RT Winston Justice, USC

[t.j 35]

Mock Draft consistently had Justice going in the mid first round prior to the Pro Day. Scott Wright of nfldraftcountdown.com currently has him ranked the 10th-best player in the draft. http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingr...tonjustice.html

Strengths:

Has great size and long arms...Still has room to bulk up his large frame...A tremendous natural athlete...Very strong and powerful...An outstanding run blocker...Great pass blocker who protected the blindside of lefty quarterback Matt Leinart...Mobile and quick with good feet...Has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential and still has a ton of upside...Has 3 years of starting experience.

 

Weaknesses:

Is still very raw and needs to be developed in terms of his technique...Had arthroscopic surgery to repair a dislocated right shoulder after his freshman season...Immature and character is a question after a series of off-the-field incidents which led to his being suspended for the entire 2004 season.

 

Notes:

Played right tackle for the Trojans but might be able to play left as well...Didn't play football until his sophomore year in high school...Was a part of the famed 2002 Long Beach Poly high school class that also included Marcedes Lewis (U.C.L.A.), Darnell Bing (USC), Hershel Dennis (USC), and Manuel Wright (Miami Dolphins)...Has the ability and talent to be a premier NFL offensive tackle.

 

Height: 6-6 1/8 | Weight: 319 | 40-Time: 5.15

Here are his Pro Day notes:

Justice (6-6¼, 320) ran his 40 in 5.15, but that was the only time he ran, and it was slow due to the effects of a previously pulled calf. He also had a 34½-inch arm length, 39-inch vertical jump, 4.42 short shuttle, 7.27 three-cone drill, and 38 lifts. Performed well in position drills.

 

So a great bench, phenomenal vertical, decent short shuttle, good 3-cone drill, nothing telling in the 40, good size, and good skills.

 

I wonder how much this guy is going to move up on draft boards, if at all.

 

Supposedly the Raiders are going to (finally) move Robert Gallery to LT this year. (Which they definitely should do, IMO.) Justice intruiges me as a RT option even though the Raiders have plenty of other needs. The Raiders have many needs, but unless Langston Walker is finally ready to be a starting RT, tackle is one of those many needs. If there's one position I trust Art Shell and his staff to coach up a great prospect, it's offensive tackle. If he moves up to a consensus top 10 guy I will be very interested. But if not, I would not like to see my team reach for a guy with significant maturity and character issues. I highly doubt the Raiders will trade down so I won't even put thought into the possibility.

[thedanzone 2]

I was hoping the Lions would take a T in the 1st round. The O-Line in Detroit sucks amongst other things, but O-Line the most I think.

[Deadpool 0]

This guy's stock has been rising alot lately. He has some phenominal skills. But as far as I know the only knock on him is the pellet gun incident.

 

Early mocks had him going late 1st to early 2nd, but it would not surprise me to see him go in the top 15 now.

 

I think that the Raiders could definitely benefit from drafting him or Detroit for that matter. But I think Detroit might be going Huff instead?

[thedanzone 2]

But I think Detroit might be going Huff instead?

 

Yeah, I've been hearing a lot of Huff or Jimmy Williams.

[GeminiV 0]

I don't think this should raise his stock too much. Teams already knew he was a great athlete; now they just have the numbers to back it up. It doesn't change the fact that he didn't live up to his potential in college.

[t.j 35]

I don't think this should raise his stock too much. Teams already knew he was a great athlete; now they just have the numbers to back it up. It doesn't change the fact that he didn't live up to his potential in college.

 

I think you are probably right. I guess I am just sick of Barry Sims and his false starts.

[ShaneFalco 0]

Lions should nab him at #9 if Huff is gone.

 

If I were Millen, my draft board would look like:

 

1a Hawk

1b Mario

2 Huff

3 Justice

4 Jimmy Williams

[yostevo 0]

I was hoping the Lions would take a T in the 1st round. The O-Line in Detroit sucks amongst other things, but O-Line the most I think.

 

The Lions probably won't pass on Huff if he's there at #9. From all accounts, he's the playmaking safety they have needed for quite some time. Ed Reed, Polamalu type. They should have taken their OT last year (Alex Barron or Jammal Brown) over Mike "pork chop" Williams and they would't be picking scraps off the FA market right now. If they don't land Huff, best case would be to trade down a few spots and then nab Justice.

[lechuza 0]

I'm pretty sure Huff will be gone by #9. I think SF will take him, and if he's there at 8 i think the Bills would take him. I also think the Bills will seriously consider Justice at 8. I still think he is not good enough to get drafted in the top 10 though

[Mack 1 6]

...Mike "pork chop" Williams...

LMAO.

 

Instead of picking an OL last year as you suggested, I was hoping they'd draft Merriman or D. Ware; I damn near fell out of my chair when fat boy's name was called.

 

That focking dumb jock Millen.

[yostevo 0]

LMAO.

 

Instead of picking an OL last year as you suggested, I was hoping they'd draft Merriman or D. Ware; I damn near fell out of my chair when fat boy's name was called.

 

That focking dumb jock Millen.

 

Merriman or Ware would look great right now but it wasn't their most crucial need at the time. The Lions should have had some foresight to see that the FA market for offensive linemen was going to be bleak this offseason. I was clamoring for Alex Barron last year. It was a safe & sound pick that made sense for a need position on the team. Now they may be gambling a bit on Justice @ 9 IMO.

[Zap 0]

I think you are probably right. I guess I am just sick of Barry Sims and his false starts.

 

How didn't he live up to his potential?

 

I've had him at #9 to the Lions since early February, but then I always knew what a freak he is. I've been discussing him elsewhere and I do think a jump up to the Raiders is possible.

 

My thoughts from the other site:

 

Justice had the place really buzzing. He did finish the 40 (limping), and his times were between 5.03 and 5.05 (faster hobbled than 24 of the 28 tackles at the Combine). However, his first 20 was so fast according to one person (maybe a scout, he had a Jets wristband on) that he said Justice can run under 4.7. It's well known that he is faster than Byrd. Folks, this is the best tackle prospect in the draft. If you want to downgrade him for some intangible question marks fine. D'Brick is solid and impressive in any category you want to discuss, and I have a mancrush on him since listening to his interviews. But realisitically, Justice is the Vernon Davis of tackles. He is a total freak, and he has better technique than Ferguson. He has a highly refined punch that D'Brick has been working on. Justice is the better football player, and I am not worried about any character issues. He is a solid guy, just had a bad break and made a dumb mistake. He was immature, but he grew up fast and handled his punishment like a man. Apparently his cone and shuttle were jaw dropping, and his drills were also exceptional.

 

Also see my comments from two weeks ago in this article posted on the main page:

 

D'Brick's company is Winston Justice (USC). He didn't run the 40 or hit the weightroom, but he did show off in the other events and drills. What a speciman this kid is. His vertical jump (35") was significantly superior to anyone else's. Is that important? You bet. It's a great measure of burst and leg power. He also excelled in the broad jump, the shuttle and the cone drill. He moves like a 320 pound running back, but he's more than just a freakish athlete. He's a solid technician in pass protection with a highly developed punch. His burst makes him potentially the most explosive run blocker in this excellent class. Like D'Brick, it's hard to find flaws in Justice. He was solid in the interviews, and the overhyped story of his off the field problems should be considered a non-issue. The media won't let it go, but I'm certain NFL execs have. I haven't missed a USC game since Carson Palmer was a junior, and it's Justice's body of work on the field that is most impressive. Some say he's been inconsistent. I'd like to know when, because I must have missed it. I have some difficulty ranking the tackles listed below, and without any disrespect to Ferguson, I'm having difficulty separating him from Justice. They are very similar. This isn't the place for a long breakdown of the two top tackles, but in my mind their potential is dead even. Justice is that good. I'm comfortable giving him the unusually high praise.

 

I put the bold in because above someone says he hasn't lived up to his potential. Based on what? The suspension? I think he was awesome in how he handled that. His play? Like I said in the article. When? This dude is dominant. Leinart never had to worry about his blindside. There's a play in the 2nd half of the Rose Bowl that is unbelievable. The blitz isn't picked up. Justice hits his DE so hard he's on his back, then he spins and nails the LB and sends him flying way wide of Leinart. The guy is amazing. Two pass rushers completely neutralized and Justice is looking for a third.

[t.j 35]

I think you are probably right. I guess I am just sick of Barry Sims and his false starts.

How didn't he live up to his potential?

 

What potential? He was undrafted, the Raiders picked him up as a free agent in '99 as a guard. He filled in as left tackle for a game and had a good performance against Bruce Smith (an aging Bruce Smith), and many Raiders fans were ready to give the guy tenure. Needless to say his subsequent performance was less than adequate, it is completely beyond me why the Raiders have stuck with him as a starter this long, particularly after drafting Gallery. I have been sick of Sims for years, I'd much prefer he were starting at left guard (where he belongs) or serving as a utility backup.

[Zap 0]

I think you are probably right. I guess I am just sick of Barry Sims and his false starts.

What potential? He was undrafted, the Raiders picked him up as a free agent in '99 as a guard. He filled in as left tackle for a game and had a good performance against Bruce Smith (an aging Bruce Smith), and many Raiders fans were ready to give the guy tenure. Needless to say his subsequent performance was less than adequate, it is completely beyond me why the Raiders have stuck with him as a starter this long, particularly after drafting Gallery. I have been sick of Sims for years, I'd much prefer he were starting at left guard (where he belongs) or serving as a utility backup.

 

I wasn't talking about Sims. I was talking about Justice.

[t.j 35]

I wasn't talking about Sims. I was talking about Justice.

 

Well, watch what you're quoting over there!

[Mack 1 6]

Merriman or Ware would look great right now but it wasn't their most crucial need at the time. The Lions should have had some foresight to see that the FA market for offensive linemen was going to be bleak this offseason. I was clamoring for Alex Barron last year. It was a safe & sound pick that made sense for a need position on the team. Now they may be gambling a bit on Justice @ 9 IMO.

 

Apparently the Lions felt their OL from 2004 was pretty solid, considering they didn't draft one last year. Defense was clearly the way to go in 2005, especially after using the last ump-teen 1st round picks on offense.

 

I was clamoring for them to choose Ware, Merriman, or even Derrick Johnson. Either one would have fit a glaring need on defense. What continues to shock me is how much Millen has forgotten about how titles are won in the NFL: a stout defense, solid running game, and oh, a stout defense. No team has EVER won a title with 3 top picks at WR.

[listen2me 23 1,873]

Lions should nab him at #9 if Huff is gone.

 

If I were Millen, my draft board would look like:

 

1a Hawk

1b Mario

2 Huff

3 Justice

4 Jimmy Williams

 

Jimmy Williams is not top 10 material.....he was about 5 months ago tho...

 

Jimmy will go any where in the mid rounds to the end of the 1st..

 

If your going to put Hawk and Mario on that list then why dont you just put Bush Leinart Young and Brick there too.....

 

Mario will be gone by pick 5 and Hawk by pick 6......both prolly a coupel picks higher....

[ShaneFalco 0]

Jimmy Williams is not top 10 material.....he was about 5 months ago tho...

 

Jimmy will go any where in the mid rounds to the end of the 1st..

 

If your going to put Hawk and Mario on that list then why dont you just put Bush Leinart Young and Brick there too.....

 

Mario will be gone by pick 5 and Hawk by pick 6......both prolly a coupel picks higher....

 

 

Do I think Mario or Hawk have any kind of shot to be available at #9? No, that's pretty obvious.

I just listed guys who are close to the immediate range of where the Lions are picking. It's not like I need to be exact and precise. I'm not actually drafting them. Also I listed defensive players only because the Lions *should* draft defense.

 

I agree with you on Williams. I don't want the Lions to draft him. If they grab him at 9 I think it would be a reach. I listed him because I could see the Lions picking him because they're known to make bad picks.

 

I think they're targeting Huff and Justice, respectively. If neither are there, I hope they trade down.

[pook187 0]

If Justice is there at 16 when Miami picks I'll be doing cartwheels down the hallway.

[GeminiV 0]

I put the bold in because above someone says he hasn't lived up to his potential. Based on what? The suspension? I think he was awesome in how he handled that. His play? Like I said in the article. When? This dude is dominant. Leinart never had to worry about his blindside. There's a play in the 2nd half of the Rose Bowl that is unbelievable. The blitz isn't picked up. Justice hits his DE so hard he's on his back, then he spins and nails the LB and sends him flying way wide of Leinart. The guy is amazing. Two pass rushers completely neutralized and Justice is looking for a third.

 

I didn't think he was particularly impressive against Arizona, when he gave up a sack and a couple of holding penalties to Copeland Bryan, a likely second day pick. Also rather unimpressive is failing to ever make an All-Pac-10 team in his career, especially this past season when three of his fellow linemen made the first team and the fourth made the second team.

[Zap 0]

I didn't think he was particularly impressive against Arizona, when he gave up a sack and a couple of holding penalties to Copeland Bryan, a likely second day pick. Also rather unimpressive is failing to ever make an All-Pac-10 team in his career, especially this past season when three of his fellow linemen made the first team and the fourth made the second team.

 

He wasn't impressive against Arizona? The game Leinart went 26-40 and 360 yards passing, Jarrett caught 9 for 116 and Smith caught 7 for 135. The game Bush only carried 14 times for 110 yards and LenDale had 24 carries for 179 yards and 4 TDs, two of them following Justice? That game? The game USC racked up over 720 yards of offense and Leinart went unsacked? Sounds like the blindside tackle had a rough one.

[GeminiV 0]

He wasn't impressive against Arizona? The game Leinart went 26-40 and 360 yards passing, Jarrett caught 9 for 116 and Smith caught 7 for 135. The game Bush only carried 14 times for 110 yards and LenDale had 24 carries for 179 yards and 4 TDs, two of them following Justice? That game? The game USC racked up over 270 yards of offense and Leinart went unsacked? Sounds like the blindside tackle had a rough one.

 

::sigh:: In college, quarterback sacks are sometimes noted in the pbp as rushes for negative yardage.

 

1st-10, USC41 9:37 M. Leinart rushed up the middle for 4 yard loss

 

The pbp from the Trojans web site is even more informative:

 

U 1-10 U05 USC TROJANS drive start at 05:44 (1st).

U 2-9 A41 PENALTY USC holding (Justice, W.) 10 yards to the USC49.

 

U 1-10 U41 USC TROJANS drive start at 09:37 (3rd).

U 1-10 U41 Leinart, Matt sacked for loss of 4 yards to the USC37 (Bryan,Copeland).

 

U 1-10 U45 Start of 4th quarter, clock 15:00.

U 1-10 U45 PENALTY USC holding (Justice, W.) 10 yards to the USC35.

[Rookie QB 0]

I think if he is as at #10, ARI should grab him to help Edgerrin James out..

[Zap 0]

The pbp from the Trojans web site is even more informative:

 

U 1-10 U05 USC TROJANS drive start at 05:44 (1st).

U 2-9 A41 PENALTY USC holding (Justice, W.) 10 yards to the USC49.

 

U 1-10 U41 USC TROJANS drive start at 09:37 (3rd).

U 1-10 U41 Leinart, Matt sacked for loss of 4 yards to the USC37 (Bryan,Copeland).

 

U 1-10 U45 Start of 4th quarter, clock 15:00.

U 1-10 U45 PENALTY USC holding (Justice, W.) 10 yards to the USC35.

 

Fine. Good catch. Stinkin' Yahoo. Sorry for my sarcasm. Thanks for being civil about it.

 

Anyway, I still wouldn't panic about the way the offense or Justice performed in this one. And you know as well as I do that Bryan while disappointing is a heckuva an athlete. Likewise D'Brick had a game giving up two sacks and three pressures, but Whitworth, O'Call, and McNiell never gave up a sack. And SC's numbers in that game were absolutely sick. Justice was a huge part of that. He's dominant. Are you certain that sack is credited to Justice? I did see the game, and sure don't remember it.

 

 

I think if he is as at #10, ARI should grab him to help Edgerrin James out..

 

I like t.j's idea. The Raiders OL slowly went to pieces after a decent start last season.

[GeminiV 0]

Fine. Good catch. Stinkin' Yahoo. Sorry for my sarcasm. Thanks for being civil about it.

 

Anyway, I still wouldn't panic about the way the offense or Justice performed in this one. And you know as well as I do that Bryan while disappointing is a heckuva an athlete. Likewise D'Brick had a game giving up two sacks and three pressures, but Whitworth, O'Call, and McNiell never gave up a sack. And SC's numbers in that game were absolutely sick. Justice was a huge part of that. He's dominant. Are you certain that sack is credited to Justice? I did see the game, and sure don't remember it.

I like t.j's idea. The Raiders OL slowly went to pieces after a decent start last season.

 

I read a couple different places that credited the sack to Justice. It just jumped out at me because USC was something like a 38-point favorite in that one, and Arizona actually kept it close for a while, with Copeland's game against Justice being one of the reasons. You are right about most players having an off day, though.

 

I'm not gonna pretend to be an expert scout; his lack of post-season recognition (presumably chosen by people who know offensive line play better than me) makes me wonder, especially given the huge amount of hype that surrounded USC this season. Maybe he's just being blackballed for his off-field incident.

[Stars 0]

Well, according to the New York Daily News the NYJ are looking forward to picking Justice at 29...

[Romulan 0]

Also the local papers in Tampa have the Bucs possibly moving up a few spots to pick him if he isnt there.

[Stars 0]

Incidentally, the title has him as RT but surely he'll go straight in as an NFL LT - it's just that he was protecting a lefty's blind side?

[t.j 35]

Incidentally, the title has him as RT but surely he'll go straight in as an NFL LT - it's just that he was protecting a lefty's blind side?

 

Maybe, maybe not. Probably depends on which side the team that picks him has a weaker tackle on.

[listen2me 23 1,873]

Incidentally, the title has him as RT but surely he'll go straight in as an NFL LT - it's just that he was protecting a lefty's blind side?

 

Can you say R. Gallery and M. Williams?.....both went higher than Justice will go and both are still RTs....

 

Dont be so quick to say Justice is an automatic LT

[Stars 0]

Can you say R. Gallery and M. Williams?.....both went higher than Justice will go and both are still RTs....

 

Dont be so quick to say Justice is an automatic LT

What a waste, though - I suppose some players don't reach their potential, but why would anyone expend a top 10 pick on someone they expected to be a RT (or an LT for a left-handed QB)?

[t.j 35]

Can you say R. Gallery and M. Williams?.....both went higher than Justice will go and both are still RTs....

 

Dont be so quick to say Justice is an automatic LT

 

In fact, Gallery was a LT in college. But they moved him to the right side because they thought he could start right away there because they were (supposedly) weaker on the right side.

[listen2me 23 1,873]

In fact, Gallery was a LT in college. But they moved him to the right side because they thought he could start right away there because they were (supposedly) weaker on the right side.

 

Many Tackles picked early don't go to LT right away but are expected to make the more to LT in their 2nd or 3rd year....

 

I thought Gallery was supposed ro be dominate...?

 

Although many people see Dominate Tackles out of college being the "safest" picks in the draft....it hasn't looked like they are latley....more like the safest not to be a total bust....although Mike Williams fits in that catagory quite well..

[t.j 35]

Many Tackles picked early don't go to LT right away but are expected to make the more to LT in their 2nd or 3rd year....

 

I thought Gallery was supposed ro be dominate...?

 

Gallery was indeed supposed to be dominant.

I can't think of any other players who made the switch to LT in their 2nd or 3rd year. Do you know of any examples besides Gallery?

[Zap 0]

Gallery was indeed supposed to be dominant.

I can't think of any other players who made the switch to LT in their 2nd or 3rd year. Do you know of any examples besides Gallery?

 

Flozell Adams did it. Adrian Jones did it. I think PJ Shelton did the same. I expect Jammal Brown to do it. Jordan Gross is following that path. I think Khalif Barnes did it mid-season as a rookie last year. He may have slid over from guard though. Chester Pitts has played some RT (mostly guard though) and ended looking good at LT late last season. It's a common approach. Cut your teeth on the right side before being thrown to the wolves. It doesn't always work that way though.

 

I don't think Justice belongs in the conversation with Gallery and Williams. Both of those guys have struggled with athleticism. That's not a concern for Justice. He's a two guard in a power forward's body.

[Stars 0]

I don't think Justice belongs in the conversation with Gallery and Williams. Both of those guys have struggled with athleticism. That's not a concern for Justice. He's a two guard in a power forward's body.

 

You think Justice, who's projected about the 1.10 mark, is a better LT prospect than Gallery, who went (what?) 1.2 or 1.3?

 

Blimey, this is a strong draft....

[Guest stevejohnson]

I would love to see the Eagles make a move for this guy.....they may have to move up a few slots but they have plenty of extra picks to work with.....

[Zap 0]

You think Justice, who's projected about the 1.10 mark, is a better LT prospect than Gallery, who went (what?) 1.2 or 1.3?

 

Blimey, this is a strong draft....

 

I'm trying to find out a little bit more about his spinal stenosis (sounds worse than it is). If not for that I would rate Marcus McNeill as a 3rd tackle coming out with a better grade than Gallery. This is the deepest class of quality OTs in memory. 97 was a great year with two HoFers in Pace and Jones followed by Tarik Glenn, Ross Verba and Adam Meadows. It's premature to consider Brick or Justice with the first two (though many do, and I see the Jones' comparisons as valid). The next 8 tackles are really good looking football players. Certainly a few of them will flame out in the NFL. It always happens, but I could see as many as 7 of these guys being franchise players in a few short years. Remember even Walter Jones took a couple years to get to a high level. Some Seahawks fans were furious with that draft pick after his rookie season.

 

Also, I think a lot of us are a little quick to give up on Gallery. Two years is way too soon to write off an OL. Sometimes it takes longer to develop. Gallery could still turn into a monster.