I've brought him up on a few threads during the OL discussions and wondering what the consensus was.
In today's pass happy, 3 step drop, quick throw NFL I think it's become increasingly important to have more athletic lineman. There may not be a lineman in this class that fits that more than Fisher. To play at Oregon, regardless of position you better be an athlete and he fits that unbelievably well.
At the combine he was 2nd in the 40 (5.01), tied for 2nd in the Vertical (32.5) and 1st in both the 3 cone (7.25) and short shuttle (4.33). For all the talk about Mariota at Oregon's pro day, many scouts came away saying that Fisher had the best performance.
His quick feet makes it easy for him to keep speed rushers at bay but what I like the most is his toughness. His run pro is better than what most give him credit for. To me, he plays with a meaner streak than Scherff or Peat. He plays to and through the whistle. At nearly 6'7", he has the length you want, big hands (over 10") and adequate arm length (nearly 34"). He's also versatile with playing time at LT, RT and RG.
The biggest knock against him is strength. When going against bigger, stronger D-lineman it led to grabbing which would lead to a holding penalty or in some cases him being tossed a bit. However like many spread offenses, lineman play lighter. He was under 300 lbs. this past season but was up to 306 at the combine and I believe 308 at his Pro Day. The good thing is that I think he can still add good weight/strength and be just as effective if not moreso.
His game reminds me alot of Kyle Long and Lane Johnson. Long played at Oregon as an undersized but versatile lineman. He quickly moved up boards during the process and went in the 1st rd to Chicago. In his two years as a pro he's made the Pro Bowl both times as a guard and was 2nd team All-Pro in 2014. Johnson went to Oklahoma initially as a QB that eventually became an OT. After he dominated the Senior Bowl he flew up boards and in the same draft he went 4th overall. Despite a PED suspension, he's still a two year starter at RT for Chip Kelly and his offense. Both played under 300 lbs at college but are now in the 315-320 range without losing a step.
I may be in the minority but I think Fisher is the #1 OT prospect in this class. His combination of experience, versatility, athleticism, toughness and intelligence is valued around the league and it's surprising to me that he's not higher on some experts' boards. I think in our offense I can see him at both guard or both tackle positions although initially I'd plug him in at guard. Either way, he's a good athlete and prospect who will be in the league a long time as a quality starter if not Pro Bowler, in my opinion.
in the event Cooper.White are there for us in R1?
Last year there were 7 OL in the first 40 picks, with 4 of them being OTs (Robinson, Matthews, Lewan, James) and 3 of them being G's (Martin, Sua Filo, Bitonio). Seems very likely we will have a choice between a few good OL in the 2nd round.
Yup, that's where USA Today's draft guide has him: Round 1/2
Looking forward to it Sy!
If you look at the trend of the guys they have drafted all are quite athletic for their positions and usually have excellent agility numbers especially 3 cone.
Fisher checks all the boxes and is one of the guys that will be in the mix at 40 should we go NON-OL at 40
It would seem that inside they just need to not be beaten cleanly and outside they need to force the rusher to take the long way around.
If they do that the ball should be out.
It would seem that inside they just need to not be beaten cleanly and outside they need to force the rusher to take the long way around.
If they do that the ball should be out.
I would say because defenses are trying to counter that with quicker interior lineman themselves like us with the NASCAR package. Also, look at Aaron Donald from St. Louis. He may already have the quickest first step of any interior D-lineman after only one year. You also have to look out for Double A-Gap blitzes. Teams are using safeties and corners in that spot now to beat the larger, slow footed lineman. Players like Kyle Long, and I think Fisher once in the league stop that.
Similar things were said about Max Unger and Kyle Long out of that offense as well.
Are we talking Karl Nelson, Jumbo Elliot?
Robby Esch lists him in the top of the 2nd at around #36. But you never know how players will come off the board for so many reasons.
Are we talking Karl Nelson, Jumbo Elliot?
I've responded to this on a number of occasions but think Tyrone Smith, Taylor Lewan and Nate Solder.
All guys with tall lean strong and very agile frames. Doesn't mean they won't deviate but elite footwork is a must. Don't know that any of Scherff, Peat or Collins have that. But the need is great so I guess we'll see.