown in overtime—ended Green Bay’s season. The loss ranks among the worst in franchise history and will forever define the 2014 season.

But the year wasn’t a total loss. The Packers shook off a 1-2 start to win nine of their next 10 games, including five by over 21 points.

Aaron Rodgers played through a double strain in his left calf, leading comebacks over the Lions to clinch the division in Week 17 and the Cowboys in the divisional round. Rodgers won his second league MVP, and the offense led the NFL in scoring. The Packers were a championship-caliber football team that simply blew its chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy.

KEY PLAYERS Aaron Rodgers played in all 16 games and threw just five interceptions, one less the number of touchdowns he tossed in the first half against Chicago. He remains on a Hall of Fame career path. The league’s top offense was assisted by running back Eddie Lacy (13 total touchdowns) and Pro Bowl receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, who both went over 1,200 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. The Packers will return all five starters along one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.

Clay Matthews proved his immense value, tallying 11.0 sacks and stabilizing the inside linebacker position after the bye. Veteran Julius Peppers added impact on the edge. Lineman Mike Daniels is tough as nails, cornerback Sam Shields played in the Pro Bowl and Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix formed a steady duo at safety. The Packers remain one of the NFL’s most talented rosters.

25 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

This section could have looked radically different had Ted Thompson not worked his magic and re-signed receiver Randall Cobb and offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga before free agency. The offense will now return almost fully intact. The same can’t be said on defense.

The open market was especially kind to cornerbacks, leading Davon House and Tramon Williams to sign off on big paydays in other NFL cities. There is remaining depth at cornerback, but the position is almost certainly one of Green Bay’s biggest draft needs. Casey Hayward and Micah Hyde are uncertain commodities as perimeter players. Meanwhile, inside linebacker remains a mostly perfectly parallel to the safety position a year ago. Thompson gambled on the remaining talent in 2014 and lost. It’s now quite possible he’ll need to use a top pick (or two) to fill the hole. Finding the Ha Ha Clinton-Dix of inside linebackers would do wonders for the 2015 defense.

Nose tackle is also in play if Letroy Guion and B.J. Raji depart. The offense isn’t perfect (tight end and a pass-catching running back could be in play), but there’s a decent possibility Thompson’s upcoming draft will be defense-heavy once again.

2015 OUTLOOK The biggest obstacle standing between the Packers and another real shot at the Super Bowl might be psychological, especially if the hangover from Seattle lingers. Getting that close to the ultimate goal and having it taken away in unusually cruel fashion will either galvanize the returning members of the club or create an organizational lull.

There’s little doubt the Packers will be talented enough to once again challenge the Seahawks for NFC supremacy. Every preferred starter from the league’s top offense returns. If healthy, Aaron Rodgers and his loaded cast will score and score often.

The biggest question marks come on defense, where Ted Thompson will again be asked to fill in major holes in the draft. The Packers have to replace a roster stalwart at cornerback and find at least one new starter at inside linebacker. If the defense doesn’t take a step back, Green Bay is as strong a contender to play in the Super Bowl as any team in the NFC. There is clearly unfinished business at 1265 Lombardi Ave.

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NFC NORTH NEEDS 2014 RECORD: 11-5

DETROIT

RECAP: Overflowing talent finally caught up with expectations in Detroit. The Lions started 7-2

and fended off a late collapse, winning 11 games for just the fourth time in franchise history. Detroit’s dominant defense held up an inconsistent offense. A chance to take the division was lost in the season finale, and the Cowboys all but stole a playoff win from the Lions a week later.

HELP WANTED: The Lions lost the heart of their defense in free agency as Ndamukong Suh left

for Miami and Nick Fairley signed in St. Louis. Defensive tackle is now a top need. On offense, the Lions must rebuild an offensive line that regressed steadily in 2014. Cornerback and running back are also needs, but the trenches will hold Detroit’s offseason attention.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Matthew Stafford, WR Calvin Johnson, LB DeAndre Levy

2015 OUTLOOK: The talented Lions finally put it all together under first-year head coach Jim Caldwell but losing Suh will put major stress on Detroit to build on an 11-win season. The defense may take a step back, but the Lions can still be a playoff team in 2015 if Matthew Stafford takes a step forward in his second season under offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. How the returning Lions handle the pressure of stacking successes while also losing a top player will likely define Detroit’s season.

2014 RECORD: 7-9

MINNESOTA

RECAP: The first year of the Mike Zimmer era was fraught with turmoil but also dripping in en-

couragement. While Adrian Peterson played just one game because of child abuse charges, rookie Teddy Bridgewater emerged as a franchise quarterback and Zimmer now has the arrow pointed straight up on defense. The Vikings improved by two wins.

HELP WANTED: The Vikings acquired Mike Wallace but lost Greg Jennings, so receiver still figures to be a need. Running back could become a massive hole if Peterson is dealt away, and the Vikings probably want an upgrade at guard. The defense needs another linebacker and safety, and Zimmer never passes on upgrades at cornerback and along the defensive line.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Adrian Peterson, DE Everson Griffen

2015 OUTLOOK: The Vikings will be a dark-horse candidate to make the postseason in 2015. Even if Peterson leaves, Bridgewater and an emerging defense leave Minnesota in good hands. It should now be expected that Zimmer’s defense will be one of the league’s Top 5-10 units, but the Vikings will only go as far as Bridgewater takes them. Development in Year 2 could turn Minnesota into a candidate for doubledigit wins and a serious threat to Green Bay’s divisional superiority.

2014 RECORD: 5-11

CHICAGO

RECAP: The Bears crumbled under the weight of expectations. A team many believed would challenge the Packers in the division wasn’t much of a challenge for anyone. Chicago started 3-5, suffered a blowout loss at Lambeau Field coming out of the bye and then lost five straight to finish the season. Head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery were shown the door.

HELP WANTED: The majority of Chicago’s major needs can still be found on the defensive side of the ball. A transition to the 3-4 front will require an influx of talent at every level, but safety, nose tackle and inside linebacker are hotspots. Trading away Brandon Marshall might open the possibility of Chicago looking at receiver. The Bears are sticking with Jay Cutler.

KEY PLAYERS: QB Jay Cutler, RB Matt Forte, WR Alshon Jeffery

2015 OUTLOOK: The Bears put together an all-star coaching staff. There is talent on the roster, but quarterback and the defense remain gigantic question marks. If Cutler rebounds and new coordinator Vic Fangio ameliorates the defense, the Bears could be tough. If not, 2015 could be another long year in the Windy City.

26 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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TEAM NEEDS DALLAS COWBOYS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

2014 RECORD: 12-4

2014 RECORD: 10-6

Losing DeMarco Murray, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2014, creates a sizable hole at running back. The rest of team’s biggest needs come on defense, where Dallas could use help along the defensive line and at linebacker and cornerback. Expect the offense-rich Cowboys to keep building on other side of the ball.

What will Chip Kelly do next? He’s quickly become the NFL’s renegade roster-builder, ditching traditional ways and sticking to his own singular vision. Kelly is likely focused on rebuilding the secondary and improving on defense, while finding the players to plugand-play into his offensive system. Quarterback is the wild card.

NEW YORK GIANTS

WASHINGTON

2014 RECORD: 6-10

2014 RECORD: 4-12

The pass rush has generally fueled the best Giants teams of recent years. Jason Pierre-Paul is back, but he needs serious help. The offensive line is another trouble area. An aging Eli Manning must be better protected by his front five. New York should be active in upgrading the trenches.

Washington allowed 24 or more points in seven of its last eight games. The team has bulked up the defensive line in free agency but difference-making players at pass rusher and in the secondary remain requirements. The offensive line gave up 58 sacks in 2014 and needs to get to better.

“He’s quickly become the NFL’s renegade roster-builder” CAROLINA PANTHERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

2014 RECORD: 7-8-1

2014 RECORD: 7-9

The loss of Greg Hardy hurt the Carolina pass rush, a major strength for a top defense the season before. He won’t be back in 2015 and needs to be replaced. The offense is far from complete with holes at left tackle and receiver. Cam Newton still needs more around him.

Few teams have been more active this offseason. The Saints are shifting philosophies on offense and attempting to re-haul on defense.

The club is now stacked with draft picks but equally deep in roster holes with the back seven and playmakers in the passing game ranking among the most prominent.

ATLANTA FALCONS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

2014 RECORD: 6-10

2014 RECORD: 2-14

No need is greater in Atlanta than pass rusher. Drafting at No. 8 overall should allow the Falcons to take one from a talented incoming class. Tight end is still a problem area a year after Tony Gonzalez’s retirement, and depth is lacking at receiver and cornerback.

27 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

The free-agent haul from last spring was a colossal bust. The Bucs look good at receiver and linebacker, but just about any other position is open to upgrade. Tampa Bay needs to find a franchise quarterback and a go-to pass rusher while also filling in craters along the offensive line.

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TEAM NEEDS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

ARIZONA CARDINALS

2014 RECORD: 12-4

2014 RECORD: 11-5

Seattle addressed one of its biggest needs by acquiring tight end Jimmy Graham before free agency. General manager John Schenider will likely refocus his attention to both the offensive and defensive lines. A participant in back-to-back Super Bowls, the Seahawks have few major holes.

The Cardinals should be active in helping the defensive front seven.

The departure of Darnell Docket leaves a hole along the defensive line, and Arizona will be seeking playmakers at edge rusher and inside linebacker. Running back and perimeter corner are secondary needs.

“possessed a deep, talented roster that rivaled any in the NFL” SAN FRANCISCO 49ers

ST. LOUIS RAMS

2014 RECORD: 8-8

2014 RECORD: 6-10

Just a year ago the 49ers possessed a deep, talented roster that rivaled any in the NFL. Now San Francisco is dealing with the retirements of Justin Smith, Patrick Willis and Chris Borland and the exits of several key offensive members. Expect reinforcements on the defensive line and at cornerback and receiver.

28 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

The Rams jettisoned both former Packer Scott Wells and Jake Long, leaving the offensive line as the club’s biggest area of weakness. Nick Foles will be a worthless acquisition at quarterback if he’s running for his life. Drafting a receiver and cornerback make sense in a deep class for both positions.

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TEAM NEEDS NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

BUFFALO BILLS

2014 RECORD: 12-4

2014 RECORD: 9-7

The Super Bowl champs have been raided this spring, but New England still possesses a deep, talented roster. Cornerback is a major need after losing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Running back needs restocking and replacing Vince Wilfork will be a big test.

Buffalo is a quarterback away from being true contenders in the AFC. No first-round pick hurts the hunt. Tight end and safety are need areas after losing starters in free agency.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

NEW YORK JETS

2014 RECORD: 8-8

2014 RECORD: 4-12

Miami rid itself of bad contracts at linebacker but now need players at the position. Cornerback is a potential first-round need, and the Dolphins could get better at guard.

The Jets’ perennial search at quarterback continues, but the trade for Ryan Fitzpatrick might take New York out of the running for one in the draft. Passing on a player like Marcus Mariota would still be a head-scratcher.

“passing on a player like Marcus Mariota would be a head-scratcher” PITTSBURGH STEELERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS

2014 RECORD: 11-5

2014 RECORD: 10-5-1

The Steelers need a pass rush after losing Jason Worilds (retirement).

The safety position is undergoing a transition period, and both cornerback and the defensive line could use depth.

The Bengals don’t have a glaring need after bringing back defensive end Michael Johnson, but the defense still needs more pass-rush.

The other side of the ball could use a top pick at offensive tackle.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

CLEVELAND BROWNS

2014 RECORD: 10-6

2014 RECORD: 7-9

Losing Torrey Smith to free agency leaves receiver as one of Baltimore’s biggest needs. Cornerback should be the most obvious defensive need after last season’s game of musical chairs at the position.

29 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

No Josh Gordon means receiver becomes a top need once again.

And can quarterback be ruled out? It shouldn’t be. The Browns are probably a playoff team last season with better play at the position.

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TEAM NEEDS INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

HOUSTON TEXANS

2014 RECORD: 11-5

2014 RECORD: 9-7

The Colts have been very active in free agency, but holes remain.

Andrew Luck needs better protection on offense, and the defense could get better at safety and linebacker. Bolstering the pass rush should continue to be a priority.

The departure of Andre Johnson leaves receiver as a potential need.

Quarterback should be high on Houston’s list but probably won’t be.

The defense could use help at cornerback and inside linebacker.

JACKSOVILLE JAGUARS

TENNESSEE TITANS

2014 RECORD: 3-13

2014 RECORD: 2-14

The Jaguars pick No. 3 overall, which should provide a prime opportunity to add a top-flight pass rusher for an emerging defense. A young quarterback like Blake Bortles can never have enough weapons around him.

Passing on a quarterback would be a mistake. This franchise has been stuck in neutral for too long because of failures at the position.

Tennessee also needs more pass rush and better play at cornerback.

“bolstering the pass rush should continue to be a priority” DENVER BRONCOS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

2014 RECORD: 12-4

2014 RECORD: 9-7

The Broncos have lost some key pieces in free agency. Ahead of what could be Peyton Manning’s last season, Denver could add help at defensive and offensive tackle while filling in new holes at tight end and safety.

Kansas City paid good money for Jeremy Maclin, but receiver is still a need. Remember, no receiver caught a touchdown for the Chiefs last season. Offensive tackle and inside linebacker will also require attention.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

OAKLAND RAIDERS

2014 RECORD: 9-7

2014 RECORD: 3-13

There will be temptation to use a top pick on running back. But San Diego should continue focusing on rebuilding along both lines. Protecting Philip Rivers and disrupting the opposing passer should be bigger priorities.

30 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

The Raiders can go a number of ways. No. 1 receiver for Derek Carr?

What about a pass-rush complement for Khalil Mack? Reggie McKenzie has to hit a homerun with this draft.

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QUARTERBACKS #1

JAMEIS WINSTON

ANDREW GARDA

#2

SO

FLORIDA STATE

MARCUS MARIOTA OREGON

JR

HEIGHT: 6’4”

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 231

WEIGHT: 222

40-YARD: 4.97

40-YARD: 4.52

2014 STATS: 305 of 467 (65.3%), 3907 yards, 25 TD, 18 INT; 57 carries, 65 yards, 3 TD

2014 STATS: 304 of 445 (68.3%), 4454 yards, 42 TD, 4 INT; 135 carries, 770 yards, 15 TD

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

“Famous” Jameis Winston is built like a prototypical NFL quarterback with a strong arm, good size and just enough athleticism to let him move out of the pocket. In the pocket he isn’t a statue, either, and is adept at sensing pressure and adjusting, although he has no problem taking a hit to get a ball off. Winston has a strong presence as a leader in the huddle and is tremendously competitive. He throws with pinpoint accuracy, often delivering the ball before his targets are even out of their breaks, leaving very little room for defensive adjustments. Overall, he makes wise decisions with the ball, shows good touch on passes at all levels and is reportedly very smart in terms of the Xs and Os of the position. All the issues with Winston are off the field, as he has had numerous instances of everything from alleged sexual assault to shoplifting food to screaming vulgarities on a table in the student union. Will he mature or repeat these mistakes is the question.

Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota is an intriguing prospect with a ton of upside, but questions remain as to how effective his skills will translate to the NFL. He has exceptional athleticism and is a sharp player who knows the game in and out and can apply himself to different offenses. Mariota needs to work on his pocket presence, however, and sometimes seems to not feel a pass rush the way he should. His ability to extend a play outside the pocket will help him a lot while he learns that, though, and his ability to avoid forcing bad throws on the run is why he threw multiple interceptions just three times in college. He did fumble a ton and will have to protect the ball better.

PLAYOFF GAME While the Rose Bowl loss was a disappointing to end his college career, Winston fought hard when the rest of his team was busy imploding. More than once he led his team in a response to Oregon generating—and scoring off of—turnovers. For example, while trailing in the second half, Seminoles freshman Dalvin Cook was stripped of the ball when FSU was in Oregon territory. The Ducks quickly scored to make it a 25-13 lead. Winston responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive in just under four minutes, capping it with an 18-yard touchdown pass to freshman Travis Rudolph to pull within 25-20 with 8:07 left in the third quarter. Oregon scored again and then Cook coughed the ball up a second time, leading to yet another Oregon score. Winston then had the ball pop out of his hand on a fourth-down play, and it was returned for a touchdown.

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PLAYOFF GAME Mariota and the Ducks came up short in the National Championship game against Ohio State and while the quarterback played well (24 of 37, 333 yards, two touchdowns, one interception), he and the offense sputtered in the red zone quite a bit. It didn’t help that the Ohio State front seven was outstanding both in getting pressure on Mariota, shutting down his running backs as well as containing the quarterback. This game was, in many ways, a microcosm of the challenges Mariota faces in the NFL. Defenses will be faster and more efficient and better at adjusting to his mobility. If he cannot adjust—as he and the Ducks failed to in this game—then he will struggle at the next level.

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QUARTERBACKS #3

GARRETT GRAYSON

#4

SR

COLORADO STATE

BRETT HUNDLEY UCLA

JR

HEIGHT: 6’2”

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 213

WEIGHT: 226

40-YARD: DNP

40-YARD: 4.63

2014 STATS: 270 of 420 (64.3%), 4006 yards, 32 TD, 7 INT; 57 carries, -46 yards

2014 STATS: 271 of 392 (69.1%), 3155 yards, 22 TD, 5 INT; 159 carries, 644 yards, 10 TD

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

Buoyed by a very good senior year, Grayson went from an afterthought to top prospect. He has shown great touch on his throws and accuracy at all throwing levels. He’s a tough competitor with really good instincts, knowing how to avoid the rush and still keep his eyes downfield. Grayson does a great job leading his receivers and keeping them from getting hammered after making the reception.

He doesn’t throw the ball as sharply as some would like to see, and the fact that he will challenge defenders can get him into trouble when he tries to squeeze the ball through a tight window. The Colorado State product gets locked onto his first option at times and when he has to extend the play, he hasn’t learned how to freelance.

Hundley has struggled under center and will take time to get used to it, if he ever does. He has prototypical size and can run with enough speed to break off a big play or scramble for a touchdown in the red zone. Many of his throws were under six yards this season.

BOWL GAME Grayson has been incredibly productive for the Rams and holds records in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage despite missing a chunk of time one year due to a broken collarbone.

He has thrown 55 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions with just six of those coming last season compared to 32 touchdowns, earning the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year in the process.

Grayson, along with the rest of the team, struggled against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, which was the first ranked team they faced all year. The Rams’ performance comes as a concern because it’s the only top-end team they faced, and it wasn’t Grayson’s best game.

That said, he has shown his ability to improve throughout his college career, which signals good things for his future.

GAME Hundley and the UCLA Bruins beat Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl despite generally ineffective quarterback play from Hundley who was 12 of 24 for 136 yards and a touchdown. What he did exceptionally well was run the ball as he did his damage on the ground to the tune of 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Author: Andrew Garda Garda is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, and has been writing about football for over a decade for various outlets including Sports On Earth, Bleacher Report, SNY’s The Jets Blog and Footballguys.com.

He also covers college basketball for NJ.com and the Newark StarLedger and spends entirely too much time entertaining his kids and dogs.

“records in passing yards, touchdowns, and completion percentage” 32 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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QUARTERBACKS #5

BRYCE PETTY

#6

SR

BAYLOR

BRANDON BRIDGE SOUTH ALABAMA

SR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 230

WEIGHT: 222

40-YARD: 4.87

40-YARD: 4.72

2014 STATS: 270 of 428 (63.1%), 3855 yards, 29 TD, 7 INT; 84 carries, 101 yards, 6 TD

2014 STATS: 160 of 307 (52.1%), 1927 yards, 15 TD, 8 INT; 101 carries, 297 yards, 4 TD

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

Petty has an NFL arm and managed to improve his accuracy every season in college. He also has great touch on his throws. Petty primarily functioned in a one-read system at Baylor and saw his yards per attempt drop this past year. He’ll have to learn how to read defenses and protection schemes.

Bridge has a tremendous arm and can throw the ball a long way, but his accuracy isn’t very consistent. He’s not just inconsistent but wildly so, and when he is off, he’s really off. His size, arm and athleticism will attract some team, but he is a project.

Baylor Athletics

BEST GAME Bridge torched Appalachian State for 339 yards and three touchdowns through the air with another 23 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It was one of his more accurate games as well as he found open receivers against the Mountaineers secondary.

Many scouts think Bryce Petty has an NFL arm.

BOWL GAME Petty and the Baylor Bears got into a shootout in the Cotton Bowl, losing to Michigan State, 42-41. They came up short in part because Petty took two sacks at the end of the game then threw an interception. Otherwise he was sharp, going 36 of 52 for 550 yards and three touchdowns.

33 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

“torched Appalachian State for 339 yards”

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QUARTERBACKS #7

SEAN MANNION

#8

SR

OREGON STATE

CONNOR HALLIDAY WASHINGTON STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’6” WEIGHT: 229

40-YARD: 5.14

2014 STATS: 282 of 453 (62.3%), 3164 yards, 15 TD, 8 INT; 48 carries, -306 yards, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Mannion has experience as a four-year starter and owns a lot of OSU records. But he is easily rattled and when things go badly, he turns the ball over a lot. Mannion has a lot of experience in a pro-style offense, although he has an average to below average arm.

NFL COMBINE Mannion didn’t “wow” anyone in Indianapolis, and neither excelled in position drills nor showed off in measured drills, not placing near the top of his position class in any category. He looked the part next to the other quarterbacks but certainly didn’t stand out.

Halliday broke his ankle late in the season, which has limited what he can show scouts in person. He took all his snaps from the shotgun in a spread offense, though he drops back smoothly after the snap. Shows good accuracy on intermediate and deep routes.

NFL COMBINE

SR

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 196

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 354 of 526 (67.3%), 3873 yards, 32 TD, 11 INT; 29 carries, -131 yards

While Halliday has been injured and cannot work out, he is still drawing interest from teams on the strength of his tape and a solid arm.

He met with multiple teams at the Combine, including the Browns, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles and Buccaneers according to Rob Rang of CBSSports.com.

#9

SHANE CARDEN EAST CAROLINA

SR

IN A NUTSHELL Carden has the mental aspects of the game down, showing a good ability to read and scan the field, a high football IQ, leadership and a mental toughness.

He lacks most of the physical traits you want in a quarterback with mediocre arm strength, no foot quickness to escape pressure and scattershot accuracy.

HEIGHT: 6’2” WEIGHT: 218

40-YARD: 4.94

2014 STATS: 392 of 617 (63.5%), 4736 yards, 30 TD, 10 INT; 96 carries, 76 yards, 6 TD

BOWL GAME It was an uneven game for Carden when the Pirates took on the Florida Gators in the Birmingham Bowl. Carden was 34 of 66 for 427 yards but threw a game-killing interception in the end zone, which was returned for a touchdown.

34 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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QUARTERBACKS #10

BRYAN BENNETT

#12

SR

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

HUTSON MASON GEORGIA

SR

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’2” Bennett is average height, average weight and possesses an average arm. He WEIGHT: 211 also has a low release point, which hampers his accuracy and overall throws.

40-YARD: 4.81 Fortunately for the smallschool product, he’s a very mobile quarterback and deadly at times in an op2014 STATS: 143 of 289 (49.0%), 2357 yards, 18 tion setup. Still, he takes TD, 8 INT; 137 carries, 669 yards, 15 TD too many chances when he isn’t staring receivers down. Durability is a concern due to build.

Mason has a nice, clean release and is good in the pocket. He doesn’t have good size and has too slight a build. The former Bulldog also doesn’t have good velocity on his passes and isn’t able to make deep ball throws consistently. He tends to stare down his receivers too much and tips off his passes to the secondary.

BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND

Bennett originally was to be the starter at Oregon until some guy named Marcus Mariota showed up and stole the gig. Bennett chose to move on rather than change his position. While he played well his junior year, his production and play seemed to decline in his senior season.

Mason was only a starter for a year at Georgia after backing up Aaron Murray, and a lot of his issues could just be lack of experience.

Coupled with the size and build issues and the lack of an arm, his rawness is problematic.

#11

CODY FAJARDO

#13

SR

NEVADA

IN A NUTSHELL Fajardo is deadly when running but isn’t built to withstand the punishment that comes with it. He did throw for 9,000 yards and rush for 3,000, only the second to do that in FBS history (Colin Kaepernick is the other, a fellow Nevada quarterback).

BOWL GAME

WEIGHT: 207

40-YARD: N/A

2014 STATS: 188 of 277 (67.9%), 2168 yards, 21 TD, 4 INT; 43 carries, 3 yards, 4 TD

RYAN WILLIAMS

SR

MIAMI

Williams was hurt (knee ligament) in the spring and was ready to go in September, although he was stuck behind Brad Kaaya for the season. He did have a nice return to action in the Medal of Honor Bowl all-star game, going 7 of 15 for 115 yards and a touchdown.

HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 223

#14

40-YARD: 4.63

2014 STATS: 239 of 405 (59.0%), 2498 yards, 18 TD, 11 INT; 177 carries, 1046 yards, 13 TD

Maybe it was the 10:00 a.m. kickoff, but the Wolfpack and Fajardo both struggled in their loss to the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

The Cajuns did a great job of disrupting Fajardo’s timing and containing his running, throttling the offense and holding them to three points and Fajardo to 124 yards passing and 49 running.

35 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

HEIGHT: 6’2”

ANTHONY BOONE

SR

DUKE

A solid pocket passer that will stand in and take a hit to deliver the ball, Boone can also sense pressure and use his legs to extend the play. At 6’ 0”, he’s short for the position, has issues with downfield accuracy and makes some poor decisions as well.

“will stand in and take a hit to deliver”

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QUARTERBACKS #15

TYLER HEINICKE

SR

#20

OLD DOMINION

Heinicke is a good leader that started primarily from the shotgun, and his accuracy suffers from a sloppy release motion. Over the last three years his production has gotten worse.

#16

GARY NOVA

SR

Nova finished in the top two all-time in passing yards, attempts, completions, touchdowns and interceptions at Rutgers, but a career 55 percent completion rate and relatively modest size hurt his prospects. Being in the top two in school history for interceptions isn’t good, either.

#17

GRANT HEDRICK

SR

Hedrick was a guy that was benched during a four-interceptions-inthree-quarters outing. He bounced back the next week against Nevada but, overall, looks like a product of the offense.

#18

JERRY LOVELOCKE

#24

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

BLAKE SIMS

KANSAS STATE

TYLER KELLY

SR

ARIZONA STATE

COLE STOUDT

SR

CLEMSON

CHRIS BONNER

SR

COLORADO STATE-PUEBLO

JAMELL SHOWERS

SR

TEXAS EL-PASO

SR

A hard worker that got invited to the Combine as a “throwing quarterback,” Lovelocke looked merely okay among the big boys throwing to the receivers in Indy. He has a tremendous arm and averaged 241 yards a game over the last two years.

#19

#22

#23

BOISE STATE

SR

Waters locks onto his targets too early and when trying to look off the secondary, leads them to his receiver sometimes. He’s very raw after a couple of years at a JUCO, although he showed promise when he took over the job in 2013.

#21

RUTGERS

JAKE WATERS

#25

#26 SR

QUINN EPPERLY

SR

PRINCETON

DYLAN THOMPSON

SR

SOUTH CAROLINA

ALABAMA

Sims is cool under pressure and does a good job of scrambling to extend a play. He only started 12 times and is incredibly raw. At 5’ 11”, height and build are a concern.

36 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

#27

BO WALLACE

SR

OLE MISS

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RUNNING BACKS #1

AMEER ABDULLAH

JAYME SNOWDEN 800 career carries. With defensive needs more glaring, it’s unlikely the Packers would use one of their earlier picks on him. But if the cards fell right, Abdullah could be the final puzzle piece for the Packers offense.

SR

NEBRASKA

#2

HEIGHT: 5’9”

MELVIN GORDON WISCONSIN

JR

WEIGHT: 205

40-YARD: 4.60

HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 215

2014 STATS: 264 carries, 1611 yards (6.1 ypc), 19 TD; 22 receptions, 269 yards, 3 TD; 14 KR, 392 YDS

40-YARD: 4.52

IN A NUTSHELL The top of the 2015 draft running back class is deep, so picking the back with the top NFL potential is a challenge, but make no mistake, Abdullah would be a dream come true for the Packers. A fast and shifty back who hasn’t dropped a pass in the last two years, Abdullah could be the perfect lightning to Eddie Lacy’s thunder. Taking into consideration Abdullah’s burst and ability to make arm tacklers miss—and his 228 return-yard game his rookie year versus Fresno State—he has the potential to be what the Packers always wanted DuJuan Harris to be.

A top performer at the NFL Combine recording a 42.5” vertical jump and a 130” broad jump, it is hard not to dream of that leg power combined with his shifty running style as the Packers’ final answer at returner. MVP of the 2015 Senior Bowl, named Nebraska’s “lifter of the year” and a team captain, Abdullah also impressed at the Combine with solid character and football knowledge in interviews.

BEST GAME

2014 STATS: 343 carries, 2587 yards (7.5 ypc), 29 TD; 19 receptions, 153 yards, 3 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Melvin Gordon, better known as the Wisconsin Badgers 2014 offense, had a prolific year. Finishing second in the Heisman voting doesn’t even begin to define his season. He broke the single game rushing record that had stood for 15 years in just three quarters of play.

The 2014 Doak Walker Award winner was the fastest player in FBS history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season. No one in Big Ten history has rushed for more yards in a season, in a game, or averaged more yards per game in the conference season. With his long strides, he is able to be shifty without having to hesitate. After developing ball security issues in the 2014 season, Gordon will have to improve that and his pass protection to truly be an every-down back.

Despite entering the 2014 season as a Heisman hopeful, Abdullah didn’t become a household name until Nebraska played Miami. He carried the ball 35 times for the Cornhuskers and averaged 6.5 yards per carry. He also ended the day with two rushing touchdowns and sealed the game when he caught a three-yard scoring pass with just over four minutes left in the game.

In addition to his 232 offensive yards, Abdullah returned four kicks for 81 yards, averaging 20.3, tilting the field in Nebraska’s favor.

Abdullah proved he could put the team on his back, accounting for half of the offense’s production. While the idea of 30-plus carries in a game can cause concern of him being worn down, he has just over David Stluka - Wisconsin Athletic Communications

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RUNNING BACKS BOWL GAME

2014 SEASON

Melvin Gordon’s best game in 2014 was his last outing, the Outback Bowl versus Auburn. With Wisconsin’s previously poor performances against SEC teams and the abrupt departure of former head coach Gary Anderson, the Badgers had a lot to prove, and Gordon showed up to play.

Ajayi took care growing from a quick-footed soccer player to an NFL prospect, and few things demonstrate his draft value more than a quick look at his 2014 season as a whole. He bulked up in size and isn’t a pass protection liability. When he is on the field, the offense is not tipping its hand.

He rushed for 251 yards and three touchdowns that day—a Wisconsin postseason and Outback Bowl record—and came up just 42 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders’ NCAA single season rushing record. Gordon had 40 runs in 2014 that went for over 15 yards, but in the Outback bowl he showed his ability to stiff-arm and run through and over would be tacklers.

In 2014, Ajayi racked up 1,823 rushing yards and 535 receiving yards.

He failed to contribute 100 or more yards to the offense in only one of Boise State’s games. Ajayi can be both a game-changing playmaker and every-down back.

#3

#4

JAY AJAYI

JR

BOISE STATE

TODD GURLEY GEORGIA

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HEIGHT: 6’1” HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 22S

WEIGHT: 221

40-YARD: DNP

40-YARD: 4.57 2014 STATS: 123 carries, 911 yards (7.4 ypc), 9 TD; 12 receptions, 57 yards; 4 KR, 179 yards, 1 TD 2014 STATS: 347 carries, 1823 yards (5.3 ypc), 28 TD; 50 receptions, 535 yards, 4 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Ajayi’s biggest assets are his feet. Growing up a soccer player, he possesses the ability to cut on a dime, wiggle out of tight spaces, all while controlling his speed. Nimble, but with the ability to see downfield, Ajayi can see the play developing and chose proper running lanes.

The Boise State product faced adversity in October of 2011 while away from the field with an ACL injury when he was arrested for stealing. Character issues appear to be in the past, however, as Ajayi has worked hard to regain his health and playing time. As a running back that can catch the ball with quick feet, the Packers could look to develop him as a return man. He needs to work on ball security and more yards after contact.

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IN A NUTSHELL Gurley could very easily be the best back in the 2015 draft, but what hurts his ranking is the massive unknown. The first half of the season saw Gurley as a Heisman front-runner who was gaining over 60 percent of his 911 yards after contact.

Gurley was suspended indefinitely, then reduced to four games, for an NCAA violation. While the suspension does not appear to have hurt his stock, his ACL injury on November 15, 2014 in his first game back is the lingering question. He refused to participate in a full medical check at the Combine and won’t be running at Georgia’s pro day in April.

“could very easily be the best back”

CheeseheadTV.com

RUNNING BACKS VS TOP OPPONENT

BEST GAME

The Georgia-Auburn game was filled with Todd Gurley talk: speculation about autographs and whether his absence cost Georgia’s postseason playoff chances as the Bulldogs lost their second game during his suspension. While he was away, Gurley watched his Heisman chances dwindle. But on November 15, Gurley stepped on the field worried about one thing: football. Though the play was negated by penalty, his first touch of the ball was a 105-yard kickoff return.

He would go on to rush for 138 yards and a touchdown. For Gurley, however, it all comes down to his knee.

Virginia Tech’s 2014 claim to fame was beating eventual champ Ohio State. Duke Johnson’s 2014 claim to fame, meanwhile, was nearly single handedly beating Virginia Tech. The Hokies coach, Frank Beamer described Johnson as the best running back that they have ever tried to tackle. Johnson ran for 249 yards and a touchdown and also had 37 receiving, including one score through the air.

#5

#6

DUKE JOHNSON

JR

MIAMI

TEVIN COLEMAN INDIANA

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IN A NUTSHELL HEIGHT: 5’11”

HEIGHT: 5’ 9” WEIGHT: 207

40-YARD: 4.54

2014 STATS:242 yards, 1652 yards (6.8 ypc), 10 TD; 38 receptions, 421 yards, 3 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Duke Johnson is fast. Like a race-car driver, he finds the lanes that only he can get through. But just like in racing, the most trouble happens when everything is bunched up. Johnson excels in the open field and making guys miss, but his vision at the line is not up to par in either pass protection or waiting for plays to develop.

In some language in a land far away “Tevin Coleman” WEIGHT: 206 means playmaker. Half of his 28 rushing touchdowns were from over 43 yards, 40-YARD: DNP and eight were from over 64 yards. His feet never stop moving, and he is determined to sprint to the end zone on every run. But NFL 2014 STATS: 270 carries, 2036 yards (7.5 ypc), 15 games and NFL seasons are TD; 25 receptions, 141 yards not sprints; they are marathons. Coleman needs to work on his patience and his overall NFL knowledge and vision so he can watch and predict how plays will develop.

BEST GAME The Missouri Tigers, who finished the season in the Top 15, probably weren’t worried about playing Indiana when the schedule first came out, but they should have been. Coleman missed 20 minutes of the game, but still ran for over 132 yards and had 57 yards receiving. On the winning drive, Coleman had a 44-yard catch that set up the winning touchdown.

“determined to sprint to the endzone”

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RUNNING BACKS #7

DAVID JOHNSON

#8

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NORTHERN IOWA

WEIGHT: 224

40-YARD: 4.50

2014 STATS: 287 carries, 1553 yards (5.4 ypc), 17 TD; 38 receptions, 536 yards, 2 TD; 12 KR, 438 YDS, 1 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Johnson looks like an NFL running back: a big body, always moving and always falling forward. Over the past four years Johnson has run for over 4,500 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. What he lacks is maintaining speed through his cuts and downfield vision. He can be taught and makes up with his size and weight-room work.

NFL COMBINE Johnson was one of the stars of the NFL Combine. His time of 4.5 seconds in 40-yard dash was fourth among all running backs. And out of the six drills the small-school product competed in, he was a top finisher in five. Johnson placed second in the vertical jump, broad jump, and three-cone drill to this list’s No. 1 athlete, Ameer Abdullah. Johnson has the tools, but he needs to find the right team to continue his football education.

Author: Jayme Snowden Jayme Snowden is a writer and moderator at CheeseheadTV and cohost of CheeseheadRadio, part of the Packers Talk Radio Network.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, she now lives in Cincinnati.

SR

MINNESOTA

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’1”

“one of the stars of the NFL Combine”

DAVID COBB

A shorter runner, Cobb puts his head down and just runs. There are no tricks for fancy footwork’s sake, just a hard runner that follows lanes and doesn’t shy away from contact. From 2013 to 2014 over half of Cobb’s yards came after contact.

He could be effective as a blocker or a runner, good for a team needing an occasional halfback.

HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 229

40-YARD: 4.81

2014 STATS: 315 carries, 1629 yards (5.2 ypc), 13 TD; 16 receptions, 162 yards

ALL-STAR GAME Cobb wasn’t the star of the Senior Bowl, but it’s hard to find a player that used the game more to improve his draft stock. Anyone who watched Cobb play in 2014 knew he could be a bruiser. Cobb used the Senior Bowl practices to show his improved hand skills and helped lead the North to victory with his 11 carries, 69 yards and one touchdown on the day.

#9

JAVORIUS “BUCK” ALLEN USC

JR

IN A NUTSHELL Allen brought the fun back to the USC backfield. Every time he touched the ball, no one knew what could happen next. He possess the ability to run up the gut as well as get to the edge and make quick cuts without missing a beat.

PRO DAY

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 221

40-YARD: 4.53

2014 STATS: 276 carries, 1489 yards (5.4 ypc), 11 TD; 41 receptions, 458 yards, 1 TD

While Allen stepped up to be a workhorse type back when called upon, he had three games with 15 or fewer carries and two games

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RUNNING BACKS with 19 carries in 2014. Allen caught multiple passes out of the backfield on his pro day in hopes of showing teams he can be an everydown back.

#10

JEREMY LANGFORD

HEIGHT: 6’ 1”

The world got to know Yeldon as Eddie Lacy’s backup, WEIGHT: 226 then partner in the backfield, and then replacement. Each year, Yeldon 40-YARD: 4.61 progressed and is part of the long line of solid running backs out of Alabama.

He possesses good anticipation and has the hands 2014 STATS: 194 carries, 979 yards (5.1 ypc), 11 and speed to play out of TD; 15 receptions, 180 yards, 1 TD the backfield. Yeldon also needs to work on running smaller and improving ball security.

IN A NUTSHELL As the running back with the fastest 40 time at this year’s Combine, Langford added to his bag of tricks.

He is good in short-run situations, has played both wide receiver and cornerback previously and has special-teams potential.

Langford needs to improve on his churning and grinding, however, to become and every-down back.

JR

ALABAMA

IN A NUTSHELL

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MICHIGAN STATE

#11

T.J. YELDON

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 208

40-YARD: 4.42

2014 STATS: 276 carries, 1522 yards (5.5 ypc), 22 TD; 11 receptions, 62 yards

BOWL GAME Michigan State faced off against Baylor in the 2014 Cotton Bowl with MSU walking away with a one-point victory, 42-41. While Spartans quarterback Connor Cook might get a lot of the credit for leading the team, Langford’s six yards per carry helped keep MSU in a game that was getting out of hand. As MSU started its comeback, Langford scored from one yard out to make it a one-touchdown game with just under five minutes left.

PLAYOFF GAME As part of college football’s new playoff system, Alabama played Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl. Yeldon’s 47 yards on 10 carries, while pedestrian for what is expected from Alabama running backs and Yeldon, is consistent with how he played in 2014. He had seven games where he failed to rush for more than 60 yards.

#12

CAMERON ARTIS-PAYNE AUBURN

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

HEIGHT: 5’ 10”

Artis-Payne is a stocky runner. Shorter and thicker, he WEIGHT: 212 can move piles and grind it out in the middle of the field. He lacks the wiggle 40-YARD: 4.53 and quick cuts, so if a team is looking for a thunder to their lightning, Artis-Payne might be a good fit. The Auburn product doesn’t have 2014 STATS: 303 carries, 1608 yards (5.3 ypc), 13 a lot of career carries, so his TD; 13 receptions, 147 yards new team could get several good grinding years out of him if they grab him on draft day.

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RUNNING BACKS BOWL GAME With just under three minutes left to play in the Outback Bowl, ArtisPayne thought he had sealed the victory for Auburn. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin and some field-goal kicking would say differently, but it wasn’t a bad showing by Artis-Payne. He carried the ball 26 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

#13

MIKE DAVIS

JR

#19

SOUTH CAROLINA

Davis is capable in pass protection and keeps his feet moving. He’ll need to become more than just a downhill runner, however. Coming off a variety of injuries that affected his work ethic and playing ability, Davis needs to work to impress.

#14

MATT JONES

JR

Jones is a big running back on a big frame. He rarely gets tackled for a loss and is perfect for a team needing a grinding back to help in pass protection

#15

LSU

#20

#21

FLORIDA

KENNY HILLARD

#18

#22

SR #23

Hilliard didn’t have good numbers at the Combine. He can catch the ball okay, so that will give teams pause, but he needs to improve on fighting off tackles.

#16

KARLOS WILLIAMS

#24

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FLORIDA STATE

A former safety, Williams plays the running back position with aggression. A fast 40-yard dash time impresses, but he can also churn and can move piles. Unfortunately there are some character issues and declining production.

#17

DEE HART COLORADO STATE

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SR

#25

#26

JOSH ROBINSON

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

TERRANCE MAGEE

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LSU

DOMINIQUE BROWN

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LOUISVILLE

COREY GRANT

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AUBURN

MARCUS MURPHY

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MISSOURI

MALCOLM AGNEW

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

TREY WILLIAMS

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TEXAS A&M

MALCOLM BROWN

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TEXAS

JOHN CROCKETT

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NORTH DAKOTA STATE

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FULLBACKS/H-BACKS #1

JALSTON FOWLER

#2

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ALABAMA

JAY HODGSON

NICK O’LEARY FLORIDA STATE

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HEIGHT: 5’11”

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 254

WEIGHT: 252

40-YARD: 4.94

40-YARD: 4.93

2014 STATS: 12 carries, 69 yards; 11 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TD

2014 STATS: 48 receptions, 618 yards, 6 TDs

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

Fowler was a jack of all trades for Nick Saban at Alabama, and his skill set projects extremely well to the pro game. Equally comfortable blocking out of the I-formation, sealing the edge as an H-back and pass protecting, he has the potential to be on the field for all three downs. Additionally, converting from a high school running back to a big man in college, Fowler has shown nimbleness while carrying the ball between the tackles and catching the ball on the perimeter.

He’s a perpetual goal-line threat because he can pound it up the gut or catch the ball on the edge through play action.

Although he was a tight end in college, O’Leary projects as a Hback in the NFL. He quickly established himself as quarterback Jameis Winston’s favorite target, and he seemingly caught everything thrown in his general direction. His soft hands serve him well and he doesn’t body catch like many tight ends and fullbacks in college tend to do. Additionally, he deceptively excels at creating space in the secondary, especially in zone soft spots. Despite being a tight player, O’Leary always seems to get open. Also, because he lacks the length to play a traditional tight end role at the next level, he sometimes struggles against man-to-man coverage and isn’t overly effective as an in-line blocker. He’s better suited to move around the formation as an H-back.

While he is an extremely willing blocker and attempts to make the highlight reel with them, Fowler will need to improve his technique by improving his hand use and knee bend. He looks to make the big hit rather than pushing his man out of the play.

BEST GAME Coming off of the 2011 National Championship, Fowler was looked upon to help the Crimson Tide repeat during the 2012 season. With starting running back Trent Richardson now a Cleveland Brown, and true freshman T.J. Yeldon not quite ready to be the starter, Alabama turned to Eddie Lacy and Fowler to solidify the position. Fowler’s 2012 season was off to a great start when he rushed eight times for 67 yards in the Kickoff Classic against Michigan.

His breakthrough 2012 season never came to fruition because he soon suffered a devastating knee injury that took well into the 2013 to heal. His numbers never again flashed in the box score like they appeared they would in 2012, but that’s because Alabama had an embarrassment of riches at running back and isn’t a reflection of his lack of talent or effort. Saban freely praised Fowler as an important member of his championship squads.

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PLAYOFF GAME O’Leary runs roughshod through the ACC schedule every year, but he curiously disappears in bowl games. In the 2013 National Championship Game against Auburn, he made no catches. The following year in the 2014 national semifinal game against Oregon, he managed only one catch for 4 yards.

It’s unlikely that defensive coordinators identified O’Leary as the player they must shutdown at all costs, so it’s disappointing to see him struggle against more elite talent. Furthermore, Jameis Winston is a Heisman Trophy winner and potentially a first overall draft pick, so no one can blame the quarterback play for his lack of production.

He’ll have to interview well to alleviate any concerns about dropping off in critical moments.

“Jameis Winston’s favorite target”

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FULLBACKS/H-BACKS #3

TYLER VARGA

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YALE

IN A NUTSHELL

#4

AARON RIPKOWSKI

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 5’11”

Varga is a very intriguing prospect because he’s a WEIGHT: 222 workout warrior, extremely intelligent and equally adept blocking and running 40-YARD: 4.64 the ball. At 222 lbs., he’s a little undersized, but his frame can easily hold 15 more without causing him to lose any explosiveness or 2014 STATS: 233 carries, 1423 yards, 22 TD; 12 agility. Moving from the Ivy receptions, 107 yards, 4 TD League to the NFL will be a huge leap, but his work ethic will ease the transition. Varga will have to contribute as a core special team player initially, but he could develop into the John Kuhn mold of fullback who can grind out the tough yard, move the sticks, and score goal-line touchdowns when not being asked to open holes for the featured running backs.

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OKLAHOMA

Of all the fullbacks in this draft class, Ripkowski is the most stereotypical sledgehammer that blows up the hole. He also added to his value by playing some downs in college as an in-line tight end. This former Sooner is an excellent blocker and hard worker that will be an asset in the run game but will struggle to be a receiving target.

HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 257

40-YARD: N/A

2014 STATS: 6 carries, 13 yards, 3 TD; 7 receptions, 38 yards, 1 TD

GOAL-LINE As a lead blocker, Ripkowski seldom shows up in the box score. Head coach Bob Stoops, however, has a history of rewarding his seniors and role players with some love, especially in rivalry games. Against Oklahoma State, Ripkowski carried the ball two times for two yards and two touchdowns and scored another goal-line touchdown through the air.

#5

Postseason exhibition games were made for players like Varga because they give prospects an opportunity to showcase their abilities against better competition. It also allows players to experiment at new positions that may better fit their skill sets at the next level. Both of these scenarios benefitted Varga as he looks to transition from college running back to professional fullback.

With all eyes on him at the Senior Bowl, he didn’t disappoint. After a strong week of practice, he rushed four times for 31 yards and two touchdowns in addition to making three receptions for 39 yards.

Perhaps nobody won the Senior Bowl week more than Varga.

SR

LSU

IN A NUTSHELL

ALL-STAR GAME

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CONNOR NEIGHBORS

LSU has a tradition of producing NFL-ready fullbacks, and Neighbors could continue that legacy. He’s primarily a lead blocker, but he could be counted upon to grind out a tough yard.

Additionally, he flashes some grace in the receiving game, so he could potentially be a late-round developmental draft pick.

HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 242

40-YARD: N/A

2014 STATS: 4 receptions, 27 yards

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FULLBACKS/H-BACKS ALL-STAR GAME Neighbors rarely shows up in the game recap. He’s not overly talented, but his work ethic and grit are gaining him attention. While at the Senior Bowl, he made history by being the first third-generation player to participate in the game. His bloodline will open the door to scouts, but he’ll have to overachieve to make a roster.

#6

HUNTER JOYNER

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FLORIDA

IN A NUTSHELL Joyer played tight end, but his height necessitates a transition to fullback or Hback. He has rarely received a handoff, but his blocking appears to be clean, and he plays nasty. Against bigger and faster competition, he’ll have to add strength to his nastiness in order to win one-on-one battles. His receiving skills are lacking.

HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 232

RIVALRY GAME Like most fullbacks, Joyer doesn’t often appear in the stats sheets and his play largely goes unnoticed. He selflessly opened holes for the featured running backs through most of his career. In the 2013 rivalry game against Florida State, the final game of the regular season, he found the end zone on a short reception, scoring his first and only touchdown of the year.

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KANSAS

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IN A NUTSHELL Mundine is one of the faster fullbacks this year, and his receiving skills could land him on a roster. He was Kansas’ leading receiver last season and shows good body control. Depending on which team he lands on, he could project as an H-back to use his speed in space. His blocking is competent but needs improvement.

HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 237

40-YARD: N/A

2014 STATS: 45 receptions, 584 yards, 3 TD

Kansas is in perpetual rebuilding mode, but Mundine was one of their bright spots. Against a very stout TCU defense, he stepped up his game against superior competition and had his best game of the season by catching seven balls for 137 yards and a touchdown.

Kansas nearly beat TCU as they carried the lead late into the third quarter.

2014 STATS: 3 KR, 19 yards

Jay Hodgson is a lifelong Packers fan after growing up in the shadow of Lambeau Field and later working as a teenager on the training camp staff at St. Norbert College. He currently writes for WIsports. com and AllGreenBayPackers.com. Follow him on Twitter @jys_h.

JIMMAY MUNDINE

BEST GAME

40-YARD: N/A

Author: Jay Hodgson

#7

#8

JOEY IOSEFA HAWAII

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IN A NUTSHELL Iosefa played running back in college, but his bulk and unathletic body will necessitate a switch to fullback.

He’s an aggressive bulldozer that plays with a mean streak, and that will benefit him as he transitions to a lead blocker. Ball carrying experiencing will add to his value in short-yardage situations.

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 247

40-YARD: 5.02

2014 STATS: 151 carries, 617 yards, 8 TD; 11 receptions, 76 yards

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FULLBACKS/H-BACKS NFL COMBINE

#10

Iosefa’s speed and athleticism didn’t turn any heads at the Combine, but his best-in-class 30 repetitions on the bench press did. He has the strength of an offensive lineman, and he’ll need that to make a roster as a blocker.

ZACH ZWINAK PENN STATE

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IN A NUTSHELL HEIGHT: 6’0”

#9

WEIGHT: 240

Similar to Weisman, Zwinak is another ball carrier looking to transition to blocking WEIGHT: 233 fullback at the next level.

He gained 1,000 yards in 40-YARD: N/A 2012 and scored 12 rushing touchdowns in 2013. Then in 2014 he began to carry the ball less and started to develop his blocking skills. 2014 STATS: 40 carries, 112 yards, 3 TD His size bodes well for him and lessens the learning curve.

40-YARD: N/A

BEST GAME

MARK WEISMAN

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IOWA

IN A NUTSHELL Weisman is an interesting prospect because he brings ball skills to the table. He led the Hawkeyes in rushing yards in 2013, but he projects as a blocking fullback at the next level. As a blue collar and powerful player, he passes the eye test as a legitimate fullback.

HEIGHT: 6’0”

In the 2013 victory over Purdue, Zwinak had a monster game. He carried the ball 26 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns.

2014 STATS: 213 carries, 812 yards, 16 TD; 4 receptions, 37 yards

BEST GAME Weisman was used quite frequently as a ball carrier in addition to his blocking roles. His talents were needed as Iowa uncharacteristically had unsettled running back issues. Against Northwestern, he carried the ball 20 times for 94 yards and three touchdowns in their 48-7 blowout win.

#11

MICHAEL BURTON RUTGERS

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HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 242

40-YARD: 4.74

2014 STATS: 1 carry, 2 yards; 15 receptions, 150 yards

IN A NUTSHELL Burton played a pro-style fullback while at Rutgers. He was primarily asked to lead block and occasionally catch the ball on shorter routes.

In today’s NFL, those are the skills that bring prospects to training camp. He’s an overachiever that walked on at Rutgers.

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FULLBACKS/H-BACKS NFL COMBINE Burton was one of a handful of true fullbacks to receive a Combine invitation. Most of his measureables were middle-of-the pack, but his bench press was impressive with 25 repetitions, which was in the range of many offensive linemen. He’ll need that strength to serve as a lead blocker.

#12

De’MARIEYA NELSON

#15

#16

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ARIZONA STATE

#17

IN A NUTSHELL Nelson is deceptively athletic and versatile. During his career, he played tight end, running back, and even defensive end at times. His skill set better suits him to play H-back or fullback at the next level.

He’s a developmental project, but his diverse skills will land him several calls from general managers.

#18

WEIGHT: 235

BYU

CONNOR McLAURIN

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SOUTH CAROLINA

LEE WARD

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STANFORD

TYLER CIERSKI

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MARYLAND

40-YARD: N/A

#19 2013 STATS: 13 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD

#20

In the 2013 contest against Arizona in the Territorial Cup, Nelson had one of his best games. He carried the ball for 21 yards and caught eight passes for 35 more yards and scored two touchdowns.

LARRY DIXON

#21 SR

LUCAS GINGOLD

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CALIFORNIA

MALCOLM JOHNSON

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

MIKE REPLOGLE

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INDIANA

ARMY

Dixon is a man in search of a position. He isn’t elusive enough for running back and isn’t strong enough for fullback. H-back might be his future.

#14

SR

HEIGHT: 6’2”

RIVALRY GAME

#13

PAUL LASIKE

ZACH LASKEY DUKE

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#22

#23

TYLER PURVIS

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NORTH CAROLINA STATE

ANDREW DILLON

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SAGINAW VALLEY STATE

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WIDE RECEIVERS #1

AMARI COOPER

ANDREW GARDA University of Alabama Athletics

JR

ALABAMA

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 215

40-YARD: 4.35

2014 STATS: 124 receptions, 1727 yards (13.9 ypr), 16 TD

#2

IN A NUTSHELL

KEVIN WHITE WEST VIRGINIA

Cooper runs excellent routes and has tremendous body control, which allows him to fake one way and move the other without losing acceleration or speed and leaving defenders spinning as they look for him. He also does a good job running routes across the middle as well. This Alabama product isn’t afraid to take a hit, but he also is smart and adept enough to avoid one in the first place.

HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 209

On the downside, sometimes Cooper will stop or change a route when his quarterback is already in motion. He could also do better on blocking. While Cooper isn’t quite the receiver a guy like Sammy Watkins looks like he could be, he will win downfield and can still execute the short and middle routes as well. He’s athletic, fluid and quick, all things that can help him succeed at the NFL level.

40-YARD: 4.45

2014 STATS: 109 receptions, 1447 yards (13.3 ypr), 10 TD

PLAYOFF GAME While Alabama lost the game to Ohio State, 42-35, Cooper led all receivers with nine catches for 71 yards and a pair of touchdowns. One of his touchdowns was in crunch time, with 1:59 left in the game with the Crimson Tide down by two touchdowns. Quarterback Blake Sims found him on a short six-yard pass, where Cooper showed off his route-running skills as well as his overall ability in hauling in the catch.

Alabama even got the ball back one last time and looked like they might be able to tie the game, but Sims threw his third interception of the day on a Hail Mary heave. Overall, Cooper showed all the ability he had to dominate the game at the collegiate level plus enough to prove he has what it takes to do well in professional football.

While NFL secondary play is at a much higher level than in college, he displayed enough talent in games like this to predict a nice career in the NFL.

48 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

SR

IN A NUTSHELL White has the right build for an NFL receiver with a long frame and plenty of muscle but still has the speed off the line you want to beat the press. He had a lot of issues with drops early on in his career but learned to overcome that and has been very good in the last season.

West Virginia also asked him to run a lot more variety of routes than he did the year before and he did so effectively.

While he had a great 40 time, White doesn’t always seem to play at that speed in games. As a former JUCO transfer, he still needs some polish after starting off his West Virginia career rather slowly, but he gained skill and confidence as time went on.

“long frame and plenty of muscle”

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WIDE RECEIVERS BOWL GAME White had quite a nice game against Texas A&M in the Liberty Bowl, catching seven balls for 129 yards and a touchdown. In a shootout that lent itself to a lot of passing yards, White showed some exceptional skill in getting past coverage and fighting off defenders when they closed in on him. On his touchdown, White ran a go route down the right sideline and left the Texas A&M corner in the dust. Quarterback Skyler Howard had an easy throw downfield, which White caught on the way into the end zone.

What White and the offense struggled to do was score when they were in the red zone, save for their last score of the game. Once they got there, Texas A&M locked down to smother White and the other receivers and stalled too many drives.

#3

As he leaves Louisville, Parker holds the school record for career touchdowns receptions with 33, was named second-team All-ACC and had 10 100-yard games in his career. Clearly his entire career at Louisville was productive, despite this year’s injury, including becoming the first player since 1998 to score 10 touchdowns.

#4

JAELEN STRONG ARIZONA STATE

HEIGHT: 6’2”

DeVANTE PARKER

SR

LOUISVILLE

WEIGHT: 217

40-YARD: 4.44

IN A NUTSHELL Parker is exceptional at attacking the ball in the air, with a real “my ball” mentality and an ability to stretch for the football. He doesn’t have great strength, though, and on contested balls, he can be out-muscled. The strength issue also makes it tough to rely on him as a blocker.

JR

HEIGHT: 6’3” 2014 STATS: 82 receptions, 1165 yards (14.2 ypr), 10 TD

WEIGHT: 209

IN A NUTSHELL

40-YARD: 4.45

2014 STATS: 43 receptions, 855 yards (19.9 ypr), 5 TD

While at Louisville, Parker put up some ridiculous numbers, especially his yards per catch, but he may struggle against tougher NFL defensive backs. This could be a big issue in press-coverage and if he cannot get off the jam at the line, quarterbacks will have to look elsewhere, hampering his progression as a pro. He’ll also need to improve the sharpness of his route running and his overall consistency.

Strong doesn’t do any one thing or have any one attribute that sticks out, but his well-rounded game is quite good and lends itself to success at the next level. He has plus strength, size and length, and will fight for the ball in the air against defenders but isn’t quick and will have issues getting separation.

BACKGROUND Parker missed a chunk of time in 2014 with a foot injury, which makes his overall senior production eye opening. After missing seven games, he caught 43 passes for 855 yards and five touchdowns over the final eight contests.

49 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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WIDE RECEIVERS BACKGROUND Strong’s day against Duke in the Sun Bowl was a mixed bag as he was able to get open enough to catch seven balls for 103 yards, but he and quarterback Taylor Kelly never hooked up in the end zone and his inability to get off the line quickly was a big reason why.

#5

DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM OKLAHOMA

IN A NUTSHELL

JR

There is a ton to like about Green-Beckham on the field. He’s got the size you want in a player and possesses a huge catch radius with soft hands. He struggles a little against press coverage but is otherwise a fantastic prospect

HEIGHT: 6’5”

OFF THE FIELD

WEIGHT: 237

Green-Beckham was arrested twice for marijuana possession, and there was an incident where he allegedly hit a woman. Those issues resulted in getting kicked off Missouri’s team, and he has left Oklahoma without ever playing a snap due to his girlfriend’s pregnancy.

The issues with the law are the real concern and teams need to vet carefully.

40-YARD: 4.49

2013 STATS: 59 receptions, 883 yards (15.0 ypr), 12 TD

#6

SAMMIE COATES

IN A NUTSHELL

JR

AUBURN

Coates has a lot of tools to like in terms of speed and size, but he’s really raw with some bad tendencies. He drops too many balls, slows down on longer routes and sometimes seems to lose track of the ball. His upside is huge, but a team has to be patient and work hard with him to help Coates reach it.

HEIGHT: 6’1” WEIGHT: 212

RIVALRY GAME

40-YARD: 4.43

Coates really hit his peak at the end of the season as he completely blew up No. 1 Alabama’s secondary to the tune of 206 yards and two touchdowns on just five catches. Auburn lost 55-44 in part because they had no way to stop Amari Cooper’s 224-yard, three-touchdown day, but Coates shined in his own right.

2014 STATS: 34 receptions, 741 yards (21.8 ypr), 4 TD

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WIDE RECEIVERS #7

DEVIN SMITH

#8

SR

OHIO STATE

BRESHAD PERRIMAN UCF

JR

HEIGHT: 6’0”

HEIGHT: 6’2”

WEIGHT: 196

WEIGHT: 212

40-YARD: 4.42

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 33 receptions, 931 yards (28.2 ypr), 12 TD

2014 STATS: 50 receptions, 1044 yards (20.9 ypr), 9 TD

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

Smith plays as fast if not faster than he times, a problem for him in 2014 as he often had to slow down and wait on throws from his quarterback. He can be impatient on his routes at times, perhaps another factor from his immense speed.

Perriman has the prototypical stats and build teams are looking for in an NFL receiver with the ability to be a big-play type of guy, however, he needs to work on route running and being more precise. He attacks the ball in the air with an explosive jump, extending his arms to snag the ball in mid-air.

NFL COMBINE Smith didn’t finish at the top (or even Top 10) of any category, but his 40 speed wasn’t bad at all and his vertical (39”) and broad jumps (122”) were within acceptable parameters. He did fine in the positional drills as well, although the quality of quarterbacks throwing to him wasn’t the greatest.

#9

NELSON ALGHOLOR

JR

USC

NFL COMBINE Perriman did not participate at the Combine due to a hamstring injury, not even the bench press, which puts a lot of stress on his pro-day performance. The danger is if he messes up, he is left with his game tape, which shows some very sloppy play along with a lot of potential.

IN A NUTSHELL Considered by some to be just a slot receiver, Algholor is quick and runs tight routes. He plays very smart as well and has a great nose for open space when he gets the ball in his hands. During his time at USC, Algholor displayed a lack of speed to blow past defenders and may never be a threat to stretch the field.

HEIGHT: 6’0” WEIGHT: 198

BOWL GAME

40-YARD: 4.42

2014 STATS: 104 receptions, 1313 yards (12.6 ypr), 12 TD; 19 PR, 197 yards (10.4 ypa), 2 TD

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While it was far from his best game last season, Algholor had a decent Holiday Bowl, catching seven balls for 90 yards and a touchdown in the shootout win over Nebraska. Most of his catches came on short routes, which he was sometimes able to stretch for bigger gains.

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WIDE RECEIVERS #10

DEVIN FUNCHESS

#11

JR

MICHIGAN

WEIGHT: 232

40-YARD: 4.70

2014 STATS: 62 receptions, 733 yards (11.8 ypr), 4 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Funchess was a tight end until this past season, and his size could be attractive, but his hands are a real issue. His frame could allow him to move back to tight end on occasion, where he might have more success against linebackers, but he has to learn to catch more efficiently.

NFL COMBINE Funchess had an awful time in Indianapolis with a slow 40 time and some shaky positional drills. It was difficult to watch him struggle in receiver drills next to smoother and more polished receivers that had been playing the position since high school.

RASHAD GREENE

Lockett runs excellent routes, and does it in fast fashion, which helps overcome his size deficiencies.

Speaking of which, the Kansas State product is very short and thin and durability will be an issue at the NFL level. That combination makes him a better bet as a slot receiver, but one who you still worry about taking a big hit.

HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 182

40-YARD: 4.40

2014 STATS: 106 receptions, 1515 yards (14.3 ypr), 11 TD; 21 PR, 402 yards (19.1 ypa), 2 TD

NFL COMBINE Lockett met with the Kansas City Chiefs at the Combine, and without Dwayne Bowe they are even more desperate for receiver help.

While his size is a concern, Lockett has impressed teams with his overall knowledge and skillset. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has said he thinks some team will get a steal with Lockette.

“some team will get a steal”

Greene is the kind of player who shows up when the lights come on and the spotlight is at its largest. He has a great knack for getting open and runs tremendous routes. His size makes him a natural for a slot player, but if he can improve his routes and add a little muscle to his frame, he could be a very nice fit for that role.

HEIGHT: 5’11”

POSTSEASON GAME

WEIGHT: 182

40-YARD: 4.53

2014 STATS: 99 receptions, 1365 yards (13.8 ypr), 7 TD; 15 PR, 160 yards (10.7 ypa)

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KANSAS STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

FLORIDA STATE

SR

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’4”

#12

TYLER LOCKETT

Greene had a field day against the Yellow Jackets in the ACC Championship game, totaling seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns. With those yards, Greene became the record holder for most receiving yards in ACC history. Both of Greene’s touchdowns came in the second quarter, one of which with just 30 seconds left to give the Seminoles their first lead of the day.

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WIDE RECEIVERS #13

JUSTIN HARDY

SR

#18

EAST CAROLINA

Hardy has tremendous instincts but was only asked to run a limited amount of routes, which means he will have a steep learning curve.

He adjusts well to errant passes, however, and is a very aggressive blocker.

#14

DEZMIN LEWIS

SR

Lewis does a fantastic job high-pointing passes and can snatch the ball out of the air with his long arms. He didn’t see a high level of competition at Central Arkansas though, so there is some question as to how he will react against NFL corners.

#15

PHILLIP DORSETT MIAMI

#16

TRE McBRIDE

#21

#22

WILLIAM AND MARY

TONY LIPPETT

#23

#24

SR

MICHIGAN STATE

Lippett had pretty good success against college corners and was team MVP for the Spartans in 2014. He improved his ability and overall game by really working hard, so while his routes aren’t the sharpest and he has struggled with drops at times, he has the will to overcome.

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DUKE

CHRIS CONLEY

SR

GEORGIA

KENNY BELL

SR

NEBRASKA

TY MONTGOMERY

SR

STANFORD

JOSH HARPER

SR

FRESNO STATE

SR

McBride is a great pass-catcher with natural hands and good form.

He doesn’t play terribly fast on film but does add value yards after the catch.

#17

#20

SR

Dorsett may be a super-speedy guy that can blow up a secondary, but he doesn’t run very good routes and catches with his body too often. He will, however, attack the ball and fight through contested catches.

SR

Crowder is small at 5’ 8” and that will scare some teams off and limit him to a slot-guy reputation with others. He’s quick and runs a good route, but the size issue also allows him to get knocked off his route too much.

#19

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

JAMISON CROWDER

#25

DRES ANDERSON

SR

UTAH

STEFON DIGGS

SR

MARYLAND

RANNELL HALL

SR

UCF

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TIGHT ENDS #1

JAY HODGSON

MAXX WILLIAMS

#2

SO

MINNESOTA

CLIVE WALFORD MIAMI

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 249

40-YARD: 4.78

2014 STATS: 36 receptions, 569 yards, 8 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Williams is head and shoulders above all other tight ends in this year’s draft and is the only one with a first-round grade. He has extremely soft hands and catches everything thrown his away. His 40yard dash time won’t make anyone’s jaw drop, but he consistently gets open and is a major threat to stretch the field down the seam, especially against linebackers carrying him up the field in coverage.

Against safeties he labors at times to create separation and must learn to run cleaner routes against the next level of competition.

The Minnesota product is only a redshirt sophomore, so he’s on the younger side and will have to further develop his body in an NFL weight room. General managers should draft him with confidence, as he’s truly a difference maker and could develop into something special. While it is still premature to forecast his skill set, his play resembles Rob Gronkowski at times.

BOWL GAME

SR

HEIGHT: 6’4”

Walford is a very intriguing prospect that is quickly WEIGHT: 251 gaining attention throughout the NFL. He’s a more complete player than 40-YARD: 4.79 Maxx Williams, albeit much more raw and unfinished at this point. Walford is a better blocker, snaps more quickly out of routes and is 2014 STATS: 44 receptions, 676 yards, 7 TD more confident catching the ball in traffic. Where he is more raw than Williams can mostly be traced back to concentration and mental sharpness as he has a tendency to bend at the waist and look up field before securing the catch, which has led to some troubling drops. If he can supplement his impressive Combine performance with solid interviews showing he has the mental focus required for success, he easily projects as a second rounder.

ALL-STAR GAME Walford clearly benefitted from not entering the draft early and sticking things out until his senior year. He continued to improve each year in school, most notably in his route running. A knee injury forced him to miss the Independence Bowl against South Carolina, but he had the luxury of falling back on the Senior Bowl to give scouts another look at his skill set. His week of practice was spectacular and he solidified his explosive play, excellent blocking and route knowledge, which was fortunate for him because he had an ugly drop in the game itself and only one catch for 10 yards. The game didn’t relieve any worries about drops, but his overall talent continues to impress.

Brace Hemmelgarn

In the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against SEC East Champion Missouri, Williams had his best game of the season, which did not go unnoticed. Even though the Gophers fell to the Tigers 33-17, Williams had seven catches for 98 yards and a touchdown against a stingy defense finished the 2014 season as the 19th best in scoring.

During the game, Williams showed that he was among the best players on the field and was ready to take the next step and become a professional tight end. His touchdown catch in particular gained attention on highlight reels nationwide when he hurdled two defenders along the sideline on his way to the end zone. It was this game that announced his presence outside of the Big Ten fan base.

“Williams is head and shoulders above all tight ends in this year’s draft.”

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TIGHT ENDS #3

JESSE JAMES

#4

JR

PENN STATE

TYLER KROFT RUTGERS

JR

HEIGHT: 6’7”

HEIGHT: 6’5”

WEIGHT: 261

WEIGHT: 246

40-YARD: 4.83

40-YARD: 4.75

2014 STATS: 38 receptions, 396 yards, 3 TD

2014 STATS: 24 receptions, 269 yards, 0 TD

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

James has the length that general managers covet, yet he still has plenty of room to hold the requisite 10 more pounds to improve his blocking. While he requires more time to build up speed off the line and doesn’t always sell his routes, he has a tremendous knack for getting open and tirelessly moves through the secondary to create separation.

Kroft declared for the draft early and would have benefitted from staying in school for his senior year. He is more of a football player than an elite athlete. Currently, his blocking is much better than his receiving, and he plays with a mean streak. Kroft’s receiving skills, meanwhile, will take more time to develop.

Quarterbacks are going to love James because he excels in the scramble drill. He needs to improve his routes, but he has bright future in the NFL because he has shown he can win down the seam and also serves as a quarterback’s security blanket. If he learns to set up his routes better and can improve against man-to-man coverage, he could develop into a tremendous red-zone threat.

BOWL GAME Against North Carolina in the Quick Lane Bowl, Kroft only managed to haul in one catch. The game was a microcosm of his entire career because his receiving stats don’t stand out against better competition, but he can always be found blocking in a scrum. Rutgers slugged out 340 rushing yards, and Kroft certainly helped.

BEST GAME The 2014 season opener against an underrated Central Florida squad was James’ best game of the season if not his entire college career. In this particular contest, he had seven receptions for 60 yards. None of James’ other performances in 2014 reached that level of production, so it’s easy for some to cast blame on an inability to up his game against better competition.

However, this is more likely the reflection of his quarterback play, and Penn State had a very up-and-down year in that regard with Christian Hackenberg. Against UCF, Hackenberg set a Penn State passing record with 454 yards, which answers any questions about James’ production. When he is coupled with competent quarterback play, he will put up impressive numbers.

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TIGHT ENDS #5

JEFF HEUERMAN OHIO STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

BEST GAME

SR

Koyack’s best game came against a clearly overmatched Navy squad when he caught five passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. That stat line exemplifies his scouting report that he struggles at times to create separation against better competition and more sophisticated defensive coverages.

HEIGHT: 6’5”

Heuerman is a classic example of how his raw talWEIGHT: 254 ent intrigues scouts and overshadows his actual on-field production. Ohio 40-YARD: 4.83 State misused him at times by relegating him primarily as a blocker, but he has the talent to develop into a receiving threat. The team 2014 STATS: 17 receptions, 207 yards, 2 TD who is patient with him will be rewarded with a very complete tight end.

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POSTSEASON Heuerman’s name will appear nowhere in the stats sheet during the 2014 postseason. In three consecutive games against Wisconsin (Big 10 Championship), Alabama (national semifinal), and Oregon (national championship), he failed to record a single reception. It’s scary to think how more dangerous the Buckeyes offense could have been if new quarterback Cardale Jones involved Heuerman in the passing game.

#6

DELAWARE

SR

IN A NUTSHELL HEIGHT: 6’4”

BEN KOYAK

SR

NOTRE DAME

IN A NUTSHELL

#7

NICK BOYLE

HEIGHT: 6’5”

Similar to Heuerman, Koyack was underutiWEIGHT: 255 lized in the passing game, although he is a better blocker than his Ohio State 40-YARD: 4.75 peer. The Notre Dame product has ideal size for the position, soft hands and can catch in traffic, but he also has to improve his 2014 STATS: 30 receptions, 317 yards, 2 TD ability to extend plays and work back to the quarterback when zone coverage squeezes and safeties play over him.

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Boyle would probably be rated much higher if not WEIGHT: 268 for his 40-yard dash time because he is large and extremely athletic. Even 40-YARD: 5.04 though he played against lesser competition while at Delaware, his natural ability is obvious in his devastating blocking and 2014 STATS: 37 receptions, 304 yards, 4 TD smooth routes. The guy always seems to get open and has no problems in traffic.

NFL COMBINE It’s difficult to say whether Boyle’s performance in Indianapolis helped or hurt his draft stock. On one hand, his pedestrian 40-yard dash (5.04 seconds) may scare off some general managers, but he more than made up for that with his best-in-class 20-yard shuttle (4.23 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.65 seconds) times.

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TIGHT ENDS #8

MyCOLE PRUITT

#9

SR

SOUTHERN IL.

WES SAXTON SOUTH ALABAMA

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’2”

SR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

If not for lingering injuries throughout his senior WEIGHT: 248 year, Saxton’s stats and reputation would be much greater. He’s a fast and 40-YARD: 4.65 natural receiver that will create match-up issues for linebackers and safeties.

Saxton will have to greatly improve his blocking to 2014 STATS: 20 receptions, 155 yards, 0 TD see extended playing time beyond specific passing packages, however.

WEIGHT: 251

40-YARD: 4.58

2014 STATS: 81 receptions, 861 yards, 13 TD

IN A NUTSHELL Pruitt is more athletic and fluid than his physical appearance and on-field play showcases. His frame is smaller than desired, but he catches everything near him, assuming that he didn’t get lazy in his route as he sometimes is, especially against lesser competition. He must improve as a blocker and increase overall effort.

VS TOP OPPONENT Southern Illinois is an FCS school, but they played a Big Ten level opponent at Purdue in 2014. It was a down year for the Boilermakers, but it can be assumed that Purdue had a higher talent level than many of the other teams Pruitt played during the FCS season.

Against Purdue, he had an astounding 10 receptions for 136 yards.

BEST GAME In the 35-3 blowout loss to Mississippi State, Saxton caught six passes for 30 yards. His production was against a mixture of starting defenders early in the game and against backups when the contest was no longer in question, but it all highlights that his skill set was competitive against a superior SEC squad.

#10

BLAKE BELL

SR

OKLAHOMA

IN A NUTSHELL HEIGHT: 6’6”

As a converted quarterback, Bell is still learning the tight end position.

WEIGHT: 252 Even though he is extremely raw, he has the size and athleticism that 40-YARD: 4.80 general managers covet.

Bell clearly understands the route tree and passing concepts, and he appears 2014 STATS: 16 receptions, 214 yards, 4 TD to be a natural pass catcher. He will reward the team willing to take a risk on him.

“converted quarterback” 57 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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TIGHT ENDS ALL-STAR GAME Bell really got scouts to notice him during the annual East-West Shrine Game and the preceding week of practice. Most personnel people had previously overlooked him as a tight end afterthought during his senior season, but he shined in the spotlight when all eyes were on him. He definitely boosted his draft stock.

“previously overlooked him”

#11

JEAN SIFRIN

SR

MASSACHUSETTS

#12

E.J. BIBBS

SR

IOWA STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’2”

Bibbs isn’t a natural athlete and has been known to WEIGHT: 258 take plays off, but he seems to catch everything thrown near him. The former Cy40-YARD: 4.74 clone is a reliable target that has a knack for creating separation despite lacking elite speed and having a stiffer body. He gives up 2014 STATS: 45 receptions, 382 yards, 8 TD on blocks too easily and must work extensively to improve his effort and technique.

BEST GAME The Iowa State vs. Texas match-up doesn’t rank anywhere near the top of Big 12 rivalry games, but the 2014 contest was a shootout for the ages. Even though Iowa State lost 48-45, Bibbs was a star of the game. He hauled in 10 passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

HEIGHT: 6’5”

WEIGHT: 245

40-YARD: 4.84

2014 STATS: 41 receptions, 637 yards, 6 TD

#13

IN A NUTSHELL Sifrin is already 27 years old because he got a late start in his football career, and therefore is an extremely raw talent. Despite his age, however, he has the attention of general managers because of his length, explosiveness and fluidity. The UMass product has shown he is willing to learn and work hard.

Sifrin clearly benefitted from playing against lesser competition in the MAC, but against Akron, he scorched them for six receptions, 185 yards and a touchdown. In comparison, however, he was virtually invisible against Power 5 conference foes like Vanderbilt and Penn State, which shows a steep learning curve awaits him.

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JR

KENT STATE

Pierce is a very competent and accomplished blocker, but he needs to improve his ability to create separation in the passing game. A developmental project with soft hands.

#14

BEST GAME

CASEY PIERCE

GERALD CHRISTIAN

SR

LOUISVILLE

While Christian lacks the ideal height for the position, he’s extremely aggressive and tough, yet he plays under control and is a very fluid athlete. He’s more of a pass catcher than a blocker, but could develop into a complete player.

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TIGHT ENDS #15

C.J. UZOMAH

SR

#20

AUBURN

Even though he was underutilized as a receiver in Auburn’s run-first offense, Uzomah has the physique that excites football executives.

His blocking is already NFL-ready, but he will have to learn to fight for the ball in the passing game.

#16

RORY ANDERSON

SR

SOUTH CAROLINA

#22

Anderson is viewed by many as a “tweener” tight end/wide receiver and perhaps not surprisingly, seems to be a jack of all trades and master of none. Blocking doesn’t scare him, and his technique also appears to be mostly sound, but he lacks strength to finish blocks and fight for the ball in traffic.

#17

RANDALL TELFER

SR

DEVIN MAHINA

#26

Mahina’s measurables are ideal for the position and he has the potential to develop into a quarterback’s best friend down the seam and in the red zone. Where the BYU product must improve is his strength in the weight room, and his blocking will be a work in progress.

#19

#25

#27

ARKANSAS

KHARI LEE

SR

BOWIE STATE

GABE HOLMES

SR

PURDUE

WILL TYE

SR

STONY BROOK

CONNOR HAMLETT

SR

OREGON STATE

CAMERON CLEAR

SR

TEXAS A&M

WESTLEY TONGA

SR

UTAH

KENNARD BACKMAN

SR

UAB

SR

TEXAS-El PASO

#28 As a large and intimidating prospect, Tomlinson looks the part of the proverbial “first person off the bus.” However, he is slow and mechanical, and projects to be a better blocker than a pass catcher.

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SR

SR

BRIGHAM YOUNG

ERIC TOMLINSON

#23

#24

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Telfer’s draft stock continues to fall during the postseason evaluation process and his dedication and conditioning are in question.

However, he certainly passes the eyeball test as a legitimate tight end prospect.

#18

#21

A.J. DERBY

JON DAVIS

SR

ILLINOIS

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE

“JERSEY” AL BRACCO

Bob Rasmus

#1

BRANDON SCHERFF

SR

IOWA

HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 319 ARMS: 33 3/8” BENCH:

23

40-YARD: 5.05

IN A NUTSHELL Over the last 10 years, the Iowa Hawkeyes have seen three offensive tackles drafted in the first round, and Scherff is a lock to make it four in last 11. He could be the best “finisher” seen on tape in the last few seasons. When Scherff wins the battle for control, there is no alternative; you’re going to be driven back and eventually to the ground.

Adding insult to injury, the big offensive lineman will then fall on you like a pro wrestler looking to hold you down for the three count.

It’s a scenario played out over and over on tape, and it’s downright embarrassing for the unlucky defenders.

Now to a more technical analysis: Scherff, the 2014 Outland Trophy winner, is a rare combination of strength and agility. He moves very well pulling to the outside or getting to the second level and then has the hip flexibility to complete blocks in the open field against much smaller and faster opponents. Inside, he has shown the ability to overpower his man or execute difficult moves like reach blocks with sound technique.

Pass protection is where Scherff needs to improve on a few things, but his issues are technique-related, so they are fixable. He sometimes gives up too much ground too quickly and gets his hips turned too soon. Scherff’s footwork is good enough for a left tackle, but he can stand to improve his slide step a bit. On the plus side, he is adept at picking up stunts and handing off rushers as required, rarely getting fooled in those situations. Scherff could be dominant Day 1 if moved inside to guard (ala Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys), but letting him develop at tackle could result in a more valuable win long term, especially for a team that uses a zone-blocking scheme (ZBS).

“it’s downright embarassing” 60 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

Scherff could be the best “finisher” seen on tape in the last few seasons.

COLLEGE CAREER Scherff played quarterback as a sophomore in high school before moving to tight end and defensive line. He also won the state shot put title as a sophomore and still holds the school record. Recruited to offensive line factory Iowa, Scherff spent a redshirt season in 2010 before seeing action at left guard and starting some games there in 2011.

In 2012, he was listed as the starting left tackle in spring practice, a major vote of confidence from offensive line guru Kirk Ferentz. He started the first seven games of the 2012 season before suffering a broken leg and missing the rest of the season. He returned at full strength for his third season in 2013 and was named a second-team All-American as a left tackle.

His senior season, Scherff was outright dominant at the left tackle spot. His performance was recognized with a host of post-season awards, including being named a consensus first-team All-American. His outstanding college career was capped off by being named the Outland Trophy winner, given to the most outstanding lineman in college football.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE #2

T.J. CLEMMINGS

NFL COMBINE

SR

PITTSBURGH

As a former basketball player, expectations were pretty high for Clemmings coming into the Combine, and he didn’t disappoint.

Watching him set up for the 40-yard dash, it was apparent this was a different body type for an offensive tackle. There was no thick middle or big bubble butt (which some might see as a negative). Instead, Clemmings is lean and sports a sculpted upper body, much like a power forward in basketball (Amare Stoudemire comes to mind).

HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 309

As far as the position drills go, Clemmings showed the lateral quickness that is not often found in an offensive tackle. He covers a lot of ground with his long legs and stays balanced while doing so. Clemmings also showed quick feet in both the mirror drill and the slidestep drill, which bodes well for a likely move to left tackle.

ARMS: 35 1/8” BENCH:

22

40-YARD: 5.14

IN A NUTSHELL When it comes to tight ends and left tackles, NFL coaches love to see prospects come along that were former basketball players. For tight ends, it’s mostly the jumping ability. For left tackles, it’s the quick feet and mobility. With Clemmings, it’s the best of both worlds, a former basketball player that runs like a tight end and plays offensive tackle. A convert from defensive line with only two years of experience at offensive tackle, Clemmings is raw but his upside, much like his frame, is huge.

Watching Clemmings on tape, the quick feet and lateral movement ability one would expect from a former round baller are apparent, and he puts them to good use as an offensive tackle. Clemmings never gets beaten to a spot and mirrors defenders with aplomb. He has pass protection technique issues, mostly with proper use of his hands and leverage, but those can be worked on physically. There are few weaknesses in his game.

The Panthers ran the ball twice as much as they passed last season with James Conner racking up over 1,700 yards, much of it to Clemmings’ right side. The offensive lineman is a physical run blocker with a mean streak, but again, improper use of hands can cause him not to maintain blocks as long as he should. He easily gets to the second level or out wide for screens. Few NFL teams would be brave enough to start Clemmings out as a left tackle, but he could definitely be a first-year starter at right tackle and shift over after a year or two of getting some solid NFL coaching. Future Pro Bowler.

“never gets beaten to a spot” 61 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

In the measurable events, Clemmings finished in the top ten of each except for the bench press. Standout performances came in the vertical jump, where his 32 1/2” was second best among the offensive line group and the 20-yard shuttle, where he was fourth with a time of 4.54 seconds. Also impressive was Clemmings’ 35 1/8” arms and 85” wingspan, third widest among offensive linemen.

#3

ANDRUS PEAT STANFORD

IN A NUTSHELL

SR HEIGHT: 6’7” WEIGHT: 313

If a scout were going to sit down and list what he’d ARMS: 34 3/8” want a left tackle to look like, there’s a good chance he’d end up describing BENCH: DNP Peat. The Stanford offensive lineman has an ideal 40-YARD: 5.18 height-weight ratio with the weight proportionally distributed on his long frame and tree trunks for legs. Unlike many players with his body type, however, he shows initial quickness and moves gracefully in space, effectively getting to the second level.

In the running game, Peat is more of a power blocker than a zone blocking type tackle. He makes strong first contact and is especially effective when blocking down or sealing off an inside opponent. Although he makes a strong initial impact, Peat doesn’t always stay with his block as long as he should. Defenders who can absorb that first hit can then often take advantage of some temporary imbalance on Peat’s part and get around him. He’s not a “play to the whistle,” guy either, sometimes giving up on his assignment too quickly.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE Peat’s strongest area right now is pass protection. He shows an excellent kick slide that covers a lot of ground and sets a solid wide base when engaged with his blocker. Inside moves are generally not going to work against Peat as he uses his hands effectively to keep opponents in front of him. He has football smarts and is a highcharacter guy that played in a pro-style offense so he has a lot going for him. Lack of aggressiveness, however, is something scouts have pointed out as a possible concern, but it’s not a major one from this vantage point.

his size, Collins gets off fast in the run game and there are few better guys to run behind on the goal line. In pass protection, Collins shows quicker feet than expected and mirrors well but can struggle with change-of-direction footwork needed to stay with inside moves. His 33 1/4” arms are a negative. While Collins can be a very good left tackle in the NFL, he could be a Pro Bowl type of player as a right tackle or a move inside to guard.

COLLEGE CAREER Peat chose Stanford out of 38 (yes, 38) scholarship offers he received as a high school senior, when Scout.com considered him the second best offensive tackle in the nation. As a true freshman, Peat saw action at left tackle in 13 games, averaging 20 snaps per game on one of the best offensive lines in college football.

His sophomore season, Peat took over as the starting left tackle for the departed Jonathan Martin, who had been selected in the second round by the Miami Dolphins. Peat started every game as a sophomore, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors.

Peat would go on to start every game at left as a junior as well, battling some of the best pass rushers in the nation. He earned several first-team and second-team All-American honors and the unusually high praise of his coach, David Shaw. Shaw, who coached in the NFL for nine seasons, said Peat was the most talented player he’s been around except for one very special player, Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden. If Shaw is only half-right, some team will still be getting a heck of a player in Andrus Peat.

#4

LA’EL COLLINS

BEST GAME Last October, the No. 24 Tigers hosted No. 3 Ole Miss, and Collins dominated all game as LSU pulled off the upset. The Rebels tried multiple players up against Collins, but the jersey number didn’t matter. The results were the same; Collins ate them up alive. Without having seen the entire game tape, assistant coach Frank Wilson credited Collins with six pancake blocks in first 24 snaps alone. Earlier in the year, Wilson also said he would, “Kiss his own (expletive)” if Collins wasn’t a Top 5 pick in the draft. Wilson may have to pucker up—as good as Collins is, not being that prototypical left tackle, he’s more likely to go a little later.

SR

LSU

#5 HEIGHT: 6’4”

ARMS: 33 1/4” 21

40-YARD: 5.12

IN A NUTSHELL Collins is your classic mauler-type offensive tackle. He goes after his man with aggression, which can sometimes result in lunging, but if he keeps a solid base, defenders are not winning the battle. Despite

62 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

FLORIDA STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 305

BENCH:

CAMERON ERVING

SR HEIGHT: 6’5”

In this draft, how is “verWEIGHT: 313 satile offensive lineman” spelled? Cameron Erving.

ARMS: 34 1/8” A former defensive lineman who converted to offensive tackle and then to BENCH: 30 center, Erving looks more like a tackle in the Packers’ 40-YARD: 5.15 scheme than a center. He moves well and looks most comfortable in zone-blocking assignments. Erving also has the feet and mobility to play left tackle, but with only one year at the position, needs plenty of technique work.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE COLLEGE CAREER No one can call Erving selfish or skittish. After a freshman year on the defensive line, he moved to the all-important left tackle spot and was a starter from Day 1. After two seasons there, an injury on the Seminoles offensive line during the season caused the coaches to throw him into the fire once again, this time handling the ball at the center spot. Erving has done well enough that he could be drafted at either position, but for the Packers, he looks more like a tackle.

#6

D.J. HUMPHRIES

JR

FLORIDA

HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 307 ARMS: 33 5/8” BENCH:

26

OREGON

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

HEIGHT: 6’6”

Fisher is by no means the WEIGHT: 306 “powerful” offensive tackle type, but he gets the job ARMS: 33 3/4” done with football smarts, technique, good use of BENCH: 25 angles and tight end-like mobility. Watching game tape against various types 40-YARD: 5.01 of opponents, it was difficult to find instances of Fisher getting beat. On the downside, he has been flagged for way too many holding penalties. Fisher needs a lot more time in the weight room, and thus would be a ZBS tackle only, but he has successfully shown he can play on the left side, which some higher-ranked prospects still need to prove.

NFL COMBINE

40-YARD: 5.12

IN A NUTSHELL Humphries could have one of the highest upsides among the tackles in this draft. He played left tackle for the Gators at only 282 lbs. and frankly, moved better than many of the tight ends in this draft.

He has a good punch, which he needed to offset his lack of beef.

If he can continue to add weight/strength and get some solid NFL coaching on technique, Humphries could end up as a Tyron Smith type left tackle in a few years (Humphries put on 20-plus lbs. for the Combine).

NFL COMBINE

If there were any doubts that Jake Fisher was the most athletic tackle in this draft, his Combine performance blew it to smithereens. Fisher recorded the best offensive line three-cone time (7.25 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.33 seconds) not just of this year but of the last four years. He also recorded 2015’s second best 40-yard dash (5.01 seconds).

Author: “Jersey” Al Bracco

The Combine was important for Humphries to show the world he could carry more weight and still display the athleticism that has intrigued NFL scouts. In Indianapolis, Humphries—the top recruit who came to Florida at 245 lbs.— breezed through the drills with ease and had one of the Top 10 times among offensive linemen in the 40yard dash and 10-yard split. Mission accomplished.

63 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

#7

JAKE FISHER

“Jersey” Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com and the Packers Talk Radio Network (PackersTalk.com). He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and serves as the Packers draft analyst for DraftTek.com. Follow him on Twitter @JerseyAlGBP

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE #8

ERECK FLOWERS

IN A NUTSHELL

#9

JR

MIAMI

HEIGHT: 6’6”

CEDRIC OGBUEHI

SR

TEXAS A&M

HEIGHT: 6’5”

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 329 Flowers will be a darn good right tackle or guard in the ARMS: 34 1/2” NFL, but at only 20 years old, it’s unclear what his ceiling might be. He shows BENCH: 37 the quick feet to possibly handle the left side but 40-YARD: 5.31 has had trouble with speed rushers. Flowers also uses his hands poorly, usually holding them too wide and grappling with opponents rather than punching, resulting in holding penalties. As a run blocker, he’s a solid in-line performer. Flowers looked downright awful in the slide-step drill at the Combine so a move to guard would probably be best

WEIGHT: 306 Ogbuehi (pronounced ah-BOO-hee), is an athletic tackle with long arms ARMS: 35 7/8” and plenty of experience protecting mobile quarBENCH: 23 terbacks in A&M’s highpowered offense. As a pass 40-YARD: DNP protector he moves his feet and mirrors well but is lacking some in upper-body strength and has been susceptible to power moves. Ogbuehi had the dubious honor of being one of the leaders in sacks allowed in the SEC in 2014. As a run blocker, he’d be best in a ZBS scheme as he’s not the type to overpower an opponent in a one-on-one battle.

VS TOP OPPONENT

COLLEGE CAREER

On October 23 against Virginia, Flowers injured his knee and was feared lost for the season. Five days later he underwent a surgical procedure and two weeks removed from his injury, he was back in the starting lineup for the Hurricanes. Teammates and coaches were in awe, not only of his quick return, but how well he played against No. 2 Florida State. He earned major points among NFL scouts with his show of grit that day.

Ogbeuhi played two years at right guard before moving to right tackle as a junior when Jake Matthews was flipped to the left side.

He was handed the starting left tackle job this year, but in early November was moved back to the right side. Head coach Kevin Sumlin insisted it wasn’t because of Ogbeuhi’s struggles at left tackle, but you can bet it was. Making a bad year worse, Ogbuehi closed it out by tearing his ACL in the Aggies bowl game.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE #10

ROB HAVENSTEIN

#11

SR

WISCONSIN

ARMS: 33 3/4” 16

40-YARD: 5.46

IN A NUTSHELL Massive, huge, humongous … pick your own adjective, but Haverstein fits them all. While you can’t expect Havenstein to be nimble on his feet, he uses a decent punch to slow down rushers trying to get around him. Havenstein can only play the right side, is not made for a ZBS and is too tall to move to guard, so you only draft him if you have a specific need at right tackle. As you would expect, Havenstein was a big (pun intended) reason Melvin Gordon had great running success for the Badgers.

NFL COMBINE

David Stlika - Wisconsin Athletic Communications

While not totally unexpected, Havenstein did himself no favors in Indianapolis. He started things off by only putting up 16 reps in the bench press, the worst performance among the 37 offensive linemen who participated. He then ran the 40-yard dash in 5.46 seconds (31st best). He dropped 15 lbs. for the Combine.

HEIGHT: 6’5”

ALL-STAR GAME Smith came into the Senior Bowl with a lot to prove after a season of struggles in 2014. Scouts had very varied opinions on him and were ready to take a long hard look. Smith impressed all week in practice and again in the game, He certainly improved his draft status at the Senior Bowl, but can he play like that all the time?

#12

TAYO FABULUJE

SR

TCU

He’s big enough to engulf you in the running game, yet shows quick enough feet and enough mobility to play at left tackle. He has plenty to work on and has had issues with keeping his weight down. Fabuluje could be your classic boom-or-bust prospect.

#13

65 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

JR

Donovan Smith has a lot of WEIGHT: 338 what you want in a tackle: broad shoulders, long ARMS: 34 3/8” arms, strong base, plays with good pad level, etc.

BENCH: 26 What you’re not sure of is what kind of effort you will get from play to play. He’s 40-YARD: 5.27 not the most nimble tackle in this draft, but he’s not a plodder either. Smith is a guy who could have a very high ceiling or could crash and burn. He’s a worthwhile gamble in rounds three to four but is a risky roll of the dice any earlier than that.

WEIGHT: 321

“Havenstein is massive, huge, humongous … pick your own adjective.”

PENN STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’7”

BENCH:

DONOVAN SMITH

DARYL WILLIAMS

SR

OKLAHOMA

Williams is your classic road grader right tackle. He always wins the one-on-one battles, and if he gets his opponent backpedaling, he’ll be doing so for 10 yards or so. While he’s not overly athletic and can struggle with changing directions, Williams is not a major liability in pass protection as he makes good use of his 35” arms, strong hands and anchors well against power rushers.

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE #14

TY SAMBRAILO

SR

#18

COLORADO STATE

Sambrailo is a tall tackle with short arms (33”) that moves well in space and plays to the whistle, if not slightly past it, at times. When engaged with a defender, balance can be a bit of a problem, and he allows players to get into his body way too much in pass protection.

He can likely play either tackle spot but could use a year to build some core strength, which he is obviously lacking. Ty did not look particularly comfortable with the drills at the combine.

#15

TYRUS THOMPSON

#20 SR

JEREMIAH POUTASI UTAH

CHAZ GREEN

#21

#22

SR #23

If it looks like a guard and runs like a guard, it’s a guard. Although a left tackle in college, Poutasi in action looks nothing like some of the real tackle prospects in this draft. He could make it as a right tackle for the right team, but if you watch him run, it’s like you’re watching Josh Sitton run—and that’s not a terrible thing (if you can block like Josh Sitton). The Packers typically draft offensive linemen that played tackle and then move the bigger, slower ones inside. That would be Poutasi, and he could be very, very good there.

#17

SR

IOWA

AUSTIN SHEPHERD

SR

ALABAMA

COREY ROBINSON

SR

SOUTH CAROLINA

OKLAHOMA

Thompson has a very good combination of size and athleticism and is a well-rounded prospect, but he is maddeningly inconsistent technique-wise. Repeat a play three times, and he’ll block it three different ways. He made big improvements this year in pass protection but will need a very good offensive line coach with a lot of patience to get him straightened out. If a coach can get that done, he may have a hidden gem. But the odds are not exactly great.

#16

#19

ANDREW DONNAL

#24

#25

SR

FLORIDA

Super Sleeper. Green was a highly touted high school recruit, but his college career has been a disappointment, mostly due to injury issues. He has the talent and athleticism to be in the Top 10 of this list but has never played a full season.

66 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

#26

LAURENCE GIBSON

SR

VIRGINIA TECH

JAMON BROWN

SR

LOUISVILLE

TERRY POOLE

SR

SAN DIEGO STATE

BRETT BOYKO

SR

UNLV

DARRIAN MILLER

SR

KENTUCKY

TRENTON BROWN

SR

FLORIDA

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INTERIOR LINEMAN #1

LAKEN TOMLINSON

#2

SR

DUKE

Paul Guillemette

ALI MARPET

SR

HOBART

HEIGHT: 6’3”

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 323

WEIGHT: 307

ARMS: 33 5/8”

ARMS: 33 3/8”

BENCH:

BENCH:

25

40-YARD: 5.33

30

40-YARD: 4.98

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

It seems odd to be talking about a Duke lineman as a top prospect, but times have changed under the David Cutcliffe regime for the Blue Devils. This big man can move for an interior offensive lineman.

His 33 5/8” arms are more than adequate to handle his position. He was one of only three guards to have a vertical jump of over 30” at the Combine, and he displays a nice combination of strength and quickness for his size. Coming from a pro-style offense under Cutcliffe makes him a solid, pro-ready player. He plays with his head on a swivel and sees what is going on all around him, which many linemen cannot do. If you are looking for some intangibles, take into consideration that during his college career he was a three-time All-ACC performer and was honored four times as All-Academic at a well-respected educational facility. Tomlinson is more than solid both on and off the field.

The D3 star has shown above average athleticism and surprisingly good technique since the end of the 2014 regular season. His work at the Senior Bowl was an eye opener for most personnel people.

Marpet is well defined and muscled for a 300 pounder. Although his name had been on watch lists for small school players since September, he was a bit of a surprise as an invitee to Mobile and looked to be in over his head just a bit at his first practice session. He hung in there, however, worked hard and accepted coaching, improving daily working against a very talented North defensive line. Marpet did his best work inside at guard, although he took reps with the tackles at times. The consensus at the end of Senior Bowl Week was that his ideal pro position would be inside. Marpet’s practices carried over to the game where he played well. It may take a year or so of pro coaching, but he looks like an eventual starting guard. His combination of talent and work ethic clearly mark him as a player of possible interest to Packers general manager Ted Thompson. It looks now like he could command a second round draft spot.

ALL-STAR GAME Tomlinson was a hit right from the start at the Senior Bowl. He was at the first official press conference during practice week, and he came across as incredibly articulate and thoughtful in his comments and answers to questions from the media. But Tomlinson was an even bigger hit out on the practice field. One of the daily treats at the North Team practices was one-on-one blocking drill match-ups between Tomlinson and Danny Shelton.

Most observers felt they fought to a draw for the week, whereas Shelton dominated most other opponents. Tomlinson served as one of the key linemen in helping the North establish a strong running attack during the actual game, which eventually turned the tide in their favor.

67 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

NFL COMBINE Marpet really opened some eyes during Senior Bowl Week but hit the ball right out of the park at the Combine. To start with, he was the only one in the offensive line group to run a sub-5.0 40-yard dash at 4.98 seconds. He also posted 30 reps on the bench press with 33 3/8” long arms. Marpet then managed a 30.5” vertical jump and went nine feet in the broad jump. For good measure, he ran the three-cone drill in 7.33 seconds, which was second among offensive linemen. Many talent evaluators consider the three-cone to be the ultimate measure of body flexibility and change of direction agility.

What it all boils down to is Marpet demonstrated that he is among the most athletic linemen in this draft, period.

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INTERIOR LINEMAN #3

JOHN MILLER

IN A NUTSHELL

#4

SR

LOUISVILLE

A.J. CANN

HEIGHT: 6’3”

HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

WEIGHT: 303 Miller seemed like just another solid starting interior lineman at the college level ARMS: 33 1/4” heading into his senior season. By the end of the year BENCH: 29 it was clear to most that he was rock steady and had 40-YARD: 5.51 the goods to take his play to the next level. He may not be an elite athlete, but he’s immovable in a phone booth. Miller has violent and strong hands of granite. Started 46 games at Louisville at both guard spots. He is muscled from head to foot and can control defenders in a short area. His best pro option would clearly be to get drafted by an NFL team that features the power running game in their offense, but do not be fooled by his bulk. He holds up well in pass pro, especially when his quarterback stays in the pocket.

That is due in part to the fact that he is a natural knee bender and gets good leverage. He may not be quite athletic or long enough to entice the Pack, however, at least in the early rounds.

ALL-STAR GAME Miller had everyone’s attention from the first practice during Shrine week. He looked supremely confident and patient in his blocking and was clearly stronger than most of the defenders trying to get through or past him. Miller showed very well when seal blocking for running lanes. His strong and large (10 ¼”) hands usually found their way right into the breastplate of defenders, tying them up. He helped open some gaping holes during the game, allowing his Louisville teammate Dominique Brown to seal the East victory with a strong fourth quarter running attack. His 33 ¼” arms are above average for the interior offensive line. Based on his work at the Shrine venue, this man has early NFL starting potential.

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SR

SOUTH CAROLINA

WEIGHT: 313 ARMS: 32 5/8” BENCH:

26

40-YARD: DNP

IN A NUTSHELL Many scouting services have had Cann as their top ranked guard prospect over the past year, but that seems illogical from a Packerscentric perspective. He’s a throwback player best suited for a pro team that builds its offense around the power running game. Cann is even more massive than his Combine weight would indicate, playing most of his college career closer to 320-plus lbs. He started 51 career games at left guard for the Gamecocks and was named a permanent captain as a junior. Cann is a natural knee bender, who has spent a lot of time handling not only his man but also helping immobile left tackle Corey Robinson with inside pass rushers. He could use some development to improve his hand usage at the next level.

Cann is a respected prospect, who should go in Round 2 but probably not to Green Bay.

NFL COMBINE Just as expected, Cann did not set the world on fire working out in shorts in this setting. He passed on participating in most of the onfield drills so his pro day will have to provide additional information to fill in his workout-numbers sheet. His 32 5/8” arms clearly support the notion that he’s not going to be much help trying to play outside as a backup offensive tackle. He either earns a starting spot inside or gets on with his life’s work. His 10 ¼” hand spread, however, is encouraging for all of the in-tight grabbing that takes place in the interior offensive line. His 26 reps on the bench press was a bit disappointing for a short-armed warrior.

“probably not to Green Bay”

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INTERIOR LINEMAN #5

JARVIS HARRISON

IN A NUTSHELL

#6

SR

TEXAS A&M

HEIGHT: 6’4”

ARIZONA STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 330 Let’s cut to the chase and say that this player should ARMS: 33 1/2” be of major interest to the Packers for multiple reasons. His functional athBENCH: 26 leticism out on the practice field is exceptional, and his 40-YARD: 5.19 versatility is something Ted Thompson prizes along the offensive line. When A&M suffered some injuries and had issues along their line in 2014, many were surprised that the more highly touted Ogbuehi was moved back to right tackle and Harrison was the guy who slid outside to left tackle. Harrison never missed a beat and was arguably the Aggies’ best player along that line for the remainder of the season. For his bulk, he is surprisingly fluid in pass pro.

NFL COMBINE Harrison did not necessarily impress at the Combine, but if you look at his overall work carefully, you will see that he posted numbers more in line with the tackle group than the interior guys. His 5.19 seconds in the 40 was second best among those considered to interior candidates, and he ran that time at 330 lbs. His 33 ½” arms and 9 ¾” hands were again favorable for the interior while his 29.5” vertical was third highest for offensive linemen weighing 320 lbs. or more. He looked like a more athletic version of a guy who served the Packers well before leaving in free agency by the name of Marshall Newhouse.

69 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

JAMIL DOUGLAS

SR HEIGHT: 6’5”

WEIGHT: 306 Douglas spent the 2014 regular season playing out at tackle for the Sun Devils, ARMS: 35 7/8” but his limited agility and some tightness in his body BENCH: 23 make him a much better prospect inside for the pro 40-YARD: DNP game. Coaches will like his nasty streak and tenacity once he latches onto defenders. And once again, versatility to play multiple line spots has great appeal to NFL coaching staffs.

ALL-STAR GAME Douglas was initially listed at the tackle spot that he played as a senior in Tempe but spent most of his time working as a guard in Mobile. It was clearly the right thing to do. Douglas displayed some stiffness that could have been exposed outside, but inside, he steadily held his own all week. As expected, he was a real pain to defenders in drill work with his toughness through the whistle at every practice.

“toughness through the whistle”

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INTERIOR LINEMAN #7

MARK GLOWINSKI

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

WEST VIRGINIA

Glowinski came to West Virginia after a JUCO career. This hard working young man started to get noticed in 2014 as the Mountaineers played a much better brand of football. He spent most of his time starting at guard, but his footwork and length hint at backup ability at tackle as well. His immediate pro value could come as a threeposition backup.

HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 307

NFL COMBINE

ARMS: 33 1/8” BENCH:

Glowinski got a lot of buzz going from personnel people at the Shrine venue. He stood out in practices for his good footwork and length for the interior offensive line. He also displayed a strong work ethic and high energy level. Glowinski spent time working effectively at right tackle during the Shrine Game itself. He demonstrated a strong upper body in moving defenders around in space.

31

40-YARD: 5.20

#8

SEAN HICKEY

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

SYRACUSE

Followed up Justin Pugh as the star of the ‘Cuse offensive line the past two seasons. He’s almost as athletic as Pugh but lacks his strength and arm length. Hickey pleasantly surprised at the Combine with a weight of almost 310 lbs. but arms of under 33” and lack of explosiveness may push him inside. He has starting potential but not immediately like Pugh. Started 38 games in college.

HEIGHT: 6’5” WEIGHT: 309

ALL-STAR GAME

ARMS: 32 3/4” BENCH:

Hickey was considered by some to be the top ranked overall prospect on the Shrine Game rosters, but he looked overmatched and listless early in the week. Fortunately for him, he got better every day and performed well in game action. Most felt the almost two-month layoff on a Syracuse team that had no bowl to play in, or practice for, affected his early practice issues.

35

40-YARD: DNP

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INTERIOR LINEMAN #9

TRE’ JACKSON

#10

SR

FLORIDA STATE

MITCH MORSE MISSOURI

SR

HEIGHT: 6’ 4”

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 330

WEIGHT: 305 Morse had his season compromised with a hand injury against Texas A&M ARMS: 32 1/4” and effectively played one-handed toward the BENCH: 36 end of the year. He started 39 games and served as a 40-YARD: 5.14 team captain and was fourtime All-Academic while at Missouri. Morse is a solid knee bender and a gutsy competitor. Short arms are why he’s here on the interior list.

ARMS: 32 5/8” BENCH:

DNP

40-YARD: 5.52

IN A NUTSHELL On a highly ranked offensive line, the most efficient player for the Seminoles day-in and day-out over the past four years may have been Jackson. He started 42 games in his college career. Jackson is a strong run blocker that can fire out to the second-level blocks more quickly than you might think for the wide hipped, bubble-butt body that he inhabits. He’ll need work on pass-pro technique for the pro game.

NFL COMBINE Personnel people got a real flavor for Morse as a solid, though limited, athlete at the Combine. His 36 reps on the bench press and 31” vertical jump paint a clear picture of his functional strength and leg explosion. Meanwhile, his 32 ¼” arm length have most personnel people looking at him primarily inside at guard. But Morse’s overall numbers indicate he could handle tackle in a pinch/backup role.

ALL-STAR GAME Jackson had a very interesting week in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.

He looked slow and overwhelmed in initial practice drills, but each day he gained in confidence and intensity to the point where he was proclaimed practice player of the day by Wednesday for the South team. He anchored a very stout South offensive line, which allowed his team to mount a surprisingly strong running attack during the actual game.

HEIGHT: 6’ 5”

#11

HRONISS GRASU OREGON

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

HEIGHT: 6’ 3” WEIGHT: 297

Author: “Pigskin” Paul Guillemette “Pigskin” Paul Guillemette has been a football fan and drafnik for 50 years. He remains a Packers fan at heart even though he now lives in Central Florida. He has a website at GBNReport.com and can also be heard year-round on various Wisconsin sports radio talk shows.

Follow him on Twitter @PigskinPaul.

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Grasu had the misfortune to spend the past three to ARMS: 32 1/8” four months battling a leg injury that severely hindered his play as a senior.

BENCH: DNP He has very large hands (10 ¼”), which he uses to move 40-YARD: DNP around bigger defenders.

Grasu may be lean looking right now but has solid functional strength. He’s said to have football intelligence and would be a better fit for a short, precision-passing offense.

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INTERIOR LINEMAN POSTSEASON Grasu was scheduled to play in the Senior Bowl but pulled out because of his lingering leg injury that required “minor” surgery back in November. He was limited at the Combine as well. It should be noted that Grasu, though not 100 percent healthy, came back to start in the Pac-12 championship game and the Ducks’ national playoff games.

#13

MALCOLM BUNCHE

SR

UCLA

A large and athletic man who primarily played tackle for the Bruins last season, Bunche’s frame and style of play would indicate that his optimum NFL slot might be inside.

#14

REESE DISMUKES

SR

AUBURN

Dismukes is not terribly athletic and is likely to only play the center spot. He also has a limited frame but does has the experience to make the offensive line calls.

#15

#12

SR

ALABAMA

Kouandijo may be bit stiff and heavy footed, but he is a wide body with long arms that takes care of business.

B.J. FINNEY

SR

KANSAS STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

ARIE KOUANDJIO

#16 HEIGHT: 6’ 4” WEIGHT: 318

The former high school wrestler started all four ARMS: 32 ” years in Manhattan and controlled the middle of the line against some bigBENCH: 20 name defenders. Due to his wrestling background 40-YARD: 5.25 he displays strong hands and good balance. He even played part of the Wildcats bowl game out at tackle because of injuries. Coaches appreciate that type of roster versatility.

ALL-STAR GAME Finney was on the West roster during Shrine Week in January. He never flashed during the practices or in game action, but he never looked poor either. There was a lot of instruction going on by Howard Mudd at West practices, but the coach seldom had to pull Finney aside for correction. Solid describes Finney’s work every day.

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ANDY GALLIK

SR

BOSTON COLLEGE

Gallik is short-armed and probably only suited for center position.

Limited athletically but a real battler and has high football intelligence. Think Scott Wells.

#17

SHAQ MASON

SR

GEORGIA TECH

Mason may be severely underrated because he played in a running option offense. He’s a good athlete and may be able to play anywhere on the inside.

#18

GREG MANCZ

SR

TOLEDO

Mancz is a good sized player with decent athleticism that can function at any interior offensive line spot.

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INTERIOR LINEMAN #19

KALEB JOHNSON

SR

#27

RUTGERS

A big-bodied, reasonably athletic, savvy, veteran player, Johnson’s best skill set is in the running game.

#20

DILLON DAY

#28 SR

#22

#23

#24

#25

#26

SR

WISCONSIN

BEN BECKWITH

SR

MISSISSIPPI STATE

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Labeled the next Conrad Dobler for his nasty play, Day is tough as nails and reasonably talented. Right now center looks like his only position, which hurts his draft chances.

#21

DALLAS LEWALLEN

ROBERT MYERS

#29

AL BOND

SR

MEMPHIS

SR

TENNESSEE STATE

MAX GARCIA

SR

FLORIDA

MATT ROTHERHAM

SR

PITTSBURGH

ADAM SHEAD

SR

OKLAHOMA

JOSUE MATIAS

SR

FLORIDA STATE

JON FELICIANO

SR

MIAMI

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3-4 DEFENSIVE LINE #1

LEONARD WILLIAMS

#2

JR

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

ARIK ARMSTEAD OREGON

JR

HEIGHT: 6’ 5”

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 302

WEIGHT: 292 The sky may be the limit for Armstead as a pro football player. The ex-basketball ARMS: 33” player is an unpolished product right now. He BENCH: 24 plays like a guy with very little technique but loads 40-YARD: 5.10 of talent. Armstead has big hands, but his arms are not as long as you might ex- 2014 STATS: 46 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF pect for his height. He can win any one-on-one battle with offensive linemen, but he often gets caught up in that struggle and never gets to the ball. His best pro position will likely be as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme where he can set the edge but not be expected to penetrate the pocket a lot.

His overall length should allow him to disrupt throwing lanes and lines of vision for smaller quarterbacks. Oregon coaches vouch for his work ethic and coachability, which is key for someone as raw as he is right now. Think of Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell in a couple of years if Armstead learns his lessons well.

ARMS: 34 5/8” BENCH:

DNP

40-YARD: 4.97

IN A NUTSHELL

Paul Guillemette

2014 STATS: 80 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT, 3 PBU

Williams is considered a special player that should have major impact right away in the NFL. He plays much stronger than his 302 lbs. would indicate. Certainly not an edge-rusher, but Williams is quick and uses his hands and arms to push aside blockers and penetrate into the backfield. He does a nice job of keeping his pad level down in running situations. One of the major questions right now is where his best fit will be as a pro. Teams running 3-4 schemes should covet him as a Richard Seymour type of defensive end, but 4-3 scheme teams would be getting an athletic and powerful inside force ala Kevin Williams. Either way, teams are looking at a potential perennial All-Pro. Even though he’s supremely talented, if you watch tape, you will also find a player that never quits and responds to big-play demands. Ignoring the value of the quarterback position and just analyzing pure talent, most evaluators would say Williams should be the top pick in this draft.

NFL COMBINE Because he was ineligible for all-star games this postseason as an underclassman, the Combine was the best chance to observe Williams’ athleticism and size. For his body type, breaking 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash (4.97) was a huge deal to personnel people. He was the fastest defensive lineman over 300 lbs. in his position group with only one other “big” breaking the 5.0 barrier. Williams’ hands are 10 5/8” spread, and his arms measured 34 5/8” long. That would help to explain how he throws blockers aside and generally keeps them off his body. His time of 7.59 seconds in the three-cone drill was also fifth best among 300-plus pound defensive linemen. Once on the field for position drills, Williams was graceful in most of his footwork in any direction.

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HEIGHT: 6’ 7”

NFL COMBINE This venue presented a clear picture of where Armstead is at and where he might get to as a pro. His height would seem to indicate he is able to add weight to get over 300 lbs. in the near future, while his 10 ½” hands speak well for his ability to move blockers around as he gains more upper body strength. His 5.10 time in the 40 was in the upper half of his position group. Armstead also had an acceptable 24 reps in the bench press, while his 34-inch vertical indicated some explosiveness in those long legs of his. His 7.57-second threecone drill was a bit better than Leonard Williams, the head of the defensive line class. As for his position work, Armstead was smooth and athletic.

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3-4 DEFENSIVE LINE Scott Ecklund / Red Box Pictures

#3

DANNY SHELTON

SR

WASHINGTON

HEIGHT: 6’ 2” WEIGHT: 339 ARMS:

32”

BENCH:

34

Shelton is reminiscent of guys like Vince Wilfork and Haloti Ngata.

#4

40-YARD: 5.64

EDDIE GOLDMAN FLORIDA STATE

JR

2014 STATS: 93 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 9 sacks HEIGHT: 6’ 4”

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

Shelton is a special player even among his fellow big men. He goes beyond big all the way to huge and yet still plays with a high motor. The Washington product stayed on the field for the vast majority of snaps during his Huskies career, especially in the fourth quarter, reminiscent of guys like Vince Wilfork and Haloti Ngata. His ability to get low and stay on his feet seems almost unnatural. One look at Shelton’s body in shorts and an observer might rush to the conclusion that he is an out-of-shape, fat guy, but those people would be dead wrong. He uses his 10-plus inch hand size to grab blockers and throw them aside when he decides which direction he should go to chase the ball. He punished offensive linemen with his active, heavy hands. Shelton would be best suited for the nose where he can cover two gaps and still penetrate to make plays, and his penetration into the backfield is exceptional for a man of his girth. He’s a very smart young man that was an Academic All-American as a senior and even taught a class at Washington.

Goldman, on a team with dozens of five-star recruits, ARMS: 33 1/8” had to wait his turn to man a starting position for the Seminoles. After part-time BENCH: DNP work and flashes of his talent in 2013, he stepped 40-YARD: DNP into a starting role in 2014 and had the look of dominant pro prospect. Start by 2014 STATS: 35 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 1 PBU looking at his size and then watch him move opponents around almost at will. Goldman’s biggest shortcoming is lack of pass rush, but he eats up two blockers almost every play. He displays strength in nearly aspect of his play but must learn not to stand up so quickly and give up leverage, thus negating some of his power. As Bill Parcells used to say, “God only makes a few monster big guys.” There is a lot to work with here.

NFL COMBINE

WEIGHT: 336

Shelton showed exactly what was expected at the Combine, which certainly qualifies as a challenging venue for a wide-body that is asked to prance around in shorts. Sure enough, he ran the slowest 40 time of all the defensive linemen at 5.64 seconds, but he also showed the strength to complete 34 reps on the bench press. At 339 lbs., Shelton had enough leg explosion to post a 30.5” vertical jump. Meanwhile, his 4.65 20-yard shuttle was nothing to write home about, but it was better than nine other guys in the defensive line group. He impressed talent scouts with his enthusiasm and energy in every exercise. Smaller guys than Shelton were gasping for air while he was still clapping and shouting encouragement to others during on-field drills.

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3-4 DEFENSIVE LINE RIVALRY GAME

NFL COMBINE

Both the good and bad were amply displayed in the Seminoles’ match-up with the Gators. Give Goldman credit for being on the field for more than 75 percent of Florida State’s defensive snaps.

He clearly held his ground against a pro-sized Florida offensive line group. It was very noticeable that Goldman was very difficult to get off his feet. On one play when he was cut blocked successfully, he was back up to assist on the tackle. When he was occasionally lined up outside and sent in pass rush, he allowed himself to be pushed way outside and past the quarterback. As with most mammoth defensive tackles, he just does not have good change-of-direction quickness. He looks like a pure nose tackle with excellent strength at the point of attack and a good motor for his bulk.

Although not an elite athlete, Brown showed well in the Underwear Olympics. The first positive tale of the tape was his 10” hand spread, but he left the biggest impression with his legs in Indy. His 40 time of 5.05 seconds confirmed to scouts the quickness and explosion out of his stance that led to constant penetration during the 2014 season. His 26 bench press reps also clearly indicate he has the upperbody strength to hold the line of scrimmage.

#5

MALCOM BROWN

HEIGHT: 6’ 2” WEIGHT: 319 ARMS: 32 1/2” BENCH:

WASHINGTON STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

JR

TEXAS

#6

XAVIER COOPER

26

40-YARD: 5.05

2014 STATS: 70 tackles, 13 TFL,6.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 PBU

JR HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

WEIGHT: 293 More than a few folks were surprised when Cooper declared to enter the 2015 ARMS: 31 1/2” Draft. But upon further review, many evaluators BENCH: 29 think he plays like a man and is ready to make the 40-YARD: 4.86 jump to play-for-pay. Cooper displays enough athleticism to indicate he is 2014 STATS: 37 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 PBU scheme diverse and could have high value to teams with defensive coordinators like Dom Capers, who employ all manner of defensive line configurations in their formations. Watch for the Pack to have keen interest in him come April.

IN A NUTSHELL

NFL COMBINE

A change in the Texas coaching staff seemed to elevate Brown’s game to a new level as a junior. He’s a hard charging, strong defender who can likely play either a 4-3 tackle slot or on the nose in a 3-4 like the Packers frequently run. He is not a run stuffer on the nose, though.

Brown sheds blockers effectively and runs to the ball well in pursuit.

He also keeps his head up and his eyes on the ball. The Longhorns big man has good knee bend and can play low effectively. Currently, he’s ranked as a “riser” by many personnel people.

This venue was Cooper’s best chance to impress scouts, and he did.

At first blush, he looks like he could easily get to 300 lbs. without losing his speed. His time of 4.86 seconds in the 40-yard dash was very impressive for a man at almost 300 lbs. He also showed good upper body strength with 29 reps in the bench press and matched that number with a 29” vertical jump. On the field, Cooper worked out with fluidity and excellent change-of-direction quickness for his frame. Many teams will be concerned with his shortish 31 ½” long arms, but not the Packers.

“plays like a man and is ready”

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3-4 DEFENSIVE LINE #7

MICHAEL BENNETT

#8

SR

OHIO STATE

HEIGHT: 6’0”

IN A NUTSHELL

MARIO EDWARDS FLORIDA STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

JR HEIGHT: 6’3” WEIGHT: 279

WEIGHT: 293 Bennett is not an ideal fit for any 3-4 scheme includARMS: 33 5/8” ing that of the Packers, but he is so athletic and productive that he can’t BENCH: DNP be dismissed as being on their radar. He wins with 40-YARD: DNP quickness and determination and will be very well 2014 STATS: 40 tackles, 14 TFL, 7 sacks, 3 FF, suited for the defensive 1 PBU tackle slot in a 4-3 scheme, right beside a hulking nose tackle. It’s not inconceivable that Bennett might hold interest as a five-technique in a 3-4 scheme. He has a tight, strong body to hold the edge.

From strong NFL bloodlines (father Mario was an ARMS: 33 1/4” NFL cornerback), Edwards is a steady, productive player rather than flashy. Even BENCH: 32 though his weight is down a bit, his body is rock hard.

40-YARD: 4.84 Watch some FSU game tape and you will notice 2014 STATS: 44 tackles, 11 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF, running into Edwards is like 5 PBU hitting a stone wall. He had a solid 40 time of 4.84 seconds for a guy that is best sited for a 3-4 scheme as a five-technique. Quietly seen as an underachiever whose play has not equaled his physical gifts.

PLAYOFF GAME

NFL COMBINE

It was the defensive line’s ability to hold the line of scrimmage and free up the Buckeyes linebacker corps for penetration and provide pocket pressure of their own that played a large role in Ohio State’s big national championship win over Oregon. Mariota had a solid game, but the Ducks could neither run nor hold the pocket against Bennett and company. Many observers felt it was the stout defensive line play led by Bennett and Joey Bosa that made the biggest difference in stalling the Ducks offense at key times.

Edwards went to Indy seeming to have shed about 5-10 lbs. at a performance camp, and his time in the 40 appears to validate the weight loss. His large hands (10 7/8”) and fairly long arms (33 ¼”) will appeal to any NFL team and scheme. He showed his balanced athleticism with 32 reps in the bench press and a 32.5” vertical jump.

Edwards was also was able to explode for a full 10-foot broad jump.

Expect a 3-4 scheme team to select him and have him gain some of that lost weight back.

#9

DERRICK LOTT

SR

TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA

HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 314 ARMS: 33 5/8” BENCH:

30

40-YARD: 4.99

2014 STATS: 41 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 FF

“from strong NFL bloodlines”

IN A NUTSHELL Lott is a slightly over-aged player (24) that could not find a niche on the Georgia defensive line so he transferred down a level and really emerged in his last two years at Chattanooga. He has a solid, well-proportioned build and moves very well for his size. His length and mobility should allow for him to have scheme and position flexibility as a pro. Five-technique in a 3-4 scheme like the Packers run might suit him best.

NFL COMBINE Lott showed up in Indy weighing 15 lbs. more than he had at the East-West Shrine Game, but he still went out and ran 4.99 seconds in the 40 at his new weight. Despite Lott’s average arm length, he was also able to hit 30 reps on the bench press. His time of 7.30 seconds in the threecone drill was the best time for any defensive lineman weighing over 300 lbs.

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3-4 DEFENSIVE LINE #10

XAVIER WILLIAMS

#11

SR

NORTHERN IOWA

HEIGHT: 6’2”

IN A NUTSHELL

ALL-STAR GAME Williams was a standout from the minute he got to St. Petersburg for Shrine Week. The player weigh-in was a tour de force for him with a 10 ¼” hand width and 33 ½” arm length. He was unblockable during practice sessions and very effective in the game. The lower-level product was quick off the snap of the ball and used his power to max effect. Williams was also effective at shedding blockers to penetrate the pocket.

MARCUS HARDISON

SR

ARIZONA STATE

HEIGHT: 6’5”

WEIGHT: 320 Davis had a solid senior season for the Hawkeyes.

He’s a flash player that has ARMS: 34 5/8” stated himself that he is best served in a defensiveBENCH: DNP line rotation where he can catch his breath once 40-YARD: 5.07 in a while. When he gets wound up, he can make plays either in the running 2014 STATS: 36 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 BLK game or with some pocket push up the middle. The Iowa product has strong hands, which he uses well to shed and move blockers.

Tends to dance too much with blockers, however.

ALL-STAR GAME Davis served his cause well with an excellent week’s work at the Senior Bowl. He worked so hard and performed so well, he was officially recognized as the Most Outstanding Practice Player of the Week.

Davis worked hard and smartly all week, exhibiting a high football IQ to go along with high effort. His game-day play was quite effective as well.

This junior college transfer made quite a bit of progress in his two years with the Sun Devils. A 3-4 defensive end spot looks to be a natural fit for a guy with good body size and some decent quickness.

Hardison’s not an edge rusher but can get skinny and use angles to penetrate and disrupt the pocket. He should get even better with pro coaching and can play anywhere but on the nose if needed.

WEIGHT: 307 ARMS: 32 1/2”

ALL-STAR GAME

27

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 70 tackles, 13 TFL,6.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 PBU

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SR

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’ 3”

BENCH:

IOWA

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 325 Somehow, despite good scouting reports and an exARMS: 33 1/2” cellent all-star game effort, Williams was not invited to the Combine. Many felt BENCH: DNP he was one of the biggest snubs for that event. He 40-YARD: DNP dominated play at his level and has the ideal size to play on the nose in either a 2014 STATS: 93 tackles, 14 TFL, 8 sacks, 3 PBU, 2 BLK 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Expect him to be one of the first non-Combine guys to be drafted. He would seem to be a good fit for the Packers.

#12

CARL DAVIS

Hardison made a very favorable impression at the Senior Bowl. He held up well in drill work and made some plays in the game itself.

The former Sun Devil mixed it up in hand-to-hand combat blocking drills and used some spin moves to beat blockers too. He looked functionally strong all week and was an effective swing man in the North’s D-line rotation.

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3-4 DEFENSIVE LINE #13

JORDAN PHILLIPS

SO

#18

OKLAHOMA

Phillips has actually lost a few pounds in the past year after being listed at over 340 lbs. last spring. He has some quickness but after stacking offensive line opponents, he seldom is able to move to the ball quickly. Phillips is clearly a nose prospect, but at his height, he’s likely to be a cut-block target. The former Sooner had back surgery while at Oklahoma. He holds the line of scrimmage but doesn’t play low enough to get a lot of penetration into the backfield.

#14

LETERRIUS WALTON

SR

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

Walton had a solid senior season at CMU and followed it up with nice work during Shrine Week and then at the Combine. His combination of size (6’5” and 319 lbs.) and mobility could mark him as a strong prospect outside for the Packers 3-4 base scheme. He looks like a player who would also function well in a two-man front, which Dom Capers employs with regularity.

#15

ELLIS McCARTHY

JR

#16

PRESTON SMITH

GRADY JARRETT

#20

#21

#23

CLEMSON

This high-energy, hustler made scouts check their notes at the Combine by running a 40 in 5.06 seconds at 304 lbs., which was 15 lbs. heavier than his listed weight at school. Jarrett is reminiscent of a Packers defensive lineman named Daniels coming out of college.

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DEON SIMON

SR

NORTHWESTERN STATE

ANGELO BLACKSON

SR

AUBURN

Prone to flashes versus steady, productive play, Blackson has excellent size and decent speed. He could be part of a 4-3 scheme defensive line rotation.

#24

SR

STANFORD

A very good smaller school competitor, Simon’s 35” vertical jump at the Combine, weighing 321 lbs. raised some eyebrows. He should get drafted but late.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

Smith is not flashy or quick, but he holds down one side of the defensive line quite well. He’s very long at 6’ 5” and 34“ arms. Not a speed rusher, but Smith is a good all-around player whose best fit is more likely in a 4-3 scheme than what the Pack does.

#17

#19

#22

SR

SR

Anderson is a better athlete than given credit for and has a knack for making two to three impact plays per game. Looks like a solid fit as a five-technique for a team like the Packers.

UCLA

Many were surprised when this man-child declared to come out early, but his size and potential are scary. At 6’ 5” and 338 lbs., he’s half of a defensive line by himself. Looks like a better fit for a 4-3 scheme right now.

HENRY ANDERSON

#25

JOEY MBU

SR

HOUSTON

ANTHONY CHICKILLO

SR

MIAMI

DARIUS PHILON

SR

ARKANSAS

GABE WRIGHT

SR

AUBURN

DARIUS KILGO

SR

MARYLAND

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EDGE DEFENDERS #1

DANTE FOWLER JR.

IN A NUTSHELL

Fowler trimmed down to 260 lbs. to start his junior season, hoping to add a bit more explosion to his game. It was a move that paid benefits for all, allowing the unselfish defender to be used at multiple positions on the field. Fowler earned first-team All-SEC honors as voted by the conference coaches. He enters the draft early, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.

JR

FLORIDA

“JERSEY” AL BRACCO

HEIGHT: 6’3”

There isn’t a scout that hasn’t used the word “verWEIGHT: 261 satile” to describe Fowler, but the preferred term here is “multi-talented.” Whatev40-YARD: 4.60 er role his Florida coaches put him in, Fowler excelled at it. Whether in a threepoint stance at defensive 2014 STATS: 60 tackles, 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF, end (and even some tackle) 1 PBU or standing up at outside linebacker, Fowler brought the “juice” that makes defensive coordinators salivate.

Fowler also attracted a lot of attention from opposing tight ends and running backs, who were often tasked to provide blocking help to whomever was lined up across from Fowler. Handling the former Gator in one-on-one is not an easy assignment. He’s an aggressive player, occasionally to his own detriment, as he can sometimes overrun plays. That can be fixed, however, and to offset that, he has excellent backend and sideline-to-sideline pursuit ability.

Fowler’s talents will be best used on the edge, where he can be a dynamic pass rusher, a strong edge setter and use his superior mobility in space to help in coverage. He moves very well in space, showing quick feet, excellent lateral movement, loose hips and the ability to bring down ball carriers in the open field. Despite being only 20 years old, Fowler may be the most NFL-ready 3-4 outside ‘backer in this draft, and his versatility would fit the Packers’ scheme perfectly.

Future Pro Bowler.

COLLEGE CAREER Fowler was a two-sport star (football and track) from St Petersburg, Fla. He was a Rivals.com five-star recruit that committed early to Florida State, but switched to Florida on national signing day. Fowler saw some action as a true freshman, including one start and was named to several freshman All-American teams.

As a sophomore, Fowler earned a starting job in camp and never looked back. He finished the season with 50 tackles and was named a team captain for the final two games, a rare honor for a sophomore. His performance as a first-year starter earned him a spot on the second-team All-SEC squad.

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#2

RANDY GREGORY NEBRASKA

JR

HEIGHT: 6’5”

WEIGHT: 235

40-YARD: 4.64

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS: 54 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 2 blocked kicks

Gregory is one of the best athletes in the entire draft class and has superstar written all over him, but (and there’s always a but) he will probably take a year or two to develop into the all-around top performer he can be. As his body is constituted right now, he’s too thin, but that’s not to say he’s soft. He willingly takes on blockers, and while he did hold his ground better than one might expect in the run game, it will be a different story in the NFL. While Gregory is working with the strength coaches the first year or two, his team will still benefit from his aggressive, pin-the-earsback pass-rush ability. Unlike many players projected as pass rushers out of college, this Nebraska product has actually honed multiple moves to successfully pressure the quarterback. He uses his length and long arms to his advantage as a pass rusher and shows violent hands.

Gregory has played from both a three-point stance and standing up, even rushing from the inside linebacker spot. He covers a lot of ground and changes direction easily and smoothly. Film shows this former Cornhusker pursues sideline to sideline and does not give up on a play until the whistle blows. With only two years playing at a major college, the JUCO transfer may lack experience, but there is no shortage of ability. Gregory admitted to failing a drug test for marijuana while at the NFL Combine.

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EDGE DEFENDERS NFL COMBINE Coming into the Combine, there were questions about Gregory—a college defensive end—and what his best position would be in the pros. Most scouts were hoping to see a player show the skills needed to be a good conversion candidate, and they were not disappointed.

Gregory did well enough in the measurable drills, checking in at 4.64 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 24 bench press reps, a 36.5” vertical jump and 125” broad jump. He skipped the three-cone drill at the Combine but reportedly ran 6.79 seconds at his pro day, a time that would have put him as third-best among linebackers and defensive linemen in Indianapolis.

Where Gregory really aced the combine was in the eyeball test. His bend, loose hips and fluidity through all of the positional drills (and especially the linebacker drills), left no doubt where his home would be in the NFL. He still needs to add weight and get stronger, but he will look real good lining up on the edge for some lucky 3-4 defense.

#3

SHANE RAY

from a three-point stance, not standing up. He showed more than enough athletic ability to perform that unusual move and get out into the passing lanes.

Undoubtedly, Ray’s forte is getting after the quarterback. He possesses a phenomenal first step and burst, challenging even the most athletic tackles to keep up with him on the edge. His tape shows evidence of some of the best inside rush moves around, and he seems especially adept at shooting inside gaps and blowing by unsuspecting guards. There isn’t much that Ray lacks, and he’ll most likely make a few visits to the Pro Bowl during his NFL career.

Mizzou Football Multimedia

JR

MISSOURI

HEIGHT: 6’3” Ray’s forte is getting after the quarterback.

WEIGHT: 245

COLLEGE CAREER

40-YARD: 4.45

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS: 65 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 13 sacks, 3 FF, 1 PBU, 1 blocked kick

If limited to just one word to describe Ray, “relentless” would be a good choice. Ray’s feet never stop moving in pursuit of the ball carrier, and not much can stop him from getting there. He shows the strength of a defensive tackle in a 245 lb. body, often out-muscling offensive linemen 60 lbs. heavier. Unlike many 3-4 outside linebacker prospects, he’s comfortable playing in the trenches.

Ray lined up almost exclusively in a three-point stance, predominantly at end, but also took snaps at tackle. He would be very comfortable as a 4-3 end, but he’s capable of much more. For example, Ray was also asked to drop back into coverage, but surprisingly, still

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Ray was a three star Rivals.com recruit that chose Missouri after turning down offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska and Oklahoma, among others. He was redshirted as a freshman and played sparingly the next season.

In his third year at Missouri (second on the field), Ray remained in a reserve role but still managed to record 39 tackles and 4.5 sacks while backing up Michael Sam and Kony Ealy. He had a special moment in the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma State, scooping up a fumble and returning it 73 yards for a touchdown.

In his redshirt junior season, with Ealy and Sam gone, Ray was asked to be “the man” for the Missouri defense, and he didn’t disappoint.

He lived up to expectations, setting a Missouri school record with 13.5 sacks on the season. His overall performance for 2014 earned him the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award and consensus firstteam All-American honors.

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EDGE DEFENDERS #4

VIC BEASLEY CLEMSON

IN A NUTSHELL

#5

SR

ELI HAROLD VIRGINIA

JR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 246

WEIGHT: 247

40-YARD: 4.53

40-YARD: 4.60

2014 STATS: 34 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 12 sacks, 2 FF, 3 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS: 54 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 2 PBU

For Beasley, it’s “all about the speed, ‘bout the speed, not power” (apologies to Meghan Trainor). Speed has taken him to the quarterback a school-record 29 times. What you worry about with Beasley is setting the edge and being active against the run. In three years at Clemson, he has a total of only 89 tackles (solo and assisted), bringing up the same question scouts asked of Von Miller—is he a threedown player? The Broncos figured out how to make it work with Miller and the same is possible for Beasley, but in general, he’s not a great fit for the Packers’ scheme.

Harold is the type of player who isn’t great at anything but does everything really well. He can edge rush, has a nice inside move, can set the edge against the run, moves well in space and has very good pursuit speed. He’s not going to “wow” you often, but he’s always involved and always going hard. Harold has stated a preference to play as a linebacker, and most teams will agree that’s where he fits best. This underclassman entry is that workhorse-type player every team needs and has the versatility the Packers covet.

NFL COMBINE

BACKGROUND

Beasley may have had the best Combine of any player in 2015. He was in the Top 5 among linebackers in every category, even after putting on 10 lbs., which many scouts were very happy to see. His 35 reps on the bench press served to allay some fears about a possible lack of strength, and his time of 4.53 seconds in the 40 was fastest among linebackers. Beasley is the winner of the 2015 “Best in Shorts” Award.

Harold has a life journey that’s not been easy. He grew up without a father, raised by his single mother until she passed away from pancreatic cancer when he was 15. An older brother took over as the surrogate parent, helping Harold stay on the right path. Harold says he uses the memory of his Mom to drive him to go out there every day and be the best he can be.

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EDGE DEFENDERS FROM OUR SPONSOR Summit Drywall - Brad BaDour “Growing up the youngest of seven (5 of them brothers) in the1970’s, I would always be sprawled out on the floor watching the Packers with my family. Now, many years later, I am able to carry on that same tradition with my own kids. Even though we live in Minnesota, my kids are still Packer fans. I told them they could choose any team they wanted as their favorite, but thank goodness they chose the Packers. Probably to please their “old man”, which is the best reason ever! Watching the Packers brings back wonderful memories from many years ago. I have no doubt that many years from now, my kids will be sharing this same story with their own kids.”

#6

ALVIN “BUD” DUPREE KENTUCKY

IN A NUTSHELL

#7

SR

NATE ORCHARD UTAH

SR

HEIGHT: 6’4”

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 269

WEIGHT: 250

40-YARD: 4.56

40-YARD: 4.80

2014 STATS: 74 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 1 blocked kick

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS: 84 tackles, 21 TFL, 18.5 sacks, 3 FF, 3 PBU

Like Jamie Collins in the 2013 Draft, Dupree is more athlete than football player right now. While possessing a good mix of speed, agility and strength, Dupree doesn’t always use them. He often looks very unsure of whether he should attack or stay back, and that indecision can sometimes appear as lack of effort. The Kentucky product had a productive career stats-wise, but on tape, doesn’t show an all-out desire to get to the ball carrier. He has the physical tools to convert to 3-4 outside linebacker, but can he “learn to play” like Collins did?

Staying at 4-3 end might suit him better.

What stands out most about Orchard is his initial burst off the snap with a fast first step and eyes on the football, always in pursuit. He doesn’t have that top-tier speed the higher-rated prospects do, but he does have a powerful punch, shows excellent awareness and makes good decisions on finding the best path to the ball. Orchard will pursue all over the field, whether from end spot or linebacker.

This “tweener” is arguably a better fit at 4-3 end but very capable of converting to 3-4 outside linebacker.

NFL COMBINE

COLLEGE CAREER

If Vic Beasley was the star of the Combine among linebackers, Dupree was close behind. Although he only competed in three events, he was in the Top 3 among linebackers in all three (4.56 seconds in the 40, 42” vertical jump and 138” broad jump). He did all of this despite a groin injury that kept him out of the positional drills—an impressive performance.

Orchard is that rare collegiate player that saw action in every game as a true freshman and stayed for all four years in college. He played in all 50 games in four years with 36 starts. After an unspectacular first three seasons, Orchard exploded as a senior, recording 18.5 sacks, earning first-team All-American honors and winning the Ted Hendricks and Morris awards.

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EDGE DEFENDERS #8

OWAMAGBE ODIGHIZUWA UCLA

SR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

#9

WEIGHT: 267

DANIELLE HUNTER LSU

JR

40-YARD: 4.62

2014 STATS: 59 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 4 PBU

HEIGHT: 6’5”

IN A NUTSHELL

WEIGHT: 252

Sleeper alert: “Double-O” might be the leader among this group in the untapped-potential department. He doesn’t have the big sack numbers but was mostly playing as a 3-4 defensive end for UCLA. He’s physical and strong with good edge-rush abilities and a powerful bull rush. Odighizuwa shows similarities to Aldon Smith coming out of college, and like Smith was, is considered capable of switching to 3-4 outside linebacker. However, by adding another 15 lbs. at the 4-3 end position, Odighizuwa could be a poor man’s version of Smith and a steal for some lucky team.

40-YARD: 4.57

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS 73 tackles, 13 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF, 6 PBU

Hunter is one of those guys that seems to have everything in terms of measurables, but it just hasn’t translated to outstanding production on the football field. He is stout against the run and gives offensive tackles a lot to handle as a pass rusher, but he just hasn’t gotten to the quarterback much.

Watching his tape, he looks every part the football player, but some coach needs to unlock the potential his combination of speed, agility and power would seem to suggest.

COLLEGE CAREER NFL COMBINE The biggest question mark for “Double O” coming in to the Combine was whether he had the speed and movement abilities to make a successful conversion to 3-4 OLB. He answered the question unequivocally with a 4.62-second 40-yard dash and top performances in the vertical jump, broad jump and 20-yard shuttle.

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Hunter saw some action in every game as a true freshman and got his first start in Week 4 of his sophomore season against Auburn. He racked up eight tackles in that game and solidified his spot as a starter. He finished that season with 57 tackles and came back with 73 as a junior. Hunter was only credited with 4.5 sacks in his LSU career and comes out a year early as a true junior.

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EDGE DEFENDERS #10

LORENZO MAULDIN LOUISVILLE

IN A NUTSHELL

#12

SR

BYU

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’4”

Mauldin plays the game of football hard. He’s a handWEIGHT: 259 ful to block and is always tracking the ball, ready to deliver a big hit. He’s not 40-YARD: 4.85 overly fast but does show excellent closing burst when within range of the ball. Mauldin played three 2014 STATS: 51 tackles, 13 TFL, 6.5 sacks, 1 FF, years at defensive end be- 3 PBU fore moving to 3-4 outside linebacker as a senior, showing the ability to set the edge and provide consistent pressure on the quarterback. The Louisville product makes a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage and will be a very useful NFL player.

SR

HEIGHT: 6’5”

Sleeper alert: Fua is an athletic prospect that has WEIGHT: 253 played multiple positions for BYU. He needs a good year in the weight room 40-YARD: 4.73 but has the right body type and fluidity to man the 3-4 outside linebacker spot.

Fua has extensive experi- 2014 STATS: 41 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 4 PBU ence dropping in coverage with a knack for picking off passes but is lacking in the pass-rushing department right now. With more strength and good coaching, Fua could turn out to be a hidden gem—the kind of guy Ted Thompson revels bringing in.

NFL COMBINE

PERSONAL STORY With parents who were continually in and out of jail, Mauldin and his four siblings entered the foster family system when he was two.

Since then, he’s been with 16 different foster families but somehow managed to keep his life together with football playing an important part. Now, he’s earned his degree from Louisville.

#11

ALANI FUA

HAU’OLI KIKAHA

SR

WASHINGTON

HEIGHT: 6’2”

WEIGHT: 253

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 72 tackles, 25 TFL, 19 sacks, 3 FF, 2 PBU

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While not showing the flat-out speed of a big name prospect like Vic Beasley, who was the star of the Combine, Fua actually topped Beasley in the three-cone drill and tied him in the 20-yard shuttle. His fluid movement abilities were also showcased in the linebacker drills, where he showed smooth change of direction abilities. His 18 reps in the bench press, however, did highlight Fua’s need to get stronger.

IN A NUTSHELL Kikaha is your prototype “effort” player. A good but not great athlete, he has feet that are always in motion and has been very effective as an edge pass rusher. Kikaha uses his hands well to keep offensive lineman from getting into his body. He’s not an edge setter, however, and struggles playing the run straight up. The former Huskie does his best work out in space.

COLLEGE CAREER After starting seven games as a true freshman, Kikaha missed most of the next two seasons with consecutive ACL injuries to his left knee.

While that kind of injury history is always a concern, he has since put in two healthy years for the Huskies, racking up 32 sacks over his last 27 games. Kikaha played lined up at 3-4 outside ‘backer as a senior.

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EDGE DEFENDERS #13

KYLE EMANUEL NORTH DAKOTA STATE

#17 SR

Emanuel is a small-school prospect that dominated the competition at the FCS level, where he was named FCS Defensive Player of the Year. He shows excellent football instincts and a relentless motor in pursuit of the ball carrier. Emanuel is also an effective edge setter and does his best work operating with some free space. His skill set translates to outside linebacker in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme.

#14

ZA’DARIUS SMITH KENTUCKY

Smith looks the part of a defensive lineman more than a linebacker and plays with toughness in the trenches. He’s not easily moved off his spot and is a sure tackler. He does move well in space, though, and could possibly make an eventual conversion to OLB, similar to the one made by Mike Neal. Overall, he looks to fit best in the role of a run-stopping 4-3 DE, although with more weight, 3-4 DE is also a possibility.

#15

GENEO GRISSOM

#19

#20 SR

VIRGINIA

MARKUS GOLDEN

SR

MISSOURI

LYNDON TRAIL

SR

NORFOLK STATE

DAVIS TULL

SR

TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA

OKLAHOMA

Grissom was moved around so much at Oklahoma (DE to TE to DE to LB) it’s difficult to gauge exactly what he offers. He’s a solidlybuilt player that plays hard but lacks proper technique and football instincts. While not a dynamic pass rusher, Grissom pursues well and looks to deliver a pop. He blocked eight passes over two years, catching and returning two for touchdowns.

#16

SO

Only 19 years old, just three years removed from high school and with only one full year as a starter for Virginia, Valles is easily the “greenest” OLB prospect in this draft. He gets by purely on athleticism at this point and will require two years of good coaching on techniques and situational play. If a team drafts Valles now, it’s based purely on potential, but he could prove to be a worthwhile development project.

#18

SR

MAX VALLES

TREY FLOWERS ARKANSAS

#21

#22 SR

Flowers is a tough, physical player, who was productive for the Razorbacks despite limited athletic ability. He’s not fast off the line of scrimmage and lacks any real pass rushing moves. The former Razorback is a straight-line player whose skill set does not translate that well to 3-4 OLB. His best shot for an NFL career would be to get bigger and stronger and stick to playing 4-3 DE.

#23

#24

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XZAVIER DICKSON

SR

ALABAMA

OBUM GWACHUM

SR

OREGON STATE

ZACK WAGENMANN

SR

MONTANA

J.R. TAVAI

SR

USC

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS #1

ERIC KENDRICKS

enough, he forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and jumped in front of a pass to the flat and returned the pick for six more points. Any scout pounding the table for him will want to pop in the Virginia tape and play it over and over. He was the best player on the field.

SR

UCLA

ZACH KRUSE

#2

HEIGHT: 6’0”

PAUL DAWSON TCU

SR

WEIGHT: 232

IN A NUTSHELL

40-YARD: 4.61

2014 STATS: 145 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 3 INT, 1 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL Kendricks is the Butkus Award winner and the draft’s premier fourdown inside linebacker. No other player at the position can match his combination of attacking abilities against the run and coverage skills in the passing game. He doesn’t have ideal size but plays much bigger than his frame. Kendricks is always attacking downhill, using well-honed diagnostic skills and short-area quickness to make stops near the line of scrimmage and all over the field, and he shines in coverage to boot.

HEIGHT: 6’0”

Dawson’s football instincts WEIGHT: 235 are off the charts. Arguably no linebacker in the class is faster in process40-YARD: 4.93 ing the read-and-react requirements of the position, allowing him to attack downhill and live in the opponent’s backfield. The 2014 STATS: 136 tackles, 20 TFL, 6 sacks, 2 FF, Gary Patterson disciple is 4 INT, 5 PBU often able to shoot gaps and disrupt plays because he simply beats blockers to the spot. He isn’t great taking on blockers head-to-head, but many times offensive linemen whiffed on blocks because he’d use agility and an ability to get skinny and maneuver around the player.

Kendricks often stayed on the field as the dime linebacker in the pass-happy Pac-12. He was asked to cover running backs and tight ends one-on-one and was rarely exposed, blanketing the flat. He also plays confident and comfortable in space with obvious changeof-direction skills. The former Bruin occasionally lost seam responsibility against play-action, but he was productive making tackles and also creating turnovers. Brother Mychal plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Eric was a team captain with impeccable character. His best fit is possibly behind a four-man front but has experience in the 3-4.

Will be an immediate asset regardless of scheme.

BEST GAME An absolute terror against Virginia as a senior, Kendricks posted 17 tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown. No game better displayed his NFL-ready game. He made three tackles at or near the line of scrimmage and stuffed a receiver screen, all in the first quarter. Kendricks sorted through traffic and consistently met the ball carrier moving down hill against the run. His only coverage negative was a ticky-tack pass interference call when he broke quickly on an underneath crosser. Otherwise, he handled his responsibilities in both man and zone, looking confident in each look. If that wasn’t

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Among Dawson’s best traits is that he moves well laterally and sifts through traffic in the run game. He’s also effective on A-gap blitzes with the patience to pick his spot and the quickness to immediately attack an opening. On the down side, he doesn’t possess great size and might require a thumper next to him in a 3-4 defense. Dawson plays the game like he’s shot out of a cannon but did not test well at the Combine, putting into question his dedication. He’s admitted to tardiness being a problem and a failed drug test for Aderall without a prescription, which he later acquired. Might be a headache for both his team and opponents.

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS BEST GAME

NFL COMBINE

Many draft analysts consider Dawson’s performance against Minnesota as one of the best from any linebacker in the 2015 class. He finished with 15 tackles, including nine solo stops and was in attack mode from start to finish. Of his 15 tackles, a half-dozen or so came either behind or right at the line of scrimmage.

Momentum from a strong week at the Senior Bowl carried over to Indianapolis, where Anthony tested out as arguably the most athletic inside linebacker. He blazed through the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds, finishing tied for third at the position group. The strong time backs up his ability to play sideline-to-sideline. He also showed off lateral movement skills, posting the second fastest time in the 20-yard short shuttle at 4.03 seconds.

Tackling David Cobb, a probable mid-round draft pick, was no issue and neither was covering Maxx Williams, the draft’s top tight end.

Minnesota kept trying to put a second-level blocker on him, and he’d still knife through to get in position. Williams did not expose him in space. Dawson forced a second-quarter fumble from Cobb and combined with another defender to cause a second takeaway a quarter later. It was a 60-minute showcase of his dominant abilities.

#3

STEPHONE ANTHONY

IN A NUTSHELL A former five-star recruit, Anthony possesses ideal size for the position with good height and a thick lower body, and as such, will be able to play four downs at the next level. He excels flowing to the football against the run and is more than athletic enough to cover tight ends and running backs in space.

#4

SR

CLEMSON

A.J. Hawk still holds the Combine record at 3.96 seconds. Anthony put up 23 reps of 225 lbs. on the bench press with a vertical jump of 37 inches and a broad jump of 122 inches. The athleticism he put on tape at Clemson was confirmed by the measurables in Indianapolis.

SHAQ THOMPSON WASHINGTON

JR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 243

WEIGHT: 228

40-YARD: 4.56

40-YARD: 4.64

2014 STATS: 75 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 3 PBU

2014 STATS: 80 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF, 1 INT, 4 PBU; 61 carries, 456 yards, 2 TD

IN A NUTSHELL

Anthony doesn’t mind doing the dirty work to free up others and has football toughness with a demonstrated taste for hitting. He has attractive movement skills and can time the action and beat a blocker on the blitz. Sometimes he’ll take wasted steps before reacting and can be moved with play-action but is generally an assignment-sure player. He made a number of big plays against Florida State as a senior, standing out in a game of stars. Checked off all the boxes during the pre-draft process.

A difficult fit in the 3-4 because of size, Thompson is built more like a long safety. He is, however, uniquely versatile, playing all over the defense and excelling on offense as a running back. Thompson has the quick twitch you only see in elite athletes and will be an obvious asset in coverage. Turnover creator. Amazingly, he scored six touchdowns in 2014: three on fumble returns, one on an interception and two rushing. Needs to fill out his frame but any defense could use his skill set.

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Scott Eklund / Red Box Pictures

NFL COMBINE

Thompson failed to blow up the Combine despite showing freak athleticism between the lines. He had the third-fastest short shuttle time (4.08 seconds) but otherwise didn’t finish among top linebackers in measured drills. The disappointing Combine won’t kill his stock because there’s no questioning his athleticism when in pads and on the field.

#5

DENZEL PERRYMAN

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

MIAMI

Possessing a thick, squatty frame, Perryman hits anything and everything in front of him and takes on runners and blockers with a violent disposition. He was a productive college linebacker and team captain but plays far too heavy-footed and will be exposed in coverage in the NFL. Perryman is most likely a two-down thumper with a high floor but low ceiling. Think Stephen Tulloch.

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 236

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

40-YARD: 4.78

Production personified, Perryman played in 47 games with 37 starts and tallied 351 tackles, including 27 for loss. He made 100 or more tackles as both a junior and senior, and over his career, forced seven fumbles, intercepted two passes and registered 4.5 sacks. The former Hurricane was a two-time All-ACC selection, third-team AllAmerican and Butkus Award finalist in 2014.

2014 STATS: 110 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT, 5 PBU

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS

#6

BEN HEENEY

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

KANSAS

It’s obvious Heeney lives in the film room by the way he made a bunch of plays in the backfield (35.5 career tackles for losses). The attack switch is always on. He has shorter than ideal arms and probably needs to put on a little weight. Heeney might be agile, but he misses too many tackles. In any case, he’s the kind of guy you want in the linebacker room and on the practice field. Gives off a subtle hint of Luke Kuechly.

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 231

BEST GAME

40-YARD: 4.59

Heeney nearly set the Big 12 record with 17 solo tackles against Texas Tech. In all, he made 21 stops, the most in the conference since 1979. He wasn’t just a tackling machine, either, intercepting quarterback Davis Webb in the second quarter. The resulting 37-yard return set up Kansas’ first touchdown. It’s hard to imagine a college linebacker causing more havoc.

2014 STATS: 127 tackles, 12 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 1 PBU

#7

BENARDRICK McKINNEY MISSISSIPPI STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

JR

McKinney looks the part of an imposing athlete. He has the length and lower-body power to immediately step in as an NFL starter. His size allows him to take on and shed blockers at the point. Unfortunately, McKinney doesn’t play to any one strength and rarely makes impact plays. He’s clunky in space, questionable in coverage and might be best as an edge player, where he occasionally lined up at Mississippi State.

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 246

VS TOP OPPONENT

40-YARD: 4.66

2014 STATS: 71 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 4 PBU

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McKinney was provided a golden opportunity to shine against Alabama but didn’t take advantage. He wasn’t around the ball enough against the run and was far too easy to move off play-action. Looked unsure and awkward in space, especially in coverage. The game exposed his “just a guy” potential at the next level.

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS #8

MIKE HULL

#9

SR

PENN STATE

RAMIK WILSON GEORGIA

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 237

40-YARD: 4.68

2014 STATS: 145 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 3 INT, 1 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL Hull hails from a football family and enters the next level as a refined product of Linebacker U, fearing no one and spewing competitiveness. He has a nose for the football, and his effort chasing down plays is never in question. Short arms (30.5”) and a smallish frame are concerns for the next level, especially against the run. Tested well enough at the Combine.

VS TOP OPPONENT Penn State nearly halted Ohio State’s National Championship run in October, taking the Buckeyes to double overtime in conference play.

Hull was a major reason why, registering a game-high 19 tackles and intercepting quarterback J.T. Barrett. Ohio State rushed for 219 yards but needed 57 attempts (3.8 average). Held his own against elite athletes.

Zach Kruse is a 25-year-old writer who contributes at Cheesehead TV and serves as the NFC North lead writer at Bleacher Report. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter @zachkruse2.

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HEIGHT: 6’3”

Wilson is a tackle machine WEIGHT: 243 that started for two seasons in the SEC, although he’s not as physical or ag40-YARD: 4.56 gressive at the take-on point as his size would suggest. He struggles in traffic but can make plays sideline-to-sideline when kept 2014 STATS: 110 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 FF, clean. The Georgia product 1 PBU isn’t reliable in man or zone coverage and may only be capable of playing two downs at the next level. Special teams value.

COLLEGE Bulldog of a tackler over his final two years in Athens, Wilson led the SEC with 133 as a junior, including 78 solo stops and 11 for losses. He dropped to fifth in the conference as a senior, making 110 total tackles. Overall, his final two seasons included 253 tackles, 19 for losses and six sacks. His impact rarely matched production, however.

#10

TAIWAN JONES MICHIGAN STATE

IN A NUTSHELL Author: Zach Kruse

SR

SR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

Jones is cut from the prototypical inside linebackWEIGHT: 245 er mold in term of size, complete with long arms.

He has the kind of play 40-YARD: 4.95 strength and toughness needed to last behind a three-man front and blitzes like a mad man. Overall, 2014 STATS: 60 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 INT, he’s a limited athlete and 1 PBU can’t be trusted in space or coverage, hinting that he’ll be a two-down player. His ceiling might be Brandon Spikes.

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS ALL-STAR GAME

#12

The week of the East-West Shrine game provided a chance for Jones to show off his fearless hitting ability. He displayed an appetite for contact, knocking heads with blockers and blowing up ball carriers.

There’s little question he’ll be an asset against the run at the next level.

#11

BRYCE HAGER

TEXAS

SR

HEIGHT: 6’1”

WEIGHT: 232

SR

BAYLOR

IN A NUTSHELL

JORDAN HICKS

40-YARD: 4.68

HEIGHT: 6’3” 2014 STATS: 113 tackles, 11 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 INT, 2 PBU

Hager is active and moves WEIGHT: 243 effortlessly in space. As a former running back, he’s capable of pursuing plays 40-YARD: 4.56 sideline-to-sideline and is a plus defender against the pass. He’s much more of a see-and-chase linebacker than a take-on thumper 2014 STATS: 114 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 sacks, 2 FF, and probably needs to add 1 INT, 1 PBU bulk and functional play strength. His father played in the NFL for nine years.

IN A NUTSHELL The polar opposite player of Paul Dawson, Hicks doesn’t freelance inside the scheme, and his character on and off the field remains unquestioned. He possesses decent size and never misses a tackle.

Although he’s football smart, significant time missed to injury hurt his evaluation. Can make an instant impact on special teams.

VS TOP OPPONENT

VS TOP OPPONNENT Hager posted 13 tackles, a sack and forced fumble in an overtime win over TCU, then three weeks later made 10 tackles (including one for loss) and created the go-ahead touchdown with an interception return to the one-yard line against Oklahoma. Standout performances against Top 20 teams helped put his name on the draft map.

Hicks appeared in 45 career games, making 28 starts and finished with 299 tackles, including 24 for losses, and 5.5 sacks. He tallied 10 or more tackles in 12 of 28 starts with a career high of 18 (vs. UCLA, Iowa State). A pupil of Charlie Strong, Hicks was a semi-finalist for the Bednarik Award and second-team All-Big 12 in 2014, while also being a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection.

#13

JEFF LUC

SR

CINCINNATI

Luc looks like the Incredible Hulk, packing 263 muscle-dominant pounds on a 5’11” frame yet remains surprisingly athletic. This Florida transfer is probably only a two-down player, but his best football might yet be in front of him. Upside.

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INSIDE LINEBACKERS #14

HAYES PULLARD

SR

#20

USC

Pullard is a smooth athlete with four years of starting experience.

Highly productive, but more of a reactor than attacker.

#15

KWON ALEXANDER

#21

A scheme misfit, Alexander lacks both the necessary weight (227 lbs.) to play inside and the length (30 ¼” arms) needed to line up on the edge. He requires bulking up, but his 4.55 time in the 40 makes him intriguing.

#16

JAKE RYAN

SR

A potential diamond in the rough, Ryan is smart and tough with underrated athleticism. He needs time and the right staff, but he has the tools to one day start in the NFL.

#17

MARTRELL SPAIGHT

#18

ARKANSAS

AMARIO HERRERA

SR

GEORGIA

DAMIEN WILSON

#26

SR

MINNESOTA

#27

Wilson has ideal size (6’0”, 245 lbs.) and length (33 ¾” arms) for the position but lacks the athleticism of a starter. Plays either too aggressive or too hesitant far too often.

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#24

#25

Herrera started over 40 games in the SEC as a productive and fearless leader. His change-of-direction worries were confirmed at the Combine, where he was only average in tests and drills.

#19

#23

SR

Only a one-year starter after starring at the JUCO level, Spaight is physical, tough and possesses decent size at 6’0” and 236 lbs. but is still a limited athlete in space.

STANFORD

TREY DePRIEST

SR

ALABAMA

A two-down player at the next level, DePriest handles his business in traffic against the run but can’t be trusted in space. Has 3-4 experience.

#22

MICHIGAN

SR

Tarpley started 45 collegiate games. He’s considered smart but probably not a starting-caliber athlete at the next level. Both his father and brother played in college.

SR

LSU

A.J. TARPLEY

AARON DAVIS

SR

COLORADO STATE

ZACH VIGIL

SR

UTAH STATE

QUAYSHAWN NEALY

SR

GEORGIA TECH

CURTIS GRANT

SR

OHIO STATE

JUNIOR SYLVESTRE

SR

TOLEDO

MARK NZEOCHA

SR

WYOMING

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CORNERBACKS #1

ZACH KRUSE

NFL COMBINE

TRAE WAYNES

JR

MICHIGAN STATE

Questions about Waynes’ long speed evaporated in Indianapolis. The former high school indoor track champion showed off his wheels, blazing through the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds. No other cornerback ran faster than 4.38 seconds, and only UAB receiver J.J. Nelson was faster overall (4.28). His time was the second best at the position over the last five combines and the third fastest since 2006.

The importance of the 40-yard dash can be debated at some positions but probably not at corner, where pure makeup speed can be the difference between a pass breakup and a touchdown.

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 186

40-YARD: 4.31

2014 STATS: 46 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT, 8 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL Waynes is a graduate of Kenosha Bradford High School in Wisconsin.

Well-respected defensive coaches at Michigan State helped develop him into an All-American and lock first-round pick. It’s impossible to view his length, confidence and flowing dreadlocks and not think of All-Pro Richard Sherman. He craves playing out on an island, where he can press, smother and mirror receivers, and he knows how to use the sideline as an extra defender.

Waynes also managed 19 reps on the 225-pound bench press despite weighing under 190 pounds and possessing 31” arms. Only three cornerbacks finished with more. Strength will be important in playing press-man, his preferred style. He also showed off fluidity in positional drills. His Combine performance made it very likely he’ll be the first cornerback off the board.

#2

QUINTEN ROLLINS MIAMI UNIVERSITY

SR

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 195

Attacking the ball in the air and creating turnovers are Waynes’ strong suit. His thin frame is a concern, but he was rarely physically overmatched. Likewise, he’s active against the run and a willing tackler. The biggest issue for him might be the occasionally difficult transition from college game to the pros, where illegal contact is much more strictly called. He can be far too grabby, which is unnecessary given his length and make-up speed. If a good staff at the next level can eliminate this flaw he’ll be a potential All-Pro. Huge upside.

40-YARD: 4.57

2014 STATS: 72 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 FF, 7 INT, 9 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL

Michigan State Athletic Communications

Rollins is not nearly as refined as a few cornerbacks directly below him on this list, but the draft is a projection business and he has a ridiculously high ceiling. He played four years of college basketball before transitioning to football for one season and surprisingly made it look easy. He won a starting job and eventually became the MAC Defensive Player of the Year.

With movement skills you’d expect from a former point guard, Rollins possesses incredible feet and is a big-time leaper. He can smother at the line of scrimmage and is sticky down the field. Furthermore, he’s well built and capable of playing downhill, which could indicate safety potential. Rollins is far from a burner, but his anticipation is

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CORNERBACKS a huge plus. Lacking experience and technique at the position will require patience, but the final product might just be worth the wait.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Rollins started all four seasons for the Redhawks basketball team, playing in 116 career games and finished second in school history in steals and fourth in assists. With one year of eligibility remaining, he turned to football.

Talk about catching on quickly, Rollins led the MAC and finished third in the FBS with seven interceptions. He picked off two passes each against both Cincinnati and Ohio and also managed 72 tackles and a forced fumble. The former basketball star was awarded the conference’s top honor for a defensive player and named first-team all-conference. Rollins took up playing a difficult position in the spring of 2014 and just a year later, he should be a Top 50 pick in the NFL Draft. He’s just starting to scratch the surface of his immense potential.

#3

P.J. WILLIAMS

BOWL GAME Williams loves the bright lights. On the biggest stage, and amongst the game’s biggest stars, the former Seminole shined when he was named Defensive MVP of Florida State’s 2014 BCS National Championship Game win over Auburn. He posted seven tackles and intercepted quarterback Nick Marshall in the fourth quarter, beginning a touchdown drive for the Seminoles. The score brought Florida State to within a point. The award has good company. The five previous winners of Defensive MVP in the BCS title game: C.J. Mosley, Courtney Upshaw, Nick Fairley, Marcell Dareus and Carlos Dunlap.

He could be the next to jump from BCS standout to impact NFL defender.

#4

KEVIN JOHNSON WAKE FOREST

JR

FLORIDA STATE

SR

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 188

40-YARD: 4.52

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 194

2014 STATS: 44 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU

40-YARD: 4.57

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS: 74 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 INT, 10 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL Williams has the highly coveted trio of height, length and jumping ability and might be the best press corner in the draft, preferring contact at the line of scrimmage and redirecting receivers before the route even beings. Florida State put him on an island and forgot about him; teams in the NFL will be tempted to do the same.

Playing with a swagger and mental toughness, Williams never let a bad play affect the next. He may not have blazed through the 40, but playing speed never seemed to be an issue. While he can be grabby downfield, he should be an asset against the run with plus tackling skills on the edge and in space. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s a starting corner for a long time at the next level.

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A fluid athlete with nimble feet and impressive man-coverage abilities, Johnson started 41 games in college and never missed a contest due to injury. He may possess a thin frame but was rarely outmuscled by receivers. Despite coming from a poor Wake Forest program, Johnson is a natural cover corner with the feet, athleticism and experience necessary to be a Day 1 starter, regardless of scheme. High floor.

NFL COMBINE Johnson didn’t produce an eye-catching time in the 40-yard dash but otherwise had a terrific Combine. He finished among the top cornerbacks in the vertical leap (41.5”, second best), broad jump (10’10”, third), three-cone drill (6.79 seconds, fourth) and 20-yard shuttle (3.89, second). The Demon Deacons cornerback won’t win a track meet, but speed wasn’t an issue on tape. He checked off all the athleticism boxes in Indianapolis.

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CORNERBACKS #5

MARCUS PETERS

#6

JR

WASHINGTON

WEIGHT: 197

40-YARD: 4.53

2014 STATS: 30 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INT, 7 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL Peters has the size every team covets and the swagger of a lockdown boundary corner as a press master. It’s possible he’s the most talented corner in the class, but there’s red flags everywhere. The coaching staff at Washington eventually had enough and dismissed him from the team. He could be a real headache for his new team.

BEST GAME Peters terrorized Oregon State quarterback and potential 2015 draft pick Sean Mannion during a 69-27 win in 2013. He stepped in front of a pass early in the second quarter for his first interception and then nabbed his second roughly 10 minutes later, athletically catching a tipped pass over the middle. Eventual first-round pick Brandin Cooks wasn’t a factor until late.

RONALD DARBY

JR

FLORIDA STATE

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 193

40-YARD: 4.38

LSU

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’0”

#7

JALEN COLLINS

JR

HEIGHT: 6’1”

Collins is raw in terms of WEIGHT: 203 technique and positional awareness but brings the athletic upside to be the 40-YARD: 4.48 top cornerback in the class.

He looks the part with incredible length and a chiseled frame, and his athleticism jumps off the tape. 2014 STATS: 38 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 9 PBU Curiously, the LSU staff put Collins in the starting lineup just 10 times, and as such and he’s still learning how to play.

Continued development once in the NFL could make him a perennial Pro Bowler.

VS TOP OPPONNENT Collins lined up exclusively at left cornerback vs. Alabama and had a number of battles with likely Top 15 pick Amari Cooper. He won some, lost more and gave up a score. Collins is still raw in finding the ball in flight and a little indecisive on plays in front of him. Clearly a work in progress. .

“could make him a Pro Bowler” IN A NUTSHELL An athletic marvel, Darby has decent size with blazing speed and elite ups (41.5” vertical). He played a variety of coverages for the Seminoles and quarterbacks rarely threw his way. Small, inconsistent hands are a drawback, but he was still disruptive making plays on the ball. This former Seminole has the movement skills to be a lockdown defender.

NFL COMBINE Darby ran the second fastest time and posted the second best vertical leap, although he was a little disappointing in the three-cone (6.94 seconds) and 20-yard shuttle (4.14). His 12 reps on the bench press did not crack the Top 15 corners. Teams will still fall in love with his straight-line speed and jumping abilities.

2014 STATS: 43 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 4 PBU

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CORNERBACKS #8

ERIC ROWE

#9

SR

UTAH

ALEX CARTER STANFORD

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’1”

WEIGHT: 205

40-YARD: 4.45

2014 STATS: 59 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 13 PBU, 1 blocked kick

IN A NUTSHELL There’s potential for Rowe to be a corner-safety hybrid player after playing three years at free safety before moving to corner as a senior.

He uses his length and size to harass receivers at the line of scrimmage yet is still able to flip hips and run. A physical defensive back, Rowe tackles everything in sight and loves to contribute against the run. There’s obvious upside in the subpackage-heavy NFL.

NFL COMBINE One of the most impressive performers in Indianapolis, Rowe finished among the best at his position in every drill. Any concerns about speed were erased with a 4.45-second 40, while a 39” vertical stood out. He also posted the second-best time in the three-cone (6.7 seconds) and the fifth-best in the short shuttle (3.97) among defensive backs. Wherever he plays in the secondary, Rowe raised his stock considerably.

JR

HEIGHT: 6’0”

Carter possesses an attracWEIGHT: 196 tive combination of height, arm length (32 1/8”) and vertical jump (40”). On the 40-YARD: 4.51 field, he’s experienced in press coverage and physical at the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t possess great top-end speed, so his 2014 STATS: 41 tackles, 1 FF, 1 INT, 9 PBU size and instincts moving forward suggest the potential to play safety. Alex is the son of former Notre Dame star and firstround NFL draft pick Tom Carter.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE As a three-year starter and three-time All-Pac-12 selection, Carter made 33 career starts, including eight as a true freshman. He tallied 19 passes defended, two interceptions and six forced fumbles while winning two conference titles and playing in two Rose Bowls.

#10

BYRON JONES CONNECTICUT

IN A NUTSHELL Versatility personified, Jones started at safety for two years before transitioning to starting cornerback.

SR

HEIGHT: 6’1”

WEIGHT: 199

40-YARD: DNP

He jumped onto the NFL radar with a Combine record 12’ 3” broad jump while also posting a 44.5” vertical. 2014 STATS: 24 tackles, 2 INT, 4 PBU The UConn product also looked fluid and explosive in shuttle drills. In a game environment, he plays with smarts and instincts on the field. He could have positional versatility at the next level.

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CORNERBACKS NFL COMBINE Enough can’t be said about Jones’ showing in Indianapolis. Not only did he break the combine record in the broad jump, but he also potentially set a new world record while his 44.5” vertical finished second among the class. If that wasn’t enough, he was among top players in the three-cone, 20- and 60-yard shuttle. A recovering shoulder injury kept him from running the 40-yard dash, but he gave an explosive effort regardless.

#12

JACOBY GLENN UCF

SO

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 179

#11

SENQUEZ GOLSON

SR

OLE MISS

40-YARD: 4.64

2014 STATS: 48 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 7 INT, 11 PBU HEIGHT: 5’9”

IN A NUTSHELL WEIGHT: 176

Glenn might be rail thin, but his length is appealing at the position.

His time in the 40-yard dash was not impressive, however, and will scare off some teams. He enters the NFL as a redshirt sophomore, likely influenced by the momentum of his productive 2014 season.

40-YARD: 4.46

VS TOP OPPONENT

2014 STATS: 43 tackles, 3 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 10 INT, 8 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL Height is an obvious issue, but Golson brings starting-level talent to the NFL. He’s a competitive, productive and a plus athlete that intercepted 10 passes in 2014 and was a unanimous first-team AllAmerican. Bigger receivers will give him problems, but there’s potential for a Brent Grimes or Antoine Winfield-like career.

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Golson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB Draft but stuck with football. He played in 49 career games at Mississippi, intercepting 16 passes and breaking up another 15.

Golson led the SEC in interceptions and was one of just two players to record double-digit picks in 2014.

When UCF traveled across the pond to play Penn State in the Croke Park Classic, Glenn recorded one of his finest collegiate games. He amassed a career-high 11 tackles, including nine solo stops and intercepted Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg on an underneath slant route in the first half, setting up a field goal. Also caused a fumble on a bubble screen.

#13

SR

TCU

White, unfortunately, is too short (5’ 9”) to play on the edge and not quick enough inside with questionable long speed. He does have the ball skills and confidence of a starter, but the rest of the package just isn’t there.

#14 “drafted by the Boston Red Sox”

KEVIN WHITE

D’JOUN SMITH

SR

FLORIDA ATLANTIC

A little undersized, Smith attacks the ball in the air and has the mindset of a baseball closer. Mistakes don’t seem to rattle him. He was highly productive as a junior.

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CORNERBACKS #15

STEVEN NELSON

#21

SR

OREGON STATE

There are legitimate question marks about Nelson’s ability to play in a man-heavy scheme. He’s physical and tough but allowing big plays and taking penalties are possible if used incorrectly.

#16

JOSH SHAW

SR

#22 #23

USC

Shaw has the size (6’0), strength (26 reps) and versatility (experience at corner and safety) teams seek, although he’s more famous for making up a hero story than his play between the white lines.

#17

DORAN GRANT

#24 SR

OHIO STATE

Grant doesn’t possess great length, but he’s well built and physical.

He ran a good time at the Combine. Standing just 5’10” might relegate him to the slot.

#18

CHARLES GAINES

JR

#26

LOUISVILLE

Gaines is a former receiver with underrated instincts but far from ideal size. He’ll probably be best used at the next level inside, where awareness is key and length won’t be an issue.

#19

LORENZO DOSS

As a corner with incredible ball skills, Doss is a gambler that always wants a chance at the pick. He has a short frame and short arms and was disappointing in timed drills at the Combine.

#20

#27

JR

TULANE

IFO EKEPRE-OLOMU

#25

#28 #29

SR

NICK MARSHALL

SR

AUBURN

LADARIUS GUNTER

SR

MIAMI

QUANDRE DIGGS

SR

TEXAS

JaCOREY SHEPHERD

SR

KANSAS

CRAIG MAGER

SR

TEXAS STATE

DAMIAN SWANN

SR

GEORGIA

JUSTIN COLEMAN

SR

TENNESSEE

GARRY PETERS

SR

CLEMSON

JULIAN WILSON

SR

OKLAHOMA

OREGON

Only 5’9” and coming off a serious knee injury, Ekepre-Olomu has high upside if he returns healthy, but concerns about height, speed and early availability will be major red flags.

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#30

DeSHAZOR EVERETT

SR

TEXAS A&M

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SAFETIES

BRIAN CARRIVEAU

University of Alabama Athletics

#1

LANDON COLLINS

JR

ALABAMA

HEIGHT: 6’0”

WEIGHT: 228

40-YARD: 4.53 Collins is arguably the best safety on film in five years of publishing Pro Football Draft Preview.

2014 STATS: 102 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 FF, 3 INT, 7 PBU

#2

IN A NUTSHELL

DAMARIOUS RANDALL ARIZONA STATE

Collins is arguably the best safety on film in five years of publishing Pro Football Draft Preview. He excels as a box safety, but he’s far from out of place in the deep half. A downhill hitter, when Collins senses he can make a tackle, he sells out to get the job done. As someone that runs forward with such abandon, you’d think he’d miss more tackles, but there’s exceedingly few. And when Collins does miss, it’s because he’s not wrapping up, not because he whiffs. He’s a very aggressive tackler, frequently tries to take a runner’s legs out from under him and just as frequently succeeds. Doesn’t have great ball skills, but he does have a nose for the football. Even if Collins does drop a few interceptions, he’ll at least be in position to break them up.

Collins was one of the worst media interviews of the NFL Combine.

When attempting to transcribe his interview, several of his comments were indecipherable or unintelligible. That being said, not every football player has to be a public speaker, a leader, a choirboy or a rocket scientist. If Collins is assignment sure—and he appears to be on film—he can still be a very good safety. Teams just shouldn’t go into the process expecting Collins to be a leader off the bat. They’d be wise to pair him with a veteran safety, especially early in his career. As for the on-field portion of the Combine, his 40 time was respectable, which reflects his straight-line speed. The rest of his numbers, however, were merely adequate if not underwhelming.

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HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 196

40-YARD: 4.46

2014 STATS: 106 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 1 sack, 2 FF, 3 INT, 9 PBU

NFL COMBINE

“a very aggressive tackler”

SR

IN A NUTSHELL A junior college transfer, had Randall played at Arizona State for four years, he might be remembered as one of the school’s all-time greats. In just two years he totaled 177 tackles, including more than 100 in 2014. Looking further into his stat line, Randall’s 9.5 tackles for a loss from the safety position as a senior jump off the page and are indicative of his playmaking ability.

He gets the job done through a combination of speed and toughness, tracking down ball carriers and getting the most out of his small frame to make bone-jarring tackles. Blitzing from the secondary, Randall is as good as they come. He’s capable of playing slot coverage thanks to his fleet feet. He began his college athletic career as a baseball player.

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SAFETIES NFL COMBINE

VS PREMIER PLAYER

After stating that he pattered his game after Earl Thomas in the media interview portion of the Combine, Randall looked the part in the workout portion. He was one of the top performers among safeties, and his foot speed stood out. If Utah’s Eric Rowe is classified as a cornerback where he probably belongs, Randall turned in the second-fastest 40 time among safeties, clocking in at 4.46 seconds.

He likewise had the second-fastest three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttles, turning in times of 6.83 seconds and 4.07 seconds respectively. It shouldn’t be a surprise Randall hits so hard after seeing his explosiveness on display in the vertical jump, once again coming in second with a leap of 38”.

When Ole Miss faced off against Vanderbilt in the 2013 season opener, it was a mixed bag for Prewitt. He crossed paths several times with elite Vandy receiver Jordan Matthews, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. But it was all a learning experience.

#3

CODY PREWITT

#4

SR

OLE MISS

In the first quarter, Prewitt hit Matthews coming over the middle as the ball arrived, but because Matthews used his body as a shield, the pass went as a completion. In the fourth quarter, Prewitt was beat deep by Matthews on a gain of 42 yards. But Prewitt got the last laugh, intercepting a pass that caromed off Matthews’ hands in the waning seconds as Ole Miss held on for a 39-35 win.

IBRAHEIM CAMPBELL NORTHWESTERN

SR

HEIGHT: 6’2”

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 208

WEIGHT: 208

40-YARD: 4.60

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 64 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 FF, 3 INT, 2 PBU

2014 STATS: 54 tackles, 1 TFL, 4 FF, 3 INT, 3 PBU

IN A NUTSHELL

IN A NUTSHELL

After Landon Collins, there’s not much separating the next dozen or so safeties in this year’s draft class. What Prewitt has going for him, however, is that he’s the best player fitting the free safety mold for a team looking to fill that void. He has prototypical size and with 12 career interceptions and five forced fumbles, Prewitt has demonstrated a nose for the football. Teaming up with underclassman Tony Conner, Ole Miss had arguably the best safety tandem in the nation, and they were a big part of the “Land Shark” reputation the Rebels defense created in 2014.

Campbell checks all of the boxes from a smarts and character standpoint, having attended a highly-regarded academy in high school and then Northwestern. He might not be a hard hitter, but he’s a reliable tackler, able to get ball carriers down to the turf. The former Wildcat is inconsistent, slow to transition from his backpedal to moving forward one play, and then aggressively coming downhill the next. He’s highly experienced, having made 310 career tackles, 11 interceptions and six forced fumbles in four seasons. Has 10 siblings.

Where Prewitt is lacking is form tackling. He’s not afraid to go for the kill shot on wide receivers coming over the middle, but his enforcer mentality seems to end there. Prewitt doesn’t show the same gusto when he asked to do the dirty work of taking on blockers head-on.

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NFL COMBINE After missing four games in 2014 because of a hamstring injury, the issue lingered over into the pre-draft process. Campbell wasn’t able to take part in any of the on-field activities at the Combine, however, he was able to participate in the bench press and impressively led all safeties with 23 reps.

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SAFETIES #5

ANTHONY HARRIS

SR

VIRGINIA

IN A NUTSHELL

He has experience both playing deep and lined up across from slot receivers but seems like he can be exposed by quickness near the line of scrimmage.

ALL-STAR GAME HEIGHT: 6’1”

The first thing that sticks out about Harris is his WEIGHT: 183 183-pound frame, which is as small as it gets for the safety position. If there’s 40-YARD: 4.56 good news, however, it’s that at 6’ 1”, he has room to add weight, and he’ll need to in the NFL. Harris is more of a drag-down tackler 2014 STATS: 108 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 2 INT, than a big hitter (partially 10 PBU due to his size), but he is reliable. He’ll bite on play-action from time to time, but his eight interceptions as a junior are indicative of his ball skills.

VS RANKED OPPONENT Harris is one reason Virginia was able to upset No. 21 ranked Louisville in 2014. It’s true he got beat by the touchdown for touchdown after getting sucked in on a play-action fake in the first quarter. Harris, though, made up for it by grabbing an interception on tipped pass later in the quarter, aggressively going after the football once he realizes he can make a play. He chipped in eight tackles.

#6

DEAN MARLOWE

SR

JAMES MADISON

IN A NUTSHELL

A four-time all-conference selection in the CAA, Marlowe might have dominated lower-level competition, but he was invisible in the East-West Shrine Game. On one hand, that means he wasn’t missing tackles or getting beat by receivers, but on the other hand, he didn’t do anything of note, either.

#7

ERICK DARGAN OREGON

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

HEIGHT: 5’11”

Dargan has a nose for the football in both the passWEIGHT: 210 ing and running game. He led an Oregon team that advanced all the way to the 40-YARD: N/A national championship in tackles (95) and interceptions (seven) this past season. His five picks in the regular season led the Pac- 2014 STATS: 95 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 FF, 7 INT, 6 PBU 12. In 2013, Dargan was named an all-conference special teams player, and he’ll be expected to make his mark on that unit in the NFL. His speed is the big question, but he’s a safety.

HEIGHT: 6’1”

From a physical standpoint, Marlowe is nearly a clone WEIGHT: 203 of All-Pro safety Eric Weddle. Where he differs from Weddle is in leadership and 40-YARD: 4.58 experience, coming from an FCS program. Marlowe shows good range, getting from the hash to sideline to break up multiple passes 2014 STATS: 96 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 3 INT, 9 PBU against Richmond this past season and partially a result of taking good angles.

102 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

PLAYOFF GAME In Oregon’s Rose Bowl win over Florida State, Dargan makes an inter-

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SAFETIES ception off a tipped pass late in the game, although it should have been his second of the game. He does a nice job reading Jameis Winston, undercutting a pass and breaking it up in the first half at the goal line. Dargan also forced a second-half fumble, swatting at the football. The game plan for the Oregon safeties was not to allow Winston to beat them deep, and Dargan executed perfectly.

#8

KURTIS DRUMMOND

SR

MICHIGAN STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

POSTSEASON GAME Drummond’s lack of urgency was on display in the 2013 Big Ten Championship game, a contest the Spartans would win and go onto qualify for the Rose Bowl. Although he made several good plays— forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass in the end zone—he also missed several tackles, one that resulted in a touchdown, and gave up a touchdown pass on a post pattern in Cover 2 responsibilities.

#9

HEIGHT: 6’1”

The TatumWoodson Award winner as the Big WEIGHT: 208 Ten’s best defensive back in 2014, Drummond projects as a steadying influence at 40-YARD: 4.65 safety, although not necessarily a game-changer.

At times, he seems to lack urgency, not having that killer instinct, seemingly 2014 STATS: 72 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 INT, 11 PBU assuming that some other teammate will make a tackle before he’s forced into action. His 12 career interceptions hint at good ball skills, confirmed by an electrifying one-handed grab, catching the ball at its highest point against Western Michigan in 2013.

CLAYTON GEATHERS CENTRAL FLORIDA

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

HEIGHT: 6’2”

Geathers is a highly experienced and durable WEIGHT: 218 four-year starter that tied a UCF record by playing in 53 games, starting the 40-YARD: 4.55 final 52. His instincts allow him to be around the football quite frequently, both against the run and pass, but a lack of speed is usu- 2014 STATS: 97 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 2 INT, 9 PBU ally the reason if he can’t get there in time to make a play. He seems to have perfected the art of batting passes with his front arm while simultaneously starting to make the tackle with his back arm but has to be careful not to arrive early.

ALL-STAR GAME

Michigan State Athletic Communications

The Senior Bowl was a mixture of both good and bad for Geathers, who showed good diagnostic skills by making a tackle on a reverse and pushed a running back out of bounds as the last line of defense, taking a good angle to the ball. On the flip side, he also got an arm tackle broken and met a running back in the hole to make a tackle but unfortunately allowed the back to spin, gaining a first down.

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“Chris Anderson has been a Packer fan for over three decades. Growing up in Edgar, Wisconsin in a Vikings family, Chris still rooted Packers. He has very fond memories of spending almost every Sunday watching the Packers with CHTV Draft guide designer Alex Tallitsch whom he routinely whooped in Madden.”

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SAFETIES #10

JAQUISKI TARTT SAMFORD

IN A NUTSHELL

#12

SR

CHRIS HACKETT TCU

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’1”

SR

HEIGHT: 6’0”

A perfectly-sized safety and athletic specimen, Tartt’s WEIGHT: 221 level of competition and production indicate he’s a work in progress. The good 40-YARD: 4.53 news is that he’s got more room for improvement than any other safety in this year’s draft class and has a high ceiling. But Tartt fre- 2014 STATS: 62 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU quently finds himself out of position due to false steps and poor angles.

The film says Hackett is a playmaker, someone with WEIGHT: 195 12 career interceptions and five forced fumbles in just three seasons. His mea40-YARD: 4.81 surables, however, paint a different picture. An alarmingly slow 40 time and a sinewy 195-pound frame hint that Hackett will strug- 2014 STATS: 75 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 FF, 7 INT, 6 PBU gle at the next level. At the very least, he maximizes every ounce of athletic ability.

VS TOP OPPONENT

ALL-STAR GAME

With an opportunity to prove himself against top-level competition, Tartt did little to impress in the 2014 regular-season finale against a ranked Auburn team. At one point, injury is added to insult when he is taken out by a cut block at the second level as the Tigers running back goes for a touchdown, and Tartt temporarily has to leave the game due to injury.

There were two recurring themes for Hackett in TCU’s high-scoring 61-58 loss to No. 5 Baylor in 2014. On the positive side of the ledger, Hackett made several nice open-field tackles on players bigger than him, displaying good form. He made seven solo tackles, eight total.

Unfortunately he also bit at least twice on play-action fakes, getting sucked up and out of position on downfield throws, including one in the fourth quarter that went for a touchdown.

#11

JORDAN RICHARDS

SR

STANFORD

HEIGHT: 6’1”

IN A NUTSHELL Limited athletically, Richards can be counted upon as a smart, heady leader, coming from an academic institution at Stanford where he was a team captain in charge of lining up his teammates. The plays he does make are a result of being in the right place at the right time. He puts his body on the line, colliding with ball carriers to make tackles.

WEIGHT: 208

NFL COMBINE 40-YARD: 4.65

2014 STATS: 79 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 3 FF, 3 INT, 5 PBU

104 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

Richards’ 13 reps on the bench press at the Combine were a disappointment for someone whose arms look like pythons, but it may be a product of having longer limbs than the typical safety (32 ½”). The only drill where Richards impressed was his three-cone drill, where he displayed his change-of-direction skills, finishing in 6.74 seconds.

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SAFETIES #13

DERRON SMITH

#18 SR

FRESNO STATE

After intercepting six passes as a sophomore and seven as a junior, Smith’s production dropped off to one as a senior, but it could be because teams were avoiding him. He’s small at 5’ 10” and 200 lbs., but he plays bigger than his size would indicate.

#14

ADRIAN AMOS

SR

PENN STATE

At 6’ 0” and 218 lbs. and a three-year starter in Happy Valley, Amos has the size and experience teams seek in the NFL. He’s aggressive, but his tackles don’t seem to pack a punch. Versatility to play both strong and free safety.

#15

GERROD HOLLIMAN

SR

LOUISVILLE

One of the most polarizing safeties to come out in recent memory, Holliman’s ball skills are top notch. His NCAA-leading 14 interceptions didn’t happen by accident. Unfortunately, he’s also one of the worst tacklers, an unenviable combination of lack of aggression and poor form.

#16

DAMIAN PARMS

SR

Parms only had one career college interception at Florida Atlantic but showed his best might be ahead of him when he made two rather impressive interceptions in the East-West Shrine Game. As someone with his size, he’s a good developmental prospect.

#17

DETRICK BONNER

For someone that played in 52 games and made 42 starts for the Hokies, you’d like to see more big-play production than the five interceptions and one forced fumble Bonner had during his college career. He has good size, cornerback experience and does a good job pressing at the line of scrimmage, however.

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#19

VIRGINIA TECH

SAM CARTER

SR

TCU

In three years as a starter at TCU, Carter made an impressive 12 interceptions, 17 passes broken up and 14.5 tackles for a loss. He has the size teams look for but doesn’t play a particularly intimidating brand of football.

#20

ANTHONY JEFFERSON

SR

UCLA

Jefferson played a lot of cornerback in college, which shows good versatility, but he wasn’t necessarily a good corner because of poor speed (4.72 seconds in the 40 at the Combine). He’s aggressive, realizing if he can get to a ball carrier quickly, his job is that much easier.

#21

#23

SR

VIRGINIA TECH

SR

Jarrett is a fearless tackler, which he’ll have to be in the NFL if he’s going to make it at 5’ 10” and 200 lbs. He’ll have to make it as a special teams demon, because he has limited pass coverage ability.

#22

FLORIDA ATLANTIC

KEYSHOEN JARRETT

#24 #25

TEVIN McDONALD

SR

EASTERN WASHINGTN

JAMES SAMPLE

SR

LOUISVILLE

DURELL ESKRIDGE

SR

SYRACUSE

NICK PERRY

SR

ALABAMA

FRITZ ETIENNE

SR

MEMPHIS

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KICKERS #1

BRIAN CARRIVEAU

KYLE BRINDZA

#2

SR

NOTRE DAME

WEIGHT: 236

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 14/24 FG, long of 48, 51/52 PAT, 93 points, 52 TB on 81 KO (63.3 avg.)

Brindza is coming off a disappointing senior season, connecting on just 58.3 percent of his field goals. Misses in consecutive games—in overtime against Northwestern and again in the final minute of a tie game against Louisville—cost the Fighting Irish a chance at winning. If it weren’t for issues with blocks and botched holds, Brindza wouldn’t have been so bad, however. As Blair Walsh and Cody Parkey have shown, a few college misses can be overcome in the NFL for a kicker with a talented leg. Brindza was more consistent as an underclassman and a career kickoff average of 63.5 yards is elite. Also has punting experience.

BOWL GAME Even though Brindza had a trying 2014 season, it ended on a high note in a Music City Bowl win over a ranked LSU team. A game-winning 32-yard field goal as time expired helped to put those misses from earlier in the season behind him, what Brindza would later describe as a weight off his shoulders at the NFL Combine. He also had three touchbacks on kickoffs, went 4-for-4 on extra points and place three punts inside the 20.

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NORTH CAROLINA STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

HEIGHT: 6’1”

IN A NUTSHELL

NIKLAS SADE

SR

HEIGHT: 6’3”

Sade received an invitation to the East-West Shrine WEIGHT: 219 Game but not the NFL Combine and probably should have. He finished his 40-YARD: N/A career as NC State’s all-time leading scorer, breaking a record that stood since 1978 and also set school records with 55 career field 2014 STATS: 12/17 FG, long of 48, 46/48 PAT, 82 goals and 167 extra points. points, 47 TB on 74 KO (63.6 avg.)

As a senior, he had a 64 percent touchback rate on his kickoffs and consistently averaged over 60 yards on kickoffs over the course of his career. A career-long field goal of 50 yards isn’t impressive compared to NFL-caliber kickers.

ALL-STAR GAME For a player whose longest field goal in college was 50 yards, Sade inspired confidence in the East-West Shrine game, converting on a 51-yard attempt. Unfortunately, in a game of offensive incompetence, he didn’t get any more scoring attempts, not even an extra point. He did send both of his kickoffs for touchbacks, however, each of them going for 65 yards.

#3

JUSTIN MANTON LOUISIANA-MONROE

SR

IN A NUTSHELL As someone that held kicking duties for the better part of four years, Manton is highly experienced. He’s also trending in the right direction, saving his best season for his senior year when he made 20 of 24 kicks (83.3 percent). Manton was a first-team all-conference selection as both a junior and senior. Where he

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 196

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 20/24 FG, long of 51, 23/23 PAT, 83 points, 29 TB on 54 KO (59.9 avg.)

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KICKERS doesn’t quite stack up to the top kickers is a slightly weaker leg on kickoffs, although it’s good enough to get the job done from the 35yard line. He’s also an accomplished punter.

ALL-STAR GAME Manton participated in the Senior Bowl as the South squad’s kicker and punter. Unfortunately, a miss from just 25 yards put a damper on his outing. He did convert on two other field goals, but both were inside 30 yards. On a positive note, he averaged 64.8 yards on five kickoffs and placed two of three punts inside the 20.

#4

MARVIN KLOSS

#7

TOM OBARSKI

SR

CONCORDIA (MINN.)

Coming from a Division II football program, Obarski has some of the most room for improvement once he has access to NFL facilities and coaching. He has experience on place kicks, kickoffs and punts and has a career-long 59-yard field goal. Invited to the Senior Bowl..

#8

SAM FICKEN

SR

PENN STATE

SR

SOUT H FLORIDA

Kloss was named the East-West Shrine Game Most Outstanding Offensive Player after scoring 13 points and was perfect on all four field goals. He didn’t face a rush, however, so take that with a grain of salt.

#5

JARED ROBERTS

SR

COLORADO STATE

#9

#6

WILL JOHNSON

JOSH LAMBO

SR

TEXAS A&M

SR

TEXAS STATE

Johnson received an invitation to the NFL Combine after being one of college football’s best kickoff specialists. A career field-goal percentage of 62.2 percent is unimpressive, however, lowlighted by an 0-for-5 campaign his junior year..

107 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

#10

JEREMIAH DETMER

SR

TOLEDO

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PUNTERS #1

BRIAN CARRIVEAU

KYLE LOOMIS PORTLAND STATE

IN A NUTSHELL

#2

SR

SPENCER ROTH BAYLOR

SR

HEIGHT: 6’2”

HEIGHT: 6’4”

WEIGHT: 221

WEIGHT: 227

40-YARD: DNP

40-YARD: DNP

2014 STATS: 75 punts, 46.0 gross avg., 32 inside 20, 9 TB, 24 FC, long of 65

Loomis averaged 46.5 yards per punt in 2014, which would have ranked as the top senior punter in the FBS division, even though he comes from the ranks of the FCS. Not just a one-year wonder, he also averaged 46.5 yards as a junior.

Loomis is already 27 years old after playing for one year at Oregon State in 2006 but then decided to serve three years in the Army before coming back to college football. He displays terrific hang time even if a few too many punts roll into the end zone for touchbacks.

IN A NUTSHELL

2014 STATS: 47 punts, 43.4 gross avg., 19 inside 20, 2 TB, 19 FC, long of 69

As a four-year starter at punter for Baylor, Roth is the most consistent punter in this year’s draft class, averaging over 40 gross yards per punt all four years of his career. He took a small step backwards as a senior, averaging 43.4 yards per punt after averaging an impressive 45.8 as a junior but still was able to place 19 inside the 20 in 2014.

ALL-STAR GAME Loomis was the lone player that was strictly a punter invited to the Senior Bowl, playing for the North squad. The South’s punter, Justin Manton, also served as kicker, where his future probably lies. During the game, Loomis only received one opportunity to punt, although he did send it for 47 yards and landed it inside the 20.

Author: Brian Carriveau Brian Carriveau is the editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview” and author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America.” In 2002, he was a safety at the University of Technology, Sydney in Australia. Follow him on Twitter @BrianCarriveau.

108 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

Baylor Athletics

ALL-STAR GAME Roth had an impressive showing at the East-West Shrine game, not allowing a single return yard on four punts. Two went for fair catches, one went out of bounds and one was downed by a teammate.

Three out of the four punts were downed inside the 20. Because Roth didn’t allow any return yards, he had both a gross and net average of 47.8 yards.

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PUNTERS #3

WILL BAUMANN

#5

SR

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

TREVOR PADULA

SR

KANSAS

A JUCO transfer, Pardula was named first-team all-conference as a senior after averaging 44.3 gross yards per punt.

HEIGHT: 6’6”

#6

WEIGHT: 187

40-YARD: DNP

IN A NUTSHELL

Baumann showed improvement every year of his college career.

His gross average over four years went from 37.5 to 38.9 to 42.1 to 45.4, the last of which led the nation among senior punters. During Baumann’s freshman and sophomore seasons he had 31 and 37 fair catches respectively, which decreased to 18 and 17 as a junior and senior, sacrificing height for length. At 6’ 6”, a lot that can go potentially go wrong with such long limbs if form is not perfect.

#7

After not qualifying for a bowl game in 2013, N.C. State was glad to be back in the postseason and even gladder to beat American Conference co-champion Central Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl.

Baumann helped the cause by averaging 46.5 yards on four punts with one being pinned inside the 20.

SR

#8

#9

#10

COLORADO

O’Neill displayed remarkable athleticism in the East-West Shrine game by making a leaping, one-handed catch of a high snap. His statistics could’ve been better after playing in high altitude in college.

“led the nation among senior punters” 109 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

FLORIDA

BRADLEY PINION

JR

CLEMSON

A rare underclassman entry into the draft, Pinion declared his intentions after averaging 42.6 gross yards as a junior and pinning 28 punts inside the 20.

BOWL GAME

#4

SR

Christy lost his job after five games his junior season, but regained it as a senior and averaged 44.3 gross yards per punt.

2014 STATS: 60 punts, 45.4 gross avg., 23 inside 20, 4 TB, 17 FC, long of 67

DARRAGH O’NEILL

KYLE CHRISTY

MIKE SADLER

SR

MICHIGAN STATE

WILL JOHNSON

SR

TEXAS STATE

PATRICK CARNEY

NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS

SR

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LONG SNAPPERS #1

JOE CARDONA

BRIAN CARRIVEAU

#2

SR

NAVY

#3

HEIGHT: 6’2”

WEIGHT: 242

#4

40-YARD: 4.91

#5

IN A NUTSHELL The only long snapper invited to the NFL Combine and one of just two invited the Senior Bowl, Cardona is considered the top prospect at his specialized skill.

Cardona will graduate in May from the Naval Academy as an officer, but beyond that, he doesn’t know what his future will hold. He plans on applying for an exemption to his military commitment, but ultimately the decision is out of his hands.

#6 #7

Claims his snaps have been clocked at 41 miles per hour by a radar gun.

With Brett Goode under contract for one more season, it’s possible the Packers could be interested in Cardona at a future point in time if he has to fill a military commitment first, although he said no teams have approached him about such a scenario.

#8 #9 #10 #11

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ANDREW EAST

SR

VANDERBILT

ALEX FREEMAN

SR

TEXAS A&M

JOHN SHEPERDSON

SR

CALIFORNIA

CHARLIE COGGINS

SR

EAST CAROLINA

JESSE SCHMITT

SR

PURDUE

MATT DOOLEY

SR

INDIANA

DALLAS NORIEGA

SR

UAB

RICK LOVATO

SR

OLD DOMINION

EASTON WAHLSTROM

SR

ARIZONA STATE

NATE BOYER

SR

TEXAS

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KICK RETURNERS

BRIAN CARRIVEAU

#2

There are other good kick return specialists in this year’s draft class such as Tyler Lockett and Ty Montgomery to name a few, but this section is specifically for players not listed in other sections

KAELIN CLAY

HEIGHT: 5’10”

WEIGHT: 195

2014 STATS: 21 KR, 25.6 avg., 1 TD; 23 PR, 15.0 avg., 4 TD, 43 receptions, 523 yards (12.2 ypr), 4 TD

A JUCO transfer, Clay was electric in just one year at Utah, scoring four touchdowns on returns in 2014. He scored on three punt returns, which tied for the best mark in the NCAA, and added another on a kick return. Clay also has value as a slot receiver, although his 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine wasn’t nearly as impressive as his on-field play indicated it could be.

VS TOP OPPONENT Video of Clay went viral when he began celebrating a touchdown prior to crossing the goal line in a meeting against No. 2 ranked Oregon. He dropped the football a yard short of the end zone on a wide-open 78-yard reception. For as much negative attention as the play received, Clay appears to have taken the joking and criticism in stride, saying at the NFL Combine that he embraces the moment, will learn from it and will push forward, vowing it will never happen again.

“video of Clay went viral” 111 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

HEIGHT: 5’10”

NFL COMBINE

40-YARD: 4.91

IN A NUTSHELL

SR

Nelson is extremely tiny for the NFL but also extremely WEIGHT: 156 fast. He led the NCAA with both a 38.3-yard average on 22 kick returns and a 40-YARD: 4.28 nation-leading four touchdowns. His punt return average isn’t jaw-dropping but 10.7-yard career average is more than adequate. 2014 STATS: 22 KR, 38.3 avg., 4 TD; 26 PR, 10.7 avg., Nelson had 116 receptions 35 receptions, 655 yards (18.7 yrp), 4 TD for 2,273 yards and 20 touchdowns in college as a receiver, but at his size, he’ll find it difficult to succeed at his size at the next level.

SR

UTAH

UAB

IN A NUTSHELL

that have high value on special teams.

#1

JAMRCUS “J.J.” NELSON

Nelson turned in the fastest 40-yard dash of any player at the Combine regardless of position, streaking to a time of 4.28 seconds, which also tied for the fourth-fastest time since 2006. His 127” broad jump was also fifth best among wide receivers, leaving no doubts about his explosiveness. Size and durability are the questions.

#3

MARIO ALFORD WEST VIRGINIA

IN A NUTSHELL Alford has the potential to be very effective as both a receiver and return specialist. He caught 65 passes for 945 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior while also returning 26 kicks for a 28.6-yard average.

SR

HEIGHT: 5’8”

WEIGHT: 180

40-YARD: 4.43

Alford only has three ca- 2014 STATS: 26 KR, 28.6 avg., 2 TD; 2 PR, -5.5 avg., reer punt returns and they 65 receptions, 945 yards (14.5 ypr), 11 TD went for a total of -13 yards, showing a tendency to dance rather than getting north-south.

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KICK RETURNERS VS. TOP OPPONENT Alford made a name for himself in West Virginia’s season opener against an Alabama team ranked No. 4 in the nation at the time. He had a 100-yard kick return in the second quarter that temporarily tied the game. On offense, Alford added five receptions for 54 yards.

“100-yard kick return” #4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

DEVIN RAHMING

SR

SR

Debose has extensive return experience, scoring five touchdowns on special teams over his college career, four on kick returns and one on a punt return.

SR

Hunt averaged an impressive 26.1 yards on 24 kick returns as a junior and had two kick returns for touchdowns in his college career. He could be a change-of-pace running back and return specialist in the NFL but doesn’t return punts.

SR

A track star, Mostert has been a Big Ten champion in the 60-, 100and 200-meter dashes in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. He led the nation in kick return average as a freshman with 33.5 yards per attempt on 25 returns. Mostert doesn’t have punt return experience, but he does have value at running back.

FLORIDA

AKEEM HUNT PURDUE

RAHEEM MOSTERT PURDUE

QUAN BRAY

Alex Tallitsch is the designer of the CHTV Draft Preview. He lives in Tampa Bay with his wife and two dogs. He always wanted to be a kick returner. Follow him on Twitter @AlexTallitsch.

Rahming ranked second in FCS as a senior with a 31.0-yard average on 22 kick returns. He also scored two touchdowns on returns in 2014, one each on a kick return and punt return.

DUQUESNE

ANDRE DeBOSE

Designer: Alex Tallitsch

SR

AUBURN

CHANDLER WORTHY

SR

TROY

ERIC PATTERSON

SR

BALL STATE

112 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

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DRAFT PREVIEW BY: “JERSEY” AL BRACCO

PACKERS MOCK DRAFT 2015 KEVIN JOHNSON

#1

#2

CB

WAKE FOREST

STEPHONE ANTHONY CLEMSON

LB

ROUND TWO There isn’t much excitement about the inside linebackers in this draft, which will work in the Packers’ favor. Odds are very good one of the Top 3 to 5 players at the position will still be available to Green Bay at this spot. Here’s hoping that it’s Anthony, who plays with a passion unseen from Packers inside linebackers since Desmond Bishop left the team.

HEIGHT: 5’11”

WEIGHT: 188

40-YARD: 4.52

2014 STATS: 44 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 INT, 6 PBU

ROUND ONE

HEIGHT: 6’3”

WEIGHT: 243

40-YARD: 4.56

2014 STATS: 75 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT, 3 PBU

For most of draft season, the pick here has been Jordan Phillips or Eddie Goldman as late first round value picks. Then the news came that Tramon Williams was joining Davon House in leaving the Packers, requiring a re-think of the early rounds. Now, the cornerback position trumps all, including inside linebacker, which is unlikely to provide appropriate value in the first round. So the new pick is Kevin Johnson, who has excellent coverage skills and is capable of being a contributor in Year 1. Should he last until Pick 30, he will be the Packers’ selection.

Alternate Choices: Paul Dawson, Denzel Perryman

Alternate Choices: Quentin Rollins, P.J. Williams, Jalen Collins

HEIGHT: 6’7” Since Tom Crabtree departed, the Packers have lacked a strong in-line WEIGHT: 281 tight end type. James can be very useful as a blocker, both from the line of scrim40-YARD: 4.83 mage and as an H-Back, letting Richard Rodgers and Andrew Quarless handle the bulk of the tight end receiving duties. While not 2014 STATS: 38 receptions, 396 yards, 3 TDs a great route runner, James has good hands and will be useful as a red-zone target.

Jesse James answers questions at the NFL Combine

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#3

JESSE JAMES PENN STATE

TE

ROUND THREE

Alternate Choices: Nick O’Leary, Nick Boyle

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PACKERS MOCK DRAFT XAVIER WILLIAMS

#4

NORTHERN IOWA

ALANI FUA

#5

DL

BYU

ED

ROUND FOUR

ROUND FIVE

At the time of publication, neither B.J. Raji nor Letroy Guion are on the Packers roster, although it’s likely both will return on one-year contracts. Regardless, Williams is a tough, physical player that gives max effort every play. He probably needs a year to adapt to the much-higher level of competition but has more upside than perhaps a Mike Pennel or Josh Boyd possess.

Fua is an intriguing player who epitomizes the “Mr. Versatility” mold.

He moves very well in space and was used in multiple ways in multiple positions at BYU. He’s had some injury issues and certainly needs to get stronger to become a starting outside linebacker in the NFL. Fua has an excellent burst and short-line speed as his excellent combine three-cone and 20-yard shuttle will attest. He should be a special teams demon and grow into a very good linebacker in time.

Alternate Choices: Leterrius Walton, Joey Mbu

#6

SEAN HICKEY SYRACUSE

Alternate Choices: Kyle Emanuel, Xzavier Dickson

OT

#6

ROUND SIX By now it’s no secret that the Packers almost exclusively draft offensive linemen that played tackle in college. Sometimes they’ll keep them there, sometimes they’ll move them inside and sometimes they’ll make them jack-of-all-trades backups. That’s where Hickey fits—he will battle Don Barclay for that roster spot.

Alternate Choices: Nick O’Leary, Nick Boyle

#6

JAKE KUMEROW WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER

CODY FAJARDO NEVADA

QB

ROUND SIX (COMPENSATORY) With Matt Flynn not being brought back, the Packers will use one of their extra sixth round picks to bring in a third quarterback to camp.

Fajardo took over for Colin Kaepernick at Nevada and put up similar career yardage numbers, both running and passing. He has a strong arm but needs help with mechanics. Mike McCarthy could be just the guy to bring out the best in Fajardo.

Alternate Choices: Nick O’Leary, Nick Boyle

WR #7

ROUND SIX (COMPENSATORY)

JEFF LUC CINCINNATI

LB

ROUND SEVEN

Ted Thompson has been trying hard to find a hidden gem among tall wide receivers. First there was Tori Gurley, who was not very good, then Charles Johnson, who slipped away to the Vikings, then Jeff Janis, who will get his shot next season. But why not keep trying? And why not do it with a local player that is 6’ 5” and can run a 4.5 40-yard dash?

Parting ways with both A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones, the Packers need some more depth at inside linebacker, and Luc would be a reasonable choice. He is a physically imposing player that can move well laterally, as well as stack and shed but is predominantly a run-stuffer.

Alternate Choices: Geremy Davis, Jamarcus Nelson

Alternate Choices: A.J. Tarpley, Amarlo Herrera

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PACKERS POSITION ANALYSIS The Packers quarterback also directed a playoff comeback against the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs for good measure. One of the few lowlights was a late-season hamstring injury that impacted him into the playoffs, but it did create a memorable setting for his second-half return in the regular season finale against the Detroit Lions to clinch the NFC North division. His 38-to-5 touchdownto-interception ratio led the NFL.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

When the Packers gave Scott Tolzien a one-year contract worth $1.2 million in the offseason, it showed they’re expecting him to be the team’s primary backup this upcoming season.

Aaron Rodgers couldn’t have followed up an injury-plagued 2013 season any

better. All he did is win his second NFL MVP Award. The highlights were memorable. There were the six touchdown passes thrown in a single half against the Chicago Bears. Comebacks were commonplace starting in Week 2 against the Jets, and then again in Week 6 at Miami. Rodgers set up the game-winning touchdown pass with a fake spike and completion for a first down with time running out, which would be voted the league’s Never Say Never Moment of the Year.

He completed 67.9 percent of his passes last preseason, averaged 8.5 yards per attempt and threw three touchdown passes against zero interceptions.

It’s his turn to climb up the depth chart, because Matt Flynn reportedly won’t be re-signed. That opens the door for a developmental type of quarterback. Because the Packers signed Tolzien for just one season, however, they didn’t make a long-term commitment.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds at the position.

Say this for James Starks in 2014, he played in every game for the first time in his career, suiting up in all 18 contests for the Packers between the regular season and postseason.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

On the negative side of the ledger, his yards-per-carry average dipped more than a yard and a half from 5.5 in 2013 to 3.9 in 2014 despite an almost identical amount of carries. Starks knows the offense like the back of his hand, but because his contract is up after this season, the Packers will be on the lookout for a long-term replacement.

Eddie Lacy may have gotten off to a slow start to the 2014 season, but he more than made up for it with a scintillating finish to his campaign. From Week 8 through the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, Lacy had more than 100 yards from scrimmage in 10 consecutive games, a franchise record. He also became the first player in team history to rush for at least 1,000 yards and score 10-plus touchdowns in each of his first two seasons. For all the pounding Lacy takes, his durability has been remarkable.

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DuJuan Harris is officially a member of the Minnesota Vikings after signing with them in free agency, so there’s definitely room for a third-string running back and preferably one with speed and receiving skills that can complement the power of Lacy and Starks. Rajion Neal will have an opportunity to be that guy.

Fullback John Kuhn figures to come back after being named to the Pro Bowl last season, but it might be his swan song in the NFL.

“might be his swan song”

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PACKERS POSITION ANALYSIS In 2014 Nelson became one of only eight players in NFL history with at least 95 catches, 1500 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Packers selected three receivers in the 2014 NFL Draft, although Davante Adams is the only one that made an impact last season. As the No. 3 receiver on the roster, Adams caught 38 passes for 446 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season and would appear to be on the right track.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis, meanwhile, essentially had redshirt rookie seasons, Abbrederis due to an ACL injury and Janis simply because wasn’t ready for primetime. They’ll look to become the fourth and fifth options at receiver and could have an impact on the return game as well.

Randall Cobb not only received the attention of the Green Bay Packers but most

of the NFL this offseason as arguably the No. 1 wide receiver scheduled to become a free agent. Cobb ended up accepting less money to return to Green Bay than he could’ve made elsewhere but still got a four-year, $40 million contract from the Packers, which surpasses Jordy Nelson as the highest-paid receiver on the roster. Together, Nelson and Cobb form a lethal one-two punch as ideal inside and outside receivers.

After an extremely disappointing 2014, Jarrett Boykin wasn’t tendered by the Packers in the offseason and ended up signing with the Carolina Panthers. Myles White, meanwhile, returns for a third year in Green Bay, but he’ll be in competition with any more rookies or free agents the Packers might acquire.

Rodgers may not fit the mold of the tall and fast seambusting tight end, but he is the type that can run the underneath routes and keep the chains moving with a terrific pair of hands. His blocking, however, is a work in progress.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

Quarless has one year left on his contract, and it will be interesting to see how much time he shares with the rapidly developing Rodgers going forward. At the very least, Quarless is a reliable veteran that can contribute to both the running and passing game. His 2014 season will best be remembered for catching the game-winning touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, which won the NFL’s Never Say Never Moment of the Year Award.

Rather interestingly, rookie tight end Richard Rodgers started all four preseason and the first four games of the regular season before starting just one more game the rest of the way. Despite losing out on the starting job to Andrew Quarless, Rodgers displayed vast improvement toward the end of the season. He caught all three of his touchdown passes after the bye week and in the last four games, including playoffs, he caught 12 passes for 101 yards, including one for a score.

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After Brandon Bostick was released in the offseason, Justin Perillo moved up the depth chart, although he figures to receive competition from an incoming rookie class.

The Packers will add a tight end—probably more than one—at some point. It’s just a matter of how highly they’re willing to invest into the position.

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PACKERS POSITION ANALYSIS Over at left tackle, for the second straight season, David Bakhtiari became one of the Packers’ highest-paid players in NFL performance-based pay, an indication that his compensation hasn’t matched his ample contribution.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

If Bakhtiari has one more season like he has his first two, he’ll be on track for a big payday too. He followed up a promising rookie season with notable improvement in Year 2, capably protecting Aaron Rodgers’ backside and fighting to be an effective run blocker, even if that’s not his strong suit.

Packers Nation fretted the potential departure of Bryan Bulaga when negotia-

tions on a new contract extended to 11th Hour territory of the exclusive-signing rights period. Mere hours before the start of free agency, Bulaga and the Packers agreed to a new five-year deal worth $33.75 million that was structured in such a way that the Packers can get out of the deal after two years should his lengthy injury history somehow come back to bite him. Bulaga becomes one of the Top 20 most highly paid offensive tackles in the NFL, but No. 2 right tackle.

Don Barclay could easily be listed among the interior offensive lineman, but heading into the draft, it would appear he’s the top backup at tackle, at least on the right side. Barclay received a tender offer from the Packers in the offseason, although he’s free to shop his services to other teams through the month of June.

J.C. Tretter also remains in play as a backup tackle, as do last year’s practice-squad players Jeremy Vujnovich and Aaron Adams.

“the highest paid players” Josh Sitton, meanwhile, was named as a Pro Bowl starter for the first time in his career, affirming his status as one of the best guards in the league. At 28 years old, Sitton is in the prime of his career and does an equally good job opening up holes for Eddie Lacy as he does protecting Aaron Rodgers.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

While a notch below Sitton, right guard T.J. Lang is an effective offensive lineman in his own right. Together, they make one of the best guard tandems in the NFL. Luckily for the Packers, their starting guards, their interior offensive line and the line as a whole are all under contract through 2016.

Only the backups on the interior of the offensive line are a concern. At least J.C. Tretter showed he could be effective at center during the preseason. Now he just has to stay healthy.

The Packers may have come into last season with uncertainty at the center po-

sition, but that seems like a distant memory after the year Corey Linsley had in 2014. Linsley may have won the starting job by default after J.C. Tretter suffered an injury in the preseason, but the fifth round draft choice more than earned the right to keep the job even after Tretter got healthy. Linsley was named to the NFL’s All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers of America and looks to have a bright future in Green Bay.

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Lane Taylor was a disaster when forced into action.

He’ll need to show significant improvement to stick around for another season. Garth Gerhart, Josh Walker and Joe Madsen round out those providing competition.

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PACKERS POSITION ANALYSIS Assuming he would’ve made all three field goals, his regular-season conversion rate would’ve been a very respectable 90.9 percent. It’s safe to say that Crosby has rebounded nicely from a forgettable 2012 season.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

Unfortunately, Tim Masthay has gone in the opposite direction. After four consecutive seasons of gradual if incremental improvement, the Packers punter went backwards in 2014. Masthay will always be at disadvantage playing in a cold-weather climate, but even that isn’t enough to excuse a gross punting average of 44.1 yards that ranked 26th in the NFL and a net of 37.0 that ranked 30th. His net average, punts downed inside the 20 (14) and fair catches (10) all set or tied career lows.

There’s probably only one player on the Packers entire roster that doesn’t want

at least one play back from the NFC Championship game this past season, and that’s Mason Crosby, who converted on all five field goal attempts and had four touchbacks on kickoffs. In fact, he’s been one of the NFL’s most-reliable kickers in the postseason, connecting on his last 16 field goals in the playoffs. Crosby was the victim of five blocked kicks last season, three field goals and two extra points.

If for no other reason than to send a message, the Packers signed free agent punter Cody Mandell, who was part of two national championship teams in college at Alabama. Bringing in competition for Crosby worked in 2013.

Long snapper Brett Goode figures to play out his contract, which expires after the 2015 season. Amazingly, he hasn’t had a single snap result in a turnover in seven seasons, although his athleticism is waning.

An opposing coach on one of the Super Bowl teams called him a “future All-Pro.” In the past two years, he’s had 7.5 and 6.0 sacks between the regular season and postseason, which is about as much as can be expected from an interior rusher. Daniels enters the final year of his contract in 2015 and stands to become the team’s next highly paid star.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

Beyond Daniels are a bunch of question marks. Datone Jones, a first round draft choice in 2013, has shown flashes of ascendancy but has yet to do it on a consistent basis. Perhaps if he can just stay healthy, he’ll finally meet expectations.

The Packers defensive

line is teeter-tottering between success and failure.

There’s a lot of unrealized potential at this position. If a couple players fulfill their promise, this unit could be dominating.

Unfortunately, there seems to be an equally good chance of an opposite scenario happening.The one surefire, reliable player the defensive line can build around is Mike Daniels.

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Nose tackle is the biggest question mark. B.J. Raji commanded attention early in his career but spent last season on injured reserve and is a free agent. Letroy Guion is coming off a respectable season, but his future is clouded by an offseason arrest. Josh Boyd, meanwhile, is a blue-collar worker and grinder but hasn’t shown any big-play ability. Mike Pennel has a chance to be a contributor if he can make a big leap in his second season, as do Khyri Thornton, Luther Robinson and Bruce Gaston.

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PACKERS POSITION ANALYSIS The other player to step up last season was Sam Barrington, who showed significant improvement in his second season in the NFL. He displayed a physical presence at inside linebacker unseen since the days of Desmond Bishop. Compared to Hawk and Jones, Barrington was an upgrade, although he needs to take the next step in his development, become more reliable and avoid the mental mistakes.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

After Hawk and Jones were released in the offseason, the Packers are looking for a starter to plug in for 2015.

The unknown quantity is Carl Bradford, who made the transition from outside linebacker but never played a down last season. He has the potential to be a boomor bust-player.

Clay Matthews was the hero at inside linebacker in 2014, bringing stability to the position after A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones had their roles cut back. It wasn’t a full-time transition for Matthews, however, who was generally used on the inside for early running downs and then lining up at his usual position on the edge to get after the quarterback in passing situations. The Packers figure to do the same with Matthews moving forward, utilizing him as a movable chess piece and putting him wherever they need to take advantage of match-ups.

Joe Thomas, who spent time of the practice squad last year, has a chance to stick around if for no other reason than the Packers have few other options. Jamari Lattimore doesn’t appear to be coming back after his contract expired, but Nate Palmer will. Like Bradford, he’s attempting to make the switch from the outside.

The Packers are guaranteed to add an inside linebacker in the draft; it’s just matter of which round.

Peppers provided an ideal complement to the speed Clay Matthews provided as the bookend outside linebacker. Even though Matthews brought stabilization to the inside linebacker position, he doesn’t figure to make a full-time transition. Matthews’ pass-rush from the edge is too good to give up.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

Mike Neal and Nick Perry, meanwhile, both played large roles as rotational defenders, and perhaps the best news is that they both stayed largely healthy.

Only Perry missed one game. Between the two of them, they combined for 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks.

Both players figure to play out the final remaining year on their respective contracts, but their future in Green Bay beyond 2015 is uncertain. The Packers have until May to decide whether to exercise the fifth-year option in Perry’s contract.

After becoming the biggest free-agent signing the Packers made since Charles

Woodson, Julius Peppers proved he still has gas left in the tank despite being 35 years old. Between the regular season and postseason, he made 9.5 sacks, forced six fumbles, returned two interceptions for touchdowns and broke up 11 passes, showing he still has big-play ability. Late in the season, the Packers cut back Peppers’ snap count to help keep him fresh, a trend that figures to continue into 2015. His salary-cap figure this upcoming season is $12 million, but there’s been no indication the Packers will ask him to restructure his deal.

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Jayrone Elliott showed promise after making the team as an undrafted free agent. He and practice-squad player Adrian Hubbard enter their second season with plenty of competition. Andy Mulumba had his 2014 season ended on injured reserve with a torn ACL. He’ll come back for another attempt to make the roster.

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PACKERS POSITION ANALYSIS Regardless, his speed is unmatched on the Packers roster.

As things currently stand, Casey Hayward likely steps up into one of the vacated starting spots. He’s shown to be effective coverage defender from the slot, but questions remain whether he can handle playing on the perimeter. Hayward thinks he can handle the role, but whether he has the speed to handle deep routes is the issue.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

If he’s relegated to playing the slot, Demetri Goodson might be next in line. After what amounted to a redshirt season as a rookie, Goodson is unproven, but he fits the mold of an edge cornerback.

Now that Tramon Williams and Davon House have left for greener pastures, metaphorically speaking, Sam Shields remains as the one proven option at cornerback in the Packers secondary. Shields is plenty experienced, but the Packers will be looking for better play and more production, especially after giving him a four-year, $39 million contract last offseason. Although he was paid like a Top 10 cornerback in the NFL, Shields had just two interceptions and nine passes broken up last season. Both numbers were the fewest since his rookie season.

Whether he’s listed as a cornerback or a safety doesn’t much matter, but Micah Hyde will handle one of the slot defender roles. It’s only a matter whether it’s in the nickel or the dime package. After a stint on the practice squad last season, Tay Glover-Wright also returns. Jarrett Bush, meanwhile, might be getting up in age, but he could be worth re-signing for purposes of depth and special teams contributions.

There were a few too many missed tackles, but that can be fixed.

Morgan Burnett also seemed to be reinvigorated by the presence of Clinton-Dix next to him in the Packers secondary. Following up a subpar 2013 season, Burnett had one of the best campaigns in 2014, highlighted by a career-high and team-leading 130 tackles.

Burnett and Clinton-Dix bring stability to the position with both players under contract through 2017.

Andrew Hetzel, 3RDi Graphics

Even though Clinton-Dix replaced him in the starting lineup, Micah Hyde appeared to be a fit on the interior of the defense rather than an edge cornerback.

Whether he’s classified as a slot cornerback or safety is immaterial.

Over the course of one year, safety has gone from one of the biggest needs in Green Bay to one of least concern. Feelings of security came primarily in the form of 2014 first round draft pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. It took several weeks into the season for the former Albama product to become fully integrated into the Packers defense, but by the end of the year, he was an indispensible factor. His two interceptions and a near third in the NFC Championship game were proof of his playmaking ability.

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Sean Richardson carved out a small role in short-yardage packages in 2014, but his biggest impact was on special teams, making a team-leading 17 tackles on that unit. He was offered a restricted free agent tender by the Packers in the offseason and could be in for a bigger role.

Chris Banjo also comes back for another go-around after signing an exclusive-rights deal.

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DRAFT PREVIEW NFL DRAFT 2015

BY: BRIAN CARRIVEAU

2014-2015 Draft All-Bowl Team Our All-Bowl Team, comprised entirely of draft-eligible players, is based on a 3-4 defense the Packers run, and players are projected how they’d fit into such a system.

BRYCE PETTY BAYLOR

MELVIN GORDON

QB

WISCONSIN

RB

The Bears may have lost a shootout to Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, but it wasn’t due to the Baylor offense. Petty, arguably the best senior quarterback in the nation, completed 36 of 51 passes for 550 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per attempt and tossed three touchdowns passes compared to one interception. He also added a rushing touchdown.

Thanks to an incompetent passing offense, Gordon put the team on his back, rushing for 251 yards and averaged an impressive 7.4 yards per attempt despite carrying the football 34 times. A junior entry to the NFL Draft, Gordon finished off his college career with an upset over Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

SYNJYN DAYS

JALSTON FOWLER

GEORGIA TECH

RB

ALABAMA

FB

Days’ success can be attributed in part to the triple-option attack, leaving him plenty to learn in a pro-style offense. But that can’t take away from his 171 yard, three-touchdown performance over Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry.

Arguably the top fullback prospect in this year’s draft, Fowler was solid as usual at opening up holes for the Tide ground game that averaged 5.0 yards per carry in the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State. He also showed reliable hands, catching two passes for 14 yards.

TOMMY SHULER

TITUS DAVIS

MARSHALL

WR

CENTRAL MICHIGAN

WR

A favorite target of quarterback Rakeem Cato, the diminutive Shuler (5-7, 188 pounds) caught 18 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown in the inaugural Boca Raton Bowl win over MAC champion Northern Illinois. With this performance, Shuler broke the Conference USA alltime record with 322 receptions.

Davis was one of the key figures in Central Michigan’s 34-point rally to pull within one point of Western Kentucky in the Bahamas Bowl.

He scored the game’s final touchdown on a crazy 75-yard, threelateral play as time expired. The two-point conversion to win failed.

He had six catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns on the day.

MAXX WILLIAMS

JAMIL DOUGLAS

MINNESOTA

TE

ARIZONA STATE

Despite losing to Missouri 33-17 in the Citrus Bowl, Williams had a good outing, leading the Gophers with seven receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown, including one of the best plays of the entire bowl season, a 54-yard catch for a score, hurdling two players along the sideline in a process.

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LT

At 6’ 4” and 300 pounds, Douglas may not have the length to play tackle in the NFL, but he did show off good versatility in the Sun Bowl win over Duke. Teams should at least know Douglas could play the position in a pinch.

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ALL-BOWL TEAM KALEB JOHNSON RUTGERS

DALLAS LEWALLEN

LG

WISCONSIN

OC

The North Carolina defense was particularly pitiful, but that wasn’t Johnson’s fault. The starting left guard dominated as Scarlet Knights put up 524 yards of offense, averaged 8.5 yards per play and didn’t give up a single sack in the Quick Lane Bowl.

After starting as the Badgers’ left guard, Lewallen filled in at center when Dan Voltz suffered a game-ending injury. The Wisconsin offense didn’t miss a beat, putting up 521 yards on Auburn in the Outback Bowl.

SHAQ MASON

BREY COOK

GEORGIA TECH

RG

ARKANSAS

Mason is as short as prospective NFL linemen come, checking in at just 6-1. But he wins the leverage battle, just as he did against Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl, leading the way for a whopping 452 rushing yards and 577 overall.

OKLAHOMA STATE

USC

Wisconsin right tackle Rob Havenstein provided stiff competition, but Cook comes away with the recognition after helping the Razorbacks offense to 351 hard-fought yards and a win against a Charlie Strong-coached defense.

In addition to making three tackles and a sack as a 6’2”, 300-pound defensive lineman, Castleman scored on a goal-line plunge as a short-yardage fullback and remarkably caught a pass in the flat, taking it for a 48-yard gain and displaying stunning athleticism for a big man in the Cactus Bowl win over Washington.

JAMES CASTLEMAN

LEONARD WILLIAMS

RT

MICHAEL BENNETT

DL

OHIO STATE

DL

He may have finished with just one sack, but it was Williams’ nine tackles that showed why many consider the Trojans defensive lineman to be a Top 3 overall draft pick in the spring. His hustle to make tackles against Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl did nothing to hurt his draft stock.

Bennett was one of many reasons the Buckeyes upset the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. His four tackles, 1.5 for a loss and a sack resulting a loss of nine yards made life tougher on Alabama.

GRADY JARRETT

HOUSTON BATES

CLEMSON

DL

LOUISIANA TECH

Jarrett was a disruptive force for the Tigers, coming up with four tackles, 3.5 of them for a loss and forcing a fumble in Clemson’s dominating Russell Athletic Bowl victory 40-6 over Oklahoma.

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ED

An Illinois transfer, Bates turned in possibly the best performance of his college career against his former team. Of Bates’ six tackles, 5.5 of them went for a loss of 35 yards and 4.5 of them were sacks in Louisiana Tech’s win in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

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ALL-BOWL TEAM MARKUS GOLDEN MISSOURI

ERIK KENDRICKS

ED

UCLA

LB

Golden was a terror off the edge, making 10 tackles, four for a loss, 1.5 sacks and forced a fumble on his way to being named MVP of the Citrus Bowl.

The Butkus Award winner, Kendricks showed why as he made a team-leading 10 tackles, three for a loss and two sacks as the Bruins downed Kansas State in the Alamo Bowl.

PAUL DAWSON

BRYCE CALLAHAN

TCU

LB

RICE

CB

The Horned Frogs dominated Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, 42-3, limiting them to an astounding nine rushing yards. Dawson made eight tackles, 1.5 for a loss, including one sack for a loss of eight yards.

Technically an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, he projects inside in a 3-4 front.

Callahan grabbed an interception, made six tackles, including one for a loss as Rice held Fresno State to just 93 passing yards in the Hawaii Bowl.

DAMIAN SWANN

LORENZO WATERS

GEORGIA

CB

RUTGERS

S

With the Bulldogs in control of the Belk Bowl from the start, Louisivlle was forced into passing the ball to play catch-up. Swann was the beneficiary, picking off one pass and breaking up four others in a 37-14 win.

A fringe NFL prospect, Waters did everything he could to get noticed in the Quick Lane Bowl, making a team-leading 14 tackles, recovering two fumbles and blocking a field goal.

ERICK DARGAN

SAM FICKEN

OREGON

S

PENN STATE

K

Dargan forced one of Oregon’s remarkable six forced fumbles in the Rose Bowl win over Florida State, helping them qualify for the national championship. But his contributions didn’t end there. The Oregon safety made eight tackles, intercepted Jameis Winston and broke up one more pass.

Ficken cooly hit a 45-yard field goal with just 20 seconds remaining to force overtime in the cold-weather Pinstripe Bowl against Boston College. His extra point in overtime clinched the victory just moments after the Eagles missed their own P.A.T.

WIL BAUMANN

JAMISON CROWDER

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

P

DUKE

Oklahoma State’s Kip Smith placed four of four punts inside the 20, but Baumann displayed the stronger leg, punting four times for an average of 46.5 yards. One went for a touchback, but another was pinned inside the 20 in N.C. State’s St. Petersburg Bowl win over UCF.

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RS

Crowder is a pretty good receiver in his own right, but his return ability boosts his value. He took a punt return 68 yards for a score in the Sun Bowl.

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DRAFT PREVIEW

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THEIR TEAMMATES RB

AMEER ABDULLAH ON NEBRASKA TEAMMATEE

RANDY GREGORY

ED

ED

“He’s a freak of nature. One of the best athletes I’ve ever seen.

I’m sure he won’t have a problem transitioning.”

OL

JAMON BROWN ON LOUISVILLE TEAMMATEE

LORENZO MAULDIN

VIC BEASLEY ON CLEMSON TEAMMATEE

GRADY JARRETT

DL

“He’s just ferocious. He’s got a mean streak. His dad, Jessie Tuggle, was also a great player. He played with the Atlanta Falcons.

I guess that’s where he gets it from.”

WR

ED

SAMMIE COATES ON AUBURN TEAMMATE

NICK MARSHALL

CB

“He’s one of the best. I’ve gone against quite a few guys in Bruce Irvin my freshman year to Vic Beasley. He measures up just the same as those guys. He’s big, strong and physical.”

“He’s just one of them players, you can put him anywhere and he’ll be showing you he can do it. He needs to work because he hasn’t done it in a while, but I think he’ll do great.”

RONALD DARBY

CHRIS HACKETT

CB

ON FLORIDA STATE TEAMMATE

JAMEIS WINSTON

S

QB

“He’s making pro-level throws at a college level. With Jameis, he’ll put the ball in places you wouldn’t even think of, squeeze it in there, but it just helps you, like gets you better.”

ON TCU TEAMMATE

PAUL DAWSON

LB

“Paul Dawson is a great man, a great teammate from everything, from the standpoint that I’ve known about him. For me, I will do anything for him, just like he would do anything for me.”

“Jameis, he’ll put the ball in places you wouldn’t even think of” OL

JAKE FISHER ON OREGON STATE TEAMMATE

HRONISS GRASU

ED

OL

“Hroniss has been a guy who’s been probably the most influential peer that I’ve had, a guy that has always held me to high expectations and helped me succeed and see things with a different light, open-minded.

The guy has helped out every teammate we’ve ever had. I’ll never have any bad words to say about the guy.”

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HAU’OLI KIKAHA ON WASHINGTON TEAMMATE

DANNY SHELTON

DL

“Danny Shelton is a beast. I don’t want to compare him to an animal.

He’s really intelligent too, so I don’t want to be putting that on him. But yeah, great person, loving, caring, smart, quick, athletic, strong. Everything you want in the first couple picks.”

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DRAFT PREVIEW

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT THEIR OPPONENTS DL

OL

MICHAEL BENNETT OHIO STATE

B.J. FINNEY

OL

SR

KANSAS STATE

ON OPPONENT

ON OPPONENT

ARIE KOUNDIJO

CHUCKY HUNTER

ALABAMA

DL

SR

“I thought that he had the whole mixture. He was fast on the field, very athletic, he recovered quickly during pass rush and he can move you in the run. I think I did a good job holding my own against him but he felt like one of the strongest offensive linemen I went against.”

TCU

SR

SR

“The one that gave me the most fits would be Chucky Hunter from TCU. He’s just got one motor that is unmatched by anybody that I’ve played.

That guy just keeps coming and coming. He’d probably be the biggest pain that I played.”

“He’s just got one motor that is unmatched by anybody that I’ve played.”

S

RB

IBRAHEIM CAMPBELL NORTHWESTERN

ED

SR

ELI HAROLD VIRGINIA

ON OPPONENT

ON OPPONENT

MELVIN GORDON

CAM ERVING

WISCONSIN

OL

JR

“He’s a strong runner. You have to be a sure tackler against him; you can’t just think you’re going to hit him and he’s going to fall down. He’s a very strong guy. You have to make sure you’re wrapping up, make sure you’re running through to make sure you’re getting him down. Determined runner.”

125 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

FLORIDA STATE

SR

SR

“He was tough; he was long he was quick and versatile. He showed the world this year he could play all five positions. I believe that helped them a lot. He is a tough guy.”

CheeseheadTV.com

DRAFT PREVIEW QB

RB

CODY FAJARDO NEVADA

WR

SR

DeVANTE PARKER LOUSVILLE

ON OPPONENT

ON OPPONENT

JAHWAN EDWARD

P.J. WILLIAMS

BALL STATE

CB

SR

FLORIDA STATE

SR

JR

“I think he’s one of the best, just watching him run. He’s got unbelievable form, and a lot of times he’s just moving. Any team would be happy to have him. I know he’s a big back that’s going to get you three or four yards every carry. But his personality is the best part of him. He’s very outgoing and very open.”

“(Williams is the toughest defensive back I’ve faced) because of the type of techniques he uses. He just changes what he does, so you have to readjust to what he’s doing.”

NATE ORCHARD

MITCH MORSE

ED

OL

UTAH

OL

SR

MISSOURI

ON OPPONENT

ON OPPONENT

TY SAMBRALLO

DANTE FOWLER

COLORADO STATE

ED

JR

“He’s a great tackle. (I) made him better, (he) made me better. Had a chance to go up against him again at the Senior Bowl. It was just good competition all the way around.”

126 | Cheesehead TV 2015 Draft Preview

FLORIDA

SR

SR

“He’s got an incredible motor and his size. It’s remarkable to see at times.”

CheeseheadTV.com