Deshaun Watson (Clemson)
The 2016 season hasn’t been as kind to him as last year, but Deshaun Watson is still a difference-maker. Even when not at his best he can make things happen. He has elite athleticism, able to elude defenders with speed, quickness and agility. His passes are accurate and he can place the ball well. To top it off he tends to play his best in big games. At the same time one cannot ignore he’s shorter than ideal at 6’1″ and doesn’t have the strongest arm.
Comparison: Tyrod Taylor
It’s amazing to make this comparison because the two actually share a very similar skill set. Taylor is a great athlete who throws accurate passes and is undersized. Yet he was a 6th round pick out of Virginia Tech in 2011 and didn’t get a chance to start until 2015 (with another team). Now he’s a Pro Bowler. Goes to show timing, team and circumstance can mean so much to determining where a player gets drafted. Hopefully Watson reaches similar heights sooner.