Draft Prospecting Miami Hurricanes

The U featured several intriguing prospects who all helped restore some luster to the program. The Canes finished 9-4 in 2013 before sliding back to 6-7 in 2014, but with a couple of breaks they could have matched the 9 wins again.

In the process of scouting these players, I watched Miami’s games against South Carolina (bowl game), Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State (both 13 and 14), Louisville (both 14 and the 13 bowl game), Nebraska, and the Florida and North Carolina games in ’13.

Ereck Flowers--there aren’t many 329-pound men on Earth who look as slender as Miami’s left tackle. Flowers wears his bulk comfortably, looking as much like a tight end as a mauling tackle. He looks every bit the part of the trend towards more athletic, agile tackles.

Game tape reveals more of an enigma. Flowers is inconsistent and has serious fundamental flaws as a blocker, notably in pass protection. Even though he’s got outstanding length at 6’6”, he continually lets defenders get into his chest and dictate the action with a wide, lethargic punch and poor footwork behind it. The Miami native just doesn’t move his feet in concert with his upper body consistently. Witness this rather embarrassing moment versus Virginia’s Eli Harold:

This actually came as part of a series of gaffes by Flowers. He was guilty of a false start a play after he was a count late with the snap and watched Harold sprint around the edge towards his unprotected QB. While this is an extreme example, the streakiness definitely rears its ugly head quite often with Flowers. That’s what happens when you play with poor fundamentals, top-heavy and light-footed.

Flowers does have his assets as a blocker. His run blocking can be devastating, and he’s more fundamentally sound when he is in attack mode. There is not a better down blocker in this draft; Flowers is capable of snowplowing his mark deep to the other side of the formation with excellent leg drive, core power unleashed through strong shoulders and hip thrust, and the mentality of a Viking berserker.

If that makes Flowers sound like a better guard than tackle, you are not crazy. Yet because of his length and physical tools, teams will need to see him fail at tackle before sliding him inside. A team with a teaching-oriented OL coach could fix a lot of what ails Flowers, though I suspect he’ll always battle consistency and the tendency to let mistakes snowball. Better punching technique and retraining his feet could produce the next Duane Brown, but at this point I wouldn’t ever leave him isolated against a skilled edge rusher without tight end help. Still, he can step right in at right tackle and help a team looking to get more physical in the run game, and he’s got enough potential to merit a second round pick. He’s not lasting nearly that long in the actual draft, however. Caveat drafter.

Current projection: Top 20 pick

Phillip Dorsett--wideouts with outstanding speed often get pigeonholed during the draft process. For whatever reason, guys who run a 4.33 40-yard dash with a blazing 1.54 10-yard split like Dorsett did in his workout get tagged as one-dimensional deep threat. Or when dealing with an athlete at Dorsett’s size (5’10”, 185), he’s pegged as a slot receiver who stretches the seam.

Dorsett does fit both those bills--his 24.2 yards per reception was 2^nd in the nation as a senior--but he’s so much more. His footwork and ability to make cuts both sharp and subtle at top speed set him apart from other speed demons. Check out his crispness and burst on this touchdown against Florida State’s Ronald Darby, a likely top 50 talent:

During Senior Bowl week, Dorsett lit up Mobile with his work on shorter routes and his ability to catch the ball well away from his body. That was a welcome development, as he often let balls get to his pads during his Canes career. Game film shows him to be an alert receiver who works back to his QB well, plus he’s a fundamentally strong blocker on the edge. He’s not going to overpower anyone but he attacks and does a good job with his hands, showing dedication to his craft and the kind of competitive fire coaches love to see burning.

In a league where the trend is bigger, more physical corners, a player with Dorsett’s speed, litheness and skill becomes even more dangerous and valuable. He’s a better receiver than the physically similar Antonio Brown when he came out of Central Michigan, and Brown has become a bona fide stud in Pittsburgh. Dorsett should be one of the top 25 picks in the draft. Concerns about his size, not to mention the lack of creativity and vision by too many NFL coaching minds, will likely keep him on the board well into the second round.

Current projection: Second round

Duke Johnson--the natural comparison when first watching Duke Johnson is that he is the type of running back everyone desperately wanted Reggie Bush to become in the NFL. They are very similar in both build (though Bush is taller), quickness and speed. The rare agility, the ankle-breaking ability to cut and then explode, even the soft hands and excellent work on screens and flares as a receiver, they all echo the former USC star.

The trick for Johnson will be to avoid the pitfalls which have continually dogged Bush as a pro. The fumbles. The incessant dancing instead of just getting the ball and attacking the hole. The alligator arms when covered tightly. The litany of nagging injuries and the unwillingness to soldier through them all the time. The running away from contact at the end of runs instead of lowering the shoulder and fighting for extra yardage.

None of those are readily evident in Johnson’s game, but there are hints from time to time. Scary hints. Bush went #2 overall because he masked those negative traits with so many explosive, impressive plays. Johnson has all of those too. He is exceptional at narrowing himself through small creases and exploding out the other side, and once he gets daylight there are few--if any--better at turning a 4-yard gain into a 40-yarder. He’s shown decisiveness and good judgment in attacking holes. He’s shown toughness as a receiver, able to pluck awkward throws and instantly transition from receiver to runner. He’s one of the most exciting players in the last handful of drafts to watch.

Again, Reggie Bush was once that guy too. As long as Johnson continues to be the explosive, engaged dynamo we’ve seen during his Miami career, he will thrive beyond what Bush--who has probably been underappreciated at this point--has accomplished in the NFL. That will require deploying him smartly, not asking him to run between the tackles as a bell-cow back or run a lot of routes right at closing linebackers. Don’t ask him to try and anchor as a pass protector, or touch the ball four times in seven plays. Johnson isn’t that kind of player. He’s not quite Jamaal Charles as a running back, and overworking him won’t make him any closer to that level either. At best, Duke Johnson could be the best “lightning” portion in the league of a thunder & lightning backfield. At worst, he’s Reggie Bush 2.0. That’s not all that bad, and I’d be very comfortable spending a top 45 pick on him.

Current projection: 2^nd-3^rd round

Clive Walford--before you even get to his game, how about the classically awesome name for Miami’s tight end?! The first time I heard it I thought he was some long-lost guitarist for Iron Maiden, or the Governor General of Tasmania. To my pleasure, I discovered Walford is actually a very impressive tight end with a bright NFL future.

Where Walford stands out is his ability to do everything asked of a tight end. Need a physical inline presence to seal the edge on a stretch run? Walford can do that. Want your tight end to motion across the formation and torch the SAM backer on an out route? Walford can do that. Looking for a flexed-out slot presence who can attack the seam? Walford can do that. Need a heavy-handed pseudo extra tackle to help in pass protection? Walford can do that too.

He’s a bit of a throwback in that he is a general “tight end” instead of a more specialized piece like so many in the NFL today. The problem for Walford is that very few offenses deploy the old school concept anymore. He will need to find one role at which he excels early on. Others are going to be faster, or bigger (he’s 6’4” and 251 lbs.), or more natural receivers (drops have plagued Walford, including a gimmie TD vs. Florida State). While he’s shown he has good build-up speed, he lacks the immediacy of a Jason Witten or Vernon Davis off the line, and he’s not a sticky-handed widebody in traffic like Gronk or Antonio Gates…

…which means his hat will likely be a hard one labeled “blocking”. Fortunately, he can be a major asset as a play-action weapon a la Heath Miller. Or if the defense adds an extra linebacker, he can flex out and create a mismatch in space. Because he gives great effort and has just enough of every quality, Walford can be a very useful piece to an offense. To me, he’s a tougher version of Coby Fleener with emerging upside as a downfield target. In a putrid tight end class, teams in need will value him as a second-round pick. He might not produce to that expectation immediately, but he should prove worthy with his all-around game.

Current projection: 50-75 overall pick

Denzel Perryman--entering the 2014 college season, Perryman was the consensus pick as the Hurricanes’ top draft prospect this year. Alas, it didn’t play out that way for the inside linebacker.

Some of the issue is size-related. Perryman measured just 5’11” and 236 pounds at the Combine (Miami listed him at 6’1” and 245) in February. Smaller backers can compensate for lacking requisite height or bulk by being either extremely instinctive or a superlative athlete. Neither of those are accurate when describing the Coral Gables native.

That’s not to say Perryman won’t have a useful role in the NFL. He’s extremely effective at snuffing out runs between the tackles, showing above-average power at the point of attack and real pop to his pads. Moreover, he’s an infectious leader and relentless driving force. Perryman doesn’t shy away from being the focal point and emotional spearhead of the team, wearing it well and demanding maximum effort and responsibility from his teammates. Coaches will love him, and so will fans. Bone-rattling hits, fiery leadership and the ability to work off a block and still make the play add a lot of sizzle to his game.

Sizzle is good, but steak sells. This is where the squat backer runs into trouble. He’s not quick in any direction, but especially not laterally. It really shows when he has to change direction once he’s heading one way. Perryman is a liability against quicker scatbacks (think Justin Forsett) or runners who can plant and explode (think Lesean McCoy) unless he’s got them in an Oklahoma drill setting. Coverage beyond chucking the tight end as he releases? Fuggedaboutit.

In all probability, Perryman will need to come off the field in nickel situations or passing downs. A 4-3 team with linemen who can soak up blockers is his best landing spot, preferably paired with a speedy WLB that can cover. He compares to Stephen Tulloch in Detroit, though he’s not as rangy or nearly as adept at blitzing as the cagey veteran. I gave Perryman a 5^th round grade, a situational player who gets bonus points for character and leadership. He could captain a special teams unit for a decade while providing solid interior run defense. I worry teams--and their fans--are going to expect more because of his prominent name.

Current projection: 3^rd-4^th round

Anthony Chickillo--Chickillo is the kind of player who epitomizes why I go to the Shrine Game and Senior Bowl practices every year. The defensive end never really found his groove for the Hurricanes. He flashed real ability with 6.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss over the last two seasons to go with some impressive moments early on as a freshman. He played four years and was a steady presence, but he never really broke out the way many expected him to as a prominent recruit.

So it was quite refreshing to see him operate outside the Miami system. Chickillo showed better quickness and more creativity as a rusher than showed on film. His quick hands and powerful shoulders allowed him to handily shed blocks, and the footwork and functional power stood out. When asked about his college experience, Chickillo was candid, telling myself (among some gathered draftniks including Pete Smith of Football Savages and John Owning of Bleacher Report) he didn’t feel like the Canes coaches really knew what they had with him or how to use his skills most effectively.

What skills Chickillo possesses are worthy of consideration in the fourth or fifth round. He’s got the size and strength to be a 4-3 LDE, and he can also fit in an attacking 3-4 front. While he’s not speedy at all and lacks the great anchor strength, he’s a solid, smart football player with legit NFL skills. While the level of competition at Shrine Game week wasn’t great, Chickillo often dominated them. That portends well. He will have to earn it on special teams early however.

Current projection: 5^th or 6^th round

Jon Feliciano--draft analysts often use the term “looks the part” when talking about a prospect. Nobody will ever say that about Miami’s portly guard. This is his Twitter profile picture:

He’s 6’4” but has short arms and stubby legs. His technique in pass protection often resembles sumo wrestling instead of NFL-caliber blocking techniques. His range is about two steps in any direction, and he doesn’t engage well in space or the second level.

So why do I like Feliciano’s chances? It’s tough to explain, but he has that je ne se quoi that says he’ll make it. I admire his toughness and strength, his jolting power when he lands his punch square into the bottom of the chest plate of the defensive tackle. Feliciano is very good at playing angles to keep himself as a wall between the defender and his quarterback. He uses that belly to his advantage. He even handled his business reasonably well while playing tackle in a pinch. He’s overcome a lot to make it this far. I wouldn’t bet against him continuing to make it, and I would spend a 5^th round pick on a player I think can be my 7^th offensive lineman as a rookie and eventually start at right guard if he ever gets consistency with his punch.

Current projection: 7^th round or UDFA

Shane McDermott--the decorated center fits the bill of a very good college player who just doesn’t project well to the next level. McDermott is smart, crafty, feisty and just quick enough with his hands and feet to stand out in college. Miami leaned on him for leadership and handling a lot of responsibility, particularly in 2014 with a true freshman at QB.

In the NFL, his lack of athleticism and base strength will be magnified. There’s a giant leap from facing 280-pound redshirt freshman and going against Ndamukong Suh or Dontari Poe every week. McDermott can handle his business against lesser starters, but the top half of the NFL will feast on his lack of anchor strength, short-stepping range and high pad level. He’s savvy enough to stick as a backup as long as he shows he can also play guard.

Current projection: 7^th round or UDFA

Ladarius Gunter--Gunter is sort of the antithesis of Jon Feliciano. He’s straight out of central casting for a cornerback at 6’1” and a well-proportioned 202 pounds. Gunter is strong and oozes confidence on the field, and his aggressiveness stands out. Yet as (perhaps foolishly) bullish as I am with Feliciano, I swing the other direction with Gunter. I really don’t see any reason to draft the defensive back.

Speed is part of the equation. He ran a 4.69 in the 40 at the Combine and while that seems abnormally slow compared to his game tape, he’s certainly lacking both long speed and burst out of his backpedal. He had to provide a lot of cushion on the outside and it still was frequently devoured by opposing wideouts. Moreover, when he is at full speed he becomes quite linear as an athlete. This is when being tall for the position is a negative, as his upright running slows him down and makes him stiffer.

Another negative is his coverage IQ. Gunter just doesn’t feel the play well. He either stares into the backfield too long or stares at the receiver and reacts instead of anticipating cuts or breaks. There were situations in zone coverage (notably vs. Louisville) where he couldn’t process his responsibility until after it was too late. He did fare well in 1-on-1s during Senior Bowl practices, but that can be attributed to lousy QB play and no need to do anything but focus on the one player in the route. When the soup gets more than just plain noodles, he can’t digest the carrots or celery or roasted red pepper or God forbid the free-range organic gluten-free chicken.

I would suggest a move to safety, but his lack of tackling technique and propensity for pushing instead of hitting and wrapping rules that out as much as his lack of range does. Sorry Canes fans, I really don’t see it with Gunter.

Current projection: 6^th or 7^th round

Others who will at least be in a camp:

LB Thurston Armbrister--a self-made overachiever who lost playing time as a senior to more physically gifted younger recruits. Lacks the desired athleticism and litheness for the position, and has a lot of tweener ILB/OLB attributes. Could make it as a special teams demon and versatile reserve.

DT Olsen Pierre--functional space eater who projects as a low-end 5 technique.

QB Ryan Williams--won the Medal of Honor Bowl MVP despite only playing sporadically at Miami after transferring from Memphis. Missed 2014 with a torn ACL but at 6’6” with a live arm, he’s got UDFA sleeper/practice squad stash written all over him.

RealGM Football

Draft Prospecting: Miami Hurricanes