#1 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Kansas City Chiefs
Select -
Eric Fisher - Left Tackle - Central Michigan
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 306
Arm Length: 34 1/2"
Hand Length: 10 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.03
20 Yrd Dash: 2.90
10 Yrd Dash: 1.72
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 27
Vertical Jump: 28 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.44
3-Cone Drill: 7.59
Positives: Eric Fisher has great knee bend for someone
that stands at 6'7" and just as much natural quickness to mirror ends
around the pocket. He gets low, plays with leverage, and finishes every pass
block with an attitude which is something you love to see. He is the most
balanced left tackle in the draft and yet he is still an ascending talent. He
excels at every level of playing offensive tackle whether its driving his legs
with great leverage when run blocking, working off combo blocks to make the
block on the move at the second level, or taking any edge rusher no matter how
diverse their pass rushing repertoire and having an answer for everything they
have to show. This is all put over the edge to greatness when you see that he
is a glass eater as a blocker. He doesn't look to simply block the opposition,
he seeks to dominate and embarrass them in both the run and passing game.
Negatives: Fisher needs to add some more functional
strength if he wants to be an all-pro at the NFL level. He already has pro-bowl
potential but once he gets in the weight room to add a tad more strength
considering his lack of natural leverage since he stands at 6'7. He didn't play
NFL caliber pass rushers at Central Michigan but he performed very well at the
probowl. When going up against shorter defensive players they can get under his
pads because of his height and sometimes can drive him back in his stance with
an explosive bull rush. He has somewhat of a shorter than expected despite his
towering height.
Conclusion: Considering his lack of elite functional
strength and natural leverage (Despite great knee bend) Fisher never figures to
be much of a road grader at right tackle and is purely a left tackle prospect.
However, he plays with the attitude of a right tackle which teams will
absolutely fall in love with. He really took to coaching at the senior bowl and
grew more dominant every day. He seems to take challenges head on and playing
at an NFL level will hardly intimidate him. Eric Fisher will thrive on the left
side of an offensive line.
#2 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Jacksonville Jaguars
Select -
Luke Joeckel - Left Tackle - Texas A&M
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 306
Arm Length: 34 1/4"
Hand Length: 10 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.25
20 Yrd Dash: 3.07
10 Yrd Dash: 1.83 225
Lb. Bench Reps: 27
Vertical Jump: 28 1/2
Broad Jump: 08'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.68
3-Cone Drill: 7.40
Positives: Joeckel is fluid in every facet of the game.
He makes it look like he could neutralize edge rushers in his sleep. He sits
low with natural knee bend, has great lateral foot quickness, and balance to
take just about any pass rushing move you could throw at him one after another.
If he's bull rushed he keeps his hips low and has the functional strength and
leverage to hold his ground. When edge rushers try to run the arc he has the
ability to mirror and he isn't susceptible to spin moves or inside moves
because he plays completely under control in his stance. His recovery speed his
top notch and his explosion out of his stance is as well. He shows top notch
mobility in working to his second level blocks as well as the leg drive and
strength to drive block in short yardage situations. He also has a very
efficient cut block and rarely lets his hands get out of place.
Negatives: He exclusively played from a two point system
and as a result was caught playing upright a little bit. Some scouts believe he
wasn't tested as much as others on passing downs as he blocked for two very
mobile quarterbacks in Tannenhill and Manziel so edge rushers also had to
maintain gap discipline and contain in case they scrambled. Had he played with
less mobile quarterbacks, in some circles it is believed he would have been
exposed more with spin moves inside but it's pure speculation. He doesn't have
the huge reach that most current NFL elite tackles have.
Conclusion: Luke Joeckel is one of the safest picks in
this draft. Sure, he was fortunate to block for two very mobile quarterbacks
but at the same time that could have affected him in a opposite manner in that
he never really knew where his quarterback was going to be at any given moment
in the play. Considering this, he showed a great understanding of leverage as
well as establishing space between him and the quarterback with proper use of
blocking angles. His run blocking isn't going to project him as a road grading
right tackle but that's not to say he wouldn't be effective at the position
considering he did just fine having to adjust after firing off the ball in a 2
point stance.
#3 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Miami Dolphins Select
-
Dion Jordan - Defensive End / Rush Linebacker - Oregon
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 248
Arm Length: 33 7/8"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.54
20 Yrd Dash: 2.59
10 Yrd Dash: 1.61
Vertical Jump: 32 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.35
3-Cone Drill: 7.02
Positives: Dion Jordan is no doubt a top tier athlete
that displays the loose hips and coordinated footwork to play rush linebacker
in a 3-4. He shows a level of quickness in transition and the ability to remain
balanced when suddenly changing direction. He has natural knee bend and an
explosive first step that really helps him run the arc effectively. Shows the
ability to play all over the field matching up with tight ends and shows the
quickness and change of direction to stay with slot receivers. He plays
unselfishly in that he will take on a block in order to help a teammate make
the play. He has a very high motor and attacks offensive linemen with a violent
punch and follows it up with impressive hand fighting. He really has a feel on
how to set up initial moves and counter moves in getting off the block in the
run and pass game.
Negatives: Dion Jordan is very lanky and despite playing
tough with violent hands he really lacks the functional strength to hold up
against the run as a 4-3 defensive end. He at times plays with such a high
motor that he will play almost recklessly and run himself out of plays
completely. There are durability concerns that will only amplify at the next
level if he doesn't put on more muscle but there are also questions as to just
how much more muscle his body type can put on. He never produced at a high
level at Oregon despite being such a specimen of natural talent.
Conclusion: Dion Jordan is an ascending talent who best
fits in a 3-4. Although he has the frame to put on more muscle to play as a 4-3
defensive end, his talents are much better suited to play the Joker position in
a 3-4 lining him up all over the field.
#4 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Philadelphia Eagles
Select -
Lane Johnson - Left Tackle - Oklahoma
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 303
Arm Length: 35 1/4"
Hand Length: 10 1/8"
40 yard dash: 4.69
20 yard dash: 2.73
10 yard dash: 1.68
225 Lb Bench Press: 28
Vertical Jump: 34 inches
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 yard shuttle: 4.52
3-cone drill: 7.31
Positives: Lane Johnson has some of the best natural
athleticism of this Left Tackles class. He kick-slides quickly with little
effort after exploding at the snap to mirror pass rushers. He has the natural
knee bend you like to see in a lineman while also using his length to neutralize
pass rushers. He shows a level of competitiveness and nastiness in finishing
every block whether in the run game or passing game. He works to the second
level and gets in good position to wall off linebackers. Despite being such a
good offensive tackle after just 2 years playing the position, he still has
potential to be that much better.
Negatives: He needs to get stronger in his upper and
lower body to better help him when drive blocking if asked to play at some
point on the right side of the offensive line. He is still raw at the position
often bending at the waste and reach for blocks which causes him to fall off
blocks. He still has some trouble in consistently moving his feet in pass
protection as well as driving his legs when run blocking.
Conclusion: Lane Johnson made the transition from Tight
End to Right Tackle in 2011 and performed admirably. He then started 11 of 13
games at Left Tackle and earned All-Big 12 second team honors from coaches. He
is an ascending talent that shows the natural athleticism that is utilized at
Left Tackle. He shows a nasty demeanor in the run game but still does not have
the strength and leg drive to start at Right Tackle.
#5 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Detroit Lions Select -
Ezekiel Ansah - Defensive End / Rush Linebacker - BYU
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 271
Arm Length: 35 1/8"
Hand Length: 10 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.56
20 Yrd Dash: 2.66
10 Yrd Dash: 1.62
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 34 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.26
3-Cone Drill: 7.11
Positives: He is an ascending talent with an absurd
amount of untapped potential. His combination of natural size, athleticism,
explosion and strength will make just about any coach drool. He shows a lot of
balance when trying to fight off the block as well as regains it quickly when a
blocker tries to knock him off balance when rushing the passer. He showed a lot
of awareness in getting his hands into passing lanes when he was unable to make
it to the quarterback and possessed an impressive motor. He has the versatility
to line up all over a defense as he was utilized at BYU as a defensive end,
defensive tackle, stand up rush linebacker (From every linebacker spot), and
occasionally even as a nose tackle.
Negatives: Has only played football for 2 years and
initially was hesitant to enroll in the program because of his concerns over
the amount of contact in the game of football. His commitment to the game isn't
very clear as he only pursued it after 2 attempts to play on the BYU basketball
team. He is a very raw prospect that lacks a lot of refined technique which
allows him to be handled by players with solid fundamentals despite being
outmatched athletically. He only had one full season as a starter at BYU and he
was used all over the field to create mismatches in order to be more of an
effective player. He is way too quick to fall back on his athleticism and
doesn't hand fight the way you would like to see from a top prospect, often
looking lost if his initial surge/move is neutralized. Not much of a run
defender at this point. He's either very disruptive or a non-factor play to
play.
Conclusion: Scouts will be quick to make comparisons of
Ezekiel to the Giants Jason Pierre-Paul considering a lack of productivity they
both had when coming out but the immense potential both have. As time went on
during the season, Ansah began to develop more of a feel for the game and
improved his instincts. If he can continue to develop a nose for the football
and learn to effectively string counter-moves together a long with developing
more feel for the blockers momentum and use it against him, he could be one of
the best defensive ends in this class. He projects as a 4-3 defensive end as
well as a rush outside linebacker.
#6 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Cleveland Browns
Select -
Barkevious Mingo – Outside Linebacker - LSU
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 241
Arm Length: 33 3/4"
Hand Length: 9 5/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.53
20 Yrd Dash: 2.63
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57
Vertical Jump: 37
Broad Jump: 10'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.39
3-Cone Drill: 6.84
Positives: Mingo shows the type of versatility that is
seen with players like Von Miller. He could play outside linebacker in a 4-3 or
a 3-4 and could also put his hand in the dirt on 3rd and longs to rush the
passer from defensive end. He shows a lot of hustle when playing to go with a
very explosive first step. When he is unable to get to the quarterback he does
everything he can to make an impact on the play such as getting his hands up in
the passing lanes when it calls for it but he won't be quick to give up after
his first effort and do it like other prospects in this draft. Despite his size
he is surprisingly effective in anchoring against the run and keeping contain.
He has world class athleticism and a nasty playing style to go with it. He runs
the arc more than effectively and flashes a spin move back inside.
Negatives: He doesn't have a lot of room to put on any
more weight and figures to stay around the 240 range. He needs to become more
consistent in keeping contain and shedding blocks in pursuit. He at times will
lose vision on where the ball is going because he gets so engrossed in his one
on one matchup. He regressed as a pass rusher in 2012 as he really seemed to
lack the finish despite blowing past multiple offensive tackles.
Conclusion: Mingo could be a force at the NFL level as a
pass rusher and despite being perceivably too light to play as a 3-4 rush
linebacker and too much of a pass rusher to play as a 4-3 outside linebacker he
has all the talents to be effective at both. He can be immediately effective as
a situational pass rusher but may see some struggles at first if asked to man
up in coverage. He should by no means be drafted to play defensive end as he
will be an absolute liability against the run at the next level and doesn't
figure to get much bigger.
#7 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Arizona Cardinals
Select -
Jonathan Cooper - Left Guard / Center - North Carolina
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 311
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Length: 10 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.06
20 Yrd Dash: 2.89
10 Yrd Dash: 1.72
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 35
Vertical Jump: 27
Broad Jump: 09'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.84
3-Cone Drill: 7.78
Positives: Cooper shows a top tier understanding of
establishing blocking angles and a good feel for gaining leverage in both the
run and pass game. He is very smooth in his movement and displays very
coordinated footwork when getting into position. His balance is very impressive
when fighting through traffic to get to the second level. He has the
versatility to play in a zone block scheme as well as a power man scheme. He is
very quick and explosive in the phone booth and shows the ability to
effectively pull and kick out defenders as well as the ability to effectively
perform reach blocks.
Negatives: Despite his short stature and exceptional
understanding of leverage, Cooper can still be overpowered by big and strong
bull rushers. His height may cause some to question whether he should move to
center or not but his functional strength at the moment does not make the
transition look to be a smooth one if he is asked to take on NFL nose tackles.
Conclusion: Despite his scheme versatility, Cooper could
make most of his money in a zone block scheme. He could be a very good power
man guard/center once he gets in the NFL weight room but he would be
exceptional in a zone block scheme. Any team that needs a guard or maybe even a
center should take a long look at Cooper and ignore his height as his arm
length and hand size are adequate enough despite being a few inches short than
preferred at the position.
#8 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The St. Louis Rams Select
-
Tavon Austin - Wide Receiver / Return Specialist - West
Virginia
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 174
Arm Length: 30"
Hand Length: 9 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.28
20 Yrd Dash: 2.49
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 14
Vertical Jump: 32
Broad Jump: 10'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.01
Positives: Extremely elusive in the open field. Has elite
stop and go ability, elite lateral quickness, and great vision to find
daylight. A versatile weapon that can contribute as a X, Y, and Z receiver, a
returner, and even as a runningback in special packages. He shows patience to
follow his blocks when he has the ball in his hands and will look to make the
tough catch in traffic. Tavon Austin will make his money in the NFL as a player
that lines up all over the field to create mismatches and could be one of the
top tier game breakers at his position. His presence on the field is enough to
open up holes for the rest of his teammates. If he is unaccounted for he could
completely take over a game.
Negatives: His 5'8 174 lbs frame causes concerns
regarding his durability despite him not having any issues while at West
Virginia. He tends to dance a little too much instead of getting north/south
once he makes his cut or initial move. Seems to at times lose focus on
situational football to pick up the tough yards for the 1st down, he rather try
to take it to the house on every play which causes him to leave some yards on
the field. He offers very little as a blocker.
Conclusion: Tavon won't be able to play full time as an
outside receiver for a team that values blocking on the edge. It's something he
never figures to be all the good at. Most would then consider him as a slot receiver,
but playing in the slot he could take some nasty bone jarring hits going over
the middle. He was never really tested much with big hits over the middle in
college. He will need to be lined up all over the field and used heavily in
motion to create mismatches whether he lining up or motioning to the X, Y, Z or
to the back field. He will contribute immediately as a returner but returning
duties could also put him at risk for injury considering some of the big hits
on kickoff returns at the NFL level.
#9 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New York Jets Select -
Dee Milliner - Cornerback - Alabama
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 201
Arm Length: 32"
Hand Length: 8 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.35
20 Yrd Dash: 2.50
10 Yrd Dash: 1.52
Vertical Jump: 36
Broad Jump: 10'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.32
3-Cone Drill: 6.95
Positives: Shows good height and length at the position.
He is very smooth in his back pedal and displays the flexible hips to keep up
with receivers in man coverage. His read and react ability are top notch in
both zone and man coverage as made evident by his 20 pass deflections in 2012.
He is quick to read the receivers route as well as whether it is a run or pass
play. One of the better corners in the draft in run defense, he is extremely
reliable in his pursuit angles, attacking the sideline to keep contain, and
making the wrap up tackle in open space. He is also exception in press man
coverage and can remain in the receivers hip pocket down field. He also has the
ability to play off a receiver to bait the quarterback into a throw that he
consistently will make a play on.
Negatives: He occasionally will take himself out of plays
by attacking recklessly and taking himself out of position. He also will dive
early when attempting the tackle and doesn't display strong enough hands to
secure the tackle when doing so. Milliner's main problem is that despite having
such good awareness his hand into break up the pass no matter where it is
thrown, he doesn't get a lot of interceptions showing a lack of stickiness with
his hands for the game changing plays.
Conclusion: Milliner is one of the top corners in the
draft. He is the absolute best corner from a purely coverage stand point but
some scouts may value other corners just as much as Milliner when looking at
his inability to snatch the football out of the air and hold onto it. However,
if Milliner displayed sticky hands this past season that scouts would have
loved to have seen, the race to be the number 1 corner wouldn't be close.
#10 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Tennessee Titans
Select -
Chance Warmack - Right Guard - Alabama
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 317
Arm Length: 34 3/4"
Hand Length: 9 5/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.49
20 Yrd Dash: 3.20
10 Yrd Dash: 1.90
Broad Jump: 09'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.01
3-Cone Drill: 7.93
Positives: Warmack is one of the most functionally strong
offensive linemen in this draft. He displays not sand in the pants, but bricks
in the pants when anchoring against bigger bull rushing Defensive Tackles. He
also displays the arm strength to get full extension in pass protection. He
does everything that you would like to see a guard do very well. He shows great
awareness and drive when double teaming and working to the second level. He shows
the fight and attitude on which he clearly thrives in finishing his blocks
until the whistle looking to physically dominate his opponent at all times. He
also shows flexible hips and balance when pulling and the explosion and phone
booth quickness for a reach block. He can play in both a zone block scheme as
well as a power man scheme but his talents are best utilized in a power man
scheme.
Negatives: People will question his lack of height but
that should be of no concern considering Warmacks arm length rivals many of the
offensive tackle prospects in this year’s class. Despite having the quickness
to get outside on screen plays he does at time struggle in latching onto a
defender in space. He will occasionally stand straight up but it's not of much
concern considering he has such a natural knee bend the majority of the time.
Conclusion: Chance Warmack is currently considered a
can't miss prospect. He was the best offensive linemen playing on the Crimson
Tide and he has flashed greatness for years when playing with the team. He
shows an absolute dominance at times and rarely looks lackluster or lazy when
playing. He may not be the most athletic linemen but what he lacks in athleticism
he makes up in pure football ability and a superior feel and understanding of
the game.
#11 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The San Diego Chargers
Select -
DJ Fluker - Right Tackle - Alabama
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 339
Arm Length: 36 3/4"
Hand Length: 10 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.28
20 Yrd Dash: 3.06
10 Yrd Dash: 1.90
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 27 1/2"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.00
Positives: DJ Fluker is an absolutely massive man. Not
many prospects can compare to him from a pure size point of view. He has
exceptional arm length and impressive athleticism despite coming in at 339
pounds. Fluker shows the ability to be a dominant run blocking Right Tackle.
There's not a lot of hope in moving DJ Fluker off the line, as defenders are
much better off trying to out quick him then squaring up and taking on the
block when matched up against him. When he latches onto a defender at the
second level, they rarely get free and normally find themselves utterly
dominated by him.
Negatives: Unless Fluker makes major strides in pass
protection he never figures to be versatile enough to play Right Tackle. He
will get drafted high because of his dominating size but despite his natural
physical talents he lacks the natural knee bend you see out of elite offensive
linemen. He has the tendency to fire out of his stance too high when run
blocking and if the defensive end keeps enough knee bend or is shorter in stature
they typically can run right underneath his reach. He will attempt to over
compensate at times by letting his chest get out over his feet in an attempt to
reach for the defenders causing him to slip off the block while opening up
lanes behind him for linebackers to penetrate. He was an absolute liability in
pass protection at liability and just about every defensive end he played got
the better of him when pass rushing. If he doesn't improve his pass protection
dramatically he could see a transition to Right Guard and even there he still
has question marks.
Conclusion: DJ Fluker is strictly a Right Tackle at this
point. His liability in the pass game has largely been overlooked due to his
raw potential, size, and dominance he flashes in the run game. Teams will be
comforted by his almost 37 inch reach but he lacks a quick, smooth kick-slide
to mirror and wall off pass rushers. If he is asked to start, he could have a
very up and down rookie season unless he makes major strides in the offseason.
He draws comparisons to Minnesota's Phil Loadholt.
#12 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Oakland Raiders
Select -
DJ Hayden - Cornerback - Houston
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 191
Arm Length: 31 1/8"
Hand Length: 9"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.40
20 Yrd Dash: 2.60
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'00"
Positives: DJ Hayden has outstanding coverage skills. He
is one of the best corners in the draft in all aspects of the game. He can play
press man, off man, and zone. He has great instincts, awareness, route recognition,
and is one of the best cornerbacks in pursuit of the class. He has a very
smooth and low back pedal and explodes out of it to disrupt short routes. He
has great ball skills and can take it to the house at any time. He battles for
50/50 balls and doesn't let the receiver come down with it if he doesn't. He
shows great hustle all over the field and will come from the other side of the
field to stop a breakaway runner before they reach the end zone. He's also
aware enough in that if he's chasing a play down he will secure the tackle and
try to punch the ball lose when taking them to the ground. He's one of the top
playmakers at cornerback and a certified top 3 corner. He has very loose hips
and great recovery speed.
Negatives: DJ needs to extend his hands away from his
body more often when intercepting the short routes as he will get great
position but then intercept it with his body causing in some blown
opportunities. He almost died from a ruptured Vena Cava, something most people
do not survive. There are questions about if it will affect him in the future
but it was freak injury that is unlikely to occur again. Teams will be wary of
the injury but he has appeared to check out medically according to some teams.
He lacks consistent experience against top tier competition but when he has
faced NFL talent he has performed admirably.
Conclusion: At one point DJ Hayden was one of the biggest
sleepers in the draft. I've been very high on him for the past 3 months as he
was a top prospect before his injury. His injury scared many analysts into
declaring him completely undraftable. Upon his pro day performance and medical
checks at the combine, DJ launched himself back into the 1st round discussion.
He has shutdown corner potential and was a shutdown corner at Houston. The best
thing about Hayden is that he is fully capable of scoring every time he
intercepts the ball and if given the chance he will cause Quarterbacks to learn
his name very quickly.
#13 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New York Jets Select
-
Sheldon Richardson - Defensive Tackle - Missouri
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 294
Arm Length: 34 1/2"
Hand Length: 10 1/2"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.96
20 Yrd Dash: 2.71
10 Yrd Dash: 1.68
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 30
Vertical Jump: 32
Broad Jump: 09'08
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.59
3-Cone Drill: 7.33
Positives: Richardson displays nice explosion off the
snap while also having a natural ability to get skinny to slip through gaps in
the offensive line. He has good balance and feel to render cut blocks
ineffective as well as the flexibility and lateral quickness to work around
them. He is very instinctive in feeling his blocks and recognizing the
direction the play is headed. He is a strong tackler in close quarters rarely
allowing runners to get out of his grasps when he latches onto them. He has a
high motor often running plays down from behind or the other side of the field.
Although he lacks a diverse repertoire of pass rushing moves, he will look to
get his hands in passing lanes when his initial rush is thwarted and if the QB
brings the ball back down he will continue to attempt to push the pocket.
Negatives: Richardson is more of a penetrator than a
stout run defender that dictates the line of scrimmage. He can be driven off
the line of scrimmage as he doesn't display a lot of natural knee bend often
standing up and trying to out quick offensive linemen through a gap. This
causes him to make some eye popping plays be penetration as well as renders him
completely neutralized and helpless. He attacks the line of scrimmage like it's
going to be a pass every play, not looking to necessarily mix it up with the
blockers. His academic struggles in the past as well as a suspension for
violating team rules causes some concern from a character and work ethic
perspective.
Conclusion: Sheldon Richardson appears to be the boom or
bust type. He can either develop much better knee bend, feel for getting off
blocks, and become stronger and nastier against the run or he can continue to
play almost selfishly in being all or nothing and not being content in playing
his role and keeping his gap responsibility. He doesn't project at all as a 3-4
DT because of his lack of knee bend and stoutness against the run. He projects
best as a penetrating 3-technique in a 4-3. The natural talent is there, but his
head doesn't always seem to be in the right place despite impressive hustle in
chasing plays down.
#14 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Carolina Panthers
Select -
Star Lotulelei - Nose Tackle - Utah
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 311
Arm Length: 33 5/8"
Hand Length: 9 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.41
20 Yrd Dash: 3.12
10 Yrd Dash: 1.89
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 38
Vertical Jump: 30
Broad Jump: 08'09"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.63
3-Cone Drill: 7.79
Positives: Star Lotulelei displays the sort of raw
functional strength that rivals any prospect in this draft. He has the
versatility to play the 1 or 3 technique in a 4-3 as well as the 5 and 0
technique in a 3-4. He is consistently one of the first players exploding out
of his stance demonstrating good snap anticipation and foot quickness. He has
one of the best bull rushes of the draft class showing remarkable and
relentless leg drive while getting full extension on his blocker. Star will
rarely let an offensive linemen get into his pads to control him. He shows a
more diverse repertoire than most DT prospects in getting off blocks and into
position in the run game. He has improved steadily in reading the play and
shedding blocks.
Negatives: Doesn't project to get a lot of sacks from the
interior unless he plays as a full time 3-4 DE but he will likely be casted to
play NT in the 3-4 or the NT in the 4-3. He's not going to make a lot of open
field tackles which could limit him at a 3-4 base end prospect, he is much
better suited to make plays between the tackles as he can just toss people
around in the trash and create absolute log jams in the middle. Although he
didn't noticeably take plays off or play down to his level of competition, it
was odd that he was at his most dominant against top competition calling his
effort game to game into question. He falls back on his sheer power more than
scouts care to see rather than consistently playing with sound technique. There
was a red flag at the combine pertaining to a heart condition where his heart
wasn't pumping optimal levels of blood through his body which could take him
off some team’s draft boards altogether. He was prevented from participating at
the combine because of those concerns but has since said to be cleared
medically.
Conclusion: Star is one of the most physically dominant
defensive tackles in this draft. Against USC there was a noticeable fear in the
interior offensive line especially with the center he played head up on. He
seemed to get into his head from the very beginning causing a few false starts,
fumbled snaps, and at times absolutely erratic and panic stricken play. I don't
know if I ever saw an interior defensive prospect make a player from a top
program like USC noticeably scared and hopeless like Star did and he did it all
with just his play. Some see star as a boom or bust type, but he appears to be
one of the more sure things at the top of this draft on the defensive line if
everything checks out medically.
#15 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New Orleans Saints
Select -
Kenny Vaccaro – Free Safety - Texas
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 214
Arm Length: 32 3/4"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.59
20 Yrd Dash: 2.59
10 Yrd Dash: 1.60
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 15
Vertical Jump: 38
Broad Jump: 10'01"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.06
3-Cone Drill: 6.78
Positives: Kenny Vaccaro is the type of modern day combo
safety that the NFL has increasingly moved towards in recent years. He has
marginal strength against the run as well as the athleticism to prevent the
long play down the field. He can play at either strong safety or free safety.
He has a smooth backpedal and a burst when changing direction that teams can
utilize in covering some of the quicker slot receivers in the NFL. Vaccaro
doesn't find himself out of position often as he shows very good vision and
football IQ in recognizing route progressions. He fires out of a cannon when
coming up on the line in run support as well as when making a jump to break up
the reception.
Negatives: As mentioned with him firing out of the cannon
against run plays, he tends to play so fast and with such reckless abandon that
he struggles to come under control when attempting to make a tackle in space.
Although he will get his hands on the runner he will often attempt to arm
tackle opponents slipping off or lower his head for the big hit either
completely missing the tackle or bouncing off the runner. He seems too
concerned with making the big play rather than being a reliable last line
defender. Despite his talents and somewhat selfish play, he never flashed
enough high end playmaking ability.
Conclusion: Vaccaro is an ascending talent at the safety
position but there are shades of being a boom or bust prospect. He has great on
field athleticism and looks the part but he doesn't always play the part. His
ball skills leave a lot more to be desired and he needs to start accompanying
his instincts and vision with a more disciplined and controlled style of play.
If he doesn't, despite his raw ability, he could find himself on the bench very
quickly for a coaching staff that absolutely loathes bone headed mistakes and
players that give up just as many big plays as they make.
#16 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Buffalo Bills Select
-
EJ Manuel - Quarterback - Florida State
Height: 6'5
Weight: 237
Arm Length: 35"
Hand Length: 10 3/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.59
20 Yrd Dash: 2.60
10 Yrd Dash: 1.64
Vertical Jump: 34
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.21
3-Cone Drill: 7.08
Positives: Has the NFL size teams are looking for. Manuel
has one of the strongest arms in this year’s draft class. He exudes confidence
and leadership as a Quarterback. He has very good deep ball accuracy and throws
with varying touch depending on the throw and play situation while also firing
the ball into tighter windows than any other quarterback of the class is capable
of. He has a good feel in the pocket and is extremely tough to tackle when he
breaks the pocket. Manuel is a very intelligent and high character player. He
has a very quick release and throws bullets without showing much effort.
Negatives: He forces way too many throws while also being
very quick to scramble and break the pocket when he feels pressure. He needs to
stand more confidently in the pocket when pressure is bearing down on him. He
has too much focus on firing balls on short throws with absurd velocity that he
fails to lead his receivers to make plays after the catch. Hasn't shown an
ability to go through his progressions or read a defense pre-snap. He has happy
feet in the pocket at times appearing to look to run at times more than make
the pass. He has terrible ball security at times, playing way too loose with
it.
Conclusion: One of the most physically gifted
quarterbacks of this class, EJ is a boom or bust product. He has exceptional
mobility and the strongest arm in the class. He plays with toughness and is a
true leader on the field. He needs to improve his decision-making and become
more consistent in making the right throws. He can be eased into the NFL with
the right system like the ones RGIII and Cam Newton ran. It's common for
quarterbacks that typically resort to running before passing to never overcome
that set back when they get to the NFL. Can EJ overcome what has become second nature?
If he can, he has the potential to be the best quarterback in this draft. Make
no mistake; EJ Manuel is an absolute gamble.
#17 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Pittsburgh Steelers
Select -
Jarvis Jones – Rush Linebacker - Georgia
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 245
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Length: 9 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.88
20 Yrd Dash: 2.79
10 Yrd Dash: 1.66
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20
Vertical Jump: 30 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'03"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.71
3-Cone Drill: 7.46
Positives: Jarvis Jones is one of the best edge rushing
players this draft class has to offer. His last 2 years at Georgia he was an
elite talent off the edge providing game changing plays with outstanding
numbers in sacks and quarterback pressures. He has an absolute talent for ball
disruption when a quarterback is attempting to throw the ball showing superior
technique in swatting the arm before securing the tackle. He is one of the best
prospects at running the arc and displays fantastic knee bend, shoulder lean,
flexibility, and strength to create all sorts of problems for teams in pass
protection. Despite his less than ideal size as an edge rusher, teams just
couldn't stop him. He played with as much heart as any prospect coming out and
has a quiet, confidence. He can stand his ground against trap blocks, fullback
kick outs, and even drive blocking tackles. He also has a knack for getting
around double teams which he saw a lot of.
Negatives: He doesn't figure to get much bigger or
stronger supplanting him as an OLB. Yet he appears to lack the speed and open
field quickness to hold up consistently in coverage as a 4-3 linebacker. He
needs to develop more counter moves to his pass rush. He didn't exactly display
a smooth back pedal in coverage and has long-term durability issues after being
diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis by USC (Although it is rumored he has cleared
most medical reports).
Conclusion: Jarvis Jones was at one point one of the best
defensive players in the draft. I don't think that has changed. He has been
knocked lately for a lack of timed speed as well as for is being surrounded
with a lot of NFL talent, despite being the best overall player at Georgia. Von
Miller is a less explosive Von Miller who is just as disruptive as a pass
rusher but not so much as reliable against the run and in the open field.
Jarvis Jones shows all the ability to be a consistent pro bowl talent and even
all-pro if he plays in the right scheme. There are questions if he could make
the transition to 4-3 OLB as Von Miller did. At worst, Jarvis Jones is a
fantastic 3rd down specialist.
#18 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The San Francisco 49ers
Select -
Eric Reid – Strong Safety - LSU
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 213
Arm Length: 33 5/8"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.49
20 Yrd Dash: 2.55
10 Yrd Dash: 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 17
Vertical Jump: 40 1/2
Broad Jump: 11'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.22
3-Cone Drill: 6.99
Positives: Eric Reid has great size and speed at the
safety position. His athleticism is off the charts for the position. He is
solid in both the run and pass game. He plays a downhill attacking style
punishing receivers for making catches in his area. He has great burst out of
his back pedal to close in and make the pass break up on routes in front of
him. Unlike other players that lay the wood, Eric Reid has a knack for wrapping
up the ball carrier. He attacks his block in the run game and disengages
effectively. He extends his hands away from his body to make the interception
when he undercuts routes. He is very competitive against Tight Ends in man to
man coverage.
Negatives: His hips aren't very loose in man to man
coverage and quick slot receivers can get the better of him. His aggressive
nature is as much of a negative as it is a positive since he plays
out-of-control in pursuit. He also lets his emotions get the better of him and
can be flagged for a lot of immature mistakes on the field. He is also overly
aggressive in making plays in coverage and is therefore susceptible to giving
up the big scoring plays down the field. He doesn't display the recovery speed
to match up against receivers and too often will leave his feet and lunge at
ball carriers for the big hit, completely whiffing on the tackle.
Conclusion: If Eric Reid can tailor his selfish style of
play and realize that as a safety in the NFL he is the last guy to stop big
plays from occurring, not the guy that should be giving them up. He needs to
play with controlled aggression and needs to focus on breaking down in space
and tackling before he makes the highlight reel hit. He also needs to
understand that he needs to have better decision making when to jump a route
and when it's ok to make the tackle for a short gain. He is too focused on
being a big time playmaker that he allows playmakers to make big time plays
against him.
#19 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The New York Giants
Select -
Justin Pugh – Left Guard - Syracuse
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 307
Arm Length: 32"
Hand Length: 10 1/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.12
20 Yrd Dash: 2.87
10 Yrd Dash: 1.75
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 225
Vertical Jump: 28 1/2
Broad Jump: 08'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.63
3-Cone Drill: 7.45
Positives: Great body control and is very fluid in his
movements. Pugh has the coordinated feet, smooth kick slide and athleticism to
mirror pass rushers. He is just as good as any offensive linemen in this class
at combo blocking and getting to targets on the move at the second level and
driving them out of the play. He is very experienced starting every single game
over his three seasons at Syracuse. Pugh has very good pad level due to a
natural knee bend and as a result of sitting in his stance with good technique
he stays fairly balanced.
Negatives: He has very short arms that will cause most
teams to consider moving him inside to offensive guard. He will struggle on
riding edge rushers around the pocket due to his short arms and will struggle
to be effective in throwing them off running the arc when he gets full
extension. His hand placement is not refined and slides off the defenders more
then you care to see. Despite good use of leverage he is too easily bull rushed
because his lack of core strength making him a question mark at both tackle and
guard. He will not thrive in a power man scheme and is more suited for a zone
block scheme. His upside is questionable outside of getting more functional
strength at the position and he doesn't flash enough attitudes when playing to
overcome some of those shortcomings.
Conclusion: Justin Pugh still has a lot to work on in
terms of footwork and technique but don't mistake his lack of size, arm length,
and strength for a lack of upside. In a power man scheme his upside is very
questionable but in a zone block scheme his upside is better than it appears.
He has a lot of room to become stronger in the weight room. His technique is
sloppy despite being very seasoned at the position and his footwork is also
unpolished. As a zone blocking tackle, he may be nothing but a disappointment
but in a zone block scheme as an offensive guard he could prove to be a solid
starter for a team. He is nothing spectacular but definitely solid.
#20 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Chicago Bears Select
-
Kyle Long - Right Guard - Oregon
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 313
Arm Length: 33 3/8"
Hand Length: 11"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.91
20 Yrd Dash: 2.86
10 Yrd Dash: 1.70
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 28
Vertical Jump: 28
Broad Jump: 09'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.63
3-Cone Drill: 7.83
Positives: Kyle Long looks good exploding out of his
stance and dropping his hips. He has surprisingly effective upper body strength
to at times man handle defensive tackles. He has fantastic mobility and balance
when trap blocking and lifts his feet high enough to avoid tripping over
offensive linemen that get bull rushed back into his lane. Long shows the
tenacity to finish on a block every whistle and seeks out as many targets as
possible to lay a hit on when on the move, especially when working up to the
second level. Very good knee bend and drive on combo blocks and understands the
importance of establishing blocking angles to prevent defenders from having
effective countermoves as well as spins in the run game. He is a cleanup
blocker that gets in the heads of defenders by seeking them to dominate them at
any given opportunity. He plays offensive line with a defensive linemen’s
attitude and can be seen standing up for his teammates on a regular basis.
Negatives: He played in a very quick offense that didn't
give scouts a ton of looks at whether he could sustain his blocks or not in
both the run and pass game. He is prone to various blitzing schemes and can be
confused with too much movement on the line. Needs to show that he can drive
defenders out of the hole opposed to just punching them and moving onto the
next level as he would commonly bend at the hips instead of rolling his hips
into defenders when run blocking which caused him to lose balance more then you
care to see, especially at the second level. He doesn't look to dominate one
guy, he more so looks to hit as many guys as possible but that's not going to
be effective at the next level. He needs to better focus on dominating his
assignment first, but you have to love that he wants to make as many blocks as
possible. He just needs to learn to finish them before he starts another. His
sloppy hand placement could get him called for quite a bit of holds at the next
level.
Conclusion: Kyle Long has the height to start at right
tackle but the arm length to start at right guard. He shows the kind of
attitude you want to see out of an offensive linemen. The son of HOF Howie Long
and brother of Chris Long, Kyle definitely have the NFL bloodlines. He plays
offensive line with the attitude his brother and father played defensive line
with. He's still fairly raw and didn't see an opportunity to focus on his
weaknesses in Oregon’s quick hitting offense that masks offensive linemen’s
faults. He is very raw in his technique but if he puts it all together he has
starter potential at right guard and right tackle.
#21 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Cincinnati Bengals
Select -
Tyler Eifert - Tight End - Notre Dame
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 250
Arm Length: 33 1/8"
Hand Length: 9 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.65
20 Yrd Dash: 2.69
10 Yrd Dash: 1.65
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 22
Vertical Jump: 35 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'11"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.32
3-Cone Drill: 6.92
Positives: Tyler Eifert has a very good feel for getting
open in zone coverage while also being quick and physically imposing enough to
be a headache in man coverage. He displayed steady improvement in his blocking
from last year and was more willing in 2012 to be a factor in helping the run
game. He has a very clean and quick release and runs very crisp routes. He has
great body control in adjusting to badly thrown balls as well as high pointing
the ball in traffic and coming down with it. His progress has made him a threat
all over the field making him a factor as a run blocker, pass blocker, receiving
tight end, and he has also shown a remarkable ability to play in the slot and
outside the numbers as a receiver.
Negatives: He still needs to show some improvements as a
blocker and develop more of a nasty finishing attitude when asked to do so. He
doesn't drop the ball often but he can occasionally lose focus in big moments
attempting to look for running lanes before securing the ball despite not being
much of a threat after the catch. He isn't very explosive out of his stance
displaying more build up speed in his route running and can miss reach blocks
on more explosive defensive ends. He needs to develop a better feel for angles
and display more natural knee bend as an in-line blocker.
Conclusion: He is by no means a dominant presence as a
blocking tight end and should not be drafted by a team that will primarily
utilize him as a blocker to help with a shaking offensive tackle in protection.
Tyler Eifert is a very large receiver in a Tight Ends body and although he has
showed progress in his ability and willingness to block, he is still a long
ways away from being a reliable and efficient in-line blocker at the NFL level.
It is doubtful that he will put on much more weight and there are questions
about how much stronger he can really get. If the light comes on in terms
understanding the angles and leverage while having more of a natural knee bend
with a glass eater mentality when attempting to block, he could be a dominant
tight end at the NFL level. For now, he is a very reliable receiving tight end
that will create mismatches in the secondary. He is a young quarterback’s best
friend.
#22 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Atlanta Falcons
Select -
Desmond Trufant - Cornerback - Washington
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 190
Arm Length: 31 1/4"
Hand Length: 8 5/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.38
20 Yrd Dash: 2.47
10 Yrd Dash: 1.50
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 16
Vertical Jump: 37 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 3.85
3-Cone Drill: 6.67
Positives: Trufant has the versatility to match up with
elite slot receivers as well as blanket receivers outside the numbers. He is
effective in press man, off man, and zone coverage. He's at his best in man
coverage. Very smooth and low backpedal with great change of direction to stick
to receivers on quick slants as well as double moves. He plays with a swagger
and has a very short-term memory which is something you love to see in a
corner. He doesn't care how physically outmatched he is when lined up on a receiver;
he just refuses to back down. Trufant is ery balanced in space and loose hips
down the field. He won't let receivers get clean catches and isn't afraid to
get his hands dirty, in that he is aware enough to take the penalty over giving
up the touchdown.
Negatives: Trufant needs to be more disciplined when
mirroring receivers in opening his hips up too early has he can get lost on
double moves despite his make up speed. He can play out of control at times
especially against the run and is inconsistent in that sometimes he will attack
the receiver and sometimes he will let the block come to him. He doesn't do so
well maintaining outside contain and may need to play as a nickel corner until
he becomes more consistent on 1st and 2nd down in attacking the receivers
outside shoulder. He can get called for defensive holding penalties at the next
level as his technique is sloppy and he will fall back on pure athleticism and
in doing so will panic when unbalanced in transition and attempt to grab a receiver
to slow him. He is too quick to dive at the legs of the ball carrier and is a
much less reliable open field tackler then he should be. He doesn't attack and
he doesn't break down, he just dives early at the legs or will even tackle high
at times which NFL talent will squirm out of.
Conclusion: Trufant has the NFL bloodlines and shows
flashes of 1st round talent but he has also had games where you can't help but
bury your head in your hands because of his mental mistakes. You have to love
his confidence but he needs to realize that he has a lot of work to do and his
athleticism is not going to get him by at the next level. He needs to be more
disciplined and under control because if he is, he can be a very good #1 corner
and a great #2 corner. He needs to get stronger in order to take on blocks and
consistently bring down ball carriers when making the tackle. He needs a lot of
work on his tackling technique. If he puts it altogether he is 1st round
talent.
#23 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Minnesota Vikings
Select -
Sharrif Floyd - Defensive Tackle - Florida
Height: 6025
Weight: 297
Arm Length: 31 3/4"
Hand Length: 10 1/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.87
20 Yrd Dash: 2.80
10 Yrd Dash: 1.70
225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 30
Broad Jump: 08'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.75
3-Cone Drill: 7.40
Positives: Floyd displayed a certain level of versatility
in that he has lined up in the 7, 5, 3, and 1 technique in a 4 man front at
Florida. He can play in one gap penetrating schemes as well as two gap schemes.
He shows adequate effort and solid footwork accompanying solid backfield vision
and more than marginal block shedding ability. His best trait is his balance.
He rarely is on the ground, which is why he is very effective in working
through the trash to make the tackle. He has flashed the ability to shoot the
gap and split double teams against both the run and pass. He has an impressive
first step and hand usage when taking on cut blocks.
Negatives: Despite his good backfield vision, Floyd is
slow to get off the block. He shows the instincts to feel where the ball is
going but struggles getting his head on the right shoulder of the offensive
linemen. Although he explodes out of his stance he too often stands straight up
negating his speed and power. He has limited experience at any one position at
the college level. Despite playing inside more in 2012, he was never dominant.
He looked to be a jack of all trades and master of none. He doesn't show much
of a bull rush and shows a lack of hustle in fighting through blocks. He is too
easily washed out of the play by blockers that display an understanding of
angles, using his momentum against him. He doesn't dig his feet into the dirt
when facing double teams.
Conclusion: Floyd factors into being a penetrating
3-technique in a 4 man front but also has the versatility to play 5 technique
in a penetrating 3-4 like the scheme Wade Phillips runs. His versatility is
valuable but he also doesn't excel at any one position. He has caught a lot of
hype lately as a top tier prospect after being projected to go at the bottom of
the first. I'm not really sure how he picked up so much height because the film
does not warrant it. I can only guess that scouts grew excited about watching a
297 pound defensive tackle be marginally effective at defensive end and thus
believe his potential to be sky high. He has shown flashes in his career but it
has been far and away from the dominance other highly defensive tackles have
flashed.
#24 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Indianapolis Colts
Select -
Bjoern Werner – Left Defensive End - Florida State
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 266
Arm Length: 33 1/4"
Hand Length: 9 5/8"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.81
20 Yrd Dash: 2.78
10 Yrd Dash: 1.67
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 25
Vertical Jump: 31
Broad Jump: 09'03"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.40
3-Cone Drill: 7.30
Positives: Bjoern Werner is a very good edge rusher and
flashes show top tier explosion and snap anticipation. He is stout against the
run as well as a force against the pass. He has a very high ceiling considering
his lack of playing experience in football. He shows heavy hands in taking on
blocks and surprising knee bend when running the arc and ripping through the
block. He keeps his eyes in the back field when rushing the passer showing the
awareness to get his hands in the passing lane if he doesn't arrive on time. He
good at setting the edge and keeping contain and shows the discipline to play
under control when facing more mobile quarterbacks. He also flashes a powerful
bull rush
Negatives: Werner struggles in performing counter moves
because of his lack of sudden quickness. Outside of his spin move back inside,
he never figures to get by blockers by cutting back inside because of his
athleticism. He isn't consistent in staying low and despite shooting out of a
cannon at the snap, he doesn't maintain that quickness throughout his pass
rush. He doesn't flash enough knee bend and flexibility when running the arc.
Either he wins within his first few steps off the snap or tackles effectively
guide him around the pocket. He doesn't show the hustle scouts would like to
see when the play goes away from him often content to just stand around or jog
it out, having little to no effect on the play unless directed towards him.
Conclusion: Werner shows a lot of raw talent especially
given his lack of football experience but it's a huge red flag that he seems
completely uninterested in chasing down plays away from him. When considering
this, it's also alarming that he seems tired at the end of games despite showing
the least hustle of any of his teammates on the field. When rushing the passer
his motor runs high but when he realizes it's a run his motor runs cold. He has
shown steady progress as a football player all his years of playing at Florida
State. He is stout and solid at times, and flashes very good ability at other
times. The only real knock against him is that he just doesn't show much heart
when he isn't given the opportunity to make the big play by the play being a
quick pass or run away from his gap.
#25 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Minnesota Vikings
Select -
Xavier Rhodes - Cornerback - Florida State
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210
Arm Length: 33 3/4"
Hand Length: 9"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.39
20 Yrd Dash: 2.50
10 Yrd Dash: 1.55
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 14
Vertical Jump: 40 1/2
Broad Jump: 11'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.65
3-Cone Drill: 7.29
Positives: Rhodes specializes in press man coverage and
displays one of the best jams of any corner this year. He is very physical when
jamming and can dominate smaller receivers with it. He also has enough make up
speed if he misses on the initial jam which doesn't occur quite often. He has a
top tier frame with great length to play the position. He displays the type of
versatility to play corner as well as free safety. He doesn't find himself out
of position when pressing and rarely overextends and loses balance. He shows
displays a fantastic vertical on the field and high points balls all over the
field to disrupt the catch long before it falls to the receiver. Typically
stays in the hip pocket of a receiver and when he doesn't he has the ability to
stop the big play by way of undercutting a ball by getting full extension on
his vertical for the deflection.
Negatives: When Rhodes learns to play with controlled
aggression he will pan out as one of the top corners in this draft class. He
too often will panic when he starts to lose his receiver and will draw
defensive holding calls as well as pass interference calls. Despite his size
and core strength Rhodes is too often washed by receivers who use his
aggressive nature to their advantage. He doesn't show a lot of discipline in
keeping contain and is surprisingly not as efficient in shedding blocks as his
physical stature would indicate. He doesn't display anywhere near the type of
explosion or fluidity when playing in zone so he maybe best primarily playing
press man coverage as there are also question about his off man ability.
Conclusion: Rhodes is probably the best press man cover
corner this draft has to offer. He has a surprising lack of physicality in the
run game despite his physicality in the press. He is not very scheme diverse at
this point but could dominate slot receivers and hold receivers outside the
numbers in check with his physical coverage and make up speed. Rhodes is at his
best when the ball is in the air and if put in the right system he could be a
pro bowl talent.
#26 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Green Bay Packers
Select -
Datone Jones - Defensive End - UCLA
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 283
Arm Length: 32 3/4"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.75
20 Yrd Dash: 2.72
10 Yrd Dash: 1.61
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 29
Vertical Jump: 31 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.32
3-Cone Drill: 7.32
Positives: Datone Jones has a surprising array of pass
rushing moves when pursuing the quarterback. He shows a lot of power in his
play. He is very aware and technically sound in playing the game. Datone
consistently gets full extension in the run game which is the one part of his
game he excels at. He also shows the versatility to be a factor against the
pass sliding to the 3-technique on passing downs. He is somewhat of a tweener
in that he can play strong side defensive end as well as play defensive tackle
so his versatility could be highly valued by a creative team. He is violent in
his initial punch and is one of the more effective defensive ends of this class
in breaking down in the open field to make the tackle. He has a relentless
motor and is recognized as a vocal leader at UCLA.
Negatives: Datone needs to stay lower than other
defensive ends as he cannot rely on his arm length to get optimum separation.
He needs to establish a low center of gravity and roll his hips into the
opposition. When attempting to do so, he too often bends at the waste and finds
himself off balance. He doesn't have enough natural lean and speed to run the
arc as a weak side defensive end in the 4-3 and also lacks the necessary knee
bend to dig his feet into the dirt when double teamed. Datone Jones is a
classic tweener, where he doesn't have the natural knee bend and burst to shoot
the gap as a 3-technique, the speed to run the arc as a weak side end in a 4
man front and the natural knee bend to stand his ground against double teams.
Conclusion: Datone Jones has very good size for the
defensive end position. He has the versatility to play strong side defensive
end in a 4 man front as well as the 5-technique in a 3 man front. Outside of
those positions though and the occasional 3-technique in a 4 man front on
passing downs, he doesn't figure to be very effective. It's hard to peg where
his best fit is and it's hard to say whether he will ever establish himself as
very effective at one position or just be a solid contributor all across the
defensive line. One thing is for sure, he's neither boom nor bust, he is just a
solid role-player that could achieve a pro bowl or two but doesn't figure to be
a name to be feared. He is a versatile team player.
#27 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Houston Texans Select
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DeAndre Hopkins - Wide Receiver - Clemson
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 214
Arm Length: 33 3/8"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.51
20 Yrd Dash: 2.61
10 Yrd Dash: 1.58
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 15
Vertical Jump: 36
Broad Jump: 09'07"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.50
3-Cone Drill: 6.83
Positives: Hopkins has deceptive speed and strength after
the catch with the ability to take it to the house after any given play. He has
a surprising amount of explosion in and out of his cuts. He has very well
rounded route running that he uses at all levels of the field. He highpoints
the ball when called upon has very good body control when adjusting to poorly
thrown balls. He accelerates out of his breaks and sets defenders up with
polish route running which allows him to get consistent separation. No matter
where the ball is thrown Hopkins will show the drive to go and get it to make a
play. He is willing to make the tough catch over the middle, snatch the ball
off his shoe laces or extend his body on the sideline and double tap to make
the tough first down. His speed is deceptive in that he will run one speed to
lull defenders to sleep and then activates a second gear to get separation in
both his route running and after he makes the catch. He is very consistent in
his production and shows more than adequate blocking ability. He appears to
take blocking as a challenge and displays a sort of nasty attitude that you
hope to see when locking up with the defender.
Negatives: Hopkins is far from the most athletic or
physically imposing receiver. Although he is not typically inconsistent
catching the ball he still does occasionally show a lack of focus when focusing
more on where he's going after the catch before he catches the ball. He doesn't
get north/south quickly and looks for the homerun play on short quick routes
rather than being efficient and churning out what he can. Despite having
deceptive speed and strength he doesn't break arm tackles like a top tier
prospect would. There were rumors of him possibly trashing his hotel room at
the combine after it appeared he made strides from a maturity standpoint.
Conclusion: DeAndre Hopkins could pan out to be a very
solid contributor in the NFL. He doesn't display what I believe to be top tier
#1 wide receiver but he could be a very solid #1 wide receiver. His feel for the
game is what makes him stand out in his ability to deceive defenders just long
enough to get open. He shows a level of competition that you like to see out of
your players. What he lacks in pure athleticism he makes up with pure football
ability and you can never rule a guy out like that. He is still an ascending
talent and has a lot more room for improvement. Hopkins greatest asset isn't
his ability to get separation but his ability to go catch the ball no matter
how blanketed he might be in coverage. Just about anyone can throw Hopkins open
because he will not allow the defender to beat him to the football.
#28 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Denver Broncos Select
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Sylvester Williams - Defensive Tackle - North Carolina
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 313
Arm Length: 33 1/2"
Hand Length: 10 3/4"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.99
20 Yrd Dash: 2.83
10 Yrd Dash: 1.72
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 27
Vertical Jump: 26 1/2
Broad Jump: 08'06"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.80
3-Cone Drill: 7.93
Positives: Sylvester Williams is a very thick big bodied
defensive tackle. he has a surprisingly quick first step to go with a coke
machine build that makes it hard to create angles and move him around in the
run game. He has surprisingly good vision and will work down the line of
scrimmage and work through the trash very effectively. He is a high effort
player that displays a high motor. He displays one of the best swim moves of
any defensive tackle in the draft and is capable of being effective with it using
both arms. He doesn't get driven down the field by double teams and effectively
digs his heels into the dirt. He is an ascending talent with only 5 years of
experience in football. He was used by North Carolina to line up in multiple
positions and has surprising versatility in doing so. Can play two-gap or be a
one gap penetrator. Maintains natural knee bend and good pad level in his play
and shows a second effort in his pass rush when initially stalled. More often
than not gets low and creates piles in short yardage situations.
Negatives: Needs more of a repertoire in shedding blocks in
both the run and pass game. Williams doesn't have elite quickness or an overly
effective bull rush. Will occasionally play high in short yardage situation and
give up just enough yardage for the opposition to get a 1st down. When he wears
down he tends to struggle shedding blocks. He doesn't have very loose hips in
changing direction or enough discipline in breaking down and making the tackle
in space. He doesn't have exceptional stop and go ability to get back in the
play after overrunning it. He needs to be more aware in taking on cut blocks.
He loses his breath too quickly when in pursuit down field.
Conclusion: Sylvester Williams shows the ability to be an
absolute dominant force on the inside. He will need to be part of a rotation
early in his career but he is scheme versatile enough to play the nose tackle
in a 3-4 as well as the 1 and 3 technique in the 4-3. He needs to polish his
technique more and get coached up as he relies on raw athleticism and talent
too much at the moment. When he plays with proper technique he can be
unstoppable. If he learns to stay more disciplined after breaking through the
line of scrimmage and cuts back on wasted movements while increasing his
stamina he will be one of the best defensive tackles this class has to offer.
#29 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Minnesota Vikings
Select -
Cordarrelle Patterson - Wide Receiver - Tennessee
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 216
Arm Length: 31 3/4"
Hand Length: 9"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.33
20 Yrd Dash: 2.52
10 Yrd Dash: 1.52
Vertical Jump: 37
Broad Jump: 10'08"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.40
3-Cone Drill: 7.28
Positives: Cordarrelle has outstanding straight line
speed and burst off the line of scrimmage. He is an absolute handful in man to
man coverage considering his strength to fight the press and his stop and go
explosion getting a clean release off the line of scrimmage. He is an absolute
threat on every play no matter how short or long the route is because he has
superior vision and set up in taking the rock to the house. He is very elusive
and can make cuts on a dime. When players play off man he is almost unstoppable
on vertical routes. Although his route running isn't the most polished he shows
a level of elusiveness running his routes in his footwork and use of head
fakes. He can make very difficult catches in coverage and still turn them into
touchdowns. He has great awareness to get open in zone and will break off his
routes when the man on him is blitzing. Throws that most receivers would be
tackled for 2 yard gains Patterson turns into 30+ yard gains. He is a game
breaker.
Negatives: Doesn't have exceptional stop and go ability
when making breaks in his routes. He’s dropped more than a few catchable balls
especially when attempting to track the ball over his shoulder. Patterson doesn't
seem interested in making blocks in the run game. He was consistently lined up
off the line of scrimmage to help get a cleaner release. Too often tries to
catch with his body rather than extending his hands away from his frame to
bring the ball in. He doesn't have polished route running at this point and is
still very raw. He could see himself called for offensive pass interference at
the next level as he too often will fall back on push offs when he doesn't have
adequate separation down field. Like other receivers in this draft, he needs to
be more content going north/south and taking what’s given to him rather than
dancing around looking for the homerun hit.
Conclusion: Patterson could contribute immediately as a
return man but needs to become more polished to be a consistent contributing
starter. He can line up all over the field and make plays as an X, Y, or Z. He
seems to be a boom or bust type. He could either be limited to vertical routes,
screens, and end around or he can be a versatile receiver that at times could
be a dominant force.
#30 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The St. Louis Rams Select
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Alec Ogletree - Inside Linebacker - Georgia
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 242
Arm Length: 33 1/2"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.64
20 Yrd Dash: 2.66
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20
Vertical Jump: 33 1/2
Broad Jump: 10'02"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.53
3-Cone Drill: 7.07
Positives: Ogletree displays great sideline to sideline
range as an inside linebacker. He is all over the field and constantly in the
vicinity of the ball carrier because of his athleticism. He has a violent punch
when taking on blocks head up and also shows enough quickness to beat blockers
on the edge. He plays loose in the hips and is reliable in coverage over the
middle. At times he can look absolutely dominant and flashes bone jarring hits
as well as the awareness to force turnovers.
Negatives: Ogletree tends to play way too tall and
doesn't keep proper knee bend when playing. This causes him to get thrown
around like a rag doll at times when he tries to work through the trash. Since
he plays so high, he is very unbalanced when approaching the hole. He also
plays somewhat reckless causing him to completely whiff on tackles. He's not
very strong in disengaging from blockers, when they get their hands on him he
can be completely washed out of the play. He had a 4-game suspension for
violating the substance abuse policy along with a DUI.
Conclusion: He needs to play in a 3-4 to keep blockers
off of him. The way he plays linebacker could be a liability in a 4-3 as he
will be tossed all over the field unless he learns to stay low. He makes his
money attacking the line of scrimmage cleanly, not from fighting through
traffic. In a 3-4 he can play all over the place lining up occasionally as a
rush linebacker as well. If he plays in a 4-3, he will probably transition to
weak outside linebacker to cover up his deficiencies. If he doesn't fix his out
of control play style and start wrapping up he will have a lot of trouble
getting on the field.
#31 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Dallas Cowboys Select
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Travis Frederick - Center - Wisconsin
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 312
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Length: 10"
40 Yrd Dash: 5.55
20 Yrd Dash: 3.14
10 Yrd Dash: 1.91
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 28 1/2
Broad Jump: 08'01"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.76
3-Cone Drill: 7.81
Positives: Travis Frederick has the versatility to play
guard and center but best projects as a road grading center in a power
man-block scheme. He flashes very quick hands when exploding out of his stance
elite core strength in handling larger nose tackles. He shows fantastic leg
drive when driving the man out of the hole as well as a great feel in combo
blocks. He isn't fooled by various blitzing schemes and rarely gets driven back
into the pocket. He finishes blocks until the whistle and uses blocking angles effectively to wall off
defenders when he is not blowing them off the line of scrimmage. He makes very
little mistakes technically and is very polished. He shows supreme awareness as
a center and has surprising foot quickness in working to the second level.
Negatives: Doesn't pick his feet up enough when working
to the second level and will trip over falling bodies. He can struggle at times
with explosive penetrating defensive tackles and doesn't always keep on his
feet moving in pass protection which occasionally makes him susceptible to late
blitzes and defensive tackles spinning inside off of guards.
Conclusion: Travis Frederick fits best in a power
man-block scheme but is also serviceable in a zone block scheme. He can play
guard as well as center at an NFL level but guard primarily in a power man
scheme. He is the kind of player you want on your team for short yardage
situations and he helped pave the way on a talented Wisconsin offensive line in
years past in helping Montee Ball score and absurd amount of touchdowns. When
in doubt, Wisconsin would run behind Travis. He may not be outstanding in pass
protection at first but no one can deny his run blocking ability.
#32 Pick in the 2013 NFL Draft: The Baltimore Ravens
Select -
Matt Elam – Strong Safety - Florida
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 208
Arm Length: 32 5/8"
Hand Length: 9"
40 Yrd Dash: 4.43
20 Yrd Dash: 2.53
10 Yrd Dash: 1.58
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 17
Vertical Jump: 35 1/2
Broad Jump: 09'10"
Positives: Matt Elam is one of the most physical safeties
in the draft class. No one lays the wood as consistently as this kid does. He
is the epitome of an in-the-box safety that is an absolute enforcer against the
run as well as when receivers make catches over the middle. He throws his body
into players with reckless abandonment. He has the versatility of a combo
safety and is able to come down and man up on slot receivers. He shows very
good ability in fighting through the trash and is outstanding at a special team’s
gunner. He is a high effort player that displays unmatched passion on the
field. He rolls his hips into the ball carrier and makes some of the biggest
hits of this year’s draft class.
Negatives: He can at times be physically dominated by
tight ends in man to man. Although he made progress, he still has a tendency to
play out of control and look for the big hit rather than wrap up the tackle. He
has marginal lateral agility causing him to lose track of slot receivers with
elite quickness. He runs hot and cold in his play in that some plays he is
almost reckless in his pursuit while other plays he is overly passive. His
passion for the game sometimes will draw penalties for late hits and
unnecessary roughness.
Conclusion: Elam is a vocal leader on the field and
brings a tempo to the defense that is valued by defensive coordinators looking
for their team to play with a nasty demeanor. He flashes domination just as
much as he flashes bone headed mistakes. He needs to tackle with proper
technique rather than looking for the highlight reel hits as he too often
bounces off the runner when going for the tackle or comes up completely empty
handed due to leaving his feet too early. However, Elam does make big plays in
big moments and if he gets himself under control he could be one of the better
strong safeties in the league.
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