It is important to first note that the reason for these players being over/under rated is mostly because of the media and other draft outlets. I feel that these players all have NFL potential, but for whatever reason are thought of way too highly or lowly.
| Over Rated | Under Rated | ||
| QB RB RB WR WR TE OT OG C DT DT DE DE OLB ILB CB S |
Landry Jones, Oklahoma* LaMichael James, Oregon* Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati Joe Adams, Arkansas Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma Michael Egnew, Missouri Mike Adams, Ohio State Nate Potter, Boise State William Vlachos, Alabama Josh Chapman, Alabama Billy Winn, Boise State Whitney Mercilus, Illinois* Cam Johnson, Virginia Travis Lewis, Oklahoma Manti Te’o, Notre Dame Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech* Markell Martin, Oklahoma St. |
QB RB RB WR WR TE OT OG C DT DT DE DE OLB ILB CB S |
Nick Foles, Arizona Bernard Pierce, Temple* Terrence Gannaway, Baylor Jarius Wright, Arkansas Jordan White, W. Michigan LaDarius Green, UL-Lafayette Matt McCants, UAB Brandon Brooks, Miami OH Moe Petrus, UConn Mike Martin, Michigan DaJohn Harris, USC Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy* Bruce Irvin, West Virginia Tyler Nielson, Iowa Mychal Kendricks, California Janoris Jenkins, N. Alabama Brandon Taylor, LSU |
Over/Under Rated NOTES:
–Landry Jones is likely a Top 10 pick because of his size, arm, accuracy combination. But he struggles far too much outside the pocket and under pressure, along with other concerns, for me to put him as a Top 15 pick, and I question if he’s worth the risk as a Top 10 draft pick
–Nick Foles isn’t an elite quarterback and really needs work on touch the short to mid area to pick apart zones, but if he can find an NFL offense similar to his west coast, timing offense at Arizona, he has the quick release and heady pocket play to be a fringe NFL starter.
–Joe Adams and Jarius Wright of Arkansas seem to both be moving up draft boards. While Adams seems to be the more explosive player, especially in his return ability, I don’t see him developing into much more than that at the NFL level. Wright has a chance to be a very productive slot receiver, as he finds gaps in the defense well, is very sudden and explosive in cuts, and is an all around more reliable receiver at the NFL level.
-Finding a left tackle in the NFL is no easy task, and Mike Adams of Ohio State has that potential. But while his kick slide and balance as a pass blocker is impressive, he doesn’t bend overly well, struggles as an in-line run blocker, and gets sloppy with hand technique at time. He could be an NFL left tackle or a tough-to-place offensive linemen.
-Mike Brewster and David Molk are the two most well-known center prospects in this year’s draft, and both could be Top 50 selections. However, Moe Petrus is a talent himself at center, being a 3-year starter, exploding off the snap well, and getting to the 2nd level with power and balance.
-Mike Martin is an athletic freak, both on the field and in the weight room. His ability to consistently win leverage battles and stay low through his rushes makes him at worst an outstanding rotational defensive tackle, and at best one of the premier defensive tackles in this class.
-Whitney Mercilus, a junior from Illinois, has been quickly rising up draft boards because of his length, raw athleicism, and productivity this season. However, I still question his depth in rush moves and ability to add weight and still keep explosiveness. I’ll need to see more, but he could be a workout warrior at the Combine and could quickly become over-drafted in the Top 10-15.
-Bruce Irvin of West Virginia is severely out of position on his current defense, and his 230-240 pound body isn’t fit for a 5-technique at the NFL level. Still, his motor and interior rush moves have been displayed this year more than in year’s past, and once he gets a chance to be an outside rusher in post-season workouts, he’ll quickly shoot up boards.
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