Tag: NFL Scouts

What NFL teams had scouts at Rutgers football’s game against Michigan?

A dozen NFL teams had scouts or representatives for Saturday’s game between Rutgers and Michigan.

A dozen NFL teams were in the press box on Saturday afternoon for Rutgers football at Michigan. They saw Rutgers start strong and hang tough in a 31-7 loss.

The main draw for the NFL teams was obviously No. 2 Michigan, with a roster that features several players who are being projected as Day 1 or early Day 2 selections in the 2024 NFL draft. But Rutgers also has a few players that should draw some attention and be likely draft picks.

Defensive end [autotag]Aaron Lewis[/autotag], a transfer from Michigan, is one Rutgers player who is likely to get drafted. So are the likes of defensive back [autotag]Max Melton[/autotag], linebacker [autotag]Deion Jennings[/autotag] and [autotag]Tyreem Powell[/autotag] as well as several players on offense.

Here are the 12 NFL teams that were in attendance on Saturday for Rutgers at Michigan:

  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Buffalo Bills
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Denver Broncos
  • Detroit Lions (Mike Martin, director of scouting advancement and John Dorsey, senior personnel executive)
  • Indianapolis Colts
  • Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Los Angeles Chargers (JoJo Wooden, director of player personnel)
  • New England Patriots
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tennessee Titans

 

Multiple teams conducting pre-draft visits with Texas LB DeMarvion Overshown

DeMarvion Overshown is gaining interest ahead of the NFL Draft.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, multiple NFL teams are set to meet with Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown for pre-draft visits.

The Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans are among the teams meeting with the standout linebacker.

Overshown earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in his senior season in 2022. He set career highs with 96 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks, helping anchor a much-improved Texas defense.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound linebacker moves exceptionally well as a former safety. Overshown’s athleticism allows him to play sideline to sideline to a high level against offensive attacks. He recorded an impressive 4.56-second 40-yard dash and 10-foot-4 broad jump at the 2023 NFL Combine in March.

Experts believe Overshown will get selected as a late day two or early three pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

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What scouts said about Chargers OT Rashawn Slater ahead of NFL draft

Find out how those around the NFL felt about the Chargers’ newest left tackle coming out of college.

Prior to the NFL draft, there were nothing but great things to say about Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater.

Rather than circling back to what the media thought of the new Chargers left tackle, how did NFL evaluators feel about Slater?

The Athletic’s Bob McGinn spoke with a few scouts ahead of the draft to get their opinions on Slater.

The first one was in awe with his testing numbers at his pro day, where he had a 33-inch vertical, 9-foot-4 broad jump and ran a 4.91 40 with an insane 1.68-second 10-yard split.

His pro day workout was unbelievable. Just extremely quick, extremely powerful.

Given the fact that he’s 6-foot-4 and 304 pounds, many thought he would have to kick inside as soon as he got to the NFL. But his play on the edges says otherwise.

The underwhelming thing about him is his size and the way he looks. He’s built more like an inside player than a tackle, but he is really good. I hardly have any negatives. He’s athletic, strong for his size, super smart. He’s a technician. I thought he could play all five positions.

The third scout felt the same way as the second scout.

He’s only got 33-inch arms. Therefore, that will lead some people to say, ‘OK, he’s only a guard.’ In the NFL today, (tackles) have to have 34-inch arms. That inch may make a difference, but I still think he can play tackle. He has wonderful athletic skills, balance and control in his play.

The bottom line is that Slater is a menace up front. He is technically sound with his upper and lower body, very intelligent, physical and consistent which shows both in the pass- and run-blocking department.

While there were concerns with his lack of height and arm length which had many plugging him as a guard, the tape shows a guy who can get the job done on each snap at tackle, which is what he will be from Day 1.

NFL Draft: One team had preseason second-round grade on Sam Ehlinger

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler recently joined the Locked On Longhorns podcast to discuss Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger has garnered plenty of preseason hype heading into this upcoming college football season. Continue reading “NFL Draft: One team had preseason second-round grade on Sam Ehlinger”

What scouts said about Chargers LB Kenneth Murray ahead of draft

NFL evaluators were very high on linebacker Kenneth Murray coming out of college.

The Chargers traded up 14 spots with the Patriots to draft former Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.

Los Angeles saw the high production throughout the past three seasons for the Sooners, and they were able to witness the great character that he possesses up close and personal when they interviewed him at the combine.

Rated highly by the media, Murray was arguably one of the best players at his position in this year’s class. But how did NFL evaluations feel about him?

The Athletic’s Bob McGinn reached out to three scouts to get a better idea what those in the league thought of him ahead of the draft.

The first scout had high praise for Murray, saying that he believes he was better than Bears’ Roquan Smith coming out of college and that he should have no issue making the Pro Bowl.

One of my favorite players. When you plug in the player and the person you love him even more. He does everything you want. He runs the defense. I thought he was better than Roquan Smith. I don’t think he’s quite as good as a Luke Kuechly. He’ll be a Pro Bowl-type player. He didn’t cover there. They didn’t ask him to, but I think he can. He’s an explosive athlete but he’s not a physical tackler. That’s one of the only knocks I have on him.

The second scout had nothing but good things to say, too, despite pointing out some of his weaknesses with his game.

He can run the show. Just a little bit lacking on instincts and angles. But he’s big, fast and a hell of a kid. He loves football. Great locker-room guy.

Here is what the third scout said:

He’s sideline-to-sideline. Inside, he tries to take on. He’s just not the strongest. He’s more of a slip-and-dip type, which is what you’re playing with now. As far as a modern-day linebacker, he has those traits. Covers well.

Overall, Murray is a quick-twitch athlete who possesses the speed and physicality against the run and pass with blitz ability, projecting as three-down starting linebacker for the Chargers.

Murray does need to dial up his instincts, clean up some overaggressive tendencies as he’s been caught over-pursuing ball carriers at times and develop a better feel in coverage. However, he has the talent and skillset to be a really good linebacker and locker room presence for the next decade.

What scouts said about Chargers QB Justin Herbert ahead of draft

The first scout raved about Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert prior to the draft.

The scouting reports and analysis on quarterback Justin Herbert were a mixed bag prior to the draft.

While many had him pegged as a top-10 caliber prospect, there were some that wouldn’t take him until the third-round.

Rather than what the media thought of the former Oregon and now Chargers signal-caller, how did NFL evaluators feel about Herbert?

The Athletic’s Bob McGinn spoke with a few scouts ahead of the draft to get their opinions on Herbert.

Here is what one scout, who seemed really bullish on Herbert, said:

If the Oregon kid had Alabama’s receivers or Oklahoma’s receivers or LSU’s receivers he’d be the best one. He had nobody helping him. He’s got a cannon arm. He runs 4.6. He’s smart as a whip. He’s not a dynamic leader, but remember, Troy Aikman was not a dynamic leader. I’m not saying this guy’s Troy Aikman, but there’s no difference in this guy and the guy at Duke (Daniel Jones) last year. In fact, this kid is a better athlete. He’s got everything, plus he’s a great kid. If you don’t like that damn quarterback at Oregon put the Rose Bowl on and the Pac-10 championship.

Here what another scout said, debunking all of the talks of Herbert not being able to lead a team because he is “too quiet”.

He took some knocks about his personality. The word ‘introvert’ was thrown around. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s just a nice, genuine kid and is comfortable in his own skin.

The third scout isn’t as high on Herbert as the first scout, but he still believes he is a decent player.

I like him, to a degree. I don’t think he’s an elite player. He’s kind of robotic and mechanical. Accuracy’s off. He has the classic looks of an NFL quarterback. That’s that guy that has burned a lot of people in the past. Big, tall, good-looking, interviews well, smart, throws the ball a mile, all that stuff. (Blaine) Gabbert. Jared Goff. Not a lot of vision. Not a really good playmaker.

Overall, Herbert possesses NFL-style tools with his size, athleticism, arm talent, intelligence along with above-average accuracy but he needs to improve his decision-making, passing instincts and consistency.

He is in the perfect situation to clean up the woes to his game, as he will be able to sit in Year 1 while Tyrod Taylor starts and he will be able to clean up any mechanical or mental issues with new quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton.

Also, unlike at Oregon, Herbert should benefit from a slew of proven pass-catchers.