Interesting comments on the Pitt players at the Combine

USCPITT · Mar 1, 2018

For the NFL Combine, each players bio has an NFL analyst critique their strengths and weaknesses as well as a few comments from anonymous team scouts. I've linked each player below with some of the weaknesses that stood out to me

Jaryd Jones-Smith:

Grass pounder with heavy feet
Not a very fluid athlete whether moving forward or laterally
Will run feet through contact as drive blocker, but doesn't generate much push
Lacks finishing characteristics in run game
Needs to drop pad level lower in run game
Ineffective on the move
Takes bad angles to second level and rarely sticks to those blocks long

Jordan Whitehead:

Instincts and awareness from deep safety are below average
Too easily drawn out of position and suffered from mental busts
Relies on athletic ability over technique
Undersized and could face durability concerns if he's parked near the line of scrimmage
Rigid lower body restricts lateral movements
Production doesn't come close to matching the talent

"He's just an average player right now. There is some talent there, but he doesn't make game-changing plays and he made a ton of mental mistakes this year." -- AFC team area scout

Brian O'Neill:

Panics and forgets his footwork
Gets caught on balls of his feet and can be walked into pocket in pass pro
Hands take too many outside tracks to the target
More grabber than puncher
Linear build lacking core strength
Technique will go on vacation at inopportune times

Avonte Maddox:

Gives away too much separation in early stages of the route
Needs better patience from press and off coverage
Almost too reactive to fakes causing him to lean out of position
Struggles to mirror and match from man
Can be a step slow to diagnose and transition from bail technique
Way too respectful and passive against receivers considering his speed and athletic ability
Feet get stuck in neutral when changing direction

Quadree Henderson:

Hasn't run any semblance of a route tree at Pitt
Routes are rounded and lack crisp breaks
Appears to hear footsteps when routes take him into middle of the field
Needs to sink and open to quarterback quicker on hitch routes
Struggles to gather weight and elude defenders in open field because he's always in his highest gear

Jester Weah:

Struggled to find separation both vertically and underneath against tight man coverage
Will need longer runways for routes
Could be forced into primarily vertical role
Slow starter off the snap

"I thought he disappointed some this year, but then again, his quarterback play went into the dumps this year and that hurt him too." -- AFC team area scout

Ryan Winslow:

Inconsistent ball striker on 50-plus yard kicks
Failed to nail opponents inside 20 or 10 on an acceptable level
Has small stall after the catch and can be way too deliberate in his catch-to-punt operational time
Allows rush to close tight on too many punts and could be a target for special teams coaches to come after as a pro

"O" Fries · Mar 1, 2018