NFL executives say extreme caution is the new normal in draft scouting since Aaron Hernandez’s shocking murder arrest last summer and then the Richie Incognito bullying scandal.
Taylor Lewan could be the first test case.
The hulking Michigan prospect is clearly among the most talented offensive tackles in what scouts describe as one of the deepest drafts in years at that position.
But the 6-foot-7, 310-pound Lewan also is dogged by some disconcerting off-field issues, including an impending arraignment on one charge of aggravated assault and two charges of assault and battery that’s currently set for nine days after the May 8-10 NFL Draft.
That followed Lewan’s name surfacing in regard to a 2009 sexual-assault complaint against former Michigan kicker Brendan Gibbons in which Lewan allegedly threatened to rape the woman if she went to police.
Will all that sordidness outweigh Lewan’s immense football talent and physical skills that saw him dominate his position at the scouting combine?
“I’m sure some team will put on a blindfold and talk themselves into it because of [Lewan’s] ability and potential to help them win games,” draft analyst Daniel Kelly, a former Jets scout, wrote last month. “Other teams will shy away no matter what. Bottom line, he’s a huge gamble at this point and not a good one.”
Lewan, who is thought to be a candidate for the Giants with the No. 12 overall pick, certainly isn’t a gamble from a purely football standpoint.
Not only was he a four-year starter for the Wolverines, but Lewan also wowed scouts at the combine in February with display of freakish athleticism for his size. Lewan had the fastest 40-yard dash time of any offensive tackle (4.87 seconds), as well as the longest broad jump (9 feet, 9 inches).
It was enough to make some scouts think Lewan might have moved up one spot and replaced Jake Matthews of Texas A&M as the second-ranked offensive tackle behind Auburn’s impeccable.
Lewan at the very least put some distance between himself and the two tackles behind him in most projections, Virginia’s Morgan Moses and Zack Martin of Notre Dame.
Lewan’s off-field issues aren’t thought to be serious enough to make teams take him off their draft board entirely or even drop him out of the first round, but in the post-Hernandez/Incognito era, those aren’t certainties, either.
For his part, Lewan strongly denies the allegations in both the assault case (which stemmed from an altercation with a fan in Columbus, Ohio) and the Gibbons case.
“That’s not who I am off the field,” Lewan said at the combine when asked about the two cases. “It’s not the kind of person I am. It might seem that way because of the way I play football, but it’s not who I am.”
That might be more believable if Lewan had a better reputation on the field instead of his reputation as one of the dirtiest linemen in college football, one who regularly played to the faintest echo of the whistle.
Lewan doesn’t apologize for that, though.
“If I was a coach, I’d want every player to play through the whistle every play,” he said.
When it comes to the running backs in this year’s draft, character isn’t nearly as much of a concern as the dearth of talent.
The position already has been devalued by the popularity of wide-open passing offenses in the NFL, and the current crop doesn’t look like a threat to raise it back to prominence.
Ohio State’s bullish Carlos Hyde is considered the best of the bunch, followed by Bishop Sankey of Washington, LSU’s Jeremy Hill, Tre Mason of Auburn and Florida State’s Devonta Freeman.
Rating the prospects
Post NFL writer Bart Hubbuch ranks the running backs and offensive linemen in the May 8-10 draft:
Running backs: The top five
1. Carlos Hyde, Ohio State, 6-0, 230
Prototypical power back but is an off-field question mark.
2. Bishop Sankey, Washington, 5-9, 210
Workhorse runner who gets better as the game goes along.
3. Jeremy Hill*, LSU, 6-0, 233
Two arrests in college have a lot of scouts concerned.
4. Tre Mason*, Auburn, 5-8, 210
Excellent kickoff returner, too, but his workload is a worry.
5. Devonta Freeman*, Florida State, 5-8, 205
Relentless runner who is durable despite his size.
*underclassman
Late riser: Jerick McKinnon, Georgia Southern: Turned heads with a terrific performance at the combine and is a threat as a returner, too.
Dropping fast: Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona: Could have been the third or fourth back taken until he ran a 4.7 40 at the combine and a 4.66 at his pro day.
Small-school wonder: Terrance West, Towson: Compact workhorse in college who could flourish in a power-running scheme in the NFL.
Offensive linemen: The top five
1. Greg Robinson*, OT, Auburn, 6-5, 330
Incredible physical specimen who excels in run blocking.
2. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M, 6-5, 310
Strong, versatile blocker and the son of Hall of Famer Bruce.
3. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan, 6-7, 310
Does his wealth of talent outweigh the off-field concerns?
4. Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia, 6-6, 315
Smart and physical, but durability is a question mark.
5. Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame, 6-5, 310
Some scouts think he would make a better guard in the NFL.
*underclassman
Late riser: Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada: Extremely durable and reliable blocker who helped himself with a strong showing at the combine.
Dropping fast: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama: Highly rated prospect until knee issues caused him to fail several team physicals at the combine.
What Giants might do
No one can accuse the Giants of sleeping in the offseason when it came time to fill their glaring holes along the offensive line and at running back.
They signed four veteran linemen with extensive NFL starting experience, with Geoff Schwartz expected to move in at left guard and J.D. Walton likely to emerge as the starting center. Guard John Jerry and tackle Charles Johnson also were added. Though those two players certainly can be viewed as underachievers, at the very least they should provide seasoned depth.
Despite the additions, going for more help on the line is certainly a strong possibility, with tackle prospects Taylor Lewan (Michigan), Zack Martin (Notre Dame) and possibly Cyrus Kouandjio (Alabama) all worth first-round consideration.
With the uncertain health status of David Wilson coming off neck surgery and the lack of interest in bringing back Andre Brown (who signed with the Texans), the Giants needed a running back with starting capability and got one in Rashad Jennings, who was impressive last year in Oakland filling in for Darren McFadden.
Veteran Peyton Hillis returns, as does Michael Cox entering his second year, and it’s a likely scenario that the Giants will take a running back on the second or third day of the draft.
— Paul Schwartz
What Jets might do
The Jets filled their immediate need at running back by signing Chris Johnson this week. But the team still may draft a running back in the late rounds as a developmental back. Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell likely are not going to be long-term answers at the position.
The starting offensive line is set, but the Jets need to add some depth. They need a guard to develop behind veteran Willie Colon and need a backup that can bounce between guard and tackle. Trai Turner out of LSU or David Yankey from Stanford would be strong targets in the middle rounds.
— Brian Costello