It’s late June which means it’s the dog days of summer. The rumors are starting to really heat up around Major League Baseball with the trade deadline quickly approaching and the NBA free agent frenzy is set to begin. We also all know that the NFL getting ready to start training camp in a few weeks so there is some scuttle bug around the gridiron as well.
Before I get to the rumors, I want to wish my “little brother” Tyron “Bossy” Brackenridge a happy birthday. He gave himself an early birthday present last night (which just happens to be our Grandma, Carol Arrigo’s birthday) with an interception against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Saskatchewan Roughriders 43-16 win in the CFL opener. I’m proud of you on and off the field bro and keep doing what you doing!!
RUMOR:
n.
A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.
Unverified information received from another; hearsay.
Inside Pitch MLB Rumors:
The Dodgers and Astros have agreed to a deal that would send OF/1B Carlos Lee and cash to Los Angeles for Double A pitcher Garrett Gould. The deal is not a given since Lee has a limited no trade clause (to 14 teams) and really doesn’t want to leave the Houston area because he runs an extremely lucrative cattle ranch there. Lee is in the last year of a 6 year $100 million dollar deal and would give the Dodgers some needed some pop in their line-up with Matt Kemp on the DL and Andre Ethier out (with a muscle strain). As I write this (at 5:15pm pst) Lee is still considering the deal, but reports are it doesn’t look as if he will accept it. I was told by a perosn close to the situation that if a deal doesn’t happen involving Lee that they would turn their attention to another player because “something else will come up, it always does this time of the year.” It was reported by Fox’s Ken Rosenthal that Lee would like to have a decision by Sunday.
The Orioles and Phillies agreed to a deal that send DH/1B Jim Thome to Baltimore for class-a pitcher Kyle Simon and minor-league catcher Gabriel Lino. A deal was announced after each team played Saturday. This could be a sign that the Phillies are going to be sellers at the deadline, or they could be starting to move some salary to try and resign some of their own player (Cole Hamels or Shane Victorino).
The Dodgers also made huge waves this past week when they signed Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig (pronounced Pah-eeg) to a 7 year $42 million dollar deal. The 21 year old, 6’2, 215 pound outfield has been compared to Matt Kemp or Vlad Guerrero. The baseball scouting community varies on their opinions of Puig, who is considered a 5 tool prospect. Some think he is the real deal and should make in impact in the Majors either later this year or next season. Other scouts feel he is overrated and the Dodgers over spent to land him. From what I have seen Puig looks like the real deal (although he needs to go the other way more) and will give the Dodgers one of the most dynamic outfields in baseball. One thing is for certain, the new Dodgers ownership is not shying away from spending on players they feel can have an impact on the field for the Dodgers in hopes of bringing a World Series title back to LA for the first time since 1988.
With the signing of Puig the Dodgers have tied up $278 million dollars in their outfield (of Kemp, Athier & Puig) and look to spend more at the deadline and in the off season. I have heard that the Dodgers are in on pitchers Francisco Liriano of the Twins, Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza of the Cubs, Zack Greinke of the Brewers and should he be available, Cole Hamels of the Phillies. They also have a high interest in 3B Edwin Encarnacion of the Blue Jays, who will be made available should the Blue Jays fade out of contention.
The Yankees have had internal discussions about Zack Greinke and Francisco Liriano since they lost Andy Pettitte for 6 weeks and CC Sabathia for 2 starts. While no deal is likely, from what I was told it is a sign that Brian Cashman is softening his stance about not dealing for starting pitching.
I was told that the Rangers have scouted Brewers starter Zack Greinke and that the Brewers would want shortstop Jurickson Profar, the Rangers top prospect, in return as part of a bigger package for Greinke. The Dodgers, Yankees, Cardinals, Orioles and Braves also have scouted Greinke and had internal discussions about the talented Brewers pitcher. The Rangers also are scouting Cole Hamels of the Phillies.
On The Sideline NFL Rumors:
This is more of a thought then a rumor and it centers around Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. For 16 years the Packers fans loved Favre and he could do no wrong. He was one of 5 central figures (Bob Harlan, Ron Wolf, Mike Holmgren and the late Reggie White) that led the Packers turn around from doormats to the most stable franchise in the NFL. Up until recently Favre was hadn’t had any kind words for NFL MVP and former understudy Aaron Rodgers. Favre recently told Deion Sanders ” Aaron Rodgers, I knew when I left, this guy has all the tools,”Favre said. “He can beat you with his feet. He’s got a great arm, extremely accurate, handles the cast around him perfect.” Those may be the start of the fence mending and in my opinion it is about time.
While Favre left the Packers no choice but to deal him and both sides took things personal and handled the situation like Jr. High school kids fighting, it’s time for both to “kiss and make-up.” Favre’s place in Packers history is either at or near the top (depending on who you talk to) and he needs to be recognized as such. Ted Thompson would privately tell you that he wished he handled the situation better as Favre probably would too. It’s time for the future Hall of Famer and one of the most storied teams in NFL history to get together and welcome each other back into each others lives.
As for the fans, we (and I include myself and other family members in this) and the Favre supporters need to realize that the NFL is a business and no matter how painful the final outcome maybe for one party or the other. To take things personal and hold grudges that help no one and only divide an icon from the team he will forever be associated with and it’s fan base (and vice versa). For Favre to not give Rodgers credit until now was childish, but that being said, he has and it’s better late then never. Now the team needs to retire Favre’s number and once he is elected into the NFL Hall of Fame, include his name in their “Ring of Honor” with the likes of White, Lombardi, Starr and Lambeau.
The Crossover NBA Rumors:
The rumors are running rapid about the Lakers making a couple big deals this offseason. The first rumor has the Lakers sending Pau Gasol to Atlanta for Josh Smith and a “filler” player. On the surface some would wonder why the Lakers would make this deal and the reasoning is Smith is close to Dwight Howard and the hope for the Lakers is if they add Smith, LA would look more attractive to Howard. Which leads to the next Lakers rumor: Andrew Bynum & a “filler” player for Dwight Howard. Should the Lakers add Smith, Howard’s interest would go up in joining the Lakers. Any deal would be made after July 1st.
A player that is going to draw interest from a few teams is former Grizzlies point guard OJ Mayo. Mayo wasn’t tendered a contract in part because the Grizz couldn’t afford him and the $8.5 mill tender. The Lakers have a definite interest in Mayo, who already has a good relationship with Kobe Bryant dating back to Mayo’s days at USC, and are expected to pursue him. The Lakers won’t be the only team in on Mayo with the Pacers, Clippers, Celtics and T-Wolves all having interest.
The hot rumor going around NBA circles is Deron Williams and Jason Kidd are a packaged deal and they will both end up with the Nets. They are hanging out together in the Hamptons this weekend and will meet with the Nets and Mavs Monday. There is ramped speculation that their minds are made up and will end in Brooklyn.
I am hearing that the Lakers are leaning towards amnestying Metta World Peace (Ron Artest). The Lakers are a team that has interest in Rashard Lewis (who was released today) and want to free up cash in the short and long term. They tried to move MWP during the draft but had no takers. Lewis, like Josh Smith, is also a close friend of Dwight Howard and from what I hear the Lakers are trying to make LA as attractive and familiar as possible to Howard as possible
The Rockets were the most active team leading up to the draft and look to be the same way during free agency. They want to move Scola, Martin, Lowery and ANY OTHER player on their current roster. They hope to acquire a big name big man to build around.
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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.
