Football Memo

A look ahead to 2015 Draft

The 2014 NFL Draft has just been put to bed, but it’s never too early to begin looking at some of the top prospects who could be among the first to hear their names called in 2015. Here are 10 non-quarterbacks to keep an eye on while watching the 2014 college football season:

  1. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Cooper has it all. He has good size (6-1, 205), short-area quickness, runs well after the catch, and has the speed to blow the top off of defenses. Plays like a smaller version of Julio Jones.
  2. Mario Edwards, DE/DT, Florida State: At 6-3, 290, Edwards is very athletic, and should continue to develop in 2014. Edwards also has the versatility to play tackle in a 3-4, plus defensive end in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
  3. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon: Physical corners with good ball skills don’t last too long on draft day. Many were surprised Ekpre-Olomu remained at school for another year, but if he has another good season, it should make him the clear-cut top corner in this draft.
  4. Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State: One of my favorite players that I’ve watched so far, Fackrell is a 6-5, 240-pound tackling machine. He is solid rushing the passer and playing in space. Should be among the top 3-4 outside linebackers available.
  5. Devonte Fields, DE/OLB, TCU: An elite athlete, Fields is built for the NFL game with a 6-3, 250-pound frame. Had 10 sacks in 2012 for the Horned Frogs, and then was redshirted due to injury this past season. If Fields returns to form, he’ll be a definite first-rounder.
  6. Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: The 6-4, 255-pound Gregory registered 10 sacks in 2013. He seems most comfortable as a defensive end in a 4-3, but could possibly play as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
  7. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: I’ve always been a huge fan of Todd Gurley. He’s not an elite athlete, but his running instincts, toughness and desire are unquestioned. The only question I have about Gurley is: how long can he last after carrying a huge workload throughout his collegiate career?
  8. Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington: Thompson plays a little like Ryan Shazier, who was selected No. 15 last month by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is a bit undersized (6-2, 230), but flies around field to make plays against both the run and pass games.
  9. Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: At 6-foot-7, 310 pounds, Peat has the length and feet to be a top pass protector, and toughness to maul people in the run game. He is only a junior and is still developing his skills.
  10. Leonard Williams, DT, USC: Just a junior in 2014, Williams has what NFL teams are looking for in a defensive end. He’s big, quick, versatile and has plenty of room for improvement. His versatility to project on the inside in a 4-3 or on the outside in a 3-4 is what could have him among the most coveted prospects, should he opt to come out early.

 

 

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