The 2014 NFL draft is right around the corner, and while all 32 teams are finalizing their draft boards, here is a look at my final top 100 list for this year’s spring spectacle.
Note: Many analysts like to compare draft prospects to current players in the NFL as a way to forecast their future, but there are a number of variables that go into how a prospect performs at the next level.
The No. 1 factor that determines a prospect’s success is the situation (coaching staff, scheme, roster composition, overall environment, etc.) they are drafted into. With that said, I prefer to compare draft prospects to prospects of the past, which is why I use “prospect reflection” as my comparison tool.
Prospect reflection is meant to be a comparison between prospects based on their physical attributes, style of play, production, and more when they left school and entered the NFL. It’s not meant to be an indicator of where this year’s prospects will be selected in comparison to their prospect reflection.
* Denotes juniors
** Denotes redshirt sophomores
1. *Jadeveon Clowney, (6-5, 266), DE, South Carolina
Prospect reflection: Julius Peppers (North Carolina), 2002: First round (second overall) by Carolina Panthers
NFL
2. Jake Matthews, (6-6, 308), OT, Texas A&M
Prospect reflection: Joe Thomas (Wisconsin), 2007: First round (third overall) by Cleveland Browns
3. **Greg Robinson, (6-5, 332), OT, Auburn
Prospect reflection: Michael Oher (Ole Miss), 2009: First round (23rd overall) by Baltimore Ravens
4. *Sammy Watkins, (6-1, 211), WR, Clemson
Prospect reflection: Darrius Heyward-Bey (Maryland), 2009: First round (7th overall) by Oakland Raiders
5. Khalil Mack, (6-3, 251), OLB, Buffalo
Prospect reflection: Jon Beason (Miami), 2007: First round (25th overall) by Carolina Panthers
6. *Eric Ebron, (6-4, 250), TE, North Carolina
Prospect reflection: Dustin Keller (Purdue), 2008: First round (30th overall) by New York Jets
7. Anthony Barr, (6-5, 255), DE/OLB, UCLA
Prospect reflection: Julian Peterson (Michigan State), 2000: First round (16th overall) by San Francisco 49ers
8. **Mike Evans, (6-5, 231), WR, Texas A&M
Prospect reflection: Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado), 2005: Second round (61st overall) by San Diego Chargers
9. Derek Carr, (6-2, 214), QB, Fresno State
Prospect reflection: David Carr (Fresno State), 2002: First round (1st overall) by Houston Texans
10. *Marqise Lee, (6-0, 192), WR, Southern Cal
Prospect reflection: Lee Evans (Wisconsin), 2004: First round (13th overall) by Buffalo Bills
11. Taylor Lewan, (6-7, 309), OT, Michigan
Prospect reflection: Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M), 2013: First round (2nd overall) by Jacksonville Jaguars
12. Aaron Donald, (6-1, 285), DT, Pittsburgh
Prospect reflection: Trevor Laws (Notre Dame), 2008: Second round pick (47th overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
13. Justin Gilbert, (6-0, 202), CB, Oklahoma State
Prospect reflection: Stephon Gilmore (South Carolina), 2012: First round (10th overall) by Buffalo Bills
14. *Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, (6-1, 208), FS, Alabama
Prospect reflection: Kenny Phillips (Miami), 2008: First round (31st overall) by New York Giants
15. *Brandin Cooks, (5-10, 189), WR, Oregon State
Prospect reflection: Steve Smith (Utah), 2001: Third round (74th overall) by Carolina Panthers
16. Darqueze Dennard, (5-11, 199), CB, Michigan State
Prospect reflection: Leon Hall (Michigan), 2007: First round (18th overall) by Cincinnati Bengals
17. Zack Martin, (6-4, 308), OL, Notre Dame
Prospect reflection: Eben Britton (Arizona), 2009: Second round (39th overall) by Jacksonville Jaguars
18. *Odell Beckham Jr., (5-11, 198), WR, LSU
Prospect reflection: Randall Cobb (Kentucky), 2011: Second round (64th overall) by Green Bay Packers
19. *Louis Nix, (6-2, 331), DT, Notre Dame
Prospect reflection: Vince Wilfork (Miami), 2004: First round (21st overall) by New England Patriots
20. *Teddy Bridgewater, (6-2, 214), QB, Louisville
Prospect reflection: Geno Smith (West Virginia), 2013: Second round (39th overall) by New York Jets
21. C.J. Mosley, (6-2, 234), LB, Alabama
Prospect reflection: Patrick Willis (Ole Miss), 2007: First round (11th overall) by San Francisco 49ers
22. *Ryan Shazier, (6-1, 237), OLB, Ohio State
Prospect reflection: Lawrence Timmons (Florida State), 2007: First round (15th overall) by Pittsburgh Steelers
23. *Bradley Roby, (5-11, 194), CB, Ohio State
Prospect reflection: Shawn Springs (Ohio State), 1997: First round (3rd overall) by Seattle Seahawks
24. **Kelvin Benjamin, (6-5, 240), WR, Florida State
Prospect reflection: Brandon Marshall (Central Florida), 2006: Fourth round (120th overall) by Denver Broncos
25. *Davante Adams, (6-1, 212) WR, Fresno State
Prospect reflection: Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech), 2009: First round (10th overall) by San Francisco 49ers
26. **Johnny Manziel, (6-0, 207), QB, Texas A&M
Prospect reflection: Eric Crouch (Nebraska), 2002: Third round (95th overall) by St. Louis Rams
27. *Timmy Jernigan, (6-2, 299), DT, Florida State
Prospect reflection: Mike Patterson (Southern Cal), 2005: First round (31st overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
28. *Calvin Pryor, (5-11, 207), S, Louisville
Prospect reflection: LaRon Landry (LSU), 2007: First round (6th overall) by Washington Redskins
29. Ra’Shede Hageman, (6-6, 310), DT, Minnesota
Prospect reflection: Jared Odrick (Penn State), 2010: First round (28th overall) by Miami Dolphins
30. Kyle Fuller, (6-0, 190), CB, Virginia Tech
Prospect reflection: Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech), 2012: Third round (94th overall) by New York Giants
31. Morgan Moses (6-6, 314), OT, Virginia
Prospect reflection: James Carpenter (Alabama), 2011: First round (25th overall) by Seattle Seahawks
32. *Austin Seferian-Jenkins, (6-6, 262), TE, Washington
Prospect reflection: Ben Troupe (Florida), 2004: Second round (40th overall) by Tennessee Titans
33. *Blake Bortles, (6-5, 232), QB, Central Florida
Prospect reflection: Jake Locker (Washington), 2011: First round (8th overall) by Tennessee Titans
34. *Xavier Su’a-Filo, (6-4, 307), OG, UCLA
Prospect reflection: Danny Watkins (Baylor), 2011: First round (23rd overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
35. *Stephon Tuitt, (6-6, 304), DL, Notre Dame
Prospect reflection: Tyson Jackson (LSU), 2009: First round (3rd overall) by Kansas City Chiefs
36. Jimmie Ward, (5-11, 193) S, Northern Illinois
Prospect reflection: Darcel McBath (Texas Tech), 2009: Second round (48th overall) by Denver Broncos
37. Jason Verrett, (5-10, 189), CB, TCU
Prospect reflection: Kyle Wilson (Boise State), 2010: First round (29th overall) by New York Jets
38. Dee Ford, (6-2, 252), DE/OLB, Auburn
Prospect reflection: Corey Lemonier (Auburn), 2013: Third round (88th overall) by San Francisco 49ers
39. *Allen Robinson, (6-3, 220), WR, Penn State
Prospect reflection: Bryant Johnson (Penn State), 2003: First round (17th overall) by Arizona Cardinals
40. *Jace Amaro, (6-5, 265), TE, Texas Tech
Prospect reflection: Gavin Escobar (San Diego State), 2013: Second round (47th overall) by Dallas Cowboys
41. *Carl Bradford, (6-1, 250), OLB, Arizona State
Prospect reflection: Brooks Reed (Arizona), 2011: Second round (42nd overall) by Houston Texans
42. Stanley Jean-Baptiste, (6-3, 218) CB, Nebraska
Prospect reflection: Aqib Talib (Kansas), 2008: First round (20th overall) by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
43. *Cyrus Kouandjio, (6-7, 322), OT, Alabama
Prospect reflection: Branden Albert (Virginia), 2008: First round (15th overall) by Kansas City Chiefs
44. *Kony Ealy, (6-4, 273), DE, Missouri
Prospect reflection: Michael Johnson (Georgia Tech), 2009: Third round (70th overall) by Cincinnati Bengals
45. Trent Murphy, (6-5, 250), OLB, Stanford
Prospect reflection: Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue), 2011: First round (16th overall) by Washington Redskins
46. *Tre Mason, (5-9, 207), RB, Auburn
Prospect reflection: DeAngelo Williams (Memphis), 2006: First round (27th overall) by Carolina Panthers
47. *Cody Latimer, (6-3, 215), WR, Indiana
Prospect reflection: Leonard Hankerson (Miami), 2011: Third round (79th overall) by Washington Redskins
48. Will Sutton, (6-1, 303), DT, Arizona State
Prospect reflection: Geno Atkins (Georgia), 2010: Fourth round (120th overall) by Cincinnati Bengals
49. *De’Anthony Thomas, (5-9, 174), RB/WR, Oregon
Prospect reflection: Tavon Austin (West Virginia), 2013: First round (8th overall) by St. Louis Rams
50. *Scott Crichton, (6-3, 273), DE, Oregon State
Prospect reflection: Matt Shaughnessy (Wisconsin), 2009: Third round (71st overall) by Oakland Raiders
51. Ahmad Dixon, (6-0, 212), S, Baylor
Prospect reflection: Oshiomogho Atogwe (Stanford), 2005: Third round (66th overall) by St. Louis Rams
52. Jordan Matthews, (6-3, 212), WR, Vanderbilt
Prospect reflection: Mohamed Massaquoi (Georgia), 2009: Second round (50th overall) by Cleveland Browns
53. Zach Mettenberger, (6-5, 224), QB, LSU
Prospect reflection: Matthew Stafford (Georgia), 2009: First round (1st overall) by Detroit Lions
54. Kyle Van Noy, (6-3, 243), OLB, Brigham Young
Prospect reflection: Nick Barnett (Oregon State), 2003: First round (29th overall) by Green Bay Packers
55. Deone Bucannon, (6-1, 211), SS, Washington State
Prospect reflection: Roman Harper (Alabama), 2006: Second round (43rd overall) by New Orleans Saints
56. *Demarcus Lawrence, (6-3, 251), DE/OLB, Boise State
Prospect reflection: Justin Houston (Georgia), 2011: Third round (70th overall) by Kansas City Chiefs
57. Aaron Murray, (6-1, 207), QB, Georgia
Prospect reflection: Drew Brees (Purdue), 2001: Second round (32nd overall) by San Diego Chargers
58. Joel Bitonio, (6-4, 302), OL, Nevada
Prospect reflection: Jeff Allen (Illinois), 2012: Second round (44th overall) by Kansas City Chiefs
59. A.J. McCarron, (6-3, 220), QB, Alabama
Prospect reflection: Chad Henne (Michigan), 2008: Second round (57th overall) by Miami Dolphins
60. *Donte Moncrief, (6-2, 221), WR, Ole Miss
Prospect reflection: Rueben Randle (LSU), 2012: Second round (63rd overall) by New York Giants
61. Trevor Reilly, (6-5, 245), DE/OLB, Utah
Prospect reflection: Koa Misi (Utah), 2010: Second round (40th overall) by Miami Dolphins
62. *Paul Richardson, (6-0, 175), WR, Colorado
Prospect reflection: DeSean Jackson (California), 2008: Second round (49th overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
63. Carlos Hyde, (6-0, 230), RB, Ohio State
Prospect reflection: Eddie Lacy (Alabama), 2013: Second round (61st overall) by Green Bay Packers
64. *Troy Niklas, (6-7, 270), TE, Notre Dame
Prospect reflection: Anthony Fasano (Notre Dame), 2006: Second round (53rd overall) by Dallas Cowboys
65. Gabe Jackson, (6-3, 336), OG, Mississippi State
Prospect reflection: Amini Silatolu (Midwestern State), 2012: Second round (40th overall) by Carolina Panthers
66. Kareem Martin, (6-6, 272), DE, North Carolina
Prospect reflection: Corey Wootton (Northwestern), 2010: Fourth round (109th overall) by Chicago Bears
67. *Bishop Sankey, (5-10, 209), RB, Washington
Prospect reflection: Tatum Bell (Oklahoma State), 2004: Second round (41st overall) by Denver Broncos
68. Jeremiah Attaochu, (6-3, 252), OLB, Georgia Tech
Prospect reflection: Eric Norwood (South Carolina), 2010: Fourth round (124th overall) by Carolina Panthers
69. *Marcus Martin, (6-3, 320), C, Southern Cal
Prospect reflection: Philip Blake (Baylor), 2012: Fourth round (108th overall) by Denver Broncos
70. *Lache Seastrunk, (5-10, 201), RB, Baylor
Prospect reflection: Jahvid Best (California), 2010: First round (30th overall) by Detroit Lions
71. Chris Borland, (6-0, 248), ILB, Wisconsin
Prospect reflection: Paul Posluszny (Penn State), 2007: Second round (34th overall) by Buffalo Bills
72. Pierre Desir, (6-1, 198), CB, Lindenwood
Prospect reflection: Curtis Marsh (Utah State), 2011: Third round (90th overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
73. *Marcus Roberson, (6-0, 191), CB, Florida
Prospect reflection: Keiwan Ratliff (Florida), 2007: Second round (49th overall) by Cincinnati Bengals
74. Lamarcus Joyner, (5-8, 184), CB, Florida State
Prospect reflection: Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest), 2009: Second round (37th overall) by Denver Broncos
75. *Martavis Bryant, (6-4, 211), WR, Clemson
Prospect reflection: Chris Henry (West Virginia), 2005: Third round (83rd overall) by Cincinnati Bengals
76. *Ka’Deem Carey, (5-9, 207), RB, Arizona
Prospect reflection: Reggie Bush (Southern Cal), 2006: First round (2nd overall) by New Orleans Saints
77. Jackson Jeffcoat, (6-3, 247), DE, Texas
Prospect reflection: Tim Crowder (Texas), 2007: Second round (56th overall) by Denver Broncos
78. Jared Abbrederis, (6-1, 195), WR, Wisconsin
Prospect reflection: Brian Hartline (Ohio State), 2009: Fourth round (108th overall) by Miami Dolphins
79. Marcus Smith, (6-3, 251), DE, Louisville
Prospect reflection: Jabaal Sheard (Pittsburgh), 2011: Second round (37th overall) by Cleveland Browns
80. Jimmy Garoppolo, (6-2, 226), QB, Eastern Illinois
Prospect reflection: Brian Brohm (Louisville), 2008: Second round (56th overall) by Green Bay Packers
81. Keith McGill, (6-3, 211), CB, Utah
Prospect reflection: Chris Cook (Virginia), 2010: Second round (34th overall) by Minnesota Vikings
82. **Jeremy Hill, (6-1, 233), RB, LSU
Prospect reflection: Andre Brown (NC State), 2009: Fourth round (129th overall) by New York Giants
83. *David Yankey, (6-6, 315), OG, Stanford
Prospect reflection: Andy Levitre (Oregon State), 2009: Second round (51st overall) by Buffalo Bills
84. *Antonio Richardson, (6-6, 336), OT, Tennessee
Prospect reflection: Winston Justice (Southern Cal), 2006: Second round (39th overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
85. Jordan Tripp, (6-3, 234), OLB, Montana
Prospect reflection: Kiko Alonso (Oregon), 2013: Second round (46th overall) by Buffalo Bills
86. JaWuan James, (6-6, 311), OT, Tennessee
Prospect reflection: Donald Stephenson (Oklahoma), 2012: Third round (74th overall) by Kansas City Chiefs
87. *Bashaud Breeland, (5-11, 197), CB, Clemson
Prospect reflection: Crezdon Butler (Clemson), 2010: Fifth round (164th overall) by Pittsburgh Steelers
88. Jaylen Watkins, (6-0, 194), CB, Florida
Prospect reflection: Johnny Patrick (Louisville), 2011: Third round (88th overall) by New Orleans Saints
89. DaQuan Jones, (6-4, 322), DT, Penn State
Prospect reflection: Jonathan Babineaux (Iowa), 2005: Second round (59th overall) by Atlanta Falcons
90. *Ego Ferguson, (6-3, 315), DT, LSU
Prospect reflection: Bennie Logan (LSU), 2013: Third round (67th overall) by Philadelphia Eagles
91. *Loucheiz Purifoy, (6-0, 190), CB, Florida
Prospect reflection: Aaron Ross (Texas), 2007: First round (20th overall) by New York Giants
92. Telvin Smith, (6-3, 218), OLB, Florida State
Prospect reflection: Zaviar Gooden (Missouri), 2013: Third round (97th overall) by Tennessee Titans
93. Travis Swanson, (6-5, 312), C, Arkansas
Prospect reflection: Eric Wood (Louisville), 2009: First round (28th overall) by Buffalo Bills
94. Christian Jones, (6-3, 240), ILB, Florida State
Prospect reflection: Daryl Washington (TCU), 2010: Second round (47th overall) by Arizona Cardinals
95. *Cameron Fleming, (6-5, 323), OT, Oklahoma
Prospect reflection: James Brewer (Indiana), 2011: Fourth round (117th overall) by New York Giants
96. Daniel McCullers, (6-5, 323), DT, Tennessee
Prospect reflection: Terrence Cody (Alabama), 2010: Second round (57th overall) by Baltimore Ravens
97. *Jarvis Landry, (6-0, 205), WR, LSU
Prospect reflection: Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt), 2008: Third round (70th overall) by Chicago Bears
98. *Terrance West, (5-9, 225), RB, Towson
Prospect reflection: Deji Karim (Southern Illinois), 2010: Sixth round (180th overall) by Jacksonville Jaguars
99. Tom Savage, (6-4, 228), QB, Pittsburgh
Prospect reflection: Ryan Lindley (San Diego State), 2012: Sixth round (185th overall) by Arizona Cardinals
100. *Bruce Ellington, (5-9, 197), WR, South Carolina
Prospect reflection: Andre Roberts (Citadel), 2010: Third round (88th overall) by Arizona Cardinals
Chris Steuber has covered the NFL and NFL draft for multiple media outlets since 1999. He also served as Director of Player Personnel for the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League from 2010 - 2012.