Christian Hackenberg QB Penn St
STRENGTHS
Christian has the size and arm strength of the prototypical NFL quarterback that teams love to see come into the league. He shows on film the velocity and touch to make all the throws and, when given the time in a clean pocket, he has good mechanics. Christian is a passionate football player who wants to win and shows some leadership skills. He looks on film to be a good teammate and works well with his coaching staff. He reminds me a lot of Christian Ponder (see Archives) and although most teams thought very highly of him in the 2011 Draft, Ponder struggles at the NFL level.
CONCERNS
Christian Hackenberg has a big problem: he’s the type of quarterback who can’t see the forest for the trees. He struggles to make decisions quickly, locks on receivers, tries to stick the ball into coverage and has no pre-snap instincts to read mismatches. Add to that, not going to his check downs quickly enough and looking for the big play over the top when receivers and tight ends are running free right in front of his eyes and you have a quarterback that is shell shocked. He’s shell shocked because of a poor offensive line and from Christian not making quick decisions and poor decisions. Christian also struggles to slide or leave the pocket on time to extend plays. Most of this can be overcome with better coaching, but it will take time.
TALENT BOARD ROUND: 4
Christian has a lot of talent to work with and if he understands that and has a good work ethic, he can become a starting quarterback in the NFL. The problem for him is mostly in poor decision making and a lack of football instincts. It is true that he did not have a very good offensive line in front of him this year. It is also true that Christian did nothing to help out that offensive line with intelligent pre-snap reads and taking what a defense would give him. His best play this year was throwing out to the sidelines behind the line of scrimmage. Getting rid of the ball vertically and making good decisions that would allow his offensive lineman to get some confidence when pass blocking never really happened all year long. Looking like the prototypical quarterback is all well and good, but at some point you have to produce, lead and adjust to adverse situations to be considered more than just looking like one. For me personally, I would let someone else select Christian and do all the work and see where he is at after his first contract is up. But that’s just me and I’m sure others will think otherwise because he does LOOK like the prototypical NFL quarterback.
A’Shawn Robinson DL Alabama
STRENGTHS
A’Shawn is a powerful athletic defensive tackle with the athleticism to play in any style of defense and in any style of defensive front. He is as big as a Winnebago and his ability to play in a 2-gap system and stuff the run is what he will bring with him for the team that selects him. A’Shawn has just enough foot speed and change of direction skills to create havoc when he splits a double team and gets into the backfield. He has improved dramatically this year from game to game in his hand usage, which has helped him to become better stuffing the run and getting into the backfield on passing plays to allow teammates to make sacks. A’Shawn is a pure run stuffer for a 2-gap defense but don’t just think that’s all he can do because he is still developing which means he still has some upside to his game.
CONCERNS
A’Shawn still has a lot to learn as far as rushing the passer. What he must learn to use better is his natural explosion and strength. He also needs to improve his hand usage to better his pass rushing moves. When he does improve in this area, he could be a MONSTER for the next level and not just a Winnebago.
TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1
Right now A’Shawn is surrounded by a lot of talent and it is hard for his opponents to make him the focal point of a game plan. He won’t be missed by opposing coaches in the NFL; therefore, there will be some growing pains for A’Shawn to impact, which might not happen for the first year or two. He can stuff the run and if a team wants to run to his side or at him, they will need to double team him to accomplish this with any kind of consistent success. As far as playing in a different front than he played at the college level? He has the talent to play any position on the defensive line and in any style of front, even playing nose tackle in a 3-4, but once again, for him to impact he still has a lot to learn. He learned a lot this year, but as I said, there was a lot of talent on the Alabama front 4 plus the talent to rotate when need be and that might not happen so easily once he is selected and playing in the NFL. He looks through his play on the field to have the work ethic to continue to improve along with the intelligence, but as with most young players, he also has to have the maturity to understand and accept his positions and their respective responsibilities and sometimes, those responsibilities do not make you noticed by the fans. That being said, the emotional jump to the NFL is just as hard to adjust to as the athletic and physical jump and that will be the big issue for A’Shawn after he is selected. I think he will do it given time and patience. I think he understands that although he has some developing still to do, it’s just a matter of time before he does.
Darren Lee LB/S Ohio St
STRENGTHS
Darren is a smart, athletic football player. When he anticipates a play, he is able to impact and create turnovers. Darren shows some leadership skills through his football intelligence and has the respect of his teammates and coaches. Darren works well attacking the line of scrimmage and defending in the passing game. He has the speed you look for that allows him to come from off the line of scrimmage and still disrupt a play behind the line of scrimmage. Darren shows on film the quick twitch and feet to impact as a cover linebacker/safety. He shows the football intelligence to be a coach on the field and there is no doubt in my mind that used in the right system, Darren can become a core player for the team that selects him.
CONCERNS
As a Linebacker, Darren lacks the stoutness against the run and the shed and tackle skills that you need to have to an impact in that position at the next level. He is what I would call a finesse linebacker who would need to run free to the play to impact. He also is a sloppy tackler although in the open field he does much better tackling because he knows he must make a sure tackle. Darren can make impact plays, but most of those plays are because of the play call or scheme that he is in at the time.
TALENT BOARD ROUND: 2
Playing your position and playing it well is not a negative; it’s a positive. Nevertheless, playing a position at the college level well because you’re a good athlete does not mean you will play that same position well at the next level. I don’t think Darren is a linebacker for the next level. I think he is a safety or defensive back. He tackles like a defensive back; he covers like a defensive back. He comes from off the line of scrimmage to sack a quarterback like a defensive back. Everything in his play is more aligned to the defensive back position and not the linebacker position. When he is up near the line of scrimmage in run support, well, let’s just say that run support is not very supported. Can Darren be an impact player? The answer to that is, in the right scheme and position yes, but if poor coaching and in the wrong defensive scheme (one that keeps him close to the line of scrimmage), you better make sure he can run free or he will be swallowed up real easily. I like his cover skills and I think he can be an asset covering those big receivers in the slot because of his long arms, legs, quick feet and overall agility. He tackles well in the open field, so to me, he fits as a safety. Keep him at linebacker and you better make sure he is free to the play and will improve his tackling or you will be looking at an athletic player who will lack the impact his athletic talents suggest he’s capable of.
Kevin Dodd DE Clemson
STRENGTHS
Kevin has that combination of speed and quickness to go along with his size and length that the NFL looks for in its defensive linemen. He is a defensive end with the natural explosion off the line that will serve him well at the next level in the pass rush. He is strong against the run with the ability to be stout against double teams. When he uses the correct technique, Kevin can be unstoppable in a pass rushing situation. Although Kevin’s talents right now are at a developmental stage, his work ethic to improve this year and become better game after game shows that his commitment to get better is there and in a young player with his talent and size, that’s what you need to be convinced of before you select him. Kevin has excellent potential to become a dominating pass rushing defensive lineman very quickly for the team that selects him in this draft.
CONCERNS
His overall techniques are inconsistent, but that’s to be expected with only one year of starting snaps. His changing stance gives away what his assignment is on every play and at the next level, offensive linemen will read that quickly and stop him from completing his assignments. At times he stands straight up, not coming off the line of scrimmage at the correct pad level and losing leverage by giving up his chest too quickly. He only seems to take an inside rush when it’s his responsibility to force a double team and enable stunts on the backside. His effort on these types of plays is good, but he doesn’t fight through to try to get into the backfield and disrupt the play or force a QB to slide into the stunting teammate. He doesn’t use his hands consistently. All of these issues are very correctable with the good work ethic that Kevin seems to have. Right now Kevin is lined up against less athletic right tackles that most will not be drafted and his athletic talent alone is beating his opponents.
TALENT BOARD ROUND: 1
Time to develop is the key for Kevin and I believe he will develop and become dominating. He shines against the right tackles at the college level; however, at the next level he is in for a shock because those right tackles are much faster and more skilled plus the tight ends that help out those right tackles are much better. Kevin has the talent to develop and go up against Left or Right Tackles at the next level. His size and skills suggest that he is a pure DE for a 4-3 defense, which may affect at what point in the draft he will be selected, but with the right team and defense, I have no doubt that Kevin will continue to develop into the dominating player his talents suggest that he will become.
Braxton Miller WR Ohio St
STRENGTHS
Braxton has the size and straight-line speed that the NFL likes to see in its wide receivers. He has excellent strength to be a good run after the catch type of receiver and the passion to improve. He has solid overall athleticism and runs strong routes with nice balance that make it difficult for a defensive back to get physical with him. He seems to have solid hands catching the ball and to be fearless going over the middle. Braxton has an excellent work ethic and shows on film to be a team player and a good blocker helping out in the running game as well as blocking for other receivers. He reminds me a lot of the Broncos 2006 4th Rd pick and Dolphins, Bears, Jets WR Brandon Marshall but… without the baggage.
CONCERNS
Braxton is learning the position and right now doesn’t have a significant catch radius. He also has some drops because his hands are a little stiff. He lacks the football instincts of the position because he hasn’t played it very much and the QB’s throwing to him lack the consistent accuracy that you like to see at the position. Braxton’s work ethic and athleticism are terrific components of playing the receiver position at the next level, but he still has a lot to learn about the position and will have to get used to being hit and catching the ball with players hanging all over him. Also, his ability to separate and his route running are improving, but he still has some work to do. Because of his long strides, he lacks lateral explosion to make quick cuts and gain yardage after the catch, but because he is such a strong runner this issue can be minimized.
TALENT BOARD ROUND: 2
Braxton has a ton of talent to work with and his maturity and work ethic will make that easy. However, he will go through some growing pains before he can impact at the next level. I know Braxton will improve in all the areas that I have mentioned but the one concern I have above all others is instincts of the position. You would think playing quarterback would give him better instincts than most receivers learning the position, but I think because he is thinking so much that he lacks the ability to allow what instincts that he may have developed shine in those situations. Right now Braxton is very “robot-like” in his play and I guess that is to be expected by most who will evaluate him but for me I’d like to see the more human side of his play show through. Thinking like a quarterback while you’re running routes, reading defenses and cutting off routes and understanding when a blitz is coming is the key to being a great receiver. I would think a player who played the position of quarterback at a high level would have that advantage over other receivers, but Braxton doesn’t seem to have that advantage, which is a little shocking to me. Nevertheless, he has the talent to be an excellent receiver and hopefully after he shakes the cobwebs and those instincts kick in, things will really click for him. I think they will and I would select him in this draft because I see a player who will not stop working until that happens.
Taylor Decker OT Ohio St
STRENGTHS
Taylor is a smart offensive lineman who has the mental strength and football intelligence to play more than one position for the team that selects him. He reminds me a lot of the Packers’ Brian Bulaga. He has solid athletic talent and uses good techniques. He shows excellent leadership skills and works very well with his teammates on the line of scrimmage blocking and picking up stunts. He is strong when blocking for the run and does a solid job when pass blocking as well. He shows good lateral agility to play the left tackle position in the right system and should be a solid, if not better than average, right tackle for the team that selects him. I believe his impact position might be as a left guard which makes Taylor a player who can play more than one position on the line at a very high level. Taylor is very assignment savvy and understands angles and leverage like an offensive line coach. When you find offensive lineman with this type of knowledge and talent, you draft him, find a position for him and leave him there for the next ten years.
CONCERNS
Taylor lacks the foot speed needed to be used pulling around tackles for sweeps. He also is slow getting out to the second level picking up linebackers. He does a good job at the college level, but his change of direction skills and lack of foot speed make Taylor more of a systems offensive lineman rather that a lineman who can play in any style of offensive line blocking. That being said, Taylor works hard and understands his own athletic talents to maximize his strengths and minimize his weaknesses.
TALENT BOARD: ROUND 1
If Taylor stays healthy and works hard, he can learn to compensate for his lack of foot speed and change of direction skills. Unfortunately, I have seen many offensive linemen who are slower become excellent at the next level and there is nothing in Taylor’s play on the field that makes me think he won’t work hard and improve. His natural leadership skills and his football intelligence are outstanding. His ability to understand blocking assignments like an offensive line coach is more mature than most players coming out of college and these strong attributes will help to make him an outstanding lineman for the team that selects him. He has solid athletic talent and uses good techniques; although he is tall, I can see by the way he fires out when run blocking that playing guard might be a fit for him. He is a strong leader and a coach on the field. I’m not sure what more you want in a football player who takes pride in blocking for his quarterback. Like I said, he reminds me a lot of the Packers Brian Bulaga.
