Scouting Report On The Most Realistic 1st Round Pick

[MonsterD]

Found this today, I see a lot of reports like this too.
Detroitlionsdraft

3. Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

The curious case of Kony Ealy. The Missouri end is one of the most curious prospects in this class as one with a very unique skillset that turns some off and others on. His recent rise due to an impressive pro day performance is also a funny phenomenon.

It’s funny because what he really did was improve upon his combine numbers. By a lot, especially in the 40. Ealy improved his abysmal combine time of 4.91 by .35 seconds, a massive jump. Is it Ealy or is it the track? Three other Missouri teammates improved their combine times by .19, about .05, and .12 respectively. It’s still concerning that Ealy wasn’t prepared for his combine 40, but it appears that his pro day time is closer to the truth.

Ealy performed linebacker drills at his pro day and from all reports looked great. This information takes us farther from the truth based on his skillset. While Ealy is a fluid mover, he’s not explosive enough on the outside to be a true rush linebacker. Where he’s most effective is on the inside as a rusher. The worth in versatility lies in a prospect’s ability to be effective in various positions, not in their ability to line up there.

For me, any rise in Kony Ealy’s draft stock is unwarranted. There’s not a lot that we didn’t know coming into Ealy’s pro day, and while he helped himself with better times, it doesn’t change his projection. He’s still a player who may not have a clear role in base defenses. In passing situations, he can slide down and rush from the inside and be effective. The new information gleaned on Ealy doesn’t dispel my concerns with his ability to rush from the edge.

 

[NeonDeion21]

From the article:

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Ealy destroyed players inside and out with that swim move. Yet to hear people tell it, it doesn't count. I guess because that would mean that he was very productive from all the positions he played. I have read that he had a bad game against FL for example. That second half, he had at least 7 pressures by my count. In any other world but Ealy's that means he kicked ***.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Wouldn't need to complain if Dallas landed Ealy @ 16...he's one of the few DEs that will go Round 1.


Make no mistake Kony is a 1st Round Choice.

 

[Gaede]

Ealy destroyed players inside and out with that swim move. Yet to hear people tell it, it doesn't count. I guess because that would mean that he was very productive from all the positions he played. I have read that he had a bad game against FL for example. That second half, he had at least 7 pressures by my count. In any other world but Ealy's that means he kicked ***.

I personally don't like Ealy, but I love to hear dissenting opinions. So you think Ealy has some potential?

 

[Fredd]

I gotta say, right now, if they picked him @ #16, I would be a little disappointed...it would mean that all of the guys that I would prefer are gone and they couldn't trade back....but, like any other player drafted by Dallas, I will get on board.....there is potential there, but @ DT, I almost like Jernigan better...and I am NOT a big fan of Jernigan (just him next to Melton is intriguing)

 

[jobberone]

Very good thread. Mostly I think Ealy is a football player and you need to look at the tape and not the numbers. The one combine number I liked was the cone. To me that's a great look at an interior guy or a SDE. I'm not sure we need a SDE this year but I would say most likely we do draft day since Spencer is an unknown. If you could trade back and pick up a 3 or 4 and still get him or someone else you like then that's golden for me. If they pick him at 16 then I'll try and trust Marinelli and the scouts that they got it right.

One thing I do with first and second day picks is ask are they going to contribute significantly and eventually start in a three year window. 80% of first rounders play significant snaps the first three years in the league. Some of that is skewed since you're more likely to play a high pick so you can get your monies worth and evaluate what you leased. I think Ealy will easily fit that criteria and I think he'll get significant snaps in rotation. I'm not certain it matters who starts for Marinelli although Ealy should probably get 60+% of the defensive snaps to make him worthwhile as a first.

 

[TheFinisher]

We already have a jumbo DE who can slide inside and his name is Tyrone Crawford. We need a legit edge rusher and Ealy is not that, much rather have Dee Ford.

 

[jobberone]

I'm afraid of him a tad. I suspect Ford will work out and I'd have no huge issue with taking him in the first. I'd rather drop down and get him if that's the pick. I think he will be very versatile and able to play some Will maybe but more likely Sam as well as WDE. I also think he'd be able to play Mike in special packages if they needed him. I like the player but he could have problems. He's small. I like him more as a LB who can rush situationally.

 

[Risen Star]

I gotta say, right now, if they picked him @ #16, I would be a little disappointed...it would mean that all of the guys that I would prefer are gone and they couldn't trade back....but, like any other player drafted by Dallas, I will get on board.....there is potential there, but @ DT, I almost like Jernigan better...and I am NOT a big fan of Jernigan (just him next to Melton is intriguing)

Yeah not at 16. I wouldn't feel like there's any value there. I'd be getting a Shante Carver vibe.

 

[Fredd]

Yeah not at 16. I wouldn't feel like there's any value there. I'd be getting a Shante Carver vibe.

I would call it a shante vibe for that timeframe before we knew he was a serious bust...in other words, the "unknown" factor...but, I agree with you...he scares me a little

 

[Alexander]

That would be an absolute horrible pick.

He's somewhat inconsistent.

In addition his numbers, especially his 10-yard dash split doesn't even remotely suggest enough "quick twitch" to be an effective pass rusher from the weak defensive end spot.

Correct. And if we are consistent where value that trait, we should not be even thinking about him in the first round.

 

[Alexander]

A guy like Kareem Martin could probably do it..

Martin was actually more effective rushing from the inside position.

 

[ccb04]

I'm not into "Pro-day" times unless you have each and every other prospect there running on the same track. If he ran a 4.57 then Clowney would have ran a 4.35. LOL! To me the combine results are more realistic because you can then truly compare one guy to another.

That being said Ourlads has him as the 5th best DE and has given him a selection range of the 2nd/3rd round. Physically he was rated the 13 out of 43 defensive lineman.

I agree on the pro day times overall. Then again, the same can be said somewhat about 40 times in general. Guys like Terrell Suggs (and many others), ran bad times, but have produced with the pads on. On the flip-side, combine stars like Mike Mamula didn't fair so well with the pads on. The 3-cone time Ealy recorded at the combine was exceptional (and the best among all DE's). The 3-cone measures a players ability to change directions at full speed. Ealy also had essentially the same shuttle time as Clowney (4.45 vs. 4.43). The shuttle drill measures a players short area quickness. As I mentioned in my OP, there's things about Ealy that underwhelm...but some things that intrigue a bit as well. Also like you...I like Kareem Martin as well & don't want to see them 'reach' for a guy in the 1st if better options are available.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I personally don't like Ealy, but I love to hear dissenting opinions. So you think Ealy has some potential?

I think he can step in and help right away. He can dip and rip and beat OT, he has a devastating swim move that team after team probably prepared their guys for it and he still used it to great effect. He has great pop on his bullrush and he likes to hit. He also takes over games. I challenge anyone to count how may times he pressured the QB in the Florida game.

For all the poopooing that is said about Ealy you would never guess that he pulled down 8 sacks last season or that he had double digit tfl. And the reason why Michael Sam was never highly touted despite his production was because of the realization that it was into Ealy's gaps that Mike was stunting.

I like him less than Martin, Clinton-Dix, and other possible consolation prizes should one of the top 10 talents not fall to us better at the end of the day we need to draft one of Clowney, Mack, Barr, Ford, Ealy, Crichton, or Lawrence.

 

[Gaede]

I think he can step in and help right away. He can dip and rip and beat OT, he has a devastating swim move that team after team probably prepared their guys for it and he still used it to great effect. He has great pop on his bullrush and he likes to hit. He also takes over games. I challenge anyone to count how may times he pressured the QB in the Florida game.

For all the poopooing that is said about Ealy you would never guess that he pulled down 8 sacks last season or that he had double digit tfl. And the reason why Michael Sam was never highly touted despite his production was because of the realization that it was into Ealy's gaps that Mike was stunting.

I like him less than Martin, Clinton-Dix, and other possible consolation prizes should one of the top 10 talents not fall to us better at the end of the day we need to draft one of Clowney, Mack, Barr, Ford, Ealy, Crichton, or Lawrence.

I agree. That swim move is wicked. Watched some more tape recently. He dominates the Florida game. Then I put on the Indiana game and he did the exact same move and gets to the QB every time.