The 2012 defensive line class is one that is deep. There is talent from the tackle to the defensive end position. I included some players that project as 3/4 outside linebackers as defensive ends since that is what they played in college or project as NFL defensive ends in certain teams schemes. I also broke them up into both defensive tackle and defensive end positions.
Here are my Top 10 Defensive Ends:
1. Melvin Ingram – South Carolina – 6-1 – 276:
In 2011, Melvin Ingram emerged as one of the top playmakers in the SEC, if not the country, on the defensive side of the ball in his only season as a starting defensive end for the Gamecocks. As a senior, Ingram produced 48 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions, and three touchdowns (one rushing, two return); in a situational pass rusher role early in his career, Melvin concluded his four years at South Carolina having produced 109 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 21 sacks. One of the most intriguing athletes in this year’s draft who possesses excellent versatility at the next level, Ingram has experience playing both with his hand on the ground at end and tackle as well as standing up at linebacker, and projects well to both end and linebacker at the next level. A hybrid end who possesses a maxed out frame with great speed and agility for a 275+ pound defender, Melvin is a quick-twitch, attacking defender who South Carolina couldn’t keep off the field, moving him inside to tackle on third downs to maximize the number of pass rushers they had on the field. With an explosive burst off the ball, Ingram accelerates up the field, showing great instincts to find the open crease in the line and sneak inside it as he pursues the quarterback. Owning a polished pass rush repertoire, Melvin displays a great swim move to penetrate the line of scrimmage and also offers a very good spin move to create separation from the offensive lineman and turn away from the line to meet a ball carrier on the perimeter. He doesn’t offer the speed to consistently pressure the edge against the tackle, however his great hand use and his explosive, quick-twitch ability to make sideline-to-sideline plays is where he is going to bring great value. Ingram is a high-motor player with great range who closes on the ball quickly in the run game. He displays an instinctive ability to peek into the backfield and diagnose the play, locating the ball quickly before redirecting his angle to runner. Although he may have some trouble consistently setting the edge against bigger, stronger offensive linemen at the next level, he does a very good job of closing down the line the meet the ball carrier as he’s entering the hole and has shown enough of an ability to stack and shed with his leverage and flexibility that shows the type of upside that he can bring here. In addition, Ingram is a high-motor defender who pursues the ball very well and has shown on numerous occasions the ability chase down the ball carrier in the open field. While not a punishing tackler, he’s capable of providing a pop on contact with a strong upper body to consistently bring the runner down. Although he doesn’t have a ton of experience dropping back into coverage because of how well he rushes the passer, Melvin has displayed the fluid athleticism needed to gain depth in his drops and keep his head on swivel.
2. Quinton Coples – North Carolina – 6-5 – 281:
Among the most talented players in the 2012 NFL Draft, Quinton Coples is a player whose on-field production has yet to meet the immense upside and potential that he brings to the next level. A two-year starter for North Carolina, Coples finished his career at Chapel Hill having produced 144 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, and 24 sacks; his most productive season came as a junior in 2010 when he tallied 59 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. A player who has all the potential in the world but has yet to puteverything together, Coples owns an elite combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the position. At times flashing the ability to dominate competition, Quinton is a versatile player who started at both tackle (junior year) and end (senior year) during his career
with the Tar Heels. When on his game, Coples displays impressive strength off the ball to stack and shed the opposing offensive lineman, penetrate the line of scrimmage, and make the play in the backfield. He does a good job of using his long arms (33 inches) to extend out and create separation or to swim/rip through the line to gain penetration. Coples has impressive flexibility for a player of
his size, displaying a unique ability to bend and redirect both as a pass rusher as well as in pursuit in the run game. An explosive player with the type of acceleration off the ball that is hard to find, Quinton flashed a unique burst for a player of his size during his junior year, however that explosion was hard to find during his senior season in 2011. As a pass rusher, Coples has the raw blend of
size and strength to bullrush his way into the backfield, often providing pressure by just being a disruptive force on the line. While his pass rush repertoire will need further development to continue to improve, he’s shown enough hand use at the point of attack to see that there is something to work with there. Although he’s not going to consistently pressure the tackle to the edge as a rusher, his
ability to work up the field before cutting inside with his outstanding athleticism is rare. In addition, his ability to slant down, shooting through the gap is very good, showing the type of raw power to push his way into the backfield that you can’t always find at the end position. When he doesn’t manage to get to the quarterback, Coples does a fine job of getting his hands up to block passing lanes, having batted down four passes at the line of scrimmage the last two years. In defending the run, he’s displayed the ability to set the edge outside at end before stacking and shedding to make a play on the ball carrier. Both in defending the run as well as rushing the passer, he does a good job of using his long arms to extend outside of his frame, grab a hold of the ball carrier or quarterback, and drag them down to the ground. With how powerful he is, he’s showing a rare ability to make a tackle with one arm grabbing a hold of the runner or quarterback while still being blocked by the offensive lineman. As a run defender inside, he’s more than capable of taking on a double team and ripping through them with his strength; he won’t be a prototypical anchor inside, but rather has the short area quickness, which is hard to find in a player as big as he is, to get underneath the offensive lineman and make plays inside. There are questions about Coples effort during the course of the game during which he disappears.
3. Courtney Upshaw – Alabama – 6-1 – 273:
One of the top pass rushing prospects in this year’s draft who offers excellent versatility at the next level, Courtney Upshaw leaves Alabama after having been one of the most valuable players on the top-ranked Crimson Tide defense in 2011. A two-year starter for the Tide, Upshaw finished his career in Tuscaloosa having produced 141 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four pass breakups, and one interception; his best statistical season came his senior year in 2011 when he tallied 52 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and his lone interception. Lining up in Alabama’s “Jack” linebacker position, Courtney is experienced lining up both with his hand on the ground at end in a four-man front as well as playing outside linebacker in the Tide’s 3- 4 defense; he projects well to either position at the next level. An intimidating defender who plays with the type of tenacious and fiery attitude that I love to see out of a pass rushing prospect, Courtney is a relentless player who offers a non-stop motor; his persistence and motor as a pass rusher are what makes him such a good player. As a pass rusher, he offers the acceleration and speed off the ball needed to beat the tackle to the edge as well as the flexibility and fluid athleticism needed to redirect quickly in the open field. Although he doesn’t possess an elite burst or explosive get off that you see with some other top pass rushers, Upshaw’s ability to line up anywhere in the box and create pressure is what makes him so valuable. He’s displayed a unique ability to consistently beat the tackle to the edge before dipping his hips and lowering his shoulder to get underneath the tackle and turn the corner in pursuit of the quarterback. He also owns very good vision, quickly finding an open crease in the offensive line and accelerating through it with the agility to elude blockers as he chases down the quarterback. Although this is nitpicking, I’d like to see Courtney continue to develop his swim and rip moves in his pass rush repertoire, as this will allow for him to continue to improve as a pass rusher in the NFL. He’s got a great start, owning polished hand use with a very good swim move, however he has great potential here and still has room to improve. An instinctive defender who reads and reacts very well to what he sees in front of him, Courtney locates the ball very quickly outside, showing a great ability to close down the line to meet the running back as he’s entering the hole. He plays with great leverage out on the edge in the run game, displaying a consistent ability to give the offensive lineman a violent punch at the point of attacking before setting the edge against the offensive tackle. Upshaw cleanly disengages with great hand use, and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to sink his hips and get around the blocker to meet the running back in the backfield. The fact that one out of every four tackles he made was behind the line of scrimmage shows the type of impact he makes in defending the run. Despite being smaller than any offensive lineman he goes up against, Courtney shows the type of leverage and flexible ability to bend underneath the offensive lineman with an arched back to consistently win the leverage battle at the point of attack. Terrific in pursuit with sideline-to sideline range, Courtney plays downhill and has repeatedly shown the ability to chase down ball carriers from behind. Despite weighing over 270 pounds, he offers outstanding speed and closing speed for a player of his size.
4. Nick Perry – USC – 6-2 – 271:
A talented former top recruit with great physical tools and athleticism, Nick Perry is a player who put everything together in 2011 to have a fine junior season before opting to make the jump to the NFL. A two-year starter for the Trojans, Perry produced 103 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 21.5 sacks over the course of his career; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he made 54 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. A natural pass rusher with a true understanding of what it takes to get to the quarterback, Nick owns the combination of size, strength (35 reps on bench), and athleticism needed to start at the next level. Perry comes off the ball with more build-up speed than explosion, however he shows the ability to get up the field before bending down, dipping his shoulder, and beating the tackle to the outside. He’s shown that he can consistently pressure the edge, if not run the arc as a pass rusher, as he owns good range outside to cover ground quickly. Although he’s not a quick-twitch defender, he displays nice quickness and lateral agility to side-step the tackle and beat him to the outside, and shows the balance and coordination needed to change directions quickly in the open field. Nick shows enough of a pass rush repertoire to suggest that he is still developing here; he shows good hand use in being able to bat the offensive lineman’s hands down before attempting to rip through the line. He’ll need to continue to refine and work on his swim and rip moves, however he’s got a fine start here. A high motor player who offers great effort on every play, Perry does a great job of chasing the quarterback down once he’s penetrated the line of scrimmage and shows a nice burst to close in short areas. When in position to make the sack, he also does a great job of striking not only the quarterback, but also aiming to jar the ball loose, having forced five fumbles in the past two years. As a pass rusher, he plays with good leverage at the point of attack, displaying the type of flexibility needed to play underneath the opposing blocker. Nick does a very good job of getting his long arms (33 inches) up to obstruct passing lanes when he can’t get to the quarterback, having batted down six passes in the last two seasons. As a run defender, Nick shows the ability to extend out and set the edge, understanding how to play with proper leverage, however he’s still too inconsistent here and will need to develop better strength in his lower body in order to become more effective. He does a much better job of simply shedding the block off the snap and closing down the line quickly to tackle the running back as he’s entering the hole. If Perry changes positions to outside linebacker, he will have to learn to play in space better, where he looks lost most of the times.
5. Whitney Mercilus – Illinois – 6-3 – 261:
One of the surprises of the 2011 season, Whitney Mercilus emerged out of nowhere as a junior in his first season as a starter to lead the country in sacks with 16 and win the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in the country. In his lone year as a starter, Mercilus produced 57 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and also broke the Big Ten conference record for most fumbles forced in a season with nine; he finished his career at Illinois having produced 81 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, and two fumbles forced. Owning an ideal frame for the defensive end position, Whitney offers the athleticism and long arms (33 inches) that you look for. A high-motor pass rusher for the Illini, Mercilus racked up much of his production on second-and-third effort plays in which he pursued the quarterback and finally wrapped him up after closing on him. He does a great job of working through traffic and takes advantage of any open creases in the line and accelerates through it with ease. In addition, when closing in on the quarterback, Mercilus’ innate ability to target the quarterback’s arm to strip the ball away is very hard to find. While not an explosive presence up front , Whitney works up the field with his speed while showing enough flexibility to dip his hips, lower his shoulder and get underneath the offensive tackle to run the arc; he’s shown the ability to bend, however I wouldn’t call him a fluid or flexible athlete. Mercilus owns very quick feet with the agility, speed, and closing burst needed to swarm to the ball whenever he penetrates the line of scrimmage. He’s also a versatile presence up front with experience rushing the passer at both end and tackle, and should be able to translate that versatility to the next level. Whitney does not offer the polished hand use needed to be an effective pass rusher right away at the next level. He lacks the swim and rip moves that you look for, which will result in him getting up the field and staying blocked until either the quarterback runs to him or the play ends. He’s still a very green player who will need to continue to learn the nuances of the position and develop his instincts and awareness, as he doesn’t show the awareness that you look for and must develop a better anticipation of the snap count. Whitney simply seemed to be making plays off of his athleticism in college, not because he’s polished prospect, which certainly won’t fly at the next level. When he doesn’t manage to get to the quarterback, he does a nice job of getting his long arms in the air to attempt to block passing lanes, having batted two passes down in the past two seasons. Mercilus needs to play more disciplined when defending the run, as he doesn’t do a good enough job yet of setting the edge up front yet. Although he owns the long arms and upper body strength (27 reps on bench) needed to be effective here, he also needs to develop better lower body strength in order to anchor at the point of attack, set the edge, and not get flushed down-field away from the hole.
The Next 5
1. Vinny Curry – Marshall – 6-3 – 266
2. Cam Johnson – Virginia – 6-3 – 267
3. Shea McClellin – Boise State – 6-3 – 248
4. Chandler Jones – Syracuse – 6-5 – 266
5. Malik Jackson – Tennessee – 6-5 – 284
Overrated: While his pass rush skills are near the top of this class, Nick Perry, IF moved to a 3/4 linebacker will struggle early on. He is “lost in space” and there are some questioning his every down effort and if he is a one year wonder.
Underrated: Cam Johnson played in a 3/4 and 4/3 scheme while at UVA and has the skill set to be a much better pro player then college player. He is the complete package, but lacks elite speed otherwise you;re looking at a sure-fire 1st round pick.
Small School Sleeper: James Brooks – North Alabama – 6-5 – 272
Here are my Top 10 Defensive Tackles:
1. Fletcher Cox – Mississippi State – 6-4 – 298
An intriguing defensive tackle prospect who offers outstanding versatility thanks to his rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism, Fletcher Cox is one of the most high-upside prospects in this year’s draft. A two-year starter at Mississippi State, Cox produced 107 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks throughout his career; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he tallied 49 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Fletcher owns elite measurables for a defensive lineman, as he offers the height, length (34 inch arms), raw athleticism (4.79 40), and strength (30 reps on bench) needed to develop very quickly at the next level. He’s one of the most versatile defensive linemen in this year’s draft, as he has experience playing nearly
every position on the defensive line and projects favorably to both the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses at the next level. An elite athlete with very quick, nimble feet for the position, Fletcher is a disruptive presence on the defensive line who excels as a one-gap penetrator. Cox gets up the field extremely quickly and often played in the backfield during his junior year in 2011. In the run game, he plays with good leverage for such a tall defensive lineman, as he owns the flexibility and fluidity needed to bend and sink his hips to be the lowest man at the point of attack. This leverage allows for him to attack the offensive line, diagnose the play, disengage, and then pursue to make the tackle. Once Fletcher penetrates the line, he does a good job of keeping his head on a swivel and locating the ball before
redirecting with his flexibility to make the play. With his upper body strength and big frame, he’s shown a consistent ability to swarm to the ball carrier before wrapping him up with his long arms. Cox is not one that was asked to consistently anchor and hold his ground at the point of attack in the run game, however I have no doubt that this is something that he’d be capable of doing if asked to
do so, however he would need to develop better strength in his core and in his lower body in order to develop here; he will have trouble early on against double teams and needs to develop more sand in his pants in order to be able to take on two blockers and not
get washed out of the play at the next level. Although he will need to work on developing a more consistent get-off, he shows the acceleration off the ball that you look for. In addition, he’s improved throughout his career with his ability to read plays in the backfield, and as he continues to gain experience, he should improve here. With the way that he is a disruptive player, Fletcher may
not always make the play, but he wreaks enough havoc inside that he gives someone else on the defense the opportunity to bring down the quarterback or ball carrier. Cox plays with the type of motor that you look for, along with owning the range and lateral agility needed to play sideline-to-sideline in pursuit in the run game. As a pass rusher, Fletcher will need further improvement with his hand use; he shows some promise with his pass rush repertoire, however I’d like to see him continue to develop his swim and rip moves at the next level. He has proven to be effective when attempting to bull rush his way into the backfield, as he owns the strength and flexibility needed to play underneath the opposing offensive lineman before walking him into the backfield while collapsing the pocket. In addition, he’s also shown flashes of owning an impressive spin move for a player of his size.
2. Dontari Poe – Memphis – 6-3 – 346
One of the most physically impressive players in this year’s draft, Dontari Poe offers teams a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the defensive tackle position. A 2.5-year starter with 30 career starts at Memphis, Poe recorded a total of 101 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks over the course of his career; his best statistical season came in 2010 during his sophomore year when he tallied 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. A dancing bear whose immense size and light, nimble feet are extremely hard to find, Dontari is a disruptive presence who offers more untapped potential than almost any other player in this year’s draft. Off the ball, he flashes extremely impressive quickness, agility, and acceleration for a player of his size. His ability to change directions on a dime is something that I don’t think I’ve ever seen from a 350 pound athlete. When he’s on, he shows the ability to fight through blocks before closing down the line and crashing into the running back to stop him in his traps; he’s also shown the balance, coordination, and range needed to chase backs down in the backfield. Poe is well-versed in the art of taking on and shedding double teams at the point of attack and owns the lower body strength that you look for in a fire hydrant on the interior of the defensive line. Dontari is a flexible player who has shown the ability to dip his hips, stay low, and fire through the middle of the double team to penetrate the line of scrimmage. With his flexibility, he is capable of playing with outstanding leverage to the point that he can’t be moved off the ball at times. While he doesn’t have a ton of experience working in a two-gap scheme, he projects very well in this role, and with proper coaching, he has what it takes to develop into one of the best in the league here. Poe’s strength (500 pound bench, 700 pound squat, 400 pound clean) is incredible, which was shown at the Combine where he posted the top performance of any player in attendance in the bench press when he threw up 44 reps of 225 pounds. Poe’s upper body strength allows for him to collapse the pocket with ease; he was frequently double teamed at Memphis, as he had little trouble fighting through a single block. When he doesn’t manage to fight his way into the backfield, Poe does a nice job of getting his hands up to obstruct passing lanes, having batted down two passes at the line this past season. For as much as there is to like about Dontari, there are just as many reasons to hesitate. He’s a very raw player whose technique is underdeveloped and will need plenty of patience as he transitions to the next level.
3. Michael Brockers – LSU – 6-5 – 322
A strong, powerful interior defensive lineman for LSU, Michael Brockers is an intriguing, high-upside underclassman with plenty of untapped potential as he heads to the NFL. A one-year starter with 14 career starts for the Tigers, Brockers produced 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles, and two sacks in his two years he played on LSU’s defense; his best statistical season came during his sophomore year when he was starting, as he tallied 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and his two sacks. Owning an elite combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the defensive tackle position, Michael owns very long arms (35 inches) with the mass, power, and athleticism needed to develop quickly at the next level. A raw prospect with immense upside, Michael presents intriguing versatility to in both the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses in the NFL, as he has experienced lining up as a one, two, and three-technique while playing at LSU. As a run defender, Brockers delivers a violent blow to the offensive lineman at the point of attack off the ball and has proven to be capable of penetrating the line of scrimmage by simply using his powerful upper body strength to push the blocker backwards into the backfield. With the length that he possesses, Michael has shown flashes of being able to extend out, control the blocker at the point of attack, before shucking him to the side to grab ahold of the running back as he’s entering the hole; however, he’s very inconsistent here and must develop better technique in the run game. He owns the lower body strength needed to be an effective anchor in the NFL, however he tends to let his pad level rise and get pushed backwards when he loses the leverage battle; the upside is there with his size and strength, but must develop better technique at the point of attack. Michael simply plays too wild at times with little awareness or discipline, which is something that must improve when he lands at the next level and begins to work with his position coach on understanding the game and further learning the nuances of the position. Brockers is a streaky player who doesn’t yet understand how to get small and rip through underneath to beat a double team; he can be neutralized when he gets two blocks on him. However, as you would expect from a young, talented player, he did get better as his sophomore season went on.
4. Devon Still – Penn State – 6-4 – 303
The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, Devon Still enters the NFL after having finally emerged during his senior season as one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the country for Penn State. A two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, Still produced 55 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in his standout season during his senior year; over the course of his career at Penn State, Still accumulated 113 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. Devon offers the leadership and intangibles that coaches and scouts look for in a player, having been a team captain at Penn State. Built well with tall height, a thick upper body, and the long arms (33 inches) that you look for, Devon has an ideal combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the position at the next level. An active defender in the run game who understands how to penetrate and create disruption, Still excels as a one-gap penetrator where he displays the type of quickness and explosion in short areas that I look for at the position. Because of this quickness off the ball, he’s proven to be very effective on slants and stunts on the defensive line. Inside, he has displayed enough of an ability to change directions quickly that he can effectively maneuver his way through small creases in the line. When given the chance to make the tackle, Still does a nice job of wrapping the ball carrier up and bringing him down with a thud. With a nice burst off the ball, Devon delivers a strong punch at the point of attack to the opposing offensive lineman. Owning the power and strength (26 reps on bench) to push his way into the backfield, Devon does a better job of getting up the field as a run defender than he does of taking on defenders and playing stout at the point of attack. He has a big frame to eat up space on the interior in the run game, however he’s inconsistent as an anchor. Devon’s pad level is inconsistent; there are plays when he will fire low off the ball and play with great leverage inside, however there are also times when his tall height will get the best of him and he will let his pads rise and give the offensive lineman a chance to drive him backwards. This is something that he must correct at the next level, otherwise he will be driven out of the play too frequently in the NFL. Still’s love for football and motor is also something that is inconsistent; he flashes the playmaking ability of a first round pick, however those come too inconsistently in my opinion.
5. Jerel Worthy – Michigan State – 6-2 – 308
Coming into the 2011 season, most scouts held a first round grade on Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy because of the talent, immense upside, and disruptive style of play that he brought to the table. One of the most talented defensive linemen in this year’s draft, Worthy is an extremely inconsistent player whose motor runs hot and cold, and simply plays when he wants to play. A three-year starter with 38 career starts for the Spartans, Jerel produced 107 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks throughout his career in East Lansing; the most productive season of his career came in 2010 during his sophomore year when he tallied 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks. Well-built with a very thick frame and great bulk for the position, Worthy has the long arms (33 inches) that you look for in addition to owning great natural strength. When his motor is running strong, Jerel can be as disruptive as any defensive tackle in the country, displaying good quickness off the ball with a violent punch at the point of attack. He has the strength and raw power to physically push the offensive lineman right off the ball and bullrush his way into the backfield. Worthy’s hand use is excellent, doing a great job of fighting off of blockers while displaying a pass rush repertoire that is far more advanced than you’d expect to see from an underclassman. He offers an impressive swim move to play over the top of smaller defensive linemen while also possessing a rip move needed to split the crease in the line and penetrate the line of scrimmage. After disengaging from the blocker, Jerel locates the ball quickly in the backfield and has proven to be a punishing tackler capable of crashing down on the ball carrier or quarterback and driving them into the ground. When he isn’t able to work his way into the backfield, Worthy does a nice job of getting his hands up to block passing lanes, having batted six passes down at the line of scrimmage in the past three years. In the run game, he does a great job even when still engaged with the offensive lineman to extend one arm out, grab ahold of the runner with his great strength, and drag the ball carrier to the ground before he can accelerate through the hole. Jerel’s short-area explosion is outstanding; he’s displayed the ability to cross the face of the offensive lineman and win the leverage battle at the line of scrimmage. Even when he doesn’t make the play, his disruption in the backfield often breaks up the offensive play and allows for one of his teammates to swarm to the ball. Jerel is one of the most frustrating players in the country to scout because of the way that he underachieved this season. He consistently takes plays off and his motor is either on or off; it’s as if he flips a switch when he wants to play, and that switch gets flipped too frequently. Worthy plays too wild without proper awareness and will not be one to ever chase down running backs on the perimeter. He understands leverage and how to play with proper positioning, however he does it too inconsistently and must improve on this in order to be a successful pro.
The Next 5
1. Brandon Thompson – Clemson – 6-2 – 311
2. Alameda Ta’amu – Washington – 6-2 – 348
3. Jared Crick – Nebraska – 6-4 – 279
4. Kendall Reyes – Connecticut – 6-4 – 299
5. Josh Chapman – Alabama – 6-1 – 316
Overrated: Poe. He hasn’t done enough consistently on the field. While he has all the tools, the effort and consistency is not there to warrant a Top 15 pick.
Underrated: Cox. He can play in any scheme and be successful. He has the complete package and should be a the top DT off the board, but won’t be.
Small School Sleeper: Akiem Hicks – Regina (Canada) – 6-4 – 318
Here are my Top 10 Defensive Ends:
1. Melvin Ingram – South Carolina – 6-1 – 276:
In 2011, Melvin Ingram emerged as one of the top playmakers in the SEC, if not the country, on the defensive side of the ball in his only season as a starting defensive end for the Gamecocks. As a senior, Ingram produced 48 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, two pass breakups, two interceptions, and three touchdowns (one rushing, two return); in a situational pass rusher role early in his career, Melvin concluded his four years at South Carolina having produced 109 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 21 sacks. One of the most intriguing athletes in this year’s draft who possesses excellent versatility at the next level, Ingram has experience playing both with his hand on the ground at end and tackle as well as standing up at linebacker, and projects well to both end and linebacker at the next level. A hybrid end who possesses a maxed out frame with great speed and agility for a 275+ pound defender, Melvin is a quick-twitch, attacking defender who South Carolina couldn’t keep off the field, moving him inside to tackle on third downs to maximize the number of pass rushers they had on the field. With an explosive burst off the ball, Ingram accelerates up the field, showing great instincts to find the open crease in the line and sneak inside it as he pursues the quarterback. Owning a polished pass rush repertoire, Melvin displays a great swim move to penetrate the line of scrimmage and also offers a very good spin move to create separation from the offensive lineman and turn away from the line to meet a ball carrier on the perimeter. He doesn’t offer the speed to consistently pressure the edge against the tackle, however his great hand use and his explosive, quick-twitch ability to make sideline-to-sideline plays is where he is going to bring great value. Ingram is a high-motor player with great range who closes on the ball quickly in the run game. He displays an instinctive ability to peek into the backfield and diagnose the play, locating the ball quickly before redirecting his angle to runner. Although he may have some trouble consistently setting the edge against bigger, stronger offensive linemen at the next level, he does a very good job of closing down the line the meet the ball carrier as he’s entering the hole and has shown enough of an ability to stack and shed with his leverage and flexibility that shows the type of upside that he can bring here. In addition, Ingram is a high-motor defender who pursues the ball very well and has shown on numerous occasions the ability chase down the ball carrier in the open field. While not a punishing tackler, he’s capable of providing a pop on contact with a strong upper body to consistently bring the runner down. Although he doesn’t have a ton of experience dropping back into coverage because of how well he rushes the passer, Melvin has displayed the fluid athleticism needed to gain depth in his drops and keep his head on swivel.
2. Quinton Coples – North Carolina – 6-5 – 281:
Among the most talented players in the 2012 NFL Draft, Quinton Coples is a player whose on-field production has yet to meet the immense upside and potential that he brings to the next level. A two-year starter for North Carolina, Coples finished his career at Chapel Hill having produced 144 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, and 24 sacks; his most productive season came as a junior in 2010 when he tallied 59 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. A player who has all the potential in the world but has yet to puteverything together, Coples owns an elite combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the position. At times flashing the ability to dominate competition, Quinton is a versatile player who started at both tackle (junior year) and end (senior year) during his career
with the Tar Heels. When on his game, Coples displays impressive strength off the ball to stack and shed the opposing offensive lineman, penetrate the line of scrimmage, and make the play in the backfield. He does a good job of using his long arms (33 inches) to extend out and create separation or to swim/rip through the line to gain penetration. Coples has impressive flexibility for a player of
his size, displaying a unique ability to bend and redirect both as a pass rusher as well as in pursuit in the run game. An explosive player with the type of acceleration off the ball that is hard to find, Quinton flashed a unique burst for a player of his size during his junior year, however that explosion was hard to find during his senior season in 2011. As a pass rusher, Coples has the raw blend of
size and strength to bullrush his way into the backfield, often providing pressure by just being a disruptive force on the line. While his pass rush repertoire will need further development to continue to improve, he’s shown enough hand use at the point of attack to see that there is something to work with there. Although he’s not going to consistently pressure the tackle to the edge as a rusher, his
ability to work up the field before cutting inside with his outstanding athleticism is rare. In addition, his ability to slant down, shooting through the gap is very good, showing the type of raw power to push his way into the backfield that you can’t always find at the end position. When he doesn’t manage to get to the quarterback, Coples does a fine job of getting his hands up to block passing lanes, having batted down four passes at the line of scrimmage the last two years. In defending the run, he’s displayed the ability to set the edge outside at end before stacking and shedding to make a play on the ball carrier. Both in defending the run as well as rushing the passer, he does a good job of using his long arms to extend outside of his frame, grab a hold of the ball carrier or quarterback, and drag them down to the ground. With how powerful he is, he’s showing a rare ability to make a tackle with one arm grabbing a hold of the runner or quarterback while still being blocked by the offensive lineman. As a run defender inside, he’s more than capable of taking on a double team and ripping through them with his strength; he won’t be a prototypical anchor inside, but rather has the short area quickness, which is hard to find in a player as big as he is, to get underneath the offensive lineman and make plays inside. There are questions about Coples effort during the course of the game during which he disappears.
3. Courtney Upshaw – Alabama – 6-1 – 273:
One of the top pass rushing prospects in this year’s draft who offers excellent versatility at the next level, Courtney Upshaw leaves Alabama after having been one of the most valuable players on the top-ranked Crimson Tide defense in 2011. A two-year starter for the Tide, Upshaw finished his career in Tuscaloosa having produced 141 tackles, 36.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, four pass breakups, and one interception; his best statistical season came his senior year in 2011 when he tallied 52 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and his lone interception. Lining up in Alabama’s “Jack” linebacker position, Courtney is experienced lining up both with his hand on the ground at end in a four-man front as well as playing outside linebacker in the Tide’s 3- 4 defense; he projects well to either position at the next level. An intimidating defender who plays with the type of tenacious and fiery attitude that I love to see out of a pass rushing prospect, Courtney is a relentless player who offers a non-stop motor; his persistence and motor as a pass rusher are what makes him such a good player. As a pass rusher, he offers the acceleration and speed off the ball needed to beat the tackle to the edge as well as the flexibility and fluid athleticism needed to redirect quickly in the open field. Although he doesn’t possess an elite burst or explosive get off that you see with some other top pass rushers, Upshaw’s ability to line up anywhere in the box and create pressure is what makes him so valuable. He’s displayed a unique ability to consistently beat the tackle to the edge before dipping his hips and lowering his shoulder to get underneath the tackle and turn the corner in pursuit of the quarterback. He also owns very good vision, quickly finding an open crease in the offensive line and accelerating through it with the agility to elude blockers as he chases down the quarterback. Although this is nitpicking, I’d like to see Courtney continue to develop his swim and rip moves in his pass rush repertoire, as this will allow for him to continue to improve as a pass rusher in the NFL. He’s got a great start, owning polished hand use with a very good swim move, however he has great potential here and still has room to improve. An instinctive defender who reads and reacts very well to what he sees in front of him, Courtney locates the ball very quickly outside, showing a great ability to close down the line to meet the running back as he’s entering the hole. He plays with great leverage out on the edge in the run game, displaying a consistent ability to give the offensive lineman a violent punch at the point of attacking before setting the edge against the offensive tackle. Upshaw cleanly disengages with great hand use, and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to sink his hips and get around the blocker to meet the running back in the backfield. The fact that one out of every four tackles he made was behind the line of scrimmage shows the type of impact he makes in defending the run. Despite being smaller than any offensive lineman he goes up against, Courtney shows the type of leverage and flexible ability to bend underneath the offensive lineman with an arched back to consistently win the leverage battle at the point of attack. Terrific in pursuit with sideline-to sideline range, Courtney plays downhill and has repeatedly shown the ability to chase down ball carriers from behind. Despite weighing over 270 pounds, he offers outstanding speed and closing speed for a player of his size.
4. Nick Perry – USC – 6-2 – 271:
A talented former top recruit with great physical tools and athleticism, Nick Perry is a player who put everything together in 2011 to have a fine junior season before opting to make the jump to the NFL. A two-year starter for the Trojans, Perry produced 103 tackles, 29.5 tackles for loss, and 21.5 sacks over the course of his career; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he made 54 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. A natural pass rusher with a true understanding of what it takes to get to the quarterback, Nick owns the combination of size, strength (35 reps on bench), and athleticism needed to start at the next level. Perry comes off the ball with more build-up speed than explosion, however he shows the ability to get up the field before bending down, dipping his shoulder, and beating the tackle to the outside. He’s shown that he can consistently pressure the edge, if not run the arc as a pass rusher, as he owns good range outside to cover ground quickly. Although he’s not a quick-twitch defender, he displays nice quickness and lateral agility to side-step the tackle and beat him to the outside, and shows the balance and coordination needed to change directions quickly in the open field. Nick shows enough of a pass rush repertoire to suggest that he is still developing here; he shows good hand use in being able to bat the offensive lineman’s hands down before attempting to rip through the line. He’ll need to continue to refine and work on his swim and rip moves, however he’s got a fine start here. A high motor player who offers great effort on every play, Perry does a great job of chasing the quarterback down once he’s penetrated the line of scrimmage and shows a nice burst to close in short areas. When in position to make the sack, he also does a great job of striking not only the quarterback, but also aiming to jar the ball loose, having forced five fumbles in the past two years. As a pass rusher, he plays with good leverage at the point of attack, displaying the type of flexibility needed to play underneath the opposing blocker. Nick does a very good job of getting his long arms (33 inches) up to obstruct passing lanes when he can’t get to the quarterback, having batted down six passes in the last two seasons. As a run defender, Nick shows the ability to extend out and set the edge, understanding how to play with proper leverage, however he’s still too inconsistent here and will need to develop better strength in his lower body in order to become more effective. He does a much better job of simply shedding the block off the snap and closing down the line quickly to tackle the running back as he’s entering the hole. If Perry changes positions to outside linebacker, he will have to learn to play in space better, where he looks lost most of the times.
5. Whitney Mercilus – Illinois – 6-3 – 261:
One of the surprises of the 2011 season, Whitney Mercilus emerged out of nowhere as a junior in his first season as a starter to lead the country in sacks with 16 and win the Ted Hendricks Award as the best defensive end in the country. In his lone year as a starter, Mercilus produced 57 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, and also broke the Big Ten conference record for most fumbles forced in a season with nine; he finished his career at Illinois having produced 81 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, and two fumbles forced. Owning an ideal frame for the defensive end position, Whitney offers the athleticism and long arms (33 inches) that you look for. A high-motor pass rusher for the Illini, Mercilus racked up much of his production on second-and-third effort plays in which he pursued the quarterback and finally wrapped him up after closing on him. He does a great job of working through traffic and takes advantage of any open creases in the line and accelerates through it with ease. In addition, when closing in on the quarterback, Mercilus’ innate ability to target the quarterback’s arm to strip the ball away is very hard to find. While not an explosive presence up front , Whitney works up the field with his speed while showing enough flexibility to dip his hips, lower his shoulder and get underneath the offensive tackle to run the arc; he’s shown the ability to bend, however I wouldn’t call him a fluid or flexible athlete. Mercilus owns very quick feet with the agility, speed, and closing burst needed to swarm to the ball whenever he penetrates the line of scrimmage. He’s also a versatile presence up front with experience rushing the passer at both end and tackle, and should be able to translate that versatility to the next level. Whitney does not offer the polished hand use needed to be an effective pass rusher right away at the next level. He lacks the swim and rip moves that you look for, which will result in him getting up the field and staying blocked until either the quarterback runs to him or the play ends. He’s still a very green player who will need to continue to learn the nuances of the position and develop his instincts and awareness, as he doesn’t show the awareness that you look for and must develop a better anticipation of the snap count. Whitney simply seemed to be making plays off of his athleticism in college, not because he’s polished prospect, which certainly won’t fly at the next level. When he doesn’t manage to get to the quarterback, he does a nice job of getting his long arms in the air to attempt to block passing lanes, having batted two passes down in the past two seasons. Mercilus needs to play more disciplined when defending the run, as he doesn’t do a good enough job yet of setting the edge up front yet. Although he owns the long arms and upper body strength (27 reps on bench) needed to be effective here, he also needs to develop better lower body strength in order to anchor at the point of attack, set the edge, and not get flushed down-field away from the hole.
The Next 5
1. Vinny Curry – Marshall – 6-3 – 266
2. Cam Johnson – Virginia – 6-3 – 267
3. Shea McClellin – Boise State – 6-3 – 248
4. Chandler Jones – Syracuse – 6-5 – 266
5. Malik Jackson – Tennessee – 6-5 – 284
Overrated: While his pass rush skills are near the top of this class, Nick Perry, IF moved to a 3/4 linebacker will struggle early on. He is “lost in space” and there are some questioning his every down effort and if he is a one year wonder.
Underrated: Cam Johnson played in a 3/4 and 4/3 scheme while at UVA and has the skill set to be a much better pro player then college player. He is the complete package, but lacks elite speed otherwise you;re looking at a sure-fire 1st round pick.
Small School Sleeper: James Brooks – North Alabama – 6-5 – 272
Here are my Top 10 Defensive Tackles:
1. Fletcher Cox – Mississippi State – 6-4 – 298
An intriguing defensive tackle prospect who offers outstanding versatility thanks to his rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism, Fletcher Cox is one of the most high-upside prospects in this year’s draft. A two-year starter at Mississippi State, Cox produced 107 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks throughout his career; his best statistical season came in 2011 during his junior year when he tallied 49 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Fletcher owns elite measurables for a defensive lineman, as he offers the height, length (34 inch arms), raw athleticism (4.79 40), and strength (30 reps on bench) needed to develop very quickly at the next level. He’s one of the most versatile defensive linemen in this year’s draft, as he has experience playing nearly
every position on the defensive line and projects favorably to both the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses at the next level. An elite athlete with very quick, nimble feet for the position, Fletcher is a disruptive presence on the defensive line who excels as a one-gap penetrator. Cox gets up the field extremely quickly and often played in the backfield during his junior year in 2011. In the run game, he plays with good leverage for such a tall defensive lineman, as he owns the flexibility and fluidity needed to bend and sink his hips to be the lowest man at the point of attack. This leverage allows for him to attack the offensive line, diagnose the play, disengage, and then pursue to make the tackle. Once Fletcher penetrates the line, he does a good job of keeping his head on a swivel and locating the ball before
redirecting with his flexibility to make the play. With his upper body strength and big frame, he’s shown a consistent ability to swarm to the ball carrier before wrapping him up with his long arms. Cox is not one that was asked to consistently anchor and hold his ground at the point of attack in the run game, however I have no doubt that this is something that he’d be capable of doing if asked to
do so, however he would need to develop better strength in his core and in his lower body in order to develop here; he will have trouble early on against double teams and needs to develop more sand in his pants in order to be able to take on two blockers and not
get washed out of the play at the next level. Although he will need to work on developing a more consistent get-off, he shows the acceleration off the ball that you look for. In addition, he’s improved throughout his career with his ability to read plays in the backfield, and as he continues to gain experience, he should improve here. With the way that he is a disruptive player, Fletcher may
not always make the play, but he wreaks enough havoc inside that he gives someone else on the defense the opportunity to bring down the quarterback or ball carrier. Cox plays with the type of motor that you look for, along with owning the range and lateral agility needed to play sideline-to-sideline in pursuit in the run game. As a pass rusher, Fletcher will need further improvement with his hand use; he shows some promise with his pass rush repertoire, however I’d like to see him continue to develop his swim and rip moves at the next level. He has proven to be effective when attempting to bull rush his way into the backfield, as he owns the strength and flexibility needed to play underneath the opposing offensive lineman before walking him into the backfield while collapsing the pocket. In addition, he’s also shown flashes of owning an impressive spin move for a player of his size.
2. Dontari Poe – Memphis – 6-3 – 346
One of the most physically impressive players in this year’s draft, Dontari Poe offers teams a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the defensive tackle position. A 2.5-year starter with 30 career starts at Memphis, Poe recorded a total of 101 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks over the course of his career; his best statistical season came in 2010 during his sophomore year when he tallied 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. A dancing bear whose immense size and light, nimble feet are extremely hard to find, Dontari is a disruptive presence who offers more untapped potential than almost any other player in this year’s draft. Off the ball, he flashes extremely impressive quickness, agility, and acceleration for a player of his size. His ability to change directions on a dime is something that I don’t think I’ve ever seen from a 350 pound athlete. When he’s on, he shows the ability to fight through blocks before closing down the line and crashing into the running back to stop him in his traps; he’s also shown the balance, coordination, and range needed to chase backs down in the backfield. Poe is well-versed in the art of taking on and shedding double teams at the point of attack and owns the lower body strength that you look for in a fire hydrant on the interior of the defensive line. Dontari is a flexible player who has shown the ability to dip his hips, stay low, and fire through the middle of the double team to penetrate the line of scrimmage. With his flexibility, he is capable of playing with outstanding leverage to the point that he can’t be moved off the ball at times. While he doesn’t have a ton of experience working in a two-gap scheme, he projects very well in this role, and with proper coaching, he has what it takes to develop into one of the best in the league here. Poe’s strength (500 pound bench, 700 pound squat, 400 pound clean) is incredible, which was shown at the Combine where he posted the top performance of any player in attendance in the bench press when he threw up 44 reps of 225 pounds. Poe’s upper body strength allows for him to collapse the pocket with ease; he was frequently double teamed at Memphis, as he had little trouble fighting through a single block. When he doesn’t manage to fight his way into the backfield, Poe does a nice job of getting his hands up to obstruct passing lanes, having batted down two passes at the line this past season. For as much as there is to like about Dontari, there are just as many reasons to hesitate. He’s a very raw player whose technique is underdeveloped and will need plenty of patience as he transitions to the next level.
3. Michael Brockers – LSU – 6-5 – 322
A strong, powerful interior defensive lineman for LSU, Michael Brockers is an intriguing, high-upside underclassman with plenty of untapped potential as he heads to the NFL. A one-year starter with 14 career starts for the Tigers, Brockers produced 72 tackles, 10.5 tackles, and two sacks in his two years he played on LSU’s defense; his best statistical season came during his sophomore year when he was starting, as he tallied 47 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and his two sacks. Owning an elite combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the defensive tackle position, Michael owns very long arms (35 inches) with the mass, power, and athleticism needed to develop quickly at the next level. A raw prospect with immense upside, Michael presents intriguing versatility to in both the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses in the NFL, as he has experienced lining up as a one, two, and three-technique while playing at LSU. As a run defender, Brockers delivers a violent blow to the offensive lineman at the point of attack off the ball and has proven to be capable of penetrating the line of scrimmage by simply using his powerful upper body strength to push the blocker backwards into the backfield. With the length that he possesses, Michael has shown flashes of being able to extend out, control the blocker at the point of attack, before shucking him to the side to grab ahold of the running back as he’s entering the hole; however, he’s very inconsistent here and must develop better technique in the run game. He owns the lower body strength needed to be an effective anchor in the NFL, however he tends to let his pad level rise and get pushed backwards when he loses the leverage battle; the upside is there with his size and strength, but must develop better technique at the point of attack. Michael simply plays too wild at times with little awareness or discipline, which is something that must improve when he lands at the next level and begins to work with his position coach on understanding the game and further learning the nuances of the position. Brockers is a streaky player who doesn’t yet understand how to get small and rip through underneath to beat a double team; he can be neutralized when he gets two blocks on him. However, as you would expect from a young, talented player, he did get better as his sophomore season went on.
4. Devon Still – Penn State – 6-4 – 303
The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, Devon Still enters the NFL after having finally emerged during his senior season as one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the country for Penn State. A two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, Still produced 55 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in his standout season during his senior year; over the course of his career at Penn State, Still accumulated 113 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. Devon offers the leadership and intangibles that coaches and scouts look for in a player, having been a team captain at Penn State. Built well with tall height, a thick upper body, and the long arms (33 inches) that you look for, Devon has an ideal combination of size, strength, and athleticism for the position at the next level. An active defender in the run game who understands how to penetrate and create disruption, Still excels as a one-gap penetrator where he displays the type of quickness and explosion in short areas that I look for at the position. Because of this quickness off the ball, he’s proven to be very effective on slants and stunts on the defensive line. Inside, he has displayed enough of an ability to change directions quickly that he can effectively maneuver his way through small creases in the line. When given the chance to make the tackle, Still does a nice job of wrapping the ball carrier up and bringing him down with a thud. With a nice burst off the ball, Devon delivers a strong punch at the point of attack to the opposing offensive lineman. Owning the power and strength (26 reps on bench) to push his way into the backfield, Devon does a better job of getting up the field as a run defender than he does of taking on defenders and playing stout at the point of attack. He has a big frame to eat up space on the interior in the run game, however he’s inconsistent as an anchor. Devon’s pad level is inconsistent; there are plays when he will fire low off the ball and play with great leverage inside, however there are also times when his tall height will get the best of him and he will let his pads rise and give the offensive lineman a chance to drive him backwards. This is something that he must correct at the next level, otherwise he will be driven out of the play too frequently in the NFL. Still’s love for football and motor is also something that is inconsistent; he flashes the playmaking ability of a first round pick, however those come too inconsistently in my opinion.
5. Jerel Worthy – Michigan State – 6-2 – 308
Coming into the 2011 season, most scouts held a first round grade on Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy because of the talent, immense upside, and disruptive style of play that he brought to the table. One of the most talented defensive linemen in this year’s draft, Worthy is an extremely inconsistent player whose motor runs hot and cold, and simply plays when he wants to play. A three-year starter with 38 career starts for the Spartans, Jerel produced 107 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks throughout his career in East Lansing; the most productive season of his career came in 2010 during his sophomore year when he tallied 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks. Well-built with a very thick frame and great bulk for the position, Worthy has the long arms (33 inches) that you look for in addition to owning great natural strength. When his motor is running strong, Jerel can be as disruptive as any defensive tackle in the country, displaying good quickness off the ball with a violent punch at the point of attack. He has the strength and raw power to physically push the offensive lineman right off the ball and bullrush his way into the backfield. Worthy’s hand use is excellent, doing a great job of fighting off of blockers while displaying a pass rush repertoire that is far more advanced than you’d expect to see from an underclassman. He offers an impressive swim move to play over the top of smaller defensive linemen while also possessing a rip move needed to split the crease in the line and penetrate the line of scrimmage. After disengaging from the blocker, Jerel locates the ball quickly in the backfield and has proven to be a punishing tackler capable of crashing down on the ball carrier or quarterback and driving them into the ground. When he isn’t able to work his way into the backfield, Worthy does a nice job of getting his hands up to block passing lanes, having batted six passes down at the line of scrimmage in the past three years. In the run game, he does a great job even when still engaged with the offensive lineman to extend one arm out, grab ahold of the runner with his great strength, and drag the ball carrier to the ground before he can accelerate through the hole. Jerel’s short-area explosion is outstanding; he’s displayed the ability to cross the face of the offensive lineman and win the leverage battle at the line of scrimmage. Even when he doesn’t make the play, his disruption in the backfield often breaks up the offensive play and allows for one of his teammates to swarm to the ball. Jerel is one of the most frustrating players in the country to scout because of the way that he underachieved this season. He consistently takes plays off and his motor is either on or off; it’s as if he flips a switch when he wants to play, and that switch gets flipped too frequently. Worthy plays too wild without proper awareness and will not be one to ever chase down running backs on the perimeter. He understands leverage and how to play with proper positioning, however he does it too inconsistently and must improve on this in order to be a successful pro.
The Next 5
1. Brandon Thompson – Clemson – 6-2 – 311
2. Alameda Ta’amu – Washington – 6-2 – 348
3. Jared Crick – Nebraska – 6-4 – 279
4. Kendall Reyes – Connecticut – 6-4 – 299
5. Josh Chapman – Alabama – 6-1 – 316
Overrated: Poe. He hasn’t done enough consistently on the field. While he has all the tools, the effort and consistency is not there to warrant a Top 15 pick.
Underrated: Cox. He can play in any scheme and be successful. He has the complete package and should be a the top DT off the board, but won’t be.
Small School Sleeper: Akiem Hicks – Regina (Canada) – 6-4 – 318
