Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Devin Smith Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Devin Smith WR Ohio State #9
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 190

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Size/Athleticism: Size is definitely not an asset, but it’s adequate given the role he’ll play as a speed receiver, likely lining up in the slot frequently. Straight-line speed makes him dangerous, but he’s surprisingly pedestrian after the catch. Lacks the explosive start-and-stop ability to make defenders miss consistently. Excelled as a gunner on special teams.

Separation Skills: Used almost exclusively as a deep threat. Straight-line speed must be respected. However, he does very little within the step of his route to lose defensive backs. Takes advantage of sloppy defensive play, but will struggle to get open down the field at the next level if he doesn’t refine his routes. Rarely asked to work across the middle of the field and needs to develop his intermediate routes. Limited experience working in the slot, where he may be asked to play at the next level.

Ball Skills: Fairly reliable hands, but will suffer from some focus drops. Uses his body to trap the ball too often. Does a great job tracking the ball over his shoulder on deep route. Doesn’t have great size but does a nice job going up to high point the ball.

Blocking: Effort comes in spurts, but he fights hard at times. Technique is lacking and his size doesn’t help.

Intangibles: No known issues.

Durability: No known issues.

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Devin Smith Chart

Overview: Smith has straight-line speed, but that’s about it. The hype machine got a little out of control with Smith after his production took off late in the season, but he was a one-trick pony at Ohio State. His routes are severely limited, and even his deep routes are a little sloppy. There are also questions about his overall explosiveness. He appears to be track-fast, and doesn’t have the agility and start-and-stop ability to be anything more than a pure deep threat at this stage of his career.

Sammie Coates Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Sammie Coates WR Auburn #18
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 201

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Size/Athleticism: Elite athleticism. Explosive with above average speed for his size. Capable of making acrobatic plays look easy. Plays stronger than you’d expect based on his measurables. Straight-line speed makes him a decent weapon after the catch, but he doesn’t routinely make guys miss in the open field.

Separation Skills: Capable of fighting through press coverage. Quick footwork at the LOS allows him to beat press coverage with minimal contact at times. Athleticism and relatively long arms gives him a nice catch radius. Routes are sloppy. Not exceptionally explosive out of his breaks, but it’s not due to a lack of ability. He flashes explosion, but it’s inconsistent. Does not do the little things (subtle head fakes, adjusting acceleration, etc) to cause missteps from defensive backs. Does not do a great job working back to the quarterback.

Ball Skills: Exceptional leaping ability, which allows him to play as though he’s a few inches taller. Needs to show better timing when going up for contested catches. Lets the ball come to him far too often, giving smaller defense backs an opportunity on balls that Coates should win every time. Doesn’t do a great job tracking and adjusting to the ball in the air.

Intangibles: Minimal development with his hands raises some concern as to his work ethic.

Durability: Played through a knee injury (deep bone bruise) in 2014.

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Sammie Coates Chart

Overview: Coates is a special athlete with a fascinating blend of size and speed. However, inconsistent hands and sloppy routes make him a developmental prospect. Someone will fall in love with Coates’ upside and likely overdraft him. But given the fact that he is sloppy and inconsistent in all of the little things a receiver needs to do well, it’s foolish to bet on him ever reaching his ceiling in the NFL. While he has the upside of a future No. 1, a more realistic projection has him as a solid No. 2 or 3 who frustrates coaches and fans with sloppy mistakes throughout his career.

Garrett Grayson Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Garrett Grayson QB Colorado State #18
Ht: 6’2″
Wt: 220

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Adequate height. Strong overall built and can take a hit. Moderate athleticism, but has the mobility to avoid pressure, roll out and will occasionally take off running.

Arm strength/Accuracy: Lacks an elite arm but can make most of the throws. Accuracy is strong on short and intermediate routes, even when he isn’t able to set his feet under pressure.

Footwork/Release: Moves very well within the pocket. Relatively quick feet allow him to avoid pressure by stepping up in the pocket. Footwork is very efficient. Has a slight windup motion, especially when he’s off balance or on the run.

Decision making: Does a nice job keeping his eyes downfield as the avoids pressure within the pocket. Played in an NFL offense at Colorado State which asked him to go through his progressions. Benefits from future NFL WRs (mainly Rashard Higgins) going up against MWC defensive backs. Trusts his receivers to bail him out. Checks down frequently when his initially deep read isn’t there.

Intangibles: Developed by long-time quarterbacks coach Jim McElwain who was previously Alabama’s OC/QB coach prior to taking HC job at Colorado State. Some scouts have questioned his mental ability in terms of handling a playbook. DraftInsider.net reported: “scouts wonder if he can handle a loaded playbook.”

Durability: No known issues.

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Overview: Grayson was developed by former Alabama QB coach Jim McElwain, and it shows. Much like recent Bama quarterbacks Greg McElroy and A.J. McCarron, Grayson has a lot of NFL traits but lacks the physical tools to generate much excitement about his upside. He certainly looks like the type who can carve out a nice career as a backup, but there’s little reason to bring him aboard in hopes of grooming him as a future starter.

Jeremy Langford Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
1 Comment
Jeremy Langford RB Michigan State #33
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 208

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Size/Athleticism: Adequate size and overall strength. A decent athlete, but nothing special.

Vision: Very patient following his blockers and does a great job taking what the defense gives him. An extremely efficient runner.

Power: Despite modest size, primarily a north/south runner. Runs hard and fights for the tough yardage. Plays with great balance, allowing him to shed tackles. Strong legs. Does a nice job lowering his shoulder to take advantage of leverage and balance to shrug off defenders who don’t wrap him up. Shows an effective stiff arm. Lacks the elite strength to be a dominant runner between the tackles. Easily sheds smaller defensive backs or weak tackle attempts, but can be knocked back by more physical linemen and linebackers.

Speed/Agility: Modest speed. Enough speed to get to the outside and turn the corner, but not a serious home run threat. Great balance allows him to be somewhat effective avoiding contact, but lacks the quick footwork to string together moves. A one-cut runner. Has an adequate initial burst but lacks the second gear.

Passing Game: Limited experience as a receiver. Used occasionally but shows inconsistent awareness as a check down option. Fairly reliable hands but appears to have short arms and smallish hands, so he’ll drop some. Gives a strong effort in pass protection and has the size and strength to continue to develop.

Intangibles: Hard worker who is willing to go the little things to help the team. Has played some receiver and cornerback as well at Michigan State.

Durability: Played through minor ankle injury early in 2014.

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Jeremy Langford Chart

Overview: What you see is what you get with Langford. He isn’t flashy, doesn’t have a ton of speed, lacks dominant size, but he consistently gets the job done. He’s the type of running back that can be as good as the players around him. In the right system, he can definitely be an effective starter, but probably isn’t the type of runner who will have success in rebuilding situation or behind a questionable offensive line. He’s best suited as a backup, but the type of backup you’d be perfectly comfortable turning to if needed.

Tevin Coleman Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Tevin Coleman RB Indiana #6
Ht: 6’0″
Wt: 210

[level-scouting-reports]

Size/Athleticism: Good measurables but plays smaller than his height/weight would indicate. A good all around athlete, but he’s more fast than anything. Does not necessarily have the elite agility to make him a more dangerous weapon.

Vision: Looks hesitant running between the tackles.  Tends to put his head down and run straight when he doesn’t see a gap immediately. Does not always see holes as they develop. What could be classified as patience looks more like hesitancy to me. Does a poor job adjusting when his initial hole closes, unless he’s on the outside with more space to maneuver.

Power: Limited strength. Does not push the pile. Appears skinny, with limited leg strength. Needs to get on the outside edge to be effective.

Speed/Agility: Breakaway speed. Does not get caught from behind. Impressive acceleration, and capable of hitting the hole with a burst. Dangerous agility in the open field. Can definitely break ankles and is tough to take down one-on-one in the open field. Balance is only average and his start-and-stop ability isn’t great compared to others with his overall skill set.

Passing Game: Definite upside in this area but needs development. Hands are inconsistent. Awareness is limited. Does not do a great job of quickly analyzing the field once he secures the ball—this is potentially what causes some focus drops for him, as he tries to look too early. Routes are inconsistent and does not do a great job finding soft spot in zone as a check down for his quarterback. Gives a decent effort as a blocker but lacks ideal size and technique needs improvements.

Intangibles: Praised by coaching staff. Worked hard to add some bulk during his career.

Durability: Missed three games with ankle injury in 2013.

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Tevin Coleman Chart

Overview: Coleman put together a highlight reel career at Indiana, but I have doubts about his ability to transition to life as an every-down back in the NFL. He really struggles running between the tackles, mostly due to limited vision as he just doesn’t see holes developing and is often late to react. However, he is exceptionally dangerous in space and a legitimate home run threat once he turns the corner on the outside. He has a future in the NFL, but I view him as more of a bigger version of Dexter McCluster and don’t see enough upside to warrant a top-50 pick.