It's time for the second part of this year's most intriguing NFL Draft prospects. The first installment analyzed top-tier stars Jordan Davis, Kenny Pickett, Derek Stingley, Sauce Gardner, and Jameson Williams. It's time to share Nos. 5-1.
No. 5: Matt Corral, Ole Miss QB -- There seems to be four slots in the first round that are ripe for quarterbacks being selected. The Panthers, owners of the sixth pick, need a signal-caller. The Saints are holding at No. 16, while the Steelers sit at No. 20. And the Lions also have the final pick of the first round at No. 32, in the Rams trade for Jared Goff. Most observers believe that Malik Willis will be the first quarterback selected because of his upside, but after that, could Corral get nabbed in one of those other three slots?
Corral's attitude is mature and grounded, playing in the Sugar Bowl against Baylor and risking injury. He said he wouldn't have any draft stock without his teammates anyway, so he couldn't leave them now. But he did end up getting injured in the game -- thankfully not severely enough to drop his draft status. His arm strength is average, but his legs are impressive. He might be effective in an RPO system. He was productive in Lane Kiffin's offense -- can he do the same in the NFL?
No. 4: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon DE -- It's not hard to imagine him being one of the best pass rushers in the game. He's got size, speed, and power once he gets to the quarterback. Will a team fall in love with him and slide up into the top-three to guarantee they get him? Or will the Jags, Lions and Texans go in different directions, meaning one of the best prospects in the class drops late into the top-10? Perhaps there's some hesitation to take another tall, agile edge-rusher from Oregon after Dion Jordan flamed out with the Dolphins nearly a decade ago. But that shouldn't prevent NFL teams from believing in Thibodeaux. He's a big-time talent who's polarizing -- meaning he could go anywhere in the top-10.
No. 3: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati QB -- The signal-caller who guided the Bearcats to the CFB Playoff gets the third slot because some mocks have him as the fifth quarterback taken, as late as the third round. Others project him to go 20th to the Steelers. Ridder has good athleticism and leadership skills, plus a winning pedigree and smart decision-making. But what's his potential at the next level?
Pittsburgh is a microcosm of the quarterback class dynamic. They're almost guaranteed to nab Willis if he's there at 20. But, if not, they may wait on a signal-caller until much later, which is how several other general managers could feel. This isn't a great quarterback class, and a few names could drop precipitously. If one team is hot on Ridder, he could be an x-factor during the first round. But he could also slide into Day 2, and no one would be shocked.
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No. 2: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan DE -- What's there not to like? Jags general manager Trent Baalke's presumed concerns with the length of his arms is absurd. His best comp is T.J. Watt. The Steelers' menace was shorter, lighter, and slightly slower at his Combine, and had the same vertical as Hutchinson with one extra inch of arm length. Wouldn't every team be validated in having drafted Watt first overall?
There's also some speculation that Baalke would avoid taking Hutchinson because his coach is Jim Harbaugh -- Baalke's old nemesis in San Francisco. It'd be patently absurd to ignore the best player because of your dislike for his college coach. But, this is Baalke, and these are the Jags. Hutchinson is this draft's best player, and he'll make someone look stupid for passing on him.
No. 1: Malik Willis, Liberty QB -- There's only one signal-caller in this draft with "wow" potential in the NFL. Kenny Pickett might be serviceable. Ridder could work out. But only Willis has the upside to grow into a top-10 starter in this league. Only question is, how long will that take? And will he go to the right organization to foster that? If Carolina selects him at No. 6, it's easy to see a situation where there's a coaching change in the near future and Willis never gets off the ground. But if he lands at a stable organization that drafts well, like the Steelers, he could have support he needs to be great eventually. He's likely to go in the top-15, possibly top-10, because some GM is going to act on his potential. So, that makes Willis the most intriguing draft prospect, with a true boom-or-bust future.