An early look at Tennessee’s 2017 NFL prospects

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Of course he would. Watson is the preseason odds on favorite to win the 2016 Heisman trophy and D4H thinks Deshaun is barely, if at all, in Dobbs' league.

Actually before Dobbs emergence in late 2014, Watson was my favorite QB in college football. I've always said both players are nearly clones of one another. Dobbs is a little faster. Watson with better deep ball accuracy.

The only major separation between the two is durability. Watson seems brittle.

The only reason production between the two has differed greatly is that Butch Jones has impeded Dobbs progress while Dabo has let Watson shine.

 

[BearCat204]

That's cause you guys aren't as good as I am in evaluating NFL talent. I'm simply trying to educate y'all but you won't listen. After the 2017 draft I'm hoping you'll respect my projections more.

You have issues guy

 

[KBVol]

Top end speed isn't the end all, be all. Hurd is also significantly larger than Chubb and a far better pass blocker. And he may have been a step slower than Henry, but he is also more maneuverable...so it's all just trade offs and what you want out of your RB.

I think the most important thing to get out of your running back is great production....Chubb wins that battle.

Chubb also has very good size (5'10, 220), is more explosive and has shown great ability to create splash/game breaking plays. They are very different players, both are outstanding in their own right. I think Chubb is the better player and NFL prospect.

 

[KBVol]

Actually before Dobbs emergence in late 2014, Watson was my favorite QB in college football. I've always said both players are nearly clones of one another. Dobbs is a little faster. Watson with better deep ball accuracy.

The only major separation between the two is durability. Watson seems brittle.

The only reason production between the two has differed greatly is that Butch Jones has impeded Dobbs progress while Dabo has let Watson shine.

Jeez dude. No, the major (and its major) difference between Josh and Deshaun is completion %, rushing yards, passing yards and total TDs....all of which were in Watson's favor by about 3 country miles. I can agree with you somewhat that Jones has held Josh back at times (except vs Arky last year when he turned him lose and Dobbs was bad) but that doesn't come close to explaining the cavernous statistical divide between the two. The difference (nearly 2000 more passing yards, 20 more passing tds, 300+ more rushing yds) isn't explained, at all, by Jones holding Dobbs back.....Watson is just more skilled as a passer, and is more effective as a runner.

And please stop reaching for the subjective "Watson is brittle" mess....you've completely made that up as some sort of crutch to fall back on because you have literally nothing else. Watson threw 491 passes and ran the ball 207 times last year in 15 games and didn't miss a snap due to injury. Even when he was injured as a freshman, he played with a torn ACL in game 8 vs SCar and was outstanding.....the adjective I'd lean closer to for him with regards to injures is tough, not brittle.

 

[Iam4utalways]

Who is smarter?

Hands down Dobbs.

Jump higher Vols.

 

[KBVol]

Who is smarter?

Hands down Dobbs.

Jump higher Vols.

I'll give you that one. Josh is an outstanding play making SEC QB. He's a winner and I have great faith in him and would take him over probably 90-95% of all qbs in the country.

But, like the NFL GMs and scouts and the sharps in Vegas, Deshaun Watson ain't one of the guys I'd take Josh over because Watson is just a much better player.

 

[KBVol]

There is ZERO chance either Dobbs or Hurd gets taken in the first round next year....zero.

Walterfootball.com has Hurd as the 9th rated RB in the 2017 draft. For comparison, the 9th running back taken in the 2015 draft was Jeremy Langford taken by the Bears....in the 4th round.

As for Josh, until he can show the ability to make all the throws with even a modicum of consistency, there's no way any team takes him that early....he's more of a project QB IMO who someone likely takes in the middle to late rounds.

 

[Iam4utalways]

I'll give you that one. Josh is an outstanding play making SEC QB. He's a winner and I have great faith in him and would take him over probably 90-95% of all qbs in the country.

But, like the NFL GMs and scouts and the sharps in Vegas, Deshaun Watson ain't one of the guys I'd take Josh over because Watson is just a much better player.

It would be nice to play them for a NC, if they can get there again. It was our 2nd chance to get the NC in 98.

When Dobbs wins the Heisman he can take it to the game, winner take all.

Jump higher Vols.

My twin 2yr olds are sitting in my lap, I'm in a happy place( feels like Neyland in the fall).

 

[Iam4utalways]

There is ZERO chance either Dobbs or Hurd gets taken in the first round next year....zero.

Walterfootball.com has Hurd as the 9th rated RB in the 2017 draft. For comparison, the 9th running back taken in the 2015 draft was Jeremy Langford taken by the Bears....in the 4th round.

As for Josh, until he can show the ability to make all the throws with even a modicum of consistency, there's no way any team takes him that early....he's more of a project QB IMO who someone likely takes in the middle to late rounds.

I think Hurd would stay another year, if predicted that low, but zero chance, that's hard core. I think I could go as high as 10%.
He is 45/1 to win the Heisman, if he does that, 1st round is probable.

If Dobbs wins the Heisman same thing, I think the odds on him are even better. They probably will split the southern vote and some chucker wins.

Jump higher Vols.

 

[KBVol]

I think Hurd would stay another year, if predicted that low, but zero chance, that's hard core. I think I could go as high as 10%.
He is 45/1 to win the Heisman, if he does that, 1st round is probable.

If Dobbs wins the Heisman same thing, I think the odds on him are even better. They probably will split the southern vote and some chucker wins.

Jump higher Vols.

There are 3 other players much more likely to split the southern vote in 2016...Watson, Fournette and Cook. Heck, even throw in Chubb before our 2 guys....just the way it is. Our guys, Dobbs and Hurd are outstanding, but, IMHO, the others I listed have proven to be elite.

 

[Iam4utalways]

There are 3 other players much more likely to split the southern vote in 2016...Watson, Fournette and Cook. Heck, even throw in Chubb before our 2 guys....just the way it is. Our guys, Dobbs and Hurd are outstanding, but, IMHO, the others I listed have proven to be elite.

The NFL wants to pick winners. The Heisman voters want to vote on a winner. I think it's irresponsible for them to vote early.

With this year being special, we will be what they want, winners.

Jump higher Vols.

 

[Biopsyman]

Hurd will be great pro.. Runs hard between the tackles ... Boot it

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

There is ZERO chance either Dobbs or Hurd gets taken in the first round next year....zero.

Walterfootball.com has Hurd as the 9th rated RB in the 2017 draft. For comparison, the 9th running back taken in the 2015 draft was Jeremy Langford taken by the Bears....in the 4th round.

As for Josh, until he can show the ability to make all the throws with even a modicum of consistency, there's no way any team takes him that early....he's more of a project QB IMO who someone likely takes in the middle to late rounds.

Personally I don't see them being first rounders either, but saying zero chance isn't accurate IMO. Hurd's a well rounded RB, if he blows up the combine he could easily sneak into the tail end of the first round.

As for Dobbs, if he has a good 2016 anything can happen. Geno Smith managed to get drafted in the first round too, you know.

 

[KBVol]

Personally I don't see them being first rounders either, but saying zero chance isn't accurate IMO. Hurd's a well rounded RB, if he blows up the combine he could easily sneak into the tail end of the first round.

As for Dobbs, if he has a good 2016 anything can happen. Geno Smith managed to get drafted in the first round too, you know.

Understand your points, zero is awfully strong. But I just don't see how Hurd leapfrogs the other very good RBs projected ahead of him, especially at a position that just isn't valued as highly as it once was. Walterfootball.com has him projected as the 9th RB expected to be picked somewhere in the 2nd to 4th rounds. But I just can't see 9 RBs being picked as early as the 2nd rd and again, I'm not sure how Hurd can possibly go in the first. Jmo.

As far as Dobbs, I love the kid, but he seems much more like an NFL QB project given his passing deficiencies and projects don't get picked in the first round. I know saying "zero chance" is strong, but that seems about right to me. Again, jmo.

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Understand your points, zero is awfully strong. But I just don't see how Hurd leapfrogs the other very good RBs projected ahead of him, especially at a position that just isn't valued as highly as it once was. Walterfootball.com has him projected as the 9th RB expected to be picked somewhere in the 2nd to 4th rounds. But I just can't see 9 RBs being picked as early as the 2nd rd and again, I'm not sure how Hurd can possibly go in the first. Jmo.

As far as Dobbs, I love the kid, but he seems much more like an NFL QB project given his passing deficiencies and projects don't get picked in the first round. I know saying "zero chance" is strong, but that seems about right to me. Again, jmo.

On Hurd: you're assuming everything is static and that board won't change though. If Hurd goes to the combine and over performs the way North, Randolph, and Ellis have in their workouts, no way he goes into draft day as the 9th RB.

On Dobbs: I agree that he's a project, but I disagree that projects don't get taken in the first round. QB is the most important position in the game and plenty of teams have reached on guys who had all the intangibles or measurables but were seriously lacking in accuracy or some other department. Tim Tebow and Jake Locker come to mind as guys who were taken despite glaring deficiencies in their games because a team fell in love with their attitude and intangibles.

 

[BubbaDoc]

I like Hurd but he is not a Chubb or Fournett type of talent.

Hopefully this will change next season.
Either way my gut tells me he there will be plenty of drama before his decision, but he will eventually decide to stay.

 

[KBVol]

On Hurd: you're assuming everything is static and that board won't change though. If Hurd goes to the combine and over performs the way North, Randolph, and Ellis have in their workouts, no way he goes into draft day as the 9th RB.

On Dobbs: I agree that he's a project, but I disagree that projects don't get taken in the first round. QB is the most important position in the game and plenty of teams have reached on guys who had all the intangibles or measurables but were seriously lacking in accuracy or some other department. Tim Tebow and Jake Locker come to mind as guys who were taken despite glaring deficiencies in their games because a team fell in love with their attitude and intangibles.

Good points, things can change. But I just see several RBs as being a good bit better than Jalen and while it's possible, I just don't think it likely that they drop below him.

Also, two good examples of project qbs taken in recent years. Dobbs certainly has every possible intangible you could possibly want. Perhaps "zero chance" was too strong. Guess we'll see. Until then, I hope both Jalen and Josh make their final season at Tennessee epic and bring some type of championship to Knoxville.

 

[MustafaRasta]

Haha, Tim Tebow's intangible was winning the Heisman as a sophmore. The first sophmore to do it.

As for Locker, I can only think teams liked him because his tough name. NFL loves stuff like that. Poor Max Arnold...

 

[Darth_Shiveman]

Haha, Tim Tebow's intangible was winning the Heisman as a sophmore. The first sophmore to do it.

As for Locker, I can only think teams liked him because his tough name. NFL loves stuff like that. Poor Max Arnold...

Good point about Tebow, but still. Looking at some of the QBs who have gone in the first round over the past 10 years like Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman, Geno Smith, EJ Manuel, Bady Quinn, Johnny Manziel, Vince Young, Brandon Weeden, etc...I could totally see a team falling in love with Dobbs and taking a chance on him IF he has a big 2016 season and leads the team to success.

If he orchestrates another comeback like the UGA/USC games, gets his completion percentage back in the 60s, and manages to hit a better portion of his deep balls, I could see it happening.

QB is the most important position in the game and all it takes is one coach who thinks he can improve Dobbs. You know he'll test well at the combine (maybe not RG3 well, but well nonetheless) and will destroy his interviews.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

There is ZERO chance either Dobbs or Hurd gets taken in the first round next year....zero.

Walterfootball.com has Hurd as the 9th rated RB in the 2017 draft. For comparison, the 9th running back taken in the 2015 draft was Jeremy Langford taken by the Bears....in the 4th round.

As for Josh, until he can show the ability to make all the throws with even a modicum of consistency, there's no way any team takes him that early....he's more of a project QB IMO who someone likely takes in the middle to late rounds.

You're gonna look real stupid in 12 months.

First of all, Walterfootball.com is no bible to the NFL draft. At this time last year, they had Marquez North and Cam Sutton projected as 1st round picks.

Second, a lot can change in 12 months. Even if neither Josh nor Jalen were projected first rounders RIGHT NOW, a huge 2016 season would shoot them up the draft charts.

Both will be 1st round picks.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

There are 3 other players much more likely to split the southern vote in 2016...Watson, Fournette and Cook. Heck, even throw in Chubb before our 2 guys....just the way it is. Our guys, Dobbs and Hurd are outstanding, but, IMHO, the others I listed have proven to be elite.

Leonard Fournette had the heisman wrapped up till he played Alabama in early November. Henry outplayed him and he was the favorite from then on.

When are you gonna realize the heisman is a hype award. If Dobbs beats Alabama and plays well, the heisman will be his to lose as long as we win the rest of our games.

Stats are only part of the equation. Narrative is the other. A Tennessee football renaissance. A rocket scientist QB. Playing in the SEC. Beating the mighty Alabama. That's the type of sh#t that wins you the heisman.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Understand your points, zero is awfully strong. But I just don't see how Hurd leapfrogs the other very good RBs projected ahead of him, especially at a position that just isn't valued as highly as it once was. Walterfootball.com has him projected as the 9th RB expected to be picked somewhere in the 2nd to 4th rounds. But I just can't see 9 RBs being picked as early as the 2nd rd and again, I'm not sure how Hurd can possibly go in the first. Jmo.

As far as Dobbs, I love the kid, but he seems much more like an NFL QB project given his passing deficiencies and projects don't get picked in the first round. I know saying "zero chance" is strong, but that seems about right to me. Again, jmo.

I feel sad for people that have fallen for this myth. Gurley was drafted 10th overall last year coming off an ACL. Ezekiel Elliott is projected by some to go as high as 4th to the Cowboys in this years draft.

And 2017 is projected to have one of the best RB classes in recent memory with the likes of Fournette, Cook, and Chubb. The RB position is not devalued. 2013 and 2014 were just weak RB draft classes. Bishop Sankey and Gio Bernard were the top ranked RBs those years. Not exactly franchise back material.

There will be AT LEAST 4 RBs taken in the first round of 2017. Fournette, Cook, Chubb, and Hurd. With guys like Royce Freeman, Elijah Hood, Christian McCaffrey, and Samaje Perine not too far behind.

 

[KBVol]

You're gonna look real stupid in 12 months.

First of all, Walterfootball.com is no bible to the NFL draft. At this time last year, they had Marquez North and Cam Sutton projected as 1st round picks.

Second, a lot can change in 12 months. Even if neither Josh nor Jalen were projected first rounders RIGHT NOW, a huge 2016 season would shoot them up the draft charts.

Both will be 1st round picks.

You've been looking really stupid for a little over a year now, so.....

And a helluva lot is gonna have to change for either Josh or Jalen to be first round picks. I'll stick with "zero chance", odds are definitely in my favor. Be sure to save my post and throw it back at me if they're first round picks. Doubt you'll be looking for in your archives though this time next year.

 

[KBVol]

I feel sad for people that have fallen for this myth. Gurley was drafted 10th overall last year coming off an ACL. Ezekiel Elliott is projected by some to go as high as 4th to the Cowboys in this years draft.

And 2017 is projected to have one of the best RB classes in recent memory with the likes of Fournette, Cook, and Chubb. The RB position is not devalued. 2013 and 2014 were just weak RB draft classes. Bishop Sankey and Gio Bernard were the top ranked RBs those years. Not exactly franchise back material.

There will be AT LEAST 4 RBs taken in the first round of 2017. Fournette, Cook, Chubb, and Hurd. With guys like Royce Freeman, Elijah Hood, Christian McCaffrey, and Samaje Perine not too far behind.

You claim to be this NFL draft/talent guru but then turn around and say that the idea that the running back position in the league has been devalued is a myth? Once again, you have no credibility. It's a fact.

NFL Draft and free agengy prove running backs have been devalued | The MMQB with Peter King

Forbes Welcome

Jerome Bettis thinks the NFL is ‘devaluing the running back position’ | For The Win

DeMarco Murray, draft class hurt by running back devaluation - NFL.com


All that being said, at the end of the day, Jalen will not be one of the 2, maybe even 3 (very unlikely) RBs that go on the first round next year. Too many more explosive, playmaking RBs like Fournette, Cook and Chubb ahead of him that better suit the trend of NFL offenses.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

You claim to be this NFL draft/talent guru but then turn around and say that the idea that the running back position in the league has been devalued is a myth? It absolutely has been. Once again, you have no credibility. It's a fact.

NFL Draft and free agengy prove running backs have been devalued | The MMQB with Peter King

Forbes Welcome

Jerome Bettis thinks the NFL is ‘devaluing the running back position’ | For The Win

DeMarco Murray, draft class hurt by running back devaluation - NFL.com


All that being said, at the end of the day, Jalen will not be one of the 2, maybe even 3 (very unlikely) RBs that go on the first round next year. Too many more explosive, playmaking RBs like Fournette, Cook and Chubb ahead of him that better suit the trend of NFL offenses.

Like I said keep falling for the mythology.

The RB position is just lacking elite talents right now in the NFL. There simply aren't many transcendent guys as there were 10-15 years ago.

Stuff like this happens in cycles. Just look at the NBA. There are no star centers in the NBA right now. And that's not because the center position is devalued. There just aren't many Shaquille O'Neal or Tim Duncan's coming into the league recently.

Same thing happening with RBs in the NFL. Since Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch came into the NFL in 2007, there haven't been many transcendent talents coming into the league at the RB position.

That all changes in 2017 and 2018. Those years will bring a renaissance of RBs into the NFL.