HoustonTexans.com on 2015 Draft -- John Harris et al

[Playoffs]

THE HARRIS 100 v.2.0

1 DE/DT Leonard Williams USC Jr. 6’5” 302 lb. Combine Update: Good weekend for Williams, concluding with 4.97 40...34 reps on bench were one off the best of the DL...however, his COD and explosive drill measurements were below average...that said, he looked smooth, comfortable and, of course, powerful in his on-the-field drills...
Report: Best interior defender in college football…love his ability to play in odd and/or even fronts…quick off the ball...nagging injuries got him a bit last year...can play the 3-tech in 3-4 under fronts or traditional over 4-3 fronts…can play him at 5-technique in 3-4 scheme...redirects well...creates havoc up the field...must continue to work on hand placement and interior pass rush moves

2 DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr. Florida Jr. 6'3" 261 lb. Combine Update: Gold watch and all, he ran a 4.60 at 261 pounds...the rest of his measurement day was average but that straight line speed at that weight is highly impressive...there will be no change on my Top 100 board as Fowler will stay at No. 2, even with more film watched over the past few weeks...
Report: My friend is the sideline reporter for the Gators and he LOVES Fowler…strong season in 2013, even better in 2014…powerful and violent with his hands…love his versatility and burst…was dinged up and played through it…can play for me yesterday…love his scheme versatility…1st Team All-SEC in 2014…when the volume is turned up to ten, look out, he can take over a game

3 QB Jameis Winston Florida State RS Soph. 6'4" 231 lb Combine Update: outstanding work out on the field...blew teams away apparently in interviews...threw effortlessly and clean, just what teams wanted to see...thrived in the spotlight...
Report: Physical characteristics NFL teams desire…accurate at all levels...does "sail" deeper intermediate routes - a lot of those throws fly away from him as his elbow dips slightly…incorrectly reads zone/man...slow starter, nearly dominant in the second half…awkward at times vs. rush…patient…high FB IQ…throws receivers open by throwing to open spots, anticipating a receiver to be in the area…much less accomplished 2014 season…top three pick talent, but off the field issues will make him the most polarizing prospect in quite some time, including last year’s hype on Johnny Manziel

4 DE/OLB Shane Ray Missouri Jr. 6’3” 245 lb. Combine Update: Didn't workout in Indy as he's still rehabbing from an injury suffered in his bowl game...
Report: Crazy burst and explosiveness off the ball…makes everyone else on the field look like they’re in slow motion…going to be a fast riser in 2015 Draft…ridiculous burst off the ball…watching the 2014 Cotton Bowl he didn't just pop off the screen, he exploded...question will be whether he can make the transition from 4-3 DE to 3-4 OLB...reportedly ran a 4.44 in the 40 & did a 400 lb. bench press...13 sacks and 22.5 TFL. -- Senior bowl standout

5 QB Marcus Mariota Oregon Jr. 6’4” 222 lb. Combine Update: Ran 4.52...showed the athleticism we knew he had...threw it well, not overwhelming...still looks a bit awkward pressing away from center...solid weekend in Indianapolis though...
Report: Smooth athlete…plus arm…durability concerns prior to 2014 campaign…throws well on the run…dangerous on the move…a bit frenetic in the pocket…goes through progressions but often too quick to allow a route to develop…smart and high football IQ…former Oregon coach Chip Kelly said he can adapt to any system, any time…played the last half of the 2013 season with a knee injury…fought through it but injury affected his play…gained 15 pounds in the 2014 offseason and it didn’t hamper him…won 2014 Heisman Trophy…should be, and will be, in the discussion for the first pick in the draft

6 WR Amari Cooper Alabama Jr. 6'1" 210 lb. Combine Update: Ran well at 4.42...had 33" vertical and 10' broad jump which was a bit disappointing...but his COD drills were outstanding 3.98 in the SS and 6.71 in the 3-cone...solid, expected workout...
Report: Played hurt throughout 2013…downfield threat…wrote back in the spring that he needed to work on his route running for the 2014 season, he did that and then some…monster season in 2014…Heisman Trophy finalist…electric on short screens…high pointed ball well on fade routes…slippery with the ball in his hands…tends to lose concentration catching the football at times

7 OT Brandon Scherff Iowa Sr. 6’5” 315 lb. Combine Update: Ran 5.05 in the 40, then pulled his hamstring in on-the-field drills and missed the majority of the workout...
Report: MAULER…just plain nasty…can zone block exceptionally well…moves up to second level…buries players at the point of attack…can get lazy and quit on plays at times…when he’s locked on you, you’re going down…will maintain pass block based on time clock in his head...massive power and explosion on contact...think he's more suited to play right tackle or guard...weight room freak...plays with perfect pad level...heavy handed...should be a top 20 pick

8 RB Todd Gurley II Georgia Jr. 6' 222 lb. Combine Update: Didn't work out in Indianapolis due to ACL tear in November...more I thought about it though, as a player, he needs to be a top ten on my top 100...he's just that good...
Report: Closest thing to Adrian Peterson there is…power back with attitude…not much wiggle…durability concerns…finishes runs…one of two RB with a definite first round grade, even with the knee injury…tore his ACL in the Auburn game November…suffered some sort of injury each season at Georgia

9 WR Kevin White West Virginia Sr. 6’2" 215 lb. Combine Update: The offensive star of the Combine...ran official 4.35 in the 40, 36.5" vertical, 6.92 SS...hard to find the right comp at his size, speed and complete game...
Report: Catches nearly everything…great ball skills…high points the football…reminds me of DeAndre Hopkins…snatches ball out of the air...showed a bit of wiggle and shake, fighting off defenders on a screen catch and run…can lose concentration a bit

10 OLB Vic Beasley Clemson Sr. 6’3” 246 lb. Combine Update: The Combine's DL winner over the weekend...first, he weighed in at 246 lbs...then he threw up 35 reps at 225 pounds...then he ran 4.53...the he registered a 41" vertical...Ball. Game...he was the most impressive looking athlete on Sunday at the Combine, pure and simple...I worried about him at 235 but at 246 and that strong? Yeah, not so much...
Report: Thought he was coming out in 2014…even though he had a much decorated season, not sure the return truly improved his draft stock…pure pass rusher…must transition to 3-4 OLB…Most accomplished and diverse pass rusher in this conference...can win with speed or technique...great first step...decorated in 2014, won nearly every award a college defensive player could win

11 DE/OLB Randy Gregory Nebraska Jr. 6'5" 235 lb. Combine Update: The buzz on Friday when the DL/LB weighed in was that Gregory only measured 235 pounds...he ran relatively well at 4.64 but it was his change of direction and quick twitch that was on display during the on-the-field work...36.5" vertical and 10'5" broad jump...still can only play 3-4 OLB but the athleticism holds up...
Report: Freakish athleticism…thought for sure he was going to declare for the 2014 NFL Draft as a third year sophomore…if he can stand up and play 3-4 OLB, he’ll be a top 10 player, no questions asked…good length...rare DE that appears more explosive standing up than in a stance…like many current DE, he likes to use the stab maneuver...next level is to add a counter to the stab (rip inside, arm over)...something is holding me back on putting him in the top ten...something's lacking

12 WR DeVante Parker Louisville Sr. 6’3” 209 lb. Combine Update: 4.45 in the 40, 17 reps of 225, 36.5" vertical and 10'5" broad jump...about what he did in the spring, an expected workout...surprised that he didn’t declare for 2014 Draft…get a Jarvis Landry vibe, but faster, from Parker…gets separation…excellent hands…high points the football…didn’t originally think he was a burner but he was clocked at 4.38 in the spring…did 17 reps at 225 pounds and a broad jump of 10’10”.

13 S Landon Collins Alabama Jr. 6’ 228 lb. Combine Update: Some were concerned what he'd run, even me...but he alleviated any fears with a 4.53 40 at 228 pounds...same size as Shaq Thompson and nearly .1 second faster...looked good with his hip turn and explosiveness in on-the-field drills...good weekend...
Report: 1st Team All-SEC and 1st Team All-American in 2014...believed that he was on the verge of being one of the best overall defensive players Nick Saban’s had at Alabama…don't feel that way after a good, but not great junior year...playmaker all over the field…solid in zone coverage with some range, not tremendous in man coverage…great tackler in space…more of a box safety or a combination box safety/dime linebacker prospect...in today's game, that position is so vital

14 OLB/RB Shaq Thompson Washington Jr. 6' 228 lb. Combine Update: Didn't run as many expected...4.64 40 and didn't wow in the explosive drills as he only jumped 33.5" and a less than 10' broad jump...dominated the movements in the on-the-field drills...it wasn't a banner weekend but this guy can play a ton of different positions and play them well...
Report: Came to Washington as a safety…moved to OLB in 2013…thumper…needs to be more under control in space…4-3 WLB candidate…in 2014, he doubled as a running back…just an amazing athlete and one of the top 15 football players in the country…figure out what position suits him best and he’ll shine

15 DT Danny Shelton Washington Sr. 6’1” 339 lb. Combine Update: The Combine isn't really the place for a 339 lb. man...that said, he did vertical 30.5" which is highly impressive for a man that size...seemingly enjoyed the process throughout...put up 34 reps at 225...
Report: Can play up and down the line…conditioning has been a factor…powerful at point of attack…moves very well for a 327 lb. man (uh, that’s after a month of dieting, folks)…MUCH more stout at the point of attack…reminds many of Haloti Ngata…think Ngata was a more natural athlete but Shelton in that same vein

16 CB Trae Waynes Michigan State Jr. 6' 186 lb. Combine Update: 4.31...that's all that needs to be said about Waynes' workout...but the rest of it was strong as well...38" vertical and a 10'2" broad jump, in addition to his 19 reps of 225...just stellar money-making weekend for Waynes...
Report: Did not finish his 2014 season with his best effort in the Cotton Bowl…competitive and long…played a bunch of quarters coverage, but within the scheme, a ton of man coverage…Size and potential will win a team over early in the draft…far from a complete prospect at this point but he plays press coverage like a beast...

Note that John has actually attended the Senior Bowl and Combine and the like.

 

[Playoffs]

THE HARRIS 100 v.2.0 (top 32 cont'd)

...
17 OT Andrus Peat Stanford Jr. 6’7” 312 lb. Combine Update: Ran a decent 40 yard dash, top 1/3 in the OL group (5.18)..curious to see what teams think about the shape they think he's in...I see NFL OL bodies every day and his doesn't look like one...that said, he shone as one of the top five overall OL workouts...31" vertical and nearly 9' broad jump...
Report: Five star recruit coming out of HS...started two seasons at left tackle...needs to be more under control...slides the arc well...athletic feet...must bend his knees more, drop his butt and develop a stronger base...powerful man who could be more with work on his technique/power stance…1st Team All-American in 2014…Honorable mention All-American in 2013

18 RB Melvin Gordon III Wisconsin Jr. 6' 222 lb. Combine Update: Solid, expected workout...ran 4.52 in the 40, 35" vertical, 4.07 SS and 7.04 3-cone drill...he's not a 4.3, long speed guy but his in-the-hole speed and burst are outstanding...performed well in on the field drills...checked boxes, if he didn't blow anyone away...
Report: Speed unlike we typically see at Wisconsin…runs hard between the tackles, but not his forte…excellent lateral quickness…won’t get the edge like he does in college…insane burst though…the more I watch him, the more I think Jamaal Charles…showed tremendous pass blocking acumen, especially in the Outback Bowl …rushed for the 2nd most yards in a season all-time

19 WR Jaelen Strong Arizona State Jr. 6'2" 217 lb. Combine Update: Size, speed and strength were on display throughout his weekend in Indianapolis...4.44 in the 40, 42" vertical and 10'3" broad jump...such a raw player with a ton of growth potential...
Report: JUCO transfer that didn’t get a ton of offers out of high school…a true downfield threat…wants the ball in his hands…play maker after the catch…burst to run away from secondary when in the open…not completely polished product…comfortable and aggressive with the ball in the air…curious to see how he times at the Combine, but honestly don’t really care he can play…he’s tough…doesn’t back down from a challenge (see the Washington game in 2014 v. Marcus Peters)…caught a season changing Hail Mary at USC to beat the Trojans

20 OT/G La’el Collins LSU Sr. 6’5” 315 lb. Combine Update: Clearly, he was the most athletic, smooth, powerful and light-on-his-feet OL...ran well, but he was light on his feet...only benched 225 lb. 21x and didn't have great explosive marks...movement drills, though, on the field were excellent...
Report: One of the nation’s top HS prospects a few years ago…runs hot and cold for me…he needed another year at LSU and it paid off…should be one of the top 3 tackles/OL off the board this May…will fit in a power scheme...doesn't have tremendous feet...gets overextended on speed rush...speed will hurt him significantly, mainly in pass protection...even though he had a solid week in Mobile, he needs to go to guard and star...strong upper body and mean

21 WR Dorial Green-Beckham Miz./Okla. Jr. 6'5" 237 lb. Combine Update: Showed up at 237 pounds...not sure that's his ideal playing weight...still at that weight, he ran 4.49 40 and had a 6.89 3-cone drill...his explosiveness drills - vertical and broad were average given his physical size, strength and speed...caught it well...didn't wow many in the interview room with the way he handled difficult questions...good luck, NFL teams, figuring out what to do with him...
Report: HUGE question mark off the field…closest thing to AJ Green that we’ve seen…booted from Missouri and transferred to Oklahoma for the 2014 season, although he was ineligible following his transfer…needed to see another great year to feel “top five pick” confidence…not at all sure what the future holds for one of the more talented players in the game…the character concerns could drop him off many teams’ boards…acrobatic receiver who makes the difficult look easy…downfield receiver at worst…his own worst enemy

22 OT T.J Clemmings Pitt Sr. 6'5" 308 lb. Combine Update: 35 1/8" arms!...2nd best vertical jump of all OL 32.5", but he was a basketball player so that shouldn't be too surprising...looked long and wiry on the hoof...ran decent 40 yard dash and moved well in the position on-the-field drills...solid weekend, especially after he did have some struggles at the Senior Bowl...
Report: REALLY like Clemmings...plays with some pop at the point of attack...light on his feet, long arms, good punch and reach...powerful and drives defenders...the more I watched him, the more I really liked him...needs to anchor, drop his butt more in pass protection…his former QB Tom Savage spoke EXTREMELY highly of him and his potential (he should know, right?)...didn't have a tremendous week in Mobile...stood too tall at times and got beat by spin moves

23 OLB/DE Nate Orchard Utah Sr. 6'3" 250 lb. Combine Update: Unfortunately, his 4.80 40 will pale in comparison to Beasley and Dupree...he didn't make significant noise in any one measurement drill and those that questioned his overall athleticism have ammunition...that said, his tape doesn't lie...did OLB drills after his DL workout was done...
Report: Dominant in 2014…2nd in the nation with 18.5 sacks…registered 21 TFL…not a complete surprise but he still made significant progress…strong and long…good burst off the ball…if anything else, he can get to the QB…uses his hands very well, whether rushing or playing the run…variety of skilled hand movements (stab, chop, arm over, rip under)...grew on me in his career, did the same at Senior Bowl...watched him in individual and wasn't impressed then as the practice wore on, I was full-on focused on him...completely dominated team sessions at times throughout the week...last season wasn't an aberration

24 CB Marcus Peters Washington Jr. 6' 197 lb. Combine Update: Ran 4.53 in the 40...had a solid overall workout and confirmed the fact that teams will have to truly understand what kind of professional he's going to be...37.5" vertical is strong, as is 10'1" broad jump...made the next few months very difficult for teams with a corner need in the first round...
Report: Kicked off the team at Washington in 2014…wonderfully talented and mercurial with the coaching staff…perhaps more talent than any other player at his position…perhaps more question marks with attitude and such than any other at his position...plays press like a champ...doing it completely on athletic ability than technique...in fact, there's no technique at all...fun 1-on-1 film v. Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong.

25 DT Eddie Goldman Florida State Jr. 6'4" 336 lb. Combine Update: Did not work out due to injury suffered prior to Combine...
Report: 1st Team All-ACC in 2014…played in the shadow of current Baltimore Ravens DT Tim Jernigan…emerged this year and made a ton of plays...forced a huge fumble late in the Clemson game that saved the season, essentially…strong, quick and disruptive at the point of attack…I’m left wanting a little more and not sure why

26 DT Malcom Brown Texas Jr. 6'2" 319 lb. Combine Update: Didn't set the world on fire with his workout but it was solid....he ran 5.05 in the 40...put up 26 reps at 225 and nearly hit 30" with his vertical...with Eddie Goldman unable to work out, Brown took advantage with a good weekend...
Report: Dominant 2014 season…highly productive when it mattered…from that perspective, he reminds me a bit of Travis Johnson…decorated season…strong lower trunk…

27 OLB/DE Alvin “Bud” Dupree Kentucky Sr. 6'4" 269 lb. Combine Update: Uh, yeah...269 pounds running 4.56 with a 42" vertical and 11'6" broad jump? Unreal...he didn't do position drills but we all knew he'd get his combine freak on and he did...just wish his play completely matched his height, weight, speed dominance...
Report: 9.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks in 2013...explosive all-around prospect with scheme versatility...if he can prove that he can play 3-4 OLB, he's going to make some noise on day two in April/May 2015…he’ll blow up the Combine - vertical 40.5 inches and broad jumped over 11 feet…burst off the ball…

28 WR Sammie Coates Auburn Jr. 6'1" 212 lb. Combine Update: This event is made for him...4.43 in the 40, 23 reps at 225, 41" vertical, 10'11" broad jump and sub 7.0 3-cone drill...a physical freak, which we already knew...just confirmed it...
Report: Played with a bad knee all season…lacked the explosiveness in 2014 that he displayed in 2013…when healthy, he’s freakish…doesn’t catch the ball consistently…makes athletic, drops routine passes too often…has a 44 inch vertical leap...runs a legitimate 4.3 in the 40 and benches 400 pounds...strong after the catch...can high point the rock in jump ball situation...starred in Mobile, all week...THAT Coates is another faster DeAndre Hopkins

29 ILB/OLB Eric Kendricks UCLA Sr. 6’ 232 lb. Combine Update: Ran a 4.61 and then didn't run his second 40, that was strange...then he jumped 38" vertically and 10'5" in the broad jump...his brother Mychal thrived at the Combine a few years ago and Eric did the same...would like to hear why he didn't run the second 40 but his 1st time was excellent...
Report: Tackling machine…brother was a hot prospect out of Cal (Mychal, Philadelphia Eagles 2nd round selection in 2012)…rated as the highest prospect by pro services heading into the 2014 campaign…lived up to it…always around the football…plays the game with his emotions…size or lack thereof will work against him for some NFL teams…not totally sure where I’d want him to play…but he can and that’s all that matters...Senior Bowl director Phil Savage not happy that Kendricks didn't handle his business well and sloughed off the Senior Bowl

30 DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa UCLA Sr. 6'3" 267 lb. Combine Update: Freak...4.62 at 267 lbs...25 reps at 225...39" vertical...10'7" broad jump...ridiculous workout...the medicals, which we won't see, will be scrutinized given his injury background, but the medical gurus didn't shut him down...
Report: The Human Vowel had an outstanding 2014 campaign…injuries eliminated his 2013 season before it got started…smart…strong candidate to play 4-3 DE if his body holds up…rushed the passer very well throughout the season with a combination of burst, quickness and hand placement/use…finished the season with six sacks…tied for team lead with 11.5 TFL...little awkward in certain aspects of space movements but his power, wow.

31 CB/S Jalen Collins LSU Jr. 6'1" 203 lb. Combine Update: This guy is the worst kept secret in this class - he's going to be a star...he ran 4.48, jumped 36" vertically, 10'4" broad jump and his COD drills were outstanding - 6'77 in the 3-cone...Wow!...Great workout - made it look very easy...
Report: Shhhh…don’t tell anyone about this guy…oh who am I kidding, this guy is fun to watch…can play corner…can play safety…not sure where I’d want him to play if I were a defensive coordinator…tremendous size for a corner…good tackler that can play either safety position…didn’t get a first or second round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board but that didn’t stand in the way of Collins declaring for the 2015 NFL Draft

32 Y/Joker Maxx Williams Minnesota RS Soph. 6'4" 249 lb. Combine Update: Started the week winning the press conference...ran 4.78 in the 40 and had a 34.5" vertical...so effortless catching the football in all TE position specific drills...some will question his 17 reps on bench...
Report: Arguably, best tight end in this class…smart move to come out now and capitalize on void at this position…athletic with the ball in his hands…solid competitor as an in-line blocker…love his ability to get open at nearly every level...

There are 68 more in depth rankings with notes here from John: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/draft_prospect_report.html

Don't always agree, but appreciate the time & effort.

Note that John has actually attended the Senior Bowl and Combine and the like.

 

[mussop]

Cherry picked and came out with this


16 CB Marcus Peters Washington Jr. 6' 197 lb. Combine Update: Ran 4.53 in the 40...had a solid overall workout and confirmed the fact that teams will have to truly understand what kind of professional he's going to be...37.5" vertical is strong, as is 10'1" broad jump...made the next few months very difficult for teams with a corner need in the first round...
Report: Kicked off the team at Washington in 2014…wonderfully talented and mercurial with the coaching staff…perhaps more talent than any other player at his position…perhaps more question marks with attitude and such than any other at his position...plays press like a champ...doing it completely on athletic ability than technique...in fact, there's no technique at all...fun 1-on-1 film v. Arizona State WR Jaelen Strong.

51 ILB Denzel Perryman Miami Sr. 5'11" 236 lb. Combine Update: 27 reps at 225 is excellent for any sized LB...ran 4.78 in the 40, 32" vertical and 9'5" broad jump...didn't do any other measurement drills...
Report: Height isn’t an issue for me…thick cut…explodes through the ball carrier…sees the game well at ILB…hits like a Mack truck…mid-to-late day two prospect at this point

82 WR Phillip Dorsett Miami Sr. 5'10" 187 lb. Combine Update: 4.33 40 which was a tad slower than he expected, although the expectations were through the roof for this kid...37" vertical and 10'2" broad jump but his COD 3-cone drill was awesome (6.70)...
Report: Can fly, but didn’t play at that speed during his career unless he was running the nine route…didn't always catch the ball cleanly…ran the nine route and not much else until the Senior Bowl…was the buzz of Mobile...was a completely different player down in Mobile...played at a different rate than everyone else...has me confused which player he is...if he's the one that played in Mobile, he's a bigger T.Y Hilton...if he's not, he's Jacoby Ford

 

[Lucky]

There's also a link to this spreadsheet with about 400-500 prospects. Basically, anyone who has a chance to be drafted. And he has comments on each. Pretty staggering amount of info he's compiled.

 

[Lucky]

Not sure I get this.

67 OT Cedric Ogbuehi Texas A&M Sr. 6’5” 306 lb. Combine Update: Didn't work out due to injury he suffered during 2014 season...
Report: Moved to left tackle this year, following in the Jake Matthews-Luke Joeckel footsteps…excellent lateral quickness…needs to show he can anchor against bull rush…his 1-on-1 with Auburn star Dee Ford last year was the best 1-on-1 film I watched in 2013…top 15 player…BUT, that was before the 2014 season started…highly disappointed in his play...against ULM, he just quit on blocks...in pass protection, he started with good feet, kick stepped and slid...honestly, I wouldn’t give him a third round grade right now...TORE HIS ACL AT SOME POINT IN 2014 SEASON

Wouldn't give him a 3rd round grade? But ranked him at #67, which is near the top of the 3rd round? This is when an editor becomes handy.

Other confusing comments, Harris really like Miami's Clive Walford. Then, compares him to C.J Fiedorowicz. Yuk. Ranks DeAndre Smelter #54, but states " hard as heck to project his receiver skills/attributes with so little experience in an option offense."

18 WRs in his top 100. I know this is considered a very good WR class. Still, that's a lot of WRs.