NFL Draft 2014 Preview (27 page)

ORT LAURENT DUVERNAY-TARDIF, #66

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GILL (CAN.) UNIVERSITY
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Grade: 5.33

Ht: 6-5 | Wt: 321 | Sp: 5.00e | Arm: 33 | Hand: 11

History:
Name is pronounced “loh-RON DOOVER-nay-TAR-dif.” Quebec native. Played as a defensive lineman in 2010, starting 3-of-6 games played. Converted to offensive tackle and started all 26 games 2011-13. Two-time team captain bulked up approximately 65 pounds since his freshman season. Honored with McGill University’s 1938 Champions Award for combining leadership with athletic prowess and academic excellence. Has designs on being a doctor — maintained a 3.9 GPA in the Ph. D. program, and the coaching staff reduced his practice commitments in order to accommodate his stringent academic workload. Is rated as the top prospect in the 2014 Canadian Football League draft according to the CFL Scouting Bureau. Participated in the East-West Shrine Game.

Strengths:
Looks the part with outstanding upper-body strength and massive quads. Stout anchor in pass pro. Violent shock in his punch. Plays with a nasty temperament and seeks to bury defenders into the ground. Aggressive run blocker — runs his feet on contact and plays beyond the whistle. Is physically and mentally tough and will play through pain (fought through a torn left labrum injury as a senior and never took himself out of a game or missed time). Highly intelligent (in medical program) and football smart. Can take concepts from the board to the field.

Weaknesses:
Raw technician. Lunges overagressively and loses positioning. Can learn to play under more control and take better angles. Average recovery speed vs. inside counters. Lets defenders into his body and does not replace his hands — slow to re-load after initial strike (though he was playing thru a shoulder injury). Will need to adjust to playing a yard off the ball (Candaian rules) and getting into blocks more quickly.

Future:
Tough, gritty, smart battler who transformed from an impactful 250-pound three-technique as a freshman. Made a successful conversion to left tackle as a sophomore and has grown to be a dominating Canadian 315-pound left tackle expected to be the first pick of the CFL Draft. Projects best inside in the pros and could prove to be the best product delivered from Canada’s developmental system since Israel Idonije. Will require refinement, but has the physical tools and temperament that cannot be taught.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

OLG KADEEM EDWARDS, #73

TENNESSEE STATE
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Grade: 5.24

Ht: 6-4 1/4 | Wt: 313 | Sp: 5.22 | Arm: 35 1/2 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Won a state title as a Florida prep. Manned left guard all four years. As a true freshman in 2010, started 9-of-10 games played. Did not play against Austin Peay and did not start against North Carolina A&T. Started all 10 games played at LG in ’11, missing just the season finale against Jacksonville State because of a left ankle sprain. Started all 11 games in ’12. Started 12-of-13 games played in ’13 — did not play against Austin Peay and did not start against Eastern Illinois.

Strengths:
Outstanding size — built low to the ground with a thick trunk and vines for arms (big wingspan). Generates movement in the run game and seeks to bury defenders. Surprising balance and straight-line foot speed — steps to the second level easily. Has crude tools to work with. Motivated and coachable.

Weaknesses:
Could stand to shed some bad weight. Gets lax with his technique. Needs to play with more consistent pad level. Needs to work on a more efficient short punch. Lets his feet stall. Thick, tight hips — struggles to maneuver and snap is limited. Is not sudden or explosive — more push than pop. Lets defenders cross his face. Intermittent urgency. Does not dominate physically inferior competition.

Future:
A soft-spoken, thickly built, long-armed FCS prospect, Edwards is a raw base blocker who must make significant strides with his technique, ratchet up his play-to-play intensity and learn to play with power.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

ORG MATT FEILER, #72

BLOOMSBURG
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Grade: 4.90

Ht: 6-5 7/8 | Wt: 330 | Sp: 5.37 | Arm: 32 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Two-way lineman out of Pennsylvania. Was a reserve in 2010, seeing limited action in 11 games. Started all 11 games at left guard in ’11. Moved to left tackle and started all 25 games 2012-13.

Strengths:
Outstanding size. Good upper-body strength. Can control and steer blockers when he gets his hands on them. Flashes pop in his punch.

Weaknesses:
Not a natural bender. Limited explosion and balance. Spends too much time on the ground. Marginal arm length and agility to cut off the rush and handle edge speed. Late to hit a moving target.

Future:
Top-heavy, thick-bodied, short-armed plodder best in a phone booth. College left tackle who needs to move inside for a man-blocking, power-based offensive line to fend for a roster spot in the pros.

Draft projection:
Free agent.

ORT CAMERON FLEMING, #73 (JUNIOR)

STANFORD
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Grade: 5.22

Ht: 6-4 7/8 | Wt: 323 | Sp: 5.36 | Arm: 34 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
Also lettered in basketball as a Texas prep. Redshirted in 2010. Started all 11 games played at right tackle in ’11 — did not play against Oregon or Oregon State (ankle). Started all 28 games at RT 2012-13.

Strengths:
Big body. Strong hands. Can down block and generate movement in the run game. Agile enough to run out of his kick-slide and push rushers wide. Shows alertness and reactions to combo block and pass off stunts. Three-year starter in a pro-style offense. Very intelligent.

Weaknesses:
Thick, tight hips. Needs to improve footwork. Can be impatient in pass protection. Tends to bend at the waist. Could be stressed by quicker rushers. Average sustain. Does not generate power through his core, and lack of explosion confirmed in 231/2-inch vertical jump. Balance and coordination wanes on the second level — struggles connecting with moving targets. Does not consistently block through the whistle and could become a better, nastier finisher.

Future:
Big, thickly built, experienced right tackle who graduated with a degree in aeronautics and astronautics and entered the draft early despite standing to benefit from another year of seasoning on The Farm. Has size and smarts to stick in a power/slide-protection scheme, but needs to make strides with his functional strength, technique and aggressiveness. Could be tried inside.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

OLG ZACH FULTON, #72

TENNESSEE
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Grade: 5.27

Ht: 6-4 5/8| Wt: 316 | Sp: 5.16 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Brother, Xavier, played at Illinois, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 draft by the Buccaneers and currently plays in the CFL. Prepped in suburban Chicago. Manned right guard for the Vols. Played 12 games as a true freshman in ’10, starting five — did not
play against Ole Miss (left ankle). Started all 12 games in ’11. Suffered a stress fracture in his left leg in the offseason. In the fall, started 11 games — suffered high ankle sprain, MCL sprain and bone bruise to his left leg against Alabama, forcing him to sit out against South Carolina. Started all 12 games in ’13.

Strengths:
Looks the part with good overall size and mass. Strong enough to anchor in pass protection. Flashes thump on contact and ability to down block and seal run lanes. Started 40 games in the SEC and has experience locking horns with NFL-caliber defensive tackles. Has raw traits to develop. Coachable pleaser and will appeal to offensive line coaches. Good teammate.

Weaknesses:
Does not breathe fire or impose his will. Still learning how to generate power through his core. Has heavy legs and could stand to improve footwork. Is a soft puncher and tends to overextend. Needs to improve grip strength and sustain. Struggles to engage linebackers in space. Awareness is lacking — not ideally suited to shift to center. Struggles to connect with moving targets. Has a history of ankle injuries. Recorded the slowest 20-yard shuttle (5.18 seconds) of any Combine participant.

Future:
Physically impressive, moldable right guard prospect with a good soldier’s attitude to go along with untapped physical ability, though his tape falls short of his intangibles at this stage of his development. Could be a pet project for an offensive line coach confident he can turn Fulton into an effective mauler.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“Scouts are all over the board on him, from the seventh (round) to the fifth to the second (round). I thought he was a fifth-round type player. I think he has ideal size and girth. He’s not explosive or quick-footed. He’s never able to dislodge a defender off the line of scrimmage. He plays with very little push and leg drive. He’s more of a solid backup type. I went in there hoping to see a third-rounder. He shows some flashes but the majority of the time he is very average. He’s not athletic enough to play center — that limits him.”

OLG RYAN GROY, #79

WISCONSIN
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Grade: 5.25

Ht: 6-4 5/8 | Wt: 316 | Sp: 5.14 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 3/8

History:
Wisconsin native. Redshirted in 2009. Set a UW record by playing all 54 games of his career. Played 13 games in ’10, starting two at fullback (wore jersey No. 47). Played 14 games in ’11, starting four — three at left guard, one at center. Started all 14 games in ’12 — 12 at LG, two at left tackle. Started all 13 games at LG in ’13.

Strengths:
Terrific size. Very football smart. Plays with awareness. Has enough strength to hold his ground. Can lean and seal when he has an angle. Surprisingly effective pulling and working to the second level. Competes and gives consistent effort. Three-year starter. Respected by teammates and coaches — solid work ethic and character.

Weaknesses:
Needs to develop better hip snap. Average initial quickness, athletic ability and pop on contact. Has heavy legs and tends to bend at the waist. Needs to improve punch and grip strength. Struggles adjusting to and fitting on moving targets.

Future:
Big, durable, blue-collar guard who is generally effective despite lacking exceptional physical traits. As a starter, is the type you look to replace, but could be serviceable backup in a slide-protection scheme given his size, intelligence and functional anchor.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

ORG JON HALAPIO, #67

FLORIDA
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Grade: 4.95

Ht: 6-3 1/2 | Wt: 323 | Sp: 5.34 | Arm: 33 5/8 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Two-way lineman as a Florida prep. Appeared in three games in 2009, but hurt his shoulder and was granted a medical redshirt. Started 7-of-12 games played at right guard in ’10 when he split starts with Maurice Hurt. Did not play against Mississippi State (broken finger). Started all 26 games at RG 2011-12. Missed ’13 spring practice (meniscus), then tore pectoral muscle in July — sat out the first two games before starting the final 10 at RG (reportedly played through an 80 percent pectoral tear). Suffered an eye injury requiring stitches against Tennessee. Team captain.

Strengths:
Naturally thick with big hands. Can drive block and is effective when he has an angle. Functional anchor. Provides adequate three-step drop protection. Has a warrior’s mentality — plays hurt. Made 43 career starts.

Weaknesses:
Tightly wound — struggles reacting to movement, changing direction and recovering. Does not generate power through his hips. Poor contact balance. Empties the chamber with initial punch and cannot recoil. Hands and feet do not work in unison. Opens the gate in pass protection. Unsudden to clear his feet and pull. Limited blocking range. Tied for the lowest vertical jump (211/2 inches) of any offensive lineman at the Combine.

Future:
A hulking short-area guard whose best traits are intangible. Is most effective in a phone booth, but too often looks like he requires max effort to provide adequate blocking. Best chance to stick will be in a slide-protection scheme.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“Everyone said he played better last year. I couldn’t warm up to him on the school call. He’s just a plodder.”

C JONOTTHAN HARRISON #72

FLORIDA
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Grade: 5.24

Ht: 6-3 1/2 | Wt: 304 | Sp: 5.09 | Arm: 33 3/8 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
High school teammate of former Gator and current Buccaneer Jeff Demps. Redshirted in 2009. Primarily a reserve/special-teams contributor in ’10 when he played all 13 games, drawing his first start at right tackle against Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Started all 13 at center in ’11 (played left guard against South Carolina). Started all 25 games at center 2012-13. Hurt his right elbow against Vanderbilt in ’12. Was ejected from the ’13 Arkansas game for accidentally touching an official — Harrison claimed he was complaining about defenders using racist language. Team captain.