The SI 64: Sports Illustrated's top 64 prospects in the 2015 NFL draft

With the 2015 NFL draft approaching, SI assembled its own big board of the players who deserve to be selected in the first two rounds.
The SI 64: Sports Illustrated's top 64 prospects in the 2015 NFL draft
The SI 64: Sports Illustrated's top 64 prospects in the 2015 NFL draft /

The 2015 NFL draft is just days away, and as teams finalize their player rankings and weigh their positions of need, SI's Chris Burke and Doug Farrar have assembled their own definitive Big Board. The SI 64 uses tape study to define the best prospects in this class and details the strengths and weaknesses that explain why they're slotted as such. Click on each player's name to read his full scouting report, along with a comparable NFL player and game tape from Draft Breakdown.

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64. Ronald Darby

CB, Florida State

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63. Henry Anderson

DE, Stanford

Anderson led the Cardinal in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (15) in 2014, a pretty impressive feat for a 6'6", 294-pound player. VIDEO: Scouting Stanford's Henry Anderson

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62. Breshad Perriman

WR, Central Florida

The son of Brett Perriman, who caught 525 passes and gained over 6,500 yards for four different NFL teams, Breshad Perriman is a different player than his dad. VIDEO: Scouting Central Florida's Breshad Perriman

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61. Grady Jarrett

DT, Clemson

Debited as a draft prospect due to his size (6'1", 304), Jarrett has discovered a number of techniques that allow him to overcome his shortcomings. VIDEO: Scouting Clemson's Grady Jarrett

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60. Cedric Ogbuehi

OT, Texas A&M

Ogbuehi's got the skill to follow his former classmates into the league as a first-round talent, though there are a few necessary fixes to be done. VIDEO: Scouting Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi

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59. Phillip Dorsett

WR, Miami

The burner from Miami did not break Chris Johnson's 40-yard dash record, but his 4.33 mark at the combine proved that he can fly. VIDEO: Scouting Miami's Phillip Dorsett

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58. Eli Harold

DE/OLB, Virginia

The Cavaliers won a grand total of 11 games in Harold's three years as a player, but he consistently improved over that time. VIDEO: Scouting Virginia's Eli Harold

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57. Duke Johnson

RB, Miami

Johnson leaves Miami as the team's all-time leader in all-purpose yardage, proving he is one of the most versatile backs in this draft class. VIDEO: Scouting Miami's Duke Johnson

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56. Nate Orchard

DE/OLB, Utah

There are always questions about one-year-wonder pass-rushers, and Orchard's tape presents other concerns. VIDEO: Scouting Utah's Nate Orchard

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55. Tyler Lockett

WR, Kansas State

The 5'10", 182-pound speedster opened some eyes at the combine, and he's one of the more intriguing second-level receivers in this class. VIDEO: Scouting Kansas State's Tyler Lockett

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54. Brett Hundley

QB, UCLA

Hundley is a true dual-threat quarterback, but it would be a mistake to assume he can be a legit NFL starter right away. VIDEO: Scouting UCLA's Brett Hundley

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53. Tre' Jackson

G, Florida State

Jackson landed a first-team All-ACC nod in 2013, then kicked his game to the next level last year en route to unanimous All-America honors. VIDEO: Scouting Florida State's Tre' Jackson

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52. Jordan Phillips

DT, Oklahoma

Phillips is one of the biggest defensive players available—only two defensive linemen topped Phillips' 329 pounds at the combine weigh-ins. VIDEO: Scouting Oklahoma's Jordan Phillips

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51. A.J. Cann

G, South Carolina

Cann is more or less everything a team could want in an NFL guard: durable, hard-working and solid in his technique. VIDEO: Scouting South Carolina's A.J. Cann

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50. Preston Smith

DE, Mississippi State

There isn't a team in the NFL that wouldn't benefit from the versatility the 6'5", 271-pound Smith can bring to the field. VIDEO: Scouting Mississippi State's Preston Smith

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49. Jay Ajayi

RB, Boise State

In 2014, Ajayi became the only person in FBS history to amass 1,800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in the same season. VIDEO: Scouting Boise State's Jay Ajayi

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48. D.J. Humphries

OT, Florida

On paper, Humphries shapes up as a long-term answer at left tackle. Will he be able to stay healthy? VIDEO: Scouting Florida's D.J. Humphries

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47. Nelson Agholor

WR, USC

His production bringing back punts in college may be what gets him on the field quickest in the NFL. VIDEO: Scouting USC's Nelson Agholor

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46. Carl Davis

DT, Iowa

When he is locked in, Davis can be as disruptive as just about any defensive lineman in this draft. VIDEO: Scouting Iowa's Carl Davis

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45. Laken Tomlinson

G, Duke

Tomlinson is a high-character person with some real potential, but it may take a year or two before he's ready to deal with the talent of the NFL. VIDEO: Scouting Duke's Laken Tomlinson

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44. Owamagbe Odighizuwa

DE, UCLA

The 6'3", 267-pound Odighizuwa is powerful and versatile, which will without doubt attract NFL teams. VIDEO: Scouting UCLA's Owamagbe Odighizuwa

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43. Devin Smith

WR, Ohio State

Smith excelled at hauling in the deep passes for OSU, but he'll need to improve his route-running in the NFL. VIDEO: Scouting Ohio State's Devin Smith

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42. Ameer Abdullah

RB, Nebraska

Abdullah led the Big Ten in rushing, but his smaller size could prevent him from becoming a three-down back. VIDEO: Scouting Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah

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41. Jaelen Strong

WR, Arizona State

After shining through a less than stellar quarterback situation in college, Strong should thrive with an NFL passer. VIDEO: Scouting Arizona State's Jaelen Strong

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40. Jalen Collins

CB, LSU

Collins only made 10 starts at LSU, buried behind top talent, but he fits the cornerback prototype. VIDEO: Scouting LSU's Jalen Collins

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39. Paul Dawson

LB, TCU

At his best, Dawson is a quick and intense player with a lot of potential to become a half-field linebacker. VIDEO: Scouting TCU's Paul Dawson

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38. Rashad Greene

WR, Florida State

Greene set the school records for catches and receiving yards in a highly productive career for the Seminoles. VIDEO: Scouting Florida State's Rashad Greene

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37. Ereck Flowers

OT, Miami

Flowers wants to bury any defender in his path, and he has the strength to do so in the run game. VIDEO: Scouting Miami's Ereck Flowers

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36. Bud Dupree

DE/OLB, Kentucky

Most people weren't entirely aware of Dupree's freakish athleticism until he showed up at the scouting combine and blew everyone away. VIDEO: Scouting Kentucky's Bud Dupree

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35. Eddie Goldman

DT, Florida State

Goldman will never be a stat creator; his primary role is to soak up blocks for his defensive teammates. He could become a premier run-stopper. VIDEO: Scouting Florida State's Eddie Goldman

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34. Denzel Perryman

LB, Miami

Perryman's skill set isn't for everyone, but he has 100-tackle potential for the team that does find a spot for him. VIDEO: Scouting Miami's Denzel Perryman

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33. Devin Funchess

WR/TE, Michigan

Funchess can threaten a defense from the slot to the flex to the seam, but he'll have to play to his size before he can take over the NFL. VIDEO: Scouting Michigan's Devin Funchess

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32. Arik Armstead

DE, Oregon

Armstead's combination of a hulking frame and eye-popping athleticism has NFL teams drooling. VIDEO: Scouting Oregon's Arik Armstead

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31. Michael Bennett

DT, Ohio State

Bennett was an instrumental player in Ohio State’s title-winning defense, but his size raises some problems of projection. VIDEO: Scouting Ohio State's Michael Bennett

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30. Jake Fisher

OT, Oregon

The former tight end who protected Marcus Mariota's blind side for most of 2014 seems like an ideal fit for zone blocking teams. VIDEO: Scouting Oregon's Jake Fisher

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29. Eric Kendricks

LB, UCLA

Don't be surprised if Kendricks is the first off-ball linebacker to hear his name called in Round 1. VIDEO: Scouting UCLA's Eric Kendricks

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28. Benardrick McKinney

LB, Mississippi State

McKinney is the last defender fullbacks or tight ends want to see sprinting toward them in one-on-one situations. VIDEO: Scouting Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney

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27. Maxx Williams

TE, Minnesota

Williams could come off the board in Round 1 in large part because there is not another tight end who warrants such a high selection. VIDEO: Scouting Minnesota's Maxx Williams

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26. T.J. Clemmings

OT, Pittsburgh

Clemmings is incredibly raw, but with time and in the right system, he may very well be the best tackle out of this year's group. VIDEO: Scouting Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings

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25. Malcom Brown

DT, Texas

A 320-pounder with quick feet and scheme versatility, Brown is a three-down lineman who can disrupt the pocket over and over again. VIDEO: Scouting Texas's Malcom Brown

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24. Cameron Erving

G/C, Florida State

Rare is the lineman who has the quickness to hold his own at left tackle and the power to play center. VIDEO: Scouting Florida State's Cameron Erving

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23. Dorial Green-Beckham

WR, Missouri/Oklahoma

Green-Beckham could be the kind of pick that changes an entire offense for the better. He also could be the kind of pick that gets people fired. VIDEO: Scouting Missouri/Oklahoma's Dorial Green-Beckham

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22. Melvin Gordon

RB, Wisconsin

In the right system, Gordon has the potential to transcend the iffy track record of Wisconsin backs drafted into the NFL in recent years. VIDEO: Scouting Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon

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21. Kevin Johnson

CB, Wake Forest

Wake Forest won a total of seven games in 2013 and ‘14, yet Johnson still shows up repeatedly on film making plays. VIDEO: Scouting Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson

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20. P.J. Williams

CB, Florida State

Williams's draft stock will almost certainly take a tumble after his recent arrest for a DUI charge, the timing of which couldn't be worse. VIDEO: Scouting Florida State's P.J. Williams

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19. Andrus Peat

OT, Stanford

The size, length and athleticism are all there for Peat to become a standout at left tackle, at least eventually. VIDEO: Scouting Stanford's Andrus Peat

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18. Shane Ray

DE/OLB, Missouri

Outside of Nebraska's Randy Gregory, there's no edge rusher in this draft class who's quicker off the snap than Ray. VIDEO: Scouting Missouri's Shane Ray

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17. Marcus Peters

CB, Washington

Peters will be one of the most heavily scrutinized prospects in the entire draft due to his midseason dismissal from Washington's program. VIDEO: Scouting Washington's Marcus Peters

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16. Todd Gurley

RB, Georgia

Gurley made a habit of terrorizing SEC defenses, but the uncertainty surrounding his ACL injury is impossible to avoid. VIDEO: Scouting Georgia's Todd Gurley

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15. Landon Collins

S, Alabama

The NFL places a premium on defensive backs who can do what Collins can: help over the top and bring the hammer against the run. VIDEO: Scouting Alabama's Landon Collins

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14. Shaq Thompson

LB, Washington

Thompson is one of the draft's most versatile athletes, so much so that he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox back in 2012. VIDEO: Scouting Washington's Shaq Thompson

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13. Danny Shelton

DT, Washington

There's no doubt that Shelton will create a flood of problems for opposing offenses in the NFL. VIDEO: Scouting Washington's Danny Shelton

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12. La'el Collins

OT, LSU

Collins has the size and strength to be an NFL star, but will he play at guard or tackle? VIDEO: Scouting LSU's La'el Collins

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11. Trae Waynes

CB, Michigan State

After a lightning-quick 40 at the combine, Waynes established himself as arguably the top cornerback in the draft. VIDEO: Scouting Michigan State's Trae Waynes

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10. Vic Beasley

OLB, Clemson

Beasley has been labeled a tweener throughout his college career, but he's aware of that, and he's ready to line up wherever he's asked to. VIDEO: Scouting Clemson's Vic Beasley

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9. DeVante Parker

WR, Louisville

Once Teddy Bridgewater's favorite target, Parker makes a strong case of his own to be the first player at his position off the board. VIDEO: Scouting Louisville's DeVante Parker

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8. Brandon Scherff

OT, Iowa

The latest Iowa product bound for a high draft pick, Scherff is the most fundamentally sound offensive lineman in this draft class. VIDEO: Scouting Iowa's Brandon Scherff

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7. Amari Cooper

WR, Alabama

His competitors are exceptionally skilled, yet Cooper stands out as the receiver in this class most capable of making a substantial Week 1 impact. VIDEO: Scouting Alabama's Amari Cooper

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6. Jameis Winston

QB, Florida State

The former Heisman winner may go No. 1 in the draft, so why can't he crack the top 5 of our Big Board? VIDEO: Scouting Florida State's Jameis Winston

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5. Dante Fowler Jr.

DE, Florida

Unlike some of his edge-rushing counterparts, Fowler could be a fit in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. There's a place for him on all 32 teams. VIDEO: Scouting Florida's Dante Fowler Jr.

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4. Kevin White

WR, West Virginia

An enticing physical specimen who broke out in 2014, White is a smooth, gliding receiver with explosive top-end speed for his size. VIDEO: Scouting West Virginia's Kevin White

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3. Randy Gregory

DE/OLB, Nebraska

Once a near-lock to land in the top 10, Gregory threw his path to the NFL off course with a failed drug test at the combine. VIDEO: Scouting Nebraska's Randy Gregory

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2. Marcus Mariota

QB, Oregon

Mariota joins Jameis Winston as the two top QBs in the draft, but his history playing in a spread offense makes some NFL teams hesitate. VIDEO: Scouting Oregon's Marcus Mariota

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1. Leonard Williams

DE/DT, USC

Should he ever unlock his full potential, Williams has the skills to be one of the NFL's dominant defenders. VIDEO: Scouting USC's Leonard Williams


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