2021 NFL Draft | MWC Scouting Reports: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Cortez Davis NFL Draft Scouting Report | Cornerback
Positives: Community college transfer who started for Hawaii the past two seasons. Battles receivers throughout the route, works to get his head back around, and plays physical football. Possesses a solid burst out of his plant, quickly makes his way up the field, and wraps up tackling. Engages receivers at the line of scrimmage and is fluid flipping his hips in transition.
Negatives: Possesses poor ball skills and struggles making plays with his back to the ball. Prefers to side shuffle downfield. Short and loses out on battles.
Analysis: Davis was a solid cornerback for Hawaii but lacks the size and physical skills for the next level.
Gene Pryor NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Two-year starter at tackle who projects to guard at the next level. Wide-bodied blocker who is best in a small area. Quickly sets up off the snap, shows strength at the point, and out-positions opponents from the action. Keeps his feet moving, stays square, and makes good use of angles. Sets with a wide base, effectively uses his hands, and has better-than-average footwork off the edge.
Negatives: Lacks balance and is ineffective blocking in motion. Gets tall as the play proceeds and does not consistently block with leverage.
Analysis: Pryor displayed consistent development in his game the past two seasons but was out of position at tackle. He comes with short arms and limited upside but has enough skill to grab a spot on a practice squad next fall.
Jared Smart NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: Junior college transfer who started the past two seasons. Quick wideout with reliable hands. Fluid releasing off the line of scrimmage, immediately gets to top speed, and sells routes. Battles with his hands to separate from opponents, tracks the pass in the air, and adjusts to the errant throw. Possesses excellent eye/hand coordination and flashes strong hands. Quickly turns upfield after the catch.
Negatives: Cannot run to the deep throw. Floats exiting breaks. Not a big-bodied pass catcher.
Analysis: Smart was productive for Hawaii the past two seasons and has enough skills to make a roster as a fifth receiver/return specialist.
Rico Bussey NFL Draft Scouting Report | Wide Receiver
Positives: One-time highly rated prospect who came to Hawaii by way of North Texas. Physically gifted receiver with an underwhelming game. Has nice length, extends his hands, and works to make the reception away from his frame. Finds the soft spot in the defense. Flashed big-play ability in the past.
Negatives: Lazily comes off the line if he’s not involved in the play. Plays to one speed. Takes his eyes off the ball, which results in dropped passes. Must pick up the blocking intensity.
Analysis: Bussey was graded as a mid-round pick by scouts the past two years despite missing the 2019 season with injury and playing uninspired football last year. He possesses the physical skills to be a No. 5 receiver on an NFL roster yet rarely plays to his level of ability.
2021 NFL Draft | Nevada Wolf Pack
Nate Brown NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Three-year starter at tackle. A nice-sized lineman who projects to guard at the next level. Quickly gets into blocks, keeps his feet moving, and shows explosiveness at the point. Tough, keeps his head on a swivel, and works to finish blocks. Stays square, seals opponents from the action, and anchors in pass protection. Strong and opens up the running lanes.
Negatives: Missed time with injury last season. Cannot slide in space and is better in a small area. Not quick out to the second level and clumsy blocking in motion. Exploited by quick or nimble opponents.
Analysis: Brown was a solid blocker for Nevada but comes with average upside. He’s a power gap lineman who must add a bit more bulk to his frame.
2021 NFL Draft | MWC Scouting Reports: New Mexico Lobos
Patrick Peek NFL Draft Scouting Report | Safety
Positives: Junior college transfer who became a full-time starter last season after his 2019 was interrupted by injury. Aggressive safety who is best playing downhill. Effective facing the action, quickly reads and diagnoses plays, and works well with cornerbacks. Battles receivers, displays a nice move to the throw, and works hard getting a hand in to knock away passes. Takes good angles in run support and wraps up tackling.
Negatives: Must improve his backpedal and is slow in reverse. Hesitant transitioning with opponents in coverage. Lacks recovery speed and easily gets knocked off balance by the initial block.
Analysis: Peek is a hard-working safety with solid size but average play speed. He projects as a traditional strong safety but could also play in a zone system that does not ask him to make plays with his back to the ball.
Teton Saltes NFL Draft Scouting Report | Offensive Line
Positives: Three-year starter at tackle who projects to guard. Patient, explosive blocker who is best in a small area. Sets with a wide base, adjusts and knocks pass rushers from their angles of attack. Fluid if asked to pull across the line of scrimmage, gets out in front, and blocks in motion.
Stays after assignments and works to finish off opponents. Can redirect in motion and hit a moving target. Keeps his head on a swivel and always looks for someone to hit.
Negatives: Does not sink his butt at the line of scrimmage and isn’t a natural knee bender. Must learn to use his hands better and properly place them into opponents. Lacks quick, fluid footwork off the edge and does not display lateral blocking range in pass protection.
Analysis: Saltes possesses the size and movement skills to develop into a zone-blocking guard but needs to polish his game. He’s destined for the practice squad but comes with an upside.