PFW Draft nuggets

[RS12]

The following quotes are from NFL scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

• “(Texas A&M OT) Luke Joeckel has to get a lot stronger. He’s the safest pick in the draft, but the system helps him out a lot there. They get the ball out so fast, and when they do have pressure, the guy (Johnny Manziel) just runs all over. When you factor (Joeckel’s) movement and intangibles, though, it does not get much better.”

• “I am not sold on (Syracuse QB) Ryan Nassib’s arm strength. He has really short arms. He’s not a great runner, but he is one of the better pure passers I have seen. He’s better than Kirk Cousins.”

• “(South Carolina RB) Marcus Lattimore is tall and a little narrow-hipped. He is tough and the kind of kid you root for, but I thought he was a third-rounder before the injury. Now I don’t know if he gets drafted.”

• “(Miami FB) Mike James is a big, heavy running back — not a fullback. He played fullback as a courtesy to the kid. He’s not big or strong enough. He started at tailback but moved to fullback to keep on the field. He’s too small for a fullback.”

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2013/02/03/insider-on-joeckel-it-does-not-get-much-better

 

[RS12]

• “I was down on (San Diego State TE) Gavin Escobar as a blocker after watching the Boise game — he flashed and didn’t work his feet. Then I ended up watching three more and thought he did a lot better. He’s an interesting guy, especially with the way this league is trending.”

• “(USC C) Khaled Holmes has very good size like Peter Konz did last year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were drafted to play guard. (Holmes) uses a lot of finesse. I thought he had some trouble snapping the ball in the games I saw. He didn’t get it back very quick and some (defensive linemen) got on top of him.”

Both guys could be on the Cowboys radar.

 

[xwalker]

• “(Texas A&M OT) Luke Joeckel has to get a lot stronger. He’s the safest pick in the draft, but the system helps him out a lot there. They get the ball out so fast, and when they do have pressure, the guy (Johnny Manziel) just runs all over. When you factor (Joeckel’s) movement and intangibles, though, it does not get much better.”

Joeckel is not a perfect prospect. He holds a lot. You can get by with it in college, but he'll have to change his technique in the NFL or be a penalty machine. Also, as stated, the system and QB really help the OL. Pass-rushers are visibly focused on playing contain against Johnny.

 

[xwalker]

• “(USC C) Khaled Holmes has very good size like Peter Konz did last year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were drafted to play guard. (Holmes) uses a lot of finesse. I thought he had some trouble snapping the ball in the games I saw. He didn’t get it back very quick and some (defensive linemen) got on top of him.”

"some defensive lineman" = Star Lotulelei

I noticed that Barkley didn't always get out of the way in time. Holmes would snap the ball and try to take a step back only to have Barkley in the way. Without being able to step back an OLineman loses all leverage.

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[burmafrd]

• “(USC C) Khaled Holmes has very good size like Peter Konz did last year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were drafted to play guard. (Holmes) uses a lot of finesse. I thought he had some trouble snapping the ball in the games I saw. He didn’t get it back very quick and some (defensive linemen) got on top of him.”

"some defensive lineman" = Star Lotulelei

I noticed that Barkley didn't always get out of the way in time. Holmes would snap the ball and try to take a step back only to have Barkley in the way. Without being able to step back an OLineman loses all leverage.

.

I watched Holmes in three games (not the one vs Utah) and I saw no snapping problems. Odds are that was Barkley.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I don't love Joeckel. I think he can turn into a good player but I don't see him like a lot do. I don't think he's a can't miss 1st day starter at LT. I think Lane might be the best LT prospect right this second. Will depend on the Underwear Olympics as to how they shake out but right now, if I had to pick one, it would probably be Lane at LT.

 

[Shinywalrus]

Article's comment on Lattimore is pure hindsight bias. No way he's a 3rd round pick without that injury. No way.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Article's comment on Lattimore is pure hindsight bias. No way he's a 3rd round pick without that injury. No way.

I agree. I thought he was the most talented of all the RBs available this year, prior to his injury. Now, you could say that he might have been downgraded because of his previous injury history (prior to this latest) and that would be understandable but I don't know if that is what the author is thinking here. I guess it is what it is.