Category: Scouting Reports – 2013

Tyler Bray scouting report

Scouting Reports - 2013
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Tyler Bray QB Tennessee #8
Ht: 6’6″
Wt: 232

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Size/Athleticism: Elite height. Athleticism is very average. He’s not a threat to take off running but he can buy some time by moving within the pocket.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Above average arm strength. He can make every throw and has nice zip on his passes to fit the ball into tight windows. However, he’s wildly inaccurate. He uncorks a handful of horrific throws every game, many of which lead to turnovers.

Footwork/Release: Has an awkward almost sidearm delivery somewhat similar to Philip Rivers or Bernie Kosar. Doesn’t have a quick release and winds up on every throw. Decent footwork within the pocket. He can step up and maneuver in tight spaces and doesn’t panic when the pocket begins to collapse. He’ll stand tall and complete the throw even when facing a hit.

Decision making: He’s confused by different looks on defense. He locks onto his receivers and doesn’t quickly identify defensive adjustments post-snap such as dropping linebackers. Trusts his arm too much. He can fire the ball into tight spots, but he’s too aggressive. Really struggles to read defenses. He throws right into the arms of defenders so often, it almost appears as though he focuses solely on his receivers.

Intangibles: Involved in a number of off-field incidents (wreckless driving of jet skis, throwing bottles). All are relatively minor, but demonstrate a pattern of immature behavior – not exactly a quality you want in your potential franchise quarterback. Three-year starter in the SEC, but would have benefited from sticking around for his senior year.

Durability: Missed five games with a thumb injury in 2011.

Comments: Bray’s talent is certainly intriguing but he showed very little improvement throughout his career and was a consistent under-performer throughout his career despite being surrounded by NFL talent. Despite the talent, an underachieving quarterback with off-field concerns is not someone I want to gamble on before the third day of the draft. He may be a 2nd or 3rd round pick by desperate team, but I wouldn’t touch him until the late rounds.

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Matt Scott scouting report

Scouting Reports - 2013
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Matt Scott QB Arizona #10
Ht: 6’2″ Wt: 213

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Size/Athleticism: Adequate height, but it is an issue at times. Gets a fair number of balls batted down at the line of scrimmage. Above average athleticism, but needs to learn how to use it.  He makes a lot of plays out of the pocket, but only when it’s designed.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Arm isn’t elite but definitely strong enough. When he has room to step into the throw, he can make any throw on the field. However, he does lack the elite strength to make the same throws when off-balance or on the run. Overall, his accuracy percentage is solid, but when he misses, he’s way off the mark. Especially when under pressure, he uncorks some wild throws which will undoubtedly lead to more interceptions at the next level.

Footwork/Release: When given time, everything about his mechanics is fine. But when he’s pressured, or even when he thinks he’s about to be pressured, his mechanics break down. He definitely knows the proper footwork and mechanics, but he simply panics too often. He rushes his delivery and throws from an open or unbalanced stance far too often.

Decision making: He’s easily flustered by pressure, and when a team is bringing consistent pressure he starts to hear phantom footsteps and rushes his delivery. Compared to the public perception of Rich Rodriguez offense, Arizona’s scheme in 2012 was a fairly close resemblance of what we’re seeing in the NFL these days. Scott was asked to make a variety of throws and demonstrated an adequate ability to read the defense pre- and post-snap. His biggest issue in decision making is an inability to focus on pass-rushers and his receivers down the field. He often stands in the pocket too long, and when does he leaves the pocket he doesn’t keep his eyes downfield consistently. It seems to simply be an issue with multitasking – something which comes with experience.

Intangibles: Only 17 career starts; backed up Nick Foles until his senior year.

Durability: Missed a game in 2012 with a concussion. But he’s a tough player who took a pounding in 2012 behind a porous offensive line.

Comments: Scott is an intriguing developmental prospect as a potential read-option quarterback. Physically, he’s a shorter version of Colin Kaepernick and could potentially develop into that type of quarterback in the right system. However, he is definitely raw due to his limited experience and is not capable of stepping into a starting role in 2013. He should be viewed strictly as a Day 3 developmental prospect.

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EJ Manuel scouting report

Scouting Reports - 2013
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EJ Manuel QB Florida State #3
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 237

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Size/Athleticism: Elite size and athleticism. He has the athleticism to run the read option and he also has the size to take a pounding. He’s much more physical than guys like Kaepernick, Wilson and RG3 and probably less of an injury risk.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Can make all the throws necessary. Accuracy on short routes is adequate and he typically puts a nice touch on short and intermediate throws. He also maintains decent accuracy on the move and when under pressure However, his accuracy on the deep ball is horrendous. He can throw to the go route reasonably well, but watching him attempt to hit a receiver on a crossing route beyond 10 yards down the field is tough to watch. He’s simply not capable of consistently throwing to deep corner or post routes, which will limit the  number of teams interested in his services.

Footwork/Release: Quick feet and demonstrates good footwork in the pocket. He’s able to step up in the pocket to buy some time while keeping his eyes downfield. Inconsistent mechanics. He can maintain his accuracy on short routes when throwing under pressure, but too often he displays lazy mechanics even when there’s no pressure.

Decision making: He’s usually patient in the pocket and even when he’s forced out he keeps his eyes downfield. He’s definitely a quarterback first and a runner second. However, he appears to struggle reading defenses post-snap. Many of his bad decisions stemmed from simply not seeing defenders and anticipating their movements. The overwhelming majority of his throws were on short and intermediate routes, many of which were curls and screens. These throws require almost no ability to read the defense. It’s possible his struggles stem from a lack of experience due to Florida State’s offense, but it could also be that Florida State designed the offense to mask Manuel’s deficiencies. Also needs to work on his ball security – far too many fumbles and bobbled snaps.

Intangibles: Quiet leader on the field but appears to be well respected by coaches and teammates.

Durability: Missed time with a shoulder injury in 2011.

Comments: The rise of the read option has transformed EJ Manuel from a late-round project to a potential rookie starter. It’s important to note that he is not the next RG3,  because he lacks RG3’s ability in the pocket, but in a similar system to what the Redskins ran in 2012, Manuel could be effective. Whoever drafts Manuel needs to commit to designing the system around him. He isn’t going to sit in the pocket and pick apart defenses, but a quick-strike, read-option offense could make him a dangerous threat. I believe his upside is fairly limited, but I do believe he can be an adequate starter if he’s surrounded by the right talent in the right system.

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Desmond Trufant scouting report

Scouting Reports - 2013
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Desmond Trufant CB Washington #6
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 190

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Size/Athleticism: Adequate size. Elite athleticism. Quick and explosive. Impressive straight-line speed and the quickness to match.

Coverage: Physical in press coverage. Doesn’t back down from any matchups, even when he’s giving up a good amount in size. Fluid in his backpedal; stays low and well balanced with consistent footwork. Has the speed to make up for mistakes, but doesn’t take many false steps. Can get a little grabby at times down the field. His physical style can be an asset, but he needs to control himself down the field.

Ball skills: Consistently plays the ball. He does a great job reading the quarterback. Knows how to turn himself into the receiver. Battles for jump balls and has impressive leaping ability.

Run support: Willing to step up against the run. Usually takes proper angles and has the speed to make plays in pursuit. Not much of a wrap-up tackles due to his size but he gives an honest effort. Occasionally used as a pass-rusher on the outside.

Intangibles: Four year starter. Experience at corner and safety. Extremely confident and competitive on the field. Definitely the type of player that wants to be great.

Durability: Missed a game with a hamstring injury in 2012.

Comments: Trufant has all the tools to step into an immediate starting role and excel at the next level. He shows strong fundamentals and has the athleticism and speed to go with it. He also plays with the confident attitude that many of the great cornerbacks possess. His modest size is the only real negative against him, but it shouldn’t be a significant factor in his development.

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Xavier Rhodes scouting report

Scouting Reports - 2013
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Xavier Rhodes CB Florida State #27
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 210

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Size/Athleticism: Elite height for a cornerback. Also possesses impressive leaping ability, giving him rare ability to compete in jump ball situations. Weight looks above average for a cornerback, but it’s inflated by his height. He’s actually a little on the skinny side. Must faster than he is quick. He can get juked in the open field.

Coverage: Inconsistent footwork in coverage. He trusts his raw skills too much and will get beat by more polished receivers who can force him to take a false step. Loves to fight with receivers in press coverage, but his physical style will draw flags at the next level. He can be overaggressive at times, and it will hurt him if he doesn’t tone it down at the next level.

Ball skills: Elite leaping ability, coupled with his height makes him dangerous in jump ball situations. He can go up and at least get a hand on the football when he’s in the right position. Decent hands, and will come down with a few interceptions, but he’ll also drop some. Misses a lot of opportunities by turning his back to the quarterback. He doesn’t read the quarterback with the same consistency as a guy such as Dee Milliner, and as a result Rhodes is often playing the receiver rather than the ball.

Run support: Willing to be physical, but tackling technique is shaky. He’ll lower his shoulder, but he doesn’t wrap guys up. Very inconsistent effort. Often takes poor angles and looks lazy. But when he turns it on, he can close quickly, fight through traffic and even wrap guys up.

Intangibles: Three-year starter, turning pro after junior year.

Durability: Suffered season-ending hand injury in 2009. Suffered knee injury in 2011 bowl game and missed spring practices as a senior.

Comments: With his size/athleticism combination, Rhodes’ potential is through the roof. He could definitely develop into one of the elite corners in the game. However, he is very raw at this stage of his career. He survived in the ACC based off of his elite physical tools, but it won’t be enough at the next level. In 2012, DeAndre Hopkins, one of the most polished route runners in the college game, easily baited Rhodes into false steps to shake free when they were matched up. Rhodes will see more of that at the next level if he doesn’t refine his coverage fundamentals and ability to read receivers.

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