By: Mat McWhorter
#33 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Jacksonville Jaguars
Select -
Johnathan Cyprien - Safety - Florida International
University
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 217
Arm Length: 31 3/4"
Hand Length: 10 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.64
20 Yrd Dash: 2.65
10 Yrd Dash: 1.52
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 18
Vertical Jump: 38 1/2"
Broad Jump: 09'11"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.44
3-Cone Drill: 7.01
Positives: Cyprien was a standout at this year’s senior
bowl proving that he had the talent to hang with NFL prospects and to at times
dominate them. He also performed well against NFL caliber talent throughout the
season. He impressed scouts by flying all over the field and bringing 100% on
every play with the controlled aggression you like to see out of a safety. He
shows the leg drive when making the tackle to drive the ball carrier backwards
and not giving up any extra yards after contact. This type of tackling enables
his teammates to gang tackle before the whistle and attempt to rip the ball
away. He has very good sideline to sideline range in beating ball carries to
the numbers as well as preventing big gains on quick screens to the outside. He
has shown the ability to play over the slot receiver and hang tough while also
being a threat to come off of coverage to blitz the back field. When he blitzes
he does so like a battering ram taking on running back blocks with ease. He isn't
fazed when working through traffic and gets himself into good position to make
the tackle when working through the trash.
Negatives: He plays more like an in-the-box safety than a
free safety that makes quarterbacks pay for inaccurate or late throws down
field. He needs to be more aware of taking wasted footsteps as he doesn't have
the recovery speed to help his corners with over the top coverage when he is
fooled by play action. His recovery speed also becomes a factor if lining up on
receivers that run double moves because once he loses track of his man on the
sideline he rarely catches up. Quicker slot receivers in the NFL might take
advantage of his average change of direction skills. He needs to keep his pad
level low when breaking down in space and making the tackle as he tends to be a
little high and ball carriers with loose knees are able to duck under his arm
tackles. The one facet of his game he needs to improve the most from both a
special teams and defensive point of view is his pursuit angles as he is at
times too aggressive in wanting to make a play on the ball carrier that he will
arrive too late to make a play against quicker home run threats when he needs
to be getting in position to prevent the long gain rather than make the tackle for
a loss.
Conclusion: Cyprien if asked to start immediately could
have a rocky rookie year in which fans may question his ability. However, that
has more to do with being a raw prospect than being a bad one. He doesn't
really figure to have had top tier coaching playing for Florida International
and just needs some time with an NFL coaching staff to learn how to minimize
his mistakes and capitalize on his natural talents. He shows very good field
vision and instincts and once he becomes more aware in his pursuit and
disciplined in his tackling he could make a name for himself in the NFL
considering he's an enforcer that will have some highlight reel hits.
#34 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Tennessee Titans
Select -
Justin Hunter - Wide Receiver - Tennessee
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 196
Arm Length: 33 1/4"
Hand Length: 9 3/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.36
20 Yrd Dash: 2.52
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56
Vertical Jump: 40 1/2
Broad Jump: 11'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.33
3-Cone Drill: 7.19
Positives: Hunter has an exceptional catching radius and
capitalizes on it by high pointing contested catches and extending his hands
away from his frame to make the catch on back shoulder throws. He also uses his
radius to contest poorly thrown balls that defenders have inside position on
for the interception. Justin displays top level body control in this draft when
tracking the ball and has the awareness and explosion to catch balls other receivers
wouldn't even get an eye on. He has a deceptively long stride that defenders
tend to underestimate when he's running the deep routes, and the top end speed
to render the corners recovery speed irrelevant. He is very effective using
different gears when running routes to get separation, which makes his speed on
the field even more deceptive.
Negatives: Justin doesn’t have great stop and go ability
and considering he's more a long strider than a blazing fast receiver he
doesn't have the loosest of hips running the shorter routes. He needs to become
more efficient after the catch rather than trying to reverse the field or dance
around defenders when it just isn't his game. Hunter could stand to put on 10
to 15 more pounds of muscle as his lean frame could cause some concern over his
durability at the next level. His lack of playing strength also could create
problems getting off the jam and securing 50/50 balls down field against more
physical corners. He has noticeably poor body language and needs to develop a
short memory pertaining to mistakes made by his teammates. His hands are not
very soft or strong at this point with him double clutching multiple catches on
shorter routes that were fired into tight windows. His ball security is
questionable and he can get his quarterback into trouble at times with a lack
of toughness going over the middle. He tends to pull his arms back to his body
and brace for the hit when he hears footsteps going over the middle. He shows
very little effort or attitude in blocking in the run game.
Conclusion: Hunter can line up as an X, Y, or Z receiver
but he is at his best stretching the field rather than running the short to
medium range routes. Hunter flashed several mental mistakes and lapses of
concentration throughout the season. The physical talent he has is top tier but
he plays a selfish style of game play and has the body language of a diva. He
doesn't appear accountable for his mistakes yet he is noticeably flustered when
his quarterback doesn't throw pin point accurate throws. His hands have
regressed and he at times looks more mechanical than natural and at other times
plays almost careless and out of control. Hunter is still a very raw receiver
and only NFL coaches will know whether he is coachable or not but no one can
deny his potential.
#35 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Philadelphia Eagles
Select -
Zach Ertz - Tight End - Stanford
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 249
Arm Length: 31 3/4"
Hand Length: 9 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.68
20 Yrd Dash: 2.64
10 Yrd Dash: 1.63
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 24
Vertical Jump: 35 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.47
3-Cone Drill: 7.08
Positives: Has very elusive speed in that he switches
gears in his route running and when doing so the defenders lose focus on him
and focuses on the quarterback believing they have good position until he blows
past them and gets separation. He shows very good finish after the catch
seeking contact and attempting to deliver a hit on defenders. He gives good
effort blocking in-line and seeks out players at the second level. He is good
at tracking the ball over his shoulder as well as extending his hands for the
catch when catching back shoulder throws as well as gaining full extension and
high pointing the ball. He shows a very good understanding in getting open in
zone coverage and knows when to break his route off. He can line up all over
the place as a versatile threat whether playing outside the numbers, in the
slot, or at tight end.
Negatives: Needs to develop a lot more strength as an
in-line blocker. He lacks the sudden quickness both in his route running and on
the reach block. He too often misses blocks at the second level choosing to
lunge at opponents than latch on with a controlled aggression. Has a consistent
lapse in concentration dropping the ball sometimes in crucial moments. Doesn't
have the strength to come down with contested 50/50 balls. He's not very
polished in his route running or sharp in and out of his breaks and loses
balance. Has a history of durability concerns which isn't made any better by
having alligator arms when asked to make the tough catch over the middle.
Conclusion: Ertz was more often than naught consistent
catching the ball despite having a drop just about every game but he was the
leading receiver for Stanford last year and accounted for about a 3rd of their
total receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. He can line up all over the
field as a safety valve for the quarterback. He shows good effort to make the
block but effort doesn't always cut it and at some point he's going to need to
get stronger if he's going to be asked to occasionally pass block or run block.
As of right now he can be a liability at times in the run game. His short arms
are a concern as he will struggle to keep defensive ends and rush linebackers at
bay with full extension. Whoever takes him will be forced to play him in the
slot on 3rd downs as he can't be relied upon yet for pass protection just yet.
#36 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Detroit Lions Select
-
Darius Slay - Cornerback - Mississippi State
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 192
Arm Length: 32 1/4"
Hand Length: 9 3/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.31
20 Yrd Dash: 2.47
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 14
Vertical Jump: 35 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.21
3-Cone Drill: 6.90
Positives: Darius Slay displays the field speed and loose
hips to mirror any receiver he is matched up against. He has NFL height and arm
length and the frame to put on at least 15 more pounds. He has top level
straight line speed and a very low and smooth back pedal in coverage. He is much
disciplined in keeping his hips parallel to the line of scrimmage until the receiver
makes his break. He is best in a man cover scheme where he can play both off
and press man. He flashes top end make up speed and uses it effectively when
out-quicked by receivers as well as in pursuit.
Negatives: He is often too passive in attacking screens
and runs to the outside allowing blockers to come to him and then attempting to
turn and run in pursuit rather than forcing the play back inside or attempting
to make the tackle in the back field. He really needs to add some strength as
he is one of the more frail looking corners in this class with a very lanky
build. Doesn't offer much as a blitzer off the edge and can at times be outquicked
by deceptively quick slot receivers as his hips are not as loose as his speed
would imply.
Conclusion: Darius Slay demonstrates the raw ability and
athleticism that teams drool over when trying to find a project in the draft.
The thing with Slay is, is that he's much further along than most projects yet
he still has immense potential. Slay has the sort of overall talent that could
warrant a 1st day pick but his lack of run defense is what holds him back. He
is very sticky in coverage but just isn't an all-around corner yet. So long are
the days of shutdown cornerbacks that don't have to worry about tackling
ability, it just doesn't happen anymore. Every member of the secondary needs to
be adequate in run support unless they only ever plan to be a specialty corner
in dime and quarter formations. Slay could come in and start a #2 corner for
some teams in the league and be a #1 corner for teams with an extremely
depleted secondary but in order to capitalize on his raw talent to make pro
bowls he must take well to coaching and continue to develop. He is an ascending
talent.
#37 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Cincinnati Bengals
Select -
Giovanni Bernard - Running back - North Carolina
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 202
Arm Length: 28"
Hand Length: 9 3/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.50
20 Yrd Dash: 2.55
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 19
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.12
3-Cone Drill: 6.91
Positives: Giovanni offers versatility as a running back,
slot receiver and return man. He shows little hesitation in the open field
seemingly having a plan with where he's going. He shows patience to follow his
blockers on the edge keeps his balance when running through the trash. He runs
with low pads to capitalize on his already low center of gravity. He is fairly
elusive in the open field displaying a wide array of coordinated moves and
light feet to effectively jump cut and spin away from tackles. He braces and
protects the ball when contact is made and looks to constantly fall forward for
extra yardage after being wrapped up. He has flashed leg drive to carry a
tackler or two for extra yardage. He is very good catching passes out of the
back field and is one of the best route runners of the RB class. He has the
vision to pick the cut back lanes in a zone block scheme if asked to and would
be very effective in today’s spread offense with his playmaking ability on
screens and draw plays. Doesn't struggle to make the first man miss because of
his lateral agility.
Negatives: Giovanni doesn't have game breaking speed at
the position to consistently break away as a home run threat. Despite being
rock solid at 5'8 202 pounds, Bernard doesn't run between the tackles with as
much strength or leg drive that scouts would like to see from an every down running
back. He has shown lapses in concentration when asked to produce as a returner
on special teams. His limited size has proved to be a problem at times as a
pass blocker on 3rd down often asked to split out wide as a receiver or play in
the slot on 3rd down rather than stay in the back field to block. He has had
various injuries throughout his career that call his durability into question.
The majority of his runs come out of the shotgun formation and he tends to look
to bounce his carries outside the tackle box rather than earn the tough yardage
up the middle. Despite having so many catches in 2012, Bernard doesn't flash
soft natural hands and too often catches with his body rather than extends his
hands away from his body resulting in some drops especially on plays where
contact is made simultaneously with the catch.
Conclusion: Giovanni's lack of size has not stopped him
from getting top effort as a pass blocker. He is a threat in multiple facets of
the game whether he's playing in the return game, playing in the slot,
splitting out wide, working from the shotgun as a swing pass threat and draw
option, or just taking carrying the rock on 1st and 2nd down. Despite Bernard’s
durability concerns he has continued to tough out his injuries and play with
them at a very high level. He can contribute to a team immediately and could be
a good rotational back or an every down linebacker. He is a little rough around
the edges and needs to better trust his blocks running between the tackles but
it's hard to hold his penchant for bouncing the ball outside as opposing
defensive ends would open up huge lanes rushing the quarterback as they
exclusively ran out of the shotgun.
#38 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The San Diego Chargers
Select -
Manti Te'O - Middle Linebacker - Notre Dame
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 241
Arm Length: 32 1/2
Hand Length: 9 1/2
40 Yrd Dash: 4.75
20 Yrd Dash: 2.69
10 Yrd Dash: 1.63
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 33
Broad Jump: 09'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.27
3-Cone Drill: 7.13
Positives: Te'O is a bowling ball playing linebacker.
Although Te'O is more of a thumper in the run game, he also shows very good
wrap up ability in securing the tackle. His lateral agility and instincts are
more than adequate masking any straight line speed deficiencies he has. He is
very patient in attacking the line of scrimmage preventing the cut back while
also reacting quick enough to make the tackle in the hole when it is hit.
Rather than turn his hips and run full sprint when the ball is snapped, Te'O
shows very good discipline in keeping his hips parallel to the line of
scrimmage and only opens them when the running back commits. Despite a slow,
choppy, and high back pedal, Te'O showed awareness in zone to make plays in
coverage as well as a surprising change of direction to stay with even slot receivers
over the middle of the field. He also took flashed elite pursuit in preventing
running backs catching swing passes from turning them into big gains up the
sideline. Also showed good awareness on delayed blitzes seeking out the gap and
hugging his teammate’s hip as he shot through it causing offensive linemen to
react late to pick him up.
Negatives: His sideline to sideline speed is not elite
which may or may not affect his ability as a 4-3 inside linebacker but it won't
be a problem in a 3-4 set. He was fortunate to play behind a talented defensive
line that kept him clean from taking on blocks more often than naught. When his
defensive line was overmatched in the Alabama game, so to was Te'O. Some scouts
feel that he hasn't taken a lot of responsibility at the tail end of his career
with things such as answering questions about his performance against Alabama
he said "Alabama happened" rather than take some responsibility for
playing a poor game. Doesn't always take the best angles in pursuit and tends
to take more false steps then he can afford since he lacks the make up speed.
Conclusion: Te'O is touted as a leader on and off the
field at Notre Dame. It wasn't until recently that his leadership and
accountability has come into question by NFL scouts. Everything that could go wrong
did go wrong for Te'O in 2013. He went from a consensus top 5 talent, to
dropping out of the 1st round altogether, back to being a consensus 15-20 pick
in the first round. On film, Te'O was never a top 5 pick in the draft in my
opinion. He has always been a 15-20 prospect overrated due to national media
attention. Whether he goes to a 4-3 or a 3-4 team, he should be able to start
for them regardless. However he fits much better when being protected by his
linemen drawing double teams as he has shown lackluster ability on shedding
blocks while at other times showing the ability to create a log jam when
pursued by offensive linemen.
#39 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New York Jets Select
-
Geno Smith - Quarterback - West Virginia
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 218
Arm Length: 32 1/2"
Hand Length: 9 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.56
20 Yrd Dash: 2.65
10 Yrd Dash: 1.62
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'04"
Positives: Geno Smith a more than adequate NFL arm to
make all of the throws as well as the accuracy to go with it. He has very good
anticipation in leading his receivers and a good feel for when to use touch
when throwing the ball short, medium, or long. He has a quick delivery as well
as smooth footwork in the pocket. He has more than adequate field vision and
will work through his progressions until he finds an open man, or a man he can
throw open. Despite having top notch athleticism and elusiveness, he is
absolutely committed to pass long before he decides to run the ball, always
keeping his eyes down the field when on the move.
Negatives: He runs a spread offense in which he
exclusively works out of the shotgun so he hasn't had experience in taking
different drops in a pro-style offense. He has very inconsistent footwork and
mechanics when throwing the ball failing to transition his weight forward
consistently, creating some ugly passes that he delivers off his back foot.
Does not feel the blitz or read the defense pre-snap adequately. He didn't
stand out as the undisputed leader of the team and after a hot start to the
season seemed to regress. He struggled in games with poor weather conditions.
Conclusion: Geno Smith has all the skills you would like
to see out of a quarterback but doesn't necessarily assert himself as the
undisputed leader at quarterback. At times he has looked unsure of himself and
displayed and almost shaky sense of confidence. Despite showing the ability to
go through his progressions, he will lock onto the hot receiver at times or
resort to becoming one dimensional in terms of spreading the ball around when
his team isn't playing up to their ability. As we've seen in recent history,
with a creative and open offensive coordinator Geno Smith could contribute
immediately running formations Cam Newton and RGIII have fallen back on during
their development. If he doesn't go to the right team however, he could see his
progression stall or come to a complete halt considering he has yet to show the
mental strength to push through the hard times and come out on top.
#40 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The San Francisco 49ers
Select -
Cornelius Carradine - Defensive End - Florida State
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 276
Arm Length: 34 3/4"
Hand Length: 10 1/4"
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 32
Positives: Carradines greatest strength is his relentless
motor. He is very active with his hands in getting extension, hand fighting,
and disengaging. He shows feel you like to see out of football players in that
when he feels a pass blocker overcompensating for his edge rush he will pop him
in the inside shoulder and spin inside. If the tackle reaches high he will pop
his arms up under the elbow and if he reaches low he will chop his arms at the
crook of his elbows. If the blocker fires off the ball with his head down he
will pop him in the shoulder and swim over, and when running the arc he bends
at the knees, leans into his man and rips his arm up through the shoulder. He
is very disciplined in breaking down in the open field and is relentless in
chasing plays down from the back side. His lateral quickness is especially
impressive after he establishes outside contain he has the ability to cross the
face of the tackle and latch onto the running back as he bursts through the B
gap.
Negatives: Carradine has only started for Florida State
for one year so there are questions about his consistency despite being
remarkably consistent all season. He tore his ACL against Florida so teams will
undervalue him on draft day since he won't be able to perform adequately throughout
the process. He needs to develop more lower body strength and balance as there
were a few times blockers got the better of him in the run game and when he is
off balance it didn't take much for them to pancake him. He needs to improve
his snap anticipation as he jumped the snap early on more than a few occasions
his senior year.
Conclusion: Overshadowed in previous years by the
talented Bjoern Werner and Brandon Jenkins, Cornelius Carradine was the victim
playing on a team stacked with defensive end talent. He didn't have the size or
ability to kick inside to defensive tackle so he struggled to get on the field
at defensive end. He only got his chance after Brandon Jenkins went down to
injury for the season but he actually looked to be a more well-rounded prospect
then Jenkins. He is noticeably still raw given his lack of playing experience
which is why it's amazing he has such a natural feel for the game. Teams will
underrate him as he will miss most of the draft process due to an ACL injury
and will no doubt be wary because he didn't start until his teammate went down
with an injury. Whoever decides to take a chance on this one year wonder won't
regret it.
#41 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Buffalo Bills Select
-
Robert Woods - Wide Receiver - USC
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 201
Arm Length: 31"
Hand Length: 9 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.42
20 Yrd Dash: 2.50
10 Yrd Dash: 1.61
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 14
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.36
3-Cone Drill: 7.15
Positives: Robert Woods is one of the better route
runners of this draft class. He has a variety of moves to get separation by
using combinations of head fakes, smooth and quick cuts out of his breaks,
fluid footwork, and varying his speeds to keep defenders guessing. He is
consistent at getting separation due to his polished route running and loose
hips. He is very efficient in picking up yards after the catch. He is cited as
being just as much of a high effort player on the practice field as he is on
game day. Despite making such sharp cuts in his route running and after the
catch he always keeps himself under control rarely losing balance. He will make
the tough catches in traffic and high point 50/50 balls. He likes to challenge
defenders in the run game, looking to make as many blocks as he can on any
given down.
Negatives: He can get caught bending at the waste and
reaching when attempting to block defenders. You have to love his effort but he
still needs to work on keeping his knees bent and keeping his shoulders from
passing over his feet. At times he can struggle with getting a clean release
off the jam. He doesn't have great elusiveness, doing most of his damage before
the catch. Woods also isn't much of a deep threat fitting more of a possession receiver
role. He needs to avoid push offs at the NFL level where he is more likely to
get caught doing it. He will need to learn that coaches don't have patience for
receivers that choose to run backwards before going forwards which is something
he has at times had a habit of doing. Woods also has had a history of nagging
ankle injuries throughout his collegiate career.
Conclusion: Robert Woods is very dangerous before the
catch but isn't much of a game breaker after the catch. He's the type of guy a
quarterback can count on getting open at one point in the play or another and
could see a role as a reliable safety valve at slot receiver. He has the talent
to be a very good possession receiver but he needs to stay healthy in order to
progress to the next level. His route running will never be called into
question nor will his passion. He just needs to be a more consistent medium to
deep threat as he primarily thrives in running short routes and picking up
efficient yards after the catch.
#42 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Oakland Raiders
Select -
Menelik Watson - Offensive Tackle - Florida State
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 310
Arm Length: 34"
Hand Length: 10 3/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.25
20 Yrd Dash: 3.01
10 Yrd Dash: 1.85
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 19
Vertical Jump: 24 1/2
Broad Jump: 08'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.01
3-Cone Drill: 8.31
Positives: Watson has all the physical talent teams covet
for an offensive tackle prospect. He is very athletic and smooth in his
movements and has exceptional lateral agility and straight line speed. His
quickness results in at times a very fluid and efficient kick slide in pass
blocking. He also has the speed to work to the second level quickly to latch
onto flowing linebackers. He has a violent punch in pass sets and the natural
knee bend and leg drive to drive block. When he has a wide base he can anchor
with the best of them. His upside could put him at the top of the class with
the elite prospects at tackle if he ever becomes the sum of his parts. His
upside is sky high. When he works in congruence with the quarterback’s cadence
he is one of the first linemen out of his stance. He has very good explosion
whether pass blocking or run blocking. He displays very heavy hands turning
into a mauler at times in the run game with them.
Negatives: Menilik is a very raw player with only 2 years
of organized football under his belt. His lack of experience is evident as he
is late to pick up blitzes and can be fooled by various blitz packages. It is
also evident when working to the next level as he at times looks like a deer in
headlights about who to block. His passion for football has been questioned as
he has jumped from sport to sport prior to settling on football. He has yet to
gain an understanding in how to properly apply leverage. His footwork is sloppy
which results in him creating a narrow base and can be bull rushed back into
the pocket as well as in short yardage situations. His hand placement is very
sloppy and he can get called for a fair amount of holds at the next level. He
also has a tendency to lean and reach for the opposition which throws his stance
off balance and makes it easier for defenders to cross his face or get proper
position. He needs to gain a better understanding on how to create angles to
wall off defenders in the run game as well as creating space between him and
the quarterback. Watson is highly inconsistent off the snap sometimes being the
first player out of his stance or the last player out of his stance. He will be
25 years old this season which is a cause for concern considering just how raw
he really is.
Conclusion: Menilik Watson is the type of raw prospect
that coaches will drool over in projecting just how good he can really be. He
can be a top tier tackle if he ever softens the many rough edges he has right
now. Despite his rawness, he was surprisingly effective at Florida State. He
will need to spend a lot of time on the field at the conclusion of practice
with coaches, and spend all of his time in the film room studying the elite
players at the position. He provides versatility to play either side of the
offensive line and could even play offensive guard if teams want him on the
field immediately as it will help mask some of his deficiencies that are
exposed by edge rushers. He has pro bowl talent if he ever achieves his
potential and solid started potential if he even becomes a shadow of what he
could be.
#43 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Select -
Johnthan Banks - Cornerback - Mississippi State
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 185
Arm Length: 33 7/8"
Hand Length: 9 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.57
20 Yrd Dash: 2.61
10 Yrd Dash: 1.59
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 10
Vertical Jump: 34 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.27
3-Cone Drill: 6.97
Positives: Johnathan Banks has the kind of height and arm
length that NFL teams just can't look past. He has demonstrated great ball
skills snatching 9 interceptions his last 2 years at Mississippi State. He has
great route recognition and reads the receivers body language just as good as
any prospect in the class to know read when the ball is in the air. When the
ball is in the air he turns into a receiver. Despite playing more off man and
zone coverage than press, his jam is more than adequate at the position. He is
highly aggressive on blitzes and when coming up in run support. When he
pursuits tackles down field he looks to rip the ball away to get the turnover
opposed to wrapping up on the shorter gains. He as cited as exuding great
leadership qualities where he holds himself and his teammates accountable.
Coaches raved about his character, strong work ethic and passion for the game.
That passion is evident on the field as he plays with the attitude of a safety.
His best attribute maybe his ability to bait quarterbacks into throws and
turning them into huge plays.
Negatives: Banks needs to get in the weight room and get
stronger. Although he is aggressive and above average in run support he has
less core strength than many other cornerbacks at the position when his height
and weight are factored. His back pedal is inconsistent at times and more
polished route runners can get him to open his hips up early allowing them to
get just enough separation on the quick slant. He tends to arm tackle more than
scouts would see and he is not effective in doing so because of his lack of
functional strength. As with most playmakers, he gambles a lot and at times it
could hurt his team more than it helps them as he occasionally misreads the
ball trajectory and will mistime his jump on 50/50 balls.
Conclusion: Banks started his career at safety when he
arrived at Mississippi State before transitioning to playing at corner as well
as lining up as nickel corner at times. If he gets stronger in the weight room
he could be one of the better press man corners to come out this year. He also
shows the kind of explosion and awareness to be a very good zone corner.
Ironically it seems Banks is least suited to play off man yet he was very
productive and effective playing off man almost exclusively at Mississippi
state. He could also make the transition to free safety where again, if he gets
stronger he could be very good. I personally like him more as a ball hawk free
safety than a corner that can come down and cover the slot or even match up
with outside receivers on some plays. The stronger Banks gets the more
versatile he will become and he has a big enough frame to add another 20 pounds
of muscle.
#44 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Carolina Panthers
Select -
Kawann Short - Defensive Tackle - Purdue
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 299
Arm Length: 34 3/4"
Hand Length: 9 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.08
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 29
Vertical Jump: 27
Broad Jump: 08'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.65
3-Cone Drill: 7.55
Positives: Kawann Short is an absolute monster and when
he is on, he is almost unstoppable. He has a ton of experience with anchoring
against double teams and splitting them. Rarely did he face a single blocker as
he absolutely man handles blockers one on one. He has very good length for the
position allowing him plenty of room to disengage when he gets full arm
extension. Ball carriers really struggle to run through his arm tackles because
of his upper body strength. He has the scheme versatility to anchor as a nose
tackle in a 3-4 and 4-3, as a penetrating 3-technique in a 4-3, and as base end
in a 3 man front. He was highly productive at Purdue despite being accounted
for and drawing numerous double teams. Despite his build he has flashes the
ability to get skinny when shooting the gaps. When he has open field between
him and the ball carrier he has a great burst to apply pressure. When he fires
off the ball low he explodes into blockers driving them into the back field. He
has exceptional phone booth quickness when fresh.
Negatives: Kawann has a tendency to fire out of his
stance high and doesn't always flash good knee bend to maintain leverage. He
has problems with his motor running hot and cold taking just as many plays off
as any defensive tackle in the draft. He is too passive in attacking the line
of scrimmage and teams would like to see him play with much more violence and
attitude that you expect out of a defensive player. He just isn't very
consistent at this point in time and that could be due to very valid stamina
and endurance questions. He is built like a coke machine in his upper body but
has a fairly thin lower body making him top heavy and it shows when he doesn't
play with good technique. He needs to establish a wider base and build up a lot
more leg strength. He doesn't have a 2nd effort as a pass rusher or a run
defender, often giving up when his first effort fails. He needs to establish
counter moves to his initial block shedding moves and accompany that with a
higher motor. He plays the position like a pass blocking specialist, whoever
drafts him will need to work to turn the light on. His streaky effort,
technique, and knee bend causes him to be very inconsistent in in anchoring
against single blocks and double teams.
Conclusion: Kawann Short is a boom or bust prospect. I
wouldn't be saying that if he didn't play defensive tackle like a pass blocking
specialist at center. He just runs way too hot and cold. He will be dominant
for a few plays and then completely disappear for long stretches. I do think it
didn't help he was by far Purdue's best talent on the defensive line and that
he drew a lot of double teams as a result. However, if that is the case his
projection as a 2-gap 3-4 defensive linemen still warrants the boom or bust argument.
He just doesn't have that bully mentality that puts guys with his talent over
the edge into being pro bowl talents. Anyone that saw what Short was capable of
will yearn for him to succeed at the next level but he needs to become more
mentally tough and develop a killer instinct.
#45 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Arizona Cardinals
Select -
Kevin Minter - Middle Linebacker - LSU
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 246
40 Yrd Dash: 4.67
20 Yrd Dash: 2.69
10 Yrd Dash: 1.60
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 25
Vertical Jump: 34 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'11"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.49
3-Cone Drill: 7.39
Positives: Kevin Minter has a very high football IQ and
is instinctive in reading his keys in the run game and sniffing out running
back screens. He doesn't allow his tackles to be broken very often, when he
gets his hands on the ball carrier typically will bring him to the ground. He
has good hand use looking to punch the ball when wrapping up and create
turnovers. He has very good snap anticipation as a blitzer and can explode
through gaps in the backfield before blockers are able to get a hand on him. He
plays with very good pursuit angles, vision and top effort against the run
game. He is always going 100% on the field flying all over the place and
hustling to chase plays down. When he keeps his feet moving in coverage he
capitalizes on his ability to read the quarterbacks eyes and shows a natural
feel for what’s going on behind him in coverage. When he doesn't attempt to
dance around blockers and attacks he flashes the strength and extension to
effectively shed blocks. Stayed on the field in nickel formations because of
his route recognition and natural feel in coverage.
Negatives: May project as a 2 down linebacker at the next
level because of his struggles in coverage attributed to his lack of short area
quickness. He is too quick to open up his hips against the run that could be
attributed to better straight line speed than lateral speed. He doesn't play on
the balls of his feet which limits his explosion when shooting out of his
stance to pursue plays to the sideline or to limit screens to the outside. He
is too slow to react in coverage often freezing when reading the quarterbacks
eyes and then pursuing when the ball is released. Isn't always physical in
taking on blocks in the hole or when tackling the ball carrier. When blockers
get his hands on him he can be washed out of a play completely and his efforts
to spin and run around blockers is often used against him by blockers riding
him away from the play. Plays much smaller than he is and doesn't have the thumper
mentality coveted by NFL teams looking to be more of a drag down tackler. There
are questions about whether he was the product of the talent around him that
could cover up flaws that would otherwise be exploited by a lesser athletic
supporting cast.
Conclusion: Kevin Minter has NFL level instincts and as
seen time and time again, guys that have top notch instincts but underrated for
their on field athleticism will typically find their way onto the field. He has
the raw talent to make good on all the aspects of his game where he is lacking.
It's just a question of where teams will see his fit because he is not thumper
on the inside and doesn't have elite chase down ability to attack from the weak
side.
#46 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Buffalo Bills Select
-
Kiko Alonso - Inside Linebacker - Oregon
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 238
Arm Length: 32 1/8
Hand Length: 9 3/4
40 Yrd Dash: 4.74
20 Yrd Dash: 2.71
10 Yrd Dash: 1.66
Vertical Jump: 30 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.18
Positives: Kiko has the versatility to play the every
linebacker position in a 3-4 and a 4-3. His motor always runs hot and he is
constantly hustling to the ball. He is an intense football player through and
through and plays with controlled aggression when attacking the line of
scrimmage. He was very effective in attacking the designated A gap as a middle
linebacker in the run game. He is
disciplined when attacking the tackles outside shoulder on stretch plays and gets
in good position to make the stop. When he doesn't take false steps, he
absolutely explodes out of his stance towards the play. He has adequate
awareness in zone coverage to pick up the incoming man into his zone. He has
very good timing in his delayed blitzes and even shows the talent to apply
pressure when blitzing at the snap. He attacks ball carriers with controlled
violence and looks to wrap up rather than settling for the big hit. When he
takes on interior blockers he shows natural knee bend and leverage, rolls his
hips and gets full extension to stall create pile ups in the interior and
hesitation by the running back.
Negatives: He has struggled with durability at Oregon and
his reckless abandon style of play increases his chances of sustaining injuries
going forward. He has limited experience as a full-time starter only becoming
one his final year at Oregon. He had multiple run-ins with authorities off the
field prior to the last two years. He has not lead by example at times off the
field despite being vocal about holding his teammates accountable for any
distractions they may create. He doesn't display very good change of direction
on the field at the inside linebacker position which is made worse by poor
angles to the football. He doesn't display a high football IQ yet and has a tendency
to take too many false steps that he can't overcompensate due to a lack of top
notch athleticism. He is hesitant at times to crash the hole against oncoming
blockers. Finds himself off balance far too often when working sideline to
sideline. He lacks awareness in zone coverage and attempts to over compensate
by primarily focusing on the man in his zone instead of having the peripheral
vision to see where the quarterbacks eyes are going. At times he has been shaky
shooting the gaps and runs into the wrong gap or his own players. He needs to
stop guessing where the ball is going at the snap of the ball and needs to feel
where the play is going by better reading his keys. He needs to play with just
as much violence taking on lead blockers as he does tackling the ball carrier.
Conclusion: Kiko Alonso looks like an absolute mad man on
the field. He brings a level of intensity, hustle, and workmanship to a
football team. His obvious lack of experience has hurt him as a prospect but
his upside is on par with some of the better prospects at the position in this
draft. He needs to put the off the field stuff behind him and become an
accountable player and leader. If he can stay healthy and takes well to NFL
coaching he could be a very good find for a team that values versatility at the
linebacker position. He will establish a role for himself on any defensive
scheme but until he gets the start he will be a valuable asset on special teams
given his down-hill violent playing style.
#47 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Dallas Cowboys Select
-
Gavin Escobar - Tight End - San Diego State
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 254
Arm Length: 33 5/8"
Hand Length: 9 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.78
20 Yrd Dash: 2.76
10 Yrd Dash: 1.68
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 12
Vertical Jump: 32
Broad Jump: 09'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.31
3-Cone Drill: 7.07
Positives: Escobar displayed plenty of talent working out
of the slot as both a receiver and a blocker against undersized defenders. He
changes his gears effectively in his route running to low the coverage to sleep
in order to get separation out of his breaks when he hits a second gear. He
beat defenders on vertical routes more than his timed speed would indicate
because of his elusive route running that at times convinced the coverage that
he was breaking off his route. He has natural, soft hands to make the catch on
shorter harder thrown balls and tracks the ball well over his shoulder on
vertical routes. He eats up a lot of ground when getting vertical with long,
fluid strides. He doesn't have lapses in concentration always looking the ball
into his hands to secure the catch before even dreaming about turning up field.
Despite his lack of wiggle in the open field, he has the patience to follow his
blocks and the ability to set defenders up with head fakes and stutter steps in
the opposite direction of where he plans to attack. He has the strong hands to
absorb contact and go to the ground securing the catch. He has the intensity
scouts like in seeking contact after the catch as well as when blocking. He has
unique body control that allows him to adjust to all sorts of poorly thrown
ball and climbs the ladder on high thrown balls.
Negatives: Escobar has limited experience as a
traditional tight end so there are questions about his ability as an in-line
blocker in the pass and run game. He doesn't have very good vertical speed as a
receiving tight end. Gavin has obvious questions about the level of competition
playing at San Diego State. He has struggled with the jam against lower level
competition working out of the slot despite his size and reach. Doesn't have
the strength to drive defenders or to maintain his blocks in the run game very
long. Needs to be coached up on blocking technique as he doesn't look to use
his reach to keep pass rushers at bay, letting defenders into his body and
losing the hand fight battle. He also has a tendency to reach for blocks in the
run game losing balance and rather than use his hands to latch onto defenders
he attacks with shortened arms and ends up making contact with his shoulder. He
doesn't have much wiggle in the open field and will not break a lot of tackles
at the next level.
Conclusion: Gavin Escobar has a lot of work to do in the
weight room and in the film room. He really needs to take to coaching and
refine his very poor technique in the blocking game to get on the field. He
doesn't have the elite speed to immediately come in and play over a lot of slot
receivers in his first year but teams but he is the kind of guy you don't want
to underestimate. Defenders were underestimating his ability all year long due
to his ability to start his routes looking pedestrian only to surprise them
with playmaking ability. He is a reliable receiver in the slot but could
struggle as NFL teams rarely take players for granted. He has the size and
length to be effective at tight end but will he needs to drastically improve
his blocking.
#48 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Pittsburgh Steelers
Select -
Le'Veon Bell - Running back - Michigan State
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 230
Arm Length: 31 1/2"
Hand Length: 9 5/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.56
20 Yrd Dash: 2.60
10 Yrd Dash: 1.52
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 24
Vertical Jump: 31 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.24
3-Cone Drill: 6.75
Positives: Bell
has very good balance at the position rarely tripping up from tacklers diving
at his legs. He has very light feet for such a big back and has deceptive speed
in the open field. Despite his size he gets skinny shooting through gaps at the
line of scrimmage. He has a versatile repertoire with jump cuts, spin moves, a
punishing stiff arm and the athletic ability and awareness to leap over
oncoming tacklers diving at his lower body. He has good awareness in pass
protection to sniff out the late blitz and to sense where the pressure is
coming from presnap. When tackled high, Le'Veon can carry multiple defenders
for yards upon yards down the field. He has soft hands in the receiving game
and adequate route running to contribute on 3rd down out of the backfield. He
sets up defenders in the open field with head fakes and loose hips displaying
shake and bake ability even against smaller, quicker defenders. When he lowers
his shoulder and runs with good knee bend he can push the pile with the best of
them given is exceptional core strength. He displays a second and third effort
at times and will appear to be stopped for no gain only to break away from the
pile moments later for an additional gain. He utilizes his spin move very effectively
in these situations. His thick upper body makes it difficult for shorter armed
defenders to wrap him up. He is always falling forward for additional yardage
after contact.
Negatives: His upright running style negates his natural
core strength when pounding the rock between the tackles. Rather than lowering
his shoulder and powering through tackles with strong leg drive, Bell has the
tendency to let defenders get into his chest for the tackle and is content
spinning and falling backwards for extra yardage. He doesn't have a lot of
burst in his jump cuts and runs more like a 180 pound change of pace running
back rather than the 230 pound battering ram he is. He is too quick to go
east/west with defenders in front of him when taking stretch plays off tackle
rather than getting north/south and barreling through arm tackles of corners.
He doesn't always trust his vision or the designated hole and bounces the ball
outside way more than a bigger back should. He isn't very decisive in his cuts
often making one too many rather than exploding up the field. At times he isn't
patient enough and other times he is too patient being content to run behind
his blockers for far too long leaving a lot of yardage on the field. Tends to
wear down at the end of the games so his stamina and workhorse ability could be
called into question. He needs to develop a better feel for his blockers as he
too often ran into their backsides rather than shot off their hip when they
secured a block. Despite his lack of fumbling problems in college he was a
little too loose with ball security. His pass protection has a lot to be
desired having the same upright problem he has when running when setting up in
pass protection, allowing defenders to out leverage him and bull rush the
mammoth back into the pocket.
Conclusion: Le'Veon Bell at times shows flashes of Jerome
Bettis type talent and then shows flashes of being a Brandon Jacobs type
talent. I use Brandon Jacobs because he is a running back with all world
physical talent that never learned that he wasn't made to dance around
defenders but rather run through them. He doesn't display the kind of toxic
attitude that Jacobs has though. Some would like to brand Bell as a boom or
bust type citing players like Ron Dayne but I just don't buy it. At worst he
could make the transition to fullback and contribute there. Sky is the limit
for this talent and he hasn't shown the lack of passion to piss it all away.
#49 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New York Giants
Select -
Johnathan Hankins - Defensive Tackle - Ohio State
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 320
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Length: 9 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.28
20 Yrd Dash: 3.00
10 Yrd Dash: 1.84
Vertical Jump: 26
Broad Jump: 08'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.61
3-Cone Drill: 7.59
Positives: Hankins has the versatility to play either
tackle position in the 4-3 as well as defensive end or nose tackle in 3-4. He
even has experience as a strong side defensive end in a 4 man front and could
fit into the more hybrid 4-3 schemes that have caught fire in the NFL. He shows
the awareness and fight to work down the line of scrimmage on plays outside of
the tackle box and rides his blocker without losing much ground against zone
block plays. When he fires off the ball low he more than holds his ground
against double teams and when matched up one on one he can consistently drive
offensive guards into the back field. He plays with a nasty attitude and looks
to dominate blockers with his raw power. When fresh, Hankins displays the
hustle to chase the play down and the light feet to shoot gaps and defeat reach
blocks. He has a remarkable ability to get extension in the run game. He can
set the edge if asked to play strong side defensive end in increasingly more
utilized hybrid 4-3 schemes.
Negatives: At times Hankins can look downright sloppy firing
off the snap and taking on the block. He stands up straight out of his stance
far too often negating leverage and will try to fall back on upper body
strength to take on blockers. He has battled nagging knee injuries the past two
seasons at Ohio State which could be a problem going forward considering he
will be working exclusively in the trenches and could have a fair share of
bodies roll up on his legs. He regressed in 2012 after having a breakout year
in 2011 despite losing dead weight on his body. His weight has been cited as a
concern going forward and teams will need to keep an eye on him in the
offseason to ensure he doesn't pack on unnecessary weight. He has mental lapses
and will get flagged for late hits after the whistle and tackles out of bounds.
He is still very raw in his hand usage and doesn't flash a very violent pop
when engaging offensive linemen. He is going to be limited at the next level to
a heavy rotation as he noticeably wore down quickly in games and took his fair
share of plays off. He doesn't have the lateral agility and burst to be much of
a factor in the pass game and struggles to get skinny shooting gaps despite
blockers only getting one arm on his chest.
Conclusion: Johnathan Hankins was originally ranked as a
top tier prospect in some of the months approaching the draft. Since then he has
had an absolute free fall out of first round projections. This is because he
has earned himself the title of boom or bust. His versatility could get him on
the field sooner than warranted but if he ever puts it together he could be a
very solid starter for a team. He bordering on the boom or bust classification.
He won't be able to get by at the next level with the kind of play he had at
Ohio State so he really needs to take to coaching and soften his rough edges if
he expects to be what everyone had hoped he would be after his 2011 campaign.
#50 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Chicago Bears Select
-
Jon Bostic - Inside Linebacker - Florida
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 245
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Length: 9 5/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.59
20 Yrd Dash: 2.61
10 Yrd Dash: 1.59
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
Vertical Jump: 32 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.24
3-Cone Drill: 6.99
Positives: Bostic is very aggressive in taking on blocks
in the hole to create pile ups at the line of scrimmage with a violent pop to
the chest of offensive linemen. He will lower the shoulder and pound full backs
trying to kick him out of the hole. He shows above average route recognition
and instincts in zone coverage and reads the eyes of the quarterback to
determine where the ball is going to be placed. When he has a break on the ball
he flashes the ball skills and soft hands to come up with the interception. He
has very good timing on delayed blitzes and hugs the hip of his fellow defender
when bursting through the line to break through untouched. He is a vocal and
aggressive leader on the field and could be the heart and soul of a team moving
forward. He is very instinctive and has a high football IQ. He tackles with
very good technique having a violent pop, rolling his hips into ball carriers
to drive them backwards and wraps his arms to secure the tackle. He has top
notch physicality at the position and can be a battering ram that strikes fear
into receivers working over the middle or ball carriers that dare to square him
up in the hole. He has the low stance and strength to bulldoze past reach
blocks on the edge and stays gap disciplined when the play is between the
tackles. He has the versatility and athleticism to play inside in either a 3-4
or 4-3. He is very accountable as a football player. He isn't often fooled by
play action and is quick to sniff out running back screens.
Negatives: He needs to show better awareness in knocking
away stiff arms when approaching stronger ball carriers. He doesn't show
consistency when crashing into blockers and getting extension to work through
disengaging in the run game. When he takes false steps he struggles at times to
explode the opposite direction in pursuit which will result in him getting beat
to the sideline despite having more than enough speed to beat runners to the
edge. His pursuit angles need improvement as well as he will sometimes overrun
or under run plays outside of the tackle box. He struggles against more elusive
ball carriers as he is more of a reach tackler and shoulder tackler; he needs
to find a balance between the two. He doesn't have the awareness or hand usage
to defeat the cut block when linemen and fullbacks work to the second level. He
is unbalanced when breaking down in open space and in changing directions when
his initial step is in the opposite direction of the flow of the play. At times
he will have lapses in concentration losing sight of the ball becoming too
occupied in dominating his one on one matchup. Despite his timed speed, his
field speed will have scouts questioning whether he is a 3-down linebacker or
just a 2-down linebacker.
Conclusion: Jon Bostic was originally one of the more
underrated linebackers coming out this year. He is the type of guy every team
wants on their depth chart because he will push everyone behind him and in
front of him to get better. He's going to challenge for a starting job and if
he gets it, he will do everything he can to make sure he doesn't lose it.
Bostic hates leaving the field and he lives football. He is unpolished but at
worst he will stick around the NFL for some time as a more than reliable
backup.
#51 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Washington Redskins
Select -
David Amerson - Cornerback - North Carolina State
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 205
Arm Length: 32 5/8"
Hand Length: 10 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.35
20 Yrd Dash: 2.50
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 15
Vertical Jump: 38 1/2
Broad Jump: 11'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.13
3-Cone Drill: 6.75
Positives: Amerson has great size, length, and triangle
numbers for the cornerback position. He attacks the run as well as shorter
routes with conviction. He has great ball skills, turning into a receiver when
the ball is in the air as made evident by his 13 interceptions in 2011 and 5
interceptions in 2012. His great vertical and arm length allows him to high
point the ball from underneath. He also shows good adjustments when balls are
thrown away from the receiver or in the dirt to dive and go get it. He blew the
combine away with great triangle numbers and improved on some of those at his
pro day. He looks to punch the ball out when in good position when making the
attempt to drive his facemask into the chest of the ball carrier. He has the
hand fight to work off blocks in the run game and the arm length to extend to
get separation to shed the block. He has been cited as one of the hardest
workers at NC State and is constantly working to get better. He has enough
strength and arm length to jam receivers at the line. He keeps his eye on the
quarterback when looking to jump short routes. He plays with the confidence that
you like to see in a corner.
Negatives: Despite having great triangle numbers David
Amerson rarely looked like he did in shorts when in pads. He gave up more big
plays in 2012 then he made often looking out matched covering vertical threats
down field and out-quicked by underneath threats. His flips are not very loose
in coverage and he appears to lack make up speed on the deep routes. Too often
he was out of position in 2012 in both his down field coverage in man and his
zone coverage on underneath routes. His coverage skills were regularly exposed
by pump fakes and double moves up the sideline. He is easily fooled by head
fakes and stutter steps opening his hips up way too early in man coverage. When
matched up with NFL caliber talent, Amerson too often was drowned in the moment
becoming an absolute liability and displaying a lack of accountability in his
body language. He doesn't explode out of his back pedal often having to build
up to start moving forward. He completely regressed after having an astounding
13 interceptions in 2011. Some will look to his 5 interceptions as
justification for there not being a huge drop off but the tape tells a
different story. Despite his size, he lacks discipline and aggression in the
run game and too often dove at the legs of runners falling yards short and
giving up big gains up the sideline.
Conclusion: David Amerson has the size, length, and
athleticism to be molded into a starting #1 corner and the ball skills to go
with it. He has a long way to go though in order to be a consistent starting
NFL corner and could find himself in the dog house very quickly if called upon
to start from day 1. He has been cited for having great work ethic and a
passion for football but he was far from the sum of his parts last year. Could
he get back to his 2011 form or was it just a flash in the pan? If he can take
well to coaching and become more disciplined and technically sound in coverage
he has shut down potential. He is an absolute gamble but he could pan out to
make the team that takes a chance on him very happy. He could sooner contribute
as a ball hawking free safety than a starting corner but his tackling and
breaking down in the open field really needs to improve in order to not be a
liability there as well. In the right system his faults could be masked by a
strong supporting cast if asked to play free safety. It will prove to be much
more difficult to mask those deficiencies in year one at cornerback.
#52 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New England Patriots
Select -
Jamie Collins - Rush Linebacker - Southern Mississippi
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 250
Arm Length: 33 3/4"
Hand Length: 9 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.59
20 Yrd Dash: 2.61
10 Yrd Dash: 1.58
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 19
Vertical Jump: 41 1/2
Broad Jump: 11'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.32
3-Cone Drill: 7.10
Positives: He shows awareness in zone to knock receivers
off their routes when he isn't caught looking into the backfield. He has the
frame to pack on more muscle to remain at defensive end in a base 4 man fronts.
His footwork is smooth and quick and he also has a long stride to eat up ground
when he gets his sights on the quarterback. He has the short area quickness to
change the direction of his pass rush in an instant and with more core strength
will effectively fill the gaps in the run game. When he plays with good hand
placement and technique he can play up to the level of competition despite his
less than ideal functional strength. He can compensate for poor angles to the
football with his length to get his hands on tacklers before burst into
daylight. Has decent knee bend and understanding of leverage rarely firing off
the ball with extended knees.
Negatives: He has a hot and cold motor and doesn't always
hustle on the backside of plays. He doesn't break down well in the open field to
make the tackle and can be caught leaving his feet early to make a tackle. He
is a better athlete than football player currently and needs to develop a
better feel for the game. He doesn't keep his feet moving when asked to drop
back zone and can be caught with his eyes glued in the back field rather than
picking up the man crossing his face in coverage. He isn't a wrap up tackler
looking to make the highlight hit before securing the ball carrier and keeping
him from breaking away down the sideline. Doesn't display a high football IQ
and will not be able to cover up his lack of instincts with his athletic
ability at the next level. He doesn't cover as much ground as lesser speed
defenders do because of false steps and a lack of intensity in pursuing the
play. Needs to develop more core strength if asked to play as a down lineman.
His first step is very inconsistent sometimes exploding out of the gates and
other times being the last off the snap. He is slow to disengage from defenders
and doesn't have the violent pop to get separation in the run game. He can be
completely washed out of the play by big tackles and hasn't shown any ability
at taking on or splitting double teams.
Conclusion: Jamie Collins has very good athletic ability
but he needs to become more of a football player than an athlete. Teams will
look at his flashes of disruption and triangle numbers as block of steal they
can heat and hammer into a sword. He has the versatility to line up as a rush
linebacker or a weak side defensive end. If he packs on more muscle and plays
with more leverage he could also play as a strong side defensive end in a 4-3.
Teams that run hybrid schemes will highly covet his talents based on potential.
He just needs to be consistent and be coached up to be an effective football
player.
#53 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Cincinnati Bengals
Select -
Margus Hunt - Defensive End - SMU
Positives: Hunt resembles a first-class Olympic athlete
playing football. He can chase ball carriers all over the backfield and make
the tackle despite chasing it down from the backside. Mobile quarterbacks are
rendered completely ineffective when they roll out towards him as he can beat
most of them to the sideline. If a quarterback takes too deep of a drop Hunt
will make them pay as his long strides and explosive first step he can meet
most offensive tackles to the spot, especially when the quarterback gives him
more space to out quick the defender. Even when he doesn't beat mobile
quarterbacks or running backs to the sideline his length allows him to dive and
catch them before they turn up field. His upside is almost unmatched in this
draft given his physical talents. He is an absolute terror when put in on
special teams to block kicks using his burst and length to shoot the A gap by
swimming over offensive linemen and getting his hands up to deflect the kick
with 17 career blocked kicks.
Negatives: Margus Hunt is very raw as a player only
playing 4 years of organized football. His 6'8 height already puts him at a
disadvantage in establishing leverage but it is further hindered by the fact
that he rarely fires off the ball low, often standing up and trying to out
sprint the tackle on the edge. He also struggles in keeping blockers off his
frame in the run game due to surprisingly short arms despite his towering
height. He struggles to turn the corner when running the arc. He will be 26 in
October which is a red flag for some teams that believe that is the prime age
for defensive linemen, especially considering how raw he is as a prospect. He
doesn't show good vision in the backfield and plays with unbalanced and out of
control at times. He dives too much when making the tackle rather than breaking
down and securing the tackle. He doesn't show counter pass rushing moves or a
second effort when his initial rush is halted. He doesn't show a ton of hustle
in pursuit and despite his height and length he isn't aware in getting his
hands into passing lanes.
Conclusion: Margus Hunt can come in and contribute
immediately on special teams and at worst could make his living blocking kicks.
He is a true boom or bust product though as he has all the athleticism to lead
scouts to believe he can be molded into a dominant force yet he was wildly
inconsistent in his time at SMU despite playing low level competition. His most
dominant game came against a true freshman who had been abused all year long by
pass rushers. He has games where he looks unstoppable and games where you can't
help but forget he's even on the field which is a cause for concern. It would
be one thing if he was a younger guy but he's going to be turning 26 this
summer which is the age that a lot of defensive linemen start hitting their
prime and he is just beginning to crack the surface of what he is capable of.
Could a light bulb come on or will he fail to put it all together until it's
too late? He's going to need more practice than most as he needs to establish
the fundamentals of football as second nature. It's amazing to think that
despite being one of the rawest if not the rawest player in the draft that he
is still garnering 2nd round attention which is a testament to just how
athletic he really is. He is currently a 4-3 defensive end as he doesn't play
with the knee bend that 3-4 defensive ends need. However if he can start
keeping his pads lower and a team that runs an attacking one gap 3-4 picks him
up, he very well could play the 5-technique.
#54 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Miami Dolphins Select
-
Jamar Taylor - Cornerback - Boise State
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 192
Arm Length: 30 3/4"
Hand Length: 9 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.37
20 Yrd Dash: 2.49
10 Yrd Dash: 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.06
3-Cone Drill: 6.82
Positives: Jamar plays with a nasty attitude in coverage
refusing to back down from any challenge no matter what the size mismatch. Has
the speed to cut off runs on the other side of the field with good pursuit
angles. He has a naturally low back pedal and is able to flip his hips and
explode to keep up with quicker receivers when they make their breaks. He is a well-rounded
corner than can play in any scheme effectively and is not limited it any part
of his game. Limits yards after the catch with big, powerful receivers as well
as the explosive, homerun hitter’s receivers. Jamar is one of the better
corners at attacking blockers outside shoulders and forcing the play back
inside on sweeps as well as exploding past blockers on screens to wrap up the receiver
on bang, bang plays where he lays the wood the second the receiver secures the
ball. He was recognized as a leader by his coaches and was anointed as one of
the hardest workers on the team.
Negatives: Isn't as sticky in coverage as you would like
to see to break up passes. Has the tendency in zone coverage to break late on
passes looking more so to prevent yards after catch at times rather than break
up the pass or make the game changing play. Will occasionally take false steps
against double moves and play action rather than stay disciplined and despite
great timed speed he doesn't display as good of recovery field speed down field
despite his loose hips and explosive change of direction. Level of competition
is always a concern for players coming out of Boise State. He needs to develop
softer and stronger hands to corral the easy interceptions thrown right to him
as well as secure the 50/50 jump balls.
Conclusion: Jamar Taylor is a very solid corner coming
out. He shows discipline in his game and is very controlled in all of his
movements. He could contribute in the nickel, dime, and has a chance to even
start as a #2 for a team. Could he develop into a number 1? The jury is still
out on that. He was a shutdown corner at times for Boise State but can he be
that against more consistent top level competition? He definitely plays with
the attitude you like to see out of the more reliable corners in the league and
although not an absolute stand out at any one thing, he is solid in all
aspects.
#55 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The San Francisco 49ers
Select -
Vance McDonald - Tight End - Rice
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 267
Arm Length: 34 3/8"
Hand Length: 10 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.60
20 Yrd Dash: 2.78
10 Yrd Dash: 1.68
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 31
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'11"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.53
3-Cone Drill: 7.08
Positives: He has the athleticism, size and length to be
a very successful tight end at the next level. He flashes core strength and has
the athleticism to make blocks all over the field especially when seeking out
linebackers and secondary members at the second level in the run game. He has
surprisingly loose hips and flexible knees for being 267 pounds and it shows in
his fluid route running. He has experience lining up all over the field as one
of Rice's most reliable targets in the pass game, leading the team in
receptions. He showed controlled aggression in his blocks not bending at the
waste when seeking out second level blocks. At the senior bowl he also showed
the toughness in mixing it up as an in-line blocker and looked to mix it up on
every play. He has good vision after the catch and glides with the ball in his
hands setting up his blocks. Showed the ability to get yard after the catch as
he was the recipient of more than a few screens at Rice. Looks to finish every
play on a block and will seek out as many targets as possible when the ball
carrier is working down field. Extends his hands away from his frame to pluck
the ball out of the air and shows very strong hands in coming down with
contested catches.
Negatives: He doesn't have the softest of hands sometimes
resulting in drops or double clutches when balls are fired hard into tight
windows. He didn't have the greatest week at the senior bowl as the pass
catcher he was vaunted to be. Seems to lose focus when he hears footsteps and
doesn't have the body control to adjust to poorly thrown balls as well as back
shoulder throws. Has mental lapses in his routes where he will read the
coverage and assume the ball is not coming towards him and fails to turn his
eyes back to the quarterback in time to make the play. He wasn't asked to be an
in line blocker much at Rice and didn't perform as well as scouts would like to
have seen at the senior bowl. He needs to refine his technique when attempting
in-line blocks and needs to prove he has the ability to match up with edge
rushers if asked to stay at home to pass block.
Conclusion: Vance McDonald can contribute very early as a
player used to create mismatches in the pass game. He has the strength, size,
and versatility to play H-back in the NFL. If he fine tunes his blocking he
could play all over the field as a fullback, tight end, slot receiver, and even
outside the numbers. He was Rice's leading receiver and most reliable target.
He just has to prove he can be consistent and perform against top tier NFL
talent.
#56 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Baltimore Ravens
Select -
Arthur Brown - Outside Linebacker - Kansas State
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 241
Arm Length: 32 1/2"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.67
20 Yrd Dash: 2.69
10 Yrd Dash: 1.61
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 32 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.31
3-Cone Drill: 7.07
Positives: Arthur Brown is very instinctive in that he
shoots out of the cannon the second the ball is snapped and is constantly
flowing towards the plays direction before anyone else on the defense is. He
has very good vision in keeping track of the ball in the run game as well as
route recognition in the pass game. When he doesn't over pursue plays he is a
very effective wrap up tackler that is hard to shake. Brown will square up on
the ball carrier and roll his hips through them to stop the biggest of running
backs and tight ends from churning out more yards and the quickness to wrap up
more elusive ball carriers. He slips off blocks routinely against the run and
is disciplined when breaking through the line of scrimmage in the tackle box to
not get more depth than the running back has. Shows the hip flexibility and
short area quickness to keep up with receivers on their breaks in coverage. He
will at times look like a rocket bursting into the back field as a delayed
blitzed and shows top tier hustle to go with a nonstop motor. You can't help
but learn his name by the end of the first quarter of every game because he is
always around the ball.
Negatives: He wasn't much of a game changer while at
Kansas State and didn't force a single fumble in his collegiate career. He
doesn't appear to have the frame to put on too much more muscle figuring to
never be a large presence at inside linebacker if asked to make the transition.
Some teams will be disappointed in his lack of height and length at linebacker.
He transferred to Kansas State from Miami and maturity concerns were cited as a
reason. He doesn't attack blockers with an explosive, violent pop in order to
create pile ups at the line of scrimmage or drive the blocker back into the
running lane to throw the ball carrier off balance or slow them down. He
struggles to break down in space and make the tackle in open field as he often
flies to the ball out of control and will at times over pursue the play. When
he over pursues he plays too out of control to stop and redirect his movement
in order to get back into the running lane.
Conclusion: Arthur Brown shows the versatility to play
every linebacker position in a 4-3 and both spots inside in a 3-4. He is one of
the more instinctive linebackers in the draft and has the athleticism to match.
He could come in for a team and start from day 1. There are not a lot of holes
in his game, he just needs to play more controlled but he's the type of talent
that could learn on the field as a starter without giving fans the headache of
giving up huge plays. He is often the first player to the ball and figures to
be at the next level on whatever team he's on. The guy has the all-around game
and potential to be a pro bowl talent.
#57 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Houston Texans Select
-
DJ Swearinger - Strong Safety - South Carolina
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 208
Arm Length: 32 3/8"
Hand Length: 9 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.63
20 Yrd Dash: 2.64
10 Yrd Dash: 1.52
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 17
Vertical Jump: 37
Broad Jump: 10'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.11
3-Cone Drill: 6.70
Positives: DJ plays with unmatched intensity in the
secondary. He is a fiery leader that won't back down from any challenge. He is
an absolute enforcer in the secondary striking fear into any receiver daring to
make a catch in his general vicinity. He has to be at times, one of the hardest
hitters in this draft class. He plays with controlled aggression and thrives on
the violent nature of football. He's one of those guys that will be a fan
favorite on whatever team drafts him and will be one of the most hated by any
team that has to play him due to his trash talk and violent hits where he
doesn't look to separate the receiver from the ball, he looks to separate the receivers
upper body from his lower body. The guy just looks like he wants to hurt
someone just for the simple fact that they had the nerve to step on the field
knowing he was in town. He has very good pursuit and although he tackles high
at times, he has the arm strength to secure his tackles. He is more than serviceable
in coverage and can slot receivers for long enough for an effective pass rush
to get to the quarterback. He is purely an in-the-box safety at the next level
but he also has the ability to be a solid stand in at free safety if a lack of
depth calls for it. His high football IQ makes him very versatile covering up a
lack of straight line speed down field with minimal false steps and great
positioning. He will take on the fullback in the hole with just as much
aggression as he hits with and makes quarterbacks absolutely pay if they hold
onto the ball too long as a blitzer. He breaks on routes quickly due to route
recognition and makes the easy as well as the difficult interceptions.
Negatives: He needs to play with better discipline in
coverage often resorting to putting his and hands on quicker receivers when he
stumbles changing directions to follow them on quick breaking routes which will
draw flags in the NFL. He tackles high and with violence every play which could
see him draws multiple penalties for attacking the head and hitting defenseless
players. He had some durability issues in college seemed to sustain a series of
nagging injuries which will cause scouts to question his long term durability
at the next level. Doesn't show good enough range to play free safety at the
next level allowing receivers to get behind and outside of his coverage when
asked to play deep zone over the top to help the outside corners in coverage.
He leaves his feet too much when squaring up running backs and needs to attack
them with just as much power and pop as he does with receivers going over the
middle. His over aggressive play results in a lot of hits after the whistle
which could also see him get flagged and he is known for walking the line with
his trash talk, yet another thing that could be flagged more often at the next
level.
Conclusion: DJ plays with unmatched intensity. He is an
absolute enforcer as an in-the-box safety. The main issue DJ faces at the next
level is playing in a league that has installed more strict rules to flag the
type of play he exudes. He will at worst be a very good special team’s player
but he could start day 1 for some teams. He just needs to alter his style of
play, not dramatically, so that he doesn't have to pay every bit of his signing
bonus back to the NFL for finable offenses. He's plays safety like the old
timers and unfortunately this new era of football officiating could burn a hole
in his wallet.
#58 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Denver Broncos Select
-
Montee Ball - Running back - Wisconsin
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 214
Arm Length: 32 5/8"
Hand Length: 9"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.51
20 Yrd Dash: 2.57
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56D
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 15
Vertical Jump: 32
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.11
3-Cone Drill: 6.88
Positives: Montee Ball is one of the most elusive backs
in the NFL draft. He has the most diverse and effective repertoire in the draft
to break tackles displaying a strong stiff arm, elusive spin move, explosive
jump cut, and lowers his shoulders to plow through arm tackles. He shows just
enough wiggle in the open field to be effective but sets up defenders with
great footwork and head fakes to break away. He doesn't dance much behind the
line looking to make one cut and explode forward. Rarely can one tackler bring
down Montee Ball being one of the top prospects this year in yards after
contact. He has great vision for the cutback in zone and is very quick in his
decision to pick the right lane to hit. In a man block scheme he shows the
patience to let the hole develop and follow his blocks. He runs between the
tackles with high enough knees to avoid falling bodies as well as the balance
to stay on his feet when popped from the side. He never stops churning his legs
after contact. He is quick enough to turn the corner on the outside. He has
soft hands in the pass game and is effective sneaking out for the swing pass
and screen. He is very durable and fumbled only twice in 983 carries. Great
production scoring 61 touchdowns and gaining 4,131 all-purpose yards in his
final two seasons.
Negatives: Ball needs to show more awareness in
deciphering who to block in pass protection. Scouts question whether he was the
product of great talent across the offensive line his past two seasons. There
are also questions about how long he will hold up as he leaned on more than any
running back coming out in the draft amassing a startling number of carries at
Wisconsin as the feature back. He lacks great top end speed and is not going to
take very many runs to the house or break away for massive gains down the
field. He only has little wiggle in the open field often allowing defenders to
make contract even though he often breaks their tackles. He's not going to run
linebackers over like he did at the next level like he did in college as he
isn't the most physically imposing running back.
Conclusion: The concerns over Balls workload are not
legitimate in my opinion as he has never had durability issues in college. If
he had durability problems and regressed in his ability every year I would
understand but it's been the exact opposite. Montee Ball is an every down running
back and could come in and start for an NFL team from day 1 but really needs to
work on his blitz awareness and being in the right position to help tackles
with outside pressure. He's never going to be a game breaker that rips off 40+
yard runs but he will consistently get 5-15 yards a clip and is great when the
odds are stacked against him.
#59 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New England Patriots
Select -
Aaron Dobson - Wide Receiver - Marshall
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 210
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Length: 9"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.37
20 Yrd Dash: 2.60
10 Yrd Dash: 1.51
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 16
Vertical Jump: 35
Broad Jump: 10'01"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.33
3-Cone Drill: 7.19
Positives: He is cited for good work ethic on the
practice field and is plagued with no off the field concerns. He has good
height and length for the position and can climb the ladder to catch balls that
other receivers would only graze with their fingertips. He has very good body
control in adjusting to back shoulder throws and can flip his body 180 degrees
to turn and snatch what would normally be 50/50 balls. He has sticky soft hands
to come down with contested catches and is strong enough to hold onto the ball
when defenders lay the wood on him on bang, bang plays. He is very efficient in
churning out yards to get the first down and doesn't try to dance around
defenders, instead looking to challenge defenders with his size to get up
field. His body control and size also makes him a more than adequate red zone
threat. Doesn't show any fear in making tough catches over the middle. Finds
the soft spots in zone coverage and shows the understanding on when to break
off his routes to help his quarterback on getting rid of the ball quickly
against blitzes. He has an understanding of angles and will box defenders out
from making breaks on shorter routes. He shows the fight to finish blocks in
the run game.
Negatives: Level of competition at Marshall is a concern
for Dobson. He didn't produce at a high level in the Conference USA. Still
needs to keep improving his blocking to handle NFL corners. His technique and
attitude are very passive in the run game.
He is more of a strider than a quick-twitch athlete whose struggles to
get back to top gear quickly when knocked off his route. He doesn't get
consistent separation. He is too loose with the ball when getting yards after
catch which could result in fumbles at the next level if he doesn't learn to
keep it tight to his body when striding for extra yards. Despite his timed
speed he doesn't show up as a consistent deep threat on the field. He isn't
very elusive after the catch and doesn't figure to be much of a game breaker
with the ball in his hands.
Conclusion: Aaron Dobson has the physical talents and
playmaking ability to be a starter at the next level. He is fearless over the
middle and could flourish with the right coaching as a possession receiver
while also flashing the ability to become an occasional deep threat. With his
work ethic he figures to take every opportunity to improve his game in the NFL.
Once he polishes his route running and masters the art of head fakes and
deceptive route running he could become a very reliable receiver. He will need
to fit into a system predicated on either timing or work with a quarterback
with a very strong arm to fit balls into tight windows.
#60 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Atlanta Falcons
Select -
Robert Alford - Cornerback - Southeast Louisiana
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 188
Arm Length: 32"
Hand Length: 9 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.34
20 Yrd Dash: 2.51
10 Yrd Dash: 1.55
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 17
Vertical Jump: 40
Broad Jump: 11'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.23
3-Cone Drill: 6.89
Positives: Alford plays with a swagger in both the run
game and pass game and shows the mental toughness to not defeat himself after
giving up plays. He has very good quickness and enough strength to finish
tackles against bigger ball carriers when he wraps up. He is an effective
blitzer out of the slot and is very good at blanketing slot receivers which
will allow him to contribute immediately at the next level in nickel
formations. He has a great vertical to climb the ladder and contest 50/50 jump
balls with the strength to come down with the contested interception. He breaks
on the ball in zone coverage and reads the receiver well to contest receptions
even if he doesn't track the ball in the air. He has the soft hands to make the
easy interceptions when the ball is bulleted to a receiver in his zone. He has
the loose hips and make up speed to compete in man to man coverage. He has the
reach and strength to be effective in press man. He has good route recognition
in zone and explodes out of his back pedal to break up the receptions
underneath. Has a good understanding of angles to undercut routes and to
neutralize quick slants. He is surprisingly disciplined as a small school
prospect in not opening up his hips too early.
Negatives: Level of competition is obviously a concern
playing at Southeast Louisiana. He needs to stay more controlled in coverage
and his pursuit of ball-carriers. He is still raw with his technique and has
some strides that need to be made in his hand usage and press technique. He has
sustained some nagging injuries and considering is slight frame durability
could be a concern given his physical nature. Can be pushed around when larger receivers
get their hands on him in the run game and struggles with the press on the more
physically imposing pass catchers. He is inconsistent in his tackling technique
sometimes diving too early at the feet of ball carriers and looking to lay the
wood without wrapping up to secure the tackle. Doesn't always force plays back
inside losing contain on sweeps and screens. Despite his hustle in run support
he needs to be more consistent in the angles he takes to the ball sometimes overrunning
the play. He tends to run to the play high and out of control allowing blockers
to easily knock him off balance or use his momentum to guide him around the
play.
Conclusion: Robert Alford had a great showing at the
senior bowl and could contribute immediately as a very solid nickel back. He
may even be asked by some teams to play #2 corner. Some may see his upside as
maxing out as a #2 corner but he shows all the skill and natural playmaking
ability to eventually be a #1 corner. When considering his lack of top tier
positional coaching given his play at a small school, his potential could be
one of the more underrated ones in the draft.
#61 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Green Bay Packers
Select -
Eddie Lacy - Running back - Alabama
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 231
Arm Length: 31"
Hand Length: 9 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.64
20 Yrd Dash: 2.65
10 Yrd Dash: 1.65
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
3-Cone Drill: 7.33
Positives: Eddie Lacy is an absolute wrecking ball with
the strong powerful thighs to churn out 5 more yards after having 2-3 defenders
draped on him or even running out of tackles to pick up 15-20 more yards. He exhibits
the size you like to see out of a workhorse back and uses his hands better than
anyone to subtlety turn arm tackles into grasps at air. He displays good
patience and vision in following his blockers and then accelerating to daylight
when he sees the opening. Although he runs a bit upright he is very good at
anticipating contact and will subtlety lower his shoulder while keeping his
eyes up to see where the contact is coming from. Rarely does Lacy get driven
back almost always falling forward at the end of his runs. He has a surprisingly
elusive jump cut that you don't typically see a big man of his stature use
effectively. He runs the ball with an attitude and relentless motor. He is very
balanced in running around traffic and gets high knees through the hole when
the garbage starts to pile up in the lane. He also has an impressive spin move
and vertical to jump over diving tackles.
Negatives: Has a history of minor nagging injuries to his
lower body. He doesn't have game breaker speed and can be caught up to by
quicker defenders when he sees daylight. At times misses the cut back lane and
doesn't always trust his eyes. He is somewhat passive in pass protection letting
the defender come to him rather than attacking the outside shoulder when
helping the tackle on with a chip block. He is also doesn't flash a nasty pop
when chipping the defensive end before rolling out for the swing pass more
content to give a glancing blow as he passes by. He doesn't have the softest
hands or polished route running in the passing game.
Conclusion: Lacy has very coordinated and smooth footwork
despite coming in at 231 pounds. He has the ability to start from day 1 but
needs some more work before he comes an every down running back. He has
lightest feet than any of the big power backs in this draft and continuously
bounces off tackles without losing a bit of balance constantly going
north/south to get as many yards as possible. He will never be the type of running
back that will take it for 60+ yards but that doesn't mean he hasn't. He kind
of reminds me of Marshawn Lynch, just a powerful road grader who you can rely
on to pick up 5-15 yards a clip. He doesn't give up like other runners in the
back field, he explodes out of his stance, makes one cut, and goes. He will
only make more than one cut if the play calls for it but he always sticks his
foot in the dirt and explodes forward and never dances.
#62 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Seattle Seahawks
Select -
Christine Michael - Running back - Texas A&M
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 220
Arm Length: 31 1/2"
Hand Length: 9 3/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.43
20 Yrd Dash: 2.51
10 Yrd Dash: 1.49
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 27
Vertical Jump: 43
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.02
3-Cone Drill: 6.69
Positives: He is the best athlete at running back in the
draft class. He fires out of his stance like a rocket and shows quick burst
through the hole. He has top notch stop and go ability and the vision to
accompany it when finding the cut back lanes. He is very elusive with his
lateral agility and can keep tacklers from getting a hand on him in close
quarters using explosive jump cuts and a fancy spin move. He has a very good
stiff arm to keep tacklers off his body. He runs with very good pad level
through the hole and can break arm tackles on his upper body when fighting
through the trash. He runs north/south making his cut and exploding up field
rather than dancing in the back field. If left untouched through the line of
scrimmage he has the long speed to take the ball to the house on any given
play. Flashes run blocking ability working to the second level. He is very good
at setting up defenders with head fakes and coordinated footwork.
Negatives: Michael has a history of durability issues in
college. He was cited as being difficult to coach and having a toxic off the
field attitude. He doesn't offer anything as a pass protector despite his
stature. His character concerns were further questioned after sleeping in late
at the combine. He is out of control in his cuts often losing balance despite
defenders not getting a hand on him. He doesn't use high knees to step over arm
tackles from defenders knocked to the ground when hitting the hole. He has
careless ball security and dangles it out there for defenders to knock loose.
He shies away from contact far too often looking to dance around or spin away
from defenders rather than challenging them in the hole to pick up efficient
yardage. Has limited experience in the receiving game and has yet to show the
soft hands to secure the quick pass.
Conclusion: Christine Michael has all the talent in the
world and athleticism to go with it. His main problem has been maturity
concerns on and off the field. If a light ever turns on and he becomes more
humbled he could turn into one of the top running backs from the draft. It just
never seems to work out with players that have a history of creating problems
both in the film room and on the sidelines with coaches. He comes off as a
selfish player who believes his natural ability will get him by at the next
level. He needs to be humbled and show up to practice on time, stay late, and
live in the film room. Coaches will really try to work with him as anyone can
see the potential he has. Will he ever get there? That's up to Christine.
