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In the 7th of a series previewing the April 22-24 NFL draft, Tribune reporter Dan Pompei says center has potential to be one of all-time best
Dan Pompei
On the NFL
10:24 p.m. CDT, April 14, 2010
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Seventh in a series exploring the April 22-24 NFL draft.
Great centers come along about as frequently as comets, but there could be one in this year's draft. Teams that want to have an exceptional player in the middle of their line will have to act fast on Maurkice Pouncey.
1. Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, 6-4, 304: He is a really talented blocker with good size and athleticism. Pouncey has the power to handle a huge nose tackle, and he has the quickness to counter a quick three-technique tackle. He is sound fundamentally. He is competitive and has the right demeanor for the position. Pouncey also has the versatility to play guard. He is considered one of the safest picks in the draft. The only issue will be an adjustment to play in a pro-style offense after being in Florida's spread.
2. Ted Larsen, North Carolina State, 6-2, 304: He was a defensive lineman for the first two years of his college career, and he plays offense with the attacking mentality of a defender. He is quick, aggressive and competitive. His only drawback is lack of experience at the position. Larsen still is learning the finer points of blocking. He also has the potential to play guard.
3. Eric Olsen, Notre Dame, 6-4, 306: He is a tough, aggressive player who would fare best in a zone blocking scheme. Olsen has good size but tends to play high because he doesn't bend his knees very well. As a result, he doesn't always get as much power in his blocks as he should. He does a nice job with pre-snap reads. He has played guard in the past.Olsen impressed scouts with his scouting combine workout.
4. A.J. Trump, Miami, 6-4, 306: He was not invited to the combine, but he should have been. Trump has risen up the draft boards as a result of his impressive pro day workout. He has good size and is an old-fashioned, hard-nosed player. He plays with tenacity but under control. He does a nice job with protection adjustments. He also can play guard, and has done so in the past.
5. J.D. Walton, Baylor, 6-2, 300: Walton is a competitive, tough blocker who can be a backup anywhere on the interior line. He played in a spread offense in college and had some problems with snaps at the Senior Bowl. But he has the intelligence to pick up a pro scheme quickly. Walton has a square, boxy build. He has some athletic limitations but is not a poor athlete.
6. Matt Tennant, Boston College, 6-4, 300: He has good athleticism for the position, plus he plays hard and plays smart. Tennant can move and adjust to pass rushers. He played during the season at 278 pounds but has gained a lot of weight since. He might be suited best for a zone blocking scheme. Powerful nose tackles might give him problems.
7. Jeff Byers, USC, 6-3, 301: He is an excellent run blocker with a tough mentality. He doesn't make many mental mistakes and always is in the right place. He can play guard or center but is a little smaller than some teams like. Byers is not an elite athlete, and he doesn't bend well. He sometimes loses the power battles against bigger defenders.
8. Joe Hawley, Nevada-Las Vegas, 6-3, 297: He could be an NFL backup with the versatility to play center or guard. Hawley is an athletic blocker with intelligence and toughness. He works hard to get the job done but is not a dominator.
9. John Estes, Hawaii, 6-2, 302: He doesn't have ideal size, but he makes up for it by competing so hard. Estes has good initial quickness and decent athleticism. His lack of bulk sometimes shows up in the run game.
10. Kenny Alfred, Washington State, 6-2, 290: He lacks size, but he is very quick. Alfred does a good job of moving and getting to the second level. He plays smart. He could have problems with big, strong tackles.
11. Andrew Lewis, Oklahoma State, 6-5, 298: Lewis has a good frame for the position, and the aptitude to call protections. He also is considered a guard prospect, as he has played both positions.
12. Kevin Matthews, Texas A & M, 6-3, 298: The son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, doesn't have his father's athleticism. But he does have his toughness, intelligence and work ethic. Matthews has marginal strength, but coaches will love him.
[email protected]
Dan Pompei
On the NFL
10:24 p.m. CDT, April 14, 2010
E-mail Print Share Text Size
Seventh in a series exploring the April 22-24 NFL draft.
Great centers come along about as frequently as comets, but there could be one in this year's draft. Teams that want to have an exceptional player in the middle of their line will have to act fast on Maurkice Pouncey.
1. Maurkice Pouncey, Florida, 6-4, 304: He is a really talented blocker with good size and athleticism. Pouncey has the power to handle a huge nose tackle, and he has the quickness to counter a quick three-technique tackle. He is sound fundamentally. He is competitive and has the right demeanor for the position. Pouncey also has the versatility to play guard. He is considered one of the safest picks in the draft. The only issue will be an adjustment to play in a pro-style offense after being in Florida's spread.
2. Ted Larsen, North Carolina State, 6-2, 304: He was a defensive lineman for the first two years of his college career, and he plays offense with the attacking mentality of a defender. He is quick, aggressive and competitive. His only drawback is lack of experience at the position. Larsen still is learning the finer points of blocking. He also has the potential to play guard.
3. Eric Olsen, Notre Dame, 6-4, 306: He is a tough, aggressive player who would fare best in a zone blocking scheme. Olsen has good size but tends to play high because he doesn't bend his knees very well. As a result, he doesn't always get as much power in his blocks as he should. He does a nice job with pre-snap reads. He has played guard in the past.Olsen impressed scouts with his scouting combine workout.
4. A.J. Trump, Miami, 6-4, 306: He was not invited to the combine, but he should have been. Trump has risen up the draft boards as a result of his impressive pro day workout. He has good size and is an old-fashioned, hard-nosed player. He plays with tenacity but under control. He does a nice job with protection adjustments. He also can play guard, and has done so in the past.
5. J.D. Walton, Baylor, 6-2, 300: Walton is a competitive, tough blocker who can be a backup anywhere on the interior line. He played in a spread offense in college and had some problems with snaps at the Senior Bowl. But he has the intelligence to pick up a pro scheme quickly. Walton has a square, boxy build. He has some athletic limitations but is not a poor athlete.
6. Matt Tennant, Boston College, 6-4, 300: He has good athleticism for the position, plus he plays hard and plays smart. Tennant can move and adjust to pass rushers. He played during the season at 278 pounds but has gained a lot of weight since. He might be suited best for a zone blocking scheme. Powerful nose tackles might give him problems.
7. Jeff Byers, USC, 6-3, 301: He is an excellent run blocker with a tough mentality. He doesn't make many mental mistakes and always is in the right place. He can play guard or center but is a little smaller than some teams like. Byers is not an elite athlete, and he doesn't bend well. He sometimes loses the power battles against bigger defenders.
8. Joe Hawley, Nevada-Las Vegas, 6-3, 297: He could be an NFL backup with the versatility to play center or guard. Hawley is an athletic blocker with intelligence and toughness. He works hard to get the job done but is not a dominator.
9. John Estes, Hawaii, 6-2, 302: He doesn't have ideal size, but he makes up for it by competing so hard. Estes has good initial quickness and decent athleticism. His lack of bulk sometimes shows up in the run game.
10. Kenny Alfred, Washington State, 6-2, 290: He lacks size, but he is very quick. Alfred does a good job of moving and getting to the second level. He plays smart. He could have problems with big, strong tackles.
11. Andrew Lewis, Oklahoma State, 6-5, 298: Lewis has a good frame for the position, and the aptitude to call protections. He also is considered a guard prospect, as he has played both positions.
12. Kevin Matthews, Texas A & M, 6-3, 298: The son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, doesn't have his father's athleticism. But he does have his toughness, intelligence and work ethic. Matthews has marginal strength, but coaches will love him.
[email protected]
DAL @ GB
