We're living in unprecedented times. Teams can't bring prospects in, get work them out, can't gauge them physically or psychologically. Because of this, I believe teams will be extra cautious when drafting (assuming the Draft goes ahead on April 23). Teams will be opting for "clean" prospects, both on and off the field, more than ever before. Of course agents will send out medical reports, but will that be enough for teams to spend a draft pick on that player?
Perhaps most affected will be those who weren't invited to the Combine. At least teams have medical history on Combine prospects, not to mention that teams had the chance to meet with some of the Combine prospects. Even still, the length and intensity of the top-30 prospect visits is way more beneficial than quick Combine or Pro Day meetings.
Some players who could potentially be pushed down because they couldn't meet and workout with teams include:
RB Zack Moss - Utah
WR Bryan Edwards - South Carolina
OT Lucas Niang - TCU
EDGE Terrell Lewis - Alabama
ILB Markus Bailey - Purdue
LB Willie Gay Jr. - Mississippi State - character
CB Bryce Hall - Virginia
And actually, maybe even Tua. Say Washington is in love with Tua and think he's a franchise QB and Haskins isn't. Given Tua's medical history and the inability to bring him in and work him out (essentially going off of a few minute video), Washington may opt for the 'safer' choice in Chase Young or Jeff Okudah.
1) Less small-schoolers drafted without test numbers
2) Participants in BOTH all-star & Combine will get a boost because all boxes are checked
3) Players w/ makeup flags will likely fall
4) More seniors will be drafted
5) Savy agents representing small schoolers (with less drafted) have a chance to put their clients as UDFAs with the teams they believe are most likely to be a roster match
1) Less small-schoolers drafted without test numbers
2) Participants in BOTH all-star & Combine will get a boost because all boxes are checked
3) Players w/ makeup flags will likely fall
4) More seniors will be drafted
5) Savy agents representing small schoolers (with less drafted) have a chance to put their clients as UDFAs with the teams they believe are most likely to be a roster match
Gotta say, this is a good year to have 4 7th rounders in. Players will fall for precisely those reasons, which may or may not be rooted in something legitimate.
And if they want to conduct blackboard exercises to test for "reading and quicks" that's easy to do via web connections
The scouts had the entire year to grade players. They have ALL the video.
What's the BFD right?
I would think UFDA's within driving distance can be seen
IF I read the league order correcytly which I think I have.
It may push us towards guys who we have already established a strong grade on (Wirfs), or guys familiar to our coaching staff like we saw in FA (Wills with our RB coach), or guys who on tape show a very advanced game (also Wills )
Any little can help if a player falls. Those numerous 7th round pickets will be interesting to see who is drafted.
LOL