| February 10, 2006 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 01:15 AM |
BillsZone.com takes a look at the players available in the 2006 NFL Draft and how they fill the needs of the Buffalo Bills. This week, we take a look at offensive guards.
QB- RB - FB - WR- TE - C - G -OT - DT - DE - OLB - ILB - CB - S
Max Jean-Gilles is a very versatile player who has started at both guard and tackle at Georgia and could be used at either guard or tackle in the NFL. He has great size and quick feet for a player of his stature. Jean-Gilles is a monster of a player and a guy with great work ethic and a regular in the weight room. He has a wide wingspan, long arms and mammoth frame. Has good initial quickness for his size. Despite his bulk, he moves surprisingly well. He is dominant as a run blocker, locking onto a defensive tackle or end and driving him straight downfield. Jean-Gilles has tremendous strength, but also understands how to use leverage and angles to defeat his opponent. He is a massive mauler with the size, strength and toughness to immediately contribute as a road-grading run blocker in the NFL.
It's not just because run blocking is his strength that he's better suited at tackle; it's his lack of standout agility. It's good for a guard, but average for a tackle. So a move inside to guard is inevitable. Jean-Gilles also needs to watch his weight. He has the tendency to get a little heavy and it slows down his mobility even more. His weight fluctuation over the last three years is also reason for concern. If he wants to work at it in the NFL he has the physical tools to develop into a dominating starter, but the team that takes a chance on Jean-Gilles also runs a risk of him cashing it in once he starts to collect paychecks. As a guard, he will be the top selection at the position by far. Unless the Buffalo Bills trade down, don’t expect the Bills to take him. He will go in the middle to later half of round one.
Even though he has only played D1 football for two years, Lutui has shown NFL talent. Now that he is at his natural guard spot, Lutui has shown flashes of dominance. Lutui is versatile, being successful at two positions at the highest level of college football. His biggest strength is obviously his size and strength. Deuce is absolutely massive who is a chore to get around, and can flat out dominate in the running game. He’s one of the biggest OL prospects in the 2006 class. He has rare overall size; is a tall, wide-body with massive bulk. He will engulfs defenders.
He has quick feet in the short area for his size, but his speed is marginal. The more space he's in the less effective he becomes. He carries around too much weight and becomes sluggish as games wear on. He has trouble getting to the second level in time as a downfield run blocker. If he keeps his weight in check, he could be a great right guard at the next level. Even though he was successful at tackle in college, he will not play there in the NFL, aside from as an injury replacement. He doesn’t have the athletic skills to play out there full time. “Deuce” needs to have his weight monitored because he can pack on a little too much at times. He weighed 380 pounds when he came to USC. He has lost 40 pounds since then and needs to continue to keep his weight down in the future. Taitusi Lutui has a good deal of upside and should develop into a very good guard at the professional level. He has a chance to be a first day pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Could be a reach for Buffalo with the round 2 selection- would be ideal for the Bills in round 3.
Joseph is the ideal guard. He is strong and is a very good run blocker. He can dominate at the point of attack and open up massive holes in the running game. Davin also shows the athleticism and ability to block on the move. As a pass blocker, he displays the quickness and footwork to keep his quarterback on his feet. He has a great deal of experience, having started over three seasons against top competition in the big 12. Davin has proven to be a very durable player, having only missed one start since the big 12 championship in 2002. He is an aggressive player who possesses the “mean streak” you like to see in an offensive lineman. Joseph can still improve his technique, but he is a hard-working and coachable player who should continue to improve if coached well at the next level. Otherwise, Joseph has very few flaws. He is a wide-bodied, long-armed, strong, athletic and nasty guard prospect.
Joseph looked out of position at LT and was shuffled around all year do to inconsistency and injury along the Sooner O-Line. Joseph's footwork was sloppy at times this season and seemed to take plays off. . He does a good job of picking up the blitz, but needs to work on his ability to get to the second level in the running game. He doesn’t always block well in space and he has trouble at times when asked to pull. His shortcomings at tackle are not as important at guard, where he is a standout NFL prospect. Joseph will be moved back to OG in the NFL. Joseph should quickly develop into a good starter in the NFL, which is why he is worth considering early to mid second round of the 2006 NFL draft.
Charles Spencer is a versatile player who began as a reserve defensive tackle at Pitt. Moved to offensive tackle and guard and became a top starter on the offensive line. He is a late-bloomer with loads of upside. Has a good frame and great bulk. Is well built and powerful. Shows quick feet and is a good athlete for the position. He fires out quickly in the running game. Is a better run blocker than pass protector at this point, but has upside and continues to improve in pass pro. Shows long arms, quick feet and powerful initial punch in pass protection.
Raw and needs development since he doesn't have a lot of experience on offense, he is still learning how to play on the offensive line and needs to continue to improve his technique. Although he played left tackle as a senior, Spencer really struggled against speed rushers and would be better suited to play guard at the professional level. He doesn't always see the blitz or stunt coming in time. Needs to learn to play with more consistent leverage in order to avoid lunging as much as he does. Charles Spencer has a lot of upside as an interior offensive lineman in the draft and has a chance to be a late first day or early second day pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Depending on what the Bills go with early in the draft, he could be an option in round 4 if he’s still there.
For the past three years, Setterstrom started all 38 games that he has played in at Minnesota. He is an extremely athletic player for an offensive lineman who blocks well on the move. He is one of the best pulling guards in the nation and does a good job of blocking in space. Setterstrom is a great technician. He sets up off the snap quickly and doesn’t let defenders get into his body. He loves to engage inside and will battle for the full 60 minutes. Setterstrom is as tough as they come on the OLine. He also displays solid agility and athleticism to block on the move. As one half of the best interior line in the country, Setterstorm will start at LG. During his time at Minnesota, Setterstrom has proven to be an extremely durable player, having not missed a single start in his four years as a starter. He is a tough, hard working player who plays hard on every single down. Has great intelligence, sees the field well and often will throw a second block after his intial one. Tends to play his best games against the best opposition. Communicates well with teammates. His coaches loved his positive, "go get 'em" attitude.
Minnesota’s offensive line relies on a zone blocking scheme, (similar to the Denver Broncos) so they like their lineman to rely more on their agility than brute strength. So their top lineman tend to be on the light side. He can be pushed around and beaten in one on one situations with larger lineman.. Coming from a run-oriented offense, Setterstrom may need to work on his pass protection technique. If Setterstrom can add some weight to his frame, he would be one of the elite guard prospects in the draft. How much he can add before April will determine where he goes in the draft. Due to his size alone, won't go till the middle rounds. If he bulks up, he could be a steal for the team drafting him. The combination of his intelligence and excellent run blocking makes him an intriguing possibility. Could be a fixture for a long time if he catches on.
Jason Spitz is a versatile interior O-lineman who has had experience at every interior offensive line position at Louisville, and who projects as a possible backup at both OG and OC in the NFL. He’s the type who does everything well but nothing great and what you see if basically what you get. He has starting potential and at the very least should provide value as a backup on the interior. He may remind Buffalo Bills fans of Justin Geisinger. Is a versatile, tough and efficient. Jason has very good intangibles—He is an intelligent player, a hard worker, and a vocal leader in the locker room and on the o-line. He has a good mental capacity and continues to improve with more experience. Shows adequate size and the frame to add a little bit more bulk. Plays with a bit of an attitude and nasty demeanor. He takes very good angles in the running game and is a fist-fighting type who will battle until the whistle. He's a better run blocker than pass protector, but he does show good awareness and upper body strength in pass protection. He is quick out of his stance, uses his hands well, and can be a dominating run blocker at times.
He did miss a few games due to a knee injury as a freshman, but other than that he has been a very durable player over the past few seasonsJason needs to improve his pass blocking in order to become a more complete player at the professional level. He isn’t a great athlete and he struggles when forced to block in space or on the move. He also could benefit from adding some bulk and he has the frame in which to do so. Jason Spitz isn’t likely to be a pro bowl caliber player; however he does have the ability to develop into a solid starter for years to come. He looks like an early second day selection in the 2006 NFL draft. May find his niche as a center in the NFL. If the Bills are still looking for a center- he may get their interest on day 2.
Boothe was a man amongst boys playing in the Ivy League last season. He has exactly the size and strength today’s NFL scouts look for in the offensive line. While he played left tackle at Cornell, he projects out to be a top notch reserve guard and tackle in the NFL. He possesses outstanding overall size, good overall strength, has long arms and massive hands, and possesses a powerful upper body. He isn't satisfied just to beat his opponents, he wants to dominate them. Shows the ability to drive defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage, and is a strong, powerful, aggressive and tough run blocker. Is quick and shows adequate agility in the short area. Takes good angles as a run blocker. Exhibits excellent quickness and good feet. Equally effective as both a run and pass blocker. His versatilty extends to experience at right tackle, left tackle and guard. Should work out well due to his combination of size, strength , & speed. A hard worker and tough competitor. Is intelligent and picks up new schemes and techniques quickly. May struggle to handle the speed rushers he will see in the NFL
The biggest knock on Boothe is the level of competition he faced. Scouts will only have his performance against Division 1 talent at the East-West Shrine game to gauge his skills against top level opponents. He is a diamond in the rough if he can match the competition. He has proven to be a versatile lineman throughout his collegiate career and could serve as a swingman type at the next level, but Boothe projects best as a guard in the NFL. There are obviously questions regarding his level of competition coming from the Ivy League, which is why Boothe is a bit of an enigma right now. If he proves himself against better competition in an all-star game and impresses during post-season workouts, Boothe could elevate his draft stock into the latter stages of day 1. If the Buffalo Bills are looking for an instant starter, don’t hold your breath. But if they like his upside and growth potential, and are willing to groom him- he would be worth a second day pick- somewhere in the 5th or 6th round.
Matua is leaving USC early due to economic pressures and the health of his mother. Had he stayed one more season he would have been a top prospect – taken as early as the second round. He also played in the shadow of one of the most talented lines in college football, with first round pick OT Winston Justice and top prospect OG Deuce Lutui playing next to him. He has great feet and is a real warrior he is technically sound and has a nasty streak 1/2 a mile wide. He still has the D-Line mentality though he play's offense, as he was recruited as a 285-pound defensive lineman out of high school. He plays OG like a NT, which is usually a good thing but he will overextend and get over his toes occasionally, but generally he is very sound. One major concern is his history of injury. A broken leg in high school cost him his senior season, and he’s been hampered with knee and leg injuries during his USC career. He has tremendous upside and physical skills, he just lacks total experience.
Sims played primarily as a backup at left tackle during his first three seasons at Ohio State. As a senior in 2005, he moved inside to left guard as a fulltime starter. Is a much better fit at guard than at the tackle spot. A mauler-type OG prospect with good bulk and natural strength. He has strong hands and does a good job of locking on. Has become consistent, dependable and technically sound. He has developed into a technically sound and efficient pass blocker. He works hard to finish as a run blocker. Takes good angles and is a wide-body that will engulf smaller defenders. Has experience, with 40 starts in 48 career games.
Has let his weight go at times and will look sluggish. Wears down quickly and must improve stamina. He possesses good size and is naturally strong, but he does not play with explosive power or finish off blocks as well as his weight-room strength would indicate. The more space he's in the less effective he becomes. He will have some trouble against top speed rushers who get him to over-extend. He typically stays balanced in short areas but he lacks the athleticism to set deep quickly and then redirect back inside. Furthermore, there's a sense that Sims' work ethic is not up to par, which has led to his failure to meet expectations. Lacks ideal height at OT and likely will need to move inside in the NFL. Will be a mid to late day two draft pick.
Durability has been a problem for him in the past, as he missed time in 2003 and 2004 with injuries. Has marginal speed and below average athletic ability. The more space he is in the less effective he becomes. He will have trouble reaching the second level and hitting the moving target as a run blocker in the NFL. A lineman with both size and growth potential, Allen plays with excellent intelligence and tenacity. Marginally athletic, he does the little things well and could backup in the right NFL system. Possesses good overall size. Is well built and has adequate strength. Takes good angles in the running game. He typically gets great positioning and can win most battles in the phone booth as a run blocker. Anchors in pass protection and strong in his upper body. Rarely gives up an inch of room. Turns opponents off the line when put in motion. Easily rides defenders from their angle of attack. Works hard to finish off defenders. Displays awareness. Very efficient and technically sound. He also possesses has to size, long arms and awareness to hold up in the short area in pass pro.
However, Allen's NFL ceiling will always be limited by his lack of athleticism and explosive power. Durability will also be a draft-day cause for concern. Allen projects as a possible NFL starter but most likely will serve as a versatile interior lineman reserve, which is why he grades out as an middle Day 2 prospect. Might be a decent Jim McNally type player if he’s on the board in the 6th or 7th round.
The typical Michigan lineman, Lentz’s biggest asset is his attitude. He’s surly, he’s tough, and he’s strong. You will not outwork on him on the field. He displays the ability to lock on to the defender in the running game and drive him out of the play. Lentz is also strong enough and keeps good balance to keep his man from penetrating in the passing game. Knows the angles in the running game and does a great job with his first step. Shows a powerful upper body and the ability to jar defenders with his hand punch. A fist-fighter type who will play through the whistle. He shows long arms and the ability to control most pass rushers with his upper body strength. He can anchor vs. the bull rush so long as he gets lot out of his stance and sets with good leverage. He is efficient and technically sound. Leads by example and is a classic blue-collar interior lineman. Very agile for a big guy, and always finishes his blocks. Pulls well and can hunt down defenders on the second level.
Lentz just lacks the standout athleticism skills to be a big time prospect. He can be beat off the snap by quicker interior lineman, and does not adjust to counter moves very well. .He will never be a dominant starter in the NFL and he does not offer a lot of promise as a versatile backup (at the tackles) either. At the very least, though, Lentz should develop into a good backup at both OG positions in the NFL and he's the type of high-character, hard-working reserve that NFL teams should want on the bottom half of their roster. Lentz fits best in a system that reduces his area assignments. Also has potential at center. As such, Lentz will be fortunate to be selected in the late rounds.
QB- RB - FB - WR- TE - C - G -OT - DT - DE - OLB - ILB - CB - S