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| For ex-scouts Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, Teddy Bridgewater is the top QB in the 2014 NFL Draft. |
Height: 6'2" Weight: 214 lbs.
Position: Quarterback
College: Louisville
This is one of the toughest quarterback classes to figure out in recent memory. That said, Teddy Bridgewater is my top pick at the position. He doesn't possess the pizzazz of Johnny Manziel or the velocity of Blake Bortles, but his accuracy, poise, mechanics, and drive are what will make him the finest signal-caller of his class. Bridgewater had a breakout season in 2012 when he ranked 6th in FBS in completion percentage with 68.5%, 7th in passer rating with 160.5 and led the Cardinals to an upset win against Florida in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. His 2013 campaign was even better, in which he led Louisville to a one-loss season and improved his statistics in virtually every major passing category.
Perhaps Bridgewater's best attribute is his fundamentals. He is a very technically sound quarterback, with impressive intangibles, mental toughness, and a high football IQ. Through all these factors, he has a perfect pro comparison in Aaron Rodgers. Likely to be drafted early in the 1st round, Teddy Bridgewater will be the turning point for any team in need of a sterling, franchise quarterback.
NFL Comparison: Aaron Rodgers
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| Storm Johnson runs away from Baylor linebacker Eddie Lackey for one of his three TDs in the 2013 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. |
Storm Johnson
Height: 6'0" Weight: 209 lbs.
Position: Running Back
College: UCF
Central Florida's top prospect in the 2014 draft is quarterback Blake Bortles. Their number two prospect is Storm Johnson. A transfer from the U in 2011, Storm racked up an AAC-high of 1,139 rushing yards in 2013 and 14 rushing touchdowns- tied for third in UCF history. He, like Bridgewater, has a very accurate NFL comparison in Frank Gore. Both are downhill runners with not the highest top speed, but they utilize their exceptional vision and tough-to-bring-down running style to advance their way through defenses. What Storm lacks in power compared to Gore, he surpasses him in shiftiness and agility. A 2013 First-team All-AAC member, Storm Johnson should be one of the few running backs drafted on day 2 in May.
NFL Comparison: Frank Gore
Odell Beckham Jr.
Height: 5'11" Weight: 198 lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
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| Odell Beckham Jr. made countless displays of athleticism at LSU, including this acrobatic catch against UAB and this jaw-dropping touchback against Georgia. |
Wide Receivers are often considered the biggest draft risks each year. Despite this, my first 2014 mock draft had eight wide receivers drafted in the first round. In one of the best receiver groups I've ever seen, Odell Beckham Jr., along with Clemson phenom Sammy Watkins, Oregon State's Brandin Cooks, USC's Marqise Lee, and Texas A&M's Mike Evans, will be the toast of the class. Beckham had a stellar 19.5 yards per catch in 2013; second most of FBS players with 50+ catches and .7 behind Evans. He also averaged a respectable 26.4 yards per kick return. At LSU, he and Jarvis Landry were the top wideout duo in all of college football. He has slot receiver speed and sets the standard for creating separation and going up and grabbing a pass. Odell Beckham Jr. will give any offense(and special teams unit) an extremely potent new weapon.
NFL Comparison: Victor Cruz
Kony Ealy
Height: 6'4" Weight: 273 lbs.
Position: Defensive End
College: Missouri
Missouri's defensive end Michael Sam made waves this offseason when he made public that he will be the NFL's first openly gay player. The Tigers' other defensive end, Kony Ealy, is also a highly touted prospect with a promising future. A First-team All-SEC selection, Ealy terrorized offensive lines along with Sam, together generating a combined 20.5 sacks in 2013. He can perform a wide variety of moves to get to the quarterback, a rarity in seasoned pass-rushers that's starting to become a coveted trait in younger athletes. On top of his impressive physical stature and skills, he is an extremely team-oriented player. Always putting his teammates first, Kony Ealy's numerous positives are what make him a bright, dependable draft prospect.
NFL Comparison: Trent Cole
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| Kony Ealy forces a sack-fumble on Auburn QB Nick Marshall in the 2013 SEC Championship game. |
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| Jimmie Ward's(#15) ability to attack downhill is perhaps his strongest suit. |
Height: 5'11" Weight: 193 lbs.
Position: Strong Safety
College: Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois' best draft prospect is not quarterback Jordan Lynch, it's Jimmie Ward. He is a prototypical safety; severely aggressive towards the ball, attacks downhill, and seems to be everywhere at once when on the field. He excels at making plays right at the point of contact, and has the additional plus of being a dynamic special teams player. While he may take a season or so to mature into a pro, Third-team All-American Jimmie Ward is definitely a product worth being patient with.
NFL Comparison: Ed Reed
These next five prospects are even more undervalued:
Silas Redd
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| Silas Redd shows quick patience against Syracuse. |
Position: Running Back
College: USC
Silas Redd is an example of a running back who, due to multiple factors such as injuries and a crowded position group, received limited playcalls throughout his college career. In the NFL nowadays, most teams create playbooks around halfback committees anyways. Redd has many underrated running back characteristics, from effective pass protection to a constant leg drive. Teams looking to add consistency to their backfield would benefit from snatching Silas Redd in later rounds.
NFL Comparison: Fred Jackson
Jeff Janis
Height: 6'3" Weight: 219 lbs.
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Saginaw Valley State
If Beckham Jr. and Watkins are the top prospects of this receiver class, then Jeff Janis could be the biggest steal. After surprising many with a blazing 4.42 40 at the NFL Combine, Janis' draft stock soared, and deservedly so. He has the strong receiving game to back up his speed, showing physicality deep down-field, and carrying a passion for the game with him throughout. Despite playing in division II his college career, Jeff Janis will jump at the chance an NFL team should surely grant him, and they won't regret it.
NFL Comparison: Eric Decker
Will Sutton
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| Despite his height, Will Sutton weighs in at a heavy 303 lbs. |
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Arizona State
Will Sutton is a stout defensive tackle. He is shorter than most defensive lineman in the NFL, and sometimes plays like it. There are also times when he will make plays most defensive lineman in the NFL can't. He has a rare body-type some franchise GMs will shudder at. But surprise may be his best tool. With a widely impressive resume and football genes(his father played in the NFL for five seasons), Will Sutton is another diamond in the rough draft prospect.
NFL Comparison: B.J. Raji
Jeremiah George
Height: 5'11" Weight: 234 lbs.
Position: Middle Linebacker
College: Iowa State
As a sports statistician, I worked the 2013 Cy-Hawk Trophy game in which, although Iowa State lost, Jeremiah George produced a team-high 13 tackles. He has an excellent mental game and is a forceful leader on defense. George currently lacks the size to truly be the top tackler in an NFL defense, but if he can gain some muscle, he would have considerable potential.
NFL Comparison: Colin McCarthy
Stanley Jean-Baptiste
Height: 6'3" Weight: 218 lbs.
Position: Cornerback
College: Nebraska
When I first saw Stanley Jean-Baptiste make a play, I thought he was an undersized, athletic outside linebacker. As a former wide receiver, Jean-Baptiste has the explosive instincts to not only gravitate towards the ball, but to catch it, shown in his team-leading 4 interceptions and 12 pass deflections in 2013. He led all cornerbacks in the vertical jump at the NFL Combine with a 41.5" leap, and tied for 3rd at the position with a 10'8" broad jump. Stanley Jean-Baptiste may be the most underrated prospect in the entire draft, and has all the prized features to flourish at the professional level.
NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson
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| Stanley Jean-Baptiste, who played in JUCO out of high school, had two pick-sixes in his college career, this one against Southern Mississippi in 2013. |
With less than four weeks to go before the 2014 NFL Draft, these prospects' dreams are that close to becoming reality.
