2012 Draft Nuggets - Alameda Ta'amu, Washington, NT

Alameda Ta’amu, Washington, 6024 336

Three-year starter who is a wide body that plays square. Has the size, strength, temperament, and toughness to play a two gap nose tackle. Possesses good agility and ability to change direction. May be more of an anchor and push player than a quick footed athlete. Has been durable to hold up inside. Flashed bursts of quickness when he fought through three blockers to make a sack in the Holiday Bowl. Takes good angles and gives effort in short pursuit. Has the instincts and recognition to eat up space and do his job. Good functional strength at point of attack. Can control the blocker, separate, shed, and stuff the ball carrier from tackle to tackle. Agile enough to drop into coverage on zone blitz packages.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

Brandon Thompson, Clemson, 6021 305

Three-and-a-half year starter who plays hard and at times appears unblockable. Plays both inside tackle spots in a rotation where he is always fresh. Thick and powerful upper and lower body strength. Thick butt and thighs to help him anchor and stack a double team. Active in long and short pursuit. Hustler with good chase speed for a big man. Can change direction and has good functional movement along the line of scrimmage and down the field. Shows an intense desire to run down a ball carrier. Was in on 56 tackles, 7 ½ tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback pressures. Disruptive player who gets his hands up in the throwing lane and batted down three passes. He not only relies on quickness, but can shed the blocker and accelerate to the ball in a short area.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Jared Crick, Nebraska, DT

Jared Crick, Nebraska, 6060 285

Three-year starter who is an explosive and athletic tackle and end combination player, depending on a team’s defensive scheme. Can play tackle or end in the 4-3 or an end in the 3-4. Nebraska plays a 4-2-5 defensive package. A very reactive player with good instincts. Plays well inside out. Takes good angles downfield in pursuit. Finds the ball quickly. Feels pressure and reacts on the move. Reads and reacts quickly to offensive line blocking angles, trap, and combination blocks. A right place at the right time player. Always around the ball. An unselfish player who draws double teams and stacks the line of scrimmage so the linebacker or other line mates can make a tackle.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Quinton Coples, North Carolina, DE

Quinton Coples, North Carolina, 6060 275

Two-year starter with the required size, length, and long arms for the position. Plays with knee and hip flexibility to leverage and get under the blocker. Gets good inside push when he’s reduced inside. Good initial quickness and explosive force on his first step. Productive with 10 sacks, 15 ½ tackles for loss, and 59 total tackles. Good use of hands to neutralize block and control the blocker with strength. Has a quick thrust to get control of the blocks. Has the size to stay inside and stack the run and double teams. Has the ability to dip and lean, rushing the passer from the outside edge. Good lateral quickness to avoid the reach block.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Mike Adams, Ohio State, OT

Mike Adams, Ohio State, 6080 305

Started parts of three years. Suspended the first five games of the 2011 season with an NCAA suspension. He more than held his own competing against some of the Big 10’s best including first round picks, JJ Watt, Ryan Kerrigan, and Adrian Clayborn. Physical and athletic in his play. The rangy tackle plays with good knee bend, balance, and shoulder width base. Good flexibility for a big man. Can bend and anchor a bull rush, yet is mobile enough to seal the edge of the defense. A battler with decent jab and recoil. Redirects and stays square with the ability to shadow a pass rusher. Quick react and recover to blitz pickup. Light feet and finish ability.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State, OT

Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State, 6050 335

Three-and-a-half years as a starter. Played left tackle since the 2009 season. A big man with long arms who plays with good base and balance on a team that runs a spread quick tempo offense. Plays in a 2-point stance. A knee bender who has strength, shock, control, drive, and finish in his vocabulary. Good initial arm punch and use of hands. Locks out and locks on defender. Plays smooth, square, and balanced in his pass pro. Can snap his hips and dominate his opponent. Has the physical tools to lock up a defensive tackle or edge pass rusher. Intense on snaps. Sticks with his man. Strong leg action and sure hands to steer or turn the defender. Plays with attitude and aggressiveness. Quick initial move and lateral agility to seal the edge in the run game. Can adjust to a power or speed rusher to block the edge in the pass game.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin, OG

Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin, 6034 322

Three-year starter at right guard. A long torso build with good balance and toughness. Well-coached in a zone blocking scheme. Takes good angles to move on an opponent’s movement. Can redirect and shift weight quickly to seal an opponent. Plays in a pro style run-oriented offense with his hand in the dirt. A knee bender who plays with a good base. Can lock on with his strong hands and steer his target. Particularly strong on the second level to seal and block linebackers. Fundamentally sound, physical, tough, and intense in his play. Good body control in space on pulls and trap blocks.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Cordy Glenn, Georgia, OG

Cordy Glenn, Georgia, 6050 328

Four-year starter with experience at both right and left guard as well as left tackle. Redshirted in 2007. Was moved permanently to left tackle in the spring of 2011. An imposing physical specimen with long arms, a wide body, and athletic feet. Good punch and explosiveness as a run blocker and pass protector. Gets his power from his flexible hips, knees, and ankles. Has the ability to stay balanced with knee bend. Can block on the move. Good effort and ability to block downfield. Powerful on down blocks. Athletic when he pulls and fold blocks. Good initial quickness and movement to adjust on the run. Good body control and follow through. Has the size, strength, and balance to anchor and hold his ground against a bull rush.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Quentin Saulsberry, Mississippi State, OC

Quentin Saulsberry, Mississippi State, 6024 297

Four-year starter with experience at right tackle as well as left and right guard. He has two starts under his belt at center. Plays with a good power base and quick feet. Played left and right guard interchangeably in 2010. Good initial move. Can adjust on the run. Takes a good inside out approach on kick out blocks. Lead blocker on base counter running plays for the Bulldogs. Equally efficient on log or kick out blocks. Explodes on target. Works to finish. Good lateral agility and quickness on cut off blocks. A physical knee bender with good leg drive.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Ben Jones, Georgia, OC

Ben Jones, Georgia, 6030 300

Four-year starter who is equally proficient as a run blocker and pass protector. Experienced at both the conventional exchange or shotgun. An explosive knee bender with a strong leg drive and the ability to roll his hips. Good body control and recoverability. Can regain body control and balance. Redirects and shifts weight quickly to defeat an opponent. Quick pivot, turn, and run to the perimeter on a pull. Can adjust on the run. Takes the proper depth and approach to his target. Consistent follow through and finish. Possesses a sudden six-inch punch to control defender. Good lateral agility and short area quickness versus slant moves. Good effort and hustle to block target on second level or perimeter.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Coby Fleener, Stanford, TE

Coby Fleener, Stanford, 6060 240

Two-year starter who played in 25 games as a redshirt freshman and sophomore. The Cardinals rotated several tight ends the past few years and in 2010 Fleener snatched 28 passes for 434 yards. He caught 8 touchdown passes. He is a motion and move tight end with consistent and strong hands. Was Andrew Luck’s favorite target in the Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech where he grabbed three touchdown passes. A very smart and aware tight end who is accustomed to an NFL playbook. He can and has lined up in a variety of alignments. Can read coverages and adjust routes according to the play. He has produced against good competition. Competitive as a receiver and blocker.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Michael Egnew, Missouri, TE

Michael Egnew, Missouri, 6060 240

A two-year starter who played in 26 games as a freshman and sophomore. Was blessed with outstanding hands and athletic ability. A big target who is competitive and has excellent hand quickness. Good concentration to reach and extend for the ball. Good catching radius with his long arms. Lines up in slot, X (wide receiver), Z (flanker), and in the backfield. Tough on opponents to match up to him in the red zone. His length, long arms, and leaping ability make him a unique weapon. Has the ability and desire to make the layout catch or pluck the tough off target throw. Athletic and determined after the catch. Strong wiry build. Good open field instincts with stop and go quickness. Runs good routes but is limited by the spread scheme.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, WR

Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, 5110 180

Four-year starter who concluded his junior year with an astounding 131 catches good for 1622 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has been productive as a receiver and punt returner since he arrived on campus. What he lacks in size he makes up for with quickness and elusiveness. Has been the feature receiver in OU’s spread passing attack, catching passes from Sam Bradford and junior Landry Jones. A natural hand catcher with good ball skills. Quick feet to avoid bump coverage and has a burst to get up field and separate. Sudden in and out of his break.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Juron Criner, Arizona, WR

Juron Criner, Arizona, 6040 210

Three-year starter who is a big target and physical running the ball after catch. Had a breakout year in 2010 with 82 catches for 1233 yards and 11 touchdowns. His long arms and big hands are an asset catching the ball over the middle and in traffic. Plays in the spread offense snatching the under and bubble screens. Clutch receiver who can make the key first down catch. Good body control to use his body to shield off defenders in the end zone. Can make the tough low ball catch. Will fit in a West Coast offensive scheme running slants and inside breaking routes. Runs routes and reverses off motion. Finds the ball in transition out of route.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, WR

Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, 6040 215

Four-year starter. Son of former San Francisco 49er safety Jeff Fuller Sr. Physical wide receiver with long arms and good overall body strength. Productive over his career with 163 catches heading into his senior year. The first Aggie receiver in history with over 1000 yards in a season. Good hands. Catches the ball out away from his body. Soft hands to make the difficult catches over the shoulder, low balls, or off target throws. Secures the ball in his big hands. Flashes the ability to separate coming out of his breaks and create space. Will compete and concentrate on a ball over the middle. Has production inside the hash marks. Finds the open area in zone coverage or can be physical in press coverage to avoid and get off the line.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, WR

Michael Floyd, Notre Dame, 6030 220

Four-year starter who has been productive despite injuries. In 2010 he caught 79 passes for 1025 yards and 12 touchdowns. In the 2010 Sun Bowl versus Miami he went head to head with Brandon Harris, a second round draft choice of the Texans. Floyd plucked six passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He has been Notre Dame’s best football player since his freshman year possessing excellent ball skills, athletic ability, and innate run after catch talent. Doesn’t appear to have any “blind” spots. Catches the ball over his head. A matchup nightmare for college corners. Big, strong, and physical in his play. Improved his route running in 2010.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M, RB

Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M, 5102 202

A three-year starter with breakaway speed. Plays in a pro style offense coached by Mike Sherman, former Packers’ head man. Ran for over 100 yards in six consecutive games, including a high of 223 yards against arch rival Texas. A rhythm type back who is more pick and slide but can see and slash into a seam. He rushed for 1133 yards on 200 carries for 5.7 yards per carry average. He scored 12 touchdowns. Caught 34 passes in his soft hands, good for 251 yards and one touchdown. Has the speed and quickness to get around the corner on a wide run.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Doug Martin, Boise State, RB

Doug Martin, Boise State, 5090 213

Two-and-a-half year starter who saw playing time on defense as a sophomore and still scored 15 touchdowns when he moved back to offense. Will also contribute on all special teams’ coverage and return units. A physical runner who runs hard with good contact balance. Fights for extra yards by churning his legs. Plays in a spread one back scheme offense. A yards after first contact type runner who has vision and is not easy to tackle. Has an innate ability to find and hit a crease with good body lean and strength. Runs behind his pads with a low center of gravity. Averaged 6.26 yards on 201 carries and scored 12 touchdowns.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, QB

Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, 6042 222

Will start 20 games if he plays all of 2011. Started seven games in 2010. He completed 65% of his passes for 1638 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also caught 11 passes for 143 yards before moving over to quarterback at mid-season. Plays in a pro style offense under center and also is in the shotgun. Good football intelligence and throws well in the pocket or on the run. A right handed passer with good arm strength and athletic ability.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Kirk Cousins, Michigan State, QB

Kirk Cousins, Michigan State, 6022 202
Three-year starter, three-time captain. In 2010 he had the best completion percentage in school history (68%). Passed for 2705 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Displays good accuracy on short and medium passes with good ball placement for the receiver to catch the ball inside. Plays in a pro style offense and has experience in the shotgun and under center. Has average athletic ability and mobility.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, QB

Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, 6036 217

Two-year starter who is a former minor league pitcher in the Yankee and Royal farm systems. He tore a labrum and had tendinitis in his rotator cuff that ended his baseball career. Will be 28 years old on his October 2011 birthday. Was third in the nation with 4277 passing yards. He completed 342 of 511 passes for the year. Had 34 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 66.9% completion rate. Possesses a strong arm and a quick release. Big, strong, and accurate. A natural passer who can make all three level passes – short, medium, and long. Impressive deep ball accuracy. Has only played one season and has a new offensive coordinator in 2011.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Kellen Moore, Boise State, QB

Kellen Moore, Boise State, 5115 195

Four-year starter who is eight wins from passing Colt McCoy as the alltime win leader at the quarterback position. All he does is win games in the pocket, make good decisions, and is ultra accurate in his passing. The left handed competitor is a student of the game and has excellent timing, intelligence, ball placement, and a quick compact delivery. Plays in a multiple spread offense that uses pistol and pro concepts. Takes the shotgun snap and also receives the ball under center. An efficient quarterback in the pocket who is relaxed, poised, smooth, and effortless in his play.

Draft Rewind 2010: Ben Tate, Houston Texans, Runningback

Ben Tate is playing like the running back the Texans drafted out of Auburn in 2010 before he broke his ankle. He rushed for 103 yards this past weekend against Miami and 116 yards against the Colts in week one. What Ourlads said about Tate:

Tate, Ben  Auburn 5107 220 4.42 Started 19 games in his career. Quick and explosive. Good vision and cutting ability. Strong lower body to break tackles. A hand catcher that makes a good effort as a pass protector. A downhill one cut zone runner. Has the strength to run inside and the speed to turn the corner. Can pick, slide, and accelerate through the hole. Plays in a spread formation but Auburn is a power running team. Has the strength to take a hit and maintain balance. Along with his pick and slide he has some slasher to his running style. Has the ability and vision to find and hit a crease. Good overall run skills and talent. Productive and creative as a runner. Elusive enough to make defenders miss. Uses a stiff arm to ward off tacklers. Hits ball hard up inside on the goal-line. A physical runner that can shuck tacklers. Will contribute on special teams. Kickoff return talent. Had 678 rushes for 3321 yards, 4.9 average, and 24 touchdowns over his career. Also caught 53 passes for 336 yards. Our top rated running back at the Combine. OSR:1/ 28. Second/third round. (A-31 1/2, H-9 1/8, BP-26, SS-4.11).

Draft Rewind 2011: Mason Foster Tampa Bay Inside linebacker

Mason Foster has developed into a 3 down linebacker for the Bucs. He was drafted in the 3rd round to replaced Free Agent Barrett Ruud. This past week against the Minnesota Vikings Mason recorded 10 tackles and a sack. What Ourlads said about Mason:

Foster, Mason , Washington 6012 245 4.75 Three-year starter. Very good motor and hustle. Athletic, shows some explosiveness on contact. Inconsistent with shed, at times got locked onto a block by losing leverage. Sometimes plays high and lacks power to consistently defeat blocks. Good downhill player who tracks well getting to the ball. Good instincts, showing outstanding initial quickness. Will get caught up reacting too quickly at times as play action hurt him some. Normally takes good angles but will overrun at times. Good coverage ability and ability to play in space. Takes good drops and reacts well on the thrown ball. Solid tackling skills and consistently tracked backs on the perimeter. Good range in pursuit and consistently hustled to get to the ball. Has an explosive first step and the ability to turn the corner on the edge. Should be a good blitzer as he is relentless with effort along with his quickness. In the right scheme he can play inside or outside. Arms are shorter than ideal to ward off blockers. Plays in a 4-3 scheme. Will contribute on special teams. Will need more strength to hold up inside on the next level. 2010 stats: 163 tackles, 14 TFL, 6 1/2 sacks, 3 PBU. Career stats: 378 tackles, 38 1/2 TFL, 10 1/2 sacks, 11 PBU, 4 INTs. Edge speed:left 1.98, right 1.94. OSR:15/ 19. Fourth/fifth round. (A-31, H-9 3/4, BP-22, SS-4.45).

Draft Rewind 2010 Mike Kafka Philadelphia Eagles 4th Round Pick

Mike Kafka looks to be the man of the hour for the Eagles if Michael Vick is unable to play this week. What we said about Kafka when he came out in 2010:

Kafka, Michael Northwestern 6027 216 5.03 One-year starter. Right handed. Good football intelligence and poise. A playmaker that has good touch and anticipation. Can scramble for positive yards. Steps up into the pocket and steps into his passes. A developmental project that has some good tools. Athletic and a good decision maker. Plays in the spread offense where most of his passes are horizontal not vertical. Good mobility in the pocket. Has feel. Makes plays. Good short and medium accuracy. Above average arm strength. Good football intelligence. Ball velocity of 52 miles per hour. In his career he threw 637 passes, completing 408 for 64.1%, 4265 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. OSR:8/16. Sixth/seventh round. (A-33 1/2, H-9 1/4, SS-4.39, VJ-32).

Draft Rewind 2010: Eric Decker WR Denver Broncos

Denver's Eric Decker had a breakout game Sunday vs. Cincinnati catching five passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns.He has also been a major contributor on return teams. What we said about Decker when he came out in 2010:

Decker, Eric Minnesota 6031 217 4.55 Started 33 games over career. Big physical receiver that can take a hit. A good enough athlete to have a future at pro football or pro baseball. Injured in the Ohio State game and was lost for the rest of the year. Holds the Gophers’ career reception record. Will go up at the high point for the ball or lay out. Holds the ball after collision. Strong hands to snatch the ball. Excellent eyehand coordination to adjust to an off target pass. A consistent hand catcher that will double move defensive backs. Quick in and out of his breaks. Will stalk and mirror defensive backs down the field. Physical receiver with good focus. Strong run after catch ability. Draft status may be affected by Lisfranc foot surgery. In 2009 had 50 catches for 758 yards, 15.2 yards per catch, and 5 touchdowns. Did not work out at the Combine due to left foot surgery. Third round talent. (A-31, H-9 1/8, VJ-DNP, SS-DNP).

Joique Bell, New Orleans Saints, Draft Rewind 2010

Joique Bell has had a strong training camp and finished up the preseason with 80 yards in 16 carries. He added 6 catches for 44 yards. The Saints is his fourth team (Buffalo,Phil.,Ind.)in one year. What we said in 2010:

Bell, Joique Wayne St. (MI) 5112 223 4.64 Four-year starter. Power back with upper and lower body thickness. Good vision and change of direction. Strong lower body. Hits the hole with force and leaks out the other side. Won the Harlon Hill Trophy as Division II’s top player. He rushed for 2084 yards and scored 29 touchdowns. Did not look out of place at the Senior Bowl. Good inside vision and cut back ability. Good contact balance. Played faster than teammates and competition. Has courage to block. Will need technique work. Presses the hole and runs with a low pad level and strength. Downhill runner that would be a good fit in a zone scheme. Good lateral quickness and change of direction. Had four fumbles in 2009. Extremely productive college career with 6728 yards rushing, 8055 all-purpose yards, led the nation in scoring with 17 points per game, and had 79 catches for 918 yards and 8 touchdowns. OSR:13/28. Fifth/sixth round. (A-31 1/2, H-9, BP-16, SS-4.16).

Joe Webb, Minnesota Viking Wild Card, Draft Rewind 2010

What we said in 2010:

Webb, Joe AL-Birmingham 6023 223 4.45 Two-year starter at quarterback his junior and senior years. Outstanding athletic ability. Will be drafted as a height, weight, and speed developmental wide receiver. Big target and explosive athlete who caught the ball well in Senior Bowl practices. He did play receiver at UAB as a sophomore, so the position isn’t totally foreign to him (30 catches, 459 yards, 3 touchdowns.) May get drafted higher like Matt Jones, former Arkansas quarterback that was a first round pick. Was the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year and threw for over 2000 yards and rushed for over 1000 yards two years in a row. Webb had 3726 yards as a senior, 21 touchdown passes, and 11 touchdown runs. He also had one touchdown reception. Graduated in December with a degree in criminal justice. Has an 11-5 broad jump and 21 on the bench press. Was not invited to the Combine. Third/fourth round. (A-33 3/4, H-10 3/4, VJ- 42.5, SS-4.04).