Rams sign OT Cornelius Lucas

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1965297-cornelius-lucas-nfl-draft-2014-highlights-scouting-report-more

Cornelius Lucas NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report and More
Alex Dunlap
February 26, 2014

Kansas State offensive linesman Cornelius Lucas (78) gets set on the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Cornelius Lucas, LT, Kansas State (HT: 6’8″, WT: 330 lbs)

NFL Comparison: Anthony Castonzo, LT, Indianapolis Colts

Positives

Clearly an absolute giant and a mountain of a man.
Intimidating size and wingspan.
Possesses the length to execute reach blocks and stay effectively engaged with first-­level defenders in Kansas State’s zone­-blocking, read-and-veer­-option schemes when focused.
Has flashed the agility to make athletic cut blocks in space to clear second-­level lanes.
Transitions from stance to a functional—if somewhat balky—kick ­slide smoothly and generally maintains proper depth.
Pure size and length on the edge makes for a formidable boundary, even in the presence of fundamental and technique issues.
Earned first-­team All­-Big 12 honors from the coaches in his junior season and received honorable mention honors as a senior.
Has deceptive quickness given his size.
Kansas State’s top NFL draft prospect in 2013.
Generally thought of as a player coming into the 2013 season who could elevate his stock to first- or second­-round status with a big senior campaign.
Tallest offensive lineman measured at the 2014 combine.
Longest arms of all offensive linemen measured at the 2014 combine.

Negatives

Overall power is as underwhelming as his size is intimidating.
Often seems lost.
Slow reaction time to disguised and delayed blitzes; gets locked on one thing and doesn’t come off.
Wide, lumbering upper ­body that seems sluggish in movements and top heavy.
Got away with numerous holding penalties at the college level in attempts to overcome bad initial positioning.
Does not drive opponents off the line of scrimmage in the run game; in most cases, he simply flows with them laterally, clogging zone lanes.
Frequently can’t even get a good push upfield when aiding in the combo­ block of a sole down defender.
Needs major development in countering hand moves and understanding leverage.
Can get dominated by disruptive interior defensive line presences that play with a low base and good motor.
Allowed two sacks, three QB hits and two QB pressures to DE Jackson Jeffcoat of Texas in 2013.
Failed to capitalize or improve in 2013 upon what many evaluators viewed as a breakout junior campaign in 2012.
Did not participate in combine drills due to a stress fracture in his foot, which will sideline him six to eight weeks during his critical pre-draft training window.

Personal Notes

Native of New Orleans, La.
Committed to Kansas State out of high school over a hometown offer from Tulane.
Son of the late Cornelius Lucas III and Priscilla Jones.
A marketing major in college.
Despite massive size, he was only rated a 2-­star prospect by Rivals in the 2009 recruiting class.

Ratings Chart

Overall

Lucas passes the eyeball test in almost every sense of the word. He looks like a long-­limbed oak tree between the quarterback’s blind side and the defender. His feet are better than evaluators could reasonably expect, and the reasons for such optimism prior to Lucas’ senior campaign were well­ founded. At times through the 2013 season, though, he looked on the verge of un­draftable. Lucas has been a “work in progress” for his entire career, which is unnerving to evaluators. He had numerous flaws in his game exposed through 2013. The team that drafts Lucas will be doing so with the understanding that it is buying a lottery ticket.

Draft Projection: 6th Round