Brandon Graham - DE - Michigan
(projected as an OLB in the 3-4)

Quote:

CBSSports scouting: Pass rush: Relentless rusher able to pressure the quarterback lining up on the strong or weak side. Lines up at five-technique in some passing situations. Uses his strength, balance and lack of height to get under shoulder pads of tackle. Strong, violent hands to beat his man straight-out or disengage. Lacks a consistent counter move. Has an inside spin move but rarely shows it. Despite his stout build, Graham drops into zone coverage easily and shows some fluidity in space. Backpedal is slow, as expected, but he will still get a shot as a linebacker for a 3-4 team. Lines up wide so he can turn the corner against slower tackles, will struggle to do so against NFL tackles. Run defense: Can punch the tackle to disengage or maintain the angle to force the action inside when run plays are coming his way. Occasionally gets skinny to penetrate on inside runs. Stays home to contain, watch for bootlegs and stop reverses. Must be more consistent using his hands to defeat cut blocks, although he can still make the tackle after a cut as he recovers fairly well. Has a good motor, works hard to get down the line on runs away from him. Lacks elite speed to chase down NFL backs consistently. Explosion: Good first step off the ball and pounds his man's jersey on contact when in pure pass-rush mode. Has some pop off the snap when looking for the run, and is able to stand his ground against much bigger linemen. Brings full effort from the first quarter to the fourth, and smells weakness in his opponent. Closes quickly and explodes into the quarterback on a sack. Strength: Capable of using his lack of height to his advantage, maintaining leverage to hold his ground on the edge. Stacks the tight end and disrupts plays when one-on-one. Can be engulfed by bigger tackles, losing sight of the ball. Tackling: Above-average arm length allows him to disengage and wrap on running plays to his side, as well as chase down ballcarriers from behind. Does not meet his feet going through trash, making it hard for him to make the tackle when crashing down inside. Stays square and low in space, breaking down to tackle the ballcarrier. Intangibles: Stepped up his role as a senior from leading by example and becoming a vocal leader who encourages and gets after teammates. Missed two games in 2008 with leg infection. Charged with disorderly conduct in July 2008 for playing music too loud, and failed to show up for trial. Charges were eventually dismissed, and a bench warrant was terminated.

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Credit to Jess

Wouldn't mind if the Packers got Graham too with the 23rd pick. Only real knocks on him are his short arms and is a little small for a OLB. He's shown he can be a real force time in and time out.


From Brandon Graham Scouting Report - 2010 NFL Draft Prospect

Quote:

Brandon Graham is currently the best pass rusher in the Big Ten, and one of the top four or five pass rushers in all of college football. In 46 career games, he has accumulated 56 tackles for loss and 29.5 sacks. Graham's biggest question mark (as far as his draft status is concerned), is what positions he'll be able to play in the NFL. At 6'2 and 263 pounds he has good size for a 4-3 defensive end, but there are questions about whether or not he will be able to effectively drop into coverage if he plays as a 3-4 outside linebacker. If he is seen as a potential fit at either position, he'll increase his draft stock tremendously. Regardless of what position scouts see him at, he is a consensus late first round or early second round prospect. His best fit may be as a defensive end for a team that runs a version of the cover 2 defense. He isn't the biggest end, but he plays the run extremely well for his size. He does a great job of turning ball carriers back inside and right into his linebackers. Couple that with his quick first step and wide array of pass rushing maneuvers, and he is similar in a lot of ways to Robert Mathis of the Indianapolis Colts.

I don't think height or arms are as important for OLB as they are for DE, as the OLB tend to go against TE, RB and OT that are off balance...

My only concern with him is his lack of knowledge of the 3-4 OLB position... I have no doubt in my mind that this kid can be a great pass rusher in the pros, and that he can play the run very well (has a little bit problem identifying the play sometimes, but nothing major...). He tackles very well.

This is one guy that doesn't have great measurables, but the productions is just too overwhelming. I really like this kind of prospects, the ones who really have to work their butts off to suceed, but have the natural propensity to play football...

__________________
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." Vince Lombardi.
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Don't feed the Trolls

"Call Mr. Plow. That's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow"
Credit to Jess

I'm just saying those are the knocks on him coming from scouts. I don't think it's that important either that he's a little smaller then you're average Linebacker and have shorter then normal arms. I've heard he does have experience being an OLB at Michigan. He wasn't just a DE full-time at Michigan. He switched around at those 2 positions for awhile from my understanding.



I've heard he has a great work ethic and is one of those guys that will work on anything that is wrong with his NFL abilities. Wouldn't shock me if TT drafted him, if he fell to us.

Just a report from another source, always good to have multiple perspectives on a prospect.

From Brandon Graham | Michigan Scouting Report - 2010 NFL Draft Prospect

Quote:

Official Bio Height: 6-2 | Weight: 263 | 40-Time: 4.75 Strengths: Good bulk --- Aggressive with a non-stop motor --- Very strong and powerful --- Tough and physical --- Does a great job in pursuit --- Good tackler --- Plays with excellent leverage --- Holds his own versus the run --- Uses his hands well --- Has a lot of range --- Smart with great instincts --- Hard worker --- Offers some versatility --- Super productive. Weaknesses: Doesn't have the ideal height you look for --- Short arms --- Frame may be maxed out --- Not a great athlete --- Average speed, quickness and agility --- Not real explosive --- Lacks a burst --- Struggles in space --- A tad inconsistent --- Might have to change positions --- Upside is limited. Notes: A 2½ year starter for the Wolverines --- Named 2nd Team All-Big Ten in 2008 and 1st Team in 2009 --- Voted Michigan's Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior --- Led the nation in tackles for a loss in 2009 --- Classic 'tweener who may have to move to linebacker or perhaps even defensive tackle at the next level --- May not have all the physical tools you'd prefer but just a good football player --- Could slip a bit on Draft Day if teams get too concerned with triangle numbers and workout results --- Eerily similar in many ways to LaMarr Woodley.

Isn't this the same guy that terrorized Bulaga all day long???

Originally Posted by turbo69

Isn't this the same guy that terrorized Bulaga all day long???

Yep.

__________________
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." Vince Lombardi.
-------------
Don't feed the Trolls

"Call Mr. Plow. That's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow"
Credit to Jess

I think that this pick would make sense if he could play decent coverage. We need better LB coverage. The middle of the field, underneath routes seem to open up quite a bit. Thats the main reason hawk hasn't been an every down backer. We dont want to draft a guy in the first round that can't cover early doucet, like hawk

But Hawk's MAIN obligation is to cover, or play the run.

The OLB's main obligation is to rush the passer...

__________________
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." Vince Lombardi.
-------------
Don't feed the Trolls

"Call Mr. Plow. That's my name, that name again is Mr. Plow"
Credit to Jess

good point, i wonder if he's big enough to play a little bit of DE for a few situational plays to change up the defensive front and the look