2016 NFL Mock Draft: Bold Predictions for Most Overrated Prospects

Determining if prospects are overrated before the NFL draft is always a little bizarre. After all, it’s essentially the practice of identifying whether certain players have been propped up by hype and buzz, something the players themselves have virtually no control over.

So in essence, an “overrated player” is probably one who has been overrated by the media. In NFL draft season, where misinformation is king, it’s hard to know how teams feel about individual prospects.

So alongside my latest mock, I’ll look to identify a few players who have been considered first-round talents along the way in mock drafts and projections—and perhaps even by scouts and teams—but probably shouldn’t be selected that high in the draft. 

A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

A’Shawn Robinson should have a long and productive career. But will he be the sort of talent who warrants a first-round pick?

Chad Reuter of NFL.com doesn’t think so:

He plays too upright, which will make life difficult for him when he meets veteran NFL offensive linemen with experience staying low and playing with leverage. Will he be a strong rotational player who can eat up space and challenge linemen? Yes. Will he be the sort of difference-maker (especially rushing the pass) expected by teams and fans if picked in the top 15 overall? Not unless he plays lower and has his motor running hot on every play.

His inability to rush the passer successfully is what hurts him as a prospect. What helps him? He’s a beast against the run and will fit in nicely as a 3-4 defensive end. His versatility is also a plus.

But for a player projected as high as the top 15 of this year’s draft, a lack of explosion is a major flaw. Obviously, I still believe he’ll be a high pick—teams that want a plug-and-play upgrade to the defensive line will be intrigued—but the fact that he’ll likely only be an early-downs player means he’d slip down …

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