Watching college football film for many years as an NFL Draft fan and evaluator, I always tell those doing something similar each season to watch film on a prospect before scanning over his listed measurements. Doing this as opposed to looking at the measurements first eliminates any bias one may have had of that prospect coming in from a size standpoint.
By: Christian Page
Sure, you can quickly get an idea on how big the player is without even looking at his bio, but not having the devil’s advocate on your shoulder telling you otherwise because he lacks the average size for the position, you may get a better depiction on the player by the style of play. Working through reports by this method makes for a more accurate evaluation of the player having the chance to be more objective pre-film and then later comparing notes with the measurements afterward and finding common denominators.
A lack of an ideal size for a certain position can quickly write off a player when projecting him to the NFL, though, his game itself make speak volumes otherwise. Showing productivity in college (mostly offensively) can be countered by operating in a scheme that is helpful to accelerate stat production, which is fair game, but then a certain style of play and high-caliber ability can be docked instantly because of size requirements. Now the question becomes is that really a fair way to judge a player when projecting them into the league? Well, history tells us that taking the quick negative judgment to knock a player just for the lack of a certain desired size isn’t always the correct evaluation and shouldn’t be the highlighted note on why this player will not succeed.
Being surrounded by the “he’s too small” or “he doesn’t have the appropriate arm length” comments, here is a list of players in the 2016 NFL Draft class that have the chance to overcome the stereotypes if drafted or signed into the right situation.
Vernon Adams, Oregon, Quarterback (5’11” 200)
Excelling at Eastern Washington and Oregon, Adams boasts an extremely exciting style of play. His ability to create plays on the spot is what makes him an attractive offensive playmaker in college and is what he projects as entering the next level. Even with his most of his exciting plays coming from outside the pocket with him tucking the ball and eluding pressure, Adams can sit in the pocket and deliver bucket throws downfield while also throwing strikes in the intermediate part of the field. Only listed at 5’11 and 200 pounds, teams have already marked Adams off their list because of the unattractive measurements. Not wanting to stamp the Russell Wilson comparison on him yet, but the style of play to improvise when the pocket collapses while also making plays on his feet, Adams has similar attributes. The speed of the game has increased significantly since the age of the normal sit in the pocket passers, so Adams’ game may be more appreciated than many may think in the NFL.
Daniel Braverman, Western Michigan, Wide Receiver (5’10” 177)
Braverman gained some buzz when announcing his decision to turn pro after a productive season at Western Michigan with 108 catches for 1,367 and 13 touchdowns earning a place on the first team All-MAC. Braverman shows elite quickness to instantly win the battle off the line of scrimmage operating mostly versus zone coverage. His long speed is impressive (4.47 40-time) being able to consistently beat cornerbacks over the top and pluck the ball out of the air. His quickness and explosiveness make him an attractive slot receiver working versus a potential zone defense if he can put on some extra pounds to not be affected by contact in the middle of the field. Small and quick receivers have made immediate impacts in the NFL the past few seasons and Braverman has the skills to make a splash in his first season if drafted into the right situation.
Marshaun Coprich, Illinois State, Running Back (5’8” 207)
An incredible stint at Illinois State, Coprich has hall of fame type production at the FCS level rushing for 5,200 yards and 59 touchdowns. Coprich dominated at the lower level and did it with above average athleticism and elusiveness to gain serious yardage after contact. His straight-line speed and instant acceleration after putting his foot in the ground guided him past defenders into the open field while also having the ability to get skinny in between the tackles. Coprich isn’t your typical shifty small running back but instead will initiate and encourage the oncoming contact. His style of play and approach to the line of scrimmage showcases his game as something bigger than his frame indicates. Coprich’s draft stock doesn’t only ride on his smaller measureables but also a red flag incident after being temporarily suspended because of being caught selling marijuana to an undercover police officer.
Jack Allen, Michigan State, Center (6’1” 294)
Anchoring a successful offensive line in East Lansing, Allen started all four seasons for Sparty and received All-American honors as a senior. Allen is charted giving up only three sacks over a 47-game stretch and became the first Spartan offensive lineman since 1988 to repeat as a member of the All-Big Ten team and All-America team. Allen displays excellent bend and leverage and wins at the point of attack with technique and smarts to control his opponent. His short arms and short and stockier frame have been questioned by evaluators throughout the draft process regarding if he can stay on par with some of the longer and bulkier defensive tackles in the NFL. Bull rushers can overwhelm Allen by getting knocked off his base occasionally, but his high football IQ and anticipation guided him to an excellent career at Michigan State and his attractive traits should not go unnoticed when projecting him to the next level.
Sheldon Day, Notre Dame, Defensive Tackle (6’1” 293)
Day lived in the backfield last season for the Irish making 19.5 total stops pushing the offense backward. Day shows tremendous get off with snap explosiveness and is rarely overwhelmed by interior blockers on the offensive line using his quick and violent hands to throw timing off. Day also plays with appreciated pad level to stay low and slip under some of the longer offensive linemen giving them a difficult task and keeping them true to their technique. Day is viewed as a current tweener prospect across the defensive line, but if learning how to play with control and increasing his pass rushing skill set he could eventually become a diamond in the rough in this heavily touted defensive line class.
Eric Striker, Oklahoma, Outside Linebacker (5’11” 227)
The once glorified prospect after an impressive showing versus Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, Striker’s stock has dipped since then with evaluators wondering where he would be best suited at the next level and asking themselves if they even want to deal with a potential position transformation. Regardless of position, Striker does his best work at rushing the passer, which is what his living could be in the NFL on third downs. Striker is a consistent edge threat with great pursuit speed and even shows the skill to cover well in the flats. His combine numbers tore down any hype that was being built up at the time, but if wanting strictly a pass rush specialist, Striker could be the guy.
Jatavis Brown, Akron, Linebacker (5’11” 217)
Brown is one of the more productive tacklers in the 2016 draft class totaling for 345 total tackles (196 solo) over a four-year span at Akron. Teams will evaluate Brown mostly as a 4-3 outside linebacker or even a box safety with his undesirable size to play in the front seven. He does lack the ideal size to fit the normal qualifications of a starting outside linebacker in the NFL, but his play speed and range as a tackler could put that negative talk to rest. A quick-twitch athlete and a fine blitzer, Brown would thrive as a hybrid linebacker-safety if he continues to work on his tackling technique. If Brown measured in at roughly 6’1 to 6’2 and 230-plus pounds we would be talking about him as a potential third round selection. In contrast, he is currently on the fence of being a fourth or fifth round pick or even later.
Jonathan Jones, Auburn, Cornerback (5’9” 186)
A feisty competitor that backs down to nothing, Jones showed consistent play at Auburn and has done everything possible to increase his draft stock with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. Having the responsibility to play more on an island versus the best receiver in college, Jones will be forced to move inside as a slot corner in the NFL, which should make him an even more intriguing prospect. Having great long speed and fluid hips to quickly change direction, Jones could also serve as a third and long defensive back specialist to challenge more of the speedier receivers on the opposite side. A small frame, but projected as a slot corner, Jones has the making to eventually be a consistent threat in that role.
Kevin Peterson, Oklahoma State, Cornerback (5’10 181)
A true outside cornerback threat, Peterson showed the ability to play on an island at Oklahoma State playing well versus some of the Big 12’s top wideouts like Baylor’s Corey Coleman, TCU’s Josh Doctson and Oklahoma’s Sterling Shepard. He plays with an incredible amount of confidence and high IQ, which is always appreciated when projecting a player to the next level. He displays good technique to stay on par with quicker receivers, even though he can get bullied by some of the bigger outside receivers, which questions him if being an outside cornerback or a possible move to the inside as a nickelback. Regardless of position, Peterson showed the toughness and drive to consistently make plays for the Cowboys and had a nice week in Mobile with scouts on hand.
Tavon Young, Temple, Cornerback (5’9” 183)
Displaying the competiveness and will to carry a defensive backfield, Young walks away from an impressive career at Temple. Young plays as if he is listed above the six-foot mark with a physical and grinder mentality accompanied by underrated play strength to win the battle in press coverage. Young’s impressive traits are getting overlooked by his inferior frame and, though, his height and length are concerns his aggressive play style is on par with any other corner in this class. Young is a polarizing prospect heading into the draft next week, but his ability to occasionally win over the top and win the physical battle off the line rerouting receivers is what should be stamped on his scouting report and strictly that he just lacks size.
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