2011 NFL Draft: Edge Defender
Just like the draft as a whole, this position especially is racked with questionable players. How’s Bower’s health? Robert Quinn hasn’t played in 2 years, has he progressed? Does Ryan Kerrigan have enough explosion for the NFL? The fact of the matter is, this is one of the most talented groups I’ve ever seen, probably second to 2006. Some of these guys will stand up in a 3-4, but some are meant to play with their hand in the ground.
1.) Da’Quan Bowers—Clemson—6’3”-280—Top 20—97—Exceptional run defender, exceptional. Keeps blockers from advancing to the next level and influences running backs. Very stout, we don’t see 280 pound DE’s with this athleticism very often (not since Mario Williams). Gets moved around to every position on the DL, speaks to strength and adaptability. He was dominant this year, literally dominant. He only really produced this past year but he didn’t come outta no where, he was the #1 player outta high school 3 years ago. I love this guy. True 4-3 end, gotta play with his hand in the ground. Needs more pass moves, but he’s a full grown man ready to get on the field right meow. (He’s not as long as you’d like to see). Injury concerns could push him down draft boards.
2.) Von Miller—Texas A&M—6’3”-246—Top 5—97—Unbelievable explosion. Guy has quickness off the ball like you dream of. Watching the tape he reminds me a lot of Dwight Freeney. They get off the ball the same way. Also in the same way they often get so deep in the backfield they take themselves out of the play. Dip and rip guy, but without the rip usually, just speed and balance to run by the OT. Unfortunately that’s his only pass rush technique which is very different from Dwight Freeney. The best part of his game is getting behind the tackle with a speed rush and forcing the quarterback to step up in the pocket. His size scares me (short arms too). He definitely gets pushed around in the run game. Tries to avoid blocks rather than take them on and shed which he can’t do. I think he’s more of a sub-package player cuz he will get exposed in run defense. But he will *definitely* be an asset in the pass rush. He seems to only make plays when he goes untouched, he has the athleticism to make that happen a lot, but you gotta wonder if he can make that happen enough at the NFL level.
3.) Robert Quinn—UNC—6’4”-265—Top 10—96--Suspended for this past year for some agent bs. Had brain tumor in high school so some teams may shy away. Inconsistent burst (probably because the scheme is run defense first), sometimes flashing elite pass rush potential. Always relentless except when facing Costanzo, concerning. Seems to use his hands well to deflect punches. Consistently disruptive. I want to love him because of his measurables (4.6 40) but I don’t. The trouble is he’s only 19 in his film, projecting that to being 22 next season is just that, a projection. Can get pushed around a bit in run defense, but is still a pretty solid run defender. If Jason Pierre-Paul went at 16 last year this guy should definitely be a top 15 pick.
4.) Ryan Kerrigan—Purdue—6’4”-273—Mid 1st—94—Consumate pass rusher. Just one of those guys who gets it done. He’s not real quick, he appears to be real strong, but it’s like he just wants it more than everyone else. Good technique, like his hands, love his rip, love his awareness on the field. Most polished pass rusher in this draft. RELENTLESS. Love how he plays. Only really see him with his hand in the ground, but his pass rush presence makes him worth a first rounder even if he’s not a true 3 down player. Really really like him.
5.) Aldon Smith—Missouri—6’4”-263—10-20—93—Tough guy to read. Long kid. 35 and half inch arms, cant like the 20 reps though. He looks good as a 4-3 DE. The type of body frame and athleticism you think about standing up for a 3-4, but this guy can pack on 15-20 bills and play with his hand in the ground. Good athleticism, 4.78 is good for a DE, not great for an LB. Real good hands, does MMA training. Gets to the QB, not elite pass rusher, but has good enough pass rushing skills to see it translate to the pro-level. It’s possible he works out as a backer 2-3 years down the road, but he will be a sub package pass rusher as a rookie, and starting DE after his first year in a 4-3 scheme.
6.) Adrian Clayborn—Iowa—6’3”—281—Mid to late 1st—93—Lotta talk about his shoulder problem, but that’s prob not an issue. Gotta love his 1.6 on the 10 yard dash. He doesn’t jump out as real strong or real quick, but he uses his hands very well and is always always around the ball. Great junior year, dropped off senior year prob due to increased attention but is simply a football player and belongs in round one. He’s the example as to how deep this d-end class is. Started his final 30 games. 2 time all big 10. Team captain. One of the safest DE choices in the draft.
7.) Justin Houston—Georgia—6’3”-270—2nd—91—Limited available film, but definitely a disruptive speed rusher. I think he might creep into the back end of round 1 and I think that’s just about where his talent should have him go. Stood up a little bit this past year, but even as a 3-4 OLB he’s gonna be rushing the passer more often than not. I don’t see him working as a 4-3 DE for some reason, but I can envision him with his 30 reps, 34 1/2” arms and 36” vert making a good 3-4 backer. Oh and sub 4.6 40.
8.) Brooks Reed—Arizona—6’3”-263—2nd—89—Definitely has some burst. It looks like he takes a lot of false steps, so that burst could turn into explosion if he eliminates them. He’s gonna have to stand up in a 3-4 cuz he won’t cut it as a 4-3 DE. Would like to see him get stronger and add a good bull rush. Has an ok swim move. I see good real value in the 2nd. More of a project than a finished product, but a good athlete with potential to get to the QB. Ppl say he could be the Clay Matthews of this draft, that’s aggressive, but I love his burst and closing speed, with a real good bull rush he could be a dynamic pass rusher.
9.) Allen Bailey—Miami—6’3”-285—Day 2—82—Ton of hype about him coming into 2010, but didn’t really produce on the field, plus I hated what I saw outta him at the senior bowl practices. Physically looks great, 36” vert with a 4.77 is nice. Plays with a great motor. Possesses ideal size for a strong side 4-3 DE. Some ppl talk about moving him to DT but that’s retarded. On film he’s a 2nd round prospect. I think he should go in the 60’s right around where Carlos Dunlap went last year cuz they both had the physical tools but only showed flashes in college.
10.) Jabaal Sheard—Pitt—6’3”-264—2nd—82—Mike Reiss really wants this dude for the pats. Gotta like the stature to go along with the 4.69, but only has an average speed rush. Good bull rush though. Is pretty stiff so its gonna be a tough projection to 3-4 backer, and might not be able to play as a weakside 4-3 DE, that’s why I think he’s a risky selection. I’d like to see better pursuit. Has a bunch of counter moves which is good, just wish he had a real good speed rush to counter off of. Was certainly productive and feared in college, but I think he’s a little over hyped.
11.) Greg Romeus—Pitt—6’5”-264—3rd to 4th—81—Big east co-defensive player of the year in 2009. 35” arms. Only played 2 games in 2010 cuz of injuries which will concern teams enough to maybe even put him in the 3rd day. Without the injuries the guy is a 1st round talent. I think the pats should snatch him up with the Randy Moss pick in the 3rd. He looks thickly built even with his lanky frame. Plays the run pretty well, but he’s gonna earn his money getting to the qb. I think he’s a risky pick because of the injuries and if someone projects him to stand up, but if he lives up to his talent you could see him in Hawaii a few times.
12.) Sam Acho—Texas—6’2”-262—Day 2—70—Rave about his character and performance in the classroom but when it comes down to it he don’t do anything special on the field. You like the 4.68 and 33” vert but you don’t see speed on the film. Im not really sure what position he would fit in. I don’t see why he’d come off the board before day 3.