Pro Football Articles Opinion & Fantasy – Football Diner

NCAA Scouting
NFL Draft Prospect Tracker – Week 12
by Paul Emery
November 23rd 2012
 
   
 
With the season almost over, chances to impress on the field are fast running out. It won’t be long before prospects will be running around in shorts at the Combine, but this is where it really counts!
 
North Carolina at Virginia
 
North Carolina
 
Giovani Bernard RB played despite an ankle injury, but struggled to get going with only 57 yards on his 15 catches. Struggled to turn the corner at times and also muffed a punt. Did have a TD reception, where he was wide open in the zone behind the middle linebacker. I mentioned in a previous column that durability is the only knock on him and it was probably the cause for this performance as he’s much better than this.
 
Erik Highsmith WR had 2 TD’s from his 6 catches for 49 yards and once again showed flashes. Has a nice frame at 6’2 190 lbs and can pluck the ball nicely with his hands. Looks athletic when he gets the ball in his hands, has a little burst which looks next level. Production hasn’t been great, but he’s consistently teased all season, so could be a sleeper candidate on day three.
 
Jonathan Cooper OG usually I tend to gravitate towards powerful offensive lineman, but I much prefer Cooper to Alabama’s Chance Warmack. Cooper’s blend of athletic ability and power is impressive. He bends nicely, a couple of times his feet went back and out on initial contact in pass protection, but he worked to get them back under him before he was walked back into his QB. This is an improvement on last season, but still a little bit of technique work to do. He was highly impressive in the run game, making several pancake blocks. He worked to get square, taking advantage of his quick feet. He gets to the second level with ease and even got to the third level and cut a safety down on one play. A much better athlete than Warmack and can bend better, so if given the choice I would take Cooper.
 
Travis Bond OT has moved outside to right tackle to replace the injured Brennan Williams. Was at right guard previously, but at 6’6 I think is too tall. Bond struggled against edge speed, Ausar Walcott gave him real problems (a name I noted earlier in the season for Virginia, but he didn’t see much time which was bemusing). Bond has long arms, but doesn’t have enough foot quickness. He has some power, but he looks to be a classic tweener.
 
Sylvester Williams DT Williams has been battling a left ankle injury, which has cost him a fair amount of practice time. His ankle was heavily taped, but it didn’t stop him putting in the best performance I’ve seen from him this season (this is my fifth Tar Heel game). He was getting off the ball very nicely and didn’t show that explosion earlier in the year, so might be rounding into health. Without a Bowl game this year he’ll have some time to get healthy before the Senior Bowl, where due to the injury he might have to rebuild his stock a little. But on this evidence the talent is clearly there for him to be a high pick.
 
Kevin Reddick LB plays as one of 2 LB’s and also rushes the passer from DE at times. Doesn’t read the game very well, will take himself out of plays far too often. He’s also not good at all getting off blocks, he doesn’t have an anchor and will get walked up the field where the offense wants him to go too much. He does look athletic and that may save his stock to a degree, but he’s not had a great senior year and will have to show more if invited to the Senior Bowl to stand any chance of going in the first three or four rounds.
 
Virginia
 

Oday Aboushi OT had another solid game. He’s not someone who is going to be a top 10 pick, as he lacks elite feet. But he’s a very solid guy who is consistent and I think will be a solid right tackle for many years. He needs to clean up his technique a little. His hands drop a bit low as he takes each step (chicken wings) when setting up in pass protection, so it leaves his chest wide open to defenders. Against speed he has to get completely upright and then try and push his man up the field, leaving himself exposed to an inside move. He wasn’t up against anything special, so looked good, but I think better players will give him some issues. He did a nice job in the run game of getting square and showed some power. He works to finish his blocks, although he did get flagged for a personal foul for a relatively harmless shove of Sylvester Williams after the whistle (he might as well have really nailed him and got his monies worth!). I think he’s a relatively safe pick as you know what you are getting and I think somewhere on day two will be his likely landing spot.
 
Iowa at Michigan
 
Iowa
 
James Ferentz C the coaches son battles away but is listed at 292 lbs and looks lighter. Consistently gets stood up straight and walked back to his QB in pass protection. A little bit out of control when getting to the second level, but skilled on stretch plays seems to have a knack to hold his block just long enough. No doubt will draw interest through his smarts and bloodlines.
 
Micah Hyde CB did have an interception, reading the QB nicely and peeling back to make a high catch, but also struggled at times. Iowa primarily play with two deep safeties, so he’s not in man a great deal. On a goal line pass he was manned up against a FB and got caught flat footed, having to resort to grabbing the man and being called for the penalty. He also got run off on a come back route caught on him. In zone he did stay at home on a throwback screen, but had no chance against Taylor Lewan, who was leading the play. He also jumped up on the TE underneath, giving a big zone in behind him which was exploited. He is a good special teams coverage guy, but will need to show he can deal with man coverage to have any hope of being a top 100 selection.
 
Michigan
 
Denard Robinson QB/RB still struggling with a nerve issue in his throwing elbow, this was a unique opportunity to see Robinson at a different position, something that I think will have to be the case at the next level. He started at RB, but did take some plays as QB although he didn’t throw a pass. He finished with 98 yards on 13 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards. He’s clearly very athletic and has make you miss ability. He needs to find a way to avoid the big hits, he took several in this one even when he went out of bounds after two big gains. As I’ve mentioned before with him, I’m not a fan of position changes at this stage, I suspect someone will take a flyer in the third round but he has much to learn in terms of route running if viewed at WR and pass protection if he’s seen as a RB.
 
Roy Roundtree WR 5 catches for 83 yards and a wide open 37 yard TD. Roundtree hasn’t had the production of his 72 catch sophomore year, with 25 so far this and 19 last year. He looks to have decent hands, but needs to add a little bulk to his 180 lb frame. Worth a look on day three, but I’m not sure he has the confidence needed to make it at the next level after two quiet years.
 
Taylor Lewan* – OT this was the best I’ve seen Lewan play this year. He’s being talked about as a potential top 10 pick by some and this play matched that level for the most part. At times his pass protection technique was perfect, sat in his stance, hands high and delivering a good initial punch. On one play with his QB dancing around he mirrored his man for over 10 seconds and looked in complete control. From time to time his hands dropped a bit low, thus exposing his chest, but Iowa had no one who was strong enough to take advantage. In the run game he over extended a couple of times, just over reaching for his block and getting himself off balance. He sticks with his blocks and moves very well. He waited until a throwback screen was thrown (eyes on the QB) to avoid being downfield and then held up CB Hyde easily. I’ll be interested next week against Ohio State if matched up against Johnathan Hankins (who often lines up as a DE in a 3 man front), whether he can stand up against the big guys power.
 
Craig Roh DE very quiet game. Has yet to impressed me this year, coming into the year I thought he was a very good prospect. Played inside at DT in the nickel, but didn’t get any pressure at all. Made a nice tackle in the run game utilising a nice spin move, but otherwise was held in check. Looking like a late rounder at best.
 
Kenny Demens ILB he had some good moments and it’s not the first time he’s impressed. He can read the game very nicely and often is able to beat blockers to the point of attack with that ability, plus a decent burst. He beat Ferentz to a play early in the game and blew up the play completely. He looks like someone who can make a roster and perhaps push for a starting role moving forward.
 
Stanford at Oregon
 
Stanford
 
Stepfan Taylor RB with his backup injured, Coach Shaw said before the game he might feed Taylor 40 carries and while he wasn’t quite up to that number he still had 33 carries. He ran the ball very well managing 161 yards on the night. There are a number of backs like Andre Ellington and Kenjon Barner in this class, but Taylor is obviously a different animal. With very thick thighs he does a nice job of keeping his legs churning to pick up every possible yard. For a powerful back he also has some wiggle about him, with enough quickness to be able to redirect into a hole. He showed good patience on counter plays, letting his lineman clear the way for him before making his cut. His vision was also good and he had enough burst to get through small creases. On the negative his pass protection wasn’t great for a powerful kid I didn’t like him going for cut blocks and a LB was able to jump over him on one blitz, something that will be common place at the next level with all world athletes on most teams. His fumble wasn’t a great moment, but it’s not been a major problem in his career, so we’ll let that slide! Overall, a nice game just needs to clean up the pass protection.
 
Zach Ertz* – TE often lined out wide creating a mismatch against a CB and had 11 catches for 106 yards and a controversial touchdown. On a fade route in the end zone he bobbled the pass coming down to the ground but was ruled to have control and his shoulder touch in bounds to give Stanford the tying touchdown and help push them to a win which helped open the door again to the winner of the SEC Championship game. Ertz did a nice job of using body to box defenders out and that being a CB much of the time he was able to do so comfortably. While not being a top athlete, he looks slightly more athletic than Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert. One of three TE’s that sees time, in jumbo packages he was more of a HB and did OK as a blocker, but is not overpowering. I’m not sure a TE is going to get taken in the first round unless a playoff team has a big need to fill, but he’s in contention to be the first TE off the board should he come out early.
 
Chase Thomas OLB I like Thomas a lot, but he had a really quiet game. He has long arms, but too often he didn’t use them to his advantage. He got held up as a pass rusher for the majority of the night and he wasn’t doing enough with his hands. He did show he can set an edge in the run game though and plays with some real power. Not a classic speed rusher like Auburn’s Corey Lemonier for example (he tried to dip his inside shoulder and beat his man for speed on one play, but was turned up the field easily) but a more rounded prospect. He can use his hands much better and if he can do that during Senior Bowl week he could be a big riser, but if he plays like this he’ll more than likely be a second or third rounder at best.
 
Shayne Skov ILB in the box Skov was dominant, but his lack of speed was evident on Marcus Mariota’s 77 yard run he simply lacked that burst to get there and was left grabbing the damp Oregon night. He was almost exposed again in coverage against Colt Lyerla, but a poor throw bailed him out. He did show he can get a good jam in and this helped him against a TE in coverage. Still sporting a knee brace, his medical check at the Combine will be a big part of his final grade, but he might not be a modern day three down linebacker, particularly in some divisions and therefore his value is limited. However, if the Ravens are looking for a replacement for Ray Lewis he’s that type of guy and the hybrid would suit him.
 
Oregon
 
Kenjon Barner RB I’ve not been on board with Barner’s rising stock. He’s got great speed, but seems to be more of a weaver than a LaMichael James make you miss guy. He was held in check by a good defense and 21 carries for 66 yards about tells the story. Stanford’s defensive line do a good job of eating up blocks and then the LB’s are free to clean up behind and this really kept him quiet all night. His speed does appeal and maybe Carolina running a zone read running game (for which DeAngelo Williams is not suited why pay a guy big money and then not play to his strengths?), so perhaps that would be the best fit for him, but day three for me.
 
Dion Jordan OLB had a quiet night, but still you can easily see what a unique athlete he is. When asked to drop into coverage he moves remarkably well for a 6’6, 246 lb man looking very loose in the hips and getting really nice depth. With Ertz lined up outside hurting them, I was somewhat mystified why they didn’t put Jordan over him… He was kept quiet rushing the passer, but he does have ability in that area. In the run game he was mixed his moment was blowing up a run play at him, taking on the FB and shedding really well. He gave up the edge on a zone read run though, incorrectly guessing and leaving a gaping hole which was exploited. A former TE, he’s in his third year on defense and thus he still should improve. I would expect the Combine to show his athletic ability in a positive way and he might well be a first round pick.
 
Jackson Rice P matched his season high with 8 punts, had a 45.8 yard average but over hit two which were touchbacks. Got decent height with his punts, but not a real booming leg. There are quite a few good punters this year and I’m not sure I’d draft him over others.
 
Small School Watch Georgia Southern at Georgia
 
I had planned to watch Portland State’s Marquis Jackson but he’s apparently no longer on the team (can’t find word on why), so this is a replacement. I’m not going to write about the Georgia players as that will come in the SEC Championship game against top competition.
 
Georgia Southern
 
Brent Russell DT rated as a top 100 prospect by some coming into the year, an ankle injury has slowed him this year. His stock was also not helped by an arrest after the Appalachian State loss the second arrest after such a loss in two years, which resulted in a suspension last week. On the field he looked healthier than when I saw him against App State, perhaps the week off helped him heal up. He got penetration twice early and looked more like his pre-season billing. Unfortunately that was about it for him. He was controlled in the run game, including getting walked up the field to leave a gaping hole on a TD run. He was a non factor as a pass rusher, although to be fair to him he was often double teamed. Obviously the off the field red flag needs to be cleared up and it never helps small school prospects. Likely to be a day three pick at best.
 
J.J. Wilcox SS a former WR and RB, Wilcox’s ability with the ball in his hands was still on show on kick-off returns where he averaged 22.4 yard per return and had two where he looked very good. Often sneaking up into the box, he was active and in on a number of tackles. He needs to work on his angles as he took a bad one on a long run down the sideline, but he can hit and looks athletic. I’d certainly bring him in for a camp look and his special teams ability might just see him make a roster.
 
Arkansas at Mississippi State
 
Arkansas
 
Tyler Wilson QB it seems a long time ago when Arkansas was a pre-season top 10 team. The John L. Smith temporary fix was about all they could do, but it hasn’t brought success. Wilson lost his top 3 WR’s in April (Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright all drafted) and hasn’t had his big TE Chris Gragg for much of the year due to injury. Teams know he’s focussing on Cobi Hamilton and the last two weeks I’ve seen him, Hamilton has had fast starts but has then drawn all the coverage and been shut down, leaving him working with young receivers.
 
In a microcosm of the game, Wilson was very good in the first half (14-15, 137 yards, 2 TD and 0 INT) but not in the second (9-14, 88 yards, 0 TD and 2 INT’s). To be fair to him, he wasn’t helped by two Arkansas fumbles and subsequent scores from Mississippi State. Wilson made some nice throws, he showed he can throw with anticipation, notably on a 20 yard pass to Hamilton in a rare bright spot in the second half. The vast majority of his passes are under 10 yards, he throws a lot of shallow crosses, which he delivered on time allowing his receiver to run after the catch. On throws over 10 yards in the air he was 3 out of 8 with a TD and 2 INT’s the intermediate 10-20 yard range being the problem area (0-4 and both picks).
 
His first interception was due to him staring Hamilton down, allowing the CB to break in front for the play. The second was again aimed at Hamilton, but the CB played press and seemed to mess up the timing and then Hamilton stopped his route perhaps partly Hamilton’s fault. Wilson has a side-arm release although he didn’t have any passes batted down at the line. He can step up in the pocket nicely, but when moving to his right he needs to set his feet better before making the throw. He gets good depth quickly on his drops, but does get a bit wide in his base at times most noticeable on quick passes from the shotgun, where he takes just one step but it’s a huge one (like Ryan Lindley last year), he was high on one such play which is the general problem. His arm is not an issue, it’s very strong and I can see him being able to cut through the wind in Buffalo for example (who might need a QB). He can go through his progressions and indeed the stare down pick was more of a odd incident, perhaps pressing too much to get the ball to his only real target. He has a couple of things to clean up, but should draw interest in the first round.
 
Knile Davis* – RB has been bothered by a hamstring injury and only had 5 carries for not many more yards (6). Has only 346 yards on the season as he’s come back from injury. Might need to come back next year, could be a value pick if he does comes out early, but Greg Childs had a similar situation last year and he’s spent the year on IR.
 
Cobi Hamilton WR had 5 catches in the first quarter but finished with 7 on the day. Did have a really nice 20 yard catch in the second half on a timing route he stopped/turned with the ball right on him and was able to make a super low catch and get both feet in bounds. He had a 30 yard TD in the first quarter blowing by a LB in zone and Wilson got him the ball before the safety could get over. He now has 80 catches on the year the next best Arkansas receiver is Chris Gragg with 22 so it’s easy to see why he’s been shut down after strong first quarters in the last two weeks. Teams know he’s the only one who can hurt them and he thus draws double coverage. Looks to be a really good prospect with good size and speed I think he could be a big riser if he can show his talent off with his QB at the Senior Bowl.
 
Chris Gragg TE out with a leg injury that has bothered him for much of the year.
 
Alvin Bailey* – OG I’m not sure if Bailey will come out early, but there is are opportunities beyond the top 3 or 4 guards and he could be a third or fourth rounder should he wish. He showed good hand use and he can sit in his stance nicely in pass protection. He did a nice job of getting under his man in the run game. More of an in the box type a big man at 6’5 315 lbs but not that fast outside of the box. I guess it will depend on when the new coach is appointed on how he sells coming back to him.
 
Dylan Breeding P punted five times at an average of 45 yards a kick did have a really nice 55 yarder from his own 13, but also had an ugly 36 yarder.
 
Mississippi State
 
Gabe Jackson* – OG like Bailey, Jackson right now can push for the second or third tier of guards in this Draft class, or elect to come back and improve his stock. Much will depend on his financial situation, but after a more positive season he might elect to return and see if they can do some real damage next year in the SEC. Jackson was in complete control when he stayed on his feet he sits in his stance nicely and gets his hands on his man to lock them up in pass protection. In the run game he showed he can open some big holes, either moving his man down the line or washing them up the field. Oddly he cut blocks quite a lot but he’s not very good at it. He gave up a QB pressure missing a DT and struggled to get his man on the ground in the run game he’s so good on his feet I don’t know why they would ask him to cut… He’ll have a gap between the Egg Bowl and their Bowl Game to start to think about his decision.
 
Josh Boyd DT Boyd has disappointed this year, but in this one he played very well and looked like the mid round pick he was graded at in the pre-season. He showed a nice burst off the line he had a pressure on Wilson beating the center clean for speed. He also moved down the line, got off a block and made a tackle for no gain on a 3rd and 1. He had two other tackles and seemed like a different player. His play overall doesn’t dictate a super high placement, but if has a strong 10 yard split time at the Combine someone might take a risk with him.
 
Johnthan Banks CB had two short balls caught on him, but otherwise wasn’t tested, so quite difficult to really judge him. Looks like he can turn and run down the field very smoothly. Wasn’t asked to press that much and quite often was sat in Cover-2 zone. He lost Hamilton on a short jerk route and then missed the tackle after the catch but a safety was up and helping, so there was no big gain. The other catch was a shallow cross and this time he made the tackle. He also missed a tackle on a RB, something that has blighted his play this year. I’m hoping he will attend the Senior Bowl as I really want to see him tested in man coverage.