Saturday, April 27, 2013

Round 2 Player Evaluations


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.