With the NFL draft rapidly approaching mock drafts are all over the place. While I thoroughly enjoy created mock drafts and evaluating talent, the fact of the matter is that mock drafts usually don't come close to what actually happens when the draft rolls around. That being said, I have checked out many "expert" opinions, and have done evaluations myself on prospects to get a potential different view on what may occur come May. After spending weeks watching film, highlights and reading other opinions about many of the top prospects from each positions, I have put together my own player evaluations. If you would like to see my evaluations for each position you can check them out below.
NFL Draft Prospects - Positional Evaluations:
Offense: QB/WR/RB/TE/OT/G-C
Defense: CB/S/ILB/OLB/DE/DT
These analyses will the be the basis of many more articles to come involving the draft, including this one. After evaluating approximately 60-70 players, I have put together my own big board of top 50 prospects from the draft. This big board will change from time to time. First off, I warn you, I WILL NOT be pressured by so called "expert" opinion on player rankings. If I think a player is better than these experts give them credit for, it will show in my rankings. I have been wrong before, and I have been right before and that is the beauty of all this draft speculation.
Now that I have warned you that my big board may not look like all the experts big boards, I present to you my top 50 prospects in this years draft class. If you like what you see, share, comment and/or follow me on twitter @Gohlmeyer to be continuously updated with new posts and NFL related news. My first mock draft will be up very soon.
1. Jadeveon Clowney – DE – South Carolina
2. Khalil Mack – OLB/DE – Buffalo
3. Teddy Bridgewater – QB – Louisville
4. Greg Robinson – OT – Auburn
5. Justin Gilbert – CB – Oklahoma State
6. Sammy Watkins – WR – Clemson
7. Jake Matthews – OT Texas A&M
8. Eric Ebron – TE – North Carolina
9. Mike Evans – WR – Texas A&M
10. Blake Bortles – QB – Central Florida
11. Louis Nix III – NT – Notre Dame
12. Johnny Manziel – QB – Texas A&M
13. CJ Mosley – ILB – Alabama
14. Taylor Lewan – OT – Michigan
15. Kony Ealy – DE/OLB – Missouri
16. Jordan Matthews – WR – Vanderbilt
17. Aaron Donald – DT – Pittsburgh
18. Calvin Pryor – S – Louisville
19. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix – S – Alabama
20. Jason Verrett – CB – TCU
21. Bradin Cooks – WR – Oregon State
22. Kyle Van Noy – OLB – BYU
23. Kyle Fuller – CB – Virginia Tech
24. Anthony Barr – OLB/DE – UCLA
25. Zack Martin – OT/OG – Notre Dame
26. Xavier Su’a-Filo – OG – UCLA
27. Darqueze Dennard – CB Michigan State
28. Davante Adams – WR – Fresno State
29. Timmy Jernigan – DT – Florida State
30. Tre Mason – RB – Auburn
31. Jarvis Landry – WR – LSU
32. Scott Crichton – DE – Oregon State
33. Shayne Skov – ILB – Stanford
34. Jimmie Ward – S – NIU
35. Marqise Lee – WR – USC
36. Kelvin Benjamin – WR – Florida State
37. Odell Beckham – WR – LSU
38. Yamin Smallwood – ILB – Connecticut
39. Gabe Jackson – OG – Mississippi State
40. Ra’shede Hageman – DT – Minnesota
41. Dee Ford – DE/OLB – Auburn
42. Jace Amaro – TE – Texas Tech
43. Austin Sefarian-Jenkins – TE – Washington
44. David Yankey – OG – Stanford
45. Ryan Shazier – OLB – Ohio State
46. Craig Loston – S – LSU
47. Lache Seastrunk – RB – Baylor
48. Bishop Sankey – RB – Washington
49. Marcus Roberson – CB – Florida
50. Lamarcus Joyner – S/CB – Florida State