2015 NFL Draft: Top Prospects

The 2014 NFL Draft is in the books and as teams head into OTAs, I move on to next year’s draft. Taking only their current tape into consideration, these are the best players at each position heading into next year’s season.

Quarterback

Marcus Mariota (Oregon, 6’4″/212): Mariota is a highly athletic, intelligent passer who can threaten all levels of the field with his arm. He has a strong arm and uses very good touch and anticipation to move the ball. He is a dangerous athlete and moves very well as a passer and as a runner. He is a multi-dimensional quarterback and has all the tools to be a top notch quarterback prospect.

Dec 30, 2013; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs past Texas Longhorns defensive end Caleb Bluiett (42) during the first half at Alamo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back

Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin, 6’1″/203): Gordon is a phenomenal athlete with great size, speed, acceleration and agility. He has very raw vision and is unproven as a third down back, but he is the best pure runner in this class and has the tools to be a complete back.

Wide Receiver

Kasen Williams (Washington, 6’2″/212): If Kasen Williams had come out this year, he would have been my number one receiver. He has great size and knows how to use it. He is strong at the catch point with dominating leaping ability and great hands. He is a smooth route runner and after the catch, he has phenomenal lower body strength and never stops moving. He needs to stay healthy, but Williams has incredible potential as a next level player.

Oct 19, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Kasen Williams (2) during the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End

Pharaoh Brown (Oregon, 6’6″/234): Brown is a bit unproven, but he is athletic freak with great size and possession ability. He needs more reps and he will be sure to get them this year. Look for him to absolutely dominate this year.

Note: This would have been Michigan’s Devin Funchess, but it is reported that he is making the full time move to wide receiver, where he should excel.

Offensive Tackle

Andrus Peat (Stanford, 6’7″/310): Peat is an incredibly tackle with great size, movement skills and dominating strength. He could stand to clean up his footwork, but his natural abilities and size put him in a position to be a possible top pick in a year.

Interior Offensive Line

Hronnis Grasu (Oregon, 6’3″/298): Grasu is a highly athletic center with very good movement skills. He doesn’t have great strength, but has phenomenally quick feet and is ideal in a zone blocking scheme.

Defensive Interior

Leonard Williams (USC, 6’5″/291): Williams is a gigantic player with incredible strength and very good quickness for his size. He is very advanced when taking on and shedding. He is also very versatile and will likely be a highly sought after player in a year.

Aug 29, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) celebrates after a sack in the second quarter against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Edge

Dante Fowler (Florida,6’3″/ 277): Fowler is a freakish athlete with violent hands, speed off the edge and impressive strength. He needs to hone his skill set and improve his instincts, but he has an insanely high ceiling.

Linebacker

Denzel Perryman (Miami, 6’/243): Perryman may lack in height, but he is not lacking in playing ability. He is as fast as he is smart and he has the length and strength to take on blocks to disrupt the running game. He also displays very good ability in coverage. He can clean up his angles and become a sounder tackler, but Perryman has the brains and the tools to be a top flight linebacker.

Cornerback

Ifo Ekpre Olomu (Oregon, 5’10″/185): If Olomu were to come out this year, he would have been my top corner back and likely a top five talent on my board. He is a very athletic corner who shows great skills in both man and zone coverage. He is very physical and plays the ball very well. He is a willing tackler and has now issues going up against the run. If he can add a little weight and strength going into next year, he has more than enough ability to make a statement for a high level and complete cornerback prospect.

Nov 16, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) warms up before the game against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Safety 

Landon Collins (Alabama, 6’/216): Another year, another Crimson Tide defensive back climbing up draft boards. Collins is an athletic safety with very good size, range and overall athletic skills. He is very versatile, as he lines up everywhere in Alabama’s defense. He is a strong tackler and shows strong coverage skills. If he can continue to improve his instincts and show and he can win from all over the field, there is reason to believe he could be a better prospect than former Alabama first rounder, Ha Ha Clinton Dix.