Off The Grid
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
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- Apr 20, 2010
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NFP's Wes Bunting on OT Derek Sherrod ~ PreSeason
Mocking the Draft on Derek Sherrod
Draft Insider on Derek Sherrod
Bleacher Report's Danny Flynn on Derek Sherrod
SideLine Scouting on Derek Sherrod
OT Derek Sherrod: No. 79 (6-5, 305)
A tall, long-armed athlete who possesses good overall size and length for the position. Exhibits above-average balance, range and body control on his kick-slide from a two-point stance. Does a nice job reaching the corner, staying somewhat compact with his footwork and is fluid changing directions in space. However, isn’t the most natural of benders, struggles to really sit into his stance and keep his pad level down through the play. Isn’t the most patient of punchers either and will lunge into defenders off the edge, lose balance and doesn’t exhibit great hand placement on contact. Too often gets his hands too low at the point or outside the frame of pass rushers, loses balance and ends up on his toes when asked to sit into his stance and anchor. Does a nice job working to stay engaged, but isn’t real heavy handed and doesn’t play with ideal leverage. Can be bullied into the backfield and gets himself into trouble against physical rushers.
Exhibits a good initial burst out of his stance in the run game, understands angles and has the ability to quickly zone step and seal defenders away from the play. Looks natural on the move, is quickly able to get out of the second level, drop his pad level and hit a moving target. But isn’t overly dominant on contact. Allows defenders to work their way off his blocks and doesn’t have the type of power or mental makeup to simply lock out and drive opposing linebackers into the dirt. Needs to do a better job with his hand placement on contact in the run game as well. Too often keeps his hands too low when asked to engage and can be easily swatted on at the point. However, does exhibit good body control and footwork on the move when trying to mirror on slide-down blocks or get around and reach.
Impression: A smooth, graceful blocker with good range, change of direction skills and quickness in both the run and pass game. Needs to learn to play with better hand placement and leverage. But, has the ability to mirror in space and possesses the makeup to get some looks as a potential left tackle in the NFL.
Nevertheless, I think he looks more like a right tackle in a zone scheme.
Mocking the Draft on Derek Sherrod
Derek Sherrod ~ 6'6, 300 pounds | Offensive tackle | Mississippi State
Agility: Is a very good athlete for the position. Can move around with ease and doesn't have heavy feet. Very fluid. Is decent on the move.
Movement: Sherrod has good movement in the short area. He's fine moving left, right and backward. Where he struggles some is going forward. When Sherrod is on the move, he tends to lunge at defenders and lose leverage.
Pass blocking: Is exceptionally light on his feet with great quickness and agility. Has a very good first move to beat speed rushers to the outside. Against power rushers, Sherrod gets good knee bend to absorb and redirect. Has to get better using his hands to work inside. Struggles when stronger defenders get inside his pads and drive him back. Doesn't always finish off blocks.
Quickness: Sherrod has elite foot quickness, which is what makes him such a good pass blocker. Really fires off the snap. Doesn't get beat to the first move by defensive linemen.
Run blocking: Is solid as a run blocker. Does well holding up defensive linemen, but doesn't always overpower defenders. Properly works defenders to the inside allowing rushers to work outside. Uses his quickness to seal the outside to allow inside rushing lanes. However, Sherrod doesn't have the leg strength to power defenders backward. Could be nastier as a blocker.
Strength: Possesses only average strength. Will need to get stronger to handle power rushers in the NFL. Has an athletic frame, so you wonder how much bulk he'll be able to add. Needs to especially get stronger in his lower body.
Technique: Maintains good balance, even against powerful defenders. That's thanks to getting good knee bend. Hand usage needs refinement. Gets his arms too wide instead of keeping them in the defender's chest. Will struggle at times to pick up stunts.
Final word: Sherrod has started since his freshman season at Mississippi State. He played his first year at right tackle before moving to the left side. He's made his name as an athletic left tackle who can handle speed rushers.
Where he needs to get better is in the power aspects of the game. He doesn't drive block especially well and can be moved around by power rushers. It would also be nice to see Sherrod play with more of a mean streak and finish off more blocks.
Draft Insider on Derek Sherrod
Derek Sherrod is a thinking man’s left tackle and a blocker that uses angles and body positioning to protect the edge. Quick setting up in pass protection, Sherrod immediately gets his hands into defenders, keeps his feet moving and stays square. He blocks with good knee bend, stays with assignments and stands out in pass protection. Sherrod lacks naturally quick footwork and possesses just average strength at the point. In many ways he reminds us of Troy Kropog, fourth round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2009.
Bleacher Report's Danny Flynn on Derek Sherrod
SideLine Scouting on Derek Sherrod
Derek Sherrod - Mississippi St. (HT: 6-5½ - WT: 307)
Positives: Solid athlete... Good length and reasonably long arms... Good pass blocker... Sets up quickly... Good lateral movement and slide... Mirrors very well... Good footwork... Hard worker... Good hand placement... Good base strength and anchor... Can control defender once he locks on... Keeps his feet moving through the action... Very solid run blocker... Fires off the line into his run blocks, explodes out of his stance... Solid drive blocker... Can pull and get to the second level, brings his feet... Plays with good balance, seldom on the ground... Gets to the second level... Breaks down reasonably well and can generally hit a moving target... Takes good angles... Solid flexibility and body control... Good position blocker, does a nice job walling off defenders... Plays with reasonably good balance when run blocking... Finishes his assignments... Heady, smart, good football IQ.
Negatives: Doesn't dominate at the POA... Not especially strong at POA, needs to improve overall playing strength... Not a natural bender, will play too upright and overextend trying to reach the corner... Base gets a little too wide, leans into some blocks... Doesn't appear to play with a lot of aggression.