It’s futile to try and predict which players will land a starting role for their football clubs, never mind trying to predict who will get close to earning a Rookie of the Year award after the draft. Never mind doing so before the draft. So I’m going to do just that.
OROTY candidates
Brandin Cooks, Oregon State Wide Receiver – Cooks looks like he’ll fall in the sweet spot of good teams in the first round. Probably in the 20-29 position range. A team like Philadelphia, Carolina, Kansas City, or San Francisco could draft the player and see him quickly become a huge part of the offense. Cooks could endear himself to his new QB early with his impressive footwork and end up as OROTY.
Terrance West, Towson RB – Terrance West has populated so many “underrated players in the draft” that at this point he’s probably considered one of the top backs in the draft league wide. West’s low center of gravity (5’9″) and solid build (225 lbs) combined with his above average combine performance could make him a slightly under the radar back heading into the draft for scouts looking mainly at Bishop Sankey, Carlos Hyde, Jeremy Hill, and Tre Mason. West scored over forty touchdowns in 2013 at Towson and looks to make an immediate impact at the next level.
Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin Wide Receiver – Abbrederis was a successful w̶h̶i̶t̶e̶ possession receiver at the University of Wisconsin renowned for his route-running by NFL scouts. Abbrederis is what Bill Belichick might call a “football player” in that scouts like him for how he performs at his position instead of his size, strength, or speed. Hard working guys who can catch the football tend to adapt to the league better than “projects” or “physical specimens” when given a chance. Abbrederis won’t get drafted until rounds three or four but could carve out an important role on an offense quickly given his dedication to gametape study and soft hands.
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M QB – The last time Manziel started for a new football team he brought Texas A&M into the toughest division in College Football with an 11-2 record including a huge Bowl Game victory against a mean Oklahoma Football team. And he won the Heisman Trophy that season. Manziel’s proven that while he does have the feet to get it done on the ground, he doesn’t have to rely on his scrambling. Manziel showed in his sophomore campaign he can make plays through the air and lead his team to victory. If Manziel gets the chance to start in 2014, he can quickly become one of the best rookies ever to play the game.
DROTY Candidates
Calvin Pryor, Louisville FS – Pryor is a natural athlete and even if he gets drafted by, say, St. Louis, he joins a star-studded defense ready to start immediately. Pryor may benefit by going to a team such as St. Louis or Kansas City who already has established talent in the secondary. Pryor’s top level play including an interception of master-QB Blake Bortles shows his opportunistic style of play.
Jimmie Ward, Northern Illinois SS – Ward’s size suggests he will move to free safety. His play suggests he can create turnovers with seven interceptions in 2013. Coaches and GM’s understand how important turnover ratio is for a team’s success. If Ward can join a roster that maximizes his ball-hawking abilities he can make the shortlist for DROTY.
C.J. Mosley, Alabama ILB – Mosley benefits by being really the only first-round caliber inside linebacker in the draft. Ryan Shazier could move to the inside but Mosley has big game experience playing ILB at Alabama. Mosley’s stock’s dropped so that he may join a roster like Philadelphia, New Orleans, or Denver in 2014. Teams of those caliber will give Mosley lots of opportunities to create turnovers or otherwise make big plays. Mosley is a fierce defender looking to join a playoff team in need of an interior enforcer.
Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh DT – Donald will likely play exactly the same position in the NFL as he did in College. A position he played very well. Donald’s gameplay at Pitt and physical production at the combine show off his hard work overcoming a shorter frame. If given the chance to start Donald can start wreaking havoc on interior linemen and opposing QBs from week one.
Gridiron Seasonal 