2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: B.J. Finney

Sep 14, 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) follows the block by offensive linesman BJ Finney (66) on Massachusetts Minutemen defensive back Joe Colton (25) during the Wildcats

My Take

The fact that Finney was a four-year starter and a three-time team captain tells you who he is as a man. He didn’t have the man that recruited him politicing with the head coach about playing him. He got the attention of his coaches by good, old-fashion grinding it out in the trenches and earning it.

That’s my main thing and after that, being 6’4″, 322 pounds is big literally and figuratively. It means that he doesn’t get tossed around like most small centers do by those huge nose tackles. He uses that size along with his aforementioned knowledge of leverage from his wrestling background to not be moved.

He often handled those huge, nasty nose tackles, including Oklahoma Sooners projected 1st-rounder Jordan Phillips. Finney’s ability to handle Phillips one-on-one allowed the guard to go up to the second level, opening some gaping holes in the Wildcats’ win. Speaking of second level, Brugler was down on him for his athleticism but he goes to the second level often and does a good job.

Many offensive lineman supposedly have all this athleticism throw no-hitters when they go the second level but not Finney. When he goes to the second level, he consistently puts his hands on someone, especially pulling and on screens. He’s also a good pass-blocker with good awareness for stunts and blitzes.

So while I agree that he’s not an elite athlete as an offensive lineman, I think he average in that department but not weak. And I definitely don’t agree with Zlerlein’s take on him struggling when he goes to the second level. But two things I have to agree on about Finney he tends to play with straight legs at times and I’d like to see him show more of a mean-streak.

Next: Bottom Line