Category: Scouting Reports – 2015

Mario Edwards Jr. Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Mario Edwards Jr. DE/DT Florida State #15
Ht: 6’3″
Wt: 279

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Size/Athleticism: Decent athleticism for his size, but not enough to offer much as a pass-rusher.

Run Defense: Primarily responsibility in FSU’s defense was to set the edge on running downs and he does an adequate job. Weak at the point of attack. Driven backwards frequently in one-on-one situations. Seems content to simply be in the right place, without putting forth the extra energy to be disruptive.

Pass Rush: Very much a work in progress. He’s a decent athlete but has never shown much of anything as an edge-rusher. Struggles to anticipate the snap count. Doesn’t really show any go-to pass-rush move on the edge. Doesn’t have a counter move on the edge. Bull rush is adequate, and he can collapse the pocket but doesn’t know how to disengage and finish the play himself.

Versatility: Primarily lines up as a 5-tech but has experience all over the defensive line, and often is standing up. Raw skills make him best suited as a 3-4 end, but could play anywhere but nose tackle on the defensive line. Has some experience in coverage—including some man coverage.

Intangibles: Son of former NFL lineman Mario Edwards. Effort and energy are questionable at best. Clearly takes plays off.

Durability: Suffered concussion in September 2014. Had hand surgery in 2013 and missed two games.

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Mario Edwards Chart

Overview: Edwards’ stock will rise or fall based on how he interviews. He has first-round physical gifts, but he plays like he just doesn’t care. His development has been stagnant and he’s given very little reason for anyone to trust that he’ll reach his full potential. His physical tools and his versatility could cause a team to grab him on Day 2, but questions about his effort and energy likely drop him to Day 3.

Grady Jarrett Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Grady Jarrett DT Clemson #50
Ht: 6’1″
Wt: 304

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Size/Athleticism: Short and undersized in college. Looked like a fat linebacker on the field at Clemson. Reportedly added 16 pounds before combine to get over 300, but clearly did not play at that weight at any point in college. Weighed 298 pounds at pro day.

Run Defense: High energy player who plays through the whistle and gives a great effort in pursuit. Lacks the strength/length combination to consistently disengage. Plays with great leverage and can maintain his spot against double teams.

Pass Rush: His game is all about leverage. He doesn’t have the length to do much of anything except bull rush his way into the backfield, but he’s fairly productive. Quick enough to shoot games and can blow up some plays in the backfield on occasion.

Versatility: Lines up in three-tech and one-tech positions on the line in Clemson’s 4-3 set. Doesn’t have a ton of upside as an interior pass-rusher and may not be a three-down player from that position. Could be viewed as a nose tackle if he can keep his weight up.

Intangibles: Impressive motor. Son of former Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle. Close family friends with Ray Lewis, and calls him Uncle Ray. Spends offseason working out with Ray Lewis.

Durability: Played through torn labrum in shoulder in 2013 and had offseason surgery.

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Grady Jarrett Chart

Overview: Jarrett is a tough prospect to grade because there’s a lot unknown about his game. He was productive despite being vastly undersized at Clemson. However, he tipped the scales at over 300 pounds at the combine and continued to post solid athleticism numbers in workouts. The examples of productive NFL players at his height and weight are limited, but Jarrett has a great motor and appears to be motivated to succeed. He’s definitely worth a gamble early in Day 3, if not sooner.

Carl Davis Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Carl Davis DT Iowa #71
Ht: 6’5″
Wt: 320

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Size/Athleticism: Elite size, strength and length. Above average athleticism for a player with nose tackle size. Long powerful arms and big hands.

Run Defense: More than just a space eater. Strong enough to get some push, even at the point of attack. Capable of holding ground against double teams.

Pass Rush: Dangerous combination of size and athleticism. Long, powerful arms and can easily drive his way into the backfield when he gets leverage. Shows a nice swim move and occasionally goes to a spin move as a counter. Lacks a closing burst, which gives him limited obvious production in terms of sacks but consistently collapses the pocket and forces the quarterback to move. Came off the field a lot on passing downs.

Versatility: Primarily plays the 3-technique spot in Iowa’s 4-3 defense but has the size to play nose tackle. Lining up at the 5-tech spot as a 3-4 end is a possibility for him in the pros, but probably not where he would make the most impact.

Intangibles: High character guy off the field but scouts questions his desire to be great.

Durability: Kneecap popped out of place twice during 2012 season, which led to offseason surgery.

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Carl Davis Chart

Overview: Davis stock comes down to how he handles the interview process. Teams want to know why his top-10 physical tools translated to Day 2 production on the field. They also want to know how a mediocre team like Iowa could take a talent like that off the field so frequently on third downs. From a raw talent standpoint, Davis has the same profile of Ndamukong Suh, but he lacks the relentless effort and tenacity that Suh shows on the field. The ceiling is incredibly high, but does he want to reach it?

Arik Armstead Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Arik Armstead DE/DT Oregon #9
Ht: 6’7″
Wt: 292

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Size/Athleticism: A decent athlete for his height/weight. Moves well reasonably well for his physical profile. Shockingly short arms for his height. Also played basketball as a freshman at Oregon.

Run Defense: Does a nice job keeping offensive linemen from locking on to his pads so he can slide down the line and make an effort on interior runs. Sheds blocks with ease, but could improve his reaction time. Often late to getting to the ball carrier. Quick enough to spin outside and help contain edge runs, but lacks the speed to make plays in pursuit without a favorable angle. Weak at the point of attack. Does not have the overall strength to absorb a dominant initial punch from the offensive line.

Pass Rush: Bull rush is weak. Easily neutralized by double teams. Struggles to push his way past interior offensive linemen if he can’t fire into the gap immediately off the snap. Generates almost no pass-rush from the 5-tech spot—lacks the strength to bull rush and lacks the quickness to move from that position into a gap. Come production as a pass-rusher on his few snaps from a 3-tech position. Lacks a closing burst.

Versatility: Primarily lines up in the 5-tech position in a 3-4 front. Occasionally plays from the 5-tech spot. Drops in coverage at times and looks fluid doing so and is capable of playing some zone, primarily to guard against screens.

Intangibles: Looks lost on the field at times. Awareness and football intelligence appears to be lacking. Brother, Armond, played at USC. Is not related to former NFL linebacker Jessie Armstead, as has been incorrectly reported by some media outlets in the past.

Durability: Missed time in 2014 with ankle and leg injuries.

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Arik Armstead Chart

Overview: Armstead is a complicated prospect. For starters, don’t get caught up in marveling at his height. His arms are only 33″, which is actually below average for an NFL defensive tackle—and length is far more valuable than height to a defensive line. He does have the athleticism to develop into a disruptive force, but he plays hesitant and his motor is hot and cold. He has potential as a 3-4 end or a pass-rushing 4-3 three-technique tackle, but he’s purely a developmental prospect.

Jordan Phillips Scouting Report

Scouting Reports - 2015
Comments
Jordan Phillips DT Oklahoma #80
Ht: 6’4″
Wt: 336

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Size/Athleticism: Has the size of a true nose tackle. Long arms help him sustain leverage. Reasonably quick feet for his size and can generate some momentum when he wants to.

Run Defense: Mostly just a space eater. Has the quickness to make some plays but the effort just isn’t there. Can’t be relied upon for anything more than to take on blockers and eat up space.

Pass Rush: Keeps his eye in the backfield and gets his arms into passing lanes consistently. Very limited burst off the snap. Generates a fairly consistent bull rush and has the long arms to prevent offensive linemen from locking on to him and stalling him. Occasionally splits the gap and dives into the backfield but is not a consistent pass-rusher.

Versatility: Probably locked in to playing nose tackle. Not enough explosive ability to shift to a three-tech tackle or a 3-4 end.

Intangibles: Effort is questionable at times. Doesn’t always fight through the whistle. Appears to watch the quarterback and slack off when he feels he’s no longer in position to make the play.

Durability: Suffered season-ending back injury in 2013.

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Jordan Phillips Chart

Overview: Phillips has more upside based on his physical traits than most of the other nose tackles in this class, but his lack of consistent effort is a major red flag. Nose tackle is a position which relies heavily on pure effort, and Phillips just doesn’t have it. He’s not someone that coaches can trust to give 100% on every play and he should definitely not be viewed as a guy who can reliably play 50+ snaps per game. He definitely has a lot of upside as a prospect, but the bust factor is high.