Touchdown Wire

I’ve been doing top draft prospect lists since 2010 when I was with Yahoo Sports, and it’s always an interesting process that will tell you a lot about your own evaluative skills and biases. Over the years, I’ve learned to balance my own preferences with what I think the NFL is looking for by position, and this year is no exception. These days, I’m more inclined to value athletic and effective guards and centers, because the NFL does, and to also value multi-gap disruptors, because the NFL also does, and the need for inside pass protection to counter all those monsters inside the tackles is no coincidence. I’m also far more inclined to value pocket movement and movement to throw outside the pocket as mandatory attributes for quarterbacks than I did 10 years ago. Faster linebackers as opposed to run-stopping hammerheads. Cornerbacks who can play press man right off the snap to counter the league’s increasing use of quick game. Safeties who can branch out and play multiple positions. Slot defenders, because nickel is the new base defense against offenses throwing 3×1 sets in all kinds of personnel groups against those defenses.