With the NFL Draft taking place tomorrow, it's time to take a look at the players who for one reason or another, have become 'Draft Crushes' this offseason.
Maybe they had one highlight play that just left you breathless. Perhaps they play for the college you studied at, or sometimes, they just have an underdog story that resonates with you. Developing draft crushes is a risky business. Once you've climbed the hill, there's no coming down and for every Leighton Vander-Esch and Marlon Mack, there's a Kevin Hogan (sorry Kevin) and Donnel Pumphrey.
Here are the five players I'm willing to plant my flag at the top of the hill for in 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgfynb4Pheo
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
As far as impact players go, Christian Wilkins is among those with the highest ceiling. Bust potential is always higher at defensive tackle, but I feel it’s minimal here. He has the burst, athleticism and sheer explosiveness to compensate for the lack of length (33.5 inch arms, 6'3, 315 lbs) that is bizarrely mentioned so much. He’s got a strong arsenal of pass-rush moves, plays relentlessly and shoots gaps extremely quickly.
With 14 sacks, 16 QB hits and 40 QB pressures in 2 seasons at the highest collegiate level, Wilkins is technically ready to leap straight into a starting role if desired. Keeping his pad level low, he plays with enough agility to make an impact outside of his gap. Most impressively of all, he never takes a play off and would be dominant in most schemes.
So why is this first-round defensive tackle a draft crush? Well, after spending an unhealthy amount of time studying the film due to the link with the Eagles, I fell in love with just how athletic he is. A man his size should not bend like a defensive end or just throw centers aside like he's ripping into a bag of chips. Wilkins is a fun character off the field (as showcased by that iconic split celebration after winning a Natty) and would just be a joy to watch at the next level.
Continued on the pages below:
Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State
My affiliation with Hart is a weird one. When I finally got my hands on a copy of NCAA Football 14 over here in the UK, my first 'Dynasty' was with Georgia State and Penny Hart was just incredible. Because of that, I’ve followed his progress very closely. Posting 1,121 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2017, Hart Followed up his successful campaign with a slightly less productive 2018, although he showed plenty of versatility.
Three words sum up Penny Hart: Short. Area. Quickness. I spoke about Hart recently and with good reason. He’s a dynamic receiver who despite lacking size, will never shy away from a block to fail to contest a pass.
His ability to change speed and make clean and concise cuts on deep routes make him a threat from anywhere on the field. He’s extremely quick getting off the line of scrimmage and will soak up the sun when given space to do so. The only real drawback I can see is that he lacks the desired play-strength (standing at 5’8, 180 lbs) to consistently beat NFL DB’s and as a result, relies on his agility which won’t always be enough when asked to drive vertically.
Hart projects to be a perfect slot receiver at the NFL level and although separating at the line can be an issue at times, as a space-player, he could be lethal.
Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
Forget the Devins, I’m in sleeper heaven (sorry.) Cashman does it ALL and is easily my favorite linebacker in this entire draft. Getting sideline to sideline is no problem with a 4.5 40 time and his pursuit is eyebrow-raising.
Cashman is a linebacker who you never have to worry about missing a tackle and more than anything, can be the heartbeat of a defense and aid in reading the game, calling out assignments and recognizing plays.
A lot of people want to see production from their linebackers, understandably so. Cashman ticks that bocks and then keeps the pen pressed to the page, scribbling all over it. 104 tackles as a senior? Yep. 15 tackles for a loss? Mmmmyep. 5 passes defensed? Inject it into my veins.
He has instant special teams value and while injury concerns are present which have hurt his draft stock, this is a guy where the tape just does not lie. The man FLIES around the football field, buzzes around the ball and has the athletic makeup that will leave you and coaches just as flustered as it left me.
Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
Williams is my biggest draft crush at the running back position this year and many question why. To put it simply, there’s nothing in his game that I dislike.
He just wants to move the chains, whatever it takes. He bounces off contact like it’s nothing, goes 0-100 exceptionally quick and he almost has this second wind where if a defender is closing him down, he can just switch on the afterburners. Effective as both a runner and a receiver in such a tricky conference, Williams has all the tools that the Eagles are looking for.
Williams averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the SEC last year and received for over 200 yards on top of his astonishing 1,760 yard rushing production. How can you not fall in love with that? He's not as flashy as some of the other backs in this class, but where every other back has a weakness, Williams just...kind of...doesn't?
He’s not a hard-cut guy and a poor showing at the NFL combine will raise question marks. However, I feel his poise, decision making and sheer heart, override that. Williams can hit the hole like a bowling ball, fly to the outside like a Wasp, or win one-on-one matchups with a flurry of exciting moves. I think he could be a real long-term runner at the next level.
Jimmy Moreland, CB, James Maddison
If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll know I’m a SUCKER for good cornerback play. In a class where the drop-off in talent is substantial, I believe Jimmy Moreland is a real diamond in the rough.
In 56 games at James Maddison, he knocked down 63 passes, intercepted 18, accumulated 208 tackles and recorded 7.5 for a loss. That’s impressive, right? When i tell you he’s 5-11 and weighs 175 lbs, it’s even more so.
Moreland is a scrappy corner who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He can get grabby at times as a result. His ball-skills are flat out ridiculous, tracking the ball over his shoulder like a wide receiver and keeping his head on a swivel, playing the ball and not the receiver.
He presses hard at the line of scrimmage and gives more than a ‘bump’ at the best of times which could hurt at the next level. But I want a corner with swagger. Someone who won't back down from the man opposite. And Eric Crocker, former NFL DB, was telling me how at the East-West Shrine game, he was the chirpiest of the bunch, barking at any dog who dared line up opposite.
His size will likely limit him to a nickel role at the NFL level, but considering how much movement could take place in the Eagles secondary, why not add an aggressive corner who will chirp like Jalen Mills, hit like Rodney McLeod and pluck like Rasul Douglas?
