Kevin Minter, ILB, LSU
Strengths
Attacks blocks with extension and hand use. Very good feel in trash, subtle moves to weave through bodies and recognize run, gets to the ball carrier before teammates despite starting from the opposite side of the formation. not afraid to make contact with lead blocker between the tackles, keeps outside arm free to scrape off to running back. Takes very good angles and lines. Stops momentum of blockers, rolls into them with an anchor to not lose ground. Finishes off tackles very well. Fights as a blitzer, good motor, attempts to run through or get around contact. Sniffs out screens. When the play is visibly in from of him, the click and close can happen very quickly. Looks very comfortable when using hands to work through blockers. Has just enough speed to undercut blocks and make tackles for loss. Remained on the field in nickel packages.
Cerebral defender. Shows very good anticipatory skills to project where the ball is going, demonstrating the burst and agility to beat offensive linemen to the ball. Shows good effort to slip blocks, demonstrating a quick swim move and hand-slap to shake free, as well as a spin move.
Aggressive and shows little regard for his own body, jumping into the pile. Isn't often a textbook hitter but consistently gets his man to the ground in the open field, showing good upper body strength for the drag down tackle. Uses his hands well to strip away at the ball as he is making the tackle.
Times the snap well as a blitzer and closes quickly. Reads the quarterback's eyes nicely when in pass coverage and has a feel for what is happening around him. Enough lateral agility and speed to cover backs. Passionate player with a high-revving motor.
Weaknesses
Occasionally overruns misdirection and draw plays, gives up inside shoulder. Lacks desirable range in coverage because of lost ground when forced to open up hips, turn, and run. Fast enough in a straight line, but lateral speed may be a question. Despite good angles, likely won't win a foot race to the edge. Too flat footed on play action and misdirection, but at least that prohibits wasted steps. Does not show the quickness to get to screen as or soon after the ball arrives despite seeing it early on. Sees pass and reacts to it in coverage, but doesn't move any sooner.
Isn't the physical thumper that some teams prefer in the middle and may lack the sheer athleticism to handle the switch outside vs. NFL speed. Prefers to elude or spin away from blockers rather than physically taking them on and shedding and when he is locked up, Minter struggles to get free.
Wraps his arms around runners' legs for the sure stop but isn't a consistently explosive hitter who'll strike fear into ball-carriers. Has been surrounded by an awful lot of speed in Baton Rouge and does not appear to have elite speed, himself. Can be beaten to the sideline and relies on angles, vision and effort, rather than speed to track down ball-carriers when in pursuit.
Thanks to all the CSC members who participated in this year's community mock draft. Without your help, none of this would be possible.
Below are the complete results from our community mock draft.
Catch up with all of the mock draft selections in our 2013 CSC Community Draft Section.
Pick | Team | Selection | Team Representative | Approval Rating |
1 | Kansas City Chiefs |
OT Luke Joeckel - Texas A&M |
Hans Petersen | 77% |
2 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
QB Geno Smith - West Virginia |
Dragon Ninja Warrior | 48% |
3 | Oakland Raiders |
CB Dee Milliner - Alabama |
Ralph Malbrough | 42% |
4 | Philadelphia Eagles |
OT Eric Fisher - Central Mich. |
Aburton531 | 78% |
5 | Detroit Lions |
DE Dion Jordan - Oregon |
ShadowFlash | 50% |
6 | Cleveland Browns |
DE/OLB Ezekiel Ansah - BYU |
Fan since the Aints | 54% |
7 | Arizona Cardinals | OT Lane Johnson - Oklahoma |
Joseph William Stern | 94% |
8 | Buffalo Bills | G Chance Warmack - Alabama |
aburton531 | 52% |
9 | NY Jets | S Kenny Vaccaro - Texas |
organictallman | 33% |
10 | Tennessee Titans | G Jonathan Cooper - UNC |
cajuncommando58 | 67% |
11 | San Diego Chargers | DT Sharrif Floyd - Florida |
lostastic | 55% |
12 | Miami Dolphins | DT Star Lotulelei- Utah | Ralph Malbrough | 59% |
13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | CB Xavier Rhodes - Florida St. | jeff.l.b | 78% |
14 | Carolina Panthers | CB Desmond Trufant - Washington | Stilljreming | 27% |
15 | New Orleans Saints | DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo - LSU | Dave Cariello | 68% |
16 | St. Louis Rams | OLB Jarvis Jones - Georgia | caomhin | 61% |
17 | Pittsburgh Steelers | WR Cordarrelle Patterson - Tennessee | aryanspecial | |
18 | Dallas Cowboys | OT D.J. Fluker - Alabama | SAINTMANUMIT | |
19 | NY Giants | DT Sheldon Richardson - Missouri | BlackandGold4ever | |
20 | Chicago Bears | ILB Manti Te'o - Notre Dame | MobileSaint | |
21 | Cincinnati Bengals | WR Tavon Austin - West Virginia | Fan since the Aints | |
22 | St. Louis Rams (from Washington) | TE Tyler Eifert - Notre Dame | Kevin Held | |
23 | Minnesota Vikings | DT Johnathan Jenkins - Georgia | cajuncommando58 | |
24 | Indianapolis Colts | DE/OLB Damontre Moore - Texas A&M | Legatron Morstead | |
25 | Minnesota Vikings (from Seattle) | WR DeAndre Hopkins - Clemson | Fan since the Aints | |
26 | Green Bay Packers | DE Datone Jones - UCLA | caomhin | |
27 | Houston Texans | WR Robert Woods - USC | TeeThaKingSaint23 | |
28 | Denver Broncos | DE Bjoern Werner - Florida St. | aburton531 | |
29 | New England Patriots | WR Keenan Allen - California | ShadowFlash | |
30 | Atlanta Falcons | DE Tank Carradine - Florida St. | Dave Choate | |
31 | San Francisco 49ers | S Jonathan Cyprien - Florida International | BlackandGold4ever | |
32 | Baltimore Ravens | LB Kevin Minter - LSU | NawlinsOriole |