Every year, the NFL draft features prospects whose values may differ greatly from team to team based on each team’s needs, schemes, and philosophies. A prospect may carry a third-round grade with one team while another team grades him out as a first-rounder. Sometimes, this is a result of poor scouting but most of the time grade variance is a result of teams’ unique needs. The most successful drafting teams have a keen awareness of the types of players that suit their system best and are willing to take some players earlier than other teams would based on their potential to thrive in their scheme.
Last year, West Virginia’s Bruce Irvin was considered a second or third round prospect by most, but Seattle took him with the 15th overall pick. Why? He fit perfectly in Pete Carroll’s defense as a “joker” pass rusher. He’s now a vital cog for Seattle’s defensive line, making them one of the most dynamic pass-rushing units in the NFL.
There are even a handful of NFL superstars who many consider “scheme specific” players. Arian Foster, undrafted out of Tennessee in 2009, went on to become the best zone running back in the NFL. Mike Wallace came into the league as a 3rd round speedster who specialized in taking tops off defenses on extended plays while outrunning defenses on quick hit plays. So who are this year’s top “niche” players in the 2013 NFL draft crop? Here is a list of players who have outstanding skill sets for specific schemes.
QB Matt Barkley-West Coast Offense
Despite what many may argue, if Barkley had a better arm he would likely be considered the top quarterback in this year’s draft. His 2011 film showed a quarterback who excelled in a timing offense where he threw with great anticipation and touch at all levels. He never spun the ball with top tier velocity and he’s not going to be able to stick into tight spaces in the NFL but that’s not his game. Barkley certainly took a step back in 2012, but there’s enough evidence to believe he can thrive when he has some talent around him.
Montee Ball-Zone Blocking Scheme
Ball was extremely productive in college setting the NCAA record for career touchdowns (83) and finishing second on the schools all-time rushing list. While he has a lot of wear on his tires, this doesn’t take away from the fact that his running style is very NFL-ready. He is not a dynamic athlete who can create a ton on his own and he lacks any elite physical qualities. However, he is a decisive, quick cutting, downhill runner with outstanding vision and instincts—perfect for a zone running scheme.
WR Markus Wheaton-Vertical Passing
There are a lot of similarities between Wheaton and Mike Wallace coming out of school. Both possess similar frames with sprinter speed and both specialize in the downfield passing game. Wheaton showed improved intermediate route running in 2012 but isn’t as crisp in that area as some of the other prospects in this draft. He lacks the overall polish to contribute right away as a multipurpose receiver and will likely make his impact as a vertical threat early on.
Brian Schwenke-Zone Blocking Scheme
Cal is starting to earn a reputation for producing solid NFL offensive line contributors and Schwenke looks to be next in line. His film isn’t outstanding but much of that has to do with his assignments in college, where he was generally asked to maneuver interior defenders one on one. He lacks length and an elite anchor to stonewall NFL nose guards but he is very quick off the snap and displays very good short area agility. He excels at picking up blocks on the move and finishing with tenacity. He had a strong Senior Bowl week showing many of the traits of a zone blocking interior lineman.
TE Michael Williams- Inline Blocker/Receiver
Williams is somewhat of a “throwback” as he is one of the best inline blocking tight ends we’ve seen in a while. Most teams will be salivating at the plethora of receiving tight ends options in this draft, hoping to find the next Jimmy Graham, but Williams will appeal to a team looking to fill a need at their 2nd tight end spot. Williams should have a long career as a strong contributor in the run game and give the quarterback an extra check down option on pass plays.
ILB Kiko Alonso-Blitz Specialist
One word that describes Alonso’s play on the field is “reckless”. This is a good thing in some instances, but bad in others. He can be a bull in a china shop, which leads to missed assignments or simply playing out of position but his tenacity could work for an aggressive defensive scheme. The one area Alonso really stands out on film is on blitz assignments. He has the burst and agility to attack gaps from all angles and closes on ball carriers quickly. He isn’t the disciplined player you want inside but a coach will love his tenacity on pressure packages.
CB Xavier Rhodes-Press-Man Defense
Rhodes is the most scheme diverse of player on list and should be a high draft pick, but he could be great in a system that calls for him to play close to the line of scrimmage and play press in a man or Cover 2 scheme. It is rare to see corners with his level of physicality turn and run with receivers the way Rhodes can. Defensive coordinators must feel comfortable lining him up on an island outside and allow him to jam and disrupt the timing of offenses, ala Seattle’s Richard Sherman.
CB Jordan Poyer- Zone/Slot Cornerback
Poyer is another corner who excels within the first 5-10 yards of coverage, however he lacks the top end speed to stay in the hips of faster receivers downfield. He is an instinctive corner who reads and reacts quickly to throws underneath and possesses the click and close ability to break up passes consistently (totaled 30 pass break ups from 2011-12). He could develop into a solid No. 2 corner at best, but his best fit is in a Cover 2 Zone or inside over the slot receiver.
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