NFL Draft 2014 Preview (31 page)

Strengths:
Has outstanding size and vines for arms — sheer mass and length makes it difficult for rushers to run the arc on him. Has strength to anchor. Wins with his hands. Pulls with a head of steam and can eliminate defenders when he has a bead. Logged 43 career starts.

Weaknesses:
Plays too tall and needs to drop anchor more consistently. Heavy on his feet and tends to bend at the waist. Lethargic shifting his weight — stressed by speed and quickness and cannot recover when beaten. Limited hip snap and is not sudden or explosive. Does not breathe fire — plays smaller than his size in the run game and does not seek to bury defenders. Weight has fluctuated and conditioning needs to be monitored closely. Recorded the slowest 10-yard split (2.08 seconds) of any participant at the Combine and tied for the lowest vertical jump (211/2 inches) among all offensive linemen.

Future:
Big, long-armed leaner with sheer size and length and enough movement skill to function at an adequate level on the right side, though his high-maintenance conditioning, intermittent intensity and uneven performance turns off some teams. Developmental project.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take: “
Once (Moses) gets his hands on you, it’s all over. He’s got great length and he knows how to use it. I like his six-inch punch. Where he gets in trouble is handling quickness and speed. He has no recovery (speed) once he gets beat off the ball.”

C MATTHEW PARADIS, #65

BOISE STATE
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Grade: 5.02

Ht: 6-2 5/8 | Wt: 306 | Sp: 5.34 | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
Grew up on an Idaho farm. Played eight-man football in high school, won a state championship and was named Idaho’s 1A Player of the Year award. Also won a state discus championship and played basketball. Tore his left ACL in 2007. Was lightly recruited, walked on and grayshirted in ’08. Redshirted as a defensive tackle in ’09, earning Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year recognition. Saw action in just one game in ’10. Earned a scholarship going into ’11 when he converted to center and played eight games, drawing one start as an injury replacement. Stepped into the lineup and started all 25 games at center 2012-13.

Strengths:
Plays on his feet with good balance. Generates movement in the run game. Seeks to bury defenders. Strong 6-inch punch. Good hand placement. Firm base in pass protection. Plays with leverage to bend and slide. Alert to stunts and blitzes. Tough and competitive. Terrific intangibles, including leadership traits — humble, hardworking and highly respected.

Weaknesses:
Is not big-framed and body is nearly maxed out. Could stand to improve weight-room strength. Average athlete for the position. Might be stressed by larger, more powerful wide-body nose tackles. Falls off blocks when he bends at the waist. Questionable long-term durability (hip).

Future:
A converted defensive lineman and former walk-on, Paradis is a stoutly built, intelligent, hard-nosed overachiever who will make it difficult for coaches to cut him.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

OLT-OLG MATT PATCHAN, #71

BOSTON COLLEGE
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Grade: 5.18

Ht: 6-6 1/4 | Wt: 302 | Sp: 4.97 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Father was an offensive tackle at Miami (1983-87) and was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 1988 draft. Matt was a USA Today All-American and highly regarded defensive end-left tackle out of Florida. Suffered soft tissue damage in May ’08 when he was shot in the shoulder — was a bystander at a park when a man shot into a crowd. In the fall, began his college career at the University of Florida, where he was recruited as a defensive lineman and played 11 games (one start), recording seven tackles, one tackle for loss and 1 1/2 sacks. Switched to offensive tackle in ’09 — played the first four games before suffering a torn right ACL injury (received a medical hardship, preserving a year of eligibility). Was sidelined in ’10 after fracturing his right wrist during fall camp (had a second surgery in November). Played 12 games in ’11, starting the final seven at right tackle — did not play in the Gator Bowl against Ohio State (back). Tore a pectoral muscle during summer lifting and missed the ’12 season. Transferred to BC to play for Steve Addazio, his position coach at UF, and was healthy enough to start all 13 games at left tackle for the Eagles.

Strengths:
Fires out of his stance. Effective with an angle. Good foot speed when asked to pull or get to the second level. Functional kick-slide. Flashes a strong punch. Aggressive and competitive. Has tools to work with. Led all offensive linemen at the Combine with a 331/2-inch vertical jump.

Weaknesses:
Short arms. Lacks ideal bulk and core strength — lengthy injury history has stunted physical development. Gets walked back. Limited hip snap — does not generate power. Hand use needs work. Inconsistent leverage. Bends at the waist. Balance issues. Inconsistent body control on the move — struggles to connect and sustain. Has underachiever traits and thinks he’s better than he is. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
A Florida transfer, Patchan’s lone season at BC was the first of his career in which he was a healthy, full-time starter. He’s a tall, stiff, linear, zone blocker whose relatively short wingspan dictates a shift to guard, though he isn’t ideally suited for the interior given his core strength deficiency and wobbly base. Practice-squad candidate who must dedicate himself to the weight room and the practice field and tap into the raw ability that made him a highly sought after recruit in order to have longevity.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

ORT ANTONIO RICHARDSON, #74 (JUNIOR)

TENNESSEE
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Grade: 5.58

Ht: 6-5 3/4 | Wt: 336 | Sp: 5.31 | Arm: 35 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Nicknamed “Tiny”.Tennessee native. Appeared in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2011, primarily on special teams. In ’12, stepped into the lineup and started all 12 games at left tackle. Had off-season knee surgery and missed ’13 spring practice. In the fall, started all 12 games at LT.

Strengths:
Looks the part with long arms and outstanding overall size and mass to cover up defenders in the run game and generate a push. Good strength to anchor vs. power and possesses enough brute strength to hold his ground even when he locks his legs. Is not easily moved and can position-sustain. Bends fairly well for as big as he is and is agile enough to handle speed.

Weaknesses:
Is not a finisher and carries underachiever tendencies, displaying inconsistent effort and technique. Rises out of his stance and relies too much on his natural power, letting defenders walk him back. Plays too passively and gives more ground than he should. Is late to reach the second level and gives up instead of peeling back to pick off another defender. Hand use is very raw — not active and does not replace. Could require some time to assimilate a playbook.

Future:
A big, strong, athletic college left tackle who might be more naturally suited for the right side in the pros, Richardson is agile enough to protect the blind side if he learns to become a better hand technician. Has the look of a Pittsburgh prototype and compares favorably to Steelers 2011 second-round pick Marcus Gilbert. Has clear, unrefined starter traits.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s big, long and has upside, but he doesn’t learn well. He’s not a tough kid. Oregon outquicked him all day long. I worry about what kind of edge he has. For as big and long-armed as he is, he’s not really strong or powerful. He’s a finesse guy. I thought he did a solid job against Clowney (in 2012) and was expecting more. He’s a third-rounder for me.”

OLG CYRIL RICHARDSON, #68

BAYLOR
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Grade: 5.40

Ht: 6-4 3/4 | Wt: 329 | Sp: 5.36 | Arm: 34 5/8 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
New Orleans native who moved to Texas after Hurricane Katrina. Redshirted in 2009. Played 12 games in ’10, starting four at left guard. Did not play against Texas. Moved to left tackle in ’11 and started all 13 games, grading out at 80.8 percent with 70 knockdowns. Started 12-of-13 games at left guard in ’12, grading out at 89.8 percent with 105 knockdowns. Lone non-start was against Kansas when he was suspended for the first half by the Big 12 Conference for kicking an Iowa State player in the groin. Was an Outland Trophy finalist in ’13 when he started all 13 games at left guard, grading out at 89 percent with 89 knockdowns. Was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year (coaches) his final two seasons.

Strengths:
Outstanding size and girth with legitimate strength. Sturdy base and heavy anchor — squats a small house and is dependable in pass protection. Can work his hips and gain positioning in the run game. Walls off and seals. Packs a jolting punch and plays with a load in his hands — latches on, controls and steers. Wins in a phone booth and can manhandle smaller linemen. Enough balance, coordination and foot speed to pull and trap effectively. Has played tackle and guard. Conditioned in an up-tempo, no-huddle offense.

Weaknesses:
Bad body — has a fleshy midsection and could stand to shed some bad weight. Lateral agility and recovery quickness are just adequate. Gets in trouble when his feet stall or he bends at the waist (slips off blocks). Intermittent intensity — does not play violently or impose his will physically as often as he
should. Could stand to become more of a nasty finisher. Has underachiever traits. Questionable motivation and passion for the game.

Future:
Massive road grader with grown-man strength which enables him to reestablish the line of scrimmage in the run game and thwart the rush. Versatility to play right tackle adds to value and he has plug-and-play capability in a power scheme, though bust factor cannot be ignored.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is an underachiever. He scares me. He’s a backup for me. He has a bad body. He plays the game lazy. I found myself yelling at him on tape. Then again, there was one time when he tosses his hand out and blasts someone with his punch. He is capable when he wants to, but it’s going to be difficult to get it out of him. He needs some time to digest what he sees. That’s part of why he struggled so much at the Senior Bowl. He can’t find the guys he is supposed to eventually block. You can see it if the defense lines up in a blitz package or multiple front. He can’t handle a zone scheme. There’s going to be a huge learning curve. If you take him too early, it’s going to put too much pressure on him.”

C WESTON RICHBURG, #70

COLORADO STATE
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Grade: 5.32

Ht: 6-3 3/8 | Wt: 298 | Sp: 5.11 | Arm: 33 3/8 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
Also played basketball and threw the discus as a Texas prep. Tore his right ACL in high school and did not play his sophomore and junior seasons. Redshirted in 2009. Started all 12 games in ’10 — first three at strong-side guard, final nine at center. Started all 12 games at ’11, including the first nine at center before breaking a bone in his right (snapping) hand against San Diego State — stayed in the lineup by playing left tackle the next two games and right guard in the final contest. Started all 26 games at center 2012-13. Team captain established a new school record with 50 career starts.

Strengths:
Good snap-and-step quickness. Maneuvers to gain positioning. Good mobility — gets out of the chute quickly as a puller and demonstrates nice body control. Good awareness. Energetic and aggressive temperament. Durable, 49-game starter. Vocal team leader with outstanding intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal girth and could be stressed by widebody nose tackles. Average hip snap — lacks body power to blow defensive tackles off the ball. Lacks elite athleticism to execute reach blocks. Can improve grip strength to better control defenders (average sustain) — slides off some blocks. Inconsistent contact balance, especially at the second level where he can be more efficient connecting and fitting.

Future:
Adequate-sized, smart, experienced, competitive center who commanded the offensive line, made all the calls and was a team leader for the Rams. At worst, should stick as a backup, but has developmental value and starter potential in a zone scheme. Could help himself by proving versatile enough to back up at guard.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He played better last year than he did when I saw him this year.”

OLT GREG ROBINSON, #73 (SOPH-3)

AUBURN
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Grade: 7.60

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 35 | Sp: 4.92 | Arm: 35 | Hand: 10

History:
Highly recruited out of Louisiana, where he was a state champion shot putter. Redshirted in 2011. Started 11-of-12 games played at left tackle in ’12 — was benched against Alabama A&M. In ’13, started all 14 games at left tackle for the national runners-up. Has a right meniscus surgery on his medical record. Left school early to support his family — lost his father in April ’13, his mother struggles to make ends meet and he has four siblings, two of which were incarcerated for selling drugs.