Overrated: Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming)
Allen has his cult following and that?s fine. It happens every year. There is no denying the Wyoming quarterback has an absolute cannon for an arm, a big body, can move and comes across as intelligent. Yet as the old saying goes, ?Where?s the beef?? Or in other words, where?s the proof that he?s that good. It didn?t show up in his stats (1,812 yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs in 2017) and doesn?t show up enough on tape. Sure he?ll make a throw from time to time that appears special, but too often he looked confused by things he will see constantly in the NFL.
Underrated: Harold Landry (EDGE, Boston College)
It?s much the other way for Harold Landry. Teams like to covet size and athleticism in their prospects, not to mention power. The Boston College edge rusher has plenty of athletic talent but is merely average when it comes to size (6?3″) and isn?t known for his strength either. Then again that shouldn?t matter so much. This league is all about the quarterbacks and finding the guys who can put them on the ground. Landry had 21.5 sacks over his final two seasons, and that was with an ankle injury throughout much of 2017. He?s a nightmare to stop when healthy.
Overrated: Da?Ron Payne (DT, Alabama)
This is a perfect example of how playing for Alabama is a great way to elevate your draft stock. If Da?Ron Payne were coming out of any other program, he?d be considered a Day 2 pick. Nothing about him stands out as special. His size and arm length are average for a defensive tackle. He?s got good power to stop the run, as typical Crimson Tide linemen do and is a better athlete than he gets credit for. The problem? He had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss in college. That spans three years. This despite being surrounded by premier talent.
Underrated: Mike McGlinchey (OT, Notre Dame)
It feels like McGlinchey is the being held hostage by what is an overall weak offensive tackle class. He also failed to run the 40-yard dash at the combine and his pro day, meaning there is some hesitation to buy into him as a top 1st round option. That would be a mistake. Is McGlinchey the greatest athlete as tackles go? No. Does he get his guys blocked? Yes. He?s a top notch run blocker who will get space for his backs and proved last year he can go toe-to-toe with the best in college and hold his own. He?s not perfect but he has all the qualities of a long-term NFL starter.
Overrated: Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State)
I?m sure I?ll get roughed up in the comments for this one. There is no denying that Barkley proved his freakish athleticism on several occasions for Penn State. The sheer number of big plays he produced was what made so many fall in love with him. So what could possibly be the problem? Well the big thing is how Barkley was relient on those big plays. His running style was often conducive to bouncing it outside. Defenses just couldn?t contain him. However, his vision and power to run up the middle might be considered more average. Some have compared his game to Reggie Bush. That?s certainly fair, and we all know how his NFL career went.
Underrated: Logan Woodside (QB, Toledo)
As stated earlier about Allen, teams this time of year are all about the physical traits. They love the big bodies and big arms. That?s just how it goes. It?s why Logan Woodside won?t be drafted high. He?s only 6?1″ and doesn?t throw the fastest ball. Yet there are so many who say playing quarterback in the NFL is less about physical traits and more about intelligence, accuracy and quick processing. Woodside excels in all three of those areas. He?s going to be a highly reliable backup in the league and can be a starter if he finds an offense that doesn?t rely on deep strikes.
--Erik Lambert
Allen has his cult following and that?s fine. It happens every year. There is no denying the Wyoming quarterback has an absolute cannon for an arm, a big body, can move and comes across as intelligent. Yet as the old saying goes, ?Where?s the beef?? Or in other words, where?s the proof that he?s that good. It didn?t show up in his stats (1,812 yards, 16 TDs, 6 INTs in 2017) and doesn?t show up enough on tape. Sure he?ll make a throw from time to time that appears special, but too often he looked confused by things he will see constantly in the NFL.
Underrated: Harold Landry (EDGE, Boston College)
It?s much the other way for Harold Landry. Teams like to covet size and athleticism in their prospects, not to mention power. The Boston College edge rusher has plenty of athletic talent but is merely average when it comes to size (6?3″) and isn?t known for his strength either. Then again that shouldn?t matter so much. This league is all about the quarterbacks and finding the guys who can put them on the ground. Landry had 21.5 sacks over his final two seasons, and that was with an ankle injury throughout much of 2017. He?s a nightmare to stop when healthy.
Overrated: Da?Ron Payne (DT, Alabama)
This is a perfect example of how playing for Alabama is a great way to elevate your draft stock. If Da?Ron Payne were coming out of any other program, he?d be considered a Day 2 pick. Nothing about him stands out as special. His size and arm length are average for a defensive tackle. He?s got good power to stop the run, as typical Crimson Tide linemen do and is a better athlete than he gets credit for. The problem? He had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss in college. That spans three years. This despite being surrounded by premier talent.
Underrated: Mike McGlinchey (OT, Notre Dame)
It feels like McGlinchey is the being held hostage by what is an overall weak offensive tackle class. He also failed to run the 40-yard dash at the combine and his pro day, meaning there is some hesitation to buy into him as a top 1st round option. That would be a mistake. Is McGlinchey the greatest athlete as tackles go? No. Does he get his guys blocked? Yes. He?s a top notch run blocker who will get space for his backs and proved last year he can go toe-to-toe with the best in college and hold his own. He?s not perfect but he has all the qualities of a long-term NFL starter.
Overrated: Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State)
I?m sure I?ll get roughed up in the comments for this one. There is no denying that Barkley proved his freakish athleticism on several occasions for Penn State. The sheer number of big plays he produced was what made so many fall in love with him. So what could possibly be the problem? Well the big thing is how Barkley was relient on those big plays. His running style was often conducive to bouncing it outside. Defenses just couldn?t contain him. However, his vision and power to run up the middle might be considered more average. Some have compared his game to Reggie Bush. That?s certainly fair, and we all know how his NFL career went.
Underrated: Logan Woodside (QB, Toledo)
As stated earlier about Allen, teams this time of year are all about the physical traits. They love the big bodies and big arms. That?s just how it goes. It?s why Logan Woodside won?t be drafted high. He?s only 6?1″ and doesn?t throw the fastest ball. Yet there are so many who say playing quarterback in the NFL is less about physical traits and more about intelligence, accuracy and quick processing. Woodside excels in all three of those areas. He?s going to be a highly reliable backup in the league and can be a starter if he finds an offense that doesn?t rely on deep strikes.
--Erik Lambert
