Top 10 prospects from East-West Shrine Game
After three days of practice in St. Petersburg Florida, the NFP ranks the East-West Shrine Game's top prospects for the upcoming NFL draft and breaks down which NFL teams are good fits for each.
1. Arkansas WR Jarius Wright (5-10, 176) -- The undersized wideout didn't have the type of dynamic week of practice I expected. However, a lot of that had to do with the quarterbacks on the West roster. Nevertheless, he was the one guy on the field who opposing corners were terrified of on the outside due to his ability to run vertically down the field. He showcased a real snap out of his breaks working the comeback as well, and looked like a receiver in the Titus Young mold. But, he needs to continue to work on his hands when plucking the football.
NFL Fits: Eagles, Raiders, Browns.
2. Coastal Carolina CB Josh Norman (6-0, 203) -- If there was an MVP of the week in St. Petersburg, Norman was the guy. He's long, physical and showcased an impressive burst when asked to drive on the football. He was making plays all week and not only has a "plus" skill set, but also exhibits a very natural feel deciphering routes developing in front of him. There are some off-the-field character concerns, but he's a legit top-100 pick.
NFL Fits: Jaguars, Buccaneers, Vikings.
3. Miami (OH) OG Brandon Brooks (6-5, 353) -- Brooks stood out immediately at the weigh-in, carrying his weight about as well as you can for a 353-pound specimen. He dominated practice all week due to his combination of power, balance, coordination and pop on his punch. He's a natural anchor player who can slide through contact and overwhelm in the run game. There isn't a ton of snap off the ball initially into contact, but he still looks like a starter at the next level to me.
NFL Fits: Ravens, 49ers">49ers, Falcons
4. Missouri DT Dominique Hamilton (6-5, 320) -- Hamilton flashed all week. He can bend, has a good first step and can overwhelm on contact. He will get himself into some trouble when he gets upright inside and I would like to see him continue to fill out his lower half a little more. However, he looks like an ideal five-technique at the next level who should be able to earn a starting job in the league.
NFL Fits: Steelers, Chiefs, Jets
5. Boise State DE Tyrone Crawford (6-4, 285) -- At 285 pounds, Crawford showcased natural power all week at the point of attack in the run game while exhibiting the ability to be sudden with his hands and slip blocks. He's also a physical pass rusher who turns speed into power off the edge, understands angles and knows how to rush with leverage. I could see him fighting for a starting job as a 4-3 base end potentially early on.
NFL Fits: Browns, Broncos, Titans
6. Fresno State WR Devon Wylie (5-9, 186) -- If Wylie can stay healthy, I think this guy could end up maturing into one of the better slot men in the NFL. He is the definition of a quick-twitch athlete, showcasing good explosion out of his breaks and possessing great vertical speed as well. He wasn't the most consistent of catchers either this week, but there is no doubt in my mind the guy is going to be able to separate quickly at the next level.
NFL Fits: Panthers, Bills, Chargers
7. USC DT DaJohn Harris (6-3, 308) -- Possesses a good first step off the ball, can gain leverage in the run game and generate a snap into/through contact. He can be effective as a pass-rusher as well due to his first step, lateral quickness and ability to use his hands to gain leverage. At worst looks like a rotational guy, but should be able to fight for playing time early one and could develop into a starting 4-3 tackle.
8. Iowa CB Shaun Prater (5-10, 185) -- He's not the biggest or fastest of corners. However, he's improved his feel in coverage as a senior, recognizes routes well and does a nice job cleanly getting out of his breaks when asked to run vertically down the field. Plus, he plays faster than he times because of his "plus" balance and ability to stay low consistently. Looks like a solid NFL nickel.
NFL Fits: Patriots, Titans, Packers
9. UT Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman (6-3, 234) -- In a quarterback starved league, you can't ignore a kid with Coleman's skill set. He's a strong kid with a great arm and flashes the ability to balance himself into throws and accurately deliver the football on all levels of the field. Now, he's inconsistent, but most of that stems because of poorer footwork, which can be fixed with more development because he has the natural athleticism and work ethic to improve.
NFL Fits: Redskins, Seahawks, Raiders
10. DT Akiem Hicks: University of Regina (6-5, 325) -- A tall, long-armed lineman who carries his weight well, displays impressive power on contact and has the first step to get up the field and overwhelm. For a big guy he displays some natural movement skills as well and his long arms allow him to gain leverage consistently. However, the former LSU transfer is still raw, but with some development looks like a guy who could end up starting in the league if he puts in the time. That is a question mark though.
NFL Fits: Rams, Giants, Cowboys
Just missed the cut: Hampton CB Micah Pellerin (6-1, 195) -- A tall, good-looking corner who can turn and run, and showcases good quickness/feel in off man coverage. Has a tendency to get a bit overextended when trying to get out of his breaks and close. However, he displays a "plus" burst when driving on throws and uses his length well to get after the football.
