We’re into July, and meaning the 2023 NFL Draft is technically one other month nearer. Our PFN Scouting Pocket book this week particulars what it takes to re-evaluate these prospects that toyed with coming into the 2022 NFL Draft however in the end returned to varsity for an additional season. As soon as once more, NFL Draft analyst Oli Hodgkinson is off this week, so Ian Cummings is right here to replace the pocket book with a few new entries.
2023 NFL Draft: The significance of re-evaluating returning gamers after preliminary viewings
Ian Cummings: We talked slightly bit about shelving observations for future cycles within the final pocket book. It’s completely vital to doc what you see. Each bit of knowledge is effective. However on this subsequent part, I need to warning about relying an excessive amount of on pre-existing evaluations. Re-evaluation is at all times mandatory, even when you have already got detailed notes from the previous.
It is a course of that everybody goes via. Typically, there are eligible gamers that you simply consider and write up, after which they return to highschool. When you shouldn’t throw out your observations from earlier, don’t merely repackage them. Re-evaluation is important as a result of there are such a lot of little particulars to absorb when scouting. And as a scout, you’re at all times studying extra in regards to the sport and learn how to apply that information to prospects.
That is one thing I’ve already skilled this cycle. I wrote up Will Levis within the 2022 NFL Draft cycle earlier than he returned to highschool. When it got here time to jot down him up once more final month for the 2023 NFL Draft cycle, I had a higher understanding of QB mechanics and the general course of than I’d had within the 2022 cycle. So I utilized that understanding to Levis’ tape, re-evaluated, and was in a position to come away with priceless new insights.
The identical goes for each place. For example, I intention to jot down the scouting report for Syracuse CB Garrett Williams quickly — one other prospect I wrote about within the 2022 cycle. Since that point, I’ve discovered extra in regards to the nature of CB method in press-man, in addition to the significance of leveraging hips in house and managing house effectively. That’s information that I didn’t have earlier than that I can now apply to prospects and achieve a extra all-encompassing understanding because of this.
It’s a course of that doesn’t ever actually finish. Soccer is such a posh, detail-oriented sport, and each place comes with dozens of contextual components and minute particulars impacting efficiency. There’s at all times room to maintain refining your understanding. So continue to learn, and as you accomplish that, apply what you’ve discovered in new evaluations every cycle. You by no means know what you may see subsequent time that you simply didn’t see earlier than.
2024 NFL Draft: A sneak peek at what makes the early prime 2024 prospects what they’re
Ian Cummings: In the event you’re a draft analyst, you understand how tempting it may be to try future cycles and get forward of the curve. It’s a harmful temptation, as there’s a lot data to absorb every year. It’s most prudent to deal with the present cycle and solely maintain a peripheral deal with the cycles past.
Don’t fear. We’re not shifting on to the 2024 NFL Draft simply but. However yearly, there are particular underclassmen who get put aside and penciled in as early-round prospects for future cycles. We establish these gamers based mostly on their early success and manufacturing, however we don’t at all times take the following step additional and establish why they’re so deserving of early reward. Taking a look at these gamers in a diagnostic lens may help with that and likewise mean you can shelve movie observations for after they lastly grow to be eligible.
With that stated, listed here are a few highly-rated 2024 prospects I made a decision to look at with a diagnostic way of thinking.
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Bowers is already being seen as a doubtlessly generational TE prospect when he turns into eligible, and that’s no mistake. He could not have elite dimension at 6’4″, 230 kilos, however he nonetheless has a really dense body. Much more spectacular is his uncommon explosiveness and quickness for a TE.
His burst within the open discipline is harmful, however he also can lower stems with depraved swiftness and effectivity. Past that, Bowers is a bull after the catch, and he has very pure physique management and ball-tracking capacity. He’s an entire three-level receiving menace with elite accelerative capability.
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Worthy might be an interesting analysis as soon as he hits the draft circuit. He’s long-armed however dangerously mild. And but, he doesn’t take a look at all outmatched by heavier DBs. Worthy’s high-end explosiveness and velocity are well-known traits of his, however he’s additionally a lot better at slipping via arm tackles and absorbing preliminary contact that his body would counsel.
He’s a slippery runner after the catch, who also can explode to his prime velocity as soon as he finds house. That’s a harmful mixture for defenders. It makes you assume — if Worthy can add weight and keep his athleticism and lateral twitch, the sky is actually the restrict.
Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson
Andrew Mukuba may not be fairly as famend because the prospects forward of him, but it surely’s solely a matter of time earlier than he will get the respect he deserves. Enjoying on the again finish of what could possibly be a dominant Clemson protection in 2022, Mukuba has all of the hallmarks of the fashionable NFL security. He’s not an elite dimension menace, however he’s exceedingly versatile.
Mukuba can play in deep protection in two-high and single-high seems to be, and he additionally has the fluidity and explosiveness to come back into the slot. Mukuba processes shortly, manages house effectively, closes with intense burst, and isn’t afraid to impose his will. He’s an early favourite to be one of many prime safeties in 2024.
