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2007 Rookie Profiles: Defensive Tackles
Posted:
5/07 Courtesy of the TFY Draft Preview
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Full Name: Jay Alford School: Penn State Ht: 6-3.5 Wt: 303 40: 5.22 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Four-year starter who was an All-Conference selection as a junior and senior. Finished last season with 32/14.5/8 after 37/11.5/8.5 the prior year.
Pos: Explosive, one-gap defender who plays with great quickness. Fast off the snap, gets leverage on opponents and fires through the gaps. Fights with his hands throughout the action, flashes lower body strength and drives his feet up the field. Fluid if asked to twist or stunt, can drop off the line to play in space and has a burst of closing speed. Slips off blocks and redirects to the action.
Neg: Lacks bulk and engulfed by large opponents. Easily controlled once engaged in a block.
Analysis: A solid athlete who flashes on the scene, Alford is a penetrating defensive lineman best suited to a system similar to that run by the Chicago Bears.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 277 40: 5.12 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Three-year starter who compiled 40/9/4.5 as a senior after 26/6.5/3 the prior year.
Pos: Hard-working defender who plays with intelligence. Chases hard to get involved in the action and flies around the play. Gives effort defending the run or rushing the passer. Experienced at both the tackle and end.
Neg: Lacks balance, athleticism and the ability to quickly change direction. Marginal speed to the flanks as well as strength at the point.
Analysis: A “try-hard” prospect whose motor never stops, Anoai lacks the size and speed to be anything other then a backup. The versatility to be used at several positions on the defensive line gives him an advantage.
Full Name: Baraka Atkins School: Miami-Fl Ht: 6-4.5 Wt: 271 40: 4.77 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Four-year starter whose senior totals included 43/12/5 after 40/5/1.5 as a junior.
Pos: Nice-sized, athletic defender who has yet to take his game to another level. Plays with good pad level, displays speed in every direction and penetrates up the field, creating havoc. Fluid changing direction, makes plays down the line and redirects to the action. Agile, splits blocks and rarely is off his feet. Plays with terrific balance and body control.
Neg: Does not chase hard to get involved in the action, nor is he a physical defender. Has a lot of tackles broken. Controlled at the point by tight ends.
Analysis: A physically gifted prospect with the ability to be used as a two-gap lineman, Atkins comes off a disappointing senior campaign. Offers starting potential at the next level, but has yet to show the fire or motivation to play to his ability.
Full Name: JP Bekasiak School: Toledo Ht: 6-6 Wt: 285 40: 4.91 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Two-year starter used at both tackle and end. Posted 29/2.5/.5 as a senior after junior totals of 22/4/2.Two-year starter used at both tackle and end. Posted 29/2.5/.5 as a senior after junior totals of 22/4/2.
Pos: Large, athletic lineman with enticing size/speed numbers. Explodes off the snap with a quick first step, is double-teamed in the middle of the line and is tough to move off the point. Flashes an array of moves getting off blocks, displays power in his lower body and bull-rushes opponents off the ball.
Neg: Gets tall as the play proceeds and makes himself an easy target for opponents. Slow locating the ball and lacks instincts. At times seemingly gives up on the action.
Analysis: Possessing terrific size, growth potential and flashing ability, Bekasiak must turn the intensity up on all levels if he wants any type of career in the NFL.
Full Name: Ray Blagman School: Connecticut Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 318 40: 5.27 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Moved into the starting rotation as a senior, posting career-best numbers of 36/4/.5. Junior totals included 15 tackles.
Pos: Wide-bodied plugger who can be used at defensive tackle or on the nose. Built low to the ground, plays with good pad level and gets off the snap with a quick first step. Uses his hands to protect himself, displays strength in his lower body and is tough to move off the point.
Neg: Mostly a straight-line defender who struggles changing direction or moving laterally. Slow to shed blocks once engaged at the point.
Analysis: A run clogger in the middle of the line, Blagman has the size and tools to develop into a competent backup in the NFL.
Full Name: Conrad Bolston School: Maryland Ht: 6-3 Wt: 303 40: 5.36 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Three-year starter who compiled 35/3.5/1.5 as a senior after 38/5.5/5 as a junior.
Pos: Quick, penetrating tackle who goes hard after ball carriers. Explodes off the snap, wedges between blockers and has a burst of closing speed. Works his hands to protect himself, redirects to the action and wraps up at the point. Improved his reads and ability to diagnose as a senior.
Neg: Too often controlled at the point and slow shedding blocks. Marginal skills rushing the passer.
Analysis: Flashing skills the past three years, Bolston has the size and strength to be a two-gap lineman. Must learn to play at a consistently high level before he’ll make his mark at the next level.
Full Name: Alan Branch School: Michigan Ht: 6-5.5 Wt: 325 40: 5.13 Year: 3Jr
Bio: Two-year starter awarded All-Conference honors last season posting 25/6/2, also intercepting a pass and breaking up an additional throw. Sophomore totals included 31/10/5.
Pos: Massive defensive lineman who could be used in a variety of systems. Quickly gets off the snap with a good first step, displays power in his lower body and collapses the pocket. Fluid changing direction, redirects to the action and easily brings ball carriers down on initial contact. Plays with good speed, showing the ability to twist or stunt. Makes plays laterally down the line.
Neg: Gets tall, does not protect himself and is an easy target for blockers. Does not play with great balance. Must develop more moves with his hands. Needs to properly condition himself.
Analysis: At times a dominant force on the inside, Branch has been an impressive defender at Michigan. Offers the ability to be used as a two-gap lineman or a wide-bodied conventional tackle. Possesses great upside but must improve the fundamentals of his game and consistently play at a high level.
Full Name: Kareem Brown School: Miami-Fl Ht: 6-4 Wt: 290 40: 5.13 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Former backup who became a full-time starter as a senior and posted 38/12.5/11. Junior totals were 46/8.5/4.5.
Pos: Nice-sized athlete who flashes the ability to force the action. Quick off the snap, plays with good pad level and drives his feet up the field on contact. Possesses a burst of closing speed, plays with good explosion and chases the action hard. Resilient, makes plays in every direction of the field and is a disruptive force.
Neg: Must improve his hand technique and learn to protect himself. Cannot get off blocks once engaged at the point.
Analysis: Improving his game as a senior after becoming a full-time starter, Brown offers the size and athleticism necessary to eventually see action with the first team at the next level.
Full Name: Larry Brown School: Oklahoma State Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 295 40: 5.28 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Junior college transfer who moved into the starting lineup as a senior, posting 22/8.5/1.5.
Pos: Quick, interior penetrator who works hard. Explosive off the snap, uses effective hand technique to protect himself and holds the point. Possesses a straight-line burst of speed and immediately locates the ball.
Neg: Has marginal lateral movement skills and pass rush moves. Undersized, and will be controlled at the point.
Analysis: Showing signs of life as a senior, Brown offers potential as a rotational tackle in a one-gap system. Must improve his strength yet at the very least is practice squad material.
Full Name: Andrew Browning School: Boise State Ht: 6-0 Wt: 280 40: 5.06 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Three-year starter awarded varying degrees of All-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign. Senior totals were 35/10.5/8.5 after 40/10/8 as a junior.
Pos: Explosive defensive tackle best suited as a one-gap lineman. Displays outstanding quickness off the snap, goes very hard and chases to get involved in the action. Offers a straight-line burst of speed, keeps his feet moving up the field and works his hands throughout the action.
Neg: Does not play with good balance, slow adjusting off the initial block and easily knocked to the ground. Mostly a straight-line defender who does not make many plays down the line of scrimmage.
Analysis: Playing with a nonstop motor, Browning can fill a role at the next level as a rotational lineman in a system similar to that run by the Indianapolis Colts.
Full Name: Shelton Bynum School: North Carolina Ht: 6-4 Wt: 292 40: 5.45 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Two-year starter who posted career-best numbers of 26/3.5/3 as a senior after 22/3/1 the prior year.
Pos: Explosive three-technique lineman who flashes skill. Quick off the snap, plays with good lean and keeps his feet moving on contact. Works hard on the inside and displays the ability to change direction and make plays down the line. Works hard until the whistle blows.
Neg: Lacks strength at the point, can be handled by a single blocker or driven off the line. Marginally productive the past two seasons and has never really elevated his level of play.
Analysis: A well-built lineman who flashes ability, Bynum is a developmental prospect who must improve his playing strength and the details of his position.
Full Name: Jeremy Clark School: Alabama Pos: DT Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 306 40: 5.06 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Four-year starter whose senior totals included 24 tackles. Prior numbers were 18/3/2 as a junior after 23/2/.5 during his sophomore campaign.
Pos: Explosive interior lineman with marginal athleticism. Gets off the snap with a quick first step, explodes through the creases of the offensive line and plays with great intensity. Fluid moving laterally, stringing plays out to the flanks.
Neg: Does not play with balance, gets tall and is handled at the point. Must improve his hand technique and learn to protect himself. Minimally productive in college.
Analysis: A high-effort defender with limited size and speed, Clark could make an NFL roster as a rotational front-four player.
Full Name: Joe Cohen School: Florida Ht: 6-2.5 Wt: 313 40: 5.17 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Moved in and out of the starting lineup the past three years. Senior totals were 26/2/.5 after 15/4/1 as a junior. Posted a career-high 28 tackles as a sophomore. Used at both defensive tackle and defensive end.
Pos: Tough, run-defending plugger who is rarely off his feet. Quickly gets off the snap with a nice first step, breaks down well bending his knees and gets leverage on opponents. Possesses a short burst of speed.
Neg: Lacks the quick change of direction, does not make plays laterally and struggles redirecting to ball carriers. Not fast to the sidelines. Marginally productive as a pass-rusher.
Analysis: Possessing better than average size/speed numbers, Cohen has been marginally productive on the college level and must improve every facet of his game to make it on an NFL level.
Full Name: Tory Collins School: Northwestern State Pos: DT Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 295 40: 4.98 Year: 5Sr
Bio: LSU transfer who totaled 34/4.5/2 as a senior, earning All-Conference and All-American recognition. Registered a career-best 59/14/1 as junior.
Pos: Explosive one-gap lineman who can be very disruptive. Quickly gets off the ball with a terrific first step, penetrates into the backfield and closes with a burst of speed. Aggressive, intensely chases the action and plays with a good degree of suddenness. Slides down the line defending the run and effectively uses his hands to stay off blocks.
Neg: Undersized, slow to shed or engulfed by opponents. Easily ridden from his angle of attack.
Analysis: A smallish lineman built low to the ground, Collins’ quickness and natural leverage gives him a chance to make it as a three-technique lineman.
Full Name: Brent Curvey School: Iowa State Ht: 5-11.5 Wt: 292 40: 4.98 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Four-year starter awarded All-Conference honors since his sophomore campaign. Senior totals were 46/12.5/7, after 61 tackles as a junior.
Pos: Short yet explosive tackle who could be used in a rotational system. Quick off the snap, built low to the ground and easily gets leverage on opponents. Keeps his feet moving throughout the action, immediately alters his angle of attack and fires through the small creases of the offensive line.
Neg: Easily handled at the point or blocked from the play. Engulfed by large opponents.
Analysis: An underrated prospect who has been productive throughout his college career, Curvey has potential as a backup three-technique lineman.
Full Name: Ola Dagunduro School: Nebraska Ht: 6-1.5 Wt: 290 40: 5.32 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Junior college transfer who broke into the starting lineup last season and totaled 31/9/3.5.
Pos: Explosive one-gap tackle who is built low to the ground. Explodes through the small gaps of the line, gets leverage on opponents and fights to make plays. Quickly penetrates up the field and nicely redirects to ball carriers.
Neg: Can be easily knocked off balance or controlled by a single blocker. Driven off the line by opponents. Marginal pass rusher.
Analysis: Displaying a lot of improvement as a senior, Dagunduro has potential as a rotational player on the front four.
Full Name: Mike Devito School: Maine Ht: 6-3 Wt: 300 40: 4.97 Year: 4Sr
Bio: Three year starter awarded all-Conference honors as a senior after totaling 28/10.5/7. Junior numbers included 34/12/6.5.
Pos: Durable defensive lineman who works hard on the inside. Quick off the snap, plays with good pad level and drives his feet up the field. Displays a good head for the ball and stays with assignments. Shows a burst of speed to the action.
Neg: Not a penetrating defensive lineman and limited as a pass rusher. Undersized and handled at the point by single blocker.
Analysis: A tough and overachieving college player, Devito could find a home at the next level on a team which keeps eight lineman.
Full Name: Stanley Doughty School: South Carolina Ht: 6-0.5 Wt: 325 40: 5.25 Year: 4Jr
Bio: Played in 12 games as a reserve last season, totaling 17 tackles with three tackles for loss. Sophomore numbers were 24/7/3.5 when he started nine games. Was suspended three times last season and declared ineligible prior to the team’s bowl game.
Pos: Explosive nose tackle prospect who impacts the game when focused on the task at hand. Built low to the ground, quickly gets off the snap and penetrates up the field. Keeps his feet moving on contact and splits double-team blocks. Bull-rushes opponents off the line and nicely redirects to the play.
Neg: Overweight, tires easily and is poorly conditioned. Turns his motor on and off. Lacks the ability to make plays laterally.
Analysis: A wide-bodied plugger in the middle of the field, Doughty has shown flashes of dominance the past two seasons. Struggled with several issues as a junior, which limited his playing time. Has the physical dimensions and talents to develop into a productive nose tackle if he commits himself to football full-time and matures as an individual.
Full Name: Quinton Echols School: Kansas State Ht: 6-1 Wt: 328 40: 5.45 Year: 5Sr
Bio: Two-year starter who received All-Conference consideration as a senior after totaling 31/4/1. Career-best numbers of 45/5.5/1.5 came as a junior.
Pos: Stout, run-stuffer who is tough to move off the point. Fires off the snap, displays strength in his lower body and gets push up the field. Plays with good pad level and chases to get involved in the action. Flashes the ability to slide down the line and make plays.
Neg: More of a first-move lineman who easily gets wired in blocks. A little stiff and struggles redirecting to ball carriers. Not considered a great worker, and has battled weight problems in the past.
Analysis: Offering potential in a variety of systems, Echols has the ability to play in the NFL if he commits himself to proper off-the-field conditioning and training.
Full Name: Justin Frick School: North Dakota State Ht: 6-3.5 Wt: 296 40: 5.21 Year: 4Sr < | ||||||||||||||
