In the walk-up to the NFL draft, hype is unevenly dispensed to prospects. Some deserve more, some deserve less. Well, allow me to take matters into my own hands -- it's time to redistribute the buzz!
(NOTE: Click on each prospect's name for a full scouting report.)
Undervalued
1) Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: Just like last year's draft class, the 2015 group is loaded at the receiver spot. Lockett lacks ideal size at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, but he's a pristine route runner with excellent hands. The K-State product is also a top-shelf kick returner, which adds even more value. Lockett's likely to get picked in the third round this week, but he will outperform several wideouts taken above him.
2) David Cobb, RB, Minnesota: I believe we will see two running backs taken in the first round (Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon), and a few others could come off the board in Round 2. Cobb likely will be selected in the third wave of runners, somewhere in the third or fourth rounds. While he lacks top-end speed, he possesses excellent vision, short-area quickness and power. His game translates very well to the next level.
3) Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas: Diggs (5-9, 196 pounds) is an undersized cornerback with excellent toughness, quickness and instincts. He is ideally suited to play in the nickel and reminds me of Corey Ivy, who enjoyed some success playing in Baltimore under Rex Ryan's tutelage. Diggs probably won't get picked in the first three rounds, but he can come in and contribute right away.
Overvalued
1) Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky: I love Dupree's potential, but he wasn't a consistent player during his college career. He is going to get selected very high in this draft -- in fact, I'll be shocked if he doesn't go in the top 10. He could eventually live up to the high draft pedigree, but it's far from a sure thing. This is a prospect who needs time to develop.
2) Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida: The scouting world stopped and took notice after Perriman ripped off a mid-4.2 40-yard dash at his pro day. This has launched his draft stock into the stratosphere, with some discussing him as a potential top-15 pick. That's way too high for a player who drops a ton of balls, has hip tightness and doesn't play nearly as fast as he was timed. Perriman has value as a developmental deep threat, but I'd feel much more comfortable selecting him at the top of the second round than the top half of the first.
3) Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor: I believe this is a two-quarterback draft class. However, there are more than two teams with a need at the position. That means someone is going to get elevated above where they should be selected, and I think that someone is Petty. There are things to like about his game: great size, strong arm and excellent character. However, he's in for a major adjustment coming out of the Baylor system, and his accuracy tanks when his first read is unavailable. Petty is a project, but could hear his name called as early as the top of Round 2.
Follow Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter @MoveTheSticks.
