OC Dave Molk of Michigan ~ 6.2/288
"A four-year starter, Molk was a highly-regarded recruit out of high school, choosing Michigan over Iowa, Northwestern and Wisconsin. After redshirting in 2007, he won the starting center job in 2008 as a redshirt freshman and started all 12 games. Molk battled injuries in 2009 as a sophomore and missed most of the season, starting just four games.
He returned healthy in 2010 as a junior and started every game as a Rimington Award finalist, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors. Molk had his best season in 2011 as a senior captain (13 starts), earning First Team All-American and All-Big Ten honors and was the recipient of the Rimington Award (nation's top center).
Molk doesn't look like much, but he is very aggressive and plays bigger than he appears ~ lacks elite physical tools, but you can't measure heart and desire. He has 42 career starts under his belt and worked through several different offensive systems in Ann Arbor ~ battle tested and smart, seasoned veteran.
Molk has poor base strength and won't be for everyone at the next level (scheme-specific), but he is quick, scrappy and competitive with pro intangibles and work ethic ~ a third or early fourth round prospect who is ideally suited for a zone blocking scheme and does have NFL starting potential.
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Strengths: A balanced, coordinated athlete who sets up quickly and gets in position with nice burst off the snap and good feet. Covers a lot of ground with good lateral shuffle and range to get to the second level easily ~ natural movement skills with smooth footwork to block in space or pull.
Built low to the ground and understands leverage, using his lack of height to his advantage. Smart with very good awareness and keeps his head on a swivel. Blocks with a wide base and does a nice job with blocking angles and body positioning.
Physical at the point of attack and plays with a tough, intense temperament ~ fights through the whistle and leaves it all on the field. A hard, tireless worker and gets the most out of his ability ~ obvious passion for the game. Has a high football IQ with very good starting experience (42 career starts) in multiple offensive systems.
A high character player and vocal team leader ~ very good competitor and loves to finish. Has very good work ethic and is very coachable ~ team-first guy who leads by example.
Weaknesses: Undersized with limited growth potential ~ lacks elite measureables for the next level. Doesn't have a stout anchor and can be driven backwards off the snap ~ often overwhelmed at the point of attack because of his limited base strength. Needs to sustain blocks longer and can be tossed aside by defenders.
Lacks the brute strength to redirect rushers and will never be a mauler in the run game ~ needs to do a better job blocking moving targets and squaring up in space. Won't fit in every NFL offense and won't be on some team's draft boards. Has suffered several injuries over his career, including missing most of his sophomore season with foot and knee injuries ~ didn't start in the 2012 Sugar Bowl because of a foot injury in pregame warm ups."
NFL Comparison: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
-- Dane Brugler
He returned healthy in 2010 as a junior and started every game as a Rimington Award finalist, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors. Molk had his best season in 2011 as a senior captain (13 starts), earning First Team All-American and All-Big Ten honors and was the recipient of the Rimington Award (nation's top center).
Molk doesn't look like much, but he is very aggressive and plays bigger than he appears ~ lacks elite physical tools, but you can't measure heart and desire. He has 42 career starts under his belt and worked through several different offensive systems in Ann Arbor ~ battle tested and smart, seasoned veteran.
Molk has poor base strength and won't be for everyone at the next level (scheme-specific), but he is quick, scrappy and competitive with pro intangibles and work ethic ~ a third or early fourth round prospect who is ideally suited for a zone blocking scheme and does have NFL starting potential.
***
Strengths: A balanced, coordinated athlete who sets up quickly and gets in position with nice burst off the snap and good feet. Covers a lot of ground with good lateral shuffle and range to get to the second level easily ~ natural movement skills with smooth footwork to block in space or pull.
Built low to the ground and understands leverage, using his lack of height to his advantage. Smart with very good awareness and keeps his head on a swivel. Blocks with a wide base and does a nice job with blocking angles and body positioning.
Physical at the point of attack and plays with a tough, intense temperament ~ fights through the whistle and leaves it all on the field. A hard, tireless worker and gets the most out of his ability ~ obvious passion for the game. Has a high football IQ with very good starting experience (42 career starts) in multiple offensive systems.
A high character player and vocal team leader ~ very good competitor and loves to finish. Has very good work ethic and is very coachable ~ team-first guy who leads by example.
Weaknesses: Undersized with limited growth potential ~ lacks elite measureables for the next level. Doesn't have a stout anchor and can be driven backwards off the snap ~ often overwhelmed at the point of attack because of his limited base strength. Needs to sustain blocks longer and can be tossed aside by defenders.
Lacks the brute strength to redirect rushers and will never be a mauler in the run game ~ needs to do a better job blocking moving targets and squaring up in space. Won't fit in every NFL offense and won't be on some team's draft boards. Has suffered several injuries over his career, including missing most of his sophomore season with foot and knee injuries ~ didn't start in the 2012 Sugar Bowl because of a foot injury in pregame warm ups."
NFL Comparison: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
-- Dane Brugler
"A shorter, compact lineman who looks nearly maxed out physically, despite weighing 288-pounds. Looks a little tight hipped trying to sit into his stance, but has a quick first step and snaps and steps very quickly. Creates leverage for himself consistently, extends his arms and can easily reach and seal on the plays off his frame.
Displays a compact, sturdy punch and can stun defenders at the point. Looks really natural when asked to quickly reach block on runs to the perimeter, as he’s coordinated getting his feet around and can seal the edge routinely. Displays natural range/balance getting into blocks at the second level as well. Breakdowns well showcases the ability to routinely seal on contact.
Now, lacks the power to win as an in-line guy. Keeps base down, but doesn’t have the lower body power to create a push inside. However, does do a nice job chipping at the line, re-directing and reaching secondary targets. Displays great awareness in the run game as well and routinely carries out assignments.
His tightness in the hips shows up more so in pass protection where he has the initial first step and foot quickness to reach defenders off his frame, but gets upright, isn’t real long armed and struggles to gain leverage and anchor on contact. Can routinely be overwhelmed vs. the bull rush inside and needs to play in tandem.
Possesses some natural shuffle and slide ability in space, extends his arms well off the snap, keeps his base under him and can mirror initially. But will struggle with leverage because of arm length and is inconsistent with hand placement hurting his ability to stick to his man. I can’t see him holding up routinely inside one-one-one in the pass game vs. NFL caliber defensive tackles.
Impression: A perfect fit for the Michigan’s run first spread offense where he consistently plays to his strengths. However, he’s an overachiever who looks like a potential starter in only a zone scheme in my view."
Displays a compact, sturdy punch and can stun defenders at the point. Looks really natural when asked to quickly reach block on runs to the perimeter, as he’s coordinated getting his feet around and can seal the edge routinely. Displays natural range/balance getting into blocks at the second level as well. Breakdowns well showcases the ability to routinely seal on contact.
Now, lacks the power to win as an in-line guy. Keeps base down, but doesn’t have the lower body power to create a push inside. However, does do a nice job chipping at the line, re-directing and reaching secondary targets. Displays great awareness in the run game as well and routinely carries out assignments.
His tightness in the hips shows up more so in pass protection where he has the initial first step and foot quickness to reach defenders off his frame, but gets upright, isn’t real long armed and struggles to gain leverage and anchor on contact. Can routinely be overwhelmed vs. the bull rush inside and needs to play in tandem.
Possesses some natural shuffle and slide ability in space, extends his arms well off the snap, keeps his base under him and can mirror initially. But will struggle with leverage because of arm length and is inconsistent with hand placement hurting his ability to stick to his man. I can’t see him holding up routinely inside one-one-one in the pass game vs. NFL caliber defensive tackles.
Impression: A perfect fit for the Michigan’s run first spread offense where he consistently plays to his strengths. However, he’s an overachiever who looks like a potential starter in only a zone scheme in my view."
"There were some concerns about the overall size of Michigan center David Molk coming into the year, as the 6-2, 288-pound pivot seemed more like a zone guy only at the next level who would struggle with power consistently.
However, watching him vs. Notre Dame Saturday night, he was quick off the snap, moved his feet well and did a great job gaining leverage and sticking through contact. Molk did a nice job keeping his pad level down, stayed compact with his punch and routinely got his hands inside on defenders.
Pair that with his initial burst off the ball in the run game and ability to get into blocks quickly, run his legs through contact and create a push inside.
Overall, Molk looked athletic, coordinated, and technically sound and warrants a potential starting grade at the next level. He’ll be most attractive to zone schemes, but I could also see him getting plenty of looks as well from teams who run power that need their center to be a “plus” pass blocker."
However, watching him vs. Notre Dame Saturday night, he was quick off the snap, moved his feet well and did a great job gaining leverage and sticking through contact. Molk did a nice job keeping his pad level down, stayed compact with his punch and routinely got his hands inside on defenders.
Pair that with his initial burst off the ball in the run game and ability to get into blocks quickly, run his legs through contact and create a push inside.
Overall, Molk looked athletic, coordinated, and technically sound and warrants a potential starting grade at the next level. He’ll be most attractive to zone schemes, but I could also see him getting plenty of looks as well from teams who run power that need their center to be a “plus” pass blocker."
"Pass Blocking: David Molk has good range from his center spot. He can mirror defenders with excellent short area quickness. Despite his size, he is a gritty center that will fight for leverage and position. His biggest flaw in pass protection is playing upright. He doesn’t have the girth or base to match power and his inability to sink his hips kills him against power. He’s a short armed center that struggles to control larger DT’s through contact.
Run Blocking: Molk is quick off the snap with a lightning quick first step. He gets his hands in good position quickly after the snap. He is a good move blocker that works angles and would be an ideal fit in a zone blocking scheme. Shows solid awareness and excels as the leader of the line making all the line calls. He lacks the power to win in-line against NFL DT’s. He will only appeal to teams using the ZBS because of his lack of in-line power. He’s a much better run blocker than pass protector and excels on the move.
Technique: Molk is a solid technician particularly in the run game. He uses his leverage really well and solid hand placement. In pass protection he becomes a little more inconsistent with hand placement as they tend to get to the outside.
Athleticism/Strength: Molk is a plus athlete that will excel as a move blocker in a zone running scheme. He lacks the girth and strength to be an effective in-line blocker. He’s short and compact with short arms. He struggles to gain leverage in pass protection because of arm length and lack of strength.
Bottom Line: I like Molk more than most. In the right fit, he could be an immediate starter. He only fits a handful of teams but if they need a center that could play quickly, Molk could be a good fit.
Draft Projection: David Molk might end up in the 4th but ZBS teams could take a look earlier. He’s a 3rd rounder for me in the right system."
Run Blocking: Molk is quick off the snap with a lightning quick first step. He gets his hands in good position quickly after the snap. He is a good move blocker that works angles and would be an ideal fit in a zone blocking scheme. Shows solid awareness and excels as the leader of the line making all the line calls. He lacks the power to win in-line against NFL DT’s. He will only appeal to teams using the ZBS because of his lack of in-line power. He’s a much better run blocker than pass protector and excels on the move.
Technique: Molk is a solid technician particularly in the run game. He uses his leverage really well and solid hand placement. In pass protection he becomes a little more inconsistent with hand placement as they tend to get to the outside.
Athleticism/Strength: Molk is a plus athlete that will excel as a move blocker in a zone running scheme. He lacks the girth and strength to be an effective in-line blocker. He’s short and compact with short arms. He struggles to gain leverage in pass protection because of arm length and lack of strength.
Bottom Line: I like Molk more than most. In the right fit, he could be an immediate starter. He only fits a handful of teams but if they need a center that could play quickly, Molk could be a good fit.
Draft Projection: David Molk might end up in the 4th but ZBS teams could take a look earlier. He’s a 3rd rounder for me in the right system."
"An undersized, experienced, intelligent, competitive pivot who plays with urgency and a desirable trench mentality.
Shows very good snap-and-step quickness, energetic feet, flexible hips and excellent lateral agility.
Is seldom on the ground and consistently opens run lanes.
Lacks natural girth, grip strength is just average and could struggle to match with power.
However, he makes all the calls, works hard in the weight room, and has starter-caliber ability in a zone scheme."
Shows very good snap-and-step quickness, energetic feet, flexible hips and excellent lateral agility.
Is seldom on the ground and consistently opens run lanes.
Lacks natural girth, grip strength is just average and could struggle to match with power.
However, he makes all the calls, works hard in the weight room, and has starter-caliber ability in a zone scheme."
"Athletic, experienced Big Ten veteran with 29 career starts; intense, hard-worker plays the game with a real passion; very quick off the snap and can get to the second level; solid technician uses hands well and finishes blocks; slides around the pocket nicely in pass protection;
However, isn’t very big at a bulked up 290 pounds and doesn’t get much push when facing bigger DTs; also can be bull-rushed when protecting the passer; missed multiple games in 2009 with foot and later knee injuries."
However, isn’t very big at a bulked up 290 pounds and doesn’t get much push when facing bigger DTs; also can be bull-rushed when protecting the passer; missed multiple games in 2009 with foot and later knee injuries."
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