Despite comparisons to Dak Prescott, Joshua Dobbs undrafted through Round 3

Former Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott played the pre-draft evaluation process almost perfectly last year, but it didn’t give him much of a bump.

The same can be said of Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs, who remains available in the NFL Draft with three rounds already in the books. This despite the fact that Dobbs drew comparisons to Prescott for months on end.

Prescott, who ultimately went in Round 4 to the Dallas Cowboys, put together a sensational rookie campaign following an injury to Tony Romo. As a result, Dobbs has gotten a closer look than maybe he would have a year ago because, like Prescott, he comes from a spread offense in the SEC and is overflowing with high-character traits.

Nevertheless, Dobbs will presumably have to wait until Saturday to hear his name called some time between Rounds 4-7.

As for the rest of the conference, Alabama continued to dominate on Day 2. After leading all teams with four first-round picks Thursday, the Crimson Tide boasted seven of the first 55 and nine of the first 79 at one point Friday.

At No. 34 overall in Round 2, ‘Bama offensive tackle Cam Robinson went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. There he will block for fellow Louisiana native Leonard Fournette, who was nabbed out of LSU the day before. Obviously distraught after not going in the first round, Robinson watched himself get chosen from a hotel room in Philadelphia.

“The talent is there,” said NFL Network’s Mike Mayock on the television broadcast, “and he’s got Pro Bowl-type ability.”

Safety Marcus Maye was the first of three Florida defensive backs to come off the board in Round 2, going 39th to the New York Jets.

“I think he’s one of the more underrated players in the entire draft,” said ESPN’s Todd McShay.

Seven picks later, Gators cornerback Quincy Wilson went 46th to the Indianapolis Colts. Then it was another UF corner, Teez Tabor, to the Detroit Lions at No. 53. Downgraded by a slow 40 time, Tabor (below) originally had first-round dreams.

Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

“He has the size,” said ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. “He has that anticipation and the reaction ability that you want.”

Another potential first-rounder that went later than many anticipated, Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham fell in the lap of the Houston Texans at No. 57. One spot later at 58th, the Seattle Seahawks took LSU offensive lineman Ethan Pocic, who has the versatility to line up at both guard and center at the next level.

“He’s smart,” said NFL Network’s Brian Billick. “He’s pretty good. He gets up to that second level, which you need at the center position.”

After 12 picks in Round 1, which tied an all-time record, the SEC had nine choices in Round 2. Again, no other league had more.

Near the top of the third round, the New Orleans Saints made a move to acquire Tennessee tailback Alvin Kamara. Even with Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson on the roster, it’s easy to see Kamara playing a Reggie Bush-like role in the Big Easy.

“He could not have gotten a better match for his talents with a play caller and a system than Sean Payton runs in New Orleans,” said NFL Network’s Charles Davis.

At one point, the SEC was responsible for five consecutive selections in Round 3 from Nos. 75-79. LSU linebacker Duke Riley, Florida linebacker Alex Anzalone, Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall and Alabama’s Tim Williams and ArDarius Stewart — a pass rusher and pass catcher, respectively — are all moving on to the pros.

“He’s only right now just touched the surface of what he can be,” Kiper said of Stewart. “He’s just coming into his own.”

One of the most heart-warming stories of the night, Auburn D-tackle Montravius Adams became a father and got drafted within moments of each other.

Following a two-year absence, the Vols had their third draftee of 2017 after Kamara and first-rounder Derek Barnett when corner Cameron Sutton (below) went 94th to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He can play D and special teams.

Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

“He is really fluid and smooth in coverage,” McShay said, “and I think everyone was reminded of how talented he is when he showed up at the Senior Bowl and covered as well as any cornerback there that week.”

The final selection of the evening belonged to the best conference in America, as well. LSU linebacker Kendell Beckwith was taken at No. 107 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the organization had spent previous picks providing Jameis Winston with additional weapons in the passing game, Beckwith can help shore up the run defense.

“This guy is a physical, physical inside linebacker,” McShay said.

With nine picks in the third round, the league was matched only by the Big Ten. The SEC can claim 30 of the 107 total choices thus far.

But the headline of Day 2 was as much about who wasn’t picked as who was. In addition to Dobbs, Auburn pass rusher Carl Lawson and Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley remain available, although for much different reasons.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 261 pounds, Lawson appears to be a bit of a tweener in NFL circles. Not a defensive end and not a linebacker, he’s probably nothing more than a sub-package specialist for the right team. As for Brantley, he has a pending charge for punching a woman hanging over his head. He might go undrafted altogether.

In particular, though, no Dobbs yet is a bit of a surprise, especially considering the fact that Iowa’s C.J. Beathard went in Round 3.

Sure, Beathard was a fine signal caller on Saturday, but he presents precious little upside for Sunday. Dobbs is bigger, has a stronger arm and is a much better athlete, plus he measures off the charts when it comes to intangibles.

However, Dobbs is learning the same lesson this year that Prescott learned last year: It’s so much easier to hurt yourself and move down in the draft than it is to help yourself and move up. There’s nothing else Dobbs could’ve done to improve his stock. In the end, no franchise decided to pull the trigger on him earlier.

At some point on Day 3, Dobbs will find a new home. Unfortunately, he’ll be viewed as a late-round flyer, not an early-round investment.

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.