Scout’s Notes: Five Highly Thought Of Prospects I Have Concerns With

I’m going to stay away from some of the obvious guys that we/many others aren’t major fans of, such as Ryan Tannehill and Alshon Jeffery. Still, based on our evaluations, there are a few high picks that myself and our staff have consistently not been huge fans of all season long that some teams/other scouts have been impressed with.

As a contrast from yesterday’s prospects I “love”, here’s a few that I don’t quite feel the same way about.

 
Mohamed Sanu, Receiver, Rutgers
I’ve scouted the Big East and Rutgers the past three years now, and I haven’t been as excited about Sanu as a prospect as some I’ve talked to are. He’s got the length, the smooth running style, and the ability to catch away from his body that are impressive. But he doesn’t explode well off the line and into his breaks, doesn’t get consistent separation with hand usage or in distinct mid-field routes, and doesn’t seem to have great deep speed on film. He’s got the tools to eventually develop into an NFL starter and should be a solid second rounder, but he’s not as impressive of a prospect as Kenny Britt was coming out a few years ago.
 
Mike Adams  Offensive Tackle, Ohio State
Maybe the prospect I’ve discussed the most, Adams is a guy that I have many concerns with as a prospect. I’ve talked to him, a few soft-spoken, respectful person who is impressive with his mental make-up and his shear size and length, my concerns with Adams, in short, is that I think he plays soft at times. He is a finesse blocker who can lock on and dominate with good hand placement and uses his length well. But he can get bull rushed at times (likely especially against a 3-4 linebacker), doesn’t fire his hands initially as well as I’d like, and struggles to power back in-line on inside rushers when he’s pass protecting. That, plus he’s not powerful nor consistent as a down field run blocker, and Adams seems like more of a 2nd round prospect to me who can potentially play either left or right tackle, but isn’t a guarantee to start in the NFL at either.

Zebrie Sanders, Offensive Tackle, Florida State
Another somewhat “softer” tackle prospect like Adams, Sanders is far less polished and, especially shown at the Senior Bowl, does not hold his balance well in his kick slide and is far too reactionary as rushers attack him. His quickness off the snap, lateral ability, and natural pass blocking skills are still worthy of developing, and did play well at both left and right tackle this (and last) season to not discount him at all as a Top 3 rounder. But to me, he’s likely in the later portion of that projection that he belongs in.

Whitney Merclius, Defensive End, Illinois
While most offensive numbers should be immediately thrown away (maybe outside of yards per carry, sacks, and drops), generally defensive stats can tell a bit more about a prospect. And thanks to Mercilus being the sack king of the FBS this past season, one may think he’ll get an inital “boost” in his grade for production. But if you actually focus on his sacks over the season, far too many were roll-out blocking mistakes and quarterbacks moving poorly in the pocket. His numbers are still impressive, but I’m more concerned about his reaction ability to how a pass blocker attacks him, if he has depth in his counter rushes, if he’s fluid enough to stand-up as a linebacker, and if he can be a backside rusher. To me, he’s more of a 2nd-3rd round talented prospect with room to grow but that’ll need time to develop.

Bobby Wagner, Linebacker, Utah State
I’lll admit, I checked on Bobby Wagner later in the season after I heard so many good things, but in short, I was not overly impressed. He’s quick to the ball, had some impressive tackle numbers, can react well in coverage, and seems fluid to play to the sidelines. But he doesn’t engage and drive through blocks well at all, lacks great power when fighting through and gets lost easily, and likely seems destined to play on the weakside or struggle mightily in a 3-4 inside linebacker role. He’s got some value in the 3rd-4th round for me, and no way he should even be considered in the 2nd round based on my evaluations.