Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Randy Gregory Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Randy Gregory DE Nebraska #4
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 235

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Size/Athleticism: Elite length. Frame has potential for additional growth. Reportedly played at 218 pounds in 2014—that’s probably exaggerated, or perhaps it was what he weight at some point (spring ball?). He certainly looks closer to 235/240 on tape. Has all the physical tools teams look for, even if he isn’t quite ready from a strength standpoint.

Run Defense: Swallowed up at the point of attack. Clearly lacks the dominant lower body strength to hold his ground. Struggles to shed tackles once he loses leverage and linemen get into his pads. Has the speed to make plays in pursuit. Shows the athleticism to work through traffic in pursuit. If he really played at 218 lbs (I’m skeptical) his upside in this area is off the charts. He looks average at the POA, but for an undersized guy, he was effective and has the frame to add a ton of muscle.

Pass-Rush: Elite explosiveness. Change of direction ability is off the charts. Can fake outside and explode to the inside, a combo which helps mask his somewhat limited strength. Extremely explosive but does not react to the snap. Often the last man to move on the line. Puts together smooth combo moves. Long arms allow him to play with leverage and keep offensive linemen off his chest.

Versatility: Sort of a LB/DE ‘tweener. Can definitely play 4-3 end or 3-4 linebacker and could potentially play strong-side linebacker in some 4-3 schemes, much like Von Miller in Denver. He’s athletic enough to do just about anything.

Intangibles: Signed with Purdue but didn’t qualify academically and went JUCO route until joining Nebraska in 2013.

Durability: Missed 2012 with a broken leg.

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Randy Gregory Chart

Overview: Gregory is an impressive athlete and has the explosive ability to be a dominant edge-rusher. He’s also shown steady improvement throughout his career and has the tools to continue to develop at the next level. His only weakness of note is a lack of dominant strength to anchor against the run, but has the frame to add some weight which would help. He’s a boom-or-bust prospect, but the ceiling is incredible high.

Shawn Oakman Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
2 Comments
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Shawn Oakman DE Baylor #2
Ht: 6’9″
Wt: 280

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Size/Athleticism: Incredible combination of size, strength and speed. Physical traits are extremely rare give him positional versatility along the defensive line.

Run Defense: Generally does a nice job holding his ground at the point of attack. Has the raw strength to anchor, but needs to play with leverage. Occasionally gets too upright, allowing offensive linemen to gain the leverage to stand him up and drive him off his spot. Gives a great effort in pursuit and has the closing speed to make plays down the field.

Pass-Rush: Explosive off the edge and has the athleticism to win with pure speed. Impressive bull rush and can walk the lineman back into the pocket even when he struggles to disengage. Needs to develop a better counter move when his initial push is stopped.

Versatility: Combination of size, strength and speed will allow him to play any position on the line. He’s built like a standard five-technique end in a 3-4 scheme, but has enough athleticism to play end in the 4-3 as well, and could even shift inside to the three-tech position in the 4-3 scheme.

Intangibles: Dismissed from Penn State  after being charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and retail theft.

Durability: No known issues.

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Overview: Oakman is still developing and only has one full year as a member of Baylor’s starting lineup, but he is a physical freak who should be considered first-round lock. Much like other prospects such as Ziggy Ansah and Jason Pierre-Paul who entered the draft with limited production in college, Oakman’s rare physical traits give him elite upside and should land him high in the draft. He may not be ready for a starting role as a rookie, but he has the potential to be a dominant lineman as a pass-rusher and against the run.

Dante Fowler Jr. Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Dante Fowler Jr. DE/LB Florida #6
Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 261

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Size/Athleticism: Lacks ideal length but is well built. Nice blend of strength and athleticism. Has the speed to make plays in pursuit.

Run Defense: Lacks ideal strength at the point of attack. Can generally hold his ground, but struggles to disengage when the offensive lineman is locked into his pads.

Pass-Rush: Quick off the snap. Closing burst on the quarterback is special—but can also be a weakness, as he closes too fast and out of control, and whiffs on the QB. Primarily wins with speed and lacks the strength to consistently beat his man if he doesn’t gain an edge with his first step. Could improve his performance with the rip move—he’s short for a DE, and would benefit from staying low and perfecting the rip move to fight past taller tackles. Very active, strong hands.

Versatility: Lines up all over the field. Can easily play in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Has even lined up over the slot receiver at times, dropping into zone coverage.

Intangibles: Suspended two games in high school for arguing with coaches during a film session. No issues while at Florida. Highly energetic player on the field.

Durability: No known issues. Three-year starter turning pro after junior year.

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Dante Fowler Chart

Overview: Fowler is a capable pass-rusher who should contribute in that role immediately. However, his upside may be somewhat limited by modest physical tools. His best attribute is his ability to win with his first step—unfortunately, he rarely wins when he doesn’t gain an edge with that first step. There’s definitely a lot to like about Fowler—his snap anticipation, energy, active hands—but his ceiling is a notch below the elite edge players in this class.

Tony Lippett Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Tony Lippett WR Michigan State #14
Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 185

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Size/Athleticism: Ideal height with adequate speed. Not a serious threat after the catch but is capable of picking up chunks of yards when given room to run. Would benefit from adding some strength to improve his ability to win in traffic and fight press coverage.

Separation Skills: Relatively quick feet and is capable of shaking defenders at the line of scrimmage with his moves, but lacks the speed to run away from them. Struggles to fight through press coverage and can be taken completely out of plays and thrown off his route at times.

Ball Skills: Extremely inconsistent. Does not consistently high point the ball and struggles to box out defenders when going for the 50/50 balls. Hands are among the most inconsistent in this draft class. Struggles to quickly secure the ball and had a number of drops when he failed to secure the ball in time to absorb the hit. Many of his catches are double catches. Hands have improved throughout his career, but they remain an issue.

Intangibles: Nothing positive or negative of note.

Durability: Suffered an ankle injury in 2012.

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Tony Lippett Chart

Overview: Tony Lippett has the tools to make an NFL roster as third or fourth option, but until his hands become more reliable he’ll struggle to see the field at the next level. His issues with drops have improved, but he still struggles to secure the ball quick and makes far too many double catches. While his size is intriguing, it’s tough to view him as anything more than a developmental Day 3 prospect.

Shilique Calhoun Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
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Shilique Calhoun DE Michigan State #89
Ht: 6’4″
Wt: 257

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Size/Athleticism: Adequate size with above average upper body strength. Decent athleticism, but a notch below the elite quickness necessary to be a force as a pass-rusher.

Run Defense: Decent strength. Does an adequate job anchoring and is capable of shedding blocks. Decent speed to make plays in pursuit. Ball awareness is inconsistent and misses some opportunities to make plays when he loses the ball carrier. Closes quickly and can deliver the big hit.

Pass-Rush: Primarily wins with his strength and is capable of bull-rushing his way into the backfield. Lacks elite speed but is consistently quick off the snap and can with with speed if beats the tackle with his first step. Made strides in terms of using his hands in 2014 but is still developing in this area. Has the strength, but needs to be more violent with his hands to keep offensive linemen from getting into his pads.

Versatility: Potentially capable of playing linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but has very little experience with his hand off the ground. May lack the athleticism to excel when dropping in coverage.

Intangibles: Nothing of note.

Durability: No issues of note.

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Overview: Calhoun is still a work in progress but he has the tools to excel in the NFL. He probably fits best at end in a 4-3 scheme where he would be a well-rounded lineman playing against the run and rushing the passer. He reminds me of Robert Quinn in terms of his style, but is probably a notch below Quinn in terms of quickness and all-around athleticism. He projects as a starter at the next level and is deserving of first-round consideration.