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Jordan Reid’s Pre-Combine Top-50 Prospects

Erik Turner
02/27/2019
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The moment we have all been waiting for is finally here. Starting today, the NFL Scouting Combine is officially in full swing. Trade rumors, contract negotiations, testing numbers, prospect interviews, and many other events will take place over the next few days. The kickoff to official NFL offseason events is upon us, and there will be many storylines to follow closely. Big boards will start to form and players will be placed into tiers following this week’s event.

With that being said, we are inching closer to draft, here are my pre-combine top 50 2019 NFL Draft prospects:

  1. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama, (R-Sophomore, 6-3, 295)

Entering the 2018 season, Williams was a relative unknown, having been mostly a rotational player. After paying his dues, he evolved into a full-time starter. He has shown the ability to get consistent penetration as a run defender. He also is disruptive with pushing the pocket and getting home to the quarterback. His violent hand usage and upside make him the top player in this class at this point.

  1. Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State (Junior, 6-4, 263)

Bosa is widely seen as a slam dunk prospect and one of the few blue-chip types among this entire group. He possesses the first step explosiveness, strength, bend, and power to turn into a franchise cornerstone. With the NFL quickly turning into a passing league, teams are salivating for pass rushers, and the potential of adding Bosa off the edge will be hard to pass up.

  1. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston, (Junior, 6-1, 275)

Although on the smaller side for an interior defensive line prospect, Oliver’s unique combination of explosiveness, various abilities to win from any position up front, and playmaking acumen is what makes him stand out.

  1. Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky, (Senior, 6-4, 258)

There isn’t a senior prospect in the country that helped their draft stock more by returning to school than Allen. His explosion and acceleration off the edge are unique. The former Wildcat edge rusher has also shown the ability to play from many stances and a high comfort level as an off-ball outside linebacker.

  1. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama, (Junior, 6-5, 301) 

Starting all 42 games in his career, Williams has been the model of consistency. There will be questions about his arm length and size, but his technique, nimble feet, and power are traits that will give him a strong chance to be a productive starter at all three spots, regardless of his position.

  1. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State, (R-Sophomore, 6-2, 220)

Finishing as one of the most prolific signal-callers in Buckeye history, Haskins had a rough stretch during the mid-point of the season following the controversial 49-20 upset loss against Purdue. After that point, Haskins went on a nine-game stretch that included totaling 3,081 passing yards and 34 touchdowns to just five interceptions with a 73.1 percent completion percentage. He’s a thrower that takes a conservative, death-by-a-thousand-paper-cuts type of approach, constantly poking holes at the underneath areas of the defense and then taking timely shots down the field.

  1. T.J. Hockenson, Tight End, (R-Sophomore, 6-5, 250)

The former Iowa tight end was the first ever sophomore to win the John Mackey Award. His blocking ability is elite, and he has enough wiggle to win as a receiver with plenty of athleticism and toughness to get yards after the catch. Hockenson is a prospect that comes in clear packaging. You know exactly what you’re getting from him as soon as he’s drafted. He’s easily one of the safest prospects in this class.

  1. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma, (R-Junior, 5-10, 195)

There will be plenty of nitpicking in his game, but as far as what the NFL landscape has turned into offensively, Murray fits. The height will be a repeated concern, but he’s shown that he can operate from the pocket and overcome his shortcomings by creating throwing lanes within it. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner also has jackrabbit quickness to operate off-schedule and let it fly accurately with a quick flick of the wrist.

  1. Devin White, LB, LSU, (Junior, 6-0, 240)

Originally starting his career as a running back, White quickly transitioned to linebacker during his freshman season. The engine of LSU, White’s abilities are what ignited the Tigers’ defense. His intensity and physicality are noticeable. It’s not a coincidence when his teammates and coaches referred to him as the heartbeat of the team. His intangibles are everything that coaches want in an off-ball linebacker.

  1. Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma, (R-Junior, 6-3, 340)

Ford started as a guard during his first two seasons in Norman, but the coaching staff quickly transitioned him to right tackle after the departure of Orlando Brown, Jr. Ford is the definition of a tone setter. He has enough foot speed to survive on the perimeter, but also having past experience at guard will help his long-term outlook.

  1. Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida, (Junior, 6-2, 242) 

The first trait that jumps off of the film about Polite is his suddenness. He possesses a rare blend of being able to accelerate to top speed while still being able to re-direct and bend the arc at the same time. Polite always plays through the whistle, and his hand-to-hand combat is violent. A true playmaker, he led the nation in forced fumbles (6) last season. His biggest improvements need to come as a run-defender, an improvable aspect as he looks to be best served as a standup 3-4 outside linebacker.

  1. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington, (R-Sophomore, 5-11, 182)

With familiarity as an outside corner and as a nickel defender, his versatility will make him a huge asset to a team’s secondary. Murphy’s body control, footwork, and tackling abilities are excellent. His ball skills are well above average, and he is a big play waiting to happen at any moment.

  1. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss, (R-Sophomore, 6-3, 230)

There are only a select few receivers in this class that have the upside to turn into a true No. 1 option. Metcalf is one in that distinct group. He possesses the size, athleticism, hands, and upside that evaluators look for in a true go-to option.

  1. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida, (Junior, 6-5, 330)

A breakout star during the 2018 season, Taylor has quickly risen up draft boards. His demeanor and physicality at the right tackle spot have been unmatched. Continue to develop his bend and pad level will be key, but he has the makings of a Day 1 starter on the right side.

  1. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU, (R-Sophomore, 6-2, 185)

One of the best names in college football, Greedy’s hips, ball skills, and length are what have scouts so excited. There need to be substantial improvements with his physicality as a run defender and closing space at the top of routes, but many of his flaws are correctable. He looks to be the next in line of an impressive lineage of LSU defensive backs.

  1. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson, (Senior, 6-3, 315)

A stout prospect that features plenty of explosiveness and excitement on and off of the field, Wilkins’s personality will light up a room, and his versatility as an interior defensive lineman gave the Tigers a jolt. He is the definition of a “woah-wow” player. He will have his fair share of negative plays, but the positive ones still overshadow the negative. Wilkins has the strength to hold up against double teams, short-area burst, and a deep repertoire of moves to defeat interior blockers.

  1. Irv Smith, Jr, TE, Alabama, (Junior, 6-4, 215)

Belonging to a strong NFL bloodline, Smith Jr’s father was the 20th overall pick of the 1993 draft by the New Orleans Saints. Looking to follow in his footsteps, the former Alabama tight end is a fluid route runner with consistent hands, but he’s also still learning how to be a consistent in-line blocker despite showing positives stretches of success. Still just 20 years old, his best days may be ahead of him.

  1. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (Junior, 6-4, 241)

Having an athletic tight end has become the new norm throughout the league. A larger target that can remain in-line or flexed out and create mismatches in the slot against linebackers or nickel corners is an added advantage for offenses, which is exactly what Fant’s skill-set brings to the table. He has shown the capability to take advantage of favorable matchups, specifically in the red zone. A better blocker than he’s given credit for, that part of his game still remains a work in progress.

  1. Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State, (Senior, 6-5, 310)

Manning the left tackle spot for the entirety of his career with the Cougars, Dillard is as polished of a pass protector as there is in this class. His development as a run blocker needs to continue, and finding a consistent strike zone with his hands is an area for improvement, as well. He already has the traits coaches will be able to mold the rest of his game around as he continues to figure out the run game aspect that comes with playing the position.

  1. Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State, (Junior, 6-4, 235)

How much does he weigh? That’s the question that will be associated with Burns, but we will finally get an answer this week at the Combine. The tradeoff, though, is his relentless ability to get after the quarterback. Despite his frame, that type of production is impossible to ignore. He’s advanced as a pass rusher and has elite body control and flexibility. Burns can contort his body in all types of positions and angles, which is why scouts are so intrigued about his potential. He projects best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. There are plenty of caveats with Burns as a run defender, but the ability to set a firm edge is consistent.

  1. Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson, (R-Junior, 6-4, 265)

The reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Ferrell was a part of a loaded Clemson defensive line. He has a versatile game, as he’s consistent as a run defender and a pass rusher. He shows the ability to set a violent edge to keep contain and finish plays by making the tackle. His first step off of the edge is explosive, but question marks surround whether he can maintain his initial get-off. His inability to alter at the apex and re-direct when he’s knocked off of his intended path is an area that he will need to improve upon.

  1. Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama, (Junior, 5-10, 215)

Jacobs was never the lead back in a deep Crimson Tide backfield. When he received his turn, there were always highlight reel plays. Running with violence, there’s a different type of urgency he plays with. His catch production has been minimal, but the offense did not cater to throwing designed passes to its rushers. Jacobs shows plenty of comfort catching out of the backfield. With only 299 career touches, his low mileage is also a trait that’s appealing.

  1. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State, (Junior, 6-3, 300) 

Simmons entered Starkville with plenty of scrutiny after a disturbing video of him went viral, but his production helped cool off the concerns about his off-field past. His résumé remained clean during his collegiate career. Simmons suffered a torn ACL during pre-draft training, but he still remains a top player in this class because of his upside. His natural power is evident and his motor is always flaming hot. Shedding blocks consistently and lowering his pad level are fatal flaws right now, but being in the right environment will help him overcome those tendencies over time.

  1. Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State, (Junior, 6-2, 214)

Harmon possesses a thick and muscular frame, which allows him to play his desired style. Not an overly explosive prospect, he has enough juice to win vertically. The burst out of his stance is explosive, and this carries over well throughout his routes. Harmon isn’t going to consistently run past defensive backs or generate yards in bunches after the catch, but the detail in his routes is usually what allows him to gain separation. He has the best release plans of any receiver in this class, and his catch radius is wide. Possessing impressive hands and grip strength enables him to routinely snag the ball out of the air. Harmon is selfless, and it shows during running plays. He takes pride in blocking and attempts to flatten defensive backs any chance that he gets out on the perimeter.

  1. Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan, (Junior, 6-4, 283)

Already one of the more polarizing prospects in this class, Gary will carry the “boom or bust” label throughout the pre-draft process. His traits are off the charts and his flashes of dominance are brilliant, but the spurts between those occurrences are concerning. Gary is built like an interior defensive lineman, but he has played primarily out on the edge during his career. Having an impressive combination of burst and strength, he was also able to play on the interior in sub-packages. It’s debatable where he will play at the next level, and there remain mixed opinions overall. While there were questions about his motor, when Gary turns it on, he flashes the traits of being an elite talent. The question remains just how frequently will we see those flashes as a pro.

  1. Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State, (Senior, 6-5, 245)

Consistently solid is the best way to describe Sweat. A towering frame and a leggy body allow him to cover plenty of ground with his initial two steps. His length is his biggest asset and the upside is there, but the need to develop a counter move is apparent. The Senior Bowl helped his stock soar, but there will be some off the field questions that he will have to answer at the Combine.

  1. Garrett Bradbury, Center, NC State, (R-Senior, 6-2, 305) 

At the epicenter of the Wolfpack attack, Bradbury is rock solid on the interior. After starting out as a 225-pound tight end upon his arrival to campus, he converted positions and worked his way up the depth chart. Fully entrenched as a team captain and leader the past two seasons, Bradbury is the ideal center in a zone scheme. Making near impossible reach blocks and outstanding lateral agility, he has the makings of a long-term starter if he finds the right landing spot.

  1. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia, (Senior, 5-11, 185) 

The recipient of the 2018 Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back in the country), Baker was the first Georgia defensive back to ever win the illustrious award. The talented corner did not allow a touchdown in his final two seasons. The Bulldogs played a mixture of off and man-to-man coverage. Baker showed to be effective in both, and it’s easy to see that he embraces the challenge of locking down the man in front of him. Where Baker will have to answers questions is during the 40-yard dash at the Combine. Many scouts are questioning just how fast he is. Often he allows plenty of separation on deep routes down the field because receivers can outrun him, and thus many believe that he’s better in a zone-heavy defensive scheme.

  1. Devin Bush, LB, Michigan, (Junior, 5-11, 230) 

The size questions will surround Bush, but he plays the game with a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s a sideline-to-sideline type of second level defender that seems to have a radar sensor when finding the ball. The heart and soul of one of the best defenses in the country and NFL ties to match it, Bush’s father played with the then St. Louis Rams and would go on to win a championship with the team at Super Bowl XXXIV. Staying clean and disengaging from blockers will be the biggest area that Bush will need to improve by using his flexible body and quickness.

 

  1. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri, (Senior, 6-3, 225)

What makes Lock intriguing is his already-present traits. He’s an extremely gifted thrower who possesses near-elite arm strength and an easy ability to throw it to all three levels of the field with various amounts of RPMs. He has a true gunslinger mentality, but right now, he goes for the home-run swing too frequently instead of taking what the defense gives him. Consistent ball placement, eye manipulation, and footwork are among the deficiencies in his game. There’s a tendency to get lazy with his eyes and a bit of a delay with his speed through his progressions. Often you notice that he locks his eyes onto his intended target in hopes that they will eventually come open instead of advancing to the next option in the progression. Unnecessary fading away from throws is among another bad habit.

  1. N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State, (Junior, 6-3, 213)

Harry’s natural hands, size, ability to high-point the ball, and play strength are best traits. He’s exceptional at the catch point, and it’s an area where he’s completely comfortable with winning in various ways. He’s shown to be able to out-jump defenders by boxing them out and even out-muscling them to secure the ball. Gaining separation and top-end speed are the factors that have the opinions so mixed about his draft stock. How well he runs at the Combine will be a huge factor contributing to where he’s drafted.Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College, (Senior, 6-4, 305)

  1. Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College, (Senior, 6-4, 305)

Playing in an offense that was heavy run-oriented, Lindstrom’s tenacity and nastiness were on full display. His hand strikes are vicious and punch timing remained patient. Pass protection remained consistent even though the scheme was designed to operate in closed spaces. Tighter splits along the offensive front allowed lesser room to work with, but in single block situations, Lindstrom consistently kept his matchup under control. It’s easy to see his traits translating to the next level and he has the makeup to be a long-term starter for a team’s group up front.

33. Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma, (Junior, 5-10, 168)

A threat to break a game open at any moment, Brown is the true definition of a receiver that can take the top off of a defense. Operating from multiple positions within formations makes him a handful to deal with. His video game-like speed leaves defenders in their tracks, and he puts a lot of stress on defenders in one-on-one situations. Recording six games with at least 100 receiving yards, Brown’s explosiveness in his routes and in the open field is clear. He has a diverse game despite the reputation of him being strictly a deep threat. Brown excels at running shallow crossers, tunnel screens, and short routes that keep him on the move laterally. He is not a great hands-catcher or a prospect that will consistently high point the ball out of the air. Questions about his size and durability will appear as he’s sidelined from the Combine after undergoing surgery for a LisFranc injury to his foot during the Big 12 Championship game. The injury lingered as he was shutout against Alabama during the College Football Playoff semifinals.

  1. Taylor Rapp, SAF, Washington, (Senior, 6-0, 200)

A filler of many positions, Rapp was the clear leader on the back end of one of the best secondaries in the country. Rapp played anywhere from nickel, free/strong safety, and even linebacker on third-down. He’s as reliable as they come, dependable in the box and out on the perimeter. Rarely allowing runners out of his grasp, his tackling is as dependable as anyone’s. His ball production has been minimal, but that’s because he goes for the safe play instead of going gambling and going the extra mile.

  1. Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama, (Junior, 6-3, 230)

A highly talented linebacker that has his share of splash plays, Mack is able to diagnose plays easily and attack the first level of the line with the intention to send a violent message. Physicality and aggression can get the best of him, as he has a high frequency of overrunning plays and having poor coverage awareness. Still learning the nuances of the game, Wilson’s upside is high if he can learn to play more under control.

  1. Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia, (Junior, 6-2, 205)

The younger brother of Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley, the genes have carried over in that Ridley has elite stop-start ability within his routes. His ability to slam on the breaks allows him to generate separation at the top of his routes. He embodies a true go-getter mentality when the ball is in the air. The production hasn’t been as impressive as his traits would indicate, but he still led the team with 44 catches, 570 yards, and nine touchdowns. A true traits-over-production type of prospect, there’s a belief that his development could skyrocket once given more opportunities.

  1. Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas, (Senior, 6-5, 310)

The staple of the Wildcats’ offensive line during his collegiate career, there’s positional versatility with Risner, as he has experience at center and right tackle. Having not surrendered a sack since week five of the 2016 season (West Virginia), he’ been as steady as they come. Not possessing high amounts of twitch in his body, he seems to rarely ever get beaten cleanly. His overbearing strength and energetic personality will have scouts raving about him, and he is an option as a plug-and-play starter at multiple spots.

  1. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss, (Junior, 6-1, 230)

Brown has a stocky and stout body frame, and he plays exactly how his body indicates. The go-to target for the Rebels’ offense, he did a heavy amount of his damage from the slot. The offense limited his route tree, but he maximized his role in multiple ways. Brown’s a wide body target with an above average catch radius. He’s not a receiver that’s going to play outside of his elements often. Brown’s comfortable with living in the basement, which is where most of his plays are made. The biggest questions with Brown will be his straight-line speed and ability to generate separation against man coverage.

  1. Nasir Adderley, SAF, Delaware, (Senior, 6-0, 195)

The talented safety is arguably the best small school prospect of this class. A prospect of many roles, as he started his career as a cornerback before transitioning to playing on the back end of the Blue Hens’ defense, Adderley has excellent range between the numbers as a free safety, but he also has the diverse skill-set to be able to enter the box as a run support player. His leadership skills were evident at the Senior Bowl, as he relayed play calls to the rest of the secondary and even making checks during certain situations.

  1. Erik McCoy, C, Texas A&M, (Junior, 6-4, 315)

His stock is stagnant, but over the next few weeks, there will be significant traffic that flocks toward him. A tough and gritty type of offensive lineman that doesn’t have one overly dominant trait, McCoy is proficient at nearly everything. He doesn’t have a lengthy frame. Instead, it’s small and compact, but he’s the master at using his leverage to his advantage to get under the pads of the opposition and control them. A starter of 26 consecutive games, McCoy was at the center of command of the Aggie attack.

  1. Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic (Junior, 5-9, 200)

Singletary is nicknamed “Motor”, a moniker that was given to him by his father after he did everything in his power to push his son to the limit during practices growing up, but he just wouldn’t quit. His engine stayed running as he finished with 66 career rushing touchdowns, placing him sixth on the FBS all-time list. Singletary has the innate ability to be able to create when the picture’s not clear and make defenders look silly in tight spaces because of his lightning-quick feet. His top-end speed and ability to catch out of the backfield remain the biggest question marks, two boxes that he can check off during this week’s event.

  1. Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame, (Senior, 6-6, 310)

Originally recruited as an offensive lineman, Tillery’s career has been a winding road to this point. His consistency has been up and down, but when he turns it on, there aren’t many blockers who can contain him. His game against Stanford last season is a prime example, where he recorded four sacks and a forced fumble. There’s some maturity questions with Tillery, as he was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl during the 2016 season for a violation of team rules and frequent untimely unsportsmanlike conduct penalties throughout games.

  1. Charles Omenihu, DL, Texas, (Senior, 6-5, 275)

The former Longhorn helped himself by going back to school for his senior season after being on the fence about declaring following the 2017 season, and named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Omenihu already has a lot of traits in the tool shed. His play speed remains the same no matter what the situation may be within the game. His arm length and repertoire of moves are already diverse, and there’s positional versatility to where he can fill multiple roles in a plethora of schemes.

  1. Daniel Jones, QB, Duke, (R-Junior 6-4, 225)

Under the tutelage of head coach David Cutcliffe, Jones continued to grow as the season progressed. After suffering a broken clavicle that resulted in surgery, the signal-caller miraculously only had a three-week recovery period. Comfortable in a heavy run-pass option attack, Jones thrived on throws over the middle of the field. With only occasional shots to the deep areas of the field, he’s at home in the short-to-intermediate areas off of play-action. An underrated athlete who has enough athleticism to escape out of a murky pocket and make plays off-schedule, the upside may not be as high as some of the other quarterback prospects in this class, but his cerebral mindset and savviness may propel him to the top of some teams’ draft boards.

  1. Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State (Junior, 6-6, 225)

Butler plays exactly how his size indicates. He plays above the rim, and that’s where he makes his living. 50-50 balls turn into 80-20 throws for him because there aren’t many that he’s unable to corral. The catch consistency on routes underneath and defeating coverage when defenders crowd his area space are where his refinements need to come. Drops are another area that has hampered him. Being that he’s a taller receiver, his route breaks and change of direction take more time than normal.

  1. Deionte Thompson, SAF, Alabama (6-2, 195)

Thompson is a true center-field type of safety prospect that operates best when on the roof of the defense. He’s a guy with numbers-to-numbers type of range who can be a mistake-eraser on the back end. Slight frame hinders him as a run defender, as he doesn’t come downhill when filling the alley, but he has enough consistency bringing ball carriers down to the ground. Thompson will not be participating in the Combine due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his wrist.

  1. Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis (5-10, 200)

A bowling ball body that has many positive qualities, Henderson was a home run hitter for the Tigers’ offense. Rushing his way into school history as he amassed 3,545 yards – making him the second all-time leading rusher in program history — Henderson’s versatile skill-set as a downhill runner, from the dot, seven-yards deep runner, or a runner from the offset shotgun makes him scheme-proof, combined with him being a receiving option out of the backfield. His ceiling may be a bit capped, but he’s ready-made right now to step onto an NFL field and succeed right away.

  1. Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple (Senior, 5-11, 189)

Taking an alternate route to get to this point, Ya-Sin didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school after winning two wrestling state championships (Georgia). The path led him to Presbyterian College (Clinton, SC) before ultimately finishing his career at Temple. A well put together frame and bringing plenty of physicality to the party, Ya-Sin is the ultimate competitor who has plenty of ball skills, as well.

  1. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina (Senior, 5-11, 216)

Following the Senior Bowl, Samuel saw his star shine brightly, as he was the clear best player in Mobile. Showing plenty of burst, route creativity, and separation skills to match, he is the ideal swing receiver that can play on the outside or in the slot with success. Possessing strong hands, Samuel is a professional separator at all parts of the field and in the red zone. Durability will always be the concern with Samuel, and the medical examinations at the Combine may be a detriment to his stock.

  1. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss (Junior, 6-5, 325)

There won’t be a player who has a bigger disparity on boards than Little. A former five-star recruit, he lived up to his billing and has the genes to match. His father was a 1989 draft selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Little is very light on his feet, which helps him as a pass protector, but his technique and hand placement need a lot of work. Having the traits already present in his arsenal will intrigue many teams because they’ll feel as if they have the secret recipe to turn him into a high-end talent.

 

For more NFL Draft news and analysis, follow Jordan on Twitter @JReidNFL

 

 

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Erik Turner

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