The 10 Most Overrated Players in the NFL Draft

I went over the top 10 pure football players on Monday. Today, I'll be going over the 10 most overrated players I feel that are in the NFL Draft. This is going to be a list of guys who are projected by the mass media to go high, and I just don't see the value in the pick. Again, this is all subjective and how I feel. Obviously the players role & usage will determine their actual value. This list isn't just limited to 1st round picks, either. For this exercise (and for the underrated players), there won't be any quarterbacks, tight ends, or running backs.

10. The Florida Cornerbacks

Earlier in the process, Louichez Purifoy, Marcus Roberson, and Jaylen Watkins were all being talked about as Day 2, possible late Day 1 players. I've always scratched my head at that. I've watched this group quite a bit and can't see a trait that would make you want to spend anything higher than a 4th rounder on this group. Watkins might be the best of the group, but that's like being the fasted guy in a fat man race.

9. Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

I'm sure it might surprise some to find Evans on this list, especially after I ranked him as the 19th best player I've watched this year. But that's where I see his value at. I think Evans has some very good traits, but I don't see him developing into a #1 receiver. He doesn't strike me as a player that can carry an offense. It seems like a lock that he's going to go top 10, maybe as high as 5, and you don't take a #2 receiver that high.

8. David Yankey, Stanford, Offensive Guard

I made it clear when I wrote about Yankey, that I just don't see the value of taking him early, if at all in the draft. While that may sound too harsh, I don't see how a player who has the limited athleticism, lack of balance, or movement skills altogether can be relied on to be a starter in the NFL. I've seen many outlets pub him as high as the 3rd best guard in the class, and that's something I just can't get on board with.

7. Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt

Matthews does things that translate, like catch the ball in traffic & shield defenders. Factor in that 42% of his routes came on a screen pass, and that makes the projection even harder. The problem is he doesn't run precise routes, and let's the majority of his passes get into his pads. That's going to be an issue when you can't create separation. He seems like a popular pick to land somewhere in the 2nd round, and I'm not seeing his value there. Matthews is a fringe 3rd rounder in my book.

6. Jeremiah Attaochu, Edge Rusher, Georgia Tech

There's no doubt when you watch Attaochu, you see the explosiveness, awareness, and high motor that you want in someone you ask to rush the passer. The problem is  that his flashes are few and far between, and because of the lack of depth from the perimeter pass rushers in this class, he's likely going to be drafted higher than he should. Attaochu lacks a pass rush arsenal, strength at the point of attack, and any idea of how to truly rush the passer. He'll need to really learn how to disengage to be successful at the next level.

5. Chris Borland, Inside Linebacker, Wisconsin

Mel Kiper Jr. has raved about Borland, having him in his top 32. ESPN's Scouts Inc. has Borland very high as well. This is something I just can't wrap my head around. Maybe I'm putting too much stock into what I saw live at the Senior Bowl, maybe not. I just don't see the value in him anywhere in the 1st 3 rounds. I don't think he attacks well, and doesn't offer much on passing downs. Justin Higdon really described him best, he said "it looks like he's working hard, but really isn't going anywhere most of the time."

4. Calvin Pryor, Safety, Louisville

Pryor is a guy that's pegged to in the middle of the 1st round, and earlier on in the process I took a good looks at safeties. Pryor is a guy that plays with the style of Earl Thomas, but isn't on his level of athleticism, so he's unable to make up the ground like Thomas can. Pryor is too reckless, and I don't see him dialing back his play any time soon. I don't think he has the instincts/reads the play fast enough to  play the single high safety role, and eye discipline is an issue. I could see Pryor being out of position regularly at the next level.

3. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame

I've made it no secret about my issues with Nix. He's been projected as a top 10 talent for much of the draft process, and has even drawn comparisons to Vince Wilfork. I understand the injury issues in 2013, but in no way does that give him a full pass, and there is a lot of assumption that he'll become anywhere near of what he was in 2012, too much for me. Nix is on the ground far too much, doesn't offer much of a pass rush, and when the game is on the line, late in games, and you need a stop, he's leaning on offensive lineman looking winded. No thanks.

2. Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota

Hageman is another player projected to go high that I wasn't fond of. There's so much projection in his draft evaluation. You're hoping to draft the guy that flashes 2 to 3 times a game, and not the guy that disappears for the other 40-50 plays. Taking a player like that in the top 15, or even the 1st round, is too risky. If you're using the example of Dontari Poe(who plays 90% of the snaps in the NFL while Hageman plays 50% of snaps in college, stop), just remember that for every Poe there's 5 Courtney Brown's, Amboyi Okoye, John McCargo, Travis Johnson, & Tyson Alualu. Who? Exactly. Players that went in the 1st round that made zero to little impact.

1. Kony Ealy, Defensive End, Missouri

I don't get it. Taking Ealy anywhere in the 1st two rounds just doesn't sit well with me. He's an edge rusher, who isn't going to win with a speed rush, and sure as hell isn't going to win with power. Greg Robinson from Auburn completely embarrassed him, or should I say, exposed him. But that wasn't the only game he had issues in. Arguments have been made he can kick inside on passing downs. If you want that, why not just draft Scott Crichton? Ealy is a guy that I just don't see having much success in the NFL.