Terrance Williams/Baylor:
 
Skills/Attributes: A big and fast deep threat who still needs refinement to become a complete WR. Not a natural hands-catcher, routinely make body catches. Extends well vertically and flashes strong hands in these situations. More of a build-up speed guy rather than a short area quickness guy, but his top speed is excellent. Routinely stretches the Defense and gets behind the secondary just by outrunning them. Not a route-running technician and did not run a great variety of routes; lived mainly on Streak and Comeback routes. Rarely faced Press Man but handled it well when he saw it. Lacks proper ball security, had multiple occasions where he either fumbled or lost the ball right after being down by contact. Flashes good burst in a straight line, but change of direction is not his strong suit. Takes a long time to turn upfield on Comeback and Curl routes. Flashed some good YAC ability and a little shiftiness. Does a nice job of coming back to the football and using his body to shield the defender from being able to make a play on the ball. Gave up on a couple YAC plays where he just chose to fall down. Doesn’t fight or use body control to get past the sticks unless it’s 3rd Down. Willing blocker who consistently won; does a nice job of sustaining his blocks until the whistle.
 
Summary: Williams is an intriguing prospect because he has two special attributes (size and speed) that were consistently evident on film to go along with many other positive things that flashed but were more inconsistent. The volume of big plays throughout Williams’ tape is remarkable, and the stats bear this out as well: He had a 40+ yard catch in 11 of his 13 games in 2012, and in the other two games, he had longs of 36 and 27 yards. Despite CBs routinely playing with large cushions against him, he still found a way to burn them at least once per game. Williams still has work to do as a route-runner, and his body catching habit will get him in trouble in the NFL if it continues. He also needs to give more consistent effort during YAC and must secure the football better. However, as many have said since the dawn of football, “you can’t teach size or speed.” Williams has both, and if he can refine the technical aspects of his game, he could develop into an excellent well-rounded weapon.
 
Games Watched: West Virginia, Texas, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Kansas State
 
Projects to: Outside WR
 
Grade: 8.0 (Early 3rd)

Manti Te’o/Notre Dame:
 
Skills/Attributes: Clearly deficient as an athlete, but flashes an ability to read plays quickly and get a head-start in the right direction. As a run defender, lacks the strength to collapse blockers and close the lane if he’s fighting to get into position. Must set up blockers better and use leverage so that he can both establish and maintain good position more often. Also must improve shedding technique so that he can get free quickly and make stops. Shedding quickly, on top of reading quickly, will help make up for his shortcomings as an athlete. Slow enough that guys run away from him on stretch runs, and this lack of athleticism also leads to too many lunging tackle attempts that rarely work. Sometimes gets pushed backwards at the second level and could play with better leverage when taking on blockers. Best when able to stay free and make plays in the hole. Flashes an ability to take on lead blocks well, but too often will not finish the play unless he breaks free. Not a punishing tackler and is hit-and-miss in space in one-on-one situations. Does not handle cut blocks well, gets completely washed out. Not an effective blitzer unless he gets a free run, and if the blitz becomes a chase situation, he will lose. Gets caught in traffic too often when trying to flow sideline-to-sideline and gets stuck on the blocks. Slow to attack in short-yardage situations. Bites on Play Action and takes too many false steps as a result. Decent in coverage, and seems more comfortable in Man than in Zone because he can use physicality to level the playing field. Most effective when given coverage responsibilities within 10 yards of the LOS. Showed some nice breaks on the ball a few times, but isn’t a natural playmaker in coverage by any means. Needs to be kept out of coverage situations that require him to use long speed. Plays with intensity and has a very good motor. Always seems to be involved in tackles, but many were assisted efforts.
 
Summary: If you expect Te’o to come in and be the foundation of your Defense, you’ll be disappointed, but that doesn’t make him worthless by any means. Though he lacks exceptional ability across the board from a skillset perspective, he has a good enough overall combination of skills to be a solid complementary player. While Te’o’s understanding of the game and ability to often make quick reads help offset the fact that he’s a step slow, they don’t erase the issue entirely. He still gets stuck on the outside-looking-in of running lanes at times, and he lacks both the strength to force his way in and the technique to shed and get by the blocker in these situations. Chances are, if he gets out of position, he’ll stay there, and that is his major issue as a run defender. Te’o also needs to eliminate his tendency to lunge, which stems from being in bad position (which stems from being a step slow). Put simply, he misses too many solo tackles for someone who has so many other flaws. Te’o will likely be pulled on obvious passing downs for more athletic and coverage-savvy players, but he is competent enough playing the pass that he can be solid at it in small sample sizes. If he can polish up his technique as a run defender some, he could become a very good two-Down NFL Linebacker. He likely never becomes a Pro Bowl-level player, but he should be a solid starter for many years.
 
Games Watched: Michigan, Miami, BYU, Purdue, Alabama, Stanford, Michigan State
 
Projects to: 3-4 ILB, 4-3 MLB
 
Grade: 8.1 (Late 2nd-Early 3rd)

Arthur Brown/Kansas State:
 
Skills/Attributes: Athletic player who also shows toughness and strength despite being on the small side. Clearly cerebral; able to diagnose plays quickly and move rapidly in the right direction. Rarely fooled and takes very few false steps. Flows effortlessly from sideline to sideline as a run defender and moves very well in space when in coverage. Rarely gets stuck on blocks and is also able to flow through trash really well. Flashes fantastic closing speed when able to show it off in space; rarely gets run away from. Plays disciplined and with control; his speed and range are rarely used against him. Smothers outside runs by getting into position quickly, waiting patiently for his opportunity to strike, and then exploding into the ball carrier. Can hit with power, but usually is a technically-sound wrap-and-drop guy. Consistent tackler; great, but not quite elite in that aspect. Looks natural in both Man and Zone and cover receivers with tremendous legal physicality. His jams are excellent and receivers have a really tough time gaining separation from him on underneath routes. Understands how he fits into Zone coverages. Reads the QBs eyes and breaks quickly towards the ball as soon as he sees the throwing motion begin. Takes exceptional angles and appears to have a great understanding of what he can do athletically. Cut blocks are merely minor nuisances to him. Plays with a relentless motor; effort will never be a question with him. Rarely used as a blitzer and wasn’t overly effective, but showed some skills that indicate he could potentially grow into that role with coaching.
 
Summary: Brown is an extremely well-rounded and pro-ready player who has just about everything you’d want your ideal Linebacker to have. Though he lacks ideal size and strength, it is not deficient enough to prevent him from being an excellent player overall. In fact, his skillset is actually very well-tuned for the NFL game. Brown is very strong in coverage and should be able to be used heavily in that role. He possesses the speed needed to keep up in space and also uses great physicality to disrupt routes. As a run defender, he is quick to read and plays with decisiveness. Brown can thrive playing both laterally and downhill, and though lack of strength was an issue for him now and then, he also flashed an ability to take on and blow up blockers. Brown never quits on plays and definitely leads by example with his effort and determination. Oregon took advantage of his aggressiveness and sprung some big runs against him, and during that game he appeared to play reckless at times out of frustration. While this issue was a rarity in other games, it was a little discouraging to see him taken advantage of the way he was. That said, I still believe Brown is an excellent prospect who should be able to learn from that experience. While I believe he could be very effective inside, 4-3 OLB is his best fit and he should be used there to maximize his great abilities. Provided that durability does not become an issue for him, Brown should have a long and excellent pro career.
 
Games Watched: West Virginia, Baylor, Texas, Oklahoma, Miami, Oregon
 
Projects to: 4-3 OLB
 
Grade: 8.9 (Mid-1st)

Jarvis Jones/Georgia:
 
Skills/Attributes: Neither a great athlete nor a great technician at this point, but a solid and productive football player who has room to improve. Possesses a relentless motor that really makes up for some of the shortcomings he has in other facets of his game. Lacks ideal closing speed, change of direction, and balance. Ends up on the ground too often, especially when trying to turn the corner to get to the QB. Routinely loses footraces, but keeps running even when he’s being pulled away from. This effort resulted in him making many tackles downfield. Inconsistent as a point-of-attack run defender in just about every way possible. Flashes ability to anchor, hit with power, and collapse into the hole to make stops, but on other plays, showed a lack of strength, poor pad level, and an inability to get off his block. Really got pushed around on a few occasions, and sometimes by TEs. Shows heavy hands that can jolt OTs backwards but also got stonewalled by RBs in pass protection despite having a full head of steam. Shows an effective bull-rush when he gets his pad level down low enough for it to work. Desperately needs to improve his hand usage, it is the main thing holding him back from really being a nice player. Routinely allows blockers to get into his chest and latch onto him, and that’s a big reason why he can’t shed and misses chances to make plays he is in position to make. Does an excellent job of reading and playing runs that either go up the middle or away from him to the other side. Flows down the line effortlessly, avoiding traffic and tracking the ball carrier so that he can swoop in and make a stop at the perfect moment. Highly productive as a pass rusher despite athletic and technical limitations. Accumulated many “effort Sacks” but also got some by getting a great jump off the line and largely avoiding contact en route to the QB. Lacks a variety of pass rushing moves and struggles to counter once his initial move is stifled. Tackling form gets lazy at times, but at his best, he is a forceful player who can hit and produce fumbles.
 
Summary: Jones’ spinal stenosis is obviously a big question mark that teams need to answer individually, and since I am not in a position to accurately speculate about his medical status, I am not going to, and this entire issue will not factor into my evaluation whatsoever. What I do know is how he looks on tape, and what I saw was a player who definitely has some warts, but is someone I believe has a chance to improve in the NFL with good coaching. He flashes many nice qualities but really needs to improve his hand usage so that he can get off of blocks and make more plays. Even moderate improvement with his hands, combined with learning to extend his arms and keep blockers off of his chest, would result in dramatic improvement overall. Jones doesn’t have a massive ceiling due to his athletic limitations, but it’s high enough to still be attractive (provided that he becomes a savvy technician and maximizes what physical tools he does have). Effort will never be a question with Jones, and he certainly can provide value early on in his career as a supportive run defender who adds some value as a pass rusher. Becoming more disciplined with his pad level and improving his aforementioned hand usage should also help him becoming more consistent as an anchor. Jones will really thrive as a complete run defender if he can make that part of the game a routine strength instead of an occasional flash. Overall though, Jones will largely be drafted to be a pass rusher, and I would be very uncomfortable drafting him to be my new primary pass rushing force. However, I believe he’s worth an investment as a complementary rusher that will hopefully develop into a nice starter as he learns the finer points of technique.
 
Games Watched: Buffalo, Missouri, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, Nebraska
 
Projects to: 3-4 OLB
 
Grade: 8.0 (Early 3rd)

Margus Hunt/SMU:
 
Skills/Attributes: Raw, athletic freak who flashes great things but has a long way to go to become a complete player. Still learning how to use his hands and doesn’t show very good pop with punches. Struggles to shed blocks, especially in the run game where he doesn’t have space to operate in. Will flash nice hand swipes to free himself from blocks, but those almost exclusively come when he is working with speed in space and has his man off-balance. A very space-dependent player overall, does not do well once engaged but shows excellent speed if he’s not greeted with initial contact. Will prey on heavy-footed OTs who can’t keep up with his burst because they will naturally tend to give him the space he needs to get moving. Blockers who aren’t afraid of him and are willing to play closer to him in pass protection win consistently because he does not convert speed to power and does not shed blocks effectively. Lacks power and strength overall in both the run game and as a pass rusher. Rarely showed an ability to anchor in the run game and isn’t a penetrating run defender either. Moved too easily and leaves holes where he used to be. Will come out too high sometimes and that is a problem that will likely always creep up now and then due to his towering height (6’7”). His raw speed can cover up his technique issues at times, but generally his lack of technique is too much to overcome. Needs time to learn the nuances of defensive line play, but has a good motor and certainly appears to give it his all on every play.
 
Summary: Hunt, in many ways, is the prototypical “project player.” He has undeniable athleticism that many others don’t possess, but he still needs to refine his raw traits into “football traits.” He is clearly held back by his many technique deficiencies, but the flashes he shows of what he could be if he puts it all together are very appealing. The main factor working against him in all of this is that he will be a 26 year old rookie. While technique ages well, raw athleticism does not, and it is worth questioning what kind of player Hunt will actually be once he maxes out as a technician (and for how long). Will he still have his explosive speed at that point, or will he have lost a step? This is an issue each team has to decide for itself, and it certainly seems likely that Hunt’s stock throughout the league will vary wildly. That said, I believe even marginal improvements in things like hand usage and pad level should help Hunt take big steps forward as an overall player. Hunt certainly is functionally strong (38 bench press reps at the Combine), but he currently doesn’t play with strength or power on the field. At the sake of being redundant here, improved technique would really help uncover the natural strength he possesses but is currently unable to tap into. Overall, I currently like Hunt best as a 4-3 DE where he can focus mostly on pass rushing. I think he could become a 3-4 DE in time, but at the moment I’d be uncomfortable sending him out in that role routinely because I think he’d be run over until he figures out how to anchor, shed, and play with power. 3-4 OLB is an intriguing option because it would put him in space more than the other two spots would (which is currently where he thrives at most), but that would also open up loads of other techniques and responsibilities for him to learn in a limited time. Wherever he lines up, he’s a situational pass rusher at-best today, and whichever team takes him is betting that he quickly develops into much more. If Hunt was going to be 22 his rookie year instead of 26, I’d give him a significantly higher grade, but unfortunately he’s not.
 
Games Watched: TCU, UCF, Fresno State
 
Projects to: 4-3 DE, 3-4 DE
 
Grade: 8.0 (Early 3rd)

Kawann Short/Purdue:
 
Skills/Attributes: Big man who flashes burst off the snap but runs hot-and-cold. Either wins quickly and decisively or does nothing positive at all. Plays with powerful hands and a great swim move at times, but takes too long to shed once engaged and routinely misses out on the play’s window of opportunity. Motor is inconsistent and there are certainly plays where he is not really going full bore. Really struggles against double teams, does not generate any surge and appears content to just stand there. Also plays too high against them and can get driven backwards. Despite his great quickness and his flashes of impressive body control and flexibility, he does not show an ability to squirt between the blockers and win. Improving his technique and seemingly his “want to” against double teams will be critical at the next level. Struggles mightily against cut blocks, gets taken out completely and is very slow to recover. Plays with a style that begs for teams to punish him in the run game; too often his quickness is used against him and he does not possess the tools needed to recover in these instances. Blockers let him go where he wants to but then shut the door and prevent him from actually having any real impact. Doesn’t appear to have the ability to anchor and 2-gap, either. Not effective in the run game other than when his penetration actually works. Change of direction is below-average. Has poor tackling technique and rarely makes “contested tackles” where he’s required to reach and grab onto the ball carrier while still engaged. Effective almost exclusively when not contested right at the snap. If he is given space to get moving, he will be able to use his speed and quickness to blow by his man and generate pressure or get the ball carrier. However, if he is greeted with initial contact early, he struggles to disengage and lacks a consistent bull rush, even against single blockers.
 
Summary: Short is a true “YouTube highlights” player. His statistics are all excellent, and looking at cut-ups of his best plays would give the impression that he is a very high-level player, but that perspective is very misleading. In reality, Short is a very high-variance player who routinely plays at the low-end of his variance spectrum but still manages to usually create a couple impact plays every game that draw attention. Short really is unrefined as a penetrator and needs to add counter moves and more techniques to his repertoire. Once engaged, too often his hands and feet stop moving and he basically stands still in a shoving match. I talked about his poor play against double teams earlier, but his lack of ability to shed and disengage even single blockers who make good initial contact on him is a major red flag to me. Many of his best plays were caused by either him being completely unblocked or his man being too slow out of his stance at the snap and getting blown by. Overall, I believe Short has a long way to go before he can be relied upon in the NFL on a full-time basis. He truly is a liability in the run game when unable to penetrate and is too inconsistent as a pass rusher at this point. Right now, I don’t think Short brings much to the table besides quickness and the occasional swim move, and it’s hard to play in the NFL if that’s all you can do. If Short flashed more technique and played more consistently with power, I’d be a lot more optimistic about his NFL future. Unfortunately, he does not do those things enough, so I have a hard time believing he’ll become a great player at the next level unless he really makes huge strides as a technician and improves his motor significantly.
 
Games Watched: Notre Dame, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio State
 
Projects to: 4-3 DT
 
Grade: 7.5 (Late 4th)

Jesse Williams/Alabama:
 
Skills/Attributes: Extremely strong player who at times can generate push but mainly plays as an immovable anchor. Has short arms that limit him as a playmaker but are fine for his role as a “trash compactor.” Not devoid of athletic ability; doesn’t thrive in space, but has nice movement skills in confined spaces. Has a strong punch that rocks blockers backwards, and is able to sustain power and drive to keep them off-balance. Rarely shows shedding hand technique, but has done it and seemingly could increase usage of it. Not a great lateral mover; lacks change of direction and flexibility, but has pretty good closing speed once he sheds. Probably won’t make Sacks, but is able to flush the QB out or force him into another defender’s path. Sticks with the play and will hunt down QBs who try and extend broken plays. Has a very good motor. Doesn’t consistently collapse the pocket; pass rushing is not his strong suit. Able to take on double teams and sustain the blocks so that others have an easier time making the tackle. “Dirty worker” who helps a Defense function despite not actively making a lot of plays himself. Fights to maintain leverage and stay in good position. Does a nice job of keep his advantage once he gains it. Not a guy who makes it to his spot only to be pushed through it and out of the play. Often generates a surge in short-yardage situations. Generally has very good pad level, but when it does creep up too high, it’s a problem. For a guy who generally lives and dies by his power game, this is a critical component of his game. Gets his hands up but doesn’t make contact with the ball enough; short arms play a role in this for sure, but doesn’t seem to have a knack for it either.
 
Summary: Williams is your quintessential “big, sloppy, phone booth player.” While he won’t be an active playmaker or light up the stat sheet, players like him who do their job well are very valuable to Defenses. Williams still has work to do as a player, but he has the tools needed to become an excellent run defender if nothing else. Best-case scenario, he improves his hand usage, develops a little bit more as a pass rusher, and becomes a three-Down force in the NFL. In the beginning though, he’ll likely be used mainly on run Downs. If he happens to be out there when the Offense passes, he has some tools to work with and hopefully helps force the QB into a bad spot. As long as he’s not a total non-factor as a rusher, he’ll be doing well early on. Williams has little experience with the game and is still learning football, and as he becomes more comfortable he should be able to be more disruptive. He is a developmental investment who has very good upside. Williams strikes me as the kind of player who may not look like he’s developing very quickly, but then one day things just “click” and from that moment on he’s an excellent player. The trick will be reaching that “click point.”
 
Games Watched: Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Notre Dame
 
Projects to: NT, 4-3 DT
 
Grade: 8.3 (Mid 2nd)