Dwag Pre-Combine Profiles

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.

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DoogCourics

Quarterback:

DoogCourics

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.

DoogCourics

Wide Receiver:

UW didn't have any receivers leave this year.

DoogCourics

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.

DoogCourics

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.

DoogCourics

Offensive Guards and Centers:

DoogCourics

Edge Rushers:

DoogCourics

Defensive Tackle:

No Greg Gaines listed? Not even in the comments. Uncool brah.

DoogCourics

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.

DoogCourics

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.

DoogCourics

Safety:

Not yet listed, but I'll update with Rapp's report card.

FireCohen

Hahaha about kaleb, he will be top 5 OL taken. Freaks like him don’t just walk around

Bread

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.

I don't get this. Every draft expert is looking at gaskin's hieght and weight and assume he sucks. If they straight up said he was too small I would be accept that. But they always phrase it like he is slow or weak. He is neither of those.

BennyBeaver

NFL doesn't draft on production...

then this comment...

Weaknesses: Below average production and usage as a pass catcher (35 targets in 2018) …

GTFOHWTS

animate

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.

I understand the point about "traits" and the draft.

However, Phillip Lindsay seems to have done real well this year. First undrafted rookie to make the ProBowl.

... and Gaskin is actually listed as being taller and heavier.

So, that's not a case of Gaskin being drafted but it does help ...

animate

... and with Sample (see Will Dissly) ... any Washington receiving target was hampered by the system and Brownsocks running the show. I would expect Sample to outperform his expectations once he gets into the league.

jhfstyle24

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.

I love how this guy defends his rankings by saying they aren't his rankings they are the NFL rankings. Rather amusing.

Miley_Cyrus

... and with Sample (see Will Dissly) ... any Washington receiving target was hampered by the system and Brownsocks running the show. I would expect Sample to outperform his expectations once he gets into the league.

Sample will be a good NFL player. Good blocker, good hands, had a knack for making big plays on 3rd down.

DoogCourics

Safety:

Not yet listed, but I'll update with Rapp's report card.

2. Taylor Rapp, Washington (6-0, 215, 4.57)

Bellingham, Wash. (Sehome), Junior, 12/22/1997 (age 21.35)

Strengths: Highly intelligent and quick to diagnose … understands football geometry and he doesn’t misjudge angles … short-area quickness to cleanly redirect his momentum … excellent closing burst vs. the run … controlled tackler, squaring his target, staying low and finishing with strong hands … accurate strike zone to create stopping power at contact … fearless and willingly sticks his nose in the fire … maneuvers through congestion without creating a 12-car pile-up … active blitzer … physical to the ball in coverage … extra effort and toughing out injuries are standard for him … double-digit starts each of his three seasons in college.

Weaknesses: Good play speed, but not twitchy and lacks elite range … needs to improve his pedal and transition technique … more of a battering ram downhill and needs to better use his hands to work off contact … didn’t play in the Rose Bowl after suffering a hip injury in the Pac-12 Championship Game (Dec. 2018); suffered a hairline fracture in his left hand (March 2016).

Summary: A three-year starter at Washington, Rapp was a versatile chess piece in the middle of the field for the Huskies, lining up at linebacker, nickel and both safety spots throughout his career. When drafted, he will be the second (and likely the highest) Chinese-American selected in the NFL Draft (OL Ed Wang was a fifth-rounder in 2010 and played four seasons in the NFL). Rapp is one of the “smartest guys I’ve ever coached,” according to Huskies defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and his instincts and intelligence are the first traits that stand out on film. He is always in chase mode (doesn’t know how to turn it off) and won’t make mental mistakes. Overall, there are better athletes in this safety class, but Rapp’s smarts, toughness vs. the run and ability to handle coverage responsibilities make him a high-floor prospect, projecting as a long-term NFL starting safety.

Doogles

Safety:

Not yet listed, but I'll update with Rapp's report card.
2. Taylor Rapp, Washington (6-0, 215, 4.57)

Bellingham, Wash. (Sehome), Junior, 12/22/1997 (age 21.35)

Strengths: Highly intelligent and quick to diagnose … understands football geometry and he doesn’t misjudge angles … short-area quickness to cleanly redirect his momentum … excellent closing burst vs. the run … controlled tackler, squaring his target, staying low and finishing with strong hands … accurate strike zone to create stopping power at contact … fearless and willingly sticks his nose in the fire … maneuvers through congestion without creating a 12-car pile-up … active blitzer … physical to the ball in coverage … extra effort and toughing out injuries are standard for him … double-digit starts each of his three seasons

Too soon.