Draft overload? Here's something new

By foxsports
Published

April 30, 2013

Just about had enough of the 2013 NFL Draft?

Can't say as we blame you. So today, we put it to rest.

Instead, let's start looking toward 2014. Oakland Raiders, you're on the clock.

OK, granted, this is an exercise in silliness, but the first 2014 rankings are already out. Who can say who's going to get hurt or emerge out of nowhere or be next year's Matt Barkley. But as long as the draft is fresh in mind, what better time to share what the so-called experts are saying based on what we know now?

Here are a few nuggets courtesy of our friends at Scout.com and Athlon.

Both rank South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney at the top of their boards.

Scout's got USC receiver Marqise Lee rated No. 2, and it's got two quarterbacks in the top seven: Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater at No. 5 and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel at No. 7. Athlon has Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouiandijo at No. 2, Lee at No. 5, and Bridgewater as the top-ranked quarterback at No. 8. There's no consensus on Johnny Heisman, however: Athlon ranks him as 35th overall and the seventh-best quarterback.

Among Arizona collegians, Scout and Athlon both rank ASU defensive tackle Will Sutton at No. 38 (just outside the first round), but there is a big disagreement on Arizona running back Ka'Deem Carey (No. 99 Scout, No. 30 Athlon).

Also worth noting are a trio of Arizonans who got away. Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, by way of Scottsdale Chaparral, is ranked No. 4 overall on Scout's board and No. 7 by Athlon; UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley, by way of Chandler High, is No. 62 overall by Scout and No. 43 by Athlon; and Stanford linebacker Trent Murphy, by way of Brophy Prep, is No. 36 on Scout's board and No. 46 on Athlon's.

One other notable difference of opinion: Oregon's multi-talented running back De'Anthony Thomas is Scout's No. 10 and Athlon's No. 32.

Other Pac-12 players considered as potential first rounders, or at least within shouting range, are UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Oregon defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomo, Stanford offensive tackle David Yankey, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton.

See you in a couple of months for Peter Schrager's Mock Draft 1.0.

-- FOXSportsArizona.com