Draft Nuggets 2014: Entry #5
By Jeff Bowers of www.thedraftnarrative.com
Twitter: @sportsnarrative
Questions To Be Answered:
The Scouting Combine in Indianapolis is where teams finally get a close look at the top prospects and where the top players finally get a chance to answer the questions that may be swirling around them. Here is a list of all my top 5 players at each position and the questions they need to answer at the Combine:
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Quarterbacks |
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No. |
Name |
School |
Questions |
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1 |
Teddy Bridgewater |
Louisville |
Size and Durability (Slight Build) |
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2 |
Blake Bortles |
UCF |
Accuracy and Consistency |
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3 |
Derek Carr |
Fresno State |
Arm Strength |
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4 |
Johnny Manziel |
Texas A&M |
Character and Size |
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5 |
David Fales |
San Jose State |
Arm Strength and Size |
Commentary: Every one of these players has flaws and the one who can overcome them the best will be rewarded by hearing their name called first on draft day. Bridgewater is the most NFL-ready, but his biggest test will come on day one at the weigh-in (needs to be over 200lbs). Bortles and Carr must prove themselves in passing drills, and Manziel will, of course, face questions about his offseason choices and his height.
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Running backs |
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No. |
Name |
School |
Questions |
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1 |
Bishop Sankey |
Washington |
Durability |
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2 |
Carlos Hyde |
Ohio State |
Character and Conditioning |
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3 |
Charles Sims |
West Virginia |
Running Style |
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4 |
Lache Seastrunk |
Baylor |
Vision |
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5 |
Ka’Deem Carey |
Arizona |
Size (Every down back?) |
Commentary: Opinions will vary widely in the RB class depending on your criteria for success. Sankey has been a very productive college runner, drawing comparisons to Jones-Drew, but he also has quite a few carries on that body. Hyde still has to answer for the 3-game suspension and his overall conditioning. Charles Sims runs very high, creating worries about injury. Seastrunk struggled against good defenses. Carey is dynamic, but does he have the size to be a workhorse.
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Wide Receivers |
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No. |
Name |
School |
Questions |
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1 |
Sammy Watkins |
Clemson |
Character and Hands |
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2 |
Mike Evans |
Texas A&M |
Speed and Route Running |
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3 |
Marqise Lee |
USC |
Size and Durability |
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4 |
Odell Beckham Jr |
LSU |
Character and Drops |
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5 |
Brandin Cooks |
Oregon State |
Size and Hands |
Commentary:
This is a nice crop of WRs and it will be fun to watch them put on a show at the Combine. Watkins should wow in the 40, but needs to do well in interviews and in the Gauntlet drill to stay in the Top 5 overall. Evans has great size, but need to show burst in the 40. The biggest challenge for Lee and Cooks may be at the weigh-in, where their size will become official. Like many other LSU guys, Beckham Jr has some character questions and must show consistency and focus.
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Tight Ends |
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No. |
Name |
School |
Questions |
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1 |
Eric Ebron |
UNC |
Strength and Aggression |
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2 |
Jace Amaro |
Texas Tech |
Attitude and Blocking |
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3 |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins |
Washington |
Physicality and Speed |
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4 |
Troy Niklas |
Notre Dame |
Route Running and Finesse |
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5 |
CJ Fiedorowicz |
Iowa |
Speed and Hands |
Commentary: The top 5 Tight Ends in this draft are all very talented. Ebron is drawing comparisons to Vernon Davis and just needs to test well on the bench press. Amaro has a few maturity questions and scheme questions coming from the spread Tech offense. ASJ needs to play as big as he looks. Niklas and Fiedorowicz are throwback, smash-mouth type TEs who needs to show some skill in pass-catching drills.
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Offensive Tackles |
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No. |
Name |
School |
Questions |
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1 |
Jake Matthews |
Texas A&M |
Agility and Balance |
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2 |
Greg Robinson |
Auburn |
Inexperience and Technique |
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3 |
Zach Martin |
Notre Dame |
Arm Length and Anchor |
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4 |
Cyrus Kouandijio |
Alabama |
Agility and Technique |
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5 |
Morgan Moses |
Virginia |
Weight and Balance |
Commentary: Offensive Tackles are always at a premium in the NFL and all 5 of these guys could be first round picks. Matthews has few flaws and could be the most blue chip prospect in this draft. Robinson is inexperienced and comes from an unusual system at Auburn. Martin lacks ideal size for a tackle and could be seen as a guard by some. Kouandijio and Moses will need to come in at a good weight and move well in space. Of note, this top 5 may be varied from some others do to some very serious red flags on some prospects.
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Offensive Guards |
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No. |
Name |
School |
Questions |
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1 |
Xavier Su’a-Filo |
UCLA |
Leverage |
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2 |
David Yankey |
Stanford |
Punch and Technique |
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3 |
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