Leonard Floyd OLB GeorgiaRound 1 It's tough not to think of former Georgia star linebacker Boss Bailey when watching Floyd, a long, lean pass rusher. An all-state pick in his Georgia high school days, Floyd played a year at Hargrave Military Academy before heading to Athens (as many Georgia recruits do). He started eight of 13 games played in 2013, receiving All-Freshman SEC notice after making 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Floyd was awarded the Bulldogs' Defensive MVP in 2014 (though he missed the team's bowl game having knee surgery) to go along with honorable mention all-conference honors from league media (8.5 tackles for loss, six sacks). In his final year between the hedges, Floyd led the Bulldogs in sacks for the third straight year (4.5) and tied for the team lead with 10.5 tackles for loss, garnering second-team All-SEC notice from league coaches. The 2015 Butkus Award finalist is no joke off the edge, as many college tackles would confirm. Round 2 Artie Burns CB Miami Burns has been as successful a two-sport athlete as any football player has been in the last 20 years. He came to "The U" with a pedigree on the football field and the track, earning four-star recruit status while winning a state title in the 110 meter hurdles three times during his high school career (he had the top 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles times in the nation in his junior year). Burns translated that dual success in high school to the Hurricanes, winning All-American and All-Conference honors as a hurdler for the track and field squad and becoming one of the top corners in the ACC. Burns played in a reserve role as a freshman in 2013 (17 tackles, two sacks, three pass breakups) before becoming a starter in his sophomore year (40 tackles, six pass breakups). He flourished in 2015, intercepting six passes (most by a Miami player since Sean Taylor had 10 in 2003) and breaking up five others on his way to consensus second-team All-ACC honors Round 2 Deion Jones OLB Jones' father, Cal, named his son after his favorite football player, Deion Sanders. His nickname has been "Debo", as in Deion and Bo, like Jackson, put together. The New Orleans native is living up to the expectations, winning the Metro Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in high school and eventually starring for his home state LSU Tigers. Jones had to be patient, though, as his first three years in Baton Rouge resulted in exactly one start (due to an injury to Kwon Alexander). He played primarily on special teams in 2012 (23 tackles, three for loss) and 2013 (15 tackles) before seeing more time on defense as a junior (27 tackles, 3.5 for loss). Then came Jones? chance to start with Alexander moving on to the NFL. He became permanent team captain and defensive MVP after leading the team with 100 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss. He also had five sacks, two interceptions, and three pass breakups, showing scouts an all-around skill set giving him a shot to play at the next level. Round 3 Braxton Miller – Ohio State – Senior – 6-1, 201 – 4.46One of the draft’s most intriguing prospects – and a guy who walked around like a celebrity in Mobile and Indy – Miller caught 26 balls for 341 yards during his first season as a wide receiver at Ohio State. The former quarterback is one of the most athletic players (just ask him) and has a unique understanding of route-running and coverages. Holding him back is experience and relying too much on athleticism, something that has gotten skill position players into trouble at the next level. Miller, who is Pewter Report’s third-round prediction, figures to be a late second or third-round pick next weekRound 4 G Joe Thuney – N.C. State – Senior – 6-5, 304 – 4.95Thuney was one of the highest-graded offensive linemen in 2015 by Pro Football Focus and has been the Wolfpack’s left tackle for two out of the last three years. Although he doesn’t overwhelm opponents with his size or power, Thuney has surprising strength with 28 reps of 225 pounds at the Combine. Thuney was one of the most athletic linemen in Indianapolis, running a blazing fast 4.95 in the 40-yard dash with an impressive 1.70 split.Round 5 DE Matt Judon – Grand Valley State – Senior – 6-3, 275 – 4.73A Division II standout, Judon racked up 20 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles during his senior year. The strength that allowed him to put up 30 reps on the bench press certainly jumps out to a lot of teams looking for a late round steal. A raw prospect, Judon has the potential to develop into an efficient pass rusher in the NFL after being picked late.
