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It's the time of the year when everyone plays Mel Kiper Jr. and gives their outlandish opinions on who will have the best careers past hearing their name called on Draft Night. Which means it is the time of the year for me to sit back and chuckle... Trevor Lawrence? C'mon get real.
I will give a few of my draft gems and busts as we prepare to see these bozo GMs draft for their respected teams. Look, I am not conceited enough to say I will hit the bull on each of my choices... I'll be real on that sector- but you can bet your ass Trevor Lawrence is a bust & I am prepared to be proven wrong in the highest degree. Lets roll into it.
Bust Alert:
The next Peyton? The next Luck? Trevor Lawrence's hype is appalling and so is comparing him to the prospect likes of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. I'm convinced ya lost in the dude's hair or something because nothing on tape should make anyone this blind. Lets take a chronological approach here.
Hyped as all hell as he replaces a departing DeShaun Watson, goes undefeated throwing 30/4. Impressive? Yes, no doubt but look at the schedule. They played TWO ranked teams- of those two they played f'n North Carolina State (who never wins when on TV the same way they lost Russ Wilson) & Boston College. They avoided two upsets from Texas A&M and Syracuse thanks to late defensive touchdowns. Clemson steam rolled the NCAA Playoff to win the title. But one was Notre Dame and the Alabama game was taken over by Travis Etienne.
Sophomore season he ran the stats up again... while playing one ranked opponent until the Playoff & avoided a few more upsets. Lawrence did not play well versus Ohio State in his second career semifinal- thanks to Justin Fields being worse he moved onto his second Natty where he played horrendous. LSU spanked Clemson and Joe Burrow proved he was superior. That game was the game I truly noticed people becoming blind. Lawrence's final season groomed the same flowers. Playing one ranked team (was out vs Notre Dame) and playing awful once again on the big stage as Clemson could not make a third straight title game. Out of Lawrence's 90 career NCAA passing toudys- 22 were against ranked opponents. Lawrence never truly played well in big games on primetime, but this man is going to be better than Peyton Manning? In three years, Trevor will be battling Johnny Manziel in that zapper league or whatever the hell that beer league is that Manziel plays in.
This bust alert may be louder than Couch or Jamarcus Russell- if Lawrence is drafted number one by Jacksonville (he will) then he will bust out as quick as those two did without being a dumbass or not wanting to work out. This hype is insane but I will say that he could thrive if he dropped to Bill and the Pats, but that won't happen.
Farley being the number one corner is not right. Farley has great length and athleticism, but I am not high on him transitioning his size to the pro level. I think he will have fits in NFL play due to his high back-pedal and his timid approach to getting physical. He is the most overrated tackler in the draft... not sure what tape they saw (he opted out last season) but he has extreme struggles at wrapping up tackles. Expect him to be exploited on that right away. He does have Richard Sherman length, but Sherman could tackle. We saw Sherman's back-pedal and length be exploited while he played for San Fran. 49ers do not have the elite Safety room that Sherman had with Seattle.
Are there systems that Farley could thrive in? Maybe, but it's limited. I rank him 4 or 5 at corner with a extreme bust potential. I have him going to 10 to Dallas... hope I am right. Surtain III, Samuel Jr. & Jaycee Horn are much safer picks at corner. I think Farley would be a solid fit to replace Josh Norman in Buffalo. He will be attacked more with Tre' White on the other side, but they have a well structured defense with solid safety and linebacker play to release any strong tension on Farley.
Jaylen Waddle's usage at Alabama declined every season he played. How are you going to look at his tape and say he will have a better career than Bateman, Marshall or Rondale Moore? Alabama had a choice of weapons by the handful, and Devonta Smith's explosiveness immediately made it easier for Waddle to get open. Waddle will not be a #1 receiver and I find it hard to believe he could be a #2. He lacks size and strength, and I saw nothing special with his route running.
I think Waddle's game breaking velocity and ok hands will still give him a chance at consistently in the NFL but with the right fit and system. The AFC doesn't want him anywhere near Andy Reid. A trio of MT/Kamara/Waddle could be very dangerous in New Orleans but if Waddle is picked in top 10 then he will bust out. I have him ranked as my 5th receiver based off NFL potential and I wouldn't bite on him in first round. ESPN ranking him as the 11th best talent is mental.
Justin Fields has NFL bust written all over him, sorry not sorry. His main cons that you all claim to see is his field vision and reading coverages. Coaching fixes that... yes it does you Wentz haters (save the receipt). My problem is actually how overrated his arm is. He can launch the skin but not as consistent of a rate as ya rave it to be. He is very timid on when deciding to throw the ball and has a late release. Justin Fields is not a top 3 thrower in this draft and is no where near NFL ready.
As I mentioned with Lawrence, Fields hasn't played all to well on the big stage and under pressure either. Raving over a QB with his prototype has always backfired. Fields is not a Russell Wilson, he is more so like Brett Hundley or even Troy Smith. Trey Lance is a much better option if you hope for that prototype. I vision Lance to have a much better NFL career than Fields. Even Lance isn't NFL ready. Don't draft Fields in the first round or pay the consequences.
First off, utmost respect to Phillips on never giving up, jumping the obstacles & putting himself in the position to hear his name be called in the NFL draft. But ranking him the second defensive end is just crazy. Phillips has a extended injury past which always creates a red flag. Phillips' velocity and versatility is appealing but can he transition that to the Pro level?
Ranking him above Michigan's Kwity Paye is mind numbing. I wouldn't even rank him in the top 5 for DE. I expect Phillips to get pounded in the trenches, not high on him as a hand in the dirt pass rusher like some analyst are pointing to. Phillips' potential will be spaced out on the edge, spying on the QB and trying to jump any bail out routes. Very few systems I think benefit Jaelan which could bust him out quick.
Asante Samuel Jr. is the best man to man defender of any prospect and poises a true chance to be a elite corner in the league... even better than his daddy. Yup I said it. This dude is criminally underrated. He has superior tackling which was really the only big downfall to his father. He is the best man to man corner in the draft and you are a blind fool if you disagree.
Asante's lightning quick feet, velocity in his hip switches & instincts will eliminate his size fears and will blossom him into a Pro Bowl corner. He is going to be difficult to create space against. This man is criminally underrated especially for being a NFL Alumni's kid, usually they come with immediate hype (what happened to Thad Moss?).
I view Samuel as the second best corner to come out of the draft with the extreme possibility of having one of the best-lasting careers of any prospect. With Winfield Jr. last season and now Surtain III & Samuel Jr. this season; we get to feel the 2000's some more! Shiny gem sitting there from Florida State... don't miss.
Rashod Bateman is a STUD. Bateman was a dominant, game-controlling receiver at Minnesota and I expect him to carry that over and then some in the NFL. Quick active player comparison would be that of a Mike Evans or Allen Robinson. Bateman has what I call "No Doubt" hands man. Throw it up and it's his. My gem twist- Rashod mostly played in the slot his final full season with the Gophers, and was game-changing. Bateman's ability to cut on a dime and change directions with velocity is elite and will advance him to a Pro Bowl caliber receiver, he compares to AJ Brown or DK Metcalf on that aspect.
Bateman is a GEM and could have the best-lasting career of any receiver in the draft along with Chase. He should have GMs drooling, it's crazy... so many Rosemans and Mayocks.
This gem has big risk-big reward, one of those gems at the very bottom that is hidden from plain view. Moses is as gifted as a linebacker can be... when healthy. He had devastating knee and foot injuries that derailed his full potential at 'Bama. Moses is a explosive linebacker who moves with steady velocity and can bring pop. Moses has a good size for today's NFL linebacker who has many tasks.
Moses is a full-arsenal linebacker, he can drop back in man and cover if need be and has the speed to hold running back and the size to hold tight end. He needs some development and obvious time on the gridiron. He is the best coverage linebacker in the draft with elite zone skills to go with his man- could be the best coverage linebacker in the league if he escapes whatever cloud he is in with the injuries. Drafting him could result in a draft stealin' gem... if he is available on day 2 (will be with injury past) then pull the trigger and roll with a shootin' star.
Zach Wilson WILL have a better NFL career than Trevor Lawrence & a better career than any QB in this season's draft. Take a screenshot, write it down- I don't care, but mark those words and save that receipt baby. I truly believe if Jags want a QB then Zach Wilson should be the top pick.
Wilson has extreme similarities between he and last year’s top pick, Joe Burrow. Wilson had a rough sophomore season mostly because he dealt with a labrum injury, but it’s how he improved the following year that skyrocketed his draft stock. Wilson’s ability to move around and deliver high clip throws outside the pocket & off-platform raises his NFL potential. His ability to throw off-platform and in unique ways reminds me of Stafford and Mahomes. Like Mahomes, I think Wilson is gonna be a bad man with a few NFL years on his belt. He improves each year and whenever the comp' gets tougher. Wilson could be a franchise QB and would be the steal of the draft. This Wilson and Lawrence situation is 5x what Herbert and Tua was.
Stay tuned for our upcoming Mock Draft Special on The Pod in the coming weeks as we continue to hype this year's NFL Draft.
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