The opinions of NFL insiders and analysts are well-known by this point. We know which players are ranked the highest on the big boards and which top the mock drafts.
But the NFL is about more than just the experts. It’s about the fans and the passion that they have for their teams.
For the NFL Draft, fans of every team flooded the city of Pittsburgh to watch their favorite squads draft. Fans in every direction were decked out in jerseys, face paint, and excitement. These were the opinions that I wanted.
So I took to the streets. I wanted to find out the people’s thoughts on this draft class. I was eager to learn which players they liked, which players they didn’t, and which player they considered best overall.
Here’s what we learned from the NFL’s faithful.
Best in the Class
Across the interviews, the consensus for the best player in the draft was Jeremiyah Love. Fans were enamored with his speed, versatility, and pass-catching ability. One fan I interviewed was a diehard Browns fan wearing Spiderman goggles who introduced himself as Ralph Spider.
“He’s a Swiss Army knife. He’s an excellent running back and an excellent receiver,” Ralph said. He continued on, calling Love a “generational talent” and “McCaffrey-type player.”
Players like Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, and David Bailey are going higher in mock drafts. However, Love’s athleticism and big-play ability seem to entice fans a great deal. Additionally, there are few positions more flashy than running back, and few that appeal to fans more.
Another popular pick was Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, whose versatility makes him an incredibly hot commodity. As Daniel, a Giants fan, said, “he affects the game in every way and plays the whole field.”
Safeties often don’t go very high in the draft, as skill positions and linemen often take precedent. However, Downs’ tackling, ball-playing ability, and athleticism separate him from other top safeties from past classes. Nearly all the fans agreed that he would end up being taken lower than he should, as not one raised a concern about his injury.
So, according to the fans, Love and Downs are the top talents, with Mendoza and Reese getting a few honorable mentions. Those were the results of the serious opinions, of course. One overconfident Cowboys fan named himself, while a Bills fan jokingly suggested Carson Beck. But I wanted to push these diehards a little further. Anyone can name the top guys in the draft, so I wanted to see how much “ball knowledge” the average NFL Draft participant had.
Underrated
I challenged fans to name a player in the class that they felt was underrated, and I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Some wilted, but most gave solid answers.
The top response seemed to be Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson. Many fans, including everyone’s favorite Browns fan, Ralph, believed that his injury was less concerning than it was made out to be. Anthony, a Seahawks fan, elaborated, saying, “he’s going to be a stud wherever he gets drafted.” With Tyson’s size and hands, assuming he can stay healthy, he could be as good as any receiver in the class.
In general, the receivers seemed to be a popular selection. Cole and Dylan, Bills and Steelers fans respectively, named KC Concepcion as possibly the best receiver in the draft. Cole prayed that he would fall to the Bills. Meanwhile, Dylan mentioned that Concepcion may be his top player in the whole class.
Sean, a Steelers fan, listed Denzel Boston as a steal. As he put it, “he didn’t run a good 40 time, but he’s gonna be better than a lot of people think.” With the wide receiver class this stacked, it’s no surprise that a vast majority of the answers are wideouts.
Jack, another Steelers fan, shocked me with a D’Angelo Ponds selection. Daniel, the Giants fan, made some valid arguments for Rueben Bain. Some of the other answers were a little more unhinged, though. One fan suggested quarterbacks Garrett Nussmeier and Carson Beck. Meanwhile, two others went with Carnell Tate and Arvell Reese, who are already projected top picks.
Nevertheless, most hit the nail on the head with the receivers. This class is loaded with receiver talent, and any team picking a wideout can’t really go wrong.
Overrated
When it came to overrated players, though, Mendoza easily took the cake. Many fans felt that he was a system quarterback with over-inflated hype from just one good year. Harsh words, I thought, but words I heard repeatedly. In fact, looking back at the interviews now, over 50% of all fans picked Mendoza.
Mendoza undoubtedly had some big moments, but many feel he isn’t a typical No. 1 pick. Usually, the top spot goes to a generational talent who has been tearing college football apart for years. However, many feel that Mendoza is simply the best quarterback in a draft where the No. 1 team needs a quarterback. Hence, the numerous answers of Love and Downs being the top talent, not Mendoza.
Ty Simpson and Carson Beck also got a couple of nods, demonstrating the uncertainty around this year’s QBs. Across all three categories, Anthony, the Seahawks fan, was the only one to mention an offensive lineman, as he felt Utah’s Spencer Fano was going too high. Jack once again surprised me as he emphasized his disdain for Clemson’s Peter Woods.
Even now, I’m still surprised by how many Mendoza answers I got. The hesitancy towards him is understandable, but to hear this much hesitancy from fans of such a wide range of teams really threw me for a loop.
Final Fan Takeaway
Overall, I was impressed with most of the takes I heard. Granted, my expectations for the average draft attendee were pretty low. Only time will tell if their predictions pan out, but the passion these fans have for their teams was very evident on NFL draft day. Many interviews were interrupted with fans cheering for their teams into the microphone. I couldn’t take one step without seeing a new jersey from a new team.
Overall, the environment was electric, as fans from all over the country came together to celebrate their love of football. Ultimately, once the dust settles and the draft concludes, this year’s class will make or break these fans’ happiness for years to come.
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