Brock PurdyLaDainian TomlinsonMr. IrrelevantNFL DraftTony Dorsett

The Picks That Will Make NFL GMs Look Smart

Steal.

Sleeper.

Bust.

Mr. Irrelevant.

The day after the NFL Draft experts emerge from their parent’s basements or their work cubicles, or even their prison cells, and declare themselves instant experts on college prospects. Those of us who have covered the sport for decades might just have a little more insight. Maybe.

Mr. Irrelevant

Look no further than last year’s final pick, former Iowa State QB Brock Purdy. All he did was take over after the San Francisco 49ers lost their top two QBs to injury and led them to the NFC title game. Had he have not torn an elbow ligament, Purdy might be wearing a Super Bowl ring. Not bad for Mr. Irrelevant.

Purdy was on our list last season.

No doubt there will be players who weren’t in the green room that will turn out to be terrific NFL players. A few might even emerge as stars.

BetBasics.com looked at each team and found the one pick, not taken in the first round, that has a chance to really shine with his NFL team. Factors in the decision include observation (eye test), athleticism, smarts, production, leadership and fit.

Players that made our list in the past include:

Antoine Winfield, Jr., former Minnesota star, who anchors the Buccaneers defense.

Ryan Kerrigan, former Purdue star, who was a terrific DE for the Commanders.

Tom Brady, former Michigan QB, who went on to be the greatest QB of all time. Kidding.

The All-Robbins Nest Team

TEAM

FAVORITE PICK

SKINNY

ARIZONA

BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU, R2, 41

Same relentless motor as brother Azeez with Giants

ATLANTA

Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah, R4, 113

Undersized corner plays like a small honey badger

BALTIMORE

Tavius Robinson, DE, Ole Miss, R4, 124

Fits the Ravens nasty-boy defense

BUFFALO

O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida, R2, 59

Will start from Day 1 and play 10 years or more

CAROLINA

Chandler Zavala, G, N.C. State, R4, 114

From the school that produced Ikem Ekwonu

CHICAGO

Terell Smith, CB, Minnesota, R5, 165

Our first steal; 6 feet and 4.41 speed

CINCINNATI

Jordan Battle, S, Alabama, R3, 95

Will push for a starting spot; can play the slot, too

CLEVELAND

Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State, R6, 190

Shocked he slipped to 6th round. Class Big Ten lineman

DALLAS

Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas St. R6, 212

Yes, he’s small (5-5) but big heart, quick feet

DENVER

Riley Moss, DB, Iowa, R3, 83

S/CB.SB combo with smarts and experience

DETROIT

Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee, R3, 68

A first-round QB talent in Round 3? Wow

GREEN BAY

Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State, R5, 149

OK, could have been had in R7 but tough, smart, leader

HOUSTON

Henry To’oTo’o, LB, Alabama, R5, 167

A little undersized but no fiercer hitter in this draft

INDIANAPOLIS

Darius Rush, CB, South Carolina, R5, 138

Former QB HS QB learning CB; crazy athleticism

JACKSONVILLE

Parker Washington, WR, Penn St., R6, 185

Tough guys makes catches in a crowd

KANSAS CITY

BJ Thompson, DE, SFA, R5, 166

Chiefs are looking for edge rushers – even part timers

LAS VEGAS

Christopher Smith, S, Georgia, R5, 170

A safety from Georgia who plays w tenacity. No surprise

L.A.CHARGERS

Daiyan Henley, LB, Wash. St., R3, 85

A LB/S hybrid who finds the ballcarrier and abuses him

L.A.RAMS

Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU, R5, 185

Good genes! Nephew of LaDainian

MIAMI

Elijah Higgins, TE, Stanford, R6, 197

Converted WR a la Darren Waller?

MINNESOTA

DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB, R7, 222

Highly productive in college; special teamer?

New England

Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU, R6 ,183

Steal No.2 An LSU blazer in R6 goes to WR-needy team

NEW ORLEANS

Nick Saldiveri, G, Old Dom, R4, 103

Athletic interior lineman who could move to C

N.Y. GIANTS

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee, R3, 73

Burner for a team with no burners.

N.Y. JETS

Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt, R5, 143

Broke Tony D’s single game rushing record with 304

PHILADELPHIA

Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia, R4, 105

A starting Georgia CB in Round 4? Puh-leeze.

PITTSBURGH

Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn St., R2, 32

Technically a 1st round pick. Porter Jr. goes home

SAN FRAN

Dee Winters, LB, TCU, R6, 216

A poor-man’s Nick Bolton in the 6th round

SEATTLE

Olu Oluwatimi, C, Michigan, R5, 154

The lynchpin of Michigan’s pulverizing ground game

TAMPA BAY

Sirvocea Dennis, LB, Pitt, R5, 153

Smart, speedy LB has special teams ace potential

TENNESSEE

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky, R2, 33

Did the Titans get a franchise QB without giving up nada?

WASHINGTON

KJ Henry, Edge, Clemson, R5, 137

High-character athlete; another ST ace at worse

 

 

author
Lenn Robbins
Sports Journalist
Hi, I'm Lenn Robbins, a long-time sportswriter who still holds the detention record at Bildersee Junior High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., where I was born and raised. I came out of the womb a Mets fan, was baptized a Knicks fans and through the power of TV, became a Cowboys fan, which explains why I'm in group therapy. The name of my fantasy football league team is Sexual Chocolate. Anyone who can explain the origin of said team name, please h
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