Under-the-Radar NFL Draft Prospects Part II

By John Laub
John Laub

 

 

     Under-the-Radar Prospects: Part II 

 

                    2018 NFL Draft


 

 


QB Kyle Lauletta, Richmond Spiders (FCS)
A football family member: Father played at the Naval academy. A redshirt senior who set school records for passing touchdowns in a season with 28 and career with 73. Also, established a school mark for passing yards with 10,465. In 2015 & 2016, named Second Team All-Colonial Athletic Association and last year, chosen First Team All-CAA and Offensive Player of the Year in the conference. In 2017, established single-season record for total offense with 3,737 passing and 90 rushing yards: Passed for 546 yards at Sam Houston State and six touchdowns versus Howard. Eclipsed 300 yards in eight of eleven games last year. Recorded three-consecutive campaigns over 3,000 yards in the air. Shined in the Senior Bowl: Most Outstanding Player of the Game, completing 8 of 12 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, possess the size and frame to compete in the NFL. Good mechanics with a lightening-quick and compact release. Strong lower body and generates power from his core. Processes information well. Tosses crisp passes with accuracy in the short and intermediate levels of the defense. Manipulates pocket and avoids pass rushers with slide steps. Good escapability and throws well on the run. Uses legs to pickup yardage. Commands huddle and is mentally tough. Does not own a cannon: Maximum distance on throws around 55 to 60 yards. Is not a tight-window pitcher. Orchestrated offense under four different coordinators. Might blossom as a starter if given time to learn and grow as a passer.

 

 
Scholar’s Supremacy Score
Games: 36
Passing Efficiency: 153.2
Completion Percentage: 63.5%
Yards per Attempt: 8.8
TD:INT Ratio: 73-35

Draft Potential: Fourth round

 

RB Akrum Wadley, Iowa

Concluded Hawkeye career as the fourth most productive rusher (2,872), fourth in rushing touchdowns (28) and second in total touchdowns (35). 2017 Pinstripe Bowl MVP: 283 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. Recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns. In 2016, 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns, and as a senior last year, 1,109 yards and 10 touchdowns. Scored 26 times during the past two seasons. At 5-foot-10 and 197 pounds, a natural ball carrier. Slasher with striking vision, good patience and quick feet. Runs hard between the tackles. Elusive playmaker: Jukes, dodges and spins off would-be tacklers. Splendid third-down back. Very good route runner with soft mitts. Moves well in open space: A mismatch in the passing game versus linebackers and safeties. Assists offensive line: Moved chains despite below-average blocking. Pass protection technique must be upgraded. Lean and narrow base with limited leg strength. Put the ball on the ground far too often: Once every 83 touches. In a cavernous class of ball carriers, will likely fall deep into the third day of the Draft.
Scholar's Supremacy Score
Yards per Carry: 5.4
Receptions: 71
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.54
3-Cone Drill: n/a

20-yard Shuttle: n/a
Draft Potential: Fourth round

WR Marcel Ateman, Oklahoma State
A former basketball player and a late bloomer on campus. In 2016, missed entire junior campaign with a broken bone in right foot. In 2017, blossomed and became a home run hitter, averaging 19.6 yards per catch. Recorded first 1,000-yard campaign with 59 receptions for 1,156 yards and eight touchdowns. Corralled 22.8% of team’s passing yards and earned Second Team All-Big-12 Honors. Played in the shadow of teammate James Washington. Large frame at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. A fluid athlete with an imposing blend of size, strength and athleticism. Shields defenders from ball. Physical competitor. Remarkable jumping ability. Large catch radius and high points the ball well. Takes pride in blocking downfield. Good route runner: Makes precise cuts to gain separation. Routinely wins 50-50 jump balls. Enjoys run blocking. Notable week at Senior Bowl, illustrating quick hands and acceleration to beat press coverage. Not as explosive as elite playmakers. Allows ball into body too often and drops are a concern. 24-years old when season kicks off in September. Comparisons to Brandon Marshall coming out of UCF. One team likely to be enticed by size and abilities.
Scholar’s Supremacy Score
Receptions: 146
Yards per Reception: 16.9
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.62
3-Cone Drill: 7.07
20-yard Shuttle: 4.25
Draft Potential: Fourth round


WR Antonio Calloway, Florida
Polarizing Prospect: Long list of off-the-field challenges, but indisputable athletic abilities. Multiple marijuana citations in the past and missed entire 2017 season after alleged credit card fraud scheme with teammates. During career, recorded 89 catches for 1,399 yards and 7 touchdowns. At 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds, versatile playmaker with splendid skills: quickness, speed, body control and hands. Excellent combination of vertical speed and short-area elusiveness and burst. A physical competitor who looks like a running back in the open field. Good route runner and tracks ball well in the air. Gains separation easily in and out of breaks. Stupendous run-after-the-catch abilities. Can make an immediate impact on special teams. Talent wise, projects as a second or third round talent. However, some clubs will take Calloway off its boards because of checkered past.
Scholar’s Supremacy Score
Receptions: 89
Yards per Reception: 15.7
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.41
3-Cone Drill: n/a
20-yard Shuttle: n/a

Draft Potential: Fourth round


WR Jordan Lasley, UCLA
Redshirt junior who bypassed another season on campus. In 2017, named honorable mention All-Pac 12 after torching opponents for 69 catches for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns in only nine games. Established school record by catching 10 or more passes three times and tied UCLA mark with seven 100-yard games. Unfortunately, suspended for three contests for unspecified reasons and missed the Hawaii game. At 6-foot-1 and 203 pounds, tremendous athlete and explosive playmaker. Elusiveness to make big plays after the catch. Divorces from defenders with speed, foot quickness and sharp breaks. Accelerates to top speed quickly and eats cushions by corners. Very good YAC runner. Snatches ball with strong and reliable hands and high points throws with good concentration. Tracks ball well and stacks opponents. A shifty speedster who can play from the slot and on the outside of the formation. A perplexing combination of athletic ability and challenges: A variety of indiscretions on-and-off the field and multiple suspensions will impact a team’s draft grade. Does not out battle or out jump opponents. Wiry frame and can be pushed off routes. Far too many drops: Allows ball into body. An excellent complimentary deep threat with burst and top-end speed to attack secondary vertically. Early-round ability but red flag concerns will drop him down draft boards. 
Scholar’s Supremacy Score
Receptions: 113
Yards per Reception: 16.8
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.50
3-Cone Drill: n/a
20-yard Shuttle: 4.19
Draft Potential: Fifth round

 


RB/TE Jaylen Samuels, North Carolina State
An enigmatic versatile offensive weapon and clubs will evaluate the multi-talented athlete differently. As a senior, named First Team All-ACC at all-purpose back and as a sophomore, First Team All-ACC at tight end. In 2015, earned the Torry Holt Award: Wolfpack’s most valuable offensive award. In 2016, named Independence Bowl Offensive MVP, scoring three times. Finished career with 1,104 rushing yards, 1,855 receiving yards and 47 touchdowns. During Senior Bowl week, practiced at running back and at the Combine, tested at tight end. Built like a running back at 5-foot-11 and 223 pounds, but primarily lined up as a tight end. Employed all over the formation: tailback, fullback, wide receiver, tight end and H-back. Also, played on special teams, covered kickoffs and returned some kicks. Illustrates good vision, burst and balance. Plows forward for tough yardage. Effective goal line runner who fits through small creases. Finds open running lanes and bursts through. When in space, makes first tackler miss. Fluid mover, who sidesteps and jump cuts, to elude defenders and change directions. Natural hands catcher who easily corrals football and accelerates upfield. Adjusts to football in flight. Fearless in the middle of the field. High football IQ. Marginal route runner and share of dropped passes. Not an efficient blocker and struggles to latch onto opponents. Intriguing skill-set for creative offensive coordinator. Fills a number of roles on a team. 
Scholar’s Supremacy Score
Yards per Carry: 6.1
Receptions: 202
Yards per Reception: 9.2
Breakaway Ability
40-yard Dash: 4.54
3-Cone Drill: 6.93
20-yard Shuttle: 4.28

Draft Potential: Fourth round