Pro Football Draft Network | 2012 Pro Football Draft Analysis

PFDN evaluates the performance of the more promising senior and eligible underclassmen prospects for the next draft:

QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma, Redshirt Junior: The 2011 Heisman Trophy candidate had a mediocre game against a good Seminole defense.  Jones completed 18 passes in 27 attempts (67%) for 199 yards (7.4 yards per attempt) with 1 touchdown pass, a 1-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sneak and 2 interceptions.  Jones operated under center 53% of the time and on 47% of the snaps he was in the shotgun.  He looked comfortable in both situations. 

The Oklahoma signal-caller has struggled on the road in the past and his coaches gave him a conservative game plan.  Jones threw mostly short and safe passes against an aggressive defense.  His first interception was when he was blitzed and Jones was slow to get rid of the football before his arm was hit.  His second interception was when he rolled out and overthrew his receiver on a deep pass down the sideline.  The receiver was double-covered and it was a poor read and perhaps a bit of impatience on Jones’ part.  Landry Jones did not show much creativity in the red zone when a couple of drives stalled.  He did not extend plays when his receivers were covered and he had time to move around.  Jones decided to throw the ball away and take the field goal, which allowed Florida State to hang around.

To his credit, Landry Jones came through with the game tied at 13 mid-way in the 4^th quarter.  The Sooners faced a 3^rd and 12 on their 40-yard line.  Florida State had just tied the score and the crowd was very loud.  The last thing Oklahoma needed was to be forced to punt very quickly.  Jones had missed a big throw over the middle earlier in the game on 3^rd down.  This time Jones hung tough in the pocket and out of the shotgun drilled a strike over the middle to Ryan Broyles for a 22-yard gain and a big 1^st down.  That was his best pass of the game.  On the next play, Jones slightly under threw a rainbow of a pass down the sideline for a 37-yard touchdown pass.  It was a better catch (Kenny Still) than throw.  You still have to give credit to Landry Jones for giving his receiver a chance to go high and out-duel the Florida State cornerback (Greg Reid).  That was the deciding score.  Overall, Landry Jones came through when his team needed him, but it was a shaky performance.

WR Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma, Senior: Broyles had a pedestrian game (7 receptions for 55 yards (7.9 per), 3.5 yards per punt return) with one clutch catch.  Broyles found an opening in the middle of the field to catch a 22-yard pass on Oklahoma’s game-winning drive in the 4^th quarter.  The Sooners were facing 3^rd & 15 when Broyles made his key grab.  He is a quick and clever receiver who will find the open spot against zone coverage.  Florida State did a fine job of limiting the 2010 Biletnikoff Award finalist’s run after the catch yardage.  The Seminoles were very aware of how Oklahoma likes to throw short passes to Broyles and then let him make a man miss to gain extra yards.  Broyles was unable to shake free from tacklers because they closed so quickly.  His lack of size and strength to break tackles was evident.  Broyles has good hands, but he is more quick than fast.  His ability to consistently beat press coverage from bigger and faster NFL cornerbacks has to be a concern.  Broyles looked best suited for the slot as a 3^rd receiver at the next level on this night.

OLB Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, Senior: Oklahoma’s leader on defense proved that he is a fast healer by returning 3-4 weeks earlier than expected from a broken toe.  Lewis wasted little time getting into the flow of the game by making 8 tackles with 1 tackle for loss and 1 pass break-up.  Lewis has excellent speed and quickness that he uses to chase down the ball carrier.  He did a good job in pass coverage of closing quickly to limit yards after receptions.  Lewis has the athletic ability to cover NFL running backs and tight ends.  Oklahoma sent Lewis on several blitzes.  He is undersized for an NFL linebacker (6’ 2” and 227 lbs), but he put some pressure on the Florida State quarterback by looping inside.  Travis Lewis looked like a good fit as a 4-3 outside linebacker who should be freed to run around and find the football.

LT Andrew Datko, Florida State, Senior: The fourth-year starter showed some vulnerability in pass protection.  Datko was beaten by a quick spin move and to the inside on more than one occasion.  His ability to move his feet helped him recover.  He comes out of his stance quickly when run blocking, but is not powerful.  Datko missed some blocks in space and hit air on some screen passes.  The veteran Florida State left tackle is not stiff, but looked like a finesse player against Oklahoma who has to get stronger.  He was assignment sound and did not beat himself with mental errors.

RT Zebrie Sanders, Florida State, Senior: Sanders used his fine size and power to do a decent job when run blocking.  He looked a step slow coming out of his stance when pass protecting.  The four-year starter was called for holding early in the game when he was beaten to the outside.  He improved as the game wore on and did a better job of pushing his man past the quarterback in pass protection.  Sanders gets away with too much leaning and reaching in college.  He will have to consistently keep a better-balanced set at the next level.