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Strengths very productive, led the SEC in catches (67) and yards (1,040) in his sophomore year in 2011 (had a 300 yard game while at Tennessee Tech as a senior) elite measurable, was in the top 5 in several categories at the combine great size-speed combination great hands able to make difficult catches with ease physical, able to get big chunks of yards after the catch and is hard to bring down in the open field (2 plays show this a play against Alabama, at 1:52 in the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BHOXRyDLuw and one at LSU, 2:14 in the same video) good route runner able to get open at all levels of the field excellent body control has excellent quickness in and out of cuts willing to go over the middle Weaknesses Character concerns (failed three drug tests while at Tennessee that caused his dismissal from the football team, though this may be behind him after passing every drug test in his junior year at Tennessee Tech) ...

Strengths productive career at USC former track star with elite speed (the combine and last season show an injured ankle hampered his speed and effectiveness) great hands, can make the contested catch good change of direction skills explosive with the ball in his hands can take the lid off of a defense will go over the middle and not afraid to take a hit versatile and very polished (ran a pro style offence and was used in the X, Z and slot roles throughout his career) Very productive (pac-12 record for receptions in a season in 2011 with 111) Can return kicks Weaknesses injury limited him last season had a strong supporting cast (Marquise Lee and Matt Barkley) average size (6'1 190) jack of all trades ( a strength but also a weakness as he is good but not great at everything he does) struggled against the press Bottom Line: Had Robert Woods not been injured last season he would most likely be a first round lo...

I am currently focusing on the reciever class and I would like some feedback on who you guys would like to see me scout, leave a comment on your personal top ten

Strengths great route runner good hands great leaping ability and good extension to bring in the deep ball crafty, hard runner after the catch very productive (only two games under 4 catches: those games he combined for 3 catches for 118 yards and 2 td's) Great ball skills (maybe the best in the draft when you look at his timing and average height of 6'1) great route runner, can set up a defender by changing speeds and utilizing head fakes Weaknesses only average measurables had Sammy Watkins constantly taking coverage away from him has a knack for winning jump balls deep but wont take the top off a defense had issues against stronger corners and press coverage Not spectacular at any one thing (in a deep class of receivers this is more of a depreciation based on the lack of one standout quality which is traditionally what teams look for in receivers passed the first round) Bottom line: Hopkins is a receiver...

Positives play maker in every sense of the word capable from scoring from everywhere on the field extremely versatile (runner, receiver and returner) very productive and battle tested (only four games under ten catches last year) plus as a runner (643 yards, 8.9 avg and three touchdowns) amazing after the catch (majority of his passes were 5 yards and under, averaged 13 yards after the catch on those plays) great hands (smallest drop percentage among all top receivers with only a 4.2% rate) very quick and elusive biggest threat with the ball in his hands in the draft very durable never missed a game Negatives gimmicky offence, most plays were 5 yards and under untested route runner because of the offence he ran incredibly small for the position (5'9 174 pounds) limited experience (having just switched from running back as a freshman) could use refinement as a receiver Bottom line: Tavon Austin could v...

Strengths - great hands despite his drops (mostly the result of concentration lapses) - high points the ball capable of making the spectacular catch - good route runner able to run most routes in the route tree - able to get separation on all routes - good straight line speed for his size - showed elite agility near the end of the season (gradual recovery from ACL surgery) - great after the catch - scheme versatile able to play split end or flanker Weaknesses - struggled against South Carolina (NFL pedigree in the secondary) - lapses in concentration cause too many drops, despite being a natural catcher - would like to see him bulk up to handle press corners better - improved route runner after switch to Z receiver (last year) but would still like to see more growth in this department Bottom line: When I look at Justin Hunter everything is there: size, speed, hands, experience and versatility. He could improve his route running and become more of ...

great size elite closing speed great range good bend when speed rushing great in coverage good football instincts long arms allow for separation from tackles incredible versatility weaknesses tweener less production then his ability needs to bulk up if he wants to play with his hand in the ground still learning how to be a pass rusher weak when the rock is run directly at him needs to improve strength at the point of attack Bottom line: Similar to Ansah all the ability is present but the experience is lacking. Having come to Oregon as a tight end Jordan made an admirable shift to the do it all defender that the ducks needed. Having said that I would like to see Jordan bulk up and improve on his technique. If he does this he has the ability to be an elite pass rusher. He has flashed as a run and pass defender as well as a pass rusher. Given his size (6'7) and potential, Jordan could end up being one of the best defenders i...

EJ Manuel big time arm can make all of the throws very mobile in the pocket good size for the position great runner can pick up big chunks of yard with his feet proven winner (4 bowl victories) accurate throughout his career (completion percentage never below 65%) quick release weaknesses not a natural passer struggled with progressions played in a simplistic offense won big games but struggled in others (Florida this past year) more of a thrower then a natural passer, must learn to use touch Bottom line: Seen as more of an athlete then a quarterback. Manuel has all of the skills but needs to put it all together (arm strength, height, escapability and a historical run of bowl victories). Played well and was a winner throughout his career but struggled in many key games and with the mental side of the game. Would like to see him read the field better instead of scrambling when his first read is covered. Overall Manuel cou...

Address Offensive line in the first round As a Cardinals fan I can empathize with Bears fans whose team is an offensive line away from contending for the Superbowl. On a smaller scale the Cards are an offensive line away from the playoffs. The defence is one or two pieces from being in the top 5. Dating back to the days of Kurt Warner, the Arizona franchise has been unwilling to address the line early in the draft (I guess Levi Brown will do that to you). In light of Jake Mathews and Taylor Lewan returning for their senior years, pickings at Offensive Tackle are slim. Fortunately Eric Fisher's meteoric rise into the upper echelon of prospects has left Arizona with an ideal prospect that fills a need and makes sense at number 7. It is time for Arizona to build their line instead of plugging it from year to year draft or sign a QB to battle it out with Kevin Kolb I'm prepared for flack as consensus seems to be that Arizona needs to replace Kolb. I know ...

explosive incredibly eulsive for his size threat to score from anywhere on the field plus returner good speed natural seperation from db's very fluid in his release excellent vision with the ball in his hands, capable of reversing field and setting up blocks weaknesses thin, will need to bulk up raw more athlete then football player must improve release not very strong lapses in concentration cause easy drops not a hands catcher not a great blocker Bottom line:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjxkQXlCAfE  His highlight tape shows maybe the most explosive player with the ball in his hands in the draft (outside of Tavon Austin). A natural smooth athlete, who knows what to do with the ball in his hands. Has all the potential in the world. Great combination of height  speed, agility and vision. His problems stem from lack of experience and bulk, both can be coached or encouraged. Finally mu...

good combination of size and speed playmaker a plus returner good jump ball receiver great in the open field for a guy his size great after the catch good route runner physical, attacks the football weaknesses lets the ball into his body too often, causes drops durability is a concern following a knee injury Bottom line: I am a lot higher on Keenan Allen then most. But what I see on film is far and away the best and most complete receiver in this draft. He has size, route running and yards after catch combination that is rare amongst receivers north of 6'1. He still needs to improve his technique when catching the ball, using his hands more often. If his knee checks out and his game is refined Allen has all the skills teams look for in a number one receiver Diagnosis: top 15 (injuries and inability to work out leaves him as a bubble first rounder)

incredible quick for a man his size persistent doesnt give up on a play explosive use hands well good closing speed for a man that size elite agility and range for a defensive end size makes him verstaile incredible power weaknesses lack of experiance cupcake schedule limited pass rush arsenal can get tied up if engaged intially bottom line: A raw 6'5 274 pound former track star with incredible athleticism and power. Only began playing football in 2010. Was dominant at times but playing for BYU leaves questions as to how he would compete against elite competition. Ansah has all of the tools to be a 4-3 and 3-4 end, a rush linebacker or a nickel defensive tackle, however he needs a good coaching staff in order to scrap the surface of his potential. A fast riser based on measurables, next to Barkevious Mingo the biggest risk-reward prospect in the draft Bottom line: 20-30 th overall (based on measurables and the comb...

Dee millner fluid hips recognizes routes shutdown ability, speed to cover smaller recievers, physicality to cover larger ones great ball skills active hands wrap up tackler good blitzer great instincts weaknesses adequate, not elite speed only one year starter needs to improve back pedal can play too physically at times bottom line: Millner is a shut down corner who played elite competition all year long and shone. All the skills are there. Millner is a complete corner and one of the best man coverage corners that I have ever scouted. All of his weaknesses stem from lack of experience (speed aside). Millner's combination of size, physicality, ball skills and instincts give him the potential to be one of the best corners in the league one day diagnosis: In the draft Millner can expect to be selected in the top 10 (the film reveals a top 5 prospect)

General Announcement: As a fan of two teams currently in limbo (the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals), the NFL draft provides a rare excitement. My posts in this blog will cover individual scouting reports, analytic articles, predictions and a mock drafts. Draft nerds rejoice!