The NFL is full of very athletic players who dominate on the field every Sunday, but those special athletes are scouted heavily coming into the draft. PML is no different, some coaches draft solely based on the physical prowess of the prospect and we are going to talk about (as Scott Steiner would say) the genetic freaks and how they could make an impact in their rookie season.
- HB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin, 6’2” 249 pounds
Now here is a guy that is going to fall forward every single time that he touches the ball. He’s the heaviest back prospect in the draft and he ran a 4.38 at his college pro day. He is the best combination of strength, size, and speed at the position and he can stop on a dime and slither up the field as if he was skating on the field. For a day three projected prospect, I can see a team picking him up in the late second round.
- CB Makari Paige, Michigan, 6’4″ 200 pounds
Average joe? That’s how one scout described Paige. He’s the tallest and heaviest corner in the draft with good speed but despite his weight, he’s not very strong. He was beat off the line in college half of the time, but he has elite make up speed and he can accelerate to his top quickly. The knock on him.. He can’t jump.
- FS James Williams, Miami, 6’5” 226 pounds
The genetic freak himself. James Williams is by far the most athletic prospect that we have had in PML to date. He is expected to be selected with the first overall selection, well unless the Chiefs fumble the bag worse than Ezekel Elliot did when he was asked to play the center position the last play of the game versus the 49ers. Fire the man that designed that play.
- MLB Xavier Carlton, California, 6’6” 270 pounds
If you want a tree out there in coverage for your team, this is the man to go up and get. He’s slow.. But don’t knock his speed because he is strong. He’s one of the strongest linebackers in the class and he weighs similarly to some offensive linemen, so once he gets going, he’ll be like a bowling bowl traveling down the alley to knock down the quarterback.
- WR Johnny Wilson, Iowa State, 6’7 245 pounds
A converted wide receiver from tight end, Wilson has complete control of his body when the ball is in the air. He excels at back shoulder and sideline catches. He’s not going to be a downfield burner, but he excels at blocking down the field. He can take on linebackers, safeties, and corners. His size and strength gives him the edge when breaking tackles in the open field. He’s most famous for being the teenager that carried five defenders down the field for fifteen yards for a touchdown. His fifteen minutes of fame granted him a scholarship that will ultimately get him drafted in the late rounds this year.
- QB T.J. Finley, Auburn, 6’7” 250 pounds
Imagine going through high school and college playing football at an elite level and holding the record for never having your throw batted down. Finley holds that record and he thrives on it. He’s also known for his ‘jump pass.’ He has elite level jumping and added onto his height, it’s like he’s throwing the ball from over 7 feet in the air. As you’d expect, his throwing mechanics aren’t the best, but he’s a solid backup for any team that wants a record holder in the locker room, that’s gotta be good for morale, right?
- LE Landon Jackson, Arkansas, 6’7” 276 pounds
Darrelle Revis once batted 31 passes/breakups in a season which was the most in a season in 1999. Landon Jackson broke that record this past season with 40 batted passes at the line of scrimmage. He has elite level strength, has decent speed, and can accelerate quickly for his size. His best trait is that he is a student of the game. He has one of the highest IQs in the draft class and his ability to recognize the play has been highly talked about this season.
- TE Zach Kunnz, Old Dominion, 6’8” 251 pounds
Kunnz is a basketball player converted into a tightend. He has been compared to Antonio Gates, but despite the high characterization, he said that this stage is where he has wanted to be all of his life. He is the second strongest tightend in the draft and there really isn’t a knock on him except his concentration when the play is breaking down. He was criticized for not getting open when he sees his quarterback start to scramble, but that’s easily fixable with the right coach.
- RT Reuben Fatheree II, Texas A&M, 6’8” 323 pounds
Sometimes height doesn’t always benefit the player and that was displayed this season by Fatheree when he was at the top of the list in penalties. He does have a very high motor and he is highly critical of his performance. He will provide protection for his quarterback at all costs and that is what contributed to some of his holding penalties. He is a leader in the locker room and he was quoted stating, “When our quarterback gets hit, that falls on our offensive line, and if we aren’t doing our job, then we need to stop playing.” Accountability starts at the top and this young man has all the makings to be a great player in the PML.
- RG Josh Braun, Florida, 6’6” 353 pounds
Here’s a special shoutout to the heaviest prospect in the draft. He has elite strength, in fact his 42 reps on the bench press was the second highest amongst all guards. For a big man, he has great speed and body control. He was coveted for his lack of penalties and his ability to play to the whistle. He’s a guy who doesn’t find himself on the ground very often, but his blocking footwork does need some improvement.
