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Big Board: Kevin Johnson, Byron Jones rise into first-round status


by Rob Rang | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

April 15, 2015 3:15 PM ET

With the 2015 NFL Draft just days away, it is time to start taking a broader look at this year's class.

The 2015 class is loaded with receivers and edge rushers. Running back is as strong as it has been in years. Although cornerback and offensive tackle may lack a consensus top-five pick, these positions are solid as well. Quarterback, tight end, linebacker and safety, on the other hand, are relative weak spots.

Here are my personal rankings of the top 100 prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft.

1. Jameis Winston, QB, 6-4, 231, 4.97, rSo, Florida State: Winston possesses the prototypical combination of physical traits necessary for success in the NFL -- size, functional mobility, arm strength and accuracy. Better yet, he enhances these tools with awareness, on-field composure and natural leadership skills. The off-field concerns are troubling, but Winston is described by scouts as immature and entitled rather than violent or untrustworthy. I think he's a future Pro Bowl quarterback and the player in this draft most likely to turn a franchise into contender.

2. Leonard Williams, DT, 6-5, 302, 4.97, Jr, Southern Cal: Strong, athletic and passionate, the Trojans' star is earning comparisons to everyone from Houston Texans' defensive end J.J. Watt to Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy for his ability to dominate the line of scrimmage while alternating between defensive tackle and defensive end. He's too quick for guards and too strong for tackles, wreaking havoc along the line of scrimmage against the run and pass.

3. Dante Fowler Jr., DE, 6-3, 261, 4.60, Jr, Florida: A talented pass rusher with experience at outside linebacker and all over the defensive line, Fowler is an intriguing athlete with range, strength and flexibility. He isn't as explosive off the snap or productive as some of the other pass rushers but is the most pro-ready.

4. Marcus Mariota, QB, 6-4, 222, 4.52, rJr, Oregon: As one of the few in the media who attended both Mariota's throwing session at the combine and his pro day workout, I can tell you that there were gains made in his accuracy while dropping back from center -- critical to success in a pro-style offense. Mariota is a work in progress, but he offers a rare combination of physical talent and work ethic.

5. Amari Cooper, WR, 6-1, 211, 4.42, Jr, Alabama: Cooper's production this season looks like something out of a video game. Alabama's first Biletnikoff Award winner, Cooper shattered Alabama records with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns, including two scores against the Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl loss. It isn't just the production in Lane Kiffin's pro-style scheme that has scouts excited. Cooper is a terrific route-runner whose agility and acceleration make his elusiveness appear almost effortless.

6. Brandon Scherff, OT, 6-5, 319, 5.05, rSr, Iowa: Scherff may just prove to be the best in the long line of blockers tutored by Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz, which is quite an accomplishment considering that 13 Iowa offensive linemen have been drafted since he took over in 1999. Scherff won big points with scouts for his toughness, battling back from a torn meniscus and corrective surgery on Sept. 8 to start against rival Iowa State five days later. Team doctors want to check his recovery, though he certainly looked good March 23 at his pro day. Scherff is powerful, tough and tenacious, and I see him as one of the "safer" prospects in the draft, though his ultimate position in the NFL could be at right tackle or guard.

7. Vic Beasley, OLB, 6-3, 246, 4.53, rSr, Clemson: With pressure on the quarterback priority No. 1 on defense, teams are more willing than ever to trade size for speed at the position. Like recent "undersized" first-round rushers Von Miller, Bruce Irvin, Barkevious Mingo and Dee Ford, Beasley boasts a lightning-quick first-step and the agility to stalk mobile quarterbacks. His combination of speed and strength (35 repetitions of 225 pounds) demonstrated at the combine shows up on tape, as Beasley leaves Clemson as the school's all-time sacks leader (29).

8. Kevin White, WR, 6-3, 215, 4.35, Sr, West Virginia: No player improved his draft stock more in 2014 than White. It wasn't just his production (110 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns) that is impressing scouts. White's size, strength and ability to come down with contested grabs is something that every team in the NFL is looking for at the receiver position. While the eye-popping 40-yard dash time at the combine is sure to generate buzz, I didn't always see this kind of speed from White on tape.

9. Danny Shelton, DT, 6-2, 339, 5.64, Sr, Washington: Broad-shouldered, powerful and surprisingly passionate in pursuit, Shelton is a classic two-gap run defender with the gaudy statistics to catch the attention of scouts. He has flashed first-round talent throughout his career but played at a different level as a senior, boosting his stock considerably.

10. DeVante Parker, WR, 6-3, 209, 4.45, Sr, Louisville: A broken left foot sidelined Parker for the first seven games of the 2014 season, but he returned with a vengeance, averaging seven receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown in his six games, including a Belk Bowl loss to Georgia. Parker can win with his height and ability to high-point passes. He also has impressive fluidity and acceleration for a receiver of his size.

11. La'el Collins, OT, 6-4, 305, 5.12, Sr, LSU: Collins doesn't get the national attention of other tackles in this class, but the big man is surprisingly agile in pass protection and is a mauler in the running game. Collins isn't an elite athlete and will likely wind up inside at guard or right tackle in the NFL rather than at his customary left tackle position. He has the square build and physical nature to handle the move and saw snaps at left guard in Mobile.

12. Trae Waynes, CB, 6-0, 186, 4.31, rJr, Michigan State: Waynes erased any doubts about his athleticism by blazing through the 40-yard dash at the combine. Waynes possesses the length, fluidity and ball skills required of cornerbacks in today's pass-happy NFL and is stouter against the run than his frame implies.

13. Ereck Flowers, OT, 6-6, 329, 5.31, Jr, Miami (Fla.): Flowers played left tackle at Miami but may need to move to the right side in the NFL. Despite his massive frame, Flowers is light on his feet and balanced in pass protection. He is aggressive and active as a run blocker, including looking for defenders in pursuit - offering precisely the type of "nastiness" scouts prefer.

14. Landon Collins, SS, 6-0, 228, 4.53, Jr, Alabama: Instinctive, athletic and an explosive hitter, Collins looks the part of a top-10 pick. His downhill-playing style might be best suited to strong safety as he has been fooled deep on occasion this year due to his aggression. Further, scouts are certainly aware of the fact that few of the highly drafted few defensive backs out of Alabama have performed as brilliantly in the NFL as they did for Nick Saban.

15. Shane Ray, DE, 6-3, 245, 4.54, Jr, Missouri: Ray was unable to match the phenomenal combine workouts from Beasley and Gregory at his March 19 pro day and has slipped down my board as a result. It is important to remember his tape. This is the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year -- he led the power conference with 14.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in his first season as a starter. However, the extra 15 pounds that Ray put on for his workout robbed him of some of his speed and explosiveness (33-inch vertical) and scouts on hand questioned his weight distribution, noting his thin legs and narrow hips that may limit the weight Ray can gain and force him to play linebacker in the NFL.

16. Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, 6-4, 269, 4.56, rSr, Kentucky: The Wildcats may not have the history of churning out high-end defenders of some other SEC teams, but that won't stop Dupree from earning a first-round selection. Dupree's length, agility and closing speed stand out on tape, as does his comfort playing out of the two or three point stance. Better yet, his traits translate into production against quality competition. Dupree leaves Kentucky with 24 sacks over his career, more than any other player in the SEC.

17. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, 6-5, 237, 4.49, rJr, Oklahoma: His split surname is appropriate as the former Missouri and Oklahoma wideout possesses the height and grace of Cincinnati All Pro A.J. Green and the ability to make the ridiculous catch look easy ala the Giants' star rookie Odell Beckham, Jr. The character concerns that prompted Green-Beckham's transfer from Missouri certainly require thorough investigating.

18. Marcus Peters, CB, 6-0, 197, 4.53, Jr, Washington: On the field, Peters is the top cornerback in the class. His aggression, length and ball skills (11 career interceptions) are clearly first-round caliber and his athleticism stood out during UW's April 2 pro day. Peters' character is a legitimate concern, however. I've been told by a few teams that Peters is off their board as he was dismissed by new Washington head coach Chris Peterson Nov. 6 and was suspended by the previous staff for the first quarter of the 2012 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, as well.

19. Randy Gregory, DE, 6-5, 235, Jr, 4.64, Nebraska: Attacking off the edge out of the two- or three-point stance, Gregory has proven to be a natural pass rusher with an explosive get-off, flexibility, long arms and active hands and the tenacious style of play (including against the run) that will endear him to coaches. Gregory brings a number of red flags with him, however, not the least of which is the fact that he has a thin frame, struggled with injuries last season, wasn't as effective last year as he was in 2013 and raised more questions than answers during interviews with teams at the combine. Gregory's admission of a failed drug test is only the latest in a series of missteps that could push the top-10 talent outside of the top 20 -- or even lower.

20. T.J. Clemmings, OT, 6-5, 309, 5.14, rSr, Pittsburgh: Clemmings made steady progress at right tackle since making the jump from defensive end two years ago, demonstrating an exciting combination of length, agility and tenacity. He remains quite raw, however -- something that the polished defensive ends at the Senior Bowl took full advantage of. Clemmings' upside will earn him a first-round selection, but the team that selects him will need to be patient as he learns the finer points of the position.

21. Malcom Brown, DT, 6-2, 319, 5.05, Jr, Texas: Much quicker than his well-proportioned frame would indicate, Brown proved a relative bright spot in 2014 for the Longhorns, earning consensus All-American honors with 72 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Though Brown is leaving Austin as just a junior, the NFL may be impressed with his maturity, as he's married with two children.

22. Andrus Peat, OT, 6-7, 313, 5.18, Jr, Stanford: Peat signed with Stanford as a five-star recruit and possesses the combination of size and athleticism scouts drool over, so it is quite possible that he'll be drafted much higher than I grade him. However, he experienced notable lapses as a junior, from getting blown up by Notre Dame and struggling mightily against Utah's Nate Orchard. Peat's upside warrants early consideration but unless he develops more nastiness to his play, there is doubt that he will fulfill his potential.

23. Cameron Erving, OL, 6-5, 313, 5.15, rSr, Florida State: In making a seamless transition from left tackle to center, Erving won the ACC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference's top blocker after winning the same award last year at the blind side. He also captured the imagination of scouts, who see Erving's length, agility and selflessness as traits that could help him play any of the five spots along the offensive line.

24. Melvin Gordon, RB, 6-1, 215, 4.52, rJr, Wisconsin: Gordon offers a rare blend of balance, vision and burst that makes him a home run threat on every snap. He is not as gifted as his chief competition among running backs (Georgia's Todd Gurley), but he's a legitimate first-round prospect in his own right, with underrated hands out of the backfield and even strength and tenacity to hold up in pass protection.

25. Todd Gurley, RB, 6-1, 222, 4.52, Jr, Georgia: Boasting a combination of size, power, balance and acceleration to warrant comparison to Seattle's superstar Marshawn Lynch, Gurley is the most gifted running back in the class of 2015 and if healthy, I'd have no problem assigning him a top-15 grade. Unfortunately, Gurley is not 100% healthy as he continues his rehabilitation from a torn ACL. If teams receive feedback following the combine re-checks (April 17) that Gurley is healthy, he could vault Gordon and assume his rightful place as the top-rated talent in a very deep and gifted class of running backs.

26. D.J. Humphries, OT, 6-5, 307, 5.12, Jr, Florida: Humphries epitomizes what makes the NFL Draft so fascinating for many fans. He wasn't a dominant player for the Gators, missing seven games (and meaningful snaps in several more) over the past two seasons and has never played heavier than 285 pounds. His upside is exciting, however, as Humphries is one of the few offensive linemen in this class with the combination of light feet, balance and long arms to remain at left tackle in the NFL.

27. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, 6-3, 267, 4.62, rSr, UCLA: Overshadowed by some of UCLA's "other" talent, Odighizuwa quietly recorded 61 tackles, including 11.5 tackles for loss in 2014 and followed that up with a strong performance during Senior Bowl week and a dynamite combine. Odighizuwa possesses an NFL-ready frame, a quick first step and good power to hold up against the run. The biggest concern is medical. He's undergone surgery on both hips, missing the entire 2013 season.

28. Byron Jones, CB, 6-1, 199, 4.40, Sr, Connecticut: No player has made a more substantial "leap" up draft boards over the past two months than Jones, who, of course, set a new world record with a staggering 12-3" broad jump at the combine. Jones, a 37 game starter with experience at corner and safety, has the length, leadership and ball skills (eight career interceptions) to back up his athleticism.

29. Breshad Perriman, WR, 6-2, 212, 4.26, rJr, Central Florida: How long did it take Perriman to fly up my board? Well, about 4.26 seconds -- the same time it took the well-built wideout to run the 40-yard dash during his pro day workout March 25. Perriman drops more passes than he should and wasn't used on a variety of routes at UCF so he's a work in progress. The explosiveness shown in drills also stands out on tape, however. With some patience and hard work, he could match or perhaps even surpass his father's (former Detroit Lions' standout Brett Perriman) success in the NFL.

30. Eric Kendricks, OLB, 6-0, 232, 4.61, rSr, UCLA: Given today's pass-happy offenses, NFL defenses are desperate for three-down linebackers. Like his older brother Mychal with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kendricks lacks prototypical size but his athleticism, instincts and ball-skills could earn him first-round consideration.

31. Kevin Johnson, CB, 6-0, 188, 4.52, rSr, Wake Forest: Johnson may be the best cover corner in this class and that will likely earn him a first-round selection. Though he's proven durable (never missing a game over his collegiate career), I do have some reservations about his relatively thin frame and ability to hold up in run support.

32. Jaelen Strong, WR, 6-2, 217, 4.44, rJr, Arizona State: The aptly-named Strong uses his well-built frame, body control and hand-eye coordination to win contested passes and eliminated any concerns about his pure athleticism with a speedy 40-yard dash and explosive vertical jump (42 inches). Strong doesn't get the buzz of some of the other receivers in this class but he's a first-round pick in my book.

The Best of the Rest:

Jake Fisher, OT, 6-6, 306, 5.01, Sr, Oregon

Grady Jarrett, DT, 6-1, 304, 5.06, Sr, Clemson

Nelson Agholor, WR, 6-0, 198, 4.42, Jr, Southern Cal

Eric Rowe, CB/FS, 6-1, 205, 4.45, Sr, Utah

Eddie Goldman, DT, 6-4, 336, 5.30, Jr, Florida State

Shaq Thompson, OLB, 6-0, 228, 4.64, Jr, Washington

Danielle Hunter, DE, 6-5, 252, 4.57, Jr, LSU

Preston Smith, DE, 6-5, 271, 4.74, Sr, Mississippi State

Eli Harold, OLB, 6-3, 247, 4.60, Jr, Virginia

Maxx Williams, TE, 6-4, 249, 4.78, rSo, Minnesota

P.J. Williams, CB, 6-0, 194, 4.57, Jr, Florida State

AJ Cann, OG, 6-3, 313, 5.18, Sr, South Carolina

Mario Edwards, Jr., DE, 6-3, 279, 4.84, Jr, Florida State

Donovan Smith, OT, 6-6, 341, 5.15, Jr, Penn State

Jay Ajayi, RB, 6-0, 221, 4.57, rJr, Boise State

Arik Armstead, DT, 6-7, 292, 5.10, Jr, Oregon

Devin Smith, WR, 6-0, 196, 4.42, Sr, Ohio State

Sammie Coates, WR, 6-1, 212, 4.43, Jr, Auburn

Quinten Rollins, CB, 5-11, 195, 4.57, rSr, Miami (Ohio)

Daryl Williams, OT, 6-5, 327, 5.34, rSr, Oklahoma

Ameer Abdullah, RB, 5-09, 205, 4.60, Sr, Nebraska

Brett Hundley, QB, 6-3, 226, 4.63, rJr, UCLA

Ty Sambrailo, OT, 6-6, 311, 5.36, rSr, Colorado State

Nate Orchard, DE, 6-3, 250, 4.80, Sr, Utah

Jordan Phillips, DT, 6-5, 329, 5.17, Jr, Oklahoma

Jalen Collins, CB, 6-1, 203, 4.48. Jr, LSU

Carl Davis, DT, 6-5, 320, 5.07, rSr, Iowa

Michael Bennett, DT, 6-2, 293, 4.96, Sr, Ohio State

Denzel Perryman, ILB, 5-11, 236, 4.78, Sr, Miami

Paul Dawson, OLB, 6-0, 235, 4.93, Sr, TCU

Henry Anderson, DE, 6-6, 294, 5.03, rSr, Stanford

Ali Marpet, OG, 6-4, 307, 4.96, Sr, Hobart & William Smith

Xavier Cooper, DT, 6-3, 293, 4.86, rJr, Washington State

Ronald Darby, CB, 5-11, 193, 4.37, Jr, Florida State

D'Joun Smith, CB, 5-10, 187, 4.37, Sr, Florida Atlantic

Duke Johnson, RB, 5-09, 207, 4.50, Jr, Miami

Devin Funchess, WR/TE, 6-4, 232, 4.50, Jr, Michigan

Tre Jackson, OG, 6-4, 330, 5.49, Sr, Florida State

Trey Flowers, DE, 6-2, 266, 4.85, Sr, Arkansas

David Johnson, RB, 6-1, 224, 4.40, rSr, Northern Iowa

Clive Walford, TE, 6-4, 251, 4.70, rSr, Miami

Tre McBride, WR, 6-0, 210, 4.39, Sr, William & Mary

Steven Nelson, CB, 5-10, 197, 4.43, Sr, Oregon State

T.J. Yeldon, RB, 6-1, 226, 4.52, Jr, Alabama

Cody Prewitt, S, 6-2, 208, 4.52, Sr, Mississippi

Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, 6-5, 306, 4.98 (est.), rSr, Texas A&M

Anthony Chickillo, DE, 6-3, 267, 4.79, Sr, Miami

Alex Carter, CB, 6-0, 196, 4.50, Jr, Stanford

Josh Shaw, S, 6-0, 201, 4.34, rSr, Southern Cal

Tyler Lockette, WR, 5-10, 182, 4.31, Sr, Kansas State

Lorenzo Mauldin, DE, 6-4, 259, 4.81, Sr, Louisville

Stephone Anthony, ILB, 6-3, 243, 4.53, Sr, Clemson

Kwon Alexander, OLB, 6-1, 227, 4.54, Jr, LSU

Marcus Hardison, DT, 6-3, 307, 4.91, Sr, Arizona State

Benardrick McKinney, ILB, 6-4, 246, 4.62, rJr, Mississippi State

Tevin Coleman, RB, 5-11, 206, 4.50 (est.), Jr, Indiana

Jordan Hicks, OLB, 6-1, 236, 4.62, rSr, Texas

Jaquiski Tartt, S, 6-1, 221, 4.43, rSr, Samford

Kenny Bell, WR, 6-1, 197, 4.37, rSr, Nebraska

Chris Conley, WR, 6-2, 213, 4.33, Sr, Georgia

Jeremy Langford, RB, 6-0, 208, 4.40, rSr, Michigan State

Damarious Randall, S, 5-11, 196, 4.40, rSr, Arizona State

Rashad Greene, WR, 5-11, 182, 4.49, Sr, Florida State

Tony Lippett, WR/CB, 6-2, 192, 4.56, rSr, Michigan State
 
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dbair1967

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Yep, unless amazingly he is just rated WAY above anyone else at other positions by our scouts
 

NoShame

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Yea I wouldn't be cool with that at all. Nothing against the player but we don't need a wr. Especially not in the first round.
 

dbair1967

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Nope. Let Dez walk next year and you have his exact replica.

If you could guarantee that it might make sense, but guys a lot more highly though of than him have busted out big time.

Dez is a dominant player.
 

dbair1967

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Imagine how much moreso with this new guy playing in the slot.

Only one football to go around.

But we have a damn good slot receiver now, and we just paid him accordingly for that.

I'd be shocked if they took a WR in round one this yr.
 

Doomsday

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I'd be shocked if they took a WR in round one this yr.
Oh yeah, won't happen I agree.

Strong though, he can play slot or wide and is deadly with bubble screens. If they took him at 27 I wouldn't gripe. Dez is gonna be gone if Jerruh and Stevie don't cave to his demands.
 
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