ESPN draft analysts find sleeper picks; 4 might fit with Detroit Lions

ESPN draft analysts find sleeper picks; 4 might fit with Detroit Lions – The Oakland Press

Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge don’t agree on everything, but ESPN’s analysts do share common beliefs in projecting NFL draft picks

“There’s three things that are looked at, and this is another thing Jaws and Greg (Cosell, producer) and I have really talked about, you hear a lot about where they played, who they played … Those two things are irrelevant to how he plays. A guy like Khalil Mack who played in Buffalo. That’s all I heard when Khalil Mack was coming out — he played in Buffalo. I don’t care if he played on Pluto the guy has fundamental football skills that translate to the league, that’s the most important things,’’ Hoge said in an ESPN conference call on Tuesday.

Jaworski and Hoge don’t do mock drafts, but they do pay attention and know what players they like and why.

“I have found over 30 something years of playing and studying in this league, there are two ways to evaluate — there’s athletic measurables and there’s football measurables,’’ Hoge said. “And oftentimes an athletic measurable can trump a football measurable in a decision-maker’s eyes. That’s where we believe the mistakes are made. You have to evaluate football skill set and how does it translate. After you study a kid in college you get a pretty good idea. It’s not a perfect science by any stretch, but you get a pretty good idea on if they’re able to transition on the environment they’re going into.’’

They will talk more about the transition from college to the NFL in their “NFL Matchup” shows leading up to the draft. The first one airs April 12 at 8 p.m., on ESPN

Jaworski and Hoge mentioned prospects that have caught their eye. They aren’t necessarily first-round guys, but they are key. And, for them, it’s OK if a guy runs a 4.6 instead of a 4.4 as long as he possesses a strong skill set and football smarts.

Here are four sleeper-type players, named by Jaworski and Hoge, that the Lions might have an interest in:

1. Running back Kelvin Taylor (Florida) — “Kelvin Taylor is one of the best runners I have seen in recent memory. I mean his spontaneous agility, his body control and his decisiveness makes him a player that I will bank heavily on and will transition well to the NFL and he can be a starter and contributor right away because of his ability to play all three downs,’’ Hoge said. He likes him despite his size — he’s 5-10 and 207 pounds. With the loss of Joique Bell, the Lions could be in a market for a running back who runs between the tackles, although they did sign veteran running back Stevan Ridley on Tuesday. Taylor, whose dad Fred was an NFL running back for 13 seasons, could be a fourth- of fifth-round pick. VIDEO: KELVIN TAYLOR HIGHLIGHTS

2. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh) — For many analysts, the knock on Boyd is that he ran a 4.6 40-yard dash, but not for these guys. “When you watch him, he looks like a pro, he might not be the fastest … This guy runs a 4.6. Do you really know the difference at the finish line between a 4.4 and 4.6? It’s a blink of the eye. That’s insignificant especially if you can’t run routes,’’ Jaworski said. “I’ll take a guy who runs 4.6, can run routes, can identify coverage, can get in and out of breaks and is going to have instincts way over a guy who runs a 4.3 and all he can run is a go route.’’ Jaworski is not alone. CBSsports.com’s Dane Brugler wrote: “Despite average measurables, Boyd is an exquisite catcher of the football and able to stand out by paying attention to the details.’’ The Lions signed free agent Marvin Jones to play with Golden Tate. It’s expected they’ll draft at least one wide receiver. Boyd could go as early as the second round. VIDEO: TYLER BOYD HIGHLIGHTS

3. Defensive end Bronson Kaufusi (BYU) — “It’s not just about a Von Miller being a dominant pass rusher in the NFL, it’s about versatility and creating matchups,’’ Hoge said. “This is a guy who has played a lot of different schemes. He’s like 6-6, 285, he is agile, his football skills are unreal with his feet, hips and hands. He can line up across the board … He will be guy if a coach gets him that can mold and build him, he’ll be a lethal guy.’’ Kaufusi, who backed up Ziggy Ansah in 2013, is a projected third- or fourth-round pick. VIDEO: BRONSON KAUFUSI HIGHLIGHTS

4. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (North Carolina State) — “Ever since Tom Brady in the sixth round at 199 became a superstar in this league, everybody looks for that guy that no one is talking about and how did he fall between the cracks,’’ said Jaworski who looks for one of those guys each year. “When you look at a guy almost 6-4 and 231 who can just rip throws, that’s kind of one of those guys everyone is not talking about as maybe a first- or second-round guy. Certainly when you look at the clay and NFL coach can mold the clay. When you look at Jacoby you’re seeing that kind of player — that can make all the throws, can play under center, used play action, read coverage fairly well.’’ Quinn plans to draft a quarterback to develop so it’s possible he could be looking for a guy like Brissett who is a projected fifth-round pick. VIDEO: JACOBY BRISSETT HIGHLIGHTS