Strengths: Is an experienced, efficient, tough and intelligent prospect. Has the upper body strength to deliver a violent punch, does an adequate job of using hands and flashes the ability to knock undersized defenders back at the point of attack. Plays with a mean streak, is physical and works to finish blocks. Possesses good size and is capable of holding ground in pass protection when plays with sound technique. Missed time with a knee injury in 2001 but returned for Oklahoma's bowl game later that year and durability doesn't appear to be a significant concern at this point.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal lateral mobility, doesn't have great range and will have some problems reaching blocks at the second level. Takes too long to get set in pass protection and will struggle working against explosive one-gap defenders. Doesn't show great change of direction skills and is vulnerable to effective double moves. Is stronger up top than he is in his lower body. Negates lower body strength by playing with a narrow base and doesn't always play with leverage. While he played ROT and LOT in college, he doesn't have the athletic ability to line up at tackle at the next level.
Overall: Sims red-shirted in 2000. He started five games at left tackle before moving to right tackle for two games in 2001. Sims missed the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury. He started every game in 2002 and 13 of 14 games in 2003; all at left tackle. Sims remained the team's fulltime starting left tackle as a senior in 2004. Sims spent most of his time at tackle in college but he will need to move inside in order to make it in the NFL. He is experienced and was an efficient lineman at the highest collegiate level, but he was a much better college player than he is NFL prospect. Sims doesn't have the athleticism to play tackle in the NFL and he'll need to improve his lower body strength and play with much more consistent leverage in order to compete for playing time at OG at the next level. There's enough to like about him in terms of his frame, toughness, experience, efficiency and upper body power to consider him a good value in the middle rounds of the upcoming draft but anything earlier would be a reach.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
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04-21-2005
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