Potential War Daddy - Malik McDowell | DL | Michigan St. | 6'6" 275lbs

[CalPolyTechnique]

Going back and watching his games against Wisconsin and Indiana. I'd challenge anyone to show me the plays this kid took off.

 

[rkell87]

There is a big difference between lazy and gassed. Being the only player worth a damn will get you gassed. I'd love this pick at 28

 

[ghst187]

There is a big difference between lazy and gassed. Being the only player worth a damn will get you gassed. I'd love this pick at 28

Obviously anything can happen but is it realistic he is still available at 28?

 

[rkell87]

Obviously anything can happen but is it realistic he is still available at 28?

At this point it seems like a possibility but after the combine and the teams he is predicted to go to 10 days out will tell a more accurate story. It's all conjecture at this point

 

[cowboy_ron]

Size, length, versatility and upside.

lol, other than that they're almost identical

 

[marchetta]

Malik McDowell DE/DT Michigan State


TALENT: ROUND 1

STRENGTHS
Malik has as much athletic talent as Jadeveon Clowney. He has the length that you look for in a pass rusher and the size and strength you look for in a defensive lineman who can play any position in multiple style of defenses.Even though he's a tall player, he comes out of his stance with a good pad level and uses good leverage against opponents. He has the speed and agility needed to get to the QB. Has strong lower body, which allows him to use a plethora of moves to get after the QB and disengage from blockers. With all of Malik’s natural athletic talents I suspect his workouts to be outstanding and be the talk of this draft if his injury is healed.

CONCERNS
Malik has the size and strength to be used in multiple positions/schemes. He seems to be a combination of a Defensive Nose Tackle in a 3/4 defense and a pass rushing Defensive End in a 3/4 or 4/3 defense. This position flex has caused him to develop poor techniques to free himself up when switching back and forth between positions and to look very sloppy at times. Not using the correct techniques for each position makes him look sloppy and inconsistent and causes him to disappear for stretches of a game, and then re-appear suddenly once he uses the correct techniques. However,even when he struggles due to a lack of technique, he doesn't get frustrated and there's never a lack of effort. Another concern is his medical evaluation. Malik ended the season early with a bad ankle, and I don't know if he'll be 100% at the time he works out for teams and the combine.

BOTTOM LINE
Malik is the player the opposing team has to gameplan for. On every play, he's either double, or even triple, teamed. His team plays a variety of defensive fronts, and Malik is flexible enough to be used on all of them. He impacts the game from multiple positions on the D-Line. While he's sloppy at times, due to the multitude of techniques that he's forced to use, he gives effort on every play. But, when he does use correct technique, he's unstoppable. He can play in any defense and any position on the Dline. The ability to be flexible enough to be used in any scheme, and any position, and still be dominant makes him extremely valuable on gameday. Any team that needs an impacting DLman and passes up on Malik will regret that decision.

- Drew Boylhardt (The Huddle Report) [PARAPHRASED]

 

[BAZ]

Malik McDowell DE/DT Michigan State


TALENT: ROUND 1

STRENGTHS
Malik has as much athletic talent as Jadeveon Clowney. He has the length that you look for in a pass rusher and the size and strength you look for in a defensive lineman who can play any position in multiple style of defenses.Even though he's a tall player, he comes out of his stance with a good pad level and uses good leverage against opponents. He has the speed and agility needed to get to the QB. Has strong lower body, which allows him to use a plethora of moves to get after the QB and disengage from blockers. With all of Malik’s natural athletic talents I suspect his workouts to be outstanding and be the talk of this draft if his injury is healed.

CONCERNS
Malik has the size and strength to be used in multiple positions/schemes. He seems to be a combination of a Defensive Nose Tackle in a 3/4 defense and a pass rushing Defensive End in a 3/4 or 4/3 defense. This position flex has caused him to develop poor techniques to free himself up when switching back and forth between positions and to look very sloppy at times. Not using the correct techniques for each position makes him look sloppy and inconsistent and causes him to disappear for stretches of a game, and then re-appear suddenly once he uses the correct techniques. However,even when he struggles due to a lack of technique, he doesn't get frustrated and there's never a lack of effort. Another concern is his medical evaluation. Malik ended the season early with a bad ankle, and I don't know if he'll be 100% at the time he works out for teams and the combine.

BOTTOM LINE
Malik is the player the opposing team has to gameplan for. On every play, he's either double, or even triple, teamed. His team plays a variety of defensive fronts, and Malik is flexible enough to be used on all of them. He impacts the game from multiple positions on the D-Line. While he's sloppy at times, due to the multitude of techniques that he's forced to use, he gives effort on every play. But, when he does use correct technique, he's unstoppable. He can play in any defense and any position on the Dline. The ability to be flexible enough to be used in any scheme, and any position, and still be dominant makes him extremely valuable on gameday. Any team that needs an impacting DLman and passes up on Malik will regret that decision.

- Drew Boylhardt (The Huddle Report) [PARAPHRASED]

What pick is he currently projected?

 

[marchetta]

What pick is he currently projected?

Drew Boylhardt doesn't do projections. Just ranks players according to ability. Malik is tied for 4th ranked Defensive PLAYER in draft. 1) Jonathan Allen, 2) Myles Garrett, 3) Solomon Thomas, 4) Malik McDowwell & TJ Watt, 6) Marshon Lattimore. It's early in the draft process, so this is an early list subject to change.

 

[manster4ever]

Don't watch highlight videos of players when full game footage is available. It's easy to love players in highlight videos. There are about 9 videos of him at draftbreakdown.

Having said the above, he is a very talent player, but he does have some question marks.

His size is marginal at DT. He would be great as a situational pass rushing DT, but I think he'll take a beating playing there full time in the NFL. He had some success rushing on the outside, his quickness as a 4-3 DE is probably average at best. Some players like him succeed on the outside with length even without elite outside pass rusher quickness, but more of his success comes on inside type moves that would be best suited at DT.

In game footage, he made a good number of splash plays but also ended up on the ground too much and totally lost contain on a number of running plays. They allowed him to rush with reckless abandon which helped him make splash plays but it also made him susceptible to getting blown up, shoved down or being out of position against the run.

His stock will be elevated because 3-4 teams with probably like him, many more than 4-3 teams.

Damn near PERFECT evaluation. How do I know? I'm an MSU alum and saw him play every game of his 3 year career. You simply nailed every aspect of this kid. He's very talented but mercurial IMO. Can take some plays off but when his head is on right, look out. Intriguing talent for sure.

 

[manster4ever]

There is a big difference between lazy and gassed. Being the only player worth a damn will get you gassed. I'd love this pick at 28

That's also a very good point. MSU was ravaged by injuries, suspensions and early defections to the NFL last season on it's Dline. McDowell faced a plethora of double teams and frankly he didn't hold up too well. That's not a slight on the kid, just a fact. As others have said, he played at 275 and wasn't prepared for that kind of pounding by 300 lb + OLinemen double teaming him game in and game out. I think he'll play at about 285 in the NFL and be just fine. His upside is enormous.