Dynasty Draftnik

Chargers, Round 2. Declared early for the 2016 NFL Draft.

Postseason Events: NFL Combine.

Positives: Good height and adequate bulk for the position, with adequate hand size. He runs with adequate game speed and good track speed for the position and for his size. Good hands and can extend to snag away from his frame. Reportedly didn’t drop a pass all of 2015. Above-average concentration in traffic. Can hold the ball with a big hit. Adjusts well to off target passes and passes thrown slightly behind him. Tracks well over his outside shoulder. Is athletic and versatile enough that he would often split out as a wide receiver in college. Fairly nimble feet on the sidelines. Doesn’t go down easy. Knows where the first down marker is. Uses his hands well against press coverage. Willing and generally adequate downfield run blocker. Good straight-ahead run blocker who will drive defenders back several yards. Good pass protector who slides his feet well to stay with speed rushers on the outside and will also maintain his block inline with leverage. Adequate quickness side to side and when accelerating out of cuts in pro day tests.

Negatives: Though his hands are very reliable, he will still body catch at times. Though I didn’t see it, many scouts see his blocking as deficient. He runs below-average routes, and will round off his out route and telegraph when a throw is coming to him. Inconsistent downfield blocker who sometimes overextends himself and gets pulled off balance. Below-average vertical leap and broad jump for the position. Below-average upper-body strength for the position.

Pre-Draft Projection: Round 2.

Falcons, Round 3. Declared early for the 2016 NFL Draft.

Postseason Events: NFL Combine.

Positives: Above-average bulk for the position, with excellent hand size. Excellent hands in games and can consistently extend far from his frame and highpoint passes at their highest point away from defenders. Is an adequate inline pass blocker and run blocker and can seal the edge on outside running plays. He is willing to go over the middle and take the big hit. Protects the ball well through traffic. Above-average track speed for the position. Tracks passes fairly well over either shoulder. Adequate vertical leap and lower-body explosiveness in Combine drills. Good ability to change directions with burst in Combine drills.

Negatives: Slightly below-average height for the position. Though he showed nice hands in games, he had some trouble in the Combine gauntlet drill—letting several passes get to his body. Inconsistent concentration and will sometimes turn upfield before securing the pass. While adequate as a run blocker, he would be better if he put more effort into it. Needs to work harder to come back to passes. Below-average upper-body strength.

Pre-Draft Projection: Round 2.

Seahawks, Round 3.

Postseason Events: Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Positives: Great height and good bulk for the position. Above-average hand size. Runs with adequate speed. Generally above-average hands and body control, and can extend well for passes away from his frame, scoop low passes and adjust to back shoulder passes. Was athletic enough to be split out as a wide receiver in college, and runs above-average routes. Finds open spots in short zones. Adequate run blocker and gets into good position and gets pretty good leverage on inside run blocks. Adequate downfield run blocker. Above-average ability to change directions with burst in Combine drills.

Negatives: Will occasionally let passes get to his body. Not a very strong or aggressive run blocker and also doesn’t seem very aggressive as a route runner—has a hard time getting off jam coverage. Though his routes are good enough, he is not very quick into his breaks, and has to dial it down a lot to change direction. A little slow out of his stance. Poor vertical leap and lower-body explosiveness in Combine drills. Below-average track speed for the position. Poor upper-body strength.

Pre-Draft Projection: Round 3.