2017 NFL Draft prospects: love/hate Valentines Day edition

In January, Vasilis Lericos and I published our first NFL prospect love/hate. What better day to come out with out second edition than on Valentines Day. The prospects are broken down into four groups: skill, offensive line, defensive front and secondary.

Skill

Love

Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

Jones may have been the biggest winner from the Senior Bowl. While the majority of his big plays didn’t count (due to penalties away from the play and the lack of replay review at the Senior Bowl), Jones proved his incredible playmaking ability. Jones is physical, as shown in his willingness to run block, but also in the intensity with which he runs his routes. The East Carolina product reminds me of a bigger Doug Baldwin. - Matt Cohen

Stacy Coley, WR, Miami

Coley has above average size for a slot receiver, is an accomplished route runner, is dangerous after the catch and thrives in the red zone (20 collegiate TDs). He also has extensive experience as a kick and punt returner. Coley is unlikely to be a star, but has the skill set to be a valuable contributor as a Day 3 pick. - Vasilis Lericos

Hate

Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

Yeah, the production is there (1133 yards this season), but Gallman comes with big risks. Gallman doesn’t have much, if any power, and he isn’t particularly fast either. Gallman made most his gains off of cuts and an ability to make defenders miss. However, Gallman is not able to maintain his momentum through his cuts, and thus he will be swallowed up quickly in the NFL if he beats the first man. - Matt Cohen

DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame

Struggles with accuracy, footwork and ball security. Has a big arm but shows questionable decision making and was strictly a shotgun QB. Too much of a project to be selected early in the first round. - Vasilis Lericos

Offensive Line

Love

Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

Pocic has received skepticism for his size not allowing him to bend easily. However, his performance at the Senior Bowl may have proved doubters wrong. Pocic absolutely mauled defenders at the line of scrimmage, largely outmuscling them right from the snap. Pocic could bring a true punch to the center of the Ravens offensive line. - Matt Cohen

Taylor Moton, RT, Western Michigan

Huge (6’5” 330), powerful (570 pound squat) Moton has the intelligence and toughness to excel as a right tackle or mauling guard in the NFL. Moton has a nasty on-field temperament and is well worth an early second round selection. - Vasilis Lericos

Hate

Garett Bolles, OT, Utah

Bolles doesn’t have much power, if any, in his legs. The Utah product has great footwork, and should be able to compete with speed rushers. However, rushers coming off the edge with more power than speed, such as Terrell Suggs, will give Bolles trouble. In addition, Bolles is a bit thin for a 6’5” offensive tackle at just barely 300 pounds. - Matt Cohen

Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

Latest in a long line of ballyhooed ‘Bama OTs - including D.J. Fluker, Cyrus Kouandjio and Andre Smith - who eventually disappoint as one dimensional run blockers. Robinson struggled with penalties last season and does not have the feet to protect the blindside. He is overrated. - Vasilis Lericos

Defensive Front

Love

Hasson Reddick, LB, Temple

Another guy who really impressed me at the Senior Bowl. Reddick is incredibly versatile, with the ability to be play OLB, ILB, and even safety. From his experience at safety early in his Temple career, Reddick has excellent coverage skills, arguably the best of any linebacker in this draft class. - Matt Cohen

Davon Godchaux, DL, LSU

Godchaux has the prototypical frame to play 5-technique and is a stout run defender. He has tremendous burst off the snap and was highly disruptive with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 TFL the last two seasons. He still has room for improvement as an early entrant, Davon could be a third round steal. - Vasilis Lericos

Hate

Carroll Phillips, OLB, Illinois

Phillips not only has a fairly narrow frame, but he also was only a starter at a Power 5 school for one season. Phillips started at the University of Cincinnati, but transferred to a junior college after being deemed academically ineligible. Eventually, Phillips transferred to Illinois. After playing sparingly in his first season, Phillips started as a senior. Phillips’ journey is impressive, but he has major question marks, both on the field and off of it. - Matt Cohen

T.J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin

Inexperienced with a concerning injury history, Watt is being overhyped because of his brother J.J.’s success. The younger Watt lacks explosiveness, quickness and the strength required to contribute early. It is doubtful he can translate his production to the pros, he should be a third rounder, not a borderline first. - Vasilis Lericos

Secondary

Love

Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU

White finished the year with Pro Football Focus’s best coverage grade among college cornerbacks. White is the type of quick, long corner that teams covet in today’s NFL. White arguably had the best week of any defensive player at the Senior Bowl. He also comes from an incredibly strong LSU defensive back pedigree. - Matt Cohen

Malik Hooker, FS, Ohio State

Tremendous ballhawk with rare instinct, anticipation and exceptional hands, Hooker managed seven interceptions and three TD returns in 2016. He has room for improvement against the run, but his pass D would make a big impact on the entire defense. If his injuries cause him to slide to #16, the Ravens should run to the podium. - Vasilis Lericos

Hate

Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado

Awuzie had a chance to boost his stock at the Senior Bowl, and failed to do so. Awuzie was not impressive at all. The poor Senior Bowl week comes following an Alamo Bowl loss to Oklahoma State where Mason Rudolph burned Awuzie throughout the game. The Colorado corner’s stock is slipping fast. - Matt Cohen

Desmond King, DB, Iowa

A technically sound and experienced college corner, King has below average speed. After problems in coverage at the Senior Bowl, many are now projecting King as an NFL safety. It is always risky to draft players who need to change position, and a learning curve diminishes the value of player’s cost effective four year rookie contracts. - Vasilis Lericos

With the NFL Scouting Combine right down the road, draft rankings across all platforms are sure to change. Keep an eye on Baltimore Beatdown throughout the pre-draft process to stay up to date on the latest prospect news, and how the top prospects could fit in Baltimore.