DRAFT TRACKER 2013

Geathers casts an imposing presence, and when he's firing off the ball low and using his hands, can look like a force. However, he's inconsistent in his technique, and lacks refinement. He bypassed the opportunity to be a full-time starter by declaring early, but a team will be intrigued by his massive side and upside. He will likely go in the middle rounds.

Harrison hasn't always lived up to his measurables, and has had some ups and downs throughout his career at Rutgers. Still, his blend of size and athletic ability will result in some team taking a flier on him.

Kasa is the type of upside prospect that tends to draw a fight or sixth-round pick every year. His willingness to engage in the physical aspects of the game, namely blocking, will definitely help during the early parts of his career. Kasa hasn't spent much time at the tight end position, but he has shown enough baseline skills to draw interest in April. He only needs to show more natural receiving skills, which might be asking a lot.

Robey is tremendously undersized, but he's been one of the better cover cornerbacks in the NCAA the past few seasons. Despite his size, Robey is willing to be physical, and he has a good athletic skill set. However, his limitations will likely keep him on the board until the middle of the draft.

Jefferson is a back with great patience and vision. He has a good initial burst through the line of scrimmage, but he struggles to make people miss. He doesn't have great top end speed or elite power to compensate for this issue. A team might use a late selection of Jefferson for his reliability as a runner.

Moe is a tough, gritty wide receiver. He's built to play the slot receiver position, due to his compact build, toughness, and physicality. While he will likely never be a standout player, it's tough to imagine that he won't fight himself onto a roster.

Mississippi State hasn’t had a wide receiver drafted since Eric Moulds was picked by Buffalo in the first round in 1996, but Bumphis’ combination of quickness and strength in the slot could get his name called in 2013. He’s not elite in his speed or height, but his effectiveness working the middle of the field and potential as a reliable return threat makes him a draftable prospect who will produce on a team more consistently prolific than the Bulldogs.

While Roh never established himself as an elite playmaker, this is something to be said for starting 51 consecutive football games. Throughout his career, Roh has grown from a 250-pound linebacker to 280-pound end. Roh is physical, smart, and works hard. While he lacks elite athletic ability or an explosive element, if he continues to add weight, he can stick on rosters as a 3-4 defensive end (five-technique).

Despite fighting various injuries throughout his career, Taylor has worked himself into a a fantastic college player. (he ranked third in the NCAA with 150 tackles in 2011) with sheer determination. He's smart, and plays the game with great intensity and instincts. However, he lacks the size and overall athletic ability to be anything more than a special teams player at the next level.

Baca grew up going to UCLA football games with his late father, so it wasn’t a surprise when he chose to play for the Bruins as an all-state left tackle coming out of high school. Despite missing the 2010 season due to academic difficulties, Baca's managed to register 45 career starts. 25 of those starts have come at guard, and 20 have come at tackle. He's purely a guard in the pros, and his presenting the sort of nastiness and intelligence will earn him a mid- to late-round draft selection, by a team that's willing to let him build up his functional strength.

Notre Dame coaches have used Slaughter’s excellent football instincts all over the field throughout his career. However, between his lack of a true position, season ending injury, and a deep defensive back class, Slaughter might not hear his name called on draft day.

White looks to join cornerback partner Dwight Bentley (picked in the third round by Detroit last April) in the NFL, though his tall, lean frame is much different than that of his teammate’s. He could project to safety, but teams relying on press or zone coverage might like his upside outside if he continues to improve as a second-year starter (8.5 tackles for loss, seven pass break-ups) in 2012.

Statistically, Cross isn’t the most impressive of defensive line prospects (32 tackles, one for loss, in 2011). But he plays all across the line for the Yellow Jackets, does have the initial quickness and overall physical tools to succeed at the next level as a reserve 3-4 defensive end or 4-3 tackle, depending on how much weight his new team will ask him to carry to be most effective in their system.

Davis is an NFL-sized receiver with the quickness to make plays after the catch (50 receptions for 713 yards, four scores in 2011). Now that Marvin McNutt is in the NFL, he must become the team’s best vertical threat despite his average speed, as well as a more reliable third-down option to go over the middle to move the chains.

Now two years off a back injury that cost him most of the 2010 season, Sturgis has enough leg strength and accuracy to have earned All-American honors in two consecutive seasons.

This big-bodied SEC lineman took time to get on the field, starting just one game in his first two seasons, and might not be considered an elite prospect by most teams. But like many others before him, Sullen’s size and toughness will get him on scouts’ radars, and if he shows better athleticism than anticipated through the draft process, some team will take a chance on him in the mid-to-late rounds.

In high school, Wilson was a two-way player, who started at both at running back and defensive end. He eventually went on to be a Kansas Top 11 selection and First Team KFBCA All-State selection in 2007. In addition to his football prowess, Wilson was also an all-league basketball player and state qualifier in the discus and long jump.

Wilson redshirted in 2008, before seeing action in all 12 of the games the Wildcats played in 2009. He earned four starts on the season. In 2010, Wilson spent his time blocking for current Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas. Wilson played in all 13 games and logged 11 starts. His blocking helped Thomas to ninth in the nation in rushing yards and tops in the Big 12. Wilson himself contributed one rushing touchdown. In 2011, Wilson played in every game, and had five carries for 15 yards. He also caught two passes for 14 yards. This past season, Wilson played in all 13 games, and had six carries for 13 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 34 yards.

Pryor is an athletic fullback with a powerful lower body. He's not a powerful blocker, but does a nice job with hand and body positioning, in addition to impressive cut blocking skills. The big issue for him is to prove he can maintain his athletic advantage while having adequate bulk for a fullback.

Ford’s capped off his high school career, with a senior season at Leesville High School that saw him rush for 2,953 yards and 29 touchdowns en route to a first-team 4A all-state selection in 2008. Ford finished his senior season with nine games of 200-yards or better and finished career with 20 straight 100-yard games, a streak that dated back to 2006. His career yardage set the Leesville rushing record, topping the previous mark set by former LSU standout Cecil Collins in 1994.

Ford took a redshirt his first year on campus. In 2010, Ford played in 10 games, and earned two starts. He rushed 41 times for 235 yards and three touchdowns. The following season, Ford played in all 14 games, and recorded three starts. He had 127 carries, seven touchdowns, and a team-leading 756 rushing yards. In his redshirt junior year, Ford carried the ball 71 times for 392 yards and three touchdowns.

Maysonet's collegiate career was abnormal, but he was extremely consistent on the field. While on the path to not missing a game in the last three seasons, Maysonet set multiple records due to an aggressive and decisive running style. He isn't flashy and hasn't shown passing down ability because of limited repetitions, but he could produce as a ball carrier if given an opportunity.

Ware is a no nonsense runner that openly looks for contact. Ware can run through tacklers, and pick up yards after contact. He lacks the speed to be a game changing runner, or an every down back, but he could carve himself out a nice niche as a third-down/goal-line running back.

A consensus four star recruit, Williams was a SuperPrep and Prepstar All-American as a 2008 senior. In both his junior and senior years, Williams was first-team all-district and second-team all-state. Williams redshirted in his first year at California, after being named the nation's No. 37 freshman defensive back prior to the season by Phil Steele.

In 2010, he played in all 12 games, and made three starts. Williams recorded 26 tackles (one for loss), one interception, four passes defended, and one forced fumble. The following season, Williams started all 13 games at corner and posted 44 tackles (one for loss), two interceptions, and 11 passes defended. In 2012, Williams started all 12 games for Cal. Williams was named Cal's Bear Backers MVP on the defense side of the ball and also the team's Most Valuable Back defensively. He also earned All-Pac 12 honorable mention recognition from the league's coaches. He amassed 80 tackles (seven for loss), three interceptions, 10 pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

While Johnson lacks overwhelming physical tools, he's got size, smarts, and plenty of experience to back him up. These traits could potentially earn Johnson a late-round selection.

The next slight but quick slot receiver from June Jones’ spread attack at SMU is on his way to the NFL, with Johnson following in the footsteps of Emmanuel Sanders, Aldrick Robinson, and Cole Beasley. The 2011 first-team All-Conference USA selection (79 receptions, 1,118 yards, eight TD in 2011) has good hands to go along with good quickness and some toughness. Johnson might be a late round selection, or a heavily recruited undrafted free agent.

Gragg has dealt with some injuries throughout his career, and in particular, a knee injury really derailed his senior season. Gragg will have to play an H-Back role in the NFL due to his lack of size to block in-line. While he possesses good hands and speed, Gragg is a linear athlete who will struggle to be a successful blocker in the pros.

This Ram looked on his way to big things in 2011 before his season was ended prematurely by a torn left ACL against rival Colorado. He has experience at guard and tackle, and also has played on either side of the line because the team has flipped the line in the past based on formation. Adding that sort of versatility to his NFL size, strength, and recovery ability makes him an intriguing late-round pick.

Harper played well in his first two years with the Broncos, but then tore his left ACL in the third game of both the 2009 and 2010 seasons. In a reserve role behind 2012 first-round pick Doug Martin as a junior, Harper showed coaches, teammates and NFL scouts he still possesses an open-field burst. He followed this up with a strong 2012 performance. He is much more comfortable bouncing to the outside than running in the middle, but that will be less of a concern to teams than his medicals. A team may take a chance on him late, if not, he will receive plenty of UDFA interest.

Winn patiently waited for 2012 second-round pick Isaiah Pead to move on before being elevated into a starting position. He had just 78 carries for 376 yards and two touchdowns in his first three years on the field, while also becoming a special teams ace. But he finally stepped into the starting lineup for 2012 and did well with his opportunity. Winn's a hard nosed runner who works well in between the tackles, and does well behind zone blocking and in short yardage situations. He should be selected in the middle rounds, and contribute on special teams right away.

Blake has been a primary target on a poor passing offense. Blake has a solid, but unspectacular overall skillset. Blake needs to improve his blocking and special teams play in order to secure a roster spot at the next level.

Though he has a slight build and saw a big drop in production in Michigan’s offense (72-935, 7 TD in 2010; 19-335, 2 TD in 2011) under new head coach Brady Hoke, Roundtree’s speed and elusiveness gives him a chance to be a strong contributor in the NFL – as does the work ethic and determination he’s showed working through a learning disability throughout his scholastic career to earn a college degree.

The leader of the Tigers’ front line has been a fixture in the middle since winning the job before the team’s Capital Bowl win over Penn State his redshirt freshman season. His father, Patrick Sr., was also an offensive lineman at LSU.

Looking like a versatile, strong and athletic member of Georgia’s front four, Jones showed real promise as a playmaker in 2011 (seven tackles for loss, four sacks) while moving all over the line. Something was different in 2012 besides the season-ending ankle injury, as Jones looked less explosive and stiffer when changing directions. Still, his frame translates to defensive tackle in a four-man front or an end spot in three-man line.

Utah’s steady and sturdy interior lineman survived a scary neck injury in 2011, but has usually been the one putting defenders on the ground over the past couple of seasons. Brenner is not elite in his size or athleticism, but he has enough of both to be a mid-round pick for zone-blocking teams to project him as a probable starter inside who can swing out to tackle on occasion.

Though by no means a dominant linebacker, Demens’ athleticism and the toughness of which he learned to take advantage playing for famous Detroit Country Day High School has paid off on special teams and in the middle for the Wolverines. NFL teams looking for a solid inside linebacker with the movement to handle some coverage responsibilities and contribute on coverage units could snap him up in the middle rounds of the 2013 draft.

Gilkey proved to be both a true student and athlete throughout high school. A two-year starter at Aurora Christian High School, Gilkey helped lead his team to a 12-1 record and a trip to the state semifinals. He was named to the all-area and all-conference team for his stellar season. Gilkey also participated in track, baseball and wrestling, in addition to being a straight-A student. Gilkey found out about Chadron State through his high school coach, and decided to go there after a 14-hour trip to visit the campus.

His first year on the squad, Gilkey took a redshirt. In 2009, he saw action in six games, and registered two starts. The following year, Gilkey started all 11 games at left tackle. He also joined the basketball team midway through the season, and played in a reserve role. Gilkey missed the first two games of the 2011 season due to his appendix bursting, but finished off the year with nine consecutive starts. Gilkey started every game of the 2012 season.

One particular game of note for McCray this season came against Texas A&M and Luke Joeckel, where McCray's powerful hands and strength gave Joeckel noticable issues. McCray has missed nearly two seasons of games due to injuries. But when healthy, the former four-star high school recruit flashes enough strength, length and athleticism to be a mid-round pick capable of contributing as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.

Following in his father’s footsteps to walk onto the Wolverines football team as a defensive back, Kovacs quickly earned a starting role because of his secure tackling (266 career stops, 21 for loss) and instincts. Though his athleticism might not be elite and his knee issues might check a red flag, don’t count him out as a Saturday draft pick who will contribute on defense and special teams early on.

Edwards escaped the notice of Texas schools despite being an all-state pick as a high school senior out of Arlington, and didn’t start until his junior year with the Tigers. His size on the outside is coveted by NFL defensive coaches, however, and his strong performances late in his career won’t be overlooked – especially if proves throughout 2012 that he has the quickness and speed to handle pro receivers.

Michigan State’s widebody took a couple of years to get to East Lansing after high school, going through a prep program and Fort Scott Community College (where he played against Cam Newton’s Blinn JC in the 2009 national championship game). But even in mostly a reserve role during the past couple of seasons, his obvious strength in the middle has made him a target as a mid-to-late round pick in the 2013 draft.

Cleary will answer a lot of questions about being born in Japan (his father’s job kept the family moving early in his childhood), but NFL scouts will mostly need to know if he has the strength to hold up against stronger NFL linemen. He won’t be picked as early as former roommate and 2011 first-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts, Anthony Castonzo, but Cleary’s talent should make him a mid- to late-round selection as a valued swing reserve.

The Florida product struggled to get onto the field consistently early in his Buckeyes’ career, then gave up some plays as a junior starter. But his four interceptions in 2010-2011 portended a playmaking ability, which, combined with NFL size and speed, makes Howard a worthy mid-round pick as a solid reserve outside corner.

Growing up about 20 minutes from South Bend and being named after a former Notre Dame player made it quite likely a high school All-American like Cave would suit up for the Irish. Cave earned third-team All-American honors his senior year in part due to his toughness, and intangibles. However, Cave isn't very athletic, or overally strong. He's not very quick, and rarely recovers when beaten. In order to improve, he will have to be more efficient in winning with his hands, and maintaining adequate balance.

Hurst is a gritty defender who plays with a high motor. He possess a slender frame, and will struggle with the physical aspects of the game. His quick feet combined with his aggressive plays gives a shot at playing the slot in the NFL.

Wort had a successful college career, but appears to lack the same tools to succeed in the NFL. He's a bit of a 'tweener in the NFL. He will have to prove he can contribute on special teams in order to earn a roster spot.

Dill’s transfer from Maryland to Rutgers was a great boon to the Scarlet Knights’ offense. He brought starting experience as well as the length and strength on the edge that is difficult for college defenders to handle. Pro defensive ends might have an easier time unless he improves his lateral agility and recovery speed, but he has the attributes to compete for playing time at the next level as a late-round pick.

Stuck behind two running backs drafted last April (Robert Turbin, Michael Smith), Williams patiently waited for 2012 to get his chance as the Aggies’ top backfield threat. Williams seized his opportunity with a strong senior season that included 20 total touchdowns. Williams is unlikely to see many carries in the NFL like Turbin and Smith potentially will, but he's a more versatile player than either one of them. Williams could be drafted late based upon his pass catching and kick return ability.

Lester posses length, toughness, and ballskills. Lester has made some impact plays over his career at Alabama, but he also been troubled by maddening inconsistencies. His draft stock has dipped a bit throughout the season, but he will still be selected in the middle rounds.

Lawrence came to Starkville as a skinny 200-pound linebacker, but has blossomed into a playmaker for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 123 tackles in 2011. The brother of former MSU starting offensive lineman Addison Lawrence plays with the intensity of a bigger player and is athletic enough to handle coverage duties as a Sam linebacker and make plays on special teams coverage units.