Is a pretty good bender for his size and is really heavy handed; once he gets his paws on you the battle is over. Now, obviously he gets a bit upright and isn't real technically sound maintaining leverage and using proper hand placement, but the skill set is most definitely there.
Possesses above-average range for his size in pass protection. Showcases good coordination and balance when asked to mirror and again likes to get his hands on defenders and anchor. Doesn't exhibit much of a kick-slide and is really raw and upright with his footwork. But talking with sources the guy doesn't even have an offensive line coach at his school.
Impression: Physically the guy has the size, strength and athleticism to play in the league and is dripping with upside. Is going to take some time, but is an ideal later-round developmental guy who could really catch fire with some time."
Positive: Massive tackle prospect who plays to his size. Bends his knees, strong at the point, and gets movement run blocking. Stays square and seals defenders from the action. Shows tremendous hand punch and easily knocks defenders from their angle of attack. Large enough to engulf opponents. Better than average lateral blocking range.
Negative: Must improve his balance, as he's on the ground too much. Must do a better job correctly placing his hands into defenders. Not light on his feet or effective blocking in motion.
Analysis: Mims has the size and underlying skills to play at the next level and is a solid developmental prospect who needs to slim down and improve the details of his game."
Negatives: His height makes it difficult for him to maintain good pad level... Gets too upright and defenders can get underneath him... Pumps his arms and looks a little awkward backing off the line... Hands get too high and wide... Kick slide needs work, choppy footwork... Doesn't redirect especially well."
Strengths: Mammoth guy who gets off the ball fairly quickly for such a huge man. Will bury people. Shows a mean streak. Big, not fat. Drive blocks well in the running game, and the backs follow him. Anchors well in pass pro and is an immovable object. Can get downfield. Can get down and cut block well for a man mountain.
Weaknesses: Slow, labored back pedal. Below average feet for a LOT candidate. Looks like his best shot is at ROT. Feet are as good as 2009 mammoth ROT draftee, Phil Loadholt's, though. Needs more upper-body development. Needs to be assessed versus better competition. Might be better at 340.
Projection: Priority UDFA at worst, who could sneak into the tail end of the draft if the word gets out."
He's playing at the Division II level. There's no real weight program there. There's no real coaching there, but he's got the ability to dominate. He's flexible. He's got the ability to bend. He's long armed and is a good enough athlete. He reminds me of J'Marcus Webb, who's the starting right tackle for the Bears right now. (Webb attended West Texas A&M.) You can get this guy as a late round flyer. I think he'll run about 5.3 in the 40. He's a physically gifted kid."
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One of the most fascinating aspects of this Great Game, is how I continue to watch men ~ Professionals ~ who know, literally, THOUSANDS of times more than me or you about this Great Game...make UNFATHOMABLE mistakes.
Talent evaluation is subjective, of course, and it is somewhere therein that the paradox lies.
I rank David Mims as the #3 O Tackle in this entire Draft Class, though I may have cause to bump him up to #2, by Draft Day.
And yet his current EDP is on the fringe of the 7th Round!!
NFL Draft Scout has him listed as #29 out of all O Tackles. And NFL Draft Scout is, by and large, a reliable and dependable evaluator of the EDP of most prospects, considering how wonderfully transitory the process is.
And this...in a year where the O Tackle Draft Class is awful.
David Mims commands an astonishing fusion of Mastodonic Power and utterly shocking Athleticism. On tape, last year, he displayed astonishing Fluidity + Agility for a 350 Pound BEAST. And on Pro Day he was down to 330.
He is raw as ALL get out: The man did not even have the benefit of a LINE Coach, much less a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Virginia Union. His technique needs a lot of work.
But this kid ~ mark my words ~ has 10 Pro Bowl + Hall of Fame Potential.
Super Sleeper!!
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