2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Travis Frederick Scouting Profile

As a big believer that the Denver Broncos could use another presence on the Offensive Line (one can never have enough protection for a $20M Quarterback), a look at some of the options available in Denver’s selection range is of required. Today we will check out Travis Frederick, a Redshirt senior out of Wisconsin who plays Center.

Travis goes 6-4 and 338 lbs. which is huge for a Center. He is listed as the 55th overall prospect in the nation and #2 out of 99 Centers in the 2013 NFL Draft. He is projected to be taken in the 2nd round.

BIO

After graduating high school early to participate in spring practice, Frederick became first true freshman in Badgers history to start a season-opener on the offensive line. An ankle injury in Week 2 knocked him out of the starting lineup, but he returned for the final two games, at left guard, after center Peter Konz was sidelined and John Moffitt was moved to center. For the season, he played in five games, starting four (two at center and two at left guard).
In order to preserve a year of Frederick's NCAA eligibility, Wisconsin coaching staff decided to redshirt him in 2010. Because of all the talent on the O-Line, Travis wouldn’t have gotten enough playing time. In his redshirt sophomore season, Frederick replaced John Moffitt, starting 11 of 13 games at Left Guard and substituted for Peter Konz at center for 2 games.
Travis moved to center in his junior season. He started all 13 games at center and was named an All-American by Pro Football Weekly. In all, Frederick played in 32 games, starting 31 of them. Academic All-Big 10 as a Computer Engineering major.

DRAFT PROFILE

NFL.COM DRAFT

GRADE - 78.7

OVERVIEW

Wisconsin is the Offensive Lineman factory of the upper Midwest with 14 players drafted in the last 12 years, more than any other school in the country. Nine of those were selected in the top 100 too. Travis can play Center or Guard, a versatile asset to have. He is a power blocker in the run game and will anchor well as a pass blocker.

STRENGTHS

Frederick is a high character guy with a very good football I.Q. He is very coachable. Travis his hands up quickly after the snap and keeps them inside. A Bulldozer of a drive-blocker, getting good movement. His thick upper body gives him the strength to anchor off the snap and hold his ground. Works hard to finish one-on-one blocks with his technique and doesn't make many mistakes. Travis has better foot quickness and agility for a blocker with his size.
Shotgun snaps are reliable with good velocity.

WEAKNESSES: Because of the upper body he uses to anchor well, Frederick’s girth nullifies some of his quickness, which affects his getting to the secondary blocks when pulling. He can get tripped up in traffic when on the move. He can get beat by speed rushers and interior blitzers because of a lack of lateral agility. Can lose his balance and reach for a block.
Needs to set up quicker to gain position and block off-balance

NFL COMPARISON David Bass (Giants), John Moffitt (Seahawks)

"I have also studied the game of football under three offensive line coaches that have each taught me different techniques and concepts that have molded me into the player I am today." -- Travis Frederick.

Analysis

Top-notch football IQ and overall intelligence to recognize what the defense is doing and adjust the offensive line accordingly. Mobile enough to get to the second level and block in space.

Travis Frederick Scouting Report

• Started as a true freshman, a rarity at OL factory Wisconsin
• Not afraid to mix it up physically or play past the whistle
• Struggles with quickness because he doesn’t move his feet well
• Has poor recovery skills if he gets beat initially
• Devastating initial punch can rock even the heftiest DTs
• Has a nasty tendency to stop moving his feet when engaged
• Is strictly a one-block guy, cannot disengage and seek a secondary target
• Struggles to locate and engage moving targets beyond one step in any direction

Overall:
Frederick is going to excel in the right system and there will be a team that will find themselves with a Pro Bowler. That team will very likely be a strict power running team. Travis won’t end up in a Zone Blocking system. He is physically and mentally ready to play every interior spot and good enough to hold his own as a rookie substitute. Quicker guys are always going to give him problems but he’ll go toe to toe with the power guys and walk away fine.

NFL Draft Scout

VIDEO

Wisconsin offense vs. Ohio State defense 2011

Travis Frederick Post-Practice 8/10/11

Travis Frederick will probably transition to the Guard position in the NFL and he should be a good one as a legacy from Wisconsin. He is strictly a power blocker and that would not benefit the Broncos because they already have a similar guy in Phillip Blake. I can’t see Denver spending a 2nd round pick on this guy.

Go Broncos!

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