2026 NFL Draft Awards
The Ick Award For Biggest Red Flag: Reuben Bain Jr
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While being one of the most productive players in the draft, his arm size will define whatever he does.
When you have a below average size like him, Bain will have to rely on athleticism to make up for the gap. While that could work most of the time, when hurt he will be an easy target for offenses to go after. Similar to most recent top pick, Will Campbell when athleticism is taken away this issue can become a spotlight.
The ‘Go Home To Your Wife’ Award For Riskiest Player: Zachariah Branch
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A former top recruit, Branch is the most risky prospect in this class. While being the leading receiver for the Bulldogs, 51.3% of his routes ran were screens, with 49 of his 81 receptions coming from behind the line of scrimmage.
All of this makes him look like a gadget guy at his best, then you’ll look at how he averaged 10.6 yards after the catch, and on film looking like one of the fastest receivers I’ve seen since Tyreek Hill. There is so much to turn you off, then you see something else and pulls you back all the way in.
The Million Dollar Question Award for Biggest Unknown: Ty Simpson
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Now only being a few days from the draft, I'm left more confused on Simpson then when Pittsburgh was months away. The best quarterback in the draft during the first half of Alabama's season.
But a combination of injury and poor run game turned his season into a question mark. I respect him wanting to stay loyal and waiting his turn at Alabama, but the fact that he only played 15 games and that even if he returned, he wouldn't be the starter makes him just an idea at this point.
The LifeAlert Award For Biggest Potential Faller: Kenyon Saddiq
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When looking at his measurables, you see one of the biggest anomalies at tight end we've seen. But his less than stellar blocking ability combined with the positional value should leave more questions on destinations than certainties. We are looking at a draft class with one of the deepest tight end classes we’ve seen in years and teams can see waiting until the early second-round to fill a need at tight end.
While I could see many teams go for Sadiq, those teams also have other needs at more valuable positions that I would prefer be addressed over a good but not great tight end prospect.
The McGuffin Award for Most Mysterious Prospect: Cole Payton
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In a weak draft class, especially at quarterback you need to look at diamonds in the rough to take chances on. Payton is that guy in this draft.
Prior to this recent season, Payton was used as a gadget QB due to his high-level athleticism at the position. He has one of their weirder throwing motions in the class, and still relatively raw as a passer. Teams will see the phsyical ability and see him as at worst a Tayson Hill type player more an actual passer in this league.