Stenberg is a three-year starter who lined up exclusively at left guard while playing a run-heavy offense at Kentucky. He hasn’t allowed a single sack in the last two seasons and helped paved the way for 278.8 rushing yards per game, which was fourth-best in college football.
Stenberg is a true blue-collar player and wears his attitude on his sleeve. He plays with a mean streak and isn’t afraid to make his presence known by laying defenders out with a smile on his face. Because of his mauler attitude, he gets in the minds of the defenders and plays a strong mental game. He has sharp football intelligence coupled with his strength, makes him a sheer force on the offensive line.
Even though his physicality can be beneficial, he has also hurt him with tallying 14 penalties, which was second-most among interior defenders in the FBS. He needs some technique work, especially when it comes to his pad level, where he tends to get up in pass blocking sets. He can be late with his hands, where he is left scrambling and allowing defenders to get past him.
With the additions of D’Andre Swift and Jonah Jackson, you have to believe the Lions are not messing around in establishing a formidable running game. Stenberg was a team captain and participated at the Senior Bowl, checking off some of the boxes the Lions look for.
The Lions are getting a mauler in the trenches, and if he can refine his technique and solve his discipline problems, the Lions could have another version of Larry Warford.
A comprehensive look at what 2020 NFL Draft guides said in their evaluations of Detroit Lions fourth-round pick Logan Stenberg.
To get a better look at the Detroit Lions fourth-round pick Logan Stenberg, let’s take a look at how draft analysts evaluated him in their 2020 NFL Draft guides and website profiles.
“A three-year starter at Kentucky, Stenberg lined up exclusively at left guard in offensive coordinator Eddie Gran’s run-heavy, conservative offense. He as part of an offensive line that helped the Wildcats average 278.8 rushing yards per game in 2019, which ranked fourth-best in college football, although his 14 penalties ranked second-most among all interior linemen at the FBS level. Stenberg competes with a mauling attitude and is not only physically aggressive, but he works to dominate the mental game as well, getting into the heads of defensive linemen. While he removes defenders from run lanes with his play strength, he tends to play tight and upright in pass protection, causing his base to narrow and allowing rushers to move him. Overall, Stenberg must improve his pad level and discipline issues to be a more consistent performer, but his competitive edge and natural power are why he has starting potential in the NFL.”
“Scrappy, blue-collar guard who plays an assignment-oriented, dependable brand of football. Stenberg is lacking in both body composition and pure play strength and is much better at the first two phases of the block than the finishing phase. He’s smart and aware in pass protection, with adequate recovery athleticism to battle edge-to-edge rushers. He should be a capable NFL backup who can step in and hold up if he’s asked to step in and start.”
“Watching Stenberg’s tape you almost have to ask if he’s too physical? The man was flagged a ridiculous 14 times this past season because he simply will not let defenders off of his blocks. He leads the NCAA by my unofficial tally in pancake blocks with the running back well past him. Those vice grip hands will serve him well in the NFL, but some offensive line coach needs to reel him in to some degree or he’ll be a flag machine. I’ll take my chances with all the good on tape though.”
“Logan Stenberg projects as a starter in a gap/power heavy scheme at the pro level. Stenberg is a mauler with a tenacious demeanor and will be an effective tone setter — although he does have his limitations. Stenberg is not a dynamic mover and his stiffness will present issues with remaining stuck on his blocks for an extended period of time. In all, Stenberg’s wins in close quarters outweigh his lack of range and influence on the fringes. Very scheme specific but can serve as a starter.”
“Stenberg does a good job of latching onto his defender and is able to sustain his blocks well. His hands can be like vice grips in that when he locks onto a defensive lineman, odds that a defender can shed his block are very minimal at best. Plays with a mauler like attitude and demeanor. When he gets pushback with a bullrush, Stenberg is able to sit down and anchor. He shows tremendous strength.”
With pick 121 of the 2020 NFL Draft, the 15th pick in the fourth round, the Lions select Kansas’ guard Logan Stenberg.
A three-year starter at left guard, Stenberg (6-6, 317) is an intelligent mauler whose strength is being a physically dominant run blocker. He needs to stay lower in pass protection, and lower his penalties, but both are areas that can improve with refinement.
Stenberg checks a lot of boxes for the Lions, team captain, was at the Senior Bowl (on the South roster), 39 starts, nasty demeanor, and plays old school physical in-your-face football.
The Lions have now gone back to back interior offensive line prospects and based on how their roster is comprised, they now have 11 players with low-cost cap hits competing for three starter and two/three reserve roles.
Lions IOL Cap Hits:
Ragnow (2021): $3.21 M Dahl (2021): $1.85 M Garnet (2020): $1.3 M Beneoch (2020): $910,000 Aboushi (2020): $887,500 Wiggins (2020): $877,500 Jackson (2023): ~ $872,141 Bodine (2020): $750,000 Benzschawel (2021) $678,333 Tucker (2020): $610,000
You know the names at the top. Joe Burrow. Tua Tagovailoa. But the NFL Draft has seven rounds. Who are the top sleepers for the 2020 Draft?
The hay, as they say, is in the barn.
Here at Touchdown Wire, we have made you as ready as possible for the start of the 2020 NFL Draft. We have broken down our top 11 at each position. We have put together our top 50 overall players, along with a list of comparisons for each player, to get you ready for Thursday night. We have assembled various film breakdowns, watched tape with prospects, and given you a variety of mock drafts to game out various scenarios.
But the work goes on, and the dream never dies.
By “the dream,” we mean the NFL hopes for players that might not be included in those previous pieces. Players that might not have cracked a top 11 at their position. Players that might not break into a top fifty list, and players that might have to wait until Friday or even Saturday to see how their NFL story begins.
Part of the reason that people love sports is the underdog story. Rocky. Rudy.Miracle. Movies that capture our attention are rooted in pulling for the longshot. Before they became the Evil Empire, the New England Patriots were the crappy underdog, led by a sixth-round sleeper of a quarterback, taking on the Greatest Show on Turf. It is why people love March Madness, as it taps into our love of Cinderella stories, and why we still get choked up when Gene Hackman says his team is on the floor.
In that spirit, here are some of the best sleepers in this draft class. Underdogs that might not hear their name called until late on Saturday, but players that have both NFL dreams, and NFL potential.
Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
(Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports)
Logan Wilson cracked Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 11 linebackers, but as we get closer and closer to the draft the Wyoming defender might be moving even higher on draft boards. Wilson received just one scholarship offer coming out of Natrona County High School in Wyoming, despite being a two-time All-State performer at both defensive back and wide receiver. But after a redshirt year, Wilson was slotted into Wyoming’s defense as a linebacker, and never looked back. Over his four years on campus he played 3,618 snaps, which is almost a Cal Ripkenesque number in today’s college game.
On the field, Wilson is a smart, experienced and patient linebacker who is ready to take on the responsibilities asked of him in an NFL defense. Wilson is a sure tackler between the tackles in the run game, moves well as a blitzer and handles his coverage responsibilities well. Over his career he tallied ten interceptions, an impressive number for any college linebacker. Given the need to stop the pass, linebackers who can both cover and still stop the run are a desired commodity, and Wilson checks both of those boxes.
Beyond that, Wilson checks some of the throwback desirables at the position. If you are a coach or a general manager that loves seeing a linebacker standup a lead blocker in the hole, shed him at the point of attack and make the tackle, then Wilson is going to get you excited.
But he can also contribute plays like this, one of the more amazing moments from the 2017 college football season:
Wilson has the coverage chops and experience to handle the pass defense aspects of the position, but the nose for the football, along with the stack and shed requirements, that will allow him to play on both first and second downs in the league. Perhaps it is no surprise that in Bob McGinn’s pre-draft piece on the linebackers (his pre-draft series is must-read every year) a scout told him that Wilson is a starter with a chance to play every snap given his experience.
Tackles get the attention, but interior offensive linemen are critical. Who are the 11 best interior line prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Sure, offensive tackles grab the headlines, and prospects that have a chance to be drafted on the edge of the offensive line want to make that stick in the NFL. Because that is going to translate to a bigger contract when it is time for your second deal in the league.
But there are only two tackle spots up front, and three in the interior line. Yes, perhaps guards and centers are devalued a bit come draft time, as well as in free agency, but study Tom Brady sometime and ask yourself this: What bothers him more, pressure off the edge, or pressure in the interior?
Guards and centers matter schematically. So you better have some good ones. Teams looking to address these positions would be wise to keep these eleven players in mind.
Bio: Cesar Ruiz was the top center prospect in the country coming out of IMG Academy, and had no list of suitors. Ruiz joined IMG Academy after starting his high school career in Camden, growing up in a very tough neighborhood. Almost 30 schools gave Ruiz a scholarship offer, including Florida, Auburn and North Carolina, but he chose to play for Michigan.
Ruiz was pressed into action early, starting in Week 10 of his freshman year and finishing the season as the Wolverines’ starting right guard. He was moved to center for the 2018 season and started every game for Michigan that season. He locked down that spot for the Wolverines again last season.
Ruiz’s story is also one of personal tragedy. His father passed away in December of 2007, when Cesar was only eight years old. His father, Cesar Edwin Ruiz, had pulled over to the side of the road to help another driver with a flat tire. A driver then collided with both the elder Ruiz and the stranded motorist, killing Ruiz’s father. It was two years later that Ruiz turned to the sport of football, putting him on a path towards the NFL. As he told the media during the Scouting Combine, everything he does, he does with his father on his mind.
Stat to Know: Ruiz allowed just three sacks on 2,116 snaps while at Michigan.
Strengths: Ruiz is a versatile offensive lineman, given his experience at both guard and center. On film he displays good lateral quickness with fast hands, and he is usually the first to initiate contact in pass protection and starts with the advantage as a result. His athleticism is something to behold, as his impressive 20-yard shuttle (95th percentile) illustrates. He is quick when asked to long pull to the outside, and shows the athleticism, footwork and vision to consistently climb to the second level and take on linebackers.
In pass protection, Ruiz is extremely aware, constantly scanning for loopers or twisters and if uncovered, he is always looking for work. He displays good awareness and recognition of blitzers, whether early or late in the snap, and he is adept at handling/passing off interior stunts and twists. He also maintains control of the situation when a defensive lineman attempts a secondary pass rushing move, and is able to counter those attempts with ease. He also fights hard to maintain his anchor, or reanchor his base, against slanting bull rushers who have a leverage advantage pre-snap.
Ruiz is also a finisher. He will block his assignment until the whistle – or a little longer if he wants to – and loves to get his guy to the turf. Ruiz does a solid job of continuing to chug his feet post-contact, leading to his reputation as a finisher. He also has what you can describe as textbook “secondary” technique. For example on some zone running schemes he uses a rip technique of his own to counter the initial contact from the defender and get himself to the outside.
Weaknesses: Ruiz tends to drop his eyes before contact, which leads to some whiffs either at the point of contact or in space when he is pulling or working to the outside on a zone running design. There are questions about his athleticism, and therefore his ability to fit in a zone-heavy scheme, but on film he displayed to me the athleticism and technique to operate in such an offense.
Conclusion: Ruiz has the experience, athleticism, strength and mental approach to be a stout interior offensive lineman in any NFL system. He uses his hands and feet well, he wants to finish plays on every snap, he is always looking for work and fights to the whistle every chance he gets. Set to turn 21 this summer, the sky could be the limit for this Michigan offensive lineman.
Comparison: Pro Football Focus compared him to Maurkice Pouncey, and that seems apt given what Ruiz offers as a prospect. There are some flaws but he is a very complete player.
Then vote at the end for which mock you like best.
Self-quarantining may be a bummer, but some of the online content that’s emerged as a result has been pure gold. Perhaps the most notable comes courtesy of the music industry’s biggest names, who have taken to Instagram Live to go head-to-head in some heated beat battles. We’ve seen Timbaland vs. Swizz Beatz, Lil’ Jon vs. T-Pain and Scott Storch vs. Mannie Fresh, to name a few.
For our latest 2020 mock draft, we decided to follow their example and put out a mock draft battle between two of our Panthers Wire contributors: five-year veteran Anthony Rizzuti and the up-and-coming rookie Erik Williams.
Read on to take a look at their mock picks, conducted via the PFF Draft Simulator, to see how they ran their respective drafts for the Panthers. Then vote at the end for which mock you like best.
Round 1: pick No. 7 overall
Rizzuti: Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson
Carolina’s new head coach Matt Rhule places a premium on athleticism and versatility and there’s no player in this draft on either side of the ball who has a better combination of both.
Simmons’ blend of tools – particularly his physical abilities and natural feel for the game – have earned him a variety of reps as a linebacker, edge, both safety spots, outsite corner and even some slot corner. He’d make for an ideal fit for the positionless prototype being brought in by Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow.
Whether you see him as Luke Kuechly’s heir apparent or as a Derwin James-like playmaker, it doesn’t really matter seeing as the team has needs at practically every single position on defense. Simmons offers depth at most of them.
Williams: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
This has been a popular mock pick this year, but Brown is simply too good to pass on, here. The Panthers get the best player available in one of their greatest areas of need: the interior of the defensive line.
Brown’s draft stock has taken a bit of a hit following his sub-par combine performance, but he is still considered by most to be the best defensive tackle in this class, if not a close No. 2 behind South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw.
Brown plays with unbelievable strength and explosiveness, tremendous gap penetration ability, and a motor that never stops. He is exactly the kind of prototype player Rhule wants to work with, and he can start right away.
Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Kentucky offensive line prospect Logan Stenberg
Logan Stenberg | OL | Kentucky
Elevator Pitch
Stenberg is a nasty finisher and mauler from his offensive guard spot. A multi-year starter for Kentucky is a plug and play offensive lineman for a team that like to run power football. In close quarters, Stenberg can be a factor in establishing dominance in the trenches.
Stenberg does a good job of latching onto his defender and is able to sustain his blocks well. His hands can be like vice grips in that when he locks onto a defensive lineman, odds that a defender can shed his block are very minimal at best. Plays with a mauler like attitude and demeanor. When he gets pushback with a bullrush, Stenberg is able to sit down and anchor. He shows tremendous strength.
He can be a stonewall at the point of attack in his pass sets. Does well to keep pass rushers at bay even when trying for quick moves inside. Shows good footwork and doesn’t get beaten much with twists and stunts. Good football IQ and understanding of his assignments and what the defense is trying to do up front.
Weaknesses
His biggest weakness might be his flexibility or lack there of. He doesn’t provide the ability to be much in terms of getting out in space when asked to pull. His lack of balance is on full display. Moving lateral is virtually non-existent for him.
Stengerg is very stiff as an athlete, so again, it will really limit what he can do at the NFL level. Coming out of his stance, he stands straight up at the line of scrimmage most often. There is absolutely zero bend from his stance which can cause him problems with leverage.
