STRENGTHS
Connor has the size and solid athleticism to play the guard position for the team that selects him. He has enough foot speed to be used to pull and make blocks between the tackles. He has some lateral agility to help out his line mate’s and does a solid job when pass blocking. Connor has played center and guard and that type of versatility is what will make some teams think that Connor could be used as a back up offensive lineman.
CONCERNS
Connor troubles me. He is not a powerful run blocker and as a pass blocker he does better but, his techniques are poor for a player who has started as much as he has. I could go on and on about a whole bunch of technical issues but it comes down to this. I don’t see any passion in this kid’s play to improve enough to be a starting offensive lineman in the NFL.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 6.44
I don’t draft backups. I draft players who I believe have the potential to become starting players for my team. I don’t draft special team players either, I draft starting players who, can play special teams in the hope that they can be starters for my team in the future. I don’t draft kickers or punters because you can find a good one standing in the line at a supermarket. That’s just me. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me but as a person who has been involved with the NFL draft since 1979 and has done public profiles since 2004, through my mistakes I have come up with rules that I try to adhere to. I don’t select players who don’t show enough ON FILM to be starters in ANY round. Connor has talent and enough athletic talent to be a starting guard in the NFL but I don’t see it on film in his play, enough to warrant selecting him in seven rounds. Others will think differently and for that reason I will give a talent board grade. I have no doubt that some team will select him and no doubt he will be an excellent back up. Nevertheless, I don’t draft backups. So, let’s just go with this, the gauntlet’s been dropped Connor, prove me wrong.
