With the 2013 season fully in the rear-view mirror, the focus for all 32 NFL teams has turned fully toward this week’s NFL combine and the offseason evaluation process for draft-eligible prospects.
The combine officially gets underway on Wednesday as special teamers, offensive linemen and tight ends arrive in Indianapolis for check-ins. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock held a conference call with reporters on Tuesday to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s college class.
Mayock came away impressed with the class as a whole.
“From my perspective, this is the deepest and best draft class I’ve seen in probably ten years,” Mayock said. “That’s been reinforced by most of the general managers and scouts I’ve talked to throughout the league. I had one GM tell me the other day that having a Top-20 pick this year is very similar to having a Top-10 pick last year.”
There may not be the “can’t miss” quarterback prospect in this draft to draw the focus of the class like an Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III but Mayock says the depth of the class stands out.
“I think there’s more depth,” Mayock said. “I think there are certain positions that are stacked this year and you can get a quality player through three or four rounds.”
With the draft being moved back an additional two weeks, there will be plenty of time to get to know those prospects before Roger Goodell steps to the podium for the first time on May 8.