Early Look: 2009's 3-4 Prospects

(...much needed bump to stop a new thread from being made)

3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS

1. Jarron Gilbert - SJSU 6'5 288
2. Evander Hood - Mizzou 6'3 300
3. Tyson Jackson - LSU 6'4 295
4. Alex Magee - Purdue 6'3 298
5. Fili Moala - USC 6'4 305
6. Ricky Jean-Francois - LSU 6'3 295
7. Pannel Egboh - Stanford 6'6 276
8. Mitch King - Iowa 6'2 280
9. John Faletoese - UC Davis 6'3 295
10. Kyle Moore - USC 6'5 272

(I pumped Egboh up and King down after doing a little more research on the two.)

1. Gilbert is my top guy based on size, athleticism, and upside. JG was a 4-3 tackle at San Jose State, so he'll have to learn the position, but he has everything you look for in a star 3-4 defensive end. He's being compared to Richard Seymour when he came out of UGA. As a rookie, I see Gilbert as a rotational defensive end that becomes a full-time starter by mid-season. MID-FIRST ROUND

2. As most of you know, I've been talking up Ziggy Hood for a while now -- he's finally getting the recognition he deserves...after an excellent combine, Hood is now being rated as a first round prospect. The guy's a gym rat -- he bench presses 440 pounds, and has added over 50 pounds of muscle since joining the Tigers. His motor alone should earn him a first round grade. He's one of those guys that never quits. My favorite thing about him is that he wants to keep getting better and better -- coaches at Mizzou say he's always the first to arrive and the last to leave when watching film. He also runs his sprints with the running backs and receivers. MID-TO-LATE FIRST ROUND

3. Jackson looks like a prototype defensive end...mainly because of his size. Jackson was very inconsistent at LSU, but he did draw a lot of double teams, causing his production to drop. I still like him as a rotational defensive end, but he disappears too much for me to give him a mid-first round grade. LATE FIRST ROUND

THIS IS WHERE THE TALENT FALLS OFF...sort of

4. Magee is a 3-4 DE prospect that is rising up in my rankings. He's got a very quick first step for a guy that weighs close to 300 pounds. Dominant over short stretches, but can be very inconsistent at times. He's one of 2009's bests at shedding blockers. AM showed his versatility at Purdue playing both DT and DE. He's another one of those guys that's going to have to learn how to play end in the 3-4. A rotational player that could potential become a starter after a few seasons in the league. MID-TO-LATE SECOND ROUND

5. Moala is the cousin of current Raven 3-4 lineman Haloti Ngata. Here's a guy that doesn't really have a true position as a pro...FM is very long and lanky for a player over 300 pounds. One of the most instinctive defensive linemen in this draft - very good at reading and reacting. Unlike most big players, FM has a very high motor, almost never gives up on play. His only real knock as a defensive lineman is as a pass rusher and those who know the 3-4 know that the DEs don't necessarily have to get after the QB, they just have to eat up blockers. MID-TO-LATE SECOND ROUND

6. RJF was a big time prospect coming out of high school - never really live up the hype at LSU because of academic problems and injuries. He's a streaky player like most linemen. When he's on, he's the best lineman on the field. Constantly gets his hands up to knock down passes. Not much of a hustler, which pushes him down on my list, but he's got all the talent in the world. Awesome against the run. Someone has to give this kid a shot...I think a lot of GMs will pass on him, so it's hard to predict where he'll be selected. LATE-THIRD to MID-FIFTH ROUND

7. Egboh has the ability to become a very solid 3-4 defensive end. He's a very tall at 6'6 and he looks like he can gain about 20 more pounds. EXTREMELY long arms that help him break off blocks. Another player that may become very versatile in the pros - Egboh has the ability to slide out to OLB in certain situations. Very, very good at playing HIS position and eating up blockers. The fact that he's a 'tweener will push him down in the draft. MID-TO-LATE FOURTH ROUND

8. King is the biggest 'tweener out of all of '09's linemen. His motor is basically the only reason I have him on this list...you can't not like this kid. MK is one of those impact players that pumps up his teammates and the crowd. His low center of gravity makes it very hard for blockers to drive him back. Just a play-maker...always around the ball. His size could create a some versatility for him as a pro. King has the smarts and the motor to switch back and forth as a DE and an OLB. FIFTH ROUND

9. Moore was over-shadowed on a very good team. His height can be a major advantage and a major disadvantage. KM is very strong -- makes a lot of arm tackles, which could also be a knock. Like Jean-Francois, he can deflect passes by getting his hands up. Needs to work on disengaging blockers. A lot like Fili Moala as a 3-4 prospect -- not a solid pass rusher, but he doesn't need to be in this system. A major knee injury is his major flaw. SIXTH OR SEVENTH ROUND

10. Faletoese is unknown by many on this board. He's a high effort, dominant player at UC Davis. JF has legitimate size. Constantly double teamed, but still productive. He's a smart player that finds his way to ball carriers. I-AA All-American that was a four year starter for the Aggies. Not receiving a combine invite and playing against inferior competition will cause him to slide. SIXTH or SEVENTH ROUND

...almost made the list:

Zach Potter - Nebraksa 6'6 279
Rulon Davis - California 6'4 281
John Gill - Northwestern 6'3 290
Vance Walter - Georgia Tech 6'1 304

If I have the time tomorrow, I'll finish up my top 3-4 inside backers list.

 

Connor Barwin is a potential 3-4 outside linebacker, not an end.

 

It's Brace* -- Ron Brace would provide us with a rotational NT - something we desperately need behind Kris Jenkins.

Right now, he looks like a late second, early third round pick.

 

I didn't forget anyone - these are MY rankings.

I'm not a fan of Everette Pedescleaux -

1. He wasn't a dominant player against inferior competition.

2. He wasn't a full-time starter until his senior season - didn't start any games as a junior...used strictly as a rotational player because he has absolutely no motor.

3. In 2008, he was very good at UNI, helping their defense become on the top ranked defenses against the run. Still only one full season...Albert Haynesworth-esque

4. Transferred from Minnesota for two, well maybe just one reason: didn't make the basketball team because of CONDITIONING and didn't play on the football team because of CONDITIONING.

Everette Pedescleaux is another player that you're trying to pump up -- you make him out to be some sort of God-like figure on the football field, when he's clearly just a one-year wonder at the I-AA level.

His size is intriguing, but it seems to me he doesn't work hard...I consider him to be a sleeper prospect and nothing more.

Yeah...I like Mitchell. He has great size for the 3-4. From what I've read, KM has trouble shedding blocks and he gets taken out of a lot of plays by double teams.

 

No - this is all about his character. He couldn't get into shape to make the basketball team at Minnesota, where he was a preferred walk-on for their b-ball team...that shows he was in even worse shape as a football player.

Training could help, but this is all in his head...it's all about his character and work ethic.