Billy Price C/OG Ohio State.
3 year starter on one of the top teams in the country for the last 3 years. Focal point of the rushing attack, asked to do everything a team can ask out of a lineman and excelled. His movement, awareness, and football iq, to me, are far and away better then any interior line prospect including Nelson. He just isn't as big or strong, and instead of being a mauler, he's a technician. He is absolutely perfect for the Shanny's Zone scheme, and he could play all 3 interior positions in a cinch. When he played on the line with both Taylor Decker and Pat Elflein, he was still the focal point of the rushing attack and he cleaned up a few of Decker's mistakes in the games I've watched from 2015. When it comes to all round ability he is a better prospect than both of those players. I have seen this guy pull and not only block his man, but put his body in the way of another defender to wall off a hole from the runner, his awareness and understanding is outstanding. Nelson pops off because he puts dudes on their backs but I'd rather have my lineman block his man while staying on his feet, considering he can still position his body to get another block, whereas Nelson after body slamming a dude then jumps on him, taking himself out of the play. That body slam he did in my opinion was boneheaded. Could have gotten called for a penalty when he didn't need to do that to make the block. Nelson seems to have that singular focus of, I need to destroy my man, which is great. Price's focus though seems to be in the execution of the play, his head is always on a swivel, allowing him to not only block his man but prevent another from making the play which typically turns a potential negative into a small positive. He does this almost every game.
I know I know, Dude's a Center, or Dude's just an interior lineman, they're not worth it. I look at it differently though. Will this guy's abilities work within the scheme? Will they improve the scheme. Will he make other players around him better? Well, Yes, Yes, and Yes. He can do anything Shanny wants him to do in the outside or inside zone. He can pass block, good anchor, great leverage, good arm extension. He can get to the second level and has the athleticism to reach his man and make the block. He is fundamentally sound and always knows who/what his assignment is. No I don't know the plays called, but when you watch him, you see his head and eyes scan and sift, and boom he's on his guy. He literally makes up for other guy's mistakes during the play. Besides one of these Leo prospects potentially being perfect for us, I believe Billy Price would have the biggest impact. With him on the interior the run and pass game would improve. Carlos Hyde isn't assertive nor elusive enough as a runner in this scheme and the timing of the running lanes was completely inconsistent this year, and yet he still almost put up 1k and had over 50 receptions. In an offense that was stuck in the mud until Jimmy arrived. Price would add athleticism, consistency, and awareness to the line, while being able to anchor in pass pro, and pull and lead during runs, the impact he would have would be found in the offenses consistency and flow. A #1 WR means nothing if he can't complete his route before the QB has to get rid of the ball. #1 RB means nothing if interior d-lineman can get instant penetration. #1 ER means nothing if he gets the ball back and the offense can't bleed out the clock because of their inability to run when the defense knows it's coming.
Everyone is high on Nelson, I get it the man is good he has an NFL body and NFL strength, but just look at him pulling, he is slow. What I mean by that is when he pulls he isn't quick enough to get around and in front, where he's supposed/needs to be. Defenders are even quicker in the NFL, if he is slow on pulls in college causing plays to be ineffective how is that going to translate at the next level. Price shows the athleticism to not only pull and get to his spot but also block multiple defenders at a time.
I would try and trade back in the 1st and pick up an extra 2nd plus whatever else evens the points out. Grab Billy Price late 1st. Take both 2's and trade up high into the 2nd and grab Tremaine Edmunds, who could play weak or strong side lb for us, while also rushing the passer on certain packages. Then I'd use the 1st 3rd on a guy like Jake Weineke from South Dakota State. Next 3rd either a DB or ER. Use FA to get another solid OG & DB and try and get a bargain rusher like Ansah coming off consecutive down years. Next year the team could focus on getting the best pass rusher available in FA/Draft.
Arden Key
Joshua Jackson
Roquan Smith
Billy Price
I see those 4 as being the prospects who would make the biggest impact on this team. There downsides would also have the least effect on the team, unless Jackson turned out to be worse than D. Johnson this year
. Nelson would only help with inside zone and some power concepts. In pass pro guys like Donald and Bennett and Jones would be to quick and violent for him in my opinion. Especially if he's lined up on the right next to Brown. Barkley would be great but his numbers would probably go up and down, because of the line and it's inconsistencies. Fitzpatrick I don't believe would be a dependable Corner in Year 1, maybe he would progress, but I see him as a better version of Tartt as it stands now.
Every time I post I tell myself to try and keep it short. Every time I fail lol. If you read my post[s] all the way through, whether you agree or disagree I appreciate it.
