My Top Prospects for The 2014 NFL Draft
With the college football season coming to a close and the 2014 NFL draft approaching I will tell you who to look for in the first round. This has been a very exciting year with a lot of pro potential on display. Guys like AJ McCarron, Sammy Watkins and Shayne Skov have showed up in a very big way. See how they rank and what to expect from them in the pros. Please comment underneath and tell me what could be change and who shouldn’t be there.
Quarterbacks
AJ McCarron | Alabama; Senior – AJ has won two national championships with the Crimson Tide and has thrown for more than 20 TDs in each season. McCarron has only thrown 8 INTs through the two seasons while attempting more than 300 passes. McCarron is used to being in a do or die situation and does a very good job of reading the defense. On the downside, AJ can have trouble getting back on track when he is off and if you bring a heavy blitz at him he may not be able to make an accurate read on the defense. AJ is a very vocal player and will be able to fire guys up when needed. Also, he can fit the ball into a tight space and he isn’t afraid to take a hit while releasing the ball.
Teddy Bridgewater | Louisville; Junior – Bridgewater is one tough cookie and I am not joking at all when I say that. Last year Bridgewater got hit so hard his helmet came off but he just got up and kept playing. The defense doesn’t intimidate him at all which allows him to hang in the pocket and throw the ball while enduring punishment. Though that is a good thing to have as a college quarterback it can destroy you in the NFL. As RG3 experienced, you can’t just free run because you will get killed by the other team. Bridgewater is a great passing quarterback but he also is an amazing running threat. He keeps the defense on their toes because you can’t just account for one of his attributes. I expect him to go early to a team that is looking to convert to a spread offense. The only risk in taking Bridgewater is that he doesn’t play in a division with a lot of competition.
Running backs
Andre Williams | Boston College; Senior – I believe that Williams is the best offensive player going into the draft this year. He is big fast and strong too. He has had great national exposure because he plays in a successful ACC division. Andre Williams doesn’t show many weaknesses while carrying the rock and his 17 rushing TDs show that. He has run for more touchdowns this year than his Junior, Sophomore and Freshman year combined! Trust me, Williams is no fluke and that is why he will be one of the best rookies to play in the NFL next year. Another thing that is hard for Williams is that he gets no help from any other Boston College players. If he is good without any help imagine putting him somewhere that he actually does have a quarterback.
Defense
October 6, 2012; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal free safety Ed Reynolds (29) and inside linebacker Shayne Skov (11) celebrate after outside linebacker Chase Thomas (44) intercepted a pass against the Arizona Wildcats in overtime at Stanford Stadium. The Cardinal defeated the Wildcats 54-48.
Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Shayne Skov | Stanford; Senior – The second I saw Skov I knew that he would be amazing in the NFL. This guy may not start at first but once he gets that start I believe he will pass the test that the NFL offenses give him with flying colors. I am so impressed with Skov because he always shows up in the big games. He does best against quarterbacks that can scramble like Marcus Mariota, Brett Hundley and Keith Price. He has 30 tackles in the three games he has played a quarterback that can run. This is important because the NFL is becoming a league where quarterbacks can run. Skov is also a great open field tackler that doesn’t get fooled by an elusive player. Skov may not start right away but when he does he will hit the media and opposing offense with a BIG BANG.
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