When I started my career as an NFL scout with the Seattle Seahawks back at the beginning of this millennium, personnel gurus Ted Thompson, John Schneider and Scot McCloughan repeatedly told me to trust my film evaluations, as opposed to making long-term projections based on workout performances.
Although plenty of height-weight-speed prospects make final rosters at the end of each summer, the most impactful players are typically the ones who have excelled for multiple years between the lines. Yes, this league is obviously full of physical freaks, but it’s also littered with “gamers” who find ways to dominate despite posting less-than-ideal workout numbers. You don’t need blue-chip athletic traits to win; you can also rely on superior technical skills and/or exceptional football instincts.
Take the recent example of Brian Branch. Widely viewed as an excellent pure football player, the Alabama defensive back fell to midway through the second round of last year’s draft after posting underwhelming testing numbers at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. The Detroit Lions pounced and reaped the benefits, with Branch immediately stepping into a crucial role for an upstart team that nearly made the Super Bowl.
Looking at the fresh talent crop for the 2024 NFL Draft, I see a number of players in the Branch mold: prospects whose tape significantly trumps their testing. So, allow me to spotlight 10 film-room standouts who can shine as pros despite lacking plus athleticism. Overlook these guys, presented in alphabetical order, at your own risk.
2024-04-05 22:03:00
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