Category: Prospect Profiles

2020 NFL draft: Lloyd Cushenberry III scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about LSU offensive line prospect Lloyd Cushenberry III

Lloyd Cushenberry III | OL | LSU

Elevator Pitch

A technically-sound blocker with strength and a bulky frame, Cushenberry is a pro-ready player who can come in and start quickly for an NFL team. He has some athletic limitations, but he’s a polished interior offensive lineman who can be a relatively safe pick on Day 2 of the draft.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 312

College Bio Page

Strengths

Cushenberry served as the anchor of LSU’s championship-winning offensive line, and he certainly stands out on tape.

The redshirt junior does a good job of playing with good technique on a down-by-down basis. Cushenberry’s pad level is consistently sound, as he does a great job of sinking his hips and fighting to be the lower man in each encounter he has with a defender. He almost always plays with his weight underneath him, allowing him to generate more power when he jabs an opponent. That pad level complements his overall strength, as he has top-notch core and lower-body strength. He has a thick frame and has the drive in his legs to seal off running lanes for his teammates in the ground game.

As if his pad level and strength weren’t enough, Cushenberry also has a great sense of hand usage. He consistently is able to execute proper hand placement, hitting defenders in between the shoulder pads and using his strong grip strength to keep them locked up and to prevent them from disengaging. While he wore No. 79 at LSU, he was awarded as one of the No. 18 jersey holders, given to players within the program who are successful on and off the field.

Weaknesses

Though Cushenberry has plenty of technical strengths in his game, his athletic profile is fairly underwhelming. He isn’t a smooth mover in space, as his footwork is inconsistent and his lateral quickness is relatively pedestrian. That can leave him susceptible to stunting edge rushers, as well as interior defenders who offer great athleticism when rushing the passer.

Cushenberry can occasionally lunge a bit too much at times, causing him to lean over and get knocked off balance from time to time. Balance is a bit of an issue for him, as his overall coordination and weight distribution when moving around can be a bit off.

Projection: Day 2

[vertical-gallery id=614699]

2020 NFL draft: Austin Jackson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about USC offensive tackle prospect Austin Jackson

Austin Jackson | OT | USC

Elevator Pitch

Jackson has plenty of physical tools and the upside to develop into a quality starting left tackle at the next level. His length and top-notch athleticism for the position gives him palpable potential, but his lack of technique will cause him problems early in his career. He’s a boom-or-bust prospect whose upside could persuade a team to use a fairly early pick on him.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 322

College Bio Page

Strengths

There’s a lot to be intrigued about when evaluating Jackson’s prospects at the next level.

A lengthy tackle with a long wingspan and solid bulk, Jackson certainly looks the part of a starting left tackle in the NFL. He has an athletic frame that has room to pack on even more muscle. His long arms alone give him considerable range as a blocker, but his athletic ability aids that range even more so. Jackson is a smooth lateral mover who plays with promising quickness and great nimbleness in his feet when he moves. He has good counter agility and blocks with good body control.

Jackson accelerates well to the second level and takes good angles to defenders in down-blocking situations, giving him plenty of upside in zone schemes. He has flashed some potential in terms of his hand usage, as he can pack a powerful punch at the point of attack at times, and he has shown that he can play with quick hands when countering finesse moves.

Weaknesses

He has plenty of physical talents, but Jackson has quite a bit of work to do from a technical standpoint. His pad level needs some polishing, as he struggles with sinking his hips into contact and maintaining leverage consistently. He is guilty of lunging at times and can be knocked off balance fairly easily as a result of his own technical flaws.

Jackson doesn’t play with consistent hand placement yet and can get better at using his hands with more precision. They can also be a little bit quicker, as he can be a bit late to execute punches at times. He doesn’t have much of a nasty edge in his game yet, and he could be aided by adding a bit more power in his lower body to get better at driving defenders backwards.

Projection: 2nd Round

[vertical-gallery id=614666]

2020 NFL draft: Yetur Gross-Matos scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Penn State edge defender prospect Yetur Gross-Matos

Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State

Elevator Pitch

A lengthy edge defender with plus athleticism and plenty of physical tools, Gross-Matos is a low-floor, high-ceiling prospect who’s a major work in progress but has the potential to be a talented pass-rusher at the next level. His upside should be enough to get him selected somewhere in the first round.

Vitals

Height | 6-5

Weight | 266

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

The combination of size and athleticism gives Gross-Matos a very high ceiling at the next level.

He has great length with long arms off the edge, and his frame has the potential to add even more strength to it. He’s impressive from an athletic standpoint, as he fires off the ball well on a consistent basis. Gross-Matos’ flexibility and fluidity is top-notch, too, as he is capable of changing direction seamlessly in space and sinking his hips to rip and dip underneath offensive tackles. He has the agility to cut inside on stunts, and his fluidity in coverage makes him a valuable three-down defender.

Gross-Matos has plenty of range as a tackler in space, given his long frame and the mobility he possesses. He has shown some potential in regards to the technique in his hands, as well. He plays with quick hands and has been able to shed blocks in pass-rushing situations. His production at the collegiate level was also impressive, as he tallied 17 sacks and 34.5 tackles for a loss in his two seasons as a starter.

Weaknesses

Though his physical attributes are enticing, Gross-Matos still has a ways to go as a technician when rushing the passer. His pad level can be more consistent – his ability to generate power in his lower body isn’t all that great, and despite his flexible hips, he struggles with being the lower man on a regular basis. He’s a top-heavy defender who doesn’t offer a lot of anchor strength to hold blocks in run support yet.

Gross-Matos doesn’t have an extensive array of pass-rushing techniques yet, and there are some cases in which he struggles with keeping a plan when he rushes the quarterback. He doesn’t pack a powerful punch at the initial point of contact, and his ability to disengage with blockers in space isn’t all that great. His tackles for a loss numbers are impressive, but a lot of them took place when he was schemed in space, as opposed to plugging up holes.

Projection: 1st Round

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: Lynn Bowden, Jr. scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Kentucky wide receiver prospect Lynn Bowden, Jr.

Lynn Bowden, Jr. | WR | Kentucky

Elevator Pitch

Though he’s known nationally for his work as a dual-threat quarterback, Bowden is a wide receiver at heart, and a good one at that. He’s a dynamic athlete with good fluidity who offers plenty of value after the catch. He may be raw as a route runner, but the intrigue that comes with using him as a gadget player should catch teams’ attention.

Vitals

Height | 5-11

Weight | 204

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Bowden is a do-it-all playmaker who can make an impact for an offense in numerous ways.

Prior to transitioning to quarterback due to Kentucky’s lack of healthy talent at the position, Bowden was putting up some good numbers as a receiver. He is an electric player who can make defenders miss in the open field with impressive lateral quickness and very good ball-carrier vision for a wideout. That athleticism translates to some pretty enticing upside, as his raw talent of stopping on a dime and accelerating quickly makes it possible for him to grow as a route runner.

One positive thing that came out of Bowden moving to quarterback – taking on a bigger role as a runner in the process – is that his running style offers value in after-the-catch situations. Not only are his athleticism and his vision good for the position, but he also has a well-proportioned frame and runs with determination and solid power. He has shown some potential in attacking leverage points as a route runner, and he has good physicality and strong hands in tight-window situations coming out of the slot.

Weaknesses

Though his positional change put his name on the map across the country, Bowden missing out on reps as a receiver prevented him from developing a skillset that needs polishing. Despite his athleticism and body control, he doesn’t have great hip-sinking abilities in his cuts and isn’t an incredibly sharp route runner. He hasn’t shown much in the way of hand usage to create separation, either.

Bowden ended up fumbling the ball nine times in 2019, and while that number would go down if he didn’t touch the ball so often like he did in Kentucky’s scheme, ball security is a bit of an issue for him. He also has only one good season as a receiver, so while he played well in the five games he spent at the position, he’s still pretty unproven in that regard.

Projection: Day 3

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: Gabriel Davis scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about UCF wide receiver prospect Gabriel Davis

Gabriel Davis | WR | UCF

Elevator Pitch

A lengthy and fluid receiver coming off of a productive 2019 season, Davis is a big weapon who plays with good physicality and ball skills. He’s an average athlete, but he should be able to serve as a quality No. 3 target in the NFL.

Vitals

Height | 6-2

Weight | 216

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Davis has some tools to be excited about when projecting his upside at the next level.

He possesses good length for an outside receiver and has a well-proportioned frame that carries plenty of raw strength in it. His footwork as a route runner has shown some promise, as he can utilize subtle techniques to soften up a defender’s coverage. Davis does a solid job of stemming his routes and attacking leverage points to create separation.

His forte, though, would have to be his body control. He does a great job of making adjustments to the ball and contorting his body in ways that a lot of receivers can’t. This gives Davis added value in jump-ball situations, as his ability to high point and track down the ball complements his size incredibly well. He’s also a proven vertical threat, as UCF often used him to stretch the field with deeper routes. Coming off of a season in which he tallied 72 receptions for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns, he carries plenty of momentum heading into the NFL draft.

Weaknesses

While Davis put up impressive yards-per-catch totals in 2019, that certainly wasn’t due in part of his abilities in space. He doesn’t have very good lateral agility, as he doesn’t carry much spring in his step or overall flexibility in his lower body. His breakaway speed is also average, at best, so his ability to big up big gains practically comes solely through his running deeper routes.

Davis is a smooth athlete, but that doesn’t mean he excels at making sharp cuts. His acceleration coming out of his breaks as a route runner could be improved, and he doesn’t do a consistent job of sinking his hips into his cuts. He can stand to play with a little bit more effort, too, as there are some reps on tape where he doesn’t appear to be playing at full speed.

Projection: Day 3

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: Chase Claypool scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Notre Dame wide receiver/tight end prospect Chase Claypool

Chase Claypool | WR/TE | Notre Dame

Elevator Pitch

A big-bodied, physical specimen with an enticing combination of length, strength and speed, Claypool has plenty of physical tools to work with. He won’t offer teams much after the catch, but the mismatch he brings and the flashes of polish he shows off make him worth a look late on Day 2.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 238

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If you’re looking for a big and physical wideout, you’ll find exactly that in Claypool.

With size and bulk that gives him a frame that looks a lot like that of a tight end, Claypool is a lengthy target on the outside with a large catch radius. He plays with impressive play strength against man coverage, boxing out defenders well and utilizing his strength to create forceful separation. His strong hands allow him to make difficult grabs in tight windows. That physicality gives him value as a run blocker, as his determination and physicality overwhelms defensive backs often. He also has proven to be a more-than-capable cover defender on special teams.

Claypool isn’t just a big receiver, though: he can move. As if his 4.42 40-yard dash didn’t make it apparent enough, the Golden Domer has good acceleration off the snap for such a big wideout and can stretch the field as a vertical threat if need be. He does a good job of attacking leverage points against his defenders, and he has shown that he can make subtle moves with his feet to open up his opponents’ hips and make them susceptible to whichever cut he plans on making. He has the ball skills and the body control to high point and make tough adjustments to the ball. His production was great in 2019, as he had 66 catches for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Weaknesses

Though Claypool’s skill set is abundant with physical talents, lateral quickness isn’t one of them. The big man struggles with making defenders miss after the catch, as he’s a little stiff in his lower body when he tries to cut with the ball in his hands. His acceleration coming out of his breaks isn’t as good as his straight-line speed, either. While he’s good in contested catch situations, having to rely on them as much as he does isn’t ideal.

Claypool does plenty of physicality, but his release against press is pretty average. He doesn’t have the quick-twitch agility to utilize a speed release, and his hands aren’t quick enough to swat away defenders consistently. He can do a better job of sinking his hips into his cuts, though it is admittedly tougher for a player with his length.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: James Proche scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about SMU wide receiver prospect James Proche

James Proche | WR | SMU

Elevator Pitch

Proche is an ultra-productive receiver with great ball skills, strong hands and intelligence as a route runner. Though his relatively average athleticism limits his ceiling a bit, he projects as a high-end No. 3 weapon at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 5-11

Weight | 201

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

As far as production goes, you won’t get any question marks with Proche.

The SMU standout is coming off of consecutive seasons in which he tallied over 1,000 yards and snagged double-digit touchdowns, all while catching 204 passes in the process. He absolutely dominated his competition and was a consistent and reliable producer for the Mustangs. Part of the reason he produced was because he was able to get open consistently. He runs his routes with good footwork and has a good understanding of how to exploit the weaknesses in a defense’s coverage. His body control is polished and coordinated, as he can make tough adjustments to the ball look easy and track down the deep ball very well.

Proche isn’t the lengthiest receiver, but that doesn’t stir him from winning 50/50-ball matchups. He’s a physical player when battling for the ball and does a good job of boxing out defenders to make the catch. His strong, sticky hands help him in securing those tough grabs: he may have some of the best hands in this year’s class. Teams can also use him as a returner, as he has experience as both a kick and punt returner on his resume.

Weaknesses

While Proche has plenty to like in his game, there are some tools in which he lacks. One of those is top-notch athleticism, as his deep speed is pretty average and his ability to accelerate off the ball could be improved. He is much better in short-area situations than he is as a vertical threat who can take the top off the defense.

There are some instances in which Proche’s ability to make sharp cuts isn’t quite consistent, as he can be prone to running rounded routes from time to time. He also doesn’t possess stellar lateral quickness and burst after the catch, and that weakness is apparent in the stat sheet, as he only averaged 11 yards per catch in 2019. He played on the outside at SMU, but he will likely have to move to the slot due to a lack of length.

Projection: Day 3

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: Van Jefferson scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Florida wide receiver prospect Van Jefferson

Van Jefferson | WR | Florida

Elevator Pitch

Jefferson is a polished receiver with a PhD in route running. He’s a fluid athlete who has an acute understanding of techniques to use and methods to apply to create separation against his opponents. Though he may likely never be a true No. 1 weapon at the next level, his intelligence and crispness indicate he’ll serve as a valuable complementary piece.

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 200

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

If there’s one thing Jefferson does well, it’s route running.

The son of a 13-year NFL veteran and New York Jets wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, the Florida product has a great feel for the game and a high football IQ. He attacks leverage points well against man coverage and knows how to take advantage of a cornerback’s blind spot to alter his route. His footwork is of a high caliber, as he’s a coordinated athlete who is able to sell route concepts through his stems. Jefferson sinks his hips well into his cuts and changes direction well when he runs his routes. He can also attack soft spots in zone coverage well and knows where he can find a place to get open given the defense’s strategy. Though not a big-bodied boundary receiver, he does do a good job of using his hands to create separation against press.

Jefferson is also a solid athlete for the receiver position. His athleticism is apparent in the way he stops on a dime and changes direction in his routes, but he also offers value after the catch. He has solid vision in the open field and has enough spring in his step to make defenders miss. He has good body control and is able to make adjustments to the ball in order to make a grab.

Weaknesses

Though Jefferson has the technique to consistently make plays, he doesn’t have standout physical tools to warrant a first-round pick. His deep speed is pretty average – he won’t be able to burn past some of the cornerbacks he matches up with on vertical routes. The moves he uses, though precise, can sometimes be limited in their effectiveness depending on how well he accelerates coming out of his breaks, and there are times when he doesn’t showcase much explosiveness.

Jefferson also doesn’t have top-notch physicality, despite having a bit of a bigger frame for a receiver. He can occasionally struggle to haul in the catch in tight-window situations, and his hands aren’t always strong enough to hold onto the ball when a defender is right on him. His production at both Florida and Ole Miss was solid, but he never had a standout statistical season.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: James Lynch scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Baylor defensive line prospect James Lynch

James Lynch | DL | Baylor

Elevator Pitch

An athletic and length interior defender with the versatility to be kicked outside if called upon to do so, Lynch is a productive player with plenty of pass-rushing upside. He uses his hands well and plays with a high motor consistently. Though he needs work as a run defender, the potential is there for him to be a quality player at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 289

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Lynch’s physical attributes make him one of the more intriguing defensive linemen in the class.

A lengthy defender with long arms and a well-proportioned frame, Lynch has a strong frame that could pack on a little bit more weight if teams want to slide him inside as a 3-technique. He plays with a high motor and rushes hard on a down-by-down basis. His upper body is impressive, as he packs a powerful punch at the initial point of contact and physically overwhelmed Big 12 offensive linemen on a consistent basis.

As one would expect for a player who got 18.5 sacks in his two seasons as a collegiate starter, Lynch brings plenty of pass-rushing upside. He’s an explosive rusher who accelerates off the ball well and has good short-area quickness. His ankles are flexible and allow him to maintain pursuit and turn the corner while working through contact. Baylor had him taking some snaps as a standup edge rusher, and he attacks passing downs like an edge rusher would. He has quick and active hands and fights hard to clear his hands to disengage, as well as maintaining inside leverage. He can rip and dip well for someone his size.

Weaknesses

Lynch is still a work in progress from a technical standpoint. His pad level could use some improvement, as he has a tendency to get a bit high when he engages with a blocker. Though he’s flexible in his ankles, his ability to sink his hips in contact and generate power while staying low isn’t quite developed yet. He could stand to add some more hand techniques to his game to diversify his skill set some.

Run support is another area Lynch could stand to get better in. His tackle for a loss numbers are noteworthy, as he had 28.5 of them in his seasons as a starter, but he needs some work as far as holding his blocks and eating up gaps go. He can disengage and bring down ball carriers in space and past the line of scrimmage, but he could stand to add a bit more tenacity in his lower body and keep a lower center of gravity.

Projection: 3rd-4th Round

[vertical-gallery id=613832]

2020 NFL draft: Justin Madubuike scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Texas A&M defensive line prospect Justin Madubuike

Justin Madubuike | DL | Texas A&M

Elevator Pitch

Madubuike is an athletic and violent interior defender who offers good short-area quickness and the strength to hold his own when defending the run. His consistency could use some improvement, and he’s not the lengthiest defensive lineman out there, but he has solid starting potential at the next level.

Vitals

Height | 6-3

Weight | 293

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

With a good blend of speed and power in his game, Madubuike has plenty of physical traits to like.

The Texas A&M alum has good explosiveness when he accelerates off the snap, and his speed makes him a tough player for opponents to block. He has solid agility in the open field, allowing him to make tackles in space against the run or chase down scrambling quarterbacks. Madubuike is a powerful and determined defender who complements that speed with heavy hands and a lower body that packs plenty of strength. He is able to eat up gaps against the run, holding blocks and being able to free himself up to make the tackle.

Madubuike has shown some potential in his hand usage, and the flashes he has shown project him as a three-down lineman with value on passing downs. He blends violence and quickness well with his hands, varying his plan of attack depending on the situation. He has offered glimpses of stringing together moves and developing counter attacks, and he often wins the battle with his blocker when he does so. His production in his two years as a starter was also impressive, as he finished with 11 sacks and 22 tackles for a loss in that time frame.

Weaknesses

For Madubuike, it’s not about a lack of tools, it’s about putting them all together and being more consistent with them.

He can play with force in his frame, but the power of his punches at the initial point of contact can be hit or miss. His counter moves are displayed few and far between and should be utilized more often when he doesn’t immediately win at the point of attack. While his power shows up in spurts, his ability to deal with forceful jabs and mauling offensive linemen could be worked on a bit.

Madubuike also has occasional balance issues, as he tends to get knocked over when said forceful jabs are applied to him. He has obvious athletic gifts, but working on his body control and maintaining a low center of gravity could help him out. He also tends to lean over a bit too much when he gets engaged with a blocker.

Projection: Day 2

[vertical-gallery id=613832]