2021 CFB Prospects to Follow (1 Viewer)

[NOFALCONS10]

Yeah, The Athletic article has a ton of info in it.

The WR Dareke Young out of Lenoir-Rhyne was a 6' 174lb recruit and is now 6'3" 215lbs freak.

Some of these guys I've been tracking through him for years like Jalen Virgil.

He's been on the list all 4 years but seems like more of a devastating KR than a Factor at WR.

He had a 30 yard average returning kicks.

Some guys are new to me like Tyler Harrell and Tanner Conner.

Conner would be fun to have after losing our only Idaho State alum in Josh Hill.

 

[NOFALCONS10]

I was kind of wondering how you guys come about your prospects list. You know, some draft rituals for picking players. I like to get one of those Draft mags - pro football weekly is my fav. But, I really do most prospecting online the last few years. So every yr since Payton and Drew got here I would get the draft book and look at DBs, as we have always needed them. This is the system I use.

When I am looking for value picks, at Safeties/CBs, and NBs. I apply only one metric on the field of play. How many times they touch the football PBU, INTs, FF, and FR. So every year I mark off about 5,6 guys I think are being undervalued. I also consider yrs played , competition, his story etc. the same things you do with every prospect. This is very simple math to do in your head, as you look through the stats of DBs.

With some CBs, teams just stop throwing at them, so they have modest Ints and PBU, but those guys are found out about already, and #1 picks if they are that good. Over the years many on the list have made teams, and some even starters. It sniffed out Adebo last year. But I didn't even realize I had him checked off, when the Saints called his name. Till I started to look up the other draft picks. What do you guys do?

I usually comb through about 20 different sites and draft gurus from Troy Pauline to Gil Brandt, to Daniel Jeremiah to PFF College to Bruce Feldman.

Usefull stats to look for from places like PFF or Ourlads.com every year are things like

Ball Velocity
yards per route run
tight window throws
downfield accuracy
completion % from clean pocket
opposing qb rating vs a DB
Dominator ranking
quarterback pressures
coverage grades
# of broken tackles



I usually try to find articles with keywords "freaks, "small school sleepers," "fastest/strongest/most athletic player," etc.

Follow the combine and all-star games for practice updates as well as the official combine and pro day trackers.

College football stat sites usually allow to filter searches by statistical categories.

My favorite college football stat sites for national and career leader info are college football reference, cfb stats, and stats.ncaa.org

stats.ncaa.org would even give info on lower divisions like the FCS, D2, and D3.

Some site like draft diamonds and BTN showcase even give patriot league and regional combine info.

 

[NOFALCONS10]

Pretty good comparison. Massive hands on both of them.

You always provide a wealth of new players for me to study. Nice seeing you post again.

I guess you could also compare him to AJ Brown too.

 

[liveoakh]

I usually comb through about 20 different sites and draft gurus from Troy Pauline to Gil Brandt, to Daniel Jeremiah to PFF College to Bruce Feldman.

Usefull stats to look for from places like PFF or Ourlads.com every year are things like

Ball Velocity
yards per route run
tight window throws
downfield accuracy
completion % from clean pocket
opposing qb rating vs a DB
Dominator ranking
quarterback pressures
coverage grades
# of broken tackles



I usually try to find articles with keywords "freaks, "small school sleepers," "fastest/strongest/most athletic player," etc.

Follow the combine and all-star games for practice updates as well as the official combine and pro day trackers.

College football stat sites usually allow to filter searches by statistical categories.

My favorite college football stat sites for national and career leader info are college football reference, cfb stats, and stats.ncaa.org

stats.ncaa.org would even give info on lower divisions like the FCS, D2, and D3.

Some site like draft diamonds and BTN showcase even give patriot league and regional combine info.

Wow! Nice. This list helped me out a lot. Some times knowing where to look, is half the work. Thanks

 

[Joodas Avila]

Don't forget my man, Xavier Hutchinson... Like him, David Bell, Jalen Tolbert, Skyy Moore, and Jack Sorenson...Have about 15 more WR/TE's I am still watching ...

Xavier Hutchinson - Football - Iowa State University Athletics

Xavier Hutchinson (8) Wide Receiver - Awards and Honors Biletnikoff Award Finalist (2022) First Team All-American - Associated Press, Pro Football Focus (2022) Second

cyclones.com

YES SIR! I like Hutchinson too! He reminds me a lot of Anquan Boldin. Purdy has weapons. David Bell is literally a Mike T clone. I’d love to see him go from that Perdue black & gold, to the NO B&G. & JACK SORSON is a baller! That little dude has big man game. I love guys like him., under the radar kids who’ll force you to move them up boards cause their onfield play is undeniable. Props my friend for putting him out there.

I too, am starting to focus way more on the draft cause lets face it…our Saints are having an off year & it’s clear our FO is gonna need to make some major moves this off season.

Aside from the guys im already familiar with, ive started watching these QBs, & IMO, it’s not as dire as the media is trying to make it seem. These dudes may not be top 3-5-10 overall type guys, but there’s 1st RD talent for sure.

I personally think QB value starts at 15 this year. Not all the popular names fit, but there’s guys that are really good fits for a Sean Payton tailored O. Howell & Pickett Day 1, Zappe & Tanner Mckee (if he declares) on Day 2 in particular would be awesome fits for Payton to develop. Theyre all high IQ guys w/quick releases who make good decision & protect the football. In my opinion, those are traits Payton covets the most in his QBs.

As far as the skill position, WR/TE/RB, im still doing the math, so to speak. But the guys ive been loving this year are the aforementioned David Bell, im really familiar w/Drake London & if we go WR in the 1st, i’d like it to be him. Im also a big believer in Jahan Dotson. Dude’s a bit slight, but the onfield is legit. He reminds me a lot of the Slim Reaper Devonta Smith. Still going through it though. In the mean time, here’s some Dotson.

 

[Taker597]

I actually don't have them taking a QB in rd 1 unless they inexplicably fail to re-sign Winston.

Yep, it's a bad value proposition. The only attainable QB that I have any interest in is Malik Willis and I have him graded as a 2nd round talent and if he continues to interview not where I want him(A bit too passive in his thought process, but exhibit a lot of positive character traits) for me. I could have more 2/3rd round status than his back end 1st/2nd round status.

If you're aren't drafting a QB 1st. You are really stuck trying to strike on high ceiling prospects in later round QB picks.

Draft hype men try to hype him up as a top ten prospect, but just like Trey Lance. He ain't going to be a day one starter and I can't see how a team justify drafting a player that can't be postive impact player in the 1st round unless you're drafting to an heir. It's a really bad look.

The 1st round QBs in this draft are super mid and underwhelming.

I like to see him fall and us try to scoup him up in the 2nd.

I think Pittsburgh is probably gonna trade the farm to draft Matt Corral or Kenny Pickett.

 

[bleedit1960]

Another player would like to see what Payton could do with...
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wan'Dale Robinson - Football - University of Kentucky Athletics

Wan'Dale Robinson (1) Wide Receiver - 2021 - Junior Second-Team All-American (PFF) First-Team All-SEC (Phil Steele, PFF) Second-Team All-SEC (AP, Coaches) USA

ukathletics.com

 

[Deuuuuce]

I cant wait to watch Desmond Ridder play 4 quarters versus that Alabama defense. If he shreds them, he would be on my wishlist.

 

[HogsNSaints]

I cant wait to watch Desmond Ridder play 4 quarters versus that Alabama defense. If he shreds them, he would be on my wishlist.

I don’t think he will shred them, but that secondary is not what it usually is. Alabama exposed a massive weakness in Georgia’s offense when they can’t get out in front of teams and are forced to throw the ball.

KJ Jefferson is a solid QB, but certainly doesn’t appear to have NFL accuracy and he absolutely torched Bama’s defense. There were a lot of open windows.

 

[bleedit1960]

It's that time of the year. Bowl games. Underclassmen, etc...

2021 Bowl Games: Schedule, College Football Playoff teams, kickoff times, dates, NCAA top 25 rankings

The 2021-22 bowl season was set Sunday from the College Football Playoff on down

www.cbssports.com

ASG Tracker — RiseNDraft.com

www.risendraft.com

NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker: Which Prospects Are Entering the 2024 NFL Draft?

Our 2024 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker contains news and rumors regarding all prospects who may enter the NFL Draft.

www.profootballnetwork.com

2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker

Every underclassman that has declared for the 2022 NFL Draft

www.si.com

 

[bleedit1960]

Share this from risendraft. com. Good info...

https://www.risendraft.com/draft-database

 

[Joodas Avila]

Share this from risendraft. com. Good info...

https://www.risendraft.com/draft-database

I think the mid teens-20s is where the QBs “should” start coming off the board. Im pretty sure im in the minority, but i 100% agree w/where they have Willis. Coming into this year, i did like the potential & was hyped to see him ball. Fast forward to now…that dude has suspect IQ, makes poor decisions & leans way too much on his legs for my liking. You can kind of knock his lack of skill players, but a lot of that is on Willis for not seeing/utilizing the entire field. The freak show athleticism is undeniable, it’s the QB part that totally turns me off. I mean, we already have Willis on our team any ways,we just call him Taysom.

We need a QB who protects the ball, makes quick decisive decisions, & has a hair trigger release. Fortunately, this draft has a few of those guys. Howell, Pickett, Strong, Zappe even Corral totally fit that bill. These dudes arent gonna fit every team, but they happen to fit our team to the letter. That’s why i think drafting a QB This year totally works.

On that note, Sam Howell would be a perfect type of prospect to develop into our future franchise QB. He lost all his offensive weapons & played this season behind a suspect OL. He may not have balled out, so to speack, but he def showed his grit & solidified his ability as a QB. While perpetually running for his life, also showcased his ability to keep plays alive w/his legs & unlocked his ability as a straight up runner.

Howell had over 800 yards & scored 11 TDs this year. Im sorry, but that’s not easy to do & pretty impressive in my opinion given that that’s not exactly he does best. The mobility, accuracy, release & decisive decision making skills are pretty much what Payton seems to covet in a QB. By the way, he protects the football, which is what none our current QBs are really known for, or have consistently displayed over their careers.

We saw what Howell could do with WRs & RBs, which was win by lighting up scoreboards & surgically butchering defenses w/his arm. Then we saw him without weapons & an OL, where he lost a lot of close games, but totally showed his true grit as a competitor & leader. I mean, the losses made me like Howell even more, if that makes sense.

He put his team on his shoulders this year & though the results ended in a 6-6 season, outside of the GT game, NC was in all those games till the end. Day 1, 2, where ever…if we draft Howell i’d be all good w/that pick. Imagining Howell paired w/Payton is pretty freaking exciting to me.

 

[NOFALCONS10]

Yep, it's a bad value proposition. The only attainable QB that I have any interest in is Malik Willis and I have him graded as a 2nd round talent and if he continues to interview not where I want him(A bit too passive in his thought process, but exhibit a lot of positive character traits) for me. I could have more 2/3rd round status than his back end 1st/2nd round status.

If you're aren't drafting a QB 1st. You are really stuck trying to strike on high ceiling prospects in later round QB picks.

Draft hype men try to hype him up as a top ten prospect, but just like Trey Lance. He ain't going to be a day one starter and I can't see how a team justify drafting a player that can't be postive impact player in the 1st round unless you're drafting to an heir. It's a really bad look.

The 1st round QBs in this draft are super mid and underwhelming.

I like to see him fall and us try to scoup him up in the 2nd.

I think Pittsburgh is probably gonna trade the farm to draft Matt Corral or Kenny Pickett.

I like Wills as a Jalen Hurts/Taysom Hill type player.


Ultimately I think that Bailey Zappe, Carson Strong, Hendon Hooker and Grayson MacCall are best-suited for a Brees/Winston-type offense.

Carson Stong reminds me of Jared Goff



Bailey Zappe Reminds me of Baker Mayfield



hendon Hooker reminds me of jameis Winston



Grayson Mccall reminds me of Mitchell Trubisky






I think you re-sign Winston and make a guy like Zappe and Hooker your 2nd or 3rd round priority QB in the draft if you are Sean Payton.

 

[Taker597]

I like Wills as a Jalen Hurts/Taysom Hill type player.


Ultimately I think that Bailey Zappe, Carson Strong, Hendon Hooker and Grayson MacCall are best-suited for a Brees/Winston-type offense.

Carson Stong reminds me of Jared Goff



Bailey Zappe Reminds me of Baker Mayfield



hendon Hooker reminds me of jameis Winston



Grayson Mccall reminds me of Mitchell Trubisky






I think you re-sign Winston and make a guy like Zappe and Hooker your 2nd or 3rd round priority QB in the draft if you are Sean Payton.

I think the best course of action is to try to hone in on an available high ceiling QB in the second round. Until proven otherwise, I have to treat Winston's knee injury will likely negatively affect his best talent as a passer with his out of nowhere Deep Ball accuracy from last year. If he's still developing the rest of his game in the short and intermediate. If he doesn't shows immediate growth. It can spell doom for his career and our season. Maybe he'll pull a Brady and not skip a beat.

Willis gots the talent and mental acuity to translate into a Russ type passer, but he's super raw atm. He's a playmaker that thinks like a game manager and rather be in the pocket helping others to make plays. At the same time... It doesn't seem like he has a killer instinct. Zero game winning drive and comeback victory in college is another red flag.

Talent is king tho. With how Saints are always talent 1st oriented and coach them up afterwards as long they got a high enough football IQ. I have no problem with it.

 

[NOFALCONS10]

I think the best course of action is to try to hone in on an available high ceiling QB in the second round. Until proven otherwise, I have to treat Winston's knee injury will likely negatively affect his best talent as a passer with his out of nowhere Deep Ball accuracy from last year. If he's still developing the rest of his game in the short and intermediate. If he doesn't shows immediate growth. It can spell doom for his career and our season. Maybe he'll pull a Brady and not skip a beat.

Willis gots the talent and mental acuity to translate into a Russ type passer, but he's super raw atm. He's a playmaker that thinks like a game manager and rather be in the pocket helping others to make plays. At the same time... It doesn't seem like he has a killer instinct. Zero game winning drive and comeback victory in college is another red flag.

Talent is king tho. With how Saints are always talent 1st oriented and coach them up afterwards as long they got a high enough football IQ. I have no problem with it.

Winston runs a 4.9 anyway but I do agree that with injuries you never really know.

I agree about drafting a backup in rd 2.

I do agree that Willis could potentially fall to round 2 like Hurts.

The streak of talented mobile QBs is still pretty hot right now and he would make a decent Backup at least.

Zappe and Hooker have my interest the most in round 2. Probably even more so than Willis In the long run.

Zappe has the best combo of field vision, play extension ability, footwork and quick release in the draft. He also threads the needle really well into tight windows in the middle and down the field. He's built like Mayfield but plays like Derek Carr.

Hooker is flying under the radar with a 180+ qb rating and 70+% completion percentage.

Those two metrics have boded pretty well for Rookie QBs in recent history. He also rarely ever turns the ball over and can escape the pocket with his feet if necessary.