New Era Scouting

Jacoby Ford – Clemson

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 5’9 – 186

40 Time: 4.28

Pro Potential: Santana Moss – Washington Redskins

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Top tier rate of acceleration. One of the fastest players in the country because of his initial burst off the line. Remains balanced throughout and can explode off any point.

Agility/Leaping Ability: Does not get up and reach the ball at the apex of his leap. Struggles to time his jumps well. Runs low to the ground, which allows him to shift and bounce while keeping his balance. Flexible from the waist on down.

Blocking: Does not always give top effort as a blocker. I’ve seen him make zero effort to slow down a linebacker in space. At his size he may not be much of a factor, but the effort needs to at least be there.

Body Control/Adjustment: Not a natural adjuster to the ball downfield. Stays on his feet but once his eye level changes, he becomes erratic and loses track of the ball. Does not reach back for the ball with efficiency, will not come down with a lot of passes above his head.

Concentration/Hands: When the ball is placed where it should be, Ford looks very comfortable and natural. However he lets the ball in to his body at times and tries to trap it. I’ve seen too many nicely thrown passes bounce off his numbers.

Release: Very difficult to jam at the line because of his ability to stay low and remain shifty. Gives the cornerback a very small area to pounce on and if that initial hit is not completely on, Ford’s quickness will get him that initial separation with ease.

Route Running: Really improved his routes in 2009. Can cut on a dime, gets in and out of breaks with balance and speed. Runs the deep-double routes effectively. Baits defensive backs with head and body fakes. Has picked up on the weaknesses of zone coverage by finding the holes, smart player.

Size/Length/Hand Size: At under 5’10, Ford will be fighting an uphill battle from the start. He is not one of those smaller guys that can play big, but he can play comfortably within his role. Has some muscle to his frame, more power than one would think.

Speed: One of the fastest players in this draft class. National champion track star that possesses the speed that carries over on to the football field.

Vision/Run After the Catch: Has been used on reverses and screens numerous times. Does well blockers in front of him, can find the small windows and explode through them. 58 career rushing attempts. Does not break a lot of tackles but has been willing to run with power towards the end of plays for that extra yard or two.

Final Word: Jacoby Ford timed faster than any player at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine and unlike so other speed demons, he can actually perform on the field. His speed can be used downfield, but Ford is mainly an underneath target that teams will want to use in the slot. He averaged 13.4 yards per reception over the past two seasons, which is a low number for such a speed threat. He may not be the every down receiver some thought he could be a few years ago, but his ability to initiate and maintain separation will be coveted by most teams in April. He is also a weapon with the ball in his hands whether he is returning punts and kicks or getting it on reverses and screens. His role may be limited at the next level, but the sub 4.3 speed combined with his football ability can make him an immediate impact player. Since breaking his ankle in 2007, Ford has not missed a single game despite playing through sternum and rib injuries. He is expected to be taken somewhere in the 3rd round but that sub 4.3 speed can vault him in to the 2nd.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Aaron Hernandez
6′2, 250 pounds | Tight end | Florida

Acceleration: Hernandez’s burst is outstanding. He has very good short-area quickness to create space. Knows how to use his burst in and out of his cuts.

Agility: Doesn’t have a great vertical leap, but it’s good enough. Times his jumps well. Has fluid hips that he opens up over the middle to turn, catch and work up the field.

Blocking: Hernandez does a nice job of using his strength to block, but isn’t technically sound. Doesn’t stay planted to block and moves around too much. More of a seal blocker in space than a traditional tight end in-line blocker.

Body Control: Frequently showed he can adjust to badly thrown passes to make tough grabs. Very coordinated in the open field. Shrugs off hits pre-catch really nicely.

Hands: Displays elite-level hands. Showed he properly caught the ball away from his frame. Doesn’t let the ball get into his body.

Release: When lined up off the line, Hernandez didn’t have a problem with his release. He was a little slow out of his stance when he puts his hand down. Will have to work here.

Route Running: Wasn’t required to run a lot of routes at Florida. Mostly ran slants over the short middle. Didn’t run a lot of dig routes, which is a key route for NFL tight ends.

Size: This has been the biggest knock on Hernandez. He has good bulk, but he’s listed at only 6-foot-2. This leads most to say Hernandez is an H-back, but Dustin Keller of the Jets measured in at the same height.

Speed: Separation speed is good but not great. Is more of a quick, agile tight end. Doesn’t break away from defenders in a straight line, but he’s shifty.

Vision: Is a weapon after the catch, even though is speed isn’t excellent. Gets a lot of yards after the catch. Has the strength to power through tacklers. Sets up his blockers well to create more open space.

Final word: Strictly as a receiving option, Hernandez is a solid tight end. But some of the other aspects of his game knock him down. His height is below-average for the position and he needs to learn more routes and how to block. But his receiving skills are so good, he’s worth a second-round pick.

Really broke through toward the end of his sophomore year and continued to play well as a junior. In 2009, Hernandez finished with 68 catches for 850 yards and five touchdowns.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Jermaine Gresham

6′6, 262 pounds | Oklahoma | Tight end

Positives: Gresham is a good all-around tight end. He runs good routes and is an able blocker. He’s able to go over the short middle with confidence but has enough speed to get down the seam.

Has a great frame for an NFL tight end. Gresham is strong throughout his body ad looks like his can get even stronger. Uses his size nicely as a jump-ball target and to shield off defenders. A perfect red zone target.

Very hard to take down after the catch. Gresham won’t outrun a lot of opponents, but he can certainly run them over. Shows a lot of effort.

Negatives: There are some questions about Gresham’s hands. He doesn’t always extend to make the catch and has a tendency to let the ball get into his body. Against more instinctive defenders, the ball will get knocked away.

He’s at his best when he splits out so he’ll have to improve his release technique when he has his hand down.  Needs to play more physical (see the 2008 Texas game where he was manhandled by Sergio Kindle).

Missed his entire senior season after suffering cartilage damage in his knee. Some of Gresham’s draft stock will be incumbent on how well he can go through speed and agility tests at the NFL Scouting Combine. Gresham was a starter for just one season.

Final word: Even with his injury, Gresham is the top senior tight end in the nation by a wide margin. He was the ultimate safety valve for quarterback Sam Bradford because he can get open quickly and goes over the middle with ease.

Had he come out in the 2009 NFL Draft, Gresham may have been a first-round pick. He’s more or less a prototype tight end prospect who could start immediately. Gresham compares favorably to Jason Witten of the Cowboys.

In his only season as a starter, Gresham had 66 receptions for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 37 receptions for 518 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Devin McCourty

5′10, 193 pounds | Cornerback | Rutgers

Agility: Is very smooth in his backpedal with fluid hips. Shows he has the kind of quick-twitch agility a cornerback needs. Turns and runs with ease. Shows good leaping ability.

Ball Skills: Stat line doesn’t indicate McCourty’s ball skills. Only had six career interceptions, but he did break up 27 passes. Makes plays on the ball, but doesn’t intercept a lot of passes.

Instincts: A long-time starter who shows the reaction skills to contribute immediately in the NFL. Really showed his instincts in special teams blocking seven kicks.

Man coverage: Not the best press coverage cornerback. Knows how to properly read routes, which helps his anticipation. But when he’s up in the air, larger receivers can over-power McCourty. Better at playing off instead of press. Keeps on the hip of receivers.

Pursuit: Gives a lot of effort in pursuit. Makes up for a lack of great speed by taking solid angles to the ball carrier.
Size: Has decent size for a cornerback. Not especially large, which gets him in trouble against bigger receivers.

Speed: Playing speed is only average. Much more of a quick cornerback. Can be beaten deep by fast vertical threats. Still, McCourty has good enough recovery speed and doesn’t allow a lot of yards after the catch.

Tackling/Run Support: Showed his talent as a tackler playing as a gunner on punts. Can break down in space and take on agile ball carriers. Has some trouble getting off blocks, but shows a lot of effort as a tackler.

Zone coverage: Much better in zone than man. Shows good awareness and typically keeps the play in front of him. Reads the quarterback really nicely. This allows him to get a jump on the pass.

Final word: McCourty is a seasoned cornerback who has started 39 games over the past three seasons. Played in a defensive scheme that used man and cover-2 coverage. Plays every play on special teams – returning kicks and covering.

McCourty was a team captain for Rutgers in 2009. Earned first-team All-Big East honors as a senior.

Although McCourty may never be an elite NFL cornerback, he’s incredibly solid. His special teams ability will get him on the field from day one. He may start as a nickel corner but has the skills to develop into more.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Kareem Jackson

5′10 1/2, 196 pounds | Cornerback | Alabama

Agility/Hips: Doesn’t have the best agility and looks to be a little stiff in his hips. Change-of-direction ability is lacking. Can be beaten by smaller, shiftier receivers fairly easily. Lack of hip fluidity hurts him when he transitions out of his breaks.

Ball Skills: Hands are below average. But Jackson can do just about everything else asked in this area. He makes a lot of plays on the ball and is good at breaking up a catch. Finished his three-year career with 29 pass breakups and five interceptions.

Instincts/Recognition: Jackson could improve here a good deal. Too often he got burned on double moves to the outside. Because of his lack of great agility, he can be beat on comeback routes and needs to sharpen up his instincts to know when that route may be called. Quickly diagnoses run plays.

Man coverage: Played a lot of bump and run coverage for Alabama. Knows how to properly use his hands to jam at the line. When he can stick with a receiver, he’s aggressive and can re-direct routes. Needs to smooth out his backpedal. Jackson’s feet will get choppy, which causes him to lose receivers deep.

Pursuit: Lacks great speed, which is detrimental to his deep pursuit. Has good enough short-area burst to close when the ball carrier in nearby.

Size: Has a solid size and build for the position. Arms are a little shorter than ideal. Fame is solidly built and he might not be able to add a lot of bulk.

Speed: Straight-line speed is solid but not spectacular. Has trouble sticking with shiftier receivers. Uses his physical skills to make up for a lack of speed.

Tackling/Run Support: More of a leg tackler, but does show he has the skills to wrap up and drag down. Plays stronger than he probably is.  Struggles to shed blockers to help support in run coverage. Tries to be too flashy instead of being sound.

Zone coverage: Although Jackson was used in man coverage a lot, he may be better as a zone cornerback. Jackson’s anticipation skills are very good and he reads the opposing quarterback really well. Locates the ball quickly once it’s in the air. Uses his physicality nicely in zone to move the receiver to make a play on the ball.

Final word: Jackson benefited greatly from playing in Nick Saban’s NFL-style defense. He played a lot of man on his side, but has the skill to handle zone.

Jackson’s size isn’t all that great, but he is a physical cornerback. That helps him make up for a lack of agility and speed.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Daryl Washington
6′1 3/4, 230 pounds | Outside linebacker | TCU

Coverage: Showed he’s solid dropping back into zone and covering an area. Possesses the hip flexibility and speed to man cover on running backs and tight ends.

Instincts: Although Washington only started one season for TCU, he displays very good football intelligence. He can quickly diagnose a play and figure out where it’s going. Rarely got fooled by play action plays. Very good pre-snap awareness. Blocked four punts in his career.

Pass rush: When Washington gets a gap, he’s a very good pass rusher. Works well to the inside despite his lack of strength. Can out-quick running backs to close on the quarterback. Finished his career with five and a half sacks.

Pursuit: Very smooth in his pursuit and fluid moving in space. Has the speed to track down ball carriers. But where Washington needs to improve here is in the angles he takes. Would make more plays if he was more disciplined in his pursuit.

Quickness: Washingotn might be the quickest linebacker prospect in this year’s draft. He’s always playing on his toes and can cut on a dime. Changes direction with ease and doesn’t lose speed or quickness when doing so.

Run defense: Moves around with ease thanks to his speed and agility. A true sideline-to-sideline player. Has the range to stop the run from all sides of the field. Uses his speed to recover when he takes poor angles.

Size: Washington has good height and length, but he doesn’t have a lot of bulk. Undersized build for an NFL linebacker. While he has the frame to get bigger, it may affect his agility – which is his best asset.

Strength: Not the best strength. Doesn’t have the functional take-on strength to be a force in the running game. Has the speed and instincts to overcome his strength limitations.

Tackling: Not much of a power tackler. Typically has to drag down stronger running backs and tight ends. Needs to increase his take-on strength. Can be shrugged off when he doesn’t use proper tackling fundamentals.

Versatility: Played inside in TCU’s 4-2-5 scheme. Has the instincts to hold the middle, just not the size. Because of that, he should only be considered an outside linebacker. Played a lot on special teams, which is an added bonus.

Final word: Although Washington played in 51 games, he only started one season for the Horned Frogs. He is incredibly athletic and fast, which makes him a real talent on special teams.

Washington may have to start there in the pros while he bulks up and learns a more standard NFL defensive scheme.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Montario Hardesty
5′11 3/4, 225 pounds | Running back | Tennessee

Acceleration: Hardesty is a one-cut runner who quickly makes a decision and hits the hole. Shows a good power burst through the line. May not have the quickest of feet and doesn’t change direction with ease.

Elusiveness: Is not an incredibly shifty runner. He gets most of his yards based on what his blockers can set up. Doesn’t have the fastest feet and it shows in the open field. Because he doesn’t have the sudden movements of a smaller back, he doesn’t make many defenders miss. Hardesty is more of a fundamentally sound running back who is patient before hitting the hole.

Pass catching: This is an area where Hardesty separates himself from other running backs. He had 25 catches as a senior and is used on more than screens and check down throws. He’s been used in the slot and has solid route running knowledge.

Pass blocking: Is an aware pass blocker with enough smarts to at least get in a blocker’s way. May not be fundamentally sound, but gives a good effort. Needs to stay upright more as he’ll too frequently go after a pass rusher’s feet.

Power: This is Hardesty’s biggest strength. He’s powerful runner and can shrug off arm tackles. Easily can be described as a downhill runner. Displays a strong core and keeps his legs moving to gain extra yards. Could run a little more compact, however.

Size: At 225 pounds on his 5′11 frame, Hardesty has optimal size. He may not be able to get much bigger, but his size is good enough. Strong throughout his frame.

Speed: Hardesty’s playing speed isn’t quite as good as his timed speed. He won’t break a lot of big runs and can be caught from behind.

Vision: The balance Hardesty displays when working through traffic is excellent. Displays good patience waiting behind his offensive line while they make lanes. Doesn’t seem to get flustered when opponents get penetration.

Final word: After sputtering along his first three years at Tennessee, Hardesty came on a senior. He ran for 1,308 yards on hte year and 12 touchdowns. Hardest ran for 2,536 yards in his career on 560 attempts (4.5 avg.). Also had 26 career rushing touchdowns. Finished with 38 career receptions for 405 yards and a touchdown. Twenty-five of his receptions came in 2009.

Hardesty’s best asset is his power. He won’t outrun many opponents, but he can run through them. He rates as high as he does because he combines his power with pass catching ability.

Still, he has an injury history that can’t be ignored. Had a stress fracture in 2008, missed a lot of time in 2007 with ankle sprains and tore his ACL in high school. You also have to question Hardesty’s ordinary play until his senior year.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Kyle Wilson – Boise State

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 5’10/194

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Asante Samuel – Philadelphia Eagles

Position Traits

Agility/Hips: Very quick and fluid hips. Shows a lot of flexibility when swinging to either side. Remains balanced throughout. Light on his feet and changes direction with ease at a high speed.

Ball Skills: Reacts to the ball better than most receivers. Can adjust his body to any angle in order to ensure he comes down with the ball. Positions his body well and times his breaks with consistent precision. Has the hands of a receiver.

Body Control: Plays with complete balance from head to toe, constantly upright and in position to explode in a break.

Instincts/Recognition: Very smart player that anticipates throws. Gets himself moving towards the action before the ball is even thrown. Does trust his instincts too much at times, can be fooled and caught gambling. Gets caught peeking in to the backfield, will lose track of what is behind him in zone coverage.

Man Coverage/Turning Ability/Press Skill: Loves this part of the game. Likes to be physical at the point of attack and has abused receivers trying to get off his jam. Has the speed and quick step to shadow a receiver all over the field. Fluid as he turns and runs, maintains acceleration while keeping track of the ball.

Pursuit: Likes to fly around and pursues plays on the other side of the field. A true hustler that knows his speed, takes proper angles.

Speed: Reaches top speed fat, but may lack the top tier deep speed. Does not seem to trust himself against a fast receiver, will give a lot of cushion if he does not have the over-the-top help.

Tackling/Run Support: Very physical, shows zero hesitation in throwing his body in to the action. Can blitz with the best of them, and he knows how to finish. Wraps up more than the average cornerback but will get caught diving at the ankles.

Zone Coverage: Can use his reading ability and explosion well with the action transpiring in front of him. Does not do well when moving backwards in zone coverage, loses track of the action behind him.

Final Word: Because Wilson played a lower level of Division I football, it was important for him to go down to Mobile and perform at the Senior Bowl. He was, without a doubt, the top cornerback there and he cemented himself as a first round caliber talent. His ball skills are top notch (10 career INTs – 27 pass breakups) and his ability to read a quarterback and time his breaks are NFL ready. He can play man coverage in any NFL scheme right away because of the quickness and his physical nature. His intangibles are top notch and the option he brings to the table as a solid return specialist will only increase his value, possibly in to the top 20. With the NFL constantly looking for athlete that can fulfill multiple roles each week, Wilson is going to catch the eye of a lot of evaluators.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Jeff Owens – Georgia

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’1 – 304

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Kendrick Clancy – New Orleans Saints

Position Traits

Pass Rush/Closing Ability/Moves and Counter Moves: Does not factor in to the equation as a pass rusher. Does not use his arms well to get off blocks, and does not get in to the gap quickly. Just 4.5 career sacks.

Pursuit/Lateral Movement/Agility: Does not pursue well. Motor is off and on and the overall athleticism is sub-par. Can be light on his feet when his legs are fresh. Average agility within the B-gaps.

Quickness/Explosion: Gets the initial step off the snap well, but lacks the quickness when engaged. Feet are too often stagnant. Does not get in to the blocker’s body enough.

Run Defend/Recognition: Struggles to read the down block, has been completely washed out of gaps too much for his position. Has a questionable IQ because he is not found near the action as much as an interior defensive lineman should be.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Short and round frame with naturally thick legs. Appears to have a lot of bad weight, could use some muscle gain/fat loss. Can be the bowling ball type that is tough to move and tough to lock on to if he can strengthen the base.

Strength/Ability to Shed Blocks: Gets locked on to if he does not get the initial advantage off the snap. Does not use a low center of gravity with consistency, plays too high for a player at his height. When he is fresh, he can get off blocks and at the very least alter a running lane.

Tackling: Was not a big factor in taking down the ball carrier at Georgia. Totals around 2 tackles per game. Does not adjust well to a shifty back.

Technique/Hand Use/Leverage: Strong hands that control the engagement when he is in position to do so. Active upper body that can rip away from a blockers hands. Inconsistent use of leverage, likely a result of poor conditioning. Needs to refine his footwork.

Versatility: Used mainly as an inside gap-to-gap lineman. Can play a two gap role, not a penetrator. Best fit would likely come as a 4-3 nose tackle that eats up a double team. Not athletic enough for the outside in a 3-4.

Final Word: Owens was another Georgia Bulldog defensive lineman that did not fulfill the long term promise shown in his early career. He had a lot of issues with consistency as a pass rusher and as a plug against the run. His motor ran hot and cold despite being part of a rotation within the defense, and one has to question the dedication when it comes to offseason conditioning. Without an abundance of natural talent, Owens will need to get himself in to better shape and focus on the little details of the position if he is going to stick around on an NFL roster. The upside is limited with him, and he will likely top out as a rotational player/backup. Late rounder that should get drafted by a team looking to add depth inside.

Popularity: 2% [?]

LeGarrette Blount

Scout: David Syvertsen

Height/Weight: 6’1/245

40 Time:

Pro Potential: Deuce McCalister – New Orleans Saints

Position Traits

Acceleration/Burst/Quickness: Can explode through a hole when he is moving downhill. A quick north/south runner that gets to top speed quickly when he diagnoses the hole. Does not move nearly as fast when forced to move laterally.

Ball Protection: Runs with an aggressive style but does a nice job of keeping the ball tight to his body.

Elusiveness/Feet/Agility: Has surprising ability to make himself small and miss the meat of a hit. Can slither his way out of a tackle and keep him momentum moving forward. Does look stiff in space, does not always make the effort to miss a tackle. Has light feet for a 240+ pound back.

Pass Catching: Just four receptions in his two years at Oregon. Was not used as a receiving option. He showed soft hands at the Senior Bowl, but it was easy to notice the lack of fluidity when it came to running routes and seeing the ball in.

Pass Blocking: A force when it comes to picking up the blitz. Delivers a strong blow and maintains the control of the engagement. Seems to enjoy this aspect of the game, willing and physical.

Power: Strong and violent runner. Once he gets all of his momentum moving north, defenders bounce off him. Breaks tackles on nearly every run. Can get his pad level low enough so that the maximum power can be exerted to the defender. Uses a strong stiff arm to toss away the unbalanced tacklers.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Huge body with a long frame, long arms. Carries 240+ pounds comfortably. An intimidating ball carrier at the second level for defensive backs to deal with.

Speed: Does not have the elite speed in the open field, but he has shown enough speed to run away from some defensive backs. Reaches top speed quick, making him appear to be faster than he is.

Vision/Balance/Running Instincts: Outstanding vision, locates the inside lanes quickly and gets in to them in a blink. Has experience in an offense that uses elements of a zone blocking scheme, giving the back the option to sit and wait, or explode through the trenches. Is a patient ball carrier that consistently makes the right decisions in the backfield.

Final Word: When just talking about his talent and ability to carry the football, Blount is one of the most intriguing backs in the 2010 class. He is a powerful ball carrier that has the athletic ability to break one loose down the field. He has underrated speed and quickness and I’ve seen him make some cuts that very few backs are capable of at 240+ pounds. Like every prospect however, the intangibles/character have to be looked in to and unfortunately for Blount, there are a few red flags. The beginning of his 2009 offseason training involved him being suspended for missing workouts and struggling academically. The well documented punch to a Boise State player following the week one loss put Blount on the bench for almost the entire year. Considering he was a junior college transfer prior to his strong 2008 season, having just one year of Division I experience under his belt is a concern. However the strong week he had at the Senior Bowl showed the kind of ability he has. He will be a gamble but the upside is enormous, as he has the skills to be an every down back and contribute right away in a dual back system. Middle round grade that could be bumped down to the 5th-6th round area because of the red flags with his character.

Popularity: 2% [?]