Texansphan
Football connoisseur
He's obviously a natural for the Oline.
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College Football Random Thought of the Day
- Thread starter CloakNNNdagger
- Start date
vtech9
All Pro
I may be in the minority, but I really don't see a lot of difference in Hamilton, Cine, Brisker, or Petrie. I'm opposed to taking a safety in the top 10. If we stay at #3, either Hutchinson, Ekwonu, or Sauce Gardner would be my choice. However, I'm in the trade down camp.
There is just something about Thibodeaux that I don't like. I don't think he would be a good fit in Houston.
I'm also not a Travon Walker fan. I think Walker adds weight in the NFL. I see Walker as a 3/4 DE or a 4/3 DT, and if we are going to take a DT, I would rather have Jordan Davis. As a 4/3 DE, I like Hutchinson better, and wouldn't be opposed to Karlaftis, Mafe, or Jermaine Johnson later.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I like him alot. Injury so far has not been a problem history.
What I am somewhat concerned about.........something shared by several sources I've come across........... is his weight history, and if after the NFL Draft, his incentive to maintain a stable and reasonable weight will not be lost.
My concern is well-based on research shows that our bodies have a natural weight or 'set point' that it will return to regardless of what we eat and how much we exercise. This can be a life-long struggle that requires constant serious attention if it has any chance of being reasonably "controlled."
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DANIEL KELLY'S REPORTS
Ex-NFL scout has BIG concerns about Alabama’s Evan Neal
- by
Daniel Kelly - December 18, 2021
It is not every day a left tackle comes along, with the kind of imposing size Alabama’s Evan Neal has.
He stands at a towering 6-foot-7 and 351 pounds, and that is actually smaller than he was in high school when he tipped the scales at 390.
When looking at Neal, the first thing an NFL war-room will like about him is his versatility. Neal has spent time playing left guard and right tackle in the past.
The next thing teams will like is he has played at Alabama for Nick Saban.
A real concern is there are just a handful of guys who have played at this size in recent history at tackle: Trent Brown (6-foot-8, 380 pounds), Bryant McKinnie (6-foot-8, 386), Aaron Gibson (6-foot-6, 375 pounds), Terrell Brown (6-foot-10, 403 pounds) and Mekhi Becton (6-foot-7, 364 pounds). Interestingly enough, only Terrell Brown and Mekhi Becton stayed with the same team, as the rest of these guys played on two or more teams during their NFL careers. That is something to consider when looking for a long-term franchise left tackle.
#73 Evan Neal 6-foot-7, 351 pounds
2021 film review: Miami, Ole Miss, Auburn
Grade: Second Round
Projects: Right Tackle, Guard
Make Sure: to find out how important football is to him, which will be the key to keeping his weight in check.
Scouting Report:
Huge and versatile tackle with brute strength, good but questionable lateral foot speed with good overall pass pro techniques, and a good-limited area run blocker. Fast first kick step out. Sets up well and maintains a nice wide base. Sturdy and stays in control. Slides well while maintaining balance and base. Strong anchor. Nobody is going to bull rush him. Uses hands well at the point of attack. Does an excellent job sealing off the perimeter and using his techniques and size to be a very good bodyguard. Did show against Miami and Ole Miss speed rushers can get pressure through the backdoor of the pocket. Concerns exist about his lateral foot speed against elite NFL speed rushers. Concerns also about his body control making quick adjustments when pass rushers come back hard to the inside through the front door after setting him up. Only allowed one sack in the three games I viewed. Allows more pressures than sacks. Excellent against games and stunts. Smart football player. Excellent inline and straight-ahead run blocker. Able to hold the point. Road grinder. Poor in space and poor at the 2nd level (Miami and Ole Miss). If he does not have it lined up exactly, he lacks the ability to make quick adjustments in space and it shows consistently. Can lose balance and waist bend in space. Flashes extreme aggression. Very good at sealing off his edge and positional blocking. A real concern exists in pass pro and run blocking that he lets up too soon and his guy gets in there and makes the plays. Solid looking prospect. If he can manage his weight when he gets paid, he will be a great left tackle against 75 percent of the pass rushers in the NFL. If he has a hard time managing his weight, he might project better to right tackle or guard.
Neal moves gracefully for a man his size, but again, it keeps coming back to his weight. It seems the closer he is getting to his payday, the more the weight is getting in check.
Will this stay the case once he gets paid?
If he was tipping 390 in high school – – is this the weight he is most comfortable at?
Carrying an extra forty pounds on the perimeter would undoubtedly take a toll on his lateral foot speed and quickness.
Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Bulaga said if he was an NFL team, he would not draft Neal because of his weight.
Neal is a consensus top-five pick right now, but I can not put him there.
The odds are also not on his side when compared to those who have played the position at his size.
Neal arrived in Alabama at 385. My instincts tell me the weight is going to be an issue. With the weight risk comes an increased chance for injury.
I believe the move to left tackle and the weight loss has more to do with draft stock, getting him paid and Alabama’s future recruiting efforts than anything else.
badboy
Hall of Fame
In my evaluation of OTs for our future, I have to look at who is going to QB our future and that is difficult. I like Mills but not sure he will be much more than an avg player; although if Caserio builds offense to suit Mills capabilities that could get us to playoffs but not high probability of conference champions. If we are building to make frequent runs for Super Bowl, I draft this year knowing I am going QB in 2023 draft. We should have two round ones with excellent position: 1.1 ours and ~ top 10 from Browns. While I agree with you on significance of LT we see Neal and Cross sliding some now with Ekwonu mentioned some at 1.1 but now settling in 4-6 and Cross closer to 10-13. One source has Penning to Ravens at 14 another in the 20s. Offensive guards should be our priority at 13 or trade down.
All I read about Penning is "Potential" and developmental as you indicate so I would not draft in top 10. 1.13? He bettered his weight dropping from ~340 to 325 which is where he should play NFL. DOB May 15 1999 so he goes into this NFL year at 23 which isn't bad just losing a year or so if he had come out as RS soph. If we are going with Mills and a run dominant offense, Penning needs to vastly improve his second level blocking including getting to that level. Like his attitude but needs to rein in his violence a bit or he will be flagged often. On pass snaps he seems to turn a bit too soon which allows him to get beat inside and with our OG weakness.. uh oh. Northern Iowa competition?
My position: no way in top 12 but 13--okay but prefer him much later in draft as I don't want him at RT and maybe not at OG. If drafted he needs to learn behind Tunsil and not get messed up on right side. I would play him at LG for now and hope for best. He would be considered a LT for CJ Stroud my selection in 2023.
badboy
Hall of Fame
No one thinking Jags select him at 1. Detroit? There you go.
Sam Williams gave him issues because Williams runs a 4.33 at 260 lbs. This is why I hope the Calhoun's draft looks something like this
Neal
Davis
Skyy Moore
Trade back into the 2nd for Williams. Using 80and 108.
Then hopefully Salyer falls to 68.
Give me these 5 guys out of this draft and I'm very happy.
Fixes the trenches and adds the best slot in the draft
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Detroit is already talking of trading down.
badboy
Hall of Fame
Agree with much of your post. I think Lovie will go with Tunsil, OG to be drafted/Scharping, Britt, McCray and Howard/Heck. I think he looks at OG/OT that can play G in later rounds such as Salyer and perhaps Petit -Frere. I definitely can see Smith going defensive line at 13 such as Jermaine Johnson to play off Greenard and possibly replace him after 2023.
badboy
Hall of Fame
yes as are many but I don't think any team will spend the capital to move up top 5 as most mocks have those teams getting what they want at their own selection.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Funny that Williams avoided an indictment for sexual battery in 2020. Just saying.
vtech9
All Pro
Which makes me think even more that he will play heavier in the NFL. I think he will be a good 3/4 DE, but the Texans won't be playing a 3/4.
He also hasn't had any issues in the 3 yrs since charges were dropped.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
You wouldn't expect someone up on charges to repeat when is still in jeopardy. The charges were dropped Sept 2020, only <1 1/2 years ago. Not saying he will ever repeat. And hopefully he won't. Just posted the incident because of what we just came out of with our 1st rounder.
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4.7 was the best "reported" time at Hamilton's PD ! Yikes I'd be reluctant to draft this guy with our second 1st round pick (13 th overall).
The thing about PD 40 times is that the prospects brother, uncle, cousin, coach, agent who knows who might all be in attendance and have stop watches. So there's the possibility of very bias folks "reporting" times at the prospects PD,
and that's why you go with the combine performance and anything else should be treated as suspect.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
I’d stick with what scouts seen him do during his ND career. What they seen him doing on the field is what had many describing him as a generational type of player…..not his Combine or Pro Day performance. If these (2) performance tests are what will define him as a player, then I’d be happy to take him at 13 b/c I’d know I’m getting the football player who had scouts sky high before the injury ended his 2021 season…..not his NFL career.
I don't know Opto .... right after I watched him run at the Combine, I posted that his legs looked strange to me when he ran .... almost a "loping" look .... as if he were running the mile ! I hear guys stating that "generational talent" too .... but, I've been watching guys run for a very long time .... and it seems to me that something is amiss.
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Has anyone put any consideration towards the fact that he may not be fully healed? If you watch his tape….no one can doubt that the speed is there, not to mention the football instincts. If he gets past the Jets at 10….he should be there, at 13 for the Texans if they want to go this route. I still think Lovie would have a field day utilizing Hamilton.
Sorry my friend I just can't sign on to the "Drafting a safety in the first round club", especially when there's questions about
his innate athletic traits when our Texans are in need of talent infusions at every area on the field, but if talking about the defensive backfield I'd willingly invest one of our first round picks in one of this years top rated cornerbacks.
This was my first thought .... but surely he would have announced that he was running "injured." Reminds me of a big guard out of Wisconsin or Ohio Sate about 5 years ago. He had torn a pec a couple of months before the season ended. Strength was one of his greatest assets. He had it repaired, and was trying diligently trying to come back by Combine. Everyone had finished, and he went out last, and very carefully did 10 reps. He came away laughing, but got an ovation !
Since when is running in shorts for show innate athletic traits? I would rather have a football player than a track star at safety. If you're going to ignore years of football film to base your draft on 40 times alone, then stay away from my football team
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
OptimisticTexan
2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Precisely.
We see this every draft season - people swoon over a 40 time and ignore someone's entire body of actual work.
Some of those fleet sprinters aren’t so fleet when they get fully geared up. Some guys just carry their gear better than others.
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
Great point. I imagine the big guys carry their gear better than the small guys.
I would say that humans that large that have the type of athleticism to play in the NFL are rare. So finding comps and making generalizations from their size is folly. Having said that, Bryant McKinnie is a great comp. Massive size, very good athleticism, played at a high level at a top program. Becton is also an exceptional athlete at that size. But he didn't have the resume of Neal entering the draft.[URL='https://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/author/danielkellybook/']Daniel Kelly[/URL] said:
BTW, McKinnie played for Minnesota for 9 seasons, so it's not like they didn't recoup their 1st round investment.
I want quality football players that love the game an want to be a foundation piece of the team. Texans need help everywhere so get the best you can. Based on film, Hamilton is one of the best and also a huge need. I don't want to see anymore of Eric Murray on the field
What an outlandish thought .... that speed could ever be important to the makeup of a DB .... outlandish !! That's right ! And for you guys who think strength is important to Linemen .... Hogwash .... Balderdash !! Focus .... Focus .... - Can He Juggle ?? .... from the end John Denver's 1st special !
What of you guys think of smoke Monday and Leo Chenal as later round picks? I like there fire..
Chenal will go on Day 2. A team will call for Monday sometime on Saturday. Smoke is a big time hitter (called for targeting in the UH bowl game) with a nose for the endzone (3 pick 6s in his 5 career INTs). Not a full time starting SS, but a guy that can play nickel LB in sub packages. Only 3.5 fewer career sacks (6 vs 9.5) than Travon Walker.
True dat !
vtech9
All Pro
I like both of those guys.
Texian
Hall of Fame
Charles Cross handled Alabama rather well. When asked what play would you want scouts to see? Cross said the Alabama game.
Cross is very talented. I've got him rated above Icky if you need a LT.
Texian
Hall of Fame
You might not today but you will in a year or two and this may be your best chance to lock up a LT for the 2020 decade.
I'm not understanding the meaning of your post
I wouldn't have a problem if Caserio picked Cross at 1-3
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Texian
Hall of Fame
It was a response to your, "if you need a LT?"
Texian
Hall of Fame
This is just an FYI - Jermaine Johnson II Edge rusher from FLA St. started out as JUCO and then signed with Georgia. Since he wasn't good enough to get on the field on a regular basis he transferred to Florida St. where he lined up as a 7 technique and allowed to improvise. As a result, he will likely go on to be a top 10 to 15 draft pick. This is not a knock on Georgia Defense, they were in fact the best D in college football. Draw from this what you will.
And what a solid decision from Johnson..
Johnson may not have seen the field as much as he would have preferred with Georgia in 2020. But, he did start 3 more games that season than Travon Walker (3-nil) and had 4 more sacks (5-1).
Draw from this what you will.
Texian
Hall of Fame
Johnson is almost 2 yrs older than Walker. May've been academically challenged since he began his college career at Last Chance JUCO. Transferred to Georgia in 2019 played in 21 games with only 4 starts. Transferred to Fla St in 2021 after losing starting position to Travon Walker.
Nope. Johnson transferred on December 26, 2020. The season was over, spring football had yet to begin, and Walker still hadn't started a game.
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Texian
Hall of Fame
Just stop with the petty BS. Johnson transferred for the 2021 season. Good grief. Middle school adolescence immaturity reaches a new level at TT. Walker may've not started a game, but Johnson had done figured out in the 2020 season he was now playing the 2nd fiddle in 2021 so in Dec 2020 he found a place where he could go and be the #1 fiddler in 2021.
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@Texian, just stick with your best argument. I think Travon Walker is the best DE because he was amazing at the combine and looks great in shorts. Not because of what he's done on the football field. It's not as if you are alone on this. Plenty of draft gurus agree with you. I'm certain there are NFL teams that feel the same way. Maybe even the Texans.
Not that that would make you more confident in your opinion.
Not that that would make you more confident in your opinion.
Texian
Hall of Fame
OK Lumpy