2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Oregon OT Jake Fisher
JAKE FISHER- 6’6, 299- SR.
Though he’s not related to the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft who shares his last name, Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher, Oregon senior offensive lineman Jake Fisher is very similar to the former Central Michigan tackle and may have similar potential at the NFL level.
Like Eric Fisher was, Jake Fisher was converted from tight end to the offensive line, being moved there as a true freshman at Oregon. After seeing rotational time at guard as a true freshman, Fisher has been the starting right tackle for the Ducks in the past two seasons and is expected to play there again as a senior.
The most glaring weakness for Fisher right now is that he hasn’t totally taken on the body of a tackle. While he’s got prototypical height at 6-foot-6, he’s still relatively light and has not broken the 300-pound mark yet. While lighter lineman are certainly capable of succeeding at the NFL level—Houston’s Duane Brown comes to mind—most of the league’s most dominant offensive tackles—like Cleveland’s Joe Thomas, St. Louis’s Jake Long, Denver’s Ryan Clady, and San Francisco’s Joe Staley—are in the 315 to 325-pound range.
Fisher has shown exceptional quickness, athleticism, and strength during his college career, and he definitely has the skills to be an effective NFL tackle if his strength translates to the pro game. On his college tape, Fisher can frequently be observed running defenders into the ground, and he definitely tries his hardest to be a road grader and make his opponents feel it.
With his tight end background, Fisher could easily be a guy who lights up the combine and makes his way up draft boards. So while he’s not a focal point of preseason draft discussion, don’t be surprised if Fisher improves his standing as a senior. Even if he can’t vault himself into first-round consideration, he seems to be a guy who is destined to be a serviceable NFL contributor who is capable of playing at either tackle or guard position.
POSITIVES: Very powerful, can push people back…Quick, aggressive feet…Likes to flatten people, not afraid to throw his body into defenders…Gets to the second level really well…Noticeably high motor, always going at full speed…Really quick and athletic, almost looks like a tight end; in fact, he was converted from the position after high school.
NEGATIVES: Doesn’t have experience playing left tackle, has played guard and right tackle during his time at Oregon…Needs to put on weight to be able to contend with 300-pound-plus 5-technique defensive linemen…Plays with a little bit too high of a pad level at times.
2014 Outlook: Fisher and the Ducks have a tough Pac-12 schedule in 2014, but he’ll get to avoid the toughest of his potential opponents, as Oregon will not face USC, which has arguably the top defensive lineman in the nation in Leonard Williams. Notable opponents for Fisher include Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun and Stanford 5-technique Henry Anderson, both of whom could end up being prime prospects for the 2015 draft.
Talent Grade: Mid-First Round
Rams Role: The Rams may need a tackle if they decide to part ways with either upcoming free agent right tackle Joe Barksdale or left tackle Jake Long, whose contract is structured in a way that it would be possible to cut him after 2014. If that’s the case however, the Rams will likely shift 2014 first-rounder Greg Robinson to tackle from his current guard position. If he’s available later on, Fisher would be a very valuable and versatile depth guy, but he has a good chance to go in the first couple rounds and therefore will not be high on the Rams’ list of priorities.
Film Watched: vs. Oregon State (2013), vs. Arizona (2013), vs. Stanford (2013), vs. UCLA (2013), vs. Washington (2013)