Pro Football Articles Opinion & Fantasy – Football Diner

NCAA Scouting
NFL Draft Prospect Tracker – Week 10
by Paul Emery
November 8th 2012
 
   
 
The big game of Week Ten was one that would have seen NFL scouts flock to see in person. A typical hard hitting SEC affair with some fine prospects on show.
 
Washington at California
 
Washington
 
Desmond Trufant CB I’d ear marked this game in the summer as one to watch to see Trufant up against Keenan Allen. As it was Allen was hurt and Trufant tweaked a hamstring in the second quarter, so it turned out to be a dud. He had a couple of balls caught on him, the first was a one handed effort and the second an out route both times he didn’t get his head around to see where the ball was. Tough to really put anything on a little over a quarter of play though.
 
California
 
Zach Maynard QB Maynard hasn’t really taken the next step in his development. He does make some plays, often with his feet, but his accuracy is still off far too much. He has a little Denard Robinson about him in that regard. Like the Michigan man he’s also very athletic and it’s not out of the question he may be asked to move to another position. If he’s viewed as a QB his arm and ability to extend a play might see him drafted, but he needs to sort out his footwork and accuracy if he’s to make it.
 
Keenan Allen WR out with an injured left knee.
 
Brian Schwenke C battled away inside, but did struggle against the big Huskie NT inside. Bent at the waist at times and was therefore off balance. Looks to be more of an undrafted guy to me.
 
Matt Summers-Gavin OT I came away quite impressed with Summers-Gavin. I don’t think he’ll be a high pick as he does struggle against edge speed, but he’s very impressive in terms of hand placement and he might be a better pro guard prospect. He gets his hands up quickly when setting up in pass protection and does a nice job of getting his initial punch in on the defenders chest plate. He doesn’t look to be that athletic, he struggled a couple of times to get to the second level quickly enough in the run game and also had to resort to over extending against edge speed in the passing game. I’d start to think about him fairly early on day three, he shows enough about him to suggest he can push for a starting role down the road.
 
Marc Anthony CB out with a head injury.
 
Small School Watch – Appalachian State at Georgia Southern
 
Appalachian State
 
Jeremy Kimbrough ILB Kimbrough has been extremely productive over his career but at only 5’9″ he’s a long shot to get drafted. I thought a game against an option offense would be perfect for him, but he struggled at times. He got hung up blocks too easily and struggled speed wise when plays went outside. He also struggled with cut blocks, which didn’t help him get outside the hashmarks. He did make a number of tackles, he was better inside the tackle box, but will have his best shot on a 3-4 defense, but he’ll need to improve his ability to get off blocks.
 
Demetrius McCray CB came into the year with a mid/late round grade, but has seen his stock fall a little. This wasn’t the game to see him in coverage, but it was worth watching to see how physical he could be. The answer to that was borderline. He missed a couple of tackles and didn’t want to wrap up. However, he chased three long runs right across the field and made secure tackles where he showed good speed as well as hustle. In coverage he gave up a 40 yard post, where he gave up the inside far too easily. He was in much better position on a deep up down the sideline, using the sideline to his advantage. He does look fast, which might be enough to get him drafted. On the back of this win App State will be in the playoffs, so I’ll catch him again against a team that throws the ball more.
 
Troy Sanders SS this game suited him perfectly. Got downhill in a hurry and made numerous tackles. Was particularly effective on the wider option plays, saw things quickly and was able to pick his way through traffic. He was too much for a WR to handle blocking wise on a key 4th and 2 late in the game, the WR was called for a hands to the face penalty trying to deal with him. On the subsequent 4th and long, he came up and picked off a desperation pass (a real duck) to ice the game. Did get too nosey and had one pass thrown over his head, but the only real negative on the day. But certainly has enough about him to suggest he can push for a roster spot as he’ll be perfect for special teams coverage.
 
Sam Martin P Martin caught my eye when I was watching Brian Quick last year and it surprises me he’s not ranked as one of the top punters in the country. He also took over the place kicking duties a couple of weeks ago, but missing a 27 yarder shows that’s not in his NFL future. He has a very nice leg and gets good height on his kicks. He had three punts one for 50 yards (and a touchback, so too much leg), a 47 yards and also a 30 yarder late on downed at the 10. He also kicked off, getting good distance on these, including one out the back of the end zone. Certainly worth a camp look.
 
Georgia Southern
 

Brent Russell DT for someone who is ranked by some as a mid round pick I was expecting much more. Russell has a solid build, but lacks real length (listed at 6’1″). He does battle away, but much of what he does is due to hustle. He has decent hand use, but lacks explosion off the ball and that closing burst to the ball carrier. He lined up at DE in 3 man nickel fronts and didn’t threaten the edge at all. Certainly a hard worker and you always need these types of players on your roster, but unless his workout numbers surprise I’m not sure I’d spend a draft pick on him. He has been dealing with an ankle injury and it could be he’s not 100% and I’ve caught him on a bad week, so will try and catch him again against Georgia in a couple of weeks.
 
Darius Eubanks FS playing deep and not that involved in the game. Did show he can cover over the top very well but did drop a fairly easy interception chance. Looks high cut (long legs) and struggles to change directions. Try-out guy at best.
 
J.J. Wilcox SS Wilcox is a converted RB in his first year at safety but he’s still able to show his running skills as a kick returner. His first return of the day was his best, showing good speed on a 42 yard effort. In coverage he still looks a little raw. He allowed a deep route to get behind him and was in no position whatsoever to help his CB. Had one missed tackle, but showed he can get downhill. His kick return ability makes him worth a try-out at least.
 
Missouri at Florida
 
Missouri
 
T.J. Moe WR only 3 catches for 12 yards. Had 92 catches in 201 with Blaine Gabbert but was down to 54 last year and appears he might be down again this year. Perhaps a late round option for the Jags to reunite with Gabbert?
 
Elvis Fisher OT lighter tackle prospect listed at 295 lbs but moves with heavy feet. Not a great combination as he’ll get even slower with added weight. Has the right idea technique wise in pass protection in terms of sitting in his stance and getting his arms extended. Gets his locked at times though, almost like he’s playing with cement boots. Not as good in the run game, tended to lunge at his man and get off balance. Not sure he’s draftable.
 
Sheldon Richardson* – DT this young man is moving up boards and this was another good game from him. He comes off the ball hard and does a nice job of getting penetration. He also shows very good hand use, shedding blocks consistently and giving Florida real problems. He also blocked a low field goal attempt. However, the quickness off the ball somehow didn’t translate to a great day rushing the passer, where he was generally controlled. He also blocked a low field goal attempt. I need to see Missouri more, I have them on the schedule for the Syracuse game in 2 weeks, so I should get a better idea of him after this one and perhaps go back and watch the Alabama game.
 
Zaviar Gooden OLB a modern day run and chase linebacker. Very athletic with a really nice closing burst to the ball carrier. Looks extremely comfortable in coverage is used in zone and man and it’s his man coverage skills which will see him taken relatively high. He does struggle to get off blocks, but with the NFL being such a passing league such a LB will go high as a number did this past April. Should test out well at the Combine.
 
Florida
 
Mike Gillislee RB I mentioned last week that every time I see Gillislee he has to come off the field nicked up and late in the fourth quarter he did in this one. Trying to eat up clock he wasn’t in the game. He finished with 68 yards on 16 carries plus 1 reception for 45 yards and a TD, a valuable one at that in a low scoring game. He looked best on counter runs where he let the play develop before making his decision. On some runs he looked a bit hesitant he has a good burst, but doesn’t always display it. He’s probably going to end up with more yards this year than his previous three combined, so is a riser but I would put a cap on that because of the durability concerns.
 
Jordan Reed* – TE 3 catches for 16 yards. Struggled when matched up against Gooden, couldn’t get separation. Certainly lack of speed is a concern and it really showed up in this one. Limited as a blocker, is often in the slot so not always asked to help in the box. Has soft hands, but is not a Jimmy Graham level athlete.
 
Xavier Nixon OT out with a knee injury.
 
Dominique Easley* – DT played inside this week, has been playing some DE this year. Had a relatively quiet day. Struggled against the run, tended to peel back off blocks so tackles were down the field but hustle was high. Better as a pass rusher, showed some quickness inside and he was in on one sack and hit Franklin as he threw another time. For me though, he should come back for another year to develop against the run and either get lighter and play DE or bigger/stronger and play inside the whole time.
 
Sharrif Floyd* – DT in a game where many Gators weren’t at full speed, Floyd had another very good game. While I think Easley needs another year, Floyd is ready to make the jump to the NFL. He showed he can stack and shed blockers with power but also penetrate with quickness. He swam over his man to make a TFL and was unlucky not to get a safety on the play. Not quite as good as a pass rusher, but is employed at DE in a 3 man nickel front and it takes away some of his effectiveness.
 
Josh Evans FS plays deep centre field, so rarely is on the TV picture. Did come up and make several tackles, but isn’t asked to cover man to man which he will need to do if he’s to be a high pick. Did have an interception on a pass thrown right to him, but impossible to judge without coaches film.
 
Matt Elam* – SS Elam is asked to cover man to man on CB blitzes and it was interesting Missouri went right after him on two such plays. He had two passes caught on him a 12 yard square in by Sasser from a stacked WR formation and a shorter out route where he made the tackle right away after a 4 yard gain. Showed he can come downhill and make plays to the extent he even had a tackle for loss. More of a Cover-2 type downhill safety and I’m still struggling to really place him on my board, borderline day two but a couple of poor performances earlier in the year had me rating him as a day three prospect.
 
Caleb Sturgis PK struggling with an ankle injury gave it a go on a 47 yarder, but had it blocked by Richardson and he saw no further action.
 
Alabama at LSU
 
Alabama
 
Eddie Lacy* – RB 11 carries for 83 yards and a TD plus 1 reception for 19 yards. Split carries with freshman Yeldon and has yet to have 20 carries in any one game so far this year. Has a nice little burst when he sees the hole, isn’t going to run a blazing 40 time but has some short area quickness as well. Utilises a spin move extensively, which turns a 4 yard gain into a 7 yard gain. Did drop a shallow cross. Tough to get a real feel for him with so few carries, but looks to have top 100 talent.
 
Michael Williams TE it could be Williams lack of speed won’t see him drafted that early come April, but he’s a good player. He only had 1 catch in this one, dropping another when hit by Minter but his blocking was very good. He sets the edge extremely well and was able to do so against Mingo on more than one occasion. Short range target only, but does try and catch with hands away from his frame. Might be a number 2 TE, but for a run heavy team he’ll be a nice pickup.
 
D.J. Fluker* – OT the matchup against Mingo was one I thought the LSU man would win, but it would Fluker who dominated. Flashing a really nice first step, he was able to get his hands onto Mingo and for the most part neutralise him. Mingo got into his chest at times, but he had no problems holding up against a lighter man. He engulfed people in the run game, including on the early Lacy TD run. It could be Mingo isn’t the prospect many think he is, but certainly against a quick pass rusher this was a very good performance.
 
Chance Warmack OG last week I looked at North Carolina’s Jonathan Cooper and there’s no question in my mind that he is better than Warmack. In pass protection Warmack was often the free man helping either Jones or his left tackle. With someone over his nose his technique was suspect. He doesn’t bend very well at all and although he holds up, I think against top NFL DT’s he’ll struggle. On one stunt inside Montgomery got into him and his answer was for his feet to go back and out, rather than to dip low and get under his man. He moves well enough when pulling, but he lacks the elite foot quickness of Cooper. Talented, but for me he’s a second tier talent and probably a day two pick.
 
Barrett Jones C now, this guy I really like. Displaying much better bend that his left guard, he looked very comfortable in pass protection. He sits in his stance and gets his hands up very quickly highly impressive post snap. He can slide and mirror very easily. He let Minter slide off him a bit too easily on one play, but otherwise looks in complete control and with his versatility (has played guard, tackle as well as center this year) I think he should push for the first round.
 
Jesse Williams DT Williams is highly effective inside, he’s extremely tough to move in the run game and in this one he got penetration numerous times to force running plays outside. On the flip side he doesn’t have any kind of a burst to the ball carrier, so outside his little box he’s limited. He’s also not much of a pass rusher. For a team that wants a two gap nose tackle he’ll be ideal unfortunately for him there are a number of other such prospects and they have that little bit of burst he lacks. So probably a second tier talent, but he’s still learning the game and thus does have considerable upside. Certainly this was a better performance than earlier in the year when I thought he just eat up space, now he’s starting to use his hands better to get off blocks.
 
C.J. Mosley* – ILB it’s very tough to rank someone that highly when they can’t get on the field in the base defense. With LSU being a throwback and actually using 2 backs, a TE and only 2 WR’s Mosley saw less than time than against spread teams. He showed his movement skills with good coverage and also blew up an option pitch to Shepard, beating a blocker to the play. I wonder if it might be best for him to come back for his senior year and become a 3 down linebacker usually it’s the pass coverage we’re worried about, but it’s the reverse with Mosley.
 
Nico Johnson ILB Johnson is the opposite of Mosley. He’s in on the base defense and is an inside the tackles thumper. When asked to cover man to man he struggled, something that’s been consistent when I’ve watched him this year. He gave up a 37 yard catch to Ware, unable to cope with a little juke move in an option route and he gave the inside which was gratefully taken. He also had another catch on him on a 3rd and 6 again just frozen by a little head fake in the route, holding him enough for the first down to be made. Very tough to think of him as anything but a day three prospect.
 
Dee Milliner* – CB I didn’t think Milliner would get much of a test, but LSU weren’t afraid to throw at him. I didn’t think he had a great answer, although no big plays were caught on him. In typical Alabama CB fashion, he’s extremely physical and likes to get his hands on his man down the field. He had 4 catches caught on him, all little curls and although he was tight to his man they still made the play he missed a tackle on one of them which turned into a bigger play. Down the field he also misplayed a deeper up route (he was under the route in Cover-2 with the safety over the top), mistiming the jump but he got away with it as the receiver couldn’t bring in the pass. Did blitz and made a couple of plays, but slightly disappointing.
 
Robert Lester FS Lester is the hardest player in this class to evaluate as he’s never on screen. He plays 15-20 yards off the line of scrimmage and he always gets deeper than the deepest receiver. He showed his break up on the ball on one play in man on a CB blitz he closed quickly and tackled right after the catch. One play early in the game he was perhaps half a step late over the top and had there been a perfect throw (which will happen at the next level) it would have been a big play, but he got away with it as Mettenberger overthrew. Hopefully he’ll be at the Senior Bowl and I’ll be able to look at him in drills.
 
LSU
 
Russell Shepard WR has really struggled to get going as a receiver, so LSU have taken to putting him into the backfield. Had 3 carries for 22 yards although he dropped an option pitch, not a great sign for a WR. Stock is descending and might be lucky to get drafted.
 
Barkevious Mingo* – DE I wondered against Texas A&M; if Mingo was so worried about Johnny Manziel running it slowed him down. However, that was not an issue against a classic pocket passer. The number one ranked prospect by some major websites, once again he really struggled to make an impact. Really on came flying off the edge once and that was a draw play he ran by. Seems to be playing too far inside might be best in a wide 9 to he can turn the corner. His stats aren’t great (3 sacks this year and 1 almost doesn’t count as it was against Towson) and I do wonder if someone takes him high based on workout numbers if they are going to have a bust on their hands.
 
Sam Montgomery* – DE Montgomery is often the last lineman to move, so he’s not as quick twitch as Mingo. It was the same story for him as against Texas A&M; he gets into his blockers chest plate consistently with his long arms but he’s just not strong enough to do anything about it. He did have a sack with a nice spin move, but he’s not as good as Cornellius Carradine (FSU) or Damontre Moore (Texas A&M;). It would be great to see him come back for his senior year and get stronger, but it will depend on his family/financial situation.
 
Kevin Minter* – ILB I’ve not really seen Minter ranked that high, but I have him in the late first round area. He’s extremely athletic and has a really nice closing burst to the ball. He has sideline to sideline range and he can also get off blocks, something of a dying trend in athletic LB’s. A little quieter as the game progressed, he had 7 tackles and still showed his speed and playmaking ability.
 
Eric Reid* – FS suffered a chest contusion late in the first half and was in and out of the game in the second half. Of concern was his inability to cover man to man Cooper gave a little nod of the head to fake an out route and then came back to the post and he just blew by Reid (pre-injury). He’s very good in the box, an explosive tackler but I’m not sure an in the box guy like this carries the same value as it did even 5 years ago.
 
Western Michigan at Central Michigan
 
Western Michigan
 
Alex Carder QB out injured detached tendon in his throwing hand.
 
Dann O’Neill OT has good size (6’7″ 308 lbs) and flashes a really nice first step in pass protection, but after that it all descends. Gets himself flowing to the outside in pass protection and struggles to adjust to any inside moves, seems to have his weight all one way. Plays far too high, it’s easy to get under him and drive him back into the QB. In the run game he has an aggressive demeanour, but does over extend (bend at the waist) and is thus off balance. His first step and size are intriguing though and certainly that’s something to work with, but I think a day three project.
 
Central Michigan
 
Ryan Radcliff QB 26/41, 383 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT. A pocket passer in a 2 back old school offense. A pocket passer who has enough athletic ability to buy himself extra time. Is prepared to sit in the pocket, deliver the ball and take the hit. Goes through his progressions nicely and has a good arm. Doesn’t have great size (6’2″ 215 lbs) and at times will lock onto his man and try to fit balls into windows that are very tight. But certainly has enough about him to get drafted and make a roster.
 
Eric Fisher OT has been ranked all year long by Mel Kiper has a first round pick. In terms of technique I would agree, but not quite in terms of athletic ability. A natural flexible athlete who at 6’7″ 305 lbs can carry extra weight on his frame. Lacks the top first step of Dann O’Neill, can sit in his stance and mirror against lesser athletes, but struggles a little against speed. He looked a little heavy footed at times, certainly doesn’t have elite feet. A couple of times Paul Hazel stood him up straight, but otherwise he did a nice job of coming from under his man to deliver a nice initial punch in both phases of the game. Overall, got his hands up nicely setting up in pass protection, but was beaten inside when his hands were low thus giving up his chest and getting jolted back a little. Was very patient on stunts waited nicely for his man and didn’t get himself over extended. Was beaten outside by Cory Sueing on one play where he just stopped his feet. Looked very good against the run. Finishes his runs very well gets to the second level very quickly and does a nice job of engaging. Can get square and seal the edge. Has a nice punch and can knock people off balance. He might be a pro right tackle, we’ll see how he does at the Senior Bowl I think matched up against a good speed rusher he’ll struggle a little.
 
Jahleel Addae SS listed as a SS, but basically plays over the slot WR or TE. Employed in zone coverage at times, but also is asked to cover man to man. Was beaten for a 28 yard TD by Justin Collins, he had nice position early, but Collins just pulled away from him on a corner route and there was no recovery burst. However, he’s aggressive against the run not real big at 5’10” 195 lbs but works to get off blocks and get involved. Was very comfortable against the TE in coverage did a nice job throughout. Showed up on special teams, downed two punts inside the 5 yard line and this may be his ticket to an NFL roster to begin with. But I like the way he plays the game had a better game against Michigan State earlier in the season, but I’d certainly be interested in him on day three.