NFL Draft 2014 Preview (35 page)

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal length and bulk. Could stand to get functionally stronger. Has short arms and can be neutralized by larger linemen. Cannot be counted on to two-gap. Average production. Can be overaggressive and lose sight of the ball. Durability is a concern — both knees have required ACL surgery.

Future:
Undersized, explosive, athletic, high-motor three-technique whose junior season was cut short in Week 3 by a knee injury. Injury history will likely affect his
draft stock, but when healthy, he shows the ability to disrupt the backfield and pressure the quarterback. Fits best in an aggressive scheme in which he could use his quickness to slant, stunt and shoot gaps.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“(Easley) is coming off a big injury. He is a little undersized. He’s an under-tackle who has to win on quickness and get-off. I don’t think he’ll fit a 3-4 (front). He can change the game a little bit with his movement. They say he has really settled down and matured since he became a father — he seems to have a better work ethic and is more structured than the kid that used to sleep in meetings when he arrived. He hurt his left knee two years ago and his right knee this season. The good thing is, these guys keep healing quicker and quicker.”

DRE-ROLB kasim edebali, #91

boston college
>
Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 253 | Sp: 4.79 | Arm: 32 3/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
The native of Hamburg, Germany, arrived in the United States in 2007 as part of the USA Football International Student Program; although he had played American football (he was a tight end for the German under-19 national team at the 2006 European Championships), he spoke limited English. After playing for a New Hampshire prep school for two years, he enrolled at Boston College and redshirted as a freshman in 2009. Played in 13 games in ’10, including four starts at defensive end, and had 13 tackles, 1 1/2 tackles for loss and zero sacks with one pass batted. Started 12 games in ’11 and had 27-1/2-0 with five passes batted. In 11 starts in ’12, he registered 59-7 1/2-1 1/2 with four passes batted and one forced fumble. Missed the Clemson game with a shoulder injury. Had a solid senior season in ’13, starting all 13 games and tallying 67-14-9 1/2 with five passes batted and three forced fumbles. Team captain.

Strengths:
Good get-off. Shows an arm-over to defeat tackles. Has some disruptive ability to penetrate gaps. Reads plays and locates the ball. Uses his arms to create room to operate. Good motor in pursuit — forces runs outside and chases to the boundary. Strong tackler. Tries to disrupt passing lanes. Intelligent and articulate. Hardworking, well-respected with a professional approach to the game. Three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal size. Overpowered at the point of attack. Pops up off the snap. Needs to develop pass-rush moves and use his hands more violently. Average flexibility, foot speed and change of direction — exposed in space and shows when he runs the arc. Power element missing. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
German-born, high-motor, effort-based pass rusher who could warrant developmental consideration as a situational 4-3 rush end or stand-up 3-4 linebacker. Is not a natural, physically gifted hunter, but football smarts, competitiveness and effort give him a chance.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

NT JUSTIN ELLIS, #70

LOUISIANA TECH
>
Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-1 1/2 | Wt: 334 | Sp: 5.27 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 10 1/8

History:
Lettered for three years in football and track, competing in the shot put, as a Louisiana prep. Redshirted in 2009. During camp in ’10, he cracked a bone in his left foot and missed the first eight games of the season. Appeared in each of the final four contests and had four tackles, one-half tackle for loss and zero sacks. Was Louisiana Tech’s starting nose tackle in ’11, recording 29-3 1/2-1 with one pass batted in 13 games (11 starts). During the season, he had his right shoulder scoped, although he didn’t miss any action. Was limited to just nine games (two starts) in ’12, missing three full games with a right ankle sprain, and had 21-0-0 with one pass batted and two forced fumbles. Recorded his best college season as a senior in ’13, starting all 12 games and tallying 48-5 1/2-1 1/2 with one pass batted.

Strengths:
Good anchor strength — is seldom inverted or moved off a spot. Can stack the line and occupy blockers.

Weaknesses:
Short with short limbs and a lot of extra concentrated weight in his midsection. Limited athlete. Tires easily and tends to stand straight up and get caught on blocks (marginal extension). Does not show violence in his hands. Is not a pass rusher. Has missed time with foot and ankle injuries associated with excessive weight that he has struggled maintaining.

Future:
Round-bodied, short-armed plugger with enough anchor strength to hold the point and clog the middle on a shade in a 4-3 front. Must prove he can manage his weight and stay healthy to earn a spot in the NFL.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

DLE-LOLB IK ENEMKPALI, #41

LOUISIANA TECH
>
Grade: 5.05

Ht: 6-0 3/4 | Wt: 261 | Sp: 5.01 | Arm: 33 1/8 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
His name is pronounced “EYE-KAY IN-em-PALL-ee.” His full name is Ikemefuna Chinedum Enemkpali. His parents were born in Nigeria. The Texas prep helped lead his school to the state playoffs during his two years as a starter. Enrolled at Louisiana Tech and redshirted in 2009; was part of the same freshman class as defensive line mate Justin Ellis. Saw action in 11 games (10 starts) at defensive end in ’10 and had 36 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks. Missed one game with a sprained ankle. In April ’11, he was arrested following an off-campus incident and was subsequently charged with disturbing the peace and battery of a police officer. Was initially suspended by the team, but was reinstated before the season began. In 13 games that fall, he recorded 33-7 1/2-3 1/2 with one forced fumble. Started all 12 game at RDE in ’12 and totaled 32-7 1/2-6 with one pass batted and one forced fumble. In 12 starts at right defensive end in ’13, he tallied 47-11-5 1/2 with one pass batted and two interceptions. Was one of two linemen in the country to have two interceptions, picking off passes against North Carolina State and North Texas.

Strengths:
Very thickly built. Flashes shock and violence in his punch. Highly competitive, plays hard and motor runs hot. Keeps battling to the quarterback. Gave Texas A&M OLT and 2013 No. 2 overall pick Luke Joeckel fits in ’12. Superb football character — the game is very important to him. Film junkie. Tough and physical.

Weaknesses:
Below-average height. Ultra-stiff and overly muscled, negating his quickness, speed and lateral agility. Green eyes and instincts — gets outflanked too easily, is consistently late off the ball and can improve his snap anticipation and get-off quickness. Marginal hip flexibility. Lacks variety of pass-rush moves and gets hung up on blocks too easily. Can create better extension and improve hand use to swat, shed and disengage. Does not consistently convert speed to power. Benchpressed 225 pounds only 19 times at the Combine.

Future:
A strong, tenacious, tightly wound leverage-power rusher most ideally suited for a 3-4 outside linebacker role. Will require patience to develop. Has a high-collision special-teams temperament to contribute in coverage if he can learn to unlock his hips. Best chance will come in Blitzburgh.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“Stiff, stiff, stiff.”

DT EGO FERGUSON, #9 (JUNIOR)

LSU
>
Grade:
5.44

Ht: 6-27/8 | Wt: 315 | Sp: 5.15e | Arm: 315 | Hand: 10 3/4

History:
Spent the first three years of high school in Maryland before transferring to Hargrave Military Academy as a senior. Redshirted in 2010. Spent his first two seasons at LSU backing up Eagles 2013 third-rounder Bennie Logan. Saw action in 13 games in ’11 and managed 13 tackles, 1/2 tackle for loss and zero sacks with one batted pass. Did not play against Mississippi State. Came off the bench again in ’12 and posted 14-1-0 with a pass batted down in 13 contests. Moved into the starting lineup in ’13, logging 58-3 1/2-1 with three batted passes in 12 starts at defensive tackle. Was not allowed to travel to Tampa for the Outback Bowl for medical reasons. Did not work out at the Combine because of a right ankle injury (medical exclusion).

Strengths:
Good size, foot speed, balance and athletic ability. Flashes the ability to stack, locate and shed. Bends his knees, redirects efficiently and has good range for a 300-pounder — flows well laterally. Nice closing speed. Had disruptive potential.

Weaknesses:
Needs to get stronger through his core and base. Needs to quicken his hands and use them more violently. Raw counters and pass-rush moves. Power element is missing. Spends too much time idled at the line of scrimmage. Does not dominate single blocks and gets beat up by double teams. Limited two-gap ability. Disappears for long stretches. Only a one-year starter with minimal behind-the-line production.

Future:
Athletic, raw, developmental three-technique with clear upside, though he is inexperienced, aimless and unrefined at this stage of his development. Needs more glass in his diet and simply does not impact games the way he should. Is likely to test well and be drafted higher than his performance dictates in the hopes a defensive line coach can tap into his potential.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He looks just like you’d draw them up. He is big and athletic. You’re going to have to be patient with him though, and I wonder if the light will ever go on.”

3T-5T ra’shede hageman, #99

minnesota
>
Grade: 6.00

Ht: 6-5 7/8 | Wt: 310 | Sp: 5.02 | Arm: 34 1/4 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Has a son. Name is pronounced “ruh-SHEED HAYG-men.” Grew up in foster homes before being adopted at the age of 7 by a Minnesota couple. Highly recruited tight end who also won a basketball state championship. Stayed home to play for the Gophers in 2009, where he redshirted and was switched to the defensive line. Appeared in eight games as a reserve in ’10 and managed five tackles, zero tackles for loss and zero sacks. Suspended for the last four games of the season for academic issues. Logged 13-3 1/2-2 with one forced fumble in 13 games as a reserve in ’11. Arrested in May ’12 while trying to break up a bar fight and charged with disorderly conduct. The charges were later dropped. Became a starter at defensive tackle in the fall and recorded 35-7 1/2-6 with two batted passes and one forced fumble in 12 starts. Named the team MVP in ’13 after leading the team with 13 tackles for loss with 38-13-2 with eight batted passes, his first career interception and a pair of blocked kicks —field goal vs. UNLV and an extra point against Western Illinois in 13 starts. Team captain.

Strengths:
Long and well-proportioned. Intriguing height-weight-speed ratio and natural athleticism. Flashes the ability explode off the ball, jolt blockers and disrupt the backfield. Terrific movement, flexibility and range. Loose ankles. Can work the edges. Able to redirect and chase athletically. Fierce tackler. Workout all-star with rare leaping ability for his size (35 1/2-inch vertical) — benchpressed 225 pounds 32 times at the Combine. Disrupts passing lanes. Has a “wow” factor at his best. Has immense upside.

Weaknesses:
Wide gap between physical ability and performance on tape. Green eyes, instincts and understanding of blocking schemes. Motor idles. Too often lets his pads rise and exposes his frame. Does not play to his length. On skates vs. double teams. Hand use needs work. Unsophisticated counters and pass-rush moves. Aimless pass rusher in need of a plan. Minimal, inflated sack production. Still learning to convert speed to power. Does not dominate single blocking. Is rotated heavily. Needs more glass in his diet. Could require simple assignments. Motivation and coachability should be examined more closely. Will be 24-year-old rookie. Has a glaring bust factor.

Future:
A raw, converted tight end with a basketball background, Hageman is a big, athletic, finesse three-technique with intriguing dimensions and movement skills who fits best in an aggressive, one-gap scheme where he could fire into gaps. Will probably be restricted to nickel pass-rush duty initially until the game slows down for him, but has impact potential if he ever figures it out. Is still maturing, having endured a harrowing childhood to get to where he is today, and would be best served landing in a structured environment with veteran mentorship. Classic boom-or-bust prospect.

Draft projection:
Top-40 pick.

Scout’s take:
“He is too big and athletic. Those guys all go. You just have to coach them. He’s raw as (heck). You don’t think Rex or Rob Ryan would want to coach that dude? We played Sheldon Richardson this year. You can run at him. He just jumps around working edges. He plays the same way as a jumbo end. ... (Hageman) is going to go higher than where I am going to put him. I would like to put him at the top of three, knowing the projection is that he is going in the first round. Really, honestly, my vision is late three-early fourth. There’s no way he makes it that far, but that’s where he grades the way he played this year. There is too much inconsistency and not enough production.”