Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins (2) runs against Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half in the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL scouting combine is only a week away. Top prospects Sammy Watkins and Jadaveon Clowney have confirmed that they will participate in all workouts.
The combine is not as much of a make or break situation as many believe. Yet, it does give prospects the ability to showcase their skills. It can also give exposure to lesser known players.
Draft stocks will change slightly, and draft boards will be adjusted as a result of the combine, but most NFL minds already have an opinion on most prospects. Nonetheless, the combine is an exciting time of the year for NFL diehards.
1. Houston Texans – QB – Teddy Bridgewater – Louisville
Bridgewater is the most complete quarterback in this year’s draft class. Read a scouting report of Bridgewater by clicking here.
2. St. Louis Rams (Via WAS) – WR – Sammy Watkins – Clemson
Ultimately I believe it would benefit the Rams to trade this pick and gather more pieces, but if they don’t, they need to find Sam Bradford a legitimate target.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE – Jadaveon Clowney – South Carolina
Clowney is arguably the most dominant defensive player to come around in a while. The Jaguars cannot afford to pass up this opportunity.
4. Cleveland Browns – QB – Derek Carr – Fresno State
The strong armed quarterback from Fresno State can make plays that many other prospects are not able to. Imagine what Josh Gordon could do with a talented quarterback.
5. Oakland Raiders – OT – Greg Robinson – Auburn
The Raiders have many holes to fill on their roster. An elite offensive lineman would make whoever they have under center much more comfortable.
6. Atlanta Falcons – OT – Jake Matthews – Texas A&M
The Falcons need to keep their franchise quarterback safe. Jake Matthews may be the best offensive lineman in the draft, and they steal him at number six.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB – Blake Bortles – UCF
The Buccaneers are another team that could trade back. Does the new coaching staff believe in Mike Glennon, or do they want to start fresh? Bortles has the tools to be a very good quarterback in this league. Read a scouting report of Bortles by clicking here.
8. Minnesota Vikings – OLB – Anthony Barr – UCLA
The Vikings and new head coach, Mike Zimmer, want to bring attitude to the defense. There is no better fit than UCLA’s standout senior, Anthony Barr.
9. Buffalo Bills – OLB – Khalil Mack – Buffalo
Khalil Mack pairs up with rookie sensation Kiko Alonso to create a dominant, young linebacking corp. Read a more in depth report on Khalil Mack here.
10. Detroit Lions – WR – Mike Evans – Texas A&M
The Lions only receiving threat is Calvin Johnson. They need to take the pressure off Megatron by finding a playmaker. Mike Evans is that guy.
11. Tennessee Titans – QB – Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M
The Jake Locker project has been unsuccessful up to this point. Johnny Manziel will bring a whole new culture of football to Tennessee. He will give them the spark they need to move down the field on offense.
12. New York Giants – MLB – CJ Mosley – Alabama
The Giants defense has gone from one of the best in the league to one of the most disappointing. CJ Mosley can step onto the field day one and be a leader for a team that needs a boost.
13. St. Louis Rams – OT – Cyrus Kouandjio – Alabama
The Rams took a playmaker with their first pick and now they focus on protecting the quarterback. Kouandjio is another solid prospect in a deep offensive tackle class.
14. Chicago Bears – DT – Louis Nix – Notre Dame
Chicago needs to get younger on the defensive line. Because of his injury last season, Nix could fall right into their lap.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB – Darqueze Dennard – Michigan State
Dennard brings great shutdown ability to an aging, overrated Pittsburgh secondary.
16. Baltimore Ravens – WR – Marqise Lee – USC
Lee dealt with injury last season, but is still the offensive weapon he has always been. The Ravens will upgrade their offense greatly with this addition.
17. Dallas Cowboys – S – Haha Clinton-Dix – Alabama
One of the league’s worst defenses gets a big upgrade in the secondary by grabbing the draft’s best safety. Clinton-Dix can do it all on defense.
18. New York Jets – TE – Eric Ebron – North Carolina
The Jets were a nightmare to watch on offense. This was because they lacked any type of weapon for their rookie quarterback. Look for Ebron to step right in and change the mindset of that offense.
19. Miami Dolphins – OT – Tyler Lewan – Michigan
The problem with the Miami offensive line is much more complicated than their awful on field production. Bringing in new faces could make a difference in the locker room.
Sep 21, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive tackle Zack Martin (70) celebrates on the sideline in the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
20. Arizona Cardinals – OT – Zack Martin – Notre Dame
Zack Martin had a successful Senior Bowl week and earned the respect of many NFL minds. He shows the ability to be a very good NFL prospect.
21. Green Bay Packers – S – Calvin Pryor – Louisville
The Packers have failed to stop the bleeding when it comes to NFC North passing offenses. They need an upgrade in the secondary and Pryor is climbing up draft boards.
22. Philadelphia Eagles – DE/OLB – Dee Ford – Auburn
Dee Ford is the dynamic defensive player that the Eagles have been missing. He can play both defensive end and outside linebacker. He was the Senior Bowl MVP after an incredible performance.
23. Kansas City Chiefs – TE – Jace Amaro – Texas Tech
The Chiefs need more production on offense. The defense carried the team much of last season. Jace Amaro is part of the new breed of tight end in the NFL. Read a more in-depth report on Jace Amaro here.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – CB – Justin Gilbert – Oklahoma State
The main weakness in the solid defense that the Bengals had last season was their secondary. Look for them to improve that area greatly over the offseason.
25. San Diego Chargers – CB – Jason Verret – TCU
The Chargers offense returned to form in 2013 after adding some key ingredients. San Diego hopes to do the same thing to their defense this offseason. Their first task will be finding a dynamic cornerback
26. Cleveland Browns (Via IND) – WR – Odell Beckham Jr – LSU
The Browns picked up their franchise quarterback earlier in round one, and now need to give him another weapon. The addition of Beckham would give the Browns a scary one-two punch at wide receiver.
27. New Orleans Saints – OLB – Kyle Van Noy – BYU
Van Noy is a jack-of-all-trades defensive player. He can get to the quarterback, as well as drop back into coverage. A perfect fit for Rob Ryan’s defense. Read a more in-depth report on Kyle Van Noy here.
28. Carolina Panthers – WR – Allen Robinson – Penn State
Robinson would give Cam Newton the young playmaker he has yet to have in Carolina. Steve Smith is aging and the Panthers need to find someone to take over the number one spot.
29. New England Patriots – DT – Aaron Donald – Pittsburgh
Aaron Donald is another beneficiary of a great Senior Bowl week. He showed great toughness and the ability to beat anyone that lined up across from him. Belichick and company would love to have him on their team.
30. San Francisco 49ers – DE – Kony Ealy – Missouri
Ealy has a great mix of pass rushing and run stopping ability. The 49ers defense would only become more dominant with this addition
31. Denver Broncos – DE/DT – Ra’shede Hageman – Minnesota
Hagemans ability to play all over the defensive line makes him a great fit for Denver. They can plug him into multiple positions in any situation. He has great athleticism for his size.
32. Seattle Seahawks – OG – David Yankey – Stanford
Yankey is an extremely disciplined, smash mouth player who would be a large upgrade for the offensive line in Seattle. Russell Wilson needs more time to make plays from the pocket, and this addition would help him achieve that.
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