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2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Prospects In East-West Shrine Game

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By @Spencer_NFL

2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Prospects In East-West Shrine Game

East-West Shrine Game
Jeff Griffith-USA TODAY Sports

The 90th annual East-West Shrine Game will take place this Saturday. The game features players from the FBS, FCS, Division II and Canada. This is widely considered to be the No. 2 postseason All-Star game behind the Senior Bowl. While the majority of players in this game will have a shot to make an NFL roster, these are the 15 to watch.

15. Josh Shaw (CB-USC)

Josh Shaw USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

15. Josh Shaw (CB-USC)

Josh Shaw USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Shaw's season began unlike any other. First, he was considered a hero after he claimed to have jumped out of a second-story window to save his nephew from drowning. Then, he admitted to fabricating the story and was indefinitely suspended. He missed USC's first 10 games of the season. He started rusty, but played well enough to lead the team in tackles in the Holiday Bowl. He's now a Day 3 prospect.

14. James Castleman (DT-Oklahoma State)

James Castleman Oklahoma State
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

14. James Castleman (DT-Oklahoma State)

James Castleman Oklahoma State
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In what is a very deep class of defensive tackles, James Castleman has been one of the most consistent. He played in at least 11 games all four seasons with the Cowboys and improved his tackling numbers ever year. He's very athletic for a defensive tackle, but needs to improve his strength. He'll likely be limited to a DT role on a 4-3 defense. Heading into the postseason he has a sixth-round grade.

13. John Miller (G-Louisville)

John Miller Louisville
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

13. John Miller (G-Louisville)

John Miller Louisville
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

John Miller is the top-rated guard in this game. The durable left guard protected Teddy Bridgewater for three years before the QB left for the NFL. This season, he's blocked for a revolving door of quarterbacks. In that time Miller became one of the most technically sound blockers in college football. He's not the strongest or fastest player at the position, but he's a projected sixth-round pick.

12. Sean Hickey (OT-Syracuse)

Sean Hickey Syracuse
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

12. Sean Hickey (OT-Syracuse)

Sean Hickey Syracuse
Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

As the top tackle prospect in the game, it's a mild surprise that Sean Hickey has been practicing at right tackle rather than left. This could actually help his draft stock as right tackle is his best position at the next level anyway. At Syracuse, Hickey was solid against power-rushers, but speed-rushers like Clemson's Vic Beasley caused him problems. Beasley had five tackles for a loss in the last two meetings. Hickey has a Round 5 grade.

11. Tony Washington (OLB-Oregon)

Tony Washington Oregon
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

11. Tony Washington (OLB-Oregon)

Tony Washington Oregon
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Washington's ability to bounce back from a loss in the National Championship Game is one of the week's biggest question marks. The OLB had seven tackles in the title game, but it wasn't enough. He's a great pass-rusher from the OLB position and will likely begin his career as a pass-rushing specialist. Washington currently has a fifth-round grade.

10. Ben Heeney (ILB-Kansas)

Ben Heeney Kansas
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

10. Ben Heeney (ILB-Kansas)

Ben Heeney Kansas
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

General managers will be looking for the 2015 version of Chris Borland. The current 49ers linebacker was very productive in college, but he slipped in the draft due to his size. He was recently named to the all-rookie team by Pro Football Writer's of America, and this year, Ben Heeney could be that guy. He's an undersized ILB who doesn't receive a lot of attention due to his team's lack of success. Heeney has a fifth-round grade.

9. Jake Ryan (OLB-Michigan)

Jake Ryan Michigan
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9. Jake Ryan (OLB-Michigan)

Jake Ryan Michigan
Getty Images

The top LB in this game is versatile Michigan defender Jake Ryan. Ryan has experience at DE, ILB and OLB from his time at Michigan. OLB is his most likely spot in the NFL. He's a very instinctive player, and while he isn't great at any one skill, he's well-balanced. The only issue at this point is his ability to play in coverage. His speed wasn't great before his ACL surgery last season and it hasn't improved since. He's a projected Round 5 pick.

8. B.J. Finney (C-Kansas State)

B.J. Finney Kansas State
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

8. B.J. Finney (C-Kansas State)

B.J. Finney Kansas State
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best centers in the nation, B.J. Finney is the top-rated offensive lineman in this game. Like many of Bill Snyder's best players, Finney was a walk-on who started all four years at Kansas State. He showed a little versatility this season by shifting to OT in two games due to injuries, but he'll be a center in the NFL. He's No. 5 at the position on my board.

7. Chucky Hunter (DT-TCU)

Chucky Hunter TCU
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7. Chucky Hunter (DT-TCU)

Chucky Hunter TCU
Getty Images

If a team is looking to add strength to the roster, Chucky Hunter would be the perfect fit. Despite playing DT at just 305 pounds, Hunter is one of the strongest players in this entire draft class. He also is one of the quickest defensive tackles. In a deep DT class, Hunter falls just outside the top 10 at the position. However, he is expected to have a great combine and could shoot up draft boards.

6. Cam Thomas (CB-Western Kentucky)

Cam Thomas Western Kentucky
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

6. Cam Thomas (CB-Western Kentucky)

Cam Thomas Western Kentucky
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Thomas possesses the size, strength and speed NFL teams are looking for in a cornerback. The Shrine Game may have a greater impact on his stock than that of any other player. The reason is he rarely faces NFL-caliber receivers at Western Kentucky. The best WR he faced, Central Michigan's Titus Davis, scored four touchdowns. He'll be expected to cover some of the West's taller wideouts, including Austin Hill and Jordan Taylor.

5. Za'Darius Smith (DE-Kentucky)

Za'Darius Smith Kentucky
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

5. Za'Darius Smith (DE-Kentucky)

Za'Darius Smith Kentucky
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Za'Darius Smith may not receive the recognition of teammate Alvin Dupree, but he'll be on an NFL roster next season. The JUCO transfer finished third on the Wildcats in tackles and second in sacks this season behind Dupree. He has the size and speed to play DE in either a 3-4 or 4-3 alignment. Smith is expected to come off the board in the fourth round.

4. Travis Raciti (DT-San Jose State)

Travis Raciti San Jose State
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

4. Travis Raciti (DT-San Jose State)

Travis Raciti San Jose State
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose State DT Travis Raciti struggled when the Spartans switched to a 3-4 front in 2013, but his lack of size will probably result in Raciti moving back to a 3-4 DE role in the NFL. He averaged over four sacks per season as a DT but finished with just two as a DE. A solid postseason should help Raciti maintain his current fourth-round grade.

3. Austin Hill (WR-Arizona)

Austin Hill Arizona
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3. Austin Hill (WR-Arizona)

Austin Hill Arizona
Getty Images

After a breakout sophomore season, Austin Hill missed the entire 2013 season due to an injury. This year he moved from the slot to an outside role. His numbers aren't near what they were two years ago, but he wasn't the No. 1 WR on the team this time. Hill has great size for the position and has shown an ability to win contested passes. His speed may move him down the draft, but he should still be selected by the end of Round 4.

2. Tyeler Davison (DT-Fresno State)

Tyeler Davison Fresno State
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tyeler Davison (DT-Fresno State)

Tyeler Davison Fresno State
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Just like Raciti, Tyeler Davison is a Mountain West defensive tackle who has lined up all over the defensive line. He led the Bulldogs in sacks and tackles for a loss this season. He's even better when he takes on blockers, allowing teammates to make a play. His best fit is in a 4-3 defense as a DT. Davison is currently the No. 12 DT on my board and is a projected fourth-round pick.

1. Jordan Richards (S-Stanford)

Jordan Richards Stanford
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jordan Richards (S-Stanford)

Jordan Richards Stanford
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The top-rated prospect in this year's East-West Shrine Game is Stanford safety Jordan Richards. He's a very physical and aggressive player who led Stanford in interceptions and forced fumbles this season. He does need to learn patience and will likely begin his career as a backup. The strong safety could also make an early impact on special teams. He's the only player in this game with a Day 2 grade.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related: 2015 NFL Draft: 15 Prospects Who Improved Their Stock This Bowl Season

2015 NFL Draft: 15 Prospects Whose Stock Declined This Bowl Season

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