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Marcus Mariota among most freakish athletes in 2015 NFL Draft
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Media draft analyst
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...mong-most-freakish-athletes-in-2015-nfl-draft
Editor's note: With the field of prospects set for the 2015 NFL Draft, which players are most likely to put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine, pro days and private workouts in the weeks and months ahead? We've culled the scouting reports of NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein to find out which prospects are the most freakish athletes in this year's draft. Here are the top 12 (listed in alphabetical order). Full scouting reports by Zierlein are available here.
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Particulars: 6-foot-3, 235 pounds
Zierlein's take: Explosive athlete who's always first off the snap. True edge bender who can torque hips and shoulders to turn corner. Has ankle flexion to dip and slalom around corner at difficult angles to block. Former running back with quick feet and fluid hips. Able to change directions and burst to target. Possesses potentially lethal spin move, but doesn't use it enough.
T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Particulars: 6-5, 307
Zierlein's take: Former high school basketball player with great foot quickness. Moves like a tight end in space with an ability to zero in on targets and finish them in the screen game. Elite change-of-direction talent and knee bend. Gets depth with smooth, fluid kick-slide and does a good job of mirroring.
Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Particulars: 6-2, 213
Zierlein's take: Outstanding combination of size and speed. Good acceleration off the snap for a receiver with his length. Can take top off defense and open up the underneath. Will beat bold cornerbacks over the top if they wait to turn and run. Forces cornerbacks onto their heels and gets easy, open looks on dig routes. Makes easy in-cut with maximum separation. Ability to win big plays vertically.
Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Particulars: 6-2, 198
Zierlein's take: Rare combination of height, weight and speed. Has the foot quickness and twitch to trigger on demand. Uses soft, bouncy feet to change direction and drive instantly on throws. Will make plays outside of his area and has speed to come across field to chase down a loose running back or receiver. Leaper with the ability to challenge and win 50/50 throws.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
Particulars: 5-10, 183
Zierlein's take: Takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash. Elite explosiveness. Gets to top speed quickly and is a seamless glider on crossing routes, leaving man-to-man defenses in his wake. Mind-boggling big-play production, with half of his catches going for 25-plus yards in 2014. More than just a vertical receiver and has the blazing feet and stop-start to beat zone coverage for big plays.
Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Particulars: 6-4, 264
Zierlein's take: Freakish athlete with chiseled frame. Outstanding power with ability to rag-doll tight ends at will. Should be an above-average edge-setter. Good transition from playing run to rushing quarterback in play-action. Explosive closing burst. Willing thumper when he has a shot on running back. Can drop into space and play zone. Raw but learning, with huge growth potential as a player.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Particulars: 6-6, 225
Zierlein's take: Imposing physical specimen with outstanding height, weight and speed numbers. Smooth, effortless strides to chomp up cushion and blow by overconfident corners. Runs routes with forward lean and can activate second gear when he chooses. Rare catch radius with ability to pluck would-be interceptions and turn them into catches.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
Particulars: 5-9, 206
Zierlein's take: Has lightning in his feet. Has hips and feet to stop and start without stalling. Rare ability on stretch plays to hit cutback lanes that other backs can't get to. Changes direction without breaking stride. Has second gear around the corner and can erase the angles.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Particulars: 6-4, 219
Zierlein's take: Quick-twitch quarterback. Rare straight-line speed for the position. Defenses must account for ability outside the pocket. Able to make off-balance, difficult throws. Can uncork throws quickly and without resetting feet when necessary.
Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio)
Particulars: 5-11, 193
Zierlein's take: Four-year basketball player. Seamless transition to football field as a cornerback. Has point guard's foot quickness and hip fluidity. Good leaper. Attacks the ball and receiver at high point. Good instincts and overlaps to make plays beyond his territory.
Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Particulars: 6-1, 228
Zierlein's take: Unmatched diversity in this year's draft. Played outside and inside as a linebacker and took snaps at safety against Stanford. Long, with athleticism and movement of running back playing linebacker. Like a magnet to the ball while pursuing in space. Second gear to finish the chase. Fluid enough in space that safety could be a position consideration for the right team. Can be used as emergency No. 3 running back on game day.
Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Particulars: 6-4, 250
Zierlein's take: Straight-line wheels to beat linebackers and safeties. Accelerates to top speed quickly on crossers and speed outs. Speed to chew up cushion and open a throwing window over the top. Will threaten seam and dominated defenders on wheel routes. Red-zone winner. Can do damage after the catch and shows playmaking aptitude with tight end screens. Extends and goes all out for the catch. Got a foot inbounds on three circus catches.
Follow Lance Zierlein on Twitter @LanceZierlein.
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Media draft analyst
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...mong-most-freakish-athletes-in-2015-nfl-draft
Editor's note: With the field of prospects set for the 2015 NFL Draft, which players are most likely to put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine, pro days and private workouts in the weeks and months ahead? We've culled the scouting reports of NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein to find out which prospects are the most freakish athletes in this year's draft. Here are the top 12 (listed in alphabetical order). Full scouting reports by Zierlein are available here.
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Particulars: 6-foot-3, 235 pounds
Zierlein's take: Explosive athlete who's always first off the snap. True edge bender who can torque hips and shoulders to turn corner. Has ankle flexion to dip and slalom around corner at difficult angles to block. Former running back with quick feet and fluid hips. Able to change directions and burst to target. Possesses potentially lethal spin move, but doesn't use it enough.
T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Particulars: 6-5, 307
Zierlein's take: Former high school basketball player with great foot quickness. Moves like a tight end in space with an ability to zero in on targets and finish them in the screen game. Elite change-of-direction talent and knee bend. Gets depth with smooth, fluid kick-slide and does a good job of mirroring.
Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Particulars: 6-2, 213
Zierlein's take: Outstanding combination of size and speed. Good acceleration off the snap for a receiver with his length. Can take top off defense and open up the underneath. Will beat bold cornerbacks over the top if they wait to turn and run. Forces cornerbacks onto their heels and gets easy, open looks on dig routes. Makes easy in-cut with maximum separation. Ability to win big plays vertically.
Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Particulars: 6-2, 198
Zierlein's take: Rare combination of height, weight and speed. Has the foot quickness and twitch to trigger on demand. Uses soft, bouncy feet to change direction and drive instantly on throws. Will make plays outside of his area and has speed to come across field to chase down a loose running back or receiver. Leaper with the ability to challenge and win 50/50 throws.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
Particulars: 5-10, 183
Zierlein's take: Takes the top off the defense and throws it in the trash. Elite explosiveness. Gets to top speed quickly and is a seamless glider on crossing routes, leaving man-to-man defenses in his wake. Mind-boggling big-play production, with half of his catches going for 25-plus yards in 2014. More than just a vertical receiver and has the blazing feet and stop-start to beat zone coverage for big plays.
Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Particulars: 6-4, 264
Zierlein's take: Freakish athlete with chiseled frame. Outstanding power with ability to rag-doll tight ends at will. Should be an above-average edge-setter. Good transition from playing run to rushing quarterback in play-action. Explosive closing burst. Willing thumper when he has a shot on running back. Can drop into space and play zone. Raw but learning, with huge growth potential as a player.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Particulars: 6-6, 225
Zierlein's take: Imposing physical specimen with outstanding height, weight and speed numbers. Smooth, effortless strides to chomp up cushion and blow by overconfident corners. Runs routes with forward lean and can activate second gear when he chooses. Rare catch radius with ability to pluck would-be interceptions and turn them into catches.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami
Particulars: 5-9, 206
Zierlein's take: Has lightning in his feet. Has hips and feet to stop and start without stalling. Rare ability on stretch plays to hit cutback lanes that other backs can't get to. Changes direction without breaking stride. Has second gear around the corner and can erase the angles.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Particulars: 6-4, 219
Zierlein's take: Quick-twitch quarterback. Rare straight-line speed for the position. Defenses must account for ability outside the pocket. Able to make off-balance, difficult throws. Can uncork throws quickly and without resetting feet when necessary.
Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio)
Particulars: 5-11, 193
Zierlein's take: Four-year basketball player. Seamless transition to football field as a cornerback. Has point guard's foot quickness and hip fluidity. Good leaper. Attacks the ball and receiver at high point. Good instincts and overlaps to make plays beyond his territory.
Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Particulars: 6-1, 228
Zierlein's take: Unmatched diversity in this year's draft. Played outside and inside as a linebacker and took snaps at safety against Stanford. Long, with athleticism and movement of running back playing linebacker. Like a magnet to the ball while pursuing in space. Second gear to finish the chase. Fluid enough in space that safety could be a position consideration for the right team. Can be used as emergency No. 3 running back on game day.
Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Particulars: 6-4, 250
Zierlein's take: Straight-line wheels to beat linebackers and safeties. Accelerates to top speed quickly on crossers and speed outs. Speed to chew up cushion and open a throwing window over the top. Will threaten seam and dominated defenders on wheel routes. Red-zone winner. Can do damage after the catch and shows playmaking aptitude with tight end screens. Extends and goes all out for the catch. Got a foot inbounds on three circus catches.
Follow Lance Zierlein on Twitter @LanceZierlein.
