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My Jack Conklin scouting report

By Will Lomas

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jack Conklin (Michigan State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jack Conklin (Michigan State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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I will be the first to say that when the Tennessee Titans traded up to 8th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, I was expecting them to take Laremy Tunsil instead of Jack Conklin. However, looking back on it, I think that this is the right move for the team and you should be excited, here’s why.

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Not only is Conklin dominant as a run blocker, he has put on a clinic over the last two years on how to handle some of the best defenders in college football. In the last two years he has seen DeForest Buckner, Joey Bosa (twice), Jarran Reed, A’Shawn Robinson, Tim Williams, Jonathan Allen, Arik Armstead, Randy Gregory, Carl Nassib, and the list goes on.

Not only has he faced top competition, he has dominated it. After watching him against these defenders, here is my scouting report on Jack Conklin.

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    • Jack Conklin

    6’5″ 308 lb.

    Pros:

    -Physicality through the roof. If he senses his man is off balance (which is often thanks to his punch) he will not stop until they are on the ground.

    -When he throws his hands he does it with power and has stonewalled the best defensive linemen in the nation.

    -Despite technique issues, he rarely if ever gets beaten by speed rushers.

    -Always finds a way to get between his defender and the ball carrier/QB.

    -Classic “mauling” run blocker who caves down defensive lines with ease.

    -Never had anything given to him and is completely in love with football.

    Cons:

    -Struggles to kick slide.

    -Hasn’t played right tackle.

    -Can grab instead of punch.

    Summary:

    You have to like this pick for the Tennessee Titans, despite all the negatives people want to throw out about his feet they just aren’t as big as people say. Connor Cook threw the ball 408 times in 2015 and only allowed 1 sack and 9 hurries over that time. For comparison’s sake Laremy Tunsil pass blocked 224 times and allowed 5 hurries which is roughly the same exact rate as Conklin (all numbers thanks to Pro Football Focus). So, he doesn’t let his quarterback get sacked, he is an absolute stud in the run game by all accounts,and he loves football, I don’t know what more Titans fans could expect from this pick.

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    Also, something people won’t talk about with Jack Conklin is that he was hurt for most of 2015 where he still had an outstanding season. Those numbers above are what he can do against the best defensive linemen in the country while he isn’t 100%, which is spectacular.

    Finally, the big key to this move is that Taylor Lewan gets to stay at left tackle which is ideal. Now you have a true left tackle and someone who projects to be your right tackle and has all the qualities, what’s not to like?

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