|Mitch|

Kevin Dodd*, DE, Clemson
Height: 6-5. Weight: 277.
40 Time: 4.86.
Projected Round (2016): 1-2.
4/16/16: Sources at some teams are grading Dodd in the second round, but across the league, team contacts expect him to go in Round 1. Dodd had a decent performance at the combine and didn't harm his draft stock. Teams that run a 3-4 defense say they don't see a good fit for Dodd in their scheme and he's really a 4-3 base end.

Dodd put an exclamation point on his breakout 2015 season with a tremendous National Championship game against Alabama. He abused the Crimson Tide's right tackle with speed and power to record three sacks of quarterback Jacob Coker.

After being buried on the depth chart in previous seasons, Dodd and Shaq Lawson were able to make life hard on quarterbacks in 2015. Dodd totaled 62 tackles with 23.5 for a loss, 12 sacks, and one forced fumble on the year. He had a total of 21 tackles over his previous three years.


Michael Thomas*, WR, Ohio State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 212. Arm: 32.13. Hand: 10.5.
40 Time: 4.57.
Projected Round (2015): 2-3.
4/2/16: Thomas ran slower than expected at the combine. However on his game tape, he displayed an impressive combination of size and speed. Thomas could be the most well-rounded prospect at his position. He can make plays in all levels of the defense. His numbers were suppressed by Ohio State's offense and quarterback situation, but he has mismatch speed and size. Thomas looks like a good fit as an X receiver to challenge defenses vertically along the sideline.

In speaking with sources, one team said they agreed with my late first-round, early second-round pick grade for Thomas. Others said they had him in Round 2. So that appears to be his draft range.

In 2015, Thomas had 56 receptions for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. He impressed in the season opener with his battling of Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller. After moving the chains on a third down, Thomas burned Fuller for a 26-yard touchdown on a stop-and-go that Fuller bit on.

8/10/15: Thomas was the Buckeyes' possession receiver in 2014 with Devin Smith serving as the deep threat. Thomas caught 54 passes for 799 yards and nine touchdowns on the season. He also dealt with a running quarterback in J.T. Barrett for much of the year. With Smith in the NFL, Thomas could have a big season if the Buckeyes go with the cannon-armed Cardale Jones as their starting quarterback.


Su'a Cravens*, S/OLB, USC
Height: 6-1. Weight: 226.
Projected 40 Time: 4.69.
Projected Round (2016): 2-3.
4/16/16: In 2015, Cravens totaled 86 tackles, 15 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, six passes broken up, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. He recorded 68 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three interceptions and nine passes broken up in 2014. Cravens was moved from safety to linebacker that season, but his best role in the NFL could come as a safety on run downs and a linebacker in passing situations. A good defensive coordinator could get a lot of out of Cravens by moving him around and using him in a variety of ways.

The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder is physical, strong and quick. As a freshman, he totaled 52 tackles with four interceptions, one pass batted and a forced fumble. Cravens was named a Freshman All-American and a All-Pac-12 honorable mention.