NFL draft: first-round player capsules

The No. 2 overall prospect in the 2014 college recruiting class is now a No. 1. Cleveland got its man to rough up the trenches, selecting Garrett with Thursday night's first overall pick. The chiseled specimen jumped off the page in workout photos from the draft combine. On the field it was more of the same. Garrett, at 6-4, 272 pounds, explodes off the line and is known to spin his way into the backfield, leaving quarterbacks and running backs helpless. Injuries limited him to nine starts last fall but he still made 15 tackles for loss and 8 ½ sacks.

Mitchell Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

The NFC North has its new young hotshot. And for the Bears' sake, he better pan out. Chicago swapped first-round picks with the 49ers plus shipped three more selections to San Francisco to grab a quarterback who had just 13 career starts for the Tar Heels.

Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford

The redshirt sophomore upped his game last season for the Cardinal, winning Pac-12 defensive player of the year honors after using his 6-3, 273-pound frame for 62 tackles (15 for loss) and eight sacks.

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Ferocious runner led the SEC in all-purpose yardage as a true freshman (137.4 yards per game) and nearly rushed for 2,000 yards as a sophomore. An ankle injury slowed his progress last season but he still showed burst, including a 287-yard, three-TD effort against Ole Miss.

P.J. Fleck's prodigy with the Broncos went from a two-star recruit to the all-time leader in major conference college receiving yards (5,285). The 6-3 receiver was named first-team All-America after 97 catches for 1,500 yards and, 19 touchdowns.

Jamal Adams, S, LSU

Lauded for his leadership, the kid can play, too. Saw significant playing time right away as a freshman and finished his three-year career with the Tigers with 209 tackles and five INTs. Son of George Adams, who won a Super Bowl with the Giants.

Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

A superb, physical target for Philip Rivers. The Southern California native comes home to show off his talents, which included 1,361 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last season, just a year after fracturing his neck.

A complete player, capable of weaving his way through linemen as a rusher and finding an open spot as a receiver. Set a record for all-purpose yardage with 3,864 in 2015 before an injury limited him to "only" 1,639 rushing yards last season.

John Ross, WR, Washington

Was already on the radar after a 1,150-yard, 17-TD season for the Huskies and then he ran 4.22-second 40-yard dash at the combine, an all-time record. Shoulder and knee injuries are a concern.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

The son of the former Twins pitcher was a wanted man. The Chiefs moved up 17 spots, gave up their first-round pick in 2018 plus a third this weekend to grab Mahomes, who uses those pitching genes for a cannon of an arm.

Nagged by hamstring injuries (including surgery) his first two seasons, the 6-foot agitator made his moments count. In his one year as a starter he swiped four interceptions and had nine pass breakups.

12. Houston (from Cleveland, via Philadelphia)

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Think this guy knows how to win? The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist was 32-3 as a starter at Clemson with 50 total TDs last season. He passed for 420 yards and three TDs in the national championship game.

Haason Reddick, LB, Temple

Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

What did the Vikings miss out on? A nuisance on the line who will use arm and hand strength to claw his way toward what he wants. Amassed 13 sacks last season, a Vols record (yes, more than Reggie White), and had at least 10 sacks all three years in college.

Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

A one-time D-I basketball recruit, Hooker instead chose football and gets to stay in Big Ten country to show what he's got. Worked his way up loaded Buckeyes depth chart to make first-team All-America with 74 tackles and seven INTs.

Marlon Humphrey, DB, Alabama

Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama

Big upside as he showed he could rush the passer from the inside or outside in his career at Alabama. Named national defensive player of the year after 16 tackles for loss and 10 ½ sacks his senior season. Had seven career multi-sack games.

Adoree Jackson, CB, USC

An all-around athlete who showed up on highlight reels on offense, defense and special teams for the Trojans. Not ideal size (5-10, 186 pounds), but if defense doesn't work out, he had nine career touchdown returns.

O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama

Garett Bolles, OL, Utah

John Elway knows how to spot a quarterback protector, and this is one who had to first protect himself. Bolles overcame destructive teenage years to make it as a juco standout and eventually get to All-Pac 12 status for the Utes.

Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

A finalist for the nation's top linebacker, Davis has a speed burst from sideline-to-sideline and a knack for finishing tackles with authority. Backed up a standout junior season (98 tackles) with 60 tackles last fall despite missing four games because of leg injures.

22. Miami

Rumor has it he was recruited while playing basketball on a playground, and despite limited football experience definitely made his mark in college. Broke out two years ago with 18 ½ sacks.

Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss

You know Rebels alum Eli Manning gave the thumbs-up to this pick. Engram is an athletic go-getter with speed that stands out at this position.

Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

Questions about his character arose this week with sexual assault allegations in Ohio. But Oakland took a chance on the 6-foot, 195-pound corner who started every game the last two seasons for the Buckeyes.

Wherever the Browns need Peppers, he'll likely give the green light to give it a try. Named college football's most versatile player last season, Peppers played linebacker, safety, returned punts.

Takkarist McKinley, OLB, UCLA

Wound up with the Bruins after not qualifying academically at Cal. Once on campus in L.A., he stood out as a senior, receiving first-team All-Pac-12 honors with 18 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, six pass breakups.

Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

Being a four-year starter in college is a huge bonus. Finished last season with a pair of interceptions and a team-high 14 pass breakups. Needs to add weight to his 190-pound frame.

Only started in one season with the Wolverines, which has caused some experts to question his consistency. Still, a unique blend of size and athleticism helped him lead Michigan with 9 ½ sacks last fall.

David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.)

Just the latest Hurricanes tight end to enter the NFL with high expectations. Njoku earned his by using his 6-4, 246-pound frame as a major force in the red zone.

T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

No doubt the bloodlines are there; perhaps you've heard of big brother J.J. in Houston. As for T.J., he's a rising player who won't be outworked.

The Crimson Tide's star inside linebacker shed 20 pounds last summer and displayed newfound speed and agility that led to a unanimous all-America nod.

Ryan Ramczyk, OL, Wisconsin

Maybe this is the guy who can use some size ( 6-5, 310 pounds) to open holes for Adrian Peterson. Ramczyk started all 14 games at left tackle for the Badgers last season, earning All-America status after transferring from UW-Stevens Point.

Compiled by Brian Stensaas