As we delve further into the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason, our attention has begun to shift towards the draft. Like we’ve done all offseason, these reports will cover the prospects of the 2015 NFL Draft, placing an emphasis on those who could help the Steelers the most.
Back-to-back offensive lineman to bridge the weekend. Today, Syracuse’s left tackle Sean Hickey.
#60 – Sean Hickey/LT Syracuse – 6’5 309
The Good
– Above average run blocker who generates a good push
– Good upper body strength
– Uses angles to his advantage in the run game
– Strong hands who is capable of sticking to his blocks
– Shows a decent burst off the line in his kickslide
– Technician in the run game and shows good base initially in pass pro
– Proper hand placement and arm extension in both phases
– Heady player, capable of picking up stunts
– 2013 tape better than 2014, dealt with injury senior year
– Lots of starting experience under his belt
– Experience at both tackle spots
The Bad
– Can’t find dominant trait
– Build is just average, slightly below average arm length (32 3/4 inches)
– Struggles to mirror after initial set, tends to double-over and fall off
– Overall, just average laterally and an ok athlete, probably will have to kick inside at next level
– Inconsistent at engaging at the second level
– History of knee injuries
– Nagging injuries throughout his career
Other
– 38 career starts for the Orange
– 29 at left tackle, 9 at right tackle
– All-ACC 3rd Team
– Tore ACL and meniscus in left knee in 2011, forced to medical redshirt
– Missed part of spring practice in 2011 after tearing PCL in right knee, didn’t require surgery
– Suffered hamstring injury in pre-draft workouts but considered very minor
– Dealt with leg injuries that caused him to miss periods of time in 2013 and 2014
– Local kid, attended Franklin Regional High School, big Steelers fan
– Working with former Steelers’ OL Tunch Ilkin throughout pre-draft process
– Set school record for pancakes in high school
– Recorded 35 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press at the Combine
Tape Breakdown
I hate to use such negative sounding terms for this process but Hickey just screams as a “meh” prospect to me.
But as always, we’ll start with the good. He does show some nasty in the run game. Above average upper body strength who seeks to finish his blocks. There’s a reason why he got all those pancakes in high school. Here’s another in the Orange’s 2013 bowl game against Minnesota. Hickey is at left tackle.
And here he is driving Vic Beasley into the Earth.
Though he did play nicked up in 2014, Hickey is generally regarded as a tough kid who played through the pain along an offensive line that dropped like flies in 2014.
He has experience at both tackle spots, seeing action on the right side the final nine games after former Syracuse first rounder Justin Pugh returned to play the blindside. If he learns to play guard, he’ll have a lot of versatility for whatever NFL team scoops him up.
He’s not the worst athlete but got exposed on an island at left tackle. There is some short-area quickness to his game, and as you’ll see below, he can mirror in confined spaces against a quick inside move.
But put him out on the edge against an inside counter, Hickey starts to lose his base, double-over, and fall off.
Has to hold his block longer and winds up doubling over against the Clemson right end, falling off and allowing the sack.
Loses his base when asked to try and seal the edge. Sloppy technique, as we show in the screenshot below.
Touched on it before but Hickey profiles as a guard at the next level. Probably doesn’t have the lateral agility to stay outside. Better run blocker than pass protector. Some scouts think he should go to a zone blocking scheme but I think Hickey could do well enough in a power or zone scheme.
The Steelers have shown interest in the Orange alum and like most teams, think he will kick inside. An excerpt from an article on PennLive.com last month. Hickey met with offensive line coach Mike Munchak at the Combine.
“Munchak asked Hickey about his ability to play guard and Hickey said he felt like the Steelers were interested in him at the position.”
But Hickey lacks that dominant trait in any area that makes me think he can be anything more than a swing backup in the league. Even as a Day Three selection, you’d like take a guy who in a best-case scenario, can start in this league. Not sure that’s evident in Hickey’s tape. Unless the value was really good, a prospect I’d be inclined to pass on.
Projection: 5th Round
Games Watched: vs Minnesota (Bowl – 2013), vs Maryland, at Clemson
Previous Scouting Reports
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