Every year, there are players that go earlier than expected and players who slide farther than expected. Recently, we looked at seven prospects who could be surprise picks for the first round. Now, seven prospects who could be fallers. These guys aren’t all necessarily round-one players, but a good chunk of them are.
Let’s check out who could be tumbling on draft day.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Pretty easy one here. Parsons has been linked to numerous off-the-field issues which results in major character concerns. The details are pretty gory and some general managers will definitely be passing upon him. If Parsons didn’t have these issues, he would most likely go in the top 10. Now he is looking at more of a mid-first round projection, or even as late as the 20s.
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Players have come into the league with previous incidents before and succeeded, Parsons didn’t seem to have a recent incident, so his stock all depends on his interviews with teams. If teams think he’s fine mentally, we won’t see as much of a slide as some may expect. If he doesn’t interview well, get ready for a massive fall.
For more on Parsons, check out our scouting report here.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah is another very talented linebacker who will still end up in the first round, but may fall farther than expected. Thankfully, his issues do not come with injuries or character, but with size. Owusu-Koramoah is listed as a linebacker, but at 6’1″ and 215 pounds, there’s some real concern if he can play the position in the NFL. He has shown some flashes of being able to play in the slot as a defensive back, but teams will really have to do some digging on how to play him, which could cause him to fall.
For more on Owusu-Koramoah, check out our scouting report here.
Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Joseph is regarded as a developmental second-round talent at the cornerback position. Well, he used to be. Joseph has major character concerns. There are stories flying all over the place about his issues. He was initially kicked off of LSU for a team violation. A former coach had to tell him to “grow up,” and rumors say coaches directed him to opt-out.
To add to all of this, he has reportedly not interviewed well with NFL teams at all. These character issues are not as disturbing as Micah Parsons, but there’s more volume to them and Joseph could be a guy that falls to day three.
For more on Joseph, check out our scouting report here.
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
There’s a saying in the NFL: “Head, neck, and back.” Farley does not have the back and he has also torn an ACL. Injuries are a major concern. He had one back surgery during his playing career, and another recently after opting out a full season. This surgery (microdiscectomy) can shorten a player’s career and leads to arthritis in the tissue after three-five years.
While Farley is incredibly talented, teams may pass on him due to the risk of him not being able to reach a second contract in the NFL. He’ll still go in the first round, but nowhere near the top 10 as originally projected by most.
For more on Farley, check out our scouting report here.
Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Rondale Moore can put on a show. He followed up his 2020 season by having a fantastic pro day. He’s a freak athlete and makes guys miss all the time. What is the issue? Size. Originally listed at 5’9″, his size was deemed fine for the league. At his pro day, he came in at 5’7.” NFL teams have certainly knocked him down a few pegs on their board. He’s someone who may only be used as a gimmick player in the NFL or even receiving back. It’s not looking like teams may touch him in the first two rounds after many considered him first-round talent earlier in the year.
For more on Moore, check out our scouting report here.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
This rumor has seemed to have settled out by now, but there still could be concerns with Smith’s weight. He has not weighed in since the beginning of Alabama’s season and no one really knows what his current weight is. He is still incredible against press-coverage, but teams have access to measurements and could know more than the media.
Note: Reports have come out that Smith was measured last week at 6′, 166 pounds.
Smith won’t see a significant fall in the draft but could drop 5-8 spots more than projected. This may not be the worst thing in the world, as he’d go to a better team and presumably get to be a No. 2 wide receiver to start his career. This could allow him to develop a bit better, but obviously every player wants to be picked as high as they can.
For more on Smith, check out our scouting report here.
Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
It’s hard to get a good current read on Mayfield’s draft stock. He was regarded as a top-20 player before opting out of the 2020 season. Since then, his stock has fallen a little bit with the emergence of this deep, talented tackle class. One thing he has going for him is that he’s an athletic freak. Otherwise, his technique is pretty raw.
With several other options available at tackle in the first and second rounds, Mayfield could fall as far as the third. If he does somehow reach that point, he’d be a big-time steal. As of now, the second round is the best projection for him.
For more on Mayfield, check out our scouting report here.
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