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Dane Bruglar on the prospects:
TYLER HIGBEE | Western Kentucky 6056|249 lbs|5SR Clearwater, Fla. (East Lake) 12/31/1992 (age 23) #89 GRADE 3rd-4th Round
MEASUREABLES Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 10 1/4 | Wingspan: 80 7/8 COMBINE N/A (injury; left knee)
PRO DAY N/A (positional drills only)BACKGROUND: A two-star wide receiver recruit out of high school, Higbee received two FBS-level scholarship offers, committing to Western Kentucky over Colorado State. He caught two passes for 92 yards as a true freshman receiver in 2011 before redshirting in 2012, making the transition to tight end. He started three games as a sophomore in 2013, recording 13 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown. Higbee started three games again in 2014 as a junior and posted 15 receptions for 230 yards and four touchdowns. Despite battling injuries, he had his most productive season as a senior in 2015 (eight starts), finishing with 38 catches for 563 yards and eight touchdowns, earning First Team All-CUSA honors. Higbee accepted his invitation to the 2016 Senior Bowl, but was forced to pull out due to injury.
STRENGTHS: Speed to threaten the seam with smooth acceleration…athleticism to catch the ball without breaking stride, creating YAC…soft hands and extends to snag, looking the ball into his large mitts…natural body control and coordination to adjust and complete inaccurate throws…displays savvy and quickness at the top of routes, showing little wasted motion…doesn’t allow defenders to slow him in his patterns…wins 50-50 balls due to body position and strength, absorbing contact and keeping his focus…competitive ballcarrier and barrels through contact…has committed himself to adding weight to his frame with growth potential to add more bulk…holds his own as a blocker, extending and looking to engage his target…can get on the perimeter and take out defenders…production has improved each season, including career-bests as a senior.
WEAKNESSES: Former wideout who is still developing the muscle on his frame…needs to tweak technical issues as a route runner, including depth and timing…more of a get-in-the-way blocker, lacking the upper body power or hand strength to latch-and-drive…limited core strength and inline hip snap – pops at contact, but doesn’t sustain…doesn’t always play as big as he looks at the catch point…allows the ball into his frame at times…needs to better secure the ball after the catch – two career fumbles…below average career production despite a pass happy offense and record-breaking quarterback…strong durability concerns, missing four games and parts of a several others as a senior due to a left knee sprain (Oct. 2015) – injury also kept him out for the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.
SUMMARY: A one-year starter, Higbee is a receiver-turned-tight end who steadily progressed over his career and emerged as an impact player in 2015 despite battling a knee issue most of the season. He has natural receiving traits with reliable focus and smooth athleticism to create mismatches down the field and between the hashes. Higbee lacks the prototypical bulk or strength to be a true inline blocker right now, but he has the physical temperament and frame to grow into that type of role. He has the tools to start in the NFL once he adds polish to his game, but the key to his evaluation is the health of his knee, which plagued him over the last six months – top-100 talent, who might last until day three due to the medical questions.
PHAROH COOPER | South Carolina 5111|203 lbs|3JR Havelock, N.C. (Havelock) 3/7/1995 (age 21) #11 GRADE 2nd Round
MEASUREABLES Arm: 32 1/4 | Hand: 09 1/8 | Wingspan: 75 COMBINE BP: 15 | VJ: 31 | BJ: 09’07”
PRO DAY 40-YD: 4.59 | 10-YD: 1.64BACKGROUND: A four-star athlete recruit out of high school, Cooper’s dream school was North Carolina, but because he didn’t have a “good feel” with the Tar Heels coaching staff, he spurned their recruitment and signed with South Carolina – arrived in Columbia as a safety before moving to receiver. He played in 11 games as a true freshman, spending most of his time on special teams as the featured kickoff returner. Cooper became a starting wide receiver as a sophomore in 2014 and had a breakout season with 69 catches for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns (all-career highs), earning First Team All-SEC honors. He produced similar numbers as a junior in 2015, leading the Gamecocks with 66 receptions for 973 yards and eight scores and again earning First Team All-SEC honors. Cooper elected to skip his senior season and enter the 2016 NFL Draft.
STRENGTHS: Good muscle tone and has worked hard to develop his physique…electric athlete with light feet and creative moves, showing the strong strides to accelerate and eliminate pursuit angles…hits top speed instantly with excellent plant-and-go movements in his routes, not losing any speed in his breaks…smoothly changes directions without slowing down, allowing him to work back to the ball and separate in his patterns…terrific vision as a ballcarrier and follows blocks well…quick hands and reliable ballskills to be a catch-and-go threat…very good focus to pluck poor throws without breaking stride…high degree of toughness over the middle and doesn’t allow impending contact to spook him…plays his butt off each snap and never goes half speed…versatile offensive threat in college with a lot of direct snaps, averaging 7.2 yards per rush (71/513/4) and completing 56% of his passes (9-for-16/118/4)…offers return experience on special teams, averaging 4.7 yards per punt return (36/170/0) and 22.4 yards per kickoff return (16/359/0)…humble character, high-effort worker and very coachable…comes from a disciplined background, growing up in a military family – grandfather and father were Marines and his brother is currently serving in the Marines.
WEAKNESSES: Ordinary height and length for the position, limiting his catch radius…better play speed than timed speed…wasn’t asked to run a sophisticated route tree in college and still learning the nuances at the stem of patterns…will have some double-catches and needs to do a better job tracking over his shoulder…will hold the ball loose and away from his body, leading to ball security concerns – seven career fumbles…inconsistent on-the-move efficiency as a blocker, showing effort to deliver pop, but struggles to sustain…high volume of touches in college led to physical collisions, limping off the field several times on film – wore a heavy brace due to a sprained left knee (Sept. 2015).
SUMMARY: A two-year starter, Pharoh Cooper (named after the Egyptian kings) was a do-everything weapon for the Gamecocks’ offense the last two seasons, overcoming poor quarterback play to earn First Team All-SEC honors as a sophomore and junior – lined up mostly as an inside and outside receiver, but also took snaps at quarterback and running back. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, displaying the play speed, elusive cuts and start/stop movements to create on his own and generate separation as a route-runner. Despite only average size, Cooper doesn’t worry about contact and is always working to get open, never taking a play off. A similar prospect as Randall Cobb out of Kentucky, Cooper is a superb talent and person who will contribute in the NFL as a rookie – second round prospect who can be a jack-of-all-trades for an offense.
12. TEMARRICK HEMINGWAY | South Carolina St. 6047|244 lbs|5SR Loris, S.C. (North Myrtle Beach) 7/30/1993 (age 22) #81
GRADE 6th-7th Round
MEASUREABLES Arm: 34 | Hand: 10 | Wingspan: 81
COMBINE 40-YD: 4.71 | 10-YD: 1.67 | 20-YD: 2.76 | BP: 18 | VJ: 30.5 | BJ: 09’07” | SS: 4.31 | 3C: 6.88 PRO DAY N/ABACKGROUND: A no-star wide receiver recruit, Hemingway grew up in a small town and weighed only 180-pounds out of high school, causing him to go under- recruited by FBS programs. He received several FCS-level offers and committed to South Carolina State, redshirting in 2011. Hemmingway saw action as a true freshman in 2012 (two starts) and recorded 11 catches for 164 yards and one touchdown. He saw his playing time increase as a sophomore, recording 26 receptions for 223 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Hemingway started 11 games as a junior in 2014 and earned First Team All-MEAC honors with 18 catches for 251 yards and one score. He started every game as a senior in 2015 and finished with 38 receptions for 418 yards and one touchdown, earning First Team All-MEAC and All-American honors. Hemingway accepted his invitation to the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Skyscraper with arms and projectable frame…uses his reach to extend and highpoint, climbing the ladder…big-bodied target to split defenders and manipulate the middle of the field – consistently beat linebackers between the hashes with his whip routes on film…long, fluid strides to accelerate off the line of scrimmage and threaten the seam…flexible lower body to make strong cuts and create separation at the stem…smooth route-runner, using patience and body fakes to sell patterns…stabs at the catch point, not allowing traffic to alter his focus…good pop at initial contact as a blocker…worked hard to develop his frame, adding 60+ pounds since arriving at South Carolina State…All-American senior season and graduated with a degree in business administration (Dec. 2014)…focused, well- respected individual and earned the 2015 Walter Payton Achievement Award, which is given to the student-athlete in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge who best shows character and team spirit.
WEAKNESSES: Lean-limbed and lacks prototypical thickness and build for the position…one-gear athlete and lacks variety in his routes…most of his patterns were within seven yards of the line of scrimmage and didn’t give the secondary much to worry about on film…picks and chooses his aggressiveness at the catch point…not doing much after contact as a ballcarrier – doesn’t run as big as he looks…holds the ball too loose, leading to fumbles…upright blocker and struggles to sustain…late to recognize blocking angles and gain proper positioning…below average career production, especially in the end zone with only two combined touchdowns the last two seasons.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at South Carolina State, Hemmingway was used as a versatile “Y” tight end and lined up inline, wing and in the slot, running mostly short-to-intermediate routes. He shows the fluid athleticism and patience in his patterns to create separation against linebackers, making a living between the hashes. Hemmingway has long vines for arms and uses his size to out-rebound the ball, but needs to consistently play up to his size and match the physicality of defenders attacking the ball. Although incredibly raw in several areas, Hemmingway is an intriguing size/speed athlete with upside to secure a NFL roster spot if given time to develop his power and mental toughness – day three developmental tight end in the mold of Ladarius Green.
JOSH FORREST | Kentucky 6031|249 lbs|5SR Paducah, Ky. (Tilghman) 2/24/1992 (age 24) #45
GRADE 6th Round
MEASUREABLES Arm: 33 1/2 | Hand: 09 1/2 | Wingspan: 81 5/8
COMBINE 40-YD: 4.88 | 10-YD: 1.69 | 20-YD: 2.83 | BP: 11 | VJ: 30.5 | BJ: 09’10” PRO DAY 40-YD: 4.83 | 10-YD: 1.74 | 20-YD: 2.80 | SS: 4.38 | 3C: 7.53BACKGROUND: A three-star tight end recruit out of high school, Joshua “Josh” Forrest committed to Kentucky as a wide receiver over Central Florida and redshirted for the Wildcats in 2011. Prior to the 2012 season, he switched from receiver to linebacker and tallied 13 tackles as a redshirt freshman, mostly on special teams. Forrest played in all 12 games as a sophomore in 2013 and gained more experience on defense with 16 tackles and his first career interception. He earned the starting middle linebacker job as a junior in 2014 (12 starts) and led the team with 110 tackles, adding 8.0t tackles for loss, four passes defended and two interceptions. Forrest again started all 12 games and led the team with 93 tackles as a senior, finishing with 6.0 tackles for loss, seven passes defended and two interceptions. He accepted his invitation to the 2016 Senior Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Tall, angular athlete with a frame that can be molded…terrific play range and flies to the ball, arriving with violent intentions…unlocks his hips with patient eyes to mirror ballcarriers…aggressive downhill angles and timing to shoot through the line of scrimmage and make plays in the backfield…physical mindset and looks to mix things up…squares well in the middle of the field to make stops…wide receiver ballskills, showing the tracking ability to adjust, drive and finish interceptions…turns into a playmaker after the interception, averaging 30.4 yards per return with two touchdowns (5/152/2)…two career blocked kicks on special teams coverages (one field goal, one punt)…graduated with a degree in community and leadership development…productive senior captain, starting every game the last two seasons.
WEAKNESSES: Very raw instinctively and often caught guessing and freelancing…wild pursuit angles and doesn’t see blockers, choosing to go the long way in order to avoid contact…upright play style and high center, causing limitations moving laterally…hyper-focused on what is happening in the backfield and loses receivers and tight ends in zone coverage – reacts, doesn’t anticipate…high tackler and too much of a hugger due to his tall pad level…late coming to balance on the move to break down and finish moving targets…streaky take-on effort, playing soft and not effectively using his length…jolted by blockers and too easily moved from his spot…doesn’t play through the whistle, giving up on plays too quickly.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter, Forrest earned the starting middle linebacker role as a junior and started every game there the past two years, leading the Wildcats in tackles both seasons. He didn’t play football until his junior year in high school and started his Kentucky career at wide receiver so his linebacker instincts are still in the development phase, lacking the anticipation or break down skills to play with desired consistency. Forrest is rangy vs. the run and plays faster than he timed, showing playmaking savvy when the ball is thrown in his area, but he is often late to react and gives up more plays than he makes in coverage. His raw traits and flashes on film are intriguing, but he is nothing more than a possible special teamer right now until his play anticipation catches up – some teams have worked him out as an edge rusher.
MIKE THOMAS | Southern Miss 6010|197 lbs|4SR Chicago, Ill. (DuSable) 8/16/1994 (age 21) #88
GRADE 4th-5th Round
MEASUREABLES Arm: 31 7/8 | Hand: 09 1/4 | Wingspan: 76 1/2
COMBINE N/A (not invited)
PRO DAY 40-YD: 4.53 | 10-YD: 1.59 | 20-YD: 2.61 | BP: 16 | VJ: 36 | BJ: 10’11” | SS: 4.29 | 3C: 7.06BACKGROUND: A no-star wide receiver recruit, Michael “Mike” Thomas’ was known for basketball, not football, in high school and he went vastly under-recruited despite gaudy production. He started at nearby College of Dupage in 2012 before transferring to Dodge City Community College in Kansas for the 2013 season. Thomas was a two-star JUCO recruit and transferred to Southern Miss over Minnesota. He didn’t join the team until late in the summer so he was behind learning the offense as a junior in 2014, starting nine games and posting 41 catches for 592 yards and five scores to earn All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors. Thomas emerged as a legitimate NFL prospect as a senior in 2015 (13 starts), leading the team with 71 receptions for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns to earn First Team All-CUSA honors. He accepted his invitation to the 2016 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Adequate height and length for the position…fleet-of-foot athlete with lower body flexibility…excellent footwork to sell and create separation in/out of breaks…runs his routes with tempo and timing, using subtle moves at the stem…catches the ball well in stride to be a consistent YAC target…smooth body control and muscle twitch to make acrobatic adjustments on the ball…quick hands to stab the ball away from his frame…attacks anything in his zip code with springs in his legs and steady focus…locked-in competitor and always alert, never taking a play off – worked his tail off to have a chance at the NFL…returned kicks at Southern Miss, averaging 22.8 yards per return with one career touchdown (41/936/1)…above average production as a senior, setting a new school-record for single-season receiving yards (1,391) and touchdown grabs (14).
WEAKNESSES: Pipe cleaner frame with skinny limbs and lean lower body…lacks the body strength to cleanly fight through press coverage…leggy routes and needs to sharpen his technique…focus at the catch point runs hot-and-cold, running before securing or bracing for impending contact – more double-catches that you want to see on film…struggles in 50-50 situations, lacking the girth to out-muscle defenders…can be overwhelmed as a blocker…needs to develop his acumen of coverages and concepts…only two season at the FBS-level, lacking ideal experience…lean frame leads to durability concerns, missing one game as a senior and parts of several others due to minor injuries.
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Southern Miss, Thomas spent his junior season adjusting to the FBS and learning the playbook, setting up a breakout senior season as the starting “X” receiver and one of the top statistical wideouts in the country – led the nation in receiving yards per catch (19.6) among receivers with at least 63 catches in 2015. He moves fast and bursts off his plant foot to create room to work and be a threat after the catch. Thomas is fazed by traffic and his skinny body type gives teams pause that he’ll be able to hold up long-term, but his skill-set and competitive drive are worth betting on – one of the highest rated Combine snubs in this draft class and worthy of mid-round consideration.
…he’d be lying flat on the floor throwing a tennis ball at the ceiling — trying to get it as high as he could without actually hitting the ceiling.
Goff is my kindred spirit. I’m pretty sure that I invented that pastime.
they have guys open, they have people running wide open at times
I listened to the first round on Sirius nfl radio. When talking about the rams QB situation in 2015 Jim Miller referenced the Bears game which he worked as part of the Bears broadcast team. Miller said that he saw Rams receivers running open numerous times during that game, but Foles was unable to connect.
BTW, I say this every year, but nfl radio’s coverage of the draft is top notch. I’ve recorded both espn and the nfl network’s coverage and will watch later. However, usually both networks pale in comparison when it comes to the draft.
Ourlads (Shonka et al) on Goff
Junior entry. Three-year starter from Kentfield, CA. First-team All Pac-12. Plays in the QB friendly pitch and catch spread “Air Raid” offense. A drop back passer from the shotgun who has good arm strength and knows his way around the pocket. Throws the ball on time and on target with good accuracy over his career. The lanky underclassman helped revitalize the Golden Bear program that had fallen on hard times by starting 37 straight games after hitting the field as a true freshman. The two-time team captain will look the rush pressure in the eye and make the clutch pass. Reacts well to pressure. Knows where he wants to go with the ball and throws the receiver open with good accuracy and timing. Keeps his eyes down the field. No pause in the pocket. GOod pocket presence and feel. Reads progressions. Keeps his feet hot and throws before the receiver is breaks open. Does a good job of changing ball speed and trajectory over the top of defenders. Good ball placement. THe receiver doesn’t have to wait on the ball and is hit in stride to give him a change to run after the catch. A quick snap wrist release with velocity. Steps, throws, and completes passes through small windows in tight areas. At his best when the protection is solid and he can step towards his target and throw. Majors in carving up a defense with short ball control passes from 6-10 yards. Spreads the ball around to multiple receivers who rotate into the huddle in a variety of sub packages. Can make the key throws rolling to his left. Will need to work on his 3-5 and 7-step drops to the trowing point from under center. Goff never played under centre and defense looks a whole lot different when dropping back and making your reads rather than seeing the field from a shotgun formation. The angular passer set 26 Cal records including career marks for passing yards (12 220), passing yards per game (329.7), and touchdown passes (96). He also set a pair of Pac-12 single season records in his final year at Cal when passed for 4719 yards and 43 scores. An eventual starter with the talent to contribute early in his career. As an added bonus, Goff as a pooch punter is a major weapon.
From Dane Brugler:
3rd Round gradeMEASUREABLES Arm: 31 | Hand: 09 5/8 | Wingspan: 74 1/4
COMBINE 40-YD: 4.50 | 10-YD: 1.59 | 20-YD: 2.63 | BP: 14 | VJ: 35.5 | BJ: 10’00”BACKGROUND: A four-star wide receiver recruit, Carroo grew up five miles from the Rutgers campus and wanted to be a part of the program’s rise – helped convince five-star high school teammate Darius Hamilton to join him at Rutgers. After playing the 2012 season on special teams, he started three games as a sophomore in 2013 and recorded 28 catches for 478 yards and nine scores. Carroo had a breakout season as a junior in 2014 with a team-best 55 receptions for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. His senior season was derailed by injuries and other issues, but he still led the team with 39 catches for 809 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning team offensive MVP honors and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. Carroo accepted his invitation to the 2016 Senior Bowl.
STRENGTHS: Well-strapped together build with thick muscle tone for the position – doesn’t skip workouts and takes care of his body…coordinated footwork off the line of scrimmage and in his patterns…deliberate routes to plant-and-go in his breaks…understands timing to bait and force defensive backs to commit their hips…strong hands-catcher, looking the ball into his mitts…tracks well with athletic body control to smoothly adjust to throws…gains leverage and uses his body at the catch point, winning 50-50 balls…tough over the middle and plays fearless…balanced and physical as a ballcarrier…works back to the ball and made plays at every level of the defense on film…aggressive open-field blocker…experienced on special teams, including two career blocked punts…voted a senior captain and greatly supported in the locker room – persistent worker and lead-by-example type…productive career stats, including the school record for touchdown receptions (29) – five career games with at least three touchdown grabs.
WEAKNESSES: Ordinary height and short arms…not an explosive player and lacks the twitch to instantly burst or accelerate away from defenders…will round off some patterns and too predictable on in-breaking routes due to tight ankles…good, not great, deep speed, and lacks a fifth gear vertically…room to improve his locating ability and instincts vs. zone coverage…jam technique requires work…engages as a blocker, but needs to be a better finisher…durability was an issue as a senior, missing two games due to a high right ankle sprain (Oct. 2015); also missed the Senior Bowl due to an ankle injury (Jan. 2016)…personal character needs investigated with a fine tooth comb after he was suspended indefinitely (Sept. 2015) following an altercation outside the team facilities between him and a former girlfriend – charged with simple assault, but the case was dismissed after the alleged victim dropped the claims.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Rutgers, Carroo emerged as the Scarlet Knights go-to target the last two seasons and lined up both outside and in the slot, becoming the first Rutgers player to earn back-to-back All-Big Ten honors – played under four different offensive coordinators in four years, each implanting different pro style schemes. He is a one-note runner and doesn’t play with much burst or fluidity, but he understands how to set up and manipulate his routes. Carroo prefers to attack with his mitts and his best trait is his powerful hands at the catch point, winning contested situations and playing a physical brand of football. If his off-field checks out, Carroo projects as one of the top-five senior wide receiver prospects in the 2016 class and a player who will fight for a starting job in his first few years in the NFL.
I would very much prefer Wentz. However, I am now convinced that it will be Goff. The mystery is over for me. I am spending the next 12 days scouring the internet for Goff draft profiles and only reading the “Strengths” sections. I need to sell myself on Goff.
Here’s what Dane Brugler has to say about Goff’s strengths:
STRENGTHS: Good height for the position with the body type to add weight and fill out…outstanding feet, set-up quickness and release, displaying the lower body mechanics to easily come to balance and throw in rhythm – terrific pocket presence to float from pressure with his eyes downfield and buy extra half seconds…climbs the pocket with controlled steps…fundamentals don’t break down when the play does and capable of the correct spontaneous decision…cerebral passing instincts with a strong understanding of anticipation and timing, throwing receivers open…very good self-evaluator and learns from his mistakes…quick trigger and spins a pretty ball with the velocity to drive it and make all the necessary throws…improved eye use to hold defenders, keep the middle of the field open…very good placement to give his receivers a chance to catch-and-go with the touch to deliver tight-windowed throws between levels of the defense…sees the field well pre-snap to get a head start on his progressions…patient to work through his reads, feeling the rush, not looking at the rush…has the stones to stay tough in the pocket even with the hit coming…improved recognition skills pre-snap to identify pressures and find the hot route on blitzes…not a statue, showing enough athleticism to move the pocket and pick up yards as a rusher…trusts his teammates with a steady demeanor regardless of down-and-distance or what the scoreboard says – played behind a spotty offensive line and with receivers who had high drop rates…effective pooch punter, averaging 37.7 yards per punt (12/452), including six inside the opponents’ 20-yard line…two-year team captain (voted by his teammates) – ultra-reserved and laid back personality…athletic bloodlines – father (Jeff) was an All- American baseball catcher at Cal and played seven seasons in MLB (1990-96)…started every game the last three seasons (37 career starts)…rewrote the Cal record book and holds 26 school records, including career passing yards (12,200), touchdown passes (96) and completions (977) – only the second Pac-12 passer to throw 3,000+ yards in each of his first three collegiate seasons.
Both Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan prefer Wentz to Goff for the Rams. It seems like the majority of former football guys prefer Wentz. Conversely, media insiders like Schefter and Silver seem to be hearing that it’s mostly likely going to be Goff, or at least they seem to believe that it will be Goff.
Goff’s slight frame worries me. Kirwan also commented on Goff’s lack of size on ‘Moving the Chains’ today. Conversely, Drew Boylhart doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue.
@TheRamsFan No not at all. As long as he gets rid of the ball like any QB & doesn't take a lot of hits he'll be fine. I mean look at Romo!
— Drew Boylhart (@DrewBoylhart) April 16, 2016
