NCAA Football Player Stories

49ers signed Minnesota QB/WR MarQueis Gray. Gray (6-3, 240) shuttled between wide receiver and quarterback for Minnesota and is expected to be a developmental H-back or tight end in the pros. He ran a 4.69 forty with a 1.59 ten-yard split and 30-inch vertical at the Combine. As a sophomore receiver in 2010, Gray caught 42 passes for 587 yards (14.0 YPR) and five touchdowns. He faces long odds on such a deep 49ers roster.

Texans signed Kansas State QB Collin Klein. Klein was a run-first quarterback at K-State, throwing just 30 career touchdown passes. With an awkward, unnatural throwing motion and little velocity, Klein was asked to work out as a tight end at the Combine, but declined. He showed enough physicality in college that he could perhaps be tried at linebacker or safety, although Klein has 4.7-4.8 speed. The odds are against Klein having a long NFL career.

Jaguars signed Arizona QB Matt Scott. Scott succeeded Nick Foles at Arizona and excelled in first-year coach Rich Rodriguez's spread-option offense, posting a 27:14 TD-to-INT ratio and 60.3 completion rate in his lone season as a starter. He rushed for six more scores. An intriguing athlete with some explosiveness as a runner, Scott has a long way to go as a passer. Despite strong velocity, his footwork, accuracy, and decision making were all suspect as a Wildcat, and he is very raw. With the quarterback situation so dire in Jacksonville, Scott could see the field as a rookie if he makes the team.

Falcons selected Duke QB Sean Renfree with the No. 249 overall pick. Renfree (6-3, 219) succeeded Thad Lewis under center at Duke and started three seasons for QBs guru David Cutcliffe, completing 64.7 percent of his throws with a 50:40 TD-to-INT ratio. Renfree tore the pectoral muscle in his right (throwing) arm in the Blue Devils' bowl loss to Cincinnati, but should be ready for camp. He's drawn Matt Hasselbeck and Matt Schaub comparisons as a heady if modest-armed passer with accuracy and anticipation. Rotoworld draft columnist Alen Dumonjic studied Renfree on tape and believes he could grow into an NFL starter. Developing behind Matt Ryan will be a big plus.

49ers selected USF QB B.J. Daniels with the No. 237 overall pick. Daniels will likely move to running back or receiver. We are surprised to found out that Daniels is draft eligible. He started 42 games while in college and rushed for 2,068 yards and 25 touchdowns on 526 attempts.

Bills selected Arkansas TE Chris Gragg with the No. 222 overall pick. Gragg (6-foot-2 3/4, 244) caught 72 passes for 1,003 yards (13.9 YPR) and seven touchdowns in four seasons with the Razorbacks. He was injury prone and underutilized in the Petrino offenses, although Gragg seemed to be coming on with a 41/518/2 line as a junior before knee and hip injuries cost him seven games as a senior. Gragg rehabbed his stock at the Combine by leading all tight ends in the forty (4.50), vertical (37.5"), and broad jump (10-foot-5). Gragg isn't going to block anyone, but obviously has NFL-caliber athleticism. The Bills continue to add speed on offense, and Gragg can be a movable receiving piece.

Cardinals selected Rutgers TE D.C. Jefferson with the No. 219 overall pick. Jefferson (6-foot-6, 255) never exceeded 20 receptions in a college season, and scored just two career touchdowns. A long-armed (34 1/4") blocking tight end, Jefferson ran forty times of 4.97 and 5.00 at his March 28 Pro Day. He's not a short- or long-term threat to Rob Housler.

Raiders selected San Diego State WR Brice Butler with the No. 209 overall pick. Standing in at 6-foot-3, 214 pounds with 4.37 wheels, Butler is an intriguing size/speed combo, but had trouble producing on the field in college. The Raiders are surely hoping they can mold his considerable natural abilities into a late-blooming deep threat, but Butler simply isn't a natural pass-catcher. Even with the Raiders thin at wideout, Butler will have trouble making the team.

Texans selected Connecticut TE Ryan Griffin with the No. 201 overall pick. Griffin (6-foot-5 7/8, 254) ran a 4.87 forty and put up 21 reps on the bench press at the Huskies' Pro Day. He has strong hands and can line up all over the offense, but Griffin needs work as a blocker. Griffin was set to play college basketball before UConn offered him a football scholarship. He'll slide in behind Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham in Houston.

Cardinals selected Clemson RB Andre Ellington with the No. 187 overall pick. Ellington (5-foot-9 1/4, 199) rushed 621 times for 3,436 yards (5.53 YPC) and 33 touchdowns at Clemson. He made 59 career receptions. A dynamic perimeter runner with exciting acceleration, Ellington makes quick cuts and displays smooth, rapid-fire foot movement. He ran a 4.51 at the Tigers' Pro Day and projects as a dangerous in-space NFL back. The Cardinals have added Rashard Mendenhall in free agency and Stepfan Taylor early in the draft, but watch Ellington get touches this season.

Panthers selected Oregon RB Kenjon Barner with the No. 182 overall pick. Barner (5-foot-9 1/4, 196) was the workhorse in Chip Kelly's 2012 offense, rushing 278 times for 1,767 yards (6.36 YPC) and 21 touchdowns. He added 20 catches for 256 yards (12.8 YPR) and two more scores. Despite his smallish stature, Barner falls forward and isn't a step-waster, also flashing an ability to run through arm tackles. He's more straight-linish than elusive and isn't going to make NFL defenders miss. Barner ran 4.52 at the Combine with a 1.60 ten-yard split. Perhaps he is being brought in as a kick returner, but Carolina adding another running back is somewhat comical.

Dolphins selected Florida K Caleb Sturgis with the No. 166 overall pick. Sturgis is the first kicker to come off the board in the 2013 draft. He made 24-of-28 field goals as a senior last season, nailing 8-of-9 from 40-plus yards out. The Dolphins are officially putting Dan Carpenter on notice. Miami can save $2.7 million against the cap by releasing Carpenter.

Broncos selected Georgia WR Tavarres King with the No. 161 overall pick. King (6-foot 1/4, 189) hauled in 42 Aaron Murray passes as a senior for 950 yards (22.6 YPR) and nine touchdowns. He lit up Alabama for 128 yards on five catches in the SEC title game. With legit speed (4.47 forty) to separate from defensive backs and long arms (33") to create a wide catching radius, King looks every bit the part of an NFL No. 2 or low-end No. 1 receiver. King will slide in as the Broncos' No. 4 receiver.

Seahawks selected Kansas State WR Chris Harper with the No. 123 overall pick. It's another great value pick by GM John Schneider. Harper (6-foot 3/4, 229) was Collin Klein's go-to guy in 2012, catching 58 balls for 857 yards (14.8 YPR) and three touchdowns. The stats weren't sensational in K-State's mind-numbing run-first offense, but Harper is a highly physical receiver with big (9 3/4") strong hands and impressive tape, winning at the catch point with strength. Drawing some Anquan Boldin comparisons, Harper ran 4.55 at the Combine with a 35.5-inch vertical and 20 bench-press reps. Harper lacks true separation skills, but projects as a classic Z receiver. He'll play special teams as a rookie and fight for wideout snaps in a year or three.

Steelers selected Oklahoma QB Landry Jones with the No. 115 overall pick. Jones (6-foot-4 1/8, 225) was a four-year starter, succeeding Sam Bradford and completing 65.0 percent of his career passes with a 123:52 TD-to-INT ratio in the Sooners' wide-open spread. Jones has starting-caliber arm talent -- he's drawn Ken Stabler comparisons from ESPN's Ron Jaworski -- but crumbles in the pocket with bodies around him and tends to sense pressure when it isn't there. He's got the Gabbert syndrome. Jones still throws the ball well enough with his feet set that he's worth a developmental flier. Ben Roethlisberger has missed eight games over the last three seasons and Jones fits Todd Haley's quick-hitting passing scheme.

Raiders selected Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson with the No. 112 overall pick. Wilson (6-foot-2 1/8, 215) succeeded Ryan Mallett and started for two seasons, looking like the potential No. 1 overall pick in 2011 before regressing in 2012 as Arkansas' program fell apart. He finished with a career completion rate of 62.6 and a 52:26 TD-to-INT ratio. Wilson's accuracy can be scattershot and his arm strength isn't overwhelming, but he is the toughest pocket passer in this draft and loves to challenge defenses vertically. He's a gunslinger with good mobility. Current Raiders starter Matt Flynn could lose his spot to a rookie named Wilson for the second year in a row.

Giants traded up to select Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib with the No. 110 overall pick, sending Nos. 116 and 187 to the Cardinals. Projected by many to come off the board at No. 8 overall, Nassib settles for a competition with David Carr to be Eli Manning's backup. Nassib (6-foot-2 1/8, 227) was a three-year starter in Doug Marrone's shotgun-heavy, up-tempo Syracuse offense, completing 60.3 percent of his passes with a 70:28 TD-to-INT ratio. Rated the No. 1 quarterback in this class by draft gurus Russ Lande and Greg Cosell, Nassib flashes NFL-quality anticipation and can drive the ball at the intermediate level. He is the draft's most accurate passer, and has the quickest release. Nassib's big negatives are his tendency to become frenetic in the pocket and let his deep ball sail.

Cowboys selected Baylor WR Terrance Williams with the No. 74 overall pick. Williams (6-2, 208) succeeded Kendall Wright as Baylor's No. 1 receiver as a senior, catching 97 passes for 1,832 yards (18.9 YPR) and 12 scores. Despite a pedestrian 4.52 forty time, Williams is very much a vertical stretcher. The pre-draft concerns among NFL scouts were that Williams lacks quick-twitch explosiveness, and is a one-trick pony with stiff hips and little or no physical element to his game. He'll get a chance to prove them wrong in Dallas' vertically-minded attack. An aging and increasingly injury prone Miles Austin will be on the spot this season.

Buccaneers selected North Carolina State QB Mike Glennon with the No. 73 overall pick. Glennon (6-7, 225) took over NC State's offense following Russell Wilson's transfer and started two seasons, completing 60.3 percent of his throws with a 62:29 TD-to-INT ratio. Glennon is Rotoworld draft analyst Josh Norris' No. 4 QB in this class. Built like a young Joe Flacco with a powerful downfield arm, Glennon is an accurate deep passer. "Built like an oak tree," ESPN's Ron Jaworski has described. Glennon isn't a quality athlete, tends to hold onto the ball too long, and too often retreats rather than stepping up amid collapsing pockets. Sheer arm talent still makes him a quality developmental project -- and a great fit for Bucs OC Mike Sullivan's vertical scheme. Josh Freeman should consider himself on notice.

Bills selected Florida State QB E.J. Manuel with the No. 16 overall pick. Manuel (6-5, 237) inherited Florida State's quarterback job from Christian Ponder for his final two seasons and completed 66.8 percent of his passes with a 41:18 TD-to-INT ratio, while rushing for eight touchdowns. Manuel is a great athlete with 4.62 speed and a 34-inch vertical, and could be a read-option weapon once he irons out his many kinks as a passer. Despite the lofty college completion rate, Manuel's accuracy is maddeningly scattershot beyond five yards and he seems virtually untrained in terms of pocket feel and footwork. He's a big project. The Bills can't expect a major contribution in year one, but Manuel will compete in training camp for a starting job with veterans Kevin Kolb and Tarvaris Jackson.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora writes that Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib is "definitely" in play for the Buffalo Bills at No. 8. This is expected simply because the Bills hired Nassib's college coaches to run the show. Head coach Doug Marrone has great familiarity with Nassib for that reason and could very well select him at the pick. The Bills clearly need a quarterback of the future and Nassib could be it.

National Football post's Russ Lande writes Oklahoma QB Landry Jones could be a surprise first-round selection. "Based just on the notes I took when evaluating Jones I would assign him a third round grade due to his streaky play. However, while evaluating his play I charted out every pass he threw in the 2012 games I evaluated and when I plugged the results into the computer he ended up as the number two ranked quarterback with a first round grade," Lande writes. "Jones has a big time arm to easily make every NFL with zip and when he is on he can be an extremely accurate passer. Standing strong in the pocket, Jones was able to make strong, accurate throws as the pressure closed in on him. Having played in Oklahoma's offense which does not require the complex adjustments of an NFL offense, Jones will need time to adjust to making all the protection calls/adjustments that an NFL offense requires. With questions surrounding many of the quarterbacks this year, more than one NFL source has told me that Jones is one of the top three quarterbacks in their team's draft boards."

NFL insider Adam Caplan says there is "no way" the Bills select Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib with the No. 8 pick. Caplan says the realistic option would be to trade up from the second-round "as I noted months ago." We wouldn't rule out the Nassib selection at No. 8, as there have been surprise quarterback selections in the early part of the first-round.

NFL Network's Kurt Warner said he doesn't find Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib "overly impressive on film." "Watching film of this guy - not overly impressive on film," Warner said. "If you're drafting a quarterback in the first round, you're drafting a franchise quarterback, a guy who you believe can win Super Bowls for you. Otherwise, why draft a guy that high? You need a guy that can do everything, and I didn't see on film this guy having the ability to do everything. He didn't wow me when I saw him on film. I want to see that wow factor from a guy I'm drafting in the first round, and I just didn't see it from Ryan," Warner said.

One NFL team executive said this draft could be one of the "worst" in some time. "When we look back at this draft in five or 10 years," said the team executive, "we might view it as one of the worst we've seen in some time." He added, "There will be 13-15 players picked in the first round that are true first-rounders. That's a fairly low number." This draft is indeed lacking in top players, but it's debatable whether it could be one of the worst. That kind of statement can be made about any draft, as we truly don't know who will or won't pan out.

The Chicago Bears are working out NC State QB Mike Glennon on Tuesday. These last minute workouts are always intriguing. Jay Cutler is entering the final portions of his contract, and with no extension on the horizon the team could look to at least bring in competition. Glennon has a great arm and can make solid throws when in rhythm, but struggles in the face of interior pressure.

SI's Peter King writes a few teams love NC State QB Mike Glennon. King could see Glennon has a late second-round pick and calls him "an acquired taste." The Wolfpack quarterback could do well in a team that runs an offense featuring three and five step drops, quick reads, with a faster tempo, since the longer Glennon holds the ball the more fans will get worried.

ESPN's Rich Cimini believes the Jets could select a QB in the second-round. Cimini suggested Mike Glennon as a possibility since former Jets quarterback Ken O'Brien has tutored the NC State product. The beat writer also threw out the name Jordan Rodgers, little brother of Aaron, since he worked with O'Brien as well.

Former NFL GM Bill Polian ranked Oklahoma's Landry Jones as the top QB in the 2013 class. Well then. Polian followed up his ranking by saying "I was at the game in Norman when he beat Tannehill head to head. This guy's a winner." We must have missed the snaps when Tannehill played defense. There's a chance Jones is a third- or fourth-round pick, but if out of rhythm and forced to work in confined space, Jones struggles immensely.

ESPN's Ron Jaworski ranks Landry Jones as this class' No. 4 QB. Jones has "grown on me the more I watched," Jaworski said. "Maybe the prettiest thrower coming out of this collegiate group." When the Sooner is in rhythm, he can make some nice throws downfield, however, once things start to break down Jones' game goes off the rails. Regardless, he could be a third-round pick.

Pro Football Talk reports Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib will be dining with the Arizona Cardinals April 15. "He'll dine with a group that includes coach Bruce Arians, G.M. Steve Keim, and director of player personnel Jason Licht," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio wrote. The Cardinals are unlikely to select a quarterback in the first round, as they have bigger priorities, but could look to select one in the second. Provided Nassib is available, he could be the selection.

ESPN's Rich Cimini has been told the Jets like Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib. "In fact, Mornhinweg and Nassib -- a couple of guys with a Philly connection -- dined together in Syracuse after his pro day," Cimini writes. "He probably won't last until 39, not with the quarterback-needy Bills and Jaguars picking ahead of them, so the Jets would have to trade up." We believe there's a chance Nassib and EJ Manuel join Geno Smith in the first-round.

Teams believe the Bills are targeting Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib at pick No. 41, accoridng to NFL Network's Albert Breer. Other teams "are saying if you want (Nassib), gotta get him 40 or higher," Breer tweeted. The fit is obvious and the connection has been made since the Bills hired Nassib's college coach Doug Marrone, but there appears to be a growing buzz that the Syracuse quarterback could be a late first-round selection.

One NFL regional scout believes Arizona QB Matt Scott is better than Nick Foles. "He has all the tools, throws a beautiful ball and has a lot of upside," the scout told Dan Pompei. Scott started over Foles in the early parts of his collegiate career, but lost the job and was forced to wait until his senior year to claim the top spot again. Scott could be a second day selection.

NFL Network's Charles Davis listed Oklahoma QB Landry Jones as an "excellent sleeper" at the position. "Ok now, we're talking about the guy's all-time leading passer in Big 12 history," said Davis. "You talk about 50 starts in college with a lot of success. We tend to dwell on the games he and his team didn't win but look at the number of wins they did have. Listen, they got a share of the Big 12 title this year and that wasn't anything close to a vintage Oklahoma team. Yes he has some things he has to work on but what quarterback doesn't in this draft? I think Landry Jones is an excellent sleeper..." Jones has the arm strength but lacks the pocket toughness that one looks for in a quarterback.

Local Buffalo media member Sal Capaccio tweeted that he has been told the Bills remain "fairly high" on NC State QB Mike Glennon. Capaccio went on to note that this "doesn't mean they are 'in love' or will target him... but they have liked him for a while and still have him higher than most would tend to think." The Bills have been linked to almost every single quarterback prospect, and the only obvious move seems to be that they will select at least one.

Arizona QB Matt Scott will visit the Broncos on April 11. Scott visited the Browns on Wednesday and previously worked out for the Bills, Eagles, and Seahawks. The Broncos seem to be working out a handful of quarterbacks in the second and third tier, which is a smart move. Otherwise they would be putting all of their future eggs in the basket of Brock Osweiler.

Draft Insider Tony Pauline reports Arizona QB Matt Scott will visit the Cleveland Browns on April 10. Scott is a raw but talented player that has a strong arm and is mobile, which is likely the two biggest reasons new head coach Rob Chudzinski may be interested in him. Scott is a developmental prospect, however, and needs a lot of work on his technique and mechanics. It's been said that he is rising up draft boards, potentially going in the third-round.

The Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei was told by a scout that Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson is the "safest best of all" quarterbacks this year. "Wilson combines good footwork with a quick arm to make a lot of plays," Pompei writes. "His accuracy is up and down, and he has a bit of a gunslinger mentality. He has drawn comparisons to Tony Romo. Wilson has escapability, toughness and some of the "it" factor. "I think he's the safest bet of all of them," one scout said. "He's the one guy who reads defenses." His arm strength is average, at best. He makes good decisions and competes hard. He is shorter than ideal."

NFL Network's Mike Mayock says that Duke QB Sean Renfree "might surprise us all." "Find a spot," Mayock said. "I mean, in this entire group of quarterbacks this year, by far [he] throws with more anticipation and timing than anybody else. Now, part of the reason is, at best, he has an average arm, so throughout his life he's had to learn to get rid of the football more quickly, anticipate more quickly. I think he's quicker mentally." Renfree is a fan of ours too, especially our own Alen Dumonjic. Dumonjic feels that Renfree has upside and is worthy of a fourth-round selection.

ESPN's Ron Jaworski listed Oklahoma QB Landry Jones in his top five players at the position. There are very few individuals who also have this ranking as far as we've seen. Jaworski is known as a quarterback guru that particularly harps on arm strength, which may be a big reason why he likes Jones as much as he does. We respect his opinion on Jones, but we have doubts over his ability to be an NFL passer.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King was told by Jon Gruden that Florida State QB E.J. Manuel has a "powerful vibe" around him. "He'd be a fun guy to coach. Very fun. Can call any play. He can run any play. Upbeat. Powerful vibe around him. People just like him. They want to be around him. Loves the game. I really, really like this kid," Gruden told King about Manuel. The Florida State quarterback is a fast riser up draft boards, which has been because of the league's desire for mobile quarterbacks. Manuel is just that, and he offers upside as a passer.

Buffalo worked out Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib on Saturday. The Bills staff is obviously very familiar with Nassib, since Doug Marrone coached the signal at the college level. We like Nassib in the intermediate passing game, where he is most decisive, but there are concerns with his frenetic pocket movement and vertical ability. There's a definite chance he goes in the first-round.

The Bills brought in UConn TE Ryan Griffin for a visit on Friday. Griffin has been lost in the tight end shuffle, but offers third day value. He has inline size with some fluidity when working downfield as a receiver. Expect a large number of prospects at the position to be selected on the third day.

The Bills hosted Oklahoma QB Landry Jones for a visit on Friday. Jones is starting to generate some buzz in draft circles after creating very little for a few months of the process. If able to stay in rhythm and lock on to a first or second read, Jones shows promise, but there are plenty of issues when asked to work in tight spaces or scan the field.

Buffalo Bills reporter John Murphy writes the team will host N.C. State QB Mike Glennon, Southern Miss LB Jamie Collins, LSU WR Russell Shepard and Clemson S Jonathan Meeks. The Bills have been very busy during the draft process, visiting and working out seemingly every quarterback in the class. Glennon would be an interesting fit for the team because he can push the ball downfield. As for Collins, he's a raw pass-rusher but has a lot of upside and would be a good fit in defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's scheme. LSU's Shepard is a wide receiver but teams have wondered about him playing defensive back, according to reports. Clemson's Meeks is viewed as a strong safety in the NFL.

NFL Films' Greg Cosell said Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib is an "intermediate" thrower. "What he does really well, Nassib, he's an intermediate thrower. He throws the ball with great velocity, power, at the intermediate level," Cosell said. "Now he's a bit of a hitch thrower and I think that' something he's working on. In fact, I've talked to people that something he's working on very, very hard through this now off-season leading up to the draft. Where he can plant and throw opposed to hitch. Because sometimes it looks like he's working hard to make throws. He's not necessarily an easy thrower but he does throw the ball extremely well at the intermediate levels, very good accuracy and he does throw with anticipation. That's something that's noticeable on film.

ESPN's Mel Kiper considers Oklahoma QB Landry Jones a "draft riser." "He's not in the first-round discussion, but Jones has recovered some in the eyes of a number of teams who once might have seen him as a talented lost cause," Kiper writes. "Once a likely mid-to-late rounder, I wouldn't be shocked if someone took him in the late second round." Our biggest issue with Jones is his ineffectiveness against pressure.

Draft Insider's Tony Pauline reports Arizona QB Matt Scott will work out for the Seattle Seahawks. Pauline added that Scott put on weight since the combine, where he weighed in at 213 pounds. Scott is now 221. Despite his added weight, Scott needs a lot of work on his overall game. He is very raw, as witnessed in his footwork, but has the athleticism and arm strength to 'wow' evaluators.

Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib has private workouts scheduled with the Browns, Jaguars, and Bills, along with a visit to Cardinals headquarters next week. Nassib's workout with Browns will be attended by coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner, while his workout with the Jaguars will be viewed by G.M. Dave Caldwell, coach Gus Bradley, and offensive coordinator Jeff Fisch. The Browns currently do not have a second-round pick, so their interest is intriguing.