Dec 232013
 
Derrell Johnson (56), East Carolina (October 4, 2012)

Derrell Johnson (#56) – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 23, 2013 Bowl Games: 2014 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Sy’56

EAST CAROLINA 

#56 Derrell Johnson – OLB – 6’2/262

Productive edge talent that caught my eye the one time I saw East Carolina this year. Thick frame with huge legs. Bends well and tries to get under the pads of his opponent. He has strong hands and understands how to get off blocks in a tight space. His issue is a lack of explosion after the snap. He takes too long to change direction and once faced with a stronger offensive lineman, he appears ineffective. Johnson has a good chance at getting drafted however. An edge talent, in a weak edge talent class, with his kind of year and power output will be worth gambling on late day three.

Potential UDFAs to Look For:

#21 Vintavious Cooper – RB – 5’9/200
#78 Will Simmons – RG – 6’5/342

OHIO 

#18 Travis Carrie – CB – 6’0/212

One of my favorite under-the-radar prospects in the nation. Few will talk about this kid, but I think he sticks in the NFL and ends up being an impact player. Carrie has great size for the position and brings a physical style of play. Despite his thick frame, he can turn his hips with explosion and his feet are light and agile. He shows minimal stiffness in man coverage. I first noticed him early in the year when he matched up against Louisville. He was across from NFL prospects DeVante Parker and Damian Copeland, catching balls from arguably the top QB prospect in the nation Terry Bridgewater. He shined in that game and since then, I’ve made it a point to watch him as much as I could. After missing all of 2012 with a shoulder injury, he came back on fire and seems to really understand the subtle, but vital, nuances to the position. He has top tier intangibles to boot and combining that with what he has on tape leads me to believe he’ll grade out as a top 100 player on my board.

Potential UDFAs to Look For:

#22 Beau Blankenship – RB – 5’9/206
#3 Donte Foster – WR – 6’1/200

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