NFL Draft: Best Athletes

10. Earl Thomas (S, Texas) - This cat has some serious skills and showcased what he can with and without the ball in his hands. He’s fast, has good size, and is able to patrol the entire field well. There are more athletic safeties in this draft (hint, hint), but he still definitely belongs in the top 10.

9. Demaryius Thomas (WR, GT) - A broken foot and a bad offensive system still likely won’t keep Thomas out of the 1st round. As a wideout, Thomas is very raw but he’s already drawing comparisons to a Calvin Thomas-type player. I won’t go there, but he does have that rare combo of size and speed that is hard to come by.

8. Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida) - The DUI and off field concerns have bumped Dunlap down on most people’s big boards but this guy is an absolute specimen. At 6-7 and 280 plus, this guy can move unbelievably well for a defensive end and a man his size. It’s his freakish size and ability that might be too tempting for a team not to take a chance on him.

7. Jerry Hughes (LB, TCU) - A former DB, Hughes has packed on the lbs and turned himself into one of the most versatile front-7 players in the draft. The ideal 3-4 linebacker, Hughes brings a ton of speed (4.65 forty) and can also sit back in coverage if he needs to. In a draft loaded with similar players, Hughes more pure skills then the rest of the bunch.

6. Tim Tebow (QB, Florida) - Gator numero dos will likely generate love, hate, and everything in between. Still, there simply is no way to knock this guy’s athletic ability. His combine performance was one of the most impressive QB showings in recent memory and the bulldozer on wheels can do things with the ball that no other quarterback can.

5. Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland) - At 315 pounds, it’s hard to imagine anyone separating themselves as an athlete, but that’s exactly what Campbell has done. His 4.78 forty at the combine blew away scouts and the rest of the participants. He looks more like a tight end then he does a lineman, which may or may not be what scouts want. In any event, he is the most athletic lineman in the past 10 years.

4. Jimmy Graham (TE, Miami) - Speaking of raw but crazy athletic. Mr. Graham had his real coming out party at the Combine and has risen up big boards since. 6’6″, 260, and a 4.5 40 – those are some ungodly attributes that have some teams chomping at the bit. He’ll need plenty of time to get acquainted to the NFL, (he also played basketball), but expect a team to reach up and grab him by the middle of the 2nd round.

3. Eric Berry (S, Tennessee) - The best overall player in the draft IMO also happens to be one of the best athletes. Go figure. Very few safeties can do but Berry can and his #s at the combine backed up his game tape. While his instincts are obviously fantastic, Berry’s physical abilities would be unparalleled in most drafts.

2. C.J. Spiller – (RB, Clemson) The versatile runner did it all for the Tigers, including a couple of passing TDs in his time at Clemson. Spiller is an absolute specimen and has good size to compliment his world-class speed. Whoever takes Spiller in the top 15 is getting one of the most versatile players to ever come out of college.

1. Taylor Mays – (S, USC) – At 230 pounds, Mays is the most unique safety prospect in a long time. Many have questioned his coverage skills, but no one doubts the sheer athletic skills he possess. He ran extremely fast at the Combine has a knack for taking wideouts out of the game. Literally. Although there are better players at the position, neither Berry or Thomas can do what Mays does from a physical standpoint.