Category: 2021 Player Profiles

STRENGTHS
Baron has played and can play multiple positions in the front seven of your defensive line. He has excellent speed, burst, quickness, and change of direction agility. He has those long arms that allow him to trail receivers and big tight ends in coverage and still make a play on the ball. He is an excellent cover linebacker and inside the fifty-yard line, even has the cover skills to play on the outside and shut down those big Tight Ends and those big “move the chains” receivers. Baron explodes off the edge when used as a pass rusher using long strides to get to the QB quickly and disrupt or make a sack. Baron is strong and is able to play on the line and be stout against the run. When given an assignment on the field Baron is an impact player and will make plays all over the field.

CONCERNS
Baron struggles when he is put in a position to read and react. He is much better and more impacting when his assignment is to rush the passer or cover that receiver or being used as a spy. Also, Baron has to stay on the field, nagging injuries have impacted his ability to impact. It’s obvious that his workout regime is not correct for his size, muscle structure, and athletic talents.

BOTTOM LINE 1.97
Baron is so athletically talented and has such good size, that it’s obvious his talent has been abused by his college team. He has played so many different positions and given so much to think about on the field that it has impacted his ability to be consistent. It’s like trying to find waldo when looking at the film of Baron. One time he is lined up on the edge, next he is in coverage, next he is playing middle LB, next, he is lined up over the nose with the other defensive lineman. Someone please, draft this kid and give him one position to play so that Baron can reach his potential to impact and make plays CONSISTENTLY!!! I believe as a weakside LB in a 4/3 or OLB/ER in a 3/4 defense, Baron will become an impact player. But please, just because he is athletic doesn’t mean you have the right to abuse that athleticism and ruin his ability to play consistently. Baron reminds me a lot of the Bills LB Tremaine Edwards who is struggling to reach his potential for the very same reasons as Baron. I think Baron might sneak into the later part of the first round after it’s all said and done but, would not be surprised if he drops lower. His nagging injury history and the lack of consistent play will not be appealing to many teams in the NFL. “Making the simple complicated is easy, making the complicated simple… is coaching”.

STRENGTHS
Michael is an excellent athlete with the quickness to make players miss and the lateral explosion and speed to score touchdowns from any place on the field. He has a high football IQ to go along with the hand/eye coordination to catch the ball down the field. He is strong enough to run the ball between the tackles and has the speed and quickness in the open field to make defenses worry about where the next play call is going, inside or outside. Michael is an impact player and when the down and distance is 3rd and long he has the talent to move the chains through the air or on the ground. He is a surprisingly strong runner and if the team he is up against are sloppy tacklers, Michael will break a lot of arm tackles and make a defensive coordinator wish he had an office job. He is an impact running back with the ability to keep the defense guessing as to where he is line up and what play he is coming next.

CONCERNS
Because of his lack of size, expecting Michael to carry your running game for a 16-game schedule is not a smart way to use him. That being said, moving him all around your offense, just might be. Michael is an impact RB…that means he doesn’t have to touch the ball a lot to impact so don’t abuse him or injuries will become an issue and it will be hard to replace his talent on the field.

BOTTOM LINE 1.94
Michael reminds me of the Chiefs RB Clyde Edward- Helaire when he came out. No one thought anything about Clyde until I did a profile on him. Oh, the scouts and GM’s knew but, the Media experts didn’t pick up on him. This year it’s Michael Carter’s time and I suspect the media will overlook him also until they see this profile, but you can bet the football people don’t. They know who this kid is and his potential for the NFL team that selects him. There are other running backs in the draft that will be selected before Michael because size matters when it comes to selecting players in the draft. That being said, once a player is selected, size doesn’t matter at all, only what a player can do on the field matters. Il Michael has 1st round talent to impact and become an intricate part of your offense. You can select him in whatever round you want to but trust me, once he gets on the field he will play like a player who was selected in the first round. Think of Michael like a quarter horse. Don’t expect a Quarter Horse to run a mile and a half race and not break down, he’s supposed to just run a quarter race. In 1970’s there was a dominating racing quarter horse named “Dash for Cash”. That’s why I’m calling him, Michael (Dash 4 Cash) Carter.

STRENGTHS
Javonte has the size, strength, high football IQ, and overall athletic talent to be a feature back for the team that selects him. He is a powerful running back with the ability to break tackles at the line of scrimmage between the tackles as well as the quickness and lateral agility to make a player miss. He has excellent hands out of the backfield and has the size and high football IQ to pick up the blitz and make the block. Javonte is a complete running back with the size that allows him to be able to stay on the field for all three downs. Javonte has the talent to block or catch or run the ball between the tackles or outside on sweeps and screens. He is a complete back who will get the tough yards on any down and distance in any style of offense.

CONCERNS
Javonte is not a speed running back but once you are over the 50-yard line he has enough speed to take it to the house.

BOTTOM LINE 1.86
If you’re a team that lacks a running game, I suggest you look hard at selecting this kid at any point in the draft. I’m not going to tell you where a player is most likely to be selected in a draft. I don’t’ have enough information to do that. I am going to tell you, what I think a player’s impact will be for the team that selects him and where I would select him in the draft but that’s all. I look at the film and tell you what I see. I don’t tell you what to think, that’s up to you. I suggest that you look at the film and see if what you are seeing agrees with what I am seeing but if it doesn’t, well that is what makes a Draftnik. It’s like politics, you see what you want to see and you listen and absorb what you want to absorb, the truth… you find out down the road, and even then, the truth sometimes is very hard to agree with. I suspect the “media experts” will not be that impressed as I am, with Javonte because he lacks the speed to excite them and is not flashy, and did not carry the ball 35 times a game. So, look at Rob’s board for the likely round Javonte will be selected in and know this…if your team selects Javonte the fans are going to fall in love with his talent and workman-like, efficiency he goes about playing his position. Your quarterback is going to love how dependable he is in the biggest games and his teammates and coaches are going to appreciate his leadership skills and high football IQ. Javonte has the patience of an alligator waiting for his prey to come closer and closer and then he strikes with the power and quickness that most running backs do not have. That’s why I call him Javonte (Gator) Williams.

STRENGTHS
Zaven shows on films good overall athletic skills. He is smart and shows leadership skills through his play on the field. He has a good burst to the play and has the athletic talent and size to play multiple positions in your front seven, in the right defense. Zaven has the unique skill set to be around the ball to make plays on the ball. He has the instincts you look for in a defensive player and that along with his high football IQ, makes Zaven the type of player, team’s whose base defensive scheme is the 3/4 defense, a good fit. He has the size and skillset to make an impact in that scheme. Zaven reminds me a lot of former Texans 2nd Rd pick in the 2009 draft who went on to play for the Eagles, Rams, and Giants, Connor Barwin.

CONCERNS
Because Zaven is a perfect fit for just one type of defense, his value and impact will not be the same to all 32 teams. He lacks the pure speed teams are looking for in LB’s for any style of defense. Zaven also lacks the cover skills teams are looking for in their LB’s. He can drop off the line and get into passing lanes and is very smart at hiding in zones and surprising college QB’s but as far as, change of direction and back-peddling with quickness and pure speed, he lacks that skill set.

BOTTOM LINE 2.50
Zaven is big enough and smart enough to play in a 3/4 defense on the edge. His lack of pure speed and lack of pure change of direction skills, will not be as much of an issue at that position and he can impact. In fact, he could be a pro bowl player playing on the edge in a 3/4 defense. The team that selects him must have a plan to use his unique talents or Zaven will get lost in the shuffle and hit free agency until he finds that team. Connor Barwin’s combine numbers were more than enough to suggest that he would be an outstanding player for the team that selected him and the truth is once his career was over he did play well but every time there was a change of coaching or defensive scheme, Connor had to move on because of his limited lack of change of direction skills. Simply put, Connor was a good player in the right scheme. Zaven will be a good player…but in the right defensive scheme.

STRENGTHS
Liam is a quality Offensive Lineman, with good size and overall strength to start, the day after you select him for your team. He has the ability to play on either side of your offensive line at the tackle or the guard position but his impact position should be as a Right Tackle in most offensive schemes. He is an excellent run blocker and has the foot agility to go out to the second level and make his assigned blocks. Liam is very smart with a high football IQ and shows leadership skills through his play on the field. He is one of the most consistent (technique-wise) pass blockers in this draft. He works well with his teammates on stunts and because he is quick to fire out at a good pad level when run blocking, his ability to play guard and tackle makes him a complete offensive lineman for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Liam has solid athletic talent but not outstanding athletic talent so his upside, athletically is limited and that will bother some teams. That being said Liam’s value is very high.

BOTTOM LINE 1.86
Liam’s ability to play multiple positions, with excellent techniques and excellent mental stamina should far out way any athletic limitations a team might perceive to be a problem. Liam can take what he learns on the practice field and easily incorporate it into his play on game day. That is big, trust me. His consistency and ability to lead are big also. Liam may lack the lateral agility, that is looked for when evaluating a player to play left tackle at the next level but he doesn’t lack the ability to play that position or any other on the offensive line at a high level and become a starting offensive tackle the day after you draft him. So, if you’re looking for a plug-in starter, for your offensive line for the next ten years, you would be smart to select Liam. He can play Left Tackle in a lot of team’s offensive systems but I think his impact position, because of his strength and body type, will be at the right tackle position. But that’s just me once again, talking to myself.

STRENGTHS
Aaron is a big powerful guard who looks to me on film, to have just enough athletic talent to play the tackle position in a pinch. He is an excellent run blocker with the foot agility and quickness out of his stance to go out to the second level and make his assigned blocks. Aaron is a solid pass blocker who once he gets his hands on his opponent it is rare that he gives up a sack. Aaron is very smart and handles stunts with his linemates very well because he doesn’t panic and overreach. He has the foot speed to be used on sweeps and screens and in pulling situations and when he gets his big body on the move with quickness, I pity the poor player he is about to block. Simply put, Aaron is a plug-in, ten year, starting offensive lineman. Any team who needs an interior lineman, who in a pinch could play tackle, should be targeting Aaron as an early pick in this draft…at least I know I would.

CONCERNS
Aaron gives up too much field position when pass blocking and allows his opponent to get into his body and handle him at times when pass blocking. These are techniques issues that can easily be corrected and I’m sure, will be corrected. I think he might need to lose a little weight to gain more stamina to handle a 16-game schedule and be a little quicker and that also will help his pass blocking.

BOTTOM LINE 2.08
Don’t get me wrong, Aaron is a good pass blocker it’s just he can be better. If he improves (And I have no doubt he will) you’re looking at a potential pro bowl offensive lineman. The Senior Bowl will be a deciding factor in where teams value Aaron on their boards. If he can show that he can play offensive tackle or center…or both, in a pinch, then his value will go up very quickly on every teams’ boards. Aaron has the potential to be a pro bowl Guard for the team that selects him and that alone makes him a very valuable player to have on any team’s offensive line.

STRENGTHS
Marvin, on the field and off the field, has the passion and gives him the effort that is needed at the next level to be an outstanding defensive lineman for the team that selects him. He has excellent size and strength. He has a high football IQ and understands his position and how it impacts the rest of his teammates. He has good feet and balance to control in between the has marks. Marvin shows on the field the quickness and explosiveness to change the line of scrimmage in his favor on almost every down. He does a good job dealing with the double team and will stop the run of his opponents’ game. Marvin is smart and adept in pushing the pocket and getting his hands up in the passing lanes and frustrating quarterbacks. Marvin has the ability through his play on the field to make the players around him better. If your team is trying to build a great defense, they better think about selecting Marvin early in this draft because without him it’s not likely they will reach that goal.

CONCERNS
Most Defensive lineman are rotation players in the new NFL so, team’s value of players like Marvin will affect his draft status. Marvin needs to build up his stamina and needs to gain, even more strength in his upper body and hands to shed and make blocks quicker.

BOTTOM LINE 1.86
Marvin has the potential, as a nose guard or Defensive tackle to control the middle of the field. I value players with that type of talent higher than most because I believe if you have a player who can control play between the hash marks you will have the beginnings of a great defense. Shutting down the run and pushing the pocket are the keys to having a great defense. The pass rush starts with a defense’s ability to push the pocket. QB’s can’t step up and because of that push, lose velocity on their passes and this allows defensive backs to defend receivers and intercept the ball. Pushing the pocket and demanding a double team allows the Edge rushes to go one on one, with their opponents, and gain better pass rush angles to make sacks and harass the QB. Demanding the double teams on running plays allows for linebackers to run free to the play and make tackles for losses or at the line of scrimmage. Marvin’s value will not show up in stats, but it will show up in the film room. He has the potential because of his athletic talent, high football IQ, the mature understanding of his value to a defense, and his unique and passionate effort of every play run or pass. I always say when you see the obvious, draft the obvious, and Marvin is an obvious shutdown, between the hash marks, defensive lineman. Now teams need to decide for themselves, what his value will be. I already have.

STRENGTHS
Christian has good size and overall solid athletic talent. He has the type of athletic talent that will allow him to play more than one position on your offensive line. Christian has the agility and foot quickness to go out to the second level and make blocks. He shows enough foot quickness to be used on sweeps and screens and as a pulling offensive lineman. He has those long arms that will help him keep those speed rushes away from his quarterback on obvious passing downs. There is obvious athletic talent when I watch Christian on film that being said, there are also obvious questions that will need to be answered too.

CONCERNS
Once again, the talent is there but the attention to detail seems to be lacking big time. Christian plays up to high and loses leverage when pass blocking or when run blocking. I don’t see any obvious injury concerns in his play but one never knows about these things for sure.

BOTTOM LINE 3.00
When I first started doing profiles, players with Christian’s talent and lack of “attention to details” would burn me up. But I’m older now, and more sensitive to other people’s feelings. I know Christian will show up well at the Senior Bowl because he is athletic, and will put on a good show but, trusting him as an offensive tackle at the next level, seems to me to be a bit of a stretch. My guess is that Christian will be moved into the guard position but I don’t know if that will work out either if he doesn’t lower his center consistently and become more consistent in using his techniques. If he does become more consistent I can see him becoming a solid guard with the potential to be used as a tackle in a pinch. How do you like the new sensitive me? It sucks, doesn’t it? He’s the real me, on the outside Christian struggles because he doesn’t finish and gives up too easily. On the inside as a guard, he lacks the mental strength to be consistent in his blocking techniques and leverage and once again gives up too easily. But what do I know, been only following the draft since 1979 and doing public profiles since 2004 and still I can get it wrong.

STRENGTHS
Jeremiah is a quick-twitch athlete with the ability to play more than one position on your defense in multiple schemes. He has excellent speed and burst to the ball and solid cover skills. Jeremiah shows leadership skills through his play on the field. Because of his quick feet, agility, and long arms he has the ability to play on the line and rush the passer on obvious third and long downs. Jeremiah has all the athletic talent to be an impact player for the team that selects him in this draft.

CONCERNS
Jeremiah gets fooled on play-action taking false steps and getting himself out of position to make plays. When he plays on the line of scrimmage he can get overwhelmed in the run game if he doesn’t use the correct techniques to keep those big linemen off his body. He has an excellent punch to defeat his opponent when playing on the line but he allows himself to get tied up, and not be able to shed blocks and make tackles. Also, size matters when it comes to selecting players in the draft and, some teams will struggle with what position Jeremiah might fit to become the impact player his talents suggest. Right now, Jeremiah is a guessing type of player who is trying to anticipate making the big play rather than reading and reacting and letting the play come to him. He has a lot of bad habits right now that will need some hard coaching to overcome.

BOTTOM LINE 2.22
Right now, Jeremiah reminds me of three different players because of the different positions he plays on defense for his college team. Those three players are Matt Milano, Jabrill Peppers and Jerry Hughes. Jeremiah has played different positions but hasn’t mastered any one of them and because of that, it has stunted his football IQ for the next level. Until he figures that out and the team that selects him figures that out, in spite of Jeremiah’s obvious athletic talent it will take him some time to become the impact player his talents suggest. I have no doubt he will figure it out and when he does he should become a playmaking defense player for the team that selects him. Just give him some time.

STRENGTHS
Jaycee has excellent size, length, and athletic talent to be an impact player in the defensive backfield of the team that selects him. He has that wiry strength that surprises you at times and allows him to be physical when defending his opponents. Jaycee has those long legs and arms that allow him to trail receivers and still make plays on the ball. He has good hands to make the interception and good body control to adjust to the ball in the air on those pesky fades in the Red zone. Jaycee has all the talent to be an excellent cover and zone defensive back at the next level if he can leave some bad habits that he has accumulated, at the college level.

CONCERNS
Jaycee is a very “handsy” cornerback and a physical cornerback and at the next level, that will lead to penalties until he learns the officials. Because he is a long-striding athlete his change of direction agility and recovery burst is lacking so that’s why he uses his hands and physical play to compensate. He is also not quick to shed blocks and support the run, nevertheless, when he sets his mind to it, he can shed with devastating strength and quickness and tackle just as well as anyone in this draft. Jaycee has to learn to have more confidence in his own talent. I know it may seem that he has a ton of confidence but the reason a player uses his hands as much as Jaycee does off the snap of the ball, is because he fears that he will get beat… off the snap of the ball.

BOTTOM LINE 2.11
That fear that shows up in Jaycee’s play, is a gift and a curse. It’s a gift because it keeps him motivated to do his best. It’s a curse because it makes him panic and causes penalties. Jaycee can play more than one position in your defensive backfield. In zone coverages, he knows what he is doing but does not anticipate routes in down and distance situations allowing him to make even more plays on the ball. Jaycee has more things to learn mentally and once that happens I expect Jaycee to be an impact player and a bit of a ballhawk like he has been for his college team.

STRENGTHS
Christian, is a size/speed, Defensive Lineman with the athleticism to impact. He shows quick feet and comes off the line with good leverage to change the line of scrimmage in his favor on most downs. He has the size to play in a 2gap defense and the athleticism to play in a 1 gap attack defense. Christian can be a disruptive force in the backfield of his opponent, pushing the pocket. He also can be used on stunts and has the talent to rush the QB in multiple down and distance and lined up on the outside or inside. Christian has a ton of developmental talent and could in the future, be an excellent defensive lineman for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Christian’s techniques are poor at this point of his career. He does not explode off the line he just comes off the line with good effort. He is not quick to shed blocks and make tackles. He lunges when he goes to make tackles not finishing and this is why he misses a lot of tackles at the line of scrimmage, and behind the line of scrimmage. Christian is not in NFL football shape and that is surprising coming from that program. You have to wonder about his overall work ethic between games but the simple answer might be that he went to class…oops I forgot there are no classes, oh well. That being said there is no lack of effort on every play during a game. I believe, just his raw talent and size will make a lot of teams drool when they work this kid out before the draft.

BOTTOM LINE 2.22
I’m not going screw around, you need a defensive lineman then you have to look very hard at selecting Christian on the first day of this draft. I think he has at least two more years of working hard before you will see an impact player but, this type of size and talent almost demands you take a chance on selecting him early. That’s reality, and that’s the draft. Late in the first round and very early in the second I can see teams jump at selecting him and hope he works hard to develop but early in this draft, I think you might be taking too much of a risk. But once again, I’m not selecting players, I’m just talking to myself. Christian is 2nd round, talent that demands you select him in the 1st round but for me I would wait and selected him early in the 2nd round, that’s if…he is still available. Selecting Christian too early and expecting too much is like falling over and over again for the banana in the tailpipe trick. Every time you fall for it your car will stall out and so will your defense.