Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Jay Ajayi Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Jay Ajayi RB Boise State #27
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 216

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Nice blend of size and athleticism but doesn’t stand out in either area. Very average in terms of his physical traits.

Vision: Probably his best asset. Shows the ability to see holes as they open up and also the patience to wait for his blockers.

Power: Adequate size but limited power. Does not appear to have the leg strength to really push the pile.

Speed/Agility: Speed is average. Not really a home run threat, but has enough to get to the edge and break off some longer runs. Lacks acceleration hitting holes. Shows great balance and vision weaving through traffic, but does not have the burst to explode through the hole once it opens up. Plays with excellent balance and has quick feet and fluid hips and ankles to weave through traffic at the line of scrimmage and make defenders miss in tight spaces.

Passing Game: Played a major role in Boise’s passing game, hauling in 50 catches. Shows reliable hands and is capable of concentrating in traffic to make the tough catches. Average blocking skills. Could improve his awareness as a blocker.

Intangibles: Arrested for shoplifting in 2011. Born in England, father from Nigeria but moved in US in 2000. Played a lot of soccer growing up, and at one point considered moving back to England to focus on a soccer career.

Durability: Suffered torn ACL in 2011.

[/level-scouting-reports]

Jay Ajayi Chart

Overview: Ajayi reminds me of a smaller version of Eddie Lacy. His basic physical traits are limited—he’s very average in terms of size speed—but he makes up for it with patience, vision and incredibly quick feet. He’s at his best running up the middle, not because of his power, but because of his ability to make guys miss in tight spaces. He may not look like a future star, but definitely has starter potential.

Todd Gurley Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
2 Comments
Todd Gurley RB Georgia #3
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 231

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Impressive size. Added weight during his career and has tuned into a bruising downhill runner. Former track star.

Vision: Adequate vision, but he misses opportunities bounce runs to the outside in favor of pounding it up the middle too often. He plays like he loves contact, and turns down opportunities for easy yardage in favor of trying to knock out a defender (which sometimes works due to his strength, but adds to the wear and tear on his body).

Power: A true downhill runner. Looks for contact. Rarely goes down on first contact.

Speed/Agility: Straight-line speed is adequate, but not enough to run away from defensive backs consistently. Balance could be improved. He runs high and doesn’t have the fluid hips and ankles to make defenders whiff in the open field. Quick feet when moving through traffic near the line of scrimmage, but just doesn’t have the fluid athleticism to make those adjustments when moving close to full speed.

Passing Game: Plenty of experience as a receiver out of the backfield (65 career receptions). Shows reliables hands and can even reel in some acrobatic receptions. Strong enough to be an asset in pass protection but still developing technique.

Intangibles: Suspended for four games in 2014 for taking money for autographs.

Durability: Serious durability concerns due to ankle, knee, hip and thigh injuries. Missed time with an ankle injury early in 2013 season, which never fully healed and was still bothering him during 2014 offseason. Also played through a thigh injury in 2013. Suffered torn ACL (left knee) in November, 2014 and missed remainder of season.

[/level-scouting-reports]

Todd Gurley Chart

Overview: Gurley is a powerful downhill runner with a long history of injuries, casting serious doubt on his NFL future. His quickness and agility are already an area of slight concern, so his recent ACL injury is definitely reason for teams to question his ability to excel at the next level. While he obviously has workhorse potential, I would be nervous about spending a high pick on a runner with his skill set and injury history.

Anthony Boone Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Anthony Boone QB Duke #7
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 239
[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Below average height. Well built and can take a hit. Limited mobility. Occasionally used on read-option plays and rollouts, but his athleticism is definitely not an asset.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Moderate arm strength. Can make the throws when given time, but lacks the zip to fit them into tight windows down the field. Throws a really nice deep ball, but needs to get some air under it – doesn’t fire ropes down the field which limits ups upside in this area. Puts nice touch on his passes. Throws a very catchable ball.

Footwork/Release: Great fundamentals in all aspects. Consistent footwork. Quick, smooth release.

Decision making: Plays well within the system. Like most David Clutcliffe quarterbacks, Boone is smart and rarely makes bad mistakes. He’s capable of going through his reads and knows how to take whats given him.

Intangibles: Two-year team captain.

Durability: Suffered a broken collarbone in 2013.

[/level-scouting-reports]

Overview: Boone doesn’t have the most exciting physical tools, but he’s fundamentally sound and makes good decisions with in the offense. David Cutcliffe does an excellent job preparing quarterbacks for the pros, and Boone will definitely get a shot at the next level. He lacks much upside in terms of physical tools, but I would not be surprised to see him have a nice career as a backup and potentially start some games in the future.

Shane Carden Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Shane Carden QB East Carolina #5
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 213
[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Adequate size but it’s definitely not an asset. Plays reckless at times and will take some hits and doesn’t necessarily have the body to hold up with that style of play. Decent athlete and capable of making plays on the move. Mobility compares favorably to Alex Smith.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Adequate arm strength – not necessarily a strength, but he can get the ball downfield and it holds up when he’s on the move. Accuracy is adequate on short and intermediate passes, but he is prone to some errant throws when his mechanics fail him. Not often asked to thrown downfield, and when he does it’s typically jump balls to Justin Hardy so there have been limited opportunities to gauge his deep ball accuracy.

Footwork/Release: Very inconsistent mechanics. Capable of making strong, fundamentally sound throws but has very inconsistent footwork. Often throws from an open stance and from a quirky three-quarters arm slot.

Decision making: Plays in an offense that requires a lot of short, quick passes. Not asked to go through many reads and often locks on to Justin Hardy. Shaky offensive line play has given him plenty of experience under pressure, but he’s a little quick to run. He’s a gambler, and his overall style of play is reminiscent of Brett Favre.

Intangibles: Three-year starter.

Durability: No known issues.

[/level-scouting-reports]

Overview: Carden is a developmental prospect who needs to work on his mechanics and his patience in the pocket. He’s a Brett Favre-like gambler and a little too reckless at times. Mobility is an asset, but he needs to learn to move within the pocket rather than attempting to make plays on the run. He has the basic set of tools necessary to play at the next level, but should be viewed strictly as a developmental Day 3 prospect.

Blake Sims Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Blake Sims QB Alabama #6
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 208
[level-scouting-reports]

Strengths: Nice mobility. Moves well within the pocket and can be a threat on the move. Adequate arm strength. Quickly developed a strong rapport with his top target, Amario Cooper.

Weaknesses: Undersized; lacks ideal height and overall build. Accuracy is very shaky. Inconsistent footwork and release leads to erratic throws, especially down the field. Limited experience; only one year as the starter at Alabama. Basically a one-read quarterback; rarely goes through his progressions and typically locks onto  Cooper.

[/level-scouting-reports]

Overview: Blake Sims reminds me of Troy Smith early in his career. Unfortunately for Sims, he didn’t win the starting job at Alabama until his senior year, so it’s on to the NFL with little experience. His decision making is below average and physical tools leave a lot to be desired, giving him little upside as a developmental prospect. He’ll likely go undrafted and may be asked to try a new position in an NFL training camp.