Saturday, May 4, 2024

2024 NFL Draft Review: Buffalo Bills

 



The summaries are from NFL.com


RD 2 (33) WR Keon Coleman: Florida State  6'3", 213





combine: 4.61s 40, 38"vert, 10'7"broad jump

2023: 1st All-ACC, 50rec/658yds/11TDs

strengths: Attacks underneath throws with extended, sticky hands. Works aggressively back on short & intermediate throws. Unlikely to see focus drops. Meets jump balls with full extension to the high-point. Uses size to gain advantage over the corner on jump-ball wins. Hard to bring down after the catch.

weaknesses: Press coverage can blanket his release & catch a ride. Below-average acceleration getting out of breaks & cuts. Could struggle finding separation to avoid excessive contested catches. Capable of being a much more effective run blocker.

grade: 6.25 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Drake London



RD 2 (60) S Cole Bishop: Utah  6'2", 206





combine: 4.45s 40, 39"vert, 10'4"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-PAC 12, 60tot tckls, 3scks. 1FF/2FRs, 2INTs/3PDs

strengths: Solid stop-start burst in coverage & pursuit. Looks to blister receivers in his zone. Hustle never shuts off, regardless of his proximity to the ball. Navigates traffic and knifes into crevices as a base defender.

weaknesses: Desire to make plays causes him to vacate coverage zones. Below-average eye balance between route & QB. Needs to do a better job of playing off run blocks near the line. Pursuit can lack pacing control, leading to overruns. 

grade: 6.20 (Will eventually become an average starter)




RD 3 (95) DT DeWayne Carter: Duke  6'2", 302




combine: 4.99s 40, 32"vert, 9'1"broad jump

2023: 1st All-ACC, 41tckls/3.5TFLs, 1sck, 4PDs

strengths: Plays with energy and active feet to probe for opportunities. Good technique to stack and play off the block as a run defender. Disguises his desire to jump-step and use club move on upfield charge. Bull rush can be salty as an interior rusher or as a base end.

weaknesses: Too easily beaten to the spot against lateral blocks. Needs to play with better anticipation & snap reaction against the run. Fails to maintain ideal separation to prevent being neutralized. Needs to find a counter to improve his secondary rush off the bull rush.

grade: 6.17 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter) 



RD 4 (128) RB Ray Davis: Kentucky 5'8", 211





combine: 4.52s 40, 35"vert, 9'11"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-SEC, 199car/1,129yds/14TDs, 33rec/323yds/7TDs

strengths: Runs behind his pads, falling forward after delivering a blow. Ran with much better patience behind lead blockers in '23. Uses slow-&-go pacing to distract the edge and open the corner. Catches with soft hands and has the ability to shake or break tackles. 

weaknesses: Hip tightness slows ability to gather and cut on outside runs. Lacks desired flow speed to widen the defense to the boundary. Very average vision as an interior runner. More reactive than proactive on the 2nd level.  

grade: 6.17 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)



RD 5 (141) C  Sedrick Van Pran: Georgia  6'4", 298









combine: 5.20s 40 

2023: 1st All-SEC, Jacobs Blocking Trophy

strengths: Keeps slide steps measured and choppy sliding to the pass rusher. Hands are twitchy getting from snap to punch in the run game. Powerful grip strength helps bring the opponent tight & lock him into place. Plays with above-average feel for run block positioning on 1st & 2nd levels. Success rate blocking LBs helped spring long runs. 

weaknesses: Too straight-kneed getting into contact at the point of attack. Footwork starts to get sloppy once rush action heats up. Short arms and can be beaten by length at the punch point. Leans out past his toes getting into most blocks due to lower-body tightness. 

grade: 6.22 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Lloyd Cushenberry




RD 5 (160) LB Edefuan Ulofoshio: Washington  6'0 1/2", 236










combine: 4.56s 40, 39.5"vert, 10'8"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12, 94tot tckls, 3scks, 1FF, 1INT/3PDs, 1TD

strengths: Steps downhill and meets blockers with a jarring punch. Physical at the top of the route when covering TEs. Runs through tackler with the force of a sack of bricks.

weaknesses: Doesn't show enough feel for play development. Gets eager and bounces out of position during diagnosis. Below-average range as a tackler & in man coverage.

grade: 5.92 (Average backup/Special teamer)



RD 5 (168) EDGE Javon Solomon: Troy  6'1", 246










combine: 4.72s 40, 37"vert, 9'11"broad jump, 23reps

2023: 1st All-Sun Belt, 56tckls/18TFLs, 16scks, 3FFs

strengths: Powerful hips and relentless effort help propel him around the block. Quick to read and beat reach blocks to maintain contain positioning. Shows ability to bend the edge and flatten to the QB. Weaponizes counter moves to pry upon inside path to the pocket. 

weaknesses: Can be widened out by a centered block and a wide base, Short-strider in his take-off to the top of the rush. Has trouble separating form long-armed tackles who cinch him up.

grade: 6.13 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)

comp: James Houston



RD 6 (204) OT Tylan Grable: UCF  6'6", 306
















combine: 4.95s 40, 36.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-BIG 12

strengths: Smooth pass slides and carries punch-ready hands. Ability to open hips & hitch recovery ride around the arc. Big, strong hands clinch in and stabilize run defenders. Has foot quickness to become a better move blocker in time.

weaknesses: Punches can lack accuracy & timing as both a run and pass blocker. Far too satisfied with grabbing and holding when the block starts slipping. Attention to angles & positioning for sustain are missing as a run blocker. Plays with a narrow power zone and very average body control.

grade: 5.94 (Average backup/Special teamer)


RD 6 (219)   CB Daequan Hardy: Penn St  5'9", 179
















combine: 4.38s 40, 42.5"vert, 10'6"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10 (2nd All-BIG 10 Return specialist), 22tot tckls, 1sck, 2INTs/7PDs, 2 punt return TDs

strengths: Special teams standout. Phases deep sideline routes with optimal positioning. Consistent to whip his head around and find the deep ball. Maximizes pass breakups with well-timed hand attacks.

weaknesses: Technique in transitions gets away from him at times. Doesn't appear to have ideal speed or acceleration. Much more of a watcher than worker in run support.

grade: 5.84 (Average backup/Special teamer) 




RD 7 (221) OT Travis Clayton: International Pathway Program (England)  6'7", 301

















strengths: Competitive background in rugby & boxing. Shuffles & slides with fluidity and clean change of direction. Pass sets come naturally with weight heavier on the inside foot. Good bend with the ability to stay low into contact in drills.

weaknesses: Currently lacking functional mass & strength for the NFL. Will take time adjusting to league speed & size during development. Would like to see a little more pop in his punch.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

2024 NFL Draft Review: Steelers

 


The summaries are from NFL.com





RD 1 (20) OT Troy Fautanu: Washington  6'4", 317













combine: 5.01s 40, 32.5"vert, 9'5"broad jump

2023: 1st All-PAC 12/3rd All-American

strengths: Plays with lateral hustle to make back-side & play-side zone blocks. Generates push from lower half on down blocks and double-teams. Maintains active hands & feet to stay in front of the rusher. Keeps his weight back to avoid being countered off-balance in protection.

weaknesses: Run-blocking technique  eventually gets away from him. Has issues with hand slippage due to inconsistent placement. Gets beaten inside when he's too eager and oversets the edge.

grade: 6.47 (Will become a good starter within 2 years)






RD 2 (51) C Zach Frazier: West Virginia  6'3", 313



















combine: 30reps

2023: 1st All-BIG 12/3rd All-American

strengths: Jolting upper-body power helps widen run lanes with down/secure blocks. Drives opposition into the ground with every opportunity he gets. Uses darting eyes & plus instincts to locate pressure points around him. Punches with good placement and above-average grip strength. 

weaknesses: Loses inside hands as a run blocker and ends up with too much hugging. Below-average reactive movement to moving targets in space. Needs to prove he can anchor with more shallow pass sets. Goose could be cooked once the rusher beats him at his edge.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter) 

comp: A.Q. Shipley




RD 3 (84) WR Roman Wilson: Michigan  5'11", 185













combine: 4.39s 40, 12reps

2023: 2nd All-BIG 10, 48rec/789yds/12TDs, 1car/10yds

strengths: Explosive speed to stretch the field and stress coverage. Defenders struggle to stay with him when the play extends. Good post-catch acceleration on west coast routes to hit big plays. Competitive & focused when catches become contested. 

weaknesses: Inconsistent elusiveness to avoid route redirection at press or in space. Routes lack consistent leverage & salesmanship. Needs to get better at quickly setting and presenting on zone throws.

grade: 6.30 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Marvin Mims Jr



RD 3 (98) LB Payton Wilson: North Carolina St  6'4", 233


 








combine: 4.43s 40, 34.5"vert, 9'11"broad jump

2023: Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, ACC DPOY, 1st All-ACC/1st All-American, 138tckls/17.5TFLs, 6scks, 3INTs/6PDs, 1FF, 1TD

strengths: Rangy to find his way into a high number of tackle opportunities. Adequate football intelligence and blocking-scheme recognition. Has the hands & eyes to dart into passing lanes and take the ball away. Burst & lateral agility create blitzing potential for gaming fronts. 

weaknesses: Can be too willing to side-step a block rather than play off of it. Plays too upright and gets knocked off balance too frequently. Has an injury history. Lacks play strength and take-on technique to consistently leverage his gap.

grade: 6.32 (Will eventually become a plus starter) 



RD 4 (119) OG Mason McCormick: South Dakota St  6'4", 309















combine: 5.08s 40, 35.5"vert, 9'9"broad jump

2023: 1st All-MVFC (Missouri Valley Football Conference)/1st All FCS All-American

strengths: Rare durability. Adequate grip strength to help secure the block. Creates momentum and bangs into opponents on short pulls. Plays with clean eyes & good twist recognition in pass protection. Good upper-body strength to forcibly redirect the rusher on his edge.

weaknesses: Feet are mechanical and lower body is a little too stiff. Poor athleticism reacting to the defender against slants off the snap. Will have a hard time protecting against inside counters. 

grade: 5.86 (Average backup/Special teamer)



RD 6 (178) DT Logan Lee: Iowa  6'5", 281















combine: 5.05s 40, 31.5"vert, 9'6"broad jump, 25reps

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10, 55tckls/5.5TFLs, 3scks

strengths: Has enough shed strength to match up as a 3-4 end in the pros. Upper-body power to press & extend at the point of attack. Capable of slipping around blocks from half-man positioning. 

weaknesses: Lacks mass and play strength needed to grapple inside. Doesn't have the foot quickness to create mismatches inside. Gets pushed off his rush track by punch power.

grade: 5.69 (Candidate for the back of the roster or Practice Squad)


RD 6 (195)  CB Ryan Watts: Texas  6'3", 208



















combine: 4.53s 40, 40.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump

2023: 38tckls/1TFL, 3PDs

strengths: Traits & experience to transition to safety. Capable of lining up over slot TEs. Booming striker one he locks in and hits it downhill. Works around or through blockers with his run support. 

weaknesses: Below-average foot quickness and reactive twitch. Frequently a step slow to turn his head and locate the throw. Questionable deep speed to stay deeper than the deepest.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

2024 NFL Draft: Chiefs Preview

 


These players are tied to the Chiefs either through select mock drafts, or visits during the senior bowl, combine, pro days, etc. The summaries come from NFL.com. This list includes players solely connected to the Chiefs who are not also tied to the Steelers or Bills.





OT Patrick Paul: Houston  6'7 1/2", 331




combine: 5.13s 40, 29"vert, 30reps

2023: 1st All-AAC

strengths: Slides quickly down to the B-gap when the edge rusher backs out or twists. Hands are active throughout the rep to maintain feel for the rusher. Has the agility & footwork for recoveries at the top of the rush. Swings quickly from one block to the next on climb-up blocks. 

weaknesses: Needs to keep his weight back and his chin tucked in pass protection. Diminishes his length with a lack of consistent track on inside punch. Allows back-side opponents to fight through his cut-off attempts. Doesn't play with enough core strength or grit to be thought of as a block finisher.

grade: 6.22 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Nicholas Petit-Frere



TE Theo Johnson: Penn St  6'6", 259




 combine: 4.57s 40, 39.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10, 34rec/341yds/7TDs

strengths: Displays decent lift with his hips/hands when fitting up his base block. Widens his base and runs his feet through initial contact. Runs routes with proper leverage to stem & separate at the break point. 

weaknesses: Tends to drift rather than sit down when sinking into zone voids. Waist-bending into run blocks allows edge defenders to slip off and around. Needs to improve his mirror-and-strike talent against moving fronts.

grade: 6.15 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)


TE Ja'Tavion Sanders: Texas  6'4", 245

















combine: 4.69s 40

2023: 1st All-BIG 12, 45rec/682yds/2TDs

strengths: Well-coordinated making leaping catches on the move. Frames off defenders and catches with strong hands when contested. Run-after-catch featuring quick vertical burst and getaway speed. Has the tools to become a more effective move blocker.

weaknesses: Inconsistent aggression taking on bigger opponents at the point. Allows defenders to play though his base blocks. Displays consistent break drift on out-breaking routes.

grade: 6.37 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: David Njoku



WR Anthony Gould: Oregon St  5'8", 174
















combine: 4.39s 40, 39.5"vert, 10'9"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-PAC 12, 44rec/718yds/2TDs

strengths: Wins with electrifying deep speed and separation burst underneath. Good toughness to beat back ball-challengers through contact. Adds element of danger on punt returns & WR screens. Displays talent to track & adjust to the deep ball.

weaknesses: Plays with some hip tightness that slows ability to sink and stop. Lacks fluidity running more detailed routes. Needs on-frame throws due to lack of length.

grade: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Isaiah Mckenzie



OG Christian Mahogany: Boston College  6'3", 314
















combine: 5.13s 40, 32.5"vert, 9'1"broad jump

2023: 1st All-ACC

strengths: Has heavy hands to jolt and knock opponents off-kilter early on. Has upper-body power and chippy demeanor to maul & scrap at the point. Consistent use of inside hands bolsters an already sturdy protection anchor.

weaknesses: Pad level suffers from inability to play with consistent bend. Inconsistent contact balance & body control throughout the strain phase. Heavy feet open him to arm-over moves and spin counters. Lacks lateral quickness to slide & mirror with edge-to-edge rushers.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)



TE Ben Sinnott: Kansas St  6'4", 250















combine: 4.68s 40, 40"vert, 10'6"broad jump

2023: 1st All-BIG 12/3rd All-American, 49rec/676yds/6TDs

strengths: Speed & agility to run routes on all 3 levels. Gets quickly into routes and maneuvers around redirection. Can move the chains with his run-after-catch ability. Quick to adjust his target point against moving targets. Light on his feet with feel for angles as a positional blocker.

weaknesses: Fails to fit up run blocks with much command or force. Needs to drop pad level and play with inside hands more often. A little slow to activate his when throws are on top of him.

grade: 6.13 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)


WR Johnny Wilson: Florida St  6'6", 231





















combine: 4.52s 40, 37"vert, 10'8"broad jump

2023: 3rd All-ACC, 41rec/617yds/2TDs

strengths: Active hand-fighter in swatting his way through handsy press. Build-up speed with stride length to maintain some vertical; separation. Flashes late hands and the ability to salvage off-frame throws. Breaks perimeter tackles and rumbles for additional yardage.

weaknesses: Slow feet limit his ability to get off press in & out of breaks. Below-average body control and space creation on 50/50 balls. Route running lacks focus and impact to move defenders. Lacks consistent focus, dexterity & hand strength as a pass catcher. 

grade: 5.95 (Average backup/Special teamer)

comp: Devin Funchess



OT Caedan Wallace: Penn St  6'5", 314





















combine: 5.15s 40, 31"vert, 9'8"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10

strengths: Body control and radar to climb, find & land on LBs. Fits up blocks with proper base and hand placement. Lands on rusher with full arm extension to separate and feel the rush. Does a nice job recognizing twists and sliding feet with inside moves.

weaknesses: Can be too deliberate and telegraphed with his pass punch. Needs to play with lower pads to help find more displacement & push. Can be beaten to the spot by move blocks by NFL quickness. 

grade: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter)



RB Cody Schrader: Missouri















combine: 4.61s 40, 33"vert

2023: Burlsworth Trophy, 1st All-SEC/Consensus All-American, 276car/1,627yds/14TDs, 22rec/191yds

strengths: Outstanding processor getting from read to read as an outside-zone runner. Can get deep into the line of scrimmage, creating easier cutbacks. Runs with desired level of decisiveness & toughness downhill. Blocks with awareness, toughness & technique protecting his passer.

weaknesses: Tight hips with tight, short strides. Lacks post-cut acceleration, allowing defenses to rally. Ducks & plows prematurely at times instead of searching for more. Must have throws put right on him.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)


TE Erick All: Iowa  6'4", 252














2023: Honorable All-BIG 10, 21rec/299yds/3TDs

strengths: Agility & athleticism for an expanded route tree. Clean getting into breaks & bursts coming out of them. Good blend of elusiveness and toughness after the catch. Willing to strike with some force as split-zone & lead blocker. 

weaknesses: Suffered back to back season-ending injuries. Needs to become more physical to clear himself against handsy coverage. Can make tough catches, but easy ones will slip by at times. below-average grit and sustain blocking at the point of attack.

grade: 6.14 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)


RB Bucky Irving: Oregon  5'9", 192





















combine: 4.55s 40, 29.5"vert, 9'7"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-PAC 12, 186car/1,180yds/11TDs, 56rec/413yds/2TDs

strengths: Decisive downhill charges create a head of steam for what is to come. Possesses elusive features including spin move & lateral jump cut. Good run-through power to break tackles and extend the carry. 

weaknesses: Gets into too much of a hurry and rushes ahead of blocking development. Feet fly outside his frame during change of direction, limiting cut fluidity. Below-average press & finesse getting into his run-lane choices. Needs to improve his protection technique to deal with NFL blitzers.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)

comp: Dameon Pierce



RB Jonathan Brooks: Texas  6', 216


  













2023: 2nd All-BIG 12, 187car/1,139yds/10TDs, 25rec/286yds/1TD

strengths: NFL-caliber accelerator as an outside runner. Flows through run lanes with excellent bend & quickness. Outstanding spatial awareness to create maximum work space as a runner. Usually avoids unnecessary moves and finishes runs when it's time. Good hands & great post-catch wiggle create added value for offenses.

weaknesses: Season ended with an ACL tear. Still learning to press the hole and set up blockers on zone runs. Power into & through contact is just average. Will need to square up rushers and limit lead-shoulder block approach.

grade: 6.38 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Jamaal Charles