10 minute read
He Reminds Me Of
lAViSkA SHEnAulT
One of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects this year is Laviska Shenault of Colorado. Unfortunately for him, he was bothered much of the 2019 season with upper body injuries, though he actually only missed two games. His numbers fell off to 56 catches and only four touchdowns as he struggled with discomfort from a core muscle injury much of the season, if not in actual pain most weeks.
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Shenault is a fascinating weapon to contemplate because of his running back build, at 6’⅝”, and 227 pounds. He only managed a 4.58 40 at the combine but was clearly not totally healthy. He was scheduled to have surgery after the combine. His route running skill is deficient at this time, but once he makes the catch and gets rolling he is tough to get on the ground or out of bounds. He is a very productive player running sweeps and reverses as well. Once Shenault lulls a defense to sleep with “dump” throws, which he turns into first downs, the defender is often set up for a fake with Shenault eating upfield for bigger gains. He can set wide, in the slot or even in the backfield for the snap of the ball. Scouts will tell you that he has reliable hands and flourishes catching in traffic. If he can polish up some of his weak areas of the game, he has WR1 potential.
Packers fans, dredge up your memories of the Holmgren Era back in the 1990s for this player comp. There was a wideout who helped Don Majkowski and Brett Favre almost perfect that little dump throw to the wideout that Holmgren characterized as a “long hand-off” more than a true pass. A star receiver caught an awful lot of those throws and turned them into big gains with his after the catch ability. His name was STErlinG SHArPE. Laviska can be that kind of player as a pro.
iSAiAH SiMMOnS
It was another stellar year for Clemson fans, if just one game short of overall perfection. Much of the credit was heaped upon the deserving shoulder of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the offense. But truth be told, the Tigers' defense was just as impactful, especially early in the season. And the leader of that D was clearly Isaiah Simmons, an athletic freak who served roles as a safety, linebacker and edge rusher over the course of the season.
When Simmons declared for the 2020 draft he immediately provided the draft class with a top-10 talent. And he did not fail to cause a stir with his athleticism at the combine. At a strapping 6’4” and 238 lbs. Simmons posted jaw-dropping numbers in every workout category, but his biggest attention-getter was a 4.39 40 time.
He seems destined to be a versatile, dominant defensive force seemingly cut from the same mold as DErwin JAMES, the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year. James is primarily a safety who dabbles as a linebacker when the Chargers' defensive scheme calls for his talents there. There is little doubt Simmons will provide that quality and versatility in reverse as called upon to do so as a pro.
DErriCk brOwn
The monster of the defensive linemen class in 2020 is Auburn’s Derrick Brown, who anchors the defensive interior with his 6’5”, 326-pound frame. He is amazingly athletic and agile for his wide body frame, chasing and making tackles all over the field of play. Most scouts were very surprised when he chose not to enter the 2019 draft and instead returned to school for another season.
Brown posted his best overall stat sheet during the 2019 season on the plains. He recorded 55 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and forced two fumbles, while also dropping into shallow coverage and blocking four passes with his long arms and gigantic paws. He is not only ready for the NFL but ready to dominate from the get-go. His effort and hustle are astounding given his talent. He literally controls the action from his defensive tackle spot.
He is reminiscent of another big body currently playing in Chicago named AkiEM HiCkS. Hicks was not as pro-ready coming into the NFL, but after a couple of learning years he has been a dominant player who controls the line of scrimmage most game days. Brown and Hicks, with their uncommon combination of sheer strength and athleticism, make defensive coordinators drool.
CHASE yOunG
Anybody who follows the NFL Draft knows that the other dominant defender from this year’s class of prospects is Chase Young, defensive end out of Ohio State. Despite missing two games last season because of NCAA intervention in a personal matter, Young led FBS football with 16.5 sacks. It is astounding that he is the third consecutive elite edge rusher from the Buckeyes, following in the footprints of Joey and Nick Bosa.
Whether Young plays as a defensive end or as an outside linebacker is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. The fact is he is an elite edge player who is likely to step right into the pro game and be an immediate impact player. His closing speed and 80”-plus wingspan allow him to engulf opposing quarterbacks. And, like the Bosa Boys, he has a nonstop engine in pursuit.
It would be too easy to compare him to his fellow former Buckeyes, so instead the comp here is kHAlil MACk, currently with the Bears. Young’s trajectory to NFL stardom should be immediate. The speed, hand use and energy level for both players is exemplary. If not for the super season from LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Young may have been the first player selected in the upcoming draft.
JAkE frOMM
Enough of all this defensive player talk; let’s get back to some offensive considerations. Having avoided any quarterback comps thus far seems almost blasphemous in this day and age of the pass-happy NFL. It is more true than ever that if you don’t have a good, if not great, quarterback, winning a Super Bowl seems to be nigh impossible. One of the intriguing second (or even third-tier) prospects for this coming draft is Jake Fromm of the Georgia Bulldogs.
Fromm took the quarterback job away from Jacob Eason in 2016, yet Eason is ahead of Fromm on the 2020 prospect list by most folks. Strange as that may seem, it’s not hard to explain. Eason has a big arm (oozing potential), while Fromm is a game manager who is likely to be limited as a pro when it comes to throwing downfield. His play in a basically pro-style offense in Athens will work to his advantage early on in the NFL. He is also athletic enough with his legs to move within, or roll, the pocket to extend plays.
Some personnel people express concern that his 2019 stats were a drop-off statistically compared to his first two seasons at the helm. But in reality, the cupboard was pretty bare in the receiving room last season. Fromm was throwing to a lot of talented but raw young guys who were learning how to be big-time college receivers as they went along. Fromm is just plain good at a lot of things and shows solid leadership ability.
So where does that leave us in projecting his NFL future? Take a look at the overall playing style and career of a guy named AnDy DAlTOn. Dalton may be moving on from the Bengals this offseason after a solid, but not spectacular career in Cincinnati. With enough talent around him and smart coaching. you can win with Andy Dalton. The same will be true of Jake Fromm as a pro.
TEE HiGGinS
Given the excitement in the scouting community about the quality and depth of the 2020 class of receivers, let’s take a look at one of the probable first rounders from that position group: Tee Higgins of Clemson. Higgins falls into the group of wideouts who are long (over 6’0”) and have enough speed to stretch the field.
His leaping ability makes him a tough cover on jump balls and sideline throws when battling against 6’0” or smaller defenders. His ability to get open deep is based on “build-up” speed that many quality long-legged athletes exhibit. Higgins is a dependable receiver with 9⅞” hands at the end of 34⅛” arms. His size and jumping ability make him a desirable compliment for a team that already has a speedster on one side and quick guy in the slot.
Based on his size and that style of play, he compares quite favorably to NFL vet AlSHOn JEffEry. He’s a late first round talent who can likely contribute quite early to a team with a veteran QB who is looking for another big red zone weapon.
OTHER QUIck cOMpS TO cONSIDER:
A.J. Epenesa Iowa | DE = Leonard Williams Giants
cole kmet Notre Dame | TE = Tyler Higbee Rams
Henry Ruggs Alabama | WR = Ted Ginn Saints
Denzel Mims Baylor | WR = courtland Sutton Broncos
Mekhi becton Louisville | OT = Trent brown Raiders
pIGSkIN pAUL'S TOP 100 PrOSPECTS
1. chase Young, DE, Ohio St 2. Joe burrow, QB, LSU 3. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson 4. Derrick brown, DT, Auburn 5. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama 6. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio St 7. Javon kinlaw, DT, South Carolina 8. Mekhi becton, OT, Louisville 9. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa 10. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
11. ceeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma 12. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama 13. Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama 14. Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama 15. Jordan Love, QB, Utah St 16. c.J. Henderson, CB, Florida 17. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia 18. xavier Mckinney, S, Alabama 19. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU 20. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
21. k’Lavon chaisson, ER, LSU 22. Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson 23. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin 24. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia 25. Grant Delpit, S, LSU 26. J.k. Dobbins, RB, Ohio St 27. patrick Queen, LB, LSU 28. kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma 29. Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M 30. Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn
31. Austin Jackson, OT, Southern Cal 32. brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona St 33. cole kmet, TE, Notre Dame 34. cesar Ruiz, OC, Michigan 35. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa 36. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor 37. cam Akers, RB, Florida St 38. zach baun, LB, Wisconsin 39. Trevon Diggs, DB, Alabama 40. kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir Rhyne 41. Tyler biadasz, OC, Wisconsin 42. Russ blacklock, DT, Baylor 43. khalil Davis, DT, Nebraska 44. Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma 45. chase claypool, WR, Notre Dame 46. Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn St 47. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson 48. kristian Fulton, CB, LSU 49. Alex Highsmith, OB/ER, Charlotte 50. Michael pittman, WR, Southern Cal
51. Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama 52. clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU 53. Josh Jones, OT, Houston 54. Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio St 55. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington 56. Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton 57. prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn 58. Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio St 59. Lloyd cushenberry, OC, LSU 60. Ezra cleveland, OT, Boise St
61. Jeremy chinn, S, Southern Illinois 62. k.J. Hamler, WR/RS, Penn St 63. Donovan peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan 64. James Lynch, DL, Baylor 65. Terrell Lewis, LB, Alabama 66. Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia 67. Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas 68. Jason Strowbridge, DE, UNC 69. Harrison bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic 70. James proche, WR, SMU
71. bradlee Anae, DE, Utah 72. Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado 73. curtis Weaver, ER, Boise St 74. Troy Dye, Lb, Oregon 75. Leki Fotu, DT, Utah 76. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU 77. Jordyn brooks, LB, Texas Tech 78. Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA 79. zack Moss, RB, Utah 80. John Hightower, WR, Boise St 81. collin Johnson, WR, Texas 82. Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri 83. Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Miss 84. Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri 85. Robert Hunt, OT, LA/Lafayette 86. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia 87. Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU 88. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU 89. Shane Lemeaux, OG, Oregon 90. Javaris Davis, CB, Auburn
91. Netane Muti, OG, Fresno St 92. kamel Martin, LB, Minnesota 93. Matt peart, OT, UConn 94. Shaun bradley, LB, Temple 95. Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming 96. Matt Hennessy, OC, Temple 97. Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian St 98. kevin Dotson, OG, LA/Lafayette 99. bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina 100. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
