-
RSP Top-Five Pre-Draft RB Rankings from 2015-2021
Matt Waldman shares the top running backs in his pre-draft rankings from 2015-2021 and some thoughts about these classes. A longtime reader asked me about my past top-five running backs from previous draft classes tonight. After sharing them with him and then on Twitter, I thought it would make a fun post for an expanded…
-
Imposter Syndrome: Matt Waldman’s RSP Scouting Report on RB Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
Matt Waldman shares his RSP NFL Draft Scouting Report on RB Devonta Freeman, a player who outperformed Matt’s evaluation and discusses the root issue with his miss—a case of Imposter Syndrome. Evaluating players and projecting their future development is a humbling job. While I have successes that I’m proud of when reviewing my work with…
-
Flaw-Spotting: Matt Waldman’s RSP Sample Scouting Report on RB Andre Williams
Matt Waldman often shares sample scouting reports of NFL Draft prospects where he’s hit or missed on their success. One thing he hasn’t shared are instances where he’s hit on evaluations where he was much lower on a player than the national draft media. Identifying talented players who will fit in the NFL is only…
-
Matt Waldman’s RSP Flashback: WR Sammy Watkins Pre-Draft Scouting Report
Sammy Watkins is earning rave reviews in Chiefs camp after ups and downs with the Bills and Rams. Matt Waldman shares the 2014 Rookie Scouting Portfolio’s pre-draft scouting report on Watkins. Author’s Note: I had Watkins as my top receiver prospect in a rich 2014 receiver class. Odell Beckham was my No. 2 option — a player…
-
Talent, Leadership, and Jameis Winston’s Precarious Future in Tampa
Jameis Winston is charismatic in the locker room. A person with connections to the Buccaneers staff in the room during Winston’s NFL Combine team interview told me before the NFL Draft that teammates would “follow him off a cliff.” That person also shared that Winston’s personality and off-field track record — not including the rape allegations —…
-
Carlos Hyde RSP Sample
Carlos Hyde is a great example of a player that underscores my philosophy about evaluation. I enjoy when I have a player ranked accurately on a numerical scale, but it’s not even close to the most important thing about player evaluation. The most important thing about a good numerical ranking is that it brings certain people…
-
Futures: Two Non-College Prospects
Two tight ends on the Denver roster show that talent isn’t always evident at first glance. Futures: Two Non-College Prospects by Matt Waldman Some players are out of sight from NFL fans and media, but they aren’t out of mind for many NFL teams. Every new draft class may seem like the terminus of football…
-
RSP Sample: Steelers WR Martavis Bryant
Get the RSP pre-draft sample evaluation on Martavis Bryant, who has three touchdowns in two games since the Steelers made him an active contributor in the offense. Once in a while, I’ll provide sample excerpts of my pre-draft/post-draft evaluations and advice. Bryant’s mid-season emergence coincides with the RSP’s take from April and May. The Clemson…
-
QB Logan Thomas: Look Out Below!!!
Utter the name “Logan Thomas” on Twitter and assign some positives to his game before the NFL Draft and the most likely responses coming your way were derision and confusion. The cynicism stems from the failures of NFL teams that have consistently pursued big, strong quarterbacks without enough regard for pocket presence, capacity to learn…
-
Slippery: Falcons RB Devonta Freeman
Falcons RB Devonta Freeman has “Slippery Power.” Find out what this means and why “Phone Booth Quicks” are necessary. Ahmad Bradshaw is one of my favorite running backs of the past 10 years. It has nothing to do with his physical talent — there are dozens of runners with significantly better physiques and athleticism to…