NFL.com: Rugby player Jordan Mailata giving NFL a shot

[Ramrocket]

I was thinking both but wasn't 100%. Didn't want to ask if you were a Kiwi, some guys I've spoke to from Aussie get all mad if you call them a Kiwi. lol

And vice versa Corbin!! haha

 

[DaveFan'51]

Rams could use a project OT..!!

The Video peaked my interest!!

 

[Shane Grandle]

Would this guy be an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman? I’m okay with either if he can use his length

 

[UKram]

new zealand is the rugby union capital of the world. it's like a religion there. they have a rugby league side but the popularity is dwarfed by union. australia has a mix of winter sports, the main two being rugby league and australian football (aussie rules) with union a distant 3rd.

union is mostly scrums, rucking (informal scrums), kicking, line outs, more freaking kicking, endless freaking rucks, 5 minute freaking scrums, then freaking endless penalty goals, then more freaking kicking, linout, ruck, scrum, etc, etc, freaking etc. you get the drift. little running involved. the highlights don't paint an accurate picture of the game.

league is more simple and brutal. alot of one out runs with big collisions. but much more ball movement and running.

youtube some rugby league videos and rugby union videos and you'll see the differences between the two.

sorry about the rambling.

.

and this is why i now know you know nothing about union .... (which without it being invented your silly version wouldn't exist ) ....

 

[Merlin]

Would this guy be an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman? I’m okay with either if he can use his length

I'd like to see us snap him up with one of those round 6 picks and let our fine OL coaching take it from there. Sadly with this OT group, as bad as it is, some team will probably get all crazy and take him earlier than they should meh.

 

[Prime Time]

 

[RamBall]

If he struggles as a blocker move him to NT.

 

[Akrasian]

One of the problems with such raw developmental types is that by the time they are coached up (if they ever are) they are about to go free agent on you, and either you overpay or they go elsewhere. Meanwhile you've wasted a roster spot and some cap money for a few seasons on a guy who doesn't contribute.

Better to spend a pick on someone you have confidence in, rather than depending on somebody so raw developing the skills needed to produce in the NFL in a timely manner.

 

[Mackeyser]

Yeah, I'd take him as a NT prospect versus an OL prospect.

It's easier to teach a player to harness aggression and improve hand and leverage techniques than teach an adult the Tackle position from scratch.

 

[Akrasian]

Yeah, I'd take him as a NT prospect versus an OL prospect.

It's easier to teach a player to harness aggression and improve hand and leverage techniques than teach an adult the Tackle position from scratch.

If the Rams were to get him as a UFDA, yeah I could see NT or the like. Teach him one or two things to maximize use of his size and strength as a role player. An OT has to have all the skills - you can't just have him in to run block. You can use a NT just on obvious running or passing downs.

 

[Prime Time]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...player-has-impressive-workout-for-nfl-scouts/

Huge rugby player has impressive workout for NFL scouts
Posted by Michael David Smith on March 31, 2018

Jordan Mailata on Instagram

A handful of international athletes who would like to see if they have what it takes to make it in the NFL went to Tampa to work out in front of scouts last weekend, and one athlete stood out: Jordan Mailata.

Mailata is a 20-year-old, 6-foot-8, 346-pound Samoan rugby player who currently competes for a team in Sydney, Australia, and he showed that he has the natural athleticism to play at the NFL level. He had a 5.12-second 40-yard dash and a 4.67-second short shuttle, both of which are excellent times for a man his size.

“I felt today went well,” Mailata told NFL.com. “This was my first chance to go through the positional drills in front of teams and I hope they got a chance to see the progress I have made as I try to master the position.”

Mailata has been working with the same coach who prepared the German wide receiver Moritz Bohringer for his NFL workouts before the Vikings chose Bohringer in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Bohringer didn’t pan out and is currently out of the league, and that experience may make NFL teams more likely to sign Mailata as an undrafted free agent than spend a draft pick on him.

But Mailata is a name to keep an eye on after the draft, when he may get some calls who think he has the raw talent to make an impact, once he learns the sport.

 

[OldSchool]

I'm curious, I know we had that guy play for the Niners recently and we've had a few Rugby players try the cross over to the NFL but has there ever been one that had a good career?

 

[IBruce80]

Alex Gray is still signed as a TE for the Falcons.
He was a practice player on the team from the Undisputed show.
I don't think he could take a snap in the regular season but maybe in the upcoming season.

 

[Akrasian]

People complain about the high washout rate of players from small schools - but at least those players have played football for years, and aren't picking it up as a lark.

That said, Mallata is huge. I could see a team giving him a chance on the defensive line, try to teach him a couple of basic moves and use him on passing downs. Not worth more than a comp 7th or so, which is just a gamble anyway. We'll see if any team wastes a higher pick like was done with Moritz.

 

[LesBaker]

But we only have about fifty of them.

Snead may actually use one on him right..............

 

[Mackeyser]

Snead may actually use one on him right..............

Mebbe. With how Wade tends to hit on late round LBs, I dunno if we go for it with a 6th, but I could see us calling him if he’s udfa

 

[LesBaker]

Mebbe. With how Wade tends to hit on late round LBs, I dunno if we go for it with a 6th, but I could see us calling him if he’s udfa

He's 6' 8" and 346 lbs so he's not playin' LB hahaha.

But could you imagine is he had the speed and agility to play ILB? Whoa Nellie!!!

5.12 40 and 4.67 short shuttle are great from someone on the DL though. Maybe he would play there on short yardage/run plays.

 

[Karate61]

Sounds like a waste of time. Rams should continue to focus on getting FOOTBALL players. Trying to hit on this guy is about as dumb as thinking buying a lottery ticket will do the trick. Let the NY Yankees sign him!

And Rugby? What is rugby? Is it like Cricket or something???

 

[1maGoh]

And Rugby? What is rugby? Is it like Cricket or something???

Pretty much

 

[Merlin]

Mailata has been working with the same coach who prepared the German wide receiver Moritz Bohringer for his NFL workouts before the Vikings chose Bohringer in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Bohringer didn’t pan out and is currently out of the league, and that experience may make NFL teams more likely to sign Mailata as an undrafted free agent than spend a draft pick on him.

Speaking of Bohringer... I wonder why no team has given him a look as a practice squad option. Must have been some problems with language/learning or something more than what we hear as fans. If he is willing to work hard I would think some teams out there can spare a PS spot for the dude.

Sounds like a waste of time. Rams should continue to focus on getting FOOTBALL players. Trying to hit on this guy is about as dumb as thinking buying a lottery ticket will do the trick. Let the NY Yankees sign him!

Hit rate on late round picks is abysmal. Nothing wrong with rollin the dice with one of those picks on a guy who has the raw skill you want. And if you end up developing him and trying to get him signed once he hits his stride, well, that's a good option too. Those guys who go off the board late are short on talent, so you're going to gamble on a guy not having something at that juncture in the draft.