04/30/2012 - A closer look at the Bills' picks: Round 5/144 - Zebrie Sanders, OT, 6-5, 320, Florida State...More of a project player than Glenn, can play both right and left side. Dropped after a poor Senior Bowl week. - The Sports Xchange
Pass Blocking: Has good footwork and technique. Balanced and agile pass protection set with excellent hand placement. Lone concern is handling the super-quick NFL edge rusher. Foot speed and quickness are very good, but not elite. Has the power and bend needed to anchor against the bull rush. Easily loses balance when he misses initial punch.
Run Blocking: Has the ability to sink his hips and generate real power with strong hands. Consistently moves defenders back. Grades out extremely well in every aspect of run blocking.
Pulling/Trapping: Outstanding blocking ability on the move. Would grade highly as an offensive prospect. Has excellent and very good agility. Puts a lot of defenders on the ground. Stays low with excellent technique.
Initial Quickness: Fires off the snap and gets push on run plays. First step is quick when pulling. Can be beaten off the snap by an elite first-step or very wide set.
Downfield: Is athletic and can run, plant, seal, sink hips and deliver powerful blocks where the play dictates. Consistently makes quality second-level blocks.
Intangibles: Nearly the highest possible grade. Smart, durable, healthy, experienced and of high character. Willingness and ability to play either OT position earns high marks.
Analysis
Pass Blocking - Footwork and technique are usually very good. Has a balanced and agile pass protection set that handles all motions effectively. Hand placement is excellent. The one concern is handling the super quick edge rusher. Foot speed and quickness are very good, but not elite. Has the power and bend needed to anchor against the bull rush. Sometimes will attempt to punch too soon, lunge, and fail to transfer power properly as a result.
Run Blocking - Has the ability to sink hips and generate real power with strong hands. Consistently moves defenders back. Grades out extremely well in every aspect of run blocking.
Pulling/Trapping - Outstanding blocking ability on the move. Would grade highly as an OG prospect as well. Agility is very good and power is excellent. Puts a lot of defenders on the ground. Stays low and uses excellent technique.
Initial Quickness - Is usually very good in this area. Fires off the snap and gets push on run plays. First step is quick when pulling. Is rarely beaten off the snap by pass rushers. As with all OTs, crowd noise can limit ability to hear QB.
Downfield - Is athletic and can run, plant, seal, sink hips, and deliver powerful blocks where the play dictates. Consistently makes quality second level blocks.
Intangibles - About the highest possible grade here. Smart, durable, healthy, experienced, and high character. The demonstrated ability to switch from ORT to OLT without any problems is perhaps the best tribute to this prospect's intangibles.
NFL Comparison: Trent Williams - Washington Redskins
--Brad Noel
