1. WR, Sammy Watkins – Clemson
The superstar wide receiver of the 2014 NFL Draft will be junior wide receiver Sammy Watkins. After exploding onto the college football scene as a freshman in 2011 the speedster has chalked up 240 receptions, 3,391 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns for the Tigers.
At 6’1” and 205lbs. he has good size for the NFL and will dazzle fans with his speed, athleticism, hands and home run potential. Route running and release off the line are two areas of his game the need polishing but both can and will be taught at the next level.
Projected draft position: Top-five pick
2. TE, Eric Ebron – North Carolina
There is an abundance of depth at the tight end position in the upcoming draft and North Carolina’s Eric Ebron arguably leads the way.
Ebron is an athletic freak for the position with a knack for making the big play. He runs crisp routes that create separation and catches the ball strongly away from his body which is aided by phenomenal body control. The 6’4 tight end almost broke 1,000 receiving yards in 2014 despite subpar play from the quarterback position.
Projected draft position: Top-20 pick
3. OT, Cameron Erving – Florida State
Erving is pro-ready thanks to the responsibility handed to him by the Seminoles this past season. Often asked to handle edge rushers one-on-one, he shows the length and quickness required to hold his own.
When Florida State travelled to Clemson midway through the season, Erving made Tigers pass-rusher Vic Beasley a non-factor with his athleticism, size and strength.
Projected draft position: Round 1
4. DE/OLB, Vic Beasley – Clemson
Beasley is a dynamic pass-rusher that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. With a killer first step, few tackles can live with his speed off the snap. The junior has very strong instincts and attacks the ball.
21 sacks and five forced fumbles over the past two seasons is a great return for a player who is often double teamed.
Projected draft position: Round 1
5. WR, Kelvin Benjamin – Florida State
At 6’5” Benjamin is a monster at wide receiver. He was a go-to target in Jameis Winston’s 2013 Heisman Trophy winning season and caught a crucial touchdown pass in the BCA National Championship.
Benjamin showed tremendous improvement in a number of areas from his redshirt freshman to redshirt sophomore years. He uses his body well to position for catches and is almost impossible to bring down in the open field and still. The major worry for Benjamin is his lack of experience for somebody who would be 23 by the time the NFL season rolls around.
Projected draft position: Round 2
6. QB, Tajh Boyd – Clemson
A three-year starter, Boyd is one of the most intriguing quarterback prospects in the upcoming draft. He has tremendous upside thanks to a huge arm but his accuracy will worry a number of teams. Boyd is a very good leader who plays for 60 minutes.
107 career touchdowns passes is nothing to be scoffed at, nor is 11,904 yards. At the next level Boyd is likely boom or bust.
Projected draft position: Round 2-3
7. CB, Kyle Fuller – Virginia Tech
Fuller was a stalwart on the Hokies’ defense in 2013 which allowed just 19.3 points per game. A three-year starter, it is impressive to note how early he broke into Bud Fosters’ renowned defense.
At six-foot he has good size for a cornerback and does not have any glaring weaknesses. Fuller is physical at the line of scrimmage, possesses great positioning to match-up with taller receivers, shows good hands and tackles well. Long-term durability may be a cause for concern.
Projected draft position: Round 2-3
8. OT, James Hurst – North Carolina
Hurst is an experienced tackle who has started every game since the second week of his freshman season. The junior is technically sound and is a high-effort player. He shows good athleticism for his size (6’7”) which projects him as a tackle and not a guard at the next level. Hurst represented himself well against Jadeveon Clowney in Week 1 of the 2013 season.
Due to his overall lack of athleticism he will be more suited as an inline/man blocker at the next level which will resign him to being a right tackle.
Projected draft position: Round 2-3
9. CB/FS, Lamarcus Joyner – Florida State
The undersized Joyner is one of the most physical defensive backs in this year’s draft class. At 5’8” he is a hands-on, downhill defender who plays bigger than he is. He possesses excellent speed and great ball skills as well as being a leader on and off the field. The senior has lived up to the hype which surrounded him coming out of high school.
Eight interceptions and 187 tackles over his four-year college career attest to his range in defensive ability. He will be a tremendous asset to any team that selects the Seminole.
Projected draft position: Round 3
10. DE, Kareem Martin – North Carolina
Kareem Martin bounced back from a below average junior season to record 11 sacks in 2013. At 6’6” and 265lbs. Martin has the frame to add some bulk and play the five technique in a 3-4 defense. He excels at rushing the pass from the interior and is a stout run defender – evident from his 162 tackles in the last three years.
Martin lacks the explosive ability to be a consistent threat as a pass rusher and does not always make the most of his big frame as a power rusher. However, technique can be taught at the next level.
Projected draft position: Round 3
Honorable Mentions
OLB, Christian Jones – Florida State. Round 3
RB, Andre Williams – Boston College. Round 3
OT, Sean Hickey – Syracuse. Round 3-4
DT, Aaron Donald – Pittsburgh. Round 3-4
DT, Timmy Jernigan – Florida State. Round 3-4
OLB/DE, Jeremiah Attaochu – Georgia Tech. Round 3-4