DRAFT PREVIEW
It should be the year of the offense as the EFL draft approaches. A superstar QB in waiting with several worthy consolation prizes, a top-heavy receiver class and a possible all-star running back all wait to hear their names called in this year's draft. Expect folks on offense to hear their names rattled off early and often in Round 1. That's not to say there isn't quality to be found on the defensive side of the equation, but the pickings are slimmer which will likely send GM's looking to the offense buffet. Here's the positional breakdown...as always players are evaluated only at their listed position, not alternate positions they might grade out better at.
QB – There won’t be any complaining about the quarterback class this year. Boston College’s Nicholas Castle looks every bit the real deal and won’t be waiting long in the green room to hear his name called. I won’t be floored if he isn’t the first name called, because it is hard not to see him as a future EFL superstar. Nebraska’s Kenneth Hertz is another safe selection that shouldn’t live to see the back half of the first round. Baylor’s Michael Thomas carries a little greater risk in the volatility department, but here’s guessing someone pulls the trigger on him as well. In short, this is the best crop of QB’s that I’ve seen in many a draft.
RB – If you need one and you don’t mind rolling the dice, Notre Dame’s Marc Jensen probably will appeal to you. He’s the complete package with speed, acceleration and strength all 90+ and has the potential to max out in pass catching and route running as well. He’d be a contender to go No. 1 overall, but his volatility is also in the 90s, which clouds matters somewhat. Jose McCauley also comes with a high volatility risk, leaving Charlie Robinson as the “safe” RB pick, even if he is clearly below the other two in raw ability.
FB – I’m not a huge fan of this year’s fullback class. There are several that can play lead blocker, but none of them have that dangerous combination of speed, power and pass catch that can make a FB a truly lethal option. Oklahoma’s Fred Torres is probably the best of the bunch, though an argument could be made for Ohio State’s Charlie Schmidt. Both are fairly low volatility so if you need one, availability is there.
TE – It’s a thin class with probably only 3 names worth knowing – Vincent Machin, Willy Bogert and Isaiah Matthews. Arizona’s Machin will probably be the first one gone with an 18 volatility, good speed and blocking ability. My guess though is that once these three names are off the board, we’ll go probably 2 rounds before the next TE gets called.
WR – There will be a first round feeding frenzy at WR. There’s simply too much talent here not to have one materialize. David Meadows is a 95 default wide-out from that amazing “Other” college and carries just a 40 default. He’s a candidate for No. 1 pick status. Shortly afterward, Francisco Brady’s name will get called. In all, I suspect no fewer than five WR’s called out in round 1.
OL – As always, there’s good talent here that will slip through into round 2 and beyond. Names that might not slip include Maryland’s Jason Sutton, UCLA’s Max Byram, and Furman’s Vernon Steven.
K/P – Need a punter? UCLA’s Robert Hahn is actually worth a late-round draft pick. Alfonzo Tilley also looks like a pretty safe grab late. It’s a bad year to need a kicker though. Texas A&M’s Tom Tate is probably the only one that even deserves a look.
DE – The word ‘thin’ does not begin to adequately describe the situation we have on the defensive edge this season. Anorexic is probably a much more accurate description. If you need a D-end, I wish you the best of luck. USC’s Hector Maly is the clear head of the class here, but also comes with the baggage of an 80 volatility.
DT – What the draft lacks on the outside, it at least tries to make up for on the interior of the D-line. Courtesy of the SEC, Alabama’s Casey Donovan and Mississippi State’s Loren Larochelle are both zero volatility folks who will step in as starters for many teams in the league.
OLB – If you need a strong-sider, get creative. None of the SLB’s generated are worthy of high draft consideration and most will struggle to find a roster willing to offer up a backup slot to them. Over on the weak side, it isn’t any better aside from Virginia’s Paul Thomas, but even here we aren’t talking first round. Maybe not even second round. Like I said earlier, get creative.
MLB – The interior linebacker position, unlike the edges, definitely has early-draft utility to it. There’s not a knockout performer here, but there is usefulness. It is any guess how the names will come off the board as some of the top defaulters like Indiana’s Allen Taylor and Missouri’s Wilson Goodrich come with high volatility factors while some of those that I would say are a half-step below in terms of ability come armed with less-gambleish volatility ratings. GM’s will have to decide their own risk vs. reward level of comfort here.
CB – There’s not a safe pick at corner, so we’ll go with the stud prospect in Nebraska’s Steven Minard. He’s fast. He accelerates like a dragster. And he’s a 100 volatility. Pay your money and take your chances. The other top-tier corners also come with excessive risk, so if you need one, just accept that you’re praying to the gods of random number generation and go for it.
SS – Both selections worthy of first-round consideration come with mid-80s volatility. Therefore, there’s no reason to think of anyone other than Lawrence Boyer as the first name off the board at this position.
FS – This is the one D-back position that does not require a shot of stiff liquor when making a first round pick. Auburn’s Donald Martin will make some team very, very happy when he comes off the board. Syracuse’s Scott Phung is also a good choice here with a sub-50 volatility.
Last edited at 1/11/2020 9:06 pm
