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5 Tools Sports Podcast Host Woody Massie, 5 Tool Sports Podcast Analyst CJ McLaughlin and Football Scout 365 Analyst Brandon Lundberg come together for their weekly game preview and picks show. How Did We Do? In week 4, CJ picked 11 games correctly against the spread, Woody finished picking 10, and Brandon went 50%, picking 8 of the 16 games correctly. Check back weekly for more great content and be sure to follow us on our Instagram accounts.

Today's Content Is Powered by SIS Data Hub Pro. What is SIS Data Hub Pro? SIS DataHub Pro provides statistical insight into each player and game that cannot be found anywhere else and is trusted by NFL teams, writers, broadcasters, fantasy players, and avid football fans. Click to learn more . About The Analysis Motivated again by the Raven’s aggressiveness on offense after going for it on 4th and one to seal Lamar Jackson’s first win against the Patrick Mahomes led Chiefs, I decided to examine the Ravens run game since 2019 using data from SIS Data Hub Pro. I started out just examining 1st and 2nd down run success and the correlation between their 3rd and 4th down run success and it turned into an examination of Lamar Jackson’s ranking among all NFL QB’s using the SIS W.A.R. metric, and points earned. I then decided to revisit the primary driver behind the Raven’s aggressiveness which is driven by their heavy use of in-game analytics. Check out the latest Five Tool Sports podcast: Week Two NFL Recap Powered By SIS Data Hub Pro Why Greg Roman’s Offense Is Perfect For Lamar Jackson My obsession with the Ravens offense started in the offseason prior to the 2019 NFL season. I became infatuated with their offensive scheme once current offensive coordinator Greg Roman was named offensive coordinator. I knew right away the vision of the Ravens offense would be a close copy of John Harbaugh's brother Jim who coached the Colin Kaepernick quarterbacked 49ers, whose offensive coordinator was also Greg Roman. Lamar Jackson Is The Engine (Not Ground Breaking) The identity of the offense is fueled by Lamar Jackson and his skill set as a player. Jackson’s dynamic playmaking ability is the engine that drives a Greg Roman offense. His ability to force a defense to defend all 11, and wish they had 12 on the field is something you cannot fully quantify, though there is data that correlates Lamar Jackson’s value as a runner as you will see below where I combine his W.A.R. as a rusher and a passer in an effort to see where he ranks among all NFL QB’s. Lamar Jackson's WAR (Average Wins Above Replacement) Since 2019 According to the SIS W.A.R. model, which is broken down nicely by fellow SIS contributor Alex Vigderman , W.A.R. measures points above replacement using a points-per-win conversion that is based on the scoring environment. According to the SIS W.A.R. metric, Lamar Jackson ranks 13th (1.53) as a passer since 2019. As a rusher, Jackson ranks atop the NFL as a rusher since 2019 posting an average W.A.R. of 0.63. If you combine the two metrics (running and passing) Lamar ranks 5th among all QB’s in the NFL using the SIS W.A.R. metric. Lamar Jackson's Total Points Earned SInce 2019 In addition to Lamar’s wins above replacement value, Jackson’s total points earned combined as both a runner and passer ranks 7th among all QB’s with Mahomes, Rodgers, Brady, Watson, Wilson, and Carr ahead of him since 2019. If you were to subtract his points earned as a runner, Jackson would rank 13th in points earned since 2019. What the data is saying, Lamar Jackson’s running ability is what differentiates him which is obvious, but it also places him squarely among the top 10 QB’s in the NFL since 2019. Ravens Play Calling Driven By Data and Analytics As mentioned earlier, the Ravens' usage of analytics to help them make better play calling decisions is just as important as their play style. In 2019, John Harbaugh told the media that he relies heavily on analytics for every big play-calling decision he makes ; the Raven's aggressiveness on offense directly reflects the analytical data delivered to John by his primary analytics guy Daniel Stern. Who is Daniel Stern? Stern is listed on the Ravens official website as the Ravens Football Analytics Coach , and as mentioned by John in the past, Stern sits with offensive coordinator Greg Roman in the box and has a lot of influence on play calling. The Ravens Use of In-Game Predictive Analytics Once Again Told Them To Go For It Against The Chiefs On 4th And 1 Stern incorporates a percentage-based predictive analytics model that provides data in real-time based on the game situation. In week two, against the Chiefs, the Ravens faced a 4th and one from their own 43-yard line in the 4th QTR. With 1:05 left in the game and a one-point lead, the decision did not warrant an analytics-based approach with Patrick Mahomes waiting on the other side. But the analytics did back John's decision. Going for it increased the Ravens win probability to 90%; it drops to 73% if they punt . These decisions are made easier when you have a QB behind center as dynamic as Lamar Jackson. Ravens History of Early Down Run Game Success Allows Ravens To Be More Aggressive With 3rd and 4th Down Play Calls. A lot of the Raven’s success is driven by their ability to dominate early downs. So far, through two games in 2021, the Ravens lead the NFL in SIS Boom Percentage (17%) which is a number that signifies the percentage of rushes that resulted in an EPA of at least 1 (i.e. a very successful play for the offense). The Ravens are 5th through two games in SIS Positive Run Play Percentage (50%), Positive Run Play Percentage; the percentage of rushes by the player that resulted in a positive EPA (i.e. a successful play for the offense). Early Down Run Success Against The Chiefs In Week Two Against the Chiefs in week two, the Ravens posted a 63% Boom Percentage, and a 20% Positive run Percentage on 1st and 2nd down. Lamar Jackson on his own in week two vs the Chiefs posted a Boom Percentage of 25%, with a Positive Run Percentage of 58%. Latavius Murray and Ty’son Williams combined for a 67% Positive Run Percentage. The Ravens led the NFL in expected points added (3.74) on 3rd and 4th down rush attempts in week two, which is a testament to their ability to win on 1st and 2nd down. Ravens Early Down Success Since 2019 I pulled the total rush yards on 1st and 2nd down since 2019 combined for all NFL teams to get an idea of what I already knew; the Ravens dominate early downs to set up higher percentage 3rd and 4th down opportunities where they can still run the football if they choose. The Ravens have amassed 5763 yards on early downs (1st since 2019) while averaging 5.4 yards per rush on early downs since 2019 (also 1st). In addition, no team has attempted more runs on 3rd and 4th down and three yards or less since 2019. The Ravens convert 73% of their rush attempts on 3rd and 4th down and three yards or less. All Decisions Made Easier In This Style Of Offense When You Have Lamar Jackson Once again, all of this is made easier when the offense is predicated on your best player’s skill set. The Ravens have done a great job maximizing Lamar Jackson’s ability to put stress on opposing defenses. Now the final question that needs to be answered is, can this style of offense win a Super Bowl in the NFL?

We examine five standout performers who are 2022 NFL Draft eligible. Yes, only five, there are many more, but five per week and in no particular order will be the routine this season. If you want to send a player to be considered, you can hit us up on Twitter , or Instagram . Michigan State Junior RB Kenneth Walker 5-10, 210lbs vs. Northwestern Kenneth Walker had himself a game in week one rushing for 264 yards on 23 rush attempts and 4 rush touchdowns against the Northwestern Wildcats, a team who ranked 2nd in the Big Ten in average yards per play a season ago; Walker rushed for 11.5 yards per attempt. To be fair and not to take away from Walker's performance, Northwestern ranked at the bottom of the Big Ten in yards per rush attempt average in 2020. Ole Miss Junior QB Matt Corral 6-0, 200lbs vs. Louisville Matt Corral showed that he is in complete control of the offense down in Oxford. He shows good poise; he is a mobile and athletic QB who extends plays. Against the Louisville Cardinals defense in week one, Corral had zero problems operating the offense while head coach and primary Ole Miss play call Lane Kiffen was out due to a positive Covid test. Corral went 22-32 for 384 yards and 1 pass TD; he ran the football 12 times, for 55 yards and 1 TD. The Louisville defense ranked 4th in the ACC in yards per pass attempt yards in 2020 and gave up the 2nd fewest pass TD's in the ACC in 2020. Sure it is not the grandest stage, but Corral is off to a great start in 2021. Ole Miss WR Senior WR Dontario Drummond 6-1, 220lbs vs. Louisville Ole Miss has become a WR factory in recent years producing D.K. Metcalf, A.J. Brown, and in the most recent draft Elijah Moore. Dontario Drummond is a guy to keep an eye on. Drummond brought in 9 catches for 177 yards and a TD. He averaged 19 yards per catch, displaying a knack for the big play with five plays of over 20+ yards in week one. Notre Dame Junior Safety Kyle Hamilton 6-4, 220lbs vs. Florida State At 6-4, 220lbs, Hamilton is an absolute specimen of a player. He made some big-time plays against FSU, including a jaw-dropping INT where he covers a lot of ground from his right safety spot on the far hash to the sideline where he would intercept the football. Hamilton's game-changing ability from the safety position was on display in week one, where he picked off two passes and had 6 total tackles. Hamilton is a bonified first-round NFL draft prospect. UCLA Junior RB Zach Charbonnet 6-1, 220lbs vs LSU The Michigan Transfer RB has made quite a splash in his first two games as UCLA's starter at RB. In week zero, Charbonnet burst onto the scene against Hawaii, rushing for 117 yards on 6 carries and scoring 3 TD's. Yes, 6 carries and 3 TD's sounds like he was running against air. So, in comes the LSU Tigers; Charbonnet has no issues leading the UCLA backfield with 11 rush attempts and 117 more yards against an SEC opponent. He currently averages 13 yards per rush attempt. From a football scouting intel point of view, His former RB coach Jay Harbaugh at Michigan compared his style of play to NFL RB David Johnson. Charbonnet has two catches in two games as a receiver, and that is an area to keep an eye on.

2022 NFL Draft WR Prospects. Subject to change. Check back for full player evaluations and our 2022 NFL Draft Big Board.

2022 NFL Draft QB Prospects. Subject to change. Check back for full player evaluations and our 2022 NFL Draft Big Board.

2022 NFL Draft TE Prospects. Subject to change. Check back for full player evaluations and our 2022 NFL Draft Big Board.

2022 NFL Draft RB Prospects. Subject to change. Check back for full player evaluations and our 2022 NFL Draft Big Board.

Today we examine 2022 NFL Draft Prospect and North Carolina QB Sam Howell. The Grade Scale Click here for more info on how we evaluate NFL Draft prospects The grading scale below is on a level of 1-10, 10 being the elite level and 1 being the lowest developmental level. Click the link above to learn more. (QB) Overall Accuracy (Short/Intermediate/Deep) Grade: 8 On film, Howell shows he can fit the ball into windows. His ability to hit throws down the seam over LB's and in front of the safeties is notable. (QB) Throws Outside The Numbers Grade: 7 On film, Howell shows an adequate ability to hit throws outside of the numbers. Because UNC relies on RPO-based routes inside the numbers, I would like to see more throws by Howell outside the numbers in 2021. (QB) Progressions and Reads Grade: 7 Howell demonstrates the ability to go from one to three, but the Tarheel offense is play-action and RPO heavy. There is a slight concern that Howell needs to develop more in going through progressions, but the concern level is low. (QB) Deep Accuracy (Ball Placement) Grade: 8 Sam Howell possesses a quick release and good deep ball placement (>20+ air yards), which showed in 2020 where he completed 53% of throws 20 yards or more down the field while throwing 11 TD's to 2 INT's on deep throws. (QB) Under Pressure Grade: 7 Howell was outstanding under pressure completing 53% of his throws while compiling an 11/3 TD/INT ratio when facing pressure in 2020. Howell has been a starter since his freshman season in Chapel Hill. (QB) Play Action Passing/RPO Grade: 8 The Tarheels run a very QB-friendly RPO-focused offense (most RPO's in the NCAA in 2020). Howell excelled in play-action and RPO averaging 12.0 yards per attempt in 2020. (QB) Arm Talent (strength, angles, creativity) Grade: 7 Sam Howell has NFL-level arm strength. He is not known as a QB who relies on his throwing power to fit a ball into a tight window, but he is someone who will take a chance from time to time. He can benefit more by relying on his consistent deep ball placement than using his average to good arm strength to fit the football into a tight window. His arm strength is more than adequate for the NFL level. Overall Athleticism At The Position (Pocket Movement Mobility Speed Footwork Power Balance) Grade: 6 Howell is an adequate athlete who can move well enough to extend plays which is a crucial trait of current young top NFL QB's. Having the ability to create when a play breaks down is vital in today's football. He could improve by not taking off too soon and allowing the play to develop. Overall, he shows good pocket awareness. Howell has good footwork tendencies but could improve, as do all QBs at the collegiate level. Awareness and Vision (Position Based) Grade: 7 Howell has good awareness but can sometimes force a throw into a tight area. These issues are few and far between but must be acknowledged. He possesses good field vision; he does a great job identifying the open areas locating his receivers. On film, you can see his ability to drive the pocket when he feels pressure coming, which is a high-level trait. Player Size (Position Based) Grade: 7 Howell is not a huge QB at 6-1, 220lbs. He draws comparisons to Baker Mayfield, and you can see some similarities in play style. His size is not a factor and is more than adequate at the NFL level. Scheme Flexibility (is the player scheme dependent or easily adaptable)? Grade: 7 As we have already discussed, the Tarheels use a lot of RPO. When I scouted Baker Mayfield coming out of Oklahoma, I remember his game vs. Ohio State and the amount of RPO they ran in that game on the road vs. the Buckeyes and during his final season in Norman. That did not stop me from grading Baker Mayfield as the most NFL-ready QB entering the 2018 NFL draft. Howell can position himself similarly entering the 2021 CFB season and ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. On tape and early in the process, Howell looks the part of an NFL-ready QB. 2021 Games to Watch Away vs. Va Tech Sept 3rd Home vs. Miami Oct 16th Away vs. Notre Dame Oct 30th Conclusion/Overall Grade: 7.18 (Instant Impact Player) Howell is considered a low-level Instant Impact player with year one starter potential. As discussed above, he shows NFL-ready traits similar to the evaluation we performed on Baker Mayfield in 2017. When evaluating any player and especially the QB position, one of the key factors to consider is their experience level and year-over-year progression. Howell has been the starter in Chapel Hill since he arrived two seasons ago. As a freshman in 2019, Howell was very good in his 13 games as the starter completing 61% of his passes for 3600+ yds. He posted an elite-level TD/INT ratio of 38/7 and the nation's 10th highest passer rate (160.25). He followed up in 2020 by posting 3500+ pass yds, a 30/7 TD/INT ratio, and the nation's 8th best passer rate (179.09. He has two years of experience as a starter under his belt heading into the 2021 season.

The Football Scout 365 process and philosophy is a process developed to connect advanced metrics and on-field play. The numbers can sometimes tell a different story than the film or vice versa, and that is where our situational analysis plays a pivotal role in how we interpret individual player and team performance. How We Grade, The Grade Scale, and More Let's start off by going over the grading system, and then we can dive into some of the variables used to compile our individual player and team grades. We have revamped the way we compile and determine a player's individual grade. We started off with a grading system used when evaluating NFL Draft prospects. We have now put together a comprehensive grade scale for all players, both college and pro. Let's examine the two individual player grade scales. Individual Player Grades For Current NFL Players Below you will see a list of color-coded tiers followed by a descending grade scale. The grading scale is a 1-10 model with 10 being elite and = to, or <4 as poor. The grading scale uses variables based on each player's positional focus and uses advanced metrics such as pressure rate and sacks for pass rushers. Each tier carries an average value based on various data points, including the previous season's data. Our rankings are not an indictment of one's career and are more of a projection-based tier system used to identify current players' potential ceilings or floors. (Edited for clarity on 6-2-21). Tier 1 Elite = 10 (A+) Near Elite = 9 (A-) Star on The Rise/Fall = 8 (B+) Tier 2 Above Average Solid Starter = 7 (B-) Average Starter = 6 (C+) Below Average = 5 (C-) Tier 3 Poor = 4 (D+) Replace = <3 D- Depth or Replacements Needed When evaluating the elite level QB's we found that the average total passing yards (4600) and pass TD's (39) to INT's (8) is the average among the elite level QB's a list that includes Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Deshaun Watson. Each of the above QB's graded out as elite performers in both advanced metrics and during film review where the data is connected to on-field performance. Elements such as on-target throw rate vs. raw completion rate are major factors when evaluating a QB and when you can identify these factors on film, it provides a more profound level of analytical perspective. (Note: Some grades are not based solely on current or recent metrics. The grades can be projection-based. Suppose a WR or a QB are graded just below an elite level one year removed from having an elite level year. In that case, we may choose to move them down a notch based on situations or other variables not easily quantifiable. Situational Analysis Team Grades (All levels, CFB, NFL) The situational analysis team grades use the grades from the individual player evaluations. Once all players are graded we then compile an average grade for each of the following metrics to compile a total offense, defense, and team grade. The Gradable Team Metrics Are as Follows: Passing Offense, Rushing Offense, Receivers, Pass Block, Run Block, Pass Rush, Pass Cover, and Run Defense. What We Use Team Metrics to Evaluate Once we have a total grade for each of the above metrics, we then get the average for offense, defense, and total team. The total team grade represents the overall strength of each team. We use this grade to identify power rankings, divisional contenders, playoff contenders, and legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Other metrics considered are the strength of schedule, coaching staff, and any other factors that might come into play. NFL Draft Grade Process and Grade Scale Like the individual player grades for current NFL players, the NFL Draft grades involve a combination of both advanced metrics and film evaluation. INSTANT IMPACT POTENTIAL (Grade 7-10) The prospect has consistently performed at the highest level in big moments vs. top competition. The player is an elite athlete, with elite traits that are apparent when watching his film. The player consistently demands an opponent's attention, which opens up opportunities for his teammates to thrive. He makes his team better by just being on the field. The Grade Scale Considerations - Elite, Perfect Prospect = 10 A+ - Perennial All-Pro Potential = 9 A- - Pro Bowl Level Potential = 8 B+ - Year One Level Starter = 7 B- POTENTIAL UPSIDE (Grade 4-6) The player produced at an above-average to elite level against top competition but sometimes lacked consistency. The player performed at an elite level vs. average competition but often disappeared against top competition or did not compete in a division with high-level competition. The player needs to develop their skillset further. The margin for improvement may vary. The player possesses all of the physical tools but lacked development in high school and college that an NFL-level coach could develop. The player might lack certain physical tools needed in specific NFL schemes. The player might have lacked a work ethic or needs to improve attention to detail. The Grade Scale Considerations - Boom or Bust Potential = 6 C+ - Starter Potential Within Two Years = 5 C- - Good Backup w/Starter Potential = 4 D+ DEVELOPMENTAL (Grade 1-3) The player produced at an above-average to elite level against top competition but sometimes lacked consistency. The player performed at an elite level vs. average competition but often disappeared against top competition or did not compete in a division with high-level competition. The player needs to develop their skillset further. The margin for improvement may vary. The player possesses all of the physical tools but lacked development in high school and college. The player might be considered scheme-dependent. The Grade Scale Considerations - High-Level Developmental Traits = 3 (D-) - Backup Special Teams Player = 2 (F) - Chance to Make Roster = 1 (F) Positional FIlm Review Evaluation Process and Considerations How We Evaluate the QB Position When evaluating the QB position one of the top traits to ID is leadership. Does the QB show leadership on the field, or if you have close access to the prospect, does he also lead off of the field? How does the prospect handle adversity? Other on-field variables include the pocket presence or poise in the pocket. Does the prospect stand tall in the pocket? Does he hang in under pressure? Where do his eyes go? Do his eyes move from down the field when pressure is coming, or does he stand tall and keep his focus downfield? How well does the prospect go through his progressions? Can he get from one to three quickly? Does he move off of his first or 2nd read too fast or too slow? What is his decision-making like, or the rate of good to bad decisions? We then look at the arm talent. How strong is the prospect's arm? What arm angle ability does he possess? What is his accuracy at all levels? The last thing we look for but certainly not least, is athletic ability. We love guys who can move and make plays with their legs. How We Evaluate the RB Position These are not in any particular order, but I will point out that I always identify the RB's who show patience as a runner. When I say patience, I like backs, which allow the guard to pull to the designated blocking zone before hitting that area hard. A great example of a back with great patience or who allowed his blockers to get set up was Lev Bell when he played at his best in the Steelers offense. I like to key in on other aspects: are they tough between the tackles, do they possess good contact balance, and can they create yards after contact? I like a back with good vision, one who sees the opening before it's there, or who can ID what is not available and can bounce the play outside or locate the cut back lane. I also look for a guy who possesses a good burst; he doesn't have to be a burner. I like a guy who can explode in a small space to get to the edge when needed or explode through a closing void. One of the more critical aspects is, can the guy pass block, or is he a willing pass blocker? Skills as a receiver, how good of a receiver is he out of the backfield? Can he line up in the slot if we want to create that mismatch? How versatile is the player's skill set as a receiver? How We Evaluate the WR Position The Ability to separate can play inside or outside, strong hands, the ability to fight through press, can track the football, good body control, good hands, attacks the catch point, good route running, agility, ability to make defenders miss in space, effort without the football, uses leverage, can stack a DB, can make contested catches in traffic, can box out, plays bigger than his size, or uses his size well, explosive. How We Evaluate the TE Position Some of the key traits to look for when evaluating the tight end position, do they possess good hands, are they a good to adequate blocker? I examine their size relative to similar style players. Are they used more as an inline blocker, or in the slot, or flexed wide? Or are they versatile enough to do both? Are they a Hybrid, Fullback style TE, a guy I can lineup in the backfield and use to iso block for the RB? Are they a good route runner? Are they athletic in space? Can they get separation when route running? Is the prospect an enthusiastic blocker? How to Evaluate Offensive Line For the most part, you scout all of the offensive line positions similarly with a few variations. Everything begins and ends with how a player moves, observing the prospect's first few steps when in pass pro, their athleticism and ability to get to an area to block in the run game, hand usage, and strength. Pass Blocking Some prospects are raw but athletic and need polish, vs. some who are very technical but lack strength or athleticism. As a pass blocker, how well does the lineman use his hands? Does he stick and move like a boxer with good footwork (punch defender). How does he handle a bull rush or players who use a wide array of hand combos to disengage? Where are his eyes? Is the prospect flat-footed at times or consistently on his toes? Run Blocking Can the prospect get a good push or move a defender? Can he leverage the defender with his size? Does he play with a good bend (bends at the knee, not at the waist)? When moving the defender, does he distribute his power from the legs up? Is the prospect's hand placement in the correct area (inside shoulders, thumbs are pointing up)? Does the player finish, and is he consistent in all of these critical areas? Scheme Fit The scheme fit matters; some guys are more comfortable in a zone-blocking scheme than, say a power, or gap scheme; some are good at both. Some are good with straight-up man blocking one on one; it varies with the run game as a general rule; Gap schemes are more effective if your offensive linemen are not physically as strong as the defensive linemen help deal with stunts and twists. Zone Schemes are great ways to feature a runner with great vision and punish fast-flowing linebackers. How to Evaluate Defensive Line The first thing you want to look for when scouting the IDL position is where they fit scheme-wise? Is he a two-gap 3-4 interior player or a one-gap 4-3 defender? In a 3-4 defensive scheme, my nose tackle will generally lineup over the center's head and is accountable for both A-gaps. I want my nose tackle to take up space in the middle so that my 2nd level guys can make plays without defenders getting to the second level. You also want them to possess the strength to get off of a block and make a play in the run game. My 3-4 ends are also two-gap responsible; I need them to hold down the B and C gap on each side. In a one-gap 4-3 scheme, you have the two IDL; one is usually considered one tech who lines up half shade over the center in the B gap opposite the three-technique player who is in the B gap half shade over the guard. Both are responsible for stopping the run and rushing the passer when needed. Some of the traits I look for, speed, power, and push. The players who have both speed and power are high-level players. How they use their hands to disengage with a blocker is essential. And the last but not least area is awareness and IQ. A guy who is a student of the game, who can recognize pre-snap movements or player positioning and make adjustments to their movement post-snap are the best defenders in the NFL. Once again, Aaron Donald possesses all of these traits. The first thing you want to look for when scouting the IDL position is where they fit scheme-wise? Is he a two-gap 3-4 interior player or a one-gap 4-3 defender? In a 3-4 defensive scheme, my nose tackle will generally lineup over the center's head and is accountable for both A-gaps. I want my nose tackle to take up space in the middle so that my 2nd level guys can make plays without defenders getting to the second level. You also want them to possess the strength to get off of a block and make a play in the run game. My 3-4 ends are also two-gap responsible; I need them to hold down the B and C gap on each side. In a one-gap 4-3 scheme, you have the two IDL; one is usually considered one tech who lines up half shade over the center in the B gap opposite the three-technique player who is in the B gap half shade over the guard. Both are responsible for stopping the run and rushing the passer when needed. Some of the traits I look for, speed, power, and push. The players who have both speed and power are high-level players. How they use their hands to disengage with a blocker is essential. And the last but not least area is awareness and IQ. A guy who is a student of the game, who can recognize pre-snap movements or player positioning and make adjustments to their movement post-snap are the best defenders in the NFL. Once again, Aaron Donald possesses all of these traits. How to Evaluate Edge Players The Role In a 3-4 (Edge Players) An edge defender in a 3-4 scheme is often in a two-point stance, like a LB. They are to be versatile; needing them to be able to pass rush and pass cover on any given down is a big deal in the NFL. You will also hear terms such as rush LB or sam LB. The rush LB always lines up on the weak side (opposite TE side). Their primary goal is to rush the QB. The Sam LB lines up opposite of the Rush LB. They play on the strong side of defense (TE side). The Sam LB must be strong at the point of attack; the Sam LB focuses on stopping the run while accounting for their area in pass coverage, often against the TE. The Sam LB can be a situational pass rusher, where the coordinator will surprise an offense when sending him after the QB. Other 3-4 edge rusher depictions are ROLB and LOLB. Like the rush LB and the Sam LB, they are more designated to their area and move less with the strength of the offensive formation (where TE lines up doesn't always dictate where they line up). When they are designated to be less dependent on the offensive formation's strength, they have to be versatile enough to be a Sam or a rush style player on any given play. The Role In a 4-3 (Edge Players) The 4-3 edge player is considered a more traditional DE who is responsible for the defense's edge while playing with their hand in the dirt. Some edge rushers can play in either style, while some are scheme dependent and play better with a hand down than in a two-point stance. 4-3 edge players are ordinarily bigger than those in a 3-4 scheme and are more involved as run stoppers and pass rushers and rarely are asked to drop into coverage. Player Traits and SkillSet Some of the traits I look for, speed, power, and push. The players who have both speed and power are high-level players. How they use their hands to disengage with a blocker is essential. And the last but not least area is awareness and IQ. A guy who is a student of the game, who can recognize pre-snap movements or player positioning and make adjustments to their movement post-snap are the best defenders in the NFL. Once again, Aaron Donald possesses all of these traits. How to Evaluate The LB Position When examining the LB position, you have to understand how to ID what LB type a player is. Is he an edge-style player? A Mike Backer (Middle), a Jack, or Will backer (weakside). The definitions will vary by the scheme, but to keep things simple, let's talk about LB traits that matter when scouting. Again scheme matters, are they 4-3 or a 3-4 style player, etc. But today, I want to talk about the inside LB positions. I'll start with the Mike LB. The Mike LB is the alpha, the QB of the defense. He is often lined up in the middle of the defense, but his position might vary because of his versatility. Regardless, the Mike LB has to be an instinctual player who can get downhill versus the run, shed blocks, and drop into coverage when necessary. Size and versatility do matter at the LB position now more than ever; whether it's the Mike, Jack, or the WIll, they must all be versatile to defend against the new age pass-heavy offenses. The Mike LB will be lined up on the strong side (TE, or formation heavy) most of the time. The Will LB or the Jack LB will line up opposite to the weak side. Again this also varies based on personnel. So to shorten this up, you want your LB's to be athletic, good tacklers, physical, able to shed blocks, a player who can dance in traffic, and can cover in space. And lastly, does he read and react well to what the offense is throwing at him? does he over pursue or respond wildly to play fakes? Does he find himself in a good position more than out of position? And can he matchup with a TE, RB, or move into the slot if tasked to do so? How we Evaluate Defensive Backs Whether it's a safety or CB, I am looking for similar traits. It starts with the scheme fit and how they translate. Can they adapt to different schemes? Are they more comfortable as a man-to-man defender vs. zone? Are they able to play press-man? Speed and burst matter in the secondary, but speed doesn't matter if a player lacks agility and good technique. Players with quick feet and can react quickly on the fly by flipping their hips are valuable. What do I mean by flipping the hips? Going from your back peddle to a full sprint fast is very important to a DB. The critical part of that transition is flipping your hips to change your body orientation 180 degrees without momentum. It's an awkward body motion that guys at the NFL level make look easy. I also look for willing-run defenders. Can they provide support in the run game? Are they sound in the open field? All of the above can be true for the safety position, but there are some differentiating factors from a CB. You have two safeties in football, free and strong, and sometimes you get a hybrid nickel or LB style safety. The definition of safety has become blurry as they have to be responsible in similar ways at both spots; that's where the hybrid effect comes into play or the undefined role of safety, so to speak, because of how defenses utilize them to defend against pass-heavy spread offenses. So you can understand the difference between a traditional free and strong safety, I'll define it real fast. Free safety is often the deep safety lined up at least 10 yards deep, while the strong safety traditionally lines up on the TE side or the heavy side of an offensive formation. Free safeties are responsible for mostly pass coverage, while a strong safety defends the run while also being accountable for pass coverage.

Ohio State Explosive Plays Allow Them To Take Over The Game Ohio State entered this game as double-digit favorites on the road (13.5) with an 18 game Big Ten win streak on the line; the Golden Gophers had Ohio State on the ropes a few times, but they could not keep pace with Ohio States Explosive offense. The Buckeye's first explosive play occurred in the first QTR when RB Myran Williams housed a run 71 yards putting his Buckeyes ahead 7-0. Ohio State would have a tough time sustaining drives in the first half, but sustaining drives would not be needed as Ohio State hit on explosive passing plays in the 2nd half of 38, 61, and 70 yards, all for TD's. The Story of Two Halves Minnesota was able to control the clock on offense throughout the game; the Gophers possessed the football for 18 minutes in the first half and 20 mins in the second half. The Gophers sustained long drives and bested Ohio State on third down, going 7-14, vs. Ohio State, who went 3-6 on the game. The Gopher game plan to sustain long drives and keep the talented Ohio State offense off the field worked until it didn't because Ohio State's talent would eventually take over. The Gophers ran 72 offensive plays to Ohio State's 42 total plays. The Call Of The Game: Minnesota 4th and 1 From Their Own 29 In The 2nd QTR Minnesota needed to find a way to flip momentum around the 10-minute mark of the 2nd QTR down ten points, P.J. Fleck made a bold decision that is the furthest from his Tresell ball background, going for it on 4th and one from his teams own 29-yard line. The gophers would convert with a run of 56 yards from their bowling ball RB Mohamed Ibrahim. Two plays later in the RedZone, Tanner Morgan would throw a beautiful fade to WR Dylan Wright to the left side of the endzone for a TD. Minnesota would seize momentum from here, eventually taking a 14-10 lead over Ohio State at halftime. The Story Of The Night Was All About C.J. Stroud and How He Would Look The main narrative leading into the game for Ohio State was how C.J. Stroud looks in his first game as a starting QB. He did okay, but he struggled at times with accuracy in the intermediate areas. He missed a few deep throws with guys open, but the athletes took over when he connected on the deep throws. The Tandem of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson would not disappoint as both combined for 9 catches, 197 yards, and 3 TD's. Add in star RB Treveon Henderson who added a 70 yard TD reception on a throw behind the line of scrimmage, and that is three players accounting for 91% of CJ strouds 294 total yards of offense. Offensive Player of The Game Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud 13-22 (59%), 294 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT, 3 rush att, 13 rush yds Even with his struggles, he overcame the adversity throwing for 4 TD's and leading Ohio State to a win on the road in a challenging environment. Defensive Player Of The Game Ohio State Edge Zach Harrison 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble (strip-sack) Harrison made a massive play in the third QTR that shifted the momentum back into Ohio State's favor when he came free off the edge to strip-sack, Tanner Morgan, leading to a Haskel Garrett scoop and score. Other Notable Performance RB Mohamed Ibrahim 30 rush att, 164 rush yds, 5.4 yds per att, 2 rush TD's Ibrahim was the game's unsung hero, leading Minnesota's rush attack between the tackles before being injured in the third QTR. His injury is still unconfirmed at this point. But a tweet from Pro Football Doc last night indicated it might be an achilles injury which could be a season-ender. In summary Ohio State has some things to work on, and as they say, you make the most significant jump in terms of improvement from week one to week 2. Ohio State does not have much time to waste with the Oregon Ducks coming to Columbus next week. The talent can help Ohio State take over in games where they struggle against lesser opponents, and they might not be as fortunate down the line when they face teams with equal or close to equal talent. Oregon is not as talented, but they might be the most talented opponent they will face the rest of the year.

I want to preface my writing by saying there are more than five, but I decided to narrow it down to five players, primarily due to time constraints and other obligations. You can get a more in-depth analysis of players to look out for by listening to the 5 Tool Sports podcast below this; we discuss several preseason NFL standouts in the show's last segment. Corey Davis WR New York Jets The rapport between Corey Davis and Zach Wilson in the preseason is evidence that Davis might be on the cusp of his best season yet. According to Sports Info Solutions , the former top-five NFL draft pick hit hi s stride in 2020, snagging 65 catches on 92 targets (70%) for 984 yards and 5 TD's. Davis recorded career highs in yards (984), TD's (5), yards per reception (15.1) In 2020 with the Titans. His role with the Jets is to be "the guy." Davis is in a favorable position to surpass all of his career highs in 2021 with the Jets. Rhamondre Stevenson RB New England Patriots (Rookie) So the Patriots traded Sony Michel to the Rams. The Rookie RB from Oklahoma made that decision easier for the Patriots after putting together a highlight reel of a preseason. Stevenson ranked 7th on our 2021 NFL Draft Big Board among all RB's. Stevenson displayed a lot of what is on film from his time at Oklahoma; he is powerful with good feet, he is patient behind the line allowing blocks to take shape. His speed allowed doubt to creep in when he ran a 4.6 in the forty at his pro day. He has erased those doubts in the preseason, where he rushed 30 times, for 216 yds, and 5 TD's with a 7.16 yards per rush attempt average. The Patriots are still loaded with a three-headed backfield but do not be surprised if Stevenson takes on a more significant role than expected in 2021. Byron Pringle WR Kansas City Chiefs Byron Pringle and Mecole Hardman are battling the number two WR role in the Chiefs offense in training camp. Pringle is the least notable of the players on my list, but he resides in the high power Chiefs offense, and if he were to take control of the number two WR spot at any point in the season, he is a legitimate player; keep an eye on. Pringle snagged 6 out of 7 catches for 73 yards and a score in his first two preseason games. His rapport with Mahomes is apparent on tape. According to Sports Info Solutions, Pringle boasts a 90% career catch rate on catchable targets. It is a small sample size, and Pringle has appeared in 29 games since 2019; he has only been targeted 33 times in that same span. Pat Freiermuth TE Pittsburgh Steelers (Rookie) Pat Freiermuth is a RedZone machine, a player who never dropped a catchable throw in the RedZone while at Penn State proved just that a few weeks ago in a preseason game vs. the Lions, where he scored two TD's. Freiermuth displayed why many had him as their top-ranked TE before the 2020 CFB season until Kyle Pitts emerged. We ranked Freiermuth below Pitts and Former Miami Hurricane TE Brevin Jordan leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft. I must note, Freiermuth is in a better situation than Brevin Jordan, drafted by the Texans, but Freiermuth reminded everyone why he was considered the top TE prospect in college at one point. His body control and ability to box out defenders in the RedZone were on full display in the preseason, and he can play inline, in the slot, or out wide. He is pushing Eric Ebron for TE1 in Pittsburgh. Terry McLaurin WR Washington Football Team Terry Mclaurin is not a sleeper, and it is obvious he is the number one WR in the Washington offense, but he is still underrated. For starters, Mclaurin is a technician, and he is a strong route runner; he is a willing run blocker. He does everything well. He is also very fast; he has a 4.3 forty-yard dash. Why is this relevant? He is now with a QB (Ryan Fitzpatrick) who wants to push the football vertical. According to Sports Info Solutions , in 2019 (rookie year), Mclaurin posted a 13.8-yard average depth per target; in 2020, that number fell to 9.3. In 2020 with the Dolphins, Ryan Fitzpatrick averaged 7.4 air yards per attempt; he ranked at the bottom of the middle third among all QB's with at least 200 pass attempts according to SIS, which does not help my argument. Still, in 2019, Fitzpatrick ranked 6th in average throw depth among all QB's with at least 200 pass attempts. So the evidence is valid, and Fitzpatrick has not had a WR the caliber of Terry Mclaurin at his disposal in Miami.

The 2021 preseason brought a lot of hype, especially regarding the top rookie QB's from the 2021 NFL Draft class. The intrigue of how each of the top rookie QB's would perform in each of the last three weeks has been at the top of NFL headlines. So today, I will deliver my final review of the top 2021 NFL Draft QB's after three weeks of preseason football. A 2021 Pre-Draft Summary Review and How Each Of the QB's Performed In their Week One Preseason Debut's I highlighted the debuts of each of the top NFL rookie QB's all of which are vying for a starting position. Many may or may not know that I had Trevor Lawrence listed as the top QB in the 2021 NFL Draft, followed by Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, and Trey Lance. My 2021 NFL Draft argument in summary for each player is as follows. Trevor Lawrence (has all the tools) Go To NFL Draft Big Board Player Profile Justin Fields (tough, intelligent, athletic, conflict player, with great accuracy) Go To NFL Draft Big Board Player Profile Zach Wilson (Arm talent, precision passer, extends plays with legs, did not play against the best competition at BYU, needs time to develop) Go To NFL Draft Big Board Player Profile Mac Jones (Anticipatory thrower, intelligent, a statue with good pocket movement) Go To NFL Draft Big Board Player Profile Trey Lance (Athlete, strong arm, needs work on short, intermediate game, great deep accuracy, needs to develop, competition level in college a factor) Go To NFL Draft Big Board Player Profile How the Rookie QB's Rank Post Preseason No change in the rankings. Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence in a Bad Spot As A Rookie 3 GP, 3 GS, 31-44, 70.5% comp rte , 323 pass yds, 3 pass TD's, 0 INT's , 9 rush yds, 0 rush TD's, 3 Sacks, 106.5 QBR One thing is prominent; Trevor Lawrence is in a bad spot in Jacksonville, and he has the potential to struggle mightily. Lawrence made some great throws throughout and finished week three strong vs. the Cowboys completing 11-12 passes for 139 yards and two TD's. Even though it was against the Cowboy's backups, Lawrence showed us his potential completing two-deep balls, one for a TD. Chicago Bears Justin Fields In a Bad Spot As A Rookie, But Athleticism Covers Up Bears Deficiencies 3 GP, 1 GS, 30-49, 61.2% Comp Rte, 276 Pass Yds, 2 pass TD's, 0 INT's , 92 rush yds , 1 rush TD, 3 sacks, 90.2 QBR Andy Dalton might start week one, but Justin Fields will take the reigns before you know it. Fields can do a lot with his legs; he can extend plays when pass pro breaks down and move the chains in crucial third-down situations. When Fields has time, he does a good job making decisions from the pocket. He is in no way a perfect player, but the Bears got a good one who has the potential to be the best QB in the class down the road. New York Jets QB Zach Wilson Proved He Might Be More NFL Ready Than Expected 2 GP, 2 GS, 15-20, 75% comp rte , 191 pass yds, 2 TD's, 0 INT's , 0 rush yds, 0 rush TD's, 0 sacks , 137.7 QBR The Jets will be the worst team in their division, but Wilson provides great optimism in the same way that Justin Fields does for the Bears. His accuracy, ability to extend plays and decisiveness as a thrower in the preseason have stood out. He has a great rapport with free agent WR Corey Davis which is a big deal. And he has already made some big-time tight-window throws in the preseason. Wilson, like, Lawrence is in a bad spot on a somewhat unpredictably bad team. New England Patriots QB Mac Jones Is as Efficient As Advertised Coming Into The NFL 3 GP, 0 GS, 36-52, 69.2% comp rte , 389 pass yds, 1 pass TD, 0 INT's , 3 rush yds, 0 rush TD's, 5 sacks , 97.4 QBR I believed that Mac Jones would be the most NFL-ready rookie entering the NFL. For starters, he is a distributor by nature. He does not possess any of the jaw-dropping physical tools that the other top QB's in the 2021 NFL Draft have. Still, his anticipatory throwing and pocket awareness is precisely why the Patriots drafted him. He also takes care of the football, and that is important to a defensive-minded team. The reality is, can he consistently move the football in a real NFL game? And when needed, can he drive the football vertically when presented with the opportunity? He proved he could do all these things in the preseason. Assuming he has done enough to surpass veteran QB Cam Newton, will it translate to the regular season? San Francisco 49er QB Trey Lance Is As Advertised, Will Be a Co-Starter (Lance Gets Three Paragraphs) 3 GP, 0 GS, 19-41, 46.3% comp rte , 276 pass yds, 3 pass TD's , 1 INT, 16 rush yds, 1 rush TD, 6 sacks , 83.0 QBR After watching the 49ers vs. the Raiders yesterday, I see the vision and how alternating QB's in Shanahan's system can work. I also witnessed a few things that might not be so beneficial in the regular season. You can do some creative stuff regarding breaking tendencies and keeping defenses on their heels with an alternating QB system. But as I witnessed vs. the Raiders, a false start penalty on a drive that could have been the result of two QB's alternating and the difference in their cadence could be an issue down the road in a critical moment. In addition, I watched the 49ers alternate to Trey Lance when Jimmy G had a nice rhythm going, and that can be an issue as well. Outside of that, I think there is something to what Shanahan is doing, and because Lance needs time to develop, alternating the two can be beneficial to his growth. I believe that Shanahan has something great brewing with his idea of rotating the two QB's. Lance is by far the one guy I have been keeping an eye on. I thought Shanahan should have taken Fields if he wanted to go the athlete at QB route, I believe Fields is far more NFL ready, but he chose Lance, who possesses a big arm and a tough running style ahead of the more NFL ready guys. In Summary Justin Fields and Zach Wilson proved they have what it takes to be starting NFL QB's. They show NFL-ready traits and other developmental qualities. Mac Jones proved he is what he is, an efficient player who distributes the football and protects the football. Trevor Lawrence had ups and downs, but his talent is undeniable. Lawrence is in a bad spot; he will get a reprieve more than the other guys due to his situation unless he completely flops in the regular season. Trey Lance needs more development on short, intermediate throws but did improve every week. Trey Lance has a big arm and great deep accuracy, something we knew entering the 2021 NFL preseason. QB Whose Stock Improved The Most In Preseason Zach Wilson improved his stock the most in the preseason, he and Lawrence will both be rookie starters out of the gate, and it was important for both to show they could handle that responsibility as rookies, and both proved they have the ability. Wilson completed 75% of his throws, and posted a 137.7 QBR on 20 pass attempts in two preseason starts. Every One Of the Top Rookie QB's Might Start At Some Point In 2021 Every one of these guys might be the starter for their respective teams in 2021 at some point. With Justin Fields pushing to be the starter and pressure mounting on Matt Nagy from the media and Bears faithful, it might come to fruition in week one and the rumors of Mac Jones taking the reigns as early as week one for the Patriots. We already know Zach Wilson and Trevor Lawrence are the starters for the Jets and Jaguars, it is Trey Lance who is on the bubble even though he will get a lot of snaps in 2021 if the alternating QB approach is indeed the route Kyle Shanahan plans to go. 2021 NFL Draft QB Rankings Remain The Same Following Preseason My rookie QB rankings haven't changed based on the data in the preseason. I am confident, based on the situation, that Lawrence will struggle. Zach Wilson has some pieces to be successful, but the Jets overall roster will provide some inconsistent moments, and Justin Fields is in a similar situation to Zach Wilson in that I believe he has some nice parts around him, but the OL is a question mark and the coaching staff decision making does not provide a lot of confidence. Mac Jones and Trey Lance are in the best positions to be successful as rookies.