Why?
Because when a team drafts a player, they usually have no idea what they are getting.
Has this player already hit his peak?
Was this player one of those guys who exceeds in college, but flops once the competition gets stiffer?
Does this player have the mental strength to compete in the NFL?
There are so many questions that go into drafting players, that it really does make the NFL Draft one of the biggest crap shoots in sports and is one of the main reasons why I absolutely love it.
The following is a top 10 list of the most intriguing prospects in the 2016 NFL draft in my opinion.
These are all players that I definitely have my eye on for one reason or another as the NFL Draft quickly approaches in just over a week's time (!!!!).
ENJOY!!!!
Most Intriguing 2016 NFL Draft Prospects
Honorable Mention:
Derrick Henry (RB), Alabama
Shawn Oakman (DE), Baylor
Vernon Adams (QB), Oregon
And now....the top 10!!!!
10. Scooby Wright (LB), Arizona
Scooby Wright has been one of the best defensive players in college football the past few seasons. Trust me when I say that other PAC-12 schools are more than aware of how good Wright has been since he first put the Wildcat uniform on. However, even though he has enjoyed quite the success at the college football level, Wright isn't exactly considered a top defensive prospect in the draft as most experts have him pegged as a third-round pick or higher. Scooby definitely has "BOOM or BUST" written all over him. Whoever drafts him is going to get a player who either becomes an absolute stud or becomes an absolute dud. How's that for intriguing?
9. Braxton Miller (WR), Ohio State
The former Ohio State quarterback turned wide receiver is an interesting prospect for that reason alone. After having a quietly good career as a college QB, Miller decided to switch positions when he lost his starting job at Ohio State and quickly turned into one of the most fun wide receivers to watch in college football. Miller had such a good year at receiver, that he's now considered one of the top prospects in the draft. But how good of an NFL player can Miller really be with only one season of being a receiver under his belt? We are quickly going to find out....
8. Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Ohio State
Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best (if not THE best) NFL-ready players in this upcoming draft. Elliott is on this list because if he finds the right fit in the upcoming draft, he's absolutely going to tear the NFL up. He's an all-around type player and is easily one of the best running back prospects I have seen in some time. There are a few teams I can think of (Dallas, Oakland, Houston, etc.) that if they got a hold of Elliott, it would really turn their fortunes around next season. This kid is going to be a stud in the NFL. The only question is....who's going to get him?
7. Robert Nkemdiche (DE), Ole Miss
You hear it every year around this time. "Million dollar talent with a 10 cent brain". There always seems to be a player in the draft who qualifies under that statement. This year? It's Robert Nkemdiche. The former #1 overall high school recruit definitely has the skills and talent to become a destructive force in the NFL, but does he have the intelligence? He's already had multiple run-ins with the law. He's had team mates complain about his work ethic. And he went from being the potential top overall pick in the draft, to likely sliding all the way to the second-round. Someone is going to get a player who is a lot like a Rolando McClain/Josh Gordon type. Can be really good when he's on-the-field....but can he stay out of trouble long enough to actually play?
6. DeForest Buckner (DE), Oregon
DeForest Buckner is one of those top ranked prospects that no one can seem to agree on. Some people absolutely love him as a prospect, while others are completely lukewarm on him. The fine people over at ProFootballFocus.com who are some of the most in-depth tape watchers in the sport of football are all in love with Buckner and feel he's the best overall pass rusher in the draft. You can argue that statement all you want, but there are NFL teams that actually pay these guys to watch tape for them! They kind of know what they are talking about people. Regardless, the argument about Buckner's pro potential and the fact that PFF absolutely loves him (even going as far as having Buckner drafted #1 overall) definitely makes him one of the most interesting prospects in this year's draft.
5. Connor Cook (QB), Michigan State
Had he come out in the draft last year, there's a good chance that Connor Cook would've gone in the first-round as there was a lot of hype surrounding him last season. Cook decided to return to school for his senior year though and now it seems like the hype around him has cooled tremendously. However, there are still some teams that are interested enough that we are hearing some rumblings that Cook could actually get drafted in the late part of the first-round. It shouldn't be a surprise that a QB is ranked on a list of "most intriguing NFL draft prospects". As a matter of fact.....
4. Paxton Lynch (QB), Memphis
Here's another QB......
3. Cardale Jones (QB), Ohio State
And yes, another QB. See what I mean? These guys are mysteries.
2. Myles Jack (LB), UCLA
Myles Jack was my favorite player last year in college football. The two-way player (running back on offense, linebacker on defense) was one of the most entertaining players to watch in the sport last season and I'm more than excited to see what he has waiting in the wings upon his arrival in the NFL. Unfortunately though, Jack is coming off a pretty significant injury and no one knows how he's going to look once he returns. Jack is such an intriguing prospect though that I honestly can't see him slipping that far. This guy is the true definition of a football player and he's going to make whatever team drafts him immediately better. Are you listening Kansas City Chiefs?
1. Jaylon Smith (LB), Notre Dame
Jaylon Smith was the best player in college football last year. There's no question in my mind that if Smith hadn't suffered that ugly knee injury, he would be in play for the #1 overall pick. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way though and no one knows what the future holds for Smith. It was revealed this past week that Smith will miss the entire 2016-17 NFL season with the injury and a guy who was once in play for the #1 overall pick....could end up sliding tremendously in the draft. What a shame. Fortunately though, someone is going to get end up getting arguably the best player in the draft in the later rounds. Who's it going to be? Count me in for the excitement.....
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