For this article I analyzed combine results, pro day results, and the production of these players' at the college level. I also took into consideration their size and speed, which is one of the most important things to me when evaluating a player.
Quarterbacks
1. Johnny Manziel, 5-11, 207, 4.68, Texas A & M
Johnny Manziel is my #1 rated quarterback in the 2014 NFL Draft- Does not have prototype size, but the best athlete of the QBs
- Exceptional game day competitor
- Must show that he is mature enough to be the face of a franchise
- For my complete analysis of Johnny Manziel, see my article Johnny Manziel 2014 Draft Analysis
2. Blake Bortles, 6-5, 232, 4.93, Central Florida
- Prototype size and speed
- Very good production in college
- high football IQ
- exudes toughness, leadership, and confidence
3. Derek Carr, 6-2, 214, 4.69, Fresno State
- Prototype size and speed
- 3 time captain
- Most of time in college was in shotgun
4. Teddy Bridgewater, 6-2, 214, 4.67, Louisville
- Prototype size and speed
- Great production in college
- Unselfish team leader in college
- Most of time in shotgun
5. Jimmy Garoppolo, 6-2, 226, 4.97, Eastern Illinois
- Prototype size and speed
- lightning quick release, tough, competitive, vocal team leader
- Most of time in shotgun
Running Backs
Auburn's Tre Mason is my #1 rated running back in the 2014 NFL Draft.1. Tre Mason, 5-8, 207, 4.5, Auburn
- Not prototype size, but he has prototype speed
- Led SEC in Kick Returns, good receiver, good pass protection
- Durability could be a concern
2. Bishop Sankey, 5-10, 209, 4.49, Washington
- A little undersized, but prototype speed
- Broke Corey Dillion's records
- good hands
- productive with heavy workload
- team captain
3. Andre Williams, 5-11, 230, 4.56, Boston College
- Prototype size and speed
- Led nation in rushing
- does not get caught from behind
- runs through arm tackles
- not much receiving experience
4. Carlos Hyde, 6-0, 230, 4.66, Ohio State
- He must watch is weight and get faster
- soft hands catcher
- punishes tacklers, falls forward, very powerful
- he has off field issues and he misses games
5. Jeremy Hill, 6-1, 233, 4.66, LSU
- Prototype size and speed
- good hands
- good ball security
- will only be 21 years old
- he must take care of character and maturity issues
Wide Receivers
1. Sammy Watkins, 6-1, 203, 4.48, Clemson
Sammy Watkins uses a stiff arm to break free in a conference game against Virginia Tech.- Prototype size and speed
- world class track speed
- natural hands catcher
- game breaking return ability
2. Mike Evans, 6-5, 231, 4.53, Texas A & M
- Prototype size and speed
- strong, reliable hands,
- good blocker
- physically dominant and tough
- will be a 21 year old rookie
3. Odell Beckham Jr, 5-11, 198, 4.33, LSU
- A little short, but faster than prototype speed
- kick returner and punt returner
- catches out of frame
- needs to become better blocker
- more of a slot/#3 receiver
4. Brandin Cooks, 5-10, 189, 4.33, Oregon State
- Smaller than prototype size, faster than prototype speed
- highly productive, confident, and competitive
- team captain, will be a 21 year old rookie
- poor blocker
- projects as slot/#3 receiver
5. Donte Moncrief, 6-2, 221, 4.4, Mississippi
- Prototype size and speed
- flashes playmaking ability
- gives effort as blocker
- experience going against NFL caliber cornerbacks
Tight Ends
North Carolina's Eric Ebron is my #1 rated tight end in this year's draft.1. Eric Ebron, 6-4, 250, 4.6, North Carolina
- Prototype size and speed
- catches cleanly off his frame
- mismatch versus man to man
- needs to improve as a blocker
- highly productive
2. Jace Amaro, 6-5, 265, 4.74, Texas Tech
- Prototype size and speed
- catches outside his frame
- great production
- blocks defensive backs well
- will not be able to block NFL defensive ends
3. Troy Niklas, 6-6, 270, 4.84, Notre Dame
- Prototype size and speed
- good hands
- can line up on line or split out
- good potential as blocker
- should develop into a balanced #1 TE
4. C. J. Fiedorowicz, 6-5, 265, 4.76, Iowa
- Prototype size and speed
- Can seal DEs
- catches off his frame
- can line up on line and split out
- has enough speed to stretch the seam
5. Austin Seferian Jenkins, 6-5, 262, 4.75, Washington
- Prototype size and speed
- stretches the seam
- has soft hands
- can be an effective in-line blocker
Offensive Tackles
Jake Matthews of Texas A & M is my number 1 rated offensive tackle.1. Jake Matthews, 6-5, 308, 5.07, Texas A & M
- Prototype size and speed
- big, strong, athletic
- outstanding run blocker
- has a mean streak
- Versatile, can play all 5 positions on the line
2. Taylor Lewan, 6-7, 309, 4.87, Michigan
- Prototype size and speed
- 4 year starter
- tough and very durable
- should be able to hold down a starting role for a long time
3. Greg Robinson, 6-5, 332, 4.87, Auburn
- Prototype size and speed
- outstanding run blocker
- not much experience in pass blocking
- big, strong, athletic
- should become franchise left tackle
4. JaWuan James, 6-6, 311, 5.34, Tennessee
- Prototype size and speed
- started all 49 games he played in at Tennessee
- outstanding character
- highly respected
- has instant starter potential
5. Cyrus Kouandjio, 6-7. 322, 5.59, Alabama
- Prototype size, but he needs to get faster and more agile
- stops bull rushers
- struggles versus speed
- needs to be a right tackle, be a run bulldozer
Offensive Guards
Notre Dame's Zack Martin is projected to move inside to guard in the NFL. I have him rated as my #1 rated guard in this year's draft.1. Zack Martin, 6-4, 308, 5.22, Notre Dame
- Prototype size and speed
- started all 52 games played at Notre Dame
- 2 time captain
- highly respected, hardworking leader
- has no experience at guard, but he is athletic enough to pull and trap
2. Joel Bitonio, 6-4, 302, 4.97, Nevada
- Prototype size and speed
- nasty finisher, extremely tough and durable
- outstanding personal character
- played tackle in college, but projects best at guard in the pros
3. Gabe Jackson, 6-3, 336, 5.51, Mississippi State
- Great size, but he is slow, needs to get faster
- started in all 52 games played
- 2 time captain
- good pass blocker
- good short puller
4. Xavier Su'a-Filo, 6-4, 307, 5.04, UCLA
- Prototype size and speed
- effective pass blocker, generates movement when run blocking
- pulls and traps well
- projects best to left guard
5. John Urschel, 6-3, 313, 5.31, Penn State
- Prototype size and speed
- can pull and trap
- very intelligent
- 3 year started
- team captain
- could play center as well
Centers
1. Weston Richburg, 6-3, 298, 5.1, Colorado State
- Prototype size and speed
- started all 50 games he played in
- vocal team leader
- 2 time captain
- could back up at guard as well
- very durable
2. Travis Swanson, 6-5, 312, 5.28, Arkansas
- Prototype size and speed
- started all 50 games played in
- 2 time team captain
- experience playing versus NFL caliber defensive tackles
- vocal leader, outstanding character
3. Marcus Martin, 6-3, 320, 5.38, USC
- Prototype size and speed
- 3 year started with experience at guard and center
- has instant started potential as center or right guard
4. Wesley Johnson, 6-5, 297, 5.11, Vanderbilt
- Prototype size and speed
- started in all 51 games he has played in
- experience playing all across the line
- highly respected, vocal leader, 2 time team captain
- needs to get stronger
5. Gabe Ikard, 6-4, 304, 5.13, Oklahoma
- Prototype size and speed
- experienced 4 year starter
- exceptional character
- highly intelligent
- outstanding work habits
Fullbacks
1. Jay Prosch, 6-1, 254, 4.72, Auburn
- Prototype size and speed
- human sledgehammer
- can play on special teams as well
- he needs to get faster
2. Gator Hoskins, 6-2, 253, 4.73, Marshall
- Prototype size and speed
- more of an H back
- caught 50 passes last year
3. Trey Millard, 6-2, 247, 4.64, Oklahoma
- primary fullback for 4 seasons
- hits with some thump
- efficient lead blocker
- soft hands, blue collar worker
- leads by example
4. Reggie Jordan, 6-3, 240, 4.77, Missouri Western State
- Prototype size and speed as a FB
- undersized to be a tight end, could be more of a H back
- has some good blocking traits that scouts like
- could be taken late in draft as developmental TE/FB
5. Ryan Hewitt, 6-4, 246, 4.87, Stanford
- Prototype size and speed
- good hands, catches outside his frame
- has special teams experience
- tweener between TE/FB
- limited power as lead blocker