VJCPatriot
Pro Bowl Player
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Thanks for the Hageman article. It was a good read and gave me a lot to think about.
The first thing that I picked up on right away is that Hageman was a TE conversion project. Then he moved to DE. Then he moved to DT where he was the team captain his senior year. That shows some impressive versatility.
Can you imagine Hageman reporting in as an eligible receiver on goal line formations? He would continue the Mike Vrabel tradition of a Pats DE lining up as a TE on offense. A 6'6 300 lb receving threat... who would be ready for that? I can picture the DBs eyes going big as saucers trying to figure out what the heck to do to stop a beast like Hageman on a goal line stand.
As far as where he projects for us, I would see him lining up at LDE. If he ever reached his full potential I could picture him playing the Justin Smith role for us. I think it will take time, but it's quite possible that with proper coaching, Hageman could be ready to contribute more fully by the end of the season. That is he's a candidate to make the Jamie Collins late season leap.
And if you have ever analyzed the 49ers defense, you would see that Aldon Smith benefits greatly by having a Justin Smith type on the opposite end. When Justin Smith was hurt, Aldon Smith's production suffered. Conversely if Hageman could mature into a Justin Smith type at LDE, I could see Chandler Jone's productivity taking a step up to the next level just because there's a legitimate threat lined up opposite him.
Furthermore, Hageman's physical tools are just impressive all around. He has prototypical size with a 6'6 310 lb frame. Add on top of that his lengthy 34 1/4" arms and 10 1/4" size mitts. In a Nascar package, I would picture Hageman moving inside, while Ninkovich takes the DE spot. And he would bother a LOT of throws with his huge mitts and long arms. Even if he doesn't get to the QB, he could bat down his fair share of passes. Hageman also had the 2nd most reps at the DT position with 32 bench presses.
So what's the downside? Well on film, he doesn't quite measure up to his physical and athletic potential. He plays with a high pad level. He gets washed out against the run too often for a guy with his size/strength. And he looks fairly overmatched against the double team. These mistakes are probably correctable with proper coaching, but at the moment they are glaring weaknesses.
And then of course there is his background. His history of temper issues. Being raised in a foster home by white parents. Being suspended for the week of his high school championship game for getting into a verbal altercation at lunch.
You have to wonder if he has the stability to be a #1 pick. If he can translate his vast potential into actual impact on the football field. But reading over his story, I see that he has very strong family support. He was raised right. I think that if he fails, it won't be because he got in trouble with the law, it will be more that he just never managed to translate his talent to the pro level.
I think in the end that it is a big gamble. But at the backend of the draft, it's hard to find someone with his physical potential and upside. If he succeeds he could be the next Mo Wilkerson or Justin Smith and he would become a fixture for us on defense.
He would also offer versatility that BB covets and create mismatches on the defensive line. It's a tough call, but barring a more sure talent sliding to 29, I would bet on Hageman to succeed. The Pats organization also offers the kind of structure and established routine that a kid like Hageman really needs in place to realize his full potential. If he goes to a less well put together team, a chaotic situation, I could see him flopping spectacularly.
The first thing that I picked up on right away is that Hageman was a TE conversion project. Then he moved to DE. Then he moved to DT where he was the team captain his senior year. That shows some impressive versatility.
Can you imagine Hageman reporting in as an eligible receiver on goal line formations? He would continue the Mike Vrabel tradition of a Pats DE lining up as a TE on offense. A 6'6 300 lb receving threat... who would be ready for that? I can picture the DBs eyes going big as saucers trying to figure out what the heck to do to stop a beast like Hageman on a goal line stand.
As far as where he projects for us, I would see him lining up at LDE. If he ever reached his full potential I could picture him playing the Justin Smith role for us. I think it will take time, but it's quite possible that with proper coaching, Hageman could be ready to contribute more fully by the end of the season. That is he's a candidate to make the Jamie Collins late season leap.
And if you have ever analyzed the 49ers defense, you would see that Aldon Smith benefits greatly by having a Justin Smith type on the opposite end. When Justin Smith was hurt, Aldon Smith's production suffered. Conversely if Hageman could mature into a Justin Smith type at LDE, I could see Chandler Jone's productivity taking a step up to the next level just because there's a legitimate threat lined up opposite him.
Furthermore, Hageman's physical tools are just impressive all around. He has prototypical size with a 6'6 310 lb frame. Add on top of that his lengthy 34 1/4" arms and 10 1/4" size mitts. In a Nascar package, I would picture Hageman moving inside, while Ninkovich takes the DE spot. And he would bother a LOT of throws with his huge mitts and long arms. Even if he doesn't get to the QB, he could bat down his fair share of passes. Hageman also had the 2nd most reps at the DT position with 32 bench presses.
So what's the downside? Well on film, he doesn't quite measure up to his physical and athletic potential. He plays with a high pad level. He gets washed out against the run too often for a guy with his size/strength. And he looks fairly overmatched against the double team. These mistakes are probably correctable with proper coaching, but at the moment they are glaring weaknesses.
And then of course there is his background. His history of temper issues. Being raised in a foster home by white parents. Being suspended for the week of his high school championship game for getting into a verbal altercation at lunch.
You have to wonder if he has the stability to be a #1 pick. If he can translate his vast potential into actual impact on the football field. But reading over his story, I see that he has very strong family support. He was raised right. I think that if he fails, it won't be because he got in trouble with the law, it will be more that he just never managed to translate his talent to the pro level.
I think in the end that it is a big gamble. But at the backend of the draft, it's hard to find someone with his physical potential and upside. If he succeeds he could be the next Mo Wilkerson or Justin Smith and he would become a fixture for us on defense.
He would also offer versatility that BB covets and create mismatches on the defensive line. It's a tough call, but barring a more sure talent sliding to 29, I would bet on Hageman to succeed. The Pats organization also offers the kind of structure and established routine that a kid like Hageman really needs in place to realize his full potential. If he goes to a less well put together team, a chaotic situation, I could see him flopping spectacularly.
