NFL Draft 2014 Preview (24 page)

Strengths:
Passes the eyeball test with outstanding size, including vines for arms. Big target. Smooth off the line for his size. Surprising speed to stretch the field. Can use physicality and his frame to outmuscle smaller DBs. Can adjust to throws and has good hands. Turns upfield with a head of steam. Gets after it in the run game — engages with leverage and works to position, sustain and finish. Lines up in-line and flexed. Smart and coachable. Arrow pointing up. Has a 35-inch vertical jump.

Weaknesses:
Needs to get stronger — has untapped body power and potential as an in-line blocker. Shows some hip tightness in his route running. Is more advanced with linear routes than sharp-breaking patterns. Ordinary creativity and elusiveness. Relatively raw — still honing technique and developing positional instincts and nuances. At times looks like he’s processing too much. Average production. Will be a 24-year-old rookie. Recorded a pedestrian 20-yard shuttle (4.69 seconds), slowest among all tight ends at the Combine.

Future:
Athletic, long-armed, ascending talent who did not play a starring role in a run-and-gun, receiver-dominated spread offense, but has raw physical tools to develop into a balanced “Y” tight end. Should only get better and has potential to become an asset in the running game and a mismatch in the passing game.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“The Fresno tight end is stiff and cannot bend very well. He flashes blocking ability — he’s 270 — but he does not bend. You can find those guys late or as free agents all over the place. They are a dime a dozen. He has little quickness or acceleration — he’s not very athletic when turns up field. He stumbles.”

TE [F] REGGIE JORDAN, #89

MISSOURI WESTERN
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Grade: 5.18

Ht: 6-2 7/8 | Wt: 240 | Sp: 4.77 | Arm: 32 1/4 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Won a state championship as a Missouri prep. Redshirted in 2009 and saw very limited action in four games in ’10. Played all 12 games in ’11 and caught six balls for 83 yards (13.8-yard average) and two touchdowns. Started all 25 games the next two seasons — recorded 23-230-11 (10.0) in ’12 (14 games) and 23-366-4 (15.9) in ’13 (11 games).

Strengths:
Good speed to threaten the seam. Flashes the ability to bury defenders as a blocker — rides them off the screen and has shown the ability to dominate lesser competition. Can extend and pluck the ball outside his frame and create big plays.

Weaknesses:
Average arm length. Not a polished route runner — runs very imprecise routes. Does not sink his hips, get in and out of breaks quickly or sell his routes to create separation. Marginal coverage recognition and feel for zones — runs into coverage. Plays too upright and does not run strong after the catch. Timed speed does not translate to the field and is still learning how to convert his strength to the field. Has struggled to gain and maintain weight.

Future:
Developmental H-back with the raw tools to excite a tight ends coach. Many of his flaws are correctable and could blossom with continued refinement.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

TE [F] A.C. LEONARD, #1 (JUNIOR)

TENNESSEE STATE
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Grade: 5.22

Ht: 6-2 3/8 | Wt: 252 | Sp: 4.51 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 9 1/4

History:
Highly recruited Florida prep who began his college career at University of Florida. As a true freshman in 2011 (wore jersey No. 81), played nine games (four starts) and recorded eight receptions for 99 yards (12.4-yard average) and zero touchdowns. Tore his left meniscus in fall camp and was a non-factor the first eight weeks. Was suspended in February ’12 — was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery after a woman alleged he shoved her, grabbed her by the hair and threw her out of their apartment. Was sentenced to six months probation, paid $628 in court costs and underwent anger management counseling. Then was cited in May for driving with a suspended license. Transferred to TSU the following summer. In ’12, started 8-of-10 games played and caught 51-733-6 (14.4). Did not play against Southeast Missouri. Started 6-of-12 games played in ’13 and managed 34-441-5 (13.0). Did not play against Austin Peay and Butler.

Strengths:
Releases quickly into routes. Relatively loose athlete with nice balance. Good speed to stretch the seam and separate on crossers. Soft hands — can extend to catch off his frame. Shakes tacklers and creates yards after the catch. Flashes mismatch and playmaking ability. Lined up all over the field. Led all tight ends at the Combine with a blazing 1.51-second 10 time and 4.5-second 40 time.

Weaknesses:
Marginal size, bulk and strength to block in-line. Will be overpowered by NFL defensive ends — struggles to sustain, lets defenders cross his face and is not a finisher. Could stand to sharpen his route running and field awareness. Swings the ball loosely away from his body and fumbled three times in 2013. Marginal competition. Character, maturity and stability need to be investigated.

Future:
A highly-recruited Florida transfer, Leonard is an athletic, one-dimensional, “move” tight end with good hands and run-after-catch ability. Must prove trustworthy, and will go as far as his receiving ability takes him.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“Someone will take a flier on him after he ran the way he did at the Combine. I didn’t think he played to it consistently. He’s a project. He’ll take some time to figure it out. He’s raw.”

TE [F] COLT LYERLA, #15 (JUNIOR)

OREGON
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Grade: 5.33

Ht: 6-3 7/8 | Wt: 242 | Sp: 4.61 | Arm: 32 3/4 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Grew up poor in an unstable environment. Parents divorced when he was nine — mother was on disability and unable to provide adequate structure, discipline and guidance, oftentimes relying on coaches to keep Colt in line, according to a September 2012 article in the Oregonian. Father disappeared for eight months (fled to Hawaii) during Colt’s high school years and missed all his games from his sophomore year on. Consequently, Colt skipped stretches of class and was absent for meetings and practices, incurring suspension. Native Oregonian who won a state title and garnered all-state recognition as both a running back and linebacker. Ended a tumultuous recruiting process by committing to Oregon and then-head coach Chip Kelly. As a true freshman in 2011 (wore jersey No. 32), tallied seven receptions for 147 yards (21-yard average) and five touchdowns in 12 games. Missed the first week of ’12 fall camp (undisclosed). On the season, started 9-of-13 games and contributed 25-392-6 (15.7). In March ’13, tweeted a YouTube link of a video claiming the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting tragedy was a conspiracy. He followed up by tweeting, “The parents of the kids that supposedly died in the Sandy Hook situation are liars.” Started three of the Ducks’ first four games in the fall and scratched 2-12-0 (6.0) — did not play against Tennessee (stomach flu, according to Lyerla, “circumstances,” according to head coach Mark Helfrich), was suspended against Colorado for violating team rules, then quit the team on Oct. 6. Had his driver’s license suspended Oct. 11 after getting four driving tickets in two years, then was arrested Oct. 23 for cocaine possession (pleaded guilty) after undercover officers reportedly spotted him snorting cocaine in a car in a Eugene, Oregon parking lot. Did not perform 3-cone drill because of groin injury.

Strengths:
Good athlete. Fluid route runner. Very good body control. Adjusts easily to the ball. Can create in the open field with very good run skills. Natural hands. Good catching radius. Functional blocker with enough playing strength to sustain. Highly competitive and determined to prove critics wrong. Is smart and hardworking. Recorded a 39-inch vertical jump to pace all tight ends at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal bulk strength to block in-line. Overly emotional and prone to outbursts following a dysfunctional childhood that offered little direction and much confusion related to a divorce. Not a disciplined team player. Off-the-field issues linger. Drops were too consistent (see West Virginia). Only benchpressed 225 pounds 15 times.

Future:
An extremely athletic receiving tight end, Lyerla was overshadowed by the play of emerging freshman Johnny Mundt and litany of issues (suspensions, drugs, academics). Has overcome a lot of adversity stemming back to his youth and defied the odds to become an impactful performer. Possesses elite physical talent, but his history could easily knock him down several rounds and off many NFL draft boards. Would benefit tremendously from a coach willing to serve as a strong father figure and an established, veteran locker room with a positional leader able to take him under his wing the way Kyle Long did at Oregon.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“Lyerla’s past and background will always be a concern. I know he works out like a phenom and you love the athletic talent. I’d guess he’s going to be off three-quarters of the team’s boards. He will fall just like (Aaron) Hernandez did, but in Aaron’s case, he was actually ‘cleaner’ with no documented arrests. Lyerla would be a great value in the third (round), but it’s too risky for us.”

TE [Y] ARTHUR LYNCH, #88

GEORGIA
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-4 5/8 | Wt: 258 | Sp: 4.82 | Arm: 32 1/2 | Hand: 10 1/8

History:
Highly recruited tight end-defensive end who migrated from Massachusetts. As a true freshman in 2009, appeared in 11 games (one start) and recorded two catches for 17 yards (8.5-yard average) and zero touchdowns. Was redshirted in ’10 in order to preserve a year of eligibility. Was used exclusively as a blocker in ’11 when he played all 14 games (one start). Started 13-of-14 games in ’12 and contributed 24-431-3 (18.0). Started 11-of-12 games in ’13 and caught 30-459-5 (15.3). Bruised his ribs against Florida and sat out against Appalachian State. Team captain.

Strengths:
Good size. Functional short-to-intermediate target. Can adjust to throws and extend to catch. Strong and competitive after the catch. Willing to engage and compete as an in-line blocker. Has special-teams experience. Hardworking and football smart. Tough and durable. Team captain.

Weaknesses:
Needs to develop more finishing strength — not yet ready to match physically 1-on-1 with NFL defensive ends. Can improve his base and leverage. Average quickness off the line. Pedestrian foot speed. Tight hips. Unsudden — cannot separate. Shaky hands (too many drops). Needs to improve his route running. Straight-linish after the catch. Thinks he’s better than he is. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
Big, competitive, inconsistent tight end lacking special traits for the NFL game. Will have to dedicate himself as a blocker to have a chance to stick as a No. 3.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“I liked his competitiveness. I didn’t see any foot quickness. He ended up finishing the season stronger than he started. I gave him a PFA grade and could see him make it for his blocking effort and competitive nature more than his receiving skill. For us, I don’t think he can beat out our No. 3 tight end. He reminded me of the Western Kentucky kid (Jack Doyle) that went undrafted last year.”

H-BACK JAKE MURPHY, #82 (JUNIOR)

UTAH
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 249 | Sp: 4.79 | Arm: 31 3/4 | Hand: 10

History:
Father, Dale, played 18 years in the major leagues, winning back-to-back NL MVP awards with the Atlanta Braves (1982-83). Brother, Shawn, was drafted by the Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. Jake, a high school receiver/safety, also played baseball and basketball as a Utah prep. Originally signed with BYU in ’08 before serving a two-year LDS mission in Australia. Upon returning a semester earlier than expected, he was without a scholarship and did not want to grayshirt. Moved on to Utah, where he redshirted in ’10. Played 10 games in ’11, starting two, and had five catches for 64 yards (12.8-yard average) and a touchdown. Did not play against Washington (knee). Started 5-of-12 games in ’12 and caught 33-349-4 (10.6). Started 7-of-8 games in ’13 and pulled in 25-417-5 (16.7). Broke his wrist against UCLA, had surgery and missed four games.

Strengths:
Dependable short-to-intermediate receiver. Adjusts to throws and has good, quick hands for a tight end — catches off his body. Functional as a back-side hinge blocker or move blocker. Has athletic bloodlines — father is 1982-83 National League MVP Dale Murphy.