Thread: Little Draft Game...

Originally Posted by MPBears68

I've only seen one BSU game this year so you probably know better than me. Hope you're right--and the scouting reports on him I've read are generally fairly positive thus far--cuz it would be nice to have some potential OT options to look at after round 1. Names that keep popping up are Potter, Reynolds, and Mike Adams (though he may not make it out of the 1st). Any OT who can immediately upgrade OMG and at least push Webb a bit is worth considering down draft if we likely can't get Reiff in #1.

Lot of factors at play here, but if there's no obvious player we want around, we could also trade down our mid-2nd round pick to the bottom and get an extra 3rd in fair point exchange. That would net you 5 picks between bottom-2 & mid-4...good places to look for depth & development at WR, CB, and LB.

Nate Potter, 6-6/300 Offensive Tackle Boise State

Nate Potter Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell

Strengths: Proven pass protector
Good technique
Quick feet
Recoverability
Experienced
Mobility to hit blocks downfield
Very intelligent
Durable

Weaknesses: A little light
Lacks power
Didn't regularly face elite competition
Lacks ability to drive block
Does not display any mean streak Arm length?

Summary: Potter was a second-team AP All-America in 2011. He had another excellent season protecting quarterback Kellen Moore. Throughout the season, Potter put a string of dominant games together keeping Moore free of pass pressure. Potter is extremely light on his feet and is able to get back in his drop quickly. He mirrors pass-rushers well and is quick shuffling his feet.

Potter helped running back Doug Martin have a good season on the ground this year, but he definitely needs to make strides in the ground game for the NFL. He does a good job of getting to the second level of the defense and hitting blocks on the run, but he is not a drive blocker. Potter is incapable of blowing defenders off the ball. He is going to have to improve his run blocking for the NFL.

Helping Potter's draft stock is he is one of the few left tackle prospects who is expected to be available after the first round. He looks like a second-day pick who has the potential to play the blind side in the NFL.

Player Comparison: Sam Baker. Baker should not have been a first-round pick in 2008. At the time of the selection, Atlanta was criticized for reaching for him. If Potter goes in the first round, it will be the same situation. Their overall skill set is similar, and Potter's arm length is a question mark. Baker's short arms have hurt him in the NFL. Potter is entering the league a better pass protector than Baker, while the Falcon veteran was the better run blocker.

Potter will probably be drafted on the second day where Baker should have gone. Projecting Potter to the pros, however, I see a better version of Baker.

NFL Matches: New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Philadelphia, Dallas

Offensive tackles are always in demand, so there are more than these seven teams that could consider Potter.

Dallas has seen left tackle Doug Free struggle down the stretch, they could take Potter in the second round and groom him under Free for a year or two before making Potter the bookend across from Tyron Smith, as one of the two could move over to the blind side.

Atlanta is said to be ready to move on from Baker, so they could target Potter in the second round. Baltimore needs a natural left tackle to protect Joe Flacco as Bryant McKinnie is just a stop-gap player. The Steelers need more young talent on their line, and a pass protector like Potter would help keep Ben Roethlisberger from taking so many hits.

The Lions are approaching the end of the line with veteran left tackle Jeff Backus, and they need a long-term blind side protector for Matthew Stafford. The Eagles could use Potter and possibly move him to right tackle to protect the back of Michael Vick.

I say draft him in rd 1 or 2. Going into the year Webb probably still starts, but if he falters which is likely ( we get lucky if he doesn't ) we've got a backup who has had a solid solid consistent college career. All any of us really wants is solid anyways, especially with blind side pass protection, which he's proven he can do. The adjustment is running to the right more often behind Carimi etc ( the better run blockers ). Keep it simple and play to your strengths. At least this way, a weakness, in pass protection from the LT position gets eliminated. Improvement in strength (which will come with time) means his run blocking will improve over time. Besides it's not like he's considered brutal at it right now anyways. His PLUSES, fits what this team needs right now imo.

Originally Posted by Blue Horse-shoe

I say draft him in rd 1 or 2. Going into the year Webb probably still starts, but if he falters which is likely ( we get lucky if he doesn't ) we've got a backup who has had a solid solid consistent college career. All any of us really wants is solid anyways, especially with blind side pass protection, which he's proven he can do. The adjustment is running to the right more often behind Carimi etc ( the better run blockers ). Keep it simple and play to your strengths. At least this way, a weakness, in pass protection from the LT position gets eliminated. Improvement in strength (which will come with time) means his run blocking will improve over time. Besides it's not like he's considered brutal at it right now anyways. His PLUSES, fits what this team needs right now imo.

I would still draft Adams in the first round if the opportunity came open. He's a better fit for what Tice would want, and I think he would do a better job at challenging Webb for the LT spot.

I wouldn't want Potter in Round 1 for sure. Round 2 may be a reach too. But with the CAR 3rd, I would gladly take him.

Potter doesn't seem like the type that Tice would like on his team. If he has no mean streak, then what does that say about him? A good OT is aggressive and will go to great lengths to protect the quarterback. This guy seems like he's a real pussy compared to what the Bears have. We may not have the best OL, but they at least try to be aggressive.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

Potter doesn't seem like the type that Tice would like on his team. If he has no mean streak, then what does that say about him? A good OT is aggressive and will go to great lengths to protect the quarterback. This guy seems like he's a real pussy compared to what the Bears have. We may not have the best OL, but they at least try to be aggressive.

Hogwash Dags . He comes from a passing team, knows how to protect, has better footwork already than Webb ever will, and protected Moore's skinny back pretty darn well. I'm more interested in a LT with good feet who can pass block, than run block. Whats more important in a LT ? Besides he's 6'6 -300 so his run blocking ability will be good enough and he'll get stronger with time. I don't like LT's who are 340 cuz ( while they may be better run blockers ) the added weight destroys their footwork and they require too much help from the TE's to keep the QB's backside clear ( plus it can be a dead giveaway that it's a pass play ).

I think this guy is being over-looked by these draft 'experts' who put too much emphasis in the wrong place ( so does Tice ) - you don't always get a guy who can do both .... I just think pass blocking is more important when it comes to this position.

I really don't care who they get to play this position, as long as it's somebody who is better than J'Clod.

And remember one of Parcell's favorite lines : " When a player shows you who he is - believe him ". J'Clod has made me a believer .... that he's below even average. And that's horseshit when it comes to who's protecting Cutler's backside.

Originally Posted by Blue Horse-shoe

Hogwash Dags . He comes from a passing team, knows how to protect, has better footwork already than Webb ever will, and protected Moore's skinny back pretty darn well. I'm more interested in a LT with good feet who can pass block, than run block. Whats more important in a LT ? Besides he's 6'6 -300 so his run blocking ability will be good enough and he'll get stronger with time. I don't like LT's who are 340 cuz ( while they may be better run blockers ) the added weight destroys their footwork and they require too much help from the TE's to keep the QB's backside clear ( plus it can be a dead giveaway that it's a pass play ).

I think this guy is being over-looked by these draft 'experts' who put too much emphasis in the wrong place ( so does Tice ) - you don't always get a guy who can do both .... I just think pass blocking is more important when it comes to this position.

I really don't care who they get to play this position, as long as it's somebody who is better than J'Clod.

And remember one of Parcell's favorite lines : " When a player shows you who he is - believe him ". J'Clod has made me a believer .... that he's below even average. And that's horseshit when it comes to who's protecting Cutler's backside.

I'm just going by what the scouts are critiquing him by. He has some serious holes in his game that it would take some time to break him of some bad habits. Do you want us to go through another season with having another project at LT? Most good LT's come in the first round. Hell, even Carimi was drafted in the first round and Tice won't even consider him a candidate to play LT. Just sayin'.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

I'm just going by what the scouts are critiquing him by. He has some serious holes in his game that it would take some time to break him of some bad habits. Do you want us to go through another season with having another project at LT? Most good LT's come in the first round. Hell, even Carimi was drafted in the first round and Tice won't even consider him a candidate to play LT. Just sayin'.

Fair enough. I just think they're wrong.

Well see.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

The fact that Potter was not invited to the Senior Bowl OR the Shrine Game disappointing me. That is exactly the type of atmosphere you want him to play in to show his strength wasn't just adequate against inferior competition.

Not everybody goes. Some don't want to or have other commitments and put the word out. Fleener didn't go and he's the top ranked TE in Pro Football Weekly. Meh.