Light week as far as top-tier games. We’ll be monitoring how the Patriots will be performing relative to the draft position and adjust accordingly. Let’s get right into the top matchup of this weekend:
NO. 13 MIAMI AT NO. 24 TEXAS A&M, 9:00 p.m. on ESPN
DB #27 Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M (6-3, 195): He’s a tall athlete that shows real toughness in the run game. He’s been more of a slot corner to this point, but I think the change of direction requirements at the next level will force him to move to safety. His appeal, like Bengals first-rounder Dax Hill, is the versatility he’ll offer a defense. He saw the field right away at Texas A&M, had an 18.1 QBR when targeted last year and had 13 tackles last week in an upset loss to Appalachian State. To be a first-rounder, teams will want to see more game-changing plays. He’s a top 3 safety in the draft.
His teammate, CB #17 Jaylon Jones, is a future NFL player but has been limited in practice and is listed as questionable.
RB #6 Devon Achane, Texas A&M (5-9, 185): He ran 10.14 in the 100 meters but he’s not just a track player. Last year, he led the SEC in YPC and almost 20% of his carries went for over 10 yds. He has almost 2k career yards from scrimmage and 16 TDs in first 2 seasons. He’s not very big, but does a good job being physical given that size (3.7 YAC). He’s off to a slow start this year and really needs to prove he can be "the guy" for the program. He’s a Round 4 or 5 pick because of his elite speed which will help in the return game but with a strong season he could play himself into Day 2.
RG #64 Layden Robinson, Texas A&M (6-4, 330): Tough kid according to those inside the program and he’s one of the better running blocking guards in college. But Texas A&M is off to a slow start, and he’ll need to have a good game for them to get going. He sets a good base, but his technique needs refinement. He tends to get over his skis, but his recovery is decent enough that he didn't allow a sack last year. I see him as potential Day 2.
WR #0 Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (5-10, 190): Should really be listed as an all-purpose back or an offensive weapon. Think current Washington Commander, Curtis Samuel. While he can line up in the backfield, most of his plays originate from the slot. Pretty good at breaking tackles and he’s a match-up nightmare for a linebacker. I expect Coach Fisher to move him around and let his young QB leverage Smith’s dynamic ability.
Worth noting, he was arrested this offseason (DWI, weapons charges, marijuana). The charges were dismissed but teams will drill into the off-field details.
LT #60 Zion Nelson, Miami (6-5, 316): Zion really struggled against Alabama last year (not the only one) but he played better as the year went on. He has top-tier potential (physical tools, length, good feet, mobility) but needs to be more consistent. He hasn't been a people mover in the run game and will need to show better anchor to support a high draft grade. He will have a lot of experience by the time he declares.
This will be his first game of the season and hopefully new coach Mario Cristobal helps his technique and unlocks his potential this year. The ceiling is a first-rounder, the tape says early Day 3.
CB #2 Tyrique Stevenson, Miami (6-0, 214): One of the better players on the Miami defense. He started his career at Georgia and after transferring he was all-conference. He's big and plays inside. He’s effective using his size to redirect wide receivers. His continued development this season will be important, including his ball skills. The good news is that he already has 1 INT. I think his traits are intriguing, especially at safety.
His teammate, S #0 James Williams, is a sophomore and is a future star to keep an eye on.
QB #9 Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (6-4, 224): The Glastonbury, Conn. native throws a great deep ball, has an NFL arm and decent accuracy. This season is about showing more consistency game to game and NFL coaches may want to tighten his delivery. Van Dyke is still a projection, but he has the attention of scouts because of his traits, and he plays for a big-time program. This will be a good test at a hostile Kyle Field.
TE #85 Will Mallory, Miami (6-5, 245): Expected to be the next TE to come out of the “U” and Mallory has never really made the jump. He had 30 catches last year and 4 TDs. He’s a move TE at the next level because he’s poor at blocking. There’s potential here but he needs to have a big season to get drafted.
With Miami’s top WR out of the game, this matchup against two NFL prospects at safety (Johnson, Demani Richardson) will be an important tape for Mallory and a key for the Hurricanes.
RECAPPING LAST WEEK
PITT: DT Calijah Kancey was active all day. He finished with 4 tackles, 1.5 TFL, he was in on one sack and had two other hits on Hooker. He’s a good gap penetrator and how hard he plays is intriguing. He’ll need to be dominating this year, like Aaron Donald was, to land in the top 100 picks. As I said last week, he’ll get rotational snaps in the pass game and be a depth piece. His projection is difficult because of his size. I see his floor being former Cleveland Brown, Sheldon Day.
NO. 15 TENNESSEE: QB Hendon Hooker is a sleeper Heisman trophy candidate. He didn’t have his best game, but he still finished 27 for 42, 325 yards, and 2 TDs in an OT win for Tennessee. He had one long rushing TD called back on a penalty. Pittsburgh has an aggressive defense, with a strong front seven so it was a decent test. He’s a drop back passer with good arm strength but slippery in the pocket and maybe one of his best traits is when the game was tight you had confidence he’d deliver. His top WR, Cedric Tillman, was impressive and I see as a Day 2 pick. I continue to believe Hooker will get drafted lower than his performance will indicate because of the scheme and his age (25 at the time of draft).
NO. 2 ALABAMA: RB #1 Jaymyr Gibbs is a talented football player. He’s a weapon in the pass game (ala Alvin Kamara) but he’s not an every down back. He had more catches last week (9 for 74 yds and 1 TD) than any Alabama RB in the Nick Saban era. Alabama sometimes splits him out wide to get him space and he’s very dangerous after the catch. Versatile in the sense that a college defense needs to account for his number on most plays. He also offers return ability…LB Henry To’oTo’o had 6 tackles, 1 pressure and won special teams’ player of the week within the Tide program. He had the same issues I referenced last week with play recognition. His eyes go towards the candy. But he’s always chasing the ball and he deserves some credit for the Tide largely keeping Robinson in check.
TEXAS: RB Bijan Robinson is a complete back as far the college game goes. He breaks arm tackles very well and he’s competitive in pass protection. He finished with 130 total yards and 1 TD, but Alabama largely tied him up in the run game (2.7 YPC). His backup, RB Roschon Johnson, is also an NFL caliber prospect…LB DeMarvion Overshown is fast for a LB. He’ll likely run under a 4.55 40. He’s an intriguing prospect because of his frame, speed, and experience. He projects better against the pass than the run, but he did make a very key stop late in the 4th quarter (5 total tackles). I think he’s early Day 3 with the potential to play himself into Day 2.