2013 NFL Draft all-overrated team

After a down year for safeties in the 2012 NFL Draft, the 2013 class seems to be stronger at the position, and a handful of players could come off the board in the top 50 picks.

To wrap up the all-overrated team for the 2013 NFL Draft, we take a look at the safeties.

Linebackers in today’s NFL have to be able to do quite a few things for a defense. They need the athleticism to make plays in coverage coupled with the strength and physicality to make stops in the running back. In some defenses, linebackers will have to show the ability to get after the quarterback as well.

With a growing number of responsibilities, certain types of prospects are being weeded out, making way for linebackers that can do it all. In this year’s draft, a few linebackers are being pushed up the board due to the sheer athleticism they display on the field. However, whether a linebacker lines up inside or outside, there is more to the game than athleticism.

The defensive end position is under a bit of a transition in the NFL. With plenty of teams switching to 3-4 and hybrid looks on defense, a number of different types of prospects are now being utilized to get after the quarterbacks. Teams need players that can do different things on defense.

But which defensive ends don’t warrant the hype they are getting? Let’s take a look.

The second round should be ripe with options at defensive tackle as well, making it even more important for teams to avoid spending that draft capital on a player not worth the pick. While day two will have plenty of worthy defensive tackles selected, a few players may be over-drafted.

Let’s take a look at the most overvalued defensive tackles.

While many consider Jones to be the runaway favorite as the best center prospect in this class, there are some concerns about his game. Other centers in this draft class may actually have a chance to come off the board before the Alabama star.

On to our selections for the all-overrated squad:

The first round could see five or more offensive tackles come off the board. The position has become one of the most valuable in the NFL, or at least that’s how it’s perceived. Thus, plenty of big-bodied college kids will become well-paid athletes on draft weekend.

Here are the most overrated of the bunch.

Just about every 2013 NFL mock draft has at least two guards taken in the first round. In fact, most probably have two in the top-20 picks. Alabama’s Chance Warmack and North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper are the consensus top two guards for a reason. Both are quality prospects who fit different systems but are equally talented.

Finding guards beyond Warmack and Cooper will be tough. Many players will be attempting to make position changes or relying on potential.

Here’s a look at the most overrated tight ends, in what is not the strongest of classes for the position.

Zach Ertz led the nation in receiving yards for a tight end and showed flashes of skills that will translate to the NFL. The issue with Ertz is that he didn’t show those flashes often enough. As a blocker, Ertz leaves a lot to be desired, as he struggles in space and doesn’t have the strength to sustain in-line blocks. As a receiver, Ertz will occasionally struggle to go up and get balls in traffic and his route running can be hit or miss. Some skills are there that should make Ertz a day two pick, but those who think he is on Eifert’s level as a prospect are missing the mark.

The quarterback class in the 2013 NFL Draft has come under plenty of criticism from those claiming the class lacks elite talent at the position. In the interest of piling on the quarterback class a bit more, we will compile a list of the most overrated signal callers this draft has to offer.

Remember, being overrated is all relative. A player doesn’t necessarily need to be considered a first round prospect to be overrated, and a player that is seen as underrated by some could be looked at as overrated by others.