Quarterbacks
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Top Performer: Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
There will be plenty of disagreement about who looked best this week, but Nassib takes the award for me. He showed off a strong arm and validated film study that shows great velocity, quick feet and some ability to make plays outside of the pocket. Nassib does a good job squaring to throw when forced to move his feet.
Worst Performer: Zac Dysert, Miami (OH)
Dysert was very erratic in his placement and timing throughout much of the week. While other quarterbacks struggled the first day, Dysert never improved over the course of the three practices I saw. He has good athleticism, but the overall package is lacking if accuracy isn't improved.
Notes
Mike Glennon has an impressive arm, but he hasn't learned how to use it yet. Too often he's putting un-needed air under the ball when throwing to all areas of the field. He also needs to gain 15 to 20 pounds.
EJ Manuel is a top-level athlete, but he's not a passer yet. Manuel must work on improving his accuracy and his timing before he can be viewed as an NFL starter.
Landry Jones looked good against air, but once again we saw him struggle when pressured. That's a major knock on Jones, and it's one that isn't going away.
Tyler Wilson looked as good here as he does on film, but the same mistakes seen during the season were evident in Mobile. Wilson makes three great throws and then one or two absolutely terrible decisions. He has to become more consistent.
Running Backs
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USA TODAY Sports
Top Performer: Mike Gillislee, Florida
In a group of impressive running backs who tend to all look the same, Mike Gillislee stood out most. Gillislee was the most electric in the hole and in space. He's shifty enough to make guys miss when he picks his running lane and has the second gear to hit the open field and make big plays.
Worst Performer: Robbie Rouse, Fresno State
Rouse's week didn't start out well when he measured in at 5'5 7/8" and just 186 pounds. Those aren't measurables a player can't overcome, but to be small you have to be fast, and Rouse isn't that fast. I expected much better balance and speed from the tiny Fresno State back.
Notes
Stanford back Stepfan Taylor had the second-most impressive week of any running back here when looking at all-around play. He's a powerful runner who hits downhill hard and can break tackles between the hashes.
Johnathan Franklin made the most big plays of the week of any running back, showing more burst than expected. Franklin was able to stretch plays with a nice plant-and-drive cut when he found a hole.
Kenjon Barner did well as a runner, especially on runs from the tackle to the hash mark. Where Barner struggled was in pass-pro situations and as an inside runner. He has to get stronger.
Fullbacks Kyle Juszczyk and Tommy Bohanon both looked good, but Juszczyk stood out as the better all-around player.
Wide Receivers
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Top Performer: Marquise Goodwin, Texas
Combine the speed of an Olympic sprinter with high-level quickness and hands, and you get Marquise Goodwin. While he's not a finished product at receiver, Goodwin showed enough burst, lateral quickness and catching ability to be viewed as a solid second-round pick.
Worst Performer: Denard Robinson, Michigan
Robinson struggled this week in making the move from quarterback to wide receiver. I waited three days before making a negative judgment on Robinson, but the fact is he didn't develop from day to day at the position. He looks like a project at best.
Notes
Quinton Patton of Louisiana Tech moves like a first-rounder. I wouldn't be surprised to see him emerge as the No. 2 wide receiver in this year's class.
Marshall receiver Aaron Dobson didn't impress me. He's a stiff, rigid body, and with long legs he's not able to make quick cuts to change direction.
Ryan Swope had a solid first day but eventually was pulled due to an ankle injury. Teams should be happy with what they saw from the slot receiver, who, if healthy, can be a steal in the middle rounds.
Markus Wheaton reminds me of a Mike Wallace lite. He's a one-speed route runner who can get deep but must work on changing direction at top speed.
Chris Harper isn't a speed guy, but with his size he can be a very good underneath receiver. I see Anquan Boldin when watching Harper.
Alec Lemon impressed as a late add to the roster. He's very quick in and out of breaks and has positive hands.
Terrance Williams has the size, speed and strength of a No. 1 wide receiver. He's carrying a late first/early second grade.
Tight Ends
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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Top Performer: Vance McDonald, Rice
McDonald was hands down the best receiver among the tight ends in Mobile. He showed off good quickness post-catch too but must get better as a pass protector. He was definitely eye-opening though.
Worst Performer: Michael Williams, Alabama
Williams may be better off adding 20 pounds and becoming a tackle, a la Jason Peters. I didn't see the feet of a tight end, or the hands of one. Williams' stock is dropping fast.
Notes
Nick Kasa (Colorado) was the best receiver of the tight ends on the North roster, but he had trouble securing passes over his head that required him to extend.
Ryan Otten impressed at times but was too inconsistent as a pass-blocker for me. He's a late-round guy.
Mychal Rivera is a really likable player, but he's without a true position. Similar to James Casey of the Houston Texans, he'll have to move around for the best matchup.
Offensive Linemen
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nflsfuture.com
Top Performer: Eric Fisher, Central Michigan
My winner of the Senior Bowl, Eric Fisher made himself a lot of money this week by showing a dominant streak at left tackle. Fisher has protypical size and length, and he backs that up with grace and balance in his lower body. Fisher's a top 10 pick walking away from Mobile.
Worst Performer: Braxston Cave, Notre Dame
You never want to see an offensive lineman getting walked backward by defenders, and that's really all we saw from Cave this week. He's gone from mid-rounder to undrafted.
Notes:
- Lane Johnson finished a close second to Fisher as the best offensive lineman here. He showed off exceptional athleticism and was much stronger than anticipated. He is now a top 15 pick.
- Justin Pugh can't make his arms any longer, but he does a good job sliding his feet to make up ground. Once he learns to punch and initiate contact, he's going to be a star.
- Rick Wagner looked like a starting-caliber right tackle in run situations, but he's still getting bent back in pass protection. Teams who love him and run heavily may value Wagner higher than I do. For me he's a fifth-rounder.
- D.J. Fluker weighed-in but didn't participate in practices due to a strained calf.
- Cal center Brian Schwenke helped himself out with a very strong weak of practice. In a weak center class, he's moving up the board.
- The best guard here was Larry Warford from Kentucky. He's a bowling ball of a player with great power to push the pile. He wasn't great in pass protection, but excels as a combo blocker on the inside.
- Jordan Mills may see a move to guard. He's short-armed and not quick enough to play on the left side.
- Xavier Nixon earned the nickname "Elephant Feet" for his heavy steps. He's a right tackle on my board now.
- Terron Armstead was a late addition, and an impressive one for a small school kid. He's worth a late round pick as a developmental player.
- Kyle Long missed two days of practice with the flu, but told me Thursday that he was back to feeling normal and was looking to make up for lost time in the game.
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