
Image take from: http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/10/23/1256353531_1090/539w.jpg
Up next is an interesting Offensive linemen prospect who played at Universisty of Massachusetts.
Video Highlights (From Senior Bowl)
[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwLp0hBtWsg[/pro-player]
Measurables
6’4 332 pounds. 5.21 40. 29 reps at 225. 34.75 inch arms. (as far as OL prospects go only Charles Brown and of course, Bruce Campbell Have longer arms than Vladimir Ducasse)
Scouting Reports
National Football Post
Scouting Report:
Vladimir Ducasse: Massachusetts, No. 72, OT/OG, 6-5, 326
Ducasse is a well-built offensive lineman with a thick lower half, long arms and good overall girth throughout his frame. He’s a natural bender for his size who displays above-average range off the edge. He isn’t quite athletic enough to handle the blind side in the NFL but certainly could hold his own as a right tackle prospect. But he’s still raw and has a tendency to stop moving his feet and length into blocks and allowing opposing linemen to quickly slip him both inside and out. Ducasse is a coordinated athlete who possesses a powerful punch and has the strength to lock out on contact and slide his feet through the play.
He does a nice job maximizing his length and does play long, but too often he loses his balance when trying to get into blocks. He possesses good lower body strength and has the ability to get into blocks quickly off the snap and then create a push in the run game. He’s a powerful run blocker who displays the balance to stick to opposing linemen through end of the play. He looks more like a guard prospect to me who has one of the most intriguing skill sets of any offensive lineman in the draft. He might need some time, but he has the ability to develop not only into a starter but as one of the better players at his position in the NFL.
Grade: 6.6
ESPN Scouts Inc.
Production | Played in only four games as a freshman but started 35 games over the last three seasons. Was named 2009 first-team FCS All-America in 2009. GRADE: 2 |
Ht./Wt./Speed Ratio | Possesses a massive frame and above-average athleticism. GRADE: 2 |
Durability | No injuries that we are aware of. GRADE: 1 |
Intangibles | Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and lived there until age 14. His father still lives in Haiti. Displays versatility to play at both the tackle and guard at the next level. Was named a team captain in 2009. GRADE: 2 |
OFFENSIVE LINE SPECIFICS | ||||
Awareness | 4 | Is still developing in this area as this is only his sixth year of football. Questionable overall instincts. Struggles to recognize defensive line stunts and is caught out of position at times. Shows the ability to pick up pressure from the second and third levels of defense. | ||
Toughness | 3 | Carries weight extremely well and displays excellent core strength. Shows good aggression at the point of attack. We would like to see more of a nasty side and he needs to finish more consistently. | ||
Pass Protection | 2 | Quick into sets and is light on his feet. Uses long arms well to keep rushers at bay. Slides and redirects well when recovering against double moves. Is capable of anchoring against the bull rush when he plays with leverage. Footwork is a bit inconsistent and usually is the underlying cause when having problems in protection. | ||
Run Blocking | 2 | Displays a quick first step and takes strong angles to the point. Plays with balance and leverage and is able to engulf defenders with his massive frame and strength. Moves well in the open field and can adjust to moving targets in space. However, he needs to take more precise angles when cutting off linebackers and could play with lower pad level at times.Ducasse has the tools to be a starting tackle in the NFL but his lack of experience and technique were exposed on Day 2, and one scout told us he asked to be moved back inside to guard. That’s not a good sign, but he might be best-suited to play there at least while he develops
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Big Board Rankings
National Football Post– 5th overall best OT
NFL Draft Bible 96th
Drafttek.com #58
ESPN Scouts Inc #48
Walterfootball.com 8th ranked OT (2-3 round projection)
Where the Mocks have him falling
Walterfootball.com Round 2 pick #58 Arizona Cardinals
Bartolis Summary and Final Verdict
Vladimi Ducasse is a very good physical speciemen (not on the level of Bruce Campbell) who played against inferior competition and has very limited experience playing football. Ducasse got a late start in football and according to many it shows. He seems to lack great instincts on the football field.
However, he is imposing. He’s a hard worker and he’s willing to listen to coaching, whether or not he actually improves based on the coaching in the N.F.L. will remain to be seen.
Final Verdict
Ducasse has the physical abilities you’d look for in an N.F.L. prospect, but he projects to fit at least intially in the N.F.L as an imposing guard who has pretty good mobility, great length and very good size and build. Ducasse could fit very nicely with the Giants at left guard moving Diehl to RT and having Beatty play LT, but the question is at what cost.
To me I don’t like “potential” in the second round I like will be productive. A third round pick would be great if he were available for the New York Giants, but OL always go higher than they are graded out (it seems) becuase OL offer great positional value. If you find a good OL he’ll play for you 10-15 years. A good running back 7-8 years. Twice the amount of use out of a player is a wise investment.
I would not hate it if the New York Giants selected Vladimir Ducasse in the 2nd round of the draft, but it’s not the ideal pick. He has great talent….and potential especially if you’re a team that can afford to use a high pick on a guard prospect who may or may not turn into a good tackle in the N.F.L., but there are other players I’m more interested in than Vladimir Ducasse.
Previous Profiles
DT/NT Dan Williams (Updated with K.C. Joyner’s Draft Lab 2/7)
DT Jared Odrick
OT Anthony Davis (UPDATED 2/5/10)
ILB Brandon Spikes
ILB Rolando McClain
What do you guys think about Ducasse, or even about grabbing an OG in the second or third round?
Is there anyone who wouldn’t be content with the Giants taking an O-lineman in the 1st 3 rounds?
They really need one guy who is solid at RT, and Beatty goes to LT, Diehl to LG, and they’re back to having an elite line.
Ducasse I like for the same reason I like guys like Weatherspoon. You think he can play Tackle, but if it doesn’t pan out, move him in where you know he can play at Guard. Worst Case Scenario- they get better than Seubert at LG.