Overview
Position: Offensive tackle
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 305 pounds
School: Humboldt State Lumberjacks
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash: 5.39 seconds
Bench press: 24 reps
Vertical jump: 26.5 inches
Broad jump: 8 feet, 1 inch
Three-cone drill: 8.04 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.84 seconds
Alex Cappa 2018 NFL Draft Profile
There are always a few “off the beaten path” prospects who come to the Senior Bowl in an effort to prove they’re draftable. Alex Cappa certainly fits into that category. A four-year starter at Division II Humboldt State in Arcata, CA, Cappa took home the Great Northwest Athletic Conference offensive lineman of the year award each season he played for the Lumberjacks. As a senior, the Associated Press named him to their All-American first team at DII level.
Not surprisingly, it’s been a while since an NFL team picked a player from Cappa’s school. You have to go all the way back to 1992 when wide receiver Freeman Baysinger went in the 12th round (333rd overall) to the New England Patriots. Amazingly enough, a former Lumberjack player was also drafted in the two previous years. The Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings selected linebacker Dave Harper (12th round) and defensive tackle Scott Reagan (seventh round) in 1990 and 1991 respectively.
Not only is Cappa in a great position to follow them into the pros. Of the 10 Humboldt State draftees in NFL history thus far, he has a chance to go earlier than them all. That feat currently belongs to Reagan. Either way, Cappa is one of those small-school “diamonds in the rough” generating plenty of intrigue from NFL teams in need of a tackle or a converted guard.
Strengths
- boasts a pro-caliber frame with the capability to add more functional mass;
- does a good job sliding laterally to mirror blocking target;
- delivers a jolting punch at initial contact to unsettle defender;
- wins at the point of attack with solid anchor and plus upper body strength;
- able to effectively uncoil hips and churn feet;
- quick and efficient mover into the second level;
- physical mauler who plays with an edge and finishes;
Weaknesses
- wasn’t exactly exposed to the highest level of competition in college;
- tends to bend at the waist rather than knees, sacrificing leverage;
- twitchy edge players with active hands can beat him inside;
- pad level tends to veer past his feet when run blocking;
- can get put on his heels with strong bull rush;
- short arms might necessitate him moving over to guard;
- will need to exhibit better technique in the pros as opposed to defaulting to power.
NFL Comparison: John Wetzel
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles
Projection: Fifth to sixth round
Bottom Line
Players such as Cappa are always a challenge to evaluate. His tape shows consistent dominance but that might be more a function of the competition he faced at Division II level above all else. Though he held his own during Senior Bowl practices and the game itself, his Combine measurables weren’t exactly off the charts. For that reason, teams might look at him as a late round depth add with added value as a converted guard. But he should be able to compete for a spot on the depth chart behind an incumbent starter in training camp.
