re: Pre Combine Big Boards

Gil Brandt Big Board an esteemed name in scouting

1) Luke Joeckel, OL, Texas A&M
This long-armed three-year player should be a top talent in the NFL for quite some time. Joeckel reminds me of Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas.
2) Bjoern Werner, DL, Florida State
Werner, a German native, is a very, very good pass rusher. He's one of these guys who is highly motivated, someone who never takes a play off; in that way, he reminds me of Jared Allen. (And I'm not the only one.)
3) Chance Warmack, OL, Alabama
Warmack is very good and will be a factor in the NFL for many years; he should have a Larry Allen-type of career. However, as guards aren't usually drafted in the top 10, Warmack likely will be picked in the middle of the first round. He was an even better college player than the great Steve Hutchinson, who was picked 17th overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 2001.
4) Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
More time will be spent on Smith than on any other player in the 2013 NFL Draft. When I watched him from the sideline during West Virginia's game against Texas, Smith was quick and on the money, though he did overthrow some long balls. If he enters the league with a Russell Wilson-type work ethic, Smith will be OK.
5) Star Lotulelei, DL, Utah
Lotulelei reminds me of Baltimore Ravens veteran Haloti Ngata, who also grew up in Salt Lake City. Lotulelei can collapse the pocket with quickness and power. He needs to dominate every play for four quarters.
6) Damontre Moore, DE, Texas A&M
Moore can play with his hand on the ground in a 4-3 scheme or in space in a 3-4. Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson did a very good job against Moore in the Cotton Bowl.
7) Eric Fisher, OL, Central Michigan
The long-armed, quick-footed Fisher should play for quite some time in the NFL at a Pro Bowl-level. This youngster has the potential for lots of growth in the future.
8) Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
The big (6-feet-3/4, 200 pounds) corner might not have great speed, but he makes up for it with his physical play and ball skills. He likely learned some useful tricks of the trade from coach Nick Saban.
9) Jarvis Jones, LB, Georgia
The competitive Jones, who led college football with 14.5 sacks in 2012, never lets up; he plays like fellow Bulldog Justin Houston, who notched 10 sacks for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Jones transferred from USC when he failed to get a clean bill of health following a neck injury.
10) Dion Jordan, DE, Oregon
The speedy, quick and athletic Jordan -- a former tight end -- can rush or drop into coverage. He could add weight, however, and his health has been something of a question mark.
11) Ezekiel Ansah, DE, BYU
Ansah, who came to BYU from Ghana as a track athlete, joined the football team in 2010 and became an outstanding starter. He had a poor week of practice ahead of the Senior Bowl, but he wound up being named the defensive player of the game. He should be a very good pass-rusher.
12) Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Floyd, a strong, three-year player with lots of upside, is a playmaker. He's a lot like Fletcher Cox, the 12th overall pick in 2012 who played well for the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie.
13) Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
An outstanding athlete for a defensive tackle, Richardson makes me think of a young Warren Sapp coming out of college. He has just one year of major football under his belt, and he needs to play harder on every down, but he has the ability to be good.
14) Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The former high school quarterback shifted to tight end in junior college before moving to the offensive line in 2011. Johnson really stood out in the Cotton Bowl with the way he handled Texas A&M's Damontre Moore.
15) Barkevious Mingo, DE, LSU
Mingo is a better athlete than he is a football player at this point, and he needs work when it comes to defending the run. He is, however, a very good pass rusher, and everyone is looking for very good pass rushers.

--Jordan's stock seems to be rising and Mingo's falling. It'll be interesting to see how the Combine shakes things out.