The draft evaluation process is a tricky one to say the least. After all the studying one may do throughout the regular season along with constant work in the offseason projecting each player at each position to the next level, doesn’t mean the evaluator necessarily expects the player to succeed right away.
This is when the term upside becomes a popular adjective stating that a player has the ability to put it all together to be a productive player two to three years down the road with NFL coaches’ development strategy.
Creating separation between the terms of pro-ready and upside is difficult because both can intertwine with one another among just one player. For example: Jameis Winston was viewed as the most NFL ready quarterback in the 2015 draft class operating in a similar pro-style offensive scheme he would run in the NFL. He also had/has the upside to become a top 10 quarterback in the league with his intriguing and safe qualities as a passer. In Winston’s case, he was highlighted and described with both terms.
Upside and NFL ready, as already stated, do occasionally mesh to make a solid player in the NFL. But being the most NFL ready doesn’t always mean that player has a tremendous amount of upside (Connor Cook, Michigan State). And being the player with a heavy amount of potential headlined by upside doesn’t always mean he is deemed as an immediate NFL-ready prospect (Paxton Lynch, Memphis). But both players could serve a team well if evaluated correctly.
Regardless of upside or projecting any player forward three to five years from now, I break down the positions based on who are the most NFL-ready prospects at their given position. These players don’t necessarily affect my rankings or Optimum Scouting’s overall player rankings.
Quarterback
Connor Cook, Michigan State
From a consensus standpoint, Cook is ranked somewhere outside of the top three quarterbacks (Jared Goff of California, Paxton Lynch of Memphis and Carson Wentz of North Dakota State) heading into the draft. Not having the upside that those three quarterbacks carry, Cook has the relatively easiest jump into the NFL based on his style of play at Michigan State. Coming from a pro-style offense consisting of under center snaps, play-action bootlegs and throwing to receivers with an NFL route tree, Cook may already be prepared to take on an NFL playbook Day One. Having a winning attitude and successful career operating in this style for Sparty, he suits well for an NFL quarterback if accuracy and intangibles become strengths for him from here on out.
Running Back
Devontae Booker, Utah
Having been used as a Swiss Army Knife in the Utes’ backfield, Booker has all the tools and versatility to be an instant threat out of the backfield in his first season. Booker possesses excellent receiving skills for a running back boasting natural hands and ball skills to be an effective pass catcher. Running with a low center of gravity and a head of steam, Booker explodes up-field having enough speed to have some breakaway ability. Also being an excellent pass protector, Booker has the chance to thrive at every aspect of the game.
Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State
The unanimous number one running back, Elliott has an impressive blend of speed and power to execute in any scheme. Elliott shows off his homerun speed but just after showing impressive balance and ability to power through tackles reaching the second level. Having all the elements to succeed, Elliott looks to be an instant impact Day One.
Wide Receiver
Josh Doctson, TCU
Boasting incredible length and impressive athleticism, Doctson already looks and plays the part of a high-caliber NFL receiver. Doctson doesn’t show incredible long speed but not relying on that as a part of his game, he excels in the redzone high pointing the football using his physical mentality to out-muscle defensive backs. Not dependent on scheme and serving as an appreciated possession receiver, Doctson is ready to excel right away in the league.
Offensive Line
Taylor Decker, Ohio State (OT)
Not having to worry about whether Decker will either have to develop as a right or left tackle, he excelled at both at Ohio State. Certainly helping his draft stock with that tidbit, Decker also has the chance to be a plug in play lineman with his versatility. His mean streak mentality and fluid movement in the open field are just some of the impressive traits Decker possesses to make an impact immediately.
Ryan Kelly, Alabama (C)
A leader of a stout Alabama offensive line, Kelly has the intangibles with a high football IQ to quickly pick up the schemes and packages of NFL offenses and defenses. With the only glaring negative to his game coming from playing too high, Kelly shows enough athleticism accompanied by smarts and intangibles to become an immediate anchor to an offensive line and turning into a starter for many years to come.
Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame (OT)
Great size, athleticism and with some finesse to his game is what makes Stanley a coveted offensive tackle. His excellent punch combined with above average power is a force to be reckoned with at any level of the game. Being able to mirror pass rushers and to be a productive run blocker, Stanley is a relatively clean prospect. Though some may question his discipline and determination, Stanley has the tools to make a splash in the 2016 NFL season.
Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss (OT)
The best player in the draft is undoubtedly one of the most NFL ready prospects in this class. Tunsil brings elite athleticism to the position with great flexibility to shield off any pass rush moves serving as a true blind side left tackle. Translatable pass protection and run blocking skills, Tunsil projects as a potential all-pro left tackle with the ability to cater to that billing in his first game in an NFL uniform.
Defensive Line
Joey Bosa, Ohio State (DE)
A true 4-3 defensive end, Bosa excelled at Ohio State rushing the passer with good edge discipline to maintain containment. Winning more with power than speed, he dominates when bull rushing controlling his matchup immediately at the point of attack. If Bosa’s strength can hold up to the larger NFL left tackles, there is no doubt in my mind that Bosa can put together a long NFL career…effective immediately.
Kenny Clark, UCLA (DT)
Having versatility across the defensive line, Clark has plenty of upside as either a 0-tech nose guard or a 3-tech run defending defensive tackle. Clark possesses some sneaky pass rushing skills to bring the upside of a potential interior pass rusher. Though just 20 years old, Clark should be an immediate rotational player at worse with his high-motor style of play and his solid movement skills.
Shaq Lawson, Clemson (DE)
A great pass rusher off the edge with ability to face up offensive tackles and sneak into the interior as a pass rusher, Lawson brings many tools to the table to be a solid three-down player. He is a great edge setter in the run game and brings plenty of pizzazz with his pass rushing ability. Serving as a great run defender and a manageable pass rusher, Lawson shows the ability to star immediately as a 4-3 defensive end prospect.
A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama (DT)
Robinson boasts incredible quickness and power off the snap whether lined up at any alignment across a 3-4 defensive front. Not serving as a great pass rusher, though that is not his role, Robinson thrives in the run game moving well laterally with great lower body strength to win at the point of attack knocking linemen off their base. Robinson is a safe pick going forward and operating in a relatively translatable Alabama defensive scheme, he looks to make for an immediate impact for a team in the back end of the first round.
Defensive Back
Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida (CB)
Regarded as the top cornerback in a heavily talented cornerback group, Hargreaves may have been ready to make the jump to the NFL after completing his senior season of high school. Hargreaves is a competitive corner that plays with high-class quickness to match up with any receiver across the field. Being utilized as any type corner at the next level, Hargreaves will provide the instant ability to be able to cause turnovers and to make plays in the secondary having the potential to star immediately.
Jalen Ramsey, Florida State (CB/SAF)
Having experience at safety, nickelback and most recently cornerback, Ramsey oozes with potential as he starred at all three positions. Ramsey is a physical press cover corner and serves as an asset in run support with the ability to tackle in the open field which is a must for success in the NFL. Scheme and position versatility can be viewed as positives or negatives depending on whom you ask, but when a player has thrived at every spot where he lined up, only strengths can be said about projecting him forward.
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