Why no talk of Okafor?

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

Before everybody starts I AM NOT a UT fan! That said I don't understand how this guy isn't being mentioned at 18. He had 23 sacks while at Texas including 12.5 last season, and 7 forced fumbles including 4 last year. At 6-5 264 he seems like he'd be the perfect fit to replace Spencer, and #18 seems like about the perfect spot to take him. He actually reminds me quite a bit of Spencer the year he came out of Purdue.

 

[joseephuss]

http://cowboysblog.***BANNED-URL***...ys-texas-de-alex-okafor-scouting-report.html/

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I like the player a lot but not a 18. Would consider jumping up if he slide into the second.

 

[MonsterD]

I think he is a bit stiff and lacks pass-rushing moves. He would be nice in a rotation, not a bad idea in the 2nd maybe on a trade down.

 

[DFWJC]

I think he is a bit stiff and lacks pass-rushing moves. He would be nice in a rotation, not a bad idea in the 2nd maybe on a trade down.

This isn't out of the question. At that point the value is there, if we thik he's a fit. Big if though.

When you plug in all the possibilities, Okafor could almost fall to us at 47. I've seen him anywhere from late 1st to the end of the 2nd.

 

[Shinywalrus]

I would give a look in round 2. I've watched a lot of Longhorns football and felt Jeffcoat was a much better prospect, so he suffers a bit by comparison. (Tough to get real high on a guy when he doesn't feel like the best player at his position on the field, you know?)

I don't think he sets the edge nearly as well as he gets credit for, and that was in college. At the pros I think he gets blown off the ball playing every down on the strong side, so I'm not really comfortable putting him there. Looks the part, but doesn't play it. And we've already got a weakside end. Again, I'd still look at him in the 2nd depending on what was there, but I suspect he'll be overdrafted by a team that is comfortable slotting him in on the weak side.

 

[DFWJC]

I would give a look in round 2. I've watched a lot of Longhorns football and felt Jeffcoat was a much better prospect, so he suffers a bit by comparison. (Tough to get real high on a guy when he doesn't feel like the best player at his position on the field, you know?)

I don't think he sets the edge nearly as well as he gets credit for, and that was in college. At the pros I think he gets blown off the ball playing every down on the strong side, so I'm not really comfortable putting him there. Looks the part, but doesn't play it. And we've already got a weakside end. Again, I'd still look at him in the 2nd depending on what was there, but I suspect he'll be overdrafted by a team that is comfortable slotting him in on the weak side.

I agree.
That was my issue with how he would fit. It seems like his strengths and weaknesses don't line up if we want him opposite Ware. But he he dropped the value may be worth it....depends on who else drops.

 

[xwalker]

He is not very quick. Definitely not as quick as Spencer.

It would have been good to see his combine numbers, but he only did the bench press which was underwhelming at 21 reps.

His only fit in the NFL is as a Strong-Side DE in some versions of the 4-3 unless he can really bulk up to play as a 3-4 DE. He does not have the quickness to play at Weak-Side DE or as a 3-4 OLB.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

He is not very quick. Definitely not as quick as Spencer.

It would have been good to see his combine numbers, but he only did the bench press which was underwhelming at 21 reps.

His only fit in the NFL is as a Strong-Side DE in some versions of the 4-3 unless he can really bulk up to play as a 3-4 DE. He does not have the quickness to play at Weak-Side DE or as a 3-4 OLB.

I couldn't comment on his quickness as compared to Spencer, but I do know he put up far superior game #s. Spencer ranks 13th on Purdue's career sacks list with only 10.5 for his career. Okafor had 12.5 in 2012. I realize stats don't mean anything when comparing players coming into the NFL, but Okafor has been beyond solid all around. Quick or not the kid gets to the QB, contains well outside, and causes turnovers.

I agree that his only fit is in a 4-3 on the strong side, but isn't that what Dallas needs? I hope Dallas resigns Spencer and can spend the #18 on a Cooper or Richardson, but I think Okafor is one of the more underrated players in this draft and I'd have no issue in taking him at #18.

 

[CowboysLaw87]

Okafor is viewed as a solid yet unspectacular prospect. He's a hustle player that had very good production, but he doesn't project too well as a rusher in the NFL. Why? It's not just his lack of quickness, but also his inability to bend around the corner. He's got tight hips, and can't manipulate angles as well as many others (watch Aldon Smith for an example).

Overall, he's the type of guy that'll hold up well against the run, give you good effort and won't be a liability. But he is a tweener... not big/strong enough as a prototype LDE and not quick/athletic enough for RDE.

He's a 2nd/3rd round value IMO.

 

[joseephuss]

I couldn't comment on his quickness as compared to Spencer, but I do know he put up far superior game #s. Spencer ranks 13th on Purdue's career sacks list with only 10.5 for his career. Okafor had 12.5 in 2012. I realize stats don't mean anything when comparing players coming into the NFL, but Okafor has been beyond solid all around. Quick or not the kid gets to the QB, contains well outside, and causes turnovers.

I agree that his only fit is in a 4-3 on the strong side, but isn't that what Dallas needs? I hope Dallas resigns Spencer and can spend the #18 on a Cooper or Richardson, but I think Okafor is one of the more underrated players in this draft and I'd have no issue in taking him at #18.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/pur/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/prospectus/prospectus.pdf

Purdue career sack leaders:
1. Rosevelt Colvin 35.0
2. Shaun Pillips 33.5
2. Ryan Kerrigan 33.5
4. Jeff Zgonina 29.0
4. Akin Ayodele 29.0
6. Anthony Spencer 21.0 He had 10.5 in his best season.
7. Craig Terrill 20.5
8. Jim Schwantz 18.0
9. Ray Edwards 16.0
9. Rob Ninkovich 16.0


Also, Okafor finished his college career with 35 tackles for losses. Spencer had 44 during his career.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/pur/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2011-12/prospectus/prospectus.pdf

Purdue career sack leaders:
1. Rosevelt Colvin 35.0
2. Shaun Pillips 33.5
2. Ryan Kerrigan 33.5
4. Jeff Zgonina 29.0
4. Akin Ayodele 29.0
6. Anthony Spencer 21.0 He had 10.5 in his best season.
7. Craig Terrill 20.5
8. Jim Schwantz 18.0
9. Ray Edwards 16.0
9. Rob Ninkovich 16.0


Also, Okafor finished his college career with 35 tackles for losses. Spencer had 44 during his career.

My bad, I guess I read it wrong.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Before everybody starts I AM NOT a UT fan! That said I don't understand how this guy isn't being mentioned at 18. He had 23 sacks while at Texas including 12.5 last season, and 7 forced fumbles including 4 last year. At 6-5 264 he seems like he'd be the perfect fit to replace Spencer, and #18 seems like about the perfect spot to take him. He actually reminds me quite a bit of Spencer the year he came out of Purdue.

I watched almost every UT game this past season and he will totally dissappear during games. He also seems slow turning the corner and takes bad angles, dont let the Alamo Bowl performance fool you.

Not somebody I would take at 18.

 

[9darter]

Okafor is viewed as a solid yet unspectacular prospect. He's a hustle player that had very good production, but he doesn't project too well as a rusher in the NFL. Why? It's not just his lack of quickness, but also his inability to bend around the corner. He's got tight hips, and can't manipulate angles as well as many others (watch Aldon Smith for an example).

Overall, he's the type of guy that'll hold up well against the run, give you good effort and won't be a liability. But he is a tweener... not big/strong enough as a prototype LDE and not quick/athletic enough for RDE.

He's a 2nd/3rd round value IMO.

That's more or less how I see him. I have him as a late second or third round prospect.

 

[Fredd]

I don't dislike the guy or anything but if we took him at #18 when there will be OL there and likely better DL (or Vaccaro at S), then I would be upset