It’s never too early to start talking about the NFL Draft. With Bowl season already underway in college football, I wanted to do something different than I normally do. As you already know, experts in the media will lie to you about what’s really going on with the Draft. The truth is, those guys really don’t know anything. They use all of their information from sources around the NFL and then force you to pay for trash like ESPN+.
I’m going to save you all of that struggle and anxiety with a little preview for the 2019 NFL Draft. What you’re going to be reading about is little tid bits and themes that you won’t really find out about until a few months from now when experts will try to sell you on trash that you will already know. So here we go, these are the 2019 NFL Draft themes you should pay attention to.
Good Luck finding a quarterback:
I said this a year ago and I’ll say it now. Good luck finding a quarterback. Sometimes this is the way the cookie crumbles. Let’s take a look at the evidence. Since 2012, here’s what college football has provided us.
- 2012 – 2 franchise quarterbacks (Andrew Luck & Russell Wilson)
- 2013 – 0 franchise quarterbacks
- 2014 – 1 franchise quarterback (Jimmy Garoppolo)
- 2015 – 0 franchise quarterback (Jameis Winston might be but isn’t as of now)
- 2016 – 1 franchise quarterback (Carson Wentz)
2017 is looking like a two batch class with Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson but I won’t jump the gun yet. The reality is that we normally get an average of one franchise quarterback per year. Two if we’re really lucky. Also, don’t get me started on Marcus Mariota, Cam Newton, and Jared Goff. We all know they stink. The 2019 class is looking a whole lot like the 2013 class.
If you don’t remember, there were 0 quarterbacks taken in the first round in 2013. The first one off the board was Geno Smith in round 2 who stinks. Here’s the truth. By all indications, Justin Herbert is going back to school. Kyler Murray is going to play baseball. What we are left with is Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State. I’ve never been more confused by a prospect.
Haskins’ numbers are off the charts. 47 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in the grit and grind of the Big 10 is impressive. Haskins is also completing over 70 percent of his throws. The former Bullis Prep product also has fantastic size at 6-foot-3 and 220. 4,580 yards and 9.23 yards per pass is no joke.
The problem is his weapons were far superior to any other team in the Big 10. Haskins is also just a one-year starter and that’s concerning. Not a ton of tape to study and film for defenses to find weaknesses. There was also the Urban Meyer debacle which put a black cloud over the entire program. Haskins is also incredibly raw and had an ugly game against Penn State. Haskins is our only hope and he may very well be a more glorified version of Cardale Jones.
PS: If someone tries to talk you into Ryan Finley, Trace McSorely, Shea Patterson, or Jarrett Stidham; Please slap that person right in the face for me. Thanks.
Good Luck Finding a Wide Receiver:
I have a rule. Don’t take a wide receiver in the first round. It never works. Go use google. Corey Davis, John Ross, Josh Doctson, Laquon Treadwell, etc. the list never ends of first round wide receiver busts. This time, we don’t even have options to pick that high. Marquise Brown is the best of the bunch and he weighs 120 pounds soaking wet. A.J. Brown might be slow. D.K. Metcalf has drop issues and has terrible on the field production. Parris Cambell looks a lot like Curtis Samuel. It’s a rough batch. My favorite is Deebo Samuel of South Carolina. Good route runner with plus speed and attainable in the 3rd round. That’s right up my ally.
The Tight End Class Looks Tantalizing:
I’m not all the way caught up on prospects yet but there’s a chance that this class produces a lot of quality tight ends. I can’t imagine a tight end being better than Irv Smith but some people seem to think that’s the case. Irv Smith is 6-foot-4, 245, and I will be shocked if he runs slower than a 4.6. Everyone brags about Alabama’s weapons but Irv Smith is can’t miss. Flat out electric. I’ve also watch Caleb Wilson and he looks a lot like Evan Engram. I need to watch Noah Fant and Albert Okwuegbunam yet but we may have 4 Pro Bowl caliber tight ends not including the late round guys that I’m not aware of yet.
Gems Upon Gems in the Running Back Class:
Again, no running back will probably go in the first round but there are a lot of guys you will find in round 3 and will pop. That’s a theme that always seems to happen. James Conner, Alvin Kamara, and even Gus Edwards. Don’t worry fantasy gurus. I got you. I’m going to give you a list of under the radar backs to watch. Benny Snell, Elijah Holyfield, Rodney Anderson, and Darrell Henderson.
Defensive Lineman For Days:
Defense is back, baby! I love it. There are so many defensive tackles this year that you might find a Pro Bowler in round 4. Want to find the next Fletcher Cox? Want to find the next Aaron Donald? This is the year it may happen. As many as 10 defensive tackles could go in the first round. That doesn’t even include edge rushers. Add in another 8 edge rushers who could also go in the first round and you’re looking at a defensive heavy draft. Again, that’s the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. For what it’s worth. I love this draft. It’s much better from a defensive standpoint than a year ago.
I wanted to keep it brief but got a little carried away. If you have any questions or want me to check out a prospect for you, reach out. You can find me @treydaubert on Twitter. For more on the Draft, you can find some of my weekly updates on vendettasportsmedia.com
