Mike Adams Scouting Report

Mike Adams

Position: Offensive Tackle

School: Ohio State

Class: Senior

Height: 6'7

Weight: 323

Draft Stock: Late 1st / #4 OT

Strengths

-Great size that allows him to overwhelm defenders

-Good length. Has the arm length to keep defenders off his body

-Good footwork that helps him slide side to side in pass protection and reset feet when he needs to.

-Experienced. Three year starter

-Does a good job in pass protection mirror defenders.

-Good punch that can knock defenders back and off their rush.

-Good athlete that can get to the next level in run blocking.

-Very strong. Once he get his hands on a defender they are done.

Weaknesses

-Lacks a killer instinct

-Not a powerful run blocker like you would think. Tends to wall defenders off.

-Injury concerns. Has had shoulder, knee, and foot issues that have caused him to miss games.

-Because of his large size he can struggle to sink hips.

-Can get lost at times. Doesn't always know who to block.

-Plays too high at times in both run and pass blocking

-Will struggle with speed rushers. (Mercilus got 1.5 sacks on him)

-Inconsistent. Can dominate at times, and then look lost the next.

Summary

The best way to describe Mike Adams is inconsistent. At times Mike Adams looks like he is a top 10 pick and a dominant NFL LT. Then the next time you watch him he looks lost and seems to be best suited for the RT spot. However, there is no questioning that Adams has the physical talent to excel in the NFL. That was clear when he returned from suspension and Ohio State offense vastly improved. He opened up running lanes for their running backs and gave QB Braxton Miller time to throw. Then at the Senior Bowl Adams looked like the best tackle there. He shut down the draft's top pass rushers Quentin Coples, Courtney Upshaw, and Melvin Ingram during the game. But in true Mike Adams fashion, he was inconsistent during the week of practices. Adams is a mountain of a man, but has good athletic ability and good footwork teams look for in their Left Tackles. He uses the footwork very well in pass protection sliding side to side and walling off the defender from getting to the QB. He has active hands that allow him to keep the defenders off his body. If their is a weakness in pass pro it's speed rushers. Because of his large size, speedy rushers can get under him and get to the QB. Whitney Mercilus from Illinois was able to get 1.5 sacks against him this past season. In the run game he shows good initial power, but doesn't have the leg drive to consistently drive opponents back. Adams definitely has the potential to be a LT in the NFL, but might be best suited to start his career at RT while he works on his technique and then can slide over the left side in year two or later. But look for Adams to go somewhere in the late 1st, but shouldn't last too long into the 2nd round if he falls.