Lions' 3nd round pick (#76) - Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas [Archive]

Vinny

05-09-2014, 11:06 PM

Little writeup...

Travis Swanson, 6-5/310

Center

Arkansas

Travis Swanson Scouting Report
By Vinny Theman

Strengths: Powerful
Strong run blocker
Mean streak
Quickness
Intelligent, should be an asset in line calls
Developed run-blocking technique
Does well in short yardage
Quality drive blocker
Anchors well against bull rushers
Good technique
Recoverability
Strong hands
Sustains blocks
Scheme flexibility
Durable
Experienced 4-year starter
Versatile for guard or center

Weaknesses: Short arms (32 7/8)
Should improve pass protection against speed rushers

Summary: Swanson has been one of the best and most consistent offensive linemen in the SEC over the past few years. Arkansas has had some rough years in the SEC West, but Swanson has proved his quality by playing very well against elite defensive tackles on an annual basis.

Swanson was a four-year starter who was very durable as he made 50 starts in his Arkansas career. He was very effective for Arkansas. Swanson is a tough run blocker who has a mean streak to him. That caused some players at other schools to label him a dirty player, as Swanson never missed an opportunity to fight through the whistle or do whatever it took to keep a defender at bay. Swanson should be an asset in the NFL as a run blocker as he has strength at the point of attack and is quick to fire to the second level.

Swanson improved his pass blocking throughout his collegiate career. He went up against fast speed rushers and strong bull rushers. Swanson held his own and was good at hitting double teams. The linemen at LSU and Alabama gave Swanson good preparation for the next level. Like all players, Swanson will have to get used to the speed of the NFL, but he should be a well-rounded center who is equally effective blocking for the run or pass.

Swanson has an excellent combination of size, strength, quickness, technique and intelligence for the center position. He could fit in a man blocking or zone scheme in the NFL. There is a real possibility that Swanson could be an immediate starter. He could break into the lineup at guard or center. Swanson's intelligence should allow him to develop into a center who makes the protection calls and that could come in handy if he is ever forced to work with a young quarterback.

Swanson looks like a starting center for a long time in the NFL. He should be a nice value selection on the second day of the draft, but it wouldn't be surprising if a team desperate for a center considers taking him late in the first round like the Cowboys did last year with Travis Frederick.

Player Comparison: Alex Mack. The Browns took Mack with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Swanson probably won't go that high, but he has a similar skill set to Mack (6-4, 311). They are almost the same size with the power to be effective in the ground game and the athleticism to be a quality pass protector. Mack has developed into one of the better centers in the NFL, and Swanson has the potential to be a good one.

NFL Matches: Atlanta, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco, New England

There are a number of teams that need a new center. Atlanta never adequately replaced Todd McClure, and WalterFootball.com heard from sources that the Falcons want to improve the interior of their offensive line. Drafting Swanson could give Matt Ryan a long-term center to work with.

The Jaguars had Brad Meester call it a career, so they'll need a new center. Baltimore really missed Matt Birk last year, as Gino Gradkowski was a disappointment. The Ravens could upgrade their center position with Swanson on day two.

Cleveland may lose Alex Mack in free agency and that would leave big hole in the middle of the Browns offensive line. The Lions re-signed Dominic Raiola for 2014, but have to get a long-term answer at the position.



WTFDetroit.com > WTFDetroit.com Sports Forums > Official DrRay11 Memorial NFL Forum > Lions' 3nd round pick (#76) - Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas PDA View Full Version : Lions' 3nd round pick (#76) - Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas Timone 05-09-2014, 10:14 PM Any relation to Kristy?? Timone 05-09-2014, 10:15 PM 3rd * So sick of being a fuck up. Vinny 05-09-2014, 11:06 PM Little writeup... Travis Swanson, 6-5/310 Center Arkansas Travis Swanson Scouting Report By Vinny Theman Strengths: Powerful Strong run blocker Mean streak Quickness Intelligent, should be an asset in line calls Developed run-blocking technique Does well in short yardage Quality drive blocker Anchors well against bull rushers Good technique Recoverability Strong hands Sustains blocks Scheme flexibility Durable Experienced 4-year starter Versatile for guard or center Weaknesses: Short arms (32 7/8) Should improve pass protection against speed rushers Summary: Swanson has been one of the best and most consistent offensive linemen in the SEC over the past few years. Arkansas has had some rough years in the SEC West, but Swanson has proved his quality by playing very well against elite defensive tackles on an annual basis. Swanson was a four-year starter who was very durable as he made 50 starts in his Arkansas career. He was very effective for Arkansas. Swanson is a tough run blocker who has a mean streak to him. That caused some players at other schools to label him a dirty player, as Swanson never missed an opportunity to fight through the whistle or do whatever it took to keep a defender at bay. Swanson should be an asset in the NFL as a run blocker as he has strength at the point of attack and is quick to fire to the second level. Swanson improved his pass blocking throughout his collegiate career. He went up against fast speed rushers and strong bull rushers. Swanson held his own and was good at hitting double teams. The linemen at LSU and Alabama gave Swanson good preparation for the next level. Like all players, Swanson will have to get used to the speed of the NFL, but he should be a well-rounded center who is equally effective blocking for the run or pass. Swanson has an excellent combination of size, strength, quickness, technique and intelligence for the center position. He could fit in a man blocking or zone scheme in the NFL. There is a real possibility that Swanson could be an immediate starter. He could break into the lineup at guard or center. Swanson's intelligence should allow him to develop into a center who makes the protection calls and that could come in handy if he is ever forced to work with a young quarterback. Swanson looks like a starting center for a long time in the NFL. He should be a nice value selection on the second day of the draft, but it wouldn't be surprising if a team desperate for a center considers taking him late in the first round like the Cowboys did last year with Travis Frederick. Player Comparison: Alex Mack. The Browns took Mack with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Swanson probably won't go that high, but he has a similar skill set to Mack (6-4, 311). They are almost the same size with the power to be effective in the ground game and the athleticism to be a quality pass protector. Mack has developed into one of the better centers in the NFL, and Swanson has the potential to be a good one. NFL Matches: Atlanta, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco, New England There are a number of teams that need a new center. Atlanta never adequately replaced Todd McClure, and WalterFootball.com heard from sources that the Falcons want to improve the interior of their offensive line. Drafting Swanson could give Matt Ryan a long-term center to work with. The Jaguars had Brad Meester call it a career, so they'll need a new center. Baltimore really missed Matt Birk last year, as Gino Gradkowski was a disappointment. The Ravens could upgrade their center position with Swanson on day two. Cleveland may lose Alex Mack in free agency and that would leave big hole in the middle of the Browns offensive line. The Lions re-signed Dominic Raiola for 2014, but have to get a long-term answer at the position. mercury 05-10-2014, 12:00 AM Thanks for the effort Vinny... good stuff! DrRay11 05-10-2014, 12:52 AM Great write-up, V. You're truly the king of NFL scouting. Tahoe 05-10-2014, 02:59 PM What a fuckin JOKE D's Daddy is. All he's been saying is WIN NOW...so he drafts a center IN THE THIRD ROUND so that when our current center retires, he MIGHT start in a couple of years. Who the fuck does that? What an idiot. Unbelievable. Lions are a joke. Maybe consider a CB you fuckin dipshit.