Just posted by Todd McShay (ESPN) . . . top pro prospects by position - 5 for each position, but just posting UM, ACC, 2014 opponents and others of interest.
QBs:
2. Jameis Winston, Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 94)
6-4, 235 pounds
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner will be eligible for the 2015 draft, if he chooses to leave school early. He has a prototypical frame for the position and excellent arm strength, with the ability to drive the ball downfield and deliver the deep outs with very good velocity. His accuracy is inconsistent, as he misses within the strike zone too much on short-to-intermediate passes and sails some deep balls, but he has the potential to get better with improved mechanics. His decision-making is a bit inconsistent as well, but he shows good anticipation and the ability to beat blitzes and handle pressure. He has good pocket mobility and can make defenders miss and break a few tackles, although he doesn't project as a big-time NFL running threat. He has the confidence and presence NFL teams look for in QBs, but they will have to check into his past legal issues and off-field decision-making.
RBs:
5. Duke Johnson, Miami (FL) Hurricanes (Grade: 73)
5-9, 206 pounds
Johnson's greatest asset is his burst. He doesn't have an elite second gear, but he reaches his top-end speed quickly. He doesn't shake defenders with highlight-reel moves, but he has the agility to make the first defender miss and he's a run-after-catch threat in the passing game. He runs really hard, but doesn't have the power base to regularly push the pile (he's tougher to tackle in space, with an effective stiff arm). He rates very well in terms of intangibles, but his durability is a concern that NFL teams will have to monitor.
WRs:
1. Amari Cooper, Alabama Crimson Tide (Grade: 93)
6-1, 205 pounds
Cooper has average size for the receiver position and good but not elite top-end speed, but his separation and ball skills more than make up for it. I sent out a tweet on this earlier in the week, but there are very few college wide receivers who show the separation skills that Cooper does on tape with such limited experience (he's started only 16 games for the Crimson Tide). He has a sudden release, runs crisp routes, finds soft spots in zone coverage and does a good job of using jab steps and head fakes to set up defenders. He makes tough catches look easy, demonstrating outstanding concentration in traffic -- although he does suffer from too many focus drops.
2. DeVante Parker, Louisville Cardinals (Grade: 90)
6-3, 207 pounds
Parker's size-speed combo is above average, although not outstanding, but he's fast enough to run under the deep ball and is dangerous after the catch, including the ability to slip tackles and pick up yards after contact. He has good separation skills, setting up defenders with footwork and head fakes and locating and exploiting openings in zone looks. His ball skills are just average, as he drops a lot of catchable passes and isn't great on 50-50 balls, but he can pluck the ball out of the air and make over-the-shoulder catches.
TEs:
3. Nick O'Leary, Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 74)
6-3, 235 pounds
O'Leary is a very competitive player who does a good job as both a blocker and a receiver. He is a natural pass-catcher who can snatch the ball away from his frame and shows good body control on 50-50 balls. He lacks ideal size and has just average top-end speed, so he may never be a huge vertical threat in the NFL. But he is quick off the line, has good route running skills and is effective running after the catch.
Defensive ends
2. Randy Gregory, Nebraska Cornhuskers (Grade: 94)
6-6, 245 pounds
Gregory is very lean, and whether he's able to add weight could be a factor going forward, as he's just average against the run because he can get pushed too far outside and gives ground at times. But he has good range to make plays in pursuit, and he has the above-average lateral quickness and closing speed, combined with his effective rip and swim moves, length and finishing ability, to get to the quarterback as a pass-rusher. His best fit at the next level is as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and he lines up as a LB at times for Nebraska.
3. Dante Fowler Jr., Florida Gators (Grade: 93)
6-2, 271 pounds
Fowler is a big and strong edge-setter in the run game who has really good striking ability as a tackler, and the ability to jar the ball loose with his long arms. He has growth potential as a pass-rusher but lacks elite physical traits and isn't a polished finisher at this point in his development. He does have above-average first-step quickness for his size, and in particular has flashed some effectiveness as an inside rusher at nose tackle or a 3-technique in nickel and dime packages. He's another guy who plays hard and with an edge.
5. Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 87)
6-3, 294 pounds
Edwards has very good versatility, with the 4-3 left defensive end and 3-4 left defensive end positions being his best fits, and he has excelled as an interior pass-rusher when moved inside because of his size, strength and quickness. He is a powerful edge rusher, although he lacks polish at this point and relies too much on his strength. He is very tough to move off the ball against the run, but doesn't have the elite closing burst or range to make a ton of plays in pursuit. He possesses a good size-and-speed combo for the position.
Defensive tackles
3. Grady Jarrett, Clemson Tigers (Grade: 81)
6-0, 280 pounds
His measurables for the position aren't ideal (short and light with short arms and limited size potential), and he brings with him some durability concerns as well, after suffering a torn labrum last season. He is a hard-working, tough player, however, who is disruptive against the run. He's quick enough to shoot gaps and agile enough to finish in the backfield. He flashes explosive power as a pass-rusher but he lacks the brute strength to routinely collapse the pocket.
Outside linebackers
2. Vic Beasley, Clemson Tigers (Grade: 89)
6-3, 220 pounds
Beasley's first-step quickness and closing speed are notches below elite, and he displays good speed-to-power potential as a pass-rusher. He is at his best when shooting gaps, and shows good instincts and the ability to quickly locate the ball as a run defender. He has the potential to develop into a sideline-to-sideline tackler. However, he is narrow in his lower body and can be engulfed by offensive linemen, and he doesn't have the size potential to develop into an every-down NFL defensive end.
Inside linebackers
1. Denzel Perryman, Miami (FL) Hurricanes (Grade: 86)
5-11, 248 pounds
Perryman is a natural leader who is the quarterback of the Canes' defense. He shows good recognition skills, above-average range versus the run and good take-on skills. But where he really stands out is as a tackler. He's tough to shake one-on-one, shows good body control in space and he is a thumper who can stop a ball carrier's forward momentum when he gets a good shot at him. He does overrun plays on occasion.
Cornerbacks:
4. Ronald Darby, Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 84)
5-11, 188 pounds
Darby is a disciplined player with good instincts and a very good size-and-speed combination (he's a sprinter on the FSU track team). He's fluid and fast enough to turn and run with most receivers, but the big concern for him is how he matches up with bigger receivers, as he needs to get stronger (this comes into play with him in run support as well). NFL teams will need to look into past off-field incidents with him.
5. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Grade: 83)
6-0, 175 pounds
Johnson has excellent recognition skills, anticipating receivers' breaks and doing a good job of reading the quarterback. He is an aggressive, physical corner in press coverage despite needing to add bulk to his lean frame, and he's fast and fluid enough to turn and run with most receivers -- although his recovery speed is just adequate. He isn't a powerful tackler, but he's aggressive in run support and finds ways to get the ball carrier on the ground.
Safeties:
2. Anthony Harris, Virginia Cavaliers (Grade: 84)
6-1, 188 pounds
Harris is the vocal leader of the Cavs' defense, and he possesses very good route recognition skills and versatility, able to line up at linebacker on occasion in addition to covering the slot. He is a ball hawk, having picked off eight passes last season, who excels playing center field. He can afford to add strength to his lean frame, which would help in run support, on 50-50 balls and when matching up with tight ends in coverage.
3. Durell Eskridge, Syracuse Orange (Grade: 83)
6-3, 203 pounds
Eskridge has very good length and instincts, which help mask some of his athletic limitations. He can get pushed around at times by tight ends due to his lack of strength, and he has a hard time matching up with quicker, smaller slot receivers when he doesn't get his hands on them early. He has enough range to cover the deep half, but doesn't appear to have the speed to play a center-field role. He isn't an in-the-box safety, but is a very good open-field tackler.
QBs:
2. Jameis Winston, Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 94)
6-4, 235 pounds
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner will be eligible for the 2015 draft, if he chooses to leave school early. He has a prototypical frame for the position and excellent arm strength, with the ability to drive the ball downfield and deliver the deep outs with very good velocity. His accuracy is inconsistent, as he misses within the strike zone too much on short-to-intermediate passes and sails some deep balls, but he has the potential to get better with improved mechanics. His decision-making is a bit inconsistent as well, but he shows good anticipation and the ability to beat blitzes and handle pressure. He has good pocket mobility and can make defenders miss and break a few tackles, although he doesn't project as a big-time NFL running threat. He has the confidence and presence NFL teams look for in QBs, but they will have to check into his past legal issues and off-field decision-making.
RBs:
5. Duke Johnson, Miami (FL) Hurricanes (Grade: 73)
5-9, 206 pounds
Johnson's greatest asset is his burst. He doesn't have an elite second gear, but he reaches his top-end speed quickly. He doesn't shake defenders with highlight-reel moves, but he has the agility to make the first defender miss and he's a run-after-catch threat in the passing game. He runs really hard, but doesn't have the power base to regularly push the pile (he's tougher to tackle in space, with an effective stiff arm). He rates very well in terms of intangibles, but his durability is a concern that NFL teams will have to monitor.
WRs:
1. Amari Cooper, Alabama Crimson Tide (Grade: 93)
6-1, 205 pounds
Cooper has average size for the receiver position and good but not elite top-end speed, but his separation and ball skills more than make up for it. I sent out a tweet on this earlier in the week, but there are very few college wide receivers who show the separation skills that Cooper does on tape with such limited experience (he's started only 16 games for the Crimson Tide). He has a sudden release, runs crisp routes, finds soft spots in zone coverage and does a good job of using jab steps and head fakes to set up defenders. He makes tough catches look easy, demonstrating outstanding concentration in traffic -- although he does suffer from too many focus drops.
2. DeVante Parker, Louisville Cardinals (Grade: 90)
6-3, 207 pounds
Parker's size-speed combo is above average, although not outstanding, but he's fast enough to run under the deep ball and is dangerous after the catch, including the ability to slip tackles and pick up yards after contact. He has good separation skills, setting up defenders with footwork and head fakes and locating and exploiting openings in zone looks. His ball skills are just average, as he drops a lot of catchable passes and isn't great on 50-50 balls, but he can pluck the ball out of the air and make over-the-shoulder catches.
TEs:
3. Nick O'Leary, Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 74)
6-3, 235 pounds
O'Leary is a very competitive player who does a good job as both a blocker and a receiver. He is a natural pass-catcher who can snatch the ball away from his frame and shows good body control on 50-50 balls. He lacks ideal size and has just average top-end speed, so he may never be a huge vertical threat in the NFL. But he is quick off the line, has good route running skills and is effective running after the catch.
Defensive ends
2. Randy Gregory, Nebraska Cornhuskers (Grade: 94)
6-6, 245 pounds
Gregory is very lean, and whether he's able to add weight could be a factor going forward, as he's just average against the run because he can get pushed too far outside and gives ground at times. But he has good range to make plays in pursuit, and he has the above-average lateral quickness and closing speed, combined with his effective rip and swim moves, length and finishing ability, to get to the quarterback as a pass-rusher. His best fit at the next level is as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and he lines up as a LB at times for Nebraska.
3. Dante Fowler Jr., Florida Gators (Grade: 93)
6-2, 271 pounds
Fowler is a big and strong edge-setter in the run game who has really good striking ability as a tackler, and the ability to jar the ball loose with his long arms. He has growth potential as a pass-rusher but lacks elite physical traits and isn't a polished finisher at this point in his development. He does have above-average first-step quickness for his size, and in particular has flashed some effectiveness as an inside rusher at nose tackle or a 3-technique in nickel and dime packages. He's another guy who plays hard and with an edge.
5. Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 87)
6-3, 294 pounds
Edwards has very good versatility, with the 4-3 left defensive end and 3-4 left defensive end positions being his best fits, and he has excelled as an interior pass-rusher when moved inside because of his size, strength and quickness. He is a powerful edge rusher, although he lacks polish at this point and relies too much on his strength. He is very tough to move off the ball against the run, but doesn't have the elite closing burst or range to make a ton of plays in pursuit. He possesses a good size-and-speed combo for the position.
Defensive tackles
3. Grady Jarrett, Clemson Tigers (Grade: 81)
6-0, 280 pounds
His measurables for the position aren't ideal (short and light with short arms and limited size potential), and he brings with him some durability concerns as well, after suffering a torn labrum last season. He is a hard-working, tough player, however, who is disruptive against the run. He's quick enough to shoot gaps and agile enough to finish in the backfield. He flashes explosive power as a pass-rusher but he lacks the brute strength to routinely collapse the pocket.
Outside linebackers
2. Vic Beasley, Clemson Tigers (Grade: 89)
6-3, 220 pounds
Beasley's first-step quickness and closing speed are notches below elite, and he displays good speed-to-power potential as a pass-rusher. He is at his best when shooting gaps, and shows good instincts and the ability to quickly locate the ball as a run defender. He has the potential to develop into a sideline-to-sideline tackler. However, he is narrow in his lower body and can be engulfed by offensive linemen, and he doesn't have the size potential to develop into an every-down NFL defensive end.
Inside linebackers
1. Denzel Perryman, Miami (FL) Hurricanes (Grade: 86)
5-11, 248 pounds
Perryman is a natural leader who is the quarterback of the Canes' defense. He shows good recognition skills, above-average range versus the run and good take-on skills. But where he really stands out is as a tackler. He's tough to shake one-on-one, shows good body control in space and he is a thumper who can stop a ball carrier's forward momentum when he gets a good shot at him. He does overrun plays on occasion.
Cornerbacks:
4. Ronald Darby, Florida State Seminoles (Grade: 84)
5-11, 188 pounds
Darby is a disciplined player with good instincts and a very good size-and-speed combination (he's a sprinter on the FSU track team). He's fluid and fast enough to turn and run with most receivers, but the big concern for him is how he matches up with bigger receivers, as he needs to get stronger (this comes into play with him in run support as well). NFL teams will need to look into past off-field incidents with him.
5. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Grade: 83)
6-0, 175 pounds
Johnson has excellent recognition skills, anticipating receivers' breaks and doing a good job of reading the quarterback. He is an aggressive, physical corner in press coverage despite needing to add bulk to his lean frame, and he's fast and fluid enough to turn and run with most receivers -- although his recovery speed is just adequate. He isn't a powerful tackler, but he's aggressive in run support and finds ways to get the ball carrier on the ground.
Safeties:
2. Anthony Harris, Virginia Cavaliers (Grade: 84)
6-1, 188 pounds
Harris is the vocal leader of the Cavs' defense, and he possesses very good route recognition skills and versatility, able to line up at linebacker on occasion in addition to covering the slot. He is a ball hawk, having picked off eight passes last season, who excels playing center field. He can afford to add strength to his lean frame, which would help in run support, on 50-50 balls and when matching up with tight ends in coverage.
3. Durell Eskridge, Syracuse Orange (Grade: 83)
6-3, 203 pounds
Eskridge has very good length and instincts, which help mask some of his athletic limitations. He can get pushed around at times by tight ends due to his lack of strength, and he has a hard time matching up with quicker, smaller slot receivers when he doesn't get his hands on them early. He has enough range to cover the deep half, but doesn't appear to have the speed to play a center-field role. He isn't an in-the-box safety, but is a very good open-field tackler.
