Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
Likewise.
If he'd have popped as an explosive threat on tape, even as a Freshman, and demonstrated that he was at/near those levels when he came back from the neck issue - he'd have been drafted. Hell, he'd have been drafted high. Just look at Jameson Williams.
Instead I think he's a guy who's stock would've fallen as more tape got out on him. He wasn't going to get MORE athletic than he was as a Freshman. And there'd have been more and more examples of him simply not showing burst on tape.
Had he not been injured at all and had a full college career, I think he'd have likely slid into the 3rd/4th rounds as teams started to recognize his athletic limitations more and more. Try as I might, I just cannot see the "this guy was a 1st round talent who we got as a UDFA!" hype that others are tossing out there.
And that's not to say the injuries didn't impact his draft stock - I think they did. But they didn't send him from the 1st round to being undrafted.
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I think you're right that a healthy Ross with no injuries concerns would have slipped out of the first round.
But looking at what he does well when healthy, I don't see a package that's much different than Drake London, who WAS a top 20 pick. London probably has a little more agility and is an inch or so taller, but the things they bring to the table are similar.
I think whatever role we see Smith-Schuster filling this year is the type of role Ross could fill when he moves on.