Matt Miller's Week 11 NFL Scouting Notebook: Deshaun Watson Keeps Falling

[RS12]

—The Alabama defense is absolutely loaded with NFL talent, but one AFC scout I spoke with said to pump the brakes on cornerback Marlon Humphrey. "I think he's overrated. You guys don't see how stiff he is or that he can't turn and run." Humphrey has a Round 2 grade on my board currently.

—A longtime former NFL general manager reached out this week to ask me about the top quarterback prospects and share notes. Here's what he told me on the Big Four:

1. "[Deshaun] Watson's interceptions are going to crush him. And he's small. He's a lot like your guy [Teddy] Bridgewater, actually."

2. "I would advise [DeShone] Kizer to leave because I don't think [head coach] Brian Kelly is helping him, but you really wish he had another season of experience under his belt. He could be the one we all fall in love with between now and April."

3. "Why do you like [Mitch] Trubisky? One-year starter who couldn't beat out that Williams kid [Marquise]? Stop looking at his stats."

4. "He's so skinny and that back-foot throwing he does scares me, but at least he's the smartest of the crop." — on University of Miami (FL) quarterback Brad Kaaya

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2676618-matt-millers-week-11-nfl-scouting-notebook

 

[RS12]

4. LB Duke Riley, LSU

Duke Riley was a part-time player until 2016 on a loaded LSU defense. But this season he's come into his own as a kind of safety/linebacker hybrid. Riley is flying all over the field against the run and pass when you turn on the film—and he's usually making more of an impact than his more-hyped teammates, Lewis Neal and Kendell Beckwith.

Where will the NFL value Riley? He's 6'1", maybe 220 pounds, according to scouts I've talked to, and has experience playing safety and middle linebacker. That sounds a lot like a Deone Bucannon or Mark Barron-type linebacker.



LSU players make me a little leary but I find him intriguing.

 

[CATCH17]

I called this about Watson before the season.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I called this about Watson before the season.

Well, you're not the only one skeptical about Watson. I said to myself if Watson is the supposed "top" QB in the draft class then it's a horrible class.