Tag: robert hunt

2020 NFL Combine: Matt Peart stands out as offensive tackles measure in

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez drops some of his takeaways from the offensive tackle’s measurements at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The offensive tackles were among the positional groups that measured in on Tuesday at the 2020 NFL Combine.

For the Chargers, addressing the position sits the near the top of their to-do list this offseason. Therefore, they will likely be in the market for one in the early rounds of the draft.

Here is a look at the measurements of the tackles courtesy of CBS Sports, followed by some of our takeaways:

Takeaways

  • Matt Peart was arguably the biggest winner. The former UConn product boasted the longest arms and wingspan, which is extremely beneficial at the position. At 320 pounds, he looks the part with an NFL frame. Peart put together solid tape at the right tackle position, stamping himself as a top-100 pick. He should help his stock even more after showing off his athleticism this week.
  • Standing at a whopping 6-foot-8 and 365 pounds, Mekhi Becton has an enormous frame with natural girth and a wide base, along with octopus-like arms. Becton has seen his stock rise throughout the past couple of months, and he should be picked within the top-20 selections.
  • There’s been plenty of chatter of kicking Tristan Wirfs inside to guard because of his arm length, but those talks were put to rest after coming in at 34-inch arms. At 320 pounds and an 80-inch wingspan, Wirfs looks the part as an NFL offensive tackle.
  • Robert Hunt has also been on the fence of whether or not he needs to move from tackle to guard, but after coming in with a solid 82-inch wingspan, it’s safe to say that he can stay on the outside.
  • Ben Bartch, the small-school standout, didn’t have the most ideal measurements for the position. Bartch came in with the shortest arms of anyone in his group and he fell short of 310 pounds. His tape suggests that he should be able to play tackle at the next level, but he will likely have to put on a little bit more weight.
  • There were concerns in regards to Ezra Cleveland’s arm length, but he came in at 33 7/8 inches with a wingspan of 80 7/8 inches. We currently have Cleveland stamped as an early-third rounder, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he moves himself into top-50 consideration after this week.

Patriots 4-round mock draft: Bill Belichick finally lands Gronk’s replacement

A small-school prospect with major upside.

As the 2020 NFL combine approaches, it’s time to dive deeper into mock drafts, with multiple-round projections of how the draft will go. It’s all in good fun at this point in the process, with plenty of evaluation and rumor milling still to go. Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling put together a four-round mock draft, which features three selections from New England.

The Patriots traded away their second-rounder for receiver Mohamed Sanu, and while they are likely to get two third-round compensatory picks (Trey Flowers, Trent Brown), the NFL has yet to award those selections. So Easterling skipped them for now. Here’s a look at the Patriots’ three picks.

23. Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota

Here’s what Easterling wrote on the selection:

“Another safety not named Grant Delpit? Don’t be surprised. Tom Brady’s future is obviously the big question mark, and finding him another pass-catcher could be a priority here if he returns. That said, the Pats need to address their need for youth on the back end of the defense, and Winfield’s combination of physical and mental tools would be a perfect match.”

It’s fun to consider the Patriots drafting Brady’s successor, a tight end (like Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet) or a receiver (like LSU’s Justin Jefferson). But the Patriots need to get younger at safety, where Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung are entering their mid 30s. McCourty is also a pending free agent, and may depart this offseason. Even Duron Harmon looks like a candidate to be a cap casualty, even if that feels unlikely. Winfield isn’t a sexy pick, but it’s the type of selection Bill Belichick likes to make.

87. Adam Trautman | TE | Dayton

The Senior Bowl standout showed that, while he spent his college career at a lower level of competition, he is physically capable of competing with some of the nation’s best college players. But what about the best pros? Here’s what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said about Trautman:

“Trautman is a fluid big man, and his basketball background shows at the catch point with his ability to adjust and attack. His routes need fine-tuning and his blocking is based more on effort than technical understanding right now, although he doesn’t lack in intensity or effort in either category. Overall, Trautman doesn’t have the body of work versus top-level competition, but his athleticism and pass-catching traits for a player his size make him a highly intriguing prospect, projecting as a player who should crack the starting lineup as an NFL rookie.”

Considering the Patriots were woefully understaffed at tight end in 2019, they’d be wise to stock up on talent at the position in the draft and during free agency. It’s much clearer than last season: Rob Gronkowski isn’t coming back. They should act accordingly.

115. Robert Hunt | OL | Lafayette (pick from CHI)

With the Patriots potentially set to lose both Joe Thuney and Ted Karras in free agency, New England may want to keep restocking with young talent in hopes one of their picks will prove ready to start. The Patriots have Hjalte Froholdt, a 2019 fourth-round pick who spent his rookie season on IR. New England also traded for Jermaine Eluemunor. Add in Hunt, and they should have a satisfactory level of competition for the starting job at left guard.

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Chargers 2020 NFL Draft Target: Louisiana-Lafayette OL Robert Hunt

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez puts Louisiana-Lafayette OL Robert Hunt, a potential draft target, under the microscope.

Over the next few months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up into the 2020 NFL Draft. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Today, we are taking a look at Louisiana-Lafayette offensive lineman Robert Hunt.

Honors and Awards

  • All-Sun Belt First-Team (2019)
  • Outland Trophy watch list (2019)
  • All-Sun Belt Second-Team (2018)

Strengths

  • Rare combination of athleticism, strength and mobility. Very wide base and burly build.
  • Displays incredible power on initial contact. Knocks defenders off balance with initial hand punch and devastates defenders to the ground.
  • Lateral quickness to slide with outside speed rushers and ride them out of play.
  • Sinks hips and can anchor, rarely giving up ground. Uses arm length and extension to keep defensive lineman off his frame, maintains spacing.
  • Sets up his blocks in space by using angles and quickness. Rangy run blocker, can cut off inside penetration, or locate blocks early at second level. Moves well when pulling.
  • Adequate reaction skills to diagnose and pick up blitzes.
  • Aggressive blocker that attacks his assignment. Flashes a mean streak and a desire to finish blocks.
  • Experience at guard and tackle.

Weaknesses

  • Gets in good initial position, but often loses his leverage, playing too upright.
  • Strong hands at the point of attack, but needs to do a better job with placement. Can be too high or wide.
  • Forgets his feet sometimes and chooses to use his reach.
  • Often caught lunging at defenders to engage or land his punch.

Summary

Hunt is a big man with a unique athletic skill-set for the position, showing above-average balance, lateral agility to handle speed, and power at the point of attack. In the run game, he uses a strong grip to move bodies to create lanes and his nasty temperament sees him taking defenders to the ground. His footwork technique is still a work in progress and he needs to be weary of his pad level.

Chargers Fit

Based on his physical traits and athleticism, Hunt profiles as a solid starting right tackle at the next level. He has experience at guard, but his athleticism and pass-protection skills could allow him to be a plug-and-play on the right side, opposite of Russell Okung. If tackle doesn’t pan out, he could easily kick inside. Hunt’s tools suggest a bright future, assuming he receives the necessary coaching and development by the Chargers coaching staff.

Projection: Late 2nd-Early 3rd