Scouting Report: Zach Hodges, DE/OLB

[midwestpatsfan]

A little light reading before (or after) the game today. Let me know what you think. Just about done with one for TJ Clemmings as well.

http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2014/11/scouting-report-zach-hodges-deolb.html

 

[manxman2601]

Good report. Welcome to the Zach Hodges Binky club [spoiler alert]

 

[patsfaninpa]

If we don't get an edge pass-rusher in Round 1. He's my guy in Round 2. Have a feeling Ayers is going to finish strong and get more money in free agency than we can afford to give him and will be looking for a replacement.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Have you guys seen any of Davis Tull out of UT-Chattanooga? I have heard good things but haven't found any tape yet.

 

[mayoclinic]

I just haven't been able to get on the Hodges bandwagon to the same extent as you guys. He's undoubtedly a nice player, and I don't have anything bad to say about him. But the combination of his light frame and level of competition stop me from jumping on all the way, especially as a day 2 pick. As a developmental/late round pick, it would be different. I can't think of an Ivy league play who became an impact player in the NFL, or who was a day 2 pick. Kyle Juszczyk, JC Tretter and Zac DeOssie all went 4th round, Caraun Reid in the 5th. I could get past the level of competition or the light frame, but both together really gives me pause. I'll probably be wrong, but I just haven't been able to get there yet.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Been a while, but Marcellus Wiley went to Columbia. Steve Jordan was a pretty good TE. Cam Jordan's father. Calvin Hill in the 60's. Going way back Chuck Bednarik and Sid Luckman.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I just haven't been able to get on the Hodges bandwagon to the same extent as you guys. He's undoubtedly a nice player, and I don't have anything bad to say about him. But the combination of his light frame and level of competition stop me from jumping on all the way, especially as a day 2 pick. As a developmental/late round pick, it would be different. I can't think of an Ivy league play who became an impact player in the NFL, or who was a day 2 pick. Kyle Juszczyk, JC Tretter and Zac DeOssie all went 4th round, Caraun Reid in the 5th. I could get past the level of competition or the light frame, but both together really gives me pause. I'll probably be wrong, but I just haven't been able to get there yet.

You make a good point and come draft day, I think teams will feel the same as you do and he will go lower than I will have him ranked. I think what stuck out to me was his positional flexibility and his fluid movements. He has to get bigger, no doubt.

 

[mayoclinic]

Been a while, but Marcellus Wiley went to Columbia. Steve Jordan was a pretty good TE. Cam Jordan's father. Calvin Hill in the 60's. Going way back Chuck Bednarik and Sid Luckman.

Calvin Hill was a 1st round pick out of Yale, but that's a long, long time ago.

 

[mayoclinic]

You make a good point and come draft day, I think teams will feel the same as you do and he will go lower than I will have him ranked. I think what stuck out to me was his positional flexibility and his fluid movements. He has to get bigger, no doubt.

I don't mind him as a day 3 option. Again, I may well be wrong. There's not much to dislike about the player, just those 2 concerns.

 

[kennyb]

Given his level of competition pretty hard to judge him.

 

[meatface]

Is he going to play at the senior bowl? I saw he will play in the Shrine game but will he play in both?

 

[manxman2601]

Is he going to play at the senior bowl? I saw he will play in the Shrine game but will he play in both?

He's now accepted a Senior Bowl invite so I would assume he'd play there.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

He is really going to need get much stronger, but he looks good on film against ivy leaguers.

 

[meatface]

How many FCS players get drafted in the first three rounds anyway?

 

[mayoclinic]

How many FCS players get drafted in the first three rounds anyway?

Ask Jimmy Garoppolo.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I personally can't wait to see how he does at the Senior Bowl, that will tell us a lot.

 

[manxman2601]

I saw a Zach Hodges - Jamie Collins comparison and I like that. I had been comparing Hodges to KPL, a pretty good comparison anyway, and had considered a Collins comp but just hadn't seen enough of him in coverage to really be happy comparing him to Collins. I do think for us, he fits better as a linebacker that can play the edge on passing downs rather than a regular edge player. If they don't re-sign Casillas or let Mayo go (I'm not saying they should) then I really like Hodges. BB might not see second or third round value in an undersized backup linebacker but Collins and Hightower are the reason we can go sub on 75% of plays. LB is a key element of this defense.

 

[kennyb]

Ask Jimmy Garoppolo.

Would he know off the top of his head? How do I reach him?