Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
These are some notes about some of the players who stood out to me this week:
QB:
Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina.
Made a couple of mistakes, but displayed all the reasons why teams are enamored with him: size, footwork, vision, arm strength, accuracy from pocket and on the move, improvisational skill.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson.
He too made a couple of mistakes, but kept his poise, used his feet to his advantage and threw plenty of strikes. Very good touch and rhythm on short to intermediate passes, which bodes well for playing in BA's offense. Very good runner. Good vision. Strong leader.
RB:
Dalvin Cook, Florida St.
We have seen what Devonta Freeman has done to electrify the Falcons' running game and thus to open their passing game. Well, Dalvin Cook has an array of exceptional skills to add to Freeman's downhill burst and running style.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson.
Has a similar running style to David Johnson's, although few RBs can slalom cut the way DJ does. Although he runs upright, like DJ, he is slippery and leans forward to get the most out of his run. Not sure if he will be a lead RB in the NFL, but he could be a superb #2.
Nick Chubb, Georgia.
Ground and pound RB who has impressive feet, lower body strength and pad level. Not sure about his receiving skills at the next level, but he could surprise there.
WR:
Mike Williams, Clemson.
Plays with a chip on his shoulder. He's everything we wished Michael Floyd would be. Superb down the field and on 50/50 balls, but also tough and highly competitive on routes over the middle.
Malachai Dupree, LSU.
Has a knack for gaining separation. Very slippery. Has good RAC ability. Is a willing and able blocker downfield.
James Quick, Louisville.
Deep threat who, like Williams, can make strong catches and RACs on under and intermediate routes.
TE:
O.J. Howard, Alabama.
Has WR speed and knows how to get open. But he tends to disappear in games. Can he be a go-to receiver on a regular basis? Only has 2 TDs this year.
Jordan Leggett, Clemson.
Has all the tools. He's a better blocker than Howard and while he's not quite as fast as Howard, he is more consistently productive.
OL:
Cam Robinson, T, Alabama.
Quick off the ball, and very agile for at 6-5, 326. Sets up well in pass pro and plays good angles on his blocks. Can be out-quicked on stunts and edge speed rushes, but once her gets his long arms on his man, he rides them out of the picture.
Pat Elflein, C, Ohio St.
Rock steady in the middle. Has good combination of footwork, leverage and upper body strength. Good leader.
Ethan Pocic, LSU.
Plays surprisingly lithe at 6-6, 309. Can play equally well with power or finesse in whatever the situation dictates. If you want to boost the running game up the middle, this guy gets it done.
DL:
Solomon Thomas, Stanford.
Explodes off the snap, but manages to maintain outstanding body control and ball awareness. Made to order as a 5 technique in a 34. Has 8 sacks and gets to the QB in a hurry at times.
Jonathan Allen, Alabama.
Might be the strongest and most disruptive DE in recent Bama history. Thrives under the big lights.
Devonte Fields, Louisville.
Despite playing injured, Fields was in the LSU backfield all afternoon. Could play 34 OLB at 6-4, 258. Plays long and fluidly.
Harold Landry, Boston College.
Will likely declare for the draft after his breakout 16 sack season. Has equal ability as a bull rusher and quick around the corner rusher.
Carlos Watkins, Clemson.
Moves with surprising agility and quicks for such a big bodied (6-3, 318) DT.
DeMarcus Walker, Florida St.
At 6-3, 275, Walker is load off the edge who brings constant pressure and blows up the running game.
LB:
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M.
Elite skills in all phases. Likely the #1 pick in the draft.
Reuben Foster, Alabama.
Despite smallish size, he has tremendous instincts, range and toughness.
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio St.
Bigger and more rugged than Foster. Not quite as rangy, but is a force to be reckoned with between the tackles.
Tim Williams, Alabama.
Speed rusher, very good athlete, but is on the small side at 6-2, 230.
Ryan Anderson, Alabama.
Not as athletically gifted as Foster or Williams, but is a Johnny-on-the-spot type of playmaker, as evidenced by his pick 6 versus Washington.
Ben Boulware, Clemson.
Self-made all-star, despite short height and athletic limitations. Junkyard dog and tremendous leader.
CB:
Marlon Humphrey, Alabama.
Got beat on the double move for a TD early in the Washington game, but stuck like glue in coverage after that. Has good size and quick feet.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama.
Intense competitor. Forces the run well. Good tackler. Combative when the ball is in the air. Closes quickly.
Tre-Davious White, LSU.
Smooth and sneaky. Finds the ball and gets to it in a hurry. Has return skills.
Sidney Jones, Washington.
Had a rough game versus Alabama. Like his talented teammate WR John Ross, he got overmatched physically. However, his cover skills are potentially elite and once he adds more strength in the weight room, this kid could be a sensational pro.
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson.
Had a superb game versus Ohio St. Has length, good feet and fluid hips. No stranger to contact, either.
Gareon Conley, Ohio St.
Smart and instinctive. Plays the position the way it is supposed to be played, with good leverage, ball awareness and closing speed. Not flashy---just reliably solid.
Marshon Lattimore, Ohio St.
Has the size and skills and is starting to develop nicely.
S:
Malik Hooker, Ohio St.
Total package as to what the Cardinals need at FS. Has good size and superior range, as evidence by his interception at the pylon over the top of the Clemson WR. And, his initial angle on that pass was off, which he readjusted in mid-run and got to the spot in a flash. He plays physical when he needs to on underneath plays, although he can over-pursue at times.
Jamal Adams, LSU.
Got beat deep by James Quick and there are questions as to whether he can play FS. As a box safety, he is dynamic in all phases. Watching him chase down Lamar Jackson was a treat.
John Johnson, Boston College.
Good size/strength and can play well in both zone and man coverage. Has CB skills and is a big hitter.
STs:
JK Scott, P, Alabama.
Superb leg. Booms the ball.
QB:
Mitch Trubisky, North Carolina.
Made a couple of mistakes, but displayed all the reasons why teams are enamored with him: size, footwork, vision, arm strength, accuracy from pocket and on the move, improvisational skill.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson.
He too made a couple of mistakes, but kept his poise, used his feet to his advantage and threw plenty of strikes. Very good touch and rhythm on short to intermediate passes, which bodes well for playing in BA's offense. Very good runner. Good vision. Strong leader.
RB:
Dalvin Cook, Florida St.
We have seen what Devonta Freeman has done to electrify the Falcons' running game and thus to open their passing game. Well, Dalvin Cook has an array of exceptional skills to add to Freeman's downhill burst and running style.
Wayne Gallman, Clemson.
Has a similar running style to David Johnson's, although few RBs can slalom cut the way DJ does. Although he runs upright, like DJ, he is slippery and leans forward to get the most out of his run. Not sure if he will be a lead RB in the NFL, but he could be a superb #2.
Nick Chubb, Georgia.
Ground and pound RB who has impressive feet, lower body strength and pad level. Not sure about his receiving skills at the next level, but he could surprise there.
WR:
Mike Williams, Clemson.
Plays with a chip on his shoulder. He's everything we wished Michael Floyd would be. Superb down the field and on 50/50 balls, but also tough and highly competitive on routes over the middle.
Malachai Dupree, LSU.
Has a knack for gaining separation. Very slippery. Has good RAC ability. Is a willing and able blocker downfield.
James Quick, Louisville.
Deep threat who, like Williams, can make strong catches and RACs on under and intermediate routes.
TE:
O.J. Howard, Alabama.
Has WR speed and knows how to get open. But he tends to disappear in games. Can he be a go-to receiver on a regular basis? Only has 2 TDs this year.
Jordan Leggett, Clemson.
Has all the tools. He's a better blocker than Howard and while he's not quite as fast as Howard, he is more consistently productive.
OL:
Cam Robinson, T, Alabama.
Quick off the ball, and very agile for at 6-5, 326. Sets up well in pass pro and plays good angles on his blocks. Can be out-quicked on stunts and edge speed rushes, but once her gets his long arms on his man, he rides them out of the picture.
Pat Elflein, C, Ohio St.
Rock steady in the middle. Has good combination of footwork, leverage and upper body strength. Good leader.
Ethan Pocic, LSU.
Plays surprisingly lithe at 6-6, 309. Can play equally well with power or finesse in whatever the situation dictates. If you want to boost the running game up the middle, this guy gets it done.
DL:
Solomon Thomas, Stanford.
Explodes off the snap, but manages to maintain outstanding body control and ball awareness. Made to order as a 5 technique in a 34. Has 8 sacks and gets to the QB in a hurry at times.
Jonathan Allen, Alabama.
Might be the strongest and most disruptive DE in recent Bama history. Thrives under the big lights.
Devonte Fields, Louisville.
Despite playing injured, Fields was in the LSU backfield all afternoon. Could play 34 OLB at 6-4, 258. Plays long and fluidly.
Harold Landry, Boston College.
Will likely declare for the draft after his breakout 16 sack season. Has equal ability as a bull rusher and quick around the corner rusher.
Carlos Watkins, Clemson.
Moves with surprising agility and quicks for such a big bodied (6-3, 318) DT.
DeMarcus Walker, Florida St.
At 6-3, 275, Walker is load off the edge who brings constant pressure and blows up the running game.
LB:
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M.
Elite skills in all phases. Likely the #1 pick in the draft.
Reuben Foster, Alabama.
Despite smallish size, he has tremendous instincts, range and toughness.
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio St.
Bigger and more rugged than Foster. Not quite as rangy, but is a force to be reckoned with between the tackles.
Tim Williams, Alabama.
Speed rusher, very good athlete, but is on the small side at 6-2, 230.
Ryan Anderson, Alabama.
Not as athletically gifted as Foster or Williams, but is a Johnny-on-the-spot type of playmaker, as evidenced by his pick 6 versus Washington.
Ben Boulware, Clemson.
Self-made all-star, despite short height and athletic limitations. Junkyard dog and tremendous leader.
CB:
Marlon Humphrey, Alabama.
Got beat on the double move for a TD early in the Washington game, but stuck like glue in coverage after that. Has good size and quick feet.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama.
Intense competitor. Forces the run well. Good tackler. Combative when the ball is in the air. Closes quickly.
Tre-Davious White, LSU.
Smooth and sneaky. Finds the ball and gets to it in a hurry. Has return skills.
Sidney Jones, Washington.
Had a rough game versus Alabama. Like his talented teammate WR John Ross, he got overmatched physically. However, his cover skills are potentially elite and once he adds more strength in the weight room, this kid could be a sensational pro.
Cordrea Tankersley, Clemson.
Had a superb game versus Ohio St. Has length, good feet and fluid hips. No stranger to contact, either.
Gareon Conley, Ohio St.
Smart and instinctive. Plays the position the way it is supposed to be played, with good leverage, ball awareness and closing speed. Not flashy---just reliably solid.
Marshon Lattimore, Ohio St.
Has the size and skills and is starting to develop nicely.
S:
Malik Hooker, Ohio St.
Total package as to what the Cardinals need at FS. Has good size and superior range, as evidence by his interception at the pylon over the top of the Clemson WR. And, his initial angle on that pass was off, which he readjusted in mid-run and got to the spot in a flash. He plays physical when he needs to on underneath plays, although he can over-pursue at times.
Jamal Adams, LSU.
Got beat deep by James Quick and there are questions as to whether he can play FS. As a box safety, he is dynamic in all phases. Watching him chase down Lamar Jackson was a treat.
John Johnson, Boston College.
Good size/strength and can play well in both zone and man coverage. Has CB skills and is a big hitter.
STs:
JK Scott, P, Alabama.
Superb leg. Booms the ball.
