The following players who entered the 2014 NFL Draft were ranked in Daniel Jeremiah's top 50 (as of April 1). Click below for a write-up of each duo:
RB Carlos Hyde/RB Bishop Sankey | LB Khalil Mack/TE Eric Ebron | LB Anthony Barr/TE Jace Amaro |
LB C.J. Mosley/TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins | LB Ryan Shazier/LB Chris Borland |
OT Greg Robinson/DE Jadeveon Clowney | OT Jake Matthews/DT Aaron Donald |
OT Taylor Lewan/DT Timmy Jernigan | OT Zack Martin/DT Louis Nix III |
OT Morgan Moses/DT Ra’Shede Hageman | OT Cyrus Kouandjio/DE Kony Ealy |
G Xavier Su’a-Filo/DE Dee Ford | G Brandon Thomas/DE Stephon Tuitt |
QB Teddy Bridgewater/DE Demarcus Lawrence | QB Johnny Manziel/DT Dominique Easley |
QB Blake Bortles/QB Derek Carr | WR Sammy Watkins/CB Justin Gilbert |
WR Mike Evans/FS Calvin Pryor | WR Odell Beckham Jr./FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix |
WR Marqise Lee/CB Darqueze Dennard | WR Kelvin Benjamin/CB Bradley Roby |
WR Brandin Cooks/CB Kyle Fuller | WR Jarvis Landry/CB Jason Verrett |
WR Davante Adams/SS Jimmie Ward | WR Paul Richardson/CB Lamarcus Joyner
Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson, Junior
College stats:Watkins set Clemson records for career receptions (240) and yards (3,391). He was named second-team All-America and first-team All-ACC after recording 101 receptions for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2013 that included a 16-catch, 227-yard game against Ohio State in the Orange Bowl to earn MVP honors. Watkins had 57 receptions for 708 yards and three receiving TDs in 2012 to earn honorable mention All-ACC. He had 82 receptions for 1,219 yards and 12 TDs and returned 33 kickoffs 826 yards with a score as a freshman in 2011. Watkins was named first-team All-American as an all-purpose player, becoming the fourth true freshman first-team All-American (Herschel Walker, 1980; Marshall Faulk, 1991; Adrian Peterson, 2004). He was also named first-team All-ACC, ACC Rookie of the Year and a semifinalist of the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Biletnikoff awards.
Combine measurements: Height: 6 feet, 1 inch; Weight: 211 pounds
Combine performances: 40-yard dash: 4.43 seconds; Bench press: 16 reps; Vertical jump: 34 inches; Broad jump: 10 feet, 6 inches; 3-cone drill: 6.95 seconds; 20-yard shuttle: 4.34 seconds
Jeremiah's ranking: 2nd out of the top 50 prospects
Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State, Senior
College stats:Gilbert was second-team All-America, first-team All-Big 12 and a Thorpe Award finalist after tying for third in FBS with seven interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns, in 2013 when he also had 42 tackles (36 solo) and returned 18 kickoffs for 453 yards and a TD. Gilbert was second-team All-Big 12 as a returner in 2012 with 32 returns for 827 yards and a score and 63 tackles (53 solo) on defense and was voted Defensive MVP of the Fiesta Bowl. He had five interceptions and 59 tackles and returned 26 kickoffs for 703 yards and two TDs in 2011. Gilbert had 18 tackles and returned 26 kickoffs for 698 yards and two touchdowns and eight punt returns for 55 yards as a freshman in 2010. Gilbert's time of 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the fastest of any cornerback at the 2014 NFL Combine.
Combine measurements: Height: 6 feet; Weight: 202 pounds
Combine performances: 40-yard dash: 4.37 seconds (first among DBs); Bench press: 20 reps (tied for third among CBs); Vertical jump: 35.5 inches; Broad jump: 10 feet, 6 inches; 3-cone drill: 6.92 seconds
Jeremiah's ranking: 8th out of the top 50 prospects
Take a look at AP photos of receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Justin Gilbert, two of NFL analyst Daniel Jeremiah's top 50 prospects.
