Better prospects in NFL
Underused college players might rise up
Don’t disqualify an NFL draft prospect solely for a shortage of college production.
Before he was selected by the Saints in the third round two years ago, Alvin Kamara was given a curtailed workload in two years at Tennessee — where he started just eight of 24 games and never rushed for more than 700 yards in a season — after transferring from Alabama by way of Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College. It didn’t take long, though, for him to prove that his previous shortcomings stemmed more from a limitation in opportunity rather than in ability.
NFL teams will again be on the lookout in the draft for underused talents such as Kamara.
Here are 10 prospects who could end up with more prolific professional careers than the ones they had in college.
Josh Jacobs, running back, Alabama: No one will mistake hard-charging Jacobs for more dynamic Kamara, but the former might mirror the latter by finding his footing in the NFL after playing a modest role in the Southeastern Conference. The 5-10, 220-pounder was third on the team in rushing yards last year with 640 (behind Damien Harris, who is expected to be drafted later than Jacobs), and his 252 career carries are less than two-thirds of what former Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry managed in the 2015 season (395). Although Jacobs’ big-play potential is up for debate after just one of his 120 carries in 2018 went for more than 20 yards, his battering-ram running style and explosive cuts position him as a top back in the class.
Mecole Hardman, wide receiver, Georgia: A high school quarterback who played cornerback as a freshman at Georgia and later starred as a returner, Hardman is a speedy threat. Though he recorded just 60 receptions for 961 yards in the last two years, Hardman is in an almost singular class when it comes to creating separation and piling up yards after the catch with ease. At 5-10 and 187 pounds with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, he might give some teams visions of Chiefs standout Tyreek Hill, though he will have to develop his routes and be more aggressive on contested catches if he is to make that comparison apt.
Darius Slayton, wide receiver, Auburn: His deepthreat credentials are clear after the 6-1, 190-pound target averaged 20.3 yards per catch in his career and punctuated his run by taking all three of his receptions for touchdowns in the Tigers’ Music City Bowl rout of Purdue. A restriction in responsibilities, however, left several concerns about his viability as a multi-tool target, and he never caught more than 35 passes a season. The right NFL staff should be able to harness Slayton’s skill set in a more complete fashion.
Dawson Knox, tight end, Mississippi: In an offense that put the spotlight on wide receivers DK Metcalf, A.J. Brown and DaMarkus Lodge, Knox (6-4, 254 pounds) was something of a forgotten man, netting just 15 catches on 28 targets in 2018. For NFL teams looking for a tight end to stretch the seam, however, his long speed and overall athleticism might be worth a middle-round gamble.
Kahale Warring, tight end, San Diego State: There was only so much room for the 6-5, 252-pound Warring to grow as a receiver in the Aztecs’ run-heavy scheme, and a more substantial role should be awaiting him in the NFL. A multiple-sport high school standout who played only one year of football before walking on at San Diego State, Warring has tantalizing tools.
Rashan Gary, defensive end, Michigan: Any team drafting Gary in the top 10 almost assuredly will be expecting more disruption from him than what he generated at Michigan. A former No. 1 overall recruit, the 6-4, 277-pound lineman tallied 91⁄2 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss across three seasons amid bouts of inconsistency, though he was a two-time all-Big Ten selection. But with a more advanced arsenal of pass-rush moves to allow him to capitalize on his initial burst, he could become the force many expected him to grow into.
Daylon Mack, defensive tackle, Texas A&M: Dogged by expectations that traditionally accompany five-star recruits, Mack managed just 21⁄2 sacks and 71⁄2 tackles for loss in his sophomore and junior seasons combined before Jimbo Fisher’s arrival as head coach helped him revive his career with the Aggies. At 6-1 and 336 pounds, Mack can create a push in the pocket if he’s not double-teamed.
Renell Wren, defensive tackle, Arizona State: As a nose tackle, he was often relegated to eating up blockers, as he tallied just one sack and 41⁄2 tackles for a loss last season. But Wren has impressive burst and agility for a player of his size (6-5, 318 pounds), and the right scheme and coaching staff could set him up as a playmaker in the backfield.
Trysten Hill, defensive tackle, Central Florida: Bumped to a backup role by a new coaching staff last year after serving as a starter the previous two seasons, Hill still posted career bests in tackles for loss (101⁄2) and sacks (three). He is almost always in pursuit of the ball, occasionally to his detriment when he ends up overrunning plays or abandoning responsibilities. But there should be plenty of teams eager to take on a 6-3, 308-pound interior presence.
Mark Fields, cornerback, Clemson: Having just six starts in four years, Fields was overshadowed by Tigers teammate and fellow cornerback prospect Trayvon Mullen, as well as a talent-rich defensive line. Yet the son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Mark Fields showed plenty of promise, especially in an impressive College Football Playoff national championship game showing against Alabama’s talented receivers. Although the 5-10, 192-pounder might not generate many interceptions, his short-area quickness and aggressiveness as a tackler make him an attractive slot defender.