There I was at work, taking my lunch break and checking out some news headlines when I read the following three words in Yahoo’s trending section, “Junior Seau Dead”.
My jaw dropped. I was completely stunned and in a state of disbelief. My first thoughts were that it was of some sort of vehicle crash. I clicked over on the topic to read the headlines on Seau’s passing. It was there I became completely saddened to learn the early evidence was indicating that Seau’s passing was a suicide due to a self-inflicted gun shot wound to the chest.
All I could think about was the family and friends left behind to pick up the pieces of this senseless tragedy. How could a man at the age of 43, who was not only the face of a franchise, but the face of the city of San Diego during his time with the Chargers reach such a low point that he chose to take his own life?
My thoughts and prayers to Seau’s loved ones as they try to cope with this senseless tragedy. May all of them find the closure and peace they deserve.
Here was someone who seemed to have it all. He had fame, fortune, a hall of fame football legacy on both the professional and college level along with a successful business.
He was beloved by thousands who never knew him on a personal level. He touched the lives of countless football players of all ages. By many accounts, he was a great teammate and citizen in the community.
On the field he was the epitome of how the game should be played. Seau played with a non-stop passion and energy from opening kick off to final whistle, regardless of score. This is the Junior Seau I will remember as I continue to process his tragic death.
I am a Raider fan and I grew up rooting for UCLA. As far as rivalries go I couldn’t have been more opposite of Seau. He was always wreaking havoc on the teams I loved. He played with a non-stop motor. His tackles were relentless. His enthusiasm and passion were matched by few. Whether you rooted for him or against him (as I often did), there was no doubt that you were watching one of the greatest to every play the game.
This is the Junior Seau I will remember. Thank you for giving us the privilege to see you play the game the right way. Thank you for entertaining us for countless hours on both Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for having been part of the generation of football players I grew up admiring.
Goodbye Junior Seau and may you find the peace you’re looking for. All of us who have memories of your passionate play between the lines and your positive encounters outside of it will forever miss you.
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Andrew Luck’s go-to option in Stanford’s passing game, Coby Fleener is a hybrid tight end prospect with the tools needed to be the next in the recent string of big, athletic prospects capable of effectively blocking and being matchup nightmares as receivers. A twoyear starter who has played in all 51 games possible the past four years, Fleener caught a total of 96 passes for 1,543 yards and 18 touchdowns over the course of his career with the Cardinal; his best statistical season came during his senior year in 2011 when he hauled in 34 receptions for 667 yards and 10 touchdowns. A large prospect with the combination of height, bulk, length (33 inch arms), and speed that you look for at the position, Coby offers a complete package of tools to the team that drafts him. A very reliable option as a receiver, Fleener has the versatility that you look for, having lined up both as an in-line tight end as well as out wide as a flex tight end, and even has experience lining up as a split-end receiver. While not a truly fast receiver, Coby has more build-up speed than explosion off the line of scrimmage, however he accelerates to his top speed quickly and once there, he has shown the ability to split the seam effectively and run away from defenses. Coming off of the line, he understands how to beat the jam with his size and strength, however this disrupts his route, as he’s not one to quickly recover and accelerate down the field, but rather takes longer to pick up steam. He’s not a quick-twitch player, however he has enough nimbleness to gain some separation down the field. Fleener has made his name by being able to catch the ball in traffic, and using his big frame, he understands how to use leverage to shield defenders away. Coby works well in the short-to-intermediate range where he has a very heady understanding of how to sit down in the soft spots in zone coverage to give his quarterback an open receiver to throw to down the field. Also experienced at working down the field Fleener displays great awareness when working outside the numbers as well as in the red zone where he has proven to be a dangerous weapon for the Cardinal thanks to his huge size and long arms. Coby owns excellent body control and ball skills, as he has proven to be capable of extending out and catching the ball reliably away from his body; his strong hands have allowed for him to make several catches in traffic while taking a hit, however what’s impressive is how he is able to make acrobatic catches for how big of a player he is; he adjusts his body very well to incoming passes and understands how to climb the ladder and attempt to high point the ball in jump ball situations. In the open field, Fleener owns the nimble feet needed to work around defenders as well as the size and strength (27 reps on bench) to run through tackles, and has proven to be a very difficult player for defenders to bring down. As a blocker in the run game, Coby displays the technique and fundamentals that you look for, as he does a nice job of engaging the defender off the ball while staying square and churning his legs through contact. However, his functional strength here is average and he only gets a decent push off the ball; he won’t be one to physically overpower the defensive end at the point of attack. Coby Fleener has the instincts and physical tools needed to contribute, if not start immediately at the next level. He has the receiving skills to develop into a very good No. 2 or No. 3 option in the passing game for an NFL team, and if he can continue to develop, he has the tools needed to be a quality blocker in the run game as well.
The 2011 John Mackey Award winner as the top tight end in college football this past season, Dwayne Allen is one of the most complete tight end prospects in this year’s draft, offering the skillset you look for as both a receiver and blocker. A two-year starter for Clemson, Allen leaves the school as one of the team’s all-time leading receivers at the tight end position, having caught 93 passes for 1,079 yards and 12 touchdowns throughout his three-year career; his most productive season came during his junior year in 2011 when he hauled in 50 receptions for 598 yards and eight touchdowns. A big, thick prospect with the bulk and strength (27 reps on bench) that you look for at the position, Allen is a traditional tight end prospect who projects well as an in-line tight end at the next level, but also has experience lining up as an H-Back, flex tight end, and fullback in Clemson’s offense. He was moved in motion
One of the top recruits in the country at the wide receiver position coming out of high school, Orson Charles is the next in a recent string of highly-athletic tight ends to enter the NFL and attempt to make their mark on the league. A two-year starter with 29 career starts for the Bulldogs, Charles caught a total of 94 passes for 1,370 yards and 10 touchdowns throughout his three-year career at Georgia; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he hauled in 45 receptions for 574 yards and five touchdowns. Owning a rocked-up frame with the combination of size, strength, and athleticism that is ideal for the tight end position, Orson offers the type of measurables that you look for in a top prospect at the position. A dynamic, big play threat who catches the ball very well, Charles is capable of lining up all over the field thanks to his unique athleticism; he has experience lining up both as an in-line tight end as well as flexed out in the slot. He releases well from the line showing the acceleration that you look for, however also possessing the upper body strength (35 reps on bench) needed to disengage from the jam with ease, Charles offers the speed and quickness needed to run by linebackers along with the size and strength to run through defensive backs down the field. While not an explosive threat, he more glides down the field with above average speed for the position (estimated 4.70-4.80 40-yard dash), however he possesses the short-area quickness and burst needed to separate from defenders in coverage. He’s also shown a consistent ability to stretch the seam down the middle of the field, and in a Cover-2 scheme, he is going to be a matchup nightmare for the opposing middle linebacker. Orson displays very good ball skills, having been a former receiver in high school, showing the type of awareness and body control that you look for in order to adjust his body down the field to make the catch; he does a nice job of extending out to catch the ball away from his body, although his arm length is not ideal (32 inches). After bringing in the catch, Charles is not one who will make several defenders miss, but rather takes proper angles to evade pursuit and has the straight-line speed needed to get to the end zone once he reaches the open field. Orson is still developing as a route runner; he got by at Georgia thanks to his combination of size and raw athleticism, however he must continue to refine his routes and do a better job of sinking his hips in and out of his breaks, as he tends to round off some of his routes. As a blocker on the line of scrimmage, Charles simply did a decent job of getting a hat-on-hat and attempting to wall off the defender to open up a running lane inside. He offers the upper body strength needed to continue to improve, however he will need further refinement of his technique and hand use here. Character and intangibles with Orson is an interesting situation. He was named a team captain as a junior, was named to the SEC honor roll for his academic work as a sophomore, and exhibited the leadership, work ethic, and straight intangibles that you look for in a player. In my own opinion, if I were an NFL team, I would draft Orson Charles and allow for him to focus almost primarily as a receiver, as I believe that he has the skillset to be a special weapon in the passing game for a team.
An intriguing talent who projects as the next talented flex tight end prospect to enter the league, Ladarius Green is a player who is just beginning to tap into his immense upside and potential that he brings to the next level. A three-year starter for the Ragin Cajuns, Green hauled in a total of 149 passes for 2,201 yards and 22 touchdowns (14.8-yards per reception) throughout his college career, including averaging 18.1-yards per reception in 2010 when he caught 44 passes for 794 yards and seven touchdowns. A massive tight end prospect with long arms (32-inches) and a tall, lean frame, Ladarius is a natural athlete with the combination of size, speed, and agility that scouts desire in the new type of tight end that has recently entered the league. A fantastic receiver who was originally recruited to Louisiana-Lafayette as a wideout, Green possesses the long arms to extend out and grab the ball out of the air and has displayed a very strong ability to track the ball over his shoulder. With great body control, he catches the ball well away from his body with his hands, rarely letting the ball into his body. Ladarius is a long-strider who excels at running the short-to-intermediate routes and his ability to stretch the seam vertically is one thing that I love about his game. He has quick feet for a player as big as he is, which helps him to separate from defenders down the field. In addition, along with his tall frame and long arms, he possesses the vertical needed to out-jump nearly any defensive back for a jump ball. Green has plenty of experience going in motion and his lined up all over the field, showing quick acceleration off the line of scrimmage when given a free release. With the way he is able to work the middle of the field, he’s also shown the ability to catch the ball and come down with it in traffic. After the catch, his long strides allow for him to eat up yards quickly, proving to be a great player at picking up yards-after-the catch. While not shifty or elusive, he’s got enough agility to make the occasional defender miss when given the opportunity. Where Green will not provide much, if anything, is as a blocker in the run game. Although he has experience blocking as an in-line tight end as well as out on the move, his technique is very raw and will need refinement at the next level. His long arms to extend out and gain control of the defender are his greatest asset as a blocker, also possessing the huge frame to swallow up smaller defensive backs out on the edge. Whether it be to improve his ability to beat press coverage or to help him develop as a blocker, Ladarius must continue to get stronger at the next level. Although he still has room to fill out his frame, you don’t want him to lose any of his speed or explosiveness down the field by asking him to bulk up. Durability figures to be a question mark with Ladarius, as he missed three games his sophomore season with a neck injury, his junior season he missed time during training camp with knee tendonitis before missing two games during the season with a sprained ankle, and missed one game his senior season with a shoulder injury. A player that could have a better pro career than college career, Ladarius Green has the tools and skillset to develop into the next Jimmy Graham or Jermichael Finley in the NFL if he lands with the right team.
A wide receiver-turned-tight end with the talent and big size to develop into a go-to tight end for a quarterback in the NFL, Michael Egnew is another in a recent line of flex tight end prospects to enter the NFL. A two-year starter for Mizzou, Egnew caught a total of 147 passes for 1,332 yards and eight touchdowns during his career; his most productive season came as a junior in 2010 when he was named the team’s MVP after hauling in 90 receptions for 762 yards and five touchdowns as quarterback Blaine Gabbert’s safety net over the middle of the field. Athletic, with the speed and agility needed to be a downfield threat at the next level, Michael excels at stretching the seam, giving his quarterback a huge target down the middle of the field. In addition, he has had a lot of success running shallow crossing routes and quick slants off the line. Showing the great hands, and the terrific ball skills and body control to make an acrobatic catch, Egnew has the long arms needed to extend out and snatch the ball out of the air; with soft hands, he makes some catches that ordinary players would have no chance of making. He has plenty of experience catching the ball over the middle of the field in traffic and has displayed the ability to hold onto the ball even after getting hit. He does a good job of using his massive frame to shield away defenders down the field when trying to gain positioning to make a play on the ball. Michael’s long strides help him to pick up yards after the catch rather quickly with his ability to glide down the field once he manages to separate. Against man coverage, he has the range to stretch the seam down the middle, however he will have trouble separating as his foot quickness and flexibility to sink his hips and drive out of his breaks is less than ideal. As a blocker, he offers enough size to get his body in front of a defender and position him with his fine athleticism; however, if I’m drafting Egnew, I’m assuming I’ll use him in a Jermichael Finley or Jimmy Graham-esque role, and not as a blocker. The team that is drafting him will need to have a blocking tight end on the roster to handle those duties, because I would not expect, nor would I ask Egnew to attempt to block. He has shown that he can occasionally get in the way of the defender to seal the edge, however he is so far away from being an impact player as a blocker that I think he should focus primarily on continuing to get better and develop as a receiving tight end. Michael played flexed out in the slot the majority of the time he was on the field, and although he did line up as an in-line tight end in a three-point stance at times, this is not where he projects best at the next level. I’d like to see him develop better strength in the upper body to be able to shed defenders at the line of scrimmage, as he may have some trouble with this in the NFL. Where I’m nervous with Michael is the system he was playing in at Missouri as well as the lack of suddenness in his game. He does not offer the explosion, quickness, or sudden ability to separate from defenders at the second and third level. Michael Egnew projects as a flex tight end prospect in a Jermichael Finley or Jimmy Graham-type of role for a team at the next level. As with both Finley and Graham, Egnew has further developing to do, which is why I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t make an impact right away, however he has the skillset needed to develop into a solid player in the passing game for a team in the NFL.
The anchor of one of the best offensive lines in college football, Peter Konz proved to be a very reliable pivot man inside for the Badgers over the course of his career in Madison. A three-year starter with 31 career starts for Wisconsin, Konz is a former offensive tackle who owns great size and arm length (33 inches) for the center position. Built well with a thick upper body and wide base, making it difficult for defensive tackles to work around, Peter is a very reliable pass protector capable of stonewalling defenders at the line. Technically and fundamentally sound as a blocker, Konz proved to be a dependable anchor as a pass blocker, as he plays with the type of instincts, awareness, and understanding of the game that coaches look for in an NFL center. He does a great job of sitting back into his pass set while keeping his head on a swivel and taking on any incoming pass rushers. Peter owns nimble feet for the position with the ability to shuffle and mirror interior defenders inside. He also does a great job of extending his arms out coming to the aid of the guard next to him to double down on a bigger, stronger rusher up front. Konz owns a very strong grip needed to grasp the defender and lock on before neutralizing him for the rest of the play. He doesn’t possess ideal flexibility, but rather has shown enough of an ability to bend at the knees to consistently get underneath the defender to win the leverage battle at the point of attack. Peter has very good lower body strength and has the wide, balanced base needed to stand his ground as an anchor down low. As a run defender inside, Peter’s wide frame allows for him to swallow up smaller defensive linemen when he engages the defender off the snap. He comes off the ball well before taking on the defensive lineman and gains leverage by staying low and playing underneath the tackle, which then allows for him to use his lower body strength to push the defender out or away from the hole. He’s not a physically dominating blocker, being that he has below average upper body strength for the position (18 reps on bench), however he makes up for his lack of great strength with polished technique and fundamentals and understands how to play with proper positioning and angles. While not a full-fledged drive blocker, Konz at the very least has shown the consistent ability to use his agility leverage to turn the defender and wall him off from the play to open up a large running lane inside; he does a great job of gaining control of the defensive tackle off the ball before sealing him inside to give the ball carrier a gaping hole. Peter does a great job of firing his hands inside of the defender, and shows the same strong grip as a run blocker as he does in pass protection, allowing for him to take the defender out of the play entirely. In addition, he plays with the type of fiery, tenacious attitude that you look for and will consistent block through the whistle as he attempts to finish his blocks; he’s among the best in the country at sustaining his blocks after locking on. Owning good mobility for the position, Konz does a fine job of taking a quick bucket step and getting outside as the lead blocker on sweeps or screens. His flexibility limits him both outside as well as when he slides to the second level to redirect and take out a moving target, however when given the opportunity to gain full steam, any target in his direct path can be completely cleared out of the play with ease. Durability does figure to be a concern with Peter, as he missed time each of the past three seasons due to injury, including dislocating his ankle in 2011, which forced him to sit out of drills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, an injury that NFL teams will surely examine before considering drafting him. Konz owns the intangibles and work ethic off the field that coaches and scouts desire at the position; he earned numerous academic awards over the course of his career and was a team captain in high school. Peter Konz owns the physical tools, instincts, and intangibles needed to develop into a very good starting center in the NFL.
One of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school, Mike Brewster signed with Ohio State as an offensive tackle, expecting to team with Mike Adams to give the Buckeyes one of the top bookend duos at the position in the country. Instead, Brewster was kicked inside to center as a true freshman and has been starting ever since. Owning the second-longest streak of
An NFL-ready center who is one of the most polished offensive linemen in this year’s draft, Ben Jones leaves Georgia as one of the team’s all-time greats on the offensive line having been named to the school’s All-Decade team. A four-year starter for the Bulldogs, Jones started 49 games at Georgia, good for third-most all time in Athens. Ben was a team captain at Georgia in addition to earning to earning a leadership award on offense and being named to a number of All-Academic teams while in school, displaying the epitome of elite intangibles that coaches and scouts absolutely love in a prospect. Technically and fundamentally sound, Ben proved throughout his career to be a very dependable pivot man on the interior of the offensive line. Competitive, tough, and feisty, Jones plays with the type of mean streak that offensive line coaches love to see and has plenty of experience playing through injury in college. Quick into his pass set off the ball, Ben is a veteran of the collegiate level who made the line calls and has a terrific feel for picking up the blitz in the passing game. Stronger in the upper half than in the lower, he’s shown the ability to lock on and neutralize the defender at the point of attack as a very good anchor in pass protection. Although he isn’t the biggest center you’ll find, it not an easy task to blow him backwards off the ball; at worst, he will occasionally get driven back quickly off the snap, however because he’s such a balanced player, he manages to recover after his first step before using his terrific leverage to his advantage to then anchor at the point. He’s not going to be an overly powerful or dominant player in the NFL, however he has what it takes to be a sturdy and consistent pivot man in the middle of the line. He has more than enough experience snapping the ball in shotgun and should not have any trouble with this at the next level. As a run blocker, Ben does a far better job of gaining proper positioning right off the ball and sealing the defender away from the hole than he does of simply driving the defensive lineman back. He is more than capable of pulling around and blocking on the move, and is among the best in the country at releasing to get to the second level and take out a linebacker. He’s also flexible enough to hit a moving target and offers enough athleticism needed to continue to be effective here at the next level. In addition, he’s shown a consistent ability to execute a trap block on the interior of the line. To continue to improve at the next level, I’d like to see Jones continue to get stronger as this will help him with the adjustment to playing against bigger and stronger defensive linemen in the NFL. Ben does not have the type of athleticism or physical tools that are going to enamor anyone, however his instincts, heady play, and fantastic technique are the reasons why he’s so highly thought of in the scouting community. Although he may never be an elite player in the NFL, Ben Jones is a safe selection who you know what you’re getting with when you draft him.
The 2011 Rimington Award Winner as the top center in college football, David Molk leaves Michigan as a polished, NFL-ready center. A four-year starter who was a veteran of the collegiate level, Molk started 41 games throughout his career with the Wolverines and was also named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior in addition to winning the Rimington Award. A team captain in 2011, David offers great intangibles in addition to the leadership and work ethic that coaches and scouts look for in a player. In addition, he’s a smart player with a great football IQ, having made all of the line calls at Michigan. David’s competitiveness and fiery attitude are things that I love about his game; he consistently blocks through the whistle and is always looking for someone to block. Owning a smaller frame with shorter height than you’d prefer, Molk may be limited schematically at the next level, however in specific schemes he has great potential. A polished pivot man on the interior of the line, David possesses terrific technique and fundamentals for the position. Inside, he fires off the ball with a low center of gravity, wide base, and balance which allows for him to gain early leverage against the defensive tackle in the run game. He owns elite strength (41 reps on the bench) to lock onto the defensive lineman upon contact and take him out of the play for the rest of the game, however I would like to see continue to develop his functional strength and gain more strength in his grip, as there are times when he will gain control but not have a strong enough grip to continue to maintain the block through the entirety of the play. Although he has shorter arms (32 inches) and smaller hands (8 7/8 inches) than you’d prefer, David has no trouble engaging the defender and gaining control shortly after getting underneath him at the point of attack. He does a great job of keeping his feet moving through contact, and although he’s not going to be one to drive the defender out of the hole, he does a terrific job of turning the defensive lineman off the ball with great positioning to open up a hole, and has proven to be very effective at reach blocking on the interior. He could be a great fit in a zone blocking scheme or one that frequently uses combination blocks, as his quickness off the ball, smaller size, and great strength all fit the running scheme very well. Displaying nimbleness off the ball, Molk is extremely light on his feet and is among the best in the country at pulling out on the edge. He’s proven that he’s capable of hitting a moving target consistently, as he offers more than enough mobility to pull and get out on the perimeter as a lead blocker. With his impressive mobility, David has proven to be consistently capable of reaching the second level to take out the linebacker. As a pass blocker, he is a fluid athlete who transitions to his pass set quickly off the ball. His flexibility is where you’d like to see it, displaying a strong ability to consistently get underneath the defender with his arms extended and back arched properly. His great technique and fundamentals make up for his lack of elite size and bulk. He will need to continue to live in the weight room and get bigger at the next level, as he does tend to have some trouble with massive nose tackles and is not one that will ever physically overpower a defender. He needs to continue to develop his lower body strength in order to improve in pass protection, as he doesn’t display a great ability to anchor at the point of attack in pass protection yet. David Molk has the instincts, intangibles, tools, and skillset to develop into a very good starting center in the zone blocking scheme in the NFL. He doesn’t offer the functional strength or size that you look for in a center in a power run offense, which is why he will be limited schematically at the next level. However, in the right offense, he has the tools to have a very productive, successful career at the next level and should be capable of competing for a starting job early in his career.
A well-traveled 26-year old prospect who was the pivot man in Baylor’s explosive offense this season, Philip Blake is a Canadian-born player who graduated in 2005 from Father Henry Carr Catholic School in Ontario before moving on to play two years of football at Champlain Regional College in Quebec; from there, Blake made his way to Tyler Junior College in Texas where he played one season and was named second-team all-conference before finally transferring to Baylor where he was a three-year starter for the Bears. Philip began his career with the Bears starting 12 games at right tackle as the bookend to Danny Watkins, who was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft. In 2010, Blake kicked inside to center and started 26 games over the last two years there. In 2011, Blake was arguably the Bears’ most valuable lineman on an offense that ranked second in the country in yards-pergame, averaging 587 per contest. A prototypical anchor in the middle of the line who owns a thick, stocky frame with a stout lower body, Blake possesses the leg strength to hold his ground at the point of attack and match up with the biggest of nose tackles in the country. With his wide, massive frame on the interior, Philip swallows up smaller defensive tackles in the run game, displaying the ability to pave the way up front and clear out open holes for the ball carrier. Blake does a good job of staying square at the point of attack both in the run game as well as in pass protection, doing a terrific job of engaging the defensive lineman off the ball with good quickness and driving them backwards with great leg drive (615 pound squat). He’s also a finisher who plays with the feistiness inside that you look for. In addition, Philip has the type of upper body strength needed to consistently neutralize the defender when he manages to lock on; although his arms aren’t as long as you’d prefer, he’s developed good hand placement in firing his hands inside and using his strong grip to take out the defender. When working on a combination block, he does a fine job of quickly taking on the tackle before handing him off to the guard and then sliding to the second level. Although he’ll have trouble hitting a moving target in open space, he’s displayed the ability to lock onto a linebacker when playing straight-ahead and does not have to move laterally. Blake is far better at playing in a phone booth rather than out in open space. He offers enough lateral agility to mirror interior offensive linemen, however he wouldn’t be someone that I would ask to pull out and block on the move or in open space; he does not have the fluid athleticism to break down and redirect when attempting to hit a moving target. In addition, his hip flexibility is not ideal and you’d like to see him develop a better ability to sink his hips in pass protection; there are times when he will play too high and get caught leaning into the defender which will result in him sliding off of the defensive lineman or getting over-extended. He needs to do a better job of playing with his feet underneath him. Philip will need further refinement of his overall technique and fundamentals at the next level and is still a prospect who is developing. Philip Blake is a big, strong, tough center prospect who has the physical tools and skillset to develop into a fine starting center in the NFL; he’s not going to be a high-upside player, however for a power-run oriented team looking for a player who could develop quickly and pave holes in the run game, Philip would be a great fit.
One of the top offensive guard prospects to enter the NFL in the past decade, David DeCastro is a complete prospect with an NFLready skillset needed to start for any team in the league immediately. A three-year starter at Stanford, DeCastro started the last 39- consecutive games at right guard for the Cardinal. A high-character player with top intangibles, David brings the type of work ethic and attitude that scouts look closely for in a leader; in addition, he’s a high football IQ player with the instincts and understanding of the game that coaches love. DeCastro owns a tall, lean frame with room to continue to grow and long enough arms (32 inches) for the position. As reliable of a pass protector as you’ll find in the country, DeCastro is sinks back into his pass set off the ball with good flexibility and takes on the defender with polished and refined technique; he plays with his knees bent, back arched, and arms extended on a consistent basis. He owns the lower body strength needed to consistently anchor at the point of attack while also owning elite upper body strength (34 reps on bench) needed to gain control and lock on off the snap before neutralizing the defender for the rest of the play with his very strong grip; his functional strength may be the best in the draft from any offensive lineman. David does a very good job of shuffling his feet, while churning his legs when locked on, showing the nimble feet and agility needed to mirror interior pass rushers. He’s not an outstanding athlete, however he owns more than enough athleticism to have a successful career. A dominant blocker in the run game who can be effective in nearly any running scheme at the next level, DeCastro is a polished player here who excels both as a drive blocker and working in space. As a drive blocker, he shows a consistent ability to come off the line with low pad level and come crashing down on the interior lineman to pave open a large hole in the run game; Stanford’s run game was the 18th best in the country this season and 17th best last season, with DeCastro being one of the biggest reasons why. He’s a mauler on the interior who delivers a strong punch at the point of attack to opposing defensive linemen while owning the strength needed to be a road grader at the next level. Where he is very underrated is with his light feet and mobility. A coordinated athlete on the move, David has displayed a unique ability to pull through on trap blocks and clear out the linebacker or tackle to clear a gaping hole for the ball carrier. He’s proven to be capable of being a lead blocker on nearly any run inside or out, and although he’s not the most fluid or flexible athlete, he has more than enough ability to break down and redirect in open space to take a moving target out of the play. David has little trouble sliding to the second level to take out the linebacker. He does a terrific job of continuing to move his feet through contact and has nearly perfected the ability to take on a defender in the run game before driving them backwards by churning his feet, combined with great technique. In short-yardage situations, he has power and strength needed to physically push a pile, one reason why Stanford had plenty of success running the ball on third-and-fourth downs, as well as around the goal line; the Cardinal ranked 17th in the country with 32 rushing touchdowns in 2011 and 12th in the country with 34 in 2010. DeCastro also plays with the of feisty, tenacious mean streak that I look closely for in an offensive lineman, offering the type of fiery mean streak needed to be a very good player in the NFL. Having started 39 games over the past three seasons at Stanford without missing a start, David proved to be a very durable player for the Cardinal and does not have any known injury concerns as he enters the next level. David DeCastro has the physical tools, instincts, intangibles, and polished technique needed to be a 10-15 year starter for the team that drafts him. He has elite potential in the NFL, and I think it’s a question of how many Pro Bowl’s he makes it to, not whether or not he will make it.
A player with the physical tools of Jeff Otah, but the temperament of Tony Ugoh, Kelechi Osemele has the raw combination of size, strength, and athleticism to develop into a very good offensive lineman, however still has some overall question marks in his game. A four-year starter who started the final 44 games of his career, Osemele has experience at both tackle and guard and should be able to provide that versatility to the team that drafts him. Massive, big a wide, thick frame to swallow up defenders when he locks on, Kelechi is a strong, powerful mauler capable of driving the defender off the ball. He has great raw strength in the upper body, possessing a very strong grip at the point of attack; he has tree trunks for legs with great leg drive off the ball also. Kelechi is strong enough at the point of attack to neutralize nearly any defender in the country if he locks on. With his big frame, he’s capable of clearing a wide hole, demolishing anything in front of him when he gains momentum. With long arms (35 inches) and a wide
The next in what has become a very long line of productive Badger offensive linemen to enter the NFL, Kevin Zeitler leaves Madison after having been a three-year, 35-career games starter for Wisconsin. For the last three years, Kevin has been a valuable cog on an offensive line that has led the way for three-consecutive seasons ranking as one of the 15-best run offenses in college football. A polished prospect both physically and technically who is NFL-ready with his combination of size, strength, and polished fundamentals, Zeitler is a finisher who consistently executes his assignment and can be counted on to get the job done. Kevin is a mauler at the point of attack who has proven to be a dependable road grader in the run game for the Badgers. With the ideal frame for a guard prospect, he moves his feet very well for a player of his size. A former wrestler in high school, Zeitler has a great
One of the top small-school players in this year’s draft, Amini Silatolu reminds me of a poor man’s Mike Iupati with the skillset that he brings to the next level. Silatolu was a two-year starter at San Joaquin Delta Community College before transferring to Midwestern State at starting for another two years. While he played left tackle at both San Joaquin Delta and at Midwestern State, Amini projects better inside at offensive guard. Built very well for an interior offensive lineman at the next level, Amini is a naturally strong lineman with good arm length (33 inches) and the athleticism that you look for in the position. In the run game, Silatolu displays the feisty mean streak that I look closely for, often showing a fiery, tenacious attitude on the field. He’s a physical, aggressive blocker off the line of scrimmage, offering a great combination of strength (28 reps on bench) and agility for a player of his size. Inside, he has the flexibility to fire low off the ball, lock onto the defensive lineman, before driving him backwards off the ball. While this won’t be something that he’ll be capable of doing as consistently in the NFL as he did at Midwestern State, you like to see that the experience and technique is there. Very nimble for a 310+ pound offensive lineman, Amini has proven to be more than capable of pulling through and demolishing a defender on traps inside, as well as pulling outside as a lead blocker in the open field, breaking down to redirect, and taking out a moving target in space. His aggressiveness, at times, can be a detriment to him out in space, as he will occasionally play too wild and either run past the defender he’s attempting to block or lose his balance and not effectively execute the block. Quick off the ball, Amini has shown the ability to be very effective with combination blocks, taking on the initial defensive tackle before giving him a violent punch at the point of attack and handing him off to the offensive guard; his nimbleness through the hole as a blocker is hard to find in a prospect, as he shows little trouble getting to the second level to blow the linebacker backwards and open up a gaping hole for the running back to run through. I love the way that Silatolu finishes his blocks; even after tossing the first defender off to the side, he turns up the field, keeps his head on a swivel, and looks for the next defender to take out. Very reliable in pass protection, Amini displays short, quick steps in his kick slide as well as a violent punch off the ball at the point of attack. Still a raw prospect, I’d like to see him sink his hips more in his pass set, as he tends to stand too tall at the point of attack, giving the defender an opportunity to gain leverage on him. In pass protection, he displays very quick, active hands to gain control of the defender and sustain the block through the entirety of the play. He does not project well out on the edge, as he lacks the height, length, and range to be an effective left tackle in the NFL. However, his short-area quickness and lateral agility in closed spaces are both very good and project favorably to guard at the next level. He’s shown some ability to anchor at the point of contact, however, he will need further development in sinking his hips and using his lower body strength to his advantage. The tools are there, he just needs further refinement. Amini proved to be durable throughout his career as a four-year starter between the two colleges and does not have any known injury concerns as he enters the next level. Intelligence could be a question mark, he failed to qualify academically out of San Joaquin Delta for any Division-1A schools, and was forced to play at the D-II level. Amini Silatolu is still a rather raw prospect who is rough around the edges, however he has the tools, skillset, and feisty temperament that you look for in an interior offensive line prospect, and assuming his development goes as planned at the next level, I believe that he has what it takes to develop into a solid starting offensive guard in the NFL.
Physically among the more impressive offensive linemen in this year’s draft class, Brandon Brooks enters the NFL after having been a four-year starter at Miami (OH). Having started 42 games at left tackle as well as both guard positions for the Redhawks, Brooks offers excellent experience with the versatility that you like to see in a player. Owning a huge frame with a very thick, stocky upper body and long arms (33 inches), Brandon has ideal size for a power run-oriented team, along with the raw power and strength (36 reps on bench) needed to physically overpower opposing defensive linemen. In pass protection, Brooks is at his best in closed spaces, having far more success in a phone booth than outside on the edge. Although he owns heavy legs with plenty of sand in his pants, Brandon offers enough nimbleness in short areas needed to be effective inside at guard in the NFL. He has the upper and lower body strength needed to anchor consistently at the point of attack, and does a great job of using his big frame to his advantage in pass protection. He’s a hard player to work around because of his large frame, however he also uses his long arms well to extend out and attempt to gain control of the defender, and when he locks on, he has more than enough strength to neutralize the defensive lineman for the rest of the play. However, with his strong grip, he will tend to get caught holding at times and must develop better discipline with his hand use with his position coach at the next level. Brooks shuffles his feet well inside, and with great instincts, has displayed the anticipation and awareness to spot oncoming rushers that you look for in the position. In the run game, Brandon has all of the raw tools needed to develop into an elite drive blocker at the next level. When on his game, he’s a very powerful player capable of driving nearly any defender off the ball with good leverage. His tree trunks for legs give him excellent leg drive off the ball to overpower defenders and deliver a violent punch at the point of attack. Brooks has shown the potential to be a dominant player here, however he does not play with the type of fierce, tenacious attitude that you look for; if there’s one type of player that you hope would play with a consistent mean streak, it’d be Brooks, however he doesn’t always show it. An average athlete who has trouble in shifting his weight and moving in the open field, Brandon has heavy feet with limited lateral agility and I would not expect him to be considered by teams that own a zone blocking running game, as he would not be effective here; I wouldn’t ask him to pull out and block on the move, as that’s not what he’s built for. At 353 pounds, Brandon still has some bad weight on his frame and will need to get into better shape and take off that weight at the next level. He needs to continue to work on improving his stamina and conditioning, and the team that drafts him will need to keep an eye on his weight and help him stay disciplined in not letting him gain too much weight. Although he missed half of the 2010 season with injury, Brandon does not have any known injury concerns as he enters the next level and offers good durability with his 42 career starts. Brandon Brooks has all of the tools and skills needed to develop into a very good interior offensive lineman in the NFL for a team that implements the power-run game on offense. He will need to shed some bad weight, improve his conditioning, and continue to develop a mean streak, however Brooks has everything that you look for in an offensive lineman that could start in the NFL.
Cut from the same cloth as Joe Thomas and Jake Long, Matt Kalil is one of the best offensive tackle prospects to enter the NFL in the past five years and has everything that you look for in a franchise blind side protector. A former top recruit who started for two seasons at USC, Matt is hoping to follow in his older brother Ryan’s footsteps in being a top pick out of USC who works his way into being one of the highest-paid players at his position in the NFL. As polished technically as you’ll find at the offensive tackle position, Kalil owns an elite combination of size strength, and athleticism for the position; his upper body strength (30 reps on bench) and long arms (34 inches) are both ideal. Kalil is a smart player who has the instincts and understanding of the game that you hope to see in a player. In pass protection, Matt is a natural at sinking back into his pass set immediately off the snap and his flexibility for a player of his size is some of the best that I’ve seen at the position in the last five years. Despite being taller than nearly any defender he matches up with, Kalil has no trouble bending down and playing underneath smaller defenders, showing an outstanding ability to consistently bend at the knees with the balance, light feet, and coordination needed to be a very successful NFL player. Matt is very nimble for a player of his size, owning the agility and range to move laterally with ease; he has the size, long strides, and quick feet to mirror any pass rusher in the country. In addition, Kalil does a great job of shifting his weight while shuffling his feet, showing the ability to consistently close off cutback lanes inside. He plays with a wide stance that is very effective at swallowing up defenders when they get inside on him, and when combined with his great lateral agility, it makes it very difficult for pass rushers to get around him. Matt uses his long arms to his advantage as a pass protector, showing a great understanding for how to extend his long arms out to attempt to lock on and gain control at the point of attack. He displays very good hand use, consistently firing his hands into the defender repeatedly until he can gain control. More of a finesse run blocker up front, Kalil excels at standing the defensive lineman up off the ball before using his wide frame and flexibility to turn and position or wall the defender away from the hole to open up a running lane inside. While he’s proven to be effective here in college, I would like to see Matt continue to work on getting underneath the offensive lineman at the point of attack, coil up, and explode through his hips to drive the defender backwards. He doesn’t physically dominate as a run blocker, but rather uses his athleticism and technique to just get the job done. Kalil is not as ferocious or tenacious as Joe Thomas and Jake Long were, which is why I would like to see him develop a more fiery attitude, as I think that would help him in the NFL. He has the tools and potential to dominate opponents in the run game, but seems to just settle for getting the job done here. Matt Kalil is a franchise left tackle prospect with everything that you look for in a future 10-15 year starter who will make it to a number of Pro Bowls. If he continues to fill out his frame and get stronger, in addition to polishing up his technique and fundamentals, he has the talent and complete package of tools needed to develop into one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.
The next in a very long line of productive Iowa Hawkeye offensive linemen to enter the NFL, Riley Reiff projects as a more-athletic version of former teammate Bryan Bulaga, who was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. A three-year starter with 37 career starts for the Hawkeyes, Reiff was a former defensive end recruit who began his career at left guard playing next to Bulaga as a freshman in 2009 before replacing him at the left tackle position in 2010, where he spent the past two seasons holding down the blind side. Offering the great intangibles and work ethic that you look for in a player, Riley was one of five juniors on Iowa’s leadership group in 2011 and was a team captain in high school, and also was awarded with the team’s Hustle Team Award and Next Man In Award in the past three years. Owning ideal size for the left tackle position with shorter arms than you like to see (33 inches), Reiff has a terrific blend of size, strength, and athleticism at left tackle. Fluid in pass protection with the polished technique that you look for, Riley is more than capable of mirroring the best of pass rushers out on the edge. His great wrestling background is shown on the field, as he does a good job of bending at the knees and playing underneath the defender at the point of attack in pass protection, then using his reach to lock onto the defensive lineman before neutralizing him for the rest of the play with his good upper body strength (23 reps on bench). Reiff’s hand use at the point of attack is polished and is exactly what you look for with the way that he fires his hands quickly inside the defender off the snap to attempt to gain control. His footwork in his kick slide will still need some slight refining, to work on consistently staying square in his recovery, however the combination of size and athleticism that he offers is excellent. He could stand to continue to get stronger in the lower half to help anchor at the point of attack against stronger bull rushers at the next level. Although he’ll occasionally get over-extended by bending at the waist against shorter speed rushers who take advantage of occasional cutback lanes he leaves open inside, Reiff typically does a good job of keeping his feet underneath him and recovers well to cut them off before they can reach the quarterback; with more experience and coaching at the next level, he should continue to develop and improve quickly. In the run game, Riley comes off the ball quickly and drives into the defender with good leverage, displaying a consistent ability to stand the defensive lineman up and wall him off with proper positioning. He’s capable of driving the defender backwards, however he needs to continue to improve his functional strength and grip to lock onto the defensive lineman, sustain his block, and push him out of the hole. With his big frame, he is capable of clearing a wide running lane and was very effective on reach blocks in Iowa’s zone blocking scheme, in which his quick feet give him a great advantage. With how nimble he is, Reiff excels at sliding to the second level to take out the linebacker and is more than capable of moving in the open field, breaking down to redirect, and hitting a moving target in space. He’s not exactly a mauler inside, and is more of a finesse offensive lineman, however he has the traits needed to develop into a drive blocker at the next level. Although not as polished as Bryan Bulaga was when he entered the league in 2010, Riley Reiff offers better upside and a higher ceiling than Bulaga did. For the team that drafts him, Reiff will be an immediate contributor capable of holding down the fort at left tackle.
The blind-side protector for quarterback Andrew Luck, Jonathan Martin leaves Stanford after having been an elite three-year starter for the Cardinal. Having started 37 games at left tackle, Martin offers the experience and durability that you look for in a top prospect. Jonathan owns great versatility, having also lined up frequently on the right side of the line in Stanford’s run-heavy Hulk formation. With an impressive blend of size, strength, and raw athleticism, Martin proved over the course of his career to be one of the most reliable pass blockers in college football. In pass protection, he displays an excellent ability to quickly transition into his pass set, sit down in a chair, and anchor right off the snap. Jonathan possesses very good flexibility in the lower half, showing the consistent ability to bend at the knees that is needed to be successful at the next level. As a pass blocker, Martin owns enough strength in the lower body needed to withstand a bull rush off the ball before sinking back into his pass set to reset before re-engaging the defender. He’s a proven, dependable anchor who doesn’t own elite strength, but understands how to use his flexibility to his advantage. A polished prospect with the technique and fundamentals needed to start immediately at the next level, Jonathan consistently plays low at the point of attack with a smooth kick slide and outstanding leverage, and uses his long arms (34 inches) to his advantage as he extends out to gain control of the defender. Martin does now own ideal strength in the upper body (20 reps on bench), but rather makes up for it with his nimble feet and terrific agility as a pass blocker. He shows the quickness and fluidity needed to mirror speed pass rushers off the edge and has a very natural ability to shift his weight while shuffling his feet in pass protection. Between his light feet, flexibility, and core strength to anchor at the point of attack, Martin will never be a dominant offensive tackle, however he offers everything needed to be an extremely effective blocker who is very difficult to beat. However, I would like to see him continue to get stronger while filling out his frame, as he has room to continue to add weight and bulk up. A polished run blocker as well, Jonathan is a fantastic zone-blocking prospect who displays an innate understanding of angles, positioning, and leverage. Off the ball, he quickly engages the defender low at the point of attack to gain leverage while locking on before turning and either walling off or pushing the defensive lineman out of the play to open up a running lane inside. With his nimble feet and agility, he offers the mobility needed to pull outside as a lead blocker, pull through on traps, as well as slide to the second level to effectively take out the linebacker. Jonathan Martin is a complete prospect at the offensive tackle position. He will not be one to physically dominate opponents at the next level, as he lacks the strength and elite athletic tools to do so. However, he’s as reliable and dependable of a player as there is at this position, and with the experience that he has blocking for a future franchise quarterback in Luck, I believe that he has everything needed to translate that success to the NFL. He could play left or right tackle for the team that drafts him.
One of the most intriguing offensive linemen in this year’s draft, Georgia’s Cordy Glenn enters the NFL with some of the best versatility of any player available for selection this spring. With experience playing up and down the offensive line, Cordy projects favorably to both tackle and guard thanks to his experience, massive size, and natural athleticism. After signing with Georgia out of high school as a highly-recruited prep, Glenn was thrown into the mix as a true freshman, starting seven games at left guard and three games at right guard in 2008; as a sophomore in 2009, he started the season opener against Oklahoma State at right guard before moving to left tackle for the next four games and then kicking inside to left guard to start the final eight games there; he went on to start all 13 games as a junior at left guard and then finished his career at left tackle where he started all 13 games as a senior. He leaves Georgia with 49-career starts, second-most by any offensive lineman to play for the Bulldogs. A team leader who was elected captain in 2011, Cordy offers the type of leadership and work ethic that scouts and coaches covet in a player. The biggest player in attendance at the Senior Bowl, Glenn possesses the type of size and strength that is hard to find; however, when you combine that with his natural athleticism and quick feet, he’s the type of rare prospect that presents very high upside at the next level. In 2011, Cordy began the season slowly as he was getting accustomed to the left tackle position. Later on towards the end of the season, you could tell that he was improving from week-to-week, displaying the type of polished technique and fundamentals that he didn’t exhibit at the beginning of the season. This is a promising sign, as it shows that he is a coachable player who can develop quickly and can make an impact early in his career for the team that drafts him. In the run game, Glenn displays good hand placement at the point of attack with a strong grip, and when you add his big size to swallow up defenders as well as the power and strength to drive them off the ball, he presents the type of tools that you typically see in a player who has the potential to dominate in this area in the NFL; while he’s not a full-on road grader right now, he has the skillset to develop into a mauler in the right offensive system at the next level. Although
One of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school, Mike Adams had a rocky, up-and-down career with the Buckeyes, never quite living up to the steep expectations but finishing his career as a reliable and dependable blindside protector. A two-year starter with 25 career starts for Ohio State, Adams shared the Buckeyes’ Jim Parker Award as the team’s most valuable offensive lineman with center Mike Brewster in 2011. Owning a fabulous combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the position, Mike has an ideal frame with the long arms (33 inches), wingspan (81 inches), and length that scouts look closely for at the position. A polished prospect with the refined technique and fundamentals needed to contribute immediately at the next level, Adams has an NFL ready skillset with flexible, fluid athleticism as well as developed tools that will be required of him in order to compete for a starting job as a rookie. In pass protection, Mike does a fantastic job of sitting down in his pass set right off the snap, not allowing for himself to play too tall despite his huge size; his flexibility is rather impressive for how tall he is, as he manages to bend at the knees and sink his hips to get underneath the defensive end and gain leverage before locking on and using his upper body strength to take him out of the play. There are a few times when he will play too high at the point of attack, however this is something that can be ironed out with his position coach at the next level. Mike’s wide frame is valuable for him, as he has the ability to stretch out with good balance and make it very difficult for defenders to get around him. His hand use is good, but is still improving, however I do like that he has shown the ability to provide a strong punch at the point of contact off the ball. With his balance, he does a fine job of sinking back into his pass set with the lower body strength to anchor against bullrushing defensive ends. Adams’ long arms are among his greatest assets, as they allow for him to extend out off the snap to catch the pass rushing end while protecting the edge. With fantastic agility for a player of his size, Mike has the range to consistently protect the corner as well as the lateral agility and short-area quickness needed to rebound and come back inside when the end redirects; between his fluid athleticism, flexibility to bend, and his quick feet, Mike has the makings of being an elite player at the position and could have a better pro career than college career when everything is said and done. Mike Adams has the physical tools and skillset to develop into a Pro Bowl left tackle for a team for the next decade. However, he must prove that he can keep his head on straight, show that he is motivated and dedicated, as well as continue to develop and learn the nuances of the position in order to reach his potential.
One of the top pass rushing prospects in this year’s draft who offers excellent versatility at the next level, Courtney Upshaw leaves Alabama after having been one of the most valuable players on the top-ranked Crimson Tide defense in 2011. A two-year starter for the Tide, Upshaw finished his career in Tuscaloosa having produced 141 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four pass breakups, and one interception; his best statistical season came his senior year in 2011 when he tallied 52 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and his lone interception. Lining up in Alabama’s “Jack” linebacker position, Courtney is experienced lining up both with his hand on the ground at end in a four-man front as well as playing outside linebacker in the Tide’s 3- 4 defense; he projects well to either position at the next level. An intimidating defender who plays with the type of tenacious and fiery attitude that I love to see out of a pass rushing prospect, Courtney is a relentless player who offers a non-stop motor; his persistence and motor as a pass rusher are what makes him such a good player. As a pass rusher, he offers the acceleration and speed off the ball needed to beat the tackle to the edge as well as the flexibility and fluid athleticism needed to redirect quickly in the open field. Although he doesn’t possess an elite burst or explosive get off that you see with some other top pass rushers, Upshaw’s ability to line up anywhere in the box and create pressure is what makes him so valuable. He’s displayed a unique ability to consistently beat the tackle to the edge before dipping his hips and lowering his shoulder to get underneath the tackle and turn the corner in pursuit of the quarterback. He also owns very good vision, quickly finding an open crease in the offensive line and accelerating through it with the agility to elude blockers as he chases down the quarterback. Although this is nitpicking, I’d like to see Courtney continue to develop his swim and rip moves in his pass rush repertoire, as this will allow for him to continue to improve as a pass rusher in the NFL. He’s got a great start, owning polished hand use with a very good swim move, however he has great potential here and still has room to improve. An instinctive defender who reads and reacts very well to what he sees in front of him, Courtney locates the ball very quickly outside, showing a great ability to close down the line to meet the running back as he’s entering the hole. He plays with great leverage out on the edge in the run game, displaying a consistent ability to give the offensive lineman a violent punch at the point of attacking before setting the edge against the offensive tackle. Upshaw cleanly disengages with great hand use, and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to sink his hips and get around the blocker to meet the running back in the backfield. The fact that one out of every four tackles he made was behind the line of scrimmage shows the type of impact he makes in defending the run. Despite being smaller than any offensive lineman he goes up against, Courtney shows the type of leverage and flexible ability to bend underneath the offensive lineman with an arched back to consistently win the leverage battle at the point of attack. Terrific in pursuit with sideline-to sideline range, Courtney plays downhill and has repeatedly shown the ability to chase down ball carriers from behind. Despite weighing over 270 pounds, he offers outstanding speed and closing speed for a player of his size.
One of the most productive defenders in the country the last two years, Lavonte David signed with Nebraska out of Fort Scott Community College in 2010 and immediately left his mark on the program as he tallied 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups, and two interceptions in his two seasons with the Huskers; his most productive season came as a junior in 2010 when he set the Nebraska-school record for tackles in a season with 152 while also adding 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, and 10 pass breakups. A great athlete with the ability to make plays sideline-to-sideline, David is a very instinctive player who reads his keys and is quick to react to what he sees in front of him. With the speed and range to make plays all over the field, Lavonte was a one-man
One of the best all-around athletes of any defensive player in this year’s draft, Zach Brown was a two-sport star (football, track) for the Tar Heels who has immense upside at the next level if he can land in the right situation and develop a better temperament on the field. Although he only started for one full season, Brown finished his career at North Carolina having started 23 games and producing 230 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and seven interceptions; his best statistical season came as a senior in 2011 when he tallied 105 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, all 5.5 sacks and four pass breakups, and three interceptions. A fantastic athlete with the fluidity and range to play sideline-to-sideline and make plays all over the field, Zach is an extremely quick, nimble, and agile player at the linebacker position who offers an intriguing skillset to defenses in the NFL. Brown is a finesse, quick-twitch defender who covers ground quickly and is more than capable of chasing down running backs on the perimeter with his track speed. Rather than taking on blockers in the box, Zach simply attempts to run around them to avoid contact. He’s far from being a physical defender, but rather seems to shy away from getting mixed up inside with bigger linemen; when he does take on blockers, he usually is easily neutralized due to his lack of bulk and strength; he must continue to fill out his skinny but lean frame and get stronger in order to have a better chance of stacking and shedding at the next level. Brown is far better at playing out in open space where he can use his great athleticism to his advantage in pursuing and chasing. To reach his potential and upside in the NFL, Zach must develop a better killer instinct and be willing to play more physically in defending the run. When attempting to make a tackle, he tends to throw his body at the ball carrier rather than actually breaking down and wrapping up; he needs further development as a form tackler. In addition, he tends to rely too much on his speed and range, at times over-pursuing a ball carrier because he didn’t take a proper angle to the ball. In coverage, Brown moves like a safety with his ability to gain great depth on his drops and turn and run with great flexibility in his hips. Although he’ll need to continue to develop his instincts to diagnose plays in front of him, he possesses the quick ability to break on a ball and close quickly on receivers who cross into his zone. In man coverage, Zach’s combination of size and speed makes him a terrific defender in manning up with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. A tremendous prospect based on his measurables, Zach possesses a rare combination of size and athleticism for the linebacker position. The team that drafts him will be selecting him purely based on potential and upside, as he didn’t play with the type of physical demeanor or temperament to warrant being a Top 50 pick, which is where his physical tools and skillset will likely land him.
A talented athlete with the physical tools needed to make the transition to the NFL. A 1.5-year starter with just 14 career starts for the Sooners, Lewis totaled 119 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions over the course of his career in Norman; his best statistical season came during his junior season in 2011 when he recorded 60 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one interception. Owning an ideal build for an outside rush linebacker, Ronnell has a great combination of size, strength (36 reps on bench), and speed (4.68 40). As a pass rusher, Lewis offers a ton of versatility after having lined up both with his hand on the ground at end as well as standing up at linebacker. With good short-area quickness, Ronnell owns the quick feet needed to weave in and out of traffic in pursuit of the quarterback. He doesn’t own great explosion or an elite burst, but possesses enough acceleration needed to get the job done at the next level and has shown the quick change of direction skills that you look for at the position.. His speed is more evident with his range than with his ability to rush the passer, as he doesn’t show the ability to consistently run the arc. Lewis is a physical player with the strength needed to fight his way through blocks; he will need further refinement of his pass rush repertoire, however he has the type of upper body strength where he could really develop quickly if he improved his hand use. He was able to get by on his physical tools in college, however that won’t be the case in the NFL. As a run defender, Ronnell projects better as a linebacker than at end at the next level, as he doesn’t own the lower body strength needed to consistently set the edge or anchor at the point of attack. He owns long enough arms (32 inches) as well as the upper body strength to extend out and attempt to hold his ground, however he also doesn’t play with the consistent technique and fundamentals that you look for and will need to improve his inconsistent discipline here. Lewis understands how to locate the ball in the backfield and flow to ball carrier, however he doesn’t show the type of instincts and awareness needed to read or diagnose plays and will be step late at times because of it; he’s as raw from a mental standpoint as he is with his technique and hand use. Part of the reason for Ronnell’s average production at Oklahoma is as a result of being moved back and forth from end to linebacker without being given the chance to develop and learn the nuances of one position, shown in his inconsistent instincts, however his raw technique and lack great hand use also played a part here. Ronnell Lewis is an intriguing pass rushing prospect because of the physical tools that he offers, however it’s hard to be optimistic with a player who has injury questions, didn’t get the job done in the classroom off the field, and never appeared to be an overly productive player for his team. Lewis projects favorably as a 3-4 outside rush linebacker where the wide alignment outside could give him a better opportunity to rush the passer at the next level. In the 4-3 defense, he either projects as a pass rush specialist at end or as a developmental project as a WILL linebacker, however he projects far better in the 3-4 than 4-3.
A relentless defender whose non-stop motor and ability to make plays all over the field have won scouts over at the next level, Shea McClellin enters the NFL with an intriguing combination of tools and versatility. A three-year starter at Boise State (started the final 37 games of his career) who was considered the heart of the defense for the Broncos, McClellin finished his career in Boise having produced 129 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 19.5 sacks, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles; the most productive season of his career came as a senior in 2011 when he tallied 50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two interceptions, and forced one fumble. Shea McClellin is a coach’s dream, bringing a fantastic motor and the type of non-stop pursuit that you simply can’t teach, as well as offering the versatility to line up at a number of different positions. He’s a tenacious defender who plays with a fiery attitude and violently attacks the line of scrimmage. An underrated athlete with the flexibility and agility you look for, McClellin has displayed the ability to get underneath offensive linemen and dart into the backfield to make a play as a pass rusher; Shea has a ton of experience rushing the passer from different angles and would be a great fit in a defensive scheme that likes to stunt a lot. He’s a disruptive player who may not always make the play, but wreaks enough havoc that he gives someone else on the defense the opportunity to bring down the quarterback or ball carrier. Although not explosive or overly fast off the edge, Shea anticipates the snap count very well, reads his keys and locates the ball quickly, and shows the type of natural pass rushing instincts that are hard to find. Good with his hand use at the point of attack, McClellin offers enough of a pass rush repertoire to make an impact, and I expect to see him continue to improve here on what is already a solid base so far. As a run defender, Shea is a very disciplined player who is rarely out of position. Although he doesn’t have great size or strength, he is a very physical player at the point of attack who seals the edge very well and plays with great technique. Because of his lack of strength he can be drive out of the play and swallowed up by bigger, stronger offensive linemen. McClellin pursues and chases as well as any defender in the country, often making a play well outside of the pocket or down the field thanks to his tremendous hustle. An overachiever who gets everything out of his abilities that he can, Shea does not possess the type of explosion or quick-twitch abilities that scouts typically look for in a pass rusher and because he doesn’t have the prototypical size or strength either, most scouts consider him to be a “tweener,” meaning he doesn’t have a true position at the next level. A high-character player who offers all of the intangibles that you look for in a prospect, Shea does not have any character concerns and proved to be a durable player over the course of his career with the Broncos. Shea McClellin is a player that is hard not to like because of the high-energy play and terrific intangibles that he brings to the table. In my opinion, he would fit well as a 3-4 outside rush linebacker where he would be given more space to work with as a pass rusher and would be cleaner from traffic than if he were playing in the 4-3 defense. In the 4-3, he could project as a project as a WILL or MIKE linebacker, or as a pass rush specialist on third downs. He’s the type of player that should move moved around and played in different positions in order to maximize his talents and abilities in the NFL, however I do believe that he has what it takes to have a successful career as a starting outside rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense. Although he won’t ever be an elite player, the consistency and reliability that he would bring would be worth investing in.
The most instinctive linebacker to enter the NFL since Patrick Willis was drafted with the 11th overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, Luke Kuechly leaves Boston College as one of the most productive players in college football history. A three-year starter for Boston College, in 2011, Kuechly won the Butkus Award (top linebacker in college football), the Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker in college football), the Lott IMPACT Trophy (defensive impact player of the year) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player in college football). The most decorated defensive player in Boston College football history, Luke is the Eagles’ first two-time All-American, having led the country in tackles as a sophomore (183) and junior (191). He completed his career at Boston College having produced 537 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 10 pass breakups, and seven interceptions; his best statistical season came during his junior year in 2011 when he totaled 191 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and three interceptions. As close to a sure-thing as I’ve seen in the past six years, Kuechly brings outstanding intangibles to the team that drafts him, offering the type of work ethic and leadership that few are blessed with. Possessing ideal height for the position with some room in his frame to continue to grow, Luke owns rare instincts at linebacker, whose ability to read and react to what he sees in front of himself is fantastic. He diagnoses plays as fast as any player that I’ve seen in the past six years and shows an elite ability to locate the ball before pursuing it down the field. He does an outstanding job in pursuit, displaying a relentless effort to swarm to the ball and has both the range and the straight-line speed needed to chase down ball carriers from behind. Kuechly is a polished prospect who plays with excellent technique and fundamentals; he consistently wraps up the ball carrier with near-perfect form when in position to make the tackle. With a great, non-stop motor, he does a very good job of playing over the top in the run game and is exceptional at playing inside-out while scraping over the top from his MIKE position. Luke takes great angles to the ball, which gives him a great opportunity to put himself in prime position to make the tackle. He makes it very difficult for offensive linemen to get to the second level to block him because he reacts so quickly to the play and possesses the athleticism to evade oncoming blockers in traffic. With his great technique and underrated upper body strength (27 reps on bench), he’s proven to be very effective at stacking and shedding blocks around the line of scrimmage and fills his hole very quickly on runs between the tackles; my only recommendation is that I think he could stand to add another 10 pounds of bulk and strength, which will make it even easier to shed blockers and make up for the jump to the next level. A deceptive athlete whose acceleration to quickly close on the receiver or ball carrier is very good, Kuechly does a great job of pursuing across the field, showing a heady ability to come from the backside of the play and still make the tackle; he’s always around the football and is rarely out of position. An experienced playing in dropping back into zone coverage, Luke has the athleticism and loose hips in his game to turn and run in transition well. He’s an excellent coverage linebacker who shows an innate ability to both cover zones as well as cover a tight end or running back out of the backfield with ease. Although not an elite athlete, his change of direction skills and fluidity in his drops are elite for a linebacker prospect. With 17 passes defended in three years, Kuechly has displayed the type of ball skills that you look for, however with the way that he is capable of dropping back and reading the quarterback’s eyes, he consistently puts himself in position to either make a play on the ball or make the tackle on the receiver who caught it down the field. The only area that he may not produce much at is as a pass rusher, however his production in dropping back into coverage makes up for it, however he has shown the ability to dart through the line and bring the running back down for a loss in the run game. Coming into the Combine, many scouts questioned what type of athleticism Luke had, claiming that he would not be capable of dropping back into coverage because he lacked great speed; those misconceptions were quickly dispelled, as Luke was one of the top performers in nearly every test, producing a 38 inch vertical jump and 10-foot, three-inch broad jump. Having played in 38-straight games, including a streak of 33-straight games with double-digit tackles, Luke was the epitome of reliable with the durability that you look for; he does not have any known injury concerns as he enters the next level. Luke Kuechly is one of the most complete prospects that I have seen and will be able to contribute immediately for the team that drafts him. He projects best as a MIKE linebacker in the 4-3 defense, although he does have experience playing outside and could move there if needed; however, he’s a natural MIKE who should play there in the NFL.
The true leader of the 2011 National Championship Crimson Tide defense, Dont’a Hightower enters the NFL with a complete package of skills that project very well to the next level. A 3.5-year starter with 41 career starts for Alabama, Hightower produced 235 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, five sacks, seven pass breakups, and one interception over the course of his career in Tuscaloosa; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he made 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, and his lone interception. Offering elite intangibles, instincts, and leadership, Dont’a was a two-time captain who made the play calls and checks for Alabama’s defense. Built very well for an inside linebacker with an ideal combination of size, strength, and speed, Hightower is a classic thumper in the middle who will be a playmaker wherever he lands at the next level. A physical, sound tackler who consistently makes plays inside, Dont’a's great instincts and understanding of the game allow for him to locate the ball and diagnose plays quickly from his middle linebacker position. Hightower is not going to be a lateral, sideline-to-sideline defender, as he doesn’t play with the fluidity or quick-twitch change of direction skills that you look for, however when playing straight-ahead, downhill inside the box, he’s among the best in the country. Dont’a fills the hole well with great run fits, showing an innate understanding of how to scrape over the top to meet a running back as he’s coming through the hole. In addition, Hightower does a terrific job of playing over the top and has enough speed to flow outside to the ball on the perimeter. While he doesn’t have great range, he plays with a high-motor and the type of intensity that is not easy to find. With his size, bulk, and strength, Dont’a is as good as you’re going to find at stacking and shedding blockers inside and has shown an instinctive ability to work through traffic while keeping his eyes in the backfield. Hightower’s physical play shows up on a frequent basis when he is able to deliver a violent hit to the running back or quarterback; he’s an intimidating presence in the middle whose teammates feed of his energy. Hightower is a very underrated pass rusher off the edge; in passing situations, he was moved down to defensive end in a four-man front and was told to get after the quarterback. With five sacks, including four in 2011, Dont’a did just that. He’s a disruptive presence on the line who uses his strength and short-area agility to work through creases up front, and is a terrifying player for quarterbacks to see coming when given an open hole to blitz from his linebacker position. He developed his pass rush repertoire throughout his career and seems to have a good feel for how to rip through the line or effectively use his hands to gain leverage and work his way into the backfield. He’s not entirely explosive as a rusher, however he brings consistent pressure and cannot be unaccounted for, otherwise he will wreak havoc. The versatility that he brings to the table to be able to line up at defensive end and bring production as an added pass rusher is invaluable. In coverage, Hightower has experience dropping back into zone where he displays a strong ability to gain good depth off the snap; he understands scheme concepts as well as offering the instincts needed to read and react to the action in front of him. He lacks the fluidity to turn and run in transition that is needed to be effective in man coverage at the next level and other than matching up big bigger tight ends, he does not project favorably here. Durability could be a question mark with Dont’a after he tore his left ACL four games into the 2009 season; he took a while to recover from the injury, but eventually bounced back with a great season in 2011. He also had surgery to repair a small fracture in his left hand before his junior year started, which is another thing that teams will need to look into. Dont’a Hightower has the talent, athleticism, and tools to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber middle linebacker in the NFL. He projects best as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense where he would be asked to
One of the stars of the NFL Scouting Combine leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft, Mychal Kendricks is one of the best all-around athletes at the linebacker position in this year’s draft. A three-year starter for the Cal Bears, Kendricks produced a total of 259 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, five passes defended, and four interceptions throughout his career at Berkley; his best statistical season came during his senior season in 2011 when he recorded107 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. Mychal is a versatile player with experience at both inside and outside linebacker at Cal, and could project to both positions at the next level. Shorter than you’d prefer with enough bulk to make it work at the next level, Kendricks is a free-flowing linebacker whose greatest strength is his range and athleticism to make sideline-to-sideline plays. In the run game, Mychal diagnoses the play and locates the ball very quickly, displaying the quickness and acceleration to close quickly while taking good angles to the ball. With the straight-line speed to chase the running back down from behind on the perimeter, Kendricks owns a great motor and is always around the ball. He does a terrific job of playing inside-out from his MIKE linebacker position in Cal’s 4-3 and 3-4 defense, showing the ability to scrape over the top and meet the running back as he’s coming through the hole. When in position to make the tackle, Mychal is capable of crashing down on the back with a powerful tackle. In the open field, outside of over-pursuing and running past the ball carrier, he’s a reliable wrap up tackler who drags the ball carrier down to the ground aggressively after gaining control. His lack of size is going to be a concern, as he will struggle to wrap up and bring down bigger, stronger backs at the next level. In the box, Mychal uses his flexibility and fluid athleticism to bend down or use his quickness to evade blockers rather than taking them on. When the blocker engages Kendricks, he usually can be driven out of the play with ease due to his lack of size and strength (24 reps on bench), however with his great motor, he does fight throughout the play to disengage, although he can be neutralized relatively easily if locked onto. On third downs, Kendricks spent plenty of time both rushing the passer as well as dropping back into coverage. I love the timing and anticipation that he plays with when blitzing through the line, as he has shown the ability to explode across the line of scrimmage as the ball is being snapped; while he will tend to get stonewalled at the line by bigger offensive linemen when rushing the passer, he does a great job of taking full advantage of any open crease, quickly accelerating through it and closing down on the quarterback to make a sack. With 43 stops behind the line of scrimmage throughout his career, he’s shown a heady ability to effectively play close to the line of scrimmage and be an impact player thanks to his athleticism, quickness, and range to chase ball carriers down. As a pass rusher, he will need further development with his hand use and pass rush repertoire, however he offers nice promise and upside here. In coverage, Mychal has more than enough fluidity, speed, and athleticism to cover the running back out of the backfield or the tight end down the field in man coverage and does have some experience lining up in the slot.
An intriguing athlete at the middle linebacker position who presents a fine blend of size, speed, and athleticism for the position, James-Michael (JM) Johnson enters the NFL after having been a four starter with a fantastic 50 career starts for the Wolf Pack. A productive player throughout his college career, Johnson tallied 295 tackles, 37.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and three interceptions through his four years in Reno; his best statistical season came as a senior in 2011when he recorded 100 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, and one interception. A two-time captain for Nevada, JM possesses the type of leadership, work ethic, and intangibles that coaches and scouts love to see in a player. Offering a lean frame with room to add weight and gain strength, JM is an excellent athlete with the speed and range to make plays all over the field. A smart defender who reads reacts well to what he sees in front of him, Johnson possesses the type of quick-twitch ability to break on the ball that scouts look closely for in linebackers. Although he will need to continue to get stronger at the next level, JM has displayed the ability to shed blockers well at the point of attack in pursuit of the running back. A downhill defender in the run game, Johnson accelerates quickly towards the ball carrier when he finds a crease, which is shown in his strong 37.5 tackles for loss; he has a knack for making plays in the backfield thanks to his instincts and speed to close on the ball. JM has nimble feet, which allows for him to pick his way through traffic easily; he does a good job of playing inside-out and scraping over the top in the run game. Johnson has the quick feet and agility to elude blockers rather than consistently take them on which is something that helped him when defending the run. With his aggressive style of play, there are times when he will take poor angles to the ball, which is something that surely will be corrected at the next level. In coverage, JM doesn’t have fluid hips to consistently turn and run down the field, however he gains very good depth in his drops with his range and has shown the ability to close quickly on receivers crossing into his zone. In man coverage, he’s still inconsistent with his ability to mirror tight ends and running backs down the field, as his technique is still rather raw, however with his speed and athleticism, if coached properly at the next level, could develop into a fine player here.
A smart and instinctive three year starter for the Wolfpack, Audie Cole proved to be a valuable player for the Wolfpack over the course of his career with his versatility to play both SAM and MIKE linebacker in the team’s 4-3 defense. The 12th-leading tackler in school history, Cole leaves Raleigh having produced 276 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, eight pass breakups, and one interception; his best statistical season came as a senior in 2011 when he moved inside to middle linebacker from his natural strongside position and tallied 108 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and four pass breakups. Audie was a team captain who offers the leadership and work ethic that you coaches and scouts look for in a player. Very instinctive at the linebacker position, Audie diagnoses very quickly, showing the read and react skills to locate the ball before flowing to the action. He owns polished technique with good size and long arms (32 inches) for the position, consistently displaying a good form as a tackler when bringing the ball carrier to the ground. A downhill, straight-ahead linebacker, Cole fills well in the hole and has a good motor, showing a consistent ability to always be around the football. Although his speed is not going to be something that will impress scouts, his ability to flow to the action in pursuit is strong. He does a very good job of playing over the top in the run game, also doing nice job of playing inside-out from his new position in 2011. Where Audie is going to struggle is with his lack of speed and range for the position. He’s an average athlete who will have trouble chasing down ball carriers to the perimeter at the next level. He also doesn’t have the change of direction skills or fluidity that I look for. In addition, while he displays good technique as a tackler, he needs to gain strength in the upper body and develop a strong grip, as there are times when backs will run through his arm tackles. Adding further strength in the upper body will also help him stack and shed at the point of attack, as he can be drive out of the play by bigger offensive lineman; there are times when he will struggle to work his way through traffic in the middle. Cole also needs to continue to develop in the lower half and play with better positioning and leverage when taking on blockers in the run game.
