IDP

(Written collaboratively with Ross Miles)

Shea McClellin is an edge pass rusher who played defensive end in college for Boise State, but profiles as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Having been portrayed as a meteoric riser by the media that may not be quite the truth if you listen to scouts who are claiming McClellin had always been rated on their boards. At 6’3” and 260lbs is a true ‘tweener and will likely be asked to add 15-20lbs if his role in the pros requires a hand in the dirt, but whether that will take the edge off his speed remains to be seen. Not the flashiest of prospects and average looking career stats (129 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks) he did win numerous WAC and team honours in his career, including 2011 Defensive MVP for the Broncos.

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A physically imposing force at the corner position, Dre Kirkpatrick handled the best that the SEC had to offer in his time at Alabama. He was often relied on to play bump-and-run in addition to being on his own island versus his receiver. However, Kirkpatrick has never been one with a penchant for interceptions, and speedy receivers will undoubtedly test him at the next level despite him posting a respectable 4.51 40-yard dash time. His stock took a hit in January when charges for possession of marijuana were filed against him, but were later dropped. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most versatile players in the draft class, Melvin Ingram saw time at defensive end, outside linebacker and defensive tackle in college, a role he could revise in the NFL depending where he lands, although he may be best suited in a 3-4 playing OLB. He did have injury issues in college that saw him red shirted in 2008 (broken foot) and then he played through a broken hand in 2010. The biggest knock against Ingram seems to be his “lack of length”, which is scout-speak for not being tall enough and having short arms. Despite that he racked up 21 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss for South Carolina and is seen as an explosive and athletic pass-rusher.

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A much debated member of the draft class, and projected #1 Defensive End, Quinton Coples has split the draftniks. To some he is an explosive edge-rusher echoing the skills of his UNC alum,  Julius Peppers, while others point to him taking plays off, being a shade under-sized for a five-technique and a one-dimensional pass-rusher. Whatever is being said, he still registered 17.5 sacks, 30.5 tackles for loss and 114 tackles in his final two years in college, off the back of his bull rush and he will generate interest in fantasy leagues as a 4-3 DE. Following on from a bountiful draft class last year, in which Robert Quinn (also from UNC), Adrian Clayborn and Jabaal Sheard were all able to make solid contributions as DEs (Aldon Smith, JJ Watt and Ryan Kerrigan were also successful, but not as 4-3 Ends) I expect the risky Coples to be over-drafted.

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Michael Brockers is not the next coming of Ndamukong Suh, let’s get that clear from the start. The former linebacker, now undersized nose tackle, has an impressive 6’6” and 303lbs frame and is best utilized as a space eater in the middle. In 17 games for LSU he only managed two sacks but still draws great reviews for his high motor and work ethic, which leaves people in a quandary. Do you believe that the two-year starter can be coached into improving his pass-rushing repertoire, thus boosting his fantasy value, or will he be a Sione Pouha style run stuffer? If that’s the case then his fantasy value peaks at high-end DT2. By comparison, Marcel Dareus, last year’s #2 overall pick, who had similar run stopping skills, but far superior pass rushing ones, could only manage to be the 20^th ranked DT last season, so buyer beware. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been a bizarre debate over who the top defensive tackle is in 2011’s draft class.  Jerel Worthy and Michael Brockers were the early top-dogs, then the title shifted to Dontari Poe after the combine.  But as draft day neared, that title seemingly shifted to the Mississippi State Bulldog Fletcher Cox. Though significantly smaller than the aforementioned, Cox was not small on the stat sheet netting 14.5 tackles for loss versus a formidable SEC schedule. He also came up big in the combine, performing fluidly in the field drills and running a blistering 4.78 40-yard dash. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the more polarizing players in the draft, the 346-pound Dontari Poe saw his draft stock rise meteorically at the combine after running a sub 5.0 40-yard dash and putting up a combine-high 44 bench reps. He’s one of the classic examples of the debate between potential and previous production. His size and speed suggest he could be elite in the NFL, but just eight tackles for loss and one sack against Conference USA opponents in his final season is a concern. Read the rest of this entry »

A late riser by all accounts on many draft boards, South Carolina junior cornerback Stephon Gilmore was even listed above Morris Claiborne on film guru Greg Cosell’s mock draft earlier this week, which took some by surprise. At 6’0” and 190lbs he has prototypical height and bulk to go with his 4.40 speed, but it the physicality in his play that makes him as a potential #1 corner at the next level. As a three-year starter in college (including his true freshman year in the SEC) he amassed 181 tackles, 17 passes defensed and 8 interceptions and has drawn comparisons to both Charles Woodson (good luck!) and Vontae Davis.

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Kuechly is widely considered to be the best ILB prospect in this year’s draft class. He’s not an elite-level talent in terms of shear athleticism, but his instincts and solid fundamentals allowed him to excel at the collegiate level. In his three seasons at Boston College, Kuechly was an absolute tackling machine, notching 516 total tackles during that span. Read the rest of this entry »

Your protypical in-the-box thumper, Barron is this year’s best offering at safety. At 6’1” and 213 lbs, he has good size at the position to accompany his solid skills and quick reaction. Though he shows more instinct for moving downhill against the run, he did show an ability to cover while at Alabama. Read the rest of this entry »