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Under the Radar: Casey Knips
AnthonyBlake on Friday, April 9, 2010 12:35PM
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http://blog.blitznation.com/2010/04/09/under-the-rader-casey-knips/
Many believe that NFL general managers earn their paychecks based on their level of success in the later rounds of the draft by uncovering those hidden gems that can push a team over the top. With the NFL’s scouting process now winding down, many names are being brought to the forefront that weren’t exactly on the tip of anyone’s tongues when the collegiate season started. This segment called Under the Radar will continue to explore just what scouts find attractive about certain prospects that may be available beyond the glamour rounds of the draft and why you’re team may be interested in landing one of these sleepers.
One tackle moving up the draft boards of several teams is South Dakota State mauler Casey Knips. During his college days he played on the left side of the offensive front, but moving on to the next level he will likely find himself on the right side as a dominant run blocker. At his pro day workout in front of a large crowd of NFL scouts, Knips ran the 40 yard dash in a 5.07 second time in the 40 yard dash which would have ranked fourth among lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine and posted a solid 4.70 time in the short shuttle. Perhaps the most NFL thing about his numbers is his elite size at 6’8” 306lbs. and the frame to add another 10-15 lbs. on top of that. His 28 reps at 225lbs. on the bench press was right on the average for strength among lineman, but he has quite the size advantage on nearly any defender lining up across from him.
The level of competition questions are certainly legitimate gripes with Knips who never really faced any NFL style of pass rushers in the Missouri Valley Conference and still had struggles in pass protection at times. One constant critique from NFL scouts is that on game tape he plays too high which allows defenders to gain the leverage advantage and drive him into the backfield. Knips isn’t a natural knee bender which at his size could be an issue as he needs to sink his hips and keep his giant frame low. Although he possesses some outstanding intangibles in size and athleticism, Knips is still a really raw prospect and will take some time to develop into a contributing player at the next level. His combination of premier size and above average athleticism will likely land him a spot as a 6th or 7th round draft selection.
A number of names will be called during April’s NFL Draft that seem to be from out of left field, but don’t let Casey Knips be one of them. Keep looking out for more Under the Radar players shooting up draft boards or quietly lurking in this incredibly deep 2010 class that could make a huge impact over the coming years on Sundays.
AnthonyBlake on Friday, April 9, 2010 12:35PM
9Share
http://blog.blitznation.com/2010/04/09/under-the-rader-casey-knips/
Many believe that NFL general managers earn their paychecks based on their level of success in the later rounds of the draft by uncovering those hidden gems that can push a team over the top. With the NFL’s scouting process now winding down, many names are being brought to the forefront that weren’t exactly on the tip of anyone’s tongues when the collegiate season started. This segment called Under the Radar will continue to explore just what scouts find attractive about certain prospects that may be available beyond the glamour rounds of the draft and why you’re team may be interested in landing one of these sleepers.
One tackle moving up the draft boards of several teams is South Dakota State mauler Casey Knips. During his college days he played on the left side of the offensive front, but moving on to the next level he will likely find himself on the right side as a dominant run blocker. At his pro day workout in front of a large crowd of NFL scouts, Knips ran the 40 yard dash in a 5.07 second time in the 40 yard dash which would have ranked fourth among lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine and posted a solid 4.70 time in the short shuttle. Perhaps the most NFL thing about his numbers is his elite size at 6’8” 306lbs. and the frame to add another 10-15 lbs. on top of that. His 28 reps at 225lbs. on the bench press was right on the average for strength among lineman, but he has quite the size advantage on nearly any defender lining up across from him.
The level of competition questions are certainly legitimate gripes with Knips who never really faced any NFL style of pass rushers in the Missouri Valley Conference and still had struggles in pass protection at times. One constant critique from NFL scouts is that on game tape he plays too high which allows defenders to gain the leverage advantage and drive him into the backfield. Knips isn’t a natural knee bender which at his size could be an issue as he needs to sink his hips and keep his giant frame low. Although he possesses some outstanding intangibles in size and athleticism, Knips is still a really raw prospect and will take some time to develop into a contributing player at the next level. His combination of premier size and above average athleticism will likely land him a spot as a 6th or 7th round draft selection.
A number of names will be called during April’s NFL Draft that seem to be from out of left field, but don’t let Casey Knips be one of them. Keep looking out for more Under the Radar players shooting up draft boards or quietly lurking in this incredibly deep 2010 class that could make a huge impact over the coming years on Sundays.
