SB Nation NFL Show: Discussing the top QBs, WRs, and CBs in the NFL Draft

We’re changing it up a bit on today’s podcast and focusing on the NFL Draft. I was joined by Sports Info Solutions operations associate Nathan Cooper and John Todd. Nathan is a former college QB and has worked in the NFL with the Browns and the Chiefs. John worked with Mississipi State’s football recruiting and interned with Washington’s football team. Both guys have been with SIS for five football seasons.

In this episode, we talk about the top quarterbacks, wide receivers, and cornerbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Starting at the four-minute mark, we discuss which quarterback in this draft class has the strongest arm, is the most accurate, has the best pocket presence, and everything in between that makes each prospect a special player.

It was a fun conversation as both Nathan and John bring unique takes and don’t regurgitate what you see on TV or read on social media. For example, SIS believes BYU QB Zach Wilson has the best “arm talent” in the draft. We defined arm talent around the eight-minute mark.

At the 18-minute mark, we talk about wide receivers. We were all in agreement that Alabama’s Jalen Waddle is the top wideout in this class. Here’s how I ranked the top-10, with a comparison:

These comparisons aren’t based on height and weight. Instead, it’s how the player plays on the field.

This is another strong year if you need a wide receiver. We discussed the top route runners, the best deep threats, and which receiver we’d trust the most on third down, among other topics.

The receivers listed in Tier-II above would all flourish with Kyle Shanahan. We know he values speed, but Shanahan also values players who create for themselves after the catch. They’re higher on Florida’s Kardarius Toney than I am. We discussed Toney around the 25-minute mark and some of his flaws.

We segued to cornerbacks at the 34:45 mark. We know the San Francisco 49ers need a cornerback. If the Niners took a cornerback with their first pick, I wouldn’t blink an eye. We went through traits such as who has the best transitions, ball skills, zone coverage, off-man, you name it.

I believe South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn is comfortably the best cornerback in the draft. He’s superb. For a cornerback his size, you’d think Horn would struggle to move and change directions, but that’s not the case. Horn moves easier than you’d expect for a player his size, and there is zero projection when watching him. Horn is scheme-proof.

John Lynch will love who John’s top cornerback is in the “ball skills” trait.

There are sleepers we discussed and who we believe would be the best cornerback three years from now. Check out the full podcast below:

Sports Info Solutions does a great job, and their rookie handbook is invaluable. You can purchase the hard copy here and the digital copy here.