With the final list of declared underclassmen complete, teams can formulate their initial big boards as the draft process moves to full force.
While additional film study, college all-star games, the NFL Combine, pro days and much more will alter grades moving forward, here’s our current top 32 prospects for the 2015 draft, not including quarterbacks.
1. Leonard Williams, DT/DE, USC
In a year bereft of top talent, Williams has managed to stand above the rest. The leader of the Trojan defense made plays all over the field. More quick than fast, this DE may transition better as a defensive tackle who can fit in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes thanks to his versatility.
2. Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The pass rusher with the highest upside in this class, Gregory didn’t take the next step in 2014 as expected — he hasn’t solidified the top spot across the board. He still at times leaves his mid-section exposed to blockers and doesn’t have a wide range of rush moves.
3. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Cooper was a highly productive Heisman contender who was barely coverable throughout his final year at Alabama. While he’s not a rare physical specimen, his ball skills, route polish and run-after-catch ability should make him an instant impact for any offense.
4. Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
On a loaded Washington defense, Thompson routinely showcased why he’s such a unique linebacker prospect. With elite range, fluidity, adjustments through contact and balance to work as both a rusher and a coverage man, he could be one of the few 4-3 linebackers worthy of a Top 10 pick.
5. La’el Collins, OT, LSU
The Tigers’ left tackle doesn’t posses elite lateral quickness to be a high-level pass blocker, but Collins is athletic enough to reach most types of rushers. His hand strength, upper-body power and tenacity in the run game (and once engaged as a pass blocker) should make him a devastating blocker at left or right tackle in the NFL.
6. Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
Despite still being raw in his rush moves, Dupree has high-level upside as an edge rusher and the type of motor and development in hand exchange to grow into a productive NFL defensive end. He should wildly impress at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
7. DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
A year removed from being Teddy Bridgewater’s feature target, Parker returned from injury early in the year to re-emerge as one of the best receivers in the country. A vertical threat with great positioning, route development down the field and balance, Parker has the potential to be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
8. Devin Funchess, TE, Michigan
Playing a receiver-tight end hybrid position in college, Funchess is an adequate blocker and has the versatility to be a tight end in the NFL. His strong hands at the catch point, vertical ability for his size,and strength as a runner in the open field could make him the first Jimmy Graham-like player in the draft in some time.
9. PJ Williams, CB, Florida State
In a strong cornerback class, it’s Williams’ NFL body type, physicality and near-elite transition ability that makes him the top defensive back. He looks the part of an instant contributor.
10. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Following in Darqueze Dennard’s footsteps, Waynes has a strong chance to be another Michigan State first-round corner. A strong tackler with plus technique, Waynes plants and transitions well in man coverage and run-game transition situations. He struggles on deeper breaking routes but plays at a high level on short to mid-range routes.
11. Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Since early in his college career, Peat has been touted as one of the country’s premier left tackle prospects. While he hasn’t developed into a completely dominating force, his skill set, length and pass protection ability still should make him an intriguing option.
12. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Despite his severe knee injury towards the end of the season, Gurley is the only running back that may be worth a mid first-round pick. His rare combination of size, elusiveness, decisiveness and big-play ability puts him in the Adrian Peterson discussion as a difference-making running back.
13. Landon Collins, Alabama
Despite the recent struggles of Alabama defensive backs, Collins still has a first-round grade because of his aggressive-yet-disciplined anticipation, strong tackling positioning and finishing ability in the run game. His range, though, will be a concern for NFL teams.
14. Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Sun Devils didn’t receive the national attention many expected, but Strong still showcased his remarkable size-athleticism combination throughout his final season. With Mike Evans-like appeal, Strong shouldn’t be under-appreciated in another deep receiver class.
15. Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
After a breakout senior season, White has gone from an intriguing receiver with great length to a potential Top-10 pick. He’s great at the catch point, using his hands to subtly separate. He's polished on a multitude of routes and is a high-effort blocker. His lack of top-end athleticism or big-play ability is why he probably shouldn’t be considered a future No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
16. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
A Heisman candidate, Gordon's production should translate to the NFL thanks to elite balance through contact, explosiveness once he attacks upfield and patience at the second level. Despite his position losing value, Gordon is one of the better rookie runners in the past five years.
17. Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
A high-motor, explosive edge player, Ray looks to be an NFL-ready pass rusher. He needs to show a more powerful inside shoulder adjustment in the run game but will be viewed as an instant contributor to a 3-4 outside linebacker-needy team.
18. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The second of two Seminole prospects on this list, Goldman’s disruption on the interior was a key reason for Florida State’s defensive success in 2014. He exploits off-balance blockers well, exploding through contact and forcing double teams. His ability to come off the snap quick could thrust his draft value.
19. Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
One of the most productive college pass rushers over the last two years, Beasley has the speed and lateral quickness to attack off the edge in the NFL. He’ll need to answer questions about his ability to play as a stand-up linebacker in the draft process.
20. Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
Fowler’s combination of pass-rushing skills from a stand-up position and balance/control should make him a weakside linebacker option for teams in the late-first round.
21. Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
A well-rounded tight end, Williams has ample blocking ability, catch-point skills and seam-stretching ability to slide in as a feature tight end and three-down player. Lacking elite-level upside, Williams has the immediate impact ability to be a late first-round option.
22. Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (Fla.)
With elite vision and quickness in the open field, Johnson provides an intriguing, high-level option in the mold of Giovani Bernard for NFL teams. His big-play and pass-catching ability should make him worth a top 40 pick, but he’ll be maximized in a two-running back system.
23. Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Virginia
One of two Virginia edge players in the draft, Harold plays with control, lower body anchor and lateral quickness in the run game to consistently set the edge. He also bends well enough to still be a threat as a pass rusher. His slow stop-start and lack of ideal upper body strength limits his ceiling.
24. Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
A key reason why Colorado State had offensive success this year, Sambrailo has the quick, light feet to be a mobile blocker and slide laterally as a pass protector. His tenacity makes up for a lack of strength, especially against bull rushers in the passing game. But he’s athletically and mentally ready to battle for an NFL starting offensive tackle spot.
25. Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
A versatile linebacker who can threaten as a rusher inside and out, McKinney possesses a great feel for blocking schemes and takes on blockers with balance. He struggles to recognize running lines and allows big plays due to over-aggressiveness. What he lacks in coverage he makes up for as a sound tackler with length and pass-rushing ability.
26. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Long, lean and fluid, Collins should remind scouts of a less explosive-yet-more physical version of former Tiger Morris Claiborne. His ability to finish plays at the catch point and willingness to be physical should entice teams in the late-first round. The Eagles seem like a good fit.
27. Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
With plus flexibility, lateral quickness in pass protection and the upper body strength to be successful as a downfield blocker, Fisher has the skill set to develop into this draft’s best offensive tackle. He’ll need to clean up his footwork and finish blocks better in the run game, but he could be a Day 1 starter for an NFL team.
28. Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
Brown plays with hand strength and adjusts laterally to cause disruption and keep one-on-one blockers off balance. While he lacks upfield speed and doesn’t finish with quickness as a tackler, Brown’s ability to hold ground allows his teammates opportunities to produce.
29. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Despite near NFL-elite hand positioning along with plus footwork and mechanics, Scherff lacks lateral quickness and balance against speed rushers.
30. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Peters comes with character concerns after being kicked off the team, mostly linked to poor interactions with the coaching staff and off-field decisions. On the field, Peters has elite size and length. Despite needing work in press technique, hand usage and vertical footwork, he has the complete package of size, fluidity and athleticism to be considered in the first round.
31. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
After entering the year with Top 5 hype, Ogbuehi seems less likely to make it a three-peat of Aggie offensive tackle Top 10 picks. His hand usage has become a concern, but his length, foot speed, control laterally in pass protection and flashes of potential elite-level upside could still warrant a high pick, despite a recent ACL injury during training.
32. TJ Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
A defensive end just two years ago, Clemmings is still a raw blocker. He’s a bit lost when forced to adjust in space, and his timing to engage in pass protection is a work in progress. But his length, power, foot quickness and natural lower body strength could entice teams in desperate need for an offensive tackle.