Marcus Gilbert Scouting Report

Marcus Gilbert

Height: 6’6
Weight: 330
College: Florida
40 Time: 5.41
Class: Senior
Stock:
Projected: 3rd-4th Round

Overview:

Marcus Gilbert is another mid-round tackle prospect that might be a better fit inside at guard. He’s strong and has a good anchor but he needs a lot of work on his technique. He has to use his hands better to be more effective and he plays with poor leverage at times. He will not be able to play left tackle in the NFL simply because he doesn’t have the footwork to do so.  His kick-slide is slow and lumbering and speed rushers would have a field day against him.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– Large frame
– Powerful tackle
– Strong anchor
– Gets off the line quickly
– Sets up quickly in pass pro
– Is a good drive blocker
– Shows flashes of a strong punch
– Has solid lateral agility
– Good cut blocker
– Has a good mean streak
– Can play guard or tackle
– High character player

Negatives

– Will struggle against speed rushers
– Has very slow feet and will get beaten around the edge
– A bit stiff and will have trouble with counter moves
– Uses his hands poorly and limits his effectiveness
– Plays with bad leverage and can get walked back into the QB
– Consistently misses at the second level
– Lunges into blocks too often
– Punch has to be more consistent
– Strictly a right tackle or guard

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Strength: 4.0
Pass Blocking: 2.0
Run Blocking: 2.5
Footwork: 2.0
Technique: 2.0
Mobility: 2.5
Mean Streak: 3.5
Pro Potential: 2.5

James Carpenter Scouting Report

James Carpenter

Height: 6’4
Weight: 321
College: Alabama
40 Time: 5.22
Class: Senior
Stock:
Projected: 2nd-3rd Round

Overview:

James Carpenter is another player whose stock went up after a solid showing at the Senior Bowl practices. He does somethings really well but he also needs a lot of work in some areas. He’s a good athlete and it shows in pass protection but at the same time he’s not great in that area and he’ll struggle with speed rushers. He shows flashes of being a good run blocker but he doesn’t show this consistently. Despite his athleticism he struggles when in space and generally whiffs on blocks. He does have nice upside as a right tackle or perhaps inside at guard, but he has some things to correct before he can be a starter.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– Has solid size to play at tackle or guard
– Good athlete
– Has a nice knee bend
– Good footwork and can definitely remain at tackle
– Has long arms and he does a good job of keeping defenders in front of him
– Does a good job of locking onto defenders
– Sustains his blocks well
– Capable of pushing defenders back when he plays with good leverage
– Does a good job of sealing the edge and down blocking
– Has a strong initial punch
– Great anchor
– Tough
– Hard worker

Negatives

– Lacks ideal foot speed to play left tackle
– Is slow off the line
– Allows defenders to get where they want and then fights an uphill battle
– Can overextend at times and bend at the waist
– Prone to counter and inside moves because he can’t react fast enough
– Struggles to hit defenders at the second level
– Too often gets off his initial block and whiffs in space
– Not exactly a mauler in the running game
– Limited to just a right tackle or guard

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Strength: 2.5
Pass Blocking: 2.5
Run Blocking: 3.0
Footwork: 3.0
Technique: 2.5
Mobility: 3.0
Mean Streak: 3.0
Pro Potential: 2.5

Jason Pinkston Scouting Report

Jason Pinkston

Height: 6’3
Weight: 317
College: Pittsburgh
40 Time: 5.28
Class: Senior
Stock:
Projected: 4th-5th Round

Overview:

Jason Pinkston is a bit of a project but flashes the potential to be a very good tackle or guard at the next level. He is very strong and possesses long arms. Once he locks onto you it’s pretty much over. However, he doesn’t always do this. He needs to place his hands better and keep his feet moving. Too many times he either whiffs on blocks or bends at the waist which allows defenders to easily escape out of his grasp. He shows flashes but he has to get coached up to be more consistent in the pros.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– Solid frame with good bulk
– 3 year starter
– Very strong
– Has a great punch
– Able to move defenders back once he locks on
– Has long arms
– Has a solid knee bend
– Comfortable in pass protection
– Has reasonably good feet to deal with most rushers
– Shows flashes of dominance as a run blocker
– Looks good moving in space
– Can get to the 2nd level
– Capable cut blocker
– Can play right tackle and guard

Negatives

– Shorter than average
– Technique is sloppy
– Struggles to sustain his blocks
– Leans into his blocks too much and defenders can easily slip off
– Will struggle with speed rushers
– Stops his feet too many times
– Misses far too many assignments
– Some question his ability to play tackle in the NFL
– Doesn’t seem to go 100% on some plays

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Strength: 4.0
Pass Blocking: 3.0
Run Blocking: 3.5
Footwork: 2.5
Technique: 2.0
Mobility: 3.0
Mean Streak: 3.0
Pro Potential: 3.0

Ben Ijalana Scouting Report

Ben Ijalana

Height: 6’4
Weight: 320
College: Villanova
40 Time: 5.35
Class: Senior
Stock: Up
Projected: 2nd Round

Overview:

Ben Ijalana might be this years best small school player. He has absolutely dominated at Villanova and has a lot of potential. He has great footwork and can mirror pass-rushers on the edge. He’s got a good, natural knee bend as well. He gets a great push in the run game because he’s strong and drives his feet. He still needs to work on his overall technique and there are some questions about where he will play in the NFL. He has the potential to play LT, so that alone puts him pretty high on teams draft boards.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– Good size
– Experienced player, started all 4 years
– Displays a natural knee bend
– Good athlete
– Moves his feet well
– Great lateral agility
– Looks good moving in space
– Nice initial punch
– Strong
– Plays with good leverage
– Drives his feet when run blocking
– Versatile, can play inside as well
– Good upside

Negatives

– Strength of competition is a big concern
– Below average height
– Plays with poor leverage at times
– Lacks a mean streak
– Needs to work on his technique a bit more

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Strength: 3.5
Pass Blocking: 3.5
Run Blocking: 4.0
Footwork: 3.5
Technique: 3.0
Mobility: 3.0
Mean Streak: 2.0
Pro Potential: 4.0

D.J. Young Scouting Report

D.J. Young

Height: 6’5
Weight: 298
College: Michigan State
40 Time: 5.35
Class: Senior
Stock:
Projected: 7th-FA

Overview:

D.J. Young isn’t much more than a developmental prospect, and he could be worth a flier in the late rounds because of that. He has only played on the OL for 2 years as he was a former NT at  Bowling Green. He has good size and is a decent run blocker because he plays low and has an outstanding motor. He isn’t as good in pass protection where his heavy feet hurt him and he takes a while to take away the edge rush. He will have severe problems with quicker guys at the next level. He could improve if he gets coached up and could be a decent reserve in the NFL.

Scouting Report:

Positives

– Good size
– Good lateral agility
– Does a good job of sticking with counter moves
– Plays with good leverage
– Not very strong but moves people with his relentless effort
– Decent run blocker
– Tremendous motor
– Will try to hit anyone in sight
– Still learning position, has some potential

Negatives

– Has only played OL for 2 years, converted NT
– Waist bender
– Struggles to sustain his blocks
– Lumbers in pass protection
– Heavy feet
– Doesn’t look good in space
– Needs to get stronger
– Hand placement is a problem, tends to hold defenders too much
– Lacks a good initial punch
– Very raw

Skills:
1-poor, 2-weak, 3-above average, 4-very good, 5-elite

Strength: 2.5
Pass Blocking: 2.0
Run Blocking: 2.5
Footwork: 2.0
Technique: 2.0
Mobility: 2.0
Mean Streak: 4.0
Pro Potential: 2.5