2019 NFL Draft Hidden Gems, Offensive Skill Positions Volume 3

2019 NFL Draft Hidden Gems  by Matt Anzio

Offensive Skill Position Vol 3.   

QB – Faustino “ Fonzy “  Saucedo

• School: West Virginia State
• Prev school – Pace
• Height: 6 ‘ 3    
• Weight: 234 lbs
• Best Games: Had 395 yds, 3 TD & 1 rush TD vs N.D.C  2018 & 262 yds & 1 TD vs Stonehill 17
• Hometown:  Perth Amboy N. J.

Enjoyed Watching Saucedo or Fonzy like his nickname, develop from Highschool to this past season.

A young man who is a graduate student from Pace transferred to West Virginia St to finish his Masters in Criminal Justice. After just a couple short weeks after his transfer he was called into action after the starting QB was lost for the yr. What did Fonzy do? Only pass for 2,2032  yds 17 TD’s & only 5 INT’s. Having to learn on the fly diving into the playbook making the most of the opportunity. Fonzy is the type of story that kind of writes itself a true underdog tale.

Drops back  smoothly gets set immediately plants with rapid fire release & a strong arm. Sufficient on short pass or check downs. Doesn’t make a ton of mistakes really like his pocket poise ability to locate option 1 & 2 with the quickness coventwed by QB coaches. With only 5 INT’s & 17 TD’s it is fair to say he has above average judgment skills football IQ. His escapability elusive legs hips to shift around scramble are fun to see. Also shows some good velocity on throws when he is on the move or forced out the pocket. Can get the ball out in front of targets on the long ball or zip it into tight windows in the short game. Looks confident both in the pocket or on the move no hesitation or indecisiveness feels the pocket breaking down either  side steps in a hurry or can take off get 10 yds on a scamper without a problem. Not gonna be Vick but has sufficient wheels to escape at the very least not take a L. Hos release looks organically dynamic with arm strength elusiveness & ability to think on his feet. Make his a super sleeper QB that at the very least deserves a look.

TE – Isaiah Searight

• Fordham  N.Y.C
• Height : 6’ 4         
• Weight : 250 lbs
• Pro day  Results – Forty –  4.76, SS- 4.39 , 27 reps  & Vert – 34”
• 3x Time All Patriot League Selection  & team co- captain 2018
• Hometown : Tinton Falls N.J.

Such a lack of depth at TE in this draft would think Searight would receive more praise.

Searight set the single game receiving record by a TE in school history this past season.

Sure his forty doesn’t jump out at you in the 4.8 range.  What you see is burst off the line short area quickness precise route running.   Find a way open keep working ability ro catch in traffic or high point he ball with his extraordinary extension.  Fordham has some talent this year & like several of these very good small school programs does not receive the National recognition of bigger  programs or Conferences as a whole in the Patriot League.

Really bursts off the line think you have to look at his 10 yd split & 20 to see his initial burst then see if he maintains that burst.  When we take a look at the tape with the pro day workouts what we see is a very athletic TE that is also a enforcer as a blocker. Strong punch  plant & lean in pass protection can move bodies in run block scenarios. Agile for a big TE moves well changes direction flips his hips like a bigger wideout.   Uber athletic for his size while still having the brawn to hold up both in pass protect & run block packages. Can be a traditional single back in-line type TE that can move players off the ball.  Not only hold up against edge rushers but move them backwards out of the play. Creating nice gaps for his backs or helping give his QB that extra second. Blocking has gotten better each an every yr. Including rolling out on combo blocks looks good sliding or swinging to his opposite side getting pull.  Looks strong with good leverage to add to his resume as a good pass catcher & blocker as well. . Quicker than fast but runs good routes can find the ball extend or fight to make the grab. Smart instinctual player that has been playing since a freshman at a school known for good TE production.

WR –  Ron’quavion Tarver

• Utah State
• Height : 6’ 3   
• 2019 Shrine Game Participant   All-Mountain West Honors 2018
• Hometown : Belle Glade, Florida

Tarver is a big flexible outside WR with arms like Gumby & the feet to stretch the Field.

Had a impressive 709 yds & 8 TD’s for Utah State this past season with almost 600 yds every season.Automatically recognizable Tarver stands out in a crowd of giants like during the Shrine game where his talent to catch the ball was front & center on the opening drive. He is 6 ‘ 3 but looks like 6’7 there is nothing small about the big wide out from Utah State. He  looks like he could be a problem for even some of the bigger rangiest of DB’s sometimes can’t be defended. Really have a good feeling about his potential as a pro, will get an opportunity somewhere i’m sure Denver other Midwest based teams are high on too.

Has good burst for a big possession type WR just do not expect a player of his physical attributes to have the sudden quick movement skills athletic talents  Tarver brings to the dinner table. Combine snub but that really doesn’t mean a thing these days. With his Pro day this week he looks to prove he deserved to be invited to  Indy last Month.

Can win off the line with power as well as a great deal of athleticism. Physical can create separation make some ridiculous grabs behind, in front or in between defenders. Can use his big frame to body out DB’s. Big durable strong wideout  with power in his upper & lower body. Some of the best reach catch radius extension in the entire class. Long arms with powerful hands ball reaction tracking skills are great. Bendible, flexible contortionist that can be a star in the redzone making the adjustments finding the ball in tight spaces. Run after the catch is where he really shines  tough can shake or stiff arm defenders. Not an easy guy to take down. Good elusiveness for big guy can avoid contact all together at times but contact is not an issue for Tarver. Aggressive tough blocker that blocks like a TE imposing his will on run blocks. Also has the propensity needed to be an a essential part of any ST unit.

RB – Craig Reynolds

• School : Kutztown P. A.
• Height : 5’ 10        
• Weight: 218 lbs
• Pro Day –  Forty – 4.54   Shuttle – 4.45 Vert 35”      Broad- 9’ 7 “ Reps -19 L Cone – 6.89
• 3 X 1st Team All Conference  4 time PSAC Athlete of the week
• Hometown : Willow Grove P.A.

Kutztown Standout RB Reynolds has something to prove.

Outside of the NorthEast Corridor the name Craig Reynolds isn’t very recognizable.

Had 615 yds & 11 TD’s on the season averaging 79.6 ypg in 8 games . Following a career year as a JR   with ,1189 yds 14 TD’s 108 ypg avg played in all 11 games . Has had some eyeopener outings with a 150 4 TD game & a  school record 261 yd game with school All Purpose Yardage record or 345 yds. With an amazing Career with 5,277 yds & 46 TD’s,Reynolds is a more complete back then some may have you believe. He is an every down back with plenty of talent experience returning kicks.

Accelerates off the line  with a strong jab step. Makes good cuts avoids traffic can  hit the 2nd gear once in open space. Strong muscular upper legs make it had to grab onto good anticipation to avoid tackles.  Has the power to grind it between the tackles the burst around the edge to be a threat on the outside. Big game ability as proven with 150 plus & 200 plus yd multiple TD games.  Has quick feet moves flexibility elusiveness. Which you can see on display in the pass game & in the return game. Can add some more power although he can break the initial tackle think 10-15 pounds of lean muscle will help his power. Has the body frame to add the needed girth or body mass. While still maintaining that low 4.5 speed. Type of back you can just keep feeding him the ball & he will keep improving.  With his 35 “ Vert there is no doubt that Reynolds has just as good potential if not better than his 2nd or 3rd day projected counterparts. Smart player with good knowledge love of the game. Plays with a good edge which is needed for a rookie back can’t be timid entering the jungle. Think he could do well even in the bigger football markets cause he has big game mentality.

Slot/KR/ RB

 DeVonte Dedmon

• School : William & Mary
• Height : 5 ‘ 9 “     
• Weight : 200lbs
• 5th in the CAA with 67.2 ypg    Team 3rd All Conference player Offense
• Three   100 yd receiving games 2018 .
• Proday – Awaiting results will be posted
• Williamsburg V.A.

Electrifying slot utility type of weapon Dedmon is a very exciting prospect that should find a home whether in the passing/Run game or as a KR virtuoso. A record-breaking explosive weapon that holds 6  First Team All CAA Postseason honors. Is 6th in school history for his career ( reg season) for All-purpose yardage with 3,825 & 6th in KR yds with 1,364 yds as well as 9th All-time with 152 catches! Had 40 catches 605 yds with 6 TD’s in 2018.

Looking in an extremely deep slot wideout class i had my choice of many really quality options to choose from. We got size, speed hybrid types  various skill sets & styles to line up in the slot. Dedmon brings something different to a squad. Featured a couple guys that have that Slot/ RB hybrid thing going on. Mold I think best fits Dedmon especially with the ball in his hand after a grab. Yet still has the speed needed to stretch the field.

Can line up in the slot, flanker or backfield. Gets off the line within the blink of an eye can explode into his route make a complete stop redirect cutting around defenders as they breath  in his dust. One of the quickest slots i have seen this yr & i have seen impressive numbers but im talking game speed with the pads on. Has the juke moves of a back cuts on a dime compact durable good YAC wide out. Vision instinctual  awareness can execute perfect patterns routes he excels in his footwork Patience & field vision. Think he could really earn a roster spot on special teams. As a KR gem he plots his course immediately as the ball hits his hands. Dynamite returner that has the ability to bob & weave his way to the house with great velocity.  Can add needed depth at WR with RB experience to boot. Knee bend hips real smooth body control A plus. Stop n N Go speed is very good uses his hands nobody to catch the ball. Body movements slick smooth head body fakes & shifty balance to not trip over trash.Can snap ankles with his jump cut leave defenders grabbing at ghosts. Played a lot of wildcat/ RB or QB   his JR year i noticed looked good on designed runs from under center even had several nice option pass TD’s. Showing off his versatility his value but most of all his talent. Perfect for quick outs, bubble screens or end around plays. Smaller but compact tough with the Vertical ability of a 6 footer. Absolute dynamic weapon that can help in many facets of the game & would add a deep threat to any receiving corp.  Think we will see Dedmon in a Pro camp of some capacity.