NFL Draft: My Favorite Players
- Updated: May 7, 2014
After watching multiple game tapes on over 130 players, there are some that just jumped out and made me say: ‘This guy is just a football player.’
These are not my five top-ranked players. However, they are the players that are being undervalued due to size or speed limitations, but will enjoy successful NFL careers because they play the game the right way.
- Jimmie Ward, S, Northern Illinois: The best safety in this class is not named Calvin Pryor or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. His name is Jimmie Ward. For me, Ward has rare instincts for the position and – despite his size, 5-10½, 193, – really fits in what today’s NFL has become. Ward is great in space, and is versatile enough to play deep center field or around the line of scrimmage with equal efficiency. Nobody in this draft reads plays and breaks on the ball more quickly than Ward.
- C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa: Fiedorowicz won’t wow anyone with speed or flashy play, but after watching him throughout his career, and recently viewing four game tapes … one thing stood out: Fiedorowicz wins on almost every play. He does nearly everything right, and just does his job. He blocks better than any tight end – and some offensive linemen – in the entire draft. He runs sharp routes, and catches nearly everything thrown his way. I want a guy like Fiedorowicz on my team. If you need a dual-threat tight end, Fiedorowicz is the best available.
- Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State: I could copy and paste much of what I said about Ward into this space. Joyner just makes plays. He is versatile, instinctive and finds the ball. I wrote in my previous submitted player profile that all people need to know about Joyner as a player happened in this play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJa2S3A1FMA
- Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt: Matthews may not be the fastest receiver in this class, but he is big, productive and runs precise routes. Despite playing on an average offense and being the top target of opposing defenses, Matthews produced 112 receptions, and never had fewer than five catches in a game. Matthews may never be an elite receiver, but, at worst, he’s a solid No. 2 that will be a key contributor for a decade.
- Jason Verrett, CB, TCU: Okay, you got me, I love defensive backs … and Verrett is easy to love. Despite being just 5-9, this guy will play in the league for 10-plus seasons. He will become one of the better corners for the team that drafts him, and has the versatility to play on the outside, or in the slot. Verrett plays with toughness and technique, while also possessing good instincts and ball skills. I have Verrett as my third-ranked corner, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the best in this class when we look back on this draft.
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