NFL Draft 2014 Preview (58 page)

Future:
Wiry, smoother-than-sudden, off-man/cover-3 corner who upped his visibility as a junior by showing improved playmaking ability, which prompted a premature leap to the NFL. Could compete for a job as a No. 4, but lack of ideal explosiveness, top-end speed and bump-and-run ability limits his ceiling.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“His size is what’s appealing about him, but he’s not an elite athlete. I didn’t like his closing speed and was not a big fan overall, but I think he’ll get pushed up because of his size.”

LCB JABARI PRICE, #4

NORTH CAROLINA
>
Grade: 5.17

Ht: 5-10 5/8 | Wt: 200 | Sp: 4.46 | Arm: 31 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/8

History:
Played cornerback and safety as a Florida prep. Was selected as an All-American Scholar by the United States Achievement Academy. Enrolled at North Carolina in 2010 and played in all 13 games as a true freshman, recording 20 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception. Started the final four games of the season at left cornerback and saw significant action on special teams. During fall practice prior to the ’11 campaign, he tore a tendon in his left hand during a blocking drill (which necessitated surgery) and missed the first five games. In eight contests after his return (two starts), he had 16-2-0 with one tackle for loss. Made 11 starts in ’12 and registered 76-9-1 with four tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Missed the season finale with a shoulder injury. Was healthy all season in ’13, tallying 80-9-0 with 4 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble in 13 starts.

Strengths:
Good speed and acceleration — can turn and run deep. Competes in the air. Aggressive, productive tackler — doesn’t hesitate to support the run. Has worked as a gunner on special teams.

Weaknesses:
Adequate size. Limited instincts and anticipation. Loses separation at the break point. Loses phase when his eyes get stuck in the backfield. Tends to clutch and grab. Dull plant-and-drive. Was not a playmaker — recorded just two career INTs. Still has some maturing to do.

Future:
Fairly nondescript cornerback who does not excel in man or zone coverage. Speed and tackling ability play well on special teams, where he will have to stand out to have a chance.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

FS CALVIN PRYOR, #25 (JUNIOR)

LOUSVILLE
>
Grade: 6.15

Ht: 5-11 1/8 | Wt: 207 | Sp: 4.58 | Arm: 31 3/8 | Hand: 9 1/8

History:
Played safety and running back as a Florida prep. Arrived at Louisville in 2011 and appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman — starting the final seven contests at free safety. Immediately made his presence felt, recording 43 tackles five pass breakups and two interceptions with three tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles. Finished second on the team in tackles in ’12, starting 13 times and recording 100-5-2 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack and a team-best five forced fumbles. In ’13, totaled 75-5-3 with 5 1/2 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in 12 games. Had a three-game stretch of knocking opposing players out of a contest. Missed the only game of his collegiate career November 23 vs. Memphis, as he was suspended for a violation of an unspecified team rule. Did not run shuttles or 3-cone drill at the Combine (right toe).

Strengths:
Carries a swagger and plays with confidence. Runs the alley and throws his weight around. Physical, lights-out hitter (see second defensive snap of UCF game). Made a highlight-reel, one-handed INT in the same game. Instinctive and aggressive. Defensive tempo-setter. Good pre-snap recognition — makes adjustments. Can leverage the field off the hash and cover ground. Good zone recognition. Rangy enough to play center field.

Weaknesses:
Plays with too much reckless abandon and lacks discipline playing the cutback. Takes some bad angles and can be outflanked to the perimeter. Average production on the ball. Is not asked to play a lot of man coverage. Average leaping ability.

Future:
Perhaps the most explosive hitter in this year’s crop of safeties, Pryor is a big, physical hammer in the run game, bringing the ability to intimidate and erase. Factor in his instincts and range and Pryor has the ability to start as a rookie.

Draft projection:
First-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“(Pryor) is a hammer. He plays lights out. I’m not concerned about how he ran. Rodney Harrison ran a 4.6, and he was that type of hammer.”

RCB LOUCHEIZ PURIFOY, #15 (JUNIOR)

FLORIDA
>
Grade:
5.31

Ht: 5-11 1/2 | Wt: 190 | Sp: 4.61 | Arm: 32 3/4 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
His name is pronounced “lou-CHEZ PURE-uh-foye.” Florida native. Appeared in 13 games as a true freshman in 2011, playing primarily on special teams. Recorded 27 tackles (team-best 22 on special teams), zero pass breakups and zero interceptions with a forced fumble. Played in 13 games (12 starts) in ’12 and recorded 51-5-0 with one tackle for loss and three forced fumbles (all on special teams, along with a blocked punt and a blocked field goal. Returned seven kickoffs for 167 yards (23.9-yard average). In February ’13, he was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana; the case was subsequently dismissed. Was one of five Gators suspended for the season opener for an unspecified violation of team rules. Went on to appear in 11 games (seven starts), tallying 24-7-2 with 3 1/2 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one blocked punt. Recorded his first career interception against Arkansas, returning the pick 42 yards for a touchdown. Was 4-82-0 (20.5) returning kickoffs and 3-35-0 (11.7) returning punts.

Strengths:
Good size, arm length and athleticism. Fluid and light on his feet. Transitions smoothly. Can flip his hips and carry receivers deep. Flashes playmaking ability. Good hands to intercept. Tries to strip the ball out. Has special-teams experience returning and covering kicks — was productive as a gunner earlier in his career. Conditioned, confident and competitive. Has upside.

Weaknesses:
Shared reps as a junior. Needs to get functionally stronger to jam/re-route and shed blocks. Produced only six reps on the 225-pound benchpress test, lowest among all defensive backs. Did not run well at the Combine, recording below-average times in the 4.6s. Gives up separation at the break point and gets outmuscled at the catch point. Inconsistent, leaky, underpowered tackler. Instincts and anticipation are lacking. Technique needs to be coached up — opens the gate and gets beat off the snap. Leaves production on the field — in position, but doesn’t make the play. Questionable tackle and ball production. Marginal run strength as a returner.

Future:
Lean, fluid, finesse cover man with better raw, physical ability than his inconsistent performance indicates. Has starter-caliber athleticism, but poor instincts, tackling and tape are reasons for pause.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I’m not a fan. We interviewed him. He didn’t come across as dependable. His play was up and down. They rotated him a lot. He’s been suspended for issues. Someone might reach and take him in the third (round). He’s off our board.”

RCB KEVIN REASER, #3

FLORIDA ATLANTIC
>
Grade: 5.14

Ht: 5-10 3/4 | Wt: 189 | Sp:4.55e | Arm: 30 3/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Was a two-spot athlete as a Miami prep, lettering in football and track. Enrolled at Florida Atlantic in 2009 and redshirted as a freshman. Played in 10 games (including three starts) at cornerback in 2010 and had 26 tackles, zero pass breakups and one interception with one tackle for loss. Started all 12 games in ’11 and had 61-7-2 with 2 1/2 tackles for loss. Returned four kickoffs for 82 yards (20.5-yard average). In ’12, he made 12 starts and registered 45-3-2 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss. Recovered a fumble at Western Kentucky and scooped it up for a nine-yard score. Started FAU’s first six games of ’13 before tearing his left ACL in an October contest against UAB. Registered 25-4-0 with two tackles for loss. Underwent four months of rehab after undergoing surgery on his left knee and was invited to the ’14 NFL Combine. After meeting with doctors in Indianapolis who were concerned about his MRI, he flew to Pensacola to see Dr. James Andrews, who explained that his body was rejecting the graft used from a cadaver in repairing his ACL. Subsequently underwent a second surgery February 27 in which a graft was used from his own patellar tendon.

Strengths:
Has a solid build and demonstrated strength at the Combine, benchpressing 225 pounds 22 times. Demonstrates nice balance and body control in his pedal — turns his feet over rapidly and is comfortable in reverse. Confident in off-man coverage — maintains good cushion and keeps receivers in front of him. Nice shadow and mirror in man coverage. Smooth-hipped. Good football intelligence. Understands run fits. Respected team leader.

Weaknesses:
Average agility and long speed. Lacks strength in run support and could stand to be more aggressive filling. Tackles low. Not explosive. Nonchalant football-playing demeanor. Does not play with confidence or trigger quickly to what he sees. Average ball skills.

Future:
Good-sized, smooth-moving, man-cover corner who showed the ability to mirror before a knee injury cut short his senior season. Mental toughness and determination will be put to the test, as he faces rehabilitation for a second surgery and an uphill battle to earn an NFL job.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“I was concerned about his speed before the knee injury. I don’t think he’ll get drafted after it.”

FS ED REYNOLDS, #29 (JUNIOR)

STANFORD
>
Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 207 | Sp: 4.57 | Arm: 30 3/4 | Hand: 8 1/2

History:
His father, Ed, played 135 games at linebacker for the Patriots and Giants from 1983-1992 and went on to work in the NFL central office for 12 years. The Virginia prep also lettered in track, setting a school indoor triple jump record (44-3.3). Enrolled at Stanford in 2010 and appeared in five games as a freshman, recording six tackles. Was slated to be a candidate to start in ’11, but was injured in spring drills when a wide receiver went airborne and landed on his knee. Had surgery for a torn ACL and missed the campaign. Returned in ’12 and won the starting free safety job, starting all 14 games and recording 47 tackles, five pass breakups and six interceptions. His team-high interception total was the highest by a Stanford player since 1973. Returned a school-record three of those picks for scores (25 yards against Washington State, 52 yards at Colorado and 71 against Duke). His combined 301 yards on interception returns was the second-highest total in NCAA history (USC’s Charles Phillips, 302 in 1974). Appeared in 14 games in ’13 (13 starts) and tallied 87-4-1 with one tackle for loss. Was third on the team in tackles. Did not start against Washington State after being ejected the previous week for a targeting infraction. Elected not to run the shuttles or 3-cone drill at the Combine.

Strengths:
Good size to contend with tight ends. Reads the quarterback and displays good instincts and anticipation. Showed ballhawking skills as a junior. Functional range off the hash. Wrap tackler. Has NFL bloodlines.

Weaknesses:
Small hands. Very average play speed, twitch and flexibility. Unsudden change of direction. Lacks burst to close suddenly or recover when beat. Occasionally loses field leverage and takes some inaccurate angles. Leaks yards after contact. Misses too many tackles in the open field and can be run over (see Utah). Can be manipulated by quarterbacks. Limited experience in man coverage. Poor leaping ability.

Future:
Big, assignment-sound, Cover-2 safety who brings a dependability factor, but lacks ideal athletic ability and physicality. Is the type you look to replace as a starter, but could have longevity as a backup.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I gave him a free-agent grade. Watch the Utah game and you’ll turn it off it off before halftime. He must have missed eight tackles. He is stiff, stiff, stiff. There is a lot of hype and buzz around all of his picks (six) last year, but he had a lot of pressure coming upfront, kind of like Seattle makes all their big, slow corners look better than they are.”

RCB RASHAAD REYNOLDS, #16

OREGON STATE
>
Grade: 5.45

Ht: 5-9 7/8 | Wt: 189 | Sp: 4.51 | Arm: 31 5/8 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
Defensive back-quarterback who also played basketball, wrestled and ran track as a California prep. After redshirting in 2009, he was primarily used as a special teams player in ’10 and had 14 tackles in 12 games. In ’11, reported to fall camp listed as third on the depth chart, but moved into the starting lineup because of injuries and never looked back. Started all 12 games at right cornerback and registered 68 tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception with one tackle for loss. Started 13 games in ’12 and recorded 75-13-3 with 1 1/2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Was limited in the ’13 spring after undergoing off-season knee surgery (cyst removal) before participating for OSU in track (60 meters). During the fall, he tied for the conference lead in interceptions, starting 13 games and tallying 61-4-6 with 3 1/2 tackles for loss, one sack and two forced fumbles. Set a school single-game mark with two fumbles returned for touchdowns in the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl against Boise State, earning game MVP honors. Had six punt returns for 31 yards (5.2-yard average). Team captain.