Gophers in 2016 NFL draft
- Inside Gopher Nation
- 2 Replies
Here's what NFL experts had to say about four players from Minnesota expected to hear their name called during the draft. Three players, De'Vondre Campbell, Brien-Boddy Calhoun and Eric Murray, were invited to the NFL combine.
De'Vondre Campbell: Wiry and strong, Campbell is just scratching the surface of his potential. Though you'd expect a linebacker of that size to be purely a pass rusher, the Hutchinson Community College transfer moves better than expected in the open field.
STRENGTHS
NFL-caliber athleticism. Looks the part on the hoof with thickness through bubble and thighs with tapered calves. Has the quick-twitch to respond suddenly and explode towards the ball.
WEAKNESSES
Linebacker instincts missing badly. Too many snaps where he does the offensive linemans job for him by running himself out of position and becoming an easily blockable target. Is slow to diagnose what is happening and is consistently behind on the play relying on athleticism too often. You can read more about Campbell's draft review here
Brien Boddy-Calhoun: The Gophers lined up two of the top corners in the country the past couple of seasons with Eric Murray and Boddy-Calhoun, a junior college transfer (Coffeyville) who was tabbed for All-Big Ten accolades each of the last two seasons.
STRENGTHS
Smooth hips that open easily. Confident in his feet out of press and rarely gets turned around by a shifty release. Can bail from press coverage with little to no delay.
WEAKNESSES
Small in stature and lacking a dog mentality to make up for his lack of size. Marginal athleticism for the position and unable to carry long speed down the field. Gives away too much space in off-man coverage. The full analysis on BCC is here
KJ Maye: ...coaches utilized his quickness a bit more in his junior campaign (five starts; 23-144, TD rushing; 16-298, TD receiving). That taste of production caused Maye to double his efforts last season, leading to consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten honors (73-773, five TD receiving; 9-46, TD rushing). And though his experience as a kick (18-313) and punt (4-56) returner for Minnesota were limited, Maye will likely get his shot there at the next level.
STRENGTHS
Will not be outworked in practice. Mentally tough and extremely resilient overcoming obstacles from junior high up to college. Consistent in his play speed in and out of his breaks.
WEAKNESSES
Expected to measure at under 5-foot-10. Doesn't have the length to protect the ball against intrusive, tight coverage. Willing blocker but teams may not trust the size. You can read the complete breakdown on Maye here
Eric Murray: Murray's size, durability (started 39 straight games) and physical nature should land him near the top of NFL teams' cornerback wish list. The 2014 second-team and 2015 third-team All-Big Ten selection's experience in press man coverage is extensive, and his ball skills are good enough to make plays (two interceptions, 24 pass break-ups) when given the opportunity.
STRENGTHS
Plays with excellent technique when running vertically with wideouts. Maintains good positioning and crowds receiver's chest forcing him against the sideline. Looks to smother any and every route underneath from press man coverage.
WEAKNESSES
Tight in his hips with a labored transition from press coverage. Tightness causes momentary stalling when changing directions laterally putting him behind in his coverage. You can read the complete analysis here
Theiren Cockran: This tall, lean defensive end split his time between football and basketball until late in his high school career. His coach, Bobby McCray, recognized his potential since Cockran had the same build as his son, Bobby, who played defensive end at Florida and in the NFL. Since Cockran's focused primarily on football, he has been a thorn in the side of offensive lines both in high school and the Big Ten.
Strengths
Has rushed the passer with a hand in the ground and standing up. Has relatively long arms for his size. Shows more upfield burst as a pass rusher standing than with a hand in the ground. Uses a chop combined with inside spin move as his most effective rush move.
Weaknesses
Lacking in body control and necessary quickness. Gets knocked off course too easily -- even by tight ends at times -- during his pass rush. Hip tightness for days. Needs to play with better bend for leverage setting the edge. Below average change of direction quickness and is slow to accelerate down the line and close down running lanes. You can find the full review here
De'Vondre Campbell: Wiry and strong, Campbell is just scratching the surface of his potential. Though you'd expect a linebacker of that size to be purely a pass rusher, the Hutchinson Community College transfer moves better than expected in the open field.
STRENGTHS
NFL-caliber athleticism. Looks the part on the hoof with thickness through bubble and thighs with tapered calves. Has the quick-twitch to respond suddenly and explode towards the ball.
WEAKNESSES
Linebacker instincts missing badly. Too many snaps where he does the offensive linemans job for him by running himself out of position and becoming an easily blockable target. Is slow to diagnose what is happening and is consistently behind on the play relying on athleticism too often. You can read more about Campbell's draft review here
Brien Boddy-Calhoun: The Gophers lined up two of the top corners in the country the past couple of seasons with Eric Murray and Boddy-Calhoun, a junior college transfer (Coffeyville) who was tabbed for All-Big Ten accolades each of the last two seasons.
STRENGTHS
Smooth hips that open easily. Confident in his feet out of press and rarely gets turned around by a shifty release. Can bail from press coverage with little to no delay.
WEAKNESSES
Small in stature and lacking a dog mentality to make up for his lack of size. Marginal athleticism for the position and unable to carry long speed down the field. Gives away too much space in off-man coverage. The full analysis on BCC is here
KJ Maye: ...coaches utilized his quickness a bit more in his junior campaign (five starts; 23-144, TD rushing; 16-298, TD receiving). That taste of production caused Maye to double his efforts last season, leading to consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten honors (73-773, five TD receiving; 9-46, TD rushing). And though his experience as a kick (18-313) and punt (4-56) returner for Minnesota were limited, Maye will likely get his shot there at the next level.
STRENGTHS
Will not be outworked in practice. Mentally tough and extremely resilient overcoming obstacles from junior high up to college. Consistent in his play speed in and out of his breaks.
WEAKNESSES
Expected to measure at under 5-foot-10. Doesn't have the length to protect the ball against intrusive, tight coverage. Willing blocker but teams may not trust the size. You can read the complete breakdown on Maye here
Eric Murray: Murray's size, durability (started 39 straight games) and physical nature should land him near the top of NFL teams' cornerback wish list. The 2014 second-team and 2015 third-team All-Big Ten selection's experience in press man coverage is extensive, and his ball skills are good enough to make plays (two interceptions, 24 pass break-ups) when given the opportunity.
STRENGTHS
Plays with excellent technique when running vertically with wideouts. Maintains good positioning and crowds receiver's chest forcing him against the sideline. Looks to smother any and every route underneath from press man coverage.
WEAKNESSES
Tight in his hips with a labored transition from press coverage. Tightness causes momentary stalling when changing directions laterally putting him behind in his coverage. You can read the complete analysis here
Theiren Cockran: This tall, lean defensive end split his time between football and basketball until late in his high school career. His coach, Bobby McCray, recognized his potential since Cockran had the same build as his son, Bobby, who played defensive end at Florida and in the NFL. Since Cockran's focused primarily on football, he has been a thorn in the side of offensive lines both in high school and the Big Ten.
Strengths
Has rushed the passer with a hand in the ground and standing up. Has relatively long arms for his size. Shows more upfield burst as a pass rusher standing than with a hand in the ground. Uses a chop combined with inside spin move as his most effective rush move.
Weaknesses
Lacking in body control and necessary quickness. Gets knocked off course too easily -- even by tight ends at times -- during his pass rush. Hip tightness for days. Needs to play with better bend for leverage setting the edge. Below average change of direction quickness and is slow to accelerate down the line and close down running lanes. You can find the full review here
