Previewing What the Cleveland Browns Will Be Looking for at the Scouting Combine

It’s that time of year again. Time for prospects to throw on some Under Armor and see how fast they can run in a straight line for NFL teams. This year, however, the Cleveland Browns have tons of ammo and a chance to make some heavy improvements.

Teams use the scouting combine to find out how players perform under the pressure of competition of their peers as well as the pressure of questions from executives. As silly as it sounds, a .5-second difference in a 40-yard dash time can cost a prospect millions of dollars. A puzzling answer in an interview can cost millions just the same.

The Browns, like every team, will be looking for the very best players they can add to their organization. They will grade the players based on overall talent and slant that analysis with a view toward their own personal needs.

Fortunately for the Browns, they need a lot. The abundance of needs means they should be open to drafting just about every position on the field. Let’s take a look at some of the types of players they will covet.

Ah, yes, the ever elusive franchise quarterback. Every draft, a handful of general managers roll the dice on a young crop of signal-callers only to have most of them come up snake eyes. There are only about a dozen true franchise quarterbacks in the NFL.

That means that once again the Browns will be deep-sea fishing with the sharks. The difference this year, however, is that they will be fishing in the deep end of the ocean.

The Browns have not drafted a quarterback higher than 22nd since 1999 when they first returned to the NFL. The common thought is that the Browns do this every year. In reality, if they use the fourth pick or possibly trade up for a quarterback, it would actually be trying something new.

The best talent at the quarterback position is almost always found at the top of the draft. Whether it is Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, UCF’s Blake Bortles or Fresno State’s Derek Carr, the Browns have to identify who can revive their franchise.

The latest trend is for quarterbacks to do very little at the scouting combine and opt for a controlled environment of their liking. Perhaps bucking that trend, Bortles is preparing to do everything at the combine according to Paul Tenorio of the Orlando Sentinel.

No matter where the prospects work out, the Browns need to find the guy to lead them out of the doldrums of the league. Because if they draft the wrong guy again, it will be another four or five years of miserable football before they reset the position.

The above video shows Manziel and how he projects to Robert Griffin III in the NFL. If the Browns select Manziel, they don’t just get a talented player, however. They will also get a media circus.

The Browns have plenty of money to chase after big-name free agents like running back Ben Tate, and they may even choose to do so. No matter what, they will be looking to add someone who is capable of carrying the ball more than 20 times a game.

The shelf life of running backs in the NFL is extremely short in this day and age. It used to be that backs were washed up when they hit the age of 30. Now it happens even sooner.

Another free agent, Maurice Jones-Drew, was one of the best backs in the league just two short years ago. Now, at age 28, he is coming off back-to-back bad seasons. After averaging 1,440 yards per year over a three-year span, Jones has just 1,217 yards combined in the past two.

The old philosophy about taking an impact running back early in the draft is long gone as well. Of the top five rushers in the NFL in 2013, one was a first-round pick, two were second-round selections, one was a third and one was a sixth-round pick.

The Browns have five picks between the second and fourth round, and I expect them to use one of them on a running back. They can strike gold in this part of the draft on a ball-carrier. In fact, it is the best value-to-risk ratio of any position on the field.

The video above is of Arizona State running back Marion Grice. He is an outstanding runner inside and out and has the speed to change a game from his position.

Poor Josh Gordon. He led the NFL in receiving in 2013 and will obviously be the victim of double-team coverage the entire season. If the Browns do not find him some help, then he could find it difficult to operate on Sundays.

The Browns will probably address these needs through both the draft and free agency, but either way, they need a completely new stable of receivers around Gordon.

Greg Little was an absolute disaster of a second-round draft pick. Since Davone Bess went off the deep end, it looks like the trade for him was unproductive. Josh Cooper is a decent fourth or fifth receiver, but nothing more.

The only glimmer of hope is Travis Benjamin, but he is tiny and coming off of a season-ending knee injury. The Browns need another deep threat and a possession receiver. They should probably add some more depth at the position as well.

This draft is loaded with talent at wide receiver, and the Browns could even see a first-round guy fall to them at the top of the second round. Those same five picks between the second and fourth rounds that I referenced earlier should come in handy when picking receivers.

The video above is of Florida State’s Kelvin Benjamin. He has size, strength and great hands. He would be an interesting complement to Gordon on the field.

The Browns have not had a dominant offensive line since they returned to the NFL, but in 2013, that was supposed to be different. Unfortunately, injuries and performance dips made them a below-average line once again.

Since 2002, the Browns have had a rushing offense ranked better than 20th just twice. This past season, they were ranked 27th in rushing offense and gave up the third-most sacks in the NFL. They have to find some answers.

This draft has an abundance of talent in the trenches, and the Browns need to scoop some of it up.

In the past, they have opted for finesse players who have great technique. I think it's time to get some mean earthmovers to block for whoever is playing quarterback.

They can draft two guards and try to fix right tackle Mitchell Schwartz’s issues from 2013. They could also draft a right tackle and move Schwartz inside the guard if they feel it will help.

Either way, they need a ton of help because if center Alex Mack walks in free agency, then that leaves just one solid piece on the line: left tackle Joe Thomas.

The above video is a prospect the Browns could look to for some answers. Zack Martin from Notre Dame can play either guard or tackle in the NFL and should bring some nasty to the next level.

Last offseason, the Browns bolstered their pass rush by drafting outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo and signing Paul Kruger to play opposite him. While that looked like it worked for the first month or so, injuries derailed the plan.

The Browns were exposed as a very thin pass-rushing unit once outside linebackers Jabaal Sheard and Quentin Groves went down with injuries. Mingo had just two sacks over his final 12 games, and Kruger finished the year with just 4.5 sacks.

Even the defensive line struggled late in the year with the pass rush.

Despite having the most sacks in the NFL about halfway through the season, the Browns finished with 40 on the year. That was only good enough for 16th in the league. This was due in large part to a stretch of play spanning nearly three games where the Browns failed to register a sack.

The Browns need more depth and speed at those positions. They will likely need two more outside linebackers, another defensive lineman and two more inside linebackers. If there is a defensive player who can rush the passer, the Browns should be interested.

The above video shows Christian Jones from Florida State. He is an athletic freak who has played both inside and out at linebacker. He could help fill multiple holes on the defense and bring an intense pass rush.

The Browns saw cornerback Joe Haden blossom into the Pro Bowler they always knew he could be in 2013. They also found out they have another very solid corner in Buster Skrine. And while Skrine played well, it was still obvious he needs to be inside at nickelback.

The Browns desperately need to find a second corner to play alongside of Haden. Skrine is feisty and can contest passes but struggles when jamming at the line of scrimmage as second corners are often asked to do.

According to FootballOutsiders.com, the Browns were ranked fourth in the NFL against their opponent’s primary receiving option. Against the second receiver, they ranked 23rd in the NFL, and against the third target, they ranked 17th.

If the Browns had a solid second corner, it would allow Skrine to move inside and help their defense against both second and third receivers.

The Browns need to find a corner who is physical at the line of scrimmage. They need a bigger body to play bully and balance out Haden’s finesse game.

Above is a video of Marcus Roberson from Florida. While he will need to add muscle once he gets to the NFL, he already has above-average press skills. He has the perfect makeup to run alongside Haden and should be available in the middle rounds.

If the Browns sign Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward to a contract extension or designate him with the franchise tag, then they should just be looking for depth in the draft. If they do not bring him back, it could be a starter they need.

Even if Ward returns, however, his future is not certain. If the Browns give him the franchise tag and he proves that 2013 was a fluke year, or he cannot stay healthy, they will need someone who can seamlessly step into that role.

Originally, the 2013 draft was thought to be very weak at safety. But once the college season concluded, the experts felt a little better. While there are not as many elite-level safeties as teams would like, the Browns are not in the market for a safety high in the draft.

They need depth and someone who can grow into a solid starter at the position.

Deone Bucannon from Washington State is an interesting prospect at strong safety. He is among the heaviest hitters in the draft. If he slips into the third round, the Browns could be a team that would snatch him up. Above is a video of him and his pro player comparison.

Travis Benjamin established himself as one of the best punt returners in the NFL last season, but the Browns never found an answer on kickoffs.

Despite the decreased emphasis on kickoff returns, you still have to have a weapon who is a threat for a return but also knows when to take a knee. The Browns will be looking for this in the 2013 draft.

They may not draft a player specifically for this role but will be looking at return ability in players they draft at other positions. The Browns cannot afford to have a rotating stable like in 2013.

The video above is of De’Anthony Thomas from Oregon who could be scooped up in the late rounds as running back depth and a kick returner. At 5’9”, 170 pounds, he is not very big but has crazy speed and playmaking ability.

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Chris Borland Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Wisconsin Inside Linebacker

Chris Borland, ILB, Wisconsin (HT: 5’11” WT: 245 lbs)

Positives

Highly versatile defender who’s made an impact from numerous positions, including edge-rusher
Continuously grew in terms of reading keys and diagnosing plays during collegiate career.
Flexible body type that can bend around blocks and change directions in space
Sudden feet to win with quickness in short areas
Adequate initial burst to close from static positions
Possesses a quick and impact full spin move as a pass-rusher
Fluid hips to turn and run in pass coverage with foot quickness to plant and drive on the ball
Comes downhill with urgency to fill holes when he reads decisively
Works across the box with fluidity as a lateral mover while keeping shoulders square to the line of scrimmage
Can jump laterally to elude blocks with quickness
Consistently wraps up to drag ball-carriers to the ground
Doesn't stop his feet to lunge as a tackler, drives hips through while churning his legs
Surprising strength when taking on backs in the hole
Plays with an endless motor and infectious intensity level
Has a way of getting to the ball at a high rate

Negatives

Severe lack of length with arms that measure in at just under 29 inches
Gets impatient while reading, bounces around too much and takes false steps
Can be too aggressive in run fits and overrun plays, losing his gap discipline
Closing speed in the open field is merely average
Misses too many plays trying to chase to the perimeter, will get outrun even when he has an angle
Doesn't possess functional strength as a rusher and is limited by short arms
Hops around too much in pass coverage, imprecise footwork
Struggles to attain adequate depth in zones
Statistically unproductive in coverage, played a spy role often
Doesn't pick his way through congestion well due to lack of length
Poor job taking on interior linemen in the box while holding ground
Aiming point as a tackler can drop incredibly low to make up for lack of size
Will let ball-carriers come to him instead of attacking them by coming downhill
Notable injury history

NFL Comparison: London Fletcher, LB, Washington Redskins


Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles TFL Sacks FF PD INT
2009 Wisconsin 54 10.5 5 5 3 1
2010 Wisconsin 7 2 1 0 0 0
2011 Wisconsin 143 19 2.5 5 7 2
2012 Wisconsin 104 10 4.5 3 6 0
2013 Wisconsin 112 8.5 4 2 2 0
http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chris-borland-1.html

Personal Notes

A 3 star prospect as a recruit in class of 2009, unranked by both ESPN and Rivals
Took a medical redshirt after a third surgery on his shoulder in 2010
48 career starts at Wisconsin
2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year
2013 Nagurski-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
2013 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award


Ratings Chart

Overall

Chris Borland is one of the more divisive prospects in all of the 2014 draft class.  His attacking style, consistent production and sought-after intangibles will endear him to numerous teams.  Others won’t be able to overlook his size limitations and the fact that he isn’t as athletic as you might wish an undersized linebacker would be.  His versatility for defensive schemes and skill set for special teams should keep him on an NFL roster for a long time.  Borland is going to be drafted into a starting lineup, though, and he’ll still have something to prove when he does.

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Loucheiz Purifoy Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Florida CB

Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida (HT: 6’0”; WT: 190 lbs)

Positives

Excellent straight-line speed that stood out even among one of the most talented defenses in the country.
Prototypical size for most teams, including an above-average wingspan. Big enough to switch positions if needed.
Long arms and active hands caused five forced fumbles throughout his career.
Most effective in press coverage, where natural athleticism helped him garner attention since he was a true freshman.
Although mostly a linear athlete, his hip fluidity suggests he can improve significantly through technical refinement.  
Very good blitzer off of the edge. He's able to set up the blocker and get past by making a move to get to the backfield. Timing is also a positive.
Willing contributor on special teams; strong kick returner with good vision, and he played gunner during punts. He's often the first defender to the returner on kickoffs. Being able to contribute on special teams will be key for him since his defensive abilities are still a work in progress.
Hasn't played cornerback for his entire career; he has excellent potential if technique is developed.
Could possibly be developed as a wide receiver, after he devoted his 2013 off season to learning the position for the University of Florida. He certainly has the athletic ability and frame to be a developmental player.

Negatives

Lacks refinement, and it reflects when focusing on his footwork; there's too much wasted movement when changing directions after pivoting.
Not instinctual in zone coverage; susceptible to being moved by the quarterbacks’ eyes. His discipline could improve through film study, but he's not naturally aware at this moment.
Posted a burn percentage of 38 percent throughout his entire junior season, which is poor, even when considering the level of competition he faced weekly.
Burn percentage of 50 percent while in zone, although wasn't asked to play zone often. Lack of confidence and feel for the zone usually left him wandering on many plays.
Has trouble locating the ball at times and focuses on the receiver when the ball is in the air. Experience and familiarity with personnel should help him recognize routes quicker.
Only two career interceptions and 11 passes defensed, which other top corners in this class have in one season.
Poor effort in run defense. He usually ends up getting blocked out of the play without much resistance.
Tackling form is rarely used. Resorts to arm tackling instead of squaring up with the ball-carrier.
Doesn't stay low with pad level during pre-snap stance. Being flat-footed in stance will slow down his explosion toward the line of scrimmage. More of a technical issue than a physical issue.
Lack of dedication to defensive back could hurt him. He wasn't a factor as a receiver for the Gators, despite spending so much time to get onto the field.

Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles PD INT
2011 Florida 27 0 0
2012 Florida 51 5 0
2013 Florida 24 7 2

Personal Notes

Turned 21 in December. Has played cornerback for only three full-time seasons, all at Florida.
Played wide receiver at times, and spent most of the 2013 offseason developing his receiving skills.
Former 4-star prospect out of Pensacola, Fla. Named Second-Team All-SEC by Athlon Sports.


Ratings Chart

Overall

Loucheiz Purifoy is a terrific athlete, but he needs significant development to become a dependable starter in the NFL. Considering his significant room for growth and physical abilities, Purifoy will likely garner attention by NFL teams higher than what I project. He fits best into a defense that stresses Cover 2 coverage or press man. He has one of the highest ceilings among all defensive backs in the class but is the rawest technical prospect as well. As a boom-or-bust prospect in a deep class, Purifoy is certainly a risk.

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Marcus Roberson Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Florida CB

Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida (HT: 6’0”; WT: 178 lbs)

Positives

Played in multiple positions while at Florida, including boundary and slot corner. That versatility will be valued by every coaching staff.
Good height, with room to add more muscle to his frame. An NFL weight training program should be able to accomplish this easily.
Enough quickness to run with slot receivers on quick outs or drag routes underneath.
Good press technique, showing active hands and ability to direct the wide receiver toward the safety inside or outside sideline. His initial punch isn't ideal, but that's the most coachable aspect of press coverage.
Aggressive and strong in run defense, totaling 43 solo tackles in a scheme that has corners on an island.
Crashes the edge well with discipline, then squares the ball-carrier up, finishing the play with force and good tackling form.
Excellent motor on every play, even chasing ball-carriers from behind when they're within 10 yards.
Very good results in Cover 2 defensive coverages, with a burn percentage of only 16 percent for his 2013 season.

Negatives

Lacks elite athletic traits but doesn't compensate for this with above-average instincts or anticipation.
Has stiff hips that result in wasted steps when transitioning from backpedal; evident when covering comebacks.
Burn percentage of 35 percent in man for his 2013 season, which is well-below where a top-notch prospect should be at.
Weak at the point of contest, especially against bigger receivers. More strength should help him hold up when the receiver is "boxing out."
Aggressiveness in coverage isn't as high as one would hope. Will need to attack the ball and have the mindset that the ball belongs to him if ceiling is to be reached.
Poor ball skills; doesn’t locate the football quickly enough to make a play on the ball. Natural anticipation and recognition is lacking.
Cannot recover if he loses in press coverage at the line due to top-end speed and heavier feet, which is a deterrent despite being a good press corner.
Lack of explosiveness limits ceiling, specifically short-area burst. The ability to close within just a few milliseconds is extremely valuable, and Roberson doesn't have that.
Dealt with injuries throughout career, missing time in 11 games. He wasn't overly reckless, but his slight build could've been a reason for so many injuries.

Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Tackles PD INT
2011 Florida 22 3 1
2012 Florida 23 14 2
2013 Florida 11 3 0

Personal Notes

Only started four games in 2013 due to injuries, and played in seven games total.
Was named All-SEC Second Team in 2012 by the Associated Press.
Former 4-star recruit and No. 2 cornerback as a high school recruit, via Rivals.


Ratings Chart

Overall

Roberson’s lack of explosiveness and top-end speed could limit him to a nickelback or fourth corner on the roster in his first season. He will need to excel with technique, which is solid but not yet at a level that will allow him to lock down receivers. Coaches will love his aggressive mindset and confidence in run support. If he can stay healthy and refine his technique, he should stick in the league as a spot starter or third cornerback.

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AJ McCarron Scouting Report: NFL Outlook for Alabama QB

AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama (HT: 6’4”, WT: 214 lbs)

Positives

Experienced three-year starter, had a prolific college career and set multiple school records; a battle-tested leader who played in and won big games
Good accuracy and ball placement in the short and intermediate levels; allows his receivers to gain yards after the catch and puts the ball where only they can get it
Can throw the deep ball accurately with touch and perfect trajectory
Appears to be able to read defenses; generally makes good decisions and effectively limits turnovers
Average arm strength; can make the throws
Displays enough velocity in the intermediate to deep levels of the field; can throw outside the numbers accurately with enough zip
More than adequate size; listed at 6’4”, 214 lbs
Knows where his checkdown is located, will dump the ball off to a safety valve and keep the chains moving
Great intangibles; appears to be a good teammate with a strong work ethic and high football IQ
While not a threat to hurt opponents with his legs, he displays decent athleticism; is not a statue, fairly light on his feet and quick in his drop
Generally displays good throwing mechanics with a smooth over-the-top delivery
Shows some maneuverability to buy extra time
Protects his body from unnecessary hard hits by sliding or running out of bounds
Throws fairly well rolling to his right
Played fairly well on the big stage; won three national championships at Alabama, two as the starting quarterback



Negatives

Lacks pocket presence; can be overwhelmed by pressure
Questionable pocket awareness; has trouble identifying the blitz
Drops his eyes and has a tendency to panic under duress; pulls the ball down prematurely when opponents bring the heat
Lacks mobility, is not especially elusive in the pocket nor will he hurt opponents on the ground
Not much of an improviser; lacks the ability to make something out of nothing
Retreats in the pocket and tends to fade away from his intended target
Inconsistent deep passer, occasionally making his receivers break stride and adjust to underthrown passes
Has trouble resetting when he is forced to move to his left
Footwork tends to break down under pressure; will revert to throwing off of his back foot
Struggles to adjust when his receivers' routes are disrupted
May have earned a reputation as a game-manager; has a conservative nature
Benefited greatly from steady pass protection and a consistently effective running game
Declining to participate in the Senior Bowl rubbed some the wrong way


Collegiate Statistics
Year Team Cmp Att PCT Yards TD INT
2010 Alabama 30 48 62.5 389 3 0
2011 Alabama 219 328 66.8 2634 16 5
2012 Alabama 211 314 67.2 2933 30 3
2013 Alabama 226 336 67.3 3063 28 7
Source: ESPN.com


Personal Notes

Second-team All-SEC 2013
Maxwell Award 2013
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award 2013
Second-team All-SEC 2012
Third-team All-American 2012
BCS National Championship MVP 2012
Redshirted 2009
Team captain as a senior
36-4 record as a starter
Graduated with a degree in health studies

Overall

Following a prolific college career in which he won two national titles and several personal accolades, AJ McCarron will be out to prove that he can be an effective starting quarterback in the NFL.

While his decision not to perform at the Senior Bowl disappointed fans and scouts alike, he will have a chance to show teams what he can do later in the process.

An efficient, intelligent and accurate passer, he would fit best in a West Coast offense. Though he appears to have the makings of a strong backup, he possesses starter potential in the right spot.

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New England Patriots 2014 Mock Draft with Player Scouting Profiles

A 2014 NFL mock draft involving the New England Patriots almost has to include a trade. Contrary to their name, the Patriots—led by head coach Bill Belichick—rarely stand "pat" on draft day.

New England traded up twice in 2012's first round, while 2013 saw New England trade out of the draft's first day and stockpile picks.

Expect the Patriots to trade up in 2014. They have shown this year that they have the depth to withstand injuries to key players such as Vince Wilfork and Sebastian Vollmer. It is now time to add a couple talented players to put them over the top.

Over three months from the 2014 NFL draft, things are hardly set in stone, but here is one way that things might play out in New England's draft-day war room.

 

Note: Players were selected based on overall talent, scheme fit, positional need and projected availability.

It isn't difficult to see the 6'6" frame of Ra'Shede Hageman—who easily carries his 315 pounds—and immediately think of former New England Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

Like Seymour, Hageman can play defensive tackle and end. In a defensive scheme that values versatility, Hageman's ability to play 1-tech, 3-tech and 5-tech would be invaluable. 

Unfortunately for New England, Hageman is expected by many to have already been selected by the time that the Patriots are on the clock. In this mock draft, they've sent their first-, third- and sixth-round picks in 2014, and a third-round selection in 2015, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for the 14th pick and a fifth-round in the 2014 draft.

With that sort of investment, the Patriots would be looking for an immediate contribution from Hageman. Plugging him in on the defensive line with Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich and Vince Wilfork gives him a nice head start.

The New England Patriots' lack of production from tight ends not named Rob Gronkowski in 2013 was tough to stomach for fans of the team after watching No. 87 and Aaron Hernandez shred NFL defenses over the last two years.

C.J. Fiedorowicz is no Aaron Hernandez—he is primarily an inline tight end—but he offers a 6'7" frame that is tough to defend inside the 20-yard line and the blocking skills of an offensive tackle. 

With Fiedorowicz and a healthy Gronkowski on the field, New England's offense can seamlessly switch between power runs and spread formations without changing the personnel on the field.

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Kansas City Chiefs 2014 Mock Draft with Player Scouting Profiles

The Kansas City Chiefs head into the 2014 NFL draft needing to boost the big-play potential of their offense, as well as improve their defensive backfield.

Even without picks in the second and seventh rounds, the Chiefs have enough selections to find talent for their main areas of need. In Round 1, head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey may be unable to ignore a physically imposing wide receiver who can be a matchup nightmare in the pros.

Reid and Dorsey may also risk waiting to land their safety of choice, with the middle rounds likely to contain an intriguing prospect. That would make the later rounds a chance to bolster both depth and quality in the trenches.

Kelvin Benjamin is just too good for the Chiefs to pass on with the draft's 23rd overall pick. He is the big-bodied, roving playmaker this offense needs.

WalterFootball.com believes the Chiefs will likely take a chance on Benjamin.

The only real question about Benjamin concerns his modest experience and production at the position. NFL.com College Football 24/7 writer Dan Greenspan highlights Benjamin as something of a late bloomer:

At 6-foot-5 and 234 pounds, Benjamin was the Seminoles' most impressive specimen, but only started tapping into his potential late in his redshirt sophomore season. Benjamin had 18 receptions for 385 yards and six touchdowns in his final three games at Florida State, one quarter of his career receiving yards and nearly one third of his career touchdown receptions.

In two seasons, Benjamin caught 84 balls for 1,506 yards and 19 touchdowns, the kind of production the other top wide receivers in this crop -- Sammy Watkins of Clemson, Marqise Lee of USC, Mike Evans of Texas A&M and Brandin Cooks of Oregon State -- delivered in just one year.

He may have caught on late, but Benjamin is worth a risk as a first-round selection. Not many cornerbacks can cover a 6'5", 235-pounder who matches that giant frame with blazing speed.

Offensive coordinator Doug Pederson would craft many ways to get the ball in the hands of such a fleet-footed bruiser.

The Chiefs have been burned drafting a receiver with eye-popping physical intangibles before. Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star rightfully asks if Benjamin is not just another Jon Baldwin, the team's failed first-round draft choice of 2011.

But as Paylor points out, Benjamin has gotten better every year, rather than just leaning on his physical gifts:

However, Baldwin's profile also revealed that he was a sloppy route runner who wasn't a willing run blocker and occasionally took plays off. There have been some questions about Benjamin's work ethic ― he reportedly ballooned to 260 pounds as a true freshman, when he knew he wasn't going to play as he learned a complex playbook – and even headmitted that he was lazy on and off the field when he first arrived at Florida State.

But he's since cut a significant amount of weight, which shows a commitment to getting better, and has flashed ability as a run blocker, a potential boon in a Chiefs offense that is heavy on screen passes and reliant on downfield blocking for star running back Jamaal Charles.

With Reid and assistant head coach David Culley working closely with him, Benjamin will soon learn the techniques he'll need to thrive in the NFL.

That refinement, combined with his awesome physical potential, will make the ex-Seminoles star the focal point of the Kansas City passing game.

The need for a more accomplished safety is obvious after defensive coordinator Bob Sutton's single-high concepts were destroyed during the second half of the season.

If they roll the dice in Round 3, Reid and Dorsey can land a true steal in former USC ace Dion Bailey. He is projected as a fourth-rounder by CBS Sports in their updated, post-Senior Bowl position rankings. But Bailey is worth a so-called "reach" to the Chiefs.

The converted linebacker is a heavy hitter, but he does his best work breaking on the ball in coverage.

CBS Sports writer Rob Rang highlights attributes of Bailey's game that would make him perfect for the deep-safety role in Sutton's coverage schemes:

Quick, short backpedal and good fluidity in his hips to change directions. Accelerates smoothly and has good speed, overall. Good body control and hands for the interception (11 over his career). Durable. Missed one game due to injury in three seasons as a starter.

That ability to shift his feet and turn will be essential in a Cover 1 scheme where the deep safety has to make quick reads and go.

Just like with Benjamin, some scouts and teams may be put off by Bailey's limited experience at his position. He has only has a year lining up at free safety to his credit.

But in that lone season, he managed to intercept five passes and break up six more, according to cfbstats.com. That production is evidence of the playmaking skills the Chiefs need at an essential position on their defense.

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Indianapolis Colts 2014 Mock Draft with Player Scouting Profiles

Well, it was a disappointing weekend for Indianapolis Colts fans, with former Colts Tony Dungy and Marvin Harrison both missing out on Hall of Fame selections, Robert Mathis losing the defensive player of the year award and former Colt Peyton Manning losing in the Super Bowl. 

But, the upside to this weekend is that it is now over, meaning that the offseason is officially here. 

With that in mind, we move right into mock draft mode. For the Colts, this includes five picks (second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh round) and an opportunity to improve depth on the roster and find potential starters at key positions. 

For a more inclusive list of targets, check out our initial big board from last week, but here is one potential combination of players that could be very beneficial for Indianapolis. 

Begin Slideshow » « Prev 2 of 7 Next » Second Round: WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt

The Fit: There has been, and will be, plenty of talk about where the Colts should go with their first pick in the 2014 draft, and to be honest, it likely will come down to a "best player available" scenario. With a thin overall roster, the Colts can really afford to take whatever player they want without much concern over the position. 

With wide receiver being such a deep position this year, a top-notch receiver may be able to be found in the second round for Indianapolis. Jordan Matthews is my ideal pick in this situation, and you'll hear more than enough about him over the next few months. Of course, we'll mix up our mocks, but why not start with the player that I'd rather have over anybody else at this position?

 

Pros: Matthews is one of the most complete route-route runners in this draft, and combines great size along with his technical abilities (6'3", 208 pounds). He has extremely consistent hands and while he's no Anquan Boldin in terms of physicality, he certainly can hold his own while making catches in traffic. 

 

Cons: There are numerous other receivers in this draft with better athleticism than Matthews. He's not exceptionally fast, and his separation abilities are more about his route tree than his explosiveness. But, to be honest, the Colts have several very good athletes at wide receiver already (T.Y. Hilton, LaVon Brazill, Da'Rick Rogers), and a big-play threat isn't something that's essential for this receiving corp. 

« Prev 3 of 7 Next » Third Round: ILB Chris Borland (Wisconsin)

The Fit: The Colts desperately need to address the inside linebacker position this offseason. With few big names available in free agency, the team may look to the early rounds of the draft to fill the need. Jerrell Freeman is a nice piece, but the Colts desperately need more, both in the depth and starting positions. 

The Colts could especially use an attacking linebacker who can be aggressive against the run to start alongside Freeman, who can get a bit conservative at times. 

 

Pros: Borland has exceptional instincts, and reads and reacts to plays very well. He quickly gets into gaps and behind the line of scrimmage, where he picks up a decent amount of tackles for a loss. Borland is also instinctive in the passing game, and is fairly smooth in coverage. He also is an effective blitzer, and can be sent from anywhere. 

 

Cons: The biggest knock on Borland is his lack of size. Borland is just 5'11" and his height could get in the way of both run defense (getting caught behind the line) and pass defense (against taller tight ends). He also isn't the most consistent tackler in this year's draft. 

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