Athletic Freak

[rubber_duck]

While browsing some random NFL stories today I came across a piece on Njoku. The article was discussing how much of an athletic freak he is, and using the term "freak" more than once. This story had me reflecting on years of dynasty articles I've read and wondering something ...

If a prospect is commonly regarded as an athletic freak, is that a bad sign or a red flag?
Another question then jumped into my head: how many rookies labelled "freak" have actually become fantasy relevant?

[Ghosted]

Seemed to work out well for Jevon Kearse.

[ImaRounder]

How would being called an athletic freak be a red flag?

[ArrylT]

https://www.muscleprodigy.com/top-25-mo ... -all-time/

TOP 25 MOST ATHLETIC FREAKS OF ALL TIME

[Goddard]

If they're only athletic freaks and bad at football, then yes, bad sign. Roy Williams comes to mind. Extremely athletic, but couldn't catch the ball. Some of these guys get by in college with their athleticism, but can't cut it in the pros or struggle mightily. I don't think Njoku is one of those guys.

[Valhalla]

[df_sarc]

Great post Rubber. I imagine your quite old and the people asking why I could be a red flag are quite young.

When ever someone says 'he's the can't miss prospect in the draft' well, that's a huge red-flag for me. Just curios, is this where your post comes from?

[kadun2]

How bout he's a "beast" or "monster", How do those factor in to this discussion?

[Cowboysfan33]

One guy that it immediately makes me remember is David Boston, although he was pretty solid for a few seasons.

[Valhalla]

One guy that it immediately makes me remember is David Boston, although he was pretty solid for a few seasons.

I believe the reason Boston didn't last is because he cared more about body building than he did football. Maybe that's just a perception I had back then though that I've made a reality in my head

[StableOfRBs]

One guy that it immediately makes me remember is David Boston, although he was pretty solid for a few seasons.

I believe the reason Boston didn't last is because he cared more about body building than he did football. Maybe that's just a perception I had back then though that I've made a reality in my head

this is the reason Laron Landry couldn't hack it in the NFL, couldn't stop shooting steroids, now he looks like a balloon animal

[bainer3]

I get what the op is asking, there are tonnes of guys who are said to be athletic freaks ( Julio, megaton, lane johnson, etc) but it doesn't define them, or it isn't their label. Whereas guys like Matt jones(wr) dgb, and Roy Williams were defined by mostly their athletic prowess.

A lot of guys you constantly hear are freaks also go with being called "raw" . While it's not a red flag, it's a reason to study them more. It's all a matter of position, translatable skills, consistency, work ethic.

With njoku,His willingness to block says a lot to me in terms of willingness to learn and work ethic. I also think TE is a position these freaks do well in with the matchups they get.

[sugbear65]

Great post Rubber. I imagine your quite old and the people asking why I could be a red flag are quite young.

When ever someone says 'he's the can't miss prospect in the draft' well, that's a huge red-flag for me. Just curios, is this where your post comes from?

What in the world does the age of forum posters have to do with anything? I'm 34 and fail to understand how be called an athletic freak is a red flag, so am I quite old or quite young? Also having a real hard time understanding how the "can't miss prospect" of a draft is a red flag other than just being contrarian.
This whole thread confuses me. Watch tape, listen to experts, watch college football, or do some form of mild rookie scouting yourself, and you can make individual decisions on these guys. Don't let a few common football phrases that get thrown around way too often make up your mind.

[SlimJim958]

Great post Rubber. I imagine your quite old and the people asking why I could be a red flag are quite young.

When ever someone says 'he's the can't miss prospect in the draft' well, that's a huge red-flag for me. Just curios, is this where your post comes from?

What in the world does the age of forum posters have to do with anything? I'm 34 and fail to understand how be called an athletic freak is a red flag, so am I quite old or quite young? Also having a real hard time understanding how the "can't miss prospect" of a draft is a red flag other than just being contrarian.
This whole thread confuses me. Watch tape, listen to experts, watch college football, or do some form of mild rookie scouting yourself, and you can make individual decisions on these guys. Don't let a few common football phrases that get thrown around way too often make up your mind.

[DinoDynasty]

Chris Conley is probably the biggest athletic freak in the league, his combine number are off the charts.

Clowney is also an athletic freak.

I don't think this translates into being good or bad at football. It can certainly help if you are good at football but athleticism alone will never make you a star.