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Russ Lande
Sporting News
Although much of the NFL world is focused on Washington, D.C., and the labor negotiations, here is a look at what's going on in scouting circles:
MISSOURI DE ALDON SMITH
One underclassman causing a lot of debate in NFL front offices is Smith. Some who have broken down his game film see a quick and athletic end with the long arms and physical tools to consistently defeat NFL offensive tackles and make a lot of plays as a pass rusher and vs. the run. Smith is raw and must become more consistent with his technique to maximize his talent and become an elite pass rusher.
On the other hand, some view him as a straight-line athlete who plays too upright and thus struggles to change directions. No one doubts his competitiveness, but he at times looks mechanical with a lack of good instincts.
BAYLOR PRO DAY
Although the pro day circuit doesn't really heat up until Auburn holds its on-campus workout Tuesday, there was one of interest last week -- Baylor. The school's best prospects, nose tackle Phil Taylor and guard Danny Watkins, have been two of the biggest risers this spring. Each did all the position drills, but neither chose to re-do any of their Combine workout.
For Taylor, the on-campus workout was another chance to prove he has uncommon athleticism for such a massive man. Few men his size (334 pounds) are as smooth and fluid. Not only did he convince personnel men he can be a great NFL nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme, but he also showed the quickness and athleticism to play defensive tackle in a 4-3 system. The only concern is long-term conditioning.
Watkins' performance in positional drills was impressive, especially considering he played tackle in college and still is developing as a guard. Throughout his workout, he displayed the quickness, flexibility and athleticism to bend knees and block well. He showed he can sink his hips to maintain good leverage and balance, even in the open field.
Both now are in position to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second.
USC TE JORDAN CAMERON
Cameron, a tall and athletic prospect, struggled through his senior season, catching only 16 balls and averaging a mere 7.9 yards per catch in a committee role. Some scouts had hoped he'd remain a sleeper, so their team could snatch him in the seventh round or even sign him as an undrafted free agent.
He was solid but unspectacular during East-West Shrine practices, but he had a great week at the Combine and is flying up draft boards.
Few 6-5 tight ends have Cameron's quickness, speed and smooth athleticism. Some personnel men compare him to Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, who played one season of college football at Miami after switching over from basketball and really shined over the second half of his rookie season.
Although Cameron's on-field play merits only late-round consideration, he will be drafted in the third or fourth round because of his potential.
COLORADO OT NATE SOLDER
There is a lot of debate in scouting circles about Solder. On game film and at the Senior Bowl, Solder showed rare quickness, speed and athleticism to easily slide outside to cut off edge rushers or pull to lead perimeter runs.
With his athleticism, character and potential, he should be viewed as a franchise left tackle and top-10 prospect. However, he struggled at the Senior Bowl against strong defensive ends and tended to pass block upright and straight-legged, being driven backward too easily and beaten by quick side-to-side pass-rush moves.
At the Combine, he failed to post eye-popping numbers and again performed some drills upright and straight-legged. That raised further concerns about him being able to maximize his skills and become an elite tackle. He is sliding down draft boards and could drop behind Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod.
SOUTH CAROLINA OT JARRIEL KING
King had a strong 2009 season, but things could not have gone worse for him during his senior season. He displayed bad technique and a lack of aggression, getting beaten too often and too easily before getting benched.
However, he was the best lineman at the Texas Vs. The Nation all-star game, showing the quickness, flexibility and technique to be a dominant pass blocker. He followed that up with a good Combine workout.
King, at 6-5 and with 36-inch arms, definitely has the NFL's attention. He is climbing up draft boards and could go as early at the fourth round because NFL teams have such a hard time finding tall and athletic tackles.
Sporting News
Although much of the NFL world is focused on Washington, D.C., and the labor negotiations, here is a look at what's going on in scouting circles:
MISSOURI DE ALDON SMITH
One underclassman causing a lot of debate in NFL front offices is Smith. Some who have broken down his game film see a quick and athletic end with the long arms and physical tools to consistently defeat NFL offensive tackles and make a lot of plays as a pass rusher and vs. the run. Smith is raw and must become more consistent with his technique to maximize his talent and become an elite pass rusher.
On the other hand, some view him as a straight-line athlete who plays too upright and thus struggles to change directions. No one doubts his competitiveness, but he at times looks mechanical with a lack of good instincts.
BAYLOR PRO DAY
Although the pro day circuit doesn't really heat up until Auburn holds its on-campus workout Tuesday, there was one of interest last week -- Baylor. The school's best prospects, nose tackle Phil Taylor and guard Danny Watkins, have been two of the biggest risers this spring. Each did all the position drills, but neither chose to re-do any of their Combine workout.
For Taylor, the on-campus workout was another chance to prove he has uncommon athleticism for such a massive man. Few men his size (334 pounds) are as smooth and fluid. Not only did he convince personnel men he can be a great NFL nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme, but he also showed the quickness and athleticism to play defensive tackle in a 4-3 system. The only concern is long-term conditioning.
Watkins' performance in positional drills was impressive, especially considering he played tackle in college and still is developing as a guard. Throughout his workout, he displayed the quickness, flexibility and athleticism to bend knees and block well. He showed he can sink his hips to maintain good leverage and balance, even in the open field.
Both now are in position to be drafted late in the first round or early in the second.
USC TE JORDAN CAMERON
Cameron, a tall and athletic prospect, struggled through his senior season, catching only 16 balls and averaging a mere 7.9 yards per catch in a committee role. Some scouts had hoped he'd remain a sleeper, so their team could snatch him in the seventh round or even sign him as an undrafted free agent.
He was solid but unspectacular during East-West Shrine practices, but he had a great week at the Combine and is flying up draft boards.
Few 6-5 tight ends have Cameron's quickness, speed and smooth athleticism. Some personnel men compare him to Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, who played one season of college football at Miami after switching over from basketball and really shined over the second half of his rookie season.
Although Cameron's on-field play merits only late-round consideration, he will be drafted in the third or fourth round because of his potential.
COLORADO OT NATE SOLDER
There is a lot of debate in scouting circles about Solder. On game film and at the Senior Bowl, Solder showed rare quickness, speed and athleticism to easily slide outside to cut off edge rushers or pull to lead perimeter runs.
With his athleticism, character and potential, he should be viewed as a franchise left tackle and top-10 prospect. However, he struggled at the Senior Bowl against strong defensive ends and tended to pass block upright and straight-legged, being driven backward too easily and beaten by quick side-to-side pass-rush moves.
At the Combine, he failed to post eye-popping numbers and again performed some drills upright and straight-legged. That raised further concerns about him being able to maximize his skills and become an elite tackle. He is sliding down draft boards and could drop behind Mississippi State's Derek Sherrod.
SOUTH CAROLINA OT JARRIEL KING
King had a strong 2009 season, but things could not have gone worse for him during his senior season. He displayed bad technique and a lack of aggression, getting beaten too often and too easily before getting benched.
However, he was the best lineman at the Texas Vs. The Nation all-star game, showing the quickness, flexibility and technique to be a dominant pass blocker. He followed that up with a good Combine workout.
King, at 6-5 and with 36-inch arms, definitely has the NFL's attention. He is climbing up draft boards and could go as early at the fourth round because NFL teams have such a hard time finding tall and athletic tackles.