Even though we waited three days to see two of the biggest prospects of the draft finally picked, it looks like it worked out pretty well. We saw Geno Smith and Mike Glennon go on day two in the second and third rounds, but top prospects Ryan Nassib and Matt Barkley were still waiting for a home. Matt Barkley was especially concerning, as early on in the year, he was considered a top 5 pick. Now, here we are on day three and he finally comes off the board.

2013 Leaf Metal Draft Matt Barkley Superfractor Auto 1/1

2013 Upper Deck Matt Barkley Auto Letter /15 SSP

2013 Leaf Metal Draft Ryan Nassib Red Refractor Auto /5

2013 Upper Deck Ryan Nassib Auto RC SSP

Interestingly enough, had Barkley not gone back to school, he would have EASILY been a first round pick in 2012, but decided to take his chances with huge talent in Griffin and Luck leading headlines at the draft. Now, after struggling through his senior season, there were more reasons NOT to take him early, than to waste a pick on a potential project. The Eagles felt strongly enough in said potential to trade up and make him the first pick of day three, and that actually is a great thing. Nick Foles didnt show enough during 2012 to have solidified the starting job, and with a new coach, Barkley will get a legitimate look.

Across the division in New York, Ryan Nassib had been waiting since being projected number 9 to Buffalo in the first round. He slid and slid until eventually being picked up by the hometown New York Giants. Obviously, the only way he is going to see the field is if Eli Manning gets injured, which isnt an ideal situation, but he will get seasoning and possibly make his mark as a backup before testing the waters after a handful of years on the bench. Ryan Mallet was in a very similar situation in 2011, and has been the talk of potential trades all week long. Once he is available after next season, he should get a shot somewhere. He has carried value as a backup all around, thanks to this assumption, and there is no reason to believe Nassib wont be the same with all of the talk prior to the draft.

Other notable He has carried value as a backup all around and Marcus Lattimore found a home too – Franklin with the Packers to accompany Eddie Lacy, and Lattimore with the niners. Its likely that Lattimore wont play this year as he rehabs his gruesome knee injury, but Franklin should get a few carries in the Packers’ committee system.

This is always a bittersweet post for me, because it means no football until August, but the rookies were likely not going to be the talk with the class being so weak. Hopefully we see what they have early on, as 2013 products are not looking good right now.