Pittsburgh Steelers Draft: AC’s NFL Draft Big Board: 1.0
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Now that the combine is over, the road to the draft is heating up. After debuting my mock drafts last week, this week I will unveil the first edition of my top 100 big board. I have included a brief analysis for my top 32.
Rank Name Pos. College Height Weight
1) Jadeveon Clowney-DE-South Carolina-6’5″-266
Athletic freak for his size with monstrous upside. By far the best player in the draft despite criticism.
2) Teddy Bridgewater-QB-Louisville-6’2″-214
Despite criticism he is still the best quarterback in the draft. Already a top 15 quarterback with top 5 potential.
3) Jake Matthews-OT-Texas A&M-6’5″-308
Not as athletic as Greg Robinson, but he has sound mechanics and can play anywhere along the line.
4) Sammy Watkins-WR-Clemson-6’1″-211
Elite athleticism and good enough size. Also has great intangibles and is very well rounded.
5) Greg Robinson-OT-Auburn-6’5″-332
Very athletic for his size. Mostly functioned as a run blocker in college and needs to develop some as a pass blocker
6) Khalil Mack-OLB-Buffalo-6’3″-251
Can line up at DE or OLB in a 4-3 and OLB in a 3-4. Will flourish wherever he plays because he is so well rounded.
7) Blake Bortles-QB-Central Florida-6’5″-232
Looks like a clone of Ben Roethlisberger or Andrew Luck. Has a good arm and very good intangibles.
8) C.J. Mosley-ILB-Alabama-6’2″-234
Some questions about his knees and shoulder, but still an outstanding linebacker prospect.
9) Aaron Donald-DT-Pittsburgh-6’1″-285
Very underrated DT prospect. Has a high motor and requires double-teams on every snap.
10) Kony Ealy-DE-Missouri-6’4″-273
Stands out on tape when playing at Missouri, but he is still very raw. Big enough to play end in a 3-4 as well.
11) Mike Evans-WR-Texas A&M-6’5″-231
Showed off his athleticism at the combine. Huge catch radius and great hands. He made Johnny Manziel.
12) Anthony Barr-OLB-UCLA-6’5″-255
Still very raw, but has outstanding athleticism. Fits best as an outside linebacker in a 3-4.
13) Derek Carr-QB-Fresno State-6’3″-214
Underrated by many people because of his shiftiness in the pocket. If that can be fixed he has all of the other tools.
14) Eric Ebron-TE-North Carolina-6’4″-250
Very athletic for a tight end. Ebron is a bigger version of Aaron Hernandez who is also a better blocker
, and doesn’t murder people
.
15) Taylor Lewan-OT-Michigan-6’7″-309
Big and physical tackle that showed he also has the athleticism at the combine. Can play both tackle positions.
16) Ha Ha Clinton Dix-S-Alabama-6’1″-208
A free safety prospect who excels playing deep in coverage. He can also play in the box, though.
17) Louis Nix III-DT-Notre Dame-6’2″-331
His play suffered some this past year because of a knee injury. If he turns out like his 2013 form he could as good as Vince Wilfork.
18) Dee Ford-OLB-Auburn-6’2″-252
Can play 3-4 OLB and maybe 4-3 DE, but fits best as a LEO in a 4-3. High motor pass rusher who can also defend the run.
19) Calvin Pryor-S-Louisville-5’11”-207
Aug 31, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; LSU Tigers running back Odell Beckham (3) runs with the ball against the Texas Christian Horned Frogs in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
A free safety prospect who excels when defending the run. Projects as a clone to long time Steeler Ryan Clark.
20) Jason Verrett-CB-TCU-5’9″-189
If he was 2 inches taller he would be by far the best corner in the class. Excels in areas that the other corners just don’t.
21) Odell Beckham Jr.-WR-LSU-5’11”-198
Despite being 5’11” he has a HUGE catch radius. Also has outstanding athleticism. I may have him a bit too low on my board at 22.
22) Justin Gilbert-CB-Oklahoma State-6’0″-202
Varying opinions about him in the media. Excels in man to man coverage, but can struggle with tackling and run support.
23) Zack Martin-OG-Notre Dame-6’4″-308
Could survive as a good starting left tackle, but projects best at guard. He has pro bowl skills at whichever he plays.
24) Brandin Cooks-WR-Oregon State-5’10”-189
Showed off his speed at the combine. Projects very well as a mix between Tavon Austin and Antonio Brown.
25) Marqise Lee-WR-USC-6’0″-192
Had a ridiculously good sophmore season, but struggled with drops as a junior. If that can be fixed his 25 ranking could be too low.
26) Ra’Shede Hageman-DT-Minnesota-6’6″-310
Athletic freak who projects best as a 5-tech defensive end. Needs developing but could be a stud at the next level.
27) Jace Amaro-TE-Texas Tech-6’5″-265
A little more well rounded than Ebron. Amaro is a better blocker but doesn’t have the athleticism or receiving ability.
28) Ryan Shazier-OLB-Ohio State-6’1″-237
Answered the questions about his size at the combine. Flies to the football and excels in most aspects of the game.
29) Kyle Van Noy-OLB-BYU-6’3″-243
His stock has been a bit of a roller coaster since his junior year bowl game. Could be an elite 4-3 OLB.
30) Allen Robinson-WR-Penn State-6’3″-220
Big wide receiver who also has deep speed and good hands. Versatile receiver who will excel in the league.
31) Darqueze Dennard-CB-Michigan State-5’11”-199
Very overrated corner who struggles in downfield coverage because he is so grabby. Will attract lots of flags in the NFL.
32) Timmy Jernigan-DT-Florida State-6’2″-299
Despite his size he will be a 1-tech DT at the next level. Outstanding film, but he struggles with fatigue sometimes.
33) Jarvis Landry-WR-LSU-5’11”-205
34) David Yankey-OG-Stanford-6’5″-314
35) Morgan Moses-OT-Virginia-6’6″-314
36) Bradley Roby-CB-Ohio State-5’11”-294
37) Cyrus Kouandijo-OT-Alabama-6’7″-322
38) Trent Murphy-DE-Stanford-6’5″-250
39) Tre Mason-RB-Auburn-5’8″-207
40) Stephon Tuitt-DT-Notre Dame-6’5″-304
41) Kyle Fuller-CB-Virginia Tech-6’0″-190
42) Austin Seferian Jenkins-TE-Washington-6’5″-262
43) Bashaud Breeland-CB-Clemson-5’11”-197
44) Xavier Su’a Filo-OG-UCLA-6’4″-307
45) Jimmy Garappolo-QB-Eastern Illinois-6’2″-226
46) Scott Crichton-DE-Oregon State-6’3″-273
47) Chris Borland-ILB-Wisconsin-5’11”-248
Nov 9, 2013; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Lamarcus Joyner (20) participates during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 59-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
48) Johnny Manziel-QB-Texas A&M-5’11”-207
49) Lamarcus Joyner-S-Florida State-5’8″-184
50) Davante Adams-WR-Fresno State-6’1″-212
51) Carlos Hyde-RB-Ohio State-6’0″-230
52) Zach Mettenberger-QB-LSU-6’5″-224
53) Jimmie Ward-S-Northern Illinois-5’11”-193
54) Jordan Matthews-WR-Vanderbilt-6’3″-212
55) Antonio Richardson-OT-Tennessee-6’6″-336
56) Dominique Easley-DT-Florida-6’2″-288
57) Jack Mewhort-OT-Ohio State-6’6″-309
58) Shayne Skov-ILB-Stanford-6’2″-245
59) Kelvin Benjamin-WR-Florida State-6’5″-240
60) Pierre Desir-CB-Lindenwood-6’1″-191
61) Travis Swanson-C-Arkansas-6’5″-312
62) Jeremiah Attaochu-OLB-Georgia Tech-6’3″-252
63) Chris Smith-DE-Arkansas-6’1″-266
64) Will Sutton-DT-Arizona State-6’0″-303
65) Deone Bucannon-S-Washington State-6’1″-211
66) Troy Niklas-TE-Notre Dame-6’6″-270
67) Cyril Richardson-OG-Baylor-6’5″-329
68) Marcus Roberson-CB-Florida-6’0″-191
69) Gabe Jackson-OG-Mississippi State-6’3″-336
70) Ka’Deem Carey-RB-Arizona-5’9″-207
71) Demarcus Lawrence-OLB-Boise State-6’3″-251
72) Charles Sims-RB-West Virginia-6’0″-214
73) Joel Bitonio-OT-Boise State-6’4″-302
74) Weston Richburg-C-Colorado State-6’3″-298
75) Lache Seastrunk-RB-Baylor-5’9″-201
76) Billy Turner-OT-North Dakota State-6’5″-315
77) Jackson Jeffcoat-OLB-Texas-6’3″-247
78) DaQuan Jones-DT-Penn State-6’4″-322
79) Ahmad Dixon-S-Baylor-6’0″-212
80) Telvin Smith-OLB-Florida State-6’3″-218
81) Yawin Smallwood-ILB-Connecticut-6’2″-246
82) Terrence Brooks-S-Florida State-5’11”-198
Nov 8, 2012; Jonesboro, AR, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive lineman Ryan Carrethers (98) during the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Liberty Bank Stadium. Arkansas State defeated Louisiana Monroe 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
83) Stanley Jean Baptiste-CB-Nebraska-6’3″-218
84) Josh Huff-WR-Oregon-5’11”-206
85) Ryan Carrethers-DT-Arkansas State-6’1″-337
86) Donte Moncrief-WR-Ole Miss-6’2″-221
87) Carl Bradford-OLB-Arizona State-6’1″-250
88) Keith McGill-CB-Utah-6’3″-211
89) Ed Reynolds-S-Stanford-6’1″-207
90) Brandon Thomas-OT-Clemson-6’3″-317
91) Christian Kirksey-OLB-Iowa-6’2″-233
92) Trai Turner-OG-LSU-6’3″-310
93) Bishop Sankey-RB-Washington-5’9″-209
94) CJ Fiedorowicz-TE-Iowa-6’5″-265
95) Paul Richardson-WR-Colorado-6’0″-175
96) Jeremy Hill-RB-LSU-6’1″-233
97) Josh Mauro-DE-Stanford-6’6″-271
98) Jared Abbrederis-WR-Wisconsin-6’1″-189
99) EJ Gaines-CB-Missouri-5’10”-190
100) Jordan Tripp-OLB-Montana-6’3″-234