NFL Draft 2014 Preview (39 page)

Weaknesses:
Not physically impressive — is short with short arms and a relatively thin lower body. Limited extension — struggles to disengage from blocks and can be engulfed by the double team. Lacks lead in his pants and can be moved. Average anchor strength — too easily controlled and sealed off in the run game. Instincts are developing.

Future:
A quick, athletic penetrator best working in a single-gap, heavy-movement, stunting front. Flashes the ability to disrupt and could be effective working in a rotational role.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He has some quickness that intrigues you. His issue is going to be his arm length. How many guys are playing at a high level with short arms. Most get injured or don’t do much at our level.”

NT MIKE PENNEL, #99

COLORADO STATE-PUEBLO
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Grade: 5.00

Ht: 6-4 1/4 | Wt: 332 | Sp: 5.23 | Arm: 33 3/8 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
The Colorado prep began his collegiate career at Scottsdale (AZ) Community College in 2010, where he had 34 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and one sack with one pass batted and two forced fumbles in nine games. Earned junior college all-America honors in ’11 after recording 37-13-2 with one pass batted and one forced fumble in nine games. Went to Arizona State in ’12, but saw action in only five early season games, tallying 4-0-0. Was suspended twice in less than a month by head coach Todd Graham — the second time indefinitely for a Twitter rant — in his lone season at ASU. Transferred to Division II Colorado-State Pueblo in ‘13 and had 36-6-3 with four passes batted and three forced fumbles in 12 games.

Strengths:
Rare size and body mass. Looks the part with a well-distributed frame and carries his weight well for a 350-pounder. Is seldom moved off a spot. Can lock out and walk back blockers with sheer brute strength. Flashes some violence in his hands. Strong short-yardage/goal-line plugger.

Weaknesses:
Gets hung up on blocks too easily and can’t split the double team. Plays flat-footed. Limited explosion, quickness and agility to shoot gaps or make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Plays with limited knee bend and tends to stand tall. Could stand to do a better job protecting his legs. Did not dominate vs. lesser competition. Has been disciplined for not following rules and must prove committed.

Future:
A massive run-stuffing space-occupier with the bulk to plug the middle or function outside in a traditional 3-4 front. His calling card will be defending the run on early downs.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

3T KELCY QUARLES, #99 (JUNIOR)

SOUTH CAROLINA
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Grade: 5.22

Ht: 6-3 3/4 | Wt: 297 | Sp: 5.03 | Arm: 33 1/4 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
His father, Buddy, was an offensive lineman for South Carolina from 1984-1987. Kelcy was a Parade All-American as a South Carolina prep. Attended Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy prep school before enrolling at South Carolina. Played in 12 games as a true freshman in 2011, starting the last six games at defensive tackle, and had 28 tackles, two tackles for loss and zero sacks. Started all 11 games in which he appeared in ’12 and recorded 38-8-3 1/2. Was suspended by coach Steve Spurrier for punching an LSU player. Also missed a game with a sprained shoulder. Saw action in 12 games (11 starts) in ’13, tallying 39-13 1/2-9 1/2 with one pass batted. Missed one game with a concussion.

Strengths:
Good size and initial quickness. Long arms and strong upper body — can press and extend to create operating space. Flashes the ability to walk guards back. Is fairly light on his feet and shows nice closing burst to the quarterback. Good pursuit effort when his battery is charged. Heavy tackler. Excellent sack production, particularly for an interior defender — 9 1/2 sacks ranked second nationally among defensive tackles.

Weaknesses:
Narrow-based. Gets upright off the snap. Lets his pads rise and gets controlled or washed. Struggles to fight through blocks. Chewed up by double teams. Does not generate powerful hand violence. Could stand to get in better shape and improve his stamina. Posted a meager 23 1/2-inch vertical jump at the Combine. Production was inflated — had plays flushed to him, benefiting from attention paid to Jadeveon Clowney. Character needs to be evaluated very closely.

Future:
Thickly built, long-armed, defensive tackle who was not as consistently dominant as his numbers or accolades suggest. Has enough quickness, strength and enough pass-rush ability to develop into a rotational three-technique in the pros, but could have benefited from another year of SEC competition.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He had a bunch of production, but tell me where it comes from. He is an absolute stiff. He does not have a sterling reputation. I have a free-agent grade on him for someone else. I hope someone bites earlier.”

5T-DLE KALEB RAMSEY, #96

BOSTON COLLEGE
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Grade: 5.00

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 293 | Sp: 5.05e | Arm: 32 7/8 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
Also played tight end and was an all-state basketball player as a Pennsylvania prep. Saw action in seven games as a true freshman in 2008 and posted six tackles, zero tackles for loss and one sack. Logged 11-0-2 in seven contests (two starts at right tackle and one at left) in ’09. Missed five games because of leg injuries. Appeared in 11 games, starting 10 at left defensive tackle, in ’10 and recorded 39-7 1/2-2 1/2 with one pass batted down. Was suspended for unspecified reasons against Notre Dame and missed the Virginia game with a hip injury. Did not participate in ’11 spring practice while recovering from left shoulder surgery. In the fall, started the season opener against Northwestern but injured his left foot and sat out the season with plantar fasciitis (was granted a medical hardship, preserving eligibility). Started the first two games in ’12, tallying 4-1/2-0, before a left calf tear sidelined him for the season. Obtained a sixth year of eligibility in ’13 — shifted to defensive end and started 8-of-10 games played, collecting 28-4-2. Did not start against Florida State or Miami, and missed three games in November while nursing a hamstring injury. Did not perform at the Combine because of a right calf injury (medical exclusion).

Strengths:
Good read-and-react skills. Shows stack strength to press and extend. Good initial quickness — bursts off the snap and has disruptive ability. Plays on his feet, is athletic and bends well for his size. Can redirect and chase. Gives effort in pursuit. Strong tackler. Has played inside and outside. Benchpressed 225 pounds 36 times at the Combine, tops among defensive linemen.

Weaknesses:
Durability is a red flag — is fragile and has missed a multitude of games the last five seasons because of head, hip, shoulder, foot, knee and calf injuries. Inconsistent pad level. Needs to improve hand violence and dexterity to disengage more quickly. Linear rusher. Could stand to play with more intensity snap to snap. Ordinary production. Will be 25-year-old rookie.

Future:
A sixth-year senior, Ramsey has the physical tools to serve in a rotational role as an aggressive five-technique or 4-3 left end, though his injury history and long-term durability concerns limit his value and could scare teams off.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

3T-5T CARAUN REID, #11

PRINCETON
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Grade: 5.35

Ht: 6-2 1/8 | Wt: 302 | Sp: 4.91 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 10 1/2

History:
The New York prep enrolled at the Ivy League school in 2009 and played in 10 games as a true freshman, tallying 32 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss and one-half sack with four passes batted. Saw action at both nose tackle and defensive end. Tore his left pectoral muscle in the ’10 season opener at Lehigh and missed the rest of the campaign. Underwent surgery after the season. Returned in ’11 and recorded 68-16-7 with three passed batted and one forced fumble and three blocked kicks in 10 games (nine starts). Led all Ivy League linemen in tackles. Started nine games in ’12 and had 40-9 1/2-5 with one pass batted, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks. Missed the Penn game with a concussion. Was a finalist for the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year award in ’13 after registering 26-11-6 1/2 with one pass batted in 10 starts, helping lead Princeton to a conference title. Team captain was just the second Princeton player ever to be invited to the Senior Bowl.

Strengths:
Very quick off the ball. Disruptive shooting gaps and working half a blocker. Active and energetic — feet are always running. Plays hard and competes. Very good sack production from the interior (20.5 career sacks). Good intelligence. Is very young (entered college as 17-year-old freshman) and still growing into his body — has physical upside. Good length and hand-eye coordination — 7 career blocked kicks.

Weaknesses:
Tends to stand straight up, negating his quickness and power out of the gate. Is not stout and can be waylaid by the double team. Marginal upper-body strength (diminished from 2011 pectoral surgery). Shows little feel for blocking pressure and can be late to locate the ball. Can do a better job protecting his legs. Pushed around too easily. Durability issues have crept up throughout his career.

Future:
A quick, agile, tilted nose who is effective slanting and stunting and working his way into the backfield. Has kicked outside in passing situations and has the tools to pique the interest of aggressive, one-gapping, 3-4 fronts such as the Jets, Steelers or Ravens as a five-technique. Developmental talent with raw traits to mold.

Draft projection:
Fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I thought he was outmatched in (Senior Bowl) practice, and he ended up with two sacks in the game. That tells me it’s a great day for defensive linemen. It’s tougher for an offensive linemen coordinating protection in those games. You have guys who never played inside before being tried at guard or being switched from the left side to the right side. That’s not easy, especially in this kind of setting.

DRE-ROLB CHRIS SMITH, #42

ARKANSAS
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Grade: 5.31

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 266 | Sp: 4.71 | Arm: 34 1/8 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Was a top defensive recruit as a North Carolina prep, helping his school to back-to-back state titles and a 30-game winning streak. Enrolled at Arkansas in 2010 and played in six games as a true freshman, recording three tackles and one pass breakup. Appeared in all 13 games (three starts) in ’11 and had 31 tackles, six tackles for losses and 3 1/2 sacks with one pass batted. Moved into the starting lineup at left defensive end in ’12 and recorded 52-13-9 1/2 with four passes batted and one forced fumble. Was arrested in October after missing a court date for a speeding ticket (64 mph in a 45 zone); when he failed to appear, a warrant was issued (he was released on $415 bond). Made 12 starts in ’13 and tallied 36-11 1/2-8 1/2 with one pass batted. Team captain.

Strengths:
Long arms. Very good take-off, burst and closing speed — wins with quickness and effort. Plays hard with good urgency and runs to the ball. Good finishing speed and hustle in backside pursuit. Gradually improving strength. Likeable personality with natural leadership traits. Has a 37-inch vertical jump.

Weaknesses:
Lacks functional playing strength and can be controlled easily when big-bodied blockers get their hands on him (see Alabama). Struggles to split the double team. Not a nuanced pass rusher — reliant on upfield speed too much. Can do a better job diagnosing the run more quickly and shedding blocks.

Future:
A weakside pass rusher who could most ideally project to the rush linebacker position in the pros for a 3-4 front, Smith graded more highly as a junior than he did as a senior, yet possesses the tools to earn a starting job in the pros in multiple schemes. Versatility is a plus.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He stood out to me more as a junior than he did as a senior. He’s best when he has a clear path. I question how well he plays the run. He might be better for the 3-4 teams as a linebacker.”

DRE-ROLB-PRS MARCUS SMITH, #91

LOUSVILLE
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Grade: 5.39

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 251 | Sp: 4.68 | Arm: 34 | Hand: 10

History:
Played quarterback as a Georgia prep. Converted to linebacker as a true freshman in 2010 — saw action in nine games (one start) and recorded three tackles, one tackle for loss and zero sacks. Started at outside linebacker in the season opener against Kentucky before spending the rest of the year as a reserve/special teams player. Moved to defensive end in ’11, seeing action in 10 games (five starts) and totaling 12-6 1/2-5 1/2 with one pass batted and two forced fumbles. Missed three games with an ankle injury. Took over as the starting left defensive end in ’12 and posted 29-7-4 with two passes batted, one interception and two forced fumbles in 13 starts. Caught two-point conversion passes against Kentucky and Missouri State. Was the American Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in ’13, starting 13 games and recording 42-18 1/2-14 1/2 with three passes batted, four forced fumbles and a blocked kick.