Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Sam Young, OT, Notre Dame

[Remember to check the '2010 NFL Draft' section for all stories relating to the draft.]

How can we do this lengthy series of Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profiles and not once feature a player from Notre Dame? Can't do it, so today we fix that.

Of course, the Giants have no interest in quarterback Jimmy Clausen. And I doubt seriously we will see Golden Tate in a Giants uniform.

So, that leaves us with Sam Young, the mammoth (6-foot-8, 320-pound) right tackle. Young is a guy who started for four years at Notre Dame, but like most things connected to Fighting Irish football these days never quite lived up to what people thought he would become.

He is, however, a Notre Dame lineman and talented ND linemen always seem to find their way into the NFL. So, let's take a closer look.

Sam Young Scouting Reports

From Draft Countdown.

Great height and bulk with a huge frame ... Long arms ... Good natural strength ... Is capable of getting a big push in the run game ... Not a great athlete ... Isn't very quick or agile ... Has heavy feet ... Really struggles with speed ... Can only play one position.

Will likely be relegated to right tackle at the next level --- Never quite lived up to all the hype but is a battle-tested veteran with rare size and solid intangibles --- Didn't develop into the top prospect some envisioned early in his career but has the ability to be a serviceable pro  and  perhaps more in the right situation.

From the National Football Post.

Plays with a mean streak in the run game. He showcases good overall athleticism for a guy his size when asked to slide-block and get out in space. He exhibits the pop to create some movement off the ball. Young works hard to finish blocks but struggles to consistently keep his base down through the play ... Young gets a bit heavy-footed when asked to slide on contact and struggles to mirror his man. He allows defenders to easily sidestep and disengage from his block when they want to get physical and is only average when asked to reach the edge.

NFLDraftScout after watching Young at the Senior Bowl.

The highly touted prep athlete served as an effective pass blocker in Charlie Weis' pro-style offense. Despite operating exclusively at right tackle, his lack of foot quickness and flexibility was quickly exposed by the speed of Senior Bowl defensive ends this week. Even worse, at 6-8 he's too tall to move inside to guard.

Why Young fits with the Giants

Well, the Giants do need to find alternatives to the aging Kareem McKenzie on the right side. Think about it for a minute and Young is a bit like McKenzie -- a very good run blocker who is exposed by good pass-rushing defensive ends. Besides, is it possible for the guy to be less productive as an NFL player than Guy Whimper? I doubt it.

Why the Giants should pass

Because if the guy can't play tackle at the NFL level, and there is doubt he is athletic enough to do so, you would like to be able to move him to guard to take advantage of his run-blocking ability. His height and lack of athleticism make that pretty much impossible, though.

(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)