Breaking down the top offensive prospects to get the snub from the NFL combine…
QB G.J. Kinne: Tulsa (6-2, 234)
He isn’t nearly as impressive physically as some of the other quarterbacks to get invites. But he is your typical gritty QB prospect who is the son of a coach and in my view will find a way to make a roster and potentially fight for playing time down the line. Also, displays the kind of sneaky arm strength to make all the throws. ICONKinne is one of the draft's most underrated prospects.
QB Alex Tanney: Monmouth (6-3, 216)
At worst, the guy looks like an intriguing priority free agent with a good amount of upside to his game and could end up warranting a draft pick late on day three.
RB Michael Smith: Utah State (5-9, 205)
An overlooked senior because of the talent in front of him at Utah State but has an NFL skill set and should make a roster. Is compact, displays a good burst and was extremely productive during the regular season.
RB Bryce Brown: Kansas State (6-0, 220)
Watching him run in Lane Kiffin's zone scheme as a freshman, the guy was an impressive back with a lot of natural talent. He was the number one ranked recruit out of high school, ahead of Trent Richardson in 2009 and no doubt has the skill set to play in the league. The biggest question mark for him going forward is his overall character.
WR Lance Lewis: East Carolina (6-3, 209)
A big guy who can line up both inside and out, cleanly get out of his breaks and track the football. Lewis isn't overly dynamic, but has good play speed tracking the football and is guy who could mature into a starter, but more so as a prominent reserve.
TE Brian Linthicum: Michigan State (6-5, 245)
A limited blocker, but has some savvy as a pass catcher and adjusts well to get the football. Isn't a dynamic athlete and his limitations in the run game will hurt him. Looks more like a late round type/reserve only who could potentially make a team because of his ability to work the middle and move the chains. (Is this guys name really Lincecum but he has a lisp and is frequently misunderstood?)
TE Kevin Koger: Michigan (6-4, 258)
Flashed on tape at times and does have some talent. However, is raw in all areas of the game and looks more like a later round pick who could blossom.
TE Chase Ford: Miami (6-6, 245)
Had a good showing at this year's East-West Shine game and for a guy at his size with his body control looks like a option you can draft mid/late and try to mature into an every down type option. Has the frame to add weight and get bigger. ICONAdcock could play both inside and out at the next level. OT Levy Adcock: Oklahoma State (6-6, 322)
Needs to clean up his footwork in pass protection, but he's coordinated, can bend and should improve with time. Looks like a guy who is ideally suited to play right tackle, but I could see him being effective as a guard. At best a low-end starter who looks more like a reserve to me.
OG Brandon Brooks: Miami (Ohio) (6-5, 343)
Is a big, strong kid who has some lateral quickness for his size but needs some technique work. Nevertheless, has some upside and can win consistently in the run game and pass game and looks like an NFL starter in an angle scheme to me.
OG Derek Dennis: Temple (6-5, 328)
Is worth a pick because he moves so well for a 325-pound lineman. Needs to learn to play lower though if he ever hopes to be anything more than a reserve. However, his fluidity on the move says he has a chance to mature into a starter.
Breaking down the top defensive prospects to get the snub from the NFL combine…
DE Kentrell Lockett: Mississippi (6-5, 248)
Flashes some real talent, however, his play gets too predictable as a pass rusher and he's still learning the game. Medical is a huge question mark as well, but he looks like a developmental guy at this stage who needs to prove he's healthy. ICONLockett is a long, lean athlete with some upside.
DT Chigbo Anunoby: Morehouse (6-4, 324)
He's never going to be a "plus" pass rusher in the NFL. However, he's a strong, long kid with a really well proportioned frame who can anchor inside and certainly has the talent to get plenty of looks from both 34 and 43 teams as a developmental big body.
DT Micanor Regis: Miami (6-3, 305)
Improved as a senior. Did a better job keeping his pad level down and using his quickness to get up the field. Could fight his way into an NFL rotation.
OLB Sammy Brown: Houston (6-3, 240)
A highly productive pass rusher who has come a long way since being a JUCO transfer. Has a feel for getting after the passer, exhibits a good burst and closing speed around the edge and is an intriguing 34-type prospect.
ILB Jerry Franklin: Arkansas (6-1, 245)
A coordinated middle linebacker prospect who picks his way through the line of scrimmage, finds the football and can hold his own in coverage. However, would like to see a more explosive element to his game in all areas. A solid MLB prospect, not the top-tier senior backer many are making him out to be in my view.
ILB Chris Marve: Vanderbilt (6-0, 242)
He's a natural leader and plays with a passion for the game. His size is the one negative to his game and he is a bit tight and lacks great range. Is a classic overachiever who could get a look late as a reserve only.
CB Donnie Fletcher: Boston College (6-1, 195)
Possesses good size, ball skills and has a natural feel in coverage. Gets a bit leggy, but can sink his hips and get out of his breaks. Looks like an ideal cover two type corner at the next level with some man-to-man upside.
CB Keith Tandy: West Virginia (5-10, 199)
A solid athlete with a strong frame, good ball skills and natural turn-and-run ability. At times, he will struggle to find the football in man and is raw with his footwork, but he has the talent to warrant a later round pick as a potential inside zone cover man.
CB Jeremy Lane: Northwestern State (6-0, 183)
Has the size and talent to get drafted. Needs to get a bit stronger and clean up his footwork, but has the skill set to play both inside and out in the NFL. ICONGolden looks like an ideal cover-two corner.
DB Robert Golden: Arizona (5-11, 200)
Might be limited to more of a cover two/click and close type corner, but he does have some developing press coverage skills. Also, has a lot of value as a safety, as he can anticipate in the deep half, drive on throws under him and play over a receiver in nickel situations.
FS Aaron Henry: Wisconsin (6-0, 210)
A good-sized kid with some natural cover skills and range, but is still learning the mental nuances of the game. Still developing at the position, but skill set says potential starter. (I'm a little surprised by this (naturally) since Henry was considered one of the better FS prospects at one time)
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ICONKinne is one of the draft's most underrated prospects.
ICONAdcock could play both inside and out at the next level.
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ICONLockett is a long, lean athlete with some upside.
ICONGolden looks like an ideal cover-two corner.