Bob McGinn Draft Series: Rating the NFL draft prospects: Defensive linemen

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3. VERNON BUTLER, Louisiana Tech (6-3 ½, 325, 5.23, 1):Can play anywhere across the front. “He wore a single-digit jersey, No. 9, that really made him stand out in terms of his movement skills,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t classify him as a grinder type of D-lineman. He really relies on his athletic ability. He’s got a lot of potential.” Finished with 170 tackles (29 ½ for loss) and 5 sacks. “He’s got some quickness for a big man,” said a second scout. “He’s more of a nose but he has some movement skills. He can push the pocket and get an edge on occasion.” Long arms (35). From Summit, Miss. “His body balance, bend, acceleration is very good,” a third scout said. “He’s a big finesse athlete. This year, he used his hands much better and played with better strength. He’s a little bit of a goofball, in a good way. Not a bad kid. Athletic as hell. You need the right D-line coach and then coach the crap out of him.”

4. KEVIN DODD, Clemson (6-5, 274, 4.82, 1):Five scouts said they all preferred Dodd to Shaq Lawson, his teammate. “He’s more sudden as an athlete,” one scout said. “He was a small-town (Taylors, S.C.) guy, 215 to 220 pounds when he came in. Everything hit like they thought it would this year. He was sitting behind some really good players when he was developing. As long as his work ethic stays the way it is, he’s got a big upside.” His career stats of 82 tackles (26 ½ for loss) and 12 ½ sacks included 62 (24) and all 12 ½ sacks in ’15. Fourth-year junior who was raised by his great grandmother. Wonderlic of 12. “I went in there in August and I didn’t hear one peep about Kevin Dodd,” another scout said. “I went back in November and he’s kicking (expletive) and taking names. He’s a one-year wonder there.” And that concerns some teams. “He can do that (play outside LB) but he’s going to be a moving-forward player,” a third scout said. “He’s a fluid, athletic guy. Wins on quickness. Not a powerful guy.”

1. JARRAN REED, Alabama (6-3, 309, 5.16, 1):Played two years of junior college and started two years for Crimson Tide. “Probably the best run defender in the draft,” said one scout. “Excellent hands, leverage. It’s textbook, training-reel tapes.” Finished with 112 tackles (11 for loss) and 2 sacks. “He could play nose,” another scout said. “Had a hell of a Senior Bowl game. He’s all ball when it’s on the field. All those kids at Alabama, Reed’s the one guy they respect in terms of playing ball. (Character) is documented on him. He’s got some demons.” Admitted to several failed drug tests. “He’s just a mean guy, and that’s a good thing,” said a third scout. “There are a lot of nice guys nowadays. He was the guy that the other players didn’t screw with.” Wonderlic of 15. From Goldsboro, N.C. “He’s charismatic,” said a fourth scout. “He’s not going to give you much as a pass rusher. He’s still a (pocket) pusher. I don’t think he’ll scare the top-tier guards as a rusher. But he’s got a strong anchor. He’s all power.”

2. KENNY CLARK, UCLA (6-2 ½, 312, 5.07, 1):Third-year junior, two-year starter. “He can use a four-point stance and he’ll two-gap the center,” said one scout. “He keeps his balance and doesn’t get rolled up real easy. But you can move him over a man and he drops that back leg and he has some quickness. I don’t know that he’s a star but he’s a good player.” Was able to maintain separation despite short arms (32 1/8). “I think the wrestling background helps when it comes to his leverage,” said a second scout. “Space eater. He’s about leverage.” Finished with 159 tackles (20 for loss) and 6 ½ sacks. “He’s innately tough, strong and mature,” a third scout said. From San Bernardino, Calif. “I think he can rush passer,” said a fourth scout. “He is an outstanding defensive tackle. He can handle the doubles and invert the nose. Does it all the time.”
 
1. JOEY BOSA, Ohio State (6-5, 272, 4.82, 1): Third-year junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “This guy is such a stormin’, all-out football player,” one scout said. “He absolutely gives every inch of his soul to the game. He’s out of control at times but he bounces up. (Clay) Matthews is a little like that. He compares as closely to Matthews as anybody.” Finished with 150 tackles (50 ½ for loss) and 26 sacks. “He could stand up but I don’t know why you’d do that,” a second scout said. “He’s a 4-3 left end and in nickel he’s (inside). Great hands, great balance. He’s a glass-eater.” Scored 37 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, second at the position behind Penn State’s Carl Nassib (39). “Little bit of a loose cannon,” said a third scout. “I’ll call him a meathead. He also likes to go out and have a good time. Hell of a player. Plays hard.” Father, John, was a bust (seven sacks in three seasons) as a DE drafted with the 16th pick by Miami in 1987. “I did his father and he was kind of a stiff, straight-line guy,” said another scout. “This guy must have got the mom’s flexibility or something. Justin Smith is a pretty good comparison. He was so technique-oriented, too. He uses his hands like a third-year pro.”

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I hope Marinelli has done his home work on him after 3 workouts because if we pass on him and he turns into another Watt then the old man will never hear the end of it .
 
1. JOEY BOSA, Ohio State (6-5, 272, 4.82, 1): Third-year junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “This guy is such a stormin’, all-out football player,” one scout said. “He absolutely gives every inch of his soul to the game. He’s out of control at times but he bounces up. (Clay) Matthews is a little like that. He compares as closely to Matthews as anybody.” Finished with 150 tackles (50 ½ for loss) and 26 sacks. “He could stand up but I don’t know why you’d do that,” a second scout said. “He’s a 4-3 left end and in nickel he’s (inside). Great hands, great balance. He’s a glass-eater.” Scored 37 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, second at the position behind Penn State’s Carl Nassib (39). “Little bit of a loose cannon,” said a third scout. “I’ll call him a meathead. He also likes to go out and have a good time. Hell of a player. Plays hard.” Father, John, was a bust (seven sacks in three seasons) as a DE drafted with the 16th pick by Miami in 1987. “I did his father and he was kind of a stiff, straight-line guy,” said another scout. “This guy must have got the mom’s flexibility or something. Justin Smith is a pretty good comparison. He was so technique-oriented, too. He uses his hands like a third-year pro.”

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I hope Marinelli has done his home work on him after 3 workouts because if we pass on him and he turns into another Watt then the old man will never hear the end of it .

I think what will make Bosa a good player is being relentless, his flexibility and his hands. Offensive linemen like players they can get their hands on and easily keep track off. One reason a lot of speed rushers fail is because they got by and being able to simply beat most college linemen around the corner. NFL tackles don't get between that way unless you have elite speed skills and the ability to bend. And if you can't win with countermoves even elite speed won't work.

Bosa has good short area quickness, but his ability to set up linemen, use his hands to redirect and then burst to the QB or RB is what will make him as effective as some others like him have been.
 
I think what will make Bosa a good player is being relentless, his flexibility and his hands. Offensive linemen like players they can get their hands on and easily keep track off. One reason a lot of speed rushers fail is because they got by and being able to simply beat most college linemen around the corner. NFL tackles don't get between that way unless you have elite speed skills and the ability to bend. And if you can't win with countermoves even elite speed won't work.

Bosa has good short area quickness, but his ability to set up linemen, use his hands to redirect and then burst to the QB or RB is what will make him as effective as some others like him have been.

we are just overthinking this guy so much.If he had come out last year then we wouldnt even have a shot at him even with the 4th pick.
 
Bosa getting 37 on the wonderlic is eye-opening. I assumed he get anywhere from 9-15, like Buckner.

Apparently there is more than meets the eye
 
4. KEVIN DODD, Clemson (6-5, 274, 4.82, 1):Five scouts said they all preferred Dodd to Shaq Lawson, his teammate. “He’s more sudden as an athlete,” one scout said. “He was a small-town (Taylors, S.C.) guy, 215 to 220 pounds when he came in. Everything hit like they thought it would this year. He was sitting behind some really good players when he was developing. As long as his work ethic stays the way it is, he’s got a big upside.” His career stats of 82 tackles (26 ½ for loss) and 12 ½ sacks included 62 (24) and all 12 ½ sacks in ’15. Fourth-year junior who was raised by his great grandmother. Wonderlic of 12. “I went in there in August and I didn’t hear one peep about Kevin Dodd,” another scout said. “I went back in November and he’s kicking (expletive) and taking names. He’s a one-year wonder there.” And that concerns some teams. “He can do that (play outside LB) but he’s going to be a moving-forward player,” a third scout said. “He’s a fluid, athletic guy. Wins on quickness. Not a powerful guy.”

Thats a lot of weight put in a few years, and a low Wonderlich.
 
1. JOEY BOSA, Ohio State (6-5, 272, 4.82, 1): Third-year junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “This guy is such a stormin’, all-out football player,” one scout said. “He absolutely gives every inch of his soul to the game. He’s out of control at times but he bounces up. (Clay) Matthews is a little like that. He compares as closely to Matthews as anybody.” Finished with 150 tackles (50 ½ for loss) and 26 sacks. “He could stand up but I don’t know why you’d do that,” a second scout said. “He’s a 4-3 left end and in nickel he’s (inside). Great hands, great balance. He’s a glass-eater.” Scored 37 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, second at the position behind Penn State’s Carl Nassib (39). “Little bit of a loose cannon,” said a third scout. “I’ll call him a meathead. He also likes to go out and have a good time. Hell of a player. Plays hard.” Father, John, was a bust (seven sacks in three seasons) as a DE drafted with the 16th pick by Miami in 1987. “I did his father and he was kind of a stiff, straight-line guy,” said another scout. “This guy must have got the mom’s flexibility or something. Justin Smith is a pretty good comparison. He was so technique-oriented, too. He uses his hands like a third-year pro.”

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I hope Marinelli has done his home work on him after 3 workouts because if we pass on him and he turns into another Watt then the old man will never hear the end of it .

Man that is an impressive writeup.
 
Love these every year just before the draft...even if one scout says the opposite of other ones..still interesting to read.
 
Love these every year just before the draft...even if one scout says the opposite of other ones..still interesting to read.

They brought back the term "glass eater" after a few year layoff.
 
we are just overthinking this guy so much.If he had come out last year then we wouldnt even have a shot at him even with the 4th pick.

Totally agree. A case of analysis paralysis. He's got meat hooks for his arms! I rarely ever see anyone break away from him arm tackle. It's quite amazing.
 
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