Thursday, December 19, 2013

Tim Jernigan will be the 1st of many Seminoles off the board in the 2014 NFL Draft

Florida State as a team, depending on who declares, could have up over 10 players drafted. Which is incredible considering they had 11 drafted the year before. The more I watch the team play, the more it looks like junior Tim Jernigan will be the 1st Seminole off the board.

The Seminoles transitioned into more a multiple defense this year, featuring more 3-4 than years past. This year Jernigan has played more directly over the Center, as a zero technique, or directly shaded over the shoulder of the center as a 1-tech. The move to the 3-4 has helped Jernigan flourish, and his numbers are even better than they were a year ago. Last year he had 1 sack and 8 tackles for loss through 13 games. This year, even thoguh FSU has been dominant so their starters rarely play in the 4th, Jernigan has 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Just how high of a pick is Jernigan worth?

Strengths


  • Power/Bull Rush
  • Swim/Rip Move
  • Winning at the point of attack
  • Read & React Skills/Discipline
  • Motor
You never see Jernigan run himself out of the play, he does a good job of getting to the appropriate depth in the backfield, and making the play. For a man his size, he's very aware, and is very good at sniffing out screens, as well as chasing plays down the line. He also does a good job of avoiding being cut blocked at the line of scrimmage.


Jernigan does a good job of playing to the whistle, whether he's double teamed or not, he's always trying to make the play.


It's been widely noted that Jernigan is slow off the snap, I don't think that's a disadvantage. It's as if he lulls the OL to sleep, they fire off the ball, and then he throws them to the side. Jernigan constantly wins at the point of attack. Whether it's with his swim move.







Or if he's using his A+ power to stack and shed defenders. He throws 300+ men around like rag dolls, and does it easily.








Jernigan has proven, that if he wants you to go backwards, you don't have a choice.


When defenders try moving him, they end up on their back


When you put together all his strengths, Jernigan is  an incredibly powerful man, that has good a good closing burst. His ability to stack and shed is rare. Jernigan has demonstrated that he can win with a great swim move, as well as a solid rip move. Then you factor in his discipline as a football player, based on his strengths, Jernigan is a top 15 player.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Like every other player, Jernigan has weaknesses, too.


Weaknesses

  • Countering
  • Constantly last player off the ball
  • Hand Usage/Keeping himself clean
  • Plays high at times
  • Relies too much on Power at times
The biggest complaint I have with Jernigan is that if he doesn't win early, you won't see him flash later on in the play and finish. Outside of his swim move and bull rush, he doesn't really have any pass rush moves. So I have a hard time imagining he would be a 3-tech at the next level. Not saying they won't develop, they're just not there yet.

Jernigan has a habit of popping straight up out of his stance and playing high. When he does this, is when he gets moved out of his spot. Because he doesn't really counter, this is an issue at time. He's also the last one off the ball more often than not. While I said it's not a fault earlier, looking ahead to the NFL, bigger stronger lineman will be able to lock onto him.

Lastly, it lumps with the previous issues, but Jernigan will rely on his power too much at times. In the NFL, you're not going to be able to out muscle every defender, when he doesn't win with his bull rush, he's just "another" player. Jernigan will need to develop more pass rush moves to be an every down player in the NFL.

Grade



Multiple Pro Bowl Player, Top 10  8.5 – 9.0
Highly Productive Starter, 1st Round  8.0 – 8.4
Very Good Starter, Early 2nd Round  7.8 – 7.9
Reliable Starter, 2nd Round  7.5 – 7.7
Potential Starter in Year 2, 3rd Round  7.0 – 7.4
Backup/Spot Starter, 4th Round  6.5 – 6.9
Productive Backup, 5th Round  6.0 – 6.4
Very Good Backup/STs, 6th Round  5.5 – 5.9
Quality Backup/Good STs, 7th Round  5.0 – 5.4
Backup/STs/Project Player, 7th Round  4.5 – 4.9
Priority Free Agent w/ Limitations  4.0 – 4.4
Non-Draftable    < 4.0




TraitWeightGrade
Run Stopping21.8
Hand Usage/placement43.5
First Step21.4
Tackling21.9
Disengage32.5
Read & React22
Leverage/Strength44
Pass Rush21.6
Toughness/Motor22
Lateral Movement22


Jernigan graded out as an 8.1 for me. So a late 1st round grade. His positional versatility should help him, as he can line up in any gap from guard to guard. Jernigan jaw dropping power, and the ability to stop the run, it won't be a surprise at all if he's taken higher than the late 1st round. He has the ability to be an effective pass rusher, with a great swim move and closing burst. If he's able to develop pass rushing moves, and consistently be able to disengage, he'll be a force in the NFL for a long time.

Player Comparison

This might surprise many, but Jernigan reminds me of Glenn Dorsey out of LSU. Dorsey was said to be undersized for the position, and might be limited to a 1 gap scheme. Both players are relentless and aggressive. Both have very quick hands & feet, and are very good at the point of attack. There are countless similarites in my opinion, you see both making plays up and down the line of scrimmage, both have impressive functional strength and win at the point of attack. Today Dorsey is one of the top run defenders in the NFL. I expect Jernigan to follow in those footsteps.











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