Texas Longhorns 2014 NFL Draft Prospect Preview

Oct 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat (44) looks to the sidelines during the game against the Oklahoma Sooners during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma beat Texas 63-21. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

1 WR Mike Davis (6’2″ 195 pounds, SENIOR)

Davis is considered one of the top senior receivers in his class, and he’s certainly one of the most experienced. He has started 27 games and caught 149 passes heading into his senior season, and he’s out to prove to everyone that he can be a dominant player in his final collegiate season. He has pretty solid height at 6’2″, and below average bulk. He’s not a track star like Marquise Goodwin before him, but he definitely doesn’t have a problem getting separation downfield. Does a great job of going up and winning jump balls, and appears to have steadily improving hands. Texas’ top receiver in 2012 with 57 catches for 939 yards, averaging over 16 yards per catch. That’s almost four yards more per catch than speedster Marquise Goodwin, who is a big time playmaker (although not so much at Texas). Davis is the lone returning senior among Texas’ top receiver, and he will be a leader of the unit this season. Right now, I think Davis has the look of a mid-round selection. The inconsistencies at the QB position haven’t helped, but if he has a big senior season and does well at workouts, he could sneak into the second day of the draft.

6 CB Quandre Diggs (5’10” 200 pounds, JUNIOR)

Diggs has the potential to be a first round caliber defensive back if he continues to progress at the rate he is right now. He is a slightly shorter but well-built defensive back who can play outside, in the nickel, and possibly even some safety. We saw the Longhorns move around Kenny Vaccaro last year, putting him in the slot CB role at times and it served him pretty well. It also should serve the New Orleans Saints pretty well. Diggs is still a really raw player in terms of his technique as a DB, but he has good hip movement and does a great job tracking the ball. Last season, he had four interceptions and six passes broken up. He is also a very good tackler in run support, which is a reason Texas may choose to use him similarly to the way they did Vaccaro. He hits with a purpose, and he had 53 tackles as a sophomore in 2012. His inconsistencies indicate to me he isn’t quite ready for the NFL, but Diggs is a guy to keep an eye on as a versatile weapon in the secondary.

23 CB Carrington Byndom (6’0″ 185 pounds, SENIOR)

Not the most aggressive tackler nor does he take the best angles when going for a hit, but Byndom showed as a junior he is capable of making some big plays. He finished with 50 tackles, three interceptions (one returned for a TD), and two blocked kicks to go along with four broken up passes. Has solid length and athletic ability, but I’ll need to see more physicality in his game as a senior. I think he has potential to be a solid corner in the NFL if he continues to improve, but he’s got a ways to go.

44 DE Jackson Jeffcoat (6’5″ 247 pounds, SENIOR)

I love Jackson Jeffcoat’s upside. I think he has the room to grow in his big 6’5″ 247 pound frame if he needs to, and I also think he can be a top tier pass rusher from a three-point stance or standing up as a hybrid linebacker. His scheme diversity and intensity–not to mention his good bloodlines–will go a long way in impressing NFL scouts. He needs to prove in 2013 that he is fully healed from his pectoral injury a year ago, but even in the early goings of the season, Jeffcoat was proving that he is a force off the edge, racking up 9.5 tackles for loss through the team’s first six games, along with 4.5 sacks. Jeffcoat has the edge speed to be a big time pass rusher, but he often plays a little too high and can be predictable with his moves at times. As he continues to develop his moves and his technique, he can be a force off the edge. I really liked him last year and at that point, I thought that if he had come out, he had first round potential. I still think he has first round potential, but he’s got some things to prove in 2014. This is a hard-working, high motor type of player that an NFL team will love to have, as long as they are patient with his development.

24 RB Joe Bergeron (6’0″ 230 pounds, JUNIOR)

Joe Bergeron is what I would like to call a tough yardage back. he can come in and get you a gritty two, three, or four yards when you need it, and he can also grind it out in the goal line package. That was fully on display last season as he rushed for 16 touchdowns on just 127 carries, and he was also able to average nearly 4.5 yards per carry. Bergeron isn’t a speedster or anything like that, but he’s certainly light on his feet and capable of making some surprising cuts for a guy of his size. I think if he can prove he is durable enough, he has a chance to have a bigger role in the NFL someday that he does in college. Runs with good balance and power, and has a killer instinct.