2013 NFL Draft: Underrated Talent

My favorite phase of the complete NFL year is in full swing.  It is the phase when dreams of playing pro football begin to mold into reality for NFL hopefuls.  Franchises' personnel are creating and editing their prospects lists with hopes of finding ideal athletes.  These specific prospects may go into the NFL Draft undervalued, but they have the promising factors to rise to greatness.

 Tavon Austin displayed versatility in West Virginia's final regular season game of 2012 by catching four passes 

for 110 yards and rushing 12 times for 77 yards, an average of 27.5 yards per catch and 6.4 yards per carry.

Tavon Austin
Height:  5'8"  Weight:  174 lbs.
Position:  Wide Receiver
College:  West Virginia
If it weren't for his size, Tavon Austin would be my top pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.  After achieving ridiculous high school stats(2,660 rushing yards, 34 touchdowns), Austin continued to open eyes as a Mountaineer, snagging more than 100 receptions in both his junior and senior seasons.  He gained an astounding 2,910 all-purpose yards and scored 17 total touchdowns in 2012, enough to be named first-team All-American as an all-purpose player and awarded the Paul Hornung Award.
While it is a standard for NFL scouting profiles to list a pro player the prospect's play style is similar to, it is difficult to find a player for Austin, simply because there are few that have the unique skill set he possesses.  His ability to cut in a dime and keep his acceleration is unparalleled.  His hands, while small, assure scouts that he is a receiver first, everything else second.  He may lack the strength to compete with a select number of defensive backs in the NFL, but his speed(4.34 40-yard dash) would turn the match-up in his favor.  As an elite, multi-position athlete, Tavon Austin will be a centerpiece to any NFL offense.
NFL Comparisons: Andrew Hawkins, Percy Harvin

Joseph Fauria lays out for a dazzling touchdown grab as he helped UCLA
crush Colorado 45-6  in 2011.

Joseph Fauria
Height:  6'7"  Weight:  258 lbs.
Position:  Tight End
College:  UCLA
The recent evolution of the tight end over the past few years has prompted an increase in popularity at the position.  Many young players who were too big to be a wide receiver but too fast to be a lineman have welcomed the shift, as it is now a vital part of several offenses.  Joseph Fauria is one of those players.  The nephew of former NFL tight end Christian Fauria, Joseph has a lean, athletic build to go with his admirable height and reach.  He is a ball-seeking missile in the red zone, and despite other scouting reports, I believe will be solid in the open field after the catch.  His blocking may not be the best of the tight end prospects, but with long legs and great hands, JosephFauria will continue the trend of speed tight ends in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: Jimmy Graham

Larry Warford
Height:  6'3"  Weight:  332 lbs.

Larry Warford allowed 0 sacks in his stellar senior season.

Position:  Offensive Guard

College:  Kentucky
A good offensive line is vital to the success of a football team.  The upcoming NFL Draft is loaded with promising linemen, and offensive guard Larry Warford is at the top of my list.  Despite his average number of bench press reps(28) at the NFL Combine, his game tape shows he can be the strongest player on the field.  Warford is the ideal size for a pro guard, shows terrific footwork, and is specifically strong at the role of pulling guard, something many NFL teams desire.  While his physical skills are excellent, perhaps his best trait is his character.  He is well-spoken, has a personable nature about him and a positive attitude. Overall, these countless qualities point to Larry Warford becoming a team captain and genuine leader of the franchise smart enough to acquire him.
NFL Comparison: Amini Silatolu


Cornelius Washington
Height:  6'4"  Weight:  265 lbs.
Position:  Defensive End/Outside Linebacker
College:  Georgia
There may have been no end of a defensive line in college football more feared than the right side of the Bulldogs 3-4 defense in 2012.  With the star prospect Jarvis Jones lined up behind him, Cornelius Washington was the assistance on the rush.  When it comes to talent however, he is an equal.  Washington impressed at the NFL Combine, showing burst on his 4.55 40-yard dash, displaying strength with 36 reps on the bench press, and shocking scouts with a 39" vertical jump.  He uses his long arms and legs to get inside through the B-gap and destroy offensive game plans.  While he is projected to be an outside linebacker in the NFL, I feel he would do better staying at his college position coming from a three-point stance, or playing a down OLB on the blitz in a 3-4 defense.  His off-the-field conduct may be an issue, as he was suspended 2 games for a DUI in 2011.  Possibly severely underrated, Cornelius Washington will cause trouble for many offensive linemen.
NFL Comparison: Aaron Kampman

   The 2012 Georgia Bulldogs had one of the most formidable defenses in college football, led by ILB Alec Ogletree(#9),
OLB Jarvis Jones(#29), and DE Cornelius Washington(#83).

USC Free Safety and team captain T.J. McDonald intercepts
 Arizona St. QB Taylor Kelly.

T.J. McDonald
Height:  6'2"  Weight:  215 lbs.
Position:  Free Safety
College:  USC
USC coaches knew the gift they were getting when T.J. McDonald, son of former Trojan safety Tim McDonald, committed to Southern California.  T.J., or Tim Jr., despite not playing a lot his freshman year, burst onto the second-team All-Pac-10 roster in just his second year at USC.  He continued his sound overall play throughout his college career, ending with 275 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 17 pass deflections, and 8 interceptions.  He plays with the tenacity of a true safety, producing hard hits and making his presence known on the field.  His height makes him a bit stiff for a defensive back, but T.J. McDonald is nevertheless a talented play-maker who will make any defensive coordinator happy.
NFL Comparison: Harrison Smith




Here are five more prospects I believe will surprise:

Collin Klein
Height:  6'5"  Weight:  226 lbs.
Position:  Quarterback
College:  Kansas St.
Most NFL experts say Collin Klein is at best a fullback/tight end in the NFL.  However, I believe he has the ability, given the right situation, to thrive at his college position.  Quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III, and Cam Newton have proven that the option can work in a pro system, and Collin Klein could continue that case.  I can see him leading a team using the pistol formation and other creative option formations.  He has an awkward throwing motion, and I question his deep pass accuracy, but Klein is phenomenal at play-action and has the capacity to succeed in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: Colin Kaepernick

Mike James celebrates after running in the game winning touchdown against
Georgia Tech in overtime.  He had  four total touchdowns on the day.

Mike James
Height:  5'10"  Weight:  223 lbs.
Position:  Running Back
College:  Miami
The U is well known for developing NFL-ready players, and Mike James is one of them.  He had great Senior Bowl stats that reflected his physically tough style of play.  His durability and power are becoming increasingly rare in true running back prospects.  James is a very balanced workhorse back who keeps his legs moving, and will be a great addition to an NFL backfield.
NFL Comparison: Shonn Greene



Keenan Allen
Height:  6'2"  Weight:  206 lbs.
Position:  Wide Receiver
College:  California
The Golden Bear is already high up on many draft boards to begin with, but his skills are still underestimated.  Like Mike James, I feel Allen is very prepared for the pro game.  His body reach is unrivaled on the 2013 prospect panel, and he runs every part of the route tree to perfection.  He has very few negatives with countless positives.  As a dominant receiver all over the field, Keenan Allen has a budding future in the NFL that knows no boundaries.
NFL Comparison: Jordy Nelson

Amos has run past many defenders as a wide
 receiver for the Blue Raiders.

Anthony Amos
Height:  5'11"  Weight:  190 lbs.
Position:  Wide Receiver
College:  Middle Tennessee St.
Anthony Amos has been nearly non-existent in draft talks, despite his impressive body control and exceptional play-making.  With his strong showing at the East-West Shrine Game, and solid senior season stats(72 receptions for 992 yards and nine touchdowns), he has the potential to be a poor man's Wes Welker.
NFL Comparisons: Wes Welker, Danny Amendola


Devin Taylor
Height:  6'7"  Weight:  266 lbs.
Position:  Defensive End
College:  South Carolina
During his college career, Devin Taylor was not as praised as his defensive-line teammate, prodigy Jadeveon Clowney.  However, Taylor has incredible athleticism that will translate well at the NFL level.  His draft stock has been rising over the past few months, with a spectacular outing at the Shrine Game and a scout-pleasing NFL Combine performance.  He has big play ability that can change the momentum of a game.  Physically imposing at a freakish 6'7", I believe Taylor has the potential to be a first-round talent in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: Julius Peppers

Devin Taylor runs an interception 55 yards back for a touchdown in 2011.

All draft classes have areas that shine and others that disappointment.  These future NFL stars will be the steals of the 2013 NFL Draft, with bright fortunes ahead of them.

2012 NFL Season

Ed Reed cherishes the Lombardi Trophy.

The 2012 NFL Season has come to a close.  Its epic finale is over as quickly as its preseason began.  And yet, the crusades of all thirty-two teams will forever be enshrined in the hearts and minds of many.  From the first training camp of the summer to the final whistle of Super Bowl XLVII, the world of football witnessed incredible performances, tragic losses, and dramatic finishes in its 43rd NFL Season.
It began with a bang.  On the emotional 11th anniversary of 9/11, teams scored a combined 791 points, a record high for week 1.  We saw the return of two of the best players at their positions in NFL history.  We saw a rookie quarterback become a league favorite in a day.  We saw all 32 teams begin their pursuit of that coveted championship.
As the season rolled on after its chaotic opening slate of games, new story lines formed.  Replacement referees nearly caused a boycott.  A quarterback who was a phenomenon the previous season struggled to bring in victories, until finally showing his passion and true skills by ending the teams rough season with a four-game winning streak.  A tie game occurred.  Two age-old records were broken, as  Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas' consecutive games with a touchdown pass record, and Calvin Johnson blew past Jerry Rice's receiving yards in a season mark.  Many playoff games came down to the final seconds.  A head coach made a risky decision to sit his talented starting quarterback for a young athletic leader, who ended up one play away from a championship.  Finally, we saw one of the greatest ever to play the game ride off into the sunset with the Super Bowl trophy in hand.

As the autumns come and go, memory becomes history.  Most teams feel a sense of defeat after a championship-less season, and the melancholic feeling that comes with starting all over again sinks in before being replaced with the hope and aspirations for the upcoming year.  The NFL landscape is ever-changing, and surely enough, players, coaches, executives, and other NFL staff will return before long, and once again begin this momentous journey towards football glory.