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2014 NFL Draft position rankings: Offense

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Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

1. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

Size: 6'2", 214 lbs

Extremely accurate and made his own reads in Louisville's pro-style offense. Has adequate arm strength but his deep throws need improvement. Despite a rough pro day, his game tape shows he is the most polished quarterback in this draft.

2. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Size: 6'0", 207 lbs

A proven winner and is very good at improvising. While he is athletic, he improved his passing from the pocket in 2013. Has a strong arm, but can he stay durable in the NFL?

3. Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois

Size: 6'2", 226 lbs

Has the quickest release of any quarterback in this draft. Very accurate and decisive. Questions surround his level of competition playing in the FCS and whether he can operate a pro-style offense.

4. Blake Bortles, Central Florida

Size: 6'5", 232 lbs

Has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this draft. Has all the physical traits but must improve his decision making and accuracy to have success at the NFL level.

5. Derek Carr, Fresno State

Size: 6'2", 214 lbs

Carr has one of the strongest arms in the draft. His is athletic and throws well on the run. Primarily played out of the Shotgun and must show the ability to take snaps under center. If his accuracy becomes more consistent, he can be a solid starter in the NFL.

Runningback

1. Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona

Size: 5'9", 207 lbs

His stock took a hit after a slow 40-yard-dash at the combine. But the tape shows he has football speed to go along with excellent vision. Doesn't dance in the backfield. Makes one cut and goes.

2. Jeremy Hill, LSU

Size: 6'1", 233 lbs

Has great size, runs extremely hard, and is not afraid to lower his shoulder and run through a defender. Adding to his value is his hands as a receiver out of the backfield.

3. Bishop Sankey, Washington

Size: 5'10", 209 lbs

Had two consecutive 1400+ yards seasons without missing a game. Has an impressive combination of quick, decisive running skills, solid blocking and reliable hands.

4. Tre Mason, Auburn

Size: 5'9", 207 lbs

He's small but packs a punch. Has good vision and patience to let blocks develop but hits the hole quickly. Faced tough competition in the SEC.

5. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State

Size: 6'0", 230 lbs

Hyde has great size, but needs to display better elusiveness. He plays smaller than he is and could run harder. He had a lot of success in 2013 rushing for over 1,500 yards. He is a very good blocker and has soft hands making him a three-dimensional back.

Wide Receiver

1. Sammy Watkins, Clemson

Size: 6'1", 211 lbs

The best offensive player at any position in this draft. Nearly impossible to tackle in open space with speed to separate. It's hard to find a flaw in his game. He's a crisp route runner, a hands catcher, and speed as a deep threat. The only possible negative could be his less than ideal height.

2. Mike Evans, Texas A&M

Size: 6'5", 231 lbs

A physical match-up nightmare. Uses his 6-5 frame to shield off defenders and leap over them to high point the ball. Great hands and long arms to pluck the ball away from his body. A top ten talent.

3. Odell Beckham, LSU

Size: 5'11", 198 lbs

Extremely fast with the ability to accelerate quickly and stop on a dime. Has the occasional drop but is improving. Size could put him as a slot receiver but with skills to play outside. Lethal kick returner.

4. Marqise Lee, USC

Size: 6'0", 192 lbs

Was a top five quality prospect in 2012 but struggled last year in part due to injury. Has all the tools as a pass catcher but tends to rely on his athleticism too much and needs to improve route running.

5. Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt

Size: 6'3", 212 lbs

The most underrated prospect in the draft. Impressive combination of size, speed, and catching abilities. Tore up the SEC the past two years.

Tight End

1. Eric Ebron, North Carolina

Size: 6'4", 250 lbs

Extremely athletic and has drawn comparisons to Vernon Davis. Improved his hands in 2013. Plays with a passion and does not take downs off. Impressive blocker as he shows tremendous effort.

2. Jace Amaro, Texas Tech

Size: 6'5", 265 lbs

Set the FBS all-time record with 1,352 receiving yards for a tight end in 2013. Often lined up as a slot receiver which might have inflated stats. Has excellent size and displays soft hands.

3. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington

6'5", 262 lbs

A lethal threat in the red zone where he uses his terrific size to post up defenders. Displays excellent hands and adjusts to bad throws. Not an explosive athlete and needs to improve his acceleration and elusiveness

4. Troy Niklas, Notre Dame

Size: 6'6", 270 lbs

Only played tight end for two years. Has excellent hands and runs crisp routes. Needs to improve his blocking but he has potential. Excellent size but is not a threat after the catch.

5. Colt Lyerla, Oregon

6'4", 242 lbs

Has the potential to become a Pro Bowler in the NFL, but he just as easily could be out of the league in two years. Lyerla quit Oregon's football program and was then arrested in 2013 on charges of Cocaine possession. Incredible athlete and is very dangerous after the catch. Displays soft hands and good effort.

Center

1. Weston Richburg, Colorado State

Size: 6'3", 298 lbs

Lacks elite size and athleticism, but he makes up for it with his intelligence and leadership. Very durable and was a 49 game starter for the Rams. He has good awareness and a quick first step. Undersized and needs to bulk up.

2. Marcus Martin, USC

Size: 6'3", 320 lbs

Has a high upside but a low floor. Great size but needs to gain strength. Has the athleticism to compete with most defensive lineman in the NFL.

3. Travis Swanson, Arkansas

Size: 6'5", 312 lbs

Very durable and started 50 games. Played against elite competition in the SEC. Needs to increase his weight and strength. Was a two-time captain and a leader at Arkansas.

4. Bryan Stork, Florida State

Size: 6'4", 315 lbs

Has excellent height, but underweight for a center. Showed the ability to block some very good defensive lineman in the ACC. Has short arms but is a hard worker. Offers teams' versatility as he also played guard at Florida State.

5. Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma

6'4", 304 lbs

Not a great athlete but is highly intelligent. He has respectable quickness and produced the best 20-yard shuttle time (4.37 seconds) and three-cone time of (7.30 seconds) of any offensive lineman at the combine. Needs to increase weight to be competitive in the NFL.

Guard

1. Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA

Size: 6'4", 307 lbs

Started all 40 games at UCLA. Has great hips which make him effective at pulling. Underweight and needs to bulk up. Very quick out of his stance but has a bad tendency to bend over and reach when blocking. Anchored a very good offensive line at UCLA.

2. David Yankey, Stanford

Size: 6'6", 315 lbs

Has great size but occasionally brings his pads to high. Offers flexibility as he also played tackle at Stanford. Hard worker in the weight room and added 75 pounds to his frame since his junior year of high school.

3. Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State

Size: 6'3", 336 lbs

Exceptional size and is quick out of his stance. Tied for the slowest 40 time (5.63 seconds) of any player at the combine. Demonstrates raw power that should be expected of a player his size. Has a high ceiling if he can increase his speed.

4. Brandon Thomas, Clemson

Size: 6'3", 317 lbs

Tore his ACL while working out with the Saints in April. Good size with long arms and big hands. A three year starter for Clemson. Needs to improve power and explosiveness.

5. Cyril Richardson, Baylor

Size: 6'5", 329 lbs

Stock took a major hit in 2013 due to poor play. Has very good size, but moves slowly because of his weight. A three-year starter for Baylor. Did not have a good outing at the Senior Bowl.

Offensive Tackle


1. Jake Matthews, Texas A&M

Size: 6'5", 308 lbs

The safest pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Comes from a family of very successful football players. Was the top offensive tackle last year as well. Very athletic and is an outstanding run blocker. Only negatives are his weight and short arms.

2. Greg Robinson, Auburn

Size: 6'5", 332 lbs

An athletic freak that is very explosive. Great combination of size, speed and power. Has long arms and a very strong punch. Often relies too much on athleticism and needs to improve technique. Has an extremely high ceiling and is a top five talent.

3. Taylor Lewan, Michigan

Size: 6'7", 307 lbs

An accomplished four-year starter against tough competition in the Big Ten. Produced the best 40-Yd Dash (4.79 seconds) of any offensive lineman at the combine. Off-field behavior is a concern as he faced three charges for assault in 2013. Excellent height, but must improve weight. A top ten talent.

4. Zack Martin, Notre Dame

Size: 6'4", 308 lbs

Lacks ideal length and as a result, might end up playing inside at guard. Does not have experience at guard. Flexible and has quick feet. Very good technique and he played better against top competition.

5. Cyrus Kouandijo, Alabama

Size: 6'7", 322 lbs

Has seen his stock plummet due to a poor season last year. Has excellent size for an offensive tackle.  Was the leader of a tremendous offensive line at Alabama. Ran a 5.59 40-Yd Dash at the NFL Combine. Tore his ACL and MCL in 2011. Failed multiple physicals given by NFL teams. If he can stay healthy, he will have a long future.

See the position rankings for the defense