eakfootball
Footballguy
Stringing together what a rookie draft would look like if we drafted today.
1. Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama
It's been a while since there was a 1st pick this clear cut. Richardson's the best prospect at the position since Adrian Peterson, and should be a top 10 back in fantasy circles for years to come. Hasn't gotten the workload of previous elite backs, which should help his career. A Ray Rice clone, with better size than Rice.
2. Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma St
Lacks the physical tools and size of Dez Bryant or A.J. Green, but still an excellent athlete who will be a top 10 pick the the draft. Similar player to Hakeem Nicks if you ask me.
3. Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
A sure fire top 10 fantasy QB who I see as somewhere in between Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. Could fall a spot or two down the list if Indy sits him for a year or two.
4. Lamar Miller-RB-Miami
A very explosive back, who still has a good build (212 lbs). Better than any RB taken in the first round the last 3 years. Should be an excellent RB2 for years to come, with RB1 upside. Will need to work on blocking if he wants to be a full time back.
5. Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame
Posses NFL size (6'3 224) and has good experience and good hands. Has some off the field concerns, which could cause him to drop to the 2nd half of the first round. Floyd is a good redzone, and deep ball target, but often makes the catch more difficult than it should be, by diving when it isn't necessary, and trying to one hand simple catches. Has the potential to be a #1 fantasy receiver if he can get it all together, without the risk of a collapse that you get with Alshon Jeffery. Very solid mid first round rookie pick, would be top 3 in most drafts.
6. Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor
I could go on for an hour about Griffin, but I'l keep it short. He has everything you look for in an NFL quarterback, except for having a little bit below average size. Griffin has the athletic ability to rush for 100 yards a game every single game in college, but he's disciplined as a passer, and is very good at it. Even if Barkley has the hype now, Griffin will be the number 2 QB off the board in the draft, and could challenge Luck for the number 1 spot in rookie drafts. He's only thrown 11 career interceptions, and many of the weren't his fault. He makes every throw an NFL QB has to, along with throwing one of the best deep balls I've ever seen. Also has elite intangibles. He finished #7 in his high school class, and graduated Baylor over a year ago. Only things holding him back will be size (6'2 220), coming from a spread offense, and not having much experience with intermediate throws across the middle. But he has the potential to come in with the same impact Cam Newton has.
7. Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
During the spring Jeffery was being viewed as a top 5 pick in the NFL draft, but wow his stock has fallen. He showed up over weight, and hasn't looked good without Stephen Garcia at QB. People question his work ethic, speed, and just pure receiver skills. But he is still 6'4 230, and still has the same play maker skills that made him so highly regarded a year ago. Pre draft workouts and the combine will be very important for Jeffery. If he can get in shape, and have some positive momentum going, he could be a top 15 pick. If he continues the habits he has shown this year he could fall to the mid 2nd round. I will likely stay away, because I would rather have someone with good buzz than bad. Looks way too much like Jon Baldwin from last year.
8. Chris Polk-RB-Washington
Starting to drop off here, and I expect these last first round spots to be filled by whichever player is building momentum around draft day. Polk is big back with some solid speed. A classic north south runner who doesn't waste time getting from side to side. Doesn't have the highest ceiling, but is a solid bet to be a solid old school pounder for an NFL team in the 3rd or 4th round. Could end up putting together a few seasons similar to BJGE over the last couple of years. Also a good pass protector which should keep him on the field.
9. Dwight Jones-WR-UNC
An elite athlete who is putting together an excellent senior season. Has the potential to fly up this list as we get closer to draft day.
10. Nick Toon-WR-Wisconson
Very consistent WR, who will make a good late 2nd round pick for some team. Not the upside of a Dwight Jones, but should put together a long career with a string of 800-1000 yard seasons.
11. Mohamed Sanu-WR-Rutgers
Another WR with good size and athleticism who should go in the mid to late 2nd round. Sanu is more of a possession receiver with a long of 32 yards in the last 2 seasons. Could develop into a good #3 fantasy receiver.
12. Rueben Randle-WR-LSU
A very unique player who can be used in a variety of ways. Was a 5 star recruit and is an elite athlete. Can do anything you ask of him on the football field.
Just missed the list
Matt Barkley-QB-USC
Jeff Fuller-WR-Texas A&m
Kendall Wright-WR-Baylor
David Wilson-RB-Virginia Tech
LaMichael James-RB-Oregon
1. Trent Richardson-RB-Alabama
It's been a while since there was a 1st pick this clear cut. Richardson's the best prospect at the position since Adrian Peterson, and should be a top 10 back in fantasy circles for years to come. Hasn't gotten the workload of previous elite backs, which should help his career. A Ray Rice clone, with better size than Rice.
2. Justin Blackmon-WR-Oklahoma St
Lacks the physical tools and size of Dez Bryant or A.J. Green, but still an excellent athlete who will be a top 10 pick the the draft. Similar player to Hakeem Nicks if you ask me.
3. Andrew Luck-QB-Stanford
A sure fire top 10 fantasy QB who I see as somewhere in between Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan. Could fall a spot or two down the list if Indy sits him for a year or two.
4. Lamar Miller-RB-Miami
A very explosive back, who still has a good build (212 lbs). Better than any RB taken in the first round the last 3 years. Should be an excellent RB2 for years to come, with RB1 upside. Will need to work on blocking if he wants to be a full time back.
5. Michael Floyd-WR-Notre Dame
Posses NFL size (6'3 224) and has good experience and good hands. Has some off the field concerns, which could cause him to drop to the 2nd half of the first round. Floyd is a good redzone, and deep ball target, but often makes the catch more difficult than it should be, by diving when it isn't necessary, and trying to one hand simple catches. Has the potential to be a #1 fantasy receiver if he can get it all together, without the risk of a collapse that you get with Alshon Jeffery. Very solid mid first round rookie pick, would be top 3 in most drafts.
6. Robert Griffin III-QB-Baylor
I could go on for an hour about Griffin, but I'l keep it short. He has everything you look for in an NFL quarterback, except for having a little bit below average size. Griffin has the athletic ability to rush for 100 yards a game every single game in college, but he's disciplined as a passer, and is very good at it. Even if Barkley has the hype now, Griffin will be the number 2 QB off the board in the draft, and could challenge Luck for the number 1 spot in rookie drafts. He's only thrown 11 career interceptions, and many of the weren't his fault. He makes every throw an NFL QB has to, along with throwing one of the best deep balls I've ever seen. Also has elite intangibles. He finished #7 in his high school class, and graduated Baylor over a year ago. Only things holding him back will be size (6'2 220), coming from a spread offense, and not having much experience with intermediate throws across the middle. But he has the potential to come in with the same impact Cam Newton has.
7. Alshon Jeffery-WR-South Carolina
During the spring Jeffery was being viewed as a top 5 pick in the NFL draft, but wow his stock has fallen. He showed up over weight, and hasn't looked good without Stephen Garcia at QB. People question his work ethic, speed, and just pure receiver skills. But he is still 6'4 230, and still has the same play maker skills that made him so highly regarded a year ago. Pre draft workouts and the combine will be very important for Jeffery. If he can get in shape, and have some positive momentum going, he could be a top 15 pick. If he continues the habits he has shown this year he could fall to the mid 2nd round. I will likely stay away, because I would rather have someone with good buzz than bad. Looks way too much like Jon Baldwin from last year.
8. Chris Polk-RB-Washington
Starting to drop off here, and I expect these last first round spots to be filled by whichever player is building momentum around draft day. Polk is big back with some solid speed. A classic north south runner who doesn't waste time getting from side to side. Doesn't have the highest ceiling, but is a solid bet to be a solid old school pounder for an NFL team in the 3rd or 4th round. Could end up putting together a few seasons similar to BJGE over the last couple of years. Also a good pass protector which should keep him on the field.
9. Dwight Jones-WR-UNC
An elite athlete who is putting together an excellent senior season. Has the potential to fly up this list as we get closer to draft day.
10. Nick Toon-WR-Wisconson
Very consistent WR, who will make a good late 2nd round pick for some team. Not the upside of a Dwight Jones, but should put together a long career with a string of 800-1000 yard seasons.
11. Mohamed Sanu-WR-Rutgers
Another WR with good size and athleticism who should go in the mid to late 2nd round. Sanu is more of a possession receiver with a long of 32 yards in the last 2 seasons. Could develop into a good #3 fantasy receiver.
12. Rueben Randle-WR-LSU
A very unique player who can be used in a variety of ways. Was a 5 star recruit and is an elite athlete. Can do anything you ask of him on the football field.
Just missed the list
Matt Barkley-QB-USC
Jeff Fuller-WR-Texas A&m
Kendall Wright-WR-Baylor
David Wilson-RB-Virginia Tech
LaMichael James-RB-Oregon
Last edited by a moderator: