Can Texas' Alex Okafor play OLB??

[kirkjrk]

They have Okafor listed as a DE at 265 LBs., is it possible he could play OLB? I guess he is what they call a hybrid--can play either position. That would be very valuable to a team to have a player with his skills that could play either or. Like a Olineman with C/G abilities. Do you think he can do both?

[bark]

he helped himself tonight...4.5 sacks

[TheCoolFan]

I was really surprised the NFL scouts were so low on him. A lot will depend on how he works out at the combine. I've been impressed with him all season though and thought he was better than Jeffcoat when both played.

I'd take him in the 2nd round if he has decent to great workout numbers. Texas has had a lot of misses in the draft on offense but their DLine history is pretty good - Sam Acho, Orakpo, Robison, Melton, etc. all the way back to Casey Hampton

[tm1119]

I'd say yes. Impressive 1st step and he's very strong for the position. I don't see him as a dominant 15+ sack kind of guy, but I think he can play the run very well and still manage 8-10 sacks. I can't say that I can comment on his ability to cover or play in space though. Not sure I've seen him do either.

[patrickstillhere]

He can, but there are better player on the board.
If we drafted an OLB, I would take Montgomery.

[Macnalty]

He can, but there are better player on the board.
If we drafted an OLB, I would take Montgomery.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/dallascowboys.php?t=250079

Sam has the made the list of too good to work out all the time at LSU. My take after watching OKafor last night, where was that burst and strength earlier this year? Watch the OU game and you will think about him differently. My advice is pump the brakes and why is he not consistent.

[Biggems]

I believe Okafor can play OLB in the 3-4. IMO, I feel he is better fit as a DE in the 4-3. I have watched him for 4 years at Texas and he has been one of my favorites during that span. He will be a very good, if not great player in the NFL. He is strong, physical, and has a great first step. He plays to the whistle. He is an intelligent player and a leader.

All that being said, his skillset, his positives, and his negatives lead me to believe that he has more upside as a pass rushing DE than a pass rushing OLB.

I just hope he doesnt end up as a giant.

[Hoofbite]

I don't know why bowl week games help players out so much.

Don't get me wrong, he closed that game out strong and had some good numbers.

But you aren't going to get a month to rest up in the NFL.

[ABQcowboyJR]

I was really surprised the NFL scouts were so low on him. A lot will depend on how he works out at the combine. I've been impressed with him all season though and thought he was better than Jeffcoat when both played.

I'd take him in the 2nd round if he has decent to great workout numbers. Texas has ha
d a lot of misses in the draft on offense but their DLine history is pretty good - Sam Acho, Orakpo, Robison, Melton, etc. all the way back to Casey Hampton

I agree that okafer has been better than jeffcoat this season. I don't really agree that texas hasn't put good offensive players in the nfl though.

He can play solb in 34 imo. Has good pass rush, strong at the point of attack, good pursuit. I wouldnt be upset if we took him in the second or third.

[jterrell]

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/dallascowboys.php?t=250079

Sam has the made the list of too good to work out all the time at LSU. My take after watching OKafor last night, where was that burst and strength earlier this year? Watch the OU game and you will think about him differently. My advice is pump the brakes and why is he not consistent.

Against OU he was playing a future NFL OT. Against Oregon St he was not.

There is inconsistent then there is just differences in opponent.

For instance, Ware wasn't inconsistent this year, he was injured and playing poorly.

[jterrell]

I agree that okafer has been better than jeffcoat this season. I don't really agree that texas hasn't put good offensive players in the nfl though.

He can play solb in 34 imo. Has good pass rush, strong at the point of attack, good pursuit. I wouldnt be upset if we took him in the second or third.

UT has struggled mightily in identifying the proper offensive players in the recruiting process for half a decade. Harbaugh wanted both Luck and RG3 out of the same HS class. But RG3 committed to Houston then signed with Baylor late.

UT could have had him for sure, then could have had Manziel as well. Lots of misses by the UT recruiting dept. Which is why they are struggling to be elite.

The UT WRs are generally 5 star guys that just can't play.

[ABQcowboyJR]

UT has struggled mightily in identifying the proper offensive players in the recruiting process for half a decade. Harbaugh wanted both Luck and RG3 out of the same HS class. But RG3 committed to Houston then signed with Baylor late.

UT could have had him for sure, then could have had Manziel as well. Lots of misses by the UT recruiting dept. Which is why they are struggling to be elite.

The UT WRs are generally 5 star guys that just can't play.

I agree with you, but to say they don't produce any is just not true. Shipley was playing well before he got hurt. Jamaal Charles is a stud....

[wick]

Okafor is very similar to Greg Ellis. I think he'll be a solid eight-sack guy, but I don't see him having the ability to play in space. He was a defensive tackle as a sophomore.