Deshaun Watson Scouting Report: The King of Clutch

Written by Christian Lysek


This quarterback class is one of the most hotly debated in recent memory. Nobody can come to a consensus who deserve to be taken first. For me, it is a two way race between Mitch Trubisky and Deshaun Watson. Watson has been the face of college football for two years, but he is actually a better pro prospect than people think. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'3''
Weight- 215 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
67% completion, 4593 passing yards, 41 TDs, 17 INT, 165 rushing attempts, 629 rushing yards, 9 TDs

Pros: Deshaun Watson is a proven winner. He lead his team to two national championship births and took home the trophy this past year. He is also a team captain who is a great leader on and off the field and takes well to coaching. Watson uses throws a tight spiral with a great velocity and mechanics. He has great poise in the pocket and is not afraid of taking hits to complete passes. Watson does a good job with timing and anticipation routes, such as the back shoulder throw.  He is an accurate short range passer who is very hot and cold throwing down the field. When he is hot though, he is on fire. Watson also has a dual threat ability, but it isn't a crutch like it was for RGIII. He can pass from the pocket, escape and run for a first down, or he can throw on the run. On top of that, Watson has enough size and arm strength to succeed at the pro level.

Cons: Watson does struggle with accuracy. When he is cold, he is way off. He overthrows and underthrows receivers, leading to missed opportunities and turnovers. Those turnovers are a problem too. He throws too many picks because the pass was inaccurate of he stares down the receiver. This is most evident when he is throwing slants and the linebacker reads his eyes and jumps the route. Watson needs to learn to look off defenders and then hit his target. Watson also ran a spread offense at Clemson, so he needs to learn how to run a pro offense.

Pro Comparison: Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota is a true winner. He lead Orgeon to the college football playoffs and was a college football star. He has a great arm, intangibles, mechanics, and a duel threat ability. While he has had some interception problems in the pros, Mariota has a bright future ahead of him. Watson has that same bright future.

3 teams that could use him: The Browns need a quarterback, and quarterback whisperer Hue Jackson will know how to groom Watson into the type of quarterback he wants. The 49ers are also in desperate need of a quarterback and Kyle Shanahan likes quarterbacks who can throw on the run. Watson can be the identity of the 49ers offense during this rebuild. The Bears could also use Watson, as the have enough talent in place to allow Watson to ease into the starting role and not be thrown to the sharks without talent around him.

Conclusion: Deshaun Watson is just behind Mitch Trubisky for the number one quarterback ranking in this year's draft. He has the intangibles and physical tools, he just needs to fix his accuracy issues and turnover problems. He won't escape the first round of this years draft.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Bucky Hodges Scouting Report:

Written by Christian Lysek


The Virginia Tech offense is going to surprise some people come the draft. Four of their former players may be selected on draft night, and all are considered wildcards. There is a raw quarterback in Jerod Evans, a talented wide receiver in Isaiah Ford, a fullback in Sam Rogers, and a receiving tight end in Bucky Hodges. Hodges is especially interesting due to his size and highlight reel catches. He is the definition of a boom or bust player. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'7''
Weight- 245 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
48 receptions, 691 yards, 7 TDs, 9 rushes, 42 rushing yards,

Pros: Bucky Hodges is a total mismatch with both his athleticism and size. He is too fast for a linebacker, too strong for a defensive back, and too tall for any defender. When going up for 50-50 balls, he is almost guaranteed to either come down with the ball or draw a pass interference penalty. Hodges can be used all over the field as a receiver. He can stretch the field running down the seam, can win catches over the middle, and be used all over the red zone.

Cons: Hodges really struggles as a blocker. He lacks strength and blocks like a small wide receiver instead of another offensive lineman. He does give effort though, which is half of the battle. Hodges also has some questionable drops on his film when the catch is tough but not impossible. He needs to be a more reliable safety blanket for a quarterback. Hodges also needs to be a better route runner. His routes are not sudden and crisp, but rather looping and unable to gain good separation.

Pro Comparison: Julius Thomas, TE, Miami Dolphins
Julius Thomas is a fantastic athlete who can line up all over the field as a receiver. He comes down with some ridiculous catches and is a great weapon if a coach knows how to use him. Unfortunately, Thomas struggles as a blocker and suffers from some drops. If Hodges translate his receiving skills and learn to block, Hodges could be the game changing tight end we though Julius Thomas could be.

3 teams that could use him: The Cowboys could select Hodges to provide a weapon for Dak Prescott while learning how to block from Jason Witten. The Raiders have Clive Warford at tight end, but he lacks the potential that Hodges has. The Raiders could use him in the slot with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on the outside. Zach Miller is still a very good pass catching tight end, but injuries have plagued him. Bucky Hodges could be the long term replacement for him and a new weapon for whoever is the quarterback.

Conclusion: Bucky Hodges is a total mismatch as a receiver but needs to learn how to block. Some team will view him as a high-upside pick in rounds 2-3.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Pre-Combine edition

Written by Christian Lysek

We are officially in the offseason. Cuts are already sweeping the league and draft prospects are trying to build momentum going into the combine. The draft is a long ways away, it is never too early to mock the draft. Here is my second mock of the first round.
Note: An OSOB prospect is an "other side of the ball prospect." As long as a player has not been picked in the real mock draft and plays on the opposite side of the ball of the player picked, then they can be selected for the team.

1. Cleveland Brown: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Texas A&M

There are generally three positions that get taken first overall: quarterback, EDGE rusher, and offensive tackle. This is a bad class for both quarterbacks and offensive tackles. The best EDGE prospect in years happens to be in this draft class. This choice is so easy the Browns can do it.

OSOB Prospect: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

2. San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas, EDGE, Stanford

The 49ers are transitioning to a 4-3 scheme, which means drafting Solomon Thomas makes more sense than it did before. A line with Thomas, DeForest Buckner, and Arik Armstead could be the start of something special and give an identity to a defense that sorely needs one.
OSOB Prospect: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

3. Chicago Bears: Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina

Unlike the first two teams in this draft, the Bears have enough talent to warrant selecting a quarterback. Mitch Trubisky has only one year of strting experience, but he shows great accuracy and arm strength and could be the leader of the up and coming browns for the next decade.
OSOB Prospect: Jamal Adams, S, LSU

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jamal Adams, S, LSU
Jonathan Cyprien was a good player last year, but he is a free agent and the Jaguars need to find veteran offensive lineman to protect Bortles. Jamal Adams could slot into Cyprien's strong safety slot and will probably end up being a much better player due to his physicality and instincts.

OSOB Prospect: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

5. Tennessee Titans: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

Tennessee needs to upgrade its secondary in order to take the next leap in the division. They should look to Marshon Lattimore, who could step in and be their starting lockdown corner with his speed and ball skills.

OSOB Prospect: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

6. New York Jets: Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
This may seem like a reach, but the Jets have a horrible offensive line. It is at the level of atrociousness where a young quarterback's development could be thrown off track David Carr style. Ramcyzk could start at either tackle spot and provide help for whoever will be the Jets quarterback.
OSOB Prospect: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

7. San Diego Chargers: Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

The Chargers have not been able to fill the void at free safety since Eric Weddle left town. Malik Hooker is a blue chip prospect with a special talent of always being around the ball. He could provide support on the back end to an up and coming defense.
OSOB Prospect: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

8. Carolina Panthers: Leonard Fournette

Jonathan Stewart is old and injury prone and everyone wants to clean Cam Newton's clock. The Panthers could knock out two birds with one stone and draft Leonard Fournette to take over their power running game. He can take pressure off Newton and take the offense to its 2015 heights.

OSOB Prospect: Derek Barnett, EDGE, Tennessee

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

Rueben Forster is a terrifying combination of speed, power, and instincts. The current Bengals linebackers are liabilities on and off the field. Sometimes the most obvious choice is the best one. OSOB Prospect: Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah

10. Buffalo Bills: Deshone Kizer, QB, Clemson

This pick depends on what the new head coach wants to do with Tyrod Taylor. If they let him walk, I doubt they will take Deshaun Watson in the draft because of his similarity to Taylor. In this mock, the choose Kizer because of his tremendous upside. He has every tool you could want as a quarterback, the Bills will just gamble that he will mature and develop.
OSOB Prospect: Montravius Adams, DL, Auburn

11. New Orleans Saints: Derek Barnett, EDGE, Tennessee

The Saints could take a corner here, but they need to build fill the gap at EDGE rusher. Derek Barnett is a proven sack master who will be a great addition next to Cameron Jordan and Sheldon Rankins.
OSOB Prospect: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

12. Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

The Browns take the third QB off of the board with DeShaun Watson. Watson is a proven winner who thrives in the clutch and in leadership positions. If Hue Jackson can improve Watson's accuracy, he has pro bowl potential.

OSOB Prospect: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

13. Arizona Cardinals: Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

The departure of Michael Floyd and the aging of Larry Fitzgerald is going to come back to bite this team at some point. Williams can play next to and eventually replace Larry Fitzgerald while giving an extra target for Carson Palmer.
OSOB Prospect: Zac Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

14. Philadelphia Eagles: Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
The Eagles need to improve their receiving corps if they want Carson Wentz to properly develop. He has strong hands, size, speed, and the ability to run crisp routes. He is the number one wide receiver the Eagles desperately need.

OSOB Prospect: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

15. Indianapolis Colts: Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

The Colts go best defender available here and draft a corner who can play across from Vontae Davis. Wilson is a long corner who can lockdown his man and would help the front seven get coverage sacks.
OSOB Prospect: Dalvin Cook, RB, Indianapolis

16. Baltimore Ravens: Gareon Conely, CB, Ohio State
Gareon Conely may be seen as the other Ohio State corner, but he is the real deal. He has the length and ball skills needed to lock down big wide receivers and should start immediately for the Ravens. OSOB Prospect: John Ross, WR, Washington

17. Washington Redskins: Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Fat Rob Kelly was productive and a fun story, but the Redskins need a more consistent running presence to help the passing offense. Dalvin Cook is an explosive runner to can stay on the field all three downs.

OSOB Prospect: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

18. Tennessee Titans: OJ Howard, TE, Alabama

While the Titans need a wide receiver more than a tight end, combining Delanie Walker with one of the best tight end prospects in years is too enticing to pass up. OJ Howard can block for the running game and give Marcus Mariota another weapon in the passing game.
OSOB Prospect: Budda Baker, S, Washington

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Budda Baker, S, Washington
The safety duo in Tampa Bay is one of the worst in the league and both are impending free agents. The Buccaneers need to pick a versatile safety like Budda Baker to help out their corners in coverage.
OSOB Prospect: John Ross, WR, Washington

20. Denver Broncos: Forest Lamp, OL, Western Kentucky

The Broncos offensive line really struggled this past season. The Broncos could use an upgrade at any position on the line, and Forrest Lamp is one of the best prospects in the class. Length may force the Broncos to put him at guard, but Lamp's has been nothing but dominant throughout his career and will immediately upgrade the line.
OSOB Prospect: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State

21. Detroit Lions: Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

The Lions linebacking core is quite bad. DeAndre Levy is a great player, but he has not been healthy for the past two seasons and nobody has stepped up to replace him. Zach Cunningham is the quintessential modern linebacker who can step in and re-energize a dull linebacker group.
OSOB Prospect: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

22. Miami Dolphins: Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

If you think the Lions linebacker are bad, just watch the Dolphins. Kiko Alonso is the only linebacker on the team he deserves a starting role next year. Pairing him with the strong and fast Jarrad Davis would go a long way in fixing Miami's biggest hole.
OSOB Prospect: David Njoku, TE, Miami

23. New York Giants: Garret Bolles, OT, Utah

Watching Ereck Flowers play tackle is like watching Alvin and the Chipmunks debate politics. He clearly in need of a move to guard or the bench. Garret Bolles is 25 years old, but he is also a great athlete and blocker.
OSOB Prospect: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

24. Oakland Raiders: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

The Oakland Raiders may lose Latavius Murray to free agency, which would mean that they would lose their workhorse. Christian McCaffrey is more versatile than Murray and can be a three down back for the explosive Raiders offense.
OSOB Prospect: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

25. Houston Texans: David Njoku, TE, Miami

While Houston needs a quarterback, there is none here worth a first round pick. David Njoku is a high upside prospect with the receiving skills to ignite a stagnate Texan offense.
OSOB Prospect: Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

26. Seattle Seahawks: Dan Feeney, OG, Indiana

The Seahawks need to select the best player available no matter who it is. Dan Feeney may just be a guard, but he is a sound technician who has been ready for the NFL for years.
OSOB Prospect: Montravius Adams, DL, Auburn

27. Kansas City Chiefs: Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

Marcus Peters is a top-5 corner in the NFL, but there is a hole in the corner spot across from him. The Chiefs need to fill the gap that Sean Smith left and draft a natural cover corner like Sidney Jones.He may be skinny, but he can great speed, hips, and ball skills.
OSOB Prospect: Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

28. Dallas Cowboys: Taco Charlton, EDGE, Michigan

The Cowboys desperately need an EDGE rusher to bolster their lackluster defensive line. Taco Charlton is an explosive player with length and tenacity. Rod Marinelli can make him a pro bowler early in his career.
OSOB Prospect: Zay Jones, WR, ECU

29. Green Bay Packers: John Ross, WR, Washington

Aaron Rodgers finally gets help with this pick. Jordy Nelson is still a great wide receiver, but he is getting old. John Ross can stretch the field and give Aaron Rodgers a reliable deep ball threat.
OSOB Prospect: Takkarist McKinley, EDGE, UCLA

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt, EDGE, Wisconsin

Surprise! The Steelers need a pass rusher again. TJ Watt is a relentless pass rusher who lead the B1G in sacks. He has the physical ability and technique to finally rejuvenate the lacking Pittsburgh pass rush.
OSOB Prospect: Zay Jones, WR, ECU

31. Atlanta Falcons: Montravius Adams, DL, Auburn

Grady Jarrett had an incredible performance in the Super Bowl, but the Falcons interior defensive line was mostly unimpressive before that point. Montravius Adams is a monster of a man just scratching the surface of his potential. He can slide in next to Jarrett and compliment his abilities.
OSOB Prospect: Cam Robinson, OL, Alabama

32. New England Patriots: Carl Lawson, EDGE, Auburn
The Patriots are in danger of losing both Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long to free agency, two key peices in the Patriots front seven. Carl Lawson has had injury issues, but he is a great talent as an EDGE rusher and would be a top-20 pick if he could stay healthy.

OSOB Prospect: D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas

Key Prospects and Questions for the 2017 Combine

Written by Christian Lysek

The Underwear Olympics are upon us! While some fans may consider the combine to be a boring and useless event, it is actually a great tool for both scouts and prospects. Let's take a look at some of the most important questions going into the combine and some prospects who could increase their stock with a good performance.

How tall is Mitch Trubisky?
There are some reports out there that Trubisky is only 6'1'', which is a red flag for scouts. They prefer quarterbacks to be at least 6'2'', so if Trubisky measures under that, it could cost him the first quarterback spot, which is something he holds currently. I think he will measure above 6'2'', but if he doesn't, don't be surprised if teams overreacted and push him down there board.

How will Tim Williams and Cam Robinson handle off the field questions?
Tim Williams and Cam Robinson are both Alabama boom or bust prospects. Robinson is an incredible athlete, but there were weapon charges brought against him this summer. Williams is a special pass rusher but also had gun charges brought against him, along with various drug allegations. If either can perform well during interviews, they may be able to save their plummeting stock.

How fast is Mike Williams?
Mike Williams has everything you could want in a wide receiver except for speed. Williams needs to prove he isn't the next Laquan Treadwell: a guy who cannot separate in the pros due to his lackluster speed. If Williams runs at least in the low 4.5s, his stock shouldn't fall and teams could sleep a little easier.

Will Dalvin Cook's shoulder and off the field issues hurt his draft stock?
While Fournette is my RB1, some people have placed that title on Dalvin Cook. While he has unquestionable ability, Cook has two things that may cause his stock to fall: a shoulder injury and off-field concerns. The off the field concerns are especially alarming. Teams are quite paranoid about taking the next Ray Rice or Randy Gregory, so he may slide down the board if he cannot answer questions about his behavior.

Just how fast is John Ross and will he check out medically?
John Ross can fly, but just how fast will he be. I am of the belief that if he runs a sub 4.33 40 yard dash, he could be drafted before Mike Williams and Corey Davis. The NFL values speed that much. The other question about John Ross is his injury history. His stock could take a hit and drop him into the second round if his knee becomes a concern.

Is Desmond King a corner or a safety?
This depends on King's speed. If King runs a sub 4.55, he is a corner. If not, prepare for safety questions to run wild. I personally think that his history as a lockdown corner speaks for itself, as does his value as a return man. A good run can lock him in the first round, but a bad one could drop him into the second or even third round in this deep corner class.

Will Jonathan Allen's shoulder check out?
Jonathan Allen is far and away the best defensive tackle prospect in this draft, but a shoulder injury may prevent him from going as high as he could. Injuries for defensive tackles are more concerning than other positions in my book, simply because the position requires a player to utilize every ounce of their strength and face contact on every play. If Allen's shoulder doesn't check out, he may drop out of the top ten into the teens and twenties.

Will Derek Barnett's size hurt his stock?
This is a classic case of overthinking measurables. Despite showing an elite burst and tremendous production (he broke Reggie White's sack record at Tennessee), people are saying his ceiling is not high because his arms are short. This could be one of those cases where Barnett could fall down the board and some playoff team will pick up a future pro bowler and then the rest of the league will wonder what happened.

Can JuJu Smith-Schuster save his stock?
Going into the 2016 college football season, JuJu Smith-Schuster was in consideration to be the first wide receiver taken off of the board in this years draft. A lackluster 2016 campaign has dropped him out of first round consideration, but it did not totally destroy his stock. Smith-Schuster seemed to struggle with the quarterback situation at USC and may not have taken a huge step back in between his sophomore and junior seasons. If Smith-Schuster can run a strong 40 yard dash and perform well in the jump tests, he may creep back into the first round.

Can Joe Williams prove he is past his retirement?
Utah running back Joe Williams has one of the more bizarre college football experiences. He retired partway through the 2016 season due to both physical and mental health issues. He then came back in week 7 and proceed to shred every defense he faced from that point on. In the weeks after his retirement, his lowest rushing yards game totals were 97 and 149. There is no doubt that Williams has the talent to be a feature back in someone's offense, but there are questions to if his mind and body can hold up. Williams needs to prove he is past his prior issues at the combine.

Prospects whose stock can skyrocket:

1. Obi Melifonwu, S, UCONN: Obi Melifonwu is 6'4'' and 219 lbs. He also may run his 40 yard dash in the low 4.4s. If he can test well in the explosive tests (vertical jump, broad jump, short shuttle), he could be a round 1 selection.
2. Tanoh Tpassagnon, EDGE, Villanova: Tanoh Tpassagnon is bigger than some offensive tackles in the NFL at 6'7'' and 280 lbs, plus he has less than 5% body fat. Tpassagnon is a physical freak who could move into the day 2 discussion if he destroys the combine.  
3. Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland: If you declare for the draft early from Ashland, it is going to turn some heads. Fortunately for Adam Shaheen, so does standing at almost 6'7'', weighing 277 lbs, and possibly running a sub 4.6 40 yard dash. Shaheen has questions to answer about his competition level, but a physical beast like Shaheen can at least ensure he is taken before round 4 at the combine.
4. Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia: While John Ross will most likely be the fastest receiver at the combine, Shelton Gibson might not be far behind. If Gibson can run below a 4.35, he could sneak into the first three rounds of the draft.
5. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma: This is a stacked running back class, and the position typically isn't filled with combine movers, but Perine could be the exception. This is a guy who can do 10 sets of 10 on the bench with 225lbs. His weight lifting prowess should also hep him in the explosive tests, and if he can put together a spectacular combine, he can move into the round 2 and 3 discussion.

Jonathan Allen Scouting Report: The Anchor of the Alabama Defense

Written by Christian Lysek
While it may seem like a safe pick, drafting Alabama defenders carries some risk. There are many questions as to whether or not the individual players seem better because they are better or just because everyone around them is really good. Jonathan Allen is the guy who makes everyone around him better. He is a wrecking ball and was the cornerstone of the Alabama defensive line. Here is my evaluation of the dominant defender:
Measurables: 
Height- 6'3''
Weight- 291 lbs
Year:
Senior (22)
2016 stat line:
69 tackles (33 solo), 16 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 2 PD

Pros: Jonathan Allen is a wrecking ball. He has great size that allows him to be strong yet quick. He has a quick first step, and once he makes contact with the offensive lineman, he can bull rush, use a swim move, or use a rip move. Against the run, Allen has the instincts to attack the correct gap and not give a big hole up. The biggest reason Allen is a top five lock though is because he has one of the most valuable skills in football: the power to rush the quarterback from the interior. The has good pass moves to get to the quarterback including the ones I listed earlier. If he cannot get to the quarterback, Allen can get his hands in the air and bat down passes. Allen can also play in a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme.

Cons: Allen has shoulder issues that may be an issue going forward. Hopefully it won't limit his long term outlook. Otherwise, Allen struggles to tackle quicker running backs sometimes. While he is a good tackler, quicker backs will use their agility to escape Allen.

Pro Comparison: Fletcher Cox, DL, Philadelphia Eagles
Fletcher Cox is the best player on an up and coming Eagles defense. He can play in a 3-4 and 4-3 scheme. He is dominant against the run and has the rare ability to provide an interior rush for a team. Allen can enter the league and be a cornerstone defender just like Cox.

3 teams that could use him: The 49ers seem committed to building around their front seven, and the combination of DeForest Buckner and Jonathan Allen is quite intriguing. The Jaguars could pair Allen with Malik Jackson to strengthen the defensive line of the young squad. The Bears are also building around their defense and adding Allen would strengthen a growing unit.

Conclusion: Jonathan Allen is a beast in the run game and can rush the passer. Those skills will get him drafted in the top ten despite injury concerns.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Antonio Garcia Scouting Report: The Tackle Sleeper from Troy

Written by Christian Lysek
For small school prospects, a big game against a power-5 program can do wonders for their draft stock. That is what happened with Antonio Garcia of Troy, who was the best player on the field for his team against the Clemson Tigers. It helped him earn a Senior Bowl selection, and it is helping his stock gain steam as we move into draft season. Here is my evaluation of the draft riser.

Measurables: 
Height- 6'6''
Weight- 293 lbs
Year:
Senior (22)

Pros: Garcia certainly looks the part. He is tall at 6'6'' and long with 33'' arms, two very important measurements tackles need to have in the pros. Garcia is also quite athletic. When asked to pull in the run game (which wasn't often due to scheme), Garcia flashed the potential to accelerate to the second level and take out defenders. Garcia does a good job of sealing defenders away from the hole in the run game. He is so long it is hard to get around him to make the tackle. In pass protection, Garcia does a good job of using his length to make the first contact. He has very strong hands, so once he gets his mitts on a defender, it is near impossible to beat him. Against the speed rush, Garcia does a good job of pushing rushers past the quarterback and out of the play. Garcia also shows good balance in general and does not get beat very often by the defenders pass rushing moves.

Cons: Garcia is a little light at 293 pounds, but that wouldn't matter if he didn't look even lighter on film. I'm honestly not sure why rushers didn't just bull rush Garcia on every play. He needs to add muscle and learn to anchor his feet against the great bull rushers in the pros. Garcia also needs to work on his kick out, because he really did not kick out at all in college, leaving him susceptible to an edge bend. Garcia sometimes struggles in the run game due to his lack of power and because it seems like on some occasions, he is waiting to see the running back before he blocks.

Pro Comparison: Terron Armstead, T, New Orleans Saints
Terron Armstead is a finesse blocker rather than a power blocker. He shows good hand use and has good measurables, but he can give into a good bull rush.  Garcia won't step nice in and play at the level Armstead is playing out now, but if he adds strength, he can be a pro-bowler like Armstead.

3 teams that could use him: The Seahawks need could draft only offensive lineman this draft and come out winners. Tom Cable will know how to get the most out of an athlete like Garcia. The Steelers lack tackle depth and could use Garcia as a backup/eventual starter. The Bears need to improve their offensive tackle position and adding Garcia would help bolster a line that has the best interior trio in the game.

Conclusion: Antonio Garcia is not quite ready to start on day one, but he has the athleticism and build to eventually be a great tackle. He should go sometime on day 3.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Jamal Adams Scouting Report: The Beast of the Bayou

Written by Christian Lysek
The last safety drafted in the top ten was Mark Barron in 2012. It is quite an odd fact, because one would think that the NFL passes on offense so much that safety would be of the utmost importance. Teams are starting to realize this, and in this years draft, there could be two safeties drafted in the top ten and as many as five in the first round. The best safety in this class is arguably Jamal Adams, one of the finest products LSU the DBU has produced yet. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'1''
Weight- 211 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
76 tackles (42 solo), 7.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1 FF

Pros: Jamal Adams will be one of the most feared NFL players the second he steps on the field. He delivers some bone-rattling hits and punishes ball carriers. He has great size for an in the box safety and nobody is too big for him to tackle. He has excellent instincts as well. He reads running plays like a linebacker and can quickly diagnose play action passes. In coverage, Adams can cover mano y mano or can cover in the zone. He has very good ball skills and has made some tough interceptions and pass deflections in his career. On top of all this, Adams is a renowned leader and was the alpha dog of the Tigers defense.

Cons: Adams sometimes misses tackles because he is going for the big hit rather than the technique tackle. He also struggles in man coverage versus small, quick wide receivers. He gets a little too handsy in coverage and will get flagged in the pros.

Pro Comparison: Eric Berry, S, Kansas City Chiefs
Jamal Adams is Eric Berry's clone. Eric Berry can play in the box and annihilate ball carriers. He can also drop into man or zone coverage and has great ball skills. Jamal Adams has the potential to come into the league and be an all-pro like Berry is.

3 teams that could use him: The Bears need to fix their weak secondary, so drafting Jamal Adams to lead the rebuild would make sense. With an up and coming front-7, watch out for the Chicago defense. Jonathan Cyprien racked up tons of tackles for the Jaguars last season, but he is a free agent and Adams is way more talented. The Titans are very close to being contenders for the AFC title, and drafting Adams with the 5th pick could take an already stingy defense to the next level.

Conclusion: Jamal Adams is a physical safety with leadership and instincts. He will be a day one stud and is a top ten lock.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

San Francisco 49ers Off-Season Guide

Written by Christian Lysek   
Don't pay attention to the draft order: the 49ers are the worst team in the NFL. They have terrible talent and too many needs to fill to count. Fortunately, they have plenty of cap space and the draft coming up, so they can start rebuilding for the future now. Let's look at the moves they could make:



Free Agency:

Cap Space: $73,908,140 (according to Fanspeak Ultimate GM)

Notable Free Agents: WR Jeremy Kerley, QB Blaine Gabbert

Let's get one thing out of the way: Colin Kaepernick will not be a 49er next year. Cutting him save the team over 16 million bucks, and the cap space jumps up to $90,808,140 dollars. Next up is Jeremy Kerley, who was the 49ers leading wide receiver last year and should be back in gold next year. Blaine Gabbert will not be a 49er.

On the Market Prospects: QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Terrance Williams, DL Bennie Logan, DL Brandon Williams, LB Zach Brown, EDGE Jabaal Sheard

Jimmy Garrapolo or the draft may be the fan choices, but Taylor is actually a decent choice. He is only 28 years old, and will likely be a free agent. That last part matters because they would have to get Garrapolo through a trade, and for a team with zero assets to spare, that is too much to ask for. I chose not to go the draft route because Kyle Shanahan loves veteran quarterbacks because they understand his complex system.Taylor has the experience and pro-bowl resume to be a solid quarterback for the 49ers. Terrance Williams is young enough to have upside is coming off of a productive season with Dallas. The 49ers could pair a run stuffer to go with Deforest Buckner, so signing former Eagle Bennie Logan or former Raven Brandon Williams seems
like a logical step in that direction. Zach Brown is a tackling machine who could step in next to Navarro Bowman in the linebacking core. Jabaal Sheard is a young pass rusher who could help bolster a bad 49er unit.

The Draft:

Early Round Prospects (Rounds 1-2):

There is a possibility the San Francisco goes with a quarterback like Mitch Trubisky or Deshaun Watson, but I find that unlikely because of all the holes they have otherwise. They could go EDGE with Solomon Thomas or Myles Garrett if he isn't the first pick. The could also go linebacker with Rueben Foster or free safety with Malik Hooker or defensive tackle with Jonathan Allen. The 49ers first pick will depend on how the 49ers organize their team needs. In the second round, the 49ers might get lucky and find Budda Baker waiting there for them. If not, they could go wide receiver and draft Cooper Kupp or Zay Jones. If they don't go that route, they may go EDGE rusher with Carl Lawson or Demarcus Walker. They could also go offensive line and draft a versatile guy like Dion Dawkins or Cam Robinson who can play tackle or guard. They would also be content to have a linebacker fall to them such as Raekwon McMillan, Jarrad Davis, or Zac Cunningham. 

Late Round Prospects (rounds 3-7):

Isaiah Jones is a wide receiver with the size and speed needed to be a top target in the pros. Eddie Jackson and Tedric Thompson are great sleeper values at free safety. Devonte Fields has loads of potential as an EGDE rusher, somebody just needs to help him put the pieces together. Matthew Dayes would be a nice lightning running back to Carlos Hyde's thunder. The 49ers could draft a receiving tight end like Gerald Everett or Jeremy Sprinkle to pair with Vance McDonald. The 49ers could use some upside line prospects like Antonio Garcia or Sean Harlow. Michigan wide receivers Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh are big bodied receivers with good potential. The 49ers do need to come out of this draft with a quarterback, and I like Davis Webb and Nathan Peterman as late round upside options.

The one move nobody may see coming: 

The 49ers could trade back and let someone use the second pick. Lord knows the 49ers need talent, and they could receive a haul of picks to select more young talent for a team that desperately needs it.

What I would do:

• Resign Jeremy Kerley
• Sign Tyrod Taylor, Terrance Williams, Zach Brown, Jabaal Sheard, and Bennie Logan
• Draft: Round 1- Solomon Thomas, Round 2- Raekwon McMillan, Round 3- Nathan Peterman, Round 4- Eddie Jackson, Round 4- Antonio Garcia, Round 5- Amara Darboh, Round 6- Matthew Dayes, Round 6- Jeremy Sprinkle, Round 7- Sean Harlow, Round 7- Devonte Fields

What do you think of this offseason plan? Comment below for questions and inputs and thanks for reading.

Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service.

Marshon Lattimore Scouting Report: The Next Great Ohio State DB

Written by Christian Lysek
Ohio State can make a strong case that it is the defensive back university. With players like Vonn Bell, Eli Apple, Bradley Roby, and Malcolm Jenkins all playing big roles in the NFL, Ohio State has been churning out starter-quality defensive backs. This year will be no exception. In fact, three of Ohio State's defensive backs could go in the first round. Arguably the best of those players is corner Marshon Lattimore, who locked down many of the B1Gs best receivers. Here's why he may be the best:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'
Weight- 192 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
41 tackles (30 solo), 1 TFL, 4 INT, 1 Pick-Six, 9 PDS

Pros: Marshon Lattimore is a stud in coverage. He has the instincts and breakdown speed to play zone coverage, and he has the strength and quickness to play man coverage. He has excellent speed. He mirrors the receivers routes and has excellent recovery speed when somebody is in front of him. He has top-notch ball skills as well. Lattimore isn't dropping picks. Lattimore is also a decent and willing tackler who can wrap up bigger guys. On top of all that, Lattimore's height, weight, and length are exactly what defensive coordinators want in the NFL.

Cons: While Lattimore is decent at tackling, he sometimes uses poor technique that won't hold up in the pros. He needs to get better at consistently keeping his head up while hitting. Lattimore also needs to do a better job of knocking receivers off of their timing and routes and the line of scrimmage. His initial punch needs to be stronger for when he faces big receivers like Alshon Jeffrey and Larry Fitzgerald.

Pro Comparison: Janoris Jenkins, CB, New York Giants
Janoris Jenkins went from a big play or burned corner to a lockdown guy last season. While he is shorter than Lattimore, he has the speed and ball skills to be just as dangerous. I expect Lattimore to be a pro bowler just like Jenkins.

3 teams that could use him: The Titans need to enhance both the corner and safety spots, and they would be more than happy to take the best corner in the draft with the 5th pick. The Jets pick next and need to replace old man Darrell Revis with young talent, so Lattimore makes sense. The Eagles have a huge hole at corner and in a division packed with wide receiver talent, they need a lockdown man like Lattimore to win.

Conclusion: Marshon Lattimore is the top corner in the draft because of his size and coverage skills. He may struggle against the run, but that won't prevent him from being a top-15 pick.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Philadelphia Eagles Off-season Guide

Written by Christian Lysek    

I must confess: as a long time Eagles fan, I have been looking forward to writing this article for months. Now I can finally do so. Let's look how my favorite team can continue to progress in the NFL: 

Free Agency:

Cap Space: $7,055,931 (according to Over the Cap)
Important note: Jason Peters and Darren Sproles
Peters will cost 10 million dollars against the Eagles cap, so look for the Eagles to negotiate a restructured contract. Don't expect him to walk, though, as he is still a pro-bowl caliber tackle and a fan-favorite. Sproles, however, may be on the way out. He is still a good player, but the Eagles has a stable of young scatbacks they can use that are cheaper.

Notable Free Agents: DL Bennie Logan, CB Nolan Carrol

Bennie Logan is a great run stuffer and a key piece on the defensive line, but they have other more important needs and Logan may get expensive. Nolan Carrol is a priority to resign because he is at least a solid corner for the Eagles, which is more than they can say about anyone else.

On the Market Prospects: WR Kenny Britt, WR Alshon Jeffrey, WR Desean Jackson, C JC Tretter

Kenny Stills has been the trendy selection because he is fast, but he also has no hands, so I crossed him off the list. Kenny Britt is an underrated receiver who puts up bad numbers because the Rams offense hasn't been good since Kurt Warner was the quarterback. He could be a breakout candidate with Carson Wentz throwing to him. Obviously, Alshon Jeffrey is the goal. He is a pro bowl receiver that will take some true cap magic to get, but he is worth it. Desean Jackson never should have left the Eagles, and they would be more than happy for a reunion. He may be more expensive than they like, though, so this is not a guaranteed deal. Jason Kelce was straight up bad last year for the Eagles, so bringing the younger and better Tretter makes sense. 

The Draft:

Early Round Prospects (Rounds 1-2):

The Eagles should be in prime position for a blue chip corner or wide receiver in the draft. At corner, I like Marshon Lattimore and Quincy Wilson. They are the total package as cover corners and could lock down the elite receivers in the NFC east. Mike Williams and Corey Davis are 1 and 1a in terms of the wide receiver class, so sweeping up one of them in the first round would be a win. In round 2, Zay Jones and Cooper Kupp aren't power-5 prospects, but they both are excellent route runners with great hands. Tre'Davious White and Cordrea Tankersley would be first rounders in any other draft class but may fall due to the talent around them. Kareem Hunt, D'Onta Foreman, and Alvin Kamara are all good second round running back prospects who could be three-down backs in the NFL.

Late Round Prospects (rounds 3-7):

Wayne Gallman is a violent workhorse back who could carry the load for the offense. Shelton Gibson is a speedy wide receiver threat from West Virginia who could be a discount Desean Jackson. Carlos Henderson is a strong and fast wide receiver from Louisiana Tech who with return ability. Larry Ounjobi is a defensive lineman who could alleviate the pain of Bennie Logan departing. The Eagles love athletic linebackers so Jalen Reeves-Maybin would make a good sleeper pick. Erik Magnuson has good potential at tackle and could be a nice backup. Tyler Orlosky is a center from West Virginia who could eventually replace Jason Kelce. Dez Lawrence is a tall, mean corner from North Carolina who could provide much-needed corner depth. Noble Nwachukwu is an EDGE rusher who is strong as an ox and could play many techniques across the line. Riley Bullough and Ben Boulware and instinctive but unathletic linebackers who could help on special teams.

The one move nobody may see coming: 

The Eagles could trade Darren Sproles and Jason Peters for an established wide receiver such as Brandin Cooks. The Eagles could dump their older free agents while there is still a great return. They would have a whole at tackle, but that could be filled through free agency and the draft.

What I would do:

• Do everything I can to sign Alshon Jeffrey, if not available, sign Kenny Britt
• Draft: Round 1- Quincy Wilson, Round 2- Zay Jones, Round 3- Wayne Gallman, Round 4- Tyler Orlosky, Round 5- Shelton Gibson, Round 6- Larry Ogunjobi, Round 7- Noble Nwachukwu

What do you think of this offseason plan? Comment below for questions and inputs and thanks for reading.

Cap and free agency data provided by Fanspeak UltimateGM service.

Chad Hansen Scouting Report: Davis Webb's best friend

Written by Christian Lysek

Everyone knows that the spread offense inflates everybody's numbers. Any old guy can waltz onto the field and rack up stats like gamers playing Madden on easy. At least, that is the prevailing theory. The truth is, it always takes a special player to rack up those numbers no matter what the system is. Chad Hansen is a perfect example of this. He racks up numbers in Cal's spread offense, but Hansen is a very good prospect despite this. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'2''
Weight- 205 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
92 receptions, 1249 yards, 11 TDs

Pros: CNo matter if Chad Hansen gets the ball or not, you can bet he ran a pretty good route anyway. Hansen doesn't run crisp routes but they do a great job of misdirecting defenders and give Hansen an extra step past defenders. He won't be a slot guy in the NFL, but his routes can get him open playing on the outside. Once a pass does get to him, Hansen has good hands. He catches most the easy throws and is able to snag in some incredible catches. He has a very good leap to pair with his size and knows how to put his body in position to make the catch. Hansen also has good speed that allows him to pull away from defenders both with and without the ball in his hands. Hansen is also a willing blocker in the run game.

Cons: Hansen is merely decent as a YAC receiver. He struggles to make guys miss in open field. He is good enough to be used is the screen game, but don't expect him to juke out many defenders. While Hansen has good hands overall, he did suffer from a few concentration drops on tape. While Hansen can block in the run game, nobody is mistaking him for Larry Fitzgerald.

Pro Comparison: Marvin Jones, WR, Detriot Lions
Marvin Jones is a very well rounded wide receiver coming off a good debut year with the Lions. Jones has the speed to break away from defenders and the hands to make some ridiculous catches. Hansen probably falls into the same category of pro receiver as Jones: a receiver who straddle the line between WR1 and WR2. Either way, Hansen should do fine in both roles.

3 teams that could use him: The Cardinals need to start considering life after Larry Fitzgerald, so I think they could draft Hansen, use him as a WR2, and then have him take over WR1 from the future Hall of Famer. Terrance Williams and Brice Butlersuspensions, so the Steelers may be wise to draft Hansen to fill the void Bryant leaves on the boundary.
are free agents for Dallas, but the fact that Dallas is actually over the cap will probably keep them from being resigned. Hansen would make a nice pairing with Dez Bryant. Martavis Bryant is about as unreliable as it gets due to his

Conclusion: Chad Hansen has great potential with his circus catches, speed, and size, but he needs to limit his concentration drops and increase his YAC ability. He will probably go in rounds 2-4

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Budda Baker Scouting Report: The Honey Badger Doppleganger

Written by Christian Lysek

The Tyrann Mathieu comparison gets handed out like menus a restaurant. If a safety is remotely undersize, you can bet somebody is gonna slap on the Honey Badger comparison. Budda Baker is different. He is a fiery undersized player with the versatility of the Honey Badger. He actually deserves the comparison. Here's Why:

Measurables: 
Height- 5'10''
Weight- 192 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
70 tackles (48 solo), 9.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 5 PDs, 1 FF

Pros: Budda Baker plays with his hair on fire. Against the run, there is no hesitation. Baker flies to the ball, weaving through blockers and stuffs the runner. He is an excellent open field tackler. He attacks downhill, but he does not try to blow people up as much as wrap up and secure them. Against the pass Baker can blitz, line up at corner, or stay home in his traditional safety spot. Baker is a good Blitzer because he is fast enough if let go free to hit the quarterback before he can throw a good pass. As a corner, Baker has the quick hips and speed to play man or zone against any wide receiver. He rarely gives up receptions. As a safety, Baker does a good job of reading the quarterback's eyes and preventing big plays.

Cons: Size and ball skills are the big problems for Baker. He is too short to cover tight ends and really tall wide receivers, leaving him to cover smaller pass catchers. Bigger backs are also trouble for Baker to bring down, as his lightweight prevents him from taking them down without some help. While Baker often makes the right reads while in coverage, he should have had more picks and passes deflected than he did. The instincts are there, he just needs the ball skills to match. Baker is also sometimes overly aggressive against the run and leaves a big hole for the running back to plow through. Baker must fix this to prevent big plays.

Pro Comparison: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Arizona Cardinals
Finally, somebody deserves the Honey Badger comparison. Mathieu is a small player who thinks he is one of the biggest on the field. He is a great tackler and can play both safety and corner (especially nickel). Baker has a similar body type and versatility and he may be as good of a player as Mathieu.

3 teams that could use him: The Redskin's defense has held them back from being true contenders, so drafting Baker to fill in the long-ignored safety spot would go a long way to help the team. The Buccaneers may have had the least inspiring safety duo in the league last year with Chris Conte and Bradley McDougald, and both are set to be free agents. At most, one will be back, and whoever it is should join Budda Baker in the secondary. If Baker somehow falls to the second round, then you better hope the Jets are praying to get him. Their safeties were terrible last year. I could put on pads and improve that secondary, so imagine what Baker could do.

Conclusion: Budda Baker is a smaller safety with great toughness and versatility. He needs to improve his ball skills and gap discipline, but his skills as an open field tackler and coverage man get him selected between picks 10 and 40.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Kareem Hunt Scouting Report:The most underrated RB in the draft

Written by Christian Lysek

You can almost always grade out NFL draft positional groups into tiers. The first running back tier in this year's draft is Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffrey. The second tier is not far behind, and it includes D'Onta Foreman, Alvin Kamara, and Kareem Hunt, Hunt is Toledo's all-time leading rusher and the Senior Bowl MVP, and yet it feels as though he is flying under the radar. Here's why he shouldn't be:

Measurables: 
Height- 5'10.5''
Weight- 225 lbs (Toledo measurement), 208 lbs (Senior Bowl measurement)
Year:
Senior (22)
2016 stat line:
262 carries, 1475 rushing yards (5.6 YPC), 10 TDs, 41 receptions, 403 yards, 1 receiving TD

Pros: Kareem Hunt runs with fury. As soon as he takes the handoff and sees the hole, he explodes through it. If the hole is open, he accelerates through and gets up to his impressive full speed very quickly. If defenders are in front of him, they are about to get their ankles broken. Hunt has extremely quick feet and can stop and start his movement on a dime. If he does not juke Hunt uses his powerful frame to barrel through defenders. Hunt also has a strong lower body and great balance, so it makes him extremely hard to tackle. It makes him slippery and people bounce right off him. He is also not bad at receiving screen passes and other simple running back routes and is always a threat to break into the open field. He is a solid blocker, especially with blitzers coming up the middle.  On top of that, he has only fumbled once: ever.

Cons:  Hunt is very much a see and go runner, but sometimes he does it too much. He sees the hole and runs into his moving offensive lineman or he gets into the open field and instead of adjusting and running to space he plows into a safety. He just needs to be slightly more patient. While Hunt does catch lots of balls, he is a body catcher and does not run a big route tree so he will need to expand in that area. As a blocker, he struggles with rushers who come from the outside. He needs to work on adjusting and slamming into them at the point of contact.

Pro Comparison: Rookie Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
As a rookie, Doug Martin finished with 1450 yards rushing, 472 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns (according to ESPN stats and info). He accelerated fast through the line of scrimmage and defenders either bounced off of him or had sore ankles the next day. He also had tree trunk legs and superb balance. He runs a similar style to Hunt, and Hunt can be just as good as Martin in the pros (let's just hope he is more consistent).

3 teams that could use him: The Colts and the Eagles have bigger needs than running backs to address in the first round, so picking up Hunt in the later rounds is a better idea. They both could use a three down back to help their young quarterbacks. Raiders may have to let Latavius Murray walk this free agency, but picking up Hunt is a great consolation prize.

Conclusion: Kareem Hunt is a three-down back with excellent agility, speed, and balance. He should come off the board in rounds 2-3.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Trey Hendrickson Scouting Report: FAU's Hidden Gem

Written by Christian Lysek
Just about everyone who closely follows the draft has those couple sleeper picks the believe will be NFL studs. Nobody else may believe you, but there is a feeling of confidence you have in that player that is unshakable. One of those players for me is Trey Hendrickson from Florida Atlantic. The Shrine Game defensive MVP is an underrated gem in this years EDGE rushing class and someone who could pay big dividends to whatever team drafts him. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'4''
Weight- 270 lbs
Year:
Senior (22)
2016 stat line:
50 tackles (25 solo), 9.5 sacks, 15 TFLs, 2 PD, 1 FF

Pros: Trey Hendrickson plays with a motor. I like the attitude of the smaller school kids: they feel snubbed by power-5 teams, so when they get the chance to showcase their talent, they give that extra 10% you love to see. Against the run, Hendrickson is a strong tackler who is quick enough to adjust to shifty ball carriers and not miss tackles. Against the pass, Hendrickson explodes off the line of scrimmage and shows active hands. He can get around the outside of the tackle and has a very nice spin move as his counter. Once he gets to the quarterback, Hendrickson excels at stripping the quarterback (7 career FF). Hendrickson was also a captain on his team.

Cons: Hendrickson lacks strength, and it shows on film. He weighed in light at the Shrine game at 255 lbs and probably weighed that amount during the regular season as well. He struggles to set the edge during running plays and too often is stonewalled. He also has a really bad habit of going after the quarterback on every play. He is fooled often by draws, read option, and sometimes just a plain old handoff. He needs to avoid chasing the quarterback after the running back has the ball because it took him out of too many plays in college. Against the pass, Hendrickson is inconsistent with his bull rush and gets stood upright too often. He needs to use his leverage better when rushing.

Pro Comparison: Trent Cole, EDGE, Indianapolis Colts
While Trent Cole is now on the Colts, he was once a stud defensive lineman for the Eagles. He did not win with a superior bend or strength, but he had great hand work and tenacity. Hendrickson will probably start as a backup when he reaches the league like Cole is doing now for the Colts, but eventually, he could be a starter like Cole was with the Eagles.

3 teams that could use him: The Rams defensive line is overrated, especially its ends. Hendrickson could back up the oft-injured Robert Quinn and eventually replace him. The Dolphins released Mario Williams and Cameron Wake is quite old so they could address the void in the late rounds by drafting Hendrickson. The Lions have needed EDGE depth for awhile, so drafting Hendrickson would make sense, especially because the Lions are injury prone.

Conclusion: Trey Hendrickson is an underrated pass rusher who has shined at every level of competition. His pass rushing ability will get some team to draft him sometime on day 3.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Zach Cunningham Scouting Report:The Most Versatile Defender in the Draft

Written by Christian Lysek

Vanderbilt is not exactly a pro football pipeline. There last first round pick was offensive tackle Chris Williams in 2008. Fortunately, that streak should end this year with Zach Cunningham. The SEC's leading tackler is the second best linebacker prospect in this years draft and is the pro typical linebacker for the modern game. Here's why:

Measurables: 
Height- 6'4''
Weight- 230 lbs
Year:
Junior (21)
2016 stat line:
125 tackles (71 solo), 16.5 TFL, 3 PDs, 2 FFs

Pros: Zach Cunningham has an excellent body for the modern NFL game. He is long, strong, and extremely fast. Against the run, Cunningham uses his instincts to quickly read plays and break on the ball. He does an excellent job of knifing through blockers to find the ball carrier. Stretch runs mostly fail against him, as he is too fast to beat around the edge. On runs where a blocker does get his hands on Cunningham, Cunningham uses his length, strength, and instincts to rip off the blocker and immediately lunge at the runner for the tackle. He simply cannot easily be blocked, no matter how big the blocker. Cunningham excels in the passing game as well. He can be lined up as a blitzer  (he had 4.5 sacks as a sophomore) and in coverage and be fine. He is athletic and quick enough to play man to man against pass catchers and is solid in zone. While he is not a lockdown guy, he will not be the reason a defense is being burned in the passing game. The final pro about Cunningham is his versatility. Against South Carolina, he played corner, EDGE, special teams, and linebacker. He will not need to come off the field for anything but offense.

Cons: For a guy who makes a lot of tackles, Cunningham misses quite a few too. He too often tackles too high, letting ball carriers get around him. This will require good coaching to iron out. Cunningham also needs to be more disciplined on fakes. He is prone to bite of play actions and option plays, but not too often to be a major concern.

Pro Comparison: A bigger Telvin Smith, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Smith is one of the fastest linebackers in the NFL and is a tackling machine. He has superb instincts, but he tackles high, so sometimes he misses some plays. Smith is one of the 10 best linebackers in the league right now and I believe Cunningham can join him in that group.

3 teams that could use him: The Dolphins have terrible linebackers outside of Kiko Alonso, so drafting Cunningham would be a great way to fill the void. The Giants have spent lots of money rebuilding their defense, but they cannot be satisfied with their linebacking core. The Gmen would love to have Cunningham the next time they play Dallas and their strong running game. The Raiders are also in the market for a linebacker, and Cunningham could take some weight off of the shoulders of Bruce Smith and Khalil Mack.

Conclusion: Zach Cunningham is a linebacker built for modern football. He has speed, speed, strength and instincts. While he may need to refine his tackling, that should not stop him from being a top-40 player in this draft.

All stats from www.sports-reference.com

Dan Feeney Scouting Report: The Safest Offensive Line Pick

Written by Christian Lysek

Guards are some of the least exciting draft picks out there. They don't become superstars, and some casual fans may not even know their names. They could probably walk around Walmart and nobody would think twice. While we as fans overlook them, the general managers of the NFL do not. A solid guard is extremely important, especially for the ground game. That is why scouts have been excited about Indiana's Dan Feeney for years and GMs cannot wait to draft him.

Measurables: 
Height- 6'4''
Weight- 311 lbs
Year:
Senior (22)

Pros: Dan Feeney is quite a refined product. This is a guy that can step in on game one and be totally fine. He has enough size and athleticism to hold his own in the pros. This can be attributed to his multiple years of experience as a starter and his sound technique. In the running game, Feeney excels at pulling and taking out defenders. He is almost always using the right block in the right situation too, be it a cut block or just smothering a defender. On inside runs, Feeney does a good job of turning the defender away from the hole, leaving a massive lane for the runner to go through. In the passing game, Feeney does a good job of getting his initial punch in then anchoring his feet. This prevents a bull rush from running over Feeney. Feeney does a good job of using leverage in general. If a defender shifts one way, Feeney shoves the defender off balance either past the quarterback or into other offensive lineman.

Cons: I question the lateral agility of Feeney. When he is pulling, faster linebackers can get around him and make tackles while Feeney falls trying to catch them. This factors into pass protection as well, where Feeney struggles with twitchy lineman with a good first step. Feeney could stand to add some strength as well. He is far from a bulldozer and does not knock back defenders as far as I expected. While these will hold him back in the pros, Feeney can compensate for this by honing his technique.

Pro Comparison: Kevin Zeitler, OG, Cincinnati Bengals
Kevin Zeitler spent his years at Wisconsin and in the pros at right guard and he has been dominant. He is not a freak athlete, but he has impeccable technique and knows how to use leverage. Zeitler is also very good when asked to pull or make a hole in the run game. Dan Feeney can be plugged into a guard spot and can play at a high level just like Zeitler.

3 teams that could use him: The Arizona Cardinals fielded a horrendous offensive line last season, and they need to improve if they want Carson Palmer to survive another season. Palmer would sleep better at night if Feeney were plugged into a guard spot. The Broncos also had offensive line struggles, and while Feeney is not a sexy pick, he is a needed one. The Falcons do not have many needs to cover but with Chris Chester likely on the way out, they could draft Feeney as a replacement.

Conclusion: Dan Feeney is not a freak athlete or sexy selection, but he is a technician who can start at day one and improve almost every line. Feeney could go anywhere from picks 10-45.