Overview

Sherrod currently looks more like a backup but could be a future starting tackle if he can add quite a bit of bulk and strength. A nice blend of length and good feet, he can slide laterally with pass rushers and push them by the launch point but struggles to anchor against the bull rush. Could benefit from improving awareness against pressure looks. Uses positioning and instincts as a run blocker to create running lanes but isn't an effective drive blocker and won't push defenders backwards. Has a solid makeup but doesn't possess a non-stop motor or great aggressiveness. Early Day 3 grade.

Strengths
Sherrod possesses a nice combination of height and mobility. Gets set quickly and can push rushers past the pocket using his length and reach. Uses good positioning to wall-off defenders when run blocking. Has enough athleticism to get out and block in space. Effective when combo blocking.
Weaknesses
Needs to add bulk to his frame. Susceptible to the bull rush and violent moves. Also struggles at times against stunts and twists and can be baited out of position. Not a road-graded. Won't get too much movement off the line. Doesn't play with a lot of nastiness.
Grade
7.3

Pass blocking: Good initial quickness. Eases out of his stance and has the lateral agility and balance to mirror the defender. Good hand strength and has long arms that he uses to latch onto and control his opponent. Generally plays with good knee-bend and leverage, but can lose his anchor when he tires. Can become fundamentally lazy and lean into the defender; gets knocked off-balance and gives up the inside lane. Should improve in this area with greater focus on his technique, but has an upside-down triangle build due to broad shoulders and relatively narrow hips, making him top-heavy and susceptible to being overpowered. Among his better attributes is his recognition. Recognizes the blitz coming and gets a good initial pop on his primary target (defensive end) before passing him off to the guard and working his way outside to catch the rushing linebacker or stunting defensive tackle.

Run blocking: Comes off the ball too high and lacks the pad level and power to consistently knock defenders off the line. Good quickness and hand strength to turn and seal off defenders from the play. Good recognition to release from double-team and get out to the second level. Scouts would like to see him finish blocks with more authority before releasing.

Pulling/trapping: Good initial quickness to release to the second level, but has only average agility to re-direct in the open field. Locates his target, but has to do a better job of anticipating where the defender is going. Isn't fluid enough to change direction and hit the moving target. Too often extends his arms, "catching" the linebacker, which could result in penalty flags when playing against NFL-caliber athletes. Good trap blocker due to his initial quickness, big frame and recognition.

Initial Quickness: Good, though not elite, initial quickness off the snap. Has the agility and long arms to handle most right defensive ends (and thus remain at left tackle), but due to the fact that he is a bit top-heavy and lacks elite balance, is susceptible to quick jab-steps outside and spin or counter moves back to the inside. Is quick enough in the running game to turn and seal off the defender, creating a wall from which the running back can bounce off from.

Downfield: Gives good effort to block downfield. Above-average straight-line speed, though his average balance keeps him from being as effective at the second level as his speed and size would indicate. Gets in the way of defenders and has the wingspan to alter their path, but struggles re-directing his charge.

Intangibles: Was one of 16 players to win the storied National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) Award, which includes a post-graduate $18,000 scholarship. Earned his degree in business with a 3.54 GPA. Is the third Bulldog to win the award and the first since 1989. Team leader voted a captain in 2010. A four-year member of the M-Club, MSU's student-athlete community service organization, he has spent considerable time with the youth of Mississippi. He has served breakfast at Sudduth Elementary School, participated in Sudduth's Kids Fair and read to local students to promote literacy. He has also organized a Thanksgiving food drive.

--Rob Rang

The Green Bay Packers selected Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod with the 32nd overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft on Thursday night. Here's a closer look at him.
Pete Dougherty's pre-draft profile

6-5, 321. Started 35 of 37 games at left tackle his final three seasons. None of the scouts interviewed rated him among the top four tackles but most had him fifth. Hell probably be among the final few selections of the first round.

Nice feet, one scout said. People are trying to move him to guard, Ive heard that around the league, but this guys going to be a good tackle. Is he going to be a right tackle more than left? Probably. But hes going to play for a long time. Hes got great feet, good hands, good punch and recoil. This guy has a little (crap) in his neck too, hes a(n expletive) at times.

Has a big, thick frame with long arms (353/8 inches) but isnt a great athlete (5.18 seconds in the 40, 28-inch vertical, 8-1 broad jump, 23 bench-press reps). Smart, hard working, but scouts are divided on whether hes a genuine first-round prospect or just getting pushed up the board because of the premium on tackles.

I dont like that player at all, another scout said. He has a waist bending problem, hes stiff. I hope he goes in front of us because that means a good player is coming down. I think hes a guard. Hes got a real issue in space.
USA Today's pre-draft profile

Sherrod has good initial quickness and has the ability and long arms to handle right defensive ends, making him suited to play at left tackle. He has the right form and stance to be a good pass blocker but has an unusual angular build that makes him slightly top-heavy. He can recognize the blitz and get off a good first move with a strong hit to the defender. That also makes him a good trap blocker.

He struggles with consistency when knocking defenders off the line for run blocking. He has above-average straight-line speed, but he lacks the balance to put his full force into downfield blocking.

Thompson says Packers fortunate to get big man late in draft
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
April 28, 2011 11:00 p.m.


Green Bay - Here's comments from GM Ted Thompson shortly after the pick of OT Derek Sherrod of Mississippi State:


* "I'm happy about it. We think really good value to get a big man that late in the draft."

* Not sure where he'll play yet. Might be able to play LT, but not committing to that. Sort of like Bryan Bulaga.

* Felt 10 through 45 there were a lot of good players. "We were pretty comfortable sitting there and watching. We felt the board was deep enough."

* Said he talked to teams early on. "We had some conversations, but it wasn't a lot."

* "Very bright guy, very articulate. I think you guys will like him."

* Said he thinks he has a chance to be a complete player. "He's played against some good competition, too."

* As for the tackle position, feels OK. Used to talk to Ron Wolf about getting quality big men especially this late in the draft.

* Got a few calls about teams moving back, but wasn't really interested. Liked his options at 32.

* Talking about RBs, "There are a lot of different type of running backs. Lot of guys run from spread offense and it's hard to project. Others play in other offenses. Usually, they can come in and play right away."

* Thompson said New England said it's not unusual that the Patriots traded back at the position they were in at No. 28 because that's their history.