Alabama’s Jedrick Wills received high praise for NFL analyst Lance Zierlein as he compared Wills to Philadelphia Eagles’ Jason Peters.
Wills compared to Jason Peters by Zierlein https://t.co/0IXB9mXyCE
— Rotoworld NFL Draft (@Rotoworld_Draft) February 22, 2020
This is what Zierlein had to say about Wills:
“Wills falls below the height/length norm for tackles, but his quick, well-timed punches and varied approach prevent defenders from finding rush rhythms and using length against him. Agility and body control allow him to handle move-blocking duties successfully, but his leverage and elite transference of power from hips to his hands provide a big advantage as a body mover at the point of attack. His desire to control each snap occasionally leads to over-sets and lunging in an effort to stay ahead of opponents. Wills is one of the most impressive tackles in the draft; he has basketball-caliber foot quickness and the quick hands of a boxer, and all of it is wrapped in a stout, powerful package of bad intentions. His game is tailor-made for the NFL, and his range of success is good starter to All-Pro.”
Zierlein also analyzed all of Wills’ strength and weaknesses:
- Big, wide and extremely athletic
- Plays with loose hips and fluid, twitchy feet
- Quick out of the gates to cross-face defenders from back side
- Moves like a tight end in space to adjust to moving targets
- Good flexibility and leverage at point of attack
- Can unlock hips and rips into initial contact with jarring force
- Bulldozes down-blocks
- Follows with his feet to sustain in space
- Basketball footwork to mirror athletic rushers
- Protects with a locked-in base width
- Jabs rushers with either hand and has talent to reset and re-fire in an instant
- Plays with unusual poise against counters
- Power, balance and feet are outstanding in recovery
- Plays with nasty disposition
- Shorter than average as a tackle
- Plays too far forward at times as run-blocker
- Will one-pop a block over sustaining at times
- Can improve centering and controlling zone blocks
- Inconsistent tempo on work-up blocks
- Rare to see him latch in and close distance with hand grip
- Average instincts and recognition against blitz
- Losses in pass protection usually due to over-extending
- Occasionally beaten by inside moves and spin counters
There’s no doubt that Wills will be a huge success. Many NFL mock drafts have Wills going early in the first round.
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