NFL Draft rankings, Version 2: Klatt's top five players at each position
The NFL Draft process is starting to pick up steam now that Super Bowl XLIX has come and gone.
The Senior Bowl gave NFL scouts a chance to seriously evaluate a good part of this year's talent pool and as a result, things arent what they were just a few short weeks ago. Prospects once considered "can't miss" have dropped, while others have skyrocketed into the national picture.
With that being said, here is my second version of the top five players at each position in the 2015 NFL Draft. As always, this will continue to change a bit during the process, especially as players take part in the NFL Scouting Combine later this month. So, here we go!
* -- Junior who declared for draft early
** -- Red-shirt sophomore who declared for draft early
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
1. Marcus Mariota -- Oregon*
2. Jameis Winston -- Florida State**
3. Brett Hundley -- UCLA (Previous ranking: 5)*
4. Sean Mannion -- Oregon State (3)
5. Bryce Petty -- Baylor (4)
On deck: Garrett Grayson -- Colorado State
Analysis: No change at the top with Mariota and Winston the clear leaders at the QB position, but in Mobile all of the quarterbacks struggled. That's great news for Brett Hundley, who rises up the board based solely on the fact that the others hurt their stock. Mannion wasn't bad, but his accuracy has to get cleaned up if he wants to play on Sundays.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Melvin Gordon -- Wisconsin*
2. Tevin Coleman -- Indiana*
3. Jeremy Langford -- Michigan State (Not ranked)
4. Ameer Abdullah -- Nebraska (3)
5. *TJ Yeldon -- Alabama*
On deck: Todd Gurley -- Georgia (when healthy he will be No. 2)*
Moved out: Javorius Allen -- USC
Analysis: Jeremy Langford from Michigan State had a solid week in Mobile, showing versatility when it came to blocking and catching the ball out of the backfield. Langford played himself into the top five and another Big Ten running back isn't far behind him as David Cobb from Minnesota also had a good week. Javorius Allen from USC falls off the board at this point and will need to show a versatile skillset at the Combine and at his pro day.
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Amari Cooper -- Alabama*
2. Kevin White -- West Virginia
3. Jaelen Strong -- Arizona State*
4. DeVante Parker -- Louisville
5. Phillip Dorsett -- Miami (NR)
On deck: Jamison Crowder -- Duke (NR)
Moved out: Devin Funchess -- Michigan / Ty Montgomery - Stanford
Analysis: A lot of these changes are on the heels of quality play at the Senior Bowl and this position group is no different. Dorsett and Crowder turned heads in Mobile with explosiveness and athletic ability. Another player inching his way towards this board is Michigan State's Tony Lippett, who was the smoothest player at the Senior Bowl and showed the ability to get open with ease. This is going to be another deep class and there are several players I wouldn't hesitate to put on this list. Breshad Perriman (UCF), Dorial Green-Beckham (OU), Devin Smith (Ohio State) and Sammie Coates (Aub.) are just a few.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Maxx Williams -- Minnesota**
2. Jeff Heurman -- Ohio State
3. Nick O'Leary -- Florida State
4. Clive Walford -- Miami
5. Wes Saxton -- So. Alabama
On deck: EJ Bibbs -- Iowa State
Moved out: None
TACKLES
1. Brandon Scherff -- Iowa
2. Ereck Flowers -- Miami (NR)*
3. Andrus Peat -- Stanford (2)*
4. Cedric Ogbuehi -- Texas A&M
5. La'el Collins -- LSU (3)
On deck: Ty Sambrailo -- Colorado State (NR)
Moved out: TJ Clemmings -- Pitt
Analysis: TJ Clemmings came to Mobile with lots of hype and some considered him the No. 2 offensive tackle on the board, however he was inconsistent and was beaten several times in 1-on-1 pass rush while also struggling in team action. Flowers, on the other hand, showed athleticism and strength with a great reach. This group will continue to flip during this process and no one has secured the second spot behind Scherff.
GUARDS
1. AJ Cann -- South Carolina
2. Tre' Jackson -- Florida State (4)
3. Laken Tomlinson -- Duke (NR)
4. Arie Kouandjio -- Alabama (3)
5. Josue Matias -- Florida State (2)
On deck: Jarvis Harrison -- Texas A&M
Moved out: John Miller -- Louisville
Analysis: The standout player at the Senior Bowl on the offensive line was Tomlinson. He was the only player who could block Danny Shelton, who could be a top-10 pick. Tomlinson showed ability to pass-protect against both the speed rush and bull rush and was excellent getting to the second level on run plays.
CENTERS
1. Cameron Erving -- Florida State (2)
2. BJ Finney -- Kansas State (3)
3. Reese Dismukes -- Auburn (1)
4. Hroniss Grasu -- Oregon
5. Andy Gallik -- Boston College
On deck: David Andrews -- Georgia
Moved out: None
Analysis: The first change at the top comes at this position. Erving is versatile and showed the ability to dominate at several different positions at FSU, which is going to help his draft stock immensely.
DEFENSE
SAFETIES
1. *Landon Collins -- Alabama*
2. Cody Prewitt -- Ole Miss
3. Gerod Holliman -- Louisville*
4. Chris Hackett -- TCU (NR)*
5. Kurtis Drummond -- Michigan State
On deck: Derron Smith -- Fresno State (4)
Moved out: Jaquiski Tartt -- Samford
Analysis: Landon Collins is the clear class of this group and is the only safety I'm comfortable giving a first-round grade. Chris Hackett makes an appearance because of his body of work this season against some very tough wide receivers in the Big 12. TCU corners generally have a good knowledge of the game and have found success in the NFL.
CORNERBACKS
1. Trae Waynes -- Michigan State*
2. Marcus Peters -- Washington*
3. PJ Williams -- Florida State*
4. Jalen Collins -- LSU*
5. Kevin White -- TCU (NR)
On deck: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu -- Oregon (will be No. 2 once healthy)
Moved out: Alex Carter -- Stanford*
Analysis: I've had to add a TCU player for the second straight position group. I clearly didn't watch the film close enough the first time around, but White played well at the Senior Bowl and made me go back and check it out. Sure enough, there he is with consistent play all year and his best game was against West Virginia monster Kevin White (the WR).
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Benardrick McKinney -- Mississippi State*
2. Eric Kendricks -- UCLA
3. Denzel Perryman -- Miami
4. Ben Heeney -- Kansas
5. Ramik Wilson -- Georgia
On deck: Stephone Anthony -- Clemson
Moved out: None
Analysis: This group remains unchanged, but there are three players who are gaining momentum: Jake Ryan (Michigan), Hayes Pullard (USC) and Bryce Hager (Baylor). The player that I've had high since Day 1 is Ben Heeny, but most didn't know about him because he played at Kansas and they struggled this year, to say the least. McKinney and Kendricks look like the cream of the crop here.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Vic Beasley -- Clemson
2. Shane Ray -- Missouri*
3. Dante Fowler Jr. -- Florida*
4. Shaq Thompson -- Washington*
5. Nate Orchard -- Utah (Previously ranked as the No. 3 defensive end)
On deck: Eli Harold -- Virginia (Prev NR)
Moved out: Hauoli Kikaha -- Washington/Paul Dawson -- TCU
Analysis: Nate Orchard was, at times, unblockable this year in the Pac 12, but he would wear down and couldn't sustain 100 percent effort over four quarters. However, his ability to get to the quarterback is what sets him apart and he was better in space than I thought he would be, so I moved him to outside linebacker. Kikaha is a really good player, but if you take away his speed rush and get your hands on him he has trouble separating after initial contact. That's a cause for concern going up against NFL offensive tackles.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Randy Gregory -- Nebraska*
2. Alvin Dupree -- Kentucky
3. Owamagbe Odighizuwa -- UCLA (NR)
4. Arik Armstead -- Oregon*
5. Danielle Hunter -- LSU (NR)*
On deck: *Mario Edwards Jr. -- Florida State (Prev NR)
Moved out: Nate Orchard (To the OLB group)
Analysis: Odighizuwa had a really good week in Mobile and showed the ability to win as a 5-technique and 4, which lends itself to becoming a 3-4 defensive end in the NFL. I liked his motor and ability to separate from the initial contact point, which is a must if you want your 3-4 DE to two-gap at times.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Leonard Williams -- USC*
2. Danny Shelton -- Washington
3. Malcom Brown -- Texas*
4. Eddie Goldman -- Florida State
5. Michael Bennett -- Ohio State
On deck: Jordan Phillips -- Oklahoma**
Moved out: None
Analysis: This group stays the same, however, the name to keep your eye on is Iowa's Carl Davis, who was good in Mobile. If he were to test well at the Combine he could receive a high second-round grade with an outside shot at getting into the first round.