Poll: Which Physical/Athletic Prospect Characteristics Do You Value The Most? (Pick 2)

[manxman2601]

After watching some Ja'Bril Rawls and learning of Justin Scott's reported 1.56s 10 yard split, I started thinking about prospect characteristics like speed, short area quickness, good HT/WT, length and explosiveness and which I appreciate the most.

Obviously the more the merrier for a quality prospect and I appreciate certain positions require excellence in different characteristics but thinking about prospects I like, I found that explosion is probably the athletic characteristic I appreciate the most, at least where watching tape is concerned.

And so I was curious what others thought. So, regardless of position, what physical/athletic characteristics turns you on to a prospect the most?

 

[mayoclinic]

Length comes in #3 for me, but the main thing ai look at is how a prospect moves.

Examples:

- Chris Cole
- Marquise Lightfoot

 

[manxman2601]

Length comes in #3 for me, but the main thing ai look at is how a prospect moves.

Quickness is important to me too but I feel a little Belichick-brainwashed on that one. I've come to appreciate length more and more whereas in the past it was much lower on my list of priorities.

 

[mayoclinic]

They are obviously all important, and good players use their strengths. Aiden Hutchinson used power, length, and agility. Travon Walker had unreal explosiveness, length and movement skills.

I agree that I don't want a smurf CB with a great 3-cone, but I also don't want a bean pole who can't flip his hips.

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't know that I can break it down to 1 metric, but I generally look at a combination of length + how a prospect "moves", which usually combines elements of explosiveness, quickness, and agility. It's often an eye test.

Some examples (good and bad):

- Jordan Ross, Jaden Reddell and Jide Abasiri all flashed exceptional movement skills this past weekend.

- Chris Cole has truly elite movement skills.

- Samson Okunlola and Anthonie Knapp popped this weekend.

- Will Heldt showed no explosiveness whatsoever.

These skills aren't everything, but they are key for players to become elite.

As an example, Alabama EDGE LT Overton was frequently mocked in the 1st round last year. His tape showed no movement skills at all, which was backed up by testing: 4.87 40, 1.70 10-split, 7.61 3C, 26" VJ, 2.47 RAS. Not athletic enough for me.

 

[mayoclinic]

Will Heldt may have a fine NFL career BTW. Great length, motor, decent hand skills. Good character kid. But I just don't see 1st round traits so far. As always, could be wrong.