Big Blue Huddle

Here is an example of quick athletic "LT Feet".   Against Penn State Dakins takes on and successfully blocks a corner blitzer (they show it in slow motion after the play).   I doubt Flowers could have done that even today.

https://youtu.be/EDVU7XeJSSU?t=431

It's funny, I just got back from my walk.   2 things, it's fricken cold outside here in NJ, especially for March.  The second thing is that I was listening to the Big Blue Kickoff Live podcast and they were talking about Forest Lamp being the Giants first round pick.

My thought is this:  Why take a small school G/C prospect who's arms are too short to play tackle (and he is slighly smaller with much shorter arms) when you can draft a small school G/T prospect who you can put at LT? 

Lamp may have a slightly higher floor but Dawkins has a much higher ceiling.

Quote from: 4thand17 on March 11, 2017, 12:20:45 PM
I'm high on Dawkins too, as well as Moton. 

Never figured out the "overdrafted" thing.  The rap on Pugh was that he should have gone in the late 20's instead of 19?. Well we didn't have a pick in the late 20's. We picked him at 19 or waited to see if he would be around at 51 - which even the critics didn't think would happen.  So, if you liked him, the choice was 19 or nothing.

Same with Dawkins this year.  If you don't think he'll be around at 55 you take a potential left tackle at 23.

Exactly!

Some will argue you trade down.  Former front office guy and coach Pat Kirwan is very fond of reminding fans that you trade down when you have multiple targets and you don't if you are targeting one player.  It takes only one team that feels like you do, for the trade down to turn into a disaster

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on March 11, 2017, 11:52:19 AM
I would love to have Dawkins on the Giants' team. I have to believe that the front office and scouts are doing their due diligence on him and have him on their board somewhere.

This is going to be an interesting draft this year as so many quality players are going to sift through the cracks. There will be damn good players on the board on day 3 as well. And I have to believe the Giants are looking at offensive players in the first half of the draft. Dawkins could very well end up in blue.

JBG,

I have a feeling the Giants (along with most of the teams in the league) have Dawkins ranked higher than the draftnik community.    There are two types of draftniks out there.  Those that do their own scouting and those that glean information from NFL scouting staffs.   In this case coming from Temple I would expect that those doing their own scouting are overwhelmed and haven't given him their fullest consideration.  Plus, as I mentioned earlier, some will see the 6' 5" -6' 4" will automatically put him at guard and not consider his long arms and great wingspan. 

Those that glean their information from NFL offices I suspect will be hearing nothing.  I think scouts are going to want to stay quiet about Dawkins and they hope he will fall into their laps in the second round.

However, if I am right and Dawkins can play LT....  how many LT prospects make it out of the first round of the draft?   

Some more comments on Dawkins

An AFC West scout believes Temple OL Dion Dawkins can play guard or tackle in the NFL.
"I don't know if I see him as a guard or a tackle yet, but I think he can play both," he said. "I like him because I think he could upgrade our pass protection inside if we did bump him to guard, but he's athletic enough to play right tackle, too." NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compares Dawkins to Joe Barksdale. "Shows some good initial quickness and a smooth kick-slide out of his stance, but might be better in short areas as a guard rather than in open space as a tackle," Zierlein wrote. "He's athletic enough to operate in space, but power appears to be his calling card." The analyst thinks Dawkins, a three-year starter, could be an early NFL starter. Mar 8 - 5:08 PM
Source: NFL.com

Dion Dawkins - T - Owls
NFL.com's Chad Reuter believes Temple OL Dion Dawkins is a first-round talent.
Reuter made the statement after re-watching the Senior Bowl, where Dawkins practiced at both tackle and guard. Many project Dawkins to the inside, displaying athleticism and power as a guard. Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney are other interior prospects drawing first round love.
Source: Chad Reuter on Twitter Feb 8 - 10:46 AM


Dion Dawkins - T - Owls
Temple senior T Dion Dawkins accepted an invitation to the Resse's Senior Bowl.
Per ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., Dawkins is a "dominant run blocker from his left tackle spot." The longtime Worldwide Leader scouting mouthpiece believes the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder could rise as high as the first round depending on how he tests out athletically come February's NFL Scouting Combine. Draft insider Tony Pauline was particularly impressed with his work in a September loss to Penn State, noting that Dawkins "looked terrific in pass protection." Pauline sees him as a Day 2 selection.
Source: Senior Bowl Wed, Dec 21, 2016 05:24:00 PM


Dion Dawkins - T - Owls
ESPN's Mel Kiper says Temple senior T Dion Dawkins is now his new No. 1 senior offensive tackle and further states that the prospect "could make my new Big Board in a couple weeks."
"He's a dominant run blocker from his left tackle spot, which is a rare sight these days," Kiper wrote. "You don't see many throwback run blockers who can explode at the snap and lock onto defenders in the current NFL." Dawkins did so in Temple's win at UCF on Saturday. "Dawkins (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) showed good leg drive and footwork and the ability to get to the second level with ease," Kiper wrote. "He uses his hands well to engage defenders and drive them off the ball. I don't see an issue with him sticking at left tackle in the NFL, and I think he has a chance to be a first-round pick depending on how he works out at the combine.
Source: ESPN Thu, Oct 20, 2016 07:15:00 PM


Dion Dawkins - T - Owls
In Saturday's loss to Penn State, Temple senior T Dion Dawkins "displayed a lot of athleticism, footwork and next level skill," writes TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.
"He looked terrific in pass protection, easily sliding off the edge to shut down pass rushers," Pauline wrote. "While Dawkins needs to improve his run blocking strength he looked like the second day pick most scouts stamped him to be." The analyst has long been high on Dawkins.
Source: TFY Draft Insider Thu, Sep 22, 2016 04:34:00 PM


Dion Dawkins - T - Owls
Temple junior T Dion Dawkins is "a terrific pass protector with a nice degree of athleticism and foot quickness," notes TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.
Pauline grades the third-year Dawkins as a Rd. 4 prospect. That's the highest preseason grade that he gave to any American Athletic Conference prospect. "My grade is based as much on Dawkins potential as his present playing skill," Pauline wrote.
Source: TFY Draft Insider Sun, Jun 28, 2015 04:47:00 PM

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/134490/dion-dawkins

An important consideration of scouting is scheme fit.   The report on  Elflein is very good and I think he's a good gem (nice find JBG).  However, based on the scouting report, he is a power blocking C/G rather than a zone scheme.  The Giants use a stretch zone with lots of pulling by the guards and center.  The negatives about his lack of foot speed would be a killer in that system. 

Guys,

I can understand and appreciate the assertion that McCaffrey would be a better player.  However, I subscribe to the school of thought that you need to build your line before you add skill players (with the exception of franchise QB).   The team can realistically get a starting caliber RG in round 2 and maybe three, they are not going to find any starting caliber OTs after they pick at 23.   

Drafting McCaffrey would be too similar to drafting David Wilson to run behind a poor line.  Zeke looked like such a great pick for the Cowboys because they had a great line to block for him.

This pick will upset the draft purest who will argue the Giants reached in the draft to take him ala Justin Pugh.   They will say he is too short to play tackle at 6' 3 7/8"   they will say a tackle needs to be at least 6' 5"   They will ignore his snake like 35" arms or his great footwork and generally good form and punch.  They will say Temple is low-level competition

Those defending him will point to the fact that he plays offensive line the way it's supposed to be played so he will be on the field sooner rather than later.  They will say he is very versatile being able to play 4 out of 5 of the offensive line position.   They will point to scouts saying he is the closest thing to a sure thing in the draft offensive line class with no serious dings. 

I will point to what Greg Gabriel (former Giants and Bears scout and head of Bears scouting and my teacher) said about him in his pre-Combine draft guide (Dawkins did very well in the combine and will only push his draft stock higher)

Strong Points:  Good size and strength.  Plays with a nasty streak and likes to be physical.  Has some snap in his hips and on contact.  Able to get movement with run blocks.  Shows he can get to the second level. Gas a strong punch is pass protection.  Has good lateral agility, can mirror opponent and anchor.

Weak Points:  Can get lazy with his technique and make some mental mistakes (a number of false starts against Penn State).  Will drop his hands at times.  Has good lateral agility but doesn't always play with it.

The way we see it:  Dawkins has the talent to become a winning left tackle in the NFL.  Has some mental and technique errors but all are correctable with coaching and alertness.  He is a big strong guy with good athleticism, strength and power.  Has a lot of upside, just has to get rid of the mental mistakes and play to his ability.  Is a classic example of a young man who needs to land with the right coaching staff.  How he played at the Senior Bowl (note:  he played well and was praised) and how he interviews will be important.  A solid second-round pick if everything checks out. 


Now I scouted him and I see a guy with quick enough feet and ability to play LT.   I can see some saying he is second round talent, but I don't see him lasting to the Giants pick in the second round.  Heck, I doubt in this O-line starved league he makes it out of round one.    I see him as the one offensive tackle without a question mark or issue as the other top OTs all seem to have. 

The Giants take him in round one and put him in right away at either LT, RT or RG.  A starter from day one and a guy that instantly upgrades the Giants offensive line.  Some will be bitter and say over drafted but this will fill a HUGE need for the Giants and go a long way toward fixing the Giants broken offense.   

Besides, the only OTs I see on par with Dawkins are Ramczyk and Bolles and I see both of them gone when the Giants draft 23 an the Giants need a solid OT prospect who can start this season and Dawkins is the only other starter as a rookie OT I see in this draft class.

Quote from: MP21WAYS2PAY on March 10, 2017, 01:40:23 PM
Yes.  I thought so.

Good call!   

Interesting trivia, Ellison was picked right after Reese drafted the "JPP of TEs"

Quote from: Bob In PA on March 08, 2017, 05:20:59 PM
Now that the combines are over, here are the players some "experts" are projecting to the Giants, either at pick 23 or (in the case of Casserly) after a trade up to pick 18:

Charley Casserly, NFL.com - Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin (Projected trade up with Titans to No. 18 pick)
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com - Garett Bolles, OT, Utah
Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange - Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
Emily Kaplan, MMQB - O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
Peter Prisco, CBS Sports - Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple
Will Brinson, CBS Sports - Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com - Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

(1) Assuming all of the above players are available at pick 23, who is your first choice?
(2) Assuming the Giants don't trade up and Ramczyk is gone, now who is your first choice?
(3) Which player do you think THE GIANTS will actually take? (could be anyone one, whether or not he's on the list)
(4) Which player, if taken by the Giants, would cause you to throw the remote at your TV set?

Bob

PS. My answers: (1) Ramczyk; (2) McCaffrey (sorry, he's too perfect a fit to pass up); (3) McCaffrey (the Giants love "legacy" picks; his dad was a Giant); (4) none would bother me, assuming they can't re-sign Hankins.

My order of preference:

1)  OJ Howard
2) Ramczyk
3) McCaffrey
4) Bolles
5) Reddick
6) McDowell
7) Watson

Round 1-  TE or OT or maybe RB

Round 2- o-line if not drafted round 1 otherwise TE

Round 3- RB

Quote from: COGiantFan on March 08, 2017, 02:25:50 PM
Does the acquisition of Marshall lean us a little more on the blocking side for a TE?

Ideally, the team gets a blocking TE who in a couple of years can be developed into a receiving threat (the time Marshall's contract runs out)

Trevor Sikkema @TampaBayTre
10m
Mixon's pro day numbers vs. Combine RBs

40 (4.43): 4th
Vert (35): T-7th
Broad (9'10"): T-9th
3-cone (6.96): 5th
SS (4.25): 5th

Daniel Jeremiah  @MoveTheSticks
33m
Scout on Mixon:
That was a 1st rd RB workout in any draft class. Explosive in every rep, rare route running/hands, 228, huge trunk, ran 447

I have heard everything from he won't be drafted to he could be taken as high as the third round.   I also heard a report that he met with about half a dozen teams to talk about his issues.   

The interesting thing is that outside of his uncontrollable anger issues, by all accounts he is a likable guy.  That the guy isn't a locker room cancer or a rage monster or a major league jerk.  He simply has very serious anger issues. 

I watched a game and a half of Engram and I saw nearly a mirror image of Hodges.  They both were used as TE/WR hybrids.   Neither can block very well and they almost never lined up tight.  Engram was used more as an oversized slot receiver while Hodges also lined up outside as well as slot.