In the next installment of the Rookie Big Board Profiles, Matt Hicks and I examine another four prospects. Each player is analyzed in a statistical model, film clips and scouting lens. Devin Neal, Quinshon Judkins, Shedeur Sanders and Emeka Egbuka are featured in the third set of the series. Enjoy my fellow diehards!
NFL Draft Prospects III
RB Devin Neal, Kansas
5-10 and 220 pounds
Body Mass Index: 30.7
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 30%
When gazing at the Jayhawks’ all-time rushing leaders, Gale Sayers is the greatest runner to ever play at Kansas, and John Riggins is a close second. Nevertheless, at the top of the leaderboard stands Devin Neal with 4,343 rushing yards. While Neal has a long journey ahead to reach the professional heights of the aforementioned NFL Hall of Famers, he is one of the top ball carriers in the upcoming Draft after posting three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. At 5-11 and 220 pounds, Neal has the requisite BMI, ball skills, and college resume that pinpoints success at the next level. He easily changes direction and runs with power and contact balance. A three-down back, the former Jayhawk employs natural hands to corral the ball and excels in the screen game. I have a third-round grade and expect Neal to be selected early Day 3.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
5-11 and 210 pounds
Scrimmage Yards Dominator: 26%
PFF Runs 10-plus Yards: 28
I will never forget the backfield Ohio State trotted out every week during the 2024 season for the National Champions. Quinshon Judkins played his first two seasons at Mississippi before transferring north to Ohio State. He teamed with TreVeyon Henderson to lead a two-headed ground game that produced two runners with over 1,000 yards. In all three campaigns in college, Judkins exceeded the 1,000-yard barrier. During his career, he also recorded 59 catches for 442 yards and five scores. At 5-10 and 210 pounds, Judkins is only 21 years old and has illustrated the ability to handle a huge workload, i.e., 274 carries as a true freshman in 2022. He is a physically imposing runner with quick feet and very good contact balance. The former Ohio State star surely comes off the board on Day 2—and possibly Day 1—of the Draft after a tremendous Combine performance.
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
6-2 and 215 pounds
Passing Efficiency: 160.4
TD:INT Radio: 64-13
Ever since Shedeur Sanders surfaced in the national media, he has been a polarizing player as the son of Deion Sanders. There are many different viewpoints on Sanders as an NFL Draft prospect after four seasons on the college scene at Jackson State and Colorado. For some experts, he is the top signal caller while others are predicting a draft day slide similar to the one Aaron Rodgers experienced in 2005 when he fell to Green Bay with the twenty-fourth pick overall.
Matt and I provide a macro analysis in order to provide a complete picture of the former Colorado field general. At 6-2 and 215 pounds, Sanders plays with a swagger and has a sharp football mind, processing information rapidly. He is a classic pocket passer with fantastic accuracy and ball placement on short and medium passes. Unfortunately, he has some flaws that may derail his professional career if not addressed. The landing spot will determine the final Dynasty value in drafts in the summer.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
6-1 and 206 pounds
Yards Per Reception: 14.0
Team Aerial Dominator: 29%
In the past decade, Clemson, Alabama, LSU, and Ohio State all could make a claim to the Wide Receiver U moniker. Over the past four seasons, the Buckeyes have stood above the rest with Chris Olive, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison, Jr. all getting drafted in the first round. Emeka Egbuka continues the high standards at Ohio State and surely earns first-round draft capital. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Egbuka played a big slot role for the Buckeyes and leaves the program as the all-time leader in receptions (205) and yards (2,868). He is a smooth, savvy, and fluid mover who dominates the middle of the defense. I will not be surprised if Egbuka is the first receiver selected in April.
