Top 5 at Each Position – Post NFL Combine

by Dwayne Wilton

Now that the NFL Combine is over and players are starting to have pro days, I thought now would be a good time to update our top 5 at each position. This is a unique draft in that there isn’t a consensus #1 overall pick yet. I’m not even sure what the Chiefs are going to do at this point. There are several ways they could go. The question still remains on whether or not a quarterback is drafted in the top 10. Lots of questions……

Quarterback:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous ranking	Current Ranking
Geno	Smith	W Virginia	Sr	2	1
Matt	Barkley	USC	Sr	1	2
E.J.	Manuel	Florida State	Sr	4	3
Ryan	Nassib	Syracuse	Sr		4
Mike	Glennon	NC State	Sr	3	5

Analysis: Geno Smith moves ahead of Barkley. He has more physical tools and if any QB has a chance at going in the top 10, it’s Geno. I have Manuel higher than many people right now, but he’s a hot commodity and I believe I’m ahead of the curve. I believe by draft day he will be in the top 3 and maybe even overtake Barkley for the #2 position. I think his size and athleticism will be attractive to many NFL teams.

New: Ryan Nassib

Up: Geno Smith (previously 2)

Down: Matt Barkley (previously 1), Mike Glennon (previously 3)

Out: Tyler Bray

Running Back:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Eddie	Lacy	Alabama	Jr	1	1
Montee	Ball	Wisconsin	Sr	2	2
Johnathan	Franklin	UCLA	Sr	4	3
Giovani	Bernard	N Carolina	Jr	3	4
Andre	Ellington	Clemson	Jr		5

Analysis: No change in the top two. Franklin is gaining steam after looking good at the Senior Bowl and the Combine. Stepfan Taylor has dropped due to his slow time at the Combine. He will be under a lot of pressure to run better at this Pro Day.

New: Andre Ellington

Up: Johnathan Franklin (previously 4)

Down: Giovani Bernard (previously 3)

Out:  Stepfan Taylor

Wide Receiver:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Tavon	Austin	W Virginia	Sr	2	1
Cordarrelle	Patterson	Tennessee	Jr	4	2
Keenan	Allen	Cal	Jr	1	3
Quinton	Patton	La Tech	Sr	3	4
Justin	Hunter	Tennessee	Jr		5

Analysis: Most people continue to have Cordarrelle Patterson as their #1 receiver, but he is not a natural hands catcher and lets too many balls get in to this body. Austin is small but is extremely explosive (just ask Oklahoma). Keenan Allen and Quinton Patton may be the best all around receivers in this draft.

New: Justin Hunter

Up: Tavon Austin (previously 2), Cordarrelle Patterson (previously 4)

Down: Keenan Allen (previously 1), Quinton Patton (previously 3)

Tight End:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Zach	Ertz	Stanford	Jr	1	1
Tyler	Eifert	Notre Dame	Jr	2	2
Jordan	Reed	Florida	Jr	4	3
Gavin	Escobar	San Diego St	Sr		4
Vance	McDonald	Rice	Sr		5

Analysis: Most scouts still list Eifert above Ertz, but there is very little separating the two. I like Ertz better because he made more plays down the field. Reed and McDonald are both fast athletic guys. Reed is a former QB that played all over for the Gators and McDonald was more of a big slot receiver that was also used on fly sweeps.

New: Gavin Escobar, Vance McDonald

Up: Jordan Reed (previously 4)

Out: Travis Kelce, Dion Sims

Fullback:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Lonnie	Pryor	Florida St	Sr	1	1
Zach	Line	SMU	Sr	2	2
Kyle	Juszczyk	Harvard	Sr	4	3
Zach	Boren	Ohio State	Sr	3	4
Tommy	Bohanon	Wake Forest	Sr	5	5

Analysis: Only change is a flip-flop of Juszczyk and Boren. People are in love with Juszczyk after his impressive Senior Bowl.

Up: Kyle Juszczyk (previously 4)

Down: Zach Boren (previously 3)

Offensive Tackle:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Eric	Fisher	C Michigan	Sr	1	1
Luke	Joeckel	Texas A&M	Jr	2	2
Lane	Johnson	Oklahoma	Sr	3	3
DJ	Fluker	Alabama	Jr	4	4
Menelik	Watson	Florida State	Jr		5

Analysis: Only change is the addition of Menelik Watson who is an athletic freak. He played right tackle but as a former hoops player he should have the ability to also play on the left side.

New: Menelik Watson

Out: Justin Pugh

Guard:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Chance	Warmack	Alabama	Sr	1	1
Jonathan	Cooper	N Carolina	Sr	2	2
Barrett	Jones	Alabama	Sr	3	3
Larry	Warford	Kentucky	Sr	4	4
Kyle	Long	Oregon	Sr		5

Analysis: Only change is the addition of Kyle Long, a one-year starter at Oregon at right tackle. Long has NFL pedigree though, his dad is former Raiders Hall of Famer Howie Long.

New: Kyle Long

Out: Brian Winters

Center:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Brian	Schwenke	Cal	Sr	1	1
Travis	Frederick	Wisconsin	Jr	3	2
Khaled	Holmes	USC	Sr	2	3
Braxston	Cave	Notre Dame	Sr		4
J.C.	Tretter	Cornell	Sr		5

Analysis: I have Schwenke ranked above Frederick. I really like his mobility and ability to anchor.

New: Braxston Cave, J.C. Tretter

Out: Mario Benevides, Weston Richburg

Defensive End:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Bjoern	Werner	Florida State	Jr	2	1
Ziggy	Ansah	BYU	Jr	5	2
Datone	Jones	UCLA	Sr		3
Sam	Montgomery	LSU	Jr	4	4
Margus	Hunt	SMU	Sr		5

Analysis: Ansah is moving up quickly on most boards and may even be a top 10 pick. Jones has also created a buzz. He is a versatile player that could either be a 3-4 end or a 4-3 defensive tackle. Margus Hunt is a tall, athletic player that will probably be a 3-4 defensive end. Damontre Moore has a very disappointing Combine workout, only bench pressing 12 reps and running slower than players 50 lbs. heavier than him.

New: Datone Jones, Margus Hunt

Up: Bjoern Werner (previously 2), Ezekiel Ansah (previously 5)

Out: Mingo (moved to the outside linebacker rankings), Damontre Moore

Defensive Tackle:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Sharrif	Floyd	Florida	Jr	4	1
Star	Lotulelei	Utah	Sr	1	2
Sylvester	Williams	N Carolina	Sr	3	3
Kawann	Short	Purdue	Sr	5	4
Johnathan	Hankins	Ohio State	Jr	1	5

Analysis: Sharrif Floyd is a player that is shooting up the draft boards. He is a 4-3 defensive tackle similar in style to Warren Sapp. He is likely a top 5 pick and seems to be a sexy pick for the Raiders at #3. At the Combine it was discovered that Lotulelei had a heart issue. Hopefully it is nothing that will keep him from pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL. No matter what, when you hear heart condition, it’s a scary thing.

Up: Sharrif Floyd (previously 2), Kawann Short (previously 5)

Down: Star Lotulelei (previously 1), Johnathan Hankins (previously 2)

Outside Linebacker:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Dion	Jordan	Oregon	Sr		1
Jarvis	Jones	Georgia	Jr	1	2
Barkevius	Mingo	LSU	Jr		3
Khaseem	Green	Rutgers	Sr	2	4
Jamie	Collins	S Miss	Sr	5	5

Analysis: Dion Jordan is the hot name at outside linebacker after his Combine workout. Jarvis Jones has a neck issue that teams will be looking at closely. If he is cleared to play he will likely be a top 10 pick. Barkevius Mingo is a defensive end that will likely converted to 3-4 outside linebacker. Jamie Collins nearly jumped out of Lucas Oil Stadium and should be a day two pick.

New: Dion Jordan, Barkevius Mingo (formerly listed as a defensive end)

Down: Jarvis Jones (previously 1), Khaseem Greene (previously 2)

Out: Chase Thomas, Arthur Brown

Inside Linebacker:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Alec	Ogletree	Georgia	Jr	1	1
Manti	Te’o	Notre Dame	Sr	2	2
Kevin	Minter	LSU	Jr	3	3
Jon	Bostic	Florida	Sr	5	4
Kevin	Reddick	N Carolina	Sr	4	5

Analysis: Only change is a flip-flop of Bostic and Reddick. Bostic showed very good speed for an inside linebacker at the Combine and opened a lot of eyes.

Up: John Bostic (previously 5)

Down: Kevin Reddick (previously 4)

Cornerback:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Dee	Milliner	Alabama	Jr	1	1
Xavier	Rhodes	Florida St	Jr		2
Desmond	Trufant	Washington	Sr	3	3
Blidi	Wreh-Wilson	UConn	Sr	5	4
Jordan	Poyer	Oregon St	Sr	4	5

Analysis: Everyone was anxious to see what Dee Milliner would run in the 40. He did not disappoint, running a sub 4.4 40 and cementing his position as the top corner. Xavier Rhodes has outstanding size for a corner and is most people’s pick as the second best corner. Trufant is a natural corner that excels in press coverage. Johnthan Banks dropped out due to a disappointing 40 at the Combine. If he can show better speed at his Pro Day, he may be able to move back into the top five, otherwise he’s a safety.

New: Xavier Rhodes

Up: Blidi Wreh-Wilson (previously 5)

Down: Jordan Poyer (previously 4)

Out: Johnthan Banks

Safety:

First Name	Last Name	School	Year	Previous Ranking	Current Ranking
Matt	Elam	Florida	Jr	1	1
Kenny	Vaccaro	Texas	Sr	2	2
Eric	Reid	LSU	Jr	2	3
Shamarko	Thomas	Syracuse	Sr		4
Phillip	Thomas	Fresno State	Sr		5

Analysis: Matt Elam and Kenny Vaccaro are better in the box, but can also cover. Elam is a bit short, but he seems to always be around the ball making plays. Eric Reid is the top free safety available. His play allowed Tyrann Mathieu to make some of the plays that he made, knowing Reid would clean things up behind him. Shamarko Thomas is a very strong player with good straight line speed (but not a lot of flexibility).

New: Shamarko Thomas

Up: Eric Reid (previously 5)

Down: Phillip Thomas (previously 4)

Out: Tony Jefferson