Scout’s Notebook: Comparing Draft Picks To Current Players

[CATCH17]

Sorry if repost but didn't see it and thought it was interesting.



IRVING, Texas – One of the advantages of working as a scout for a long period of time is that you develop friendships with other scouts. With this current group of Cowboys selections, I wanted to ask my friends around the league what NFL players they most closely resemble, and this is what I found out:

Included are quotes from a few scouts who gave their input.
•Travis Frederick Center Wisconsin

“Would compare his game to that of Jon Goodwin of the 49ers. Maybe not the best athlete, but does play with some strength, along with smarts. Little bit of a stiff moving guy. Could show better body control and balance, but really not a bad player.”

Another scout thought that he was more like John Moffitt with the Seahawks, who is also a Wisconsin product. The scout said, “He had similar numbers to go along with his ability. Could play center or guard and be just fine.”
•Gavin Escobar Tight End San Diego State

“I thought of Scott Chandler because of his height and ability to get down the field. Can be a weapon in this area.” Another scout said, “Not as fast or as athletic as (Rob) Gronkowski, but his hands would make you think of him. Might be more like Anthony Fasano, but just more athletic. Going to sound strange, but he has some Tony Gonzalez in him the way he is leggy running routes.”

The last comparison was to Tony Scheffler in the way he can catch, but the scout commented that Escobar needs to develop more as a blocker.




http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...-Players/323174bf-f272-4e7e-9d8a-d5ab509c3889

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

I'm looking forward to big things from Escobar but I'm disappointed by the comparisons to Scott Chandler and Fasano, considering we had both of those guys on the roster and let them go - and Chandler didn't even cost a draft pick, much less one in the 2nd Round.

 

[Idgit]

Thanks for that, Catch.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I'm looking forward to big things from Escobar but I'm disappointed by the comparisons to Scott Chandler and Fasano, considering we had both of those guys on the roster and let them go - and Chandler didn't even cost a draft pick, much less one in the 2nd Round.

I have a friend who went to school with Gavin and always hung around with these guys and yesterday we were chatting during cinco dedrinko and the first thing out of his mouth was you guys are gonna love him he is huge and he plays like Gronk does. He also said he was a down to earth guy and loves the game.

 

[RS12]

Escobar has really come a long way since high school where was only a two star recruit. I have no doubt about his hands or ability as a receiver, it will be his ability to block that will really determine his value and whether he was worth a second. Also I really think they carry four TEs and no FB. If the Cards cut DC Jefferson in camp the Cowboys will be all over him.

 

[xwalker]

BJ Stewart 6-4, 263 did 30 reps at on the bench.

TE Andre Smith was listed at 6-4, 270 prior to his draft.

The 6-4 guys might also be able to block from the backfield. They tried using John Phillips as the H-back in the backfield, but at 6-6 he was awkward in this role.

 

[jterrell]

first these players are universally being praised if these are the comparisons.

escobar drawing fasano, chandler nods isn't moving but saying he has some tony g in him? end of the day we know this guy has ball skills and isn't in anyway comparable to martyb as a pass catcher..., sadly he also is comparable as a blocker but almost no te is.

all that matters now is can they play. debating their relative value is an exercise in futility until we see them play.

broaddus' buddies must love this draft. low round picks being compared to matt forte?? dang.

 

[RS12]

Eric Galko: I think what it is, he's a dependable hands catcher. He can make plays in the seam. He can play in the slot, in the joker position. He can play in-line. He can get separation in the short area, with hand placement, which is critical for tight ends, the ability to create separation when it doesn't seem there. Gavin Escobar does that at a high level. He also finishes plays routinely on both vertical throws up the seam and on quick comebacks or quick in routes.

His ability to win regularly on those made him a safe, reliable pick, and I think a lot of teams expect him to get better athletically, and to grow athletically and to widen his catch radius. Guys who can catch consistently and get separation are going to have long careers.

Obviously he's lacking as a run blocker right now. He wasn't asked to do that much in college. Maybe the NFL will get the light to turn on. That could be a huge help to his game, especially early on, as the want him to be a complement to Jason Witten.

Right now, he's a reliable, hands-catching slot receiver. He can't do much after the catch, but he's a guy who can work for you as a joker tight end.

http://www.cowboyszone.com/2013/05/cowboys-nations-chat-with-eric-galko.html

 

[Gaede]

Really liked reading the review on Holloman.

I have a good feel for the rest of the guys, but I think I am most excited to see the later rounds guys play. Webb and Holloman, in particular.

 

[arglebargle]

In an interesting pull quote from one of the draft mags, a scout commented about B.W Webb shutting down Terrance Williams in the Senior Bowl. Interesting matchup, considering our draft.

Also, on one of Webb's highlight video snippets, he's coming up to force the QB, who's running an option. The QB tosses the ball to the trailing RB, and you can see Webb change direction, lunge, and swat the ball out of the air. He then goes on to recover the fumble. Great reactions.

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

I have a friend who went to school with Gavin and always hung around with these guys and yesterday we were chatting during cinco dedrinko and the first thing out of his mouth was you guys are gonna love him he is huge and he plays like Gronk does. He also said he was a down to earth guy and loves the game.

first these players are universally being praised if these are the comparisons.

escobar drawing fasano, chandler nods isn't moving but saying he has some tony g in him? end of the day we know this guy has ball skills and isn't in anyway comparable to martyb as a pass catcher..., sadly he also is comparable as a blocker but almost no te is.

all that matters now is can they play. debating their relative value is an exercise in futility until we see them play.

broaddus' buddies must love this draft. low round picks being compared to matt forte?? dang.

Thanks for the additional info, guys. In fairness to him, I should have mentioned the further comparisons to Gronk and Gonzo.

 

[ringmaster]

I'm looking forward to big things from Escobar but I'm disappointed by the comparisons to Scott Chandler and Fasano, considering we had both of those guys on the roster and let them go - and Chandler didn't even cost a draft pick, much less one in the 2nd Round.

Just because some scout compared Escobar, to that of Chandler, and Fasano doesn't make it so.

At the end of the day he can be compared to one person and that is Gavin Escobar.

 

[rash]

Just because some scout compared Escobar, to that of Chandler, and Fasano doesn't make it so.

At the end of the day he can be compared to one person and that is Gavin Escobar.

POST OF THE DAY!

MAY EVEN BE POST OF THE WEEK!

 

[theogt]

Escobar and Fasano are nothing alike, really.

 

[ringmaster]

POST OF THE DAY!

MAY EVEN BE POST OF THE WEEK!

Glad you like the post.

 

[ringmaster]

Escobar and Fasano are nothing alike, really.

I agree and watching him play a little in college he's nothing like Fasano, nor MartyB.

He's light years ahead of both guys and he hasn't played a down yet in the NFL, and some would say he's not the blocker MartyB was and that is true but in time with NFL coaching, he may possibly become pretty good at it who knows.

 

[xwalker]

In an interesting pull quote from one of the draft mags, a scout commented about B.W Webb shutting down Terrance Williams in the Senior Bowl. Interesting matchup, considering our draft.

Also, on one of Webb's highlight video snippets, he's coming up to force the QB, who's running an option. The QB tosses the ball to the trailing RB, and you can see Webb change direction, lunge, and swat the ball out of the air. He then goes on to recover the fumble. Great reactions.

I thought that Wilcox was better than Webb in the Senior Bowl practice drills and those drills don't favor a Safety.

 

[arglebargle]

I thought that Wilcox was better than Webb in the Senior Bowl practice drills and those drills don't favor a Safety.

Wheee! That's even better then.

If Wilcox's got the smarts, that would make at least three of them at the safety position. Neither McCray nor Sensabaugh had the makeup to be field general types. It would be nice if they can all develop, and there's a spot for an undrafted guy to worm themselves onto the roster if they're a good special teamer to boot.