2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Florida State OG Josue Matias
JOSUE MATIAS- 6’6, 325- SR.
The guard position doesn’t seem to be quite as deep in the 2015 NFL Draft class as it has been in the past several years, but one player who stands out in particular as an intriguing prospect at the NFL level is Florida State left guard Josue Matias.
Matias, who was born in the Dominican Republic, developed his own passion for the game of football, despite the fact that his father encouraged him throughout his youth to play baseball, thinking that he could become a spectacular power hitter. After being introduced to the game by his brothers, Matias became a major guard prospect by the later years of his high school career.
Matias has started every game for the past three years at Florida State, and he’s experienced a high level of growth.
As a key element of the offense that has sparked the Seminoles’ 27-0 run over the past two years, Matias has had plenty of success in aiding the team’s balanced offensive attack. His strength is definitely in the run game, where he uses his exceptional size and strength to drive defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis.
Matias isn’t quite as proficient in the pass game, where he experiences more difficulty. He has some noticeable technique issues as a pass blocker, though with Matias’s high level of athleticism and obvious love of the game, these are skills that can be improved in the NFL.
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Perhaps Matias’s greatest quality is the incredible drive that he consistently exhibits play after play. In a 2013 game against Miami, the 325-pounder raced 50 yards downfield to lead block for running back Devonta Freeman on a screen play.
While Matias needs to develop his pass protection skills, he’s one of the top guards in the draft class, and it’s easy to see him being taken in the late first round. Even if that doesn’t happen, his floor is probably the second, especially since he projects to be an impressive performer at the NFL Scouting Combine.
POSITIVES: huge body; big, powerful legs; an extremely nasty player, plays to and at times, even beyond the whistle; gets great drive on his run blocks; quick feet, has the athleticism to develop into a truly elite lineman when coached up, despite the fact that his technique is still underdeveloped; solid cut blocker; high motor, willing to go down the entire length of the field to block for his runners; seems to have the size, athleticism, and adeptness on the edge to kick outside to tackle if necessary.
NEGATIVES: lacks elite quickness off the line of scrimmage; not as consistent or aggressive of a pass blocker as he is a run blocker; stands up a little bit too high on pass blocks but has enough upper body strength to get away with it at the college level, also needs to set his feet better when pass blocking, is moved backward too easily when pass protecting, will need to improve his technique in that area at the NFL level; beat too often to his inside shoulder when pass blocking; fails to square up when blocking at the second level; not quick enough to successfully execute pulls, ends up chipping rather than making solid contact.
2014 Review: After losing several key playmakers from their 2013 BCS Championship team, the Seminoles didn’t have as much offensive success this season. With that said, Matias has still been part of one of the top offensive lines in the country this year, as evidenced by Florida State’s presence in the inaugural College Football Playoff. It should be interesting to see how the unit performs against Oregon and top defensive lineman Arik Armstead in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
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Talent Grade: First Round
Rams Role: Matias could be a perfect fit for the Rams, especially if he falls to the second round. The Rams almost surely will need a new starting guard in 2015, as Jake Long’s tenure in St. Louis is likely over following his second torn ACL in two seasons, meaning that Greg Robinson will kick out to left tackle full-time. With current starter Davin Joseph unlikely to be re-signed, that means that Rodger Saffold will be the only guard set in stone, and even that plan could be changed if right tackle Joe Barksdale leaves as a free agent and the Rams decide to move Saffold back to his former position.
At roughly the same size as guys like Robinson, Saffold, and Chris Williams who have started at guard for the Rams recently, Matias would seem to be a great scheme fit in St. Louis, especially considering his great run blocking ability. The Rams are likely going to need to address the quarterback position in the first round, and Matias is certainly a candidate to be taken in the first, but if he is still available when the Rams pick in the second, he would certainly have to be someone to consider.
Film Watched: vs. Notre Dame (2014), vs. Oklahoma State (2014), vs. Clemson (2013), vs. Miami (2013), vs. Florida (2013)