NFL Draft 2014 Preview (5 page)

Weaknesses:
Is undersized and injury-prone with multiple foot and shoulder injuries. Played in a non-traditional, gimmicky offense featuring many simple reads and has a tendency to birddog his primary target. Operated heavily out of the shotgun, and mechanics will require seasoning. Average arm strength — does not generate velocity on the move and comes up short on the deep ball. Can be too jittery vs. pressure and quick to tuck and run.

Future:
Lacks prototype measurements and arm talent and played in a high-percentage, dink-and-dunk passing game that has not translated well to the pros, yet possesses the intangibles, toughness, football intelligence and escapability to warrant developing. Is the type of player scouts root for. A Jeff Garcia, make-it type quarterback likely to will his way into a job.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

QB logan thomas, #3

virginia tech
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Grade: 5.42

Ht: 6-6 1/8 | Wt: 248 | Sp: 4.59 | Arm: 34 1/4 | Hand: 10 7/8

History:
The Virginia prep participated in the U.S. Army Bowl and was the top-ranked tight end prospect in the country. Redshirted in 2009. Saw action in seven games in ’10 as a quarterback and wide receiver, completed 12-of-26 passes for 107 yards (84.6 percent) with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Ran the ball six times for 22 yards (3.7-yard average) and zero touchdowns, in addition to catching a 2-yard touchdown pass vs. Wake Forest. Started all 14 games at quarterback in ’11 and threw for 234-391-3,013-19-10 (60.0) while rushing 153-469-11 (3.1). Set the school record for rushing touchdowns by a QB. Led the Hokies in rushing in ’12 with 174-524-9 (3.0) and throwing 220-429-2,976-18-16 (51.3) in 13 starts. Made every start for the Hokies for a third straight season, tossing 227-402-2,907-16-13 (56.5) and rushing 162-344-4 (2.1) in 13 games. Was knocked out of the Sun Bowl early with a head injury. Team captain. Finished his career with 9,103 yards and 53 touchdowns, both school records. Had a 26-14 record in 40 career starts.

Strengths:
Outstanding size, stature and strength — towers over the line, has natural throwing lanes from the pocket and is able to make plays in the grasp. Athletic — can climb the pocket, escape and run for the sticks. Load to bring down. Generates easy velocity with a quick, compact release and can make all the throws. Is very competitive and will sell out to make a play. Has upside. Tough and durable — started 40 consecutive games. Vocal leader.

Weaknesses:
Plateaued as a sophomore. Uneven performance. Inconsistent footwork and mechanics. Shoddy ball placement. Still developing touch and deep-ball accuracy. Needs to quicken his eyes and expand his field vision. Needs to learn to protect himself — is not elusive and represents a big target to defenders. Struggled in big games, including a nightmare performance against Alabama. Too careless with the football — 39 INTs and 23 fumbles as a starter. Career 50-percent passer on third down.

Future:
Unrefined, strong-armed, sturdy pocket passer who looks the part and has intriguing, raw arm talent, though he is a converted tight end whose inexperience showed throughout a yo-yo career in Blacksburg. Has definite developmental value given his starter-caliber skill set and intangible makeup. Would benefit from coaching continuity, more specifically a QB coach capable of refining his crude talent.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is as raw as they come. I did not like him last year. He did not have much help around him — no receivers or running backs like they used to have. Everything about him is raw.”

QB dustin vaughan, #10

west TEXAS A&M
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Grade: 4.85

Ht: 6-4 7/8 | Wt: 235 | Sp: 4.96 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 8 7/8

History:
The Texas native played basketball and baseball in addition to being a punter. Redshirted in 2009. Saw limited action in four games in ’10 as the third-string QB, completing 7-of-12 passes for 96 yards (58.3 percent) with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Threw for 227-382-3,316-25-6 (59.4) in 11 games (10 starts) in ’11 after taking over as the starter in Week 2. His first career start was at Cowboys Stadium vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville. Was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Year in ’12 after posting 359-555-4,712-45-13 (64.7) in 15 starts. Also earned Capital One/CoSIDA Academic Player of the Year for Division II. Had an unbelievable senior season in ’13, leading the NCAA (all divisions) in passing yards after racking up 447-675-5,401-53-10 (66.2) in 14 starts. Was the only QB in the NCAA to top 5,000 yards, was the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Award (best player in Division II) and set the all-time Division II record for passing yards. Made 39 career starts and had a 31-8 record. Team captain.

Strengths:
Excellent size. Good short-to-intermediate accuracy when he has time to set his feet and step into throws. Very intelligent. Superb leadership qualities and intangibles. Highly respected, vocal team leader. Very competitive. Urgent, demanding, on-field presence. Outstanding production. Tough and durable.

Weaknesses:
Has small hands. Most balls are flat with little arc and not easily catchable. Plays in a spread-pistol offense operating exclusively out of the gun and featuring a lot of simple, one-look reads. Very average mobility to escape the rush and create plays in the pocket with his feet. Will force the ball under duress and needs to hone his decision-making. Is late to trigger and takes unnecessary sacks. Has not faced top competition and windows will tighten in the pros.

Future:
A developmental, dink-and-dunk pocket passer with intriguing intangibles and leadership qualities sought for a supportive backup or No. 3 role. Will require time to acclimate to the speed of the NFL game.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

QB keith wenning, #10

ball state
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Grade: 5.00

Ht: 6-2 5/8 | Wt: 218 | Sp: 5.01 | Arm: 31 1/4 | Hand: 10

History:
The Ohio prep had a 49-4 record as a starter and lettered in basketball and baseball. Saw action in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2010, starting the final 10, and completed 128-of-235 passes for 1,373 yards (54.5 percent) with 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Made all 12 starts in ’11, tossing 287-449-2,786-19-11 (63.9). In ’12, started 12 games and posted 301-460-3,095-24-10. Caught a 12-yard touchdown pass against Indiana. Missed the regular season finale against Miami (OH) with a fractured right ankle but returned to start the Beef ‘O’ Brady Bowl. Became the first Ball State QB to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season in ’13 after tallying 319-498-4,148-35-7 (64.1) in 13 starts. Set the school’s career records for completions (1,035), attempts (1,642), passing yards (11,402) and touchdowns (92). Had 13 career rushing touchdowns and a 27-20 mark in 47 starts. Two-time team captain.

Strengths:
Experienced, four-year starter with a solid build. Very smart and understands the offense. Outstanding football character and personal character — works at his craft, is driven to succeed and will represent a franchise well. Respected leader. Football is very important to him. Very tough and highly competitive. Has directed 10 fourth-quarter comebacks in his career. Consistent in his approach.

Weaknesses:
Average arm strength, athletic ability and pocket mobility to avoid the first wave and make throws off-balance and under duress. Carries a heaviness in his body and lacks twitch. Works almost exclusively out of the gun and will need to adapt to working from under center. Cannot easily manipulate his arm and throwing platform. Does not drive the deep out, and accuracy and placement diminishes downfield. Production is inflated from regularly facing inferior MAC competition.

Future:
Heavy-bodied, dink-and-dunk, rhythm passer who could be challenged to fit the ball into tight NFL windows. Has the makeup desired in a No. 3 QB and could develop into a functional backup in a West Coast passing game.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Running Backs

DE’ANTHONY THOMAS JERICK McKINNON

TERRANCE WEST

KA’DEEM CAREY

BISHOP SANKEY

DEVONTA FREEMAN

ANDRE WILLIAMS

JEREMY HILL

TRE MASON

CARLOS HYDE

RB-KR antonio andrews, #5

western kentucky
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Grade: 5.20

Ht: 5-10 1/8 | Wt: 225 | Sp: 4.72 | Arm: 31 1/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
High school quarterback who led his team to a 29-0 record and two state championships while totaling 6,733 yards (passing and rushing) and 106 touchdowns, earning Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior. Originally attended Air Force prep school before transferring to WKU in 2010 when he played eight games (one start) and rushed 32 times for 174 yards (5.4-yard average) and two touchdowns with five receptions for 37 yards (7.4) and zero touchdowns. Backed up Buccaneers RB Bobby Rainey in ’11 when he played eight games and carried 15-42-0 (2.8) and caught 2-16-0 (8.0). Missed two games while nursing a high left ankle sprain, and was suspended for two games following a Twitter rant criticizing WKU fans. Broke out in ’12, piling up 304-1,728-11 (5.7) on the ground and 37-432-3 (11.7) receiving in 13 games (12 starts). Was second on the depth chart to open the season, but started as an injury replacement in Week Two and never relinquished the job. Led the nation in all-purpose yards for the second consecutive season in ’13, amassing 267-1,730-16 rushing and 41-478-0 (11.7) receiving while starting all 12 games. For his career, also returned 42 kickoffs for 1,780 yards (20.9) and 42 punts for 382 yards (9.1), including one touchdown. Concluded his career with the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards over a two-year span (5,770).

Strengths:
Good size. Nice vision to pick and slide. Shows instinctive jump-cut ability. Lowers his pads and finishes runs with forward lean. Picks up yards after contact. Effective short-to-intermediate receiver — has body control to adjust to throws. Can handle a heavy workload. Record-breaking two-year production — was the nation’s leading all-purpose gainer 2012-13. Has punt- and kickoff-return experience. Scheme versatile. Showed more burst as a senior.

Weaknesses:
Must learn to better protect the ball — fumbling has been an issue. Average initial quickness, explosiveness and elusiveness. Monotone short stepper. Dull burst through the hole. Does not have an extra gear to pull away — gets tracked down from behind. Inconsistent pad level and leg drive — limited power. Occasional concentration drop. Struggles in pass protection. Clocked a pedestrian 40-time as high as 4.84 seconds at the Combine, a RB-low 1.81-second, 10-yards split and recorded a 29 1/2-inch vertical jump.

Future:
Compact, well-built, mid-major workhorse with a blend of one-cut and downhill elements. Generally gains what is blocked for him and has enough power to earn a job as a No. 2 tandem back in a man- or zone-blocking scheme. However, he is not a talented enough runner to overlook or tolerate his fumbles and deficient pass protection, and he will have to earn trust before he earns carries.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“A lot of teams are sleeping on him. He does it all. He blocks. He catches. He is good in pass pro. He can make NFL runs through trash. He’s not a burner — he’s quicker than fast. Whoever coached him at the Senior Bowl is going to try to sneak him late. I’d take him in the third round and think he could be a starter. I’d love to get him in the fourth.”

RB-KR GEORGE ATKINSON III, #4 (JUNIOR)

NOTRE DAME
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Grade: 5.11

Ht: 6-1 3/8 | Wt: 218 | Sp: 4.43 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Father, George, was a two-time all-pro defensive back in the NFL from 1968-1979 for Oakland and Denver. His twin brother, Josh, is a cornerback for Notre Dame. The California prep rushed 172 times for 1,669 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior in 2010, seeing action at running back, wide receiver and defensive back. Also was a track standout, finishing third in the state in the 100-meter finals in ’09 (10.66). Saw action in all 13 games for Notre Dame as a freshman in ’11, returning 35 kickoffs for a school-record 915 yards and two touchdowns (26.1-yard average) while rushing nine times for 27 yards (3.0) and two touchdowns. In the spring of ’12, he ran indoor and outdoor track, placing third in the 200-meter finals at the Big East Indoor Championships (21.47). Also ran 10.36 in a qualifying round 100-meter dash, the second-fastest clocking ever for a Notre Dame track runner (Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, 10.34 in 1991). In the fall, he played in 12 games for the Irish (four starts) and rushed 51-361-5 (7.1) and had kickoff returns of 22-441-0 (20.0). Missed the Oklahoma game with flu-like symptoms. Appeared in 12 games (four starts) in ’13, carrying 93-555-3 (6.0) with kickoff returns of 31-780-0 (25.2). Had an 80-yard touchdown run September 28 against Oklahoma, the longest run from scrimmage for a Notre Dame player since 2000. Was suspended from the Pinstripe Bowl against Rutgers for violating team rules (he claimed via Twitter that he was caught texting during a team meal, but no official reason was given; he subsequently deleted that tweet). Concluded his Notre Dame career as the school’s all-time leader in kickoff returns (88) and kickoff return yards (2,136).

Strengths:
Outstanding timed speed — has been clocked below 10.4 seconds in the 100 meters. Has kickoff-return experience and returned two for scores as a freshman. Can take it the distance when he gets in the clear. Has plenty of tread on his tires having carried just 153 times at Notre Dame. Has NFL bloodlines.

Weaknesses:
Has an upright, linear running style — exposes himself to some violent hits. Does not convert speed to power. Gears down to cut. Struggles to create on his own. Limited elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability — too often grounded by the first tackler or ankle tackles. Crude eyes and instincts. Head-scratching career production. Has underachiever traits. Competitiveness and coachability need to be examined.

Future:
A pedigreed, height-weight-speed prospect who slipped down the depth chart as a junior, Atkinson made a premature jump to the NFL knowing he likely would have been behind underclassmen had he returned as a senior. Is not a natural running back, but has raw tools to warrant consideration as a developmental, one-cut slasher. Better tester than football player. Solid Combine numbers.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

RB ZACH BAUMAN, #34

NORTHERN ARIZONA
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Grade: 5.00

Ht: 5-8 1/2 | Wt: 194 | Sp: 4.65e | Arm: 29 1/2 | Hand: 8 3/4

History:
Two of his cousins played in the NFL — Rashad Bauman, a cornerback with Washington and Cincinnati from 2002-2005, and five-time Pro Bowl running back Greg Pruitt, who played for Cleveland and the Los Angeles Raiders from 1973-1984. Helped lead his high school team to back-to-back Arizona state championships while also lettering in basketball and track. Started as a true freshman for NAU in 2010 and made an immediate impact, rushing for 167 yards and four touchdowns in his collegiate debut against Western New Mexico. Went on to lead the Big Sky with 16 touchdowns, starting all 11 games and rushing 237 times for 1,059 yards (4.5-yard average) and 14 touchdowns with 28 catches for 308 yards (11.0) and two touchdowns. Started all 11 games in ’11 and carried 271-1,435-15 (5.3) and caught 29-352-1 (12.1). Became the first player in school history to surpass the 1,000-yards mark in his first three seasons in ’12, amassing 225-1,182-8 (5.3) rushing and 34-216-1 (6.4) receiving in 11 starts. After the season, he had his right knee scoped to repair a torn meniscus. In ’13, became the ninth player in FCS history to record four 1,000-yard seasons, rushing for 270-1,456-9 (5.4) and catching 44-305-1 (6.9) in 12 starts. Closed his collegiate career with his 25th 100-yard rushing game in a playoff loss to South Dakota State. The three-time first-team All-Big Sky selection finished his career with 5,132 career rushing yards — third-best in conference history. Left NAU as the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards, all-purpose yards (6,316) and points scored (306). Played in the East-West Shrine Game and led all running backs with 47 yards on the ground. Team captain.

Strengths:
Very good balance and run skills. Churns through contact and is surprisingly nifty — sets up his runs. Extremely tough competitor. Outstanding work ethic. Excellent character. Good ball security. Experienced four-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Very average size. Marginal acceleration, long speed and elusiveness. Only shows one gear. Limited bulk to square up in pass protection. Lacks upper-body strength.

Future:
A short, thickly built, bowling bowl running with the balance, vision, work ethic and intangibles to earn a roster spot and overachieve in the pros.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

RB KAPRI BIBBS, #5 (JUNIOR)

COLORADO STATE
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Grade: 5.05

Ht: 5-9 3/8 | Wt: 212 | Sp: 4.76 | Arm: 31 3/8 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
First name is pronounced “kuh-PREE.” Was a Chicago-area prep running back, running his way into the Illinois football record book in 2010 after recording a 520-yard, seven-touchdown game. As a junior and senior, he combined to rush for 61 touchdowns and 4,210 yards. Also lettered in bowling and track. Initially was a member of Colorado State’s 2011 recruiting class, but failed to qualify academically. Spent the ’11 season at Snow CC (Ephraim, UT), where he played in 11 games and rushed 74 times for 415 yards (5.6-yard average) and six touchdowns with one reception for 7 yards. Did not play in ’12, attending classes at Front Range CC in Colorado before enrolling at Colorado State. In ’13 in his only FBS season, he amassed 281-1,741-31 (6.2) on the ground and 8-59-0 (7.4) receiving despite starting only seven of CSU’s 14 games. His 31 rushing touchdowns tied for the most in FBS. On November 9 vs. Nevada, he set a Rams single-game rushing record with 312 yards (on 30 carries). The following week, he tied a Mountain West record by scoring six touchdowns during a 291-yard performance at New Mexico. Scored at least three rushing touchdowns in eight games, tying Barry Sanders’ single-season mark (Oklahoma State, 1988). Did not run any shuttles at the Combine because of a turf toe injury.

Strengths:
Good initial quickness. Nice vision and balance. Has one-cut ability — shows burst when he sticks his foot in the ground and gets upfield. Runs hard. Will be a 21-year-old rookie and has tread on his tires.

Weaknesses:
Average power and tackle-breaking ability. Lacks extra gear to pull away. Questionable third-down ability — minimal production/exposure as a receiver and pass protection needs work. Does not adjust to throws or catch naturally. Carries the ball loosely. One-year wonder. Showed he could be contained (Alabama, Boise St., Utah St.). Recorded a 29-inch vertical jump and timed

Future:
Compactly built, productive, monotone runner lacking exceptional traits to distinguish himself from other recyclable backs. Would have been better served returning to school, if for no other reason than to improve in pass protection. Workout numbers could dictate draft value.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

RB ALFRED BLUE, #4 (JUNIOR)

LSU
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Grade: 5.25

Ht: 6-2 3/8 | Wt: 223 | Sp: 4.63 | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
Baton Rouge-area native who earned all-state honors after rushing for 1,695 yards and 25 touchdowns as a high school senior. Played in 11 games (one start) as a true freshman for LSU in 2010, rushing 20 times for 101 yards (5.1-yard average) and one touchdown. Missed two games with a foot injury. Appeared in 13 games in ’11 (one start) and carried 78-539-7 (6.9). Missed one game with an ankle injury and overcame the loss of his family’s home in a September fire. Was off to a great start in ’12 before tearing the ACL in his left knee in Week 3, which necessitated season-ending surgery. Started the first three games, including back-to-back 100-yard contests, and carried 40-270-2 (6.8) and caught 7-45-0 (6.4). Returned in ’13 and played in all 13 games (two starts), amassing 71-343-1 (4.8) rushing and 5-62-0 (12.4) receiving. Was awarded a fifth season of eligibility by the NCAA due to the hardship rule, but decided to decline to pursue a pro career. Despite making only seven collegiate starts, he finished his LSU career with 209-1,253-11 (6.0) rushing and 16-105-0 (6.6) receiving.