DRAFT PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: GUARDS

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DRAFT PROSPECTS ANALYSIS: GUARDS


For the purposes of analyzing the guard class, all the available guards will be lumped into one grouping since it is wholly possible a player could be shifted from one side to the other if the owning franchise elected to do so.

There are only seven guards with Star Development and that makes this class a bit dicey. Many GMs will need to carefully dissect the players in this group and be judicious in their selections...

Mississippi State's Marco Taylor looks like the top bulldozer in this class. The 6'5" 310 Lbs 21 year old is the best run blocker in the class and his lead block (87) and impact block (82) numbers are near the top. Taylor is one of the strongest guards (94) and has the acceleration and agility to be useful within both a power and trap blocking scheme.

Florida State Seminole Jaylen Dzeko might not be seen as the top guard coming out but at age 20 his upside is big time. Dzeko is a 6'4" 320 Lbs mauler is better suited for the power game rather than trap and pulling schemes as his acceleration (80) and agility (78) ratings are just a slight bit below the ideal numbers. However, due to his age, it is wholly possible to envision Dzeko developing into a dynamic all-around guard. Like everything else, he is a bit underdeveloped in his lead (82) and impact block (78) numbers so he will be drafted more for the future than his immediate effects.

22 year old Yousef Asencio (Florida) could easily come off the board as the top guard. His 6'5" 330 Lbs frame is powerful enough to be a stout LG but his 92 strength number could be a little below elite if he was asked to play RG. His current acceleration (81) and agility (81) profile could negate his top rated 89 lead block rating if he cannot get out in space and then block effectively but he should at least be above average no matter what role he is asked to perform.

Orlando McFadden is no slouch either. The 6'4" 336 LBs Clemson Tiger has terrific upside and only the fact he is 22 years old should hold him back in the draft. McFadden has all the necessay tools to be an excellent all-purpose guard although his 91 strength would probably have him better suited to dominate as a LG and maybe be just above average as a RG. He is, without question, one of the Do-it-all guards in this draft and would upgrade any O-line immediately.

Another 22 year old, Utah Ute Michael Segler should be an early choice in this draft. Segler is probably better equipped to be a top LG but could end up being a solid RG as well if used correctly, His current agilty/acceleration resume 80/80 and low end impact (80) and lead (83) block ratings profiles more as an interior type blocker especially considering his solid 92 strength number. Segler could end up sliding just a bit in this draft and become one of the better value picks of the year!

Several others have some issues that are worrisome but should not take away from the fact they can all be starters on most clubs. Ohio State Buckeye Tevin Wend is a bit of a gamble type player. Just 21 and having Star Development, Wend could find himself drafted higher than some may anticipate. However, his 89 strength and low acceleration (78) and agility (78) numbers does not project him favorably and he would need to improve quite a bit in several categories in order to be a true force inside. 20 year old LSU product Davion Jones could be a better choice over Wend. His 93 strength is solid and that rating has some room to grow and he already has some positive aspects to his game that can pick up with progression. A bit of a project in terms of time, Jones is worth a shot for a team rebuilding. Penn State's Nate Basnight will almost certainly drop due to his age (23). However, Basnight is a 6'6" 342 Lbs terror who is as strong as they come (96) and profiles as a potential road grading guard from either side. He does not seem to possess the athletic attributes to ever be a very good pulling or trapping player but his straight ahead and zone blocking could play well in the right system. Oregon Duck Edin Miller could also be seen as a bit of a sliding draft steal. His overall numbers do not reveal any eye-popping stats but his general game is solid across the board. At 303 Lbs and with 91 strength he might work better as a LG. His 88 lead block is outstanding and his acceleration (84) is good enough but his 80 agility rate could hold him back just a bit. Still, Miller is a sure fire starter who projects to give solid results if not nearly Pro Bowl caliber output!



PRE-DRAFT RATING: 1-Marco Taylor-Mississippi State

2-Jayel Dzeko-Florida State

3-Yousef Asencio-Florida

4-Orlando McFadden-Clemson

5-Michael Segler-Utah

6-Edin Miller-Oregon

7-Nate Basnight-Penn State

8-Davion Jones-LSU

9-Tevin Wend-Ohio State
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