NFL Draft 2014 Preview (26 page)

Weaknesses:
Has small hands. Spends more time on the ground than he should — lunges and overextends too much. Does not play big and feet do not run on contact. Very undisciplined route runner. Marginal release — easily pinballed and knocked off his path. Is not quick or urgent into his routes.

Future:
Looks like Tarzan, but plays like Jane and must learn how to convert his natural strength to the field to earn his way in the NFL. Has raw moldable tools to be groomed as a developmental H-back or move tight end. Will require patience.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Offensive Linemen

MARCUS MARTIN

SEANTREL HENDERSON

JA’WUAN JAMES

CYRUS KOUANDJIO

JOEL BITONIO

GABE JACKSON

ZACK MARTIN

TAYLOR LEWAN

JAKE MATTHEWS

GREG ROBINSON

C MATT ARMSTRONG, #56

GRAND VALLEY STATE
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Grade: 5.14

Ht: 6-2 1/8 | Wt: 302 | Sp: 5.32 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 10 5/8

History:
Two-way lineman who also excelled in track and field as a Michigan prep. Redshirted in 2008. Started 11-of-13 games played in ’09 — one at left tackle, four at left guard and the final six at center. Sustained a concussion midseason which kept him out of two games and prevented him from starting three others. Started all 12 games played in ’10 (seven at right tackle, five at center). Did not play against Lake Erie (right quad). Sat out ’11 — tore cartilage in his left knee and required bone graph surgery. Started all 12 games in ’12, including 11 at right guard and one at center. Moved to the pivot in ’13, started all 15 games and won the Division II Rimington Award as the nation’s top center. Had surgeries after the season to remove bone spurs in his ankle and tighten his shoulder joint. Strained his right quad running the 40-yard dash at the Combine and did not lift because of a right shoulder injury. Also competed in track at field (throws) at GVSU.

Strengths:
Has large hands. Good strength. Nice snap-and-step quickness. Works his hips and maneuvers to gain positioning. Can bend and slide. Can combo block and step to the second level. Smart, aware and competitive. Has played all along the offensive line. Four-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Size is just adequate and does not look the part. Fleshy midsection. Could struggle to drop anchor vs. powerful widebodies. Not explosive. Plays short-armed. Hand use needs work — does not punch or jolt defenders. Latches on and stalemates rather than driving his man off the line. Has been dinged up. Marginal competition. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
Average-sized, smart, strong, scrappy, decorated Division II center who lacks exceptional athletic traits for the pro game. Faces a big jump in competition, but has a chance to stick as a swing backup if his versatility translates. Also competed in track and field (throws shot put), which affected his year-round football training.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

OLG-OLT JOEL BITONIO, #70

NEVADA
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Grade: 5.75

Ht: 6-4 1/4 | Wt: 302 | Sp: 4.97 | Arm: 33 7/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Prepped in California where he also played basketball and competed in shot put. Redshirted in 2009, earning Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year. Was a reserve and special-teams contributor in ’10 (14 games). Started all 38 games at tackle 2011-13. Team captain.

Strengths:
Plays with vinegar and seeks to bury defenders — nasty finisher who runs his feet on contact and consistently blocks defenders off the screen. Extremely tough and durable. Highly versatile — can play any position on the line. Outstanding personal character and football character — work ethic, leadership and responsibility are all exemplary. Produced the best 10-yard split (1.69 seconds) and 20-yard split (2.80) of any offensive lineman at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Tends to shoot his hands wide and needs to improve placement — too grabby. Slips off blocks and could stand to play more under control. Operated heavily out of a 2-point stance and might need to get acclimated to playing with his hand in the dirt. Average knee bend in pass protection.

Future:
An undersized college left tackle who projects best to the inside in the pros. Displays the tenacity, leg drive and mean streak that is highly coveted by OL coaches and could drive up his draft status. Could require some initial patience moving inside, yet possesses the skill set, intelligence and desire to successfully convert.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I think (Bitonio) is an inside guy. He is not a tackle. He dominates more at the position than (Chiefs first-round pick Eric) Fisher did and he went No. 1 overall. He was just two inches taller and longer. …Watch him run a linebacker down 40 yards down the field after a fumble vs. San Diego State. That one play defines what the kid is about.”

C-OG RUSSELL BODINE, #60 (JUNIOR)

north carolina
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Grade: 5.32

Ht: 6-3 1/8 | Wt: 310 | Sp: 5.18 | Arm: 32 1/2 | Hand: 10

History:
Last name is pronounced “BO-dine.” Prepped at Fork Union (VA) Military Academy, where his father is a teacher. Redshirted in 2010. Was a backup in ’11 — played nine games, including two starts as an injury replacement. Started all 25 games 2012-13.

Strengths:
Carries a load in his punch and plays with vinegar. Can seal and turn defenders in the run game to create small creases. Plays with a mean streak and likes to finish blocks. Is aggressive working up to the second level and efficient cutting linebackers. Rugged competitor. Stout anchor in pass protection. Versatile and has seen action at center and guard. Excellent weight-room strength — benchpressed 225 pounds 42 times to lead all participants at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Stiff-bodied. Plays short-armed and overextends. Average agility. Is late to switch off blocks. Relies too much on his upper-body strength. Mechanics deteriorate the farther he is asked to travel. Slow to adjust to counter moves. Produced the slowest 3-cone time (8.29 seconds) of any offensive lineman at the Combine.

Future:
A top-heavy, barrel-chested, thick-bodied, short-area blocker, Bodine plays with a gritty football demeanor. Swing-interior versatility adds to his value.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I was not all fired up watching (Bodine) the first time. He is a bubble three (third-rounder) for me, and I didn’t love him. I liked him early on, but the more you watch, the more you see the stiffness. He’s not quick, but he is powerful in the upper body. There’s not a ‘wow’ factor. I was surprised he came out, but there are never a lot of quality centers in the draft.”

OLG CONOR BOFFELI, #59

IOWA
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Grade: 4.80

Ht: 6-4 1/8 | Wt: 298 | Sp: 5.29 | Arm: 32 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Last name is pronounced “bo-FELL-ee.” Won a pair of state championships and lettered in basketball and baseball as an Iowa prep. Redshirted in 2009. Was a reserve 2010-11, seeing very limited action in seven games over two seasons. Injuries opened the door at the end of the ’12 season when he started the final three games at left guard. Started all 13 games at left guard in ’13.

Strengths:
Understands angles and positioning. Can shuffle, slide and mirror defenders in pass protection. Good football intelligence and work habits. Plays hard and competes. The game is important to him. Versatile.

Weaknesses:
Small-framed with marginal arm length and a narrow base. Average athlete. Sets tall. Not strong or explosive at the point of attack to move defenders. Is late to reach and cut off defenders. Spends too much time on the ground. Overwhelmed by Minnesota DL Ra’Shede Hageman. Only a one-year starter. Benchpressed 225 pounds only 21 times, the fewest of any guard at the Combine.

Future:
Raw, light-framed zone blocker ideally suited for a role as a swing interior backup in a slide-movement protection scheme. Has the smarts and versatility to battle for a roster spot.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

OLT JUSTIN BRITT, #68

MISSOURI
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Grade: 5.18

Ht: 6-5 7/8 | Wt: 325 | Sp: 5.19 | Arm: 33 1/2 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
High school left tackle who also captured a state wrestling title, going 45-0 as a senior. Redshirted in 2009 and saw limited action as a reserve in ’10 (13 games). Started all 13 games at LT in ’11. Suffered a Jones Fracture in his left foot in July ’12, but healed in time to start the first nine games of the season — six at right tackle, three at LT — before suffering a season-ending torn right ACL injury. Started all 14 games at LT in ’13.

Strengths:
Solid build with a stout base and long torso. Quick enough to cut off the outside rush and give help where it is needed. Recognizes the blitz and displays good enough agility to adjust to movement. Good work ethic. Very good weight-room strength — cleans nearly 400 pounds.

Weaknesses:
Operates out of a two-point stance in a spread-option offense. Falls off blocks and does not finish. Very average sustain. Limited body control and recovery speed. Late to reach the block point on the second level. Does not create movement in the run game. Gives too much ground in pass protection.

Future:
College left tackle with enough length and foot quickness to handle the blind side in a pinch, but is more ideally suited for the right side and could be best suited for a swing backup role. Has played nearly every position on the line and could add depth as a positional, wall-off blocker.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

OLG DAKOTA DOZIER, #78

FURMAN
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Grade: 5.36

Ht: 6-3 5/8 | Wt: 313 | Sp: 5.41 | Arm: 33 7/8 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
Two-way lineman who also wrestled as a California prep. Redshirted in 2009. Manned left tackle all four years for the Paladins. In ’10, became the first freshman offensive lineman to start in 14 years, starting 10-of-11 games. Sustained a sprained ankle against The Citadel and did not start against Wofford. Started all 11 games in ’11. Started all nine games played in ’12 — sprained his left MCL against Chattanooga and sat out against Georgia Southern and Elon. Healthy in ’13, started all 14 games. Team captain.

Strengths:
Outstanding overall body mass and thickness, especially in the lower body. Strong power base with a very stout anchor. Locks down and dominates lesser competition in pass protection (pancake machine). Plays with vinegar and finishes blocks. Rose to the occasion vs. better competition (see LSU). Plays with good knee bend and generates movement off the ball. Experienced, four-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Raw hand technician. Footwork is not clean. Shuffles instead of kicksliding and can get overextended attacking defenders. Carries his hands low and does not replace them. Oversets and gives up inside counters. Rolls slowly to the second level under control and can be beaten to the block point by speed. Can get complacent and play down to the competition level.

Future:
Small-school college left tackle best suited to kick inside in the pros. Has the girth and enough athletic ability to compete as a guard or center and ornery football disposition desired in the trenches. A tough, gritty, road grader capable of paving the way in the run game, Dozier will require some technique refinement in pass protection, yet possesses clear starter potential with continued development. Draft status could ascend if he proves he can play center.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“Some other (scouts) on the road have pushed that big tackle from Furman all the way up to the third round. I think it’s too rich. He is a small-school guy. I think he’s too short to stay outside. He’s athletic to be pretty good in a year or two. I think there’ll be an adjustment period needed. Some thought he could play left tackle — I didn’t see that.”