With around three months until college players become paid professionals, many prospects are being raved about. But on draft day, players from out of nowhere rise up boards across the league. In this article, I will name 10 players who are completely being overrated by people everywhere.

10. James Gayle, Defensive End, Virginia Tech

During his time at Virginia Tech, Gayle failed to surpass expectations. He never seemed to put in his best effort with Virginia Tech. At 6’4”, 255 pounds, Gayle is a tweener. In today’s NFL, there is much disparity over the tweener status. Many teams love undersized players in schemes. But in most cases, NFL teams try to stay away from this type of player. Pass rushers are a premium in the NFL. Because of this, the Virginia Tech product will find his niche with an NFL squad. Gayle will most likely be a late day two type of pick. But, his lack of effort in college scares me. This defensive end has the tools to become a real good player, but a player cannot be measured by his potential alone.

9. Ego Ferguson, Defensive Tackle, LSU

At LSU, Ferguson and Anthony Johnson combined to make perhaps the best defensive tackle duo in all of college football. While dominating in the SEC is intriguing, LSU players have had their shares of difficulty in the NFL.

Ferguson’s draft stock has been mainly on his production from college alone. But, his skill-set is more taylor-made for college rather than the NFL. Most prognosticators have Ferguson mocked in the third round, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him fall to the fourth round.

This would be due to the fact that he is a bit slow, and there is a question of which scheme he would be a better fit for in the NFL.

8. Daniel McCullers, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee

Meet the biggest NFL draft prospect in recent years. At 6’7”, 355 pounds, McCullers has monster size. But when watching his tape, McCullers uses his body to get past offensive linemen. That is something you can in college, but his weight will be matched at the next level. McCullers needs to use his hands better if he wants to improve his draft stock. Given his size, he is extremely slow.

If he can improve his jump off the ball and his usage of his hands, he will boost his stock tremendously. McCullers would be perfect for the 3-4, as a nose tackle. McCullers could find success in the NFL, if he can take on consistent double teams. He could make an impact on a defense, but his impact will not be found through his stats.

7. Chris Smith, Defensive End, Arkansas

Chris Smith is another example of a tweener, but that’s not his biggest problem. The biggest concern over Smith are his character concerns. There are times where it looks like Smith just does not even care about football. When Smith is producing on the field, there aren’t many pass rushers who are better than him. Smith’s best fit could be as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, but his production in college was at the defensive end position. One of the best traits of a good pass rusher is their arm length. Smith has some of the longest arms in the entire draft. He is extremely raw, but there is no reason why NFL teams are hyping up this Razorback.

6. Loucheiz Purifoy, Cornerback, Florida

In zone coverage, Purifoy looks a great player. But he has a tendency to look completely lost in man coverage. Many NFL defensive schemes have their cornerbacks pressing at the line of scrimmage. Purifoy is 6’1” and 185 pounds. 

His weight is very concerning. Before the 2013 season, Purifoy was labeled as a first-round prospect. But when Florida’s season went down the drain, the same thing happened to Purifoy’s draft stock.

If he can improve his coverage skills against receivers at the combine, Purifoy could find his way into the second-round area.

5. Telvin Smith, Outside Linebacker/Strong Safety, Florida State

The biggest problem with Smith is what position he will play. Smith played outside linebacker at Florida State. But, there have been some rumors going around that he may be a better fit at strong safety. This is extremely intriguing considering his weight is a concern at outside linebacker and he would need to learn to cover better if he played as a strong safety. Can his game translate in the NFL? That’s a question many NFL teams are wondering when looking at Telvin Smith.

4. Deone Bucannon, Strong Safety, Washington State

When Bucannon stays in the box, he is a very good safety. But when he has to cover receivers, Bucannon looks awful. Him and Calvin Pryor are probably the biggest hitters from the safety position. But, Pryor is a free safety. A strong safety is supposed to come up against the run more, so that does cover up Bucannon’s negatives. But there is no denying that when Bucannon covers receivers, there is a lot of worry.

3. Stephon Tuitt, Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame

Tuitt was a great college player for the Fighting Irish. But, the biggest problem for Tuitt is what position he will play in the NFL. It is an important question because he would have to bulk up or slim down, depending on what position he would play. Tuitt could find his way into the late first round. But, he could also be chosen in the late second round. Tuitt’s skill-set would best be used in the 3-4, where he could play defensive end and outside linebacker.

2. Calvin Pryor, Free Safety, Louisville

When I watch tape on Pryor, I see a guy that would rather make a big hit than cover opposing players. While his attitude is something coaches love, I think Pryor is becoming too hyped up. A few weeks ago, I was on the hype train too. But after seeing Pryor’s games against better competition, he has looked bad. Pryor is the number two free safety behind Ha Sean Clinton-Dix. If he can improve in coverage, he has all of the makings to be a great center fielder in the NFL.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina

While Clowney is the No. 1 guy on my big board, that doesn’t mean he’s not being overhyped. Clowney has been tabbed as a once-in-a-lifetime type of player. Those expectations are a bit too much for a player that barely tried in his junior season. Clowney has the frame and the potential to do something great. But until Clowney proves that he will give it his all on every down, he is not the player we expect him to be. He has the makings of a franchise-changing player, but there must be some effort given on his part.