Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Out of curiosity, what are some players historically that were initially projected to go high in the NFL draft, but fell far, and why?

And can you think of any instance where a player went from presumably top five to ten to a fifth round selection like Shedeur Sanders just did?

Never a QB like Sanders ... La'el Collins went from 1st round to UDFA due to being investigated for a possible homicide connection. Became a good lineman. The Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu was the last player I remember sliding in the draft due to strength concerns. HOVG-type player ...

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 1:18 am Never a QB like Sanders ... La'el Collins went from 1st round to UDFA due to being investigated for a possible homicide connection. Became a good lineman. The Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu was the last player I remember sliding in the draft due to strength concerns. HOVG-type player ...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Michigan tight end Jake Butt (who was drafted one pick before George Kittle) someone who was considered a consensus first round pick before injury?

SeahawkFever wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 3:39 am

Brian wolf wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 1:18 am Never a QB like Sanders ... La'el Collins went from 1st round to UDFA due to being investigated for a possible homicide connection. Became a good lineman. The Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu was the last player I remember sliding in the draft due to strength concerns. HOVG-type player ...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Michigan tight end Jake Butt (who was drafted one pick before George Kittle) someone who was considered a consensus first round pick before injury?

Yes, I think so. In Jan. 2017, Bucky Brooks still had him rated as his second-best TE even after his injury:

https://www.nfl.com/news/top-5-2017-nfl ... 0000775852

Thanks for that link, 7D ... interesting looking back at those evaluations and seeing the number of busts among his top five prospects at every position.

Brooks doesnt even write anything about Mahomes, saying about the QBs ... "There arent any sure-fire franchise QBs in this 2017 class, but there are plenty of intriguing developmental candidates". Just shows what a great job Reid and the coaches did with Patrick between the 2017 season to his first MVP award to end the 2018 season ...

Marc Spindler dropped in the 1990 draft. I think they had a TV crew at his home, too, which made it more agonizing.

Mike Pawlawski, a quarterback from Cal, was projected by Mel Kiper and others to be a first round pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. He was picked until the 8th round by the Buccaneers and didn't play a single snap in the NFL. However, he had a long career in Arena Football.