Official website of the New England Patriots

Jones switched from receiver to cornerback for his sophomore campaign in 2013, and then blossomed into a second-team All-SEC pick by league media in 2014 (three interceptions, 13 pass deflections) in spite of a torn labrum in his hip, which was surgically repaired in the offseason. He started all 15 games his senior year, improving in coverage (two INT, seven PBU) and putting to rest concerns about his hip. Teams might be more interested in him as a punt returner, though, as his four touchdowns on a nation-leading 42 attempts in 2015 (12.6 yard average) came up one short of tying the FBS record. A domestic violence charge that was dropped against him last spring will make teams take a hard look at his character references.

Thuney has played everywhere on the offensive line for the Wolfpack, beginning his career as back-up center as a redshirt freshman, starting at right tackle, right guard and left tackle in 2013, lining up at left guard in 2014 before returning to the blind side tackle spot as a senior. The second-team All-ACC pick has the strong versatility and potential for growth that NFL teams covet in a mid-round selection.

Brissett's build (6-foot-4, 235), strong arm, and ability to pick up first downs with his feet will intrigue teams looking for a potential starter in a draft lacking great talent at the position. Brissett started his career at Florida, but transferred to N.C. State due to a recruiting relationship with head coach Dave Doeren. He’s started every game the past two years, shining against Florida State (32-for-48, 359 yards, three touchdowns) in 2014, which portended a nice senior year that saw him earn honorable mention All-ACC honors (2,662 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions).

Valentine's career showed real promise at times, yet was marked by inconsistency and injury. He played in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2013, getting a starting call six times (the first four, and the final two) in order to make 21 tackles, five for loss and a sack. In the Illinois high school all-state pick’s sophomore season, it looked like the consistency was coming as he started 11 times, recording 45 stops, seven for loss, and three sacks in the middle. A knee injury slowed him down during his fourth and final year on campus, limiting him to seven starts, 10 tackles, four for loss, and three sacks. Instead of returning to school to prove himself to scouts, Valentine chose to leave early for the NFL with his diploma in hand.

Mitchell tore his ACL in the 2013 season opener, and fought back the last two seasons to become the outstanding player he has been early in his career in Athens (Freshman All-SEC pick, 85 catches for over 1,200 yards and eight scores in 2011-2012.) He finally started all 13 games in 2015, leading the Bulldogs in receiving (58-865, four TD). He’s not putting up huge numbers like Big 12 receivers because of the Bulldogs' offense, but scouts see Mitchell's sure hands and toughness over the middle, making him a reliable No. 2 or 3 option for a pro offense.

Talk about a football family -- seven members of the Karras clan have played Big Ten football, and four of them went on to the NFL, including the late Pro Bowler Alex Karras, who is Ted's great uncle. Growing up around the game certainly aided his development as a player, but name recognition isn't why he's on this list. The 2014 and 2015 honorable mention All-Big Ten pick has been a starter for the Illini since arriving on campus, although he missed the final four games of his junior season with a torn left ACL and MCL. Karras bounced back to start all 12 games, playing quite well, as a senior.