Futures: Kentucky Edge Rushers Bud Dupree and Za'Darius Smith

[waving monkey]

Football is simple. It's a game of running, hitting, throwing, and catching.

And in this simple worldview of the game, Bud Dupree and Za'Darius Smith are incredibly similar football players. Both are big, strong athletes with the job of protecting the edge of a defense while threatening the edge of the offense.

Both are 6-foot-4 and within a two-liter Coke's heft of 270 pounds. Both were defensive ends sporting arm lengths of 32⅝ inches.

Both were seniors at Kentucky. And both possess the highest percentile skill in their roles to earn a shot at the top level of football.

But football is also complex. At the highest level of the game the smallest things make the greatest difference. And within the layers of complexity that is also football, Bud Dupree and Za'Darius Smith are incredibly different football players.

One is a future 3-4 outside linebacker. The other is a power 4-3 defensive end.

link/http://www.footballoutsiders.com/fu...ntucky-edge-men-bud-dupree-and-zadarius-smith

 

[AsthmaField]

I have been saying that Smith fits the Cowboys defense to a tee and that I really like his toughness, etc. since before the senior bowl. I hope Dallas somehow manages to get him because Marinelli would absolutely love the guy.

 

[supercowboy8]

I agree dupree is a pure 34 OLB and Smith will be a good rotational LDE 3rd round prospect

Dupree is just athletic and quickness. That will not get you by in the NFL. Smith uses his hands and power. Has better pass rush moves.

 

[AsthmaField]

I agree dupree is a pure 34 OLB and Smith will be a good rotational LDE 3rd round prospect

Yeah, I've kind of been hoping for Smith in the 3rd for a while now. I think the 4th is too low and he will go before then but I'm not sure that I'd want to spend a second on him even though I do really like him.

In the end, I think he is a guy who is dedicated to football who plays with toughness and grit and some 43 team who needs a SDE who gives it his all and has pretty good athleticism just might pull the trigger in round 2. Particularly if he improves his numbers some at his pro day. I could even see it being Dallas because like I said earlier... Marinelli will love Smith.

As you said, in a rotation with another guy, I think he will be a valuable piece of the gameday roster.

 

[supercowboy8]

Yeah, I've kind of been hoping for Smith in the 3rd for a while now. I think the 4th is too low and he will go before then but I'm not sure that I'd want to spend a second on him even though I do really like him.

In the end, I think he is a guy who is dedicated to football who plays with toughness and grit and some 43 team who needs a SDE who gives it his all and has pretty good athleticism just might pull the trigger in round 2. Particularly if he improves his numbers some at his pro day. I could even see it being Dallas because like I said earlier... Marinelli will love Smith.

As you said, in a rotation with another guy, I think he will be a valuable piece of the gameday roster.

Right. I like Preston Smith more but there aren't alot of DEs I like in this draft. Everyone says this is a good pass rusher draft but not many fit the 43. Especially the strong side.

 

[AsthmaField]

Right. I like Preston Smith more but there aren't alot of DEs I like in this draft. Everyone says this is a good pass rusher draft but not many fit the 43. Especially the strong side.

That's what I see too as far as the strongside. Not a lot that I'd be excited about over on that side.

I like Preston as well.

As for WDE... I think there are a few that Marinelli would be able to use, starting with Fowler. He would be ideal in this defense IMO. He plays so aggressive and is so physically tough and is so relentless in his style of play... Offensive players are going to hate going against him IMO.

He will be loooong gone by the 27th pick though.

 

[xwalker]

I have been saying that Smith fits the Cowboys defense to a tee and that I really like his toughness, etc. since before the senior bowl. I hope Dallas somehow manages to get him because Marinelli would absolutely love the guy.

Yes, I'm a fan of Z. Smith as a LDE.

 

[AsthmaField]

Yes, I'm a fan of Z. Smith as a LDE.

Yeah, I know you have been liking him for a while now.

 

[xwalker]

Yeah, I know you have been liking him for a while now.

I like him better than Edwards.

 

[supercowboy8]

I like him better than Edwards.

I dont know what to think of Edwards. I think he might be best as a 3 tech DT.

 

[xwalker]

I dont know what to think of Edwards. I think he might be best as a 3 tech DT.

I would say 3-4 DE might be his best position.

 

[AsthmaField]

I like him better than Edwards.

Me too. Much better. I actually posted something about comparing those two a few days ago.

Edwards has better athleticism but smith is a much better football player. He has all of the intangibles that Edwards lacks IMO. Desire, toughness, love of the game, aggressiveness, coachable. Smith is a very nice prospect IMO and I would love him in the 3rd.

 

[DBOY3141]

Me too. Much better. I actually posted something about comparing those two a few days ago.

Edwards has better athleticism but smith is a much better football player. He has all of the intangibles that Edwards lacks IMO. Desire, toughness, love of the game, aggressiveness, coachable. Smith is a very nice prospect IMO and I would love him in the 3rd.

Do you know if they met with him at the combine? I saw where they met with Edwards.

 

[AsthmaField]

Do you know if they met with him at the combine? I saw where they met with Edwards.

I have not heard if they did or not. If they did, someone here will know.

 

[Hardline]

Dupree in the first and Smith in the 3rd .
The two Wildcats stay team mates.

 

[DoctorChicken]

Whenever I watch Dupree, I 100% see a 4-3 DE. I simply do not see an OLB.

Am I the only one with this opinion?

 

[AsthmaField]

Whenever I watch Dupree, I 100% see a 4-3 DE. I simply do not see an OLB.

Am I the only one with this opinion?

I think he could play either scheme. He looks and moves like a 34 OLB but his size is just fine for DE. I also would be concerned if any of his duties included dropping in pass coverage.

 

[RandyOh]

Za'Darius Smith along with Grady Jarrett have been my go to picks for our 3rd round pick for weeks. Either one would be a fit perfect. Would love Bud Dupree but sadly he has become an unrealistic target for the 1st.

 

[manster4ever]

Football is simple. It's a game of running, hitting, throwing, and catching.

And in this simple worldview of the game, Bud Dupree and Za'Darius Smith are incredibly similar football players. Both are big, strong athletes with the job of protecting the edge of a defense while threatening the edge of the offense.

Both are 6-foot-4 and within a two-liter Coke's heft of 270 pounds. Both were defensive ends sporting arm lengths of 32⅝ inches.

Both were seniors at Kentucky. And both possess the highest percentile skill in their roles to earn a shot at the top level of football.

But football is also complex. At the highest level of the game the smallest things make the greatest difference. And within the layers of complexity that is also football, Bud Dupree and Za'Darius Smith are incredibly different football players.

One is a future 3-4 outside linebacker. The other is a power 4-3 defensive end.

link/http://www.footballoutsiders.com/fu...ntucky-edge-men-bud-dupree-and-zadarius-smith

UK makes me slightly nervous because they're horrific on D year in and year out