Brandon Scherff: Iowa OT 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report
By Joe Wedra
Among the top tackle prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft is Iowa OT Brandon Scherff, a senior that is turning heads with every game he’s playing. Some label him a surefire first-rounder, others say he may slip back into the second round due to come concerns. In a rather underwhelming offensive tackle class, Scherff is definitely one to watch.
Here are some scouting notes on a guy you might see shaking Commissioner Goodell’s hand next spring.
STRENGTHS
It’s hard to ignore the fire and passion Scherff brings to the field every time he plays. He has extreme toughness and knowledge of what he needs to be at the tackle position. He bounces back well, and plays a physical game.
What’s nice about Scherff is that he has the fundamentals of the offensive line spot down pretty well. He wont flail his arms around or get out of place. Generally, the 6’5″ lineman plays a compact game, one that works to his advantage.
Stiffness isn’t a concern here, as Scherff has above-average agility that helps him shift. While it’s yet to be seen what he’d do against the Terrell Suggs’ of the world, he’s handled his job with ease at Iowa.
Going with the “knowledge of the game” aspect, Scherff has a good feel for being an offensive lineman in general. He knows his job and has no problem going out there and just “being a lineman”.
WEAKNESSES
As good as he is at navigating his position, Scherff’s strength isn’t exactly a plus. He can work hard and be a force, but he doesn’t have extreme strength when out in the open.
While he uses his hands well, he sometimes struggles being a “brick wall” on the outside, leaving me to believe he’ll be best suited as a guard in the NFL. He is very good in a compact area, but struggles when he’s forced to be a commanding presence on an island.
OVERALL
There’s likely going to eventually be a campaign for Scherff to play on the inside at the next-level, something he’s shown he can do in college. I wouldn’t be against this as it’s clear he can excel in a small area due to his game. Look for a first-round grade here either way.