Rams visits with draft prospects

Los Angeles Rams combine visits:

I did a cut and paste for the offensive guys – might do the defense tomorrow. Looks to me like maybe they’re primarily doing some late round-udfa type of evaluations with these combine visits.

•Brandon Allen, QB, Arkansas (SR) – Pre combine draft ranking 7th-ufa

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1852876/brandon-allen

Player Overview
When Bret Bielema took his run-heavy offense to the SEC, scouts expected Arkansas to turn into Wisconsin south with an uptick in production at running back and bigger offensive linemen. Improved play at quarterback with Allen was a welcomed surprise.

Allen completed just 49.6 percent of his passes and threw a relatively pedestrian 13 touchdowns (against 10 interceptions) when he first emerged as a starter in 2013 but he showed steady progress as a junior (56% completion rate with 20 touchdowns and just six interceptions) and emerged as arguably the most consistent quarterback in the SEC as a senior, leading the power conference in passer rating (166.48), yards per attempt (9.3), and passing touchdowns against Southeastern Conference opponents (21). Overall, Allen completed 65.9% of his passes and tossed 30 touchdowns against just eight interceptions – the second highest total in school history and setting a new school mark for the most scoring passes over a career with 64.

While scouts will appreciate the steady development Allen showed over his career, he lacks the preferred size to earn high marks. A streaky week at the Senior Bowl further raised concerns that his gaudy production was perhaps inflated by the talent and scheme at Arkansas.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Lacks the preferred height but sports a compact and reasonably athletic frame, overall. Has shown steady improvement throughout his career and isn’t just a check down machine, possessing enough arm strength and accuracy to make NFL throws. Has a snappy, over-the-top release and generates good velocity on his throws, including the drive to complete passes to the opposite sideline. Throws a catchable ball with generally tight spirals, usually hitting his receivers in stride and allowing them to generate yardage after the catch. Can drop the ball in the bucket on touch throws, showing the ability to place throws down the seam over linebackers and under safeties. At least adequate athleticism for bootlegs and rollouts and can extend the play when pressured showing some spatial awareness and elusiveness as a scrambler when forced to leave the pocket. Voted a team captain and possesses the leadership characteristics scouts expect at quarterback. Started the final 34 games of his career. Showed a willingness to take chances at the Senior Bowl, showing the competitiveness to potentially respond to the jump in competition he’ll see in the NFL.

WEAKNESSES: Lacks ideal size, including with his hands, which were measured at just 8 1/2″ at the Senior Bowl — a half inch smaller than what many NFL clubs consider to be the minimum for the position. Protected by the talent and scheme at Arkansas, which featured the biggest offensive line in all of football (including the NFL) and often allowed him to make relatively easy pre-snap reads to locate single coverage. Despite starting three for three seasons, doesn’t throw with great anticipation, typically staring down his primary receiver and waiting for him to get open. Isn’t a true scrambler and lacks the speed to threaten NFL defenses with his legs. Took chances at the Senior Bowl but paid for it, at times, throwing some regrettable interceptions throughout the week of practice.

IN OUR VIEW: Last summer, scouts viewed Allen as a camp arm and longshot to be drafted, but with his productive senior year, he will receive draftable grades from some teams as he has shown the necessary skills to develop into a backup at the next level.

• Storm Barrs-Woods, RB, Oregon State (EW) – pre combine ranking UDFA

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1877967/storm-barrs-woods

Player Overview
Overshadowed by quarterback Sean Mannion and a barrage of Oregon State wideouts throughout his career, Woods has quietly emerged as one of the Pac-12’s best all-around backs. He enters his senior campaign with 2,183 career rushing yards, as well as 111 receptions for another 932 yards through the air.

While Woods’ production speaks for itself, he’ll have to win over the new coaching staff, as talented junior Chris Brown also saw a number of carries with the first team offense this spring.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Woods possesses a rangy, athletic build with solid overall musculature. He’s a decisive runner who possesses good burst to dart through gaps and just enough speed to turn the corner. He shows good vision for the cutback and accelerates quickly enough to slip into the secondary when the defense over-commits.

Woods has some jitter-bug to him, shaking defenders in tight spaces with subtle shoulder fakes. While not a powerful runner, Woods isn’t afraid to hunch his shoulders through contact, showing solid leg drive, determination and awareness to get the tough yards.

Woods’ willingness to get physical also flashes in pass protection, as he often drops a shoulder into the belly of pass-rushers before releasing on short routes. When facing up a blitzer, Woods often resorts to cut blocks, showing good timing and aim to successfully take out the legs of opponents.

Woods possesses soft hands and the flexibility to adjust to poorly thrown passes, making him a very effective weapon on screens and other quick routes for Oregon State.

WEAKNESSES: Not a powerful runner. Doesn’t always wrap both arms around the ball through traffic and doesn’t consistently transfer the ball to his outside arm.

• Daniel Lasco, RB, California (EW) pre combine ranking 4th round.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1880836/daniel-lasco

Player Overview
Lasco was often overshadowed at Cal by star quarterback Jared Goff, and durability was an issue as his numbers tumbled from 1,115 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground as a junior to 331 and three in 2015.

He earned an invitation to the Shrine Game, where he recorded a couple of explosive runs in the first half and ultimately led all participants with an unofficial 52 rushing yards on just three carries.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Broad shoulders and a good size overall with the frame to potentially handle another 5-10 pounds of muscle without sacrificing his agility and speed. Legitimate NFL athleticism. Good initial quickness to and through the hole, showing the 0-to-60 acceleration to offer big play potential.

Creative runner with light feet and greasy knees to elude defenders in tight quarters. Spins off of contact and keeps his legs churning. Good body control as a receiver, showing the ability to twist his frame to adjust to poorly thrown passes, collect the ball and accelerate in one smooth motion. Alert in pass protection and as a downfield blocker.

WEAKNESSES: Isn’t as powerful as his size suggests. Has an upright, slashing running style which leaves him off-balance and too often falling after absorbing hits from defenders. Can fall in love with his own big play potential and will look to bounce plays outside too often rather than burrowing ahead for the tough yardage. Must do a better job of protecting the football, failing to wrap both arms in traffic.

Has struggled with durability throughout his career, missing five full games in 2015.

IN OUR VIEW: Lasco isn’t a future bell-cow at the NFL level but his experience in a pass-heavy offense, agility and acceleration make him an intriguing complementary threat likely to be available in the late rounds.

–Rob Rang (1/25/16)

• Brandon Ross, RB, Maryland (EW)

Ross is off the scouting radar – listed as the 49th best prospect on the sportsline site.

• Keenan Reynolds, RB, Navy (EW) Pre combine ranking 7th-UFA

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2001697/keenan-reynolds

Player Overview
No quarterback in FBS history has more career rushing yards than Navy’s Keenan Reynolds, who tallied 4,559 rushing yards over the last four seasons. He also set the Division-I record for total touchdowns (88) and finished fifth in the 2015 Heisman Trophy voting.

But with his size (5-10, 200) and skill-set, Reynold’s best fit in the NFL is at running back, a position he has never played. However, with his experience as a ballcarrier in Navy’s option offense, the transition should go smoothly. And if practices at the Shrine Game are any indication, Reynolds looks like a natural at the new position.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: The move from quarterback should come naturally to him because Reynolds’ running ability is what made him so dynamic in Navy’s option offense, using his vision and shifty moves to create on his own.

Shows the lower body athleticism to make quick cuts and fluidly redirect his momentum, stringing together his moves to pick through the defense. He reads the field well and has the speed to beat the linebacker to the edge.

Despite limited experience, appeared natural looking the ball into his hands before bursting downfield at Shrine Game practices. Brings versatility for a play-caller with his ability to line up in the backfield and take direct snaps, and has spent time practicing as a punt returner.

WEAKNESSES: Making the transition from quarterback to running back. Scouts will be paying attention to Reynolds during workouts when he doesn’t have the ball to see how he blocks, runs routes and acclimates himself to the new position.

With his limited build, Reynolds doesn’t have the body power to run through contact, which shows as an inside runner. And with 32 career fumbles at Navy, he also needs to improve his ball security. Unproven as a pass-catcher out of the backfield with only one career catch in college.

–Dane Brugler (1/19/16)

• Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State (SR) – pre combine ranking, 2nd round

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1824414/braxton-miller

Player Overview
Miller made the switch to wide receiver from quarterback over the 2015 offseason, and his athleticism and versatility paid off for the Buckeyes throughout the year. He finished fourth on the team with 26 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns, added 260 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries and even completed his only pass – albeit for three yards.

Miller told the Columbus Dispatch in June that he is the “best athlete” in all of college football, and he might be correct with that assessment. While he may not have had the traits to play quarterback at the next level, he is a very interesting prospect as a receiver.

In 2013 as a junior, he passed for 2,094 yards, 63.5 percent completions and a 24-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors. Miller showed improvements as a passer throughout the season, compelling scouts to take a “wait-and-see” approach as the Ohio State quarterback entered his senior year. But he missed the 2014 season with another injury to his throwing shoulder and J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones helped lead the Buckeyes to last year’s College Football Playoff.

Many thought Miller would transfer to pursue playing quarterback elsewhere, but he chose to stay in Columbus and focus all of his energy on transitioning to wide receiver.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Athletic body type and solidly-built for the position. Extraordinary athleticism and speed with sudden, explosive cutting ability. Tremendous balance and body control in all of his movements.

Multiple gears to separate in his routes or as a ballcarrier. Understands hesitation in his patterns, setting up defenders before bursting in different directions. Vision to be a home-run threat whenever he touches the ball.

In his one season as a receiver, showed the locating ability to track and keep his focus through the catch. Capable of the acrobatic reception. Strong arm as a passer and spins a pretty ball. Deceiving body strength to squirm out of would-be tackles. Highly productive three-year quarterback and looked natural making the transition to a skill player in 2015 – versatile player who affected the game as a receiver and rusher.

Holds several school records and was a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Mature leader and determined individual who wants to be great.

WEAKNESSES: Raw route-runner and lacks experience at the receiver position. Needs work with his footwork, especially at the stem of patterns. Natural hands, but had some drops in 2015, especially with the fastball.

Still learning how to properly adjust to throws and attack at the highest point. Too much east-west and will get himself in trouble looking for the big play. Alligator arms and too concerned with what’s going on in the middle of the field – often braced himself for contact or showed tentativeness in space before securing the catch.

Willing blocker, but still very raw and needs technique work. Ball security needs tightened with 30 career fumbles (three fumbles in 2015 as a non-quarterback). Doesn’t have any special teams experience.

Health is a concern with his past medical issues – missed two games due a left knee sprain (Sept. 2013); injured his throwing (right) shoulder in the 2013 Orange Bowl that required surgery (Feb. 2014); re-injured the same shoulder that summer (Aug. 2014) and missed the 2014 season after labrum surgery; left game due to concussion symptoms (Nov. 2015).

IN OUR VIEW: After starting three seasons as Ohio State’s quarterback, Miller moved to a hybrid H-Back position in 2015 for his final season of eligibility and adapted well. He enters the NFL as a wide receiver or running back, not a quarterback and his 2014 shoulder surgery ended up being a blessing in disguise, allowing Miller to speed up the inevitable transition to a skill position for the next level.

Miller is a gifted and exciting open-field athlete with game-changing speed and the twitched-up ability to be elusive, not slowing down in his cuts. He showed signs of being able to translate his ability to read defenses as a passer to reading coverages in his routes, but is still unpolished in this area and will need time as he continues his development at wide receiver.

The No. 1 concern moving forward for Miller is durability – true competitor, but can he stay healthy? Overall, while still raw, Miller is a special athlete for his size with considerable upside, putting him in the top 50 overall range. He will likely be a gadget player as an NFL rookie before competing for a starting role in year two.

–Dane Brugler (1/25/16)

• Hunter Sharp, WR, Utah State (EW) pre combine ranking udfa

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/2139452/hunter-sharp

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Sharp moves fast in everything he does. He’s quick off the line, accelerates in his routes and shows burst at the top of routes.

WEAKNESSES: Needs to be more consistent catching the football, especially over the middle on slants and crossers.

IN OUR VIEW: Sharp’s play speed stood out during drills at the Shrine Game practices.

–Dane Brugler (1/19/16)

• Darion Griswold, TE, Arkansas State (EW) Pre combine ranking 6th round

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1886798/darion-griswold

Player Overview

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Certainly passes the eye test with his large, athletic frame. Has ball-skills and clear upside for the NFL.

WEAKNESSES: The former high school quarterback is still learning how to best use his size to his advantage. The one area Griswold needs to improve for the next level is his balance, both in his routes and at the catch point.

• Jack Allen, C, Michigan State (SR) pre combine ranking 3rd-4th round

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1868385/jack-allen

Player Overview
While Jack Conklin was the star of the band along Michigan State’s offensive line the past few seasons, Allen was the all-important glue that kept the group together and in tune.

A four-year starter who earned All-American honors with 47 career starts (42 at center), Spartans coaches charged him with just three sacks allowed.

The four-time Academic All-Big Ten choice is the first two-time All-Big Ten and repeat All-American lineman for Michigan State since Tony Mandarich in 1988.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Stout, compact build with low center of gravity. Understands that low man wins, bending at the knees and wining with leverage. Creates a strong base, digging his cleats in the ground with a balanced reset.

Blocks with excellent body control, running his feet and snapping his hips. Extends off the snap with quick hands and rapid punch. Always alert with anticipation and calm eyes to adjust to moving targets. Key man making all the line calls and top-notch communicator.

If the whistle hasn’t blown, he’s looking for someone to hit. Determined competitor and loves to finish. Three-time all-state and all-conference wrestler in high school, setting several prep records.

Experience at guard and also filled in at left tackle when Jack Conklin was sidelined with an injury. Two-year team captain and carries himself with an alpha male mentality.

WEAKNESSES: Short arms and struggles to keep defenders from his body. Undersized frame and can be uprooted with strength that appears maxed out. Short-area puller, but doesn’t have ideal athletic range to consistently be effective away from the line of scrimmage.

Wild punch on the move and finds himself off balance in space. Grabby and will be caught with a fistful of cloth. Inconsistent contact balance when rushers attack his edge. Missed at least two games due to injury each of the past three seasons, including multiple injuries to his left ankle (Oct. 2014, Oct. 2015).

IN OUR VIEW: Allen doesn’t look like much physically and has his athletic and length limitations, but he is a smart, stubborn blocker with the requisite toughness and tenacity to get the job done, never playing complacent. Although he struggles to consistently sustain, Allen understands how to win early and reset on the move as his wrestling background often shows on the football field.

He doesn’t have a high NFL ceiling, but can start at the next level, possibly as early as his rookie year.

–Dane Brugler (2/4/16)

• Taylor Fallin, OT, Memphis (EW) pre combine rankking – 7th, udfa

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/taylor-fallin?id=2555297

Analysis

Strengths Big, wide frame with above-average arm length and hand size. Plays with pretty good technique in run game and can generate some movement due to his massive size. Cut pressures, quarterback knockdowns and sacks down from last season. Can anchor against bull rush. Able to recognize twists and has above-average instincts. Rarely off his feet and on the ground. Played with better discipline in 2015, cutting his holding penalties from six to one.

Weaknesses Below-average athleticism. Sluggish long-­stepper off the snap and onto second level. Will have issues sustaining blocks on linebackers. Plays with plodding feet and has difficulty changing direction in pass protection. Very susceptible to inside moves. Counter moves can own him. Lack of twitch limits hip snap and initial pop at point of attack. Hand placement needs work.

Bottom Line Fallin is a 23­-year-old, three-year starter who will turn 24 in November. His lack of flexibility and athleticism could limit his ability to be functional as an NFL tackle, and he might be too upright to move inside to guard and play with any leverage. Fallin should get into a camp, but could have a hard time sticking.

-Lance Zierlein

• Brandon Shell, OT, South Carolina (EW) – pre combine ranking – udfa

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1852872/brandon-shell

Player Overview
If an offensive lineman with the last name Shell rings a bell, Brandon’s great uncle is Pro Football Hall of Fame member and former NFL head coach Art Shell.

Brandon Shell started his final 47 games at South Carolina dating back to 2012. Most of those starts came at right tackle before moving to the left side as a senior.

Shell miss the 2015 spring after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, but returned to start every game at left tackle, earning third-team All-SEC honors by Phil Steele.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Looks the part of an NFL player, sporting a massive frame with good overall weight distribution and including broad shoulders, thick thighs but a relatively trim middle. For a man of his size, he shows good initial quickness and holds up well in pass protection because of his length and patience. Eases back off the snap and allows defenders to come to him, generally latching and controlling opponents.

WEAKNESSES: The longer Shell is asked to pass protect, the more his issues become apparent. Too often Shell settles into a spot and allows his feet to stop shuffling laterally. Quicker edge rushers with active hands to keep him from latching on can give him problems with speed odd the edge or counters back inside. As some draft analysts would say, Shell is a classic heavy-legged, waist-bender.

Because he plays tall and doesn’t move his feet, Shell isn’t the consistently dominating presence in the run game that his size and experience would indicate.

IN OUR VIEW: He needs to improve his depth and balance in his stance, but Shell has the wide base and quickness off the snpa to set up shop and engage rushers. Defensive edge rushers had a tough time rushing against the right side of the offensive line during Shrine Game practices.

–Dane Brugler and Rob Rang (1/21/16)

• Joe Bolden, ILB, Michigan (EW)

• Anthony Sarao, ILB, USC (EW)

• Aaron Wallace, OLB, UCLA (EW)

• Cory James, OLB, Colorado State (EW)

• Anthony Harrell, OLB, Florida (EW)

• V’Angelo Bentley, CB, Illinois (EW)

• Deon Bush, S, Miami (EW)

• Clayton Fejedelem, FS, Illinois (EW)

• Shawn Oakman, DE/3-4DE, Baylor (SR)

• David Onyemata, DT, Manitoba (EW)

• Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford (EW)

More of the same – on the left side of the ball. These are overwhelmingly potential late round or UDFA tire kicking for the Rams staff. I’d guess they are just doing a meet and greet with guys they think might have a shot to make the roster in some capacity. Seems like a ton of DL depth in this draft.

• Joe Bolden, ILB, Michigan (EW) – pre combine ranking UDFA

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1983734/joe-bolden

Player Overview
With Jake Ryan off to the NFL, a lot of leadership responsibilities fell on Bolden’s his shoulders for the 2015 season. He responded by starting 11 of 12 games and surpassing the 200 career-tackle mark on Sept. 3 and went on to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.

He finished his career with 28 starts in 51 games at linebacker.

Michigan’s top returning tackler on defense, Bolden recorded a career-best 102 tackles in his first full season as a starter in 2014, adding 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Shoots gaps and blows up the ballcarrier before he can hit the hole. Attacks blocks with veracity and toughness, keeping his eyes glued on the ball while using his hands to disengage. He recognizes play designs quickly with the foot quickness and lower-body fluidity to naturally change directions on a dime to stick with running backs and tight ends out of the backfield.

Team captain as a senior and very vocal player during Shrine Game practices, constantly letting offensive players know what they were doing wrong.

WEAKNESSES: Isn’t the biggest or most powerful player on the field. Had some hiccups in coverage during Shrine Game practices, but did not look surprised out there, showing improvement with each rep.

IN OUR VIEW: He’s very average from a size/speed standpoint, but Bolden is a ball magnet and doesn’t play with hesitation, which was noticed by the dozens of NFL scouts in attendance at the Shrine Game practices. He hasn’t necessarily convinced anyone he’s a future starter, but one scout said, “our defensive coordinator is going to love this kid.”

–Dane Brugler (1/21/16)

• Anthony Sarao, ILB, USC (EW) – pre combine ranking UDFA

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/anthony-sarao?id=2555159

Overview

This New Jersey native crossed the country to wear USC Cardinal-and-Gold after an outstanding high school career (Super Prep/Prep Star All-American) where he led his team to a state title as a senior. Even though he redshirted his first year in Los Angeles, Sarao made an impact, winning the Trojans’ Defensive Service Player of the Year award while terrorizing starters in practice. He was a top backup in 2012, playing every week and starting against Hawai’i (40 tackles, four for loss). Sarao moved from reserve to starter halfway through his sophomore year, starting in the middle for the final seven games (44 tackles, 2.5 TFL). He started all 13 games in 2014, stopping the ball 74 times and intercepting two passes. A team captain as a senior, Sarao racked up 59 tackles, five for loss and three sacks as a full-time starter inside despite missing spring practices with a fractured foot.

Analysis

Strengths Reads his keys and flows without much hesitation to the ball. Sifts and sorts from gap to gap while peeking in on running back. Decent lateral quickness and agility in the box. Understands his job and is willing to step into his run fit and try to constrict running lanes. Rarely gobbled up by play­action. Maintains good depth and finds receivers drifting into his space. Wrap­-up, tackle finisher when he gets his chances. Has played on special teams all four years at USC. Took on more of a leadership role his senior season.

Weaknesses Sees it, but not fast enough to chase and cut off angles to the sideline. Play speed falls way off when asked to air it out and sprint. Although willing to leverage gap, will struggle to do so consistently due to lack of size. Needs to play downhill while taking more chances in order to avoid being engulfed on second level. Slow-moving, straight­-line blitzer without suddenness to surprise offense. Lost playing time to underclassmen his senior season.

Bottom Line Primarily a time­share linebacker who plays steady, but lacks the productivity NFL teams generally look for from draftable linebackers. On tape, his overall speed appears to fall below the acceptable border and he doesn’t thump well enough to make a living in the box. Sarao might need to make it into camp and impress with special teams ability to have a shot.

• Aaron Wallace, OLB, UCLA (EW) – 5th round to UDFA

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/aaron-wallace?id=2555320

Overview

Wallace didn’t get to experience a lot of his father’s professional career, as the former Oakland Raiders’ second-round pick left his job as an NFL linebacker when his son was only five years old. However, the younger Aaron obviously carries the family athleticism genes — though he didn’t really get to show his wares until his senior year with the Bruins. His senior year of high school was disappointing, as he couldn’t play due to torn ankle ligaments. After a redshirt year at UCLA, he played in 23 games as a reserve in 2012 and 2013, totaling eight tackles. Wallace saw the field a bit more regularly as a junior, starting one contest and making 19 tackles. He didn’t earn a starting job coming out of fall camp in 2015, but injuries in the linebacker corps gave him a chance, and he took advantage. Wallace garnered honorable mention All-Pac-12 credentials, making 65 stops, 12.5 for loss and seven sacks on the year, getting on NFL scouts’ radars.

Analysis

Strengths Well­-built with good muscular definition. Slightly pigeon-toed with explosive burst upfield to threaten tackles. Quick-­twitch athlete. Plus lateral quickness and good knee bend in his play. Has enough juice to be a true edge rusher. Can dip and trim the corner with a tight turn. Finished this season with seven sacks and 17 pressures despite playing less than 60 percent of the snaps. Holds a solid edge against tackles and has the strength and potential to own tight ends at point of attack. Shows agility in space to cover. Has experience as 3­-4 rush linebacker and 4­-3 WILL and SAM. Showed massive improvement over the course of the season. Was playing his best football at the end of the year.

Weaknesses One-year starter. His play is more thinking than reacting at this time. Lacks experience and instincts to cut it loose and play at full throttle. Needs to play fast all the time. Can learn to strike with more authority as a tackler. Will get fooled by play­-action and can be slow to find the ball after the mesh ­point. Technique needs work taking on split zone blockers and pulling guards. In need of more violent punch and shed approach to disengage. Must improve at leveraging his gap from 4­-3 looks.

Sources Tell Us “Completely different player from the BYU game to the USC game. He has some talent but he’s like a sophomore in terms of his linebacker instincts. I don’t know if that will change with experience or not.” — NFC West scout

Bottom Line Wallace is an ascending prospect with the twitch, athleticism and power to become an eventual starter as a 3­-4 outside linebacker. However, despite his growth as a player this season, he is still in a developmental phase and may take some seasoning before he is ready to become a contributor on the NFL level.

-Lance Zierlein

• Cory James, OLB, Colorado State (EW) – 7th round-udfa

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/cory-james?id=2555303

Overview

One of the more consistent playmakers in the country over the past four years, James has flown under the radar a bit playing in Fort Collins for the Rams. He received well-deserved recognition after his senior year, as Mountain West coaches voted him second-team All-Conference as he had double-digit tackles for loss (10 of 65 tackles, with two sacks) for the third time in four seasons as a starter. James was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (54 stops, 10.5 for loss, 7.5 sacks) and produced in both his sophomore (60 tackles, 12 for loss, eight sacks) and junior (51 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks) seasons.

Analysis

Strengths Used as an edge rusher in obvious passing downs during his time at Colorado State. Rushes with upfield burst and is able to dip and bend under the arc to attack the passer. Made switch to middle linebacker in this year and improved along the way. Athletic in space and accelerates into his tackles. Flashes awareness needed to weave under traffic and find running backs.

Weaknesses Raw with technique in the middles. Struggled to understand proper leverage to the sideline. Inconsistent in his play following a splash play with a mental mistake. Will make a wrong read and lose his run fit. Slow to drop into space in coverage. Needs to play with a decisive punch to stay separated from blockers and keep from being engulfed. Play strength is average.

Bottom Line James moved to middle linebacker this season, but that isn’t where he will be cast by NFL teams. James posted 15.5 sacks combined in 2013 and 2014 and has the flexibility and quickness that makes him an interesting edge rushing candidate. James isn’t consistent enough to warrant time on an NFL field yet, but his athleticism and potential to get after the passer gives him a puncher’s chance.

-Lance Zierlein

• Anthony Harrell, OLB, Florida (EW) – UDFA – not much info on Harrell, categorized as an inside LB by Florida State.

• V’Angelo Bentley, CB, Illinois (EW) – 7th round – udfa

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/vangelo-bentley?id=2555360

Overview

If Bentley was looking for a role model growing up, it didn’t take long to find one. His mother, Angela, served two tours in Afghanistan and retired from the Air Force after 25 years of service. The work ethic instilled in him showed up early in college, as he worked his way onto the field as a freshman (11 tackles, three pass breakups, blocked field goal). As a sophomore, Bentley started eight games at cornerback (22 tackles, four for loss, one interception) and led the Big Ten in punt return average with 15.8 yards per attempt. Bentley became the first player in Illinois football history to return a punt, kickoff, fumble, and interception for a touchdown after getting the first two in 2013 and the last two in 2014. He earned honorable mention accolades in 2014 (46 tackles, 3.5 TFL, one INT, 815 kick/punt return yards) and 2015 (54 tackles, three TFL, sack, 743 kick/punt return yards).

Analysis

Strengths Diverse talent. Only player in school history to score on a kick return, punt return, interception and fumble. Heavy, drag­-down tackler for his size. Allowed just one broken tackle and finished with 54 tackles on the season. Shows very good awareness to pre-snap movement and gets his secondary aligned with good communication. Actively attempts to redirect receivers in their routes from zone and sifts through combination routes quickly. Has some short area burst to the ball once he makes his read and fires forward. Has ability to challenge for a kick or punt return job early on.

Weaknesses Measured in shorter than expected at the Shrine Game. Can be mismatched from the slot by size. Doesn’t possess high end twitch in coverage. Feet have brief stall when trying to click and close from his backpedal. Gives away too much room to receivers in space. Lack of feel for routes and inability to spring forward instantly caused low interception and pass break up totals. Needs to do a better job of getting his head around and finding the football when it is in the air.

Bottom Line His lack of size is working heavily against him since he’ll have to move inside to the slot, but the fact that Bentley has value as a return man and is a competitive tackler against the run gives him a puncher’s chance to make a roster.

-Lance Zierlein

• Deon Bush, S, Miami (EW) – 7th-udfa

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1998305/deon-bush

Player Overview
Bush finished his junior season with 53 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, five passes defended and two interceptions, starting in 11 games.

He entered 2015 as one of the top safety prospects in the country, but battled injuries and inconsistency en route to finishing fifth on the team with 50 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack along with one interception and six pass break-ups.

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: A tall, rangy defensive back, Bush is a terrific athlete with the required length, physicality and ball-skills for the safety position at the NFL level. He is used all over the Hurricanes’ defense, giving scouts an opportunity to evaluate him as a blitzer, in run support, single high in coverage even dropping down to cover slot receivers.

Bush has a lean body type, but he’s not skinny and plays tougher than he looks, throwing his body around and delivering jarring hits to separate his target from the ball on defense and special teams (nine forced fumbles over his career). He light feet and fluid hips to change directions quickly and accelerates in a flash.

Bush has the instincts and range for the deep middle, reading the eyes of quarterbacks and erasing deep-ball opportunities. He locates the football well and times his leap to win contested passes.

WEAKNESSES: Bush needs to improve his route recognition in coverage and his break down skills while in motion vs. the run. He takes highly aggressive angles to the ball, leaving himself vulnerable to cutbacks. Too often is willing to leave his feet in pursuit of big collisions, occasionally whiffing entirely. A bit choppy in his backpedal and too often latches hold of receivers when asked to cover in man to man.

COMPARES TO: Dashon Goldson, Washington Redskins: Like the 6-2, 205-pound Goldson, Bush has the combination of closing speed, physicality and ball-skills every scouts is looking for. Their highly aggressive play, however, can also lead to critical mistakes.

IN OUR VIEW: Bush was considered one of the better seniors at his position over the summer, but his 2015 season was disappointing as he battled injuries and inconsistency. Whether it be in run support, protecting the middle against the pass or as a gunner on special teams, Bush is a heat-seeking missile with a knack for delivering monster hits.

He is a good size/speed athlete, who loves to fly around and hit, both on special teams coverages and from different levels of the defense. But his instincts and awareness aren’t ready for the NFL, finding himself out of position and playing out of control. Bush desperately needs positive pre-draft workouts to repair his damaged draft stock.

–Rob Rang and Dane Brugler (1/18/16)

• Clayton Fejedelem, FS, Illinois (EW) – UDFA

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/clayton-fejedelem?id=2555355

Analysis

Strengths Willing to come downhill and get it on in the running game. Willing worker from the box. Heads up form tackler who springs into his opponent’s chest. Finished with 140 tackles this season. When he’s near the ball, willing to attack catch point to disrupt the throw rather than just play for the post-catch tackle. Box safety who shows decent awareness of route development around him. Steady from zone coverage.

Weaknesses Stiff, box­-only safety without the man cover skills or footwork to be a consistent defender against the pass. Change of direction doesn’t always go smoothly in open field. Had 11 missed tackles in 2015. Needs to run feet through his tackles. Missing closing burst to make plays on throws and constrict throwing windows to NFL standards.

Bottom Line Very tough with the mindset teams are looking for from box safeties. Unfortunately, box safeties are being replaced by safeties with better cover talent and athleticism and that may be an issue for Fejedelem. He will need to ball out as a special-teamer and find a fit with a team who still employs box workers at safety.

-Lance Zierlein

• Shawn Oakman, DE/3-4DE, Baylor (SR) – 5th to UDFA

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/shawn-oakman?id=2555293

Overview

It doesn’t take long to find Oakman on the field, as his frame and No. 2 jersey stand out even among the Bears’ top competition. Considering the difficulties he had growing up (his late father out of the picture, his mother was a cocaine addict, tested positive for HIV and spent time in prison), it’s difficult to imagine how he’s made it this far. He almost lost his way during his redshirt season at Penn State, where he was kicked off the team after attempting to steal a sandwich from a campus cafeteria because he was out of meal credits. It was a bit of a surprise when the massive lineman decided to return to school for the 2015 season, as he likely would have been an early-round pick after recording 19.5 tackles for loss (11 sacks) as a junior. His production was down considerably in 2015 (14.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks), though Big 12 coaches still named him a second team all-conference selection. Oakman will be a polarizing figure in draft rooms across the league due to juxtaposition between his physique and production.

Analysis

Strengths One of the most long-­levered pro prospects you will ever see. Built like Adonis from the waist up with thunderous power in his hands. Able to create instant bull rush thanks to arm extension and explosive hips. Can bench press tackles to set a very strong edge. Has some 2-­gap ability when he plays square to the line of scrimmage and maintains a wider base. Incredible length puts him in position to make tackles when the ball drifts anywhere near him. Raw, but has tools and traits necessary to improve as a pass rusher if he puts the work in.

Weaknesses Body type of a praying mantis with well-built upper and skinny legs. Will always struggle with his high center of gravity. Must create more knee bend as part of his muscle memory reflex to improve his balance. His pass rush consists of bull rushing or bull rushing. Occasionally windmills hands to try and swat away punch to turn the corner but mostly ­bull rushing. Menacing power only evident in straight line. Doesn’t have leverage or lower body power to translate play strength throughout his movements. Upper body and lower body don’t seem coordinated.

Sources Tell Us “He’s going to get beat up but I’ll take a guy who has his size and power. Those guys make it in the league and they usually get better too. He’s not a pass rusher, he’s disruptive against the run. That is who you have to draft.” — AFC executive

NFL Comparison Earl Okine

Bottom Line While Oakman was the cause celebre of national media types after images of his tremendous upper body build emerged, he has always been more project than polish as a defensive end. While Oakman has limited upfield burst and no counters as a pass rusher, his length and ability to set a hard edge are no joke and his traits should get him drafted much higher than his tape warrants. Oakman could develop into a better pass rusher, but his lot may already be cast as a run­-stopping 3­-4 DE or 4-­3 base end.

Related Links – Oakman among biggest boom-or-bust prospects in 2016 draft
– Oakman eager to clear air on 2012 dismissal from Penn State

-Lance Zierlein

• David Onyemata, DT, Manitoba (EW) – 7th – udfa from Manitoba. Nobody scouts manitoba apparently cause there’s little information about the people from Manitoba. But, they do produce a daily fishing report.

• Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford (EW) – 5th – 6th round

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1996549/aziz-shittu

Player Overview

Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Sports a compact, athletic frame, with good overall weight distribution. Fires off the ball, showing an explosive burst to penetrate gaps when lined up inside at defensive tackle.

Asked to play all over Stanford’s defensive line, Shittu shows surprising anchor to hold up to double-teams, as well as the initial burst, agility and flexibility to evade blockers. Even when initially contained, Shittu’s light feet and active hands make him a nuisance. He chops his way through offensive linemen, showing a quick over-arm swim move and body control to “get skinny” and redirect.

Shittu has a terrific motor, chasing ballcarriers laterally and downfield in pursuit. He brings his hips as a hitter, arriving with a thud. Showed resiliency in bouncing back from a serious knee injury (and resulting surgery) in 2014 to enjoy a breakout senior season to cap his career. Viewed by some as an ascending prospect whose best football is still ahead of him.

WEAKNESSES: More of a jack of all trades, master of none type who lacks the length and fluidity preferred of an edge rusher as well as the mass and power to hold up inside as a traditional defensive tackle. Offers good core strength but lacks ideal bulk and anchor, overall.

Possesses relatively narrow shoulders and an already filled out frame, leaving him little room for additional weight gain. Suffered a serious knee injury (reportedly a torn ACL) in 2014, limiting him to just five games, and didn’t become a full-time starter until his fifth year at Stanford.

COMPARES TO: Vinny Curry, Philadelphia Eagles — Like Curry, Shittu possesses the burst, agility and motor to disrupt at the next level, perhaps projecting best as a three-technique defensive tackle in a traditional 4-3 alignment. However, his limited size and power is likely to leave him as more of a complementary threat rather than a featured starter – at least early in his career.

IN OUR VIEW: Different from previous Stanford defensive linemen in that his game is about quickness and penetration rather than length and strength, Shittu is a versatile and disruptive player who may be just scratching the surface of his talent. He sat behind future NFL picks Trent Murphy and Henry Anderson before emerging as a starter as a junior, only to have his 2014 season cut short by injury. He had hoped to return to Stanford for another season but saw his request for a sixth year of eligibility denied by the NCAA.

Shittu certainly left the Cardinal on a high note, recording eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks, against Iowa to earn Rose Bowl Defensive MVP honors.

–Rob Rang (1/18/16)