Scouting Report: A.J. Cann, OG

Hopefully everyone has recovered from a great Super Bowl victory. It is now officially draft season, so here is another report on a position most people think needs to be addressed.

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2015/02/scouting-report-a-j-cann-og.html#more-33340

This year seems like a likely year for the pats to trade down, but I thought that last season too

I have been a huge cann fan since I saw him last season. I think the scouting report left out that he needs to get stronger and he needs sometimes struggles to make blocks at the second level.

He is however a total monster and save ngata, not one nfl big body dt can move him.

Thanks Ochmed,
You are probably right on the strength aspect. In the games I watched it did not show up, but watching tape today of some Mizzou prospects I did see he struggled to anchor as consistent as he had in previous tape.

I think his body type does lean more towards that powerful in line blocker, but I saw enough movement skills to not be overly concerned with his blocks at the second level. He gets there, I just think its some technique issues that are correctable (angles, patience, and balance)

I've seen some draft sites mock Cann to the Patriots at #32. Does anyone feel that is a bit early for a guard? If he has a Logan Mankins effect on the OL, then great. But we usually don't draft interior OL that early. Interior OL IS a need however. If Stork got some quality help, Brady would have more time to throw next year, and that's bad news for NFL defenses!!

VJCPatriot said:

I've seen some draft sites mock Cann to the Patriots at #32. Does anyone feel that is a bit early for a guard? If he has a Logan Mankins effect on the OL, then great. But we usually don't draft interior OL that early. Interior OL IS a need however. If Stork got some quality help, Brady would have more time to throw next year, and that's bad news for NFL defenses!!

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I like Cann very much, but I think 32 is a bit high for him. 2nd round with a trade back, or a trade up from 64, would be ok with me. I could see BB drafting someone like Cam Erving in the 1st, as he has the tools to be a 5 position lineman. There are certainly tackle/guard prospects worth the #32 pick. It's a tough call - I would consider a 10 year starter at LG worth a 1st round pick, but I also think that there are good prospects available later.

My concern with Cann is that there's not a lot of flexibility. Be definitely can't play tackle and I'm not sure whether he's a centre. His arguably the best pure OG in the draft but if they're drafting a LG, I'm hoping it's someone who could cover them at LT if Solder doesn't come back in 2016.

The more I look at this class from an offensive line perspective, the more I dislike it. I was hoping the poor showing from Clemmings at the Senior Bowl would drop him into the Patriots range, but the more I look at this class, he may be the #1 tackle in the class, and I don't necessarily want to keep him there.
Sambraillo is a guy who could potentially play all spots, but he needs to get a lot stronger before he is ready to play.

manxman2601 said:

My concern with Cann is that there's not a lot of flexibility. Be definitely can't play tackle and I'm not sure whether he's a centre. His arguably the best pure OG in the draft but if they're drafting a LG, I'm hoping it's someone who could cover them at LT if Solder doesn't come back in 2016.

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midwestpatsfan said:

The more I look at this class from an offensive line perspective, the more I dislike it. I was hoping the poor showing from Clemmings at the Senior Bowl would drop him into the Patriots range, but the more I look at this class, he may be the #1 tackle in the class, and I don't necessarily want to keep him there.
Sambraillo is a guy who could potentially play all spots, but he needs to get a lot stronger before he is ready to play.

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I don't think there are a lot of guys who are ready to step in and impact. Zack Martin and Joel Bitonio set a rather ridiculous standard in that respect. TJ Clemmings probably has the most upside but he's raw. I'm not yet sold on DJ Humphries. Cedric Ogbuehi needs to get stronger. Brandon Scherff and La'el Collins are probably better suited inside. I think that Cam Erving and AJ Cann may be the 2 guys who are most likely to step in and contribute right away; of those 2, Erving has much more versatility. But I'm leaning towards some of the day 2 guys, as I don't see much value to spending a 1st on a developmental lineman.

I tend to agree with you at this point Mayo. There will have to be a lot of guys off my board before Irving and Cann are considered in the 1st. I am lower on Irving I think than most. Like him as a center, but as a tackle, I am not convinced.

midwestpatsfan said:

I tend to agree with you at this point Mayo. There will have to be a lot of guys off my board before Irving and Cann are considered in the 1st. I am lower on Irving I think than most. Like him as a center, but as a tackle, I am not convinced.

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I like Erving best as a LG. He's a bit tall for center, though Mike Pouncey is 6'5". My best guess is that he could be a dominant LG who can play all 5 positions at an adequate level. Grid thinks he's best suited for tackle.

manxman2601 said:

My concern with Cann is that there's not a lot of flexibility. Be definitely can't play tackle and I'm not sure whether he's a centre. His arguably the best pure OG in the draft but if they're drafting a LG, I'm hoping it's someone who could cover them at LT if Solder doesn't come back in 2016.

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At his max potential, I do not think cann will become as good a player as mankins was, however cann fills a need on our roster if only as a guard.

I see a guy like dismukes of auburn, despite what looks like short arms and a bad texas a&m game film and I see a guy that could play any of the three interior ol spots.

Ochmed Jones said:

At his max potential, I do not think cann will become as good a player as mankins was, however cann fills a need on our roster if only as a guard.

I see a guy like dismukes of auburn, despite what looks like short arms and a bad texas a&m game film and I see a guy that could play any of the three interior ol spots.

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I want LT versatility if I'm using a high pick on an OG unless I'm getting an elite guard. I like Cann, I think he's worth a second round pick but I wouldn't draft him ahead of Scherff, Collins, Clemmings, Erving.

midwestpatsfan said:

The more I look at this class from an offensive line perspective, the more I dislike it. I was hoping the poor showing from Clemmings at the Senior Bowl would drop him into the Patriots range, but the more I look at this class, he may be the #1 tackle in the class, and I don't necessarily want to keep him there.
Sambraillo is a guy who could potentially play all spots, but he needs to get a lot stronger before he is ready to play.

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I love this OL class. Scherff, Clemmings and Collins re potentially elite guards and Erving, whilst not elite, is someone that can start at any position on the OL and would do so for 10-12 years. That's four excellent starters you can wait for at 32 and if all are gone by the time you pick, something I'm not convinced of, there's still Cann, Fisher, Poutasi, Tomlinson and maybe Sambrailo that all have early starter upside as insurance. And that doesn't include Donovan Smith, Tre Jackson, Jamil Douglas, Ali Marpet, and John Miller who are more of a projection to start in year one but have starter upside.

Ochmed Jones said:

I have been a huge cann fan...

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Hey, you're not alone...

Don't get me wrong, I like the guys you mentioned too, problem is I think they are all gone before the Patriots can pick one of them. I would put Cann ahead of Irving, but that is just me. Depending on how the board falls, Cann is in play for me at 32.
I also agree that some of the names could develop into good players, I am just impatient and want to find someone who can come in and start day 1.