Tag: scouting report

Jovante Moffatt: What the Browns are getting in their new UDFA safety

Jovante Moffatt: What the Browns are getting in their new UDFA safety from Middle Tennessee State

The Cleveland Browns recently announced the signing of 15 undrafted free agents. All are fighting uphill battles to make the 53-man roster, but they all have a shot.

Today we are taking a dive into Middle Tennessee State safety, Jovante Moffatt. Cleveland is looking for young playmakers in their defensive backfield and perhaps Moffatt fits the bill.

Name: Jovante Moffatt

Position: Safety

School: Middle Tennessee State

Height: 5-11

Weight: 213 pounds

Strengths: Moffatt has a ton of experience with 55 starts under his belt. He had an extremely productive collegiate career tallying 313 sacks and five interceptions. He had an impressive enough senior season to warrant an invite to the NFLPA Bowl and was able to play well enough to earn serious draft consideration. Moffatt does have a few games where he showed early-round potential, most noticeably his two-interception effort against Marshall this past season.

Weaknesses: Moffatt wasn’t selected during the draft for a reason. Despite having an impressive NFLPA Bowl it was not shocking to see him fall out completely. Even while playing in the C-USA, he disappears far too often. For every dominant game he has, he also has two underwhelming contests. Moffatt plays undisciplined and he doesn’t have the athleticism to make up for his mistakes in the NFL.

Overall: Moffatt is going to have an uphill battle to make this roster even with the Browns lacking ideal depth at safety. He has some very exciting tape and has an aggressive mentality that may allow him to contribute eventually, but there are a ton of boxes he doesn’t check and doesn’t have the ideal athleticism for that deep safety role in the NFL. Perhaps he can make the roster due to his special teams potential, but it will be tough.

 

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Alex Taylor: What the Browns are getting in the UDFA offensive tackle

Alex Taylor: What the Browns are getting in the UDFA offensive tackle

The 2020 NFL Draft is in the books and the Cleveland Browns have received positive grades from practically every media outlet, but the off-season is not quite done yet and new rookies have been coming in as undrafted free agents. Among the first players noted after the draft was over was former Senior Bowl standout, Alex Taylor. He was one of the bigger UDFA fishes both figuratively and literally considering he was viewed as an early-round prospect by many outlets.

Name: Alex Taylor

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: South Carolina St.

Height: 6-8

Weight: 308 pounds

Strengths: It is completely shocking that Taylor went undrafted especially after measuring in as the biggest player at the Senior Bowl and one of the biggest at the combine at 6’8″ and also was in the top echelon in wingspan at 88 inches and hand size at 11 inches. To go along with his freaky long limbs, Taylor has a great frame that has the potential to add even more weight before any athleticism is sacrificed.

As if his size wasn’t tantalizing enough, Taylor also has a ton of room to grow on the field as well considering he only started playing football since his junior year in high school and after transferring from Appalachian State, basketball became his focus again during his first year. Taylor leaves the Bulldog program with 23 starts under his belt and two straight seasons of earning first-team All-MEAC.

Weaknesses: Taylor went undrafted for a reason. Despite checking a ton of boxes scouts look for, it is important to treat his rawness as both a positive and negative. This is a prospect that may take a few years to develop into an adequate contributor. That projection is based on film where he is playing inferior opponents each week. We also mentioned Taylor’s basketball features including his freaky long limbs, but those limbs are characteristic of basketball players in another way as well as they are not even close to the tree trunk like pythons most NFL tackles need to deliver a powerful punch to defenders.

Overall: Taylor is a phenomenal UDFA pickup and is one of the few players that didn’t get selected that might actually grow into an impact player. His obvious size and athleticism give him a starter-level ceiling, but there are a ton of issues that need to be sorted for him to even make this roster.

Most Browns fans will remember former Florida State standout and 2017 fifth-round selection, Roderick Johnson and Taylor has been compared frequently to him due to their similar body types and playing style. This comparison is fair and Johnson was honestly better coming out of college, but he was obliviously a non-factor for Cleveland and is now with the Houston Texans.

I do think it is reasonable to expect a higher ceiling on Taylor and my money would be on him making this roster whether it be active or practice squad, but he needs to get better quickly to stay.

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Jacob Phillips: What the experts said pre-draft about the new Browns LB

Not exactly the most glowing reviews of Jacob Phillips as a 3rd-rounder

Jacob Phillips wasn’t the brightest light on a star-studded LSU defense last fall. He’ll get his shot to shine in the middle of the Cleveland defense now that Phillips is the third-round pick of the Browns.

The Browns clearly liked what they saw from the LSU linebacker. What did the draft analysts say about Phillips before the draft?

His NFL.com draft blurb isn’t all that glowing,

Phillips is a reliable option but lacks the alpha field demeanor and explosive athleticism teams look for. He has backup talent and should step into a special teams role quickly. Early tape was better than later tape as the competition level increased. He does an adequate job of handling his assignments but won’t make that many plays outside of the scheme.

It’s an even less optimistic take over at The Draft Network, where Phillips ranked well below several LBs who were drafted much later.

Jacob Phillips projects as a depth player and developmental linebacker at the NFL level. Phillips struggles with consistently processing action in the backfield and too often looks lost on the second level. Without high end anticipation and with only modest redirection and scrape ability, Phillips is going to need significant development to reach starting caliber.

Bleacher Report compared Phillips to Malik Jefferson, a player the Browns had on the roster for half of 2019 but never played.

“Phillips is a natural athlete who pops off the tape because of his size and movement skills, but his football IQ is low for now. He isn’t ready to take meaningful NFL snaps, especially in coverage, without major development and classroom time. He has plenty of potential, but he’s a boom-or-bust prospect.”

Dane Brugler of The Athletic pegged Phillips as a fifth-round prospect while noting,

“Phillips is consistently around the football with his reliable reaction to movement, beating blockers to the spot and mirroring ball carriers. While a steady tackler (you can count his 2019 missed tackles on one hand), his body stiffness and questionable play strength won’t be as easy to mask at the next level. Overall, Phillips has limitations that lowers his NFL ceiling, but teams will be comfortable taking a chance on a player with his production, nose for the ball and straight-line speed – traits that project well to special teams.”

Not exactly the most glowing of reviews for Phillips, but the Browns see something they believe can allow the fiery Tiger to shine in Cleveland.

Donovan Peoples-Jones: What the Browns are getting in their new WR

Scouting report on the Browns 6th round pick, Michigan WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

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With the 187th selection in the 2020 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select Donovan Peoples-Jones, wide receiver from Michigan. Cleveland added another extremely talented pass catcher with the former track star and five-star recruit out of Michigan. With only 14 touchdowns combined the last two seasons, the Browns are hoping to tap into his upside.

Strengths: At 6-2 and 212 pounds, Peoples-Jones has the combination of size and speed to be a true threat in the NFL. Peoples-Jones has insane explosion off the line of scrimmage and can hit top speed fast. He also has great leaping ability to go with ideal height, which can make him a 50-50 ball threat. He’s an elite return specialist too.

Weaknesses: The biggest knock on Peoples-Jones is that despite being big and fast, he doesn’t create separation consistently enough. He also doesn’t have the smoothest hands as he has no problem letting the ball come to his chest and body-catching. Despite having an elite burst and crazy acceleration, Peoples-Jones has no wiggle and isn’t a threat to provide much YAC.

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Nick Harris: What the Browns are getting in their fifth-round pick

Nick Harris: What the Browns are getting in their fifth-round pick

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With the 160th pick in the NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select Washington center, Nick Harris. Judging from most early reactions, fans are a bit confused by the addition of the All-PAC-12 center, but the value was too good to pass up and Nick Harris is going to surprise some with how fast he sees the field.

Strengths: Harris was named All-PAC-12 in back-to-back seasons after moving to center from guard, but he even played guard at a high level before the transition. At 6-1 and 302 pounds, Harris has fine size and extremely quick feet for his size. He looks for extra work at the second level and has unique lateral movement skills. He has been compared to current Las Vegas Raiders center Rodney Hudson, and this feels spot on.

Weaknesses: I am giddy writing this piece as Harris has an extremely high ceiling, but he does not look like it with an awkward, somewhat sloppy body and short limbs. We mentioned that his size wasn’t an issue, but he has been beaten by swim moves likely due to his lack of ideal height.

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Grant Delpit: What the experts said before the draft about the Browns safety

Grant Delpit: What the experts said before the draft about the Browns safety in their scouting reports

Grant Delpit and his draft stock had quite a tumultuous few months before the Cleveland Browns snagged the LSU safety with the No. 44 overall pick on Friday night. Looking back at the scouting reports written pre-draft by several notable draft analysts, the preseason top-10 prospect and the second-rounder the Browns drafted play out in the same person in Delpit.

From his NFL.com draft profile, written by Lance Zierlein,

Aggressive, urgent striker with good upside who posted a disappointing follow-up to an exciting 2018 campaign. His evaluation requires a full load of 2018 tape, where his coverage potential was better illustrated. He transitions with instinctive eyes and plays physically against tight ends. Willingness to rush in and hit has never been a problem in the alley or in his fits, but tackle inconsistencies have plagued him throughout his career due to angles and technique that could be challenging to fix.

Joe Marino from The Draft Network offers some promising words,

Delpit brings a lot to the table and he projects favorably to becoming a high-impact safety in the NFL. He’s versatile, physical, urgent, smart, athletic and his skill set is perfect for matching up against the pace and space present in today’s NFL offenses

Marino’s colleague Kyle Crabbs cites the worries about tackling but remains bullish,

“Grant Delpit projects as an impact defender at the NFL level. Tackling issues in the open field will put off some teams, but he’s physically capable of booming hits and his foundation as a player is a pretty rare blend of skills — making him an enticing every down defender that can be a centerpiece to weekly game plans.”

Matt Miller from Bleacher Report also brought up the decline in play while still liking the potential,

Which Grant Delpit are you getting? The 2018 version would be the top safety in the 2020 class and a top-20 selection, but the 2019 version often looked like a Day 3 pick. Delpit has the size and athleticism to be an immediate starter at either safety position, but he made too many business decisions when it came to tackling in his junior season. Delpit has a sky-high ceiling, but he has to turn back on the alpha-dog mentality he showed prior to his final season.

Finally, Dane Brugler of The Athletic concluded a lengthy section on Delpit with this summation,

“Overall, Delpit needs to shore up his tackling inconsistency, but he is a rangy, smart and energetic player who quickly finds the football and attacks, projecting as an interchangeable NFL safety with starting potential.”

It’s a picture of a player with some concerns but very high potential for a second-round pick.

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Instant Analysis: What draft experts think about Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs

The Cowboys fill a pressing need at the corner back position selecting Alabama corner Trevon Diggs. Trevon Diggs made the switch from

The Dallas Cowboys filled a pressing need at the cornerback position, selecting Alabama star Trevon Diggs. Diggs made the switch from two-way player to corner his sophomore year and has progressively gotten better since ditching his wide receiver responsibilities.

Diggs has an excellent combination of size and length at 6-foot- 2, 207 pounds. He is a dynamic athlete with smooth hips that he can quickly unlock to keep up with receivers. Showing the ability to crowd the  catch point, he demonstrates elite ball skills to intercept passes he gets his hands on.

Diggs shows patience at the line of scrimmage, but can struggle at times staying in the receivers hip pocket because of his lack of technique and refinement. Diggs has plenty of upside and will compete for starter snaps his rookie year as the club sorts through their top two remaining CBs (Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis) entering the final year of their contracts.

Film Study vs Auburn (2019)

Dane Brugler | The Athletic 

Position Rank: 4

SUMMARY

A two-year starter at Alabama, Diggs lined up primarily at left cornerback in Nick Saban’s press-man heavy scheme, occasionally seeing snaps vs. the slot. He was better known as Stefon Diggs’ younger brother growing up, but he grew out of his shadow and carved his own path, playing his college ball at Alabama instead of Maryland and changing his number (wears No. 7 due to Tyrann Mathieu). Diggs arrived in Tuscaloosa as a two-way player and his offensive background benefits him on defense with his ball skills and awareness for what the offense is trying to do. He will drive his NFL defensive coaches crazy with his hopping around and sporadic technique, but his read/react skills and athleticism allow him to get away with it. Overall, Diggs needs to clean up his technique and discipline in coverage to reach his full potential, but he has shown improvement in those areas and projects as an NFL starter due to his size, twitch and competitive nature.

GRADE: 1st-2nd Round

Kyle Crabbs | The Draft Network

50th overall player

Scouting Report

Trevon Diggs fits the profile of a Cover 3/press man cornerback at the next level. Diggs’ length makes him an ideal player to play press at the line of scrimmage and put him in positions to physically challenge receivers to stack the edge in run support. Diggs’ lack of consistency in run support is frustrating and he can be hit or miss locating the football; so the perfect system is one that requires him to play bail technique and operate primarily in a deep third as a perimeter CB.

Best Trait – Length

Worst Trait – Tackling

Best Film – Duke (2019)

Worst Film – LSU (2019)

 Bob Sturm | The Athletic

Grade: 2nd Round

CB Rank: 8

Positives

As you can probably tell from the measurements above, his biggest positives at this point in time start with physical attributes that put him up near the top of the class of big and long corners. He has traits that generally get everyone quite excited in the search for Richard Sherman II, or something like that. He absolutely can demonstrate great confidence. His instincts are actually quite impressive and can likely be traced to his time on offense all of those years for understanding what is happening from the QB’s perspective. There are absolute flashes where he looks extraordinary for sure, and he also will go find the football. Further, there are some real positives to playing in the Alabama scheme for so long and the matchups against very big and physical opponents who will challenge you all day. You look at plays like the interception against Duke (below), and you quickly see why some people can’t stop raving about the player.

Concerns

The concerns are more based on a few things that come quickly to mind. First, the day he had against Ja’Marr Chase and LSU is a tough one to fully forget about when looking at his body of work. In this head-to-head challenge, you could tell that he lost confidence and things got progressively worse. He looks to roll largely with feel and confidence, so when you lose that, things spiral in a hurry. He is going to take you on a wild ride with his poor technique and decision-making at times, and you would like to see a coach or veteran demand a lot out of him, as so many young corners need. Some get that refinement and take off while others stall at their current spot and seem content with “what got them this far.” The other issues are that he wanted to wait until his pro day to do actual combine testing and did not run at the combine, so his testing scores are a bit mysterious and his speed is a bit of a concern at the moment.

Lance Zierlein | NFL

Grade: 6.39- Will be a starter in two years

Scouting Report

Talented prospect with rare combination of size, strength and ball skills. As a former receiver, Diggs has an instinctive feel for his opponent’s plans and uses his size and athleticism to disrupt the blueprint when possible. The foot agility and short-area burst are good for his size and helped keep completion totals low. He’s inconsistent staying in phase with downfield routes and long speed is his kryptonite, causing grabbing and holding when panic sets in. He’s a future starting press-man corner with the hands and ball tracking to take it away and should benefit from more help over the top as a pro. Future consideration at free safety is possible considering his size and skill set.

Mike Renner | Pro Football Focus

Final Position Rank: 6
Final Overall Rank: 31
Projection: Round 1 – Round 2

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Instant Analysis: What the Browns are getting in Jordan Elliott

Scouting report and breakdown on Cleveland Browns third round pick, Missouri DT Jordan Elliott

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The Browns need to bolster up the defense and that is exactly what general manager Andrew Berry and co. had their sights set towards on day two of the NFL Draft. After drafting LSU safety Grant Delpit with the No. 44 pick and trading down from No. 74, the Browns stayed in the SEC for their next selection.

At No. 88 the Browns selected Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, marking three SEC players drafted by Berry in two days. Elliott joins a crowded but good defensive line group in Cleveland.

The Browns are pretty much set at their starting defensive tackle spots with former third-round draft pick Larry Ogunjobi and veteran free agent signing Sheldon Richardson. But behind Ogunjobi and Richardson, they’re thin.

In free agency, the Browns added a former fourth-round pick and division foe in Andrew Billings on a one-year deal. Following the 2020 season, Ogunjobui and Billings are free agents and Richardson has a potential out in his contract that would only cost the Browns 1.6 million in dead cap space if he is released.

So that is where Elliott’s services come in to play.

Cleveland third-round pick, Elliott has a perfect opportunity to contribute as a rotational defensive lineman next season while also learning from an experienced group. By the time 2021 hits, there is a very good chance Elliott is the Browns’ No. 1 guy on the defensive interior.

That track is very familiar to Elliott.

After beginning his career at Texas, Elliott transferred to Missouri in 2017. He sat out a season and earned defensive scout team player of the year.  He then played in 13 games the following season as a rotational piece, registering eight tackles for loss and three sacks. That earned him the starting role in 2019. 

Last year for the Tigers, Elliott became a staple of the defense as a team captain. He collected 44 tackles and led the team with 10 tackles for loss while matching three sacks. He also swatted down three passes, causing more than just physical disruption from the inside.

Elliott played both one- and three-technique last season for Missouri, making him a valuable asset for the Browns. His gap presence and explosiveness is what made him attractive in the third round to Cleveland.

At the combine, Elliott ran a 5.02 40-yard dash at 302 pounds. Pro Football Focus had Elliott rated as their third-best defensive tackle, behind first-round picks Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw. He also is their 23rd overall player.

As a rookie, Elliott will have the opportunity to be eased in the mix but he could see his playing time exponentially increase as he adjusts to the NFL. Overall, the Browns notched a great depth piece that can turn into a very good NFL starter in his career.

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What draft experts said about Cesar Ruiz before the Saints picked him

The New Orleans Saints picked Michigan Wolverines center Cesar Ruiz, a prospected rated highly by many experts before the 2020 NFL Draft.

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After months of speculation, we finally found out who the New Orleans Saints picked in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft: Michigan center Cesar Ruiz. But why was he so highly regarded, and were the Saints right to target him to so early in the draft?

To find out, we surveyed a variety of scouting reports and draft guides from around the NFL’s orbit. Here’s what we learned.

One positive scouting report came from Dane Brugler at The Athletic, who ranked Ruiz the second-best center in the draft behind LSU’s Lloyd Cushenberry. Brugler praised Ruiz for his extensive starting experience and gift for understanding the game. He wrote:

Overall, Ruiz’s technique tends to break down when rushed, but he is very steady in pass protection and continues to grow as a run blocker, displays all the ingredients to be a longtime NFL starting center.

Over at The Draft Network, Ruiz was the highest-rated interior offensive lineman (all guards and centers put together) and the 28th best prospect on their combined big board. One analyst, Joe Marino, wrote of Ruiz’s NFL projection:

For such a massive man, Ruiz displays outstanding mobility and he is highly effective working laterally and in space. His versatility extends beyond just the ability to play any spot along the interior, he has the attributes needed to thrive in both gap and zone blocking run schemes.

Conversely, TDN’s Kyle Crabbs wrote in his scouting report that while Ruiz is an excellent prospect at center, but teams shouldn’t try to move him out to guard:

Ruiz brings desirable strength in one on one scenarios but also provides nimble quickness as a puller and in pass protection. His lack of length regulates him to manning the middle as a center only, but he’s a cerebral and polished player leaving Michigan and should provide stability and effective communication at the heart of whichever offensive line he calls home.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper also listed Ruiz as this year’s best interior offensive lineman, thanks to his experience at guard and 26 games played at center. Ruiz was his 26th rated overall prospect.

The lowest ranking came from NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, who put Ruiz as his 37th ranked player. But Jeremiah still liked Ruiz enough to compare him to a three-time All-Pro who was selected for five Pro Bowls in his brief career:

Ruiz is an extremely consistent, physical and aware center. In pass protection, he has a tight punch and immediate anchor. His lower body is outrageously strong. He is very aware vs. twists/stunts. He lacks elite foot quickness, but he doesn’t have any issues sliding and redirecting to stay square vs. defenders. In the run game, he latches and runs his feet to create movement. He is outstanding on combo blocks, staying under control, locating and walling off linebackers. His lack of foot quickness shows up on outside pulls. Overall, Ruiz reminds me of Travis Frederick coming out of Wisconsin.

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What the experts said pre-draft about Jedrick Wills

Checking up on the pre-draft scouting reports on Browns draft pick Jedrick Wills

Everyone loves Jedrick Wills now, but what did the professional evaluators have to say about the new Browns left tackle prior to the draft? Here’s a sampling from the scouting reports on Wills from several different draft analysts.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic

In his draft guide “The Beast”, Brugler ranked Wills as the top tackle prospect. Brugler noted,

“Overall, Wills is a balanced, light-footed big man with the explosive power, aggressive mentality and budding confidence that should translate very well to the NFL level, projecting as a long-term NFL starter with All-Pro upside.”

The Draft Network

Wills was the No. 5 overall player on their combined big board among all the Draft Network analysts. One of them, Kyle Crabbs, had this to say of Wills’ pass protection skills,

He’s an elite pass protector with the best blend of step cadence, framing, redirection skill, patience and anchor ability. Quick sets, vertical sets, 45 degree sets — you name it, he can execute at a high level.

Analyst Joe Marino offered this assessment of Wills,

Dominant functional strength that shows up in a big way when run blocking. Generates tremendous movement and he knows how to maximize his power by rolling his hips through contact. Outstanding ability to find leverage points on his opponents and exploit them. Hands are heavy and his anchor is stout. Does well to fit his hands and his grip strength is unbreakable.

Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN

Kiper also listed Wills as his top offensive tackle prospect. Focusing on his ability in the run game, Kiper had this to say of Wills,

“Alabama averaged 7.7 yards per rush outside the right tackle in 2019, which ranked third in the FBS.”

Ourlads scouting guide

Longtime NFL scout Dan Shonka and his crew ranked Wills the No. 4 offensive tackle. In their printed draft guide, they covered a wide range of scouting angles.

Noting Wills’ “feet are lightning quick and always active”, they also cite footwork and hands “that are as sure as it gets”. One issue listed is a lack of technical focus,

“Has a hard time protecting his chest and it will cause him to play from an initial deficit. Seems mentally slow to react.”

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but Ourlads still believes Wills “has the look of a first-year starter”.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com

The popular analyst and host, as well as a former Browns scout, ranked Wills No. 10 overall. Here’s what Mr. “Move the Sticks” had to say about the big new Browns tackle,

He is a natural knee bender and he reworks his hands to maintain leverage/control. He is aware versus games and stunts. In the run game, he is at his best when working up to the second level. He also flashes the ability to roll his hips and uproot defenders over his nose. He’s never on the ground. Overall, Wills doesn’t have the ideal body type, but he has all of the necessary tools to be a 10-year starter at either tackle spot.

As for my own take, here’s what I wrote about Wills at RealGM, where he was my No. 9 overall player,

His core and lower-body strength and coordination are incredible. Very polished footwork in his pass sets, balanced and quick to adjust. I worry about how Wills invites defenders to hit his chest and then he parries them instead of locking in, but he’s really good at how he does it. Great movement as a seek-and-destroy run blocker. If Wills learns to sustain blocks instead of hit-and-run, he’ll live on All-Pro teams.