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Late Round Possibility: Matthew O'Donnell, T, Queens University

There are some guys who become Draft prospects based on what they have done on the field. There are others because scouts either can or want to imagine their measurables helping them develop into a dominant force. Matthew O'Donnell from Queens University in Canada falls into the latter category.

Despite playing his college ball in Canada with vastly lower opposition quality than high level American college football, there are not many offensive linemen with a 6'10" 330 pound build. This frame is at least going to get him some consideration as a late round prospect and undrafted free agent.

The problem at this point is the frame is all O'Donnell really has working for him. At the East-West Shrine Game, O'Donnell was one of the worst players on the field against major conference prospects. He was consistently beaten to the edge and showed poor technique.

There are a lot of problems O'Donnell has. The first is the low level of competition he is used to facing. He did not face a high level of competition in Canada. That means he will have to learn how to handle guys much faster. He struggled at the Shrine Game. That All-Star Game did not even have the elite prospects, and the level of competition would be even higher in the NFL. An analogy I would use is playing the Madden video game. Imagine going from the lowest difficulty level to the highest difficulty level. It takes some time to make such a huge adjustment and feel comfortable.

It also might sound contradictory considering the position, but I think he might even be too big to play offensive line effectively in the NFL. His big frame makes it tough for him to get low enough to play with proper leverage. It also takes a big effort to get him to have a quick burst. Short area speed is very important for a tackle. He looked several steps slow in the Shrine Game.

What is the best part of his game? It seems pretty clear. With a frame like his, once he gets locked onto a defender, he gets a great push in the run game.

With Bill Callahan, I feel comfortable with the Jets exploring projects on the offensive line. I am not O'Donnell's biggest fan, though. There are serious questions about his short area speed and ability to get low enough to play. Even if these are fixable, the matter of adjusting to a much higher level of play make him a guy who could contribute years down the road. He is a much less refined version of Vladimir Ducasse from a year ago. It takes more than just a big build to play lineman effectively.

It will be interesting to see what teams give him a look.

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I’d swap him over to DE great size to take eat up space with great height to clog up passing lanes. then Ropati on the other side at 6’8" and, Taylor in the middle thats if the Jets do/can get him all very nice space eater’s with long arms to clog the passing lanes and, free up OLB/ILB to rush the QB.

by JETSFAN IN SC on Apr 4, 2011 12:46 PM EDT reply actions  

A DE size isnt every thing look at the 6’7’’ guy bronco’s drafted a few years ago in the 1st and cut early this year, Jets could draft him and move him inside to gaurd

by Nu York Fan on Apr 4, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why would u want ur short QB to try to pass it over the head of his 6-10 guard. Sanchez’s release point is probably in the middle of this guys back.

by Crackback on Apr 4, 2011 1:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

oh yeah that is kinda funny

by Nu York Fan on Apr 5, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

thats the doncos and this is the Jets remember they have Rex one of the defensive guru’s of the NFL

by JETSFAN IN SC on Apr 4, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ha ha I was just about to write the same thing.

6-10??? Geez… He’d probably do more harm than good as an OL. Even if he does develop well he’s impossible to see over. And Sanchez is already vertically challenged to begin with; no need to exacerbate the issue.

Kinda like Jetsfan’s idea. If he can muster up a decent bull rush, why not try him at DL to mpede passing lanes? Have him push the pocket as much as he can, and then get tall with his hands high. Can stick him on the nose on passing downs.

by Crackback on Apr 4, 2011 12:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

hell he’d probably knock some done if he just stood straight up most likely would end up take a few right in the face mask LOL

by JETSFAN IN SC on Apr 4, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree that I wouldn’t have him on the offensive side of the ball. At 6’10" he could actually cause problems in the passing game by being too tall! If he can get down and hold the point of attack, I think he would benefit on the defensive side of the ball

by jets47 on Apr 4, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions  

i want him now

rod messley [cb1]

by Rod Messley on Apr 4, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions  

i want him now

rod messley [cb1]

by Rod Messley on Apr 4, 2011 1:13 PM EDT reply actions  

CFL

The kid will probably play in the CFL for a couple of years if he is fast enough or maybe some NFL team will put him on the Pajama Squad to see what his learning curve is like.

"Canada? I don't even know what street it is on." Al Capone

"Until I came to Canada, I didn't know that snow was a four letter word." Alberto Manuel

"I wouldn't say it's cold but every year Winnipeg's athlete of the year is an ice fisherman." Dale Tallon

"If it wasn't for the anticipated flooding it will bring, Spring could not get here soon enough this year." COSF

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 4, 2011 8:12 PM EDT reply actions  

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