Complete Jets Draft Summary

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Complete Jets Draft Summary

#4 D'Brickashaw Ferguson OT 6-6 313 Virginia

SUMMARY

Ferguson is a very talented athlete who was enjoyable to evaluate. He has the very quick feet and playing speed to become a very good left tackle in the NFL, but to do so, he will need to up his level of aggressiveness. There are definitely times when he is frustrating because he does not bend his knees or use his hands aggressively, which hinders his ability to play up to his ability. Overall, he could be an inconsistent player for a season or two early in career, but with experience, he will become more consistent. In three seasons, he should be a very good left tackle who can make all the blocks and can eliminate his man on nearly every snap.

STRONG POINTS

Ferguson is a very good athlete with the excellent foot quickness and playing speed that is rarely found is a 6-foot-5 tackle. He can pull and lead block on outside runs easily and can adjust well on the move. He gets through to the second level very fast and can stay on and eliminate a linebacker consistently. His foot quickness helps him slide out to the corner to cut off the speed/edge rushers and to redirect and slide inside to cut off the explosive inside pass-rush move.

WEAKNESSES

Ferguson is thin for a 6-foot-5 tackle and could use an extra 15 pounds. He must play more aggressively to play strong consistently at the point of attack. He does not consistently bend his knees and pass-block with a good base, which causes him to struggle to change his direction to adjust to quick pass-rush moves. He does not fire off the ball and attack the defensive lineman, struggles to get movement on in-line run blocks, and is not effective on reach blocks.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Ferguson is a very good athlete with all the tools to be a very good left tackle in the NFL. He has excellent foot quickness to get off the ball and into blocks fast. He consistently gets through the line of scrimmage in a flash to block a linebacker on the second level and can pull and lead block on outside runs easily. He has the natural flexibility to bend his knees, and when he does, he can pass-block with a good, wide base. When he blocks with a good base, he can adjust and maintain blocks well in space and can change his direction to slide inside to cut off the quick inside pass-rush move. While he has very good natural flexibility, he occasionally will block upright, which makes him not as effective in redirecting and sliding in the other direction quickly.

COMPETITIVENESS

Despite not being an aggressive player, Ferguson has shown toughness by consistently staying in the lineup through dings/injuries. Despite not always being a dominant player, when it matters the most, he has shown a knack for stepping up and making the key block. His overall production is generally very good, but he is not as consistent as one would like, which limits him. When he blocks up high in pass situations, he is not as effective changing directions. When he does not punch in pass protection, he can be jolted backward by bull rushers and he does not consistently make the reach block effectively. He has shown the competitiveness to be a good team player, but he is not an attacking blocker and does not really deliver a blow to a defender consistently. He has a bad habit of stopping on blocks too soon, which lets his man get involved and disrupt/make too many plays. He needs to stay after and finish his blocks much more consistently.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Ferguson is no doubt a smart player, but it is concerning that his blocking technique needs work. He has very good instincts to sense/feel stunts, delayed blitzes and quick inside pass-rush moves, but he does not always react quickly when he is blocking up high and without a good base in pass protection.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Ferguson has the height, frame and long arms that are ideal for a left tackle, but he played lighter than his measured weight, and will need to learn to maintain that weight during the season to be productive as a left tackle in the NFL. His athleticism and toughness against injuries has enabled him to be a durable player at Virginia and will help him to maintain his durability in the NFL. Despite being an extremely quick-footed offensive tackle with the ability to be explosive, he never shows explosiveness in his play. He does not fire off the ball or deliver a blow to the defender. He has good natural strength. When he uses his hands well, he plays strong, He can lock out and stop bull rushers in their tracks, and can torque and toss linebackers to the ground on the second level. The trouble is that he blocks up high in rushing situations and struggles to get any movement on in-line run blocks.

MY OPINION

This was the correct pick for this franchise and for the future. We are in the rebuilding process and with our positions this year. We had an amazing chance of actually improving our O-Line for years to come. With the addition of D'Brick we will not have a worry at LT for atleast 10 years. Perfect pick for us and the situation were in. This is what Houston should have done two years ago. Instead they draft the QB (Carr) the RB (Davis) and the WR (Johnson), but struggle to do things on offense because of their O-Line. So to all the people who wanted Leinart, Williams, and Jackson. The offense begins and ends with the O-Line.

Youth™

 

#29 (from Denver) Nick Mangold C 6-4 299 Ohio State

SUMMARY

Mangold has all the talent to be a good starting center in the NFL, but in order to become the player he is capable of, he needs to bulk up and play stronger on every down. He has very quick feet and excellent playing speed, which give him the flexibility to be quick getting set to make in-line run blocks and he can pull and get outside to lead block very easily. He is a very smart and competitive offensive lineman who can adjust to defensive changes and has the versatility to play both center and guard. He has the natural flexibility to bend his knees, sink his hips and block with a good, wide base. Once he adds some weight/strength, his ability to block with leverage will make him play strong enough. Overall, Mangold is going to start early in his career and will become a very good all-around center as he gains experience and playing strength.

STRONG POINTS

Mangold is a very good athlete with the quickness and playing speed to make good blocks all over the field. He can pull from his center position and can lead block well on outside runs. He is a smart young man who can set up quickly, makes all the calls and can adjust to defensive line stunts and delayed blitzes. He is a good positional run blocker who can seal defensive tackles off on most inside runs.

WEAKNESSES

Mangold looks much thinner on film than his measured weight and he struggles to play strong. He cannot get movement on straight-ahead run blocks and gets knocked backward by bull rushers too often. He loses his focus at times, which leads to him leaning and reaching to make contact and he gets beat by quick arm-over moves. When he pulls, he does not always block a man.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Mangold is a very good athlete for a center, the main reason he was so productive at Ohio State despite being thin. He has very quick feet, which help him get out of his stance and set to block in a flash. He can get through the line of scrimmage fast and he has the playing speed to pull and lead block on outside runs. His agility, balance and ability to bend his knees and block with a wide base enable him to adjust and maintain his blocks out in space. His athleticism enables him to set up quickly in pass protection with good leverage and a wide base, which is what helps him hold his ground vs. bull rushers despite being undersized. Overall, Mangold has the athleticism to make all the blocks, but he must bend his knees and play with leverage more consistently.

COMPETITIVENESS

Mangold is a very tough football player who has consistently played through injuries to stay in the starting lineup. He has all the toughness you can ask for in a center. Despite lacking the bulk/size to drive his man off the ball, Mangold has consistently shown the ability to step up and get his man blocked on the most important plays. It is not always pretty, but he gets it done. His overall production varies from very good to inconsistent and it is usually based on his consistent use of technique. When he keeps his knees bent and blocks with leverage, he is a good seal blocker on inside runs and can hold ground vs. bull rushers. The trouble comes when he blocks straight-legged because he tends to lean and reach to make contact and ends up getting beaten too often. One thing you can count on from Mangold is an unwillingness to quit. He consistently keeps his feet churning until the whistle has blown and he never gets beat due to a lack of effort.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Mangold is no doubt a very smart young man who learns well. He usually blocks with good technique and does a good job of communicating with the other linemen. He has very good instincts, which combine with his very quick feet to enable him to consistently react very quickly. He's very good switching off vs. stunts and adjusting to delayed blitzes. He usually maintains good concentration, but will lose focus and block upright and straight-legged at times.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Mangold has the height for a center, but on film, he looks and plays much smaller than his measured size. His toughness has helped him be a durable player at Ohio State and he can be a durable NFL center. With his quickness and playing speed, Mangold can be a very explosive player, but the reality is that he does not fire off the ball aggressively and only shows explosiveness delivering a blow when he pulls and lead blocks on outside runs. Mangold's lack of playing strength is his biggest weakness. He cannot get movement on straight-ahead run blocks, struggles to get movement on down/side blocks and is very inconsistent holding ground vs. bull rushers because he pass blocks upright and without leverage.

MY OPINION

As well as the addition of D'Brick, Mangold is the also a player that will be on our line for a long time. Our O-Line is being built towards a very bright future. D'Brick, Moore, Mangold, Jones, and Kendall this year. Next year we will worry about a RT if Jones flops and a LG to replace Kendall. Very bright future on this side of the trenches.

Youth™

 

#49 (from Dallas) Kellen Clemens QB 6-2 223 Oregon

SUMMARY

Clemons is a very smart and fundamentally sound quarterback with a very quick and compact release and when he strides into his throws, he can make all the throws with very good zip. Clemons shows impressive ability to consistently step up and make big plays -- mostly with his arm, but occasionally with feet -- when it matters most; even vs. heavy pressure/blitzes. For Clemons to become the starter he is capable of being, he needs to stride into every throw he makes and do a better job of not forcing throws when he feels he has to make the big play. Overall, Clemons will probably get drafted much lower than anticipated, but he has the ability to become a very good NFL starter. Aside from Matt Leinart, Clemons might be the only other quarterback who is more ready mentally to step into the NFL and contribute early in his career.

STRONG POINTS

Clemons is a tough quarterback who has consistently shown a willingness to make good throws right before getting crushed by defenders. He has very quick and compact release and can get rid of the ball with zip in a flash. He has good bulk/strength despite lacking height and consistently has shown ability to keep feet and make accurate throws with defenders grabbing at him. He reads the defense very well, goes through progressions and consistently finds open receivers. He does not panic as pocket starts to collapse around him. If he gets pressured he has the quick feet and athletic ability to avoid sacks, buys second chance and can make plays with his arm or feet.

WEAKNESSES

Clemons is slightly shorter than ideal, but not so much that it greatly affects his play. Occasionally, he does not stride into throws and his passes lack the same zip when he just tries to make the arm throw. At times, he will force passes that he should not throw, which leads to some interceptions. He does not always wrap the ball up when scrambling and it leads to him fumbling more thanhe should. The biggest concern with Clemons is the health of his left ankle because he has not played in a game since the injury.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Clemons is a very good athlete, which helps him to consistently deal with and avoid pressure and can make plays with his arm and legs. He has very quick feet, which helps him to set up and get rid of the ball quickly -- even with pressure in his face he is quick enough to get the pass off. His smooth athleticism helps him to stay over feet and in good position when flushed from the pocket to make good accurate throws on the move. He has consistently shown the ability to pull the ball down and make plays scrambling with the ball. He has enough speed to get the first down with his feet consistently. His flexibility lets him sit in the stance with good knee bend and he can stride into throw and lands on bent front leg very smoothly.

COMPETITIVENESS

Clemons is a very tough quarterback who consistently has shown willingness to stand strong in the pocket and take the big hit in order to complete the pass. He has consistently shown the ability to play his best in the most important situations and in the games he was graded he converted 66 percent of key downs into first downs. He has been a very productive quarterback at Oregon despite taking a lot of hits and missing the second half of the 2005 season due to a broken left ankle. Clemons shows impressive ability to set up and get rid of the ball very fast vs. the pressure. In that area he looks a lot like Marc Bulger. However, at times Clemons does not always stride into his throws and when he doesn't, he struggles to get good enough zip on his throws. When you watch Clemons play, it is clear as day that he is a team player who never quits on a play. even when the pocket collapses, he is willing to stand strong and make good accurate throws with pressure in his face.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Clemons is an extremely smart quarterback who has excellent throwing technique and reads the defense at the line of scrimmage very well. His instincts, quick feet and excellent delivery/release helps him to consistently read and react to the defense. He consistently identifies the blitz and throws accurately to receiver who goes to spot left open. His ability to maintain his concentration is the main reason he has been able to consistently produce at a very high level with his arm and his feet.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Clemons is slightly shorter than ideal at under 6-foot-2, but has a good thick build at over 220 pounds. While he has pretty much been a durable player at Oregon,it's always a big concern when a player gets injured as a senior and unableto work out at the Combine. So until his ankle is proven to be completely healthy there will remain a doubt about his NFL durability. He is an explosive quarterback who consistently has shown ability to burst out of pocket to make big plays running with the ball. And in his strides to throw aggressively, the ball explodes out of his hand and gets to the receiver in a flash. He has good playing strength and can pull free from defenders to avoid the sack and can make good throws with defenders hanging all over him.

MY OPINION

This was the guy we wanted all along in the 2nd round. We ended up recieving a 2nd rounder next year and still gettin the guy we wanted. I like how Tangini worked their way around the 2nd round to get the guy they wanted, and also get compensation in return for it. It worked out well and a 2nd rounder next year gives us more room to move around in the draft.

Youth™

 

#76 (from Philadelphia) Anthony Schlegel ILB 6-0 251 Ohio State

SUMMARY

Schlegel is a very interesting player who made a name for himself as a freshman at Air Force, but then choose to transfer to Ohio State, and until his senior season, he did not become a full-time, 40-plus snap-a-game player. As a junior, he rotated with other linebackers so often, that he often only played 15 to 20 snaps per game -- he almost always played on short yardage runs and was very productive. When he became a full-time starter as a senior, he was still highly productive vs. the inside run, but his lack of athleticism really showed up when he was forced to play outside in space. Overall, Schlegel is not the ideal linebacker because of his athletic limitations, but his smarts, toughness, instincts and production between the tackles cannot be ignored. He will struggle if he ends up playing for a team that requires its middle linebacker to play a lot in space, but he can be a productive two-down inside linebacker for a team that uses him correctly. Teams should be hesitant to draft him high because of his limitations, but his instincts and intangibles will make him a valuable member of whatever team he goes to.

STRONG POINTS

Schlegel is a tough and highly competitive linebacker, whose instincts enable him to consistently produce at a higher level than expected. He reads and reacts very quickly and is aggressive to the inside run, he will stand up the lead blocker in the hole, and he can make hard, physical tackles at the point of attack. He slips and slides surprisingly well in traffic to avoid blockers, and is consistently around the ball and making tackles on inside runs. He drops off the ball into a short area zone well, he reads the QB, he breaks and closes on passes, and he uses his front arm to break up the pass.

WEAKNESSES

Schlegel is a limited athlete who lacks the quick feet and playing speed to get outside the tackles to make plays. He lacks the explosive burst to close on the ball fast in outside pursuit. He does not consistently pick up the tight end quickly in man-to-man coverage, which allows separation, and he lacks the burst or speed to catch up -- this is not a guy teams want covering in man-to-man. He does not protect his legs well, and he can be cut to the ground too easily by low blocks. He lacks agility and quick feet, so he struggles to adjust and tackle well when out in space -- he often ends up lunging and diving.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Schlegel is limited in his overall athleticism, but his smarts, competitiveness and instincts make him look athletic in a small area. He has adequate foot quickness, but lacks the quick acceleration and burst to make tackles outside the tackles consistently. His ability to read the play very fast helps him get started to the ball quicker than you'd expect. He does not have the playing speed to stay with tight ends in man-to-man coverage, and cannot chase down plays in pursuit outside along the sideline. His lack of agility and balance hinders his ability to stay under control and tackle well out in space -- he struggles to change directions and adjust to jukes by ball carriers. He does have good flexibility to bend his knees and play strong at the point of attack -- he can stand up lead blockers and can make hard, physical tackles in the hole.

COMPETITIVENESS

Schlegel is a very tough football player who consistently shows toughness taking on strong and aggressive blockers at the point of attack. On important running plays, Schlegel has always shown a knack for stepping up and making big plays -- on inside runs, he makes the tackle, and on outside runs, he gets into the backfield quick enough to disrupt the run before it gets started. His overall production is just like his play on clutch plays -- very good vs. inside runs, disruptive on outside runs without making the play, solid in short area zone coverage, struggles in deep zone and cannot cover tight ends and running backs in man-to-man coverage. There is no doubt he is a team player who gives a top-notch effort on every snap, and is willing to sacrifice his body to slow down blockers, so that his teammates can make the tackle -- once he gets moving towards the ball carrier, he never quits until he makes the tackle or someone else does.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Schlegel is a smart young man, which is clear from his tackling technique, from his technique taking on blockers, and from his being accepted to the Air Force Academy to start his college career, but he needs to learn to use his hands better to protect his legs. He has excellent instincts vs. the run and is good vs. the pass, but will occasionally miss picking up the tight end in coverage. He plays with a very high level of concentration and focus on every snap and it is the main reason he has been so productive at Ohio State despite being a limited athlete.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Schlegel is short for a middle linebacker, but he has good bulk and is very well built for his size. He no doubt has the toughness to play through pain, but he has been dinged up and missed some time due to injuries, and when you combine his injury history with his lack of athleticism, you conclude he will struggle to be a durable NFL middle linebacker. Schlegel is not a quick or explosive player when it comes to accelerating to full speed and closing on the ball carrier, but he does show explosiveness as a tackler -- he can bend his knees, sinks his hips and he can drive up into the ball carrier to make an explosive hit. He has very good playing strength at the point of attack vs. blockers and as a tackler.

MY OPINION

I really feel we reached for this guy. If we wanted him that badly we could have just let im slip another round to us. But whats done is done and he is a Jet. So based on that this guy seems like a true ILB who will need to be spelled from time to time. He is a hard worker and is a smart football player. I just fear he will be overmatched at the next level.

Youth™

 

#97 (Compensatory Selection) Eric Smith SS 6-1 209 Michigan State

SUMMARY

Smith made a lot of plays and consistently hustled and competed very hard on every play, but few of the plays were impact plays. There is no doubt that Smith has all the intangibles in a safety, but is limited athletically. For a player who has stiff hips and lacks good athletic ability, he does a good job of bending his knees and staying under control to tackle consistently well in the open. Smith is not always a pretty or aggressive tackler, but he gets his arms around the ball carrier and finds a way to make the tackle. He has the instincts to read and react to the pass quick enough to make the tackle after the catch, but he lacks the quickness to get there in time to make a play on the ball. With his toughness, competitiveness, instincts and good-form tackling technique, he will be a good special teams player in the NFL. Overall, Smith's lack of athleticism will keep him from starting in the NFL, but he has the tools to be a solid backup safety who makes plays whenever he is on the field, whether it's on defense or special teams.


STRONG POINTS

Smith is a tough and highly competitive safety. He has good instincts to read and react to the play quickly. He does a good job of staying under control and tackling out in space, bends his knees and wraps up well. Smith moves through traffic well, can avoid blocks and chases down runs in pursuit. He reads the QB and pass well from deep and can break and close quickly on short passes in front of him to make hard hits right after the ball arrives. Smith has the range to get outside from a 2-deep coverage to make a tackle on a receiver right after the catch.

WEAKNESSES

Smith is a stiff and limited athlete who cannot change directions well, which hinders his ability to adjust to quick cut-backs by the running back. While he avoids blocks well, once a blocker gets their hands on him, he is done. While he is a tough player, he does not fly up in run-support and tends to sit back and wait for the running back to get to him. Smith gets tenative and becomes a catch-tackler, although he still makes the tackle. While he makes hard hits after the catch often, he does not get there in time to make a play on the ball. He lacks the quickness and play-speed to cover either the tight end or running back in tight man-to-man coverage.

MY OPINION

Im sorry but I do not understand this pick at all! We have young safties we drafted the past few years in Maddox, Coleman, Washington, and Rhodes. WHY would we need another?? Especially someone who could have been had a lot later in the draft and has a lot of question marks. This pick gets to me because we passed up some better safetys for this reach. I dont even see him making the roster.

Youth™

 

#103 Brad Smith WR 6-2 212 Missouri

SUMMARY

Smith was a disappointing player to grade, because despite a promising start to his college career (remember the Missouri-Oklahoma game in Smith's freshmen season, where Smith almost single-handedly carried Missouri to a huge upset of the Sooners), his passing skills did not improve enough over the last three years to where he can be a consistently productive NFL quarterback. He has very good size and good athletic ability to make the switch to receiver, and the things that will help him most are his tremendous work ethic and competitiveness. He is a very tough football player, who will not only play through pain, but he will develop into a receiver who will not hesitate to go across the middle to make tough catches in traffic. Overall, Smith is a player that teams need to be careful not to over-draft, because few players succeed in switching from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver when they do not have elite, top-end playing speed -- Matt Jones, Antwaan Randle El and Joshua Cribbs all have 4.4 speed, which Smith does not. If given time to develop, Smith will become a solid starting possession receiver in the NFL who can make big plays running with the ball after the catch, but he is not going to be a field-stretching, speed-demon type receiver.

STRONG POINTS

Smith is a good athlete with nearly all the physical tools you could ask for in a receiver. He has excellent size for a receiver at over 6-2 and nearly 210 pounds -- once he gets into the open field, he has the play strength to break tackles and consistently gain yards after contact. He is a very elusive runner in the open field, who can stop and start in a flash, and he consistently has shown the ability to make tacklers miss. His foot quickness, agility and athleticism will enable him to become a good route runner.

WEAKNESSES

Obviously, the big weakness is that Smith was a college quarterback, and will be trying to learn a new position at the highest level. While he has many of the athletic traits that are necessary to be a very good NFL receiver, he does not have premier playing speed to stretch the field deep.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Smith was a rare athlete for a quarterback, which is what enabled him to be such a productive quarterback at Missouri, despite not being a very good passer. His athleticism gives him the chance to make the switch from college quarterback to NFL receiver. He has very quick feet, which help him to avoid tackles and burst out of the pocket easily, and teams should be confident that it will serve him well running routes. Obviously, he is going to need to learn how to burst off the ball into a route, but he has the quick feet to do so, and when you combine his agility, he will be able to burst out of his cuts once he learns the proper technique. His quick feet, agility and balance enable him to stop and start very quickly, and he can make tacklers miss when running with the ball. Smith has good natural flexibility, but after playing quarterback, he needs to learn to bend his knees and run with better flexibility and balance. It is remarkable how his coordination combines with his athleticism and strength to let him keep his feet vs. hard hits and consistently gain yards after contact.

COMPETITIVENESS

Smith has been a very tough football player throughout his career at Missouri -- he consistently stayed in the lineup despite taking a ton pf punishment. The only question teams will have about Smith's toughness is that just like any other player making the switch to receiver, Smith will need to prove he is willing to go across the middle and make tough catches in traffic. As a quarterback, Smith was extremely productive running with the ball and made many big plays with his arm, but he has no experience or production as a receiver, so his production and consistency are non-existent when it comes to catching passes. Smith's pride, work ethic and character are what give him the best chance of converting his athletic potential into on-field production as a receiver. He put in a lot of time working to improve as a passer in order to be a better quarterback at Missouri, and teams can be confident that he will maintain that work ethic in the NFL.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Smith is no doubt smart enough to learn to play a new position in the NFL -- he was smart enough to play quarterback at Missouri, so there is no issue with his learning ability. He has excellent instincts running with the ball, and consistently makes things happen when he runs in the open field; however, he is going to need to learn how to anticipate the snap, so that he can burst off the ball into his routes. His ability to maintain his focus and concentration is what enabled Smith to carry the Missouri team on his back throughout his entire four seasons.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Smith is a tall and well-built football player, but is thinner below the waist than you expect for a player who is nearly 210 pounds. He has been a very durable quarterback at Missouri despite taking a huge pounding during his career, and he should be a durable receiver in the NFL. He is a naturally explosive athlete, who can burst out of cuts and makes big plays running with the ball, but he is going to need to learn to get off the ball quickly at the snap. His playing strength is very good for a receiver -- once he gets into the open field, he can run through arm tackles, keep his feet after hard hits, and break more tackles than most players.

MY OPINION

A rare athlete with the potential to develop into a explosive reciever. I actually like this pick because now it gives us a solid 5 WR's. He has a lot of deveolpment too do but its a low risk high reward kind of draft pick. He has loads of potential, the only thing that scares me about him is that he has seemed reluctant to change positions. Im just hoping the money shows and he will bust his butt to become a good WR. He is our Randel-El or Slash type player.

Youth™

 

#117 (from Kansas City) Leon Washington RB 5-8 202 Florida State

SUMMARY

Washington has been a very hard player to get a good feel for because of his constant rotating in and out of games. He is a very well built back with the power and strength to be an effective runner once he gets past the line of scrimmage. He can keep his feet vs. hard hits and has shown the ability to lower a shoulder to deliver a hard blow to tackler to gain the extra yard at the end of the run. He has the very quick feet, acceleration, vision, instincts and playing speed to make big plays and plays a lot of Ryan Moats who was drafted in the third round by the Philadelphia Eagles. On film, Washington is a tough football player and has the physique to hold up physically in the NFL, but he is going to have to prove that. Overall, Washington is going to be a very good NFL starting running back if used in a system similar to what the Eagles use. But if used in a more traditional NFL offense, he is best suited as a backup running back, starting third down back and punt returner. But be careful not to over-draft him because of his lack of size and experience carrying the offensive load on his back.

STRONG POINTS

Washington is a very good athlete with the quick feet, burst and agility to make plays when he has the ball in his hands. Once he gets into space, he is a dangerous runner because he can make tacklers miss and has the strength to run through arm tackles and keeps his feet vs. dive tackles/hits. He has very good hands, which makes him a dangerous receiver out of the backfield and can make plays returning punts. He is a tough runner who consistently plays bigger than he looks and keeps his feet churning until he is on the ground.

WEAKNESSES

No doubt Washington is shorter than ideal and few running backs under 5-foot-8 have ever developed into good NFL starting running backs. Despite being well built for his size, Washington does not consistently break tackles. The main concern is that despite his natural talent, he has not proven himself as a 25-plus carry a game starter over an entire college season and rarely do players who were not full-time starters in college become NFL starters. He needs to do a better job of wrapping up the ball when he runs in tight quarters.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Washington is a very good athlete, which is the reason he was a productive big college running back despite his lack of height. He has the very quick feet to accelerate to full speed in a flash, which helps him get outside and around the corner on his own. He has outstanding agility and balance and when you combine them with his surprising strength, he can run through arm/grab tackles and keeps feet vs. hard hits. His agility and quick feet enable him to change directions in a flash and can make the sharp cut to avoid a tackler. His natural flexibility helps him to lower a shoulder to deliver a hard blow to the tackler. He shows good athleticism, body control and hands fielding punts with ease and making tacklers miss while running in the open field. Overall, a very good athlete, but not an elite athlete who has the rare athleticism to make up for his lack of size.

COMPETITIVENESS

Washington has shown very good toughness when he has had the chance, but he has never had the chance to prove his toughness over the course of a season where he was the full-time 25-plus carry per game starter. He has displayed the ability to step up and make clutch plays when he gets the chance, but as he rotates with another running back, he is not on the field for every important play. His overall production has been very consistent, but as he shared the starting job, his overall production has not been up to the level of an elite starting college running back. He has proven that he is a team player by maintaining his effort and spirit despite sharing the running back job and has continued to be a dangerous and effective punt returner even during his senior season. When you see him run so hard with the ball and consistently fight for extra yards you can tell that he never quits competiting to get the most yards every time he touches the ball.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Washington is a smart football player and you can tell from seeing the consistently good job he does in pass pro and his ability to line up in a variety of spots without making any mental errors. He has excellent natural run instincts and his foot quicks enable him to consistently take advantage of instincts and get through the right hole. He shows very good concentration maintaining a high level of performance every time he touches the ball despite rotating in and out of the game.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Obviously, Washington is much shorter than ideal at 5-7, but at 210 pounds, he is very well built -- he has the build, so he is short and not small. Despite being well built at over 210 pounds, he has not been a full-time 25-plus carry per game running back at Florida State so his NFL durability is definitely a question mark. His very quick feet gives him an explosive burst through the hole and can burst in the other direction when he changes directions fast to avoid a tackler. He has the playing strength to run through arm/grab tackles and to keep feet vs. hard hits, but he has not shown the srength to consistently break tackles.

MY OPINION

Here is a good value pick. We needed a RB but using a later pick was the correct way to go with this. Washington is just the kind of player who can thrive under the leadership of Martin and coaches who have faith in his size.

Youth™

 

#150 (from Dallas) Jason Pociask TE 6-3 267 Wisconsin

SUMMARY

Pociask is a player that not much was expected from because he was not a full-time starter prior to his senior season and did not show the quickness or playing speed early on that was expected. On film, he looks taller than his listed height and has shown the ability to reach up and catch the high pass decently well. He has good playing strength, which enables him to consistently block defensive ends effectively on run blocks, and when he runs aggressively, he can break tackles to gain yards after contact. He does not have the explosiveness or playing speed to stretch the field and make big catches deep down the field, but does run sharp routes and catches the ball well. An added bonus is that Pociask is a smart and versatile player who can line up and contribute in a variety of positions. Overall, Pociask is the type of tight end that often gets overlooked because he lacks top-end playing speed and is only 6-foot-2, but he is going to prove to be a solid NFL tight end. He has the talent to become a solid starting tight end whose versatility, toughness, smarts and competitiveness enable him to be a versatile contributor as an in-line tight end and in motion as an H-back.

STRONG POINTS

Pociask is a strong and physical tight end who does a good job of blocking the head-up defensive end on outside runs and can get through to the second level to seal block the linebacker out of the play. He is a smart and versatile player that has been productive as an in-line tight end, H-back and fullback. He does a good job of making the wham/kickout block when he goes in motion and can block the linebacker in the hole well when he pulls and leads up into the hole. He runs sharp and precise routes and does a good job of reaching out and catching the ball with his hands -- he can adjust to make the tough catch.

WEAKNESSES

Pociask is limited in terms of quickness, explosiveness and playing speed, which limits his big-play ability. He does not explode off the ball and cannot get separation from defenders in the route. His lack of quickness hinders his ability to avoid and release quickly vs. the jam. He does not always run aggressively with the ball and struggles to consistently break tackles and gain yards after contact. He is slightly shorter than ideal at barely over 6-2, so he is not the ideal target down the field.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Pociask is one of the few players that is a quandry when it comes to defining his athletic ability. He is not quick or explosive getting off the ball into routes, lacks a burst out of cuts to get separation and does not have elite big-play speed, but once he gets to full speed, he has decent full speed to gain some yards after the catch. He has the flexibility to bend knees and block with leverage, which enables him to stay on and maintain blocks, both in-line and out in space. He also has the surprising agility and balance to keep his feet against low, grab tackles. Overall, there's no question Pociask lacks the foot quickness, explosiveness and playing speed of a good athlete, but his other attributes are good and have shown most in his ability to go in motion and block on the move.

COMPETITIVENESS

Pociask is a tough football player who has consistently played with the tough and aggressive style that is liked in a tight end. On important running plays, Pociask has consistently shown the ability to make the key block, but due to his lack of explosiveness and top-end playing speed, he has not been the go-to-receiver at Wisconsin. Pociask overall production has been very good as a blocker, but he has not caught many passes and was not always on the field when Wisconsin only used one tight end. When he plays, his production has been very consistent -- always extremely competitive, staying on his feet and finding a way to eliminate his man on blocks and catching nearly every pass thrown his way. There's no question he is a versatile team player that lines up in a variety of positions and always gives an excellent effort on every snap. He never quits fighting or competing to do his job.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Pociask is definitely a very smart football player and it shows in his ability to line up as the in-line tight end, fullback and move H-back. He is consistently able to handle his assignments and does not make mental errors. He has good football instincts and knows what he is supposed to do, but his lack of foot quickness hinders his ability to consistently react fast. He plays with a high level of concentration on every snap, which is what helps him to consistently play up to his level of ability.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Pociask is shorter than ideal at just over 6-2, but has a good, solid build at approximately 260 pounds. Despite being a tough, aggressive and highly competitive player, Pociask has not proven his durability as a full-time starter for more than a season at Wisconsin. Pociask is not explosive off the ball into routes and lacks explosiveness to get away from the defender in man-to-man coverage. His thick build, very good technique and competitiveness enable Pociask to consistently play strong at the point of attack as a blocker and running with the ball after the catch. He is not an explosive, punishing runner after the catch, but he has the strength to keep his feet vs. hits and can break tackles when he runs aggressively.

MY OPINION

Seems to be more of a FB type then TE. Excellent blocker and will battle Askew. May the better blocker win.

Youth™

 

#189 (from Washington through N.Y. Jets and Dallas) Drew Coleman CB 5-8 173 Texas Christian

MY OPINION

Couldnt find any info on Coleman. But his size is awful for the NFL. I would be very shocked it he made the roster and got playing time this year. He seems like a possible PS Squad player. But still I dont see too much room for growth on this player. That size is tough to look past. Not a good value pick.

 

#220 (from Philadelphia) Titus Adams DT 6-3 305 Nebraska

SUMMARY

Adams was not an impact defensive tackle at Nebraska, but he did consistently disrupt inside runs and chase down ball carriers in pursuit. He is a good athlete with the foot quickness and playing speed to make plays in pursuit -- he has better range than most defensive tackles. He has very good natural strength and when he bends his knees, plays with leverage and is aggressive with hands, he can hold ground at the point of attack. He gets arm extension and can clog the middle on inside runs or shed and make tackles. He gets some pressure on the quarterback through athleticism and effort, but is not an explosive pass rusher and does not pressure the quarterback consistently. He is going to need a season or two as a backup to get in better shape and to develop better pass rush moves, but in time will become a starter. His size, natural strength and athleticism make him versatile enough to start at defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense or defensive end in a 3-4 defense.

STRONG POINTS

Adams is a quick-footed defensive tackle with the athleticism to make plays from sideline to sideline. He does a good job of getting off the ball quickly, reads the run away fast, accelerates to full speed and can chase down running backs in pursuit. He has the playing strength to stack the point of attack vs. the offensive lineman's run blocks, can shed and make the tackle. Despite not having any real pass rush moves, his quickness and agility help him to beat one-on-one pass blocks and he can get into backfield to pressure the quarterback.

WEAKNESSES

Adams does not consistently stay low and play with leverage which hinders his playing strength. When he plays high he can be driven off the ball by aggressive run blocks and can't get a push as a bull rusher. While he can out quick some offensive linemen to get pressure on the quarterback, if he does not develop pass rush moves he will struggle to get pressure on NFL quarterbacks. He has quick feet and gets off the ball quickly, but is not an explosive player and does not shoot through gaps to get into the backfield consistently.

ATHLETIC ABILITY

Adams is a good athlete with the physical ability to make plays as a two-gap defensive tackle and as a gap shooter. His quick feet combined with his instincts/anticipation allow him to get off the ball and on top of the offensive linemen fast. His quickness enables him to get inside/under reach blocks, accelerate to full speed quickly and he has the play speed to chase plays down in pursuit. His agility, balance and quick feet help him to move through traffic and avoid contact well for a defensive tackle. He has the natural flexibility to bend his knees and play with leverage at the point of attack, but he does not do it consistently and is less effective when he plays up high. His coordination helps him to avoid contact on the move and he cann hop over low blocks/bodies without getting tripped up.

COMPETITIVENESS

He is a tough football player when it comes to fighting to stay on the field, but he does not consistently play with a tough, attacking attitude. Despite not always being productive, when it matters most, he has done a good job of attacking the offensive linemen aggressively with his hands, get into the backfield and make/disrupt plays consistently. The trouble is that his overall production is inconsistent and varies between very disruptive and barely adequate. When he bends his knees, plays with leverage and attacks the linemen with his hands, he can jolt, defeat and disrupt/make plays consistently. However, he tends to pop upright at the snap too often and does not get his hands on the offensive linemen quickly which leads to him getting tied up and ridden out of the play -- he does not take on and shed blocks consistently. While he does not use good technique consistently, he does always give a good effort and fights/competes to make plays from snap to whistle.

MENTAL ALERTNESS

Adams shows smarts in his technique vs. the run (he bends his knees, plays with leverage and uses hands well to get arm extension and keep blockers off him), but he does not have any real pass rush moves to speak of. He has good instincts which help him to burst off the ball quickly and to read and react quickly to the play, but when he plays upright and high, he struggles to consistently react quick enough to make plays. His concentration helps him to consistently play hard from snap to whistle, but he does lose focus at times which is what leads to him playing upright and high more often than he should.

STRENGTH/EXPLOSION

Adams has good size for a defensive tackle -- on film he definitely looks the part, but also seems to be a bit soft bodied and fleshy. He has been a durable player at Nebraska, but to maintain his durability in the NFL he will need to get in better shape and use hands better to keep blockers from getting into his legs. He consistently has shown a good burst off the ball and has an explosive closing burst to the ball to finish plays in pursuit, but despite having a good burst off the ball he does not have the explosiveness to split the gap and get into the backfield consistently. Most of the time, Adams uses his hands well and has the playing strength to hold ground vs. the run and can jolt offensive linemen and get pressure as a power rusher. However, when he pops up at the snap and plays high, he can't hold ground vs. run blocks and does not get a consistent push when he tries to bull rush.

MY OPINION

Well we needed a 3-4 NT and here is our guy. Mind you, I do not think he will be making a huge impact next year. But atleast we got an extra body into camp and will let Pouha, Robertson, Pope and Adams all battle it out. Atleast by next year we will know what we have with the NT position. The more bodies the better. Good value pick.

Youth™

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks for all the kind words, I just figured it would be helpful to all the draft nicks out there who actually know something about this team and what is good for it. Now also maybe more people will notice my names and my posts.

But I really believe this draft wasnt as bad as most people say. Simply for the fact that I believe we are completely retooling our team and that it will be a few years before we contend. I am able to accept that position and look at the future of this franchise and as of right now it is bright. With a O-Line that will be solid for close to 10 years. A Vet and Underachiever and a Smart rookie as QB's to battle it out. A young defense that will be able to play the best players and with Tannenbaum and Mangini over Herm and Co.

The future is bright.

Youth™