NEW YORK (AP) – Notable offensive players in the 2013 NFL draft, grouped by projected NFL positions:
QUARTERBACK
Geno Smith, West Virginia: Mixed reviews on Smith, who possibly suffered because of 2012’s incredibly strong class … Solid build … Gets rid of ball quickly, but has had some accuracy problems … Questionable ability to read blitz … Can make completions on run … Capable of big plays.
Matt Barkley, Southern California: Comes off disappointing and injury-plagued final season at USC … Has played throughout his career with Trojans in pro-style offense … A leader … Inaccurate on deep balls and over middle at times … Tips off where he is throwing … Tough player and resilient.
E.J. Manuel, Florida State: Tall, athletic … Has overcome injury issues in college, played entire 2012 season … Pretty good arm, can make most throws accurately … Gambles too much, makes some ill-advised throws … Leaves pocket too quickly at times.
Mike Glennon, North Carolina State: At 6-7, tallest QB in this group … Has arm strength teams want … Inconsistent and mistake prone for most of career … Doesn’t read coverages well.
Landry Jones, Oklahoma: Big disappointment as senior, but his previous performances with Sooners make him attractive … Best pure pocket passer of top QB prospects … Feels pressure and scrambles too soon … Makes mistakes throwing on run.
ALSO: Tyler Wilson, Arkansas; Ryan Nassib, Syracuse; Tyler Bray, junior, Tennessee; Zac Dysert, Miami, Ohio.
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RUNNING BACK
Eddie Lacy, Alabama: Follows Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson as productive Tide runner … Knows how to handle big games … Powerful, can run over tacklers … Might be only RB to go in first round.
Giovani Bernard, junior, North Carolina: Good balance of production in running game and passing game … Dependable near goal line … Might play role as kick returner.
Montee Ball, Wisconsin: Record-setting runner who uses his solid build at 5-10, 215 to spring free from behind mammoth blockers … Always had ball in his hands for Badgers … Holds NCAA mark for TDs, even tied single-season record with 39 in 2011.
Joseph Randle, junior, Oklahoma State: Versatile, can break a big gainer … Led Big 12 in rushing with 1,417 yards … Can play all three downs … Finds end zone.
Le’Veon Bell, junior, Michigan State: Big, durable back at 6-2, 227 … Never stops coming and wears down defenders … Won’t do a lot in passing game.
ALSO:
Marcus Lattimore, junior, South Carolina; Andre Ellington, Clemson; Stepfan Taylor, Stanford; Johnathan Franklin, UCLA.
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WIDE RECEIVER
Tavon Austin, West Virginia: Can break a long play every time he touches ball … Also will be dynamic returning kicks … Goes only 5-8, 175, but never takes a big hit … Won Paul Hornung Award as most versatile college player.
Keenan Allen, junior, California: Slow to recover from knee injury after once being rated top WR prospect … Runs precise routes, has good size at 6-2, 206 … Not a speed demon, but gets open and fights for ball.
Cordarrelle Patterson, junior, Tennessee: Also can make impact as kick returner … Scored touchdowns in four ways in 2012 … Runs pretty good routes and can get open deep … Does not have great hands.
DeAndre Hopkins, junior, Clemson: Spectacular at times, has excellent footwork … Scored 18 touchdowns in 2012 … Has no fear of going after ball in crowds … Nice size at 6-1, 215.
Robert Woods, junior, Southern California: Big-time player for Trojans for first two seasons, but slumped like rest of team last year … Elusive, knows how to avoid first hit … Can make awesome grabs, then drop easier ones.
ALSO:
Terrance Williams, Baylor; Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech; Justin Hunter, Tennessee; Markus Wheaton, Oregon State.
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TIGHT END
Zach Ertz, junior, Stanford: Top prospect from school that produces tight ends … Had most yards receiving or any TE in country … Solid at 6-5, 250 … Difficult to bring down when he latches on to ball.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame: Another school with strong history at position … Doesn’t drop ball … Much more a receiving tight end than blocker … Won Mackey Award as nation’s best TE.
ALSO:
Vance McDonald, Rice; Travis Kelce, Cincinnati.
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OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Tackles:
Luke Joeckel, junior, Texas A&M: Rated as top prospect for all positions by several analysts … Strong, aggressive, but also mobile … Solid fundamentals … Should be starter from Day 1 and for long time.
Eric Fisher, Central Michigan: Big performance at Senior Bowl and in workouts enhanced his status … Could play on left side or right … Excels as pass blocker, but is no slouch in run game, either … Has strong leadership skills.
Lane Johnson, Oklahoma: Also can play left or right tackle … Tall for this position, but has flexibility and nice surge off ball … A former tight end who went from junior college to backup with Sooners to standout.
D.J. Fluker, Alabama: No fluke that he’s played on last two national champions … One of best run blockers in America … Needs to upgrade his pass blocking … Probably projects as right tackle in NFL.
Menelik Watson, junior, Florida State: Football was fourth sport … Native of England who played soccer, boxed and planned college basketball career … Learned American football’s intricacies at junior college, then made big impact for FSU.
Guards:
Chance Warmack, G, Alabama: Best blocker on college football’s best team … Played for three national champs … Surges off snap to establish his territory … Will handle big defenders inside, but could struggle with speed rushers.
Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina: Unlike Warmack, Cooper should do well as pulling guard … Good pass protector because of agility … Probably needs to get stronger for heavy work inside.
Larry Warford, G, Kentucky: Solid player on bad team … Huge man at 6-3, 333, uses his size well … Somewhat mobile for his size … Has nasty streak on field that serves him well.
Kyle Long, G, Oregon: Son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, brother of Rams DE Chris Long … A bit inexperienced – baseball was his No. 1 sport – but coachable … Could be long-range project, but has bloodlines to succeed.
Centers:
Barrett Jones, Alabama: Among nation’s most versatile players – linemen or otherwise … Comes at defenders every play, even will bark at teammates in heat of game … Played all over O-line for `Bama, won Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy.
Travis Frederick, junior, Wisconsin: Badgers do linemen well, and Frederick is versatile prospect … Can also play guard … Strong, but with enough mobility to make blocks toward outside … Has a lot to learn as pass protector.
Brian Schwenke, California: Improved throughout college career … Gets off ball well … Well-coached player who relies on strong technique as well as mobility … Not as powerful as he’ll need to become.
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