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Andrew Lalama's top 100 rankings list for NFL Draft prospects and analysis of his favorite rookies. These are some underrated prospects who could be difference-makers in the NFL and players to watch in IDP fantasy football leagues.
The beauty of the NFL Draft is that people can watch the same prospects and come to different conclusions. NFL teams may have certain players ranked higher than others due to scheme fit, size standards, or character research.
I’ve already put on record how much I like wide receivers Tee Higgins, Bryan Edwards, Lynn Bowden Jr., and James Proche. I would also bang the drum for J.K. Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Zack Moss if my team needed a running back.
The purpose of this article is to highlight players other than receivers and running backs that I like more than the consensus. These could be players worth watching or drafting in IDP leagues or that could boost a team's offensive line or defensive unit.
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NFL Draft - Top 100 Prospects
With the 2020 NFL Draft just days away, here is my Big Board of the Top 100 rankings:
Five Undervalued Prospects - "My Guys"
Jordyn Brooks - LB, Texas Tech
Big Board Rank: 42nd
Jordyn Brooks was incredibly productive as a college player and was named All Big-12 honorable mention his first three years at Texas Tech. As a Senior he was named first-team All Big-12 and second-team All-American. Brooks is the prototypical off-ball linebacker with enough size (6-0, 240) and the athletic makeup (4.53 40) to fit in almost any scheme.
Against the run, he displays the ability to key and diagnose as well as anyone in this class, and uses his quickness to shoot gaps. His instincts as a ball-seeker are excellent, despite being used as a spy and the quarterback player against zone reads often. He’s sideline-to-sideline, but his best attribute is his strength on contact. When Brooks fits up a back in the hole, he knocks him back.
He was not asked to be a coverage linebacker in the traditional sense, as he was more manned up against backs and in some cases used as a spy. His film against Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma wasn’t great, as he missed angles and failed to impact the game. However, scouting prospects is more about evaluating traits that translate rather than critiquing college performance. Against Oklahoma, there were still instances on film where his athleticism and instincts popped off the screen.
Besides a lack of experience in zone coverage (a skill that can be taught at the next level), Brooks’ main weakness is his inability to get off blocks. He needs to work on using his hands to not be a block magnet for offensive linemen. Brooks fits in best on a defense that can keep him clean and allow him to be aggressive and run in space as opposed to trying to win in a phone booth.
Overall, he is a high-upside prospect with traits to be a very productive pro. His style compares favorably to Bobby Wagner coming out.
Logan Wilson - LB, Wyoming
Big Board Rank: 52nd
Logan Wilson amassed 409 tackles during his four-year career at Wyoming. However, his most impressive statistical accomplishment was his ten career interceptions, including four as a senior. Wilson returned two for touchdowns and added a third career defensive touchdown on a scoop-and-score.
Wilson fits the pro game because he can play zone coverage as well as any linebacker in this class. He shows an ability to be the deep middle player in a tampa-two scheme or carry verticals as an outside linebacker. He does an excellent job breaking on the ball and clearly has a knack for big plays. His 6-2, 242-pound frame is suitable for the NFL because of his 4.63 speed and instincts. Wilson is not the most powerful player, but he knows how to tackle with leverage and finish plays.
Wilson missed a few tackles against San Diego State but overall showed well, displaying his strength by knocking back offensive linemen in the run game. He is not the most technically sound player in terms of hopping out of his stance and misreading some keys, but the traits are there. For an off-ball linebacker, his skillset translates to the pro game on all three downs and his college ball production is rare.
Amik Robertson - CB, Louisiana Tech
Big Board Rank: 75th
Amik Robertson is just 5-8, 187, but plays like he’s 6-2, 210. Robertson was incredibly productive at Louisiana Tech, compiling 14 career interceptions, 2 blocked kicks, 3 defensive touchdowns, and an onside kick return for a touchdown.
Robertson projects as a slot corner at the next level and has an unteachable ability to cover. His feet are incredibly quick, and his kinesthetic sense in terms of staying with guys is top-notch. He is especially adept at covering in-breaking routes, allowing himself to undercut slants and digs for pass breakups. Against LSU in 2018 he matched future first-round picks stride-for-stride and almost mossed a 6-foot Texas receiver in 2019. His swagger and confidence are obvious on film and necessary for the next level. After an interception or pass breakup he loves to let the receiver hear about it.
Robertson’s biggest weakness is his lack of strength. He picks his spots against the run, at times knifing in for shoestring tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Mostly he shows poor technique and a lack of power, which is not surprising for his small stature. He is unwilling to stick his nose in on every down. This is especially a concern for a player projected to play inside.
Overall, a player with his ball production and innate cover skills has a chance to help an NFL team. He likely won’t be drafted until the third day, but he will immediately factor in on special teams and in sub packages.
Logan Stenberg - OG, Kentucky
Big Board Rank: 79th
Logan Stenberg doesn’t have the best-looking body but his film is terrific. He moves his 6-6, 317-frame well despite not exactly looking like a Greek God. He started every game for the past three years at Kentucky, helping pave the way for Benny Snell and Lynn Bowden Jr.
Stenberg is hardnosed and tough, and his film against Tennessee features multiple pancakes. He’s an efficient mover both as a puller and on combo blocks working up to the second level. His hands are active and shorter arms sometimes allow him to get his hands inside and jolt back defensive linemen. In pass protection, he’s sound and effective whether on the man side or the slide side. He doesn’t give up ground and is stout and aware.
His hands aren’t always placed well, and sometimes he reaches because his feet don’t move quick enough. There are also instances of him whiffing in space on screens. He’s not the best athlete, so quick inside moves from athletic three-techniques will give him some trouble.
Overall, Stenberg lacks the ideal body type and athleticism of an NFL offensive lineman. Fortunately for him, he has every other football trait teams look for, including tremendous toughness and balance. Sternberg will be a great pick in the mid-rounds and a quality starting guard at the NFL level.
LG #71 ^
LG #71^
Davon Hamilton - DT, Ohio State
Big Board Rank: 82nd
Davon Hamilton played nose tackle for Ohio State and recorded 6 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss this past season. He has the size (6-4, 320) to play nose or three-technique depending on scheme at the next level. Hamilton was not the biggest name on the Ohio State defense, but his presence was a huge factor in the Buckeye run defense.
Hamilton’s film shows a potential impact piece on an NFL defense. He has enough quickness to pick his spots and take chances against slow-footed guards, and enough power to post up and be stout against base blocks. He was overpowering at times against Miami Ohio and Indiana, using his hands to rip through attempted blocks and make plays in the backfield. There are instances on film of tremendous effort and mobility, including during the playoff game versus Clemson tackling a runner six yards down the field. He also had dominating reps against the Clemson center, walking him back into Trevor Lawrence’s lap.
However, there are inconsistencies on film against the Tigers. Hamilton has a few reps where he is high and out of position and gets demolished by double teams. He definitely needs to work on playing lower at the next level. He’s also not exactly Chase Young as a pass rusher, with too many reps of low-energy stalemates.
Overall, Hamilton is not the flashiest prospect and probably won’t amass that many statistics at the next level. However, he projects as a quality interior defensive lineman due to his football traits, strength, and athletic profile. He can be a rotational asset right away in the NFL.
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