It’s really starting to feel like the draft season is ramping up so before we discuss the 2021 incoming class we should all reflect on the 2020 class and remember that some of these guys who didn’t perform well in 2020 can be good in the future. I’ve broken down the guys I want everyone to remember into categories. Guys who had “no shot” means they didn’t get enough playing time for people to see the talent. “Poorly” are guys who didn’t play that well that I still have significant faith in. “Hi-C” guys who have a higher ceiling than the public perception, even if they had good years last year. Guys who I still consider “busts”. Finally the last category is of players who I’ve changed my mind on or hardened my stance on my evaluation of the player.
Hi-C
Starting with players who have a higher ceiling then most realize. Let’s get into it. These are going to be guys with high draft capital spent on them (for the most part). But they each are a little different.
Tua Tagovailoa: The lack of hype on Tua blows my mind. With the pedigree he has and considering what he battle with (the Coivd season and the hip injury) how is there not more hype? Contrary to popular belief Tua had a good season as well 6-3 QB record, 64 comp%, 1800 yards, 11 TDs, 5 Ints.
Jerry Jeudy: If he only had a good QB his season could have looked a lot more like Tees.
Tee Higgins: Feel like he got overshadowed by how good of a season Jefferson had but Tee had 900 yards and 6TDs in about 14 games. He's going to be great for years to come.
Michael Pittman Jr.: Has a way better QB now and his rookie year got off to a rough start because of injury. Believe in the talent big time. Had a first round grade on him.
Robert Hunt: Love the talent again plain and simple, the MIA offensive line is being rebuilt well.
Antoine Winfield Jr.: He is going to be a superstar, I saw it at MIN, we got a taste of it this year but the best is yet to come. The Buccs have a scary young (very young) secondary.
Derrick Brown: Was on a bad defense that's super young so I feel like everyone is kinda writing off Brown as having a bad year but that's false. Brown had a very good year against the run and even his pass rushing skills have improved. Was very ready to play out of college and is only getting better. Scary.
Raekwon Davis: A young MIA player who makes the list wonder if we will see that again?
DaVon Hamilton: Really wish he could have played NT for the Jags in a 3/4 last year but I'm hoping Urban figures out how to use him. Very talented big man who could be to the 2022 Jags what Marcell Darius was to the 2017 Jags.
Poorly
Moving on to the almost opposite end of the spectrum we have guys who played poorly but I still believe in them!
Damon Arnette: Raider defense was trash all around, still believe in the tape from Ohio State. Might be better than Okudah… but probably not.
Jonah Jackson: Played a bunch, didn't love the play but showed plenty of progress.
Matt Hennessy: Def not a great first year but learning behind a very good offensive line. Had a high grade on him too.
Lloyd Cushenberry III: Played a lot of snaps and center is a steep learning curve. Don’t judge him on his year 1 performance Broncos fans.
Leki Fotu: If can get more snaps, will be a solid if not good contributor to a line. ARI defense looking scarier by the second lol.
No Shot
Moving onto the almost final category of players who had no shot but hopefully will in the future get there. Def the biggest category but probably the most important.
Austin Jackson: only 21 y/o, had a very high grade on him coming into the draft. Miami Dolphin.
Jordan Love: Could be a Return of the Jedi situation in GB if he sits behind Aaron and learns a good amount. Was a project coming out of school so love how he ended up here.
Marlon Davidson: injured all season, love the talent. We will see it next year.
A. J. Epenesa: Could be the best end in the draft, played fine in a limited number of snaps in 2020, believe in the talent.
Van Jefferson: If Reynolds leaves he's the clear number 3 and with a better QB he could easily be a star. Can also block so should give him an edge against other competition for the 3 spot.
Denzel Mims: Love the talent. Had him above, Ayuik, Reager, Pittman, Henry Ruggs, Laviska, Hamler, Claypool, Van Jefferson and they all went above him. Can’t wait to see him with a good QB or just a better team next year.
Kristian Fulton: Was one of my highest ranked CBs, just needs to get on the field as most of these guys do.
A. J. Dillon: Monster, just a big fucking monster. I get the Henry comp but he's more agile and less of a bus.
Josh Jones: Not really enough playing time, 3rd round was way too late for him. Even if he sits next year I’d still be on him.
Zack Baun: Starting to think this might just be a bad pass rush class but still believe in the talent.
Bryan Edwards: unsure when he will get his shot TBH but love the talent, hopefully he can separate himself from Ruggs, Agholor, etc.
Devin Asiasi: Pats TE needs time to develop (Not sure who will win out between him and Keene).
Malik Harrison: Will be a lot better than the limited snaps showed.
Dalton Keene: Pats TE needs time to develop (Not sure who will win out between him and Asiasi).
Harrison Bryant: Rookie TE am I right? Still played well and love his tape and his value in the draft.
Ben Bartch: Bruiser and I love it, give him a shot Jags when the line gets reshuffled some more this year.
D. J. Wonnum: Underrated; can be used in the pass rush as a pass rusher only guy and I love it.
La'Mical Perine: Unsure why he went so late in the draft think there is serious upside and not just as a rotational back.
Antonio Gandy-Golden: Not much of a shot to play but hype coming out of college.
Jack Driscoll: Injuries held him back, but bright future.
Alton Robinson: Maybe a slow start since such a late pick but can really help the pass rush, needs to adjust to the competition level but I still believe.
Jason Strowbridge: More late rounders that I liked going in. Went too late for my tastes but good on MIA for getting him so late. Don’t think he will be a star tho.
Bryce Hall: Can easy be a household name soon, had like a 3rd round grade on him.
Quintez Cephus: If Golladay leaves you'll be seeing a lot more of him.
Collin Johnson: Impressed with him before he was a Jag but now I'm real excited. Worry about playing time tho especially if the FA class is deep at WR.
Bradlee Anae: Had a higher grade than where he was taken, think Dallas defense needs a rebuild so will get a shot hopefully soon.
Donovan Peoples-Jones: We haven't seen how good he can get =) Maybe if OBJ is on the move or Jarvis gets hurt again or even OBJ gets hurt again we can see Peoples-Jones more.
Geno Stone: BAL made a mistake releasing him.
Eno Benjamin: The upside is probably a split time guy at RB but the potential is still there.
Busts
Let’s end this with the “Busts”. I want to clarify as well that a bust is a player who is taken higher in the draft then they will eventually perform as a player. Now let’s get on with it.
Justin Herbert: I didn’t believe in the talent in 2020 and I still don’t in 2021. He could be an average to above average QB in the NFL but his bust status mostly results from the high draft capital spent.
Isaiah Simmons: Master of none still true, maybe he can figure it out but was def a project coming out but a project not worth the pick.
Henry Ruggs: Was like the 6th WR for me and he might be moved down further after next year.
K'Lavon Chaisson: Was terrible for the Jags this year, showed some improvement but I'm not super excited going forward. I don't think it's over for him considering he was a later first round pick.
Hope you enjoyed the show and to really put my money where my mouth is I’ve bought a good amount of rookie cards of these guys, especially Bryce Hall. I know I’m ganna make money on my 25 Antione Winfield cards and my more rare Bryce Hall cards so at least I have that.