NFL Draft Rumors: Marqise Lee most overrated draft prospect

The attention and admiration being heaped toward former Clemson Tigers wide receiver Sammy Watkins was supposed to be directed at former USC Trojans receiver Marqise Lee after he won the Biletnikoff Award as a sophomore in 2012.

However, after a disappointing junior campaign that saw his numbers take a prodigious drop and injuries hampered his effectiveness, he is being viewed as the most overrated 2014 NFL Draft prospect according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller,

"“Who is the most overrated player in the class? I polled five area scouts, and three listed USC wide receiver Marqise Lee as their answer. The other votes were for Timmy Jernigan and Teddy Bridgewater.”"

Lee likely would have been a top-10 pick if he was eligible for last year’s draft, but there is no guarantee he is taken in the first round as Miller has the former Trojan as the No. 41 player on his board.

More from Miller, “The USC product has pedigree and is a solid player, but what he lacks in consistent hands and health has caused a steady drop down the board. Lee made plenty of big plays at USC, but digging through three years of film, you’ll see a player who didn’t improve or develop during that time. Lee has to become a more consistent pass-catcher before I see him as a reliable starting NFL wide receiver.”

I find it hard to believe Lee slips past the 18-23 range where he would make a lot of sense for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs, but worst-case scenario the Carolina Panthers take him at 28.

Having said that, it’s a far cry from where he would have gone after he had 118 catches for 1,721 and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore. Personally, I think he’s the second best receiver in the draft and not much of a drop-off from Watkins, but his draft pick may not reflect that come May.