2014 NFL DRAFT: TEN BEST PROSPECTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR DAY 2

The 2014 NFL Draft’s first round is now in the books with Day 2’s second and third rounds on tap for Friday night. As usual the top 32 prospects did not all get drafted with the first 32 picks leaving a number of highly rated players up for grabs. Here are the top ten prospects still available in the 2014 NFL Draft.

1. WR Marqise Lee/USC – Lee would’ve been a high first round pick last year if he had chosen to leave school early, instead he struggled this past season, while other receivers excelled and in turn passed by him on draft boards. He’s still one of the more polished wide outs in the entire draft and is an excellent route runner. He could make an immediate impact with the right team.

2. QB Derek Carr/Fresno State – The top signal-caller still available, Carr could easily be the first pick of Friday night’s second round. He’s got a great arm, a lot of experience and has the potential to become a franchise quarterback.

3. DT Timmy Jernigan/FSU – An impact defensive lineman that has the ability to dominate games, but needs to get in better shape and stay on the field longer. He has the ability to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and provide an awesome pass-rush from the interior. He can play multiple spots on the defensive line, even at nose tackle despite his lack of height and in multiple schemes. Just has to get in better shape to increase his motor. Plays with a ton of effort though.

4. DL RaShede Hageman/Minnesota – One of the biggest boom or bust prospects in the entire draft, Hageman has incredible potential and possesses elite size, strength and athleticism. Unfortunately he has multiple red flags that include his techniques, play to play effort to go with multiple off the field issues. He could be a huge steal if he gets his head on straight.

5. NT Louis Nix III/Notre Dame – A massive nose tackle that can clog up the middle and handle multiple blockers. Nix III struggled in 2013, but is ready to go and can be plugged into a starting lineup right away. The top nose tackle in the draft.

6. OT Cyrus Kouandjio/Alabama – Kouandjio began the year as one of the top prospects in the draft, but some disappointing medical reports sent his stock plummeting down draft boards. Still just 21, the Alabama product is young, extremely talented with a high ceiling and is well-coached. If he can stay healthy he could easily be one of the biggest steals of the draft.

7. DL Stephon Tuitt/Notre Dame – Like his Notre Dame teammate Nix III, Tuitt struggled this past season, but is incredibly talented and once rated as one of the top prospects in the draft. He has a ton of talent and possesses a rare combination of elite size and speed. He has the ability to play multiple spots on the defensive line and can fit into any scheme. He could become one of the steals of the draft.

8. OG Xavier Su’a-Filo/UCLA – The top interior offensive lineman in the draft. Su’a-Filo is tough, aggressive and possesses good quickness. He’s a fantastic run-blocker and very good in pass-protection.

9. RB Carlos Hyde/Ohio State – The top running back prospect in the draft, Hyde is a classic three-down back that can do it all. He can power his way for tough yards inside the tackles or break it outside for a big gain. He also has decent hands making him a threat catching the ball out of the backfield.

10. QB Jimmy Garoppolo/Eastern Illinois – Other than Aaron Donald, no prospect has had a better draft process this off-season than Garoppolo. He shined every step of the way whether it was at the East-West Shrine Game, the Senior Bowl or the NFL Scouting Combine. He was absolutely terrific. Coming from a small-school, he will have to deal with a mammoth jump in competition, but possesses a fantastic arm and a great head on his shoulders. He could be a good one down the road. He could be the first pick of the second round if Houston prefers him over Derek Carr.

Next Best:

11. OT Morgan Moses/Virginia

12. DE Kony Ealy/Missouri

13. OLB Kyle Van Noy/BYU

14. WR Davante Adams/Fresno State

15. TE Jace Amaro/Texas Tech

16. DE/OLB Demarcus Lawrence/Boise State

17. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins/Washington

18. OL Joel Bitonio/Nevada

19. CB/FS Lamarcus Joyner/FSU

20. QB A.J. McCarron/Alabama

21. WR Jordan Matthews/Vanderbilt