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2018 NFL Draft Profile: Colorado State C Jake Bennett
Jake Bennett anchored the Colorado State o-line for three years.
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What are Jake Bennett’s strengths and weaknesses?
Jake Bennett was a three year starter for the Colorado State Rams and was also a team captain. He started as a redshirt freshman, but injured his knee in week three. He returned the following year and made starts at guard and center.
In both 2016 and 2017, Bennett started all 13 games. He was named second-team all-Mountain West in 2016 and name first-team all-Mountain West in 2017. Was the anchor on a CSU offensive line that had four 600-yard performances in the 2017 season.
The 6’3″, 290-lb center is hard-nosed and competitive. Was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List prior to the 2017 season. Also during the 2017 season, against Alabama, the CSU offensive line didn’t allow a sack.
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Strengths:
Bennett has good football intelligence. He can direct the run after diagnosing the defense. A leader in the trenches, who can rally his linemen. Bennett has solid technique which allows him to play both center and guard.
He plays with good hand placement. When Bennett locks on, he usually stays on. Bennett has a good, wide base during pass protection. He combines this with an accurate and compact punch.
Weaknesses:
Bennett is undersized for a center and lacks size in his upper body. He seems to carry a lot of his weight around his midsection. Bennett has average upper body power. He only completed 14 reps on the bench press at the Rams pro day.
Bennett has trouble against power players, even when he is able to get an early advantage. Has issues latching onto blocks with his footwork. Bennett has a tendency to allow power rush nose tackles to push him back and collapse the run lanes and pocket.
Bennett is an average athlete. His pro day numbers left a lot to be desired. His 40 yard dash time would have been the third worst at the NFL combine.
Draft Projection:
Round 7-UDFA