NFL COMBINE REPORT FOR SATURDAY
The combine report for today will center around offensive tackles, primarily left tackles, since Saturday's most impressive performers play that position. And the word I'm hearing is the Chiefs want a left tackle so they can move Brandon Albert to left guard & slide Brian Waters over to center, getting a true left tackle is a must. Albert was a college guard who was converted to left tackle & the results were mixed. As a 326-pound rookie, Albert surrendered but 4 sacks & was seldom flagged for penalties. After losing 20 lbs on the Todd Haley diet, Albert was beaten too often & received more than his share of penalty flags. I have no doubt he can be a successful guard if he keeps his pad level low, bending his knees & not at the waist. Waters should be able to make this transition as well, but I'd like to see a bigger, stronger right guard & keep Wade Smith as the swing man for all three interior line positions. So let's look at the tackles from today's workout, starting at the top.
Russell Okung--6' 5" 307
Started 47 consecutive games for Oklahoma State, 39 at left tackle. Started 8 games as a true freshman. Very disciplined, plays with a mean streak, loves to "pancake" his opponents. Outstanding run blocker & as a pass blocker he shows very good, but not elite, footwork. He has 36" arms & huge hands to deliver a good punch as a pass blocker. Okung put up 38 reps in the combine bench press & ran an acceptable 5.17 in the 40-yard dash. He tweaked his groin muscle, sidelining him for the remainder of the day, but I saw what I needed to see, a mature young man who takes his job very seriously, with the tools to excel.
Bryan Bulaga--6' 5" 314
Bulaga didn't wow me or anybody else with his workout today until they got to the "position specific drills" & that's where he lit it up. His kick-slide was top notch as was his mirror drill, his footwork was excellent. He started 23 games at left tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes & Coach Kirk Farentz, known for producing NFL linemen. Big-10 Offensive Lineman of the Year in '09. The junior still has upside in my book, I'd like to see improved upper body strength, but like Okung, he'll be ready to play in September.
Trent Williams--6' 5" 314
This former Sooner started 40 games for OU at 4 different positions. He played right tackle for 2 seasons & moved to the left side to start the '09 campaign. The line sustained numerous injuries & with that came breakdowns & with breakdowns came beat up quarterbacks. Williams finished the season playing center because they had no one else who could play the position. Williams isn't overpowering in the run game, more of a finesse blocker, he might be best suited for a zone blocking scheme in the NFL. He is truly quick tho & for 314 pounds, he's damn fast too. Williams exploded out of his stance in the 40, he ran 4.88! His vertical jump was 2nd best of the day as was his broad jump, both showcasing his explosiveness. He excelled in the mirror drill & the kick-slide. Where Williams needs work is in the weight room, he succeeds with quickness & finesse, I question how well that will work in the long haul starting next season.
Anthony Davis--6' 5" 323
Started 25 straight at left tackle for Rutgers, Davis probably has the most upside at this position. But it's easy to question his dedication to the game, he showed up looking out of shape, his mid-section was sloppy & he didn't excel at any drill except the vertical jump. His 40-yard time of 5.41 was dismal, mostly because he can do so much better. He's going to have to excel in his personal interviews if he is going to convince a team to invest millions in him as a high 1st-round selection. He's a boom-or-bust prospect in my opinion.
Bruce Campbell--6' 6" 314
Campbell put on a show Saturday, excelling in every single drill except the broad jump. His 4.85 in the 40 was exceptional, he did 34 reps in the bench press, his body is ripped. My only problem with Campbell is he isn't a very good football player. Oh, someone(can you say Oakland Raiders?) will take him high in the first round, but based on what I saw the last two seasons, he's not starter talent. He does way too much leaning on guys instead of driving them off the ball & his inability to hit someone at the second level is almost comical. He does a decent job sealing defenders off at times, but when he's called upon to blow someone off the ball for a first down, let the leaning begin. This guy has Al Davis written all over him. Remember, the Raiders took Darius Heyward-Bey, Campbell's teammate last season way before he should have been selected. He was a dud in his rookie season & may remain a dud forever.
Rodger Saffold--6' 4" 316
Saffold was being touted as a guard at the next level even tho he played left tackle for Indiana the past three seasons. I honestly didn't see any reason to move him inside, he had a pretty decent workout yesterday & in the position drills, he looked like a tackle & performed like a tackle. His kick-slide was very good, showing he can protect the edge. I've heard people say "he'll have to move inside next year." But I haven't heard it from NFL people yet, so I'm staying with my conclusion Saffold can play tackle at the next level.
Jared Veldheer--6' 8" 312
This Division II star from tiny Hillsdale College in Michigan had quite a coming out party in Indianapolis. He was top-10 in every category & drill at the combine. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him play in a live game, so I'm unable to give my opinion as to his future as an NFL offensive tackle. But his athleticism, strength & fundamental techniques can't be brought into question.
Tony Washington--6' 5" 314
The upside of this prospect is experience(23 starts at Abilene Christian), athleticism(top-5 performance in 3-cone, broad jump & 5.16 40-yd dash) & strength(33 reps in the bench press). But there is considerable downside as well. Originally signed by LSU, academics didn't allow Washington to ever play in a game for the Tigers & he left Baton Rouge for Jr. College. He later transferred to ABU & became a starter but he just turned 24, very old for a rookie, Bryan Bulaga is 20, Russell Okung is 21. Both of them are already better players in better programs with experience against better competition. Washington will stick with an NFL team, but he's a project & the clock is running.
I imagine Kansas City taking a guard as well, just not in the first four rounds, simply too many other needs, so here are a few guard prospects, who I believe, can be had in rounds 5-7.
Shaun Lauvao--6' 2" 315
This former Sun Devil played left tackle the last three seasons at Arizona State. He's not an NFL left tackle, size wise, so he'll be moved inside. I read several negative reports on Lauvao when he was at the Senior Bowl. After seeing him play in multiple games the past three years as well as the Senior Bowl practices, I don't see it. Lauvao is typical of many Samoan players, he's powerful, he's dedicated & he can play at the next level. His 33 bench press reps speak to his strength, his 4.51 second timing in the 20-yard shuttle was the best of the day for O-linemen & his 33 1/2" arms & large powerful hands all point to having the necessary tools. Fifth round.
Mike Johnson--6' 5" 300
Johnson has started 40 games for Alabama at 4 different offensive line positions. His game is solid if not spectacular. He is truly a grunt in the trenches. He doesn't make mental mistakes tho he doesn't overwhelm me with his physical ability. In combine drills he bent at the waist too often & not enough at the knees. I hadn't seen this from Johnson in games, so maybe it was the gym shorts & t-shirts that had him messed up. I still like this guy as a later round selection. Fifth round.
Joe Hawley--6' 3" 297
This former UNLV Runnin' Rebel showed enough yesterday to be drafted. Before, he was hardly on anyone's map. I saw him in 2 games last fall, versus Utah & BYU & what I saw was a football player. He doesn't wow you with athleticism, few guard/center prospects do, but he is very strong(33 reps) with decent arm length(33") & he has experience(38 starts). Seventh round.
Marshall Newhouse--6' 3" 319
The son of former Dallas Cowboy fullback, Robert Newhouse. The son inherited his father's massive thighs & lower body power. The son is quite good athletically too, #1 in the 3-cone drill Saturday, second in the 20-yard shuttle & ran 5-flat in the forty. He was a three-year starter at left tackle for TCU & his size dictates a move to the inside in the NFL, guys barely 6' 3" don't start on the edge. What I don't like about Marshall is his indecision with blitzes & stunts, something he'll see at the next level extensively. He looked awful versus Boise State's defensive line. He has a lot of positive qualities, plus his genes, but he'll be a project. Seventh round.
Russell Okung--6' 5" 307
Started 47 consecutive games for Oklahoma State, 39 at left tackle. Started 8 games as a true freshman. Very disciplined, plays with a mean streak, loves to "pancake" his opponents. Outstanding run blocker & as a pass blocker he shows very good, but not elite, footwork. He has 36" arms & huge hands to deliver a good punch as a pass blocker. Okung put up 38 reps in the combine bench press & ran an acceptable 5.17 in the 40-yard dash. He tweaked his groin muscle, sidelining him for the remainder of the day, but I saw what I needed to see, a mature young man who takes his job very seriously, with the tools to excel.
Bryan Bulaga--6' 5" 314
Bulaga didn't wow me or anybody else with his workout today until they got to the "position specific drills" & that's where he lit it up. His kick-slide was top notch as was his mirror drill, his footwork was excellent. He started 23 games at left tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes & Coach Kirk Farentz, known for producing NFL linemen. Big-10 Offensive Lineman of the Year in '09. The junior still has upside in my book, I'd like to see improved upper body strength, but like Okung, he'll be ready to play in September.
Trent Williams--6' 5" 314
This former Sooner started 40 games for OU at 4 different positions. He played right tackle for 2 seasons & moved to the left side to start the '09 campaign. The line sustained numerous injuries & with that came breakdowns & with breakdowns came beat up quarterbacks. Williams finished the season playing center because they had no one else who could play the position. Williams isn't overpowering in the run game, more of a finesse blocker, he might be best suited for a zone blocking scheme in the NFL. He is truly quick tho & for 314 pounds, he's damn fast too. Williams exploded out of his stance in the 40, he ran 4.88! His vertical jump was 2nd best of the day as was his broad jump, both showcasing his explosiveness. He excelled in the mirror drill & the kick-slide. Where Williams needs work is in the weight room, he succeeds with quickness & finesse, I question how well that will work in the long haul starting next season.
Anthony Davis--6' 5" 323
Started 25 straight at left tackle for Rutgers, Davis probably has the most upside at this position. But it's easy to question his dedication to the game, he showed up looking out of shape, his mid-section was sloppy & he didn't excel at any drill except the vertical jump. His 40-yard time of 5.41 was dismal, mostly because he can do so much better. He's going to have to excel in his personal interviews if he is going to convince a team to invest millions in him as a high 1st-round selection. He's a boom-or-bust prospect in my opinion.
Bruce Campbell--6' 6" 314
Campbell put on a show Saturday, excelling in every single drill except the broad jump. His 4.85 in the 40 was exceptional, he did 34 reps in the bench press, his body is ripped. My only problem with Campbell is he isn't a very good football player. Oh, someone(can you say Oakland Raiders?) will take him high in the first round, but based on what I saw the last two seasons, he's not starter talent. He does way too much leaning on guys instead of driving them off the ball & his inability to hit someone at the second level is almost comical. He does a decent job sealing defenders off at times, but when he's called upon to blow someone off the ball for a first down, let the leaning begin. This guy has Al Davis written all over him. Remember, the Raiders took Darius Heyward-Bey, Campbell's teammate last season way before he should have been selected. He was a dud in his rookie season & may remain a dud forever.
Rodger Saffold--6' 4" 316
Saffold was being touted as a guard at the next level even tho he played left tackle for Indiana the past three seasons. I honestly didn't see any reason to move him inside, he had a pretty decent workout yesterday & in the position drills, he looked like a tackle & performed like a tackle. His kick-slide was very good, showing he can protect the edge. I've heard people say "he'll have to move inside next year." But I haven't heard it from NFL people yet, so I'm staying with my conclusion Saffold can play tackle at the next level.
Jared Veldheer--6' 8" 312
This Division II star from tiny Hillsdale College in Michigan had quite a coming out party in Indianapolis. He was top-10 in every category & drill at the combine. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him play in a live game, so I'm unable to give my opinion as to his future as an NFL offensive tackle. But his athleticism, strength & fundamental techniques can't be brought into question.
Tony Washington--6' 5" 314
The upside of this prospect is experience(23 starts at Abilene Christian), athleticism(top-5 performance in 3-cone, broad jump & 5.16 40-yd dash) & strength(33 reps in the bench press). But there is considerable downside as well. Originally signed by LSU, academics didn't allow Washington to ever play in a game for the Tigers & he left Baton Rouge for Jr. College. He later transferred to ABU & became a starter but he just turned 24, very old for a rookie, Bryan Bulaga is 20, Russell Okung is 21. Both of them are already better players in better programs with experience against better competition. Washington will stick with an NFL team, but he's a project & the clock is running.
I imagine Kansas City taking a guard as well, just not in the first four rounds, simply too many other needs, so here are a few guard prospects, who I believe, can be had in rounds 5-7.
Shaun Lauvao--6' 2" 315
This former Sun Devil played left tackle the last three seasons at Arizona State. He's not an NFL left tackle, size wise, so he'll be moved inside. I read several negative reports on Lauvao when he was at the Senior Bowl. After seeing him play in multiple games the past three years as well as the Senior Bowl practices, I don't see it. Lauvao is typical of many Samoan players, he's powerful, he's dedicated & he can play at the next level. His 33 bench press reps speak to his strength, his 4.51 second timing in the 20-yard shuttle was the best of the day for O-linemen & his 33 1/2" arms & large powerful hands all point to having the necessary tools. Fifth round.
Mike Johnson--6' 5" 300
Johnson has started 40 games for Alabama at 4 different offensive line positions. His game is solid if not spectacular. He is truly a grunt in the trenches. He doesn't make mental mistakes tho he doesn't overwhelm me with his physical ability. In combine drills he bent at the waist too often & not enough at the knees. I hadn't seen this from Johnson in games, so maybe it was the gym shorts & t-shirts that had him messed up. I still like this guy as a later round selection. Fifth round.
Joe Hawley--6' 3" 297
This former UNLV Runnin' Rebel showed enough yesterday to be drafted. Before, he was hardly on anyone's map. I saw him in 2 games last fall, versus Utah & BYU & what I saw was a football player. He doesn't wow you with athleticism, few guard/center prospects do, but he is very strong(33 reps) with decent arm length(33") & he has experience(38 starts). Seventh round.
Marshall Newhouse--6' 3" 319
The son of former Dallas Cowboy fullback, Robert Newhouse. The son inherited his father's massive thighs & lower body power. The son is quite good athletically too, #1 in the 3-cone drill Saturday, second in the 20-yard shuttle & ran 5-flat in the forty. He was a three-year starter at left tackle for TCU & his size dictates a move to the inside in the NFL, guys barely 6' 3" don't start on the edge. What I don't like about Marshall is his indecision with blitzes & stunts, something he'll see at the next level extensively. He looked awful versus Boise State's defensive line. He has a lot of positive qualities, plus his genes, but he'll be a project. Seventh round.
Comments