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Photo of Rob Bruggeman
Grade
?
  • 30 REPS
    Top Performer
  • 6'4" Height
  • 293LBS. Weight

Overview

Bruggman was overshadowed by the improbable rise to stardom of Hawkeyes RB Shonn Greene, who won the Doak Walker Award in 2008, but those close to the program will tell you that Bruggman's ascension during his only season as a starter was just as impressive.

A backup throughout his early career, Bruggeman appeared poised to emerge as the starter in 2007 before tearing an ACL and MCL in the spring. He worked hard to return in time for his senior season and was made a team captain, going on to be recognized by conference coaches and the media as a second-team All-Big Ten performer in 2008.

Strong and technically refined, Bruggeman could be the latest Kirk Ferentz-coached product to slip into the draft with little fanfare and carve out a legitimate NFL career. Had an arm span of 31 3/4 inches and a hand span of 9 1/4 inches at the combine.

Analysis

Strengths

Positives: Broad-shouldered athlete with room for additional mass. Good first step to get to the second level and can hit the moving target. Very good hand placement and upper body strength to latch on and sustain blocks. At least an adequate initial pop at the line of scrimmage. Good upper, core and lower strength to absorb the bull rush, earn a stalemate and push the defender back. Protected a bit in this offense, but shows at least adequate lateral quickness and balance in pass protection. High effort player who was voted a team captain as a senior despite zero career starts entering the year. Ascending player with good overall technique. Negatives: Only one season as a starter. Lacks true explosiveness off the snap. Sometimes gives up a step before his strength takes over. Better getting to the second level than on third-and-short situations. Lacks the elite agility to recover if beaten by quickness initially. Flanked by a great deal of talent, including Greene, that may have hid some of his deficiencies. INJURY WATCH 2007: Missed season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his knee during spring practices.
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Grade Title Draft (Round) Description
96-100 Future Hall of Famer Top Pick A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played
85-95 Immediate Starter 1st An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter).
70-84 Eventual Starter 2nd-3rd A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position.
50-69 Draftable Player 4th-7th A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential.
20-49 Free Agent UDFA A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body.

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