Monday 10 November 2014

Percy Harvin traded to New York Jets for conditional draft pick, per report



The New York Jets have acquired receiver/returner Percy Harvin from the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional draft pick, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Harvin has been injury-prone throughout his career but has played in all five of Seattle's games this season.

For the Seahawks, this move is stunning. Seattle has designs on becoming the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the 2004 New England Patriots, and it just traded one of its best playmakers for a future pick. Harvin has 133 receiving yards, ranking third on the team, but has also added 283 return and 92 rushing yards so far.

The trade ends the Harvin era in Seattle, which saw him play in a total of six regular season games and two postseason games over two years. Harvin had a big impact in the Super Bowl, scoring on a kickoff return to begin the second half.

To acquire Harvin before the 2013 season, general manager John Schneider dealt first- and seventh-round picks to the Minnesota Vikings along with a third-round selection in 2014. Schneider received a conditional pick in return from the Jets, making this move a net loss in terms of draft picks and money.

iOS 8.1 Problems Frustrating iPhone Users

While the iOS 8.1 releases brings fixes for several iOS 8 problems, it appears that the update has delivered some new problems of its own as iPhone and iPad users are struggling with assorted iOS 8.1 problems just a day after the update’s arrival. In late September, just a few weeks after iOS 8.0 came out of the beta program, Apple released iOS 8.1 beta. Apple did not attach a public iOS 8.1 release date to the beta leaving consumers wondering when the update would arrive. iPhone and iPad users had put great importance on iOS 8.1 release due to a number of iOS 8.0 issues and iOS 8.0.2 issues on board Apple’s iOS 8 update.

Last week, Apple announced a public iOS 8.1 release date, confirming the update for Monday, October 20th. Yesterday, as promised, Apple released the iOS 8.1 update for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The update, as expected is a sizable update that not only includes support for Apple Pay but comes packed with an assortment of tweaks and changes that are meant to improve Apple’s new iOS 8 update.

As we have discovered, the iOS 8.1 update’s fixes do tackle some of the iOS 8 problems that plagued iPhone and iPad users for several weeks. The iOS 8.1 update eradicated an issue wherein the iPhone would get stuck in landscape mode and it also squashed an iOS 8 bug that caused read iMessages to be labeled as unread. We’ve taken a deep dive into the iOS 8.1 update and while our experiences have been mostly positive, it looks like the update has delivered iOS 8.1 problems to iPhone and iPad users.

iPhone and iPad users on iOS 8.1 are reporting a number of iOS 8.1 problems that appear to be affecting the overall performance of their device. Apple’s discussion forums are flooded with complaints about the new iOS 8.1 update and problems range from installation issues to Bluetooth issues to random freezes and slow down. Numerous iPhone and iPad users are complaining about assorted installation issues that have prevented them from getting the iOS 8.1 update installed on their device. These issues are different than the server issues that we encountered in the minutes after the iOS 8.1 release yesterday. iPhone and iPad users say that their installations have stopped abruptly during the process. Fortunately, there is a fix for these issues, one that we relayed yesterday.

Unfortunately, many of the iOS 8.1 issues being reported don’t have permanent cure-all fixes. iPhone 5s users are reporting random reboots after iOS 8.1. An iPhone 5 user told us that his iMessages stopped sending immediately after installing the iOS 8.1 update. We’re also hearing about Wi-Fi issues including Wi-Fi speeds seemingly being throttled on the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6 and erratic connection speeds. Those’re just the tip of the iceberg.

iOS 8.1 users also say that they aren’t able to move their mail into the trash, assorted Apple Pay problems, Bluetooth issues, Airdrop issues, problems with iOS 8.1’s hotspot feature, random stability issues in Safari, Bluetooth issues in the car, issues opening files in Mail, Spotlight suggestion problems, and a whole lot more.

Specific of those aforementioned threads contain temporary fixes, several of them do not. And while we do not have fixes for all of these issues, we do have some fixes for some of the most common iOS 8 problems found on the iPhone and iPad. These fixes apply to iOS 8.0, iOS 8.0.2 and they also should work for iPhone and iPad users that
are running the iOS 8.1 update. For now, iPhone and iPad users will need to rely on these unofficial fixes for answers to their iOS 8 problems. Apple hasn’t announced any new iOS 8 updates and it hasn’t dropped any new updates inside its beta program.

We haven’t seen any iOS 8.1.1 pickup in our analytics either which suggests that a release isn’t imminent. We’re going to continue to dig into Apple’s latest update over the next week as iOS 8.1 problems remain to emerge. Apple’s rumored to have two new iOS 8 updates up its sleeve for 2015 including an iOS 8.2 update and an iOS 8.3 update. Neither update has made an official appearance nor does it be still not clear what will be next for iPhone and iPad users running iOS 8.1.

Friday 7 November 2014

Pollen and Pollination



Pollen is the dust, usually yellow in color, produced by the stamens and made up of millions of microscopic granules, the shape size and appearance of which are characteristic to the individual species. Each granule is responsible for the production of male sexual cells, the gametes. In order for the gametes to be conveyed to their female counterparts, contained in the ovules, the pollen granule must come into contact with the stigma. This is the process known as pollination and it represents the most critical moment in the life of a flower. Although the outcome of this process is strongly conditioned by chane, nevertheless evolution has effectively reduced the accidental element by fostering certain mechanisms that guarantee, at least statistically, the success of pollination. The oldest and most widespread of such mechanisms involve insects which as carriers of pollen travel from stamen to stigma and from flower to flower. The flower reciprocates by putting food substances, namely nectar, a source of carbohydrates and pollen itself, a source of protein at the disposal of those insects. The plant in fact is well equipped to produce a surplus of pollen so that a part of it can be used for fertilization. 

There’s a wide range of specialization between flowers and insects. In some flowers the nectar is stored at the end of a long, narrow coralline tube for example, the Cape leadwort, Plumbago auriculata, visited by insects with a very long mouth apparatus, such as butterflies, some of these tropical flowers such as the family Bignoniaceae are pollinated by the tiny hummingbirds. Often the arrangement of the flower’s internal organs is such as to compel the insect to become smeared with pollen in order to reach its food; when the insect visits another flower are pollinated by insects and among these so called entomophilous flowers are the zygomorphic forms. But there’re numerous species in some cases entire families, which are Anemophilous, i.e. pollinated by the wind. They’re characterized by many inflorescences, sometimes soft and pendulous (Catkins or amenta) of numerous small flowers, almost or wholly lacking a perianth and so structured and inclined as to expose their anthers and stigmas to the slightest breath of wind. Anemophilous flowers obviously produce and expend a much greater quantity of pollen than entomophilous flowers because their type of pollination is that much more uncertain. The success rate is highest in dry, windy climates. These’re also flowers such as those of Fallopia baldschuanica of the Polygonaceae which are both entomophilous and Anemophilous, capable of being pollinated by both methods. 

Once the pollen reaches the stigma, the sticky, sugary liquid that covers its surface attracts the pollen granules and induces them to germinate. Within a short time each granule then protrudes a pollen tube, which lengthens to grow through the style, digesting and feeding on its internal tissues. Continuing its growth, the tube reaches the ovary and eventually, the ovule. Meanwhile the embryo sac a group of a few cells, two of which are the female gametes has formed inside the ovule. When the pollen tube comes into contact with the embryo sac, fertilization proper takes places. The tube releases into the sac two male gametes which unite with their female counterparts to produce, respectively the zygote i.e. the first embryonic cell of new seedling and the initial cell of the endosperm, the nutritive tissue of the seed plant, the function of which is to feed the new plant during its early stages when it is incapable of carrying gout photosynthesis. In some seeds this food tissue does not form and in such cases initial nutrition is accomplished by the first leaves of the seedling itself, those already formed in its embryo, the cotyledons. 

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Sand Dunes



A clump of rotting seaweed can start the whole process of dune buildings as sand forms around it, plants take root and Marram dunes build up inland. Several gently sloping sandy shores are backed by sand dunes. As the tide ebbs more and more sand is dried out by the sun and wind. Whenever on-shore wind blows faster than 10mph sand is driven inland. Usually it accumulates in dunes which run at right angles to the direction of the prevailing wind. 

Fore-Dunes
The land ward movement of sand is obstructed by the seaweed and refuse that accumulates along the high tide line. A small fore-dune begins to build up. The humus derived from the rotting seaweed is just enough to allow a few flowering plants to survive. Sea rockets, prickly saltwort, sea beet, and in particular the two grasses sea couch grass and lyme grass, all have creeping root systems that enable them to hand on during on shore gales. Even so, the fiercest of these gales often entirely obliterate the beginnings of the dunes. 

Nevertheless, the time comes when the weather is calm over a long enough period to allow sufficient sand and humus to build up to give the main colonizing plant the depth of sand it needs for survival This plant is the marram grass. The increasing depth of sand eventually smothers the original colonists. As the main dune extends towards the sea, another strand line of drift builds up and a new fore-dune develops. 


Marram Dunes
The root system of Marram progressively penetrates many feet deep while its stiff leaves more and more effectively obstruct the landward blowing sand. More leaves appears as the original plant sends out lateral roots; when a shoot is buried by sand it produces a bud which pushes up another vertical shoot. Marram can spread up to 9am (30ft) sideways and 1m (3ft) vertically in one year. In this way the dunes stabilize, rapidly increasing in height and width. To begin with the bare sand between the Marram tufts is a habitat of such extreme temperature and moisture ranges that no secondary plant colonizer can grow until enough humus from dead bits of Marram an wind borne plant refuse has accumulated, and a season of wet weather has enabled chance wind borne seeds to germinate. At this stage the original fore-dune colonists reappear, along with sand sedge which binds the surface with long shallow runners, and the tight rosettes of Portland and sea spurge. When these plants die they humus to the sand which helps to contain moisture and provides nutrients for another generation of more tightly packed plants. The establishment of the thick dune vegetation (turf) is underway. 

Adapting to Extremes

Dune plants have several features which allow them to survive the gale force winds the drying heat, the lack of moisture and the wind borne salt. Several have deep and extensive root systems to reach the water underground and to anchor them securely. The scarlet pimpernel, for example which also grows inland on non-sandy soil, develops much more extensive roots than its inland counterpart and grows almost horizontally to minimize the buffeting from the wind. The rosette plants too are protected from the wind by hugging the ground closely. Sea-holly and sea bindweed have stiff varnished leaves which help to reduce water loss and give protection against abrasion by blown sand. The hairiness, even downiness, of many other plants such as common stork’s-bill traps dew on their stalks and leaves. 

Winter annuals such as chickweeds and early forget–me-nots, thicken the turf. Their seeds germinate in autumn and survive the wet winter as seedlings, to flower and set seed again before the drought and heat of summer threatens survival. At this stage of the vegetation rabbits begin to browse the tur; their droppings add to the supply of plant nutrients. By now the Marram has almost completely disappeared because it can survive only where bare new sand is plentiful. Mosses and lichens eventually cover these landward dunes which look more-grey than yellow due to the amount of grey dog lichen growing on them. 

Where dunes meet land

The type of vegetation in the final stages of the dunes depends largely on the quality of the sand. Where the sand consists mainly of mineral grains such as quartz (and not lime-rich shells) the humus remains too acid to support any but a limited flora. In this case heather or heath (and sometimes both) dominate the mature dunes and may even grow so far towards the sea that they mingle with the last surviving Marram. 

Where the sand contains a lot of finely ground shells the lime-rich pieces neutralize the dominant acidity of coastlines, providing the right conditions for thick scrub to dominate the dunes. Sea-buckthorn is very prominent in parts of north Norfolk, Kent, Somerset and Glamorgan. Once the buck-thorn is established elder, blackthorn and privet begin to be common 

Dune Slacks

The bottom of the hollows between dunes is often wet and small pools of water stand in them. The flora of these slacks contains a group of plants not found together anywhere else. The creeping willow may make a hummocky carpet. Marsh helleborine, wintergreen, bog pimpernel and several species of fen and marsh orchid may be found growing side by side.   The natterjack toad still survives in some of these slacks. When disturbed it has the distinction of being able to defend itself with a secretion from its skin “smelling” like burnt gunpowder, sulphur and boiled India rubber a defence not to be sneezed at. 

Hardy survivors 

A number of small creatures can survive among the Marram tufts. The temperature inside each tussock is cooler than on the surrounding sand and the air is slightly humid. Some species of spider cling to the stems while others burrow into the sand below. They feed on flies which breed in the rotting vegetation of the strand line and are blown into the dunes. The spiders in turn form the food of the rare and beautiful sand lizard. 

The camouflage colors pale ochres, sandy greys and reddish browns of the few dune moths make them hard to spot. Only a minimal supply of nectar is available for the adults. The shore wainscot is confined to elusively on Marram, while the sand dart feeds on sea holly and sea rocket. The long legged and long bodied sand wasps are comparatively conspicuous, occurring mostly along the southern coastline. 

Birds and Mammals 

While numbers of spiders and insects manage to survive the hardships of living in the dunes the poor plant cover restricts larger animals to a few kinds. Birds are probably the most visible of these. Terns, ringed plover and oystercatchers all nest along shingle and at the high tide mark. Black headed gulls build their nests in colonies in the dune vegetation and shelduck use rabbit burrows. Skylarks and meadow pipits lay their eggs on the ground in mature dunes, where occasionally the short-eared owl nests too. Rabbits are the most common mammals; they tunnel burrows in the sand of the mature dunes and eat the well-established vegetation. Foxes sometimes prey on the rabbits, even using their abandoned burrows for dens. Hedgehogs, stoats and weasels feed on small birds, “birds” eggs and young rabbits.

Blow-outs 

No matter what its plant composition the turf of sand dunes is thin and fragile. The passage of too many human feet can break up the vegetation as they pass from car park to shore. Given half a chance the wind will exploit any break. In no time a small hole is a large blow-out. Great widths of dune become unstable, sand drives inland, and the whole process of stabilizing has to start again. 

How Dunes Build up.

Grey Dunes

Rabbit droppings fertilize the ground small plants invade, ousting the marram. Grey lichens give these stable dunes their color. 


Marram Dunes

Marram grass spreads quickly blocking the blowing sand more efficiently. Buried Marram can push up through sand.  Only few plant pecies can survive the wind-blown conditions of fore-dunes. As Marram takes root the dunes form large obstacles for the wind. 

Fore-dunes

Seaweed and drift block the blowing sand and small fore-dunes build up. Rotting seaweed allows a few species of plants to take root.   

Monday 3 November 2014

Nik Wallenda completes blindfolded tightrope walk in downtown Chicago

Record-breaking daredevil Nik Wallenda completed Sunday what he called his most challenging feat to date: a tightrope walk between two skyscrapers 600 feet above downtown Chicago, partly blindfolded. Crowds below cheered on the seventh-generation aerialist, who wore a microphone during his untethered walk. The "Skyscraper Live" walk was broadcast on Discovery. I love Chicago, and Chicago definitely loves me. What an amazing roar," the 35-year-old said as he crossed above the Chicago River.

The walk consisted of two parts, starting from Marina City's West Tower, about 588 feet high. He crossed above the Chicago River to the Leo Burnett Building in just under seven minutes, finishing 671 feet above the street, according to Skyscraper Live's website. After he returned to the West Tower, he crossed to the East Tower blindfolded in one minute and 20 seconds.

As a member of the famous Flying Wallendas, founded by his grandfather Karl Wallenda in the 1920s, Wallenda is no stranger to death-defying stunts. He walked across a wire 1,500 feet above a river in Arizona in June 2013, becoming the first person to traverse the gorge near Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. Before that, he made a record journey across Niagara Falls in 2012.

Peril also runs in the Wallenda family. Great-grandfather Karl Wallenda was killed at 73 while attempting to walk between two buildings in Puerto Rico in 1978. But on Sunday, Wallenda made it look easy. "I'm so blessed for these opportunities," he said during his walk. "You guys watching think I'm crazy, but this is what I was made for."

2015 NFL Mock Draft: Jameis Winston to Jets, Marcus Mariota to Bucs

The strengths of the 2015 NFL draft appear to be at defensive end, wide receiver and running back but the fundamental concept of supply and demand could push quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, as well as safety Landon Collins into the top 10.

Quarterback and safety have never been more valued than in today's pass-happy NFL and with the depth at these positions lacking this year, teams needing help at the respective positions could be forced to roll the dice.

The following is my latest first round projection of the 2015 NFL Draft.

*The selection order for this mock draft is based on the current records of teams with point differential breaking all ties. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills' selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.

1. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: As the only winless franchise in the NFL this season, the Raiders are projected to "earn" the No. 1 overall in 2015. Teams picking at the top will always look to available quarterbacks first, but rookie Derek Carr has been a relative bright spot for Oakland. Second on the priority list for teams in today's NFL are defensive linemen. The 6-5, 290 pound Williams is a physical mismatch too quick for interior linemen and too powerful for offensive tackles.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.

3. New York Jets - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: Unless the Jets suddenly turn things around, Rex Ryan will be coaching elsewhere in 2015 and that may just be the start of the changes. Current general manager John Idzik is not the kind of risk-taker to gamble on Famous Jameis' propensity for off-field trouble but his potential replacement could be more adventurous. Regardless of what you think about Winston's character, it is hard to deny his talent. In terms of size, arm, mobility and instincts, he's the top quarterback prospect in the country.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: Though reasonably productive since taking over for free agent addition Josh McCown, Mike Glennon remains overly reliant on his arm, showing little ability to escape pressure or poise when the pocket breaks down. These are traits absolutely critical in today's game. Mariota is a work in progress, himself, but he shows good awareness in the pocket, a live arm and, of course, great mobility. Mariota's speed and the great size of Tampa's pass-catchers would put an awful lot of stress on opposing defenses.

5. Tennessee Titans - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: Rookie Zach Mettenberger will be given every opportunity to prove he can be Ken Whisenhunt's starting quarterback. The Titans didn't address their need for outside rushers to fit new defensive coordinator Ray Horton's scheme in the 2014 draft but could see the highly athletic Beasley as the perfect fit. Beasley possesses an explosive first step to create immediate stress on quarterbacks, as well as the acceleration to chase down ball-carriers from behind.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: Surrendering a 21-point lead to lose to Detroit is just the latest kick in the gut for Atlanta this season. The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Powerful and shockingly athletic given his massive (6-foot-8, 275 pounds) frame, Oakman possesses the kind of traits teams are willing to gamble on.

7. Washington Redskins -- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Washington hasn't boasted a truly fearsome safety since the late Sean Taylor was patrolling the deep middle. At 6-0, 215 pounds, Collins isn't as big as the former phenom, but he shows a similarly exciting blend of explosiveness and ball-skills.

8. St. Louis Rams - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Despite recent early picks invested at wide receiver, the Rams still lack a true No. 1. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals' star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ball-skills but he comes with significant off-field concerns. Jeff Fisher has been more willing than most to gamble on players with character red-flags and he could see DGB as simply too talented to pass up.

9. Chicago Bears - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the Bears' defense remains alarmingly toothless. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, has the explosiveness off the edge to quickly improve Chicago's pass rush.

10. Carolina Panthers - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: With the selection of Kelvin Benjamin and free agent addition of sure-handed veteran Jericho Cotchery, the Panthers addressed weapons for Cam Newton but failed to address the offensive line protecting him. They won't make the same mistake this year, especially if a gifted prospect like Ogbuehi were to fall into their lap.

11. New York Giants - Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: The Giants have been gashed by athletic running backs this season, drawing unwanted attention to a slower-than-ideal back seven. The 6-2, 225 pound Thompson doesn't possess great size but his athleticism and instincts have helped him stand out wherever the Huskies have needed him - including at safety, linebacker and most recently at running back. He projects best to the NFL as a hybrid defender who is just as effective in coverage as coming up in run support.

12. Minnesota Vikings -- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: The Vikings are set at tackle with Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt but with the focus on deep drops and power running in Norv Turner's offense, strong play on the interior is also a priority. Scherff, a collegiate tackle with the strong hands and nasty disposition to project well inside too, would be a solid building block for a franchise looking to reinvent itself around Teddy Bridgewater.

13. Houston Texans - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: With JJ Watt leading the way, the Texans' defense has been impressive even with Jadeveon Clowney struggling with injury and thus far failing to live up to expectations. Peters' combination of length, athleticism, physicality and ball-skills has him in contention to be the first defensive back selected in 2015.

14. San Francisco 49ers - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The agility and first-step acceleration that helped Cooper star as a true freshman is clearly back and he's dominating again, looking like an easy favorite thus far to be the first Biletnikoff Award winner in Alabama's history. The 49ers would be wise to continue adding to their receiving corps with Anquan Boldin aging and talented (but injury prone) Michael Crabtree entering the final year of his rookie contract.

15. New Orleans Saints - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Despite millions invested in fixing the secondary, the Saints have struggled against the pass this season, surrendering an average of nearly 270 yards per game and twice as many touchdowns (12) as interceptions (six). Some scouts feel that Waynes is a better prospect than his former teammate, Darqueze Dennard, last year's Thorpe Award winner and the Bengals' first round pick.

16. San Diego Chargers - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: Keenan Allen is a reliable route-runner and pass-catcher but he doesn't strike fear into the hearts of defenders. Parker missed the first seven games of the year with a broken fifth toe in his left foot, but the 6-3, 209 pounder has starred since, demonstrating the fluidity and ball-skills to project as a No. 1 target.

17. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) - Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: The Browns' defense and running game have been good enough to make them competitive but the lack of a top-flight receiver limits the team's upside. The club is hopeful, of course, that Josh Gordon will re-emerge as a superstar but can't rely on him. No player has boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209 pound who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.

18. Cleveland Browns - Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: The Browns boast one of the league's best left tackles in Joe Thomas but could use reinforcements at right tackle, where Mitchell Schwartz is coming off a disappointing second season. Peat blessed with remarkable balance and agility for a man of his 6-7, 315 pound dimensions and his experience in the conservative Stanford offense could make him especially attractive to the run-heavy Browns.

19. Seattle Seahawks - Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan: It was a terrific defense and the running of Marshawn Lynch that helped Seattle capture its first Super Bowl last year but opponents had to at least be aware of Percy Harvin and Golden Tate, each of whom could create big plays on their own. With both playing elsewhere now, however, Seattle is struggling to pass the ball with any consistency. Whether at receiver or tight end, the 6-5, 235 pound Funchess offers a unique skill-set that could remind GM John Schneider of Jermichael Finley, a formidable seam threat he saw while both worked in Green Bay.

20. Green Bay Packers - Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida: A healthy Clay Matthews and rejuvenated Julius Peppers have improved Green Bay's pass rusher this season but neither has proven reliable enough for the Packers to ignore this year's bounty of edge defenders. Fowler lines up all over the Gators defense and is comfortable rushing (or dropping) from either the two or three point stance.

21. Miami Dolphins - Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: While Lamar Miller has played well since re-taking over as the top back, GM Dennis Hickey and head coach Joe Philbin didn't show great faith in him when signing Knowshon Moreno prior to the season. Miller and Moreno are each capable NFL starters when healthy but neither possesses Gurley's talent. Whether he plays another snap again this season or not, Gurley's power, balance and surprising speed make him a virtual lock for the first round.

22. Kansas City Chiefs - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: Despite a receiving corps that hasn't yet caught a touchdown, the Chiefs continue to play well. Providing more weapons on the perimeter would seem to be a priority for Kansas City in the off-season, however, especially given that this year's crop seems very strong yet again. Strong is the operative word, as aptly-named 6-4, 205 pound junior has the size and physicality to win contested passes.

23. Indianapolis Colts - Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State: The development of Bjoern Werner has lessened Indianapolis' need for outside linebackers but inside remains an issue with former Cleveland Brown D'Qwell Jackson struggling to make an impact. McKinney offers a rare package of length, athleticism and versatility that is likely to earn him a top 25 selection.

24. Baltimore Ravens - Melvin Gordon, RB,Wisconsin: Running backs may not hold the same value in today's pass-happy NFL, but difference-makers at any position are worthy of first round consideration. The Ravens have survived with journeymen running backs this season and could see Gordon's agility, acceleration and big play potential as precisely what their offense has been lacking.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers -- PJ Williams, CB, Florida State: An aging defense needs reinforcements at virtually every level. Williams has the athleticism and instincts to boost Pittsburgh's coverage downfield.

26. Dallas Cowboys - Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky: The Cowboys are hopeful that 2014 rookie Demarcus Lawrence will significantly boost their outside pass rush but that won't keep the team from adding reinforcements. Dupree, the SEC's leading active pass rusher, is long, instinctive and closes in a flash.

27. Cincinnati Bengals - La'el Collins, OL, LSU: Few teams reload along the line of scrimmage as consistently as the frugal Bengals and with starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth entering his ninth season and the clubs' backups (Marshall Newhouse, Will Svitek) entering the final year of their contracts, Cincinnati is likely to be on the lookout for potential replacements. Like Whitworth (who also starred at LSU), Collins doesn't necessarily look the part of an NFL left tackle, sporting a square-ish frame. He's surprisingly effective on the edge, however, and is a mauler in the running game.

28. Detroit Lions - Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: With starters Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the final year of their respective contracts, the Lions will be scouting the defensive tackle class as closely as any team in the league and Goldman is generating plenty of buzz. The 6-4, 320 pound junior is a former top recruit who's enjoyed a breakout campaign back inside this season after starting at end last year for the champs.

29. Philadelphia Eagles - AJ Cann, OG, South Carolina: Guards Todd Herremans and Evan Mathis have been relative weak spots along Philadelphia's offense line, contributing to the Eagles' struggles running the football and in pass protection. Whereas many of the other top guard prospects in 2015 play their collegiate ball at tackle (and therefore will need time to acclimate), Cann's entire career has been spent inside and so theoretically, he'd be able to contribute sooner.

30. Denver Broncos -Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State: For as dominant as the Broncos have appeared for much of this season, there remain areas of concern. Right tackle, for example, has been an ongoing issue for the Broncos this season.

31. New England Patriots - Danny Shelton, NG, Washington: The Patriots are flying high after an impressive victory over Denver. Holding up to a power running game, however, remains a concern given the absence (and age) of nose guard Vince Wilfork. Shelton's wide frame and tenacity would likely be valued by Bill Belichick and his staff.

32. Arizona Cardinals - Hau'oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, Washington: Everyone expected that an athletic and physical secondary would be the calling card of the NFC West's top team. Few, however, were predicting in the preseason that it would be the secondary based in Arizona. An improved pass rush would make Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and the surprising 7-1 Cardinals that much more effective. Kikaha's burst and active hands have helped him register impressive numbers as a pass rusher throughout his career but it is the awareness and fluidity in coverage he's shown this season that has his stock on the rise.