2015 NFL Draft: Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook for Week 3
As I sat in our Bleacher Report New York studio Monday morning, our production assistant sat with his laptop and an intense look on his face. "What are you doing?" asked our host, Adam Lefkoe. "Looking at mock drafts for the Giants, man. We suck" was his reply.
Love it or hate it, it's draft season for many fans across the country this week. And that's who the Scouting Notebook is for.
This week we'll talk a lot about Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and what the future holds for Robert Griffin III in the NFL. We'll also take a close look at my top-ranked defensive tackle in the country. So if you're like our PA Gabe, this is for you.
The Scout's Report
— Jameis Winston is in the news again, and this time it's due to a suspension after the Heisman Trophy winner stood on a table in the student union and yelled comments better not printed here. Deadspin has the full report (NSFW) for those interested.
This one incident is not, by itself, the type of thing that would hurt a player's draft stock. It's immature, it's inappropriate, but it's forgettable. The issue is that Winston now has a run of incidents, and NFL general managers are under increased pressure to keep low-character players off their team.
— I sent texts out to NFL scouts and general managers following the latest Winston news. Many colorful replies came in, but here's one original thought from an NFL general manager: "The best thing for him (Winston) is to stay in school. FSU protects him. He needs a year away from all this (expletive) before he stands in front of the league."
— On my personal board, Winston is still a top-five player, but there are definitely teams out there that will view his off-field issues as too big for a franchise face. Winston's stock, should he enter the 2015 draft, will be a very hot, polarizing topic.
— Head coach Charlie Strong announced that quarterback David Ash is retiring from Texas after suffering multiple concussions. Ash played in just three games during the 2013 season due to concussions and was lost again in 2014 after suffering a concussion in the season opener.
— Suspended Ohio State defensive end Noah Spence is practicing with the team, per Austin Ward of ESPN.com. Spence failed a second drug test since December, according to a report by Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com. Spence is a talented pass-rusher but to date has lived more on potential than production. Scouts I spoke to this week put Spence in a late second- to fifth-round range in terms of where they'd draft him currently.
— South Carolina running back Mike Davis has been sharing carries. While that's not good for his numbers, it may be a positive for his career health and draft stock. Scouts I spoke to this week still like Davis as a late first-round pick and don't mind that he's shared carries. "The fewer hits he takes at SC, the fresher he'll be in the pros," was one quote I received on the matter.
— DeVonte Fields, the former TCU defensive end now at Trinity Valley Community College, has told coach Brad Smiley that he plans on returning to Division I college football and not the NFL in 2015, per Mac Engel of the Star-Telegram.
— Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper continues to be a hot topic in my talks with NFL scouts and general managers. As one scout told me this week, "Cooper's on-field and off-field makeup are perfect for us. I just hope the teams in front of us question his height or something." The 6'1" Cooper may not fit the Calvin Johnson model, but his route running and burst have been eye-opening this season.
— Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has put scouts on notice with big numbers, but one team scout I spoke to this week compared him to Tajh Boyd. Said this scout, "Good mechanics, needs to develop touch. Mostly half-field reads, not many progressions. Think he needs one more year."
Five Up, Five Down
Each week, "Five Up, Five Down" will monitor the movements of players on my draft board.
5. QB Taysom Hill, BYU
In all my talks with scouts this summer, no one mentioned BYU quarterback Taysom Hill. That's changed. Thanks to a red-hot start with wins over UConn, Texas and Houston, Hill's star is rising. Now the junior quarterback is being talked about as a legitimate dual-threat NFL signal-caller.
Hill is still unrefined as a passer, but any comparison to a Tim Tebow or Collin Klein type of player would be a miss in my book. Hill is a good, powerful runner, but he throws with much better touch and anticipation than many are noticing.
4. WR Kevin White, West Virginia
When evaluating players, I try not to let statistics influence my grade. That said, I will take notice when a player's stats are consistently great. That's what happened with Kevin White, so I turned on the game film.
White is a big (6'3", 210 lbs) receiver with long arms and an ability to make plays in traffic. He may not be in the elite class of runners at the position, but he uses his body well to get position off the ball and reel in contested or high passes.
White has to beat the stigma of West Virginia receivers struggling in the NFL (Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey), but his talent is definitely putting his name high on scouts' lists.
3. QB Rakeem Cato, Marshall
From time to time, I'll get requests on Twitter to look at a player. Marshall quarterback Rakeem Cato's name kept coming up in my mentions.
After taking a look at the senior quarterback, I'm intrigued. And while I'm not quite ready to anoint Cato as an NFL-caliber signal-caller, he's moving up my board into a strong developmental category.
Cato is a smaller guy at 6'1", 176 pounds, but he's an explosive thrower and a good athlete out of the pocket. He's a player worth keeping an eye on this season as he's asked to play against better defenses.
In Marshall's scheme, you can't really look at Cato's stats, so his actual on-field performance will be a big indicator of his NFL ability.
2. DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
After missing most of last season with a back injury, big Jordan Phillips is anchoring the middle of the Oklahoma defensive line. The junior has been slow to start, but he's getting more and more action each week.
What he's shown in three weeks is encouraging enough to give him a move up the board as a player to watch moving forward.
Phillips (6'6", 334 lbs) is just a puppy on the field due to a lack of experience, but he's a massive space-eater and a capable enough athlete to penetrate the offensive line and make plays. As he learns to operate with better technique and leverage, he could be scary.
1. DT Malcom Brown, Texas
On a defense surrounded by 5-star recruits and stud athletes, it's Malcom Brown (the defensive tackle, not the running back) who is standing out for the Longhorns. Granted, this is not a high-level defense, but Brown has been the sturdy rock for Charlie Strong's team.
The 6'4", 305-pound junior is explosive off the ball and has the size to play in a 4-3 (as a pass-rushing 3-technique) or a 3-4 defense. He's athletic enough to be scheme-versatile, and his first-step-explosion has been very impressive thus far.
1. QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Winston received a ton of attention in this week's Scout's Report, but his status and the expectations surrounding him make it worthwhile to expand on this situation.
Winston is not, or has not, fallen on my board. That's not to say 32 NFL teams will agree with my evaluation of him. But it's important to note that many scouts I talk to aren't even looking at Winston's tape yet because they expect him to return to FSU for his redshirt junior season in 2015.
The off-field talk is scary—especially with the NFL focusing more on penalties for domestic and sexual violence—and that's a tough decision for teams to make with Winston having faced rape allegations in the past.
Winston ends up on this week's "Five Down" because there are definitely teams and general managers who will be scared by his off-field question marks no matter how talented he is on the field.
2. DE Noah Spence, Ohio State
As mentioned above, a second failed drug test has Spence suspended from playing for the Buckeyes, and that's a bad sign for his NFL future.
The emphasis on character in draft evaluations is higher than ever, and with two strikes against him in college, Spence would enter the NFL with obvious red flags.
In the draft after the Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, Josh Gordon and Adrian Peterson situations (while all different), you can bet NFL teams will be souring on any player with a rap sheet.
3. QB Taylor Kelly, Arizona State
A foot injury will keep Taylor Kelly out of Arizona State's game versus UCLA on Thursday, but even before that he was falling down my board.
When watching Kelly's film, I don't see a quarterback made for the NFL. In fact, Kelly's reliance on wide receiver Jaelen Strong is Tajh Boyd-like (Boyd famously relied on Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins to make adjustments to save his passes).
I like Kelly as a college quarterback, but not as a pro starter prospect.
4. WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
Dorial Green-Beckham has been profiled here before, and the former Missouri wideout moves down again this week despite not even being on an active roster right now.
With the NFL's increased awareness and punishment for domestic and sexual violence, Green-Beckham's time at Mizzou ended after it was alleged he forced his way into a woman's apartment and pushed her down the stairs.
David Morrison of the Columbia Daily Tribune reported (h/t Deadspin's Barry Petchesky) that the victim was "pressured to not press charges." That's exactly the kind of background the NFL doesn't want a high-level draft prospect to have.
It may not be the 2015 draft, as Green-Beckham has eligibility to stay in college, but whenever he does leave college for the pros, you can bet this will be a huge story.
5. QB Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
Like Taylor Kelly, injury will keep Chuckie Keeton out of Utah State's game versus Arkansas State on Saturday. Unlike Kelly, Keeton is a legitimate quarterback prospect, but injuries in his career are keeping him moving down my board.
Keeton missed eight games in 2013 due to a knee injury, and now he's on the sidelines for the team's Week 4 matchup. The hope is that he'll be able to return after a scheduled two-week absence, but this is definitely a situation NFL teams will be watching as the senior quarterback's season advances.
Scouting Report: Michael Bennett, Ohio State
Throughout the 2014 college football season, one senior draft prospect will be highlighted each week with a first-look scouting report.
Defensive Tackle, Ohio State (6'2", 288 lbs)
Strengths
- Athletic enough to slide around on the defensive line and can line up in multiple positions.
- Is quick and plays with low-pad height needed for his size.
- Is an ideal body type for a 3-technique pass-rusher.
- Uses his eyes well and can identify plays on the go.
- Is a fighter with good pursuit on playside and away run plays.
- Has the speed to track quarterbacks in the backfield and when they leave the pocket.
- Can catch blockers unprepared with his burst off the ball.
- Figures to be a Day 1 starter and an impact defender on third down.
Weaknesses
- Can get washed down against powerful offensive linemen.
- Doesn't have the bulk to be a strong anchor against the run.
- Needs to learn to use his hands to disengage from combination blocks.
- Ohio State used him to shade the center, and he struggled against the run.
Pro Player Comparison: Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals
Scouting Dictionary
"Slot Cornerback"
The slot, or "nickel," is the third cornerback on the field and often assigned to cover the inside (slot) receiver on the offense. The "nickel cornerback" name comes from a nickel defense—two safeties and three cornerbacks totaling five defensive backs. In today's NFL, the third cornerback is lined up against three wide receiver sets and will cover the slot receiver.
Most slot cornerbacks can get away with being smaller players, as they're lining up against equally small slot receivers. The emphasis for this position is on quickness in short areas, toughness to play the run and great instincts.
Some of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL are Chris Harris (Broncos), Brandon Boykin (Eagles), Walter Thurmond (Giants) and Nickell Robey (Bills).
The Big Board
NFL teams are fascinated with the cornerback position and getting bigger, stronger and faster there. With five cornerbacks drafted in the first round in 2014, we can expect another heavy run on the position this year. But is the talent worth it?
Here are my top-10 cornerbacks heading into Week 3.
| Rank | Player | School | Round Projection |
| 1 | Ifo Ekpre-Olomu | Oregon | 1st Round |
| 2 | Marcus Peters | Washington | 1st Round |
| 3 | P.J. Williams | FSU | 1st Round |
| 4 | Ronald Darby | FSU | 1st Round |
| 5 | Trae Waynes | Michigan State | Early 2nd Round |
| 6 | Kevin Johnson | Wake Forest | 2nd Round |
| 7 | Doran Grant | Ohio State | 3rd Round |
| 8 | Cam Thomas | Western Kentucky | 3rd Round |
| 9 | Josh Shaw | USC | 3rd Round |
| 10 | Quandre Diggs | Texas | 3rd Round |
Parting Shots
10. Following Robert Griffin's injury Sunday afternoon, I sent the following text to a handful of scouts (former and current) and general managers: "Hypothetically, what would you trade for RGIII if he were healthy and available?" Below are some of the unique replies.
A. "Fourth-round-pick max, and only if I were desperate. The injury history is too much of an issue."
B. "Third-round maybe, rather pay a fourth. He has durability issues and playing poorly."
C. "Ugh...maybe a fourth? Guy can't stay healthy. And with no legs, who is he?"
D. "Nothing that's not conditional. Would have to be structured to protect us if he never plays. So, sixth round?"
9. Want a game to watch this weekend? NFL scouts are drooling over the prospect of Florida State left tackle Cameron Erving taking on Clemson's edge-rusher Vic Beasley. Both entered the year as first-round prospects, so this could be an epic matchup in a one-on-one situation.
8. What's it like to get hurt in the NFL? Geoff Schwartz of the New York Giants had a great, no-fluff look at his toe dislocation and what goes through the mind of an injured player. Too often these guys are injured, moved off the field and forgotten. Schwartz's piece is a reminder that the injured player is out there.
7. I get tweets from fans of the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders asking me often if the team should draft Marcus Mariota. Hold your horses, fans. The Jets have a bright young quarterback in Geno Smith; the Raiders are in good shape with rookie Derek Carr. It is way too early to let either player go and spend what would have to be a very high first-round-pick on Mariota.
6. Speaking of quarterbacks going high in the 2015 draft, it will be a unique class given the fact that many NFL teams either a) have a franchise quarterback or b) have invested a high draft pick or free-agent money on the position in recent years. As of right now, only the St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like favorites to spend a first-round-pick on a quarterback. You might add the Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills depending on how their quarterbacks end the year, but that's a very small number given the state of quarterback play in the league.
5. I will never shy away from being wrong, and I was very wrong about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It's clear now that Josh McCown misses Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall, and that Lovie Smith's Cover 2 defense is outdated when you can't pressure the opposing quarterback. I picked Tampa to make the playoffs this year, but they look more likely to be picking No. 1 overall in the draft.
4. How much does scheme factor in to an evaluation? Quite a bit, but one thing I try to stay away from is condemning a player because his school or scheme hasn't produced talent at the position before. An example of this is Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The failures of Joey Harrington and other quarterbacks from the school have no bearing on Mariota. He's a unique player with unique traits, so I scout him as such. Don't scout the helmet, scout the player.
3. Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley told Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel and Thayer Evans that he feels like he's a better player than 2014 No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney. Oddly enough, Beasley is receiving some of the same criticisms Clowney saw in his final season. Beasley's numbers are down, but that's expected with offenses focusing on him. He's making an impact by causing the offense to scheme around him. Beasley is a great example of why "box-score scouting" will get you in trouble.
2. With the way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looked Thursday night, is it too soon to put them on the clock with the first pick in the draft? Yikes.
1. The last week in the NFL has been full of talk about domestic violence and child abuse—and it's great that those issues are receiving awareness and the NFL is acting to make penalties stiffer. But let's also remember that there are 1,696 active players in the NFL (and another 320 on practice squads). Let's not let a handful of terrible acts ruin the work many players do off the field. The NFL is right to be concerned about their previous handling of domestic violence cases, and we should never turn a blind eye to that, but it would be great to see us focus as much time on the good that NFL players do.
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