Which Pass Rusher Has The Chance To Be Elite?

[NeonDeion21]

We have all discussed who we like better between Courtney Upshaw, Quinton Coples, and Melvin Ingram. But guys such as Mercilus and Perry have caught my eye.

My question is, what player has the most upside to develop into a top pass rusher? I think as of now I would go with Whitney Mercilus. Your thoughts?

[tm1119]

For OLB's... Melvin Ingram, Nick Perry, Bruce Irvin. In that order.

Ingram is a versatile big athlete that can be used to get after the QB all over the field. His combo of size with a quick 1st step is pretty rare. Fairly polished already and could contribute right away. He could stand to lose 5-10 lbs if drafted by a 3-4 team though to help his agility and quickness.

Perry is a pure athlete with a great 1st step and shows good agility to get around the tackle. Still young and a bit raw, would have to learn how to rush the passer other than using his speed around the edge. Upside is very high though.

Irvin is another athlete with a ton of speed. Also has a motor unlike most that should help him excel at the next level. Only problem is that hes undersized at 6'2 245 so its unlikely that he could be anything other than a pass rush specialist. Could be a great guy to have if you already have an OLB to team him with(Spencer) so that he doesnt have to play running downs.

[realtick]

Don't sleep on Vinny Curry.

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm not sold on any of them being "elite". I'm seeing a lot of Spencer clones. Guys that can get 6 sacks a season... But double-digits?

Nah.

Are there going to be at least a couple of guys who end up being double-digit sacks guys?

Of course.

They just may not be first-rounders.

Someone posted a kinda-study comparing 1st round drafted guards and 1st round drafted pass-rushers and the pass-rushers come up very small as far as being able to convert their lofty draft status to actual NFL production.

[tm1119]

Originally Posted by realtick

Don't sleep on Vinny Curry.

Im going to need to see the combine #'s on him. To see where he stacks up against the other OLB's in terms of agility and short burst speed. I read a few reports after the senior bowl that said he would be best suited as an 4-3 end after watching him practice. He apparently lacks the athleticism to be a stand up pass rusher is what the reports said. I did like him before I saw that though, so we'll see.

[NeonDeion21]

I am not a fan of Irvin. Very athletic but hates contact.

[RS12]

Coples is the only one I see as elite if he wants it. Chandler Jones is an intriguing sleeper.

[CCBoy]

I have my eye on some larger defensive ends/tackles that could have affect at defensive end in the 3-4...and I'm looking for what boils down to a pain in the butt to keep up with, but physically engages an offensive tackle/guard in run suport. To consistently defeat a double team, one still has to defeat the weaker of the two blockers.

A dominant nose tackle doesn't appear to be in this draft...but there appear to be some strong and developmental types that can be had.

[Oh_Canada]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

I'm not sold on any of them being "elite". I'm seeing a lot of Spencer clones. Guys that can get 6 sacks a season... But double-digits?

Nah.

Are there going to be at least a couple of guys who end up being double-digit sacks guys?

Of course.

They just may not be first-rounders.

Someone posted a kinda-study comparing 1st round drafted guards and 1st round drafted pass-rushers and the pass-rushers come up very small as far as being able to convert their lofty draft status to actual NFL production.

There are also many more pro bowl guards drafted out of the first round than other positions.

[jobberone]

I'd go after Mario and consider moving up for Coples. Like Ingram but I'm not sold on him being more than solid at SOLB.

[dallasfaniac]

Originally Posted by RS12

Chandler Jones is an intriguing sleeper.

I like him too but think he might be best off putting on some weight and becoming a 3-4 defensive end. He has a quick first step but I just can't see him dropping into coverage at all. Sometimes he almost looks like he's not used to his body, but that could have been his knee injury.

[jterrell]

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

I'm not sold on any of them being "elite". I'm seeing a lot of Spencer clones. Guys that can get 6 sacks a season... But double-digits?

Nah.

Are there going to be at least a couple of guys who end up being double-digit sacks guys?

Of course.

They just may not be first-rounders.

Someone posted a kinda-study comparing 1st round drafted guards and 1st round drafted pass-rushers and the pass-rushers come up very small as far as being able to convert their lofty draft status to actual NFL production.

I didn't see the study but can validate its accuracy.
There is no doubt you get a far better shot at a Pro Bowler when you draft OG. Especially since on average 1.5 OGs go per r1 (I never go back more than 20 years because football has changed). Pass rushers? You get 6-9 drafted depending upon how broad you make the definition per r1. So pass rushers are competing with far more r1 draftees for the same Pro Bowl nods.
It would be impossible to have a high percentage make it.

At the same time that's why OGs get taken often in r2 and r3. The 3-5 OGs are often there in those rounds whereas at pass rushers you are into the 7-15 range.

You only get so many shots to draft top 15. Last time we did go pass rusher we selected Demarcus Ware. I didn't look it up but I am pretty sure he made a couple Pro Bowls Smith and TNew were the only other top 15s since '03.

[CCBoy]

Originally Posted by jterrell

I didn't see the study but can validate its accuracy.
There is no doubt you get a far better shot at a Pro Bowler when you draft OG. Especially since on average 1.5 OGs go per r1 (I never go back more than 20 years because football has changed). Pass rushers? You get 6-9 drafted depending upon how broad you make the definition per r1. So pass rushers are competing with far more r1 draftees for the same Pro Bowl nods.
It would be impossible to have a high percentage make it.

At the same time that's why OGs get taken often in r2 and r3. The 3-5 OGs are often there in those rounds whereas at pass rushers you are into the 7-15 range.

You only get so many shots to draft top 15. Last time we did go pass rusher we selected Demarcus Ware. I didn't look it up but I am pretty sure he made a couple Pro Bowls Smith and TNew were the only other top 15s since '03.

Change in patterns, are akin to culinary habits which can clog arteries. Since taste is still at issue, everyone still wants to please Mom and devour her special meatballs.

So, what is described above is still akin to a breathing exercise for an accomplished marksman in how to protect the pulling of the trigger in a match.

Since by culling upward, the transition point of a selection at 14 is at the cusp of the above and selectively removed pick place in the first round.

Pointing out a breathing exercise is fine and dandy, but now the target presentation itself is at question, what now defines your pulling the trigger on this set of pop up targets....mid round range?

One still defines value, and applies technique there...breathing is more difficult when one runs a hundred yards between burms and target engagements...and then throw in rain to haze sight alignments as well.

Now, instead of starting at the farthest targets and moving shorter, go from short and go to farther away targets and still engage that target successfully...

as the target will still present in the competition. Thus, a new application procedure has to be utilized to hit the same target. But the same target hit needed for competition.

Simple measurement? Try starting at a 100 meter burm and then finalizing at a 500 meter burm now. Sure, firing a hand weapon at a popup and 25 meter range is a lot easier, it merely needs coordination and a stable platform to be successful.

[Noryb]

For the draft experts on this board, what is it that you don't like about this guy? From the clips I've seen he seems to have a good bull rush too.

Just curious!

Whitney Mercilus*, DE, Illinois
Height: 6-4. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2012): 1.
12/26/11: A typical game from Mercilus in 2011 featured a sack and a forced fumble. He leads the nation in sacks and forced fumbles. Thus far Mercilus has 52 tackles with 19.5 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles entering the Fight Hunger Bowl against UCLA.

The junior has shown no mercy this season to offensive tackles and quarterbacks. All year long, Mercilus has been beating tackles with a combination of speed, strength and athleticism. He had a good game against Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams and Wisconsin's future NFL linemen. Mercilus is extremely fast and gets upfield in a hurry. His speed puts offensive tackles on their heels, and he has the athleticism to drop his hips and shoulder to turn towards the quarterback. Mercilus' strength can take linemen by surprise, and he has a powerful bull rush.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2012OLB3-4.php

[Randy White]

Originally Posted by NeonDeion21

We have all discussed who we like better between Courtney Upshaw, Quinton Coples, and Melvin Ingram. But guys such as Mercilus and Perry have caught my eye.

My question is, what player has the most upside to develop into a top pass rusher? I think as of now I would go with Whitney Mercilus. Your thoughts?

Me too.. As soon as I read the title of your thread, he was the first guy that came to mind.

and I really like Ingram too, but Mercilus, physically, looks like another JPP..