Here's some advice I learned recently while learning how to be an effective draft analyst: don't be a yes man. There is a fine line between seeing something new in a prospect and totally turning your back on them or falling in love with somebody whose tape isn't your favorite. With this in mind, I decided to make two teams: one full of my favorite prospects and one full of my least favorite prospects. It is important to keep in mind that I don't hate the prospects in the All-Dislike team, I just wouldn't take them on draft day.
All-Love Team:QB: Antonio Pipkin, Tiffin- I know he had a bad Senior Bowl, but I really like his tape. I love the zip he puts on the ball and the dual-threat ability he brings. I still think he can be a Day 3 steal.
Honorable mention: Nate Peterman, Pitt
RB: Christian McCaffrey, Stanford- I will continue to stand by my belief the Christian McCaffrey can be a three-down back. He isn't Danny Woodhead, he is Brian Westbrook: a fast back with great vision and agility. Teams won't be able to keep a guy with his level of talent off of the field.
Honorable Mention: D'Onta Foreman, Texas
WR: Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M- I know he has a skinny frame and he had an unimpressive 40-yard dash, but I love his height, hands, and downfield ability.
Honorable Mention: JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
TE: Eric Saubert, Drake- Eric Saubert had a great Shrine game but then almost everyone forgot he existed. Saubert is a great route runner with good hands who can pick up lots of YAC. He will be a day three steal.
Honorable Mention: Michael Roberts, Toledo
OL: Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin- He had the hip injury, but Ramczyk is a technician at the tackle position and gave up almost no pressure in a pro-style offense. He isn't flashy, but he is consistent.
Honorable Mention: Adam Bisnowaty, Pitt
DL: Montravius Adams, Auburn- Adams had a sneaky good combine and on tape, when he is on, he is a monster. Adams is in my mind the second best interior defensive lineman in this class and he will be a consistent force in the pros.
Honorable Mention: Carlos Watkins, Clemson
EDGE: Trey Hendrickson, FAU- Hendrickson is a grinder with great pass rush ability and a non-stop motor. He had an excellent combine and I think he has a chance to be an every-down defensive end at some point in his career.
Honorable Mention: Solomon Thomas, Stanford
LB: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee- Maybin is really being undervalued at this moment. He had injuries in 2016, but this guy was once thought to be a first-round prospect. Maybin has great range and I love the toughness he plays with.
Honorable Mention: Zac Cunningham, Vanderbilt
CB: Desmond King, Iowa- I will die standing the camp that says Desmond King can play corner. In my mind, King looks fast enough on tape and is instinctual enough to play corner and be a lockdown guy. I think people are just overthinking him as a prospect.
Honorable Mention: Corn Elder, Miami
S: Budda Baker, Washington- He is a smaller dude, but he has great versatility and open field tackling skills. I fully believe he can be the next Tyrann Mathieu.
Honorable Mention: Obi Melifonwu, UCONN
All-Dislike Team:QB: Pat Mahomes, Texas Tech- I know he has the physical tools and whatever, but cheese and rice Mahomes looks bad on tape. Between the horrible decisions and bad mechanics, Mahomes looks like he has never taken a snap in his life on almost every play.
Dishonorable Mention: DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame
RB: Dalvin Cook, Florida State- I've never really been as high on Cook as other have been. He is an off the field problem and constant fumbler. On top of that, I'm not an enormous fan of his tape. I just don't see elite with Cook.
Dishonorable Mention: Jeremy McNichols, Boise State
WR: Travis Rudolph, Florida State- Can anybody tell me what Rudolph does that is good? He lacks hands, speed, size, and route running. He is as overrated as they come.
Dishonorable Mention: Amba Etta-Tawo, Syracuse
TE: Bucky Hodges, Virginia Tech- Hodges is a decent receiver, but he is inconsistent in that department and he is a terrible blocker. Seriously, this guy couldn't block old man Peyton Manning.
Dishonorable Mention: Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
OL: Cam Robinson, Alabama- Robinson is a great athlete, but he is a penalty magnet and struggles against strong competition on tape. He could boom, but it won't be hard for him to bust.
Dishonorable Mention: Roderick Johnson, Florida State
DL: Caleb Brantley, Florida- Maybe it is just me, but I don't see explosiveness with Brantley. He will be a decent player, but I'm not sure he will be as good as people thought he could be.
Dishonorable Mention: Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
EDGE: Tim Williams, Alabama- Why would I draft Tim Williams? This is one of the best EDGE classes in history, one where starters can be found late into Day 3, so why would I take a 24-year-old player who has failed multiple drug tests and can't stop the run? The upside isn't worth the risk.
Dishonorable Mention: Devonte Fields, Louisville
LB: Ben Boulware, Clemson- I love the edge Boulware plays with, but I still don't think he is a good player. He moves like Molasses and isn't as instinctual as many are making him out to be. I don't see the Day 3 steal many are projecting him to be.
Dishonorable Mention: Anthony Walker Jr., Northwestern
CB: Fabian Moreau, UCLA- I like his cover skills, but he is a weakness against the run. He really needs to improve in that category.
Dishonorable Mention: Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
What do you think of the teams? Feel free to comment with your favorite and least favorite prospects.
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