NFL Combine/Draft Players to Watch Part 3: Darqueze Dennard

Darqueze Dennard: 5'11" 197 Cornerback, Michigan State

Darqueze Dennard is another name that might not be very high on people's draft boards but could very well be a steal in the upcoming draft. Dennard has average size for a corner but is a very physical one. In college, his coaches had confidence in his ability so much that they essentially put him on his own island and matched him up with the opposing teams best receiver and more times than none Dennard came away with the one on one victory. The tape will show that. The tape will also show that he isn't afraid to set the edge on the corner, come up and make the tackle. He can jam the receiver at the line which disrupts the rout and he has good footwork, and has fluid hips which allows him to flip and run with the receiver while also staying low. He has the ability to play both man coverage or zone coverage, however he isn't significantly better at one or the other. When at the next level, he'll be able to jam the receiver but could lose the battle after that since be doesn't have the elite speed to stay with the best of the best. He has great recognition of what routes receivers are running in terms of situational football. He also does a great job of locating the football and making a play on the ball. Dennard is also very physical and isn't afraid to use his hand which in college he could get away with, at the next level he won't be as lucky when dealing with bigger and more physical receivers. He will also need to work on his hands while fighting down field. Overall, the All Big Ten, All America, and Thorpe Award winner can be a top-tier corner if he can polish up some of his techniques. Look for Dennard to be off the board mid to late first round.

Prediction: 22nd overall to the Eagles 

NFL Combine/Draft Players to Watch Part 2: Blake Bortles

Blake Bortles: 6'3" 227 Quarterback, Central Florida 
Bortles might not be a household name to the average fan but in due time he will become one. The junior quarterback, who led Central Florida to a 12-1 record and a birth in the Fiesta Bowl beating Baylor 52-42, finished this season with 3,580 yards and 25 touchdowns. The BCS game was the first in the schools history. Potentially the first quarterback taken off the board in April, the 6'3" Bortles has the build of an NFL ready quarterback and has above average arm strength to make all the throws and can fit it in a tight window if he has to. He doesn't have an elite arm however, but he can deliver the ball down the field with some accuracy. He also has the ability to escape the the pocket and keep the play alive while also keeping his eyes down field. He can pick up the necessary yards to get a first down and doesn't always go down easy because he is such a big quarterback. He led the Golden Nights into Happy Valley in the third week of the season and came out with a 34-31 victory over Penn State. Then two weeks later he led his team into Louisville and beat another potential top ten pick in Teddy Bridgewater and his then undefeated Louisville Cardinals. At the next level he's going to have to better his accuracy to make all the throws. He also has the tendency to stare down the receiver and allow the defensive backs to make a play on the ball. The comparisons have been made to former number one overall pick Andrew Luck with his size and ability to escape from the pocket. The Houston Texans hold the top pick in the draft and with Bill O'Brien taking over and having seen Bortles in person, he might look at the Central Florida product and see a franchise type quarterback. Bortles has the NFL Combine and his pro day to show scouts he is worthy of a top ten pick. 

Prediction: 4th overall to the Cleveland Browns 

NFL Combine/Draft Players to Watch Part 1: Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney: 6'6" 275 Defensive End, South Carolina
Since coming to South Carolina, the name Jadeveon Clowney has been synonymous with the number one overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Clowney has an unbelievable combination of size, speed, strength, and pure athleticism. It seems that he can use any of those tools to get by his man and cause havoc in the backfield. He demands double and sometimes triple teams because when he is matched one on one with a tackle or tight end, more times than none it won't go well for the offense. If you watch tape of him or watch a game you'll notice that one of his most impressive attributes is his first step. He gets off the line and is in the backfield before the tackle can get out of his stance. He is primarily a 4-3 defensive end and that's where I see him playing at the next level but he can transition to a 3-4 outside linebacker as a primary pass rusher. He does have flaws in his game however, he tends to play high and at 6'6" that will cause him to get knocked off balance which will take him out of the play. He also has been known to take plays off and labeled at "lazy" which some think outweighs all the dominance he has. At the next level he will get one on one match ups a majority of the time which will allow him to use his arsenal of natural abilities to rush the passer or make plays in the backfield. Of course it's hard to say how his game will translate at the next level but if he is put in the right system he could flourish and be one of the all time greats. Clowney finished his career as a Gamecock with 47 tackles for loss and 24 sacks. Comparisons have been made to Buffalo Bills defensive end and former number one overall pick, Mario Williams, Clowney is a much better athlete than Williams but it remains to be seen how good he can be. He's a special type of athlete that you don't always see and whoever drafts him is getting a very rare talent. Look for Clowney to be off the board before in the first five picks. 

Prediction: 1st overall to Texans