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Check out the complete  ( NFL Draft Section )

NCAA Scouting
Final Top 100
by Paul Emery
April 20th 2013
 
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My positional rankings are my own rankings and certainly aren’t where players will go on Draft day. This top 100 is slightly different and is a prediction of the first 100 players to be taken in the Draft. I’ve taken some license with the 100 to put some of my favourites higher up than you will see elsewhere, which hopefully makes it more interesting! This is my finished version and therefore my final pre-Draft top 100.
 
In the past I’ve been burned by players falling due to character concerns and/or injuries so the likes of Dallas Thomas (labrum), Jesse Williams (knee), Ryan Swope (concussions), Matt Scott (concussions), Marcus Lattimore (knee), Kiko Alonso (wrist/character), Tyler Bray (character) and Sam Montgomery (character) have been left off. There are still some character/medical concern guys in there, just not as many as I normally leave in (these guys are 94-100, but generally talent outweighed the concern). Leaving the above off actually meant it was easier than in past years with just the last 4 being really tough decisions. In the end Devin Taylor, Akeem Spence and T.J. McDonald made it in on the back of excellent combine numbers and Landry Jones made it in as I figure Tyler Wilson’s small hands (8 ) and poor 2012 season might see a Jimmy Clausen type fall.
 
Underclassmen are denoted with an asterisk after their last names.
 

No.

Forename

Surname

Pos.

College

Comments

1

Kenny

Vaccaro

FS

Texas

Tough, confident and versatile modern day safety. Played mostly over the slot WR this year and excelled in press man coverage.

2

Cornellius

Carradine

DE/OLB

Florida State

Torn ACL late in the season clouds ranking, but his tape was worthy of this lofty status. Only negative is he’s a little high initially, but is powerful and can set an edge.

3

Jonathan

Cooper

OG

North Carolina

Elite movement skills, perfect for a zone blocking scheme. Improved in pass protection in 2012.

4

Johnathan

Hankins*

DT

Ohio State

Often played out of position at DE in a 3-4 hybrid scheme, best over the centre – powerful and disruptive.

5

Sharrif

Floyd*

DT

Florida

Classic three technique who played very well in 2012. Very quick and consistently gets penetration.

6

Luke

Joeckel*

OT

Texas A&M;

Did not test out as well as others at the Combine, but generally won most of his battles in 2012.

7

Lane

Johnson

OT

Oklahoma

Has seen his stock rise steadily all year. Is relatively new to the position, so still has huge upside.

8

Barkevious

Mingo*

OLB/DE

LSU

Dynamic edge rusher didn’t always cut it loose, but when he did so looked special.

9

Dee

Milliner*

CB

Alabama

The latest Alabama DB. Physical CB will have to adjust to the 5 yard contact rule, but is a top press man corner.

10

Jarvis

Jones*

OLB

Georgia

Had a very poor pro day workout, which did not match fantastic tape in the SEC. May fall due to the pro day numbers.

11

Dion

Jordan

OLB/DE

Oregon

Tall, athletic outside linebacker has extensive experience in space but also showed speed off the edge.

12

D.J.

Fluker*

OT

Alabama

Huge college right tackle with grapevines for arms. If Cordy Glenn can play left tackle in the NFL, so can Fluker.

13

Damontre

Moore*

DE

Texas A&M;

Has some good tape, but like Jarvis Jones did not workout well. Difficult to slot because the numbers don’t match the tape.

14

Justin

Pugh*

OG/OT

Syracuse

College left tackle with short arms, so may need to move inside as a pro. Has elite feet and some excellent tape.

15

Kevin

Minter*

ILB

LSU

Shorter than ideal, but the most consistent ILB on tape this year. Instinctive and highly productive.

16

D.J.

Swearinger

FS

South Carolina

Can be a head hunter in centre field, or cover the slot man where his CB experience shows.

17

Mike

Glennon

QB

North Carolina State

Tall, big armed pocket passer with the fastest eyes of any QB in this class. He does need to improve when under pressure though.

18

Robert

Alford

CB

Southeastern Louisiana

Small schooler stood out at a lower level and then did so at the Senior Bowl as well. Ran fast at the Combine to check all the boxes.

19

Quinton

Patton

WR

Louisiana Tech

Highly productive WR who had 21 catches in one game this year! A natural hands catcher who consistently separates.

20

Tavon

Austin

WR

West Virginia

Slot receiver who can make an impact from day one. Also can be used as a RB and kick returner. Dynamic play maker.

21

Datone

Jones

DE

UCLA

Played in a 3-4 in college, but has experience at DT in the nickel where his quickness was best used. Might project best in a 4-3 where he stood out at the Senior Bowl.

22

Jamar

Taylor

CB

Boise State

Looks very comfortable up in press man coverage, but also shows the hips to play off. High character prospect.

23

Manti

Te’o

ILB

Notre Dame

His play fell off after a superb start to the year. Has good size and improved in coverage in 2012.

24

Sheldon

Richardson*

DT

Missouri

Like Floyd, is a one gap penetrator who flashes elite quickness. Not completely consistent however.

25

Eric

Fisher

OT

Central Michigan

Nailed the post season process, but has some very average tape against MAC competition.

26

Matt

Barkley

QB

USC

Very polished 4 year starter who has elite touch but lacks a top arm. Ideal West coast offense QB.

27

Star

Lotulelei

DT

Utah

Has undoubted talent, but did not consistently produce. Had an amazing first quarter against USC, but did not keep up that level of play.

28

Ezekiel

Ansah

DE

Brigham Young

Basically one season of production and a mixed Senior Bowl week. Has powerful hands, but looks a little lost at times, particularly on the OT’s outside shoulder.

29

Corey

Lemonier*

DE/OLB

Auburn

Has the right idea with hand placement as a pass rusher, but needs a little technique work. Had a good Combine workout and has athletic upside.

30

Chance

Warmack

OG

Alabama

Big and powerful, but limited athletically. Gets lazy in pass protection and doesn’t bend at times. Perfect for a power team.

31

Giovani

Bernard*

RB

North Carolina

Dynamic playmaker can also help in the return game and as a receiving threat. Does have an ACL tear in his past.

32

Terron

Armstead

OT

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Unique athlete demonstrating flexibility to sit in his stance in pass protection. Must clean up his hand placement, but has significant upside.

33

Desmond

Trufant

CB

Washington

Had a top Senior Bowl week and ran fast at the Combine. Has some inconsistencies on tape however.

34

Jonathan

Cyprien

SS

Florida International

Might win the best looking athlete award – big and long plus he can move. Shows man coverage ability and should match up well against TE’s.

35

Tyler

Eifert*

TE

Notre Dame

Had a nice Combine workout to pull away from the competition. A nice receiving threat from the slot and a solid blocker.

36

Eric

Reid*

FS

LSU

Had a sluggish start to 2012, question if he played at a higher weight. Did improve down the stretch and had a fine Combine workout.

37

Sio

Moore

OLB

Connecticut

Versatile LB who played DE in the nickel and was productive. Also has experience in space.

38

Alex

Okafor

DE

Texas

Flashed first round ability particularly in the Bowl game which he dominated. More a power player than speed.

39

Blidi

Wreh-Wilson

CB

Connecticut

Tall CB showed press man ability. Did not run that well at the Combine, but was much faster at his pro day (high 4.3’s).

40

Ryan

Nassib

QB

Syracuse

Has a good enough arm to make all the throws, but lacks ideal touch.

41

Larry

Warford

OG

Kentucky

Similar to Warmack in many ways. A power guard who sits in his stance nicely in pass protection. Does over extend too much and will speed too much time on the ground.

42

DeAndre

Hopkins*

WR

Clemson

Did not workout well at the Combine, but showed he can get separation on tape and has very good hands.

43

Brian

Winters

OG

Kent State

Has better tape than Eric Fisher, but the college left tackle lacks the length to stay there as a pro. Finishes his blocks superbly.

44

Zach

Ertz*

TE

Stanford

Did not workout as well as Eifert at the Combine and is not as good of a blocker, but is a good weapon from the slot.

45

Robert

Woods*

WR

USC

Production was down in 2012, but is a good route runner with solid hands. Has had durability concerns.

46

Menelik

Watson*

OT

Florida State

British born prospect looked more athletic on tape than his Combine workout. New to the game, is a little raw – particularly in pass protection.

47

Matt

Elam*

SS

Florida

Shorter than ideal, but will come up and fill against the run. Struggles in man coverage when asked to change direction.

48

Johnthan

Banks

CB

Mississippi State

Tall, thin CB did not run well at the Combine. Best in a zone scheme where his playmaking ability can take over.

49

Andre

Ellington

RB

Clemson

Big play back is more of a 5-10 touch a game type but can also help in the return game. Can also return kicks.

50

David

Amerson*

CB/FS

North Carolina State

Had a monster 2011, but struggled more in 2012 – particularly in the first half of the season. Could be viewed as a FS.

51

Stedman

Bailey*

WR

West Virginia

Not real big or fast, but just gets open and makes plays. Excellent quickness to consistently get separation.

52

Sylvester

Williams

DT

North Carolina

Has some games where he looks like a first rounder, others where he does very little. Ideal three technique.

53

Eddie

Lacy*

RB

Alabama

Powerful runner who stepped up his play down the stretch. Has a trademark spin move. Some question marks after an average pro day.

54

Khaseem

Greene

OLB

Rutgers

Modern day LB who is a former safety. Was a little inconsistent on tape, but did have some games he dominated.

55

Bjoern

Werner*

DE

Florida State

Productive pass rusher, but much of his 2012 production was against lesser talent. Lacks ideal length but has a high motor.

56

Alec

Ogletree*

OLB

Georgia

When he’s on he takes over games, but he is wildly inconsistent. Missed the first 4 games of the season due to suspension. Boom or bust.

57

Geno

Smith

QB

West Virginia

Has the arm and athletic ability but played in a very basic offense and does not have fast eyes.

58

John

Jenkins

DT

Georgia

Big NT played some DE the second half of the season and did not play as well. Flashes of explosion early in the year.

59

Travis

Frederick*

C

Wisconsin

The latest from the Wisconsin O-Line factory. Could also be viewed as a guard, not the most athletic but has solid technique.

60

Markus

Wheaton

WR

Oregon State

Not the biggest, but is tough and has very good speed. Consistent including at the Senior Bowl.

61

Le’Veon

Bell*

RB

Michigan State

An all around back who has very soft hands and is excellent in pass protection. Perhaps a little too patient on wider runs.

62

Vance

McDonald

TE

Rice

A favourite of Senior Bowl director Phil Savage, was even used on fly sweeps some by Rice this year. Decent size/speed, but not the most natural hands.

63

Kawann

Short

DT

Purdue

Flashes of first round talent, but runs hot and cold. Did enough at the Senior Bowl to reassure scouts.

64

Marquise

Goodwin

WR

Texas

Olympic class athlete, finished 10th in the long jump final in London 2012. Not used enough by Texas, but had a good Bowl game and Senior Bowl week.

65

Jamie

Collins

OLB

Southern Mississippi

Should draw heavy interest from 3-4 teams, at 250 lbs ran very well at the Combine. Tape is a little inconsistent however.

66

Margus

Hunt

DE

Southern Methodist

Originally game to SMU for discus and shot put, but found a home on the football team. Flashes top ability, but plays too high.

67

Xavier

Rhodes*

CB

Florida State

Big CB ran fast at the Combine but really struggles to change direction. Will be overdrafted because of triangle numbers.

68

Terrance

Williams

WR

Baylor

Looked faster on tape than he ran at the Combine. Raw as a route runner, but can get deep using the double move.

69

Darius

Slay

CB

Mississippi State

Ran faster than team mate Banks at the Combine, but his tape is nowhere near as good. Has athletic upside as a man CB.

70

Justin

Hunter*

WR

Tennessee

Returned after an ACL tear this past season and didn’t put it all together. Dropped too many passes. If at 100% should play better in 2013.

71

Johnathan

Franklin

RB

UCLA

Lacks top size, but is an all around back who should form part of a pairing.

72

Gavin

Escobar*

TE

San Diego State

More of a position wall off blocker, but should be a nice weapon from the slot. Has nice hands but did not test out as well as expected at the Combine.

73

EJ

Manuel

QB

Florida State

Athletic signal caller did not take the next step in his development as hoped in 2012. Must make better post snap reads and move his eyes quicker.

74

Arthur

Brown

OLB

Kansas State

Looked like an average athlete on tape, but ran very well at his pro day. Therefore question his instincts.

75

Landry

Jones

QB

Oklahoma

Highly productive in college and has all the tools, but struggles with happy feet under pressure.

76

D.J.

Hayden

CB

Houston

Late riser is back to full health after nearly losing his life in a freak injury. Top pro day workout turned heads.

77

Jon

Bostic

ILB

Florida

Productive and physical player inside for the Gators and tested out very well at the Combine.

78

Montee

Ball

RB

Wisconsin

Highly productive college runner who is quicker than fast. Has a nose for the end zone, he’s the NCAA career touchdown leader.

79

Dwayne

Gratz

CB

Connecticut

The most explosive CB at the Combine (vertical/broad/bench). Overshadowed by Blidi Wreh-Wilson, but has upside.

80

Trevardo

Williams

OLB

Connecticut

Productive college DE is likely a pro 3-4 OLB. Double digit sacks in each of the last two years. Had a fast 10 yard split time and fantastic explosion numbers at the Combine.

81

Cornelius

Washington

DE

Georgia

Played some DE and some OLB in Georgia’s 3-4, but never stood out. Did well at the Senior Bowl and then had a top Combine workout, including off the charts explosion numbers.

82

Phillip

Thomas

FS

Fresno State

Highly productive in 2012 where he patrolled from centre field. Also has experience in man coverage but needs to improve his tackling and angles.

83

Brandon

Williams

DT

Missouri Southern State

Explosive small school talent tested out very well at the Combine coupled with a good Senior Bowl week.

84

Brian

Schwenke

C

California

Pegged as a zone blocking scheme guy, but showed a surprising anchor at the Senior Bowl.

85

Jordan

Poyer

CB

Oregon State

Has solid tape and was competitive at the Senior Bowl, but did not workout well. Might be best in a zone based system as he can break on the ball nicely.

86

Aaron

Dobson

WR

Marshall

Doesn’t have great production, even in a non-AQ conference – but has very good size and has made some remarkable catches throughout his career.

87

B.W.

Webb

CB

William & Mary

Tough to judge him on college tape as no one threw at him. Had a good week at the Senior Bowl and a nice Combine workout. Also can return punts.

88

JJ

Wilcox

SS

Georgia Southern

In his first year at safety in 2012 (former triple option RB) and showed huge potential. Also has kick return ability.

89

David

Bakhtiari*

OT/OG

Colorado

College left tackle with quick feet, should appeal to teams that are looking for a finesse type player.

90

Akeem

Spence*

DT

Illinois

Didn’t have the best tape on a poor Illinois team, but his fast 10 yard split time may well appeal to a one gap scheme.

91

David

Quessenberry

OT/OG

San Jose State

Inconsistent on tape, but shone at guard and tackle at the Senior Bowl. Followed that up with a good Combine workout.

92

T.J.

McDonald

FS

USC

College Cover-2 safety who gets downhill effectively. Showed better change of direction than expected in the post season process.

93

Devin

Taylor

DE

South Carolina

Over shadowed by Jadeveon Clowney, but was the best player in the Shrine Game and had a top Combine workout.

94

Keenan

Allen*

WR

California

A bigger version of A.J. Green, just not as clean medically or character wise. Stock has been on a steady decline and his pro day did not arrest that.

95

Kyle

Long

OT/OG

Oregon

Originally a pitcher at Florida State but had problems off the field and eventually found his way to Oregon. Might be a tweener.

96

Travis

Kelce

TE

Cincinnati

Really came on down the stretch and was dominant as a receiver and blocker. Was suspended for the 2010 season and has just recovered from sports hernia surgery.

97

Cordarrelle

Patterson*

WR

Tennessee

Dynamic with the ball in his hands, but struggles to separate at times so getting it to him is not always easy. Must work hard on his route running.

98

Tyrann

Mathieu*

CB

LSU

A dynamic playmaker in 2011, but suspended for the 2012 season. Can also help in the return game.

99

Da’Rick

Rogers*

WR

Tennessee Tech

Dismissed from Tennessee for repeated failed drug tests. Was far too good for the competition in the FCS. Has excellent size and soft hands.

100

Barrett

Jones

C

Alabama

Should be much higher, but a lisfranc injury clouds things. Has starting experience at tackle, guard and center and one of the higher character players in this Draft.

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