DRAFT PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: Quarterbacks, Tailbacks, and Tight

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DRAFT PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: Quarterbacks, Tailbacks, and Tight Ends


Kentucky Wildcat Dalton Purcell is the likely top choice due to his age (20) but there are others here that may go ahead of him. Purcell, 6'4" 224 Lbs, has the strongest arm (93) among the top prospects, is first in short accuracy (83), third in medium accuracy (82), and second in deep accuracy (83). Those numbers clearly will make him a prime day 1 draft selection. He has a balanced rating and an ideal sense of pressure while also having the throw away element making him an excellent option as more of a pocket passer. Purcell is also the only QB in this class with the clutch rating.

The next two probable choices contains some intrigue. Deangelo Kemper (Oklahoma) and Noah Wagner (UCLA) are both 21 and are both listed as scramblers! The 6'5" 221 LBs Wagner seems to be the better option if one is seeking a scrambling type signal caller. He is faster than Kemper (87 to 85), quicker (89 to 86), and is a better thrower on the run (85 to 83). However, Wagner's average sense of pressure could hamper his effectiveness if not altered in some way and Kemper is the superior of the two in short accuracy passing (83 to 81) and medium range passing (84 to 83). Kemper has ideal sense of pressure and force passes while Wagner, in addition to his suspect sense of pressure rating, possesses a balanced force passing number. One cannot go wrong with either of these two signal callers but there are some subtle differences between the duo that a GM must take into consideration. One final note: Wagner is left handed!

20 year old Bradford Parker is not likely a first round value quarterback but he could get snatched up in the mid to late first round by a team in need of the asset. The Texas A&M product is a bit smallish at 6'2" 208 Lbs and virtually all of his skill numbers need work. Still, at such a young age, Parker should develop into at least a solid QB despite not being Star Development rated. His 90 throwing power is right on the edge.

Arizona State Sundevil Jeffrey Ramirez will probably get nabbed at some point in the draft. But, his age (22), no Star Development, and 89 arm strength will almost guarantee he slides. Nonetheless, Ramirez will start with an 80 medium throw accuracy number and is close enough in several categories to become a decent to good leader.

PRE-DRAFT RATING: 1-Dalton Purcell-Kentucky

2-Noah Wagner-UCLA

3-DeAngelo Kemper-Oklahoma

4-Bradford Parker-Texas A&M

5-Jeffrey Ramirez-Arizona State



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TAILBACKS

The halfback position does not have any Kenneth Walker types in it and is actually probably devoid of a Breece Hall as well. There are, however, a number of backs that can step right in and be solid ball carriers for any team.

21 year old Georgia Bulldog Justin Haynes might be the top back in this class. He does not have elite speed but he is extremely agile (95) and has an excellent 88 COD rating to go along with 89 carry and 83 BCV numbers. At 205 Lbs he is not a pure between the tackles punishing back but his 83 truck and 81 break tackle should serve him well with room to improve with his Star Development rating.. Haynes is also one of the better pass receivers in this class although he is not seen as elite in that regard.

If a GM is seeking a powerful inside running type then 20 year old Brennon Young (Florida State) is the player you want. Young is a powerfully built 6'0" 223 Lbs bruiser who has outstanding power running numbers. His 87 truck is tops in the class while his 83 break tackle is third overall (But #1 among the top backs). He is not a great route runner nor anything special in catching the ball but he will likely be solid enough to be an every-down back if one wanted him to be. Young is also Star Development rated. LSU Tiger TreVonta Citizen might be tabbed early as well. He is an older 22 years old but has solid speed and athletic numbers. With 93 speed and 94 acceleration, Citizen can be an explosive edge runner but his 199 LBs frame combined with sub 80 truck and break tackle numbers suggests he might be more of a third down back. He is the best receiving back in this class. Eddy Limar (Washington) has a similar profile to that of Citizen although he is slightly less polished at this time. He is a year younger than Citizen but lacks the Star Development rating so he will likely slide a bit in this draft. His 91/92 speed/acceleration rates likely dismiss him as much of an outside runner and he lacks the power to be an every down inside type so his future is probably more as a thrid down receiving option. Alabama's Le'Veon Busman is sort of a poor man's version of Citizen. He is older (22) but does have Star Development. The 6'0" 217 LBs Busman lacks any type of edge speed (89) and will be a definite inside runner type. Javin Atherholt (Georgie Tech) is younger than Busman and actually could be a better option as an inside runner. He has 90 speed and 91 acceleration and his 85 truck number is very good. There are a few others who look to be more situational players. The Texas Tank Waverley Owens is a fire hydrant with a head on top. Owens stands at just 5'11" but packs a wallop with his 231 LBs producing 89 break tackle and 85 truck numbers right out of the gate. He lacks any type of speed ratings but is a sure fire pile driver of a back. Michigan State's Odell Irvin Jr. and Missouri's Colin Kane can provide some service if used correctly.

PRE-DRAFT RATING: 1-Justin Haynes-Georgia

2-Brennon Young-Florida State

3-TreVonte Citizen-LSU

4-Javin Atherholt-Georgia Tech)

5-Le'Veon Busman-Alabama

6-Eddy Limar-Washington

7-Waverley Owens-Texas

8-Colin Kane-Missouri

9-Odell Irvin Jr.-Michigan State

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TIGHT ENDS

Not seen as a particularly deep class with little in the speed department. The tight end position has evolved a bit in the PFL but still remains a secondary option at best. Atlanta Falcon Kyler Pitts (77-1102-8) was the league's top receiving tight end last season ranking 22nd in receptions so the value has to be seen as a bit lower than some other positions.

Abhinav Cullom (Arizona) is likely the top receiving tight end in this class. His 88 speed is considerably faster than the rest of this grouping and he stands alone atop the catching (85), catch in traffic (86), and route running ratings. Cullom is a 6'6" 250 Lbs receiving option but he lacks any blocking skills making him a bit of a liability as an in-line blocker and short yardage player.

Perhaps a better overall tight end option is UCLA Bruin Ahmed Bruckner. While being 22 years old already, Bruckner has a better overall profile than Cullom. Bruckner is not quite as fast (84) nor quite as good of a receiving option but he is still more than adequate while also being a far superior in-line blocker over Cullom. Bruckner is the best overall talented tight end in this class but his age may scare a few away. Florida Gator Kory Wilcox (21) is younger than Bruckner and offers almost the same skills. But, he is kinda slow (82) and is not likely to develop into much of a downfield attacking weapon. Still, he is solid value at the position and looks like a second or third round draft choice. Donovan Gomoll (Texas A&M) and Ryan Michitsch (Washington) can offer serviceable numbers. Both are 22 years old but Gomoll has the Star Development rating. Both can get the job done as slower, possession catch type targets who can run block if needed. 23 year old Wisconsin Badger Jack Pugh lacks any speed (71) and has the Drop Passes tag. He will not be seen as anything more than an in-line run blocker or maybe a lead blocker as a fullback.



PRE-DRAFT RATING: 1-Abhinav Cullom-Arizona

2-Ahmed Bruckner-UCLA

3-Kory Wilcox-Florida

4-Donovan Gomoll-Texas A&M

5-Ryn Michitsch-Washington
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