NFL Draft 2015: Prospects with Most to Gain During Bowl Season

There are a lot of things that go into evaluating a draft pick, but it certainly helps to shine on a big stage.

Not only do bowl games give players a chance to show what they can do on national television, but they are also an opportunity for players to prove themselves against quality competition. While beating up on FCS opponents during the year might lead to big stats, these results are much more telling.

All seniors and draft-eligible juniors and sophomores will want to end their careers on a high note, but these top prospects have the most at stake in the coming weeks.

Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

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After saying before the season this would be his last year at UCLA, Brett Hundley appears to be true to his word as he prepares to enter the 2015 NFL draft. 

This will make the Alamo Bowl matchup against Kansas State his last collegiate game. The good news is Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder is expecting a strong performance, via Chris Foster of the Los Angeles Times:

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In the passing game, he can bring the ball out. He has gained 700-plus [rushing] yards. He lost some yardage; those came on sacks. He is somebody who can really run the ball and an awful lot of that comes on scrambles.

We have seen an awful lot of zone-read-type plays and quick attachments, where people raise up throw ball outside. Hundley does that a lot and quite well.

"

The problem for Hundley is that the majority of his production has come against inferior pass defenses in the Pac-12. The best defense he faced all year was Stanford in the final week of the regular season, and the quarterback responded with his worst game of the season as the Bruins managed just 10 points in a loss.

Kansas State has the skill to make things difficult on a lot of quarterbacks, but Hundley has to show he can handle an above-average defense. If he does, he might live up to his current standing as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State

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Boise State might have earned a spot in the Fiesta Bowl as the top non-power conference team in the country. However, that doesn't mean a lot of people have actually watched the Broncos play this year.

That's a shame, too, because Jay Ajayi has been extremely impressive all year, totaling 25 rushing touchdowns to trail only Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon. The running back also managed to rush for 1,689 yards to carry his team to an 11-2 record.

Unfortunately, he is still behind a number of other top players at his position in this class, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted:

This could change with a strong performance against Arizona in the Fiesta Bowl. For many scouts, this will be the first chance to get a real look at the running back against legitimate competition. Based on what he has done in the past, there is no reason to believe he will do anything besides have a huge day.

Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

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ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. already lists Benardrick McKinney as the top inside linebacker in the class (subscription required). Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star agrees and thinks he could even be moved around if needed:

However, there is a stigma about middle linebackers that leads to very few being drafted early. C.J. Mosley was almost a can't-miss prospect who reached the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Baltimore Ravens, and even he wasn't selected until No. 17.

McKinney has an opportunity to move safely in the first round and possibly even higher with a strong performance against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.

The challenge for Mississippi State in this game will be to slow down the Yellow Jackets' triple-option attack. McKinney will play a big role thanks to his lateral quickness and ability to finish tackles when he gets an opportunity.

Against a team that rarely throws the ball, the linebacker could finish with double-digit tackles as part of a huge day to showcase his potential.

P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

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Another player who is likely already in the first round, P.J. Williams can secure his spot with a strong performance in the national semifinals against Oregon.

The 6'1" junior has the size and physicality to be an above-average player at the next level, but he has struggled to really stand out this season. Part of that was his inconsistent play in coverage, while the other factor was the lack of legitimate competition in the ACC.

However, he was able to show what he can do against the run when his team faced Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports broke down the cornerback's strong play: "While Georgia Tech's offensive line was able to consistently create holes between the hashes, their receivers struggled to sustain their blocks against Florida State's physical defensive backs. Williams was particularly impressive in fighting through blocks and delivering forceful hits."

Things will be much tougher against Oregon, which has some of the fastest players in the nation to move the ball on the ground and through the air.

If Williams can help slow down Marcus Mariota and company, it will be hard to find on-field criticisms for the Florida State player once the draft rolls around.

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