Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Cameron Artis-Payne Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Cameron Artis-Payne RB Auburn #44
Ht: 5’10”
Wt: 212

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Size/Athleticism: Strong build. Very quick feet. Looks fluid in the open field and capable of making guys miss.

Vision: Limited vision approaching the line of scrimmage. Runs into closing holes and misses openings on the outside. Not a very creative runner and doesn’t make much happen on his own.

Power: Inconsistent pad level as he runs. Capable of getting low as he runs through the line of scrimmage, but tends to get high when he reaches the second level, leaving him open to bigger hits and cuts down on his balance.

Speed/Agility: Adequate speed. Not a serious threat on the edge, but capable of turning the corner. Quick feet. Makes guys miss in the open field.

Passing Game: Gives an effort as a blocker but doesn’t have technique. Awareness is lacking. Rarely used as a receiver but shows potential.

Intangibles: JUCO transfer. Turns 25 in June. Took two years off after high school.

Durability: No major issues, and very little tread off the tires. Only 13 career starts in two years at Auburn.

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Cameron Artis-Payne Chart

Overview: Artis-Payne has some upside due to his limited experience. He has the basic physical tools but needs to improve his vision and become more of an asset in pass protection and as a receiver. As of right now, he doesn’t really have the skills to play much of a role, but he’s an interesting developmental prospect. Since he’ll be a 25-year-old rookie, that developmental value drops a bit, however, and will definitely hurt his stock.

Josh Robinson Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Josh Robinson RB Mississippi State #13
Ht: 5’9″
Wt: 215

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Size/Athleticism: Tiny compact build. Explosive athleticism in terms of speed, acceleration is average but not necessarily critical to his game.

Vision: Excellent vision between the tackles. Finds holes and finds his way to fight through the line. Does not dance in the backfield and rarely gets stopped for a loss.

Power: A bowling ball-type runner. Doesn’t run over people, but breaks every arm tackle he sees. Does not go down on first contact unless he’s wrapped up.

Speed/Agility: Exceptional balance allows him to squeeze through tight holes at the line of scrimmage. Shifts his weight effortlessly to juke defenders. Mostly a one-cut runner. Does not have a second gear and will not be a home run threat at the next level.

Passing Game: Shows effectiveness as a chop blocker. Certainly not dominant, but gets to his assignment and takes them out. Good awareness and capable of adjusting. Size limits him as a threat, but has soft hands to make him a solid check down option.

Intangibles: High character player. Loved by coaches and teammates.

Durability: Two years of starting experience with no significant injuries. Plenty of experience, but was never overworked so he has a lot of tread left on the tires.

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Josh Robinson Chart

Overview: Robinson doesn’t have elite size or speed, which usually doesn’t bode well for running backs at the next level. But I’m not betting against him. His vision is excellent and compact build makes him tough to bring down. Maybe he lacks the complete package to become a high level starter, but his ability to pick up yards after contact is asset that will lead him to a quality NFL career.

Tyler Kroft Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Tyler Kroft TE Rutgers #86
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 240

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Very good athlete for his size with smooth movements. Gets up to full speed quickly.

Separation Skills: Lacks the speed to run away from anyone, but he has a quick release off the line of scrimmage and he’s crisp in his breaks. Does a great job working the seam down the middle. Does a nice job positioning himself as he sits down on curl routes as a check-down option.

Ball Skills: Traps the ball against his chest too often. Decent athleticism when adjusting to the ball.

Blocking: Fights hard, which helps make up for modest strength. Really improved as an in-line blocker in 2014 and has further room for growth if he adds some functional strength.

Intangibles: Played almost exclusively in the slot in 2013 but new coaching staff moved him to an in-line tight end in 2014.

Durability: No known issues.

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Tyler Kroft Chart

Overview: Kroft is a high-upside prospect who has the athleticism to be a weapon in the passing game but also has the potential as a blocker to develop into a true three-down tight end. His production took a step back in 2014 as he played a more traditional in-line tight end role under Ralph Friedgen, but he looked like a developing weapon when playing primarily in the slot in 2013.

Jesse James Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Jesse James TE Penn State #18
Ht: 6’7″
Wt: 254

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Elite height which gives him the ability to contribute as a receiver. Frame is on the lean side and could benefit from adding a few pounds of muscle. He’s already slow, so he might as well pack on some pounds to bolster his effectiveness as a blocker.

Separation Skills: Very slow release from the line of scrimmage. Takes awhile to build up speed and does not have the acceleration out of his breaks to create consistent separation. Relies on his size to out-muscle defenders for the ball. Routes are very mechanical and lacks the athleticism to for any subtle fakes to force false steps.

Ball Skills: Shows strong focus on catches in traffic. Does a great job adjusting to poorly placed balls. Makes a few acrobatic catches, showing off some decent athleticism.

Blocking: Does a nice job as a move blocker. Identifies his assignment and is able to lock on to defenders on the move. In-line blocking needs some work. Plays too high and lacks the strength to anchor against stronger defensive linemen. Not a finisher as a run blocker due to his marginal strength.

Intangibles: Made somewhat questionable decision to turn pro after his junior year.

Durability: No significant issues.

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Jesse James Chart

Overview: James clearly has the size to create some matchup issues for defenses as a possession receiver, but his immediate value ends there. He doesn’t show functional strength on the field, providing marginal production as a blocker. He could potentially become a low-level starter if he improves his run blocking, but he’s strictly a No. 2 option at tight end as a possession receiver at this stage of his development.

Ben Koyack Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Ben Koyack TE Notre Dame #18
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 254

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Prototypical size. Solid overall build but lacks dominant strength. Athleticism is fairly ordinary. Moves very mechanically and won’t create consistent separation, but he does have decent acceleration. Not a threat after the catch.

Separation Skills: Speed is only average but his routes are crisp. Makes sharp cuts and shows good start-and-stop ability for his size. Strictly a possession receiver, but shows the ability to create separation on quick routes and use his body as a shield from defenders. Experience from the slot, in-line and h-back slots. Intermediate routes are efficient but he simply lacks the explosion to run away from man coverage.

Ball Skills: Reliable hands and shows ideal technique. Extends his arms and quickly secures the ball.

Blocking: Does not have elite strength but stays low and plays with good leverage. Not a finisher, but more of a bend-but-don’t break blocker.

Intangibles: Only one year of starting experience, having played behind Troy Niklas and Tyler Eifert. Played a lot of fullback in 2013, with Niklas at tight end.

Durability: No known issues.

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Ben Koyack Chart

Overview: Koyack only has one year of starting experience under his belt, having primarily lined up as a fullback prior to taking over for Troy Niklas in 2014. Notre Dame didn’t take full advantage of his skills as a receiver, so he’s a candidate for substantial growth at the next level. However, he lacks the elite athleticism to ever be a go-to guy in the passing game and also lacks the dominant blocking skills to stay on the field as a true three-down player. Unlike many recent Notre Dame tight ends, he’s a receiver first and a blocker second. While he can do a little bit of everything, he doesn’t really excel anywhere, which probably makes him better suited for a backup role.