Category: 2021 Player Profiles

STRENGTHS
Brevin is a solid football player and a smart one. He is used all over the offense as an in-line blocker or off the line blocker and a blocker in space. He shows solid hands to catch the ball but his ability to fight tooth and nail, without penalty, to make his blocks is the key to Brevin becoming an intricate part of a team’s offense at the next level. When Brevin lines up in the slot or out wide in the red zone as a receiver he can take the quick pass and make yardage that can move the chains but the truth is, Brevin success at the next level will be based on his ability to block, very much like 49ers Kyle Juszczyk.

CONCERNS
Brevin doesn’t have the athletic talent and skills to have much of an impact in a team’s passing game. Oh, he can catch the ball as good as most but he just doesn’t have the speed or quickness to scare defenders unless they forget about him and think he is going to block them instead of running a route. Brevin will have to get stronger and work on his quickness but as long as he realizes what his strength is for the next level he can become very successful at the next level.

BOTTOM LINE 4.78
What you see, is what you get with Brevin and if you are going to use him as the 49ers use Kyle Juszczyk than Brevin, because of his ability to block and high football IQ can become an intricate part of a team’s offense. Nevertheless, if a team doesn’t use a fullback or H-back or for that matter a true blocking TE then don’t bother to select him.

STRENGTHS
TuTu is a speed receiver with the quickness to separate from any defensive player on the field you put up against him. He shows excellent hands to catch the deep ball and as far as being able to catch contested passes forgetaboutit, because his ability to separate doesn’t allow for any defensive back to stay with him to contest a pass. TuTu can play inside receiver or outside, as a receiver. He is smart and shows the ability to get open when the play breaks down, and when that happens big plays are bound to follow. In the middle of the field, TuTu is a threat on every pass play (no matter the down and distance) to score a touchdown or make big yardage on those third and long downs. TuTu can be a weapon but like most weapons, if they are not able to be used or get broken then they will not be effective.

CONCERNS
TuTu size and lack of bulk makes him an easy to be a target for defensive backs to punish him on every route and every tackle and that means TuTu might not be available to impact. The other side to that argument is that he is so fast and quick and it’s hard for an opponent to get their hands on him to punish him and be physical with him, at least they weren’t able to at the college level.

BOTTOM LINE 2.64
You would like to use TuTu’s speed and quickness on special teams but the truth is, seeing a 230lbs special teams’ player, going down the field like a mad man, making a hit on this kid at full force, scares the crap out of me and makes me think that we might never see him on a football field ever again. I’m not suggesting TuTu is frail, on contrary, he’s a tough kid and a smart kid and knows how to keep away from getting hit. He is not afraid to go over the middle or make the tough catch to move the chains but the fact of the matter is, that’s not the smart way to use him. To use him on the return units on special teams is not smart either. You use him the outside so that he can use the sidelines to his advantage keeping him away from the big hits and using his speed to keep the defense-wide and making a safety have to help over the top. That opens up the middle of the field because anytime TuTu gets his hands on the ball, he can take it to the house. Think of him as a Don Beebe, John Brown, Ted Ginn type of impact player whose impact is in the potential to score on any play, making defenses game plan for him and not so much in the stats at the end of the game. Although if you have a strong-arm QB, who can throw the ball to him on those exciting deep passes, then maybe, just maybe, if he stays healthy, the stats will follow.

STRENGTHS
JaCoby is one of the most versatile, unique, impact, defensive players in this draft. He has excellent size, speed, and agility to play more than one position on your defense line, at linebacker or in one of a team’s defensive back positions. Jacoby has a high football IQ and shows leadership skills through his play on the field and, through his ability to make the players around him better. He has those long arms that make it easy for him to trail in coverage and make plays on the ball, or shed blocks and make tackles up on the line of scrimmage. He has excellent change of direction skills and foot speed and quickness. Jacoby is a leader on the field and something tells me he is a leader in the locker room also. Although Jacoby has excellent athletic talent and size, what makes him stand out in my mind is his leadership, character, and high football IQ to play more than one position on defense and act as a coach on the field. On film, it looks to me that Jacoby has the ability to be a franchise defensive player, the kind of player you build your defense around. I call him JaCoby (Diablo) Stevens because like the very intelligent crow, he leans as he flies around the field, and is the smartest crow in the flock.

CONCERNS
As I always say, you can nitpick any player right into a lower round but I prefer to recognize the obvious and select the obvious and leave the nitpicking to others. He can improve and I suspect he will continue to improve. JaCoby does prefer that the play stay in front of him and is smart enough to force plays and players when he is used in coverage, to stay in front of him.

BOTTOM LINE 1.72
Jacoby is that new defensive style of player who can cover, tackle in the open field, chase down players, be used as an edge rusher, inside linebacker, slot cover back, deep safety, and in general, be able to act as a team’s coach on the field. He reminds me a lot of former Panthers Luke Kuechly except Jacoby, is a little more athletic in coverage than Luke was. That being said, I believe Jacoby has the potential to have the same impact for the team that selects him on defense, that Luke has had in his career. As of this writing, JaCoby is listed as the 151st player, on Rob’s draft board, so it is obvious that I am not only out on a limb with this profile but I’m bending that limb just inches away from breaking it right now. I’m telling you JaCoby is a top ten pick in this draft while the rest of the Draft World is suggesting that he will be lucky if he is even selected. All I can tell you is if I’m wrong about Jacoby, I still don’t lose my job but if I’m right…no one cares anyway, So I guess that I’ll just be right…as usual. It’s hard to be a Draftnik and live in obscurity.

STRENGTHS
Levi is quick off the snap of the ball and changes the line of scrimmage in his favor on almost every snap. He has those long arms and natural strength that allow him to control his opponent at the line of scrimmage. His quickness and leverage off the snap of the ball with excellent power is unique to only a few types of defensive linemen in the NFL. Levi has good enough size, to play more than one position on the defensive line and has the athletic talent to be an impact defensive lineman. Nevertheless, it takes more than talent to play at a high level in the NFL.

CONCERNS
Levi struggles to finish consistently. He is very sloppy with his techniques and if I’m a coach and see one more stupid spin move on film I think I’m going to puke. Levi and the team that selects him will have to decide what size they want him to play at and what position they want him to play at and, what they expect from him on every down and distance. It will be up to Levi to live up to those expectations and right now I struggle thinking he will

BOTTOM LINE 3.44
Levi reminds me a lot of Arizona Cardinals 2016 1st round pick DL Robert Nkemdiche (profile in the archives). Levi like Robert has top ten athletic talent but I question his passion off the field as to if he has the work ethic to play up to that top ten talent. Everything comes easy to Levi because of that talent on the field. He can turn that talent on and off any time he wants because of the athletic talent and really is the problem. He could be a hell of a defensive end in a 4/3 or 3/4 and he does an excellent job on obvious passing downs as a nose tackle because of his quickness and power off the snap to dominate. Levi could be as good as former Giants Michael Strahan or he could be a solid defensive lineman who just hangs on, going from team to team every couple of years, making a whole lot of money, and just being good enough to be signed by another team whose coaches who think THEY will get him to reach his full potential. So, what to do on draft day, you select him where I have him rated and hope he plays with a chip on his shoulder and reaches his potential but don’t expect to sign him for his next contract because Levi will expect a big payday and once he receives that big payday who knows if he will continue to play at the level that payday will expect of him or…he could be the next Michael Strahan! What to do…What to do?

STRENGTHS
Quinn has excellent overall athletic talent for a person who is 6’ 4” 320 lbs. He has quick feet and good enough lateral agility to play guard or center. He is a powerful kid with excellent character and a thirst to learn and be one of the best at his position. Because of his athleticism, Quinn can be used in any style of offensive line blocking scheme. He shows leadership skills through his work ethic on the field, and that along with his size, quickness, strength, and character, will allow Quinn, in the future, to be one of the best interior offensive linemen in a very rich, interior lineman class.

CONCERNS
At the Senior Bowl Quinn’s talents did stand out but what also stood out was his lack of techniques when pass blocking. Right now, he is a bit of a mauler and at the next level, until he learns the needed pass blocking techniques, the team that selects him will have to put up with penalties. Trust me it will be worth it.

BOTTOM LINE 2.39
There is no film on this kid except for his practice film at the Senior Bowl but it’s enough for me to tell you that I believe, there is a lot more to Quinn than just a gimmicky media star. I believe he has the potential to be a pro-bowl center or guard. Right now, he reminds me (on the field) of Richie Incognito only with, better character and leadership potential. That being said, Quinn’s potential to far exceed the level of play that Richie has reached, is immense. Watching this kid in interviews and the practice tapes of the Senior Bowl, you can see how much he really wants to be one of the best and how well he handles all of the attention given to him recently with the maturity of a veteran NFL player. He does need a lot of development and coaching but believe me when I say, my gut tells me he will learn quickly and he will become an excellent offensive lineman for the team that selects him. As I stated before, I think there is a pro bowl center in this kid just dying to get out and show his teammates and coaches. Kudos to the scouts and Jim Nagy for inviting him to the Senior Bowl to gauge at what level Quinn is at right now and in giving (The Mighty Quinn) a platform to show his athletic talent and character. Like Bob Dylan wrote in his song, come on without, come on within, you’ll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn.

STRENGTHS
Tommy is the type of Defensive Lineman that requires a double team if an offense wants to run the ball between the tackles. His effort on every down and distance is his strength along with his size and quick feet and hands. He is excellent at shedding blocks and making tackles at the line and does a good job on most downs in changing the line of scrimmage in his favor at the snap of the ball. Tommy will push the pocket and has the quickness to get into the backfield and disrupt on obvious passing downs. He understands his position and is smart and recognizes at the snap of the ball, offensive line blocking, and what they are trying to do against him. Tommy brings to the next level, size, quick feet and hands, high football IQ, and remarkable effort on every play. You can’t teach effort it just has to come from within.

CONCERNS
Tommy is tight in the hips and in general is not the most athletic defensive lineman in this draft but he is one of the better ones.

BOTTOM LINE 2.67
The beginnings of a good defensive line against the run or pass, starts with your defensive tackles, and their ability to demand double teams. Because of Tommy’s effort and size and quick feet and hands, he requires the double team or he will get into your backfield and disrupt your passing game. He requires double teams on running plays or he will shed the block and make the tackle. Tommy likes playing Defensive Tackle and with more repetitions, he will get better and improve and that is the key to becoming an impact defensive tackle. As I have told you before, I rate good Defensive Tackle’s higher than most because of the value I put on the position. I know that no matter what Defensive front a team uses if the tackles or Nose tackle is not effective then your linebackers and pass rushes cannot reach their potential to impact. Think of it this way, if you have back problems no matter how good an athlete you are that bad back is giving you problems and holding you back from producing or working at your job. Think of Defensive tackles and Nose tackles as the backbone of a defense and without a strong backbone your athletes on defense will struggle to impact because THEY will be up against double teams. Defensive tackles HAVE to stop the run, push the pocket and they have to require the double team to stop them from doing that. The only way a defensive tackle requires the double team is by changing the line of scrimmage in their favor on EVERY play and that requires size, quick feet, and hands, and a whole lot of effort. It’s just that simple.

STRENGTHS
Justin is an athletic, smart, fast, three-down linebacker. He has the speed to be used to cover those sneaky running backs out of the backfield as well as being able to go sideline to sideline to shut down the sweeps and screens. Justin has good instincts and shows leadership skills through his work ethic and the adversity he has had to endure to get on to the field. Athletic-wise, Justin might be the best linebacker in this draft. Justin can play any linebacker position in any style of defensive system. He might be the fastest and there is no doubt in my mind that he is one of the smartest so the question is, why isn’t he being considered as one of the best and rated as an early pick in the draft?

CONCERNS
Why you ask, 2 separate torn bicep injuries, a partial torn Achilles tendon, 6th year of college…that’s why.

BOTTOM LINE 1.89
If you’re just evaluating talent to play a position then Justin is one of the top linebackers in this draft. He might be the only pure linebacker who can play any linebacker position in any style of defense in this draft. Every team in the draft is looking for a linebacker with Justin’s size, athletic talent, and effectiveness against the run and in pass coverage. He simple is a leader and an impact player but, (and this is a big but), his injuries have limited his time on the field to impact, and that is not a good thing. You draft with the information you have in front of you at the time of the draft. The information on Justine is, BUYER BEWARE. I’m telling you if this guy had been on the field instead of in the medical tent, he is a possible 1st round talent that you select in the 1st round. The problem is, he hasn’t been on the field enough to tell you that for sure and, if I’m a GM I can’t put my job and career on the line to select him in the first round. That being said, I would not let him get out of the 2nd round and defiantly not out of the 3rd round for sure. Maybe with different training staff and defensive system, he can stay on the field. Maybe his injuries days are over and he can leave them behind, and maybe Justin will impact better at the next level than he has at the college level. Then again, maybe he can’t pass the physical to get selected to a team. That is a lot of maybe’s but, isn’t the draft full of maybe’s in every round? Too much talent to pass on for too long and when you think, if he can stay healthy, he could be a pro bowl player.

STRENGTHS
Elijah is a quick-twitch athlete, with the athletic talent and high football IQ to play more than one position in a team’s defensive backfield. He has those quick feet and burst to the play, with the speed to make him the type of defensive player offensive coordinators fear. Elijah, because of his athleticism and high football IQ, can play corner or in the slot or as a safety. He has that toughness you look for in an impact player and he has the hands to make the interception along with the quickness to be used as a returner on special teams. He shows leadership skills and is looked at as a coach on the field by his teammates. Because of his athleticism, Elijah plays bigger than his size and plays with a vibe that not many other players in this draft have. It’s that vibe and ability to not only make plays but to make momentum-changing plays.

CONCERNS
Elijah had an injury that needs to be checked out. He also opted out, of the Senior Bowl and that was a big mistake, he should have just gone to Mobile for the interviews and to network. These issues will affect his draft status but should have nothing to do with his play on the field. Elijah is listed at 5’ 10” and if he is smaller than that too, will bother some teams. Not for me because his film speaks for itself.

BOTTOM LINE 1.78
There are some players who have the ability to not only make plays on defense or offense but to make momentum-changing plays. Elijah has that “mojo ability” to make a play with a tackle, or an interception, or in coverage, that just gets his teammates ‘mojo” working on both sides of the ball. He has that vibe that makes all his teammates and coaches stop what they are doing on the sideline, and stand in anticipation of Elijah making a play on defense, on an important down and distance play. He is fast and quick, with excellent change of direction skills and very good tackling in the open field along with the football IQ of a coach. So, go ahead pass on selecting him because you can’t work him out. Go ahead, don’t believe the film…I dare you to not select, Elijah (Mojo) Molden, I dare you.

STRENGTHS
Rhamondre is a complete running back in every phase of the game. He is an excellent blocker, has excellent size and strength, has the lateral agility and explosion to make you miss in the open field along with the power to break tackles. He can make his own yardage between the hash marks or outside of the hash marks. Rhamondre can catch the ball down the field like a receiver and be used in the slot in a team’s passing game. He has good overall speed and will make the big play or gain the big yardage when you need it most in a game. Rhamondre has the skills and talents to be an every-down back and a franchise back for the team that selects him. Rhamondre reminds me a lot of former Saints /Dolphins/ Ravens, RB Ricky Williams.

CONCERNS
If you’re looking for a back who will take the ball 100 yards to the house then don’t look at selecting Rhamondre. I believe his longest run was only 75 yards on a sweep. The one issue I’m concerned about is when he does his spin move, he holds the ball out and away from his body, and he will fumble until he gets rid of that very bad habit at the next level.

BOTTOM LINE 1.86
Rhamondre is a sleeper running back as of this writing for the media but, he is not for the scouts. If your team is looking for an upgrade at the running back position, I suggest you tell them Rhamondre, is one they should be targeting early in this draft. He is one of the best blocking running backs in this draft. That along with his eye/hand coordination to catch the ball, lower body size and strength, lateral agility, balance, and vision, makes him an every-down running back for just about any team in the NFL. This kid will get the tough yards between the hash marks and the goal line as well as gain the chunk yards in the middle of the field running or catching the ball. The big benefit of selecting Rhamondre is, when your QB wants to throw the ball deep, Rhamondre will make the block that keeps your QB upright instead of flat on his back and in pain, watching his pass as it flutters in the air, down the field, getting intercepted. Do you know that rule that suggests that you can find a good running back at any point in a draft? Remember there are always exceptions to every rule. You just have to be smart enough to identify when that exception or who (in this case) that exception might be.

STRENGTHS
Sam has all the size, arm strength and leadership skills to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. He is smart and has a high football IQ. He is that type of football player that never gives up and lives to play football. Sam does a good job playing from the shotgun or under center and is athletic enough to, manipulate the pocket or make the yardage needed, to make a first down with his feet. He’s a strong runner with the lower body strength of a tight end. Sam has played a lot of football at the quarterback position and his intangibles to play that position are off the chart. He’s a “grinder” type of quarterback, the type who just wants to win any way he can. Sam has the potential to be a starting quarterback for some team at the next level. The question is how long will it take?

CONCERNS
Sam has accuracy issues throwing the ball that would make a bald coach grow hair on his head in frustration. He holds on to the ball too long and then tries to throw the ball harder with more velocity, affecting his accuracy. He aims the ball instead of throwing the ball. He doesn’t throw with a consistent base, throwing his mechanics off and throw off his release point. He takes the difficult throw instead of the easy throw. His decision-making is stubborn, waiting for his receiver to get open instead of anticipating or moving on to another target. He doesn’t identify matchups in his favor before the snap of the ball. The short of it all, Sam is stubborn. I’m not saying he is not coachable, I’m saying when the game starts he struggles to bring the mechanics of passing the ball from practice to the game and reverts back to all of these bad habits.

BOTTOM LINE 4.11
Sam reminds me a lot of Ryan Fitzpatrick and like Ryan, Sam can be his own worse enemy. On the field, Sam wants the ball to go where…he wants the ball to go and, the hell with if it is not supposed to go there. The game is not about stats for Sam, it’s not about being the best player on the field or even being the top quarterback, it’s about sticking that dam ball where he wants it to go, come hell or high water. To Sam, there is no play or pass on the field that he will not make. I’m not suggesting Sam thinks he is Superman, on the contrary. I am suggesting, that Sam feels like he MUST complete his assigned duties and that assigned duty is to complete the play called, no matter what happens or what the consequences. I think he thinks; every play must go for ten yards or the next play must make up the difference. If a running play goes for three yards than the next play has to go for 17 yards to make up the difference. This attitude is commendable but also destructive and like Ryan Fitzpatrick, until Sam can mature and CONTROL this attitude he will struggle on the field and turn the ball over or not complete the pass at the most inopportune times of a game. Nevertheless, Sam has starting QB ability if he can just become less stubborn.

STRENGTHS
Elijah is your prototypical slot or move receiver, who has the athletic talent and high football IQ to play more than one position in a team’s offense. He has excellent eye/hand coordination with a good catch radius. Elijah is quick and has excellent speed and against linebackers and most safeties, he is a matchup nightmare. When he is put in motion, he is very difficult to defend for slot corners. Elijah is tough, and will go over the middle, and take hits catching the ball, and will move the chains knowing full well he is about to get beat on. He can make you miss in the open field and will be an asset to the special team’s return units. As I stated before, he is smart and understands zone coverages and how to get open. When Elijah feels he is singled up, and he knows in his gut that he can beat his man down the field, Elijah becomes a scoring machine.

CONCERNS
Elijah is a slot receiver, not the type of receiver you can put on the outside against bigger and just as fast and quick corners. He could develop into an outside receiver but he has to learn to run better routes and get off the line from a standing position and deal with the physical corners who will re-route him and throw him off his timing to get free.

BOTTOM LINE 2.64
Elijah is open because he is on the move or lined up off the line or, matched up against linebackers and safeties. He reminds me a lot of Former Giants Victor Cruz. If the team that selects him uses him the way his college team used Elijah then he is a weapon but if that team wants to make a wide receiver out of him and line him up on the outside it will take time for him to impact if he can. I remember Victor Cruz and what an impact he had as a slot receiver and then I remember the Giants paying him big time money and moving Victor to the outside, never to be seen again because of injuries and not being able to handle learning how to play out wide. Elijah is a slot or move receiver. Use him that way and he is a weapon. Try to turn him into something other than a slot receiver and you run the risk of lessening his impact on the field.