A.J. Cann NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Jaguars Rookie

STRENGTHS

A four-year starter at offensive guard, A.J. Cann is pro-ready. He has experience playing center from high school and dominated the left guard position for the Gamecocks. A two-time team captain, Cann has the character and football IQ teams want. He’s an easy mover with good leverage and clean angles.

Cann has shown he can get out in space, moving well laterally on screens and outside runs, and he has the hand placement to drive block defenders out of the play. He’s well-coached in pass protection and is able to win with leverage and hand placement. Cann could start at left guard from day one and has the instincts to quickly make an impact. He’s a starter-caliber guard.

WEAKNESSES

Cann has short arms, and that shows up when he tries to reach in pass protection. His lack of height and length may turn some teams off immediately. He may not be agile enough laterally to succeed in a zone-blocking scheme, which could limit him to pure power schemes only.

In pass protection, Cann regularly tries to wait for the defender and ends up giving up his chest and letting him hit his body. It’s like he’s trying to absorb the defender instead of using his arms to maintain separation.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height        Weight         Arm Length         40        Bench Press
 6'3"           313 lbs            32 5/8"               -             26 Reps

PRO PLAYER COMP: T.J. Lang, Green Bay Packers

Maulers with high football IQs and great instincts, A.J. Cann and T.J. Lang have very similar strengths and have had very similar careers.

FINAL GRADE: 5.75/9.00 (Future Starter)