Upshaw?

[Sasquatch]

In his most recent mock, Pat Kirwin has the boys taking Upshaw. Is he still in the conversation either at #14 or a trade down?

CBS Sports

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I'd consider him at #45.

 

[Woods]

I don't think Upshaw is a consideration at 14.

With a trade down or in Round 2, quite possibly.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

In his most recent mock, Pat Kirwin has the boys taking Upshaw. Is he still in the conversation either at #14 or a trade down?

CBS Sports

I don't see it.

With Spencer signing his tender there are greater needs on the team.

And Upshaw's physical skills don't scream "3-4 OLB".

 

[Doomsday101]

I like Upshaw I agree 14 may be too early but I think he is a heck of a ball player

Alabama head coach Nick Saban predicts that Upshaw can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or "put his hand in the dirt and play defensive end" in the NFL. Based on his play in college, regardless of where Upshaw lines up he will probably wind up in a quarterback's mug. Used as an edge rusher, sometimes as the Tide's so-called "Jack" linebacker and sometimes as an end, Upshaw thrashes blockers with great hand and arm action and shows ample speed and agility to find his way into the offensive backfield. He has instincts beyond that of a pure pass rusher, with an uncommon awareness for draws, screens, counters and reverses. Although he was not asked to drop into coverage ...
often at Alabama, he has a fluid athleticism that may allow him to adapt to such a demand. In Alabama's 49-7 thrashing of Michigan State in last year's Capital One Bowl, Upshaw was voted MVP after a pair of sacks, five tackles (three for a loss) and a forced fumble. Upshaw benched 225 pounds 22 times at the Combine and like several teammates at Alabama's March 7 Pro Day, deferred a full workout until March 29.

Analysis
Read and react: Essentially asked to pin his ears back and rush the passer as a weak-side defensive end in the Tide's scheme, though he shows enough play recognition to project as a linebacker. Feels screens coming and locates the running back. Run defense: More stout at the point of attack when run at than you'd expect, given his lack of ideal size as a hybrid defensive end in Bama's scheme. Plays with excellent pad level and has very good upper- and lower-body strength to anchor. Uses his impressive swim move and quick, heavy hands to slap away the blocker's attempts at getting into his chest, showing the ability to disengage quickly. Good lateral agility to slip past the blocker ...

 

[28 Joker]

I've changed my mind on Courtney Upshaw.

Upshaw has explosive power, so he has a major strength. He is mean and has a high motor, too. I think he is down to 270 now, too. I think Upshaw would upgrade the team's pass rush by using pure power and determination and pure nastiness. He's a football player who would bring a winning attitude, too.

 

[DFWJC]

In his most recent mock, Pat Kirwin has the boys taking Upshaw. Is he still in the conversation either at #14 or a trade down?

CBS Sports

The Dallas Morning News had a article making a case for him today as well.

 

[Wulfman]

I think he's a possibility in a trade down scenario, but would be surprised to see the Cowboys take him at #14.

 

[xwalker]

Upshaw is short with short arms and has sub-par agility. Also, you would think that a 280 pounder with T-Rex arms could muster up more than 22 bench press reps.

 

[SDogo]

No, Upshaw will be a Bengal.