Dec 262013
 
Devin Street, Pittsburgh Panthers (November 16, 2013)

Devin Street – © USA TODAY Sports Images

December 26, 2013 Bowl Games: 2014 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

by BigBlueInteractive.com Contributor Sy’56

PITTSBURGH

#15 Devin Street – WR – 6’4/195

Fifth year senior that has missed just 2 games over his career. Street has been the go to receiver for a few years now, and is now ready for the NFL. I can see him being a day two pick and might be considered even higher because of his size, fluidity, and ball skills. He’s an easy mover, easy catcher and can make things happen all over the field. I’m very impressed with the body control and his decision to go back to Pitt for his senior season was a good one. Don’t be surprised to see him sneak in to the end of round one.

#97 Aaron Donald – DT – 6’0/285

One of the most productive players statistically speaking that you will find in this draft class. 60.5 tackles for loss over the past three years, including 26.5 this season alone. Donald is a bit undersized when thinking about the prototypical defensive tackle, but he has freakishly long arms and incredibly strong legs. He’s an active player that plays low with heavy hands. I think he can do well at the next level in the right scheme. He has played every spot along the 3-4 front and if you can get a creative defensive mind to create packages for his unique ability, he can be a difference maker.

#7 Tom Savage – QB – 6’5/230

Savage took a rather complicated path to the position he is in right now. He started off at Rutgers, playing there for two years. He then transferred to Arizona for less than a year, never taking a snap. After sitting out 2012 when he transferred to Pitt, he took over the starting job in 2013 and displayed a lot of NFL-caliber ability. He is a classic pocket passer with a big frame and even bigger arm. He had a few games where he looked like a draft-able player, most notably against Florida State. While his state line was nothing to brag about, I was impressed with his poise and ability to maintain his presence and mechanics under pressure. I also saw his games against Duke and Notre Dame, both performances being something scouts will love to watch. I think he can project as a Charlie Whitehurst-caliber backup at the next level.

Potential UDFA to Look For:

#25 Jason Hendricks – S – 6’0/190

BOWLING GREEN

#82 Alex Bayer – TE – 6’4/253

I’ve only seen Bowling Green once in 2013, this I have some catching up to do on Bayer. He is a fifth year senior that has been the starter for three years now. In his matchup against Northern Illinois, he absolutely shined. He shows good hands and good enough speed to get up the seam and split a defense. Against the lower level of competition, his power as a blocker was solid. He is a thick 253 pounds with a strong and athletic lower half. Bayer is a traditional tight end that has a shot at being drafted late day three.

Potential UDFA to Look For:

#24 Jerry Gates – S – 5’11/209

UTAH STATE

#58 Tyler Larsen – C – 6’4/312

I saw Larsen twice in 2013. He is widely considered to be one of the top three or four centers in this draft class. Most project him to be taken somewhere in the rounds 3-5 area. I can see why he dominates his level of competition. He is a comfortable 310+ pounds with great athletic ability. He can move laterally and can hang with linebackers in space. He struggles to control defensive linemen, however. While he doesn’t get pushed back, he doesn’t exactly create space with his power, nor does he lock on to defenders and ride them out of plays. I am hesitant to believe he can handle the physical side of NFL defensive tackles right away. I see Larsen as a developmental prospect that could start a couple years down the road.

#1 Nevin Lawson – CB – 5’10/187

I saw a lot of Derek Carr & DeVante Adams (Fresno State) this year, one of the nation’s top QB/WR duos. Lawson had one of the best performances of the entire year against them, and I think he has mid round-potential. Despite being smaller than I like, Lawson is one of the top press corners I’ve seen. Very aggressive jams at the line combined with the ability to quickly turn and accelerate make him a tough matchup for any receiver. Again, being physical in college is almost completely different than what it demands in the NFL, but the foundation is there. I think Lawson can be a player at the next level. At the very least he can be an effective nickel defender.

Potential UDFA to Look For:

#28 Joey DeMartino – RB – 5’11/200

NORTHERN ILLINOIS

#15 Jimmie Ward – S – 5’11/192

Fourth year senior, three year starter that has been very productive. Ward is an undersized safety that lacks a physical presence. While he is aggressive and consistently hustles all over the field, he fails to make an impact on the game as a power player. He has made a lot of tackles over the past three years, but he is an ankle diver and won’t send any jolt to the ball carrier. I think he is the kind of defensive back that misses a lot of tackles at the next level, which isn’t the end of the world for his potential but I tend to stay away from safeties like this. As a cover man he man, he has the tools and plays the position like a cornerback sometimes. Very quick feet and agile hips. Diagnoses well and has made some tremendous plays on the ball in the three games I’ve watched. I think Ward ends up going between rounds 3 and 5….I am likely going to have him grade out a bit lower.

#93 Ken Bishop – DT – 6’1/308

Another undersized defender that plays a position that requires a little more power presence than he currently has. Bishop is a fun player to watch though. He has a high motor, always playing amped up and with plenty of aggression. He does a nice job of pursuing down the line and gets in on a lot of action. I think he could be a solid prospect for a team that runs a scheme with bigger bodies playing outside of the guard/tackle gaps. He needs to bulk up his lower half, but I think he is draft-able player late day three.

#6 Jordan Lynch – QB – 6’0/212

Lynch is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in MAC history when it comes to production and wins. However, I don’t see him making at the next level as a signal caller. I think Lynch has some tools that teams look for when building backfield, however. He is a very good runner with vision and toughness. I think he could be turned in to a Michael Robinson-type fullback that is used for more than just blocking, but also some rushes and short passes. Lynch is a football player, plain and simple. I think if he can throw away the responsibilities a quarterback has to deal with, he can add some weight and be made in to a quality role player.

Potential UDFA to Look For:

#79 Matt Krempel – RT – 6’5/307

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