SemperFeist Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 (edited) Tier 3 4a. Brian O’Neill, LT, Pittsburgh Standout Traits – Athletic Ability, Play Speed, Zone-BlockingBiggest Question Mark – Play Strength, Anchor, Hand Usage O’Neill is the most intriguing developmental tackle in the draft class. The former tight end convert switched to tackle prior to his redshirt sophomore year and has primarily played right tackle prior to the 2017 season, making the switch full-time to the left side (finished career with 24 RT/13 LT starts). His functional athleticism is elite, particularly in space as a puller where he demonstrates special closing speed to overrun smaller/quicker defenders in space. His pass set is crisp and clean, but his hand placement, strike timing, and precision hitting set points still needs some work. The biggest issue I have with his projection to the NFL involves below average play strength, especially when having to build his house and transition to anchor vs. power-rushers. Sometimes this can be mitigated as much with technical refinement as adding raw strength, and I think he will need to improve in both areas before he can be reliable on an island in pass-protection. The N.C. State game this year showed me both of the aforementioned strengths and weaknesses, in a performance that left me ecstatic about his pro prospects on some reps, and terrified on others. If he can be brought along slowly with plenty of slide protections to his side to help protect his inside shoulder, we could be looking at a dynamic starter near the end of his first contract. Ideally, he would be drafted to a team in a heavy zone scheme allowing him to play in as much space as possible, utilizing his quickness and play speed while he continues to gain confidence and strength https://www.ndtscouting.com/?p=15113&preview=true Edited April 28, 2018 by SemperFeist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperFeist Posted April 28, 2018 Author Share Posted April 28, 2018 It’s not Orlando Brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RpMc Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Just needs to get stronger. Athletically, good. Great feet, and good technique. NEEDS to get stronger. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavydan85 Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 1 minute ago, SemperFeist said: It’s not Orlando Brown. Just about the exact opposite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gopherwrestler Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Super athletic... raw.... already better than where Clemmings in currently. Still a slight project, but probably will start at RT. Will be a battle with him and Hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperFeist Posted April 28, 2018 Author Share Posted April 28, 2018 I like O’Neill, but I was hoping he’d have been the second o-lineman we drafted as a developmental guy. Hopefully he learns and develops faster than Clemmings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heimdallr Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 6-7, long arms, truly elite athlete at the position and only has played OL for 3 years so he is just scratching the surface of his ability. massive upside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SemperFeist Posted April 28, 2018 Author Share Posted April 28, 2018 O’Neill started all 13 games in 2016 at right tackle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gopherwrestler Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 agreed 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrplChilPill Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 3 minutes ago, rpmwr19 said: Just needs to get stronger. Athletically, good. Great feet, and good technique. NEEDS to get stronger. Could have sworn I read this about another OL they took, who's no longer in the NFL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gopherwrestler Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrplChilPill Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Definitely not a starter. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikingsrule Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 4 minutes ago, rpmwr19 said: Just needs to get stronger. Athletically, good. Great feet, and good technique. NEEDS to get stronger. Seems like the type we want, good athlete, good feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikingsrule Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 Just now, PrplChilPill said: Definitely not a starter. Sigh. How is he any less of a starter than some of the guys selected earlier in the round? He might be a bit raw, just have to see if he can be coached up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RpMc Posted April 28, 2018 Share Posted April 28, 2018 2 minutes ago, PrplChilPill said: Definitely not a starter. Sigh. Just a ridiculous statement. He starts day one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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