Alma Ata Orange: 2015 Draft Prospect Preview

Aug 30, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Rashad Greene (80) runs for a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Tallahassee Boys – Florida State

The Seminoles will be well represented in this year’s NFL Draft with a crop of top prospects.  Quarterback Jameis Winston will headline this talented group that also features offensive guard Tre Jackson, linebacker Terrence Smith, and defensive end Mario Edwards, Jr.  Still, P.J. Williams is the biggest name with which to be familiar.  The MVP of last year’s BSC Championship should improve as a junior cornerback in Florida State’s defensive scheme.  Conversely, the most well-known name that Cincinnati fans should know is Cameron Erving.  A road-grader for the ground game, Erving has also done well in pass protection, though was not challenged much in 2013.  That should change this year.  Currently ranked between the fifth and seventh best offensive tackle in this year’s draft class, the Bengals could have a shot of drafting him in back half of the first round.

There are also two less common names to keep in mind when watching Florida State attempt to repeat a Championship run.  The first is tight end Nick O’Leary.  While tight end may not appear to a need for the Bengals right now, O’Leary is a top tight end in a marginal draft class and a likely day-two pick.  Even if Jermaine Gresham is resigned, Tyler Eifert is more a passing weapon than a blocker and Alex Smith could stand to be upgraded.  While he will have to add some bulk and improve his blocking, O’Leary, Eifert and Sanu would make one heck of a jumbo receiving package.  An interesting side note: O’Leary is the grandson of legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.

The second name to keep in mind, Rashid Greene was Winston’s favorite wide out last season and should put up big numbers this season as well now that Kelvin Benjamin is now a target for Cam Newton.  Greene is a little undersized at 6’0”, 178 lbs, which could hurt his draft stock enough to make him a consideration for Cincinnati should he slip to the second or even third round, but as the ‘Noles top receiver this year, that’s is really up to him and his game day production.