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2014 Draft
Defensive Tackles
This page will be a work in progress and updated frequently. Come back often and watch it develop.

3 Louis Nix III DT 11 Notre Dame rJr 6020 331 1st

Combine Forty: 5.42...USA Today says he has enough talent to be "the next Vince Wilfork"...Ideal measurables for a 2-gap DT with massive lower half...top end speed good for size...durable...above average intangibles/must monitor weight though...space-eater who rarely gives ground...instinctive at locating ball...more disruption on pass rush than most write ups indicate....gets hands up on pass rush...excellent 1st step quickness/snap anticipation...tough inside fighter...played hard in BCS title game when ND was being blown out...but is coming off meniscus surgery...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.34 & 5.36; 3c: 8.01; BP: 34 reps; OK but not great in position drills according to Brandt...probably a 2nd round pick (and didn't play as well this season as he did the previous one)....

Combine (DL35) - Arm: 33; VJ: 25.5; BJ: 97; 3C: 8.29;.........

4 RaShede Hageman DT 36 Minnesota rSr 6060 310 1st-2nd

Combine Forty: 5.02...Excellent blend of height, weight and top-end speed...Durable..."Broke up more passes (9) than most DB's" - USA Today...Has overcome anger issues and matured into a leader...off the field incidents should be investigated...Disruptive penetrator but does not need to rely on quicks alone...can hold ground one on one and drive blockers back when he stays low (though pad level remains an issue)...Effective bull-rusher ...rushing the passer...above-average speed to power...gets by on a couple of moves - need wider variety...inconsistent hand fighter....good 1st-step quickness for size...not a brawler but does play with an edge and won't back down...consistently good motor but occasionally will take a play off...plays high...relies on one-move...played in rotation (endurance)?...

Pro Day - Stood on combine numbers but did position drills (no comments posted)...

Combine (DL16) - Arm: 34 1/4; BP: 32; VJ: 35.5; BJ: 114; 3C: 7.87;...Expected to widen a few eyes at combine due to athletic skills......

Senior Bowl - At 6-6 and 318 pounds, he was the only man Matt Miller says he was physically afraid to get in front of...impressive and dominant on film and (for a 6-6 dude) ihas surpising ability to get low...up and down motor at Minnesota, but "the switch was flipped" in Mobile and he started dominating...shines as a scheme-versatile defensive player who can play in conventional 3-4, 4-3 or hybrid fronts. Figures to be gone in the top 20.....

5 Will Sutton DT 66 Arizona State rSr 6000 303 2nd/3rd

Combine Forty: 5.36...Shorter than ideal but upper-echelon speed for size...average durability (knee)...quick, agile and controls body well...gained weight and lost explosiveness...arms are a bit short...academically ineligible in 2010...football lineage in family...one-gap up the field penatrator w. excellent 1st step quickness vs. run....Disoruptive interior pass rusher...variety of moves....average bull rushing strength and power...good torso flex...Ideal hand and foot quickness and very good range...intense competitor...plays with an edge/not afraid to mix it up...Uneven motor in pursuit...good 2nd effort as pass rusher...

 

 

 

Pro Day - Didn't impress....Lost 18 lbs since Senior Bowl...Forty: 5.31; 20S: 4.57; 3C: 7.70...showed a "good club" in his workout but other than that (according to Brandt) he looked "pretty average". Gil says some projected him to be a 1st round pick last summer but is now projected to go in the late 3rd round...

 

 

Combine (DL47) - Arm: 31 1/4.; BP: 24; VJ: 28.5; BJ: 99, 3C: 7.93;..

 

Senior Bowl - Boom or bust type - quick first-step allows him to penetrate but he also gets washed out in the run game. Probably carrying 10 - 15 extra poundage on frame...Trapasso (BR) didn't feel he made much impact......

 

 

2 Aaron Donald DT 9 Pittsburgh Jr 6010 285 2nd

Combine Forty: 4.68...I'm surprised he's getting more than expected mixed reviews - his late season/post-season production seems to outstrip perceived scouting perceptions about sixe limitations...Elite speed, strength and agility for size...Marginal height and weight (built like a fireplug)..Gets by on quicks/leverage rather than size or power...Versatile - can play all over the defensive front...can be rooted out of hole in double team...heavy and violent hands/consistently first off the balldecent durability...football family...smallish frame an obvious concer vs. run...but plays with low COG and is explosive (i.e. best shooting gaps and making plays in the backfield)...disruptive interior pass rusher......Tough, though effort is a tad inconsistent...Brandt describes him as an elite college pass rusher (11 sacks) but short at 6-0, so he wants to see how long his arms are (because, for example, "30-inch arms...could be a problem for him at the pro level)....

Pro Day - Stood on very impressive combine scores ("which drew rave reviews")...Only went through field drills but looked very good; showing fluid movement, validating his strong combine performance...

Combine (DL07) - Arm: 32 5/8; BP: 35; VJ: 32.0; BJ: 116; 3C: 7.11.....

Senior Bowl - Considered "best overall player in Mobile" by Trapasso (BR)...Can either play a 3-technique in a 4-3 or a 5-technique in a 3-4...at times unstoppable vs. single and double-teams....Only Sutton might have a quicker first step..According to BR's Matt Bowen - he has a solid burst off the ball, is violent/quick with hands to employ power and counter-moves one-on-one to disengage and work up the field.....a bit short but wins with leverage and competes to the whistle on every rep....projects as a 3-tech DT in a 4-3 and should move up the boards after this week...Matt Miller notes thst he's lightning fast, instinctive and productive - only knock on him is his height, but he uses his low COG to fire out and make himseld a small target..was competing against the best senior OL's in the nation and is moving up Miller's board...

12 Ego Ferguson DT 137 LSU rJr 6030 315 4th

Est. Forty: 5.12...All NameTeam...USA Today describes him as a physical inside shed tackle who regularly draws double teams....Proto height and weight but needs to increase muscle....no durability issues but was downgraded to "average" due to typical weight problems....Good student but a bit inconsistent as a practice player...matured during past year...Thick frame should translate to powerful run stopper but he must become stronger...Marginal pass rush production-more due to poor technique than lack of physical potential...average 1st step quickness but more explosive in post-season play than earlier in season...Needs technique work...will sometimes play with no knee or hip bend..."Built like a tank but seems to think he's a Porsche" - ESPN...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.13 & 5.16; VJ: 29.5"; BJ: 8-3"; 20S: 5.03; 3C: 8.00...Looked really good in position drills according to G Brandt.....

Combine (DL13) - Arm: 32 1/2; BP: 24; ....

 

1 Timmy Jernigan DT 7 Florida State Jr 6030 299 2nd

Combine Forty: 5.06...a tad light, nice height but short arms...elite top speed for DT...average durability (high ankle, MCL)...above-average work-ethic/student of game...Top-line inside instincts and agility - an inside run-clogger in the lanes...plays low...one-gap penetrator...demands of the position call for additional core strenght in the pros...Twitter-discipline issue...Exceptional vs. run - disruptive/can make plays on the other side of the LOS...abov average range/can make plays outside the tackle...adequate bull rusher vs. pass but just average pass rush skills...exceptional hand and feet quickness/explosive 1st step...plays with an edge ("relentless an understatement" - ESPN)....doesn't gear down when double-teamed/won't back down from a man on man challenge...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.02 & 5.06 (rolled on 2nd start); 3C: 7.65...wore dwon a bit near the end of the drills but G Brandt says he "pushed through it" (and looked good doing so)...

Combine (DL20) - Arm: 31 5/8; BP: 27; VJ: 29.5; BJ: 102;....

8 DaQuan Jones DT 96 Penn State Sr 6040 322 2nd

Combine Forty: 5.35...Excellent blend of height, weight, speed. Lower back injury in Spring 2013 but misssed no time...Leader/hard-worker/film-room rat/team-first...Tough to move off the ball vs. run....can hold ground vs. double-team...Swiss Army Knife DT who can push pocket, penetrate or hold his ground...must focus on consistently playing with good knee bend/flexiblity...doesn't sink and drive legs through contact...base narrows when chasing...better pass rusher than stats suggest...effective bull-rusher but not a finisher....below average lane-discipline...has the quicks to be a good hand fighter but consistency is an issue....1st-step quickness and agility are above average, but he's not all that explosive...tough but not an agitator...could be more relentless...

Pro Day - 20S: 4.65...Brandt describes him as "a big guy who moved well on the field" - was Gil's top senior DT going into 2013....

Senior Bowl - According to Brooks - "Along with Justin Ellis, displayed "the strength and power to own the LOS" vs. single blocks with the leverage to hold ground vs, double-teams"...Jones is the more versatile of the two with enough athleticism, quick hands and powerful first step to play 3-tech in an aggressive one-gap scheme"......

Combine (DL22) - Arm: 33 1/2; BP: 25; VJ: 27.5; BJ: 101; 3C: 7.73;......

13 Kelcy Quarles DT 166 South Carolina Jr 6040 297 2nd-3rd

Combine Forty: 5.03..Red flag - arrested with Victor Hampton for brutally beating up a victim in a bar fight...As a pass rusher, he can push pocket and chop blocker's hands down....Areas of concern: Hand strength/usage, endurance and balance in traffic...Also - was his effectiveness partly due to Clowney's drawing more attention on the other side of the South Carolina defensive front?...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.03 & 5.06; 20S: 4.70; 3C: 7.60...had a good day & moved around well but wore down near the end and Gil B says he needs to be in better shape...

Combine (DL39) - Arm: 33 1/4; BP: 27; VJ: 23.5; BJ: 102;.......

6 Anthony Johnson DT 79 LSU Jr 6020 308 3rd

Combine. Forty: 5.24...Prototype frame for a 4-3 DT...Shed 40 lbs since freshman...Effort lineman with better than average agility...good spin move at LOS, but technique needs a lot of work and he must become more disciplined (i.e. he's too often a "penalty magnet")...very good straight-line burst...Durable...Katrina victim...sings (solo and in in chorus)...Dispruptive run defender...Explosive upper body power and violent hands, but must effectively use hands more consistenty...and play at a more consistent pad-level...can redirect quickly/great closing burst...snap anticipation not very consistent...lacks 3-technique burst...has bull-rush power but must refine technique...Lacks explosive 1st-step...faster than quick...powerful upper body...quick (but not elite) hands...Must prove he can handle more reps per game if he's to become a strarter...relentless pursuer...mean streak......pops right up after getting knocked down...Pro Day - Stood on combine scores and is said to have looked good moving around in his position workouts...

Combine (DL21) - Arm: 33; BP: 20; VJ: 24.5; BJ: 102; 3C: 7.93;.....

14 Calvin Barnett DT 190 Oklahoma State Sr 6020 300 3rd-4th

Est. Forty: 5.10...Prototyical one-gapper size with average top-end speed...Sudden off snap...explosive/plays hard...must become more disciplined technique-wise...Durable...below average intangibles ...off the field issues but respected by teammates, loves the game and works hard...adequate technique but plays too high vs. run...lacks variety of pass rush moves...effective hand-usage/average overall agility/range...hot and cold motor but playus with an edge...will weaar down at times...

Pro Day - Said to have had a "somewhat disappointing day" posting a 5.3 forty and 20 bench press reps.......

7 Daniel McCullers DT 81 Tennessee Sr 6070 352 3rd-4th

Est. Forty: 5.05...Enormous dude (longest arms we've recorded so far)...Two-down/2-gap NT....Size is his greatest asset...but must watch his food-intake and conditioning...Stamina and conditioning are concerns due to weight...reserved and polite...struggled with academics in HS...space-eater and gap-filler so improving his lower half is key....lacks shock with punch...can collapse pocket with bull rush or block QB passing lanes, but lacks 1st-step quickness and athleticism...developing more toughness and nastiness...Plays tall with high pad level (How much is due to the fact that he's 6-7)?...Slow-twitch...plays upright...Stamina already a major challenge...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.31 & 5.34; VJ: 23; BJ: 8-3"; 20S: 5.08; 3c: 7.82; BP: 27 reps...looked good in workouts but tired a bit toward the end (stamina red flag?) Brandt says he should be a pretty good defensive lineman working in some kind of rotation...

Combine (DL31) - Arm: 36 5/8; BP: 27; VJ: 20.5; BJ: 97.0;......

9 Caraun Reid DT 100 Princeton rSr 6020 302 4th

Combine Forty: 4.91... .A lot of upside to work with...Good speed for size but workout scores suggest lack of explosion and weight work...Thickly built but a bit short...Upper-echelon top-end speed...Regularly faced double-teams...one-speed slow-twitch guy with marginal lateral quickness...Pec injury in 2010...strong (religious) family background...hard worker...One-gap run defender whois best when he uses his quicks to cause disruption...Considerable pass-rush upside - above-average quicks/variety of moves/above average closing burst...excellent 1st-step...must develop hands...decent lateral agility and range...adequate but not elite endurance...tough...

Pro Day - Worked out by Bengal D-line coach...Forty: 4.85 & 4.91; VJ: 27.5"; Brandt says the NFL personnel in attendance were impressed by Reid's workout.....

Combine (DL41) - Arm: 33...BP: 20; VJ: 26.5; BJ: 106; 3C: 7.59...

Senior Bowl - Small college dude...Athleticism and motor stood out..Racked up two sacks vs. Logan Thomas on back-to-back plsys and, during the week, showed the necessary size, strength and power to fit in a 4-3 scheme in the pros.... .

15+ Ryan Carrethers DT 153 Arkansas State rSr 6010 337 4th-5th

Combine Forty: 5.47...Enormous fire-plug shaped dude...

Pro Day - Conducted indoors...nothing specific except that he was at the top of the list of participants......Pro Day - Forty: 5.03 & 5.07; VJ: 27.5"; Looked good in position drills and moved around well for his size according to G Brandt....

Combine (DL02) - Arm: 31 3/4; BP: 32; VJ: 26.0; BJ: 88; 3C: 7.89;.......

15+ Eathyn Manumaleuna DT 196+ BYU rSr 6020 296 5th

Combine Forty: 5.16...Versatile - played 3-4 nose and 4-3 DT...good blood-lines...tends to get velcro'd to blocks......

Combine (DL27) - Arm: 32 1/4; BP: 29; VJ: 28.0; BJ: 101; 3C: 7.78;.........

15 Shamar Stephen DT 195 UConn rSr 6050 309 5th-6th

Combine. Forty: 5.25...According to USA Today, he's a "power slant and angle player who is effective from tackle to tackle"...tough guy...plays high/can be driven out of hole...balance issues...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.25...did not have a strong day in position drills...drew criticism for stiffness...

Combine (DL45) - Arm: 33 1/; BP: 25; VJ: 30.5; BJ: 103.0.......

11 Deandre Coleman DT 125 California rSr 6050 314 5th-6th

Est. Forty: 5.10...Massive frame with above-average height and bulk...big hands, long arms...adept at disrupting throwing lanes...adequate top-end speed...Durable...Maturing...well-liked by teammates and coaches...kind of quiet.....2-gap space eater with active hands and powerful upper body...hand-work needs to improve...power pass-rusher but sometiomes comes off ball too high...may be best suited as 2-down DT...Plays hard and fights when fresh, but tends to wear down (inconsistent motor)...needs more knee and hip flexibility and to improve pass rushing moves...

Pro Day - Was happy with his workout (lots of advance pr about the Cal Pro Day but little in the way of factual info)....

Combine (DL05) - Arm: 34 3/8; BP: 24;........

10 Justin Ellis DT 109 Louisiana Tech xx 6010 334 3rd

Combine Forty: 5.27...USA Today considers him a NT sleeper with an "appealing blend of power and quickness"......

Senior Bowl - Impressed Bucky Brooks with his imposing frame and leverage - more of a wide-body run-stopper than an interior pass rusher and was stout at the LOS in run drills...Told Trapasso of Bleacher Report that he compares his game to that of Vince Wilfork...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.03 (with wind) and 5.21 (against wind)...G Brandt says he has amazing quickness for his size and "I think people will have a tough time blocking him".."His height isn't ideal but he moves around like a gazelle (projects as a 3rd rounder).....

Combine (DL11) - Arm: 33; BP: 25; VJ: 28.0; BJ: 92; 3C: 7.81;....

15+ Bruce Gaston DT 196+ Purdue Sr 6020 310 6th-7th

Est. Forty: 5.05...Inside shade NT who flashws surprising power,strength and explosiveness...doesn'rt consistently play low...

Pro Day - Happy with workout. BP: 34 reps....

15+ Garrison Smith DE/DT 196+ Georgia Sr 6030 299 7th

Est. Forty: 5.05...No major write up yet...

Pro Day - Forty: 5.23; BP: 23 reps; BJ: 8-2"....Writer says Smith has never been a workout numbers guy but is intense on the field and productive as a 3-4 strong side end. Projects as a maybe a 7th round pick or at least an UDFA.

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