Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Amari Cooper Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Amari Cooper WR Alabama #9
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 205

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Size/Athleticism: Adequate height and overall built. Enough speed to make plays after the catch but lacks the elite speed to create consistent separation with his acceleration alone. Physical tools are relatively average across the board.

Separation Skills: Lacks the speed to simply run away from defensive backs and take the top off the defense, but creates consistent separation due to his elite technique. Does all the little things to throw defensive backs off balance and keep them guessing. Footwork off the snap is elite, allowing him to beat press coverage with minimal physical contact. Does an exceptional job varying his his acceleration to keep defensive backs guessing and forcing them into false steps. Despite limited speed, initial burst out of his cuts is elite allowing him to create consistent of separation, even on short routes.

Ball Skills: Inconsistent hands, although he showed some improvement in 2014. Does a nice job tracking the deep ball but inconsistent when it comes to positioning himself against the defensive back for 50/50 balls.

Blocking: Another area of strength. Lacks dominant strength and power, but often has enough of a size advantage to win against defensive backs.

Intangibles: Has a reputation as a humble, hard worker.

Durability: Missed time with a toe injury in 2013.

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Amari Cooper Chart

Overview: Cooper doesn’t have the elite physical tools of most No. 1 receivers, but the way in which he wins compares favorably to Odell Beckham Jr. Cooper’s routes are exceptional, allowing him to consistently create separation at all levels. His only major flaw are his hands, which were a glaring issues in 2013 but showed significant improvement during his junior year. He definitely has the refined skill set to warrant a high pick and should contribute immediately.

Karlos Williams Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Karlos Williams RB Florida State #9
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 223

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Size/Athleticism: Elite size. Shows some flashes of plus athleticism but it doesn’t show up consistently. Above average speed for his size.

Vision: Looks hesitant running between the tackles. Puts his head down too early and misses opportunities. Capable of following his lead blocker but nothing more. No creativity to his runs.

Power: Has the strength to run people over but very inconsistent. Runs too high and doesn’t always gain leverage.

Speed/Agility: Impressive straight-line speed for a power runner. Runs too high. Doesn’t have great footwork and looks awkward trying to avoid tackles at times. Does not have start-and-stop ability. Does not make guys miss at the second level with his footwork.

Passing Game: Productive receiver out of the backfield. Fairly reliable hands but traps against his chest too often. Routes are inconsistent and not explosive in his breaks. Most effective just sitting down in zone coverage as a check down option or swinging out into the flat. Very limited in terms of awareness in pass protection.

Intangibles: Investigated for domestic battery but no charges filed. Moved from safety to running back prior to 2013 season.

Durability: Suffered a broken wrist in 2011. Played through a shoulder injury in 2013.

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Karlos Williams Chart

Overview: Williams has some upside due to his limited experience at running back (he’s a former safety) and flashes of dominance, but his lack of development in 2014 raises some concern. High expectations were set after his 2013 performance, but he was unimpressive and eventually lost carries to true freshman Davin Cook. He’ll be an interesting Day 3 prospect with obvious starter potential, but he’s a developmental prospect with some character red flags.

Ameer Abdullah Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Ameer Abdullah RB Nebraska #8
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 195

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Size/Athleticism: Undersized. Lacks the strength to take a pounding. Impressive athlete. Very smooth in his movements and maintains balance while on the move at high speeds.

Vision: Does a nice job find the hole and hitting it with a burst. Might be a little too patient at times. Hesitant to fight for the tough yardage and will try to bounce it to the outside when it just isn’t there. Too quick to put his head down up the middle at times. Needs to try to squeeze through the tight holes and improve vision between the tackles. Does a nice job finding the cutback lanes.

Power: Runs hard and is willing to run between the tackles. Does not necessarily shy away from contact, but certainly doesn’t seek it out. Lacks the strength to push the pile. Tends to fall forward despite limited yardage after contact.

Speed/Agility: Far and away his best asset. He’s explosive and hits holes with an impressive burst. Acceleration is elite. Gets up to full speed from a dead spot in a matter of steps.

Passing Game: Not a ton of experience as a receiver, but definitely capable of a bigger role at the next level. Shows the ability to extend his arms and pluck poorly thrown passes. Extremely explosive once he catches the ball in the open field. Relies on cut blocks and is inconsistent. Needs to improve awareness in pass protection.

Intangibles: Works hard on and off field. Praised by coaching staff. A team leader.

Durability: Played through a knee injury in 2013.

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Ameer Abdullah Chart

Overview: Abdullah is a talented and explosive runner but does have some limitations. Short running backs can have success at the next level (Doug Martin, for example, was on verge of stardom before injury) but they tend to be much more physical than Abdullah. I would take Abdullah as a change-of-pace back on my team in a heartbeat, but he should not be relied up on as the workhorse at the NFL level. He reminds me of Justin Forsett, who has been successful in spurts, but is not a true feature back.

Byron Marshall Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Byron Marshall RB Oregon #9
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 207

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Strengths: Elite explosion as he hits the hole. Acceleration is special. Can stop on a dime. Fairly well built for his an undersized back. Plenty of experience in the passing game and could be a weapon from the slot also.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t play in a traditional offense and rare used to run between the tackles. Doesn’t use his size to his advantage, even though he has the build to take a few hits.

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Overview: Marshall is among the best athletes in this draft class and can make an immediate impact in the league as a change-of-pace back and a weapon in the passing game. If he develops his ability to run between the tackles, which he has the build for, he could develop into a more well-rounded runner and emerge as a legitimate starter in the league.

Melvin Gordon Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin #25
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 207

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Size/Athleticism: Lacks elite size or speed, but has a nice blend of both.

Vision: Relies on his offensive line and is typically a patient runner. Hits the hole with a burst—maybe too hard at times, limiting his ability to adjust to the second level of defenders once he’s in the hole.

Power: More powerful than he gets credit for when running between the tackles. He’s much more of a downhill runner than his highlight reel plays would make you think. Strong enough to break arm tackles and typically falls forward. Does not run with great balance in the open field. Fumbling has been an issue.

Speed/Agility: His long runs have given him the reputation as an elusive playmaker, but he’s really more of a one-cut runner. Lacks the quick footwork, balance and agility to make defenders consistently miss in the open field. But he does have the straight-line speed to take it the distance once he’s given a running lane. Very average change-of-direction ability. Does have the ability to turn on the jets quickly from a dead stop, making him a threat to bounce runs to the outside once the interior is closed off. Speed is an asset, but he doesn’t really have a second gear to turn on in the open field.

Passing Game: A non-factor in the passing game. Does not show great awareness in pass-protection. Does a poor job using leverage to his advantage against pass-rushers. Plays too high as a blocker and gets knocked back easily. Only 20 career receptions.

Intangibles: Hard worker and a favorite of the coaching staff.

Durability: Missed majority of 2011 season with a groin injury, which resulted in him taking a medical redshirt.

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Melvin Gordon Chart

Overview: Gordon is a one-cut runner with the speed to take it the distance on any given play. He benefitted greatly from playing behind an elite offensive line in college, but he definitely has tools that translate to the NFL game. His fumbling issues and lack of production in the passing game raise some concern, but he has a reputation as a hard worker and both areas can be developed. I do not see him as an elite difference marker in the NFL, but has potential to be an adequate starter if supported by a strong backup who complements him well.