Scooby Wright III
Scooby Wright III will most likely be the first Arizona Wildcat selected in the upcoming NFL Draft, but don’t bank on the former All-American to be selected in the first round.
Wright has the potential to be one of the best players in the draft given what he showcased at Arizona. However, he does show many red flags, especially with his physical traits.
His height and weight aren’t ideal for a middle linebacker, but an entire offseason with the right team can mold him into a physical specimen.
His 40-yard dash was timed at 4.90 seconds, so Wright’s speed isn’t quite polished to keep up with NFL-caliber players. His instinct showed in his sophomore season, though, when he racked up 163 tackles, 14 sacks and 29 tackles for loss.
Formerly recruited as a two-star prospect, Wright plays with a motor that can force him off his feet, but he will be a steal on either the second or third day of the draft.
Judging Wright from a stopwatch is extremely naive and whatever team selects him will take a diamond in the rough.
“I just want to go play ball,” Wright said. “I’ll be 21 years old playing in the NFL living my dream, so I’m excited for it to be honest.”
Cayleb Jones
Even though Cayleb Jones already possesses an NFL-caliber body, he is going to need to fall into the right situation to succeed. Jones’ 2015 season may not have been as prolific as his 2014, but he and the other receivers were dealing with a hampered quarterback situation.
Jones has the talent and the hands to be a solid possession receiver and his long frame allows him to be dangerous in the red zone. Where Jones lacks is top-end speed as he may struggle to beat corners vertically at the next level.
One team that could take a chance on him is the Seattle Seahawks, due to their history with undrafted receivers. Both Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin were undrafted Pac-12 Conference wide receivers who made heavy contributions to Seattle. Neither Kearse nor Baldwin has great speed, but Kearse’s superior ability to catch in traffic and Baldwin’s top-notch quickness have made a respectable tandem.
Jones could also be a solid fit on teams like Carolina or New England where the majority of their receivers are drafted in the mid to late rounds, if at all.
Will Parks
Arizona safety Will Parks is one of three Wildcats projected to be taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. A projected late-round pick, Parks may well end up being an undrafted free agent.
Don’t be fooled by his late round status, however.
Parks was a bright spot on a terrible defense last year. In fact, the defensive struggles might be why he is so overlooked. He can play in space, roam the field and he is a sure tackler.
Not only does he have that, but he can also deliver big hits. Remember his hit against Oregon State’s Jordan Villamin? Imagine that on Sundays.
Topping his play on the field might be his attitude. The Philadelphia native has a great personality, making for a fun teammate to play alongside. If his play isn’t seen as enough, his leadership and effort will stand out among the rest.
One of Rich Rodriguez’s hardest workers and funniest guys, Parks should have no trouble finding a home in the NFL whether he is drafted or not. Keep an eye on him later this week.
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