Tuesday, April 1, 2014

FantasyGuru.com: Off-Season Report #5 (2014 Pre-Draft Rookie Report)

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FANTASYGURU.COM'S OFF-SEASON REPORT #5
Published, April 1, 2014
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Off-Season Report #5: Pre-Draft Rookie Report - 4/1

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2014 Pre-Draft Rookie Report

Published, 4/1/14 

Get ready for the fantasy world to be shaken up a little more than usual come draft weekend because 2014’s class looks excellent. While the draft is void of a “can’t-miss” prospect at the QB position, we could be looking back at this group as one that netted 5-6 future starters, which would be more than usual. The RB position may not be loaded with stars, but it’s very deep and offers several bigger power guys, smaller scat-back types, and many players who are talented enough to be active complementary players. WR is absolutely loaded, so whether a team wants size or speed on the outside or production in the slot, there will be ample options available to them. The TE position features one stud and 3-4 really nice prospects, so the talent is there as well.
 
In years past, we would rank the players for the upcoming season pre-draft to help readers get familiar with how the players stack up in terms of skill sets, durability, intangibles, etc. We’re still going to rank the players pre-draft, but last year we decided it would be more beneficial to broaden the scope and stack the players up by their long-term potential. After all, it’s nearly impossible to get a firm handle on a rookie’s fantasy value for his initial campaign until we know his NFL locale. Once the draft takes place, then it will be a lot easier to rank the players for the 2014 season – and we will. Of course, we’ll also reset our long-term outlooks and re-rank the players for keeper and dynasty leagues.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Note: These players are ranked more so for their long-term value and potential, so these rankings aren’t for just 2014. Once the draft takes place, we’ll rank all rookies for both this year and the long-term.
 
1. Teddy Bridgewater
School: Louisville | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 214 | 40: NA | Year: 3Jr
 
Bridgewater was touted as the #1 QB prospect entering the 2013 college season, and even though he’s been picked apart quite a bit since then, he still looks like the most refined QB prospect entering May’s draft. Bridgewater’s biggest red flag has been about his size and stature, as he played last season at a listed 198 pounds, exceptionally light for a college QB, let alone a professional one. He bulked up for the combine (214 pounds), but we’ll see if he can keep the weight on. Bridgewater didn’t throw at the combine, and he didn’t exactly have a dazzling pro day, which was a little bit of a surprise since most quarterbacks excel at their pro days in a controlled environment. Bridgewater’s played with a glove on his throwing hand since high school, but he ditched the glove at his pro day in March, which could explain some of his troubles. However, we still believe that Bridgewater is the most complete QB prospect in this class as draft day draws closer. Bridgewater, who plays with good footwork and balance, comes from a pro-style system that feature pro passing game concepts, and it would be hard to find an NCAA quarterback who had more responsibility than him at the line of scrimmage. He also manipulates defenses with his eyes to free up passing lanes, which is next-level stuff. He’s got a quick release and can fit the ball into tight spots, and while he doesn’t have the biggest arm and is not a “wow” thrower, he does have good touch on vertical throws. He does have a low release point, which is a concern given his lack of ideal height, so that will have to be worked on. Bridgewater, who plays with a good rhythm and tempo, looks comfortable and composed in the pocket and is willing to stare down the gun barrel as he goes through his progressions. He shows the good instincts of a pocket QB, yet has some escapability and can run when he wants to (similar to Russell Wilson). But he’s more than happy to stay in the pocket to make a play, which is what you want to see from a young QB. Overall, based on college tape, Bridgewater has exhibited the skills necessary to succeed in the NFL. There are others who might have more upside, but he’s the most complete package at the position this year, and he could fit into just about any type of offense (West Coast ideally) because of his wide variety of skills. Despite his lack of ideal size, he hasn’t had lingering durability issues. He did play through a broken left wrist and a sprained right ankle to win the Sugar Bowl MVP as a sophomore, so he’s a tough kid. Bridgewater is a smart player who will quickly pick up an NFL offense, and he’s got the arm, instincts, and decision-making skills to become a quality NFL starter.
 
2. Johnny Manziel
School: Texas A&M | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 207 | 40: 4.68 | Year:  3So
 
Manziel will go down as one of the more electrifying athletes to ever take a college football field, but the biggest question in the 2014 NFL Draft is how Manziel’s talents will translate to the next level. He won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman in 2012 and was a finalist last season as a sophomore, but Heisman-winning QBs have a checkered past with NFL success. Manziel is one of the most polarizing prospects in NFL Draft history, as he’s been evaluated and projected from as high as a top-five pick all the way down to a late Day Two selection (but he’ll be drafted in the 1st round for sure). Manziel relies so heavily on making ad-lib plays outside of offensive structure that many evaluators believe he’ll struggle at the next level. In other words, he didn’t “win from the pocket” nearly enough, despite the physical ability to do so. LSU and Missouri focused on keeping Manziel in the pocket last season, and he had two of his worst performances in those games. To our Greg Cosell, one of his biggest red flags might simply be his inability/unwillingness to consistently throw the ball to open receivers when plays are there to be made. In the NFL, you won’t succeed unless you regularly pull the trigger on throws that are there, and Manziel didn’t even do it in college, as he relied too heavily on spontaneous and random plays. A nimble and light-footed player, Manziel tested in the top-five in about every category at the combine, so he’s one of the top athlete prospects at the position. He also has gigantic hands (nearly 10 inches long) despite his smaller frame, which is like Seahawk QB Russell Wilson. Manziel has a pretty strong arm and has great touch, but he needs more zip on his sideline patterns. Manziel is very cavalier in his game, as he doesn’t always play within scheme and will bail from the pocket before making his progressions to make ad-lib plays. He also has a tendency to drop his eyes under pressure, which is something that has ruined former #1 pick Blaine Gabbert. Manziel also played in a shotgun- and pistol-based offense at Texas A&M, so he has very little experience in pro-style offenses. He’ll never be a pure pocket passer, but he needs to learn how to operate and make throws from the pocket on a more consistent basis. Manziel can pick up big chunks of yardage on the ground, but he takes some big, unnecessary hits, which is a major concern considering his size. Manziel showed a willingness to address some of the concerns about him by wearing pads and a helmet at his pro day, a really rare occurrence for a QB, and he stepped up and performed extremely well during quite possibly the most-scrutinized pro day ever. There are more and more NFL quarterbacks who are making plays outside of the pocket, which is where Manziel thrives, so he’s making the jump to the next level at the right time. NFL people can debate Manziel’s transition to the pros for hours and hours, but we’re talking about fantasy here, and Manziel will take off and run a lot, and he isn’t afraid to go for big plays down the field. And there is definitely something to be said about his excellent instincts, awareness, and the whole “Johnny Football” thing. But he’s still going to have to be coached very hard, and he needs to be coached by a staff that strives to make him play QB from the pocket knowing he has the great escapability in his back pocket, as opposed to simply letting him run around all the time. For now, to assume he’ll play differently than he did in college is a major leap of faith, so he’s more of a boom-or-bust guy in NFL terms than most think. We’re fairly convinced that he will produce for fantasy no matter what because he’ll always run and make plays, so the biggest question for our purposes (fantasy) is his availability, which is tied to his NFL concerns. If he can play more from the pocket and within structure, he has very good upside because we know he’ll always augment his fantasy production with his legs. If not, he’ll take too many hits and will be in danger of missing a lot of games.
 
3. Blake Bortles
School: Central Florida | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 232 | 40: 4.93 | Year: 4Jr 
 
Size is a major attribute for NFL QBs, and compared to his quarterback draft mates, Bortles most looks the part at the next level. He’s big at 6’5” and 232 pounds, he has the arm to make any throw on the field, and he can get to the perimeter and make plays with his feet as a deceptive runner. He’s mobile enough to effectively run some read-option in the NFL. Bortles beat out fellow top rookie QB prospect Teddy Bridgewater for the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Award this past season, and the two players could be vying for the #1 overall pick with the Texans. Bortles tested well at the combine, and he worked under center in a pro-style system at Central Florida against (only) a decent level of competition. He has a good – but not great – arm and can get the ball downfield, but his vertical accuracy isn’t great, likely due to shaky lower body mechanics and footwork. He’s worked on his footwork leading up to the draft, and he looked improved in the area at his pro day and it helped his deep ball. Bortles has been compared to Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck, and he’s probably more athletic than Big Ben but not nearly as creative outside of the pocket (and not nearly the all-around specimen Luck is). That said, Bortles is comfortable in the pocket and senses pressure pretty well and avoids taking unnecessary sacks. He is willing to take chances with some tight throws, which also means he will force some passes into coverage. Bortles doesn’t always throw with great anticipation, and he doesn’t throw his receivers open nearly enough. He also fumbled nine times last season, so we’d like to see improved ball security. Bortles needs work, but he gives an NFL a lot of tools in terms of his size and movement ability, and there’s a lot to work with and to mold, which makes him the #1 rookie QB available in the eyes of many evaluators. He has a fair amount of upside potential if he gets around the right coaches and in a good offensive system. Ideally, he’ll be placed in a situation where his team can play good defense and can run the ball, which can take advantage of his potential off boot/play-action. The concern is that he’s not in an ideal situation and is asked to do things he’s not ready to do because he’s still a developing player who doesn’t have a ton of experience. The good news is he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet, so he’s got the chance to develop into a future franchise quarterback if everything falls right for him. But he shouldn’t be the top pick of the draft, and it’s unlikely he will be.
 
4. Zach Mettenberger
School: Louisiana State | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 224 | 40: NA | Year: 5Sr
 
The best prototypical pocket passer in this draft class, Mettenberger would be getting more buzz as one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class if not for a serious injury. He tore his ACL and MCL at the end of November last year, but he had to wait until early January to have knee reconstruction surgery while his MCL healed. But surprisingly, Mettenberger believes he’ll be ready for the start of the season, and he told us in a radio interview on 3/28 that he plans on throwing and fully participating at his pro day on April 9. So his recovery has gone exceptionally well. He benefitted from playing in a pro-style offense under LSU OC Cam Cameron, which will help him transition to the next level, and Mettenberger really improved the mental side of his game in 2013. But Mettenberger’s most-coveted attribute is his big arm, which will have teams willing to take a risk (in likely the 2nd round) on an injured player. Only Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas has a bigger arm in this year’s draft class, and Mettenberger projects as a good fit in a vertical passing game. He’s willing to stare down the gun barrel while stepping into this throws and taking hits in order to go through his progressions, and he’s not afraid to pull the trigger on any throw and can throw guys open with timing and anticipation. These are all very good attributes for a pocket QB. His willingness to stand in the pocket will lead to some forced throws at times, and he’ll never be confused for a great athlete with the mobility to make a ton of plays outside of the pocket, although he’s not a completely lead-footed player and made throws in designed boot action in college. Mettenberger has had footwork and mechanical issues in the past, but he improved in those areas this past season and his ball placement was better. His accuracy could be better, though, and he got to play with future NFL receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, who made some big-time plays for him. Off the field, Mettenberger was arrested and kicked off the Georgia Bulldogs football team in 2010 for lying about a sexual battery incident at a bar, obviously a serious red flag (he had been projected to possibly beat out Aaron Murray for Georgia’s starting QB job). But he paid a fine and served 12 months’ probation, and he’s come off as a much more mature player leading up to the draft after landing at LSU. He’ll likely get drafted by a team that appreciates his redeeming qualities, and he told us that he would be a great fit for Norv Turner’s offense, one that he knows well from working with Cameron, who basically runs that system. It’s also interesting to note that he’s a serious student of the game and he knows the history of the game, as he dropped named like Don Coryell and Dan Fouts during our interview with him when talking about Turner’s system. Mettenberger is a marginal athlete with some flaws, but if healthy and in the right situation, he has a chance to become a quality starting NFL QB. Note: Here’s a clip of us talking with Mettenberger in late-March.
 
5. Derek Carr
School: Fresno State | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 214 | 40: 4.69 | Year: 5Sr
 
Carr might be best known for the being the younger brother of former Texans #1 overall pick David Carr, but the younger Carr has plenty of ability and pro potential himself. He’s coming off a prolific career as a three-year starter at Fresno State, turning down offers from bigger schools to play close to home, like his brother. Carr has a very good arm and a quick-snap delivery, and there were plenty of NFL throws in his offense at Fresno. He throws with great accuracy and ball placement, and he can throw his receivers open, so his anticipation is good. Carr throws with great touch, which helps with fades, but he doesn’t consistently drive the ball downfield. He’s got one of the better arms in the class, but his timing on deep balls makes him inconsistent as a vertical passer. Carr did run an up-tempo, screen-heavy offense that didn’t feature much of a downfield passing game, so he could improve down the field with more opportunities, but his inexperience in that department may scare some teams. What’s of greater concern, though, is the fact that he played in a quick-read, spread offense, one that he won’t run in the NFL, so he’ll have a larger learning curve and must be taught the pro game from under center. He’s got a bit of a gunslinger mentality, altering his throwing angles to deliver the ball when under pressure, and trusting his receivers on 50-50 balls (think Matthew Stafford in that regard). Like his brother, Carr’s biggest negative is his lack of poise in the pocket when a pass rush is bearing down on him. He doesn’t thrive under pressure, dropping his eyes to the rush and falling away from his throws. Carr’s play at the end of last season didn’t ease those worries, as he crumbled against the USC pass rush in the Las Vegas Bowl. He can move pretty well, but he’s essentially a pocket QB, so this is a concern. He did play the entire 2012 season with a sports hernia and won the conference player of the year award, so it’s not like the kid isn’t tough. Off the field, he did have a shaky start to his college career as he hung out with the wrong crowd, but he turned to religion and got married, and he’s considered a strong leader and competitor now. For what it’s worth we interviewed him at the Combine in person and he came across very well. Carr is a bit of a project entering the NFL, so he might be better off honing his skills as a backup to start his career. However, he’ll likely be thrust into the starting lineup at some point early on, so we’ll see how quickly he can adjust to the NFL game. Carr is as competitive as any quarterback in this year’s draft, but he’ll absolutely have work hard improving at his craft and adjusting to the pro game. If he does, he can definitely be an impact starter in a couple of years. If not, or if he lands in a poor situation like his brother did on the expansion Texans, Derek could have a tough time at the next level.
 

Running Backs
 
Note: These players are ranked more so for their long-term value and potential, so these rankings aren’t for just 2014. Once the draft takes place, we’ll rank all rookies for both this year and the long-term.
 
1. Carlos Hyde
School: Ohio State | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 230 | 40: 4.66 | Year: 5Sr
 
Of all the 2014 rookie RB prospects, Hyde appears to have the most potential to be an impact feature back early in his NFL career. He was an underachiever early in his career, but he started to work harder and turned a corner late in his career. He’s well-constructed physically, and he runs with explosive power, a burst and a wiggle, and enough speed to gain chunks of yardage. Hyde also improves as the game goes on, getting more and more physical as defenses wear down. He ran a lot out of shotgun and pistol formations, but he should easily adapt to power or zone-running schemes at the next level. You think of Eddie Lacy in terms of his yards after contact and vision between the tackles, but while Hyde doesn’t quite have the power and decisive running style of Lacy, Hyde does run behind his pads and hits the hole hard, and with quick and light feet for a bigger back – think Le’Veon Bell – Hyde beats Lacy in terms of quickness and overall elusiveness. He could be better than Lacy on third downs because he’s an excellent blocker and has good hands, so he can be an every-down back in the NFL. He didn’t get a lot of reps in pass protection because of the Ohio State offensive system, but he uses his hands and anchors well. Speed is not his game, but he also has some similarities to Frank Gore in that he can pick up chunks of yardage when he gets the chance, and it’s important to remember that Hyde’s poor 4.66 40-time at the combine came when he pulled his left hamstring. Off the field, Hyde was charged with assault and suspended for three games to start his senior season, but he did show remorse for the situation and it seems like it’s all behind him. Hyde reminded us a lot of Lacy seeing both at the combine and he has the skill set to be a foundation back in the NFL, and he could be an every-down, workhorse back as soon as he steps onto the field in his rookie season.
 
2. Tre Mason
School: Auburn | Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 207 | 40: 4.50 | Year: 3Jr
 
Mason tore it up in Auburn’s high-speed, power-spread offense, and he’s fortunate in that more and more teams are spreading the field now at the NFL level. Mason can get skinny on dive action and can make defenders miss in the hole, and he has big-time potential as a game breaker because of his explosive feet and lateral agility. He has a gliding running style with deceptive speed, and he’s very shifty. He played mostly out of the shotgun and pistol behind a good offensive line, but he has good peripheral vision and instincts in the open field. Mason’s very good speed, evidenced by his 4.50 40-time at the combine, makes him a candidate to return kicks. He also had a very good broad jump (10-5), which is a good sign of lower-body explosiveness. He will dance at times instead of getting North-South and it did take him some time to get going early in the year. And while Mason is a capable receiver who didn’t drop many passes, he has a long way to go in pass protection because he doesn’t use his hands well or attack defenders. Mason isn’t a power runner but he’s competitive and runs low to the ground and has strong thighs, and he can lower his shoulder in a pile. He almost never goes down on first contact, shaking defenders or breaking tackles. He just needs to run with more purpose at the line of scrimmage. Mason’s biggest red flag is his fumbling history, with 8 fumbles in the last two years. He also played against some light boxes and tired defenses, which helped him break some runs. Mason isn’t a prospect without some flaws, but he’s shown plenty of positive traits and he can be effective in any offense. The real question with him is if a team views him as a lead back (even though he lacks ideal size) or if he’s viewed as a very active member of a dual backfield. Regardless, he certainly has a chance to make an immediate impact in the NFL.
 
3. Charles Sims
School: West Virginia | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 214 | 40: 4.48 | Year: 5Sr
 
Sims might be the most versatile running back in this year’s draft class, which is why he ranks this high on our list. Sims can run, catch, and pass protect, and he does it all in a decent-sized package. Sims ideally could bulk up a little bit, especially in his lower body, but the comparisons to Matt Forte coming out of college seem pretty fair, although he’s not as smooth and fluid a runner as Forte is. Sims racked up some major mileage with 795 touches over four years between Houston and West Virginia, but not nearly as much as Forte’s 936 touches at Tulane. Sims is a quality receiver out of the backfield and one of the best in this year’s draft, with great hands and route-running skills. He’s also considered to be one of the best pass protectors in this class, and he’s an extremely intelligent player on the field. He ran in the 4.4s at the combine and he’s a smooth downhill accelerator, but while he has some wiggle in the open field and runs with a slashing style, he’s more of a straight-line guy. Sims has great vision and sets up his blocks, but it can lead to indecisiveness at times behind the line of scrimmage. He is a competitive runner and breaks through arm tackles, but he can go down on first contact too often and doesn’t play with enough power despite his size, and he runs high and looks stiff, evidenced by his performance in the three-cone drill. He doesn’t have very big hands and lets the ball get away from his body on occasion, but he’ll be appealing to a team looking for a runner-receiver with a multi-dimensional skill set. Sims might not be a workhorse RB, but he has the ability to be a three-down playmaker, so his floor is as a third-down guy, and his ceiling is a lower-case Forte at the next level.
 
4. Jeremy Hill
School: Louisiana State | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 233 | 40: 4.66 | Year: 3So
 
Hill will be one of the more polarizing rookie RB prospects this May because he has undeniable talent, but it comes with a very checkered past. Hill had two off-the-field issues before turning pro, which will scare away some teams from the big back. He was arrested on sexual assault charges before even taking the field for LSU, and he pleaded guilty to battery charges last April. He’ll be on probation until the summer of 2015. He’s trying to clean up his act and came off very well in an interview with us on SiriusXM in March, but his past indiscretions will likely keep some teams away. On the field, he’s bigger than Ohio State prospect Carlos Hyde, and Hill runs with good instincts and some wiggle to make defenders miss in the open field. He runs with very good vision and gets skinny in the hole, and he picks up extra yardage because he runs behind his pads with a forward lean. Our Greg Cosell calls him a “no-frills runner with natural power and left drive who is at his best when he’s a decisive downhill runner.” He’s also been reliable runner, with just 1 fumble on 371 touches, and he doesn’t have a ton of wear and tear from college. Some of his detractors have compared him to Titan RB Shonn Greene because of his average athleticism and his lack of agility. Hill is a better North-South runner, but he also had the chance to be a better receiver. Hill has much more reliable hands than originally thought, but he won’t pick up a lot yards after the catch. He also ran behind a fullback his entire career at LSU, so we’ll see if that will be factor in his transition to the NFL, where there are more one-back sets. He’s certainly not a creator, nor will he get to the edge consistently in the NFL – and he actually tried to bounce too many runs outside in college – but he can create extra yardage because of his physical style and his ability to fall forward. Hill should be able to handle a lot of volume at the next level if he’s given the chance as a foundation back in a run-based offense.
 
5. Storm Johnson
School: Central Florida | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 209 | 40: 4.60 | Year: 4Jr
 
Central Florida QB Blake Bortles is getting the most draft buzz of any Black Knight player, and rightfully so, but Storm was at times the more dominant player for George O’Leary’s pro-style offense, which should mean he can fit in multiple systems at the next level. Johnson has excellent size and is a powerful, downhill runner between the tackles. He runs behind his pads with good leg drive, and he’s a little tight-hopped, he has more open-field elusiveness than one might expect, with a little wiggle in a phone booth to boot. He also has great vision and sees the hole and hits it. Storm played in a pro-style system at UCF, and he could be pretty versatile in any offensive scheme at the next level. He’s not a twitchy player and doesn’t play to his timed speed (4.6 40-time), and he’s more of a North-South guy, but his playing speed is solid. He showed pretty good hands out of the backfield, and he can make plays in the screen game with a little space. He was a willing pass protector but needs to improve significantly in this area. Johnson’s great weakness comes with his ball security, as he fumbled 8 times in just 366 carries the last two years. Storm carries the ball in his right hand only, which is a red flag, and he’ll have to learn how to carry in both arms at the next level. Storm saw action as a feature back in only one season, so he should be pretty fresh heading into the NFL. Johnson looks to be scheme versatile, so he could fit into a zone- or power-running scheme, so he just needs to clean up his ball-security issues and pass protection to become a quality NFL starter. He probably won’t enter the league as a starter, but he could be a nice starter down the road who gives team a productive runner/receiver in the backfield.
 
6. Devonta Freeman
School: Florida State | Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 206 | 40: 4.58 | Year: 3Jr
 
Freeman became the first Florida State player to run for more than 1000 yards since Warrick Dunn did it all the way back in 1996, believe it or not. And Freeman did it while splitting carries with fellow rookie RB prospect James Wilder, Jr. Freeman comes from a pro-style system that would split him out at times, but he didn’t rack up a ton of touches (451) in his career, so he’s got plenty left in the tank. Freeman has good vision and instincts to set his blocks up, and he has a short-area burst to get downhill in a hurry. He doesn’t have breakaway speed for his size, but he makes up for it with his ability to pick chunks of yardage. Freeman actually has some Frank Gore in him because of his vision inside, and he makes defenders miss in the hole and refuses to go down on first contact despite his size. Freeman is one of the best pass protectors in this year’s draft class, so he could step into the lineup early in his career. He always stays square to the line of scrimmage and anchors as a blocker. Freeman also shows a willingness to block, and the Seminoles actually used him as a lead blocker at times. He’s shown reliable hands and can catch balls outside the frame of his body. Freeman didn’t miss any time in three productive seasons for the Seminoles, so he’s shown durability heading into the league. However, he does have a history of lingering back injuries despite not missing a game, which is a bit of a concern. Freeman also benefitted from running behind one of the most talented and imposing offensive lines in football. Freeman, who ran well at the combine, looks natural with the ball in his hands with good vision and instincts. Freeman has the ability to make defenders miss, a short-area burst, and he’s physically competitive. He can be a reliable receiver and is a willing blocker, but he needs work in those two areas. The biggest knock on him is that he doesn’t have breakaway speed, but Freeman has the potential to be a downhill, feature back at the next level, with a similar style to Gore.
 
7. Bishop Sankey
School: Washington | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 209 | 40: 4.49 | Year: 3Jr
 
Sankey saw a lot of work as the lead back for the Huskies the last two seasons, but he doesn’t project to be a volume player in the NFL. However, he could make an immediate impact in the right system and could be a PPR type running back option, drawing some comparisons to Bengal RB Gio Bernard. Sankey has the speed and quickness to get to the edge, and he’s a natural receiver who makes catches with ease. Sankey also tested extremely well at the combine, finishing second in bench reps (26) and fourth in broad jump (10-6) among RBs, but he doesn’t totally play to his tests, and he’s not as elusive and explosive as Bernard. He also played in the shotgun and pistol last season, so he’d be best in a system that spreads the defense out or else he’ll have to adjust to a more traditional offense at the next level. Sankey excels out in space, making defenders miss with jump cuts, but he’s more subtly-elusive, so he’s not great at creating yardage for himself, especially in the hole. In other words, he needs space to make his dynamic moves. He’ll pick up what is blocked for him, but he runs with little power and goes down almost always on first contact, despite several highlight-reel runs in college during which he broke some tackles. He demonstrated good blocking fundamentals, but he must get stronger to become a better pass protector and see a consistent role. Sankey has to be used correctly and in the right system, and he could possibly be a lead back in a pass-happy or spread offense, but while he doesn’t have the all-around upside a player like Bernard has, he can be also be a game-breaker. Note: Here’s a clip of us talking with Sankey last week.
 
8. Andre Williams
School: Boston College | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 230 | 40: 4.56 | Year: 4Sr
 
Williams came pretty much out of nowhere to mount a surprising run at the Heisman Trophy last season, as he became the 16th FBS player to run for more than 2000 yards in a season. He ran in a pro-style system, with physical runs between the tackles and the ability to bounce off tackles. Williams has a deceptive burst of speed for a back his size, but he has very little lateral agility and can’t make defenders miss. He’s an urgent, downhill power runner with good contact balance, so he’s a between-the-tackles guy all the way. He’s got a strong lower body, but he doesn’t run with as much leg drive as expected because he runs too high. Additionally, Williams simply can’t catch the football, and he rarely factored at all in the Boston College passing game, totaling just 10 catches in his college career. And it wasn’t just a system thing either. When he tried to catch passes at the combine, it looked like he was getting into a fistfight with the footballs. He is a willing pass blocker with good vision, but he needs to get more consistent in that area. He also comes to the league with 714 career touches, so he’s got a little bit of wear and tear already. Williams projects to be a volume runner who needs a lot of carries, but that also causes him to take a lot of hits, and his overall leg drive isn’t great. But he’s very good at what he is, and his ceiling is Stevan Ridley, who has mainly been a two-down back. Williams will need volume and goal-line touches to produce, because he won’t catch many passes, and he also has to stop trying to bounce runs to the outside if he’s to make it in the pros.
 
9. De’Anthony Thomas
School: Oregon | Ht: 5-9 | Wt: 174 | 40: 4.50 | Year: 3Jr
 
With sprinter’s speed, lateral agility, and extreme quickness to the corner, Thomas has been considered one of the most electrifying players in this year’s draft. Thomas is a speed guy, so his 40-time at the combine (4.50) was a little disappointing. Still, he flashed more than enough speed on tape – he’s a smooth, gliding runner – so it shouldn’t hurt his stock too much. As such, the comparisons to fellow Oregon RBs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner are lazy because Thomas is significantly more explosive than both of them on film. He has great vision and will get downhill once he hits the perimeter. He’ll fight for extra yards and get skinny between the tackles, but he likely won’t be asked to do it much because of his size. Thomas lined up in the backfield, the slot, and at the X, and some teams will view him as a receiver at the next level. He can beat press coverage, and he runs one of the best pivot routes in this year’s draft class, an often-used NFL route. Thomas has great balance and soft hands, so now he just needs to diversify his route tree. He’s also a dynamic weapon on special teams, with 4 TDs as a kick returner and a 17-yard average as a punt returner. Thomas will have durability questions at the next level because of his size. He also goes down pretty easily and struggles at times catching the ball over the middle. His work ethic has been questioned at times as well. Thomas will line up in the backfield and the slot next season, so he may earn dual eligibility as a RB/WR like Dexter McCluster once had in Kansas City. If he lands in a scheme that takes advantage of his receiving ability and gets him in space, he should make an impact. The fear is that he lands on a team that doesn’t utilize him well and he slips through the cracks.
 
10. Dri Archer
School: Kent State | Ht: 5-8 | Wt: 173 | 40: 4.26 | Year: 5Sr
 
Oregon RB De’Anthony Thomas has gotten most of the pub for being a dynamic offensive weapon in this year’s draft, but Archer has the potential be even more electrifying. Archer recorded a 4.26 40-time, finishing just two hundredths off Chris Johnson’s combine record of 4.24. Archer is tiny (5’7”, 173 pounds), but he has amazing lower-body explosiveness. He’s an electric playmaker on offense, with a floor as a screen and gadget player, and he could carve out a role similar to Darren Sproles. Archer could be a dynamic slot weapon because it’s hard to see him lining up at RB too often with his size. He played out of the slot in Kent State’s pro-style system, and he averaged 28 yards per return on kickoffs, as he can weave through crowds because of his size and speed. He’s a hands catcher who can pluck the ball away from his frame, but he had some drops down the field when he didn’t use his hands correctly. He’s still a pretty natural receiver and has the potential to be a great route-runner, with fluidity in and out of breaks, although he does have work to do in that department. Archer has a nice stiff arm, but he won’t break many tackles with his small size, which also hurts him as a pass blocker. Archer battled through an ankle issues last season, and you have to worry about his durability going forward with such a small frame. He was also ruled academically ineligible in 2011. Archer clearly has the potential to be an offensive weapon and playmaker, but he needs to stay healthy with his small frame.

RBs #11-20 are covered online here

Wide Receivers

Note: These players are ranked more so for their long-term value and potential, so these rankings aren’t for just 2014. Once the draft takes place, we’ll rank all rookies for both this year and the long-term.
 
1. Sammy Watkins
School: Clemson | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 211 | 40: 4.43 | Year: 3Jr
 
Watkins looks as close to a sure thing in this year’s draft as any other prospect, and it appears like he could step onto the field and make an immediate impact next season. Our guy Greg Cosell believes that Watkins is the best WR prospect since A.J. Green and Julio Jones came out in the 2011 draft, which is certainly high praise for the Clemson product. Watkins tested slightly above average at the combine, but he showed plenty on the field over the last three years to solidify his spot in the top 10 of the draft. Watkins can line up all over the field, and he’s a rare dynamic receiver who can fill any hole, including the Z. He excels on underneath routes, and he’s a beast picking up yardage after the catch because of his short-area burst. He can separate down the field, but his one glaring weakness is tracking the deep ball. Watkins registered a 34-inch vertical jump and will go up and make contested catches. He can beat press coverage, is fluid out of his breaks, and has strong hands to finish the play. Watkins is also an excellent kick returner and could fill that role if he’s asked to at the next level. He is a tough player who will lower his shoulder to pick up yardage, and he’s a willing blocker who mixes it up with CBs. But overall, Watkins is an NFL-ready wideout who lines up at all positions, and he excels on underneath routes. He’s also great after the catch and separates from corners at the top of his route. With good short-area burst, Watkins beats press coverage with his quickness alone, but that will obviously be tougher to do in the NFL. Off the field, he can be immature at times and was arrested in 2012 on drug possession charges, but few are talking about him being a potential problem going forward. Watkins has it all in terms of size, speed, hands, shiftiness, and explosion, and if he ends up in the right offense (preferably a quick-strike offense), he could be special at the next level with the ability to make an immediate impact as a rookie and to be legit #1 NFL WR for years to come.
 
2. Mike Evans
School: Texas A&M | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 231 | 40: 4.53 | Year: 3So
 
Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel stole all the headlines for the Aggies the last two years, but a huge part of his success has to be credited to his security blanket, Evans. Johnny Football would many times improvise and just chuck it deep to Evans, and he had an incredible ability to attack the ball in the air and win jump balls. He has surprising vertical speed for such a big man, and he can beat cornerbacks at the line of scrimmage by attacking their technique and getting on top of defenders deep. He has the ability to not only get vertical, but to also run away from defenders, and he ran a 4.53 at the combine to showcase that. Evans is a unique player because he moves like a much smaller player but is a massive athlete (his arms measured at more the 35 inches a piece). Fellow rookie Sammy Watkins is generally regarded as the better prospect, but we wouldn’t be shocked to see a team pick Evans over Watkins because of Evans’ size and freakish qualities. Evans can also be a weapon in the screen game because he has great vision and can pick up yardage after the catch. Evans should be a dangerous weapon in the red zone because of his size, incredibly strong hands, and his body control along the sideline. Evans is already physical enough to play at the next level, and he owns a great jab step and sells double moves. Evans also shows a willingness to block in the run game and is QB friendly because he works back to the line of scrimmage. He will need to get better at catching balls in the middle of the field at the next level, and he only lined up to the right of his quarterbacks in the Aggies’ no-huddle offense, which is a slight concern going forward. A big and physical player, Evans is competitive and plays to his size by winning jump balls and making contested catches, thanks to his incredibly strong hands and great body control. Evans even surprised with his athleticism at the combine for such a big player. Evans is a freak talent who’s also a savvy player, and could be a big-time producer in the red zone and as a potential playmaker down the field.
 
3. Odell Beckham, Jr.
School: Louisiana State | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 198 | 40: 4.43 | Year: 3Jr
 
Beckham has the athletic bloodlines working in his favor, as his father played running back at LSU and his mother was an All-American track athlete for the Tigers. Beckham is fast (he’s best-known for his speed) but is fluid at the same time, as he’s a strong route-runner, knows how to attack cornerbacks to get open, and separates at the top of his route stem. He played all over the field at LSU, and he also has the ability to return kicks and punts at the next level. He creates after the catch and on returns, so he has some playmaking ability. Beckham is a savvy and polished player, finding holes against zone coverage and consistently beating man coverage. Beckham has incredibly strong hands and attacks the ball, although he does have some focus drops at time. He also uses his strong hands to work out of press coverage at the line of scrimmage, and he has a pretty large catching radius. Beckham isn’t the biggest receiver available, but he plays with toughness and is willing to run block. In fact, our Greg Cosell was really impressed with his willingness to lay out block on tape. He will get a little cautious going over the middle at times, and he scored just 12 receiving TDs as a three-year starter. At 5’11” and 198 pounds, Beckham can play all three receiver spots, but he projects best as a Z receiver on the right side of the field. He’s a physical player who plays bigger than his size, but his game is more about quickness, versatility, and explosion as a route-runner and after the catch. He should make an immediate impact next season and could step in right away as a #2 WR for a team like the Panthers, who desperately need to get more dynamic at the position.
 
4. Brandin Cooks
School: Oregon State | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 189 | 40: 4.33 | Year: 3Jr
 
Cooks did just fine this past season at Oregon State with WR Markus Wheaton heading to the NFL, as he led the NCAA with 133 receiving yards per game and captured the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. And his stock continued to climb in February when he ran a sizzling 4.33 40-time at the combine, which led this year’s receiver class. Cooks lined up at all over the field at Oregon State, but he’s likely not an X in the pros because of his lack of bulk and length (think DeSean Jackson). He also had a delayed release and some false steps off the line of scrimmage, which he’ll need to clean up. Tough press coverage guys could give him fits next season, so he’s likely destined to play out of the slot next year, or at Z. Cooks beat press coverage with quickness in college – he can go from 0-to-60 in a flash – and he knows how to stack defensive backs and get deep. He’s very explosive and sudden, fluid in-and-out of his breaks, and he easily separates at the top of his route stem. Cooks could be devastating in the screen game, as he’s tremendous after the catch, but he’ll need to focus on getting up field on those types of plays. He doesn’t make many contested catches and needs more work competing against DBs for balls. Cooks also has a tendency to “double catch” passes, and he doesn’t have the largest catching radius. He will mix it up with cornerbacks but is still a poor blocker, and he wasn’t a strong return guy in college. Cooks’ fantasy value will depend on where he lands and how he’s used, but he should find a home out of the slot at the next level, and he’s drawn some comparisons to Tavon Austin. Cooks is a little bigger and is less explosive, but he has the chance to be a playmaker with the ball in his hands and a dynamic weapon for the right team. The biggest question is whether or not he can be completely taken out by good press cornerbacks in the NFL, but some of that can be offset by playing in the slot.
 
5. Kelvin Benjamin
School: Florida State | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 240 | 40: 4.61 | Year: 3So
 
Benjamin and Texas A&M WR prospect Mike Evans have frequently been compared to each other throughout the pre-draft process, and it’s easy to see why. Both Benjamin and Evans have a rare size/athleticism combination that makes talent evaluators salivate. Benjamin is slightly bigger than Evans, but Evans performed better at the combine. Still, Benjamin moves surprisingly well for his size, and he might have more athleticism than Evans with the ball in the air. Benjamin is also more fluid and sudden, with an excellent short-area burst that makes him dangerous after the catch. Evans far outperformed Benjamin statistically the last two years, but Benjamin did score on an amazing 27.8% of his catches last season (15 TDs on 54 catches). He dominated in the red zone because of his good body control and sideline awareness, and he’s willing to catch with his hands and pluck the ball out of the air. Benjamin uses his body well and makes contested catches, and he has good sideline awareness, which makes him dangerous in the end zone. He’s physical throughout his route and is a high-effort, physical blocker who will mix it up with defenders. The Seminoles even used him as a wing TE in some sets, and he was able to win against LBs and DEs as a blocker at times. Benjamin did have too many drops at the college level, but they appeared to be focus drops, when he’s looking to get up the field too early. He also needs to refine his route running at the next level, but at least he doesn’t have effort or motivation concerns. He seems to be more of a boom-or-bust prospect than Evans, but Benjamin is bigger and smoother than Evans, so he might have more upside. Benjamin improved throughout his Florida State career, and his size and athletic ability give him a ton of upside at the next level.
 
6. Marqise Lee
School: Southern California | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 192 | 40: 4.52 | Year: 3Jr
 
Lee was once considered a can’t-miss prospect like Sammy Watkins, but his stock has fallen off a bit since his Biletnikoff Award winning 2012 season. Lee had a junior season to forget because of a slew of injuries (shoulder, leg, and knee), uneven quarterback play, and mid-season coaching changes. But at his best, Lee lined up at every receiver spot (mostly at Z), and has shown that he can be a dynamic playmaker. He just needs to play with more consistent effort. He does have good long speed and can accelerate out of breaks, and he can be a savvy route-runner when he’s giving effort. Lee isn’t afraid to mix it up with cornerbacks and is good against press coverage. He’s not exactly a physical receiver, but he will fight for balls. Lee has great vision, which makes him valuable as a kick returner and helps him pick up a lot of yardage after the catch. Lee has a ton of ability but his lack of effort at times is by far the biggest concern heading into the NFL. He’s also dropped a number of passes during his career, so he’s also inconsistent with his hands. Lee also isn’t a very big guy, so we have to wonder if he’ll have durability issues his entire career after an injury-plagued 2013 campaign. Compared to Jeremy Maclin, Lee is a little smoother and more explosive than Maclin, but similarly he’s a movement guy who can be put in motion, so he’s multi-dimensional. Lee has previously shown the skills necessary to be a top-flight receiver, so now he just needs to get healthy and prove it again. He can fit into any offense, but he ran a lot of slants and crossers in college as well as vertical routes, so he should be comfortable in a west coast offense.
 
7. Donte Moncrief
School: Mississippi | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 221 | 40: 4.40 | Year: 3Jr
 
Moncrief is one prospect who is flying a bit under the radar, but he’s one of our favorites as he’d likely be a 1st-round talent in any other draft year. Moncrief is a physical freak with the explosiveness to run away from defenders and the strength to separate from them as well. He also gets off the line of scrimmage quickly to create initial space to operate. Our guy Greg Cosell compared Moncrief’s playing style to Demaryius Thomas and Josh Gordon because of his size and running ability, and Moncrief is explosive after the catch like those WRs. He lined up primarily at the X at Ole Miss, but did play out of the slot at times. He doesn’t always catch the ball with his hands, but he has very good hands and didn’t drop many passes and he generally attacks the ball in the air. He did look tentative at times when he ran over the middle, and he let some passes get into his chest. Moncrief doesn’t always play with good balance and body control, and he must sharpen his route running, as he’s not be great in-and-out of his breaks and he comes from a very basic offense. He has good technique as a blocker, so he’ll help out in the run game. Moncrief dominated at times as a three-year starter, but he could also disappear, including seven games with fewer than 60 yards last season. Ole Miss did have a stud freshman WR Laquon Treadwell and an up-and-down QB Bo Wallace, which led to some inconsistent production for Moncrief. However, starting three seasons in the SEC means he’s played against some of the best college defenders. Moncrief tested very well at the combine, which was no surprise because he’s an explosive kid. He has the physical tools to excel at the X, and he’s got the deceptive speed to become a downfield weapon. He may need a little time to develop coming from an incredibly simple offense in college, but we wouldn’t be shocked if he develops into a legit NFL #1 WR once he marinates for a bit.
 
8. Davante Adams
School: Fresno State | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 212 | 40: 4.56 | Year: 3So
 
This year’s draft class features some incredibly talented redshirt sophomore WRs (Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin), which is a bit rare, but neither was the most productive of the sophomores. That honor belongs to Adams, who finished first in catches (131) and second in yards (1719) in the NCAA last season, playing in Fresno State’s pass-oriented attack. Adams may not be an explosive athlete, but he’s a well-rounded receiver with no glaring holes in his game. He didn’t run a full route tree in Fresno State’s offense, which is a bit of a concern, but with deceptive movement ability he has the ability to separate from defenders. Adams is a savvy route-runner with good vision and YAC potential, sells routes and beats press coverage, and he can separate at the top of his route stem. Adams has incredibly strong hands, with no uncontested drops on tape. He’s a weapon in the red zone because he goes up and attacks the ball, and he runs the best fade pattern in the draft. Adams can make plays in the air because of his leaping ability, and he’s good at picking up yardage as a ball carrier after the catch because he can accelerate in space. He could use some improvement as a run blocker, as he’s willing in that department but needs to improve his technique. Adams’ production was inflated playing in a pass-happy system in college, but he’s a really nice talent and made the most out of his opportunities with the ball. He’s explosive enough to play Z in the NFL and big enough to play X (he also played in the slot in college). Although he’s not a physical freak, there are no real deficiencies in his game outside of his run blocking and he’s above average in just about every area of his game and has a lot of positive traits for the next level, so he has some upside to develop into a great #2 NFL receiver for a team looking for a big and physical option.
 
9. Martavis Bryant
School: Clemson | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 211 | 40: 4.42 | Year: 3Jr
 
Bryant might just have the most boom-or-bust potential out of this year’s wide receiver draft class. He’s been compared to Stephen Hill leading up to this May’s draft because of his high test marks, and his lack of actual production in college. Like Hill, Bryant has incredible speed (4.42) for a guy his size (6’4”), and he can take the top off a defense, but he didn’t get to do it much at Clemson because of the offense, the presence of Sammy Watkins, and the inconsistency of QB Tahj Boyd. Bryant is a long vertical threat with high upside, but he needs to get more physical and take advantage of his size. He tracks the ball well in the air and uses his body to shield defenders on 50/50 balls, but he can be more finesse than physical at times. Bryant has good body control for his size and could be a red-zone threat, but he can be outmuscled at times and isn’t physical after the catch. He drops too many passes because he catches with his body too often, and he must improve as a route-runner if he wants to be anything more than a deep threat. Bryant also had academic issues as a sophomore and started losing playing time late in his junior year to lesser talents because of his lack of production. Fluid in and out of breaks, he separates with size, burst, fluidity, and deceptive speed. He has clear downside due to the negatives we’ve outlined, but he’s also a very rare specimen we just don’t see come around too often, and we were encouraged with the improvement he showed as the season wore on in 2013. He’ll need a little time to develop, and he needs to land in an offense where he can be a vertical threat, but with more experience and refinement, he has tremendous upside.
 
10. Jarvis Landry
School: Louisiana State | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 205 | 40: 4.77 | Year: 3Jr
 
Landry was among the most-decorated recruits in the country when he landed at LSU, and while he isn’t the most physically gifted WR in this year’s draft class, Landry could end being the best possession receiver out of the group. He didn’t test terribly well at the combine, but he’s a polished, savvy route-runner who will be a QB’s best friend. Landry is the best blocker at his position in this year’s class, and his toughness and physicality is reminiscent of 49er WR Anquan Boldin, although our Greg Cosell thinks he’s a quicker player than Boldin. Landry is willing to stick his nose in anywhere, but he does need to bulk up a little bit to support his style of play. He will work the middle of the field and find holes against zone coverage, and he plays like a running back after the catch. He also knows how to attack cornerbacks and beat man coverage. He’s destined to play mostly out of the Z or out of the slot, since he doesn’t run very well downfield, but he brings multi-dimensional ability because he can play inside or outside. Landry doesn’t drop passes thanks to his strong hands and attacks the ball in the air, which is a key because he needs to be exceptional at contested catches due to the fact that he doesn’t create a whole lot of separation with his lack of elite athleticism. Landry will never be the big-play type at the next level, but he has the chance to be a very good possession receiver and a reliable option in the intermediate areas.

WRs #11-20 are covered online here

Tight Ends
 
Note: These players are ranked more so for their long-term value and potential, so these rankings aren’t for just 2014. Once the draft takes place, we’ll rank all rookies for both this year and the long-term.
 
1. Eric Ebron
School: North Carolina | Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 250 | 40: 4.60 | Year: 3Jr
 
Ebron has been getting comparisons to Vernon Davis coming into this May’s draft, primarily because Ebron has the chance to be the highest drafted tight end since Davis went #6 to the 49ers in the 2006 draft. Ebron isn’t nearly the physical freak that Davis was coming out of Maryland, but Ebron did break Davis’ single-season ACC record for receiving yards by a tight end, so he was highly productive in college. Ebron isn’t as fast as Davis, but with outstanding fluidity and movement, he might be a better overall athlete than the current 49er TE. In fact, Ebron ran a faster 40-yard dash than his former teammate Giovani Bernard, and the former Tar Heels actually had a bet riding on it. Ebron isn’t yet a finished product and he struggled at his pro day, dropping a number of passes and looking sloppy in drills. It’s a little disconcerting, since most players excel at pro days in a controlled environment, and he does have a tendency at times to leave you wanting more on the field, but a poor pro day is probably nothing to get bent out of shape over. He’s basically a wide receiver in a tight end’s body, as he’s athletic with great ball skills. Ebron has good speed, quickness, and he wins at the jump point, catching the ball away from his body. Ebron can play in-line and in the slot, so he can be used to create mismatches and will fight to win contested passes. He can also create after the catch, picking up chunks of yardage with a great burst. Ebron needs to improve his route running – he did run a lot of pro-style routes in college – and his hands can be inconsistent at times, but there is a ton to work with in this naturally-athletic physical talent. If he reaches his full potential in the NFL, he will be a guy who makes “wow” plays consistently.  
 
2. Jace Amaro
School: Texas Tech | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 265 | 40: 4.74 | Year: 3Jr
 
Amaro is the top “move TE” in this year’s draft, as he spent the majority of last season working out of the slot in Texas Tech’s pass-happy scheme. He technically set a tight end single-season NCAA record with 1352 receiving yards last year, but the NCAA couldn’t decide what position he played, as he finished as a semifinalist for both the Mackey Award (top TE) and the Biletnikoff Award (top WR), winning neither. Amaro is a natural athlete and tested well at the combine, as he’s fluid off the line and can get up the seam to stretch opposing defenses. He didn’t run a full route tree at Texas Tech, but he has the tools to turn into a strong route runner and has strong awareness to find soft spots against zone coverage. Amaro has reliable and soft hands and with a big body and a wide catch radius and he makes plays after the catch. He lacks top-end speed and can struggle to create separation at times because he’s not quick out of his breaks. He’s also not overly strong at the catch point on contested balls, despite his size. Amaro gives great effort as a blocker on the perimeter and at the second level, but he had very few reps as an in-line blocker during his junior season. Amaro was a foundation player in his college offense and was flexed out, so he put up big numbers. That helped him draw some Aaron Hernandez comparisons, and sure enough, the Patriots have already worked Amaro out. But our Greg Cosell doesn’t think he’s quite as flexible as Hernandez, and he sees Amaro as a smoother Jason Witten, which is just fine for our purposes. For a team like the Patriots looking for a move TE, he looks like a plug-and-play guy, so he could be a major fantasy factor right away.
 
3. Troy Niklas
School: Notre Dame | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 270 | 40: NA | Year: 3Jr
 
Notre Dame (Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, and Niklas) and Stanford (Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz, and Levine Toilolo) are having quite the battle churning out tight ends in recent years. The Fighting Irish apparently have a good eye for finding them, converting Niklas from outside linebacker to an imposing, athletic tight end. He looks like the complete package, with the size and athleticism to get it done as both a receiver and as a blocker. Niklas is a Rob Gronkowski-type of player, in that he’s a more “traditional TE” with good athleticism, even though he doesn’t have much playing time at TE under his belt. He’s not a quick-twitch, athletic beast who can go get balls like Gronk, but Niklas is fluid and moves exceptionally well for his size – and he has great size for a TE – and he has plenty of receiving ability. Niklas is more of an old-school type TE because he’s essentially like having an extra offensive lineman as blocker. He could, ideally, get a little stronger in his base, but he has a lot of potential as a blocker, especially since he’s still learning the offensive side of the game. Niklas could use some refinement as a route-runner, but he runs a full tree and shows some sharp cuts out of breaks. He uses his size and physicality to his advantage throughout his routes, but he doesn’t use those same traits after the catch, so he can get better. He’s an absolutely huge target in the middle of the field, and he could turn into a dangerous weapon in the red zone. He could be a Gronk type who plays with a great base while blocking for the run, and he still moves well (although he didn’t test that well at the combine). An ascending player, Niklas passes the eyeball test very well. Given his rare combination of size, movement, and athletic ability, there’s a ton to work with and he has a chance to be a top NFL TE for years to come once he gets some more experience and refinement.
 
4. Austin Seferian-Jenkins
School: Washington | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 262 | 40: NA | Year: 3Jr
 
Seferian-Jenkins won the Mackey Award (nation’s top TE) last year, but he captured the award based more on name recognition than his actual play. His production on the field has actually regressed a bit since his freshman season, and some of it is based on scheme changes in the Washington offense. Seferian-Jenkins saw his receptions and yards get cut nearly in half from his sophomore season (69/852) to his junior campaign (36/450). He lined up all over the field (in-line, wing, slot, and backfield) at Washington, so he has some versatility despite his size. Seferian-Jenkins catches everything that’s thrown his way because of his huge frame and long catch radius. He’s got great body control and good sideline awareness, which helped him to be one of the top red-zone threats in college football, with 21 TDs in three seasons. Seferian-Jenkins runs and moves well for his size, showing some agility and the ability to get up the seam. He’s physical during and after the catch, and he was relied on heavily as an in-line blocker and has a nasty streak, although he still has room for growth in that department. But his natural athleticism is obvious – he is the first Washington athlete to play both football and basketball since Nate Robinson, who plays in the NBA. That said, he needs to play with more urgency, especially as a route-runner. Off the field, he missed the team’s season opener last year because of a suspension stemming from a DUI conviction from a single-car wreck last spring, so he’s got some character questions (although we’ve heard rumblings that he’s not a bad kid). He also needed surgery to fix a broken pinkie, and his toughness has been questioned, so he’s got some red flags. On top of that, doctors discovered a stress fracture in his right foot at the combine, which prevented him from working out and required surgery at the end of February. He has some concerns, but with excellent size, good movement, and strong in-line blocking in the running game, he’s a complete player who has a lot to work with.
 
5. C.J. Fiedorowicz
School: Iowa | Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 265 | 40: 4.76 | Year: 4Sr
 
Fiedorowicz is a solid, well-rounded tight end prospect who has the huge frame required to play many years as an in-line player. He is a real throwback at the position because of his ability as both a receiver and as a blocker. Fiedorowicz can play all over the field as well, as he runs pretty well for his size (6’5”, 265 pounds) and has deceptive movement and athletic skills. He actually has room to get even bigger, and he needs to get stronger to become an even better blocker. Fiedorowicz also needs to get a little nastier in the trenches to finish off his blocks, but he has the size to seal of lanes in the running game and a strong reputation as a blocker. Fiedorowicz catches just about everything that’s thrown his way because of his strong hands and large catch radius, so he could develop into a quarterback’s security blanket. He also has good body control for a big man, but he’ll never blow anyone away with flashy plays. He can go over the middle and catch passes in traffic, and he’s a tough runner after the catch, plowing through defenders to pick up extra yardage. Fiedorowicz also has a burst in the open field with some straight-line speed down the seam, but he isn’t elusive after the catch. He’s got a ton of natural talent and ability, but he was underutilized at Iowa, so he’ll need to work on his craft a little more. His reputation as a blocker should help his draft stock and could help get him on the field quickly, but he has intriguing potential as a receiver.

TEs #6-10 are covered online here

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