2019 NFL Draft Scout

Running Back

Derrick Henry*, RB, Alabama

Height: 6-3. Weight: 241.

Projected 40 Time: 4.59.

Projected Round (2019): 1-2.

5/16/15: Henry averaged 5.8 yards per carry in 2014 for 990 yards with 11 touchdowns. He added five receptions for 133 yards, too. The 6-foot-3, 241-pounder would be in store for a huge season in 2015 with T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper in the NFL and Alabama starting a new quarterback. That has been the trend for the Crimson Tide in years past with players like Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and Yeldon taking over as the lead back after an older player moves on to the NFL.

Henry finished the 2013 season in impressive fashion, while T.J. Yeldon wasn't as dominant as many thought he would be. Henry showed what he is capable of when he racked up 382 yards on only 36 carries with three touchdowns in 2013. In the Sugar Bowl, Henry had 100 yards and a score on only eight carries.

Ezekiel Elliott*, RB, Ohio State

Height: 6-0. Weight: 225.

Projected 40 Time: 4.54.

Projected Round (2019): 1-2.

5/16/15: Elliot was the workhorse who carried the Buckeyes to the National Championship. He destroyed Wisconsin (20-220-2), Alabama (20-230-2) and Oregon (36-246-4) in the final three games to lead Ohio State. Elliot averaged 6.9 yards per carry in 2014 for 1,878 yards with 18 touchdowns. He had 28 receptions for 220 yards. Elliot showed speed, cutting ability and the ability to pick up yards after contact.

Quarterbacks

Connor Cook*, QB, Michigan State

Height: 6-4. Weight: 218.

Projected 40 Time: 4.85.

Projected Round (2015): 1-2.

5/16/15: Cook completed 58 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. League sources identified Cook as a potential high first-round pick. He needs improve certain aspects of his game to meet that grade though, mainly accuracy. Cook has proven to NFL evaluators that he has a big arm, pocket presence, the mobility to avoid rushers and roll out, and the ability to make the occasional precision throw. Cook plays in a pro-style system and has shown steady improvement with his ability to function out of the pocket while working through his progressions.

Cook has often thrown the ball better than his numbers illustrate. He can make some amazingly accurate throws into extremely tight windows for completions downfield, but also has some inconsistency with his accuracy on the routine passes and when going deep down the middle. Cook has to improve his footwork, which in turn will help his accuracy.

8/27/14: 2013 was Cook's first year as the full-time starter, and he got off to a slow start before coming on strong in the second half of the season to help lead the Spartans to a Big Ten title and victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl. Cook completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,755 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions for the year. He had great games against Ohio State (24-40 for 304 with 3 touchdowns, 1 interception) and Stanford (22-36 for 332 yards with 2 touchdown, 1 interception) to close out the season.

Cook is generally a good decision-maker who has the size, arm and field vision to be a good pocket passer. He should be even better now that he has a year of experience. Becoming a first-round prospect isn't out of the question for Cook, but skipping the 2015 NFL Draft and returning for his senior season of college football could help him achieve that.





Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State

Height: 6-4. Weight: 234.

Projected 40 Time: 4.87.

Projected Round (2019): 1-2.

5/16/15: Hackenberg completed 56 percent of his passes in 2014 for 2,677 yards with 12 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He played better than the numbers indicate as his supporting cast was a huge liability, including an awful offensive line. Hackenberg closed out the 2014 season with a huge comeback overtime win over Boston College, completing 34-of-50 for 371 yards and four touchdowns.

In terms of a skill set, Hackenberg has what the NFL is looking for with a size, pocket presence, field-vision potential and a strong arm that can push the ball downfield. James Franklin's offense didn't help him develop much as a NFL pocket-passer prospect last season as so many of the play calls were instant throws because of a weak offensive line that couldn't maintain its blocks. Hackenberg needs to improve his ball placement and decision-making in some areas, but his supporting cast really hurt him last year. At times, Hackenberg makes some brilliant throws downfield after working off his first read, and if he does that regularly as a junior, he could be a high first-rounder.



Hackenberg was the star recruit for Bill O'Brien and proved the hype legit during an impressive freshman season that saw him named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Hackenberg completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,955 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2013. He also ran for four touchdowns.

WalterFootball.com has heard from sources in the NFL that Hackenberg could end up being an elite quarterback prospect.

Personal: Son of Erick and Nicole Hackenberg.

Cardale Jones*, QB, Ohio State

Height: 6-5. Weight: 250.

Projected 40 Time: 4.75.

Projected Round (2019): 1-3.

5/16/15: Jones put on a display in 2014 after entering the starting lineup behind Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett. Jones has great size and a cannon for an arm. In his three starts, he completed 61 percent of his passes for 860 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Jones has a lot of upside and it will be fun to watch him in 2015, assuming he wins the starting job over J.T. Barrett. Jones needs to improve his ability to throw while under heat. He also needs to get faster working through his progressions, moving his eyes and getting rid of the ball. Jones can hold onto the ball too long when plays start to break down on him. When Jones has a clean pocket, he displays the ability to make any throw the NFL asks for. While Jones is a pocket passer, he will take yards on the ground when available and has some athleticism as a runner. Jones can be tough to bring down for defenders in or out of the pocket.

Jonathan Goff, QB, California

Height: 6-4. Weight: 210.

Projected 40 Time: 4.69.

Projected Round (2019): 1-3.

5/16/14: Goff enjoyed a breakout 2014 season. The sophomore completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,973 yards with 35 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Goff displayed real pocket-passing potential while playing with a less-than-ideal supporting cast. He became the starter as a freshman in 2013 and completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Dak Prescott*, QB, Mississippi State

Height: 6-2. Weight: 230.

Projected 40 Time: 4.69.

Projected Round (2015): 2-4.

5/16/15: Prescott completed 61 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,449 yards with 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry for 986 yards with 14 scores on the ground. Prescott underwhelmed against Alabama, but that was really the only game of the season in which he struggled.

Prescott's play has been somewhat reminiscent of Tim Tebow at Florida because Prescott is playing in the same offense for Tebow's former offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, the Mississippi State head coach. Like Tebow, Prescott needs to improve his pocket passing and accuracy for the NFL.

In 2013, Prescott completed 58 percent of his passes for 940 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Personal: Son of Nathan and the late Peggy Prescott. Majoring in educational psychology.

Cody Kessler, QB, USC

Height: 6-1. Weight: 210.

Projected 40 Time: 4.85.

Projected Round (2015): 3-4.

5/16/15: Kessler completed 71 percent of his passes in 2014 for 3,505 yards with 36 touchdowns and four interceptions. He was an effective game-manager for the Trojans. Kessler is undersized and could be lacking in his physical skill set to be a starter for the NFL. He needs to prove that wrong as a senior. Kessler was considering entering the 2015 NFL Draft, but decided to return to USC.

It took some time, but Kessler eventually won the starting quarterback spot for USC to replace Matt Barkley, and Kessler has improved as he gained experience. Kessler completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,968 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Patrick Towles*, QB, Kentucky

Height: 6-5. Weight: 238.

Projected 40 Time: 4.85.

Projected Round (2015): 3-5.

5/16/15: Towles didn't have a great supporting cast in 2014, but the first-year starter flashed at times. He has a big arm and pocket presence. Towles completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,718 yards with 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has the skill set and upside to develop.