NFL Draft: Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl

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College football bowl season is under way. If you are like most NFL fans, you know some players on the top college football teams but that is about it. As a Bears fan, my NFL season has been over for weeks so I’ve gotten an early start on my scouting for next year’s NFL draft.

I love watching football even if it’s games I have no rooting interest in, so over the holidays I end watching a lot of random bowl games. One thing that makes the bowl games more interesting for me is to keep an eye on players who will be drafted next season. This year I will breaking down the players who have a shot at getting drafted for most of the remaining bowl games. If you end up watching the Bitcoin St Petersburg Bowl, here are some players to keep an eye on.

Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl: North Carolina St vs UCF

When: Dec. 26th, 8 PM (EST)

North Carolina St

QB Jacoby Brissett, JR #12 (6’4, 239, 4.83)

Scouting report – Attracted a lot of attention when he led the Wolfpack to a near upset of Florida St earlier this year. Brissett went 32-48 for 357 yards and 3 TDs but Jameis Winston and FSU escaped in the end. The redshirt junior should probably come back for one more season to clean up his mechanics, but I’m hearing rumors he may declare for the draft. Brissett has a very strong arm and the potential to develop into an NFL pocket passer. When given time to throw Bissett looks like a 1st round talent, but when pressured his mechanics fall apart. Bissett doesn’t have great speed, but has shown the ability to avoid rushers in the pocket and is hard to bring down (check highlight below). Brissett keeps his eyes down field when scrambling, but has the tendency to stare down receivers when he’s forced out of the pocket. He has the potential to be a starter in the NFL, but will need a year or two of development.

NFL comparison: Ben Roethlisberger

Projection: 4th-6th

DT Thomas Teal, SR #69 (6’1, 308, 5.08)

Scouting report – Productive run-stopper with the strength to drive blockers into the backfield and strong enough hands to disengage and make plays on opposing RBs. Teal isn’t going to provide much pass rush and disappears at times (FSU game) but is one of the better run stopping DTs in the draft. Teal also showed the versatility to move outside and play the 5-tech when the defense switched to a 3-4 alignment. If Teal doesn’t get drafted, I expect him to be in high demand as a UFA.

Projection: 6th-7th round

OT Rob Crisp, SR #78 (6’7, 300, 5.27)

Scouting report – Has the size, athleticism, and footwork to be an NFL tackle, but Crisp has had trouble staying healthy for the Wolfpack. He has suffered a different injury every season, which will make it difficult for teams to risk a draft pick on Crisp but he has the talent to be an NFL right tackle so some team may roll the dice late on day 3.

Projection: 7th round – UFA

P Will Baumann, SR #36 (6’5, 197)

Scouting report – A tall punter with good leg strength who averaged 45.3 yards per punt this season.

Projection: 7th round – UFA

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