Draft – Day 3 – Top 50 – GBN

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I like 29 Marcus Hardison DT Arizona State as a DL developmental prospect. But, is there room for him on the roster this season?

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Possesses broad shoulders, long arms (33.5″) and good overall weight distribution. Good athlete for his size. Former defensive end who has a knack for rushing the passer that has remained since moving inside. Possesses impressive initial quickness off the ball, firing off the snap to penetrate gaps. Good lateral agility and flexibility to change directions and pursue. Closes quickly and with an explosive pop that can catch ballcarriers by surprise and lead to forced fumbles. Good strength for the drag-down tackle. Could be just scratching the surface of his potential.

WEAKNESSES: More finesse than physical. Isn’t as stout against the run as his size would indicate and struggles against double-teams. Relies upon his initial burst to penetrate, showing limited hand technique and strength to disengage once opponents lock on. Possesses only average balance for his position, too often getting knocked off his feet. Comes with typical one-year-wonder questions about his dedication and if the same intensity will be there after signing an NFL contract.

–Rob Rang

Player Overview
Hardison is a late-blooming talent with the first-step quickness, length and agility NFL teams are looking for in an interior pass-rusher. He signed with Arizona State as a highly regarded JUCO prospect out of Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, turning down the likes of Florida State, Miami, Oklahoma and Auburn, among others.

Despite his fanfare and clear talent, Hardison struggled to find consistent playing time in his first season in Tempe, recording just five tackles.

With two-time Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Will Sutton moving on to the Chicago Bears, however, Hardison stepped up his game significantly in 2014, exploding for 53 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and six turnovers (three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery). Much of that came over the second half of the season, including a career-high 13 tackle performance against Duke in the Sun Bowl and a strong showing during the Senior Bowl practices to culminate his collegiate career.

Hardison remains a bit rough around the edges and has only one impressive year at the FBS level. A team willing to gamble on his upside, however, could be handsomely rewarded.

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1. OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh 6-5, 309
– How fast is he along in the process? He’s worth the early pick to find out. He’s still trying to turn into a good, steady tackle who can do all of the little things right, but the technique can be tweaked and fixed. There will be some major misfires along the way, but the upside is enormous.
– Almost like a big tight end, he’s lean, athletic, and moves effortlessly. He has the upside and the skills to become a franchise left tackle with a little bit of time. He has the tools to be the prototype, but the tape doesn’t always match up.
Yes or No?: There’s a big boom-or-bust aspect to what he can be, but he has more than enough in the raw skills department to grow into a star left tackle – in a year or so.
Round Value: First Round

2. OT La’el Collins, LSU 6-4, 305
– Line him up and let him destroy the man in his way. He might not be an ideal pass protector, and he might be more of a mauler then an athlete, but he’s going to be an intimidating force no matter where he plays. He’s going to be a tone-setter for a line.
– Is he a blasting, run-blocking guard in a tackle’s body? He might be a Right Tackle Only, and he might be a fantastic Right Tackle Only, but he showed in offseason workouts that he has the raw tools to give it a shot on the other side. He’s smooth for a player of his size, running and cutting without a problem – he looks the part.
Yes or No?: Already a possible first round prospect, he cemented his spot after some great offseason workouts. He could turn out to be the best all-around run blocker in the draft.
Round Value: First Round

3. FS FS Cody Prewitt, Ole Miss 6-2, 208
– All of a sudden, after his pro day he might be even more athletic than originally considered tearing off a 4.46 – he ran a 4.6 at the combine – to go along with his quickness and explosion. He has the raw skills, and he’s a terrific all-around football player who always knows where he’s supposed to be.
– There’s a chance he could be a special player who goes beyond the tools. He knows how to play with tough tackling ability and nice ball skills. He’ll make quarterbacks play in a big way when they get sloppy or make mistakes.
Yes or No?: Absolutely. He’s the type of player who hangs around in the secondary and becomes a star and a leader. Take him, plug him in, get production.
Round Value: Second Round

4. RB Jay Ajayi, Boise State 6-0, 221
– With a tremendous blend of quickness and toughness, he might not have a long shelf life, but he has the talent and the ability to be someone’s star back for a three-year run. He blew up the jumps at the combine and was ultra-fast around the cones.
– The power is there to kill people when he gets up a head of steam. He’s not Marshawn Lynch, but he’s not afraid to get nasty between the tackles.
– A three-down back, he can catch, block, and do everything asked of him. Despite a major problem under the Chris Petersen regime following an off-the-field incident, he’s coachable and will do whatever is needed.
– Does he have enough life left to take a pounding. Overused by the Broncos, he carried the offense way too much, and he never seemed to wear down or tire.
Yes or No?: Yup. He might not have the pure talent or skill of a Todd Gurley or a Melvin Gordon, but he might be the most complete all-around back in the draft. He’s a No. 1 runner who can carry an offense by himself at times, and he’ll be a great value pick sometime in the mid-second round.
Round Value: Second Round

5. CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon 5-9, 192
– It’s all about his knee. He might’ve been the No. 1 corner in the draft if he was 100% healthy, but it’s going to require a leap of faith to take him in the second round. Before the injury, he was smooth as silk and a great fighter who always rose up to the challenge. While he’s not all that huge, he’s not bad at getting physical making the tough tackle.
– Does he have the blazing wheels? That was the big question mark before the injury – he plays fast, but everyone wanted to see what he could do in a timed 40. Yes, he’ll tackle, but he’ll also whiff a bit and might be seen as a pure cover-corner.
Yes or No?: It’s not just the knee. He could use a year to figure out how to be a more technically sound corner who can do things at an NFL level. Even healthy he might not be for everyone – at least as a first round prospect – but give him two years and he might be one of the league’s elite defensive backs.
Round Value: Third Round

6. WR Rashad Greene, Florida State 5-11, 182
– More of a No. 2, athletic receiver who can get open and keep the chains moving than a star for an NFL attack, he’s a complementary player, but a really, really good one. He was clutch at a high level with the tape even better than the solid workouts. He’s a professional football player who won’t need a whole bunch of coaching.
– While he might not be all that big and he’s not that physical, he can handle himself okay against the tougher defensive backs. He’ll be erased at times by the NFL bully corners, but if he’s allowed to work the slot and get open, he’ll be fine.
Yes or No: He knows what he’s doing. He’ll be a nice part of a puzzle working inside as a reliable pass catcher who’ll keep the chains moving.
Round Value: Third Round

7. DE Trey Flowers, Arkansas 6-2, 266
– He might be short and squatty, but he can scoot. While he’s not a devastating athlete, he can move well enough to get by to go along with a ton of energy and fight. He’ll battle and seems to take his game up a notch when he needs to. A battler against the run, he’ll hold up well and will be a try-hard type who’ll produce.
– Is he athletic enough to be a true end? He’s built more for a 3-4, but if he can bring the quickness and burst on a regular basis, all of a sudden, his prospects will quickly change. He has to become a far more dangerous pass rusher.
Yes or No: It would be nice if he was more of a pass rusher, and he’ll never put up big numbers in the backfield, but he’s a starter on a line – just not a spectacular one.
Round Value: Third Round

8. CB Lorenzo Doss, Tulane 5-10, 182
– A terrific football player who changes games by himself, he has great hands and knows how to attack the ball and come up with big plays. He seems to know how to be around the play and he rises to the occasion when challenged. Get the ball in his hands, and he’s dangerous in the open field.
– While he’s not a blazer, he’s fast enough to get by. However, he’s not all that physical and he won’t do anything against the run. He’ll give up his share of big plays and will get lit up here and there, but he’ll make up for it.
Yes or No?: An NFL starter. There might be a future for him as a centerfielder type on passing downs if he’s not a lockdown corner, but he’ll start early on.
Round Value: Fourth Round

9. DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State 6-2, 293
– A bit undersized, he’s not going to eat up blockers and ball carriers, and he’s not going to be the type who takes on two blockers and bullies his way to plays. While he’s not smallish, he’s just not a massive widebody who’ll be a dominant run defender at the next level.
– Really quick off the ball and really active, he should be able to get behind the line and he should be a factor if surrounded by bigger linemen who can bully up a bit. A good character player, he’ll work to make himself better.
Yes or No: He didn’t progress and dominate like he was expected to last season, but he was still good. If he can channel his 2013 version, he could be a steal.
Round Value: Third Round

10. DE Za’Darius Smith, Kentucky 6-4, 274
– He’s always going to bring the fight. With his body type and strength, he’ll hold up against the run just fine. He might not be right for the inside, and he might be a bit of a tweener, but he has good enough overall skills to do a little of everything right.
– The athleticism and speed aren’t quite there at an NFL level to go along with his excellent motor and fight. Known as the try-hard end, he isn’t quite fast enough to become a superstar pass rusher, but he’ll be a starter – he might mostly be a key part of a rotation.
Yes or No: He can play, but he’s more solid than spectacular. He’ll carve out a long, decent career based on his effort and want-to, but he’s mostly going to be a nice part of a puzzle rather than a standout star.
Round Value: Third Round

11. DT Gabe Wright, Auburn 6-3, 300
– Extremely strong, he’s also a very quick, very athletic interior presence with the raw tools to be just about anything a line needs. He needed to look smooth and athletic in offseason workouts and he’s done just that to go along with 34 reps on the bench at the combine. It’s all there except for …
– His size. He’s not quite as bulky as you’d like for a run stopper up front, but his athleticism makes up for it in a lot of ways. Now he has to harness all of his skills. Not as tough and strong on the field as he should be, and not as disruptive last year as he has the potential to become, there’s still work to do.
Yes or No: The upside is tremendous. He was just okay for the Tigers after coming in as a superstar recruit, but he’s too promising not to expect big things with a little bit of time and the right coaching.
Round Value: Third Round

12. QB Brett Hundley, UCLA 6-3, 226
– Very athletic, he can get out of bad situations with his feet and can make big things happen with a nice arm and the ability to make things happen on the move. He has all the raw tools and all the abilities, but there’s a lot more to being an NFL quarterback, and he’s just not consistent enough to make anyone comfortable starting him – he could’ve really, really used another year in school.
– Looks the part, acts the part, talks the part, but is he the type of quarterback who can lead a team to a championship? Decision-making ability is a disaster at times in pure passing situations. He might be the type who needs a few years before there’s a boom, but it’s going to be ugly at times before he gets there.
Yes or No?: Not really, but he’s worth a chance to develop if you already have a good starter in place. He’d be perfect in a spot where he could sit, work, and throw a bazillion balls a day as a backup for a few years before taking over. He’s not the next Aaron Rodgers, but the Rodgers-behind-Favre situation could reap big rewards.
Round Value: Third Round

13. CB Josh Shaw, USC 6-0, 201
– Don’t let the drama and the off-field controversy take away from the simple fact that he’s a fantastic football player and prospect. He looks like a USC defensive back with size, linebacker strength, and 4.4 speed. While he might not be a true corner, he has the game to push around receivers and get physical.
– He’s more of a safety than a cornerback. He has the raw speed, but he’s not necessarily NFL-corner quick to take over the field side and erase a speed receiver. There’s a place for him in a secondary, but it’ll require some work to figure out where that is.
Yes or No?: All the tools and skills are there to be an NFL free safety. He’ll start out as a corner, but will end up spending most of his career moving around where needed.
Round Value: Third Round

14. RB Javorius Allen, USC 6-0, 221
– Smooth and fast for a big back, he’s tremendously quick and can get through the hole in a hurry. He’s always moving forward and he’s always making things happen with the ball in his hands.
– A good receiver, he can grow into a dangerous weapon when he gets a chance on the move in the open field. Has the quickness and feet to make his man miss.
– Not really a power back. He’s not going to blast away and he’s not going to be known as a blaster. He needs to learn how to finish runs a bit better.
– Watch out for him to find a role as a goal line/red zone runner. He might not power away for a short-yardage score, but he’s slippery – he’s good at getting forward, even if he’s not going through someone.
Yes or No?: Every year there’s a back who slips into the mid-to-late rounds who becomes the guy who makes teams regret investing heavily in a back early on. Allen is it.
Round Value: Fourth Round

15. DT Grady Jarrett, Clemson 6-1, 304
– A block of granite in the middle of a line, he’s just a nose tackle. He can move a little bit, but his job will to work in the interior and hold up by using his power and leverage to stop up the run. While he won’t do much to get into the backfield, he’s just quick enough to get free to make plays.
– Is he big enough? He’s not tall with a short, squatty frame, and he’s not going to get any bigger. This is who he is, and while that’s very good, there’s not a ton of improvement there to be made in terms of strength and abilities.
Yes or No: Absolutely, especially as a part of a rotation. He’ll always bring the effort and the fire, and he’s quicker and more athletic than many might think.
Round Value: Third Round

16. OT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma 6-6, 329
– One of the most powerful blockers in the draft, he can hit and be a devastating run blocker when needed. For his massive size, he can also move a little bit, too. He might be a Right Tackle Only, but he’ll be a whale of one and could be a good-value cornerstone pick.
– He’s a better athlete than originally thought. He’s not going to work on the left side, but he’s hardly the block of granite originally thought going into the offseason process. He’s a tough guy, but he has decent feet, too.
Yes or No?: A terrific value pick, he’ll slide because he’s not an elite athlete and can’t really play left tackle, but he’s a mauler who’ll be a longtime starter.
Round Value: Fourth Round

17. QB Bryce Petty, Baylor 6-3, 230
– Is he a system guy or can he function in an NFL offense? He looks like a pro-style passer in workouts, and he’s a natural at spinning the ball, but there’s a big difference – obviously – between throwing in shorts and operating from an NFL pocket. However, he looks like he can be a drop-back quarterback with a little time.
– A terrific athlete, he’s quick, can move, and he has the right tools for the next level. However, he has to learn how to hit the second and third reads and get through his progressions without a problem.
Yes or No?: Don’t be floored if he turns out to be the best quarterback in this draft if given two years to work on his craft. He’s a good leader, he has the ability, and he’s a good enough worker to be one of the few guys who can make the transformation from system quarterback to an NFL playmaker.
Round Value: Third Round

18. C Andy Gallik, Boston College 6-2, 306
– Very strong and very tough, he’s a true run blocking center who’ll keep the intensity going for a full 60 minutes. A great leader and powerful hitter for one of college football’s stronger ground attacks, he’ll destroy blockers in a phone booth and will instantly fit in for any offense that wants to bring the thump.
– Forget about getting him on the move. He’s not quite right for several NFL offenses and won’t get down the field and do anything big. His game is about strength, not agility.
Yes or No?: Yes, but in the right offense. Hroniss Grasu might be the better fit for the modern NFL, but there’s a place for Gallik as a tough guy leader who’ll always produce.
Round Value: Fifth Round

19. DT Marcus Hardison, Arizona State 6-3, 307
– A true tweener, he’s part defensive end and part defensive tackle. He’s a slippery defender with nice pass rushing skills if used on the outside, and good enough quickness to get behind the line against the slower interior blockers. And he’s still improving – he’s just scratching the surface.
– He might not be a true defensive tackle, but he has the strength to be a decent run defender because of his quickness. Don’t look for him to be a big hitter who gets nasty against power teams, but that’s not his game.
Yes or No: As a 3-technique end, absolutely. He’s a bit of a project, but there’s so much to like that
Round Value: Fourth Round

20. ILB Hayes Pullard, USC 6-0, 240 – While he might not have superior straight line speed, he has silky-smooth cutting ability and defensive back-like movements. While he’s not going to blow up anyone on the inside, he’s more of a functional tackler who’ll get in on just about everything.
– He’s not a pass rusher and would need tweaking to his game and lots of coaching to become more of a factor on the outside. While he might not be for every style, he has the body and the size to hold up against the run.
Yes or No: While he’s not going to be a big-play performer, he can cut, he can cover, and he can be a good part of a great defense. If a coaching staff can turn him into a guided missile, the upside is enormous.
Round Value: Fourth Round

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2015 NFL Draft: Day Three 20 Best Available Players