2014 NFL Draft - Top 12 Pac-12 NFL Draft Prospects: Mariota still top prospect even though he didn't declare

1. Marcus Mariota QB Oregon *So.

Upside - He has the speed that every team is looking for in the position right now along with decent size and outrageous college production. He's the kind of guy that can tuck it and outrun an entire defense, really keeping defenses on their toes and limiting their tendency to blitz. He also has good size for a guy with his speed at 6'4 215 along with passing skills as he has thrown for a ton of yards and touchdowns at Oregon with just a few interceptions.

Downside - Like a lot of quarterbacks that play for elite programs, Mariota's biggest weakness might be that he isn't challenged enough or face enough pressure on a regular basis. He hasn't had to make a lot of tough throws or face pressure and he hasn't looked very strong when he has and it causes him to struggle with accuracy. Injuries might become a question as he battled a knee injury towards the end of the year even though he rarely took hits.

Where he could go - Mariota turned down the draft this year despite being almost a guaranteed Top 5 pick and potential top pick overall. As long as he performs as well as he has the past two seasons in 2014 and avoids injury he should be taken in the same region of the draft in 2015.

2. Anthony Barr LB UCLA

Upside - There may not be a more interesting athlete in the draft than Barr, a 6'4 245 former running back with terrific speed and ability to rush the passer. He is the perfect hybrid pass rusher for NFL teams that are looking to slow down opponents' passing games and quarterbacks and excelled in 2013 even though he was regularly double-teamed.

Downside - Not much, but Barr could be a bit of a tweener as he isn't really heavy enough to be a defensive end, but will have to adjust to the speed of the game for linebacker in the NFL and he only has two true seasons as a defensive player at a high level.

Where he could go - I think Barr could go as high as the second pick, but unfortunately for him, the majority of the teams at the top of the draft desperately need quarterbacks and there is a guy named Clowney that he won't be able to jump ahead of, so I think he goes somewhere between 5-10.

3. Brett Hundley QB UCLA *So.

Upside - Hundley is a dream quarterback from a purely physical standpoint and the rest of his game is coming along too. He's big and solid at 6'3 225, has an NFL arm and top flight speed along with a good feel for the deep ball.

Downside - Hundley has a ways to go with the cerebral part of the position as he tends to struggle in the pocket sometimes and is still prone to making big mistakes when under pressure.

Where he could go - Like Mariota, Hundley turned down the draft this year despite being a likely Top 5 pick so he could have another year to polish his game in college. If Hundley can maintain his performance he should still be a Top 5-10 pick and could even jump a get into the top pick conversation for 2015 if he performs well enough.

4. Leonard Williams DE USC *So.

Upside - Williams looks like a franchise NFL defensive lineman playing in college and has the highest ceiling of any Pac-12 defensive linemen to play in the conference in a long time with how well he can move with his size. He has the size of an NFL defensive tackle, but plays defensive end and has the speed of a linebacker and might be the best overall athlete in the Pac-12.

Downside - Williams has another year to polish himself, but could be a bit of a tweener as he is kind of a hybrid defensive end/tackle right now.

Where he could go - Williams isn't eligible until 2015, but he has a good shot to be the top overall pick in the 2015 draft.

5. Marqise Lee WR USC *Jr.

Upside - One of the best deep threats to ever play in the Pac-12, Lee has an uncanny ability to use his speed to get behind defenses and catch long touchdowns. He's a phenomenal route runner and great at tracking the ball down when it is in the air.

Downside - Lee has average, but not good size at 6'0 195 and has injury questions as he missed a bunch of time in 2013 due to being dinged up.

Where he could go - Lee has officially declared for the draft and will likely be the third receiver taken after Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans, probably somewhere in the mid-to-late first round.

6. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB Oregon *Jr.

Upside - A strong presence on the corner that can lock down receivers and also support the run game as well as any cornerback in the country. Teams don't throw against him much anymore, but he has great ball instincts and can regularly pick off passes.

Downside - IEO doesn't have great size at 5'10 190 and relies a lot of physicality which could make him penalty prone at the next level.

Where he could go - Ekpre-Olomu was slated as a Top 20 pick by most, but he decided to return for his senior year.

7. Andrus Peat T Stanford *So.

Upside - Peat is long-armed, huge and can move exceptionally well for a guy his size that can protect a quarterback's blind size.

Downside - Peat has only one year of experience at left tackle at a collegiate level.

Where he could go - The big man isn't eligible until next season, but with another good year at Stanford he could easily be a Top 5-10 pick in 2015 if he declares.

8. Scott Crichton DE Oregon State *Jr.

Upside - Crichton is one of the most skilled pass-rushers in the draft and also has the size at 6'3 265 to transition easily to the next level.

Downside - Crichton is a great producer, but isn't a phenomenal raw athlete and likely doesn't have a huge ceiling.

Where he could go - If enough teams need pass-rushers towards the end of the draft, Crichton could be one of the last guys taken in the first round. If not, he's a sure early second rounder.

9. Austin Seferian-Jenkins TE Washington *Jr.

Upside - A physical monster at 6‘6 275, Seferian-Jenkins has the size of a tackle, but the athleticism and hands of a receiver and is a deadly weapon in the red zone.

Downside - Seferian-Jenkins' saw his production drop in 2013 in Washington's hurry-up offense so there may be questions about how effective he is in a high speed offense.

Where he could go - If a team late in the first that needs a tight end like Kansas City or New England decides to take one and Jace Amaro or Eric Ebron are off the board, or they prefer ASJ, he could go late first, but will likely end up somewhere in the second.

10. Trent Murphy LB Stanford

Upside - One of the most intimidating players in the country, Murphy is a massive OLB/DE hybrid at 6‘6 265 that can get after quarterbacks, knock down passes and hold up against the run.

Downside - Murphy is a bit of a tweener as he doesn't have much experience as a down lineman defensive end type but isn't as athletic as you would like an NFL linebacker to be.

Where he could go - Murphy was once expected to be a first round pick, but his stock seems to be falling for whatever reason and now he looks like an early-to-mid second rounder.

11. Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State *Jr.

Upside - Cooks is blazing fast and just plain gets open and catches the ball as he was one of the most productive receivers in the entire nation in 2013.

Downside - Cooks is very small at 5'10 180.

Where he could go - Despite his size, Cooks could sneak into the late first if his numbers are good enough at the combine, but he likely is the first receiver taken in the second round.

12. Ka'Deem Carey RB Arizona *Jr.

Upside - Carey is the prototypical NFL running back as he is quick, strong with good feet and gets the most out of every carry.

Downside - Carey doesn't have the gamebreaking speed that could make him a first round pick.

Where he could go - He could be a late first rounder, but teams just don't really need running backs this season so he will likely go somewhere in the second.

On the edge

Bishop Sankey RB Washington *Jr.

Jaelen Strong WR Arizona State *So.

Xavier Su'a-Filo G UCLA *Jr.

Will Sutton DT Arizona State

De'Anthony Thomas RB Oregon *Jr.