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 10. Tre McBride, WR, Williams & Mary (6-0, 210, 4.41)
An FCS All-American, McBride leaves school with several William &
Mary receiving records and has a Pierre Garcon-like skillset for the
NFL. And like Garcon, who made the jump from Division III, McBride
faces a transition from "small school" to the NFL. Growing up in a
military family, he lived in seven different states over his
childhood so he is accustomed to change and adjusting quickly to new
surroundings. McBride isn't explosive or sudden, but he is smooth
and athletic and although his ability to create separate isn't a
strength, he has polish and seasoning that most FCS receivers lack,
projecting as a NFL starter by year two.
9. Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Miss (6-2, 307, 5.02)
Born and raised in Dangriga, Belize, Nunez-Roches arrived in the
United States with his mother in 2000 and they traveled across the
country, living out of their car at times before setting in Alabama
for his high school years. He picked up football and developed into
Southern Miss' top defensive player, playing primarily the one- and
zero-technique positions. Nunez-Roches is a quick-footed penetrator
who is at his best shooting gaps or using his quick extension to
attack and drive blockers backward. He needs coached up to groom the
technical side of his game, but the raw tools and motivated attitude
are there for him to develop into a disruptive role player in the
NFL and eventual starter, possibly as soon as his rookie season.
8. James Sample, SS, Louisville (6-2, 209, 4.56)
A Washington transfer, Sample spent less than a calendar year at
Louisville, but was impressive and showed the potential that made
him a top high school recruit. A tough competitor, Sample is a true
hunter against both the run and the pass with terrific diagnose
skills to stack at the point of attack and make stops near the line
of scrimmage. He is still developing his cover instincts, but
catches on quickly and does a nice job with zone responsibilities.
Simply put, Sample's sample size raises some doubt, but the tape he
produced in 2014 is impressive enough to think he can start in the
NFL.
7. Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State (6-2, 293, 4.97)
The son of parents who each graduated from West Point, Bennett
played both the three- and one-technique positions at Ohio State,
starting 30 games over his career. His initial quickness and fluid
movement skills are his best assets, but he can be controlled by
single blockers and lacks the natural power to work through bodies.
Although he can play above his measureables, Bennett needs to turn
those flashes into consistency, struggling to answer if he doesn't
win off first movement and blockers are able to take away angles. He
has starting potential as a three-technique in a 4-3 scheme and is
viewed as a potential nose tackle by other squads.
6. Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State (5-11, 182, 4.53)
The leading receiver on three ACC Championship teams and one
national title team, Greene leaves Tallahassee with a number of
Florida State records, including career catches and receiving yards.
Although his top-end speed is average, his route coordination and
short-area quickness to create separation are his best strengths.
Greene will fight the ball at times, especially when he lets it come
to him, but he has soft hands and the hand/eye coordination to
improve his ballskills. Greene has the skillset ideally suited for
the slot, where he can be an impact player in the NFL, but his lack
of size and physicality are question marks in his transition and
will scare off some teams.
5. Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson (6-1, 304, 5.06)
A barrel-chested bowling ball, Jarrett didn't have the production of
Vic Beasley or Stephone Anthony in Clemson's front seven, but the
coaches say he was the glue of the Tigers' defense and the type that
out-works everyone in the locker room. He grew up around the NFL
game and benefited from the tutelage of his father (Jessie Tuggle)
and adopted uncle (Ray Lewis). He has a "little tea cup" skillset
(short and stout) with a wrestling background, using his initial
quickness, natural leverage and pad level to attack gaps and win
angles. Jarrett is limited to a one-gap scheme and lacks the brute
strength to overwhelm blockers, but projects as a poor man's Aaron
Donald, shooting gaps and disrupting the backfield.
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4. Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas (6-2, 266, 4.85)
Although he doesn't have the gaudy production of other defensive end
prospects, Flowers has NFL size/strength dimensions and was
consistently effective since arriving at Arkansas, doing his best
work against the run. He doesn't cheat himself and uses every asset
in his bag of tricks to make plays, showing the mentality for the
trenches to do the dirty work. Flowers isn't a dynamic athlete, but
he plays passionate and tough with the high energy level to always
play at full speed. He projects best as a 4-3 defensive end who is
at his best taking on blocks and setting the edge as a stout run
defender.
3. Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State (6-0, 221, 4.57)
Ajayi is a case of another very talented player who won't be drafted
as high as he should because of injuries. This past season, he
became the first player in FBS history to rush for 1,800-plus yards
and collect 500-plus receiving yards. However, several teams have
dinged him for a knee injury earlier in his career that has
progressively gotten worse. He is healthy right now, but the
question is longevity and teams wonder if he'll be able to play out
his full rookie contract. Ajayi should be drafted soon on day three,
but it's an unfortunate set of circumstances for a talented player.
2. La'el Collins, OT, LSU (6-5, 305, 5.12)
A wrecking ball in the run game, Collins isn't always the most
controlled, but he sells out to eliminate bodies in his path that
are wearing the other color jersey. He needs to show better bend and
consistency in pass protection, too often falling off balance with
limited range in his kick-slide, but there is no question about his
100 percent effort and mean streak. Collins is a first-round talent,
but because of his connection with an off-field incident, it appears
he will remove himself from this draft to re-enter next year.
1. T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh (6-5, 309, 5.14)
A former defensive end, Clemmings has explosive upper-body strength
and powerful hands to dominate and knock defenders off their feet,
playing like a strong oak tree made out of muscle fibers (once he
gets his hands on you, it's over). He's very raw in several areas,
but he has untapped potential with moldable traits to be a long-term
NFL starter at offensive tackle or guard. A stress fracture in his
foot appears to be the reason for Clemmings' drop down boards.
--Dane Brugler is a Senior Analyst for www.NFLDraftScout.com, a
property of The Sports Xchange distributed in partnership with
CBSSports.com.
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