Jake Long Scouting Report

He may be the number one player in this draft class, but what do the scouts see when they look at Jake Long?

Name: Jake Long
School: Michigan
Jersey #: 77
Height: 6'7
Weight: 310
40 time: 5.1
Best Fit Position/Role: Left Tackle
Ideal Scheme/Role: Power run
Teams Interested: St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys
General Traits
Athletic Ability: Is a good overall athlete with above average ability. Can play heavy-footed at times. Slow feet. Poor lateral quickness, but is a fast runner in a straight line.
Character/Leadership Ability: Is a very vocal leader and team captain. Takes his role and responsibilities very seriously. Is a favorite in the locker room.
Competitive Nature/Work Ethic: A hard worker in the weight room and class room. Long is a competitive player that is more like a fighter in that he hates to lose. Will work harder than most players with his natural talent. Football Intelligence: A smart player that has seen every defense, twist, stunt and blitz in his 4 years as a starter. Not much will surprise him. Dedicated to the film room and absorbs information.
Size: Is a mammoth player. His size is intimidating and imposing to defenders. Is thick all the way through with good muscle tone and bubble. A very strong lower body. Long arms and huge hands.
Toughness/Durability: Is a very tough player that enjoys contact and plays with a mean streak. At times he seems to search out defenders to hit. Is a durable player that has only missed time due to a serious injury in 2005, which he came back from strong.

Position Specific Traits
Movement/Space: Does not move well laterally. Has average lateral quicks. Does not recover well to the inside, but moves well to the outside and can adjust to pick up the blitz and outside rush. Moves well to the 2nd level and looks for people to hit at every tier.
Pass Blocking: Can get heavy feet and hands. Plays slow at times. Can be beaten with a good inside counter move. Has a strong punch and replaces his feet well. Might be better suited for the right side in pass protection. Can play top heavy with too much lean. Needs to play lighter on his feet and with more left-right balance.
Quickness: Average lateral quickness with good straight-line speed. Has no short quicks. Is a long strider. An aggressive blocker that gets to the second level well,  but not quickly. Adjusts best to the outside, where he can run off a blitzer or pass rusher.
Run Blocking: A dominating run blocker that shows great drive blocking skills. Has good bend in his arms and legs, forming a "V" in his arms when locking up and driving with his legs and keeping his feet churning. Powers from his quads through his body and will look to pancake if necessary. Gets to the 2nd level well and will lead block in space. Is agile enough to get out in space and find second and third blocks.
Strength: Is exceptionally strong and uses this well on the field. A naturally strong person that has added to this in the weight room. Has great football strength and does not waste his size or power.
Technique: Footwork can be lazy, but is technically sound. Replaces his feet well and has a solid kick back and hinge step. Can get over his feet at times and will lunge at a player, most famously Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston. Can be ran outside and then in with success. Needs to stay more balanced and keep a better feel for his defender. Keeps his head up when run blocking and drives well through his block. Great lower body technique, fundamentally strong.
General Comments: Long is generally considered a top 5 senior for the 2008 NFL Draft and a cornerstone left tackle. Much like Levi Brown in the '07 class, Long could be moved to the right side with ease for a number of reasons. He is a dominating run blocker that will immediately add to any team's running game. Could have an immediate impact for the franchise that selects him.

Injury Concerns: Lower left leg injury in 2005. Required surgery.

Could be as good as: Jonathan Ogden
Worst Case: Marcus McNeill

Where he'll probably go: Top 3
Were he should go: Top 3

Completed By: Matt Miller
Last Updated: 12/11/2007