NFL Draft 2014 Preview (42 page)

Strengths:
Very good body length. Flashes some violence in his hands. Strong tackler. Very good 10-yard split time (1.68 seconds) at the Combine, where he also did 31 benchpress reps.

Weaknesses:
Average playing speed and burst. Comes off the ball upright and stays blocked. Very inconsistent pad level. Late to locate and find the ball. Too easily controlled. His 7.93-second 3-cone drill was among the worst by defensive tackles at the Combine.

Future:
Strong, stiff, developmental five-technique who showed improvement as a senior, but must learn how to play with more consistent pad level to have a chance.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Linebackers

ADRIAN HUBBARD

JEREMIAH ATTAOCHU

CHRIS BORLAND

DEE FORD

TRENT MURPHY

DEMARCUS LAWRENCE

RYAN SHAZIER

C.J. MOSLEY

ANTHONY BARR

KHALIL MACK

ROLB-DRE JEREMIAH ATTAOCHU, #45

GEORGIA TECH
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Grade: 5.52

Ht: 6-3 1/4 | Wt: 252 | Sp: 4.80e | Arm: 33 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
Born in Nigeria. Went to high school in Washington D.C. Played his first three seasons as a 3-4 outside linebacker for defensive coordinator Al Groh. As a true freshman in 2010, played 12 games (started Independence Bowl against Air Force) and recorded 23 tackles, four for loss and three sacks. Did not play against Wake Forest (groin). Started all 11 games played in ’11, tallying 59-11 1/2-6 with two pass breakups, an interception and two forced fumbles. Did not play against Maryland and Virginia while nursing a high ankle sprain. Started all 13 games in ’12, producing 69-12-10 with a pass breakup and a forced fumble. Did not play against Middle Tennessee State (chest). As a senior in ’13, played defensive end in Ted Roof’s 4-3 scheme and posted 45-16-12 1/2 with two passes batted down and a forced fumble. Team captain. Owns Georgia Tech’s career sacks record with 31 1/2, which ranks fifth in ACC history behind Chris Slade, Reinard Wilson, Peter Boulware and Greg Ellis. Did not work out at the Combine because of a left finger injury (medical exclusion)

Strengths:
Good burst off the snap. Heats up the edge and runs the arc. Quick inside move. Disruptive ability. Motor runs hot — keeps coming after the quarterback and chases hard from the back side. Moves well laterally and can zone drop. Has experience in even and odd fronts, having played defensive end and stand-up linebacker. Power-leverage potential. Mature and intelligent. Cares about the game and prepares like a pro. Arrow pointing up (will be a 21-year-old rookie).

Weaknesses:
Lacks elite length, athleticism and top-end speed. Needs to get stronger. Gets knocked around at the point of attack. Controlled by larger blockers when they get their hands on him. Still developing pop and violence in his hands. Still learning to incorporate power into his rush (more effortful than powerful). Needs to cultivate his pass-rush arsenal.

Future:
Georgia Tech’s all-time sack leader, Attaochu is a young, heady, disruptive, relentless edge rusher who profiles as a 3-4 right outside linebacker. Should interview well, and has the look of a trustworthy, long-term starter given his pass-rush ability, motor and makeup.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I thought he struggled early, but really came on the second half of the season. I had him in the fourth (round) early. I pushed him up to the top of 3. Ninety percent of the time he is rushing. That is what he does best.”

ROLB-DRE ANTHONY BARR, #11

UCLA
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Grade: 6.60

Ht: 6-4 7/8 | Wt: 255 | Sp: 4.66 | Arm: 33 1/2| Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Born in South Bend, Ind. and raised in a Notre Dame family — father, Tony Brooks, played fullback at ND and was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 1992 draft; uncle, Reggie Brooks, played running back at ND, was fifth in the ’92 Heisman voting and played 41 games with the Redskins and Buccaneers (1993-96); and uncle, Cedric Figaro, played linebacker for the Irish as well as 98 games for the Chargers, Colts, Browns and Rams (1988-92, 1995-96). Anthony grew up in Los Angeles and was raised by his mother, who is part of a large extended family, including Anthony’s grandparents, who were like second parents to him. Ran track and was an All-State running back in high school — amassed 1,890 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior (dealt with hip pointers) before suffering a season-ending broken ankle injury in September of his senior season. According to Barr, he felt effects of the injury through his freshman season. Highly recruited, he spurned Notre Dame — not wanting to play receiver — and signed with UCLA and then-head coach Rick Neuheisel in order to play running back and remain close to home. As a true freshman in 2010 (wore jersey No. 2), rushed six times for 29 yards (4.8-yard average) and zero touchdowns with nine receptions for 66 yards (7.3) and zero touchdowns in 12 games, including four starts at the Bruins’ F-back (hybrid running back/tight end/receiver). Started 7-of-12 games played at the F-back in ’11, rushing 9-25-1 (2.8) and catching 3-16-1. Had arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his right knee and missed three October contests. Converted to 3-4 right outside linebacker under new head coach Jim Mora Jr., then-defensive coordinator Lou Spanos and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich (current DC). Sustained a head injury during ’12 fall camp and began the season with a cast protecting a broken left index finger. Switched to jersey No. 11, started all 14 games and ranked second nationally in sacks behind Steelers ’13 first-rounder Jarvis Jones — recorded 83 tackles, 21 1/2 for loss and 13 1/2 sacks with five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, a blocked kick and a safety. Dealt a season-ending blow to USC quarterback and ’13 Eagles fourth-rounder Matt Barkley. Sustained a head injury during ’13 fall camp, but started all 13 games at ROLB and registered 65-20-10 with a pass breakup and five forced fumbles. Won the Lott IMPACT award and was a finalist for the Lombardi, Bednarik and Butkus awards. Team captain. Was invited, but did not participate in the Senior Bowl.

Strengths:
Exceptional take-off speed, acceleration and closing burst. Makes plays effortlessly in back-side lateral pursuit. Outstanding recovery quickness to make plays (when he is out of position). Explosive striker. Can produce “wow” plays when he triggers quickly or releases cleanly and has developed a reputation for knocking quarterbacks out of games (see USC, 2012 and New Mexico State, 2013).

Weaknesses:
Developing instincts — late to locate the ball and too easily fooled by play-action and misdirection. Motor runs hot and cold — does not always apply himself. Can be locked down too easily when engaged — unrefined hand use. Lacks variety of pass-rush moves and relies too much on natural speed. Average eyes, anticipation and awareness in coverage — marginal feel. Average base strength — moved off the ball too easily by tight ends (plays tall). Needs more time in the weight room — 15 bench-press reps were tied for the fewest among linebackers at the Combine.

Future:
A highly disruptive, athletic specimen with the pass-rush potential to effortlessly emerge as a double-digit sack producer. Is far from a finished product and his best football is still ahead of him, yet he plays the game with more of an offensive temperament and could require some patience. Is the type of rare athlete that could even contribute as an offensive playmaker once he learns to grasp defensive concepts and the game slows down for him.

Draft projection:
Top 10 pick.

Scout’s take:
“Barr is overrated. He does not always play hard. He is more athletic than Von Miller, but he is not a dominant (butt)kicker. ... For how long and lean he is, he can bend and drop and flip his hips. I’m not sure how instinctive he is. I realize he has not played the position long.”

ROLB SHAQUIL BARRETT, #56

COLORADO STATE
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Grade:
5.20

Ht: 6-1 1/2 | Wt: 244 | Sp: 4.90e | Arm: 33 | Hand: 8 5/8

History:
Married with two sons. Originally from Maryland. Attended Baltimore City College his first two years of high school before moving to Nebraska, where he won a state wrestling championship. Began his college career at Division II Nebraska-Omaha — started 10-of-11 games as a true freshman for the Mavericks in 2010 and recorded 82 tackles, 11 1/2 for loss and 8 1/2 sacks with three forced fumbles and four blocked kicks (two punts, two field goals). Transferred to CSU when Nebraska-Omaha dropped football. Was on the two-deep by the end of ’11, then an injury to strong-side linebacker Mychal Sisson enabled Barrett to start the final 11 games at middle linebacker (incumbent MLB James Skelton shifted to SLB) — led the Rams in tackling by posting 99-4 1/2-2 1/2 with three pass breakups, a 52-yard interception touchdown and a forced fumble. Played defensive end in ’12 when he started 10-of-12 games and produced 67-7.5-3.5 with a batted pass, a 49-yard INT TD and two forced fumbles. Did not start against Hawaii (left leg) or Boise State (ankle). Was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in ’13 — started all 14 games at right defensive end, registering 80-20 1/2-12 with two batted passes, an interception and two forced fumbles. Sprained his ankle against San Jose State Team captain.

Strengths:
Solid instincts — around the ball a lot. Flattens down the line and runs to the ball. Plays hard. Good closing speed and pursuit production. Strong tackler. Flashes power to walk back big blockers and is disciplined defending the run. Beat Alabama’s Cyrus Kouandijo for a sack, using trademark rip move to come underneath. Has a knack for stripping the ball.

Weaknesses:
Does not pass the eyeball test — slew-footed with stiff hips and segmented, mechanical movement skills. Lacks ideal first-step quickness to trim the corner. Near-liability in man coverage. Has wide shoulders and gets stuck on blocks too long.

Future:
A tough, productive, stand-up rush linebacker who may not look pretty, but consistently gets the job done, came through in clutch situations and displayed a knack for making timely and game-changing big plays.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“I liked him as a blitzing Pittsburgh Steelers-type outside linebacker. When you see him in person, he is short and tight in the hips and not a good athlete. He shows some power and short-area burst. He has a chance.”

WLB LAMIN BARROW, #18

LSU
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Grade: 5.37

Ht: 6-1 3/8 | Wt: 237 | Sp: 4.64 | Arm: 33 3/8 | Hand: 10 3/8

History:
Louisiana native. Redshirted in 2009. Was a backup “Will” linebacker and special-teams contributor his first two years. Played 12 games in ’10 (started the season opener against North Carolina as an injury replacement for Ryan Baker) and recorded 18 tackles, one-half for loss and zero sacks. Did not play against Tennessee. Played 13 games in ’11 (started against Northwestern State when Baker was suspended) and tallied 17-1-0. Did not play against Tennessee. Started all 13 games at Will in ’12, posting 104-7 1/2-0 with five pass breakups and a forced fumble. Was the leading tackler in ’13 when he notched 91-5 1/2-1 1/2 with two pass breakups. Team captain wore jersey No. 57 prior to his senior season when he was elected to wear No. 18, signifying the player who bests represents what it means to be a Tiger.

Strengths:
Knee bender. Uses his arms like flippers to ward off blocks on the move. Athletic and agile. Moves well laterally. Large hands. Can redirect and chase. Drops easily into zone coverage and shows hip swivel and range. Tough and football smart. Highly respected and hardworking team captain. Has special-teams experience and traits. Posted a 35-inch vertical leap and 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Small-framed — is short and lacks ideal bulk. Lacks elite speed for his size. Average eyes and instincts. Gives ground at the point of attack. Does not play downhill or make enough plays at/behind the line — too much production is downfield. Leaves production on the field — in position but does not finish. Overruns plays (loses contain). Sucked in by play-action. Not a striker.

Future:
Undersized, athletic, run-around see-and-go reactor who needs to be protected to be effective. Projects as a Will linebacker, nickel defender and special-teams contributor.