Joe Barksdale 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Notes

by Jon Dove on Apr 23, 2011 8:00 AM EDT

The 2011 NFL Draft is right around the corner and the staff at Mocking the Draft is working hard to bring you the most in depth information possible. We have spent countless hours reviewing college games in an attempt to produce scouting reports for each of the prospects. However, time is running out so we decided to release some scouting notes in order to cover a wider range of prospects.

After the jump you can check out the notes taken in order to come up with this final analysis. Be sure to check out our full scouting reports HERE. Also give us some feedback on whether or not these notes provide useful information.

Joe Barksdale
6'4, 325 pounds | Offensive line | LSU

Final Word: Barksdale's future is either at guard or right tackle. He doesn't possess the foot speed and balance necessary to protect a quarterback's blindside. Combined his limited quickness with his inability to go from stance to set quickly and you have a recipe for disaster. A move to guard will help mask his struggles protecting in space. It will also allow him to utilize his good base and strength to create running lanes. Overall, Barksdale looks like a late round prospect with some upside due to his size and strength.

Joe Barksdale
6'4, 325 pounds | Offensive line | LSU

Notes:

Barksdale is a decent athlete but will struggle to hold up on the left side
He possesses below average foot speed with impacts his ability to set the edge
He is typically balanced but still struggles to adjust to counter moves due to poor change of direction
It takes him awhile to go from stance to set which gives an advantage to the defense
Barksdale has slow hands that hinder his ability to get inside and control
He will struggle to reach the edge against speed rushers
Barksdale fires off the ball low and delivers a nice jolt
He does keep his pad level low but needs to do so more consistently
At times, he gets overextend on his punch and becomes off balanced
Barksdale typically gets his hands inside the defender which allows him to control and velcro
In pass protection, he avoids wasted motions by keeping his hands out in front
After he is engaged, Barksdale does a good job of taking balanced steps as he moves defenders off the ball
He has a good strong anchor and leg drive
Barksdale really struggles to reset after initial contact and plays to flat footed
He is doesn't have a nasty streak and doesn't until the whistle