|
The college all-star games are coming up over the next two weeks, with the NFL combine on the horizon in February. Many players taken by teams in May will play in one of the three games for seniors or come from the underclassmen pool. Over the next two weeks, along with our positional outlooks for the Detroit Lions, we’ll give a few names to pay attention to over the next month. Remember, these lists will be fluid as the draft process continues. Previous outlooks: Quarterbacks; Running backs; Receivers; Tight ends Shrine Game: No. 60 East, Sean Hickey, Syracuse (6-foot-5, 300): A captain for the Orange this season, he started 38 straight games for Syracuse. Spent the past two seasons at left tackle, but did play some right tackle. No. 68 West, Mickey Baucus, Arizona (6-8, 305): A four-year starter at left tackle for the Wildcats, he blocked for a high-tempo offense run by Rich Rodriguez. He also learned how to adjust to new coaching staffs, having played for Rodriguez and Mike Stoops. NFLPA Collegiate Bowl: No. 70 American, Sean Donnelly, Tulane (6-8, 297): He played in 42 games, making 36 starts at tackle. He was mostly at right tackle, which is more of the need position for the Lions instead of left tackle, where Riley Reiff is turning into a stalwart. No. 64 National, Cole Manhart, Nebraska-Kearney (6-6, 310): He was a two-time Division II All-American. Primarily a left tackle. Senior Bowl: Jake Fisher, Oregon (6-5, 292): Fisher was primarily a right tackle, but showed flexibility by moving to left tackle when necessary for the Ducks. He was a key blocker for Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. He also played some guard as a reserve as a freshman. He is a Michigan native, from Traverse City. Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin (6-8, 330): Primarily a right tackle, he was a massive reason for Melvin Gordon's 2,000-yard season with the Badgers. He’s a three-year starter for Wisconsin, a school known for producing massive offensive linemen. He has also blocked for James White and Montee Ball -- both NFL backs. La'El Collins, LSU (6-5, 315): Played on the left side of the line for the Tigers, starting at left guard in 2012 and left tackle the past two seasons. He was named the top offensive lineman in the SEC, and was a second-team All-American as a senior. Made 38 career starts. ESPN’s scouting report on him rates him as a better run blocker than pass blocker, but he has good awareness and work habits. Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State (6-5, 310): The Colorado State website listed him with more than 60 "knockdown blocks" as a senior. Was a first-team All-Mountain West pick as a senior, and a second-team pick as a junior. ESPN has him as a slightly better run blocker than pass blocker, but at least average in all areas. Daryl Williams, Oklahoma (6-5, 321): He played mostly right tackle, but filled in at left tackle when necessary. Was named All-Big 12 first team in 2014, and second team in 2013. His ESPN scouting report has him as at least average in all areas, but above average as a run blocker. His Twitter profile says he’s engaged -- worth noting considering the Lions’ propensity for taking married or engaged players in last year’s draft. Others: Andrus Peat, Stanford (6-7, 316): He left school with one year of eligibility remaining. He was named an All-American by almost every outlet. Played primarily left tackle. His father, Todd, played in the NFL for six years. His ESPN scouting profile has him listed as above average in every area, but has the "ideal physical tools" for a starting left tackle. Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma (6-5, 336): He was the Sooners' left tackle the past two seasons and was named first-team All-Big 12 by the league's coaches in 2014. He was born in Germany because his father was in the U.S. Army. Thompson also fits into what it appeared Jim Caldwell and Martin Mayhew looked at last season. He is already married with two children. The Lions, perhaps coincidentally, had their top three draft picks last season engaged or married when they were drafted.
|
