NFL draft prep: Orange Bowl prospects

Share

Discover Orange Bowl

No. 12 Clemson vs. No. 7 Ohio State (8:30 p.m., ESPN)

Sammy Watkins - WR, Clemson, No. 2 (Currently ranked 6th on Chris Steuber's board)
Watkins, a junior, is my top-ranked WR in a very deep class going into the 2014 NFL draft -- although he still has not officially declared his intentions of entering -- and a player I believe should be worthy of a top-10 selection. Watkins is the complete package. He has the size (6-1/205), track speed, balance and quickness in and out of breaks, and tremendous hands. Once Watkins gets the ball in space, he's a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

The 2013 second-team AP All-American has 85 catches for 1,237 yards and 10 scores this season. Unfortunately, we probably won't get a chance to see him go up against Ohio State CB Bradley Roby, another top prospect, because Roby is hobbled with a bone bruise on his knee. Watkins would be an ideal fit in Chip Kelly's offense, but alas Eagles fans, Chip and company won't be able to sniff this Tiger unless they get into the top 15.  

Watch: Watkins vs. Georgia, 2013

Vic Beasley - DE, Clemson, No. 3
Beasley, a redshirt junior, plays a hybrid DE/LB position for the Tigers, rushing the passer standing upright and with his hands in the dirt. He shows a very good inside move but lacks the strength to bull rush offensive linemen. Beasley may be best suited as a 3-4 OLB in the pros, but I haven't seen enough of him in pass coverage to know how he'd do in that aspect of the position. He seems to have good feet and balance, and is certainly quick off the snap, so chances are, with time, he could be decent in coverage.

Beasley is making a lot of plays this season (12 sacks), and if he can put on a bit more mass (6-2/235) and strength during the offseason, he's a surefire early second-round pick. The Eagles, who need a pass rushing specialist at OLB, could even reach for someone like him in the late first round. 

Watch: Beasley vs. Wake Forest, 2013

Ryan Shazier - LB, Ohio State, No. 2 (Currently ranked 20th on Steuber's board)
Shazier is an interesting prospect. He has the size (6-2/222) and athleticism of a safety, and the versatility to play inside, outside and as a pass rusher. The 2013 Walter Camp second-team All-American had six sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss this season, showing his elite burst off the snap and ability to create havoc behind the line of scrimmage. The one knock against Shazier may be his lack of size. I had the same concern with Mychal Kendricks coming out of Cal when I saw him get caught up in the wash too often, struggling to get off blocks. Kendricks still struggles at times when blockers get a hold of him, but his athletic ability compensates.

Shazier will have to get better at beating blocks and rely less on getting by on just pure physical skills, but he's a guy who can simply make plays. I see him coming off the board in the early second round, with a chance to get into the first round if he blows up at the combine. 

Watch: 2012 Shazier Highlights

Jack Mewhort - OT, Ohio State, No. 74
Mewhort, a senior, was a Buckeye captain this season. A versatile performer, Mewhort (6-6/308) has started games at both guard spots and left tackle during his career in Columbus. For the past two seasons he has been the starting left tackle. Not an elite athlete, Mewhort is a blue collar worker who will probably be shifted to the right side in the pros where he won't have to deal with as many speed rushers. His versatility should give him additional value come draft day, and any team would be lucky to get a player with the work ethic Mewhort brings to the table. Look for him to be off the board by the late second round. If the Eagles are looking to add depth to the offensive line, they could certainly do worse. 

Others to watch

Carlos Hyde - RB, Ohio State, No. 34
Hyde (6-0/235) defines the term power back. The senior ran for 1,408 yards and 14 TDs in 2013, displaying more speed and quickness than he had in previous seasons. A third-round pick. 

Tajh Boyd - QB, Clemson, No. 10 (Currently ranked 21st on Steuber's board)
Boyd had a lot of buzz coming into 2013, but the senior failed to come up big in big games, making too many bonehead throws and not flashing elite athleticism. Still, he has arm talent and can run a bit and might be a better fit in Kelly's offense than Matt Barkley. I see him as a fifth-round pick. 

Contact Us