#206 - 6th Round - Detroit through New England, Jonathan Goddard, DE, MARSHALL

[Hostile]

Lions select...Jonathan Goddard
DE | (6'0", 238, 4.68) | MARSHALL

[Juke99]

Strengths: Shows an explosive first step, does an adequate job of anticipating the snap count and has shown the ability to disrupt running plays in the backfield. Takes good angles to the ball, plays with a non-stop motor and makes plays in pursuit. Possesses adequate instincts, productive at the college level and always seems to be around the ball at the end of the play. Has good athletic ability and is capable of making plays in space. As a pass rusher, shows good initial quickness and can shoot the inside gap. Possesses adequate speed and flashes the ability to run around offensive tackles. Delivers a violent punch at times and has the upper body strength to develop some quality power rush moves. Showed considerable progress during senior season and should only continue to get better with added experience.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal lower body strength and doesn't have great bulk so should move to outside linebacker at the next level. Will get engulfed too easily by bigger OT's in the NFL. Has very little experience dropping into coverage, doesn't have great range and is a developmental prospect that may never be an every-down player. Isn't very tall and won't tip many passes at the line of scrimmage.

Overall: Goddard red-shirted in 2000 and he appeared in 11 games as a reserve defensive tackle in 2001. He moved to defensive end in 2002 and started 12 games that year. He remained a fulltime starter at DE throughout his final two collegiate seasons, starting 12 games in each of the 2003 and 2004 seasons. As a senior in 2004, Goddard finished with 82 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 16 sacks, three fumbles recovered, five forced fumbles and one INT. Goddard was an extremely durable and productive player at the mid-major level with 36 consecutive starts to finish his career. His glaring lack of size and his lack of experience dropping into coverage are substantial concerns. However, Goddard is coming off an outstanding senior season (led the nation with 16 sacks) and he seems to have a knack for making plays in the backfield. He should develop into a quality special teams' contributor in the NFL and he has potential as a situational pass rusher, as well. After running in the 4.6's and putting up 27 reps of the standard 225-pound bench press at the combine, Goddard's draft stock is on the rise. In our opinion, Goddard is worth taking a chance on early in the second day.

* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.