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|
2012 Draft
TIGHT ENDS |
Dwayne Allen
6031 255 Clemson |
Combine: 4.89 Forty| 27 Reps| 32.0 VJ| 110.0" BJ|
7.12 3C| 4.37 20Sh| 12.07 60Sh|
Pro Day -
Allen,
who ran a 4.89-second 40-yard dash at the combine,
chose not to run Friday, according to Mayock. Allen
did nothing to hurt himself during the workout and
still carries a second-round grade, per Mayock. “He
gets up the field, catches the ball and runs good
routes, and that’s what he did (Friday),” Mayock
said. “He’s fluid, he’s not an in-line heavy
blocker, which probably keeps him out of the first
round.”
PFW Scout's Candid Comment - "A
solid #2 for us. I can't see him getting in the 1st
round, but the way this league is, it wouldn't
surprise me. He's a really good receiver, but he's
not a blocker. His toughness is an issue. He's
getting a lot of publicity as the best tight end in
the country, but that's all it is."
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
Should become a reliable starter, an above average
blocker and receiver.
From nfl.com -
Declared early. Great
size for the position and even better speed. A
polished and accomplished route runner who
understands how to play the position and will be an
immediate threat at the next level. A more classic,
line-attached TE who
can work upfield out of a three point stance without
having to rely on aligning in the slot. Rare
combination of size, speed, athleticism, and overall
understanding of the intricacies of the position.
An extremely
flexible mover who works in and out of a two-point
stance with ease. Has the strength and body control
to avoid jams at the LOS and will fight through and
stack back on top of his defender to get into his
route. Can drop his weight in and out of breaks and
is a very smooth runner for size. Quick to turn his
head and locate the ball / uses his body well to
shield off defenders downfield. An explosive athlete
who can separate frorm LB’s and S’s alike. Natural
short area receiver whocould be a go-to option early
-on to move the chains.
But he’ll labor at times off the ball when blocking
in the run game and has a bit of an unorthodox
blocking stance. Simply not the caliber of blocker
that he is a receiver, but still above average
there. It's difficult to find many weaknesses in his
game based on the junior year he put together.
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) -
Zone buster who can settle into pockets.
Footwork could be crisper on 90-degree
breaks / doesn't always separate from
underneath man-coverage. But he is a
physical route runner who can box out
defenders. Some savvy on downfield routes.
Can tempo and set up breaks with change of
speed on post and flag routes.
|
Will sometime let ball get to frame but has
above average overall ball skills. Extends
arms and snatches passes thrown above head.
Big hands / can snag passes with one hand.
Above average body control /can adjust to
back shoulder passes. Will hold onto the
ball after taking big hit. Tracks the deep
ball well.
|
Can flex out and reach top-end speed quickly
when not slowed down at the LOS. Fast enough
to work the seam and exploit downfield
pockets vs. zone. Won’t make many defenders
miss but is fast enough to rip of chunk of
yards when he gets room to work after the
catch.
|
Drives legs and drags defenders for after
catch. Unafraid to work the middle of the
field. Willing and spirited blocker. Could
have more of a mean streak though he did
play with an edge at times.
|
A lot to like about his upside as a blocker,
but is average at this point. Can seal the
front side and cut off backside. Adequate
awareness in blitz pick up though he could
sink and anchor better. Sound hand placement
/will fight to sustain in-line blocks but
leans into defenders instead of rolling hips
(so that he slipped off some blocks). Can
cover up linebackers and takes adequate
angles but can be step late locating second
level assignment.
|
|
Coby Fleener
6060 247 Stanford |
Combine: Didn't Run| 27 Reps| Did not participate in
drills|
Pro Day - Fleener
ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53
and 4.51 seconds. He registered a 37-inch
vertical, a 9-foot-8 broad jump, a 4.30-second short
shuttle and a 7.02-second three-cone. He worked out
in the slot, as a wide receiver and as a tight end.
He’ll probably be the first tight end selected in
April’s draft, likely late in the first round
(around pick 25 or so). He has to improve his
blocking, but that will come with maturity and age.
Mayock Pre-Senior Bowl Position Rank: 2
PFW Scout's Candid Comment -"I
really like Coby Fleener. I have not seen one better
this year. The way the tight end position is going -
if it falls right, he could fall right into the Todd
Heap category. He's a second-round pick, but the
first is not out of reach."
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
More receiver than TE, but he’s reliable and should
secure at least a part time role.
From nfl.com -
The one senior tight end with the talent to start
early at the next level. Uses his 6-6 frame well
when running routes and separating from defenders.
Has been the go-to target in the red zone .
Understands route concepts and has the
competitiveness and size to be an effective inline
blocker. Some may question his true talent given his
size and having Luck as his QB, but he’s an
attractive prospect who could be taken towards the
end of Round One.
Has steadily improved and turned into a technical,
effective route runner who can separate at the top
of routes. Obvious target who has a good feel for
defenders around him. Will go up for the ball,
especially in the red zone. A smooth athlete who
looks natural running deep down the field.
Anticipate the throw,
find it in
the air and rarely not come down with it.
He has struggled (but continues to improve) as a
blocker on the LOS. Somewhat stale at the line and
must get stronger to become a more complete player.
Tends to get jammed at the line and can have trouble
getting back into his route
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) -
Above-average athleticism and top-end speed
translates to very good separation skills.
Good at avoiding contact and getting a clean
release. Gets in and out of stem easily with
good pop out of cuts. Nice feel for routes
/sets up defenders well within stem. Can run
away from LB's on intermediate crossing
routes. Natural feel vs. zone coverage to
find open areas /works back to QB. Enough
versatility and athleticism to be flexed
out.
|
Soft and natural hands. Catches ball away
from frame. Has the body control to open up
and make tough grab outside of frame. Can
pluck on the run without breaking stride.
Average leaper /lacks elite one-on-one jump
ball capabilities.
|
Quick release and good initial pop allows
him to get on top of the defense quickly.
Good athleticism after the catch. Lacks
great elusiveness but is shifty with enough
top-end speed to capitalize if given a seam.
|
Effort and toughness not a question. Willing
to work the middle of the field. Will secure
the ball in traffic. Hustles to the whistle
and will give second effort to give a
downfield block. Could show more
aggressiveness as an inline blocker and do a
better job of sustaining blocks.
|
Blocking is an area of weakness. Must get
stronger in the core and lacks great inline
capabilities right now. Technique also needs
work especially with hands. Good awareness
and better technique in pass pro.
|
|
Orson Charles 6024 251 Georgia |
Combine: Didn't run| 35 Reps|
Did not participate in drills|
Mayock Pre-Senior Bowl Position Rank: 3.
PFW Scout's Candid Comment -"Charles
positions and sustains and makes some really nice
blocks wheeling his feet around. He plays with some
violence and is very put together."
Pro Football
Draft Guide
–
Will be limited to H-Back but Charles is arguably
the most explosive pass-catchers among this year’s
TE’s.
From nfl.com -
A big,
athletic and flexible “mismatch” TE. Has decent size
for the position and runs pretty well. Started 95
percent of his games the last two years. Ready right
now to step in and block on the line
and a
very reliable short-yardage pass-catcher. If he can
put on a little bit more size, he could be drafted
as early as the third round.
An athletic mover, especially off the LOS. Has
enough power to fight off hand jabs at the line of
scrimmage and very savvy at getting back into the
path of his route quickly.Uses his body well
underneath to shield himself from defenders when
working zones and is a very reliable hands-catcher
well suited to a role as a go-to option on third
downs at the next level. Still developing as a
blocker but has all the physical traits (including
strength) to be successful at the next level. Stood
out as a very competitive player likely to work hard
to hone his skills.
A straight-line route runner who could have issues
separating from defenders at the next level. Looks
unaware in-phase and is far from the point where he
can set up defenders to lean on them or get them off
balanced. A flat-footed runner with trouble sticking
his foot in the ground or bending to break quickly
in his routes.Decent wiggle and speed after the
catch not much of a threat deep. His MO of beating
defenders in college, through size and power, will
be much more difficult at the next level.
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) -
Athletic ability and frame make him a
nightmare matchup when he lines up in the
slot. Uses hands and quick feet to quickly
get off the line. Could make crisper
90-degree cuts at top of stem and tends to
drift downfield on crossing routes but shows
some craftiness as a route runner. Uses
tempo and upper body to get defenders off
balance and set up breaks. Quick enough to
separate from most linebackers. Locates
downfield seams in zone looks but could do a
better job of adjusting route and settling
into windows on intermediate routes. Missed
blitz pickup early in the 2011 Boise State
game. .
|
Snatches ball with hands away from frame.
Can catch pass thrown above head. Fluid
gathering the ball in stride but can take
eye off it resulting in a drop.
|
Fast enough to get behind most linebackers
vs. man coverage and can work the deep
middle vs. zone looks. Not as dangerous as
Aaron Hernandez. Makes first defender miss
and has above average top-end speed.
|
Unafraid to work middle. Tough runner who’ll
fight for yards after contact. Not a mauler
but flashes a mean streak. Unafraid to mix
it up with bigger defenders
|
Above average hand placement and upper body
strength but there are concerns about
whether he can hold up as in-line blocker.
Narrow hips, played high / lower body
strength appears below average. Doesn’t
drive-block defenders. Ducks head and lunges
at times. Struggles to sustain in pass pro.
Sloppy footwork / problems sealing the
backside. Athletic enough to adjust to
moving targets at second level but not
aggressive enough in space / defenders have
had some success slipping him.
|
|
Michael Egnew
6051 252 Missouri |
Combine: 4.62 Forty| 21 Reps| 36.0 VJ|
131.0" BJ|
7.03 3C| 4.32 20Sh| 12.07
60Sh|
Mayock Pre-Senior Bowl Position Rank: 5.
PFW Scout's Candid Comment - "His
QB is bad. He can't get the ball downfield. The TE
is not great by any means, but he's better than
Martin Rucker. He's not an athlete athlete. His body
is really underdeveloped. He can get in the seam,
but I don't see him separate vertically. He has good
hands but he's not an elite receiver."
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
He could add some weight and try to become a more
traditional TE, but Egnew fits best as a playmaking
flex tight end.
From nfl.com -
Mismatch possibility (athletic, tall and somewhat
underweight who creates mismatches up and down the
field). A converted receiver, but has struggled with
traditional tight end duties as a blocker. Combine
results, if good, could cause him to climb the
boards as a high-value mismatch-creator.
Knows how to run in-phase and use his athletic
ability to separate. Can separate from linebackers
and play more physically than most safeties. Adept
at catching the ball and has a large catch radius. A
threat after the catch and a big overall target. But
he has struggled blocking defensive linemen and it’s
tough for him to get a free release off the line
when attached to a tackle. Much better working off
the ball. Can be physically outplayed by some bigger
linebackers. Could have trouble playing on the LOS
at the next level.
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) - Above-average athlete
and smooth strider. Lacks the elite
explosiveness of a or Gonzales, but easily
gets in-and-out of stem to create
separation. Natural feel vs. zone coverage
and can locate and settle into soft spots.
Limited experience with routes from
traditional TE alignment / may need work on
getting clean release.
|
Natural hands and bigger frame provides QB
with a favorable target. Catches the ball
away from frame and plucks the ball
naturally on the run. Good at using frame in
tight coverage.. Above-average body control
/ can pull in tough catch outside of strike
zone.
|
Has the top-end speed to stretch the middle
of the field and pose a threat down the deep
seams. Above-average athlete who can create
yards after the catch. Athleticism and size
makes him a matchup problem in the red zone.
|
Fearless working the middle. Will secure the
ball in traffic. Not much of a blocker but
works to sustain blocks downfield. Tough
runner who fights for yards after the catch.
|
Limited experience as an inline blocker.
Will need to add bulk and strength to frame
to ever become consistent in this area. Good
body control to cover up targets downfield
when flexed out.
|
|
LaDarius
Green 6056 238 LA - Lafayette |
Combine: 4.53 Forty.|16 Reps|
34.5 VJ| 124.0" BJ| 7.12 3C.| 4.47 20Sh| 12.08 60Sh|
Pro Day -
Green looked very smooth and fluid in position
drills, and he caught every ball thrown to him. He
recorded a 35.5-inch vertical leap, 10-6 broad jump,
and 17 reps in the bench press. He has a chance to
be selected at the end of the third round.
Mayock Pre-Senior Bowl Position Rank: 4.
PFW Scout's Candid Comment -"Someone
will take a chance on Green. He's not very good."
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
He’s not guaranteed to be a full-time player but
Green will at least be an effective situational
weapon.
From nfl.com -
A late riser who could continue to move up…comes
from a smaller conference. A very productive
pass-catching tight end with the type of athleticism
that makes him a mismatch at the next level and the
type of player a team could fall in love with and
take with a risk-pick earlier in the draft. Has
displayed sixth-round talent up to this point and is
a developmental project at the position.
A big tight end who understands how to get open and
use his frame as a receiving option
in the short
passing game. Good foot quickness / uses this and
his frame to work against zone and box out smaller
defenders to convert first-downs. Body control
allows him to leap, torque, and reach both high and
low for poorly thrown balls, making him a solid red
zone option.
Raw and a project at the position. Can struggle
getting off the LOS/ can give away his routes
quickly. Lots of
negative aspects to his game currently but they can
be mitigated through time and coaching.
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) -
Undersized even for an H-back and will need
to be flexed out wide for the most part.
Quicker and more dangerous after the catch
than most TE prospects, but may never
develop into a solid in-line blocker in the
NFL.
Lacks explosive
initial burst off the line. Must get
stronger and improve his array of moves vs.
press. Must be more precise with routes.
Lacks ideal suddenness in and out of breaks.
But he's a fluid, smooth athlete with
massive frame to naturally separate. Shows
some craftiness when setting up defenders
with double moves. Physical route runner.
Uses his frame to shield defender from the
ball. "
|
Long with a huge catching radius. Confident
pass catcher with strong hands. Attacks the
ball away from his frame. Can pluck on the
run. Above average body control.
|
More capable with the ball in his hands than
most TEs in this class. Does not explode off
the line but can chew up real estate quickly
and stretch the seam. Lacks elite top end
speed but fast enough to establish
positioning on seam routes. Has the length
to win more than his share of jump balls.
Stops and starts quickly. Can make the first
defender miss. Surprisingly good vision to
set up blocks and make open-field cuts.
|
Good effort in all aspects of the game. But
by no means does he play with a mean streak.
Doesn't shy away from contact and gives a
decent effort as a blocker. Unafraid to work
the middle and has proven capable of
securing the ball while taking a big hit.
Could be more physical and aggressive after
the catch (could have been favoring shoulder
injury).
|
Good effort to get in
position as a blocker. At best a decent
position and wall-off space blocker.
Typically gets in solid position as a space
blocker and has long arms to reach. Can
overwhelming
DBs at POA but
lacks bulk, shows marginal lower body
strength and really struggles to sustain vs.
LBs and DEs. Dips his head and lets pads get
too high on contact. Gets in position in
pass pro and typically makes good initial
contact but has a narrow base, plays too
high and really struggles to anchor.
|
|
Deangelo
Peterson 6030 243 LSU |
Combine: 4.76 Forty| Didn't Lift| 36.0 VJ|
121.0" BJ| 7.19 3C|
Didn't run shuttles|
Pro Day - Peterson only ran
a 4.58 short shuttle, deciding to keep all
his other combine numbers. He caught the
ball well and looked fluid in the positional
workouts.
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
A developmental prospect with intriguing
athleticism, but he’s far away from being
ready to make an impact. A longshot to be a
situational receiving threat.
From nfl.com -
Undersized tweener, used in both wide
receiver looks and at tight end.Definitely
won't be a blocking bruiser working off the
LOS, but more of a mismatch candidate who
will need to work out of the slot to get
looks against slower linebackers or smaller
safeties in the NFL. A good athlete, but
lacks the consistency to warrant a top pick.
But he does match current vogue as a
mismatch TE has late-round talent with
middle round potential.
Relies heavily upon his speed and length to
beat LB’s and make catches over safeties – a
mismatch-driven player who doesn't make a
lot happen on his own when working against
fast linebackers, but he runs decent routes
and is deceptively shifty with the ball
after the catch.
Doesn't make many plays happen for himself.
He has to rely on mismatches and schemes
drawn up by coaches to be put in a position
to make plays. Can't block at all at the
LOS. A slightly better blocker working up
field on linebackers, but really struggles
with the physical aspect of his play and can
get beat up on the LOS by bigger linebackers
before he ever gets into his route.
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) - An H-Back that's
primarily used as a situational receiver.
Moved from WR to TE. Narrow frame, but can
stick butt out and box out
linebackers/safeties when working middle.
Size can give defensive backs problems when
flexed out. Struggles to sink hips and
explode at top of stem. Will slip and
stumble out of break. Can get muscled out of
routes.
|
Lets ball get to frame but has above average
overall ball skills. Tracks the ball well
and can make over the shoulder catches. Good
body control. Can open hips and adjust to
passes thrown behind him. Long arms. Can
reach out with one hand and tip ball to
himself.
|
Initial burst is just average but is long
strider with enough speed to get behind most
linebackers and work the seam vs. zone
looks. Doesn’t appear as dangerous with ball
in hands on shovels and reverses. Won’t make
many defenders miss /lacks breakaway speed
after the catch.
|
No hesitation going over the middle Runs
hard and will fight for yards after contact.
Doesn't shy away from contact but is not
aggressive or physical enough as a blocker.
|
Strong punch as a blocker/can knock
linebackers off balance but could take
better angles when attacking second level.
Sloppy footwork /gets beat to the inside
when asked to cut off the back inside. Gets
rag-dolled at times. Narrow base, plays too
high and seems to have lower body strength.
|
|
David Paulson
6032 246 Oregon |
Combine: 4.93 Forty| 21 Reps| 32.0 VJ|
110.0" BJ| 7.18 3C| 4.40 20Sh|
11.90 60Sh.
Pro day -
Paulson was good in his position
workout, but he didn’t elevate his draft
position. He had 4.70 and
4.69 40-yard
dashes, a 33-inch vertical jump, 9-5 broad
jump, 4.32 short shuttle and 6.98 three-cone
drill.
BRS (Gollin) - I disagree
with the Pro Day analysis - improving his
forty time from 4.93 to 4.69 is a big deal
for a pass catching TE - especially in a
week class.
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
Has just enough skill as a receiver to earn
a part time role as an H-Back or fullback
From nfl.com -
Reliable pass-catching tight end who
struggles to get open, but played well
within the Ducks' scheme. A consistent
durable starter who kept the chains
moving.Can make the spectacular catch and
has sixth-round talent.
Athletic, although he doesn't look the part.
Quick out of his stance and into his route
/understands to how to play to his
strengths. Speed isn't his forte, but he
knows how to lean on linebackers or throw a
last-second jab at them to create space.
Decent wall-off blocker. A heady player who
doesn't try to do too much and usually will
make the tough catch when asked to.
He’ll find it difficult to get open at the
next level going up against more athletic
linebackers. A slow mover who struggles to
change direction quickly (which in turn may
allow linebackers and safeties to recover or
undercut his routes).
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) -
Good athleticism as a route runner, but
needs polish. Good initial pop off the LOS
and can get on
top of defenders quickly. But takes some
time to throttle down on lateral in and out
cuts. At this best running vertical seams
and deep crosses where he can run away from
defenders. Good feel for soft spots vs. zone
coverage. "
|
Natural hands / catches ball away from body.
Has the body control to open up and secure
catch outside the strike zone. Must be more
aggressive attacking the ball must do a
better job of using his frame to shield
defenders from the ball.
|
Gets out of the blocks quickly and can
stretch the middle of the field. Not very
elusive as a runner but shifty and fast
enough to pick up yards after the catch if
provided with a seam.
|
Must get stronger and play with more
aggressiveness. Does he have the mentality
to do the dirty work that an every -down TE
requires? Limited experience lining up at
the traditional TE alignment /may need work
on his release. Works to sustain blocks down
field.
|
More of a positional blocker. Quick enough
to establish position but lacks inline power
to get movement on defenders. Can get
knocked back into the backfield by more
powerful defenders. Takes solid angles to
the second level.
|
|
George Bryan
6-5 265 NC State |
Combine: Did not participate.
BRS (Gollin) – Is he eligible? ESPN write-up suggests he’s,
by far, the top-rated #2 in-line) TE in this
draft class, but he didn't participate in
the Combine (Could be a matter of ESPN
jumping the gun on his coming out). Reminds me of a gazillion
lunch-pail TE’s who have lasted ten years in
the NFL.
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
Has the potential to be one of the better
blocking specialists in the NFL. But his
lack of pass-catching skills will prevent
him from being more than that. The size/speed combo could get him drafted
late.
Bryant could be developed into a
situational
player capable of creating mismatches
as a move-TE.
From nfl.com - No
write up.
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) - Slowish, but savvy. Nice
first step / Smarty getting off the LOS.
Runs precise routes. Good feel for finding
soft spots in zone. Will settle in and stick
with his QB on broken plays. Physical route
runner. Uses his hands and body to create
separation on underneath routes. Can be
effective as a route runner within 10-12
yards but struggles to separate beyond that
point. Heavy footed. Lacks ideal balance and
body control. Below average natural
athleticism for the position. Takes too long
getting in and out of breaks. Can be
mechanical in some of his cuts with a lot of
wasted movement when running down-field
routes.
|
Gets his head turned around very quickly
after making his breaks. Picks up the
football in a hurry and is extremely
reliable as a short-to-intermediate pass
catcher. Has the focus and concentration to
make tough catches in traffic. Will take big
shots and hold onto the football. Can pluck
the ball while on the run. Secures the ball
after the catch. Only ball skill issue we've
seen is when he's forced to adjust to balls
thrown behind him. He struggles to halt
momentum and redirect in time.
|
Plays a little bit faster than his 40-time
but still lacks the top-end speed to stretch
the seam in the NFL. Tough runner after the
catch and can break some tackles, but unable
to make first defender miss with any
consistency and lacks the speed to exploit a
crease.
|
Gets the most out of his physical tools.
Plays the game with a good motor and is an
aggressive competitor. Tough to bring down
after the catch. Great effort as a blocker.
Special teams experience/ willing to pay the
toll to contribute in the NFL.
|
One of the better blocking TEs in the 2012
class (compares favorably to Lee Smith).
Good first step / consistently establishes
sound positioning. Good initial pop / fights
to sustain. Sometimes will fall off of
blocks and must work on hand
placement/upper-body strength. Takes very
good angles as a second-level blocker and is
adept at hitting a moving target. Stays
under control in space and consistently
finds a way to lock on to the LB or DS. Good
awareness in pass pro. Anticipates blitzes
and stunts. Good leverage in his set and is
strong enough to anchor vs. bull rushers.
Also keeps his feet moving and does a nice
job of limiting athletic edge rushers.
|
|
Xiandre
(Beau) Reliford 6050 256 Florida State |
Combine: Did not take part in
drills.
Pro Day
- Did not work out because of a sports
hernia.
Pro Football Draft Guide
–
A developmental prospect who has the kind of
hard-working attitude that should earn him a
long look in camp. He’s a potential future
blocking specialist.
From nfl.com -
A big tight end with serious size for the
next level. But he doesn't use this size to
his advantage Has a lot of work to do as a
blocker at the LOS. Can play soft at times
and only a receiving option in college.
Has
sixth-round value (based on his size and
athletic ability) but a team will need to
tap into his nasty side for him to reach his
potential.
A good pass-catching tight end -
huge
target with the frame to box out and make
the tough catch underneath along with the
hands to reel in poor throws. Quick off the
line at times with athletic ability for his
size. Looks natural when running routes and
is a very smooth, controlled runner.
But he’s a soft blocker who can get thrown
off the line by physical ends. Effort issues
when he is asked to run deep routes or be
physical across the middle. Lacks great
speed and is really just more of an
intermediate route runner
ESPN (Scouts, Inc.) - Nice combination of
size, athleticism and top-end speed but
extremely raw. Will round off breaks instead
of making crisp cuts. Must do a better job
of avoiding contact with release and in
routes. But he is a smooth athlete with good
pop out of breaks to create separation. Has
a natural feel for soft spot in zone.
|
Has big mitts that swallow the ball. But
sometimes will allow ball to get into frame
Has a wide catching radius and appears
natural catching the ball above-shoulders.
Can open up and make catch outside of frame.
Also can elevate and make tough catch up
high. "
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An easy mover with the burst to stretch the
middle of the field vertically. Can exploit
the deep seams and deep flag routes. Lacks
elusiveness but is shifty enough to make
first defender miss.
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Tough enough to work the middle of the
field. Will make tough catch in traffic
while absorbing a bit hit. But must be more
prideful and aggressive as a blocker.
Inconsistent effort - can fall off blocks
too easily. Will struggle to read coverages
on the run making him indecisive as a
route-runner.
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Blessed with a favorable frame and good
thickness to give him a strong inline power
base. Good strength in his upper body / can
get movement on blockers when he tries. But
too often content to wall off defenders.
Needs a lot of work on initial blocking
angles (he whiffed on several times on
film). Lots of potential in this area if he
gets with the right coach.
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Taylor Thompson
6-6 259 SMU |
Pro Day - An interesting case: He’s been a
defensive end at SMU and a receiver in high school. He ran
4.59 and 4.56 in the 40, had a
37-inch vertical leap, a 10-6
long jump, 4.41 in the short shuttle, 7.40 in the
three-cone, and 22 strength reps.
Thompson had an outstanding workout. He caught the ball
really well, moves really well, and probably went from an
undrafted free agent to a bottom-third-, top-fourth-round
type of guy. He’s just a really good athlete who projects in
Brandt's top 100.
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