Bills 2021 Draft Preview: Part 3

 

All Draft Summaries Come From NFL.COM

DT Tyler Shelvin - LSU  6'2"  350lbs

Strengths: Early to capture space in neutral zone off the snap. Quick recognition of pressure form down blocks. Eats up leverage battle & lives under the center's pads. Two-gapper with big pop and lift from his hips & hands. Daunting roadblock near the goal line.

Weaknesses: Conditioning has been an issue. Gasses out over 2nd half of the rep. Too slow in getting off blocks to make tackles. Seal blocks hold up against him. Little rush production & unlikely to see the field on passing downs.

Comp: Michael Pierce

Grade: 6.18 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

CB Eric Stokes - Georgia  6'1"  194lbs

2020: 2nd All-SEC, 20tckls, 4INTs/2TDs, 4PUs

Strengths: Poised through press release. Stands his ground against physical targets. Can run with mismatch-caliber speedsters on crossing routes. Downhill drive to his target. Plays into the receiver when phasing downfield. Combination of speed & quickness to play inside or outside. 

Weaknesses: Thinks "hands" before "feet" when matching release & breaks. Doesn't fully trust what he sees yet. Takes extra steps on lateral transition from the shuffle & pedal. Tardy gaining play-making positioning in coverage. Opponents run through solo tackle tries. Likely to be isolated & targeted by run games.

Comp: Coty Sensabaugh

Grade: 6.31 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

EDGE Jaelan Phillips - Miami (FL)  6'6"  260lbs

2020: 2nd All-American/2nd All-ACC, 45tckls/15.5TFLs, 8scks, 1INT

Strengths: Accelerates into the edge. Flexible upper-body to help flip over the punch at the top of the rush. Closing burst to the QB is not in doubt. Very aware as a run defender. Sees mesh point clearly on zone reads & recognizes lane choices by runner. 

Weaknesses: Pad level rises too tall off the snap. Below-average core strength. Gets bounced off his base during redirect blocks. Needs better command with his hands as a rusher. Fails to stack moves to stay ahead of pass blockers.

Comp: Maxx Crosby

Grade: 6.39 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

DT Levi Onwuzurike - Washington  6'3"  290lbs

Strengths: Explodes into the neutral zone with his 1st step. Punishing initial pop. Will use brute force to power his way into the backfield. Very difficult to cross-face him as a blocker. Operates with balance & controlled movement. Impressive short-area feet to attack edges as a rusher. Workable spin move for future rush development.

Weaknesses: Loses proper pad level as the rep unfolds. Will dislodge rather than shed, allowing blocker to stay in it. Better hand efficiency would improve his rush. Lateral slides with narrow base allows for occasional wash-down blocks. 

Comp: Sheldon Richardson

Grade: 6.31 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

RB Jaret Patterson - Buffalo  5'7"  195lbs

2020: 2nd All-American/1st All-MAC, MAC OPOY, 141c/1,072yds/19TDs, 

Strengths: Good ball security. Has a low center of gravity. Sneaks through spaces. Keeps feet moving throughout the carry. Rolls through initial contact. Forces missed tackles. Squares up incoming rusher & blocks with proper technique. 

Weaknesses: Feet look a little unsure while bouncing downhill. Doesn't always show trust in desired run lane. Hips tightness slows one-cut ability in outside zone. Bit of a one-speed runner. Not much of a pass catching option.

Comp: Jacquizz Rodgers

Grade: 5.98 (Backup/Special Teamer)

TE Tommy Tremble - Notre Dame  6'4"  248lbs

2020: 19rec/218yds

Strengths: Activated as a blocker from a variety of formations. Accelerates & crashes into targets as a lead blocker. Athletic ability & speed stand out as a pass catcher. Bursts off the snap & races into route. Can separate on 2nd and 3rd level routes.

Weaknesses: Gives away short routes with altered initial speed. Double catches & drops are a concern. Still learning to fit up block with proper platform & pad level. Needs quiet, efficient hands at the point of attack.

Comp: Drew Sample

Grade: 6.32 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

WR Demetric Felton - UCLA  5'9"  189lbs

2020: 2nd All-PAC 12, 22rec/159yds/3TDs, 132c/668yds/5TDs

Strengths: Hybrid potential as a RB & WR. Loose & limber to slip around traffic as a runner. Plays with unbridled energy and urgency. Gains ground on coverage out of route stems. Hip sink to sell his double moves. Sudden hands to pluck throws right on top of him. Makes adjustments for throws outside his frame. Features RB power, vision & balance after the catch. Has kick return experience.

Weaknesses: Lacks patience & will rush ahead of blocks. Will need more work & experience at WR. Average short-area footwork getting into breaks. Hasn't shown talent for finishing the catch though contact. 

Comp: Theo Riddick

Grade: 6.00 (Developmental Traits-Based Prospect)

CB Asante Samuel Jr. - Florida St.  5'10"  180lbs

2020: 31tckls, 3INTs, 6PUs

Strengths: Controls footwork form pedal for quicker click-and-close. Very physical when closing distance & crowding receiver. Makes sure to feel the receiver before turning to find the ball. Treats battle for catch space like a fist fight. Works at keeping the route form working easily across his face. Tackles receivers quickly after the catch. 

Weaknesses: Doesn't get eyes on the QB often enough for coverage clues. Opens hips early, allowing route runner the advantage. Too grabby & undisciplined with his back to the ball. Average lateral burst. Needs to get off of receiver's run block sooner. Inconsistent running feet through the tackle.

Comp: Mackenzie Alexander

Grade: 6.24 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

CB Nate Hobbs - Illinois  6'  195lbs

2020: 31tckls/2TFLs, 1INT, 2PUs

Strengths: Very athletic with good feet. Bursts into the route breaks. Possesses stop-start talent to change direction with the route. Quick wrap-and-finish after the catch.

Weaknesses: Inconsistent approach in run support. Needs to be quicker to read & challenge blockers. Tries to read the receiver rather than turning to locate the ball. Sluggish getting back on track. Doesn't take optimal play-making angles to play the ball.

Grade: 5.82 (Backup/Special Teamer)

WR Anthony Schwartz - Auburn  6' 186lbs

2020: 54rec/636yds/3TDs

Strengths: World class sprinter with game-changing speed. Useful weapon with jet sweeps. Threat of long speed creates easy throw & catch underneath. Able to change route direction while maintaining scary speed. Full-time gunner potential.

Weaknesses: Routes are unfocused & often ineffective underneath. Disappointing effort in scramble mode. Consistent issues tracking & adjusting to the long ball. Needs to become catch-ready more quickly. Focus & hand strength have been consistent issues.

Comp: Jacoby Ford

Grade: 6.00 (Developmental Traits-Based Prospect)

DE Tarron Jackson - Coastal Carolina  6'2"  254lbs

2020: 1st All-American, Sun Belt DPOY, 54tckls/14TFLs, 8.5scks, 3FFs

Strengths: Very strong at the point of attack. Reads initial blocker movement & hustles to steal the angle. Very strong base to drive through contact on his way to the ball. Quality spin to release away from run blocks. Beats tackles & TEs with inside swim for quick win. Comes out low & with good rush acceleration. Keeps coming for the QB with solid secondary rush effort.

Weaknesses: Doesn't have explosive 1st step into the neutral zone. Slow to activate his hands. Restricted agility due to tightness in his hips & knees. Easy target for cut blocks. Struggles to change direction. Face-up rusher missing hand skill & athletic talent to flip the edge. Rush plan consists of just power & inside swim.

Grade: 5.85 (Backup/Special Teamer)

  

  

 

2021 Oscars Preview

 

Best Production Design:

This is likely to go to one of the 2 period films with Mank and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Based on this awards season, I'm leaning towards Mank.

Pick: Mank

Best Animated Short Film:

Pixar has a contender here with Burrow, but their track record with animated short has actually been spotty as of late. A heavy hitter with important thematic material, I think If Anything Happens I Love You is taking this Oscar.

Pick: If Anything Happens I Love You

Best Live Action Short Film:

I can't remember a time when these nominated films were more available than they are now through mainstream streaming apps (same with animated short). I'm going with the powerful Two Distant Strangers.

Pick: Two Distant Strangers

Best Sound:

Soul and News of the World could be contenders here, but I'm leaning with Sound of Metal.

Pick: Sound of Metal

Best Visual Effects:

The Midnight Sky is a contender here given this awards season, but I just have a hard time seeing Tenet getting passed up here.

Pick: Tenet

Best Documentary Feature:

My Octopus Teacher has really surged as a favorite.

Pick: My Octopus Teacher

Best Documentary Short Subject:

Do Not Split and Hunger Ward could be contenders, but merely based on word of mouth I'm going with A Love Song for Latasha.

Pick: A Love Song for Latasha

Best Film Editing:

The Trial of the Chicago 7 could take this, best given the track record of the kind of films that take home the editing Oscar, I'm going with Sound of Metal.

Pick: Sound of Metal

Best International Feature Film:

Flying a bit blind here, but my pick here is Another Round.

Pick: Another Round

Best Makeup And Hairstyling:

Mank and possibly Emma could be contenders, but I'm going with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Pick: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Best Original Score:

This seems pretty close to a given with Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste with Soul.

Pick: Soul

Best Original Song:

A number of ways this could go. "Fight For You" from Judas and the Black Messiah and "Io Si (Seen)" from The Life Ahead are top contenders, but I'm leaning towards "Speak Now" from One Night In Miami...

Pick: "Speak Now" - One Night In Miami...

Best Cinematography:

Nomadland is certainly a contender, but I'm leaning with Mank.

Pick: Mank

Best Costume Design:

Emma is a contender, but I'm pretty confident Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is getting this award.

Pick: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Best Adapted Screenplay:

Borat has surprised this awards season with some screenplay awards, and The Father is a top contender. But I'm leaning towards Chloe Zhao and Nomadland.

Pick: Chloe Zhao - Nomadland

Best Original Screenplay:

This seems like a competitive field. I'm going with Emerald Fennell and Promising Young Woman.

Pick: Emerald Fennell - Promising Young Woman

Best Animated Feature Film:

Wolfwalkers is a contender, but this seems more than set for Soul.

Pick: Soul

Best Supporting Actor:

This seems fairly locked in with Daniel Kaluuya.

Pick: Daniel Kaluuya - Judas and the Black Messiah

Best Supporting Actress:

This race has been all over the place this awards season. Right now, the leading frontrunner seems to be Yuh-Jung Youn.

Pick: Yuh-Jung Youn - Minari

Best Actor:

Just like with Supporting Actor, this seems like a lock with Chadwick Boseman.

Pick: Chadwick Boseman - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Best Actress:

This is a three-way race, between Viola Davis (SAG Award), Frances McDormand (BAFTA), and Carey Mulligan (Critics' Choice). Not sure I can remember a more tightly contested acting race. I'm going with Frances McDormand.

Pick: Frances McDormand - Nomadland

Best Director:

Throughout this awards season, director has seems like a given towards Chloe Zhao.

Pick: Chloe Zhao - Nomadland

Best Picture:

Best Picture has been fairly competitive over the last few years.....that isn't the case right now. Nomadland seems to be running away with this, and I think it would be rightfully deserved.

Pick: Nomadland

Bills 2021 Draft Preview: Part 2

 

All Draft Summaries Come From NFL.COM

EDGE Azeez Ojulari - Georgia  6'2"  249lbs

2020: 2nd All-SEC, 31tckls/12.5TFLs, 8.5scks, 4FFs

Strengths: Has an aggressive play demeanor. Very good upper-body twitch & strength to unhinge and shed blocks. Contact balance to absorb blocks and maintain his base. Gifted change-of-direction. Will alter rush tempo to lull tackles to sleep. Leverage & power to capture and collapse a tackler's edge. Booming closing burst helps him demolish QBs.

Weaknesses: Doesn't play with desired knee bend to help him anchor. Limited go-to moves as a rusher. Gives away rush plan prematurely. Rarely threatens tackles with quality counters. Relies primarily on a stuff-and-run attack to try to find the edge.

Comp: Joey Porter

Grade: 6.39 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

C Creed Humphrey - Oklahoma  6'4"  302lbs

2020: 3rd All-American/1st All-BIG 12, BIG 12 OL OTY

Strengths: Wrestling background is evident in core strength. Strong hands help maintain base blocks. Swings hips into position to seal the block. Finishes blocks with good intensity. Technique to trap & pancake leaning nose tackle. Helps with cleanup when teammates' protection gets leaky. 

Weaknesses: Longer defenders separate & discard him. Will give some early ground against strong bull rush. Susceptible against push-pull specialists. Gets a little grabby through contact on the move. 

Comp: Ben Jones

Grade: 6.26 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

OG Jackson Carman - Clemson  6'5"  317lbs

2020: 2nd All-ACC

Strengths: Willing to set out on top of rushers early in the rep. Throws hands quickly, looking for early advantage. Effective use of snatch-and-trap technique. Generates good deal of push when he centers up the block. Very good timing on combos up to LBs. Upper-body power to protect his edges.

Weaknesses: High hands cause him to slide up & off the block. Needs to bring feet with him into down blocks. Struggles finding his way to back-side block. Lunges, leaving hands extended for rushers to swipe & chop. Could struggle with edge speed & inside counters at tackle.

Grade: 6.22 (Good Backup, Could Be a Starter)

CB Greg Newsome II - Northwestern  6'  192lbs

2020: 3rd All-American/1st All-BIG 10, 12tckls, 1INT/10PUs

Strengths: Good strength & physicality from press. Talented mirror-and-match technique versus early release. Nimble feet with smooth backpedal to gain depth. Well-versed in off-man and cover 3 schemes. Locates & maintains position to play the ball. Assails receiver's chances on contested catches. Drives forward with intent to punish & jar the catch loose. Very willing as a wrap-up tackler in run support.

Weaknesses: Needs to do a better job of trusting his eyes & instincts. Lateral transition burst is just average. Response to cross-face routes was inconsistent. Too many interference penalties. Needs to get off blocks sooner and could use more tackle strength.

Comp: Darius Slay

Grade: 6.40 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

CB Ifeatu Melifonwu - Syracuse  6'3"  205lbs

2020: 3rd All-ACC, 55tckls/3TFLs, 1INT/9PUs

Strengths: Ability to mirror early stages of the route from backpedal. Length to disrupt adds to his downfield speed. Angles to play the ball without interfering. Consistent dive-and-wrap finisher after the catch. A punishing striker with aggressive mentality. Able to cast a wide net as an open-field tackler.

Weaknesses: Doesn't slide feet to cut off & slow release. Change of direction in space is average. Allows way too much room from off coverage. Needs to play with better eye balance & anticipation. A little tardy getting rid of perimeter blockers.

Comp: Trumaine Johnson

Grade: 6.26 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

EDGE Jayson Oweh - Penn State  6'5"  257lbs

2020: 1st All-BIG 10, 38tckls/6.5TFLs

Strengths: Dynamite-infused quick-twitch explosiveness. Can explode into TEs with initial pop & overtake them quickly. Instant reactive movement off blocks to make sudden tackles. Swivel hips turn unrealistic tackle angles into real things. Can attack the corner in a big hurry as a rusher. Impressive leg drive advances his speed-to-power rush attacks.

Weaknesses: Still raw. Slow reaction time off snap can put him behind. Lacks feel & experience to decipher run-blocking schemes. Needs to work on attacking blocks from balanced platform. Doesn't attack with consistent swipe power. Will lose ball awareness on play-action.

Comp: Bud Dupree

Grade: 6.44 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

WR Kadarius Toney - Florida  6'  193lbs

2020: 2nd All-American/1st All-SEC (all-purpose)/ 2nd All-SEC (receiver), 70rec/984yds/10TDs, 19c/161yds/1TD

Strengths: Access to early acceleration to uncover. Can run an inside-pivot whip route that's unguardable. Plus value in quick game & as a gadget option. Over-the-shoulder ball-tracking talent. Very good open-field vision for run after the catch. Strong legs with ability to elude or break the tackle. More physical than expected with the ball. Can step right in on punt returns.

Weaknesses: Route speed looks turned down at times. Route inefficiencies will need to be corrected. Too much free-styling. Might have issues handling contested catch duties underneath. More quick than speedy.

Comp: Harry Douglas

Grade: 6.36 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

 OT Jalen Mayfield - Michigan   6'5" 320lbs

Strengths: Recognizes pre-snap pressure points. Agile feet & athletic ability to mirror twists and stunts. Able to get out in space. Bursts out of his stance as a run blocker. Accelerates his feet through down blocks. Reliable climbing to the 2nd level from combo blocks. Keeps driving opponent when he gets block-centered.

Weaknesses: Upper body lacks desired broadness & strength. Small wind-up in pass punch opens frame up. Lacks length & power to redirect rushers. Loses pad level when making lateral blocks. Struggles with body control & contact balance at times.

Comp: Trey Pipkins

Grade: 6.12 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

EDGE Joe Tryon - Washington  6'5"  259lbs

Strengths: Ability to punch & shed TEs quickly when hands are right. Hand skills flash when battling run blockers. Glides & moves with proper knee base in lateral movements. Can activate smooth outside-in rush move. Bursts to the QB. Comfortable dropping & covering. 

Weaknesses: Still learning. Needs to aggressively take it to opponents. Needs better understanding of positioning when setting the edge. Seems unsure & tentative at times when rushing. Rarely disguises rush plan or sets up opponent. Too many head-first charges.

Grade: 6.31 (Will Be a Starter Within First 2 Seasons)

DT Alim McNeil - North Carolina St. 6'2"  317lbs

2020: 2nd All-American/1st All-ACC, 26tckls/4.5TFLs, 1sck, 1INT

Strengths: Three-for-one big man with power, explosiveness & athleticism. Operates with desired contact balance & body control. Moves fluidly with athletic gait in pursuit. Strong base to play through the edge. Harmonious hands & feet to maneuver around protection.

Weaknesses: Strong, but sawed-off. Slow diagnosis will get him reached by blocks. Unable to quickly shed & rid blocks. Limited range to tackle working off of blocks. Not much secondary rush when initial attack stalls. Needs to find go-to move for quicker wins as a rusher.

Comp: Khalen Saunders

Grade: 6.14 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

RB Trey Sermon - Ohio State  6' 215lbs

2020: 116c/870yds/4TDs, 12rec/95yds

Strengths: Good acceleration after change of direction. Finishes runs with forceful demeanor. Has ability to put moves together as an outside zone runner. Squares up & meets his pass-blocking duties. Stepped up with huge efforts when it was needed. 

Weaknesses: Tends to run too upright. Slow to process moving pieces in tight quarters. Didn't crank up as much aggression into contact. Lacks vision & burst to make a living between the tackles.

Grade: 6.20 (Good Backup, Could Become a Starter)

WR Marlon Williams - UCF  5'11"  209lbs

2020: 71rec/1,039yds/10TDs

Strengths: Harmonious hands & feet in press release. Works around traffic with plus feel for space against zone. Physical to separate at the top of the route. Hands can be sudden. Physical runner after the catch.

Weaknesses: Body catching leads to focus drops & double catches. Slow off the line. Breaks & turns needs crisper angles. No 2nd gear when the ball goes up.

Grade: 5.67 (Chance to Make End of a Roster/Practice Squad)

RB Travis Etienne - Clemson    5'10" 215lbs

2020: 1st All-American/1st All-ACC, 168c/913yds/14TDs, 48rec/588yds/2TDs

Strengths: A three-down back. He allows power blocks to develop. Excellent read & cut timing. Leg drive & balance to power through contact. Hips can swivel and cut in any direction. Elevated his value as a receiver out of the backfield.

Weaknesses: Average ball security needs to improve. A long strider in short spaces. Running style is aggressive but somewhat segmented. Drops easy throws on swing passes. Needs to square rushers & keep them centered.

Comp: Garrison Hearst

Grade: 6.71 (Year 1 Quality Starter)