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Dwag Pre-Combine Profiles
DoogCourics
Member Posts: 5,739
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has been dropping some Pre-Combine Player Profiles.
I obviously can't give you the full articles, but I'll list the Dwags on the lists because I love you all.
I obviously can't give you the full articles, but I'll list the Dwags on the lists because I love you all.
Comments
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Quarterback:
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Running Back:
Gaskin is not listed amongst the top 10 (which is what these lists are). Someone asked about Gaskin after such a storied and productive career at UW.
Brugler's response:
Production is awesome, but NFL teams don't draft production. They draft traits. And Gaskin's lack of run power is an issue for several teams. He reminds me some of Gio Bernard and can be a valuable complimentary piece. Gaskin would have been included if this list was top-15. -
Wide Receiver:
UW didn't have any receivers leave this year. -
Tight End:
9. Drew Sample, Washington (6-5, 250, 4.84)
Bellevue, Wash. (Newport), RS Senior, 4/16/1996 (age 23.04)
Strengths: Prototypical size for the position … rolls into blocks and stays balanced at contact … stays square in pass pro and keeps his punch alive to knock down hands and run rushers wide of the pocket … able to stun and seal defensive ends, opening outside run lanes … soft hands with very few drops on film … tracks the ball well over his shoulder and makes proper adjustments … improvises well with his scrambling quarterback … married and considered a mature player (Huskies tight ends coach Jordan Paopao: “Every single day he is the model of what it should look like.”).
Weaknesses: Below average production and usage as a pass catcher (35 targets in 2018) … dull at the top of routes … restricted route tree on film, running mostly crossers and simple sit-down patterns … can get pinballed in his release off the line of scrimmage … limited after the catch and a beat late transitioning to a ball carrier … doesn’t offer any explosive or elusive moves as a runner … controlled but not overpowering as a blocker … missed three games as a junior with a leg injury (September 2017).
Summary: A four-year starter at Washington, Sample saw plenty of playing time the past four seasons with the Huskies using plenty of “12” personnel packages, lining up inline and wing. By far, his most productive season came in 2018, but he managed only 1.8 catches and 18.0 receiving yards per start with only three targets in the red zone. Tight ends must have a healthy appetite for blocking in Chris Petersen’s offenses and Sample certainly does, competing with the same edge and consistency each snap. He isn’t as powerful as Will Dissly (former UW tight end who was a fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft), but he is a better athlete with higher upside as a receiver. Overall, Sample has a small sample size as a pass catcher and won’t test off the charts in any one area, but he is well-rounded and trustworthy, projecting as a classic “Y” tight end who will compete for playing time as an NFL rookie.
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Offensive Tackles:
10. Kaleb McGary, Washington (6-7, 321, 5.08)
Fife, Wash. (Fife), RS Senior, N/A
Strengths: NFL frame with adequate length … quick out of his stance and comfortable on his feet … flexible joints to stay balanced at contact … aggressive handwork and competes with a nasty attitude … efficient on combination blocks and works well in tandem … uses his reach to latch and displace … creates surge as a run blocker to drive defenders wide … mentally and physically tough and accustomed to overcoming adversity … graduated with a degree in communications (December 2018) … durable and started 43 straight games at right tackle.
Weaknesses: Top heavy and allows his base to narrow at contact … wandering punch, exposing his chest and giving up his body … technique breaks down vs. speed, overextending at the waist … marginal balance in a phone booth … needs to better achieve angles in the run game … diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation) as a junior in high school, which required three surgeries (not a career-threatening condition but something that requires monitoring) … played only right tackle in college.
Summary: A four-year starter at Washington, McGary worked his way into the starting rotation as a freshman and was a mainstay at right tackle for the Huskies, remaining on the right side when left tackle Trey Adams was injured. He was the 2018 Morris Trophy winner as the Pac-12’s top offensive lineman (over Washington State’s Andre Dillard), which is voted on by opposing players in the conference. McGary will occasionally labor with wide speed due to average length and feet, but he is a flexible mover and stays balanced in pass protection. Although his bad habits (specifically his tall posture and late hands) lead to mistakes, his tenacious play personality and intangibles help cover up some of his physical deficiencies. Overall, McGary’s on-field reps aren’t always pretty, but they are mostly effective, using his mobility and play strength to tie up edge defenders, projecting as an NFL right tackle ready to compete for immediate starting reps. -
Offensive Guards and Centers:
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Edge Rushers:
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Defensive Tackle:
No Greg Gaines listed? Not even in the comments. Uncool brah.
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Linebacker:
No BBK listed amongst the top 10, but he is discussed in the comments section. Someone compared his size to Devin Bush.
Brugler's Response:
I'm a Burr-Kirven fan, I'll take him on my team as a special teamer and subpackage guy. He's a small-framed player and not a dynamic athlete, but he's a ball magnet and finishes well for a guy with shorter arms.
Bush and BBK aren't on the same level athletically. Size-wise they're similar, but Bush does a better job masking it. I don't think they're really comparable. Love BBK's production and I'd love to have him on my team, but the NFL doesn't draft stats, they draft traits. And that's where Bush is much better.
"Undersized" is a broad term, much more than just weight. Length and growth potential are more important.
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Cornerback:
2. Byron Murphy, Washington (5-10, 185, 4.48)
Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro), RS Sophomore, 1/18/1998 (age 21.28)
Strengths: Excellent space athlete … flips his hips without gearing down, staying balanced mid-transition … shows the foot speed to match receivers vertically or jump routes with closing burst … above-average read/react processor and situational awareness … understands route concepts, peeling off his man to make plays … elite ball skills with 27 passes defended and seven interceptions in 20 collegiate games … averaged 13.6 yards per interception return with one score (7/95/1) … times his hits to separate man from ball … physical in run support and quick to trigger downhill … outstanding mental and physical toughness (also a gunner on punt coverage).
Weaknesses: Slender frame and undersized by NFL standards … not a long-armed player … doesn’t play sudden with only average recovery speed … not a bully in coverage and needs to better disrupt routes … resorts to grabbing vs. speedy receivers and will attract holding penalties … only 20 career games played … missed seven games as a redshirt freshman after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his foot during practice (September 2017), requiring surgery and a three-inch screw.
Summary: A two-year starter at Washington, Murphy played left cornerback for the Huskies, using mostly bail coverage in man. With a loaded cornerback depth chart when he arrived, he redshirted behind Sidney Jones and Kevin King in 2016 before quickly earning the top spot on the depth chart (and the coveted No. 1 jersey), starting all 20 games he played the last two years. Murphy keeps the weight on the balls of his feet, not his heels, to keep his lower body loose, staying balanced mid-transition to pattern match. Although he doesn’t have the most extensive college resume in terms of experience, his instincts and recognition skills are advanced for his age. Overall, Murphy doesn’t offer elite size, length or speed for the NFL level, but his mental processing, transition technique, ball skills and competitive toughness are all above average, projecting as a scheme-versatile NFL starter.
No Jordan Miller, not even in the comments. Makes me sad.