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NFL Draft 2014: Which Pac-12 underclassmen will declare, which won't?

A large number of Pac-12 underclassmen could declare for the 2014 NFL Draft.

Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE

It's that time of year when underclassmen start declaring to either head to either head to the draft or stay in school and some major Pac-12 players have already made their intentions clear. We thought it would be great to put all the potential declarers in the Pac-12 in one place and predict their decisions along with debating whether they should stay or go and where they might go if they do.

*Note Stanford lists their players by academic year, so many of their players that are listed as seniors still have another year of eligibility.

Dres Anderson Jr. WR Utah

Stay - Anderson is still a bit under-the-radar even for Pac-12 fans even though he had more than 1,000 yards receiving this season and having top flight speed (reportedly 4.4). Anderson could test the NFL waters with his production and speed, but I think he will come back for another year.

Where he could go if he does - Fifth or sixth round

Henry Anderson Sr. DE Stanford

Stay - Anderson has phenomenal size at 6'6 295 and the versatility to play end or tackle, but he is probably a defensive tackle at the next level as he has more size than athleticism. He will likely stay as Stanford players generally don't declare early and he could improve his draft stock with a fully healthy 2014 season.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round

Dion Bailey Jr. S USC

Stay - A former standout linebacker, Bailey transitioned to the safety position perfectly in his first year at the position and has ideal NFL size for the spot. Bailey is mulling over the position, but I think he will decide to come back and gain some more experience at safety before making the leap.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round

Carl Bradford Jr. LB Arizona State

Stay - An explosive pass-rusher with an impressive first step, Bradford is great at getting after the quarterback from the linebacker position and plays with fire. Bradford doesn't have ideal size or athleticism, but he is the kind of pass-rusher that NFL teams covet so he has to be tempted to leave, but ultimately I see him coming back to try and improve his stock.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round

Ka'Deem Carey Jr. RB Arizona

Go - Carey looks like an NFL back playing in college as he once again racked up a ton of yards and touchdowns while shouldering a huge load, running over defenders and getting the most out of each carry. There's really no reason for Carey to come back so I expect him to declare shortly and possibly be the top-rated back in the draft.

Where he could go if he does - Second round, maybe late first

Brandin Cooks Jr. WR Oregon State

Go - Cooks quietly was the most productive receiver in the country this season and has the kind of quickness and speed that the NFL loves at the position. Cooks is small (5'10 185) and it probably will keep him from ever getting into the first round even if he comes back and matches his production, so he might as well cash in his chips now.

Where he could go if he does - Second or third round

Scott Crichton Jr. DE Oregon State

Go - Crichton is probably the best pure pass-rushing defensive end in the conference and he has NFL size for the position. Crichton has the potential to sneak into the late first round, NFL teams love his skill set and he's made his mark for the Beavers for three years now so I think it is time for him to take the next step.

Where he could go if he does - Late-first or early-second round

Jamil Douglas Jr. T Arizona State

Stay - Douglas might be a surprise to be on here, but he's versatile, athletic (he has OL/DL and tight end at ASU) and skilled enough to consider a leap. Douglas should think about it a bit if he gets good feedback, but ultimately I think he almost assuredly returns for his senior season.

Where he could go if he does - Sixth or seventh round

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Jr. CB Oregon

Go - Ekpre-Olomu is an All-American candidate with excellent ball skills and run support that could be the best cornerback prospect in the draft if he declares so there is no reason that he shouldn't, especially since opponents pretty much stopped passing against him.

Where he could go if he does - Mid to late-first round

Cameron Fleming Sr. T Stanford

Stay - Fleming is a monster and maybe the most imposing figure on Stanford's offensive line, but probably not the most polished. He would assuredly get scooped up fairly quickly if he declares for the 2014 draft but he still has some cleaning up to do and would be wise to avoid a loaded draft for tackle this season when next year he could have a better chance of sneaking into the first round if he polishes his game and a bunch of elite tackles leave in this draft.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round

Hroniss Grasu Jr. C Oregon

Stay - Grasu has already stated that he will return for his senior season. He has already more than proven himself with two great seasons, but could maybe sneak himself into the first round with a stellar 2014.

Where he could go if he had - Second or third round.

Xavier Grimble Jr. TE USC

Stay - Grimble is far from the most productive tight end in the conference, but he is second to probably only Austin Seferian-Jenkins in raw skills and that means a lot to NFL scouts. Grimble would be a solid draft pick if he declares, but I think he will realize that if he comes out and has a big year in 2014 he could go as high as the first round.

Where he could go if he does - Fourth or fifth round.

Austin Hill Jr. WR Arizona

Stay - Hill looked like one of the top receivers in the nation with ideal size (6'3 210) going into 2013, but a torn ACL in the spring kept him out for the entire season. Hill was so productive in 2012 and he has such ideal size and talent that you would have to wonder if he is considering coming straight from his injury and to the NFL, but he has confirmed that he will be returning to Arizona.

Where he could go if he had - Seventh round or undrafted free agent

Brett Hundley So. QB UCLA

Stay - This might be the toughest call as there are a ton of reasons for Hundley to stay but there are just as many for him to leave. Ultimately, even though there a lot of teams at the top of the draft who need quarterbacks this year, Hundley returns to polish his game and truly prepare himself for the next step.

Where he could go if he does - Top 5-10.

Eric Kendricks Jr. LB UCLA

Stay - Kendricks isn't a top prospect for this year draft, but would assuredly get drafted with his sideline-to-sideline and tackling skills so he at least has to think about it. Kendricks will likely quickly decide to return and take the leadership role of the UCLA linebacker corps with Anthony Barr in the NFL.

Where he could go if he does - Fifth or sixth round.

Marqise Lee Jr. WR USC

Go - It will be a tougher decision than most thought going into the season due to injuries and lack of production, but I still think Lee declares and since he is still almost assuredly a first-round draft pick, he should.

Where he could go if he does - Mid to late-first round.

Sean Mannion Jr. QB Oregon State

Stay - Mannion has good size, a big arm and tons of experiencing airing it out, so he might have to take a look at the draft with how many teams are desperate for a quarterback right now. I don't think there is much chance that he actually declares, but he should at least take a look.

Where he could go if he does - Fourth or fifth round.

Marcus Mariota So. QB Oregon

Stay - Even though almost every draft expert had him projected to go in the first few picks of the draft, Mariota has already stated that he is returning for his junior season.

Where he could have gone if he had - Top 5.

Marcus Martin Jr. C USC

Stay - Martin is huge and was first team All-Pac-12 this year so his NFL stock is pretty good, but I think he could benefit from another season and will likely be returning for Steve Sarkisian.

Where he could go if he does - Fourth or fifth round.

Ty Montgomery Jr. WR Stanford

Stay - Haven't heard much about him leaving early, but a guy with his physical package has to be on scouts' radar and he has to think about it. Montgomery needs another year to hone is his pure receiver as opposed to pure athlete skills and, if he can do that, he can be a first round pick.

Where he could go if he does - Fourth or fifth round.

Jake Murphy Jr. TE Utah

Stay - Murphy emerged as one of the best tight ends in the Pac-12 in 2013 and when recently asked about leaving early for the NFL he confirmed that he will be returning for his senior season.

Where he could have gone if he had - Sixth or seventh round.

Hayes Pullard Jr. LB USC

Stay - Pullard is a strong and steady presence in the middle who loves to make big hits and has the athleticism to play at the next level. I think Pullard will return to put on some more weight and improve his draft stock, though I'm less confident about that with the coaching change.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round.

Ed Reynolds Sr. S Stanford

Stay - Reynolds had a bit of a down year from his incredible 2012 season, but is still a solid prospect at safety with his size and athleticism. I think he uses his last year of eligibility to bounce back from a slower season interception wise and improve his draft stock.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round.

Jordan Richards Jr. S Stanford

Stay - Richards is excellent in run support and a guy with huge potential, but like Reynolds, didn't have an outstanding season. Still Richards has a high ceiling and would be drafted this season, but should return to bolster his stock back up.

Where he could go if he does - Fourth or fifth round.

Paul Richardson Jr. WR Colorado

Go - Richardson has already declared for the 2014 draft and is one of the top receiver prospects at the moment.

Where he could go - Second round, maybe third or late first.

Bishop Sankey Jr. RB Washington

Go - Sankey is very similar to Carey and could be the best back in the draft, but probably has a ceiling that couldn't get him into the first round so he has probably raised his stock as much as high as it can go. I think running backs now know that they need to start getting NFL carries as soon as they can to maximize their lifespan and Sankey will wisely take his game to the next level.

Where he could go if he does - Second round.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins Jr. TE Washington

Go - Seferian-Jenkins was once seen as a potential Top 10 pick but off-the-field stuff and lowered production have lowered his stock. Still he has first-round talent and will likely cash in his chips as soon as he can.

Where he could go if he does - Late first to early-second round.

Josh Shaw Jr. CB USC

Stay - Every year there are a few USC players that Pac-12 fans probably don't know that much about, but are decent raw NFL draft prospects, Shaw is one of those guys. I think Shaw might take a look with the coaching change, but knows that if he comes back and has a big year the sky is the limit with his physical tools.

Where he could go if he does - Sixth or seventh round.

Danny Shelton Jr. DT Washington

Stay - Shelton has already publicly stated that he will be returning for his senior season.

Where he could go if he had - Third or fourth round.

Jaelen Strong So. WR Arizona State

Stay - Strong was the best junior college newcomer in the Conference this year and he has the rare almost perfect combination of physical tools and production, but he's only a sophomore, so I think he is back for at least one more year.

Where he could go if he does - Third or fourth round.

Xavier Su'a-Filo Jr. G UCLA

Stay - Su'a-Filo has it all as a lineman with size, versatility and accolades and has twice been All-Pac-12 so he has good NFL potential. Since Su'a-Filo is old for a junior since he took a mission, I think he might want to head to the pros sooner rather than later, but I think he comes back with the chance to be the top NFL prospect at guard for the 2015 draft.

Where he could go if he does - Second or third round

Randall Telfer Jr. TE USC

Stay - Another USC guy who doesn't produce much but has the raw physical tools that the NFL craves. Still, a couple guys like him declare every year, though I wouldn't be on him specifically.

Where he could go if he does - Seventh round or undrafted free agent.

De'Anthony Thomas Jr. RB Oregon

Go - Nothing concrete has come out about Thomas' NFL intentions yet, but I think the fact that he, and Ekpre-Olomu didn't declare their attentions to return to Oregon with Mariota and Grasu probably means that he is gone. Thomas did battle and injury and have an underwhelming season, so returning and proving himself could help, but I think the injury risk of another year probably isn't worth it.

Where he could go if he does - Second or third round, maybe first if someone falls in love with him.

George Uko Jr. DE USC

Stay - Uko had a good 2013 and has great size and athleticism, but I think could use another year to gain more attention and move himself up in the draft.

Where he could go if he does - Fourth or fifth round.

David Yankey Sr. G Stanford

Go - Another one that I'm really torn on as Yankey has the talent to leave, but Stanford guys frequently stay in school even when they can go to the NFL early. Yankey has paid his dues at Stanford though and is ready for the NFL, so I expect him to declare.

Where he could go if he does - Second round.