Film Room: New Browns OT Shon Coleman

With their second pick of the third round, No. 76 overall, the Browns selected offensive tackle Shon Coleman of Auburn. After losing right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and center Alex Mack in free agency, the Browns needed to add depth to the offensive line, especially at tackle. Coleman definitely addresses a huge need for the team. He could be a candidate to be an immediate contributor in his rookie season.

So, what are the Browns getting in their newest offensive tackle? Let’s take a look at the film of Shon Coleman to examine his strengths and weaknesses in his game.

Draft Pick Film Rooms: WR Corey Coleman, EDGE Emmanuel Ogbah, DL Carl Nassib, OT Shon Coleman

Strengths

Size/Length

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This play illustrates how Shon Coleman’s size and length positively affects his game. On the play, he picks up the Ole Miss rusher, extending his long arms to attack the oncoming rusher. He keeps the rusher away from his body with long arms. He then makes up for his own shaky footwork that caused the rusher to get free for a second by using his long arms to reach the rusher again. This time he uses his size to completely take out the rusher and pancake him.

At 6-foot-5, 307 pounds and 35 1/8-inch arms, Coleman has the ideal size and length that teams look for in their offensive tackle. He uses his length well, extending his arms to keep rushers away from his body and to more easily control them. His size can overwhelm defenders, completely mauling the smaller defender out of the way. There are not many times where he will be outmatched by an opposing defender. Coleman’s size and length are already NFL-caliber offensive tackle measurements.

Strength

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Coleman’s impressive strength is on full display in this play. He completely drives the Alabama defensive lineman back four yards, creating a hole for the runner to go through. With his massive size, comes the Auburn’s tackle immense strength. He is a load to deal with in the trenches. He can take on any defender, not often getting pushed backwards off his spot. He can absorb the power of oncoming rushers. He is a road grader in the run game, as you can see, creating avenues for runners to run through. There is rarely a situation where he is overpowered or outmuscled by an opposing defender.

Physicality/Toughness

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This plays epitomizes Coleman’s toughness and physicality. He completely drives the Texas A&M defender backwards and out of the play. But, he does not finish until he pancakes the defender and the play is over. He is a tough kid who battled and beat cancer early in college career. He did not quit football, but actually came back after his two year battle and ended up starting every game during his final two seasons at Auburn. He plays with physicality, always playing to the whistle. The tackle uses his strength and size to overpower defenders. Coleman has the mindset that coaches dream about in their offensive linemen.

Hands/Powerful Punch

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This play shows Coleman’s strong hands. He is speed rushed by the Georgia defender, but when he gets his hands on him, Coleman controls the rusher and drives him out of the play. He used his strong hands to catch the rusher and take control of him to get him out of the way for the quarterback. The Auburn tackle has strong and powerful hands that can completely stun a defender. He can make a powerful punch that completes pushes a rusher off his feet, stunting any kind of rush from happening. His hands are the instruments that Coleman uses to inflict his immense strength. It is probably one of his best assets as a player.

Movement Skills

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His movement skills are one of the more underrated aspects of his game. On this play, Coleman is attacked by an Ole Miss rusher where he fakes inside and then speed rushes to the outside. Coleman reacts well to the move, moving his feet quickly to shield the defender away from the pocket. He is able to keep the edge and beat the defender to the edge, not allowing any penetration. For a player 6-feet-5, 307-pounds, Coleman can move pretty well. He is able to slide his feet in pass protection, mirroring speed rushers on the edge. In the run game, he can get to the second level and block defenders at that level. He is also able to go out and block down field on screen plays. Coleman has the movement skills to be an offensive tackle in the NFL.

Weaknesses

Balance/Propensity to Lean to Block

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This play shows one of the biggest question areas for Coleman, his balance and propensity to lean to make a block. On the play, he tries to get to the second level to make a block, but he lunges to reach the defender, causing to completely whiff on the block and let the defender go free. He has a tendency to lean over while looking for a defender to block or while engaged with a defender. This causes him to get off balance and fall forward often.

When engaged, Coleman can fall off blocks if the defender can cause him to lean too much forward. He is far too often falling off blocks and allowing defenders to get free. In order to be a full time starter in the NFL, this is the biggest area of weakness.

Inconsistent Footwork

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This play shows some of his inconsistent footwork. On the play, a Mississippi State defender begins the play by rushing on the outside. The defender starts to rush on the edge, but stops to break back inside. Coleman, though, does not keep his feet moving with the rusher, causing him to get too narrow, falling off balance and almost allowing the rusher to get to the quarterback. He can suffer from inconsistent footwork during the game, becoming too stagnant and allowing defenders to get past him with quick moves. He must learn to always be moving his feet, staying active before and during a block.

Inconsistent Snap Reaction

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This is an example of Coleman’s inconsistent snap reaction during games. On the play, he is clearly late of the snap, allowing the rusher to get a head start. The head start causes Coleman to be defensive, forcing him to move too far back in his drop to make up for the slow start. This allows the defenders to cross in front of his face and get to the quarterback. Coleman must get more consistent at getting a quick start at the snap. He has shown the ability to do so, but he still has times like the one above, where he is the last one to get out of his stance after the snap.