Rating the NFL draft prospects: Defensive linemen (McGinn)

[perrykemp]

The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top defensive linemen in the draft this week.

Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

1. ZIGGY ANSAH, Brigham Young (6-5, 272, 4.63, 1) - Will turn 24 in May. Born and raised in Ghana, he made two unsuccessful attempts to walk on to the BYU basketball team and joined the track team (200 meters in 21.89 seconds). Went out for football in 2010, making merely 10 tackles in first two seasons. Started the final nine games of '12 and had 4½ sacks. "This guy is a really interesting case," Atlanta GM Thomas Dimitroff said. "The combination of size, athleticism, natural skills to get up field and turn the corner is off the charts." Finished with 72 tackles (13 for loss) and the 4½ sacks. "I think he has the most upside of anyone in the draft," said Phil Savage, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, where Ansah had a great game. "He's a little more sturdy than (Jason) Pierre-Paul was coming out because he's had some experience playing inside. I don't see him as a 3-4 outside backer as some people might project. He's a 4-3 end that you just line up and let him go." For now, he might be a better pass rusher inside. "He plays hard - that's his saving grace," one scout said. "You also see things that aren't instinctive. If he manages to get past the adjustment period and just learns the game, he's got a chance to be a decent player. But if the game is too fast for him he could be a little lost soul out there." Long arms (35 1/8 inches).

2. DATONE JONES, UCLA (6-4, 277, 4.80, 1-2) - Might be a 3-4 DE, a 4-3 DE or a 4-3 three-technique. "He's a strong, powerful, athletic guy," one scout said. "Not a top-flight edge rusher. Pretty productive. He's not always consistent, but he's got a lot of upside." Four-year starter with 148 tackles (36½ for loss) and 13½ sacks. "Better inside pass rusher than outside pass rusher," another scout said. "Still needs to use his hands better." From Compton, Calif. Well-built with fairly short arms (32¾). "He's a boom or bust guy," a third scout said. "Really talented, makes like a great play and then you won't see him for a couple quarters. Quick off the ball, good club move, good pad level. But he danced too much and wasn't a consistent shedder. He'd get tied up with guys, and that bothered me a lot. More avoid than take-on. More of an athlete than a power guy."

3. BJOERN WERNER, Florida State (6-3½, 261, 4.83, 1-2) - German exchange student from Berlin who played high school ball for two years in Salisbury, Conn., before starting 27 of 41 games during his three years in Tallahassee. "Plays faster than his 40 time," one scout said. "Better pass rusher than he is playing the run. Very high motor. Smart kid. Not a lot of football background but a solid pick. He just never will be special." Finished with 99 tackles (35 for loss) and 23½ sacks. First All-American DE at FSU since Jamal Reynolds in 2000. "You'd like to have him but he's not special, by any means," another scout said. "It's weird. Sometimes he (hustles), sometimes he just stands around and watches. He doesn't give it to you full time." Often beats people by anticipating the snap count. Some teams see him playing OLB in a 3-4. "He bothers me because of the stiffness," a third scout said. "He gets up the field well but he doesn't bend well at the corner. Once offensive linemen get to know him a little bit they just ride him on by. I thought he was very average against the run. He has some hip tightness and must gather to change direction."

4. TANK CARRADINE, Florida State (6-4, 273, 4.75, 2) - Amassed 26 sacks in two junior-college seasons before joining Seminoles. "That's my guy," one scout said. "I swear, he can play the run and rush the passer pretty damn good. He's a little stiff but he's strong as hell. Really good motor. Loves football. I think he might be able to be an outside backer. Yeah, he could drop." Played RE, starting 11 of 25 games and tallying 118 tackles (21 for loss) and 16½ sacks. "He's tough, strong, physical, disruptive," another scout said. "He's the best pass rusher in the draft." Injured his knee Nov. 24 but was so far advanced from Dec. 6 surgery that he worked out well Saturday in Cincinnati, where he attended Taft High School. "I know where that kid is from," a third scout said. "He's from the roughest part of Cincinnati, Ohio. Taft High School. It is a war zone. He's got some rough edges around him but I kind of like that, to be honest with you. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but with some good coaching he can turn into a good one."

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/top-defensive-linemen-in-nfl-draft-rt9i5la-204028711.html

 

[jterrell]

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

1. SHARRIF FLOYD, Florida (6-2½, 298, 4.91, 1) - Third-year junior. "He's quick, agile and plays with good leverage," Dimitroff said. "He's a combination of almost all you're looking for at the position. He's an aggressive, disruptive, play-making tackle." Injured a knee in high school but was injury free during three seasons in Gainesville. "I saw the short arms (31¾) where he couldn't keep people off," one scout said. "Maybe that's not as important as it is on the offensive line. If he doesn't win with quickness, which is exceptional, it's hard for him to counter and get off blocks. But he'll probably win with quickness. I think you're safe with Floyd." Played 37 games (25 starts), finishing with 115 tackles (26 for loss) and 4½ sacks. "No, there's none of that," another scout said when asked if Floyd was similar to Warren Sapp. "He just was more gifted than Floyd. Floyd is a good effort player. He's got shorter arms than (Sheldon) Richardson, and I think it shows. He gets kind of Velcro'd on blockers too much." Compared by several scouts to Steelers DE Ziggy Hood. "Those idiots on TV made Floyd," a third scout said. "He's not that good. He's not better than Ziggy Hood. Floyd's not a real bulky guy but he can run." From Philadelphia.

2. STAR LOTULELEI, Utah (6-2½, 314, 5.41, 1) - "As a junior I didn't think he played hard," one scout said. "This year he played hard. They say he really matured this year. He's married, has (two) kids. All of a sudden the light came on. I just thought he was a dominant player. He can control the point. He can rush the passer. He can do anything he wants to. He's a lot like Haloti Ngata but not as big." Former junior-college player with 107 tackles (22½ for loss) and seven sacks in 38 games (28 starts). "Really talented but it's like once every five plays," another scout said. "Which is just like Ngata was coming out. He's athletic like that and he could be powerful." Three teams said he was off their board because it was discovered at the combine that the left ventricle of his heart was operating at 44% efficiency. Subsequent medical reports said his heart was normal. Bench-pressed 38 times, one more than Ngata at the 2006 combine. Utes' best DT since Luther Elliss in the early 1990s. South Jordan, Utah, is home.

3. SHELDON RICHARDSON, Missouri (6-2½, 295, 4.94, 1) - Long arms (34½), top athletic ability and 30 reps on the bench press. "It's close between him and Floyd," one scout said. "Both are very quick, and that's the nice thing. You'll get an inside pass rusher, which is hard to get. Richardson didn't go to class but I never saw that in his play. He found the ball and knew where blocks were coming from." Failed to qualify at Mizzou and spent two years in junior college. His Wonderlic score of 9 was a tick worse than Floyd's 11. "Really talented and very disruptive," another scout said. "Just doesn't make enough plays. Little bit of a wise (expletive)." From St. Louis, where he also participated in basketball, baseball and track as a prep. Started 13 of 24 games, finishing with 116 tackles (18½ for loss) and six sacks. "He has a chance (for greatness) but he's got some boom and bust in him, too," a third scout said. "Just a little immature. Not sure how hard his work ethic is."

4. JOHNATHAN HANKINS, Ohio State (6-3, 320, 5.28, 1-2) - Third-year junior known as "Big Hank" in Columbus. "Very, very good nose tackle," one scout said. "He is not a three-technique. Got a little of a fleshy body. Coach's dream. He does everything that they ask. He can shrink running lanes with human bodies. He's got that kind of base, power and strength. He's not even within a gunshot of being a pass rusher. If somebody needed an almost prototypical nose tackle, a Pat Williams type, this is what you would have." Started 25 of 38 games, finishing with 138 tackles (16½ for loss) and five sacks. "He's inconsistent," another scout said. "Against Nebraska, it was, 'Get out of here.' Against Cal, I could see why people liked him. He's a short-area two-gapper, limited athletically compared to Richardson and Floyd." From Dearborn Heights, Mich. Played at 340 in 2010. "Big, ol' lazy guy," a third scout said. "He doesn't stay square. He turns his shoulders to blockers. I've never seen anything like it from a guy that big. He makes most of his plays down the line and chasing instead of at the point. Belly. Big waist. He just plays lazy."

5. SYLVESTER WILLIAMS, North Carolina (6-2½, 311, 5.01, 1-2) - Grew up in a tough section of St. Louis, then played his one and only year of high school ball in Jefferson City, Mo. Worked for a year before sustaining his career in junior college. Started all 25 games at weak-side DT for Tar Heels. "The most solid D-lineman that has no chance of busting, solid as a rock, is Sylvester Williams," one scout said. Goes by "Sly." Registered 96 tackles (20½ for loss) and 8½ sacks. "I wouldn't take him in the first round," another scout said. "He is a pretty solid player. I got him in the third (round). He might be a nose. He can be (stout). He was probably 330 last year but lost a bunch of weight because they changed schemes." Led D-tackles in Wonderlic score (25) and hand size (10¾). "I just don't think he's very good," a third scout said. "I'm shocked at all this (attention) he's getting. Absolutely shocked. He's non-instinctive. Just doesn't make any plays. Doesn't play strong. Hopefully, he will go ahead of us. His off-the-field is great. They love him. Works hard. Worked out good. All that."

6. KAWANN SHORT, Purdue (6-3, 303, 5.09, 1-2) - Excellent basketball player, helping East Chicago to the Indiana 4A state title. "So I was looking for really a fast-twitch guy," one scout said. "He was more of a pillar. I was disappointed. I thought he was more of a nose than a three-technique. He's a very strong point-of-attack player. He tends to play high but has a lot of natural strength. With his history you'd expect more as a pass rusher and to be more athletic." Four-year starter with 186 tackles (49 for loss) and 19½ sacks. "He's better than Jerel Worthy," another scout said. "I really don't know what his problem is. You watch one game and he stinks, then another game he was good and you really got to like him." Long arms (34¾) and good strength. "He could do whatever he wants to do," said a third scout. "He's a three-down guy who can play nose or three-technique."

 

[jterrell]

listed his first few DTs as I think that sit he likely group Dallas fans want to see.

 

[xwalker]

3. SHELDON RICHARDSON, Missouri (6-2½, 295, 4.94, 1) - Long arms (34½), top athletic ability and 30 reps on the bench press. "It's close between him and Floyd," one scout said. "Both are very quick, and that's the nice thing. You'll get an inside pass rusher, which is hard to get. Richardson didn't go to class but I never saw that in his play. He found the ball and knew where blocks were coming from." Failed to qualify at Mizzou and spent two years in junior college. His Wonderlic score of 9 was a tick worse than Floyd's 11. "Really talented and very disruptive," another scout said. "Just doesn't make enough plays. Little bit of a wise (expletive)." From St. Louis, where he also participated in basketball, baseball and track as a prep. Started 13 of 24 games, finishing with 116 tackles (18½ for loss) and six sacks. "He has a chance (for greatness) but he's got some boom and bust in him, too," a third scout said. "Just a little immature. Not sure how hard his work ethic is."

I keep saying that his talent should get him drafted before #18. If he is available at #18, then the character issues were probably the reason. If other teams pass on this due to character, then I think the Cowboys will pass also.

 

[jterrell]

3. SHELDON RICHARDSON, Missouri (6-2½, 295, 4.94, 1) - Long arms (34½), top athletic ability and 30 reps on the bench press. "It's close between him and Floyd," one scout said. "Both are very quick, and that's the nice thing. You'll get an inside pass rusher, which is hard to get. Richardson didn't go to class but I never saw that in his play. He found the ball and knew where blocks were coming from." Failed to qualify at Mizzou and spent two years in junior college. His Wonderlic score of 9 was a tick worse than Floyd's 11. "Really talented and very disruptive," another scout said. "Just doesn't make enough plays. Little bit of a wise (expletive)." From St. Louis, where he also participated in basketball, baseball and track as a prep. Started 13 of 24 games, finishing with 116 tackles (18½ for loss) and six sacks. "He has a chance (for greatness) but he's got some boom and bust in him, too," a third scout said. "Just a little immature. Not sure how hard his work ethic is."

I keep saying that his talent should get him drafted before #18. If he is available at #18, then the character issues were probably the reason. If other teams pass on this due to character, then I think the Cowboys will pass also.

You've definitely been consistent in stating this.
I've argued otherwise.

I think you have a great chance of being right in that he is a very real talent and could go high. But I also think he is a Dez Bryant type talent where you can overlook minor character flaws and take him at 18 where you might not do so at 10.

The good news is we'll get someone Thursday and can all move on to complaining about other things.

 

[dogberry]

Richardson didn't/doesn't like doing term papers and going to class.

Hmmm, I don't want to give too much away, but I bet there are a bunch of us with that "character flaw."

 

[xwalker]

You've definitely been consistent in stating this.
I've argued otherwise.

I think you have a great chance of being right in that he is a very real talent and could go high. But I also think he is a Dez Bryant type talent where you can overlook minor character flaws and take him at 18 where you might not do so at 10.

The good news is we'll get someone Thursday and can all move on to complaining about other things.

The primary thing that I'm trying to say is that he should get drafted before #18. If he does not then something is drastically wrong. The difference between him and Floyd is minimal and some analysts believe that Richardson is better.

 

[jterrell]

The primary thing that I'm trying to say is that he should get drafted before #18. If he does not then something is drastically wrong. The difference between him and Floyd is minimal and some analysts believe that Richardson is better.

I think Floyd is the lesser player for a Tampa 2 team but no one else. At least that's what I hope.

Floyd is an ideal 3-4 DE or a Ratliff type 1 who can pressure and create havoc with initial quickness off the ball and burst. He can help 32 teams somewhere on the DL.

Richardson is the smaller guy and teams may question his motor. But if you want a pure pass rushing 3 tech to me he is the guy. I think he'll be a Bruce Irvin type rookie but from inside.

Character stuff to me with him is mostly superfluous. He skipped classes and didn't love schoolwork. He is very cocky and a trash talker. But he isn't a criminal nor malicious guy that we've seen or been told as of yet. He really does remind me of Sapp. Kinda swaggered out big man who is not all that Mensa.

I don't see a ton of specific landing spots for Richardson before us which is why I am reasoning he may fall to us. But I agree it is probably not even 50/50.

 

[kirkjrk]

Richardson didn't/doesn't like doing term papers and going to class.

Hmmm, I don't want to give too much away, but I bet there are a bunch of us with that "character flaw."

He and Mo can study together. Remember what Jimmy Johnson said " don't let me draft any more dumb players" or something to that affect.