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NFL Draft 2019: 5 Most challenging positions to evaluate

By Shelbie Warr

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks the pass intended for Carson Meier #45 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Deionte Thompson #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide breaks the pass intended for Carson Meier #45 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

3. Wide Receivers

For receivers, we see a lot of what we just discussed for secondary. It is another position that you have to be kind of groomed into at the NFL level. However, unlike secondary players who are extremely unlikely to see playing time as rookies, the issue with receivers is that they are now setting up to face big time playmakers who have been around the block a few times. They have to be ready for that and many guys just aren’t: Mike Evans, Julio Jones and OBJ notwithstanding of course. This isn’t college anymore, this is big man football with guys who will run your entire route with you- preparing for anything and everything.

Simply put, while some guys either have it or they don’t in terms of being a decent receiver- it is the great ones that are harder to scout and evaluate. You aren’t going to find an Amari Cooper, Josh Reynolds or a DeAndre Hopkins at every school. You may not even find one every draft class. It is all about who makes the transition and who is able to develop into the player that they really can be.

It doesn’t help these upcoming classes that there are older players who are really beginning to get their bearings and show what they can do in a big way. Just look at Cole Beasley in Dallas or Julian Edelman with the Patriots. Those guys are finally coming into their own in their thirties (or nearly that if you’re Beasley) and that is hindering many young guns who want to make their move from college to the NFL.

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