bah007
Hall of Fame
I have finished my first round grades for this draft class. I'll add a short summary of my thoughts for each player. As I watch college games I keep notes on players that I like and over time this becomes like a mini scouting report for me. It gives me something to look at if I ever want to go back and see more of a certain guy but don't have access to games or highlights. I've condensed these notes into a little blurb about each guy that gives you an idea of what I think about him.
The top six are guys that I would grade as elite prospects. The next nine are prospects that I would consider to be first round locks. That makes 15 guys that I feel are guaranteed first round talents. The next 15 are guys that I would rate as first round talents if they are developed and used correctly, but they aren't slam dunks.
1. Jalen Ramsey – S, Florida St
The top six are guys that I would grade as elite prospects. The next nine are prospects that I would consider to be first round locks. That makes 15 guys that I feel are guaranteed first round talents. The next 15 are guys that I would rate as first round talents if they are developed and used correctly, but they aren't slam dunks.
1. Jalen Ramsey – S, Florida St
- Great in press and pretty good in zone but he isn’t fluid enough in man for me to consider him as a legit top CB. What he can be is a versatile, playmaking FS that can play in the nickel, play centerfield, and also come down and support against the run.
- High percentage passer that shows no fear when testing defenses vertically. Very cerebral, doing a great job with his pre-snap reads and adjusting quickly and efficiently when he gets a different look than he expected. Not an elite physical specimen, but the combination of his accurate arm and football IQ gives him potential to be special.
- Uses his pure strength and power to set the edge as a five technique run defender. He also uses his natural athleticism and incredible length to navigate through and around blockers as an interior pass rusher. Unique blend of power and athleticism on the edge.
- Solid athlete for his size but does lack some explosion as a pass rusher. Won’t be a consistent double digit sack guy but will be a consistent presence in opposing backfields. Will be a strong side end that excels at controlling the edge against the run.
- Possesses apparent magical feet that allow him to keep up with speed around the edge and also quickly anchor against a bull rush. Everything is there physically. Has the prototype measurements, athleticism, and skill to be a franchise LT.
- Fluid enough to drop into coverage and explosive enough to rush off the edge when asked. Also displays rare instincts and is a great tackler. In the old NFL he is probably a WLB. But in today’s league I think he is an ILB in the Bowman/Kuechly mold. Should be in the middle of the defense making plays.
- A complete back that has the vision and power to gain yards in the middle, but also has the feet and athleticism to bounce the ball outside and create yards in space. Also great in the passing game as both a blocker and a receiver. A true, complete RB.
- Has elite feet, elite hips, and elite man coverage ability. Shows a confident attitude and the tendency to diagnose routes and beat the receiver to his spot. Will have to get better in zone coverage but that is coachable. His ability to man up on a #1 WR for an entire game and keep him quiet is not. Has the potential to eventually become a legit shutdown corner.
- Possesses incredible instincts and toughness as a downhill interior player. Does not have a ton of experience in coverage but looked fine when asked. Shows the athletic ability and fluidity in space to adjust to the pro game and make an impact as a three down MLB.
- Has a relentless motor. Combines strength and power with natural leverage to play the run or bull rush as an interior pass rusher. Wins as a penetrator and also shoots gaps to destroy inside zone runs in the backfield. Lacks length but has demonstrated enough athleticism to rush the passer from a five technique. Versatile player that dominates the interior.
- Full-speed player in all aspects. Great in zone. Fantastic in man. Worked mostly on slots. Not much experience against big TEs. Elite reflexes and first step once ball is thrown. Beats everyone to the ball. Explosive and drives through targets as a tackler. Size could be an issue at the next level due to his violent nature. Put him in centerfield and let him wreak havoc.
- Combines elite size with elite arm talent and good athleticism. Will have to improve on making throws with pressure in his face. Has been protected by a ridiculously talented OL and never really had to battle this often, but is very prone to missing throws when it happens. Talented enough to win you a Super Bowl if you put the right guys around him.
- Elite catch radius. Combines a ridiculous vertical with long arms and strong hands. Excels downfield despite lack of track speed. Great body control. Limited reps on some pro routes but shows smooth, natural ability. Combines the ability to win deep with the ability to work himself open in the intermediate passing game, which is an integral part of being a NFL WR.
- True nose tackle that also provides a little bit of ability as a disruptor. Strong anchor in the middle. A little raw. Sometimes gets lost against misdirection. Has a tendency to lunge forward and blockers can use his momentum against him to direct him away. Plays with incredible strength and should have no problem two-gapping against NFL linemen.
- Neither a quick-twitch edge rusher nor a run-stuffing interior lineman. Does possess the skill set to be a unique combination of those two types. Combines great natural instincts with incredible strength to control the run game on the strong side. Also has enough athleticism and pass rushing moves to be a legitimate threat to the QB.
- Elite athlete for his size and flashes it as a pass protector. Not a powerful run blocker. Moves his feet well and uses quickness to move defenders instead of technique or strength. Balance can be inconsistent. Very raw and gets by more on just pure athletic ability. May take his lumps while being coached up. Could be a Pro Bowl talent once he is ready.
- Great length. Plays with power on the edge. Good against the run. Lacks elite first step and twitch, but explosive on contact. Wins with bull rush and strong hands to disengage. Lacks experience in coverage. Hasn’t developed any counter moves. Could use more finesse. Raw skills as a pass rusher. With his athleticism he could rack up sacks off the edge once refined.
- Good athlete. Lateral footwork really stands out in pass protection and when moving as a run blocker. Lacks balance when kicking back, which can leave him open to counter moves. Great run blocker. I think he will struggle with speed. May be a better RT than LT but length and athleticism are enticing.
- Great size but lacks speed getting past the defense. Wins by going over DBs for jump balls. Great hands and body control. Great after the catch. Uses his feet well to get in and out of routes. Settles in zones well. Struggles to beat press from bigger DBs. Will struggle getting open against man coverage. Will have to make his living in the middle of the field.
- Run blocking is flawless. Creates power with hips and drives with legs. Always aware of defenders. Never caught off guard. Great balance. Will let rushers get into his body but never gives ground. Sometimes oversteps and opens the door for rusher to get inside. Can play LT but will be a stud RT. Will struggle against speed rushers with counter moves.
- Powerful run defender. Can two-gap from a five technique or play a three tech in a 43. Raw pass rusher. Lacks moves but can get to QB with pure athleticism. Needs to improve there to make a difference at next level. Mobile enough to pursue plays. Strong enough to play nose if he keeps his pad level down.
- Great length. Great route anticipation in zone. Jumps everything and gets his hand on the ball. Has raw skills for man but needs to improve. Could press better. Smooth backpedal but slow to turn his hips and run. Shocking recovery speed covers for his mistakes. NFL WRs could make him pay. Clean up his technique in man and he could be a shutdown corner.
- Ridiculous athleticism for LB. Shows safety ability in coverage. Great hips and feet. Good recognition skills. Will step up but not strong at the point of attack. Evades blockers well but it’s over if they get on him. Brings it as a tackler but gets shrugged off often. Good pass rusher. Fits new mold of WLB. Has to get more physical but will kill it in sub packages.
- Insane quickness in his routes. Crisp and smooth. Separates with a single cut. Gets open at all three levels of the defense. Not a great deep threat but his double moves get him behind defenses. Never drops the ball. Size limits him to the slot as he’ll let bigger guys push him around. Press gives him trouble. Put him in the slot and let him run.
- Elite foot quickness for a nose. Can disrupt the pocket. Creates one-on-ones for teammates by taking on two blockers. Needs to create better leverage. Very strong but sometimes he just moves people with his arms and doesn’t use his legs to create power. Can two gap against the run or he can penetrate and blow up a play in the backfield.
- Great hand technician. Good feet and balance as a pass blocker. Lacks length and lets bull rushers get into him. Doesn’t generate a ton of push as a run blocker, but uses angles to his advantage. Has experience at multiple positions, but should play LG or C at the next level. Low risk, pro ready player.
- Electric feet. Presses well at the line. Good instincts for zone coverage. Jumps routes often and has very good ball skills. Overly aggressive and opens himself up to double moves. Beaten deep far more than you would like. Tight hips and will struggle in off man at the next level. Play him on the boundary and he will reward you with his ability to create turnovers.
- Great in man. Good instincts in zone. Recognizes routes. Very aggressive playing the ball. Good ball skills. Can be tricked by QBs that can lie with their eyes. Struggles against the run. Misses tackles. Skill set for nickel. Not quite the athlete for pure corner but not physical enough to be a complete safety. Put him in single high and take away the deep middle.
- Not a quick-twitch pass rusher. Wide range of skills and could fit a couple of different roles depending on what you need from him. Could play strong side end in a 43 or a five technique in a 34. I think his best fit would be as a three technique in a 43. Great penetrator and could push the pocket as an interior pass rusher while staying stout against the run.
- Wrestling background is evident. Powerful hips and beautiful use of leverage. Works through blocks with intelligence and body position instead of just pure strength. Might hold up at NT in a 34 but his ability to penetrate would be wasted. Makes a lot of tackles in pursuit. Best fit is one tech in a 43. Limited pass rush arsenal. Bull rusher only at this point.
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