Building your draft board position by position - week 7: OT and QB

[Box_O_Rocks]

A late start this week.

Offensive Tackle is on the agenda for the week, heavy-legged, waste benders need not apply.

Since I didn't have time set aside for Quarterbacks on my original schedule, I'm adding them to the worklist for the week since Offensive Linemen don't seem to get folks too excited and Quarterbacks are always good for a laugh.

The Pats currently have the following tackles on the roster:

Matt Light - LT at Purdue
Brandon Gorin - RT at Purdue
Nick Kaczur - LT at Toledo
Wes Britt - LT at Alabama
Logan Mankins - LT at Fresno State
Jeff Roehl - G/RT at Northwestern

With Roehl in NFLE, Mankins set at G, and Britt coming off the Practice Squad and a serious injury his senior year, the depth at OT is pretty thin going forward. Especially in light of 2005's injury report.

At Quarterback, starter seems to be settled for the moment. One back-up slot is filled, and the Pats allocated a QB to NFLE (though he is third on the depth chart and hasn't played in either of the first two games). The Pats need one more QB for a back-up and one or two more for camp.

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/daryncolledge.html

Height: 6-4 3/8 | Weight: 299 | 40-Time: 5.04

I like Daryn Colledge because he has what BB desires from his OL "being technically sound." At 299 lbs, he'll need to get slightly bigger. As a back-up in a conditioning program, that should be no problem.

I also like Rashad Butler because he too, while too small, he could get bigger. Excellent athelte, solid technican, and mobile.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/rashadbutler.html

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

At QB, I like Drew Olson of UCLA as a sleeper pick.

He's "very smart and processes information quickly...Technically sound...An accurate passer with good touch...Has adequate arm strength...A hard worker with top intangibles...Team leader"

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/qb/drewolson.html

They say he's "probably not much more than a backup in the pros and that's best-case," but I think anybody that's smart will go up the ranks quickly.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Offensive Tackle - Day One

Eric Winston 6'7" 310 Miami http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/ericwinston.html

Daryn Colledge 6'5" 298 Boise State http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/daryncolledge.html

Guy Wimper 6'4" 310 East Carolina http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/guywhimper.html

Andrew Whitworth 6'7" 325 LSU http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/andrewwhitworth.html

My day one picks are mostly players I believe can come in and provide critical depth as rookie swing tackles. Guy Wimper is the exception, an impressively athletic LT with one year of playing experience on the OL. He made my Hula Bowl summary ("Guy Whimper 6-4 310 East Carolina looked decent at LT and LG, he could be a G or RT") for his play in that game and he really helped his stock at the Combine. I see Wimper as Practice Squad material that Dante could hammer into a versatile swing tackle/utility linemen.

Winston and Colledge are tied for top spot on my board, both have the athleticsm and technical skills Dante likes in his LTs, and either could play any OT/OG spot. Whitworth would be a better RT, but with some TE and RB help would be an adequate emergency LT.

----------

Day Two

Willie Hall 6'6" 315 Middle Tennessee State http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/williehall.html

Joe Toledo 6'5" 330 Washington http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/joetoledo.html

Jeromey Clary 6'7" 300 Kansas State http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/jeromeyclary.html

Jabari Levey 6'6" 326 South Carolina http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/jabarilevey.html

Brad Butler 6'8" 290 Virginia http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/bradbutler.html

Travis Leffew 6'4" 301 Memphis http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/travisleffew.html

Richard Collier 6'7" 360 Valdosta State http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_076004333.html
http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_025234600.html
http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_352080432

Day Two tackles feature 4 LTs and 3 RTs, mostly selected with an eye to giving Dante some raw material to screen for his Practice Squad academy.

 

[dryheat44]

Here's my QB board. My OT board needs further refining:

Omar Jacobs 6-4, 232 Bowling Green
Brodie Croyle 6-2, 205 Alabama
Bruce Gradkowski 6-1, 217 Toledo
Drew Olson 6-2, 220 UCLA
Kellen Clemens 6-2, 224 Oregon
Barrick Nealy 6-4, 225 Texas State
Erik Meyer 6-1, 210 Eastern Washington
Ingle Martin 6-2, 220 Furman
Quinton Porter 6-5, 235 Boston College

The guy I really like here is Kellen Clemens. Bright college career, thwarted by serious injury, and I think he showed at the combine he was recovered.

The first four on the list are multi-year starters. Meyer, and especially Martin, really impressed me throwing the rock at the combine. For that matter, so did Croyle, whom I didn't think had that kind of arm, and Jacobs, who improbably delivers the ball on the spot with that screwball shot-put delivery.

 

[patchick]

I don't have a lot to add to BOR's excellent tackle list, so I thought I'd start with QB. The problem is that there's really only one day-2 QB who leaps out at me: Bruce Gradkowski of Toledo . Field vision, pocket presence, good touch, outstanding leadership, love of football. Efficient and productive -- his junior year (with Kaczur at LT) Gradkowski completed 71% of his throws with a 29/7 td to int. ratio.

Nfldraftscout says: "Shows good poise stepping up in the pocket and is never rattled by pressure...Very accurate on screens, fades and underneath tosses...Throws a soft ball with a tight spiral and is very effective throwing on the move...Student of the game with good field vision...Distributes the ball."

Thehuddlereport.com says: "throws a nice, catchable ball...loves the mental aspect of football...the kid is a winner."

Negatives: Only 6'1", worked out of the shotgun a lot, average arm strength, some fumble problems.


Honorable mentions:

Drew Olson, UCLA
Erik Meyer, Eastern Washington
Brett Basanez, Northwestern

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Patchick you are too kind!

For QB, I started with the premise that we're more likely to be signing UDFA camp fodder, but also wanted players who had a chance to stick, either on the Practice Squad or shadow roster, for next years NFLE allocations. I started out looking for someone tall enough to see out of the pocket easily. I also looked for passing efficiency using the NCAA statistics page. Anybody under 1500 yds or over 4% int% was deleted, this is what was left ranked by int%. I expect Whitehurst, Betts, and Pinegar to be drafted and unavailable for UDFA signings, NE should have a good recruitment tool with the chance to learn alongside Tommy.

Name -------------------- H/W/school ---------------- comp% - int% - yds - yds/att
Kent Smith ______ 6'4.5" 216 Central Michigan ___ 60.71 _ 1.43 _ 2799 _ 6.66
John O'Neil ______ 6'5" 205 Holy Cross __________ 55.65 _ 2.08 _ 2074 _ 6.17
Jeff Rowe _______ 6'5" 220 Nevada _____________ 61.95 _ 2.57 _ 2925 _ 7.52
Trent Edwards ___ 6'4" 220 Stanford ____________ 62.69 _ 2.61 _ 1934 _ 7.22
Charlie Whitehurst 6'4" 227 Clemson ____________ 67.35 _ 2.94 _ 2483 _ 7.3
Josh Betts ______ 6'3" 225 Miami (OH) __________ 57.14 __ 3 ___ 3178 _ 7.32
Josh Padrick _____ 6'3" 207 Florida International __ 60.88 _ 3.01 _ 2461 _ 6.72
Quinton Porter ___ 6-4, 230 Boston College _______ 63.55 _ 3.27 _ 1357 _ 6.34 *(seven games)
Nick Noce ______ 6'3" 210 Arkansas State _______ 55.32 __ 3.55 _ 2052 _ 7.28
Chris Bramell ___ 6'4.5" 239 St. Francis (IN) _____ 55.87 __ 3.56 _ 2180 _ 7.76
Paul Pinegar ____ 6'4.5" 230 Fresno State ________ 63.7 __ 3.61 _ 3335 _ 8.02
Jeff Mroz _______ 6'5" 230 Yale ________________ 59.34 _ 3.85 __ 2484 _ 6.82

 

[patchick]

Name -------------------- H/W/school ---------------- comp% - int% - yds - yds/att
Kent Smith ______ 6'4.5" 216 Central Michigan ___ 60.71 _ 1.43 _ 2799 _ 6.66
John O'Neil ______ 6'5" 205 Holy Cross __________ 55.65 _ 2.08 _ 2074 _ 6.17
Jeff Rowe _______ 6'5" 220 Nevada _____________ 61.95 _ 2.57 _ 2925 _ 7.52
Trent Edwards ___ 6'4" 220 Stanford ____________ 62.69 _ 2.61 _ 1934 _ 7.22
Charlie Whitehurst 6'4" 227 Clemson ____________ 67.35 _ 2.94 _ 2483 _ 7.3
Josh Betts ______ 6'3" 225 Miami (OH) __________ 57.14 __ 3 ___ 3178 _ 7.32
Josh Padrick _____ 6'3" 207 Florida International __ 60.88 _ 3.01 _ 2461 _ 6.72
Quinton Porter ___ 6-4, 230 Boston College _______ 63.55 _ 3.27 _ 1357 _ 6.34 *(seven games)
Nick Noce ______ 6'3" 210 Arkansas State _______ 55.32 __ 3.55 _ 2052 _ 7.28
Chris Bramell ___ 6'4.5" 239 St. Francis (IN) _____ 55.87 __ 3.56 _ 2180 _ 7.76
Paul Pinegar ____ 6'4.5" 230 Fresno State ________ 63.7 __ 3.61 _ 3335 _ 8.02
Jeff Mroz _______ 6'5" 230 Yale ________________ 59.34 _ 3.85 __ 2484 _ 6.82

Interesting approach! A few notes:

- I rather like Josh Betts, who was behind Roethlisberger at Miami-OH. But I don't think he fits your criteria--he measured in at just 6'1" at his pro day, and has something of an overhead delivery due to his size.

- Nick Noce is interesting, supposedly has great accuracy and intangibles but a skinny frame (almost exactly the size of Brady coming out of college) and few offensive tools around him. Might benefit a lot from an NFL practice squad.

- Charlie Whitehurst is generally projected as a mid-round pick.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

PFW now has Colledge listed at OG, which is where they had Light and Mankins listed. Given how he played against Georgia, that might be a better spot for him.
If the Pats need a RT to replace Ashworth, my vote remains with Whitworth (in the fourth round, anything higher is a reach. Dallas reached last year with Peterman in the third.) This guy is extremely durable and very, very, very nasty, but not dumb nasty, (see Raider OL for penalty totals to see dumb nasty.) Decent feet, long arms, somewhat of a knee bender, can mirror pretty well, and can sink his hips.

At QB, it seems like BB drafts a QB every year. I also like Clemens, not so much for his physical abilities as for his intangibles. He is a leader and a winner.

 

[patsfan55]

has anyone mentioned marcus mcneil

until we re-signed neal, i thought he was a possible pick at 21, moving kaczur to guard

 

[ayjackson]

any analysis on which of the Day 2 Tackles might improve their pro stock by a switch to G?? Whether a zone blocker or earth mover?

 

[patchick]

any analysis on which of the Day 2 Tackles might improve their pro stock by a switch to G?? Whether a zone blocker or earth mover?

A lot of conversion projects were discussed in the interior linemen thread:
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=31324

In fact, I believe that every "guard" on my list was a college LT!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Any team that drafts McNeal has to be very concerned about his back. There is a history there.

Also he rarely needs to get meaner for the NFL, he has a very laid back type of personality.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Interesting approach! A few notes:

- I rather like Josh Betts, who was behind Roethlisberger at Miami-OH. But I don't think he fits your criteria--he measured in at just 6'1" at his pro day, and has something of an overhead delivery due to his size.

- Nick Noce is interesting, supposedly has great accuracy and intangibles but a skinny frame (almost exactly the size of Brady coming out of college) and few offensive tools around him. Might benefit a lot from an NFL practice squad.

- Charlie Whitehurst is generally projected as a mid-round pick.

Aagghh Betts, I hadn't seen the pro-day data and was hoping the Miami bio wasn't exaggerating by more than an inch.

I never expected to get Whitehurst, but I listed the probable draft picks as BPA consideration for the later rounds.

Interesting note on Noce.....

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Any team that drafts McNeal has to be very concerned about his back. There is a history there.

Also he rarely needs to get meaner for the NFL, he has a very laid back type of personality.

The third strike in my book was how slow he was off the snap, he had a great 40 for his size, but he is a lead foot playing in the line.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Interesting approach! A few notes:

- I rather like Josh Betts, who was behind Roethlisberger at Miami-OH. But I don't think he fits your criteria--he measured in at just 6'1" at his pro day, and has something of an overhead delivery due to his size.

- Nick Noce is interesting, supposedly has great accuracy and intangibles but a skinny frame (almost exactly the size of Brady coming out of college) and few offensive tools around him. Might benefit a lot from an NFL practice squad.

- Charlie Whitehurst is generally projected as a mid-round pick.

And I have this sneaky suspicion that Charlie Whitehurst will be the guy selected with one of our fourth round picks, if he lasts that long.

A big QB with mobility and an attitude and pocket presence like Tom Brady. He shuffles around in the pocket like you-know-who, has a cannon arm but throws a catchable ball with some touch. Our former all NFLE QB was a fourth rounder as well from LSU, a big time college and Charlie is from a big southern program too.

He is smart too. Graduated already, and will complete the first year of his Master's degree this June... Certainly no Wonderlic wonder like Young. Got hurt and had a bad junior year two years ago to go witha bad teamand hsi stock dropped.

Billl likes depth and a squad of Brady, Cassell and Whitehurst is big, smart and talented, one and all.

 

[patchick]

The third strike in my book was how slow he was off the snap, he had a great 40 for his size, but he is a lead foot playing in the line.

Agreed...if you're looking at measurables on McNeill, you don't want to look at the relatively irrelevant 40 speed. For reference, here are the 40, shuttle and cone times for McNeill and the two other OTs with the closest 40 times to his:

Colledge, Daryn 5.05 4.60 7.46
McQuistan, Paul 5.07 4.65 7.72
McNeill, Marcus 5.07 5.04 8.19

That's some serious unquickness.

 

[rookBoston]

Wanted to point out that our OL-men are all somewhat undersized:

Dan Koppen C 6-2 296
Russ Hochstein G 6-4 305
Stephen Neal G 6-4 305
Billy Yates G 6-2 305
Gene Mruczkowski G/C 6-2 305
Nick Kaczur G/T 6-4 319
Logan Mankins OL 6-4 307
Brandon Gorin T 6-6 308
Matt Light T 6-4 305

The outlier is Kaczur, who actually breaks 310#. We haven't had a big guy on the line since Woody left... and Woody was drafted by Bobby Grier, not Belichick.

What does this mean? BB likes small players?

Well, not really. If you look at them, these guys are still big. But as a group they are lean and mean. We see the same thing on the DL-- BB doesn't like players who have rolls of fat that they use to mow over the opposition. These guys are athletic, trim and agile.

So, 336# Marcus McNeill really doesn't fit the profile. 344# Ryan O'Callaghan doesn't either. Without knowing anything more about the, at that size, they are either going to be obese or earth-bound... or both.

We run a zone blocking scheme, which relies more on agility, footwork, reaction times and smarts... more planning and less power.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

bump......

 

[Flying Fungi]

bump......