Every week leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft, I will do a mailbag answering your draft questions. The 2020 NFL Draft is always a polarizing topic and there are questions that need to be answered. I’m the guy for the job. Let’s get to the 2nd edition of the mailbag. Don’t forget to send in your questions for next time!
Only one question this week, but that’s ok. If you want to be included, all you have to do is ask!
I was tempted to say Van Jefferson after that Senior Bowl performance. I’ve talked about him enough and I think he did enough to move up boards to where he’s not such a sleeper anymore. Therefore, I’ll pick another target. One on offense, one on defense.
The easiest spot to find a sleeper is usually the running back position. You can usually find a good one in the 3rd – 4th round area that can be an instant contributor for you. One back is not being mentioned at all among the top 5 or so running backs. I can’t believe it. Cam Akers deserves more respect.
All of the attention has gone towards D’Andre Swift, JK Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Jonathan Taylor. Even Zack Moss has gotten some publicity in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Cam Akers is just sitting there being snoozed on. We need to change that narrative.
A: Cam Akers was the number 3 prospect in the country during his high school recruiting. I know, HS recruiting doesn’t mean everything, but Akers is uber talented. I don’t know how you could watch him at Florida State and not see how he didn’t deserve that ranking.
B: Akers overcame extreme dysfunction at Florida State. Akers’ best season came as a true Freshman with Jimbo Fisher. 5.3 yards per carry and over 1,000 yards rushing. Don’t hold the nonsense at Florida State against him. That’s not smart scouting. Akers scored 18 total touchdowns this season and averaged 5 yards per carry with an egregious offensive line. Oh, and his head coach got fired midseason. I think that matters… a lot.
C: Akers has great tools. 5-foot-11, 212, and plus speed. Akers can catch, make guys miss, and even throw. He was a high school quarterback that couldn’t be tackled. He’s barely had time to even learn the position of running back. We haven’t seen the best of Cam Akers. Whoever drafts him is getting a gem.
Real quick, I’ll pick Shyheim Carter on defense. Carter played that star position at Alabama taking over for Minkah Fitzpatrick. It’s not an easy spot to play as a hybrid safety – slot corner that also has to play the run. Carter passed with flying colors having 17 pass deflections and 3 picks the last two years. Carter is also a very willing tackler and has some length. He’s just not a great athlete. Neither was Levi Wallace who’s a starting corner for the Bills. Teams are way too low on Carter. He can play.
Now I’ll get to my rant. There is a debate going around NFL circles. After Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, which QB do you want? Things will get really interesting when teams have to decide between Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm. Both are former Georgia quarterbacks but polar opposites. Eason transferred out after suffering an injury and losing his job to Jake Fromm.
Eason has limited playing time but carried a weak Washington team further than he should have this year. Fromm has 43 starts, but Georgia really babied him with conservative play calling. Eason was known as a party guy who might have some maturity concerns. Fromm is known as a great leader. Eason has ridiculous arm talent. Fromm has a water pistol. So what do you do?
I think at the end of the day, teams should roll the dice with Eason over Fromm. I reserve the right to change my opinion if Eason has a horrible combine workout (which I forecast could happen). To me, Fromm is Dak Prescott. He can come in and run an offense. He also can’t carry a team. He needs every piece around him. Eason is the one guy that could turn into a rock star… or flame out.
I’d rather take a chance on the latter. Roll the dice that my head coach can make him better. Fromm has a lower ceiling and if he hits, then you’re stuck worrying about how to pay him. If Eason hits, you have a superstar franchise quarterback. To me, Eason has to be the play in this scenario.
