Arik Armstead - DL
An anonymous NFL scout compares Oregon DL Arik Armstead to Chris Canty and said he "[doesn't] think he'll ever be a big sack number guy, but he'll play well for you."
"Talented and big as hell," a different scout told the New Jersey Star-Ledger. "He's the one guy I've had a hard time grading. You watch him and you see the talent of a first-round pick. But then he plays like a fourth-round pick." As we've said before, the 6-foot-7, 292-pound Armstead has the talent to go at the top of the first round and the production to go on Day 2 or 3. "When you're that tall, you either have to have really good strength, or really good technique," another scout said. "He doesn't have either, yet. He plays hard. He's going to be all right."
Trae Waynes - DB
Pro Football Focus is concerned that Michigan State CB Trae Waynes' 20-yard shuttle (4.39 seconds) was slower than his 40 time (4.31).
That occurrence is such an anomaly that the group couldn't recall seeing it before. "That poor change-of-direction ability was evident on tape, and is a problem at a position where change of direction is vital," wrote Mike Renner. PFF is also troubled that a corner with such great recovery speed (thus not having to worry about getting burned deep) was so average on intermediate routes, only breaking up three passes on 59 targets. Waynes' yards per coverage snap allowed was average (1.04) and he struggled against Oregon, allowing 113 yards and a score on seven targets.
Cameron Erving - C
An anonymous NFL scout told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that FSU C Cameron Erving's "upside is huge" at center.
"That line didn't block well until they moved him," the scout said. "It cleaned up so much inside. He's not a 320-pound mauling center but he gets after you. He's such a good athlete and is extremely smart. Great kid." Florida State doubled its yards-before-contact rush average on interior runs in the final five games after shifting Erving inside. But is Erving (6-foot-5, 314 pounds), who would become the NFL's tallest center, too tall for the position? "I think he's too tall for center," a second scout said. "He's got stiff ankles and plays too small. He smothers college players, but if anyone works his edges he's not great laterally. I don't see it." A third scout disagreed with that analysis. "It (height) hasn't been a problem," he said. "His arms (34 1/8) are so long, he just locks those guys out. He just gets on the nose (tackle). Guard may be his best position. He could start at three positions."
