Reading the title one would think the question being asked is whether the 2016 NFL draft has another quarterback that could take the Tom Brady path to stardom. Not entirely. While of course quarterback is part of it, this question is meant to be for every position. Is there a player that should go in the later rounds of this draft that will become an outright steal down the road? To help answer that question, the Mocks crew was brought together for another roundtable and they offered up names they’ve been watching closely.
Shawn Spencer:
Roger Lewis from Bowling Green is a player who I believe can be an all-pro receiver down the road. He’s not the biggest or the fastest guy on the field, but he knows how to create separation at the top of his routes. He’s a threat to score from anywhere on the field and is very elusive in the open field. He needs to get a little stronger to matchup against physical defensive backs, but a year or two in an NFL weight room should do the trick.
Jeffrey Olsen:
I really like Kevin Byard. He’s projected by most to be a 5th or 6th round pick, but I think he’s going to emerge as a playmaker at safety. He’s the Middle Tennessee State all time leader in interceptions with 19 and he almost always finds himself in position to make a play on the ball. Box enforcer who love hiting and is a good fundamental tackler. Low level of competition, but he looked great against Alabama last year before being ejected for helmet to helmet contact. He’s just too disciplined, too smart, too skilled, and too physical for me not to be on him.
Rodney Stokes:
Jacoby Brissett. We’re talking about a guy who’s a winner that played on a losing team. I love everything about Brissetts game, he’ll do whatever it takes to make a play and you can’t fault that attitude in the NFL. He has some issues with his mechanics and mental as a QB, but this guys a football player in every sense of the word. He probably won’t get drafted until the 5th or 6th but he’s a name I wouldn’t be shocked about hearing in a few years.
Matthew Holowiak:
I love Keith Marshall. Coming out of high school was a 5 star recruit that every team wanted. As a true freshman was part of the tandem known simply as “Gurshall” that became the best in the country. Before his ACL tear had top level speed, and seeing his 4.31 40 at the combine only proves how far he has come. Likely a day 3 pick he was the guy that got lost in the shuffle of 5 star Georgia running backs every year and could very well become the lead back that some teams are desperately looking for.
Erik Lambert:
Sometimes hidden gem players are often overlooked because they were not playing the position they were meant to. That is the case for Jordan Lucas out of Penn State. As of now he’s listed as a safety, but a review of the tape and his time there shows he also spent time at cornerback and was far more productive with 25 passes defended and three interceptions. Some were worried about a lack of speed but his 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash at his pro day proved otherwise. He’s tough, physical, boasts solid size and carries himself with maturity and intelligence, explained by his being team captain. There is no doubt cornerback is where he’s meant to play, and he will thrive at it.