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G, South Carolina
Rankings
NFLDraftScout: #58 player overall, #2 guard. Second-round grade.
Nawrocki: #42 player overall, #3 guard. Grade: 5.75, likely second-rounder with immediate starter potential.
Mayock: TBA
Kiper: TBA
Draft Countdown: #47 player overall, #1 guard. 2nd-3rd round grade.
Sports Illustrated: #51 player overall, #2 guard.
Scouts Inc: #73 player overall, #3 guard. Grade: 77, solid prospect.
Biography/Honors
2014: Second team all-America and second team all-SEC. Team captain. Started all 13 games at left guard. Ranks second in school history with 51 career starts.
2013: Started all 13 games at left guard. Voted permanent team captain.
2012: Started 12 of 13 games at left guard.
2011: Started all 13 games at left guard.
2010: Redshirted.
Academics: Graduated December 2013 with a degree in African-American studies. Three-time member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.
Twitter: @AJCann_50
Injuries
2015: Did not play in Senior Bowl due to knee injury. Missed on-field workouts at Combine due to calf injury. Did not complete all drills at pro day due to a hamstring pull during his first 40.
Combine/Pro Day Stats
(2015 NFL Combine averages for guards in parentheses)
40-yard dash*: 5.46 (5.36)
10-yard split: n/a
Vertical*: 32.5" (Would have been best by a guard at the Combine. Average was 27")
Broad*: 9'1" (Would have been 2nd-best by a guard at the Combine. Average was 8'3")
3-cone: DNP (8.00)
Shuttle: DNP (4.79)
Bench: 26 (26)
* Pro day; A.J. only benched at the Combine due to a calf injury.
Scouting Report
Pluses: Strong player with strong lower body and natural knee bend. Controls the line of scrimmage. Plays with solid technique and good leverage. Understands leverage and positioning. Keeps his pads low and takes pride in it. Has excellent hand placement. Pins defenders effectively as a down-blocker. Has strength and leverage to drive defenders off the ball, and power and knee bend to absorb bull rushes. Agile enough to get to second level. Anchors well as a pass protector but still shows good agility. Has a strong punch. Had no problem blocking Gabe Wright in Auburn game. Rarely penalized. Four-year SEC starter who also played center in high school and impressed working out at center at his pro day. NFL-ready. Very durable player with great intangibles. A leader on the line and positive influence in the locker room. Smart player and hard worker with no off-field issues. Nawrocki expects him to contribute immediately, lift the play of his teammates and be a 10-year starter in the league.
Minuses: Shorter than ideal and arm length is just average. Best in a phone booth. Lumbers off the snap. Is not explosive off the ball. Could finish his blocks better. Has struggled against power. Is slow out of his stance. Slow laterally and vulnerable to spin moves. Can be late finding defenders on the move. Man-blocker only. Footwork nowhere near good enough to suit him to zone schemes. Needs pass pro refinement. Needs to punch more, lean less and keep his feet underneath him better.
Compares to: Larry Warford, Justin Blalock, Ben Grubbs
Fun Facts
A.J. participated in a 10-day mission to Israel after his junior year and taught football. He and teammate Dylan Thompson put on six camps in six days. A.J. played on both lines in high school and was also on the track team.
RamView
Those comparable guards tell us why the Rams have shown interest in Cann. They nearly drafted Larry Warford a couple of years ago and have shown interest in free agent Blalock this year. Cann's scheme fit, guard/center versatility, proficient run-blocking and impressive character would make him a superb pick for the Rams in the second round, if he's still available at #41.
Sources: South Carolina Athletics, Kansas City Star
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