Player Profile: Troy Niklas

Height:  6'6
Weight:  270
School:  Notre Dame
Position:  Tight End
Ranking: #4 Tight End
Projection: Day 2

Strengths
-Two year starter with 26 starts and National Title Experience.
-Has the ideal height (6'6), weight (270), and length (34 1/8" arms) to be an inline tight end
-Uses his large hands (10") well to catch almost everything in his vicinity
-Showed off good strength at the Combine with 27 reps. (well above the average)
-Size, jumping ability (32" VJ), and length make it easy to win jump balls
-Displays good hands and technique in pass protection
-Understands how to use his body to box out defenders when running routes
-Size and strength make it hard for him to be tackled easily.
-Above average speed for somebody his size.  Able to attack the seam
-Shows good quickness off the ball and into his routes
-Above average route runner. Does a good job of setting up the defender
-Potential. Has only played two years at tight end. Former lineman
-High motor player who isn't going to stop till the whistle is blown
-Family linage.  Part of the Clay Matthews Sr Family Tree

Weaknesses
-Lacks explosion. Isn't a good athlete
-Injury to his core didn't allow him to workout at combine or pro day
-Displays below average balance in run blocker.  Tends to lunge
-Not an overpowering blocker.  Isn't going to move guys. Wall off blocker
-Feet become stagnant during run blocking. Could be the cause of lack of power.
-Slow footwork can cause him to get bull rushed in pass protection
-Below average blocker in space. Will whiff on blocks

Summary
In an age where tight ends are more slot receivers, Niklas is a throw back you don't see every day. Niklas is a former offensive and defensive lineman whose speed and athletic ability allowed him to be moved out to tight end and he flourished in his two years spent there this past season.  You can see the former lineman in him as he excels in both run and pass blocking.  He isn't an overpowering run blocker, but understands angles and leverage and uses that to open holes.  In the passing game he shuffles his feet and uses his length to push defenders past the pocket.  While not utilized frequently, Niklas is a talented pass catcher.  He has big hands and with his long arms and 6'6 frame he's able to box out receivers and shield them away from getting to the ball. Now Niklas does a lot of good things, but he isn't great at any of them.  However with his ability to pass and run block to go along with his ability to be a receiving threat in the middle of the field he's going to be coveted by teams. Especially with so many teams running 12 personal they'll need a TE like Niklas who can do everything. With that said he's a lock to go on day two and could easily be a second round pick. A team like the New York Giants would be a ideal fit, but don't count out the Patriots who need that complement to Gronkowski.

Player Profile: Stephon Tuitt

Height:  6'6
Weight:  303
School:  Notre Dame
Position:  Defensive End / Tackle
Ranking:  #1 3-4 Defensive End
Projection:  Top 40 Pick

Strengths
-Experienced.  Played since true freshman year. 33 games played
-Has the ideal size and length to play the 5 technique defensive end in a three man front
-Good bulk and size to play DT in a four man front
-Versatile defender.  Can play the 3 tech DT, 5 tech DE, or even the LDE in a 4 man front
-Good at the point of attack in one on one situations.  Hard to move off his spot
-Uses quickness to fire off the ball
-Good closing burst that allows him to get to the QB to make a play
-Elite athlete for somebody of his size.  Moves very well
-Does a good job of uses speed and quickness when rushing the passer from the DT position
-When turned loose on a pass rush he makes an impact.  12 sacks in 2012
-Shows the ability to bend the edge to get to the QB
-Never had to miss a game because of an injury.
-Known for having a great work ethic.  Willing to put in the extra work to be successful

Weaknesses
-Inconsistent.  Will look dominant one play and just average the next
-Only average in the pass rush when lined up as a DE
-More of a finesse player than physical.
-Looks passive too often
-Needs to get stronger to help with taking on double teams and with his bull rush
-Relies too much on his athletic ability to rush the passer

Summary
How often to do see a player that can line up at three different defensive line positions and have success at all of it?  Not often.  But if you watch Stephon Tuitt, you can see why he'll really intrigue NFL teams.  Tuitt's best trait is his athletic ability, mainly for somebody that is 6'6 and over 300 pounds.  He moves very easily and uses his quickness to explode off the ball.  He can get penetration from anywhere on the field to help collapse the pocket.  However Tuitt's biggest problem though is that he is far too inconsistent.  He'll look dominant one play and then below average the next.  He's good at the point of attack in one on one situations, but struggles mightily against double teams.  When asked to play DE in four man fronts he can have success, but often time athletic tackles can lock him down.  Tuitt's best position will likely be as a 5 technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense.  There he can use his size and strength to play a two gap system on early downs before moving to the DT spot to utilize his speed and quickness against guards.  The Scouting Combine will be huge for Tuitt to show of his athletic ability, but he'll likley go somewhere at the top of round two. 

Player Profile: Louis Nix

Height:  6'3
Weight:  340
School:  Notre Dame
Position:  Defensive Tackle
Ranking:  #2 Defensive Tackle
Projection: First Round

Strengths
-Prototypical size for a nose tackle
-Experienced.  Played over 36 games in his three year career.
-Very explosive player for somebody his size
-Quick off the ball and attacks the offensive lineman before they get to him
-Very powerful.  Strong bull rush allows him to push guards back into the quarterback
-Strong punch jolts offensive lineman and allows him to push the pocket
-Uses his strength and power to cover gaps on both sides of him
-Good closing speed.  Can chase a back down the line for a tackle
-Displays good agility that allows him to stunt and twist with other defenders
-Scheme flexable.  Can play in a one or two gap scheme and either a 4 or 3 man front
-Doesn't quit on plays.  Played hard entire game in blowout loss to Alabama

Weaknesses
-Weight.  Would be better served to be around 315-320.  Was up to 368 at one point.
-Not an every down player.  Has to be taken off the field to prevent him from wearing down
-Struggles to anchor in.  Can be pushed off his spot.  Especially against double teams
-Over aggressiveness can be used to take him out of the play
-Isn't a great tackler.  Will try to arm tackle too much. 
-Knee issue caused him to miss the final three games of the season
-No pass rushing moves.  Relies on strength and quickness

Summary
When you see a player with the size of Louis Nix your first thought is that he's just a space eater clogging up the middle of the line.  However Nix is so much much more than that.  For a player that is a legit 340 pounds he has the speed and quickness of some of the smaller defensive tackles.  Nix uses that explosiveness to disrupt and push the pocket from the middle.  He is near impossible to block man to man and regularly pushes guards back into the quarterback.  His stat line is never going to impress you, but his impact on the game doesn't show up there.  Nix has the ability to play in a one or two gap scheme and either the 3-4 or the 4-3.  But the problem that lies with Nix is his weight and endurance.  He's too big at 340 in my opinion.  If he can get into the 320's his endurance should go up and he can stay on the field longer.  Because of his snap count limitations he likely goes at the bottom half of the first round, but he's a much better player than that.  Keep an eye on New England who could take him as the heir apparent to Vince Wilfork.  He's that type of player.

Player Profile: Zach Martin

Height:  6'4
Weight:  305
School:  Notre Dame
Position:  Offensive Tackle / Guard
Ranking:  #1 Guard
Projection:  Late 1st Round

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started every game for four years (52) all at left tackle
-Great size with the ability to add weight for the guard position
-Quick off the ball in pass protection
-Does a great job blocking when in a phone booth
-Has the upper body strength to redirect pass rushers
-Good footwork allows him to slide side to side and mirror pass rushers
-Able to sink hips and anchor down if getting pushed back
-Strong anchor that allows him to withstand a bull rush
-Does a good job of recognizing stunts and blitzes and adjusting
-Solid run blocker that understands leverage and how to use his body to seal of defenders
-Does show the ability to move defenders off the ball
-Shows the athletic ability to get to the next level in the run game
-Shows the potential to play multiple positions along the offensive line
-Will be able to play in either a man or zone blocking scheme
-Very Durable.  Hasn't missed a game or had any significant injury
-Leader.  Was a team captain for the Irish this past season.

Weaknesses
-Lacks ideal size for the left tackle position
-Short arms (32") will make it hard to stick at left tackle
-Struggles when he has to take deep drops in pass protection
-Speed rushers give him a problem
-Only an average athlete for the position
-Doesn't explode off the ball in the run game like you'd like

Summary
After a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Zach Martin's name is going to become very familiar.  And there are many reasons to see why.  Martin is all around offensive lineman who can hold up in both pass protection and the run game.  He is a technician when it comes to blocking and it's show with good technique and learned from all the experience he's had.  In the run game he would excel in a zone scheme, but still has the strength to do well in a man blocking scheme.  Martin does show the characteristics of being a left tackle in the NFL, but his lack of length and inability to drop deep into pass protection raise concerns.  Instead Martin is better suited to play guard where he excels in a phone booth and can use his strength to his advantage.  That was shown at the Senior Bowl where he was the only lineman to have success against DT Aaron Donald.  Now I wouldn't be surprised to see Martin has success at tackle, but he has the makings of an All Pro Guard.  Martin will likely go in the first round with a chance to play tackle.  A team like Miami could be all over him because of his position flexibility.

Scouting Report: Manti Te'o LB Notre Dame

Manti Te'o

Height: 6'1
Weight: 248
Position: Inside Linebacker
School: Notre Dame
Year: Senior
Rank:  #1 ILB
Projection:  Late 1st to Early 2nd

Strengths
-Does a great job of shedding blockers
-Good range. Able to track down defenders
-Quick. Gets to where he needs to be.
-Sure Tackler.  Rarely misses tackles.
-Productive (100+ tackles in 2010, 2011 and 2012)
-Scheme flexibility (Can play in 4-3 or 3-4)
-Experience in the 3-4 defense
-Great hands for position.  7 INTs in 2012.
-Tough, physical player
-Can play in a phone booth
-Experienced. Has played a major role since his true freshman year.
-No Injury issues.
-Can contribute on special teams

Weaknesses
-Can be too aggressive and over persue.
-Needs to diagnose plays faster.
-Can be a liability in coverage.
-Can he be a an effective blitzer?

Summary
Manti Te'o is a talented linebacker who is coming off a very impressive senior season.  Te'o was the leader of a Notre Dame defense which finished in the National Title Game and was ranked in the top 5 for most of the season.  Te'o also finished second in the Heisman Race in 2012.  Te'o is very intriguing to NFL teams because he isn't locked into a specific scheme.  He can play in both the 4-3 and the 3-4.  Te'o uses his quickness and good overall range to attack the ball and make plays. Te'o is a sure tackler that rarely misses. His big weakness is how he does dropping into coverage.  He'll struggle to match up with athletic tight ends and may not be able to drop into the deep middle in a Cover 2 scheme.  His strength is coming downhill.  However Te'o is a polished prospect with only a couple of weaknesses.  But it's too bad for Te'o that the biggest news surround him now is about his non-existent girlfriend.  As it looks he wasn't in on it and is mearly a victim of a hoax and being too trusting.  Its too bad because Te'o is a very talented player that is going to have a bright future in the NFL.   As it relates to his NFL Draft stock, this doesn't matter.  Some are saying he'll drop, but he's probably always been a late 1st to early 2nd type of player.  He could go as high as the Giants at 19, but could easily fall into the second round just like Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis did in previous years.