NFL Draft 2014: Where Top Quarterbacks, Running Backs Are Projected to Go

It is still very early in the NFL draft process, but that won't stop 28 teams from wondering what might be coming their way in May. Heck, even the NFL's Final Four might be dreaming of some collegiate reinforcements with their Super Bowl hopes still in play.

Following is take a look at the biggest names at quarterback and running back that will be in the draft pool, surveying a few of the available early rankings out there on the web right now. A lot will change when these players start the bulk of their pro auditions, but most of us might as well get started sooner rather than later.

Why hone in on the quarterbacks and running backs here? It's because those positions stand to be the stand-alone ones that are single-man game-changers for teams. We look at who those might be and where the early draft rankings have them slotted.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

You can debate where Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater belongs among the 2014 quarterback prospects and whether he warrants being the No. 1 overall pick by the Houston Texans or another team if they trade down.

The top draft analysts on the web agree that Bridgewater would be the first quarterback selected right now.

Heck, Bleacher Report draft guru Matt Miller would like to debate Bridgewater's place at the top of recent prospect history. Miller says in this video from last fall: 

"

Teddy Bridgewater, from Louisville, is clearly established now as the second-rated quarterback that I've ever graded—as a quarterback who has already unseated quarterback RGIII as my No. 2 quarterback of the last decade.

"

Miller goes on to say that Bridgewater might be entering the lofty No. 1 level of Andrew Luck's grade before this draft process concludes in May. Meanwhile, draft guru Mel Kiper of ESPN and Todd McShay of Scout Inc. are not convinced that Bridgewater is even a top-five talent in this draft.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Bridgewater:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 1 overall, No. 1 quarterback
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: No. 8 overall, No. 1 quarterback
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 12 overall, No. 1 quarterback
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 3 overall, No. 1 quarterback
• WalterFootball.com: No. 1 quarterback
• DraftTek.com: No. 2 overall, No. 1 quarterback
• Chris Burke, SI.com: No. 1 overall, No. 1 quarterback

Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

After Teddy Bridgewater as the No. 1 quarterback, there is little agreement on the web. Among the best of the rest, we first take a look at 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, who B/R's Matt Miller writes, has entered the conversation to be a top-five pick.

The top draft gurus we watch on TV have another quarterback rated higher, but you cannot argue with Manziel's star cachet. He might be the most marketable player in this draft.

We know he can scramble and sign autographs, but can he star as a dropback quarterback in the NFL? The fact the analysts we aggregated here agree that he is among the top five at his position—at the very least—suggests he can.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Manziel:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 4 overall, No. 3 quarterback
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: No. 12 overall, No. 3 quarterback
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 18 overall, No. 3 quarterback
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 9 overall, No. 3 quarterback
• WalterFootball.com: No. 2 quarterback
• DraftTek.com: No. 21 overall, No. 3 quarterback
• Chris Burke, SI.com: No. 3 overall, No. 2 quarterback

Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida

What Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles lacks in Johnny Manziel-like hype, he makes up for in draft projection. He has the size at 6' 3" and 230 pounds, along with the arm, that NFL scouts drool over.

Since he is bigger than Teddy Bridgewater or Manziel, he might not move quite as well, but he is still plenty mobile to fulfill the NFL prototype pocket passer, according to CBS Sports' prospect analysis. His size advantage over Manziel gives Bortles a higher draft ranking on many of the boards below.

Like Manziel, Bortles is in the conversation to be a top-10 pick this May, perhaps even top five because of the teams picking that high which need a franchise passer.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Bortles:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 3 overall, No. 2 quarterback
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: No. 9 overall, No. 2 quarterback
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 15 overall, No. 2 quarterback
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 6 overall, No. 2 quarterback
• WalterFootball.com: No. 3 quarterback
• DraftTek.com: No. 37 overall, No. 4 quarterback
• Chris Burke, SI.com: No. 4 overall, No. 3 quarterback

Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Derek Carr won't go as high as his older brother, but he would take being a top-five pick in this May's draft.

Unlike the quarterback prospects ranked before him, Derek Carr has had to overcome the stigma of his older brother, David Carr, who was once the first overall pick of the expansion Houston Texans.

NFL bloodlines usually give you pedigree. In Derek Carr's case, bloodlines might be a bloodstain.

David Carr never proved to be an NFL starter. His younger brother's future team has to hope that Derek not follow in his bother's footsteps in that regard. Multiple sources still have a first-round grade on Carr—although ESPN's Mel Kiper is not one of them.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Carr:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 8 overall, No. 4 quarterback
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 48 overall, No. 5 quarterback
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 19 overall, No. 4 quarterback
• WalterFootball.com: No. 4 quarterback
• DraftTek.com: No. 13 overall, No. 2 quarterback
• Chris Burke, SI.com: No. 8 overall, No. 4 quarterback

A.J. McCarron, QB, Alabama

Few NFL quarterback prospects come with a better resume than Alabama's A.J. McCarron. In fact, he might be a victim of his own success.

His Crimson Tide teams were so talented, it might have taken away a bit of the spotlight that McCarron deserved as a team leader, as well as a winner and a pocket passer.

He has quarterbacked two national championship teams and been a part of three, going 36-3. He has the most victories by a quarterback at Alabama and the third-most wins in SEC history. That is some elite company.

It is not enough for him to garner a first-round grade yet, though. Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay and B/R's Matt Miller are most bullish on McCarron, but they have him as a second-rounder. CBS/NFL Draft Scout has him as a third-round pick.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank McCarron:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 44 overall, No. 5 quarterback
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 43 overall, No. 4 quarterback
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 102 overall, No. 8 quarterback
• WalterFootball.com: No. 7 quarterback
• DraftTek.com: No. 55 overall, No. 5 quarterback
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Carlos Hyde, RB, Ohio State

If you thought the range of opinions on quarterbacks was wide, it is even more pronounced among running backs. There is no consensus here.

Heck, after a 2013 draft where no running back went in Round 1 for the first time in 50 years, it is hard to even find two analysts who have a first-round grade on a running back for this draft, much less the same one. We did find one such player, Ohio State's big back, Carlos Hyde.

He is a third-rounder by others, but when you get ESPN's Mel Kiper and Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay to agree on something—Hyde as a first-rounder—we have to start the running back discussion with this bullish ball-carrier.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Hyde:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 65 overall, No. 2 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: No. 18 overall, No. 1 running back
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 28 overall, No. 1 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 87 overall, No. 6 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 4 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 97 overall, No. 6 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

De'Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon

The second running back we take a look at might not even be a running back at all. He could be drafted as a receiver and return man for NFL purposes, a la Dexter McCluster. What Carlos Hyde has for power, Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas has for speed—mind-numbing, game-altering speed.

Scount Inc.'s Todd McShay has Thomas ranked higher than anyone else does at 42nd overall and the second back off the board. After that, there is a wide range of opinions on the 5'9" 178-pound burner.

Thomas isn't even among CBS's top 200 at this point.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Thomas:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 67 overall, No. 3 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 42 overall, No. 2 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 203 overall, No. 18 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 8 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 64 overall, No. 2 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Bishop Sankey, RB, Washington

If this was a different era, Washington's Bishop Sankey might have been in the discussion to be a first-round pick. Running backs just are not valued as much nowadays by talent evaluators.

That doesn't mean Sankey won't be one of the first running backs off the board on draft day, though.

"The time is right," Sankey told Sports Xchange when he declared early for the draft. "I've proven what I needed to prove. I have to look at the position I play and the number of carries."

That is precisely the reason why the NFL has devalued the feature back—all of the wear and tear. Sankey's in the right place and he will go in that third-round range we have seen running backs go of late.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Sankey:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 81 overall, No. 7 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 92 overall, No. 6 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 56 overall, No. 3 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 4 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 45 overall, No. 1 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor

Lache Seastrunk has the right size and speed to star at the next level, even if the 5-star recruit needed a transfer from Oregon to Baylor to reach his potential in college. He missed a couple of games with injury, though, so durability questions might drag him down some.

That's how it goes at this position.

Figure Seastrunk to be among the running backs going off the board when that position's bubble pops on draft day.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Seastrunk:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 71 overall, No. 4 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 62 overall, No. 4 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 66 overall, No. 4 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 2 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 84 overall, No. 4 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Tre Mason, RB, Auburn

Forget the knocks on Tre Mason. Just look at his production against the best competition college football had to offer. Mason set records and posted big-time numbers on the grandest of stages in the Southeastern Conference.

SEC championship game: 304 yards and four touchdowns. BCS National Championship Game: 195 yards.

Those numbers make us listing him fifth here a bit laughable. We blame some mixed rankings on him. B/R's Matt Miller has him atop the position while Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay has him out of the top 100.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Mason:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 39 overall, No. 1 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 102 overall, No. 9 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 49 overall, No. 2 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 6 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 89 overall, No. 5 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Ka'Deem Carey, RB, Arizona

You could poll 10 NFL draft analysts and each one might come up with a different running back as their No. 1. Arizona's Ka'Deem Carey is the choice at CBS Sports, which uses NFLDraftScout.com's board.

The question you might ask here is that if Carey's production came in the SEC, Big Ten or even the ACC, would there be more backers in his corner? It's a fair point.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Carey:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 74 overall, No. 5 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 60 overall, No. 3 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 41 overall, No. 1 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 1 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 167 overall, No. 10 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Andre Williams, RB, Boston College

If you like big running backs and big numbers, you are hoping that your favorite NFL team picks up the bargain that figures to be Boston College's Andre Williams.

It is tough to argue with 2,102 yards, but draft gurus universally agree that Williams is no better than a second- or third-day pick. He will be one of the first true seniors off the board at his position, though.

For NFL teams, that tends to merely mean he comes with more wear and tear.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Williams:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 80 overall, No. 6 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 87 overall, No. 5 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 138 overall, No. 10 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 10 running back
• DraftTek.com: No. 72 overall, No. 3 running back
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia

You won't find anyone who absolutely loves West Virginia's Charles Sims for this NFL draft, but you won't find many who believe he won't be a consideration among the top 10 running backs on the board either.

The Houston transfer has room to grow with his 6'0" 213-pound frame, so he might find an NFL team that likes him more than our analysts do right now. The draft season will be important for Sims' stock, which could rise.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Sims:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 139 overall, No. 9 running back
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 101 overall, No. 8 running back
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 83 overall, No. 5 running back
• WalterFootball.com: No. 9 running back
• DraftTek.com: Not currently ranked
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

Few college football players came into 2013 with more hype and left with as little prospect hype as Aaron Murray. Blame a torn ACL, his size or CBS Sports' Rob Rang, who compares Murray to another Matt Barkley.

Yuck! That screams career backup and late-round pick.

Nevertheless, Murray had so much early promise when he was slinging passes to A.J. Green as a freshman that we decided to outline his draft projection for you in our survey here.

Here is where some of the web's top draft analysts rank Murray:

• Matt Miller, B/R: No. 109 overall
• Mel Kiper, ESPN: Not currently in his top 32
• Todd McShay, Scout Inc. (subscription required): No. 105 overall
• CBS/NFLDraftScout.com: No. 161 overall, No. 11 quarterback
• WalterFootball.com: No. 13 quarterback
• DraftTek.com: No. 196 overall
• Chris Burke, SI.com: Not currently in his top 32

The Best of the Rest of the Quarterback and Running Back Draft Prospects

We could have taken this early draft survey hundreds of players deep and will likely do so closer to May. For instance, LSU's Zach Mettenberger is 52nd on B/R's Matt Miller's board. 

If you want a deeper look now, here are where some of the quarterbacks and running backs we considered are ranked by Miller, Scout Inc.'s Todd McShay and CBS/NFLDraftScout.com:

Player	Pos	Matt Miller/B/R	Todd McShay/Scout Inc.	CBS/NFLDraftScout.com
Teddy Bridgewater	QB	1	12	3
Johnny Manziel	QB	4	18	9
Blake Bortles	QB	3	15	6
Derek Carr	QB	8	48	19
Carlos Hyde	RB	65	28	87
A.J. McCarron	QB	44	43	102
Devonta Freeman	RB	95
Bishop Sankey	RB	81	92	56
Lache Seastrunk	RB	71	62	66
Tre Mason	RB	39	102	49
Zach Mettenberger	QB	52	56	85
Ka'Deem Carey	RB	74	60	41
Tajh Boyd	QB	77	123
Jimmy Garoppolo	QB	47	91	104
De'Anthony Thomas	RB	67	42	203
Andre Williams	RB	80	87	138
Charles Sims	RB	139	101	83
David Fales	QB	122	72
Brett Smith	QB	82	145	57
Marion Grice	RB	99	138
James Wilder Jr.	RB	R6	122	152
Aaron Murray	QB	109	105	161
Rajion Neal	RB	115	197
James White	RB	138	187
Logan Thomas	QB	R7	83	190

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Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.