2012 NFL Draft Prospects: Looking At Riley Reiff For Arizona Cardinals

by khodder on Jan 19, 2012 7:01 AM MST in NFL Draft/Combine

As we approach the 2012 NFL Draft, as fans we will want to know about the different draft candidates the Arizona Cardinal might have available when they pick. We will see all sorts of player names in mock drafts and projections, but unless we go out and seek specific profiles, we might know so much. So we will profile one or two draft prospects each week here on ROTB. Some will be high picks, some will be low picks.

Today we begin with one of the highest offensive line prospects in the draft.

Note in all scouting reports I will be using the grading system as set out here by Wes Bunting of the National Football Post.

Riley Reiff

Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-6
Weight: 300
School: Iowa
Projection: Top 10

Background: Reiff arrived at Iowa in 2008 and sat out his first season with a redshirt while transitioning from his high school position of tight end to the offensive line. As a redshirt freshman he started 11 games at three positions across the offensive line (right and left tackle, as well as left guard) mostly inside at guard. After the departure of from Iowa left tackle and NFL first round draft selection Bryan Bulaga, Reiff stepped into the vacant left tackle slot and made it his own. Over his rSo and rJr seasons at Iowa he started all 26 games at left tackle before declaring himself eligible for the 2012 NFL draft.

Strengths: Reiff is tall, long and lean he possesses a great body to be a pass protector in the NFL. He is quick out of his stance and has very quick feet both when mirroring a pass rusher or when drive blocking in the running game. He bends at his knees giving him a strong base with which to work from against a power rush and possesses outstanding lateral agility enabling him to stay in front of a speed rush. Shows great balance to readjust and recover if beaten. Seems to enjoy the physical side of playing in the trenches and flashes the ability drive defenders away from the play.

Weaknesses: Does not have a great initial punch and can allow stronger defenders to get underneath his pads driving him backwards towards the QB. Could do with a bit more lower body muscle to help form a sturdy base against the bull rush. Is inconsistent with his technique and can be beaten easily when it gets sloppy.

Overall: There are not a huge number of things that Reiff struggles with at the collegiate level and he could prove to be the best overall tackle in this draft. He is tough to beat in the passing game and the kind of play a quarterback would love to have protecting his blindside. If he can become more consistent with his hands and not allow bigger guys to get underneath him he could become one of the top blindside protectors in the NFL. Whoever drafts Reiff will have a left tackle for the next decade plus.

Grade: 8.0 J

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What do think about Reiff as a potential Arizona Cardinals lineman?

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Comments

if he is available think good pick but many of mock drafts say we will not be able to draft a stud lineman this draft. I also have read where next year there is a slew of good lineman coming out. So would be ok rebuilding in free agency or dropped players, as sure some of dropped players will be better than what we have now

by naironpalm3 on Jan 19, 2012 7:17 AM MST reply actions

so far the mocks are all over the place

About half have J Martin, but the rest a slew of players.

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by Jess Root on Jan 19, 2012 7:38 AM MST up reply actions

Same with what I've read

Predominantly, it’s either Martin or whichever pass rushing OLB is ranked second highest (Buffalo seeming to be the consensus landing spot of Upshaw at the moment) that falls to AZ at 13

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by GreaZzy on Jan 19, 2012 11:26 AM MST up reply actions

I absolutely love OT's who used to be tight ends....I don't know why but I friggin' love 'em

Most of his negatives seem to be fairly correctable as well.

Not strong enough = easily correctable.
Bad/inconsistent technique = easily correctable.

If our strength and conditioning coach and OL coach are all we hype them to be, then this dude should thrive IF we drafted him. That being said though, I think he’s gone by the time we’re on the clock. Especially considering he’ll probably looked great at the combine, being a former TE and all.

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 19, 2012 8:19 AM MST reply actions

I agree that Rieff will likely be gone by the time we pick

Landy Jones and Matt Barkley deciding to go back to school pushes the rest of the players up the boards, and with so many of the top 10 teams needing Oline help, i can’t see him falling out of the top 10

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by GreaZzy on Jan 19, 2012 11:24 AM MST up reply actions

/wrists

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by Airwave on Jan 19, 2012 1:23 PM MST up reply actions

You forgot extemely slow feet which I don't see as correctable.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 19, 2012 2:28 PM MST up reply actions

Where does it say extremely slow feet? Normally converted TE are just the opposite

Or is this a joke that’s going over my head?

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by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 19, 2012 2:57 PM MST up reply actions

No joke just a personal opinion of what I've watched of him. He doesn't look light on his feet against edge rushers IMO.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 19, 2012 7:28 PM MST up reply actions

Rob Rang would disagree

Looks like an athletic NFL left tackle. Most college defenders cannot get the edge against him due to his lateral agility and length. Locks up most ends if they try to bull rush. Has natural knee bend and reach to send shorter edge rushers around the pocket, or to the ground. Recovers nicely to cut off the inside rush lane.

LINK

Go big or go home!! Bet big to win big!!

by Steamin' Beamin' on Jan 20, 2012 9:15 AM MST up reply actions

Rang has his take and I have mine... it is what it is until proven one way or the other.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 20, 2012 10:52 PM MST up reply actions

Over the four full games I saw this past season and bits and peices of a few others from last season and this season I have never seen as issue with Reiff’s feet in fact, quite the opposite he is very agile and balanced on his feet. He adjusts well on the move and can operate in space against speed rushers.

I fact Reiff’s feet are the best of any tackle in the draft class.

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by khodder on Jan 19, 2012 5:49 PM MST up reply actions

IMHO

I couldn’t disagree more from what I’ve watched. He looks slow and lumbering especially against the speed rushers. He reminds of at best a good RT in the NFL. He has good fundemental footwork, nice knee bend, moderate hand battler and is a good run blocker.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 19, 2012 7:36 PM MST up reply actions

If you think Riley is slow and lumbering I would hate to see what you think of a couple of supposed first round tackles that truly do have heavy feet in Johnathan Martin and Mike Adams.

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by khodder on Jan 19, 2012 9:59 PM MST up reply actions

I completely agree on Martin but not on Adams. IMO he's the 2nd best T in the draft from what I've seen.

"The point is, by my standards, I won fair and square."
-Bender

by az78true on Jan 20, 2012 10:54 PM MST up reply actions

Be aware that Ferentz’s systems are heavy in a zone base, not unlike what the Broncos used to run, or what the Seahawks, Redskins, Green Bay, and Texans run right now.

The place quick feet and quick decision making, along with working as a duo at the area of attack over strength and scheme. Running backs choose the best holes and cutback lanes.

The Cardinals do use some zone scheme, but not as a base in the run game. They’re more a fan of pulling guards and tackles as lead blockers.

You may remember Gallery (another IA LT) struggling with the Raiders, until Tom Cable came along and installed a system he was comfortable with (and a switch in position).

Teams have plans. Look at the OL the Cardinals have drafted and signed since coach Whis got here. I’d be shocked if they took Reiff. He doesn’t fit the bill of what the Cards are building.

by superpsck on Jan 19, 2012 4:48 PM MST reply actions