With the 2016 NFL Draft in the books, now is the time for every sports blog and major online news publication to put out their reputation on the line and flip the middle finger to the world of sports by posting a mock draft for an event that’s over 360 days away. In hopes of trying not to piss off every NFL fan base by giving their team too unfavorable of a draft slot, I instead will give you a handful of potential pro prospects to keep an eye on headed into this upcoming college football season.
DeShaun Watson (QB) – Clemson
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 205 LBS
Year: Junior
Arguably the best quarterback in college football last season, DeShaun Watson carried the Clemson offense all the way to – and through – the National Championship game, where he threw for over 400 yards and ran for over 70. Unfortunately, the sophomore phenom couldn’t will the Tigers past Nick Saban’s powerhouse that is the Alabama Crimson Tide, but in that game Watson made a statement: He’s going for the Heisman in 2017.
While on paper he’s billed at a slight 6-foot-2, 205 lbs., Watson looks and plays much bigger. As a passer he possesses great arm strength and at times flashes pinpoint accuracy on throws that even most NFL quarterbacks couldn’t make.
His pocket footwork could use some polish, as he tends to throw flat-footed, but when he needs to make things happen, he cleans it up. His tendency to be lazy on easier throws such as swing and screen patterns is likely an immature habit that will be cleaned up as he progresses this offseason into being an upperclassman. As a runner, Watson is reminiscent of Vince Young. He’s incredibly patient and smooth, as he wastes no movements when trying to gain ground. On designed runs, Watson finds the hold, puts his head down, and will make a defender miss if need be.
Ultimately, at such a young age, Watson already appears to be ready for the pros. He’s proven to get better in each of his first two seasons, while it will be a treat to see how he tops an undefeated regular season in just his sophomore campaign. No moment seems to big, no lights seem to bright for young Mr. Watson, so expect him to have his name called early on in the 2017 NFL Draft, barring any major injuries or unforeseen setbacks.
Leonard Fournette (RB) – LSU
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 230 LBS
Year: Junior
The rare type of prospect where people actually wondered about if he should have fought to go straight to the NFL out of high school, Fournette is a hulking back with grown man strength at 6-foot-1, 230 lbs. Never taken down on first, second, and sometimes even third contact, Fournette powers through eight and nine men boxes like a spring-loaded pinball.
The offense he operated out of at LSU did him no favors, as quarterback play was so bad that not a single team honored their threat to pass. Loaded boxes were still no match for Fournette in 2015, as he ran for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns – good enough for 6.5 yards per carry – just as a sophomore in the SEC – the best defensive conference in college football. Despite his powerful build, he possesses underrated wiggle and maintains excellent straight line speed, reminding us of Bo Jackson and Adrian Peterson during their college days.
While I could go on and on about his once-in-a-generation talent, Fournette still has some work to do if he really wants his game to translate to the NFL. First and foremost, he needs to become more patient as a runner, as he could benefit from allowing his blocks to develop better before exploding through the hole. I saw him actually get better at down the stretch, contrary to most people’s belief that he wore down as the season went on. Because of his improvement during his sophomore season alone, it is reasonable to believe that it will not be an issue at all during his junior campaign.
Another area he needs work in is as a receiver. Forunette already appears to be a willing and accomplished blocker, which will help him remain an every down back, but if he can further develop as a receiver, this will guarantee his transition into the NFL. If I were to critique his running style at all, it’s that he runs slightly too upright. While he knows exactly when to deliver his shoulder like few ever had, Fournette may struggle with pad level at the next level, so hopefully he works on that too as a junior at LSU. If he accomplishes all of this next season, he has a chance to go even higher in the draft than Ezekiel Elliot of Ohio State did just this past season, as he was selected fourth overall to the Dallas Cowboys.
Myles Garrett (Edge) – Texas A&M
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 260 LBS
Year: Junior
Garrett is a well-put together edge rusher, built in the mold of today’s NFL – and according to my eyes – in the mold of a Greek God. He possesses excellent anticipation and jumps the snap reminiscent of DeMarcus Ware in his prime. His natural quickness allows him to bend the edge with ease, giving college offensive tackles fits. In probably the best example I can give you of his unbelievable talent, here Garrett takes on Alabama’s Cam Robinson – a projected first rounder in his own right – and simply out-muscles and out-wills him at the point of attack. He not only sacks the quarterback with ease, but he draws a holding penalty on Robinson as well, completely demoralizing the Alabama front.
Throughout his two years at Texas A&M so far, Garrett has produced at an incredibly high level, compiling already 22.5 career sacks prior to his junior season. Having said all of this, while still young, Garrett is a bit of a one trick pony. He wins off the edge – typically with ease – while failing to show much else in terms of a polished pass rushing repertoire. He also can get a bit too upright once engaged with offensive linemen, and at times there is evidence that he will take plays off when runs are designed away from him. Despite the minimal concerns, bottom line is that Garrett is special. While not always interested, he shows natural instincts against the run, and almost never takes himself out of position on option reads. He will be in the top 5 discussion next April, while he may even get first overall pick consideration when factoring in the premium on edge rushers in today’s NFL.
Christian McCaffrey (RB) – Stanford
Height: 6-foot
Weight: 200 LBS
Year: Junior
The real 2015 Heisman winner in my heart, and in the hearts of many others for that matter, Christian McCaffrey burst onto the college football scene by compiling a ridiculous 2,019 rushing yards, 645 receiving yards, 1,070 kick return yards, and 130 punt return yards, good enough for a NCAA record of 3,864 all-purpose yards, which shattered Barry Sanders’ mark set in 1988. This all was done in just his sophomore season mind you, which should give you a good perspective on how talented the player really is.
On tape, there isn’t much that McCaffrey can’t do, as his numbers really speak to how well rounded he is as a prospect. Sure he may be slightly undersized, but the notion of scouts wanting to move him to the slot at the next level are completely unfounded. As a runner, there isn’t a back in the entire class with better balance than McCaffrey. He appears to be gliding on the field without ever wasting a motion. He’s an open field defender’s worst nightmare, as his forward moving wiggles and lightning-quick stutter-steps are nearly impossible to stick with. Through the line of scrimmage, he uses incredible field vision, and always appears to be one step ahead of the defense. While allowing his offensive line to naturally develop plays, McCaffrey’s patience in the backfield is unmatched in this class.
Now for good reason, scouts do have a point in wanting McCaffrey in the slot at the next level. It may not be their intended reason, as they feel that his size in the backfield doesn’t matchup in the NFL, but as a receiving back, McCaffrey is second to none in this class. He runs incredibly crisp routes, while he catches the ball and turns up field in what appears to be one motion. His strides are effortless, giving linebackers no chance of sticking with him on patterns. With this skillset, expect McCaffrey to enter the NFL with a Reggie Bush type role during his early years with the Saints, ultimately becoming a fantasy football MVP.
Jabrill Peppers (DB) – Michigan
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 210 LBS
Year: Junior
On the defensive side of the ball, Peppers resembles Tyrann Mathieu, in the return game, Dwayne Harris, and as an offensive weapon, Percy Harvin. Add all of those together and you get the second coming of Charles Woodson, again out of the University of Michigan. Peppers possesses a do-it-all skillset who could prove to be a weapon for any NFL team. He plays in the secondary shot out of a cannon, hitting ball carriers and would-be receivers with incredible force, oftentimes jarring the ball loose.
He also has the man-up coverage skills of a corner, giving coach Harbaugh the positional versatility he likes to have on his defense. As a return man, Peppers has shown quick feet, vision, instincts, and elusiveness. He affected the outcome of several games with his game breaking return ability, giving the Wolverines an advantage over most teams.
Lastly, Peppers has proven to be a weapon on the offensive side of the ball. He scored two touchdowns on just 26 touches last season, while his touches went for an average of 5.8 yards per play. He oftentimes is given the ball in space, where he is able to use his natural athleticism and playmaking abilities to make things happen.
Adoree’ Jackson (CB/WR/KR) – USC
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 185 LBS
Year: Junior
Of all the superlatives I just heaped upon Peppers, the same goes for Jackson and then some, as he may very well be the most dynamic player in college football. To try and explain his athleticism just in terms of on the field football would be a disservice to everyone. Let me put it this way: The man is incredibly close to qualifying for the Olympics as a long jumper and is currently winning NCAA track meets by running the 100-meter under 10.40 seconds. He’s an Olympic level athlete and it certainly translates to the gridiron.
Like Peppers, Jackson is a highly skilled defender, a dangerous return man, and is used as a weapon offensively to change the momentum of any game at any given moment. He’s posted incredibly versatile production across all three facets of the game, proving to NFL talent evaluators that there will always be a spot for him on a team. Jackson’s got five career touchdowns on 37 career receptions, four touchdowns as a return man, and his lone career interception went 46 yards to the house just this past season. Expect him to enter the NFL as a dynamic playmaker from day one due to his Olympic level athleticism and natural football ability.
Brad Kaaya (QB) – Miami
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 218 LBS
Year: Junior
A slender built, quick rhythm, quarterback – Brad Kaaya out of Miami has been garnering draft buzz since his freshman year. And for good reason, as he has done nothing but produce since he’s stepped onto campus in the fall of 2014. From early on in his career, it has been clear that Kaaya is an on the field general who leads by example. He is willing to stand in the pocket at all costs, while he never shows fear when a defender is bearing down on him. He will take the easy completions when necessary, but Kaaya’s goal on each play is to make something happen down the field. He’s shown excellent drive and accuracy on deep passes, while his intermediate throws have proven adequate as well.
I would be lying if I said that he didn’t need some polish before entering the NFL presumably next April, as he can suffer from head scratching inaccuracy on easier throws, while he also tends to lose his internal clock on slower developing pass plays. All things considered though, a quarterback with tons of potential, it would be surprising to see Kaaya fall out of the first round next April, provided he checks out medically and doesn’t unexpectedly regress in a dramatic way this upcoming season.
Juju Smith-Schuster (WR) – USC
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 215 LBS
Year: Junior
Pac-12 defensive backs were no match for Smith-Schuster in his sophomore campaign, as he absolutely torched everyone he played for an 89-catch, 1,454-yard, 10-touchdown campaign in 2015. Entering 2016, he’s garnering Terrell Owens comparisons, and they aren’t exactly unfounded. He’s got nearly the exact same build, and can effect the game in all three phases of receiving just as T.O. did – possession, run after the catch, and as a deep threat. I’ll spare you the creative language and just allow you to watch the man ball…
I see no reason that Smith-Schuster shouldn’t find his way into the first round next season, while if he plays his cards right, he will likely be the first receiver off the board come next April.
While these are just a few players to keep an eye on headed into the college football season later this summer, I certainly will continue scouting this upcoming draft class just as I always do. Unfortunately I will be changing gears in my articles going forward, more towards NFL news, notes, and predictions. Having said all of this, I will do my best to give updates on the college prospects every now and then, as that part of the job never stops.
-- Nostra-Dom-us