2015 NFL Draft Five prospects with top intangible
As much as NFL coaches and scouts scour tape looking for the physical strengths and shortcomings of draft prospects, they face an entirely different plane of evaluation when it comes to things like psyche, mental toughne s and leadership. It's intangibles like those that can make a big difference in a player's career, and in the rare player that embodies those traits best, it can make a difference in an entire locker room. Here are five 2015 prospects who, in their own unique ways, should bring strong intangibles to the teams that draft them. 1. QB , Florida State While there are questions about Winston's off-field maturity, there is no question about his on-field leadership capability. His former Seminoles teammates swear by his commanding presence, likeability, and knack for making big plays at key moments. True enough, the same could have been said about at this time a year ago, and off-field i sues have undercut Manziel's opportunity for a leadership role. But as long as Winston sticks to football, players at the next level should rally behind him just as they did in college. NFL fit: . Why not the team expected to take Winston No. 1 overall? A succe sful rookie year for Winston would bring some needed and newfound identity to the Bucs' offense. 2. , Alabama Cooper is the very definition of a leader by example. Unlike the gregarious Winston, the Alabama wide receiver made himself into the player teammates wanted to emulate without saying much of anything. Instead, Cooper not only
Amani Hooker Jersey showed them how it's done on the playing field, he set the standard for commitment on the practice field and in the film room as well. Once surrounded by more maturity and a busine s-like approach, Cooper will probably be more comfortable in a pro locker room than he was in a college one. NFL fit: . From an intangibles standpoint, the could use a laser-focused example setter like Cooper on what will be a young team. 3. , UCLA Kendricks won the Lott Impact Trophy, named for safety Ronnie Lott, which weighs personal character and integrity as much as athletic performance. A four-year starter for the Bruins, Kendricks proved to be the consummate leader of the UCLA defense along with being one of the top linebackers in the country. His understanding of the game and inspirational presence helped make defenders around him better. NFL fit: . Kendricks is a Tom Coughlin kind of player -- tough, no-nonsense, with a team-first attitude. Considering the ' needs at linebacker, Kendricks is an easy choice. 4. , Nebraska You won't find a more well-rounded person than the former Cornhuskers running back, who was named a team captain, was on the All-Big Ten Academic team, and was a weight-room warrior to boot. He volunteers at local schools, visits local hospitals, and was revered in the Cornhuskers' locker room. An AFC scout told at the in January: "He's a pro's pro already." NFL fit: . Whether moves on in free agency or not, starter could use a little help and Abdullah -- though he lacks the size to be an every-down back -- could be just the answer in a support role. 5. , USC The two-time Trojans team captain brought an increasingly vocal presence to his leadership over the course of his USC career. Originally recruited by Pete Carroll, Pullard stayed with the program rather than transferring when Carroll left for the , and helped hold the team together through the midseason ouster of former coach Lane Kiffin. Off the field, Pullard set the right example, as well. Among other impre sive points on his resume, he went to Haiti on a home-building mi sion for the needy in 2012. NFL fit: . Pullard brings a knack for playing the pa s effectively, a trait Washington could use given it allowed third-down conversions at a 43 percent clip last year. *Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *
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