2027 Rankings: Big-time Additions from the Watch List, Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As if they rose from the ashes like the Phoenix, there are prospects who seemingly come out of the woodwork. What differentiates these prospects from one another are prospects that rise and are here to stay. Below are a handful of prospects that were watchlisted and, immediately upon film review, shot up toward the top of our player rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909278"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A talented defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='909278' first='Taylor' last='Daniels'] offers much to be excited about. Starting with his coverage skills, we see Daniels flip his hips so he is never out leveraged as he runs stride-for-stride with receivers. Additionally, I feel as though he breaks on the ball very well when in zone. Physicality along the perimeter is a part of Daniels' game as well. We see him time-and-time again come up and shed blocks effectively in run support, where he tackles low and typically does so with correct force leverage. Similarly, at times Daniels has shown the ability to be physical with receivers along the perimeter.rnrnu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: Watch Listrnrnu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eNew Rank: 26u003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb3ea6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19577408/6527f3bb4bb3070a00e71c30' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb3fbf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["857107"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In limited clips [player_tooltip player_id='857107' first='Nahjae' last='Smith'] has left me impressed with is upside. As much as you can tell on film, Smith profiles as a u0022team player.u0022 He gladly will give up his body in order to make a play break for a teammate, has a penchant for falling forward, astutely breaks off his route when the defense dictates he should, and acts as if he is a football sage in the 2-minute drill as he finds the sticks and gets down to stop the clock. However, as selfless as he is Smith is able to create for himself in the screen game as he easily evades linemen. At his best, we see Smith spin and never break stride on deep balls, extend and high point the ball, and catch with his hands. Already explosive, Smith's ascension will continue has he continues tirelessly to improve his speed - which I am certain he will.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/profile/19180120/Nahjae-Smith/highlightsu0022u003eu003cstrongu003eHudl Filmu003c/strongu003eu003c/au003ernrnrnu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: Watch Listrnrnrnu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eNew Rank: 28u003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb4084"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910090"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Opposing Smith for the next several seasons will be division rival [player_tooltip player_id='910090' first='Jaylen' last='Frias']. A Falcon, Frias profiles as the heir-apparent at fullback in Coach Bill Tracy's Wing-T system. A powerful runner, Frias has no problem lowering his shoulder in an attempt to bowl defenders over. Alternatively, Frias may opt to utilize his strong stiff arm. A thumper of a linebacker, we see Frias tackle with power and doing so low at times. Something I picked up on film is that Frias might be a student of the game. On one clip we see him recognize a formation or set, point as if to call something out, and break without hesitancy to, essentially, force the offensive play caller to rip that page out of his playbook. Lastly, Frias does a solid job of shedding offensive linemen who climb to the second level. Although Frias has a clear second speed, it takes him a moment to kick it into gear when he makes cuts. When cutting he slows down ever-so-slightly. Agility work this offseason will do Frias wonders as he looks to be a key two-way defender this fall.rnrnu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: Watch Listrnrnu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eNew Rank: 34u003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb412c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19614017/654ebd373449040b9c3efad0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb416a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["909356"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='909356' first='Kyle' last='Mercorelli'] is a quarterback with tremendous upside. I like how he keeps his eyes downfield at all times, while using his senses and internal clock to feel pressure in the foreground. When scrambling he will lure defenses up, only to deliver the ball in vacated zones. Able to flick the ball about 50-yards through the air, there are few spots on the field that he cannot reach with the ball. Mercorelli also decisively knows where he wants to go with the ball. Yes, Mercorelli, puts the ball right on his receivers; however, I would encourage him to continue to work on his timing with them as well as leading receivers. Blessed with an abundance of skill players around him, I implore Mercorelli to let them do all the heavy lifting by placing the ball in a spot where they can rack up the YAC.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: Watch Listu003cbru003eu003cbru003eu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eNew Rank: 33u003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb41f8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8384767/6541902b90f9c00270018498' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb4232"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["910867"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In limited tape, [player_tooltip player_id='910867' first='Akeem' last='Mills'] is a prospect that has me yearning for more. Mills' game beings with an outstanding get off, immediately putting his matchup on skates. Mills gets his hands on the man in front of him, but does so with authority. A true hustler, he pursues plays all over the field. From what I can tell, I would say that Mills physical moves quicker than the rate at which he diagnoses what is happening in front of him. With more experience this will slow down, and as such, he will do a better job of breaking down in the backfield, either forcing or making plays.rnrnu003cstrongu003ePrevious Rank: Watch Listrnrnu003c/strongu003eu003cstrongu003eNew Rank: 40u003c/strongu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb42b7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19646587/652aa33c3df5b809b09e200e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6616af8fb42f0"} /-->