Category: Prospect Profiles

2020 NFL draft: Kenny Willekes scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan State edge defender prospect Kenny Willekes

Kenny Willekes | EDGE | Michigan State

Elevator Pitch

A high-motored walk-on who defied the odds and became highly productive for Michigan State, Willekes has the determination and the work ethic to outplay his draft positioning at the next level. While average athletic traits will limit his ceiling, he’s an intelligent and refined rusher who should stick on an NFL roster.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 264

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If there’s one thing Willekes has plenty of, it’s determination.

Willekes fights hard on every snap and doesn’t stop fighting to get to the ball until the whistle. He keeps his legs churning and works to get inside hand leverage when engaged with blockers. He uses his hands well, as he has a solid arsenal of pass-rushing techniques in which he showcases solid quickness and a sound plan when he rushes the quarterback. Blockers can struggle against him when he gets leverage, as he plays with good pad level and has the strength in his lower body to drive them backwards.

Though not a speed demon in space, Willekes is a consistent tackler, regardless of whether he’s engaged with a blocker or is facing up to a ball carrier in the open field. He’s fairly slippery too, as he can rip and dip past blockers and attack their set points with precision. His production in college is also certainly impressive: he had 23.5 sacks and 49 tackles for a loss in the three seasons he played.

Weaknesses

There’s a bit to like in Willekes’ game, enough that he should be able to be a solid contributor for an NFL team. However, it’s unlikely he’ll become anything more than that. His physical tools don’t jump off the page, as his athleticism is below average for the edge rusher position. His lateral agility prevents his range as a tackler and his effectiveness as a stand-up rusher, and his straight-line speed prevents him from making more plays in space.

Willekes can do a better job of plugging up holes against the run, in that he can enhance his ability to hold blocks and preventing opponents from sealing him off. His counter moves, while showing some promise, could stand to improve a little bit more.

Projection: Day 3

[vertical-gallery id=614705]

2020 NFL draft: Zack Baun scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Wisconsin edge defender prospect Zach Baun

Zack Baun | EDGE | Wisconsin

Elevator Pitch

Baun is a highly-athletic defender who broke out onto the scene in 2019. His range as a tackler, acceleration off the snap and motor with which he rushes the passer gives him a high ceiling at the next level. He’s a bit undersized, but NFL defensive coaches will have fun utilizing him in numerous different roles.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 238

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a front-seven defender with athleticism and versatility, Baun is your guy.

Baun consistently accelerates well off the snap and has great burst coming out of his stance. He has impressive lateral agility in the open field, as he changes direction very well and is able to flip his hips fluidly and accelerate coming out of his breaks. This gives him a lot of range as a tackler in space. He’s able to turn the corner very well, as his hip and ankle flexibility allows him to dip underneath offensive tackles while still maintaining sharp pursuit angles to the quarterback. His quick-twitched athleticism gives him value bouncing inside on stunts: his mobility makes him a difficult pass rusher to keep up with.

When Baun rushes the passer, he plays with a high motor and fights hard on every play. He does a good job of churning his lower body and working to get inside hand leverage. His hands have shown some potential, as he plays with good quickness and has a handful of finesse moves in his arsenal as a pass rusher. He’s also pretty quick to diagnose plays and position himself in the best possible way to make a play. His athleticism for his size also gives him plenty of value dropping back in coverage, which should help him see the field more as a rookie on passing downs.

Weaknesses

For all of his athletic talents, Baun is lacking a bit in the size and strength department. As a light and undersized edge rusher, it may be tougher for him to match up head-on with NFL offensive tackles who would be 70 to 80 pounds heavier than he is. That may kick him to an off-ball role as a 4-3 SAM linebacker. He doesn’t pack much of a punch at the point of attack, and he isn’t able to generate much force in his lower body when he goes for a power rush. His pad level could stand to be more consistent, too.

Baun is also a bit of a one-year wonder. Though his 2019 production was no doubt impressive, he wasn’t nearly as productive in 2018 and didn’t do much in 2016. His 2017 campaign was ended in the preseason due to a foot injury. Is he able to sustain that high level of play and carry that momentum into the pros, or was this past season a flash in the pan? Teams will have to figure that out when evaluating him.

Projection: Day 2

[vertical-gallery id=614705]

2020 NFL draft: Terrell Lewis scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Alabama edge defender prospect Terrell Lewis

Terrell Lewis | EDGE | Alabama

Elevator Pitch

Lewis is a lengthy and athletic edge rusher who brings plenty of explosiveness, range and upside to the table. The injury history might affect his stock a bit, but if he can stay healthy, he can be a quality starter at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 262

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

The long-awaited debut of Lewis as a full-time contributor in Alabama’s defense finally came in 2019, and he made the most out of the opportunity.

In addition to the lengthy frame he possesses, Lewis is a great athlete for an edge rusher. He shows explosiveness coming out of his stance off the snap, and he has the mobility to move around fluidly in space and jump inside on stunts. He has good closing speed as an open-field tackler and offers some value as a pursuing backside defender. His ability to bend his hips to obtain pad leverage has shown some flashes at times, and the motor with which he plays in space is commendable.

Lewis has also shown plenty of upside in terms of his hand usage. He plays with quick hands and has flashed some strength in his swipes and jabs when stringing moves together. He’s also a smart player who has a good sense of where the ball is and where it’s going to go, and he can work off of blocks upon reading the play to quickly disengage and work to make a play on the ball.

Weaknesses

The biggest issue with Lewis is his durability. He’d be a pretty safe first-round pick with a clean bill of health, but he suffered a torn elbow ligament that forced him to miss 10 games in 2017, as well as a torn ACL that made him sit out all of the 2018 season. His bad luck with injuries is a bit of a red flag, so whichever team chooses him will have to be able to convince themselves that his skill set is worth the risk.

On the field, Lewis can do a better job of maintaining consistent pad level, as he rushes a bit high at times, preventing him from generating more power in his lower body. He doesn’t really have a power move in his arsenal yet; he’s much more of a finesse rusher at this stage in his career. His ability to set the edge as a run defender could use some work, and the power he plays with in his hands could be improved.

Projection: Day 2

[vertical-gallery id=614705]

2020 NFL draft: Devin Duvernay scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Texas wide receiver prospect Devin Duvernay

Devin Duvernay | WR | Texas

Elevator Pitch

A compact slot receiver with plenty of ability after the catch, Duvernay is an electric playmaker who brings athleticism and toughness to the wide receiver position. His skill set isn’t one of anything more than a complementary weapon at the next level, but he should be a serviceable starter in the pros.

Vitals

Height | 5-10

Weight | 200

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Duvernay exploded onto the scene in 2019, and he showcased that explosiveness in both a figurative and literal sense.

He is a fluid athlete who does a solid job of flipping his hips and accelerating out of his breaks. His coordination is impressive, as he is able to make tough adjustments to the ball in high-pointing situations and change direction seamlessly as a route runner. Duvernay’s acceleration off the ball is noticeable, and his agility after the catch gives him plenty of upside. He excels at making defenders miss and has the spring in his step to make some flashy moves in space. His deep speed allows him to stretch the field pretty well as a vertical threat.

In addition to his athleticism, Duvernay brings surprising power for a slot receiver. He is a tough runner to bring down after the catch, as he carries a compact frame and a low center of gravity. He is able to run through arm tackles and keep churning his legs through contact. His hands are also incredibly strong, as he does a great job of maintaining focus throughout his route and hanging onto tough grabs. That reliability will serve him well across the middle of the field.

Weaknesses

Duvernay is admittedly a victim of a strong class at wide receiver that pushes him down into Day 3 territory, but he does have some flaws in his game. Among them is his technique as a route runner, as the sharpness in his cuts is inconsistent, allowing cornerbacks to stick onto him at times. He doesn’t do a great job of using his hands to separate from man coverage, either.

As a shorter receiver, Duvernay doesn’t have the length to play on the outside at the next level. His catch radius isn’t all that good, and his size makes him a bit of a liability when asked to go up and grab 50/50 balls. In addition to his lack of height, he also doesn’t do a great job of boxing out defenders, whether it be on a jump ball or in tight-window situations.

Projection: Day 3

[vertical-gallery id=614618]

2020 NFL draft: Jordan Elliott scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Missouri defensive line prospect Jordan Elliott

Jordan Elliott | DL | Missouri

Elevator Pitch

Elliott is a lengthy defender who has value as both a run defender and as a pass-rusher along the interior. His technique is a bit raw, but he brings good athleticism, quick hands and a high motor for the defensive line position. He has the potential to step into a starting role as a late Day 2 selection.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 302

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Elliott has some developing to do, but his ceiling is palpable when you watch his tape.

The Texas transfer had his first season in Mizzou’s starting lineup in 2019 after sitting on the bench in 2018 and redshirting in 2017, and he made the most of the opportunity. Elliott showcased plenty of value against the run, playing with plenty of play strength in both his lower body and his hands. He plays with a high motor and does a good job of churning his legs through contact to drive his opponents back. He does a good job of eating up gaps, holding up blocks and clogging lanes to give opposing ball carriers nowhere to go.

In addition to his gap-eating abilities, Elliott has also proven to be a quality gap penetrator. He has good athletic ability for the interior defensive line: when he times his jumps off the ball well, he has the slipperiness to dip past interior blockers and utilize his flexibility to wreck havoc. His frame offers plenty to be impressed with, as he has good length and an overall chiseled physique.

Weaknesses

Given that Elliott only started for one season in college, it’s no surprise that he’s still a bit raw in some areas. One of those areas is in his pad level: although he’s flexible, he doesn’t always sink his hips at the point of attack to maintain pad leverage and generate more power than he already does. His hand placement could be a bit more consistent, though he has shown some flashes in that regard.

Elliott’s solid athleticism gives him some value rushing the passer, but he can do a better job of having a concrete plan when doing so. He can look lost at times and can do better at stringing together moves so that if his first technique doesn’t work, he has a counter move in his back pocket to work with. His pass-rushing production isn’t all that impressive either, as he didn’t have more than three sacks in a single season.

Projection: 3rd Round

[vertical-gallery id=614715]

2020 NFL draft: Lucas Niang scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about TCU offensive tackle prospect Lucas Niang

Lucas Niang | OT | TCU

Elevator Pitch

Niang is a massive and athletic offensive tackle prospect who brings plenty of physical upside to the table. He plays with heavy hands and can move around well in space, giving him the raw power and the agility to project well at the next level. His technique could be improved, but the upside he brings should find him selected on Day 2 if the medicals check out.

Vitals

Height | 6-6

Weight | 315

College Bio Page

Strengths

Niang brings plenty of enticing physical tools to work with at the offensive tackle position.

His length offers plenty of intrigue, and his frame still carries more room to get in better shape, so the potential from a physical standpoint is definitely there. He has shown some impressive lateral agility when healthy, moving very well for somebody his size and advancing to the second level seamlessly. His footwork and overall quickness allows him to counter speed rushes in pass protection and keep up with explosive defenders off the snap.

In addition to his quickness for such a big tackle, Niang also possesses plenty of power in his game. He plays with good grip strength when he engages with defenders, allowing him to seal off running lanes for his teammates and knock defenders out of place. He packs a powerful punch at the point of attack and drives his legs when engaged with an opponent. A two-year full-time starter who took over the starting right tackle spot in the middle of the 2017 season, Niang has plenty of experience as a collegiate starter, as well.

Weaknesses

Niang was shut down for the 2019 season in November with a hip injury that he had been playing through since the year before. The injury prevented him from taking part in Combine drills, so he’ll have to rely on the medicals checking out on him. Playing through that ailment had a bit of an effect on his 2019 tape, as he didn’t look as nimble and flexible in his hips while playing hurt. His ability to adjust his set points was hurt by the injury, too. He’ll have to prove that his athleticism will come back to full form upon recovering.

While he has impressive physical traits, Niang’s technique could be improved upon a bit. He struggles with his hand placement at times, as while he shows potential when he places his punches correctly, there are times he mistimes or is inaccurate with his punches. He could also do a better job of working on his pad level and consistently fighting to get leverage in the form of maintaining lower pads.

Projection: Day 2

[vertical-gallery id=614666]

2020 NFL draft: Antonio Gibson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Memphis offensive weapon Antonio Gibson

Antonio Gibson | RB/WR | Memphis

Elevator Pitch

Gibson is a dynamic and versatile offensive weapon who offers an intriguing combination of size, speed and vision in the open field. He’s a determined runner with great straight-line athleticism, the lateral quickness to make defenders miss, and plenty of upside as a kick returner. He probably won’t be more than a gadget player in the pros, but what an effective gadget player he can be.

Vitals

Height | 6-0

Weight | 228

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Gibson is a player who can make an impact from several positions.

Used primarily as a slot receiver at Memphis, Gibson can line up as a wideout if necessary. He has great speed off the snap and has dynamic long speed, making him a worthy vertical threat if utilized in that role. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s quick to accelerate, and he also has the vision to discover opportunities in which he can extend the play and break free for a big gain. He has solid burst coming out of his breaks, and his overall fluidity and body control when running routes across the middle of the field is pretty solid. His 2019 production, while sparse in quantity, was promising, as he had 735 yards and 8 touchdowns on just 38 catches.

Despite technically being a receiver in college, many believe Gibson is better suited as a running back in the pros. He tallied 369 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 36 carries, racking up an insane 11.2 yards per carry on the ground. Plenty of his traits indicate he can move over to running back, as he’s an electric athlete who also has a strong and powerful frame. His contact balance is impressive: he’s a determined runner who runs with a low center of gravity. Gibson was also an effective kick returner in 2019, as he had 645 yards and a touchdown on 23 returns. He also has experience covering kicks and offers high upside as a special teams gunner. He projects very well as a Cordarrelle Patterson-like piece for an offense at the next level.

Weaknesses

While there’s plenty to like about Gibson, there is some room for concern. As a receiver, his hip-sinking ability and his stems could be improved, and his route tree was fairly limited at Memphis, so he’s still quite raw when running routes. As a running back, he could do a better job of demonstrating patience in the backfield and running with more discipline. For as much physical upside and versatility he offers, there’s some polishing to be done in his game.

Regardless of how one projects Gibson in the NFL, one thing that’s undisputed is relative lack of production in college. He was an all-state player at East Central Community College before playing at Memphis the past two seasons, but his numbers at the FBS level lack substance. He only had 33 career rushing attempts, which is a very small sample size for any player, let alone an NFL prospect. Basically all of his collegiate production came in 2019, as he only had six catches for 99 yards – and no runs – in 2018. Granted, he scored on two of those catches, but the fact still remains that he’s still a raw and fairly unproven talent.

Projection: Day 3

[vertical-gallery id=614606]

2020 NFL draft: Albert Okwuegbunam scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Missouri tight end prospect Albert Okwuegbunam

Albert Okwuegbunam | TE | Missouri

Elevator Pitch

Okwuegbunam brings plenty of intriguing physical tools to the table; it’s just a matter of whether or not he can capitalize on them. He’s a raw prospect, but his size, speed and physicality project him as a dangerous red-zone target at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 258

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Though his 4.49 40-yard dash was a little bit surprising, Okwuegbunam does have plenty of athletic ability for his size.

The Mizzou standout has very good straight-line speed, both in workouts and on tape. He accelerates well off the snap and has the long speed to stretch the field as a tight end, which not many players are able to do. He has also shown promise as a route runner, as he can change his tempo up pretty well and make sharp cuts at times. Okwuegbunam’s body control across the middle of the field is solid, and he has the ability to make adjustments to the ball in mid-air in jump-ball situations. He has natural ball skills and does a good job of tracking down balls and high pointing them.

Okwuegbunam’s body control is complemented by his hulking frame and physicality as a pass-catcher. He does a great job of boxing out defenders and using his strength to physically overwhelm man-coverage defenders. His value in red-zone situations is apparent in the stat sheet, as he caught 23 touchdown passes in three seasons with Mizzou. While still improving as a blocker, he has shown the grip strength and the flashes of tenacity to become a more-than-adequate in-line tight end when considering his physical talents.

Weaknesses

While Okwuegbunam is athletic, he doesn’t always get the most out of his athleticism. He’s a bit stiff-hipped as a route runner, as he struggles with consistently sinking his hips into his cuts and accelerating coming out of his breaks. His routes can be rounded at times, and he can do a better job of playing with consistent effort when he runs his routes, regardless of whether or not he’s the first read. His value doesn’t come after the catch, as he doesn’t have much lateral quickness and can’t make defenders miss.

Okwuegbunam’s technique as a blocker could use some work, as his pad level and weight distribution isn’t quite developed at this stage of his career. He lunges a bit too much and can sink his hips into contact better than he currently does. Durability is also a bit of an issue with Okwuegbunam, as he has battled through minor shoulder, knee and leg injuries over the span of the past two seasons. For a weapon with his frame, staying healthy is going to be crucial if he doesn’t want to lose out on his athletic tools.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

[vertical-gallery id=614656]

2020 NFL draft: Tyler Biadasz scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Wisconsin offensive line prospect Tyler Biadasz

Tyler Biadasz | OL | Wisconsin

Elevator Pitch

An experienced run blocker who uses his hands very well, Biadasz didn’t play as well as many were expecting in 2019, but he still has starting upside at the next level. He is an intelligent interior lineman with a strong upper body and the potential to outplay his draft value.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 314

College Bio Page

Strengths

Jonathan Taylor was a dominant force during his time at Wisconsin, and while the running back is no doubt a great talent, part of his success can be attributed to his offensive line, which was anchored by Biadasz.

Considering how many reps he takes in Wisconsin’s run-heavy scheme, Biadasz is a quality run blocker, and a lot of that comes with how he uses his hands. He has a strong upper body and does a great job of latching onto defenders and locking them up. His hand placement is impressive, consistently hitting defenders in between the shoulder pads. Once he locks in, he has the ability to move his opponents around and seal them off to create running lanes.

Biadasz plays with good hip flexibility and has shown that he can sink his hips into contact and maintain leverage through his pad level. He is also able to accelerate well when utilized in down-blocking and pull-blocking situations. He’s an intelligent blocker, as well, as he is able to communicate with his teammates to adjust protection duties and determine when to pick up blitzes or double-teams.

Weaknesses

Biadasz is coming off of a shoulder surgery that forced him to miss the Combine, and he underwent hip surgery prior to the 2019 season. Injuries were not an issue for him during the regular season in college, as he played and started in every game in his three seasons on Wisconsin’s active roster. However, proving that he can stay healthy and utilize an offseason to better his game would help him out in the long run.

On the field, Biadasz’s athleticism didn’t look as good in 2019 as it was in years prior. He doesn’t have stellar footwork or lateral agility in pass protection, which could leave him susceptible to stunting edge rushers. His body control could be touched upon when he’s on the move, as he has a tendency to get knocked off balance easily when advancing to the second level. Biadasz could also stand to add some anchor strength; his lower body doesn’t have stellar raw power, and that can limit his recovery strength against bull rushes and powerful jabs sometimes.

Projection: 3rd Round

[vertical-gallery id=614699]

2020 NFL draft: Cesar Ruiz scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Michigan offensive line prospect Cesar Ruiz

Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan

Elevator Pitch

Ruiz is an athletic and technically-sound interior blocker who brings plenty of intriguing traits to the table. He plays with active and polished hands, and his ability to accelerate to the second level and move around in space will help him out at the next level. With a little bit of bulking up, he should be a reliable starter at center or guard for years to come.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 307

College Bio Page

Strengths

An impactful anchor for Michigan’s offensive line, Ruiz brings a skillset that should allow him to start from Day 1 for an NFL team.

He is a technically-sound blocker who has a polished knowledge of how to use his hands. He times his jabs well and gets consistent placement inside the shoulders of his opponents. When a defender executes a pass-rushing move, Ruiz is able to re-set his hands and continue to fight until he completely shuts the defender out of the play. He has good grip strength and excels at keeping his opponents locked up. His pad level has shown some flashes, too, and the flexibility in his lower body is apparent.

Ruiz’s athleticism also projects him as a potential long-term starter in the pros. He accelerates well to the second level and has good overall speed for the interior. His coordination is apparent on tape, as he moves well in space and plays with very good body control on the move. That athleticism makes him a valuable blocker on pull blocks and in down-blocking situations. He is also an intelligent blocker who can pick up combo and double-team blocks, as well as execute and read the situation in a zone scheme.

Weaknesses

While Ruiz is a well-rounded player, there are a few areas in which he can improve, and his play strength is one of them. His initial jab at the point of attack is solid, but he doesn’t have raw power in his lower body. His recovery strength isn’t all that impressive, as he can be susceptible to losing the rep when a defender executes a speed-to-power move like a bull rush effectively on him.

Ruiz is a bit smaller for an offensive lineman, and he doesn’t have top-notch length or bulk. He could stand to add a little bit of weight, but his length could prevent his range in pass protection a little bit. His pad level could also be a little bit more consistent, as there are some instances in which he gets a bit too high when engaging with a defender.

Projection: 2nd Round

[vertical-gallery id=614699]