Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Hutson Mason Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Hutson Mason QB Georgia #14
Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 202
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Size/Athleticism: Adequate height but lacks ideal bulk. Would probably be more durable if he added some weight. Not a serious threat to run, but not a statue either. He’s effective on roll outs and is capable of taking off if the defense gives him some room.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Above average accuracy on short and intermediate throws. Capable of getting the ball downfield but accuracy is inconsistent. Doesn’t display great touch on his passes. Doesn’t always throw a clean spiral, which hurts his ability to fit the ball in tight spaces and consistent hit timing routes down the field.

Footwork/Release: Strong all around fundamentals. Gets rid of the ball quickly. Looks smooth throwing on the run as well.

Decision making: Does a nice job looking off his intended receiver. Patient in the pocket. Rarely tries to force the ball down the field and knows when to check down or throw it away. Very patient under pressure and will not get flustered with the pocket collapsing around him.

Intangibles: Looks very confident and comfortable running the offense. Appears to know his strengths and limitations. Team captain.

Durability: No known issues.

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Overview: There’s not a whole lot about Mason’s game to get excited about, but he has the basic tools to carve out an NFL career. His best asset is his patience and confidence. He’s willing to stand in the pocket and remain calm under pressure and go through his reads—an area of development in which he’s ahead of many other more talent prospects. He’s shown enough to warrant a late-round pick and he may develop into a solid backup, but he isn’t a guy to bring in with any long-term expectations.

Bud Dupree NFL Draft Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Bud Dupree DE/LB Kentucky #2
Ht: 6’4″
Wt: 269

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Size/Athleticism: Really impressive athleticism for a guy playing near 270 pounds. Occasionally drops into man coverage, even lining up against wide receivers (although not always with great results in those situations). Very short arms for his size and it shows when he struggles to battle with offensive linemen once they’re locked on to him.

Run Defense: Does a really nice job containing the edge. Patient and smart when reading the quarterback in read-options situations. Takes good angels in pursuit. Controlled at the point of attack too often. Lacks the lower-body strength to anchor and gets blown off his spot too often.

Pass-Rush: Explosive off the snap and can fly into the backfield when he avoids initial contact. Does not convert speed to power. Limited length really shows up when he struggles to disengage. Doesn’t show many pass-rush moves and relies heavily on speed.

Versatility: Experience in a wide range of roles. Frequently lines up as a 3-4 linebacker or 4-3 end. Often drops in coverage, both zone and man assignments. Occasionally shifts out into man coverage on the slot receiver. Also used as a QB spy at times.

Intangibles: High character player. Two-year captain.

Durability: Missed one game with a pec injury in 2013. 36 college starts.

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Bud Dupree Chart

Overview: Dupree improved dramatically from his junior to senior year. By adding weight, he improved his ability to hold up against the run and also improved his ability as a more well-rounded pass-rusher. He’s probably best suited as a 4-3 end due to his ability to set the edge. He reminds me of Jabaal Sheard—a productive player in all aspects of the game, but not someone who really stands out in any one area. Dupree’s pass-rush skills may be too raw (he is noticeably lacking a go-to move) in order to be an immediate starter, but he has the tools to be a three-down lineman.

Michael Bennett Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Michael Bennett DT Ohio State #63
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 293

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Size/Athleticism: Prototypical three-tech defensive tackle. Slightly undersized in terms of his length and weight, but his quickness and ability to play with leverage allows him to be productive at this weight. Added weight prior to combine, but played closer to 285 pounds at Ohio State. Probably isn’t athletic enough to be a great fit as a five-tech end in a 3-4 defense, so may be limited to playing in the 4-3.

Run Defense: Not a dominant force at the point of attack, but holds his ground fairly consistently as long as he isn’t double-teamed. Does a great job shedding blocks in order to make plays in pursuit. A patient defender who clearly understands his assignments. OSU defensive line is very active, and his ability to get to the edge from the interior line provide them the ability to be creative. Impressive closing speed when given a lane into the backfield.

Pass Rush: Explosive off the snap. Shoots the gap off the snap and has the closing speed to be a disruptive force in the backfield. Shows an array of moves. Spin move is a favorite and his balance and agility allows him to use to the move effectively. Upper body strength isn’t great, but he has very active hands which he uses to keep offensive linemen from getting into his chest.

Intangibles: Showed questionable effort at times during senior year.

Durability: Missed four games with groin injury in 2012. Did not work out at combine due to groin injury.

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Michael Bennett Chart

Overview: Bennett may be a scheme-limited prospect, which hurts his value. However, he projects as a disruptive three-technique tackle in the 4-3 scheme and could be a force right away. His production has been up and down throughout his career, but he was a dominant force during the Buckeyes’ championship run. He will immediately make an impact as an interior pass-rusher and has shown flashes of ability to hold his ground against the run.

Danny Shelton NFL Draft Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Danny Shelton DT Washington #55
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 339

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Size/Athleticism: Shows flashes of impressive athleticism for his size, but it comes in inconsistent bursts. Built like a true nose tackle.

Run Defense: Not nearly as a dominant in terms of holding his ground as you would expect considering his size. Gets stood up and driven off his spot too easily due to his inconsistent balance and leverage. Shows the ability to hold up at the point of attack, even against double teams, but it all hinges on his ability to keep a low pad level and play with leverage.

Pass Rush: Quick off the snap, especially considering his size. Appears to have short arms and doesn’t deliver much of a punch to offensive linemen. Plays with very inconsistent leverage. Capable of exploding off the line of scrimmage, but does not always sustain that power and offensive linemen are frequently able to recover to slow him down. Does not convert speed to power as efficiently as you’d like to see.

Versatility: A pure nose tackle. Capable of playing a 5-tech end in a 3-4 scheme for certain coaches that value size over athleticism on the edge.

Intangibles: Three-year starter. Academic All-American. Very personable with the media.

Durability: 40 consecutive starts.

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Danny Shelton Chart

Overview: Shelton is an intriguing prospect because there are only so many players in every draft with his combination of size and athleticism. However, his inconsistent play makes him more of a developmental prospect than a sure thing. His lack of consistent dominance in college raises some concern, and doesn’t bode well for his immediate success in the NFL. His impressive stats as a senior were heavily influenced by dominating lower-level competition (seven of nine sacks came against Hawaii, Eastern Washington and Georgia State)

Benardrick McKinney Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Benardrick McKinney LB Mississippi State #50
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 249

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Size/Athleticism: Built more like a strong-side linebacker than an inside linebacker. Explosive in short bursts but overall athleticism is fairly average. Played quarterback in high school.

Run Defense: Patient tracking the ball on read-options. Decent closing speed in a short burst, but overall range is very average. Capable of taking on blockers and shedding blocks. At his best working downhill against the run. Strong wrap-up tackler. When he gets with a step of the ball carrier, he brings him down.

Pass Rush: Occasionally lines up on the edge to blitz. Size and strength make him a tough assignment for running backs and he’s often able to overpower them in a one-on-one matchup.

Coverage: Stiff in coverage. Does not have great agility or change of direction ability. Tends to get lost and turns his back on the quarterback too often. Will struggle in man coverage with most NFL running backs and tight ends.

Intangibles: Coaches speak highly of his work ethic and leadership.

Durability: No issues. Did not miss a game in college.

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Benardrick McKinney Chart

Overview: McKinney is the quarterback of the defense and excels as the leader of the defensive unit. He is a dominant run defender from the inside, but I question his ability to handle the coverage assignments at the next level. He may be better suited as a strong-side linebacker taking on more pass-rush assignments than coverage responsibility.