appfanjj wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 7:55 pm
Happy for these guys. They deserve it. A lot of people thought Evans was making a big mistake by going early. Calculated move that paid off.
Nobody thought it was a big mistake but more of a risk he was taking because he made the decision so early without knowing what the other backs were doing. Nobody said he would not make it in the NFL like some of us said about Duck last year. There was no doubt he was good enough to make it. ADG could have gone early and been a day 3 pick who made it in the NFL. You hate to see a guy go early and fall to day 3 when they could return and improve stock and play on a ranked team is all.
A couple things to keep in mind. He almost fell to day 3 and that was with so many players staying in school that scouts and media believed might come out early. Etienne, Najee Harris, Kylin Hill, Elijah Mitchell, Trey Ragas, Chuba Hubbard, Rakeem Boyd, and CJ Verdell all stayin gave Evans and Vaughn from Vandy a boost. There were only 2 or 3 teams who have him in the 4th round or above so if those guys had come out he likely goes in round 5.
I'm glad it worked out but any junior leaving who did not get a round 2 or 1 grade and was told to stay in school is taking a risk. You never really know with the draft.
Some early entry stats from this draft class. 123 players declared early for the NFL Draft. 84 of them got drafted. 54 of the 123 went in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd round. 39 underclassmen did not get drafted and 17 of the 84 who got picked did not go until round 5, 6, or 7. So yes, any player who declares that is told they would not go in round 1 or 2 is taking a chance. A lot depends on how many at your position go, how you test, etc.
