NFL Draft 2014 Preview (36 page)

5T-DT taylor hart, #66

OREGON
>
Grade: 5.22

Ht: 6-61/8 | Wt: 281 | Sp: 4.95e | Arm: 32 3/4 | Hand: 10 1/8

History:
Engaged to a former Duck volleyball player. Prepped in Oregon. Also played basketball. Redshirted in 2009 and fractured his right hand. Saw action in 12 games as a reserve defensive lineman in ’10, managing 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and two sack with one batted pass. Did not play in the BCS National Championship game against Auburn. Posted 44-3-2 1/2 with two batted passes, one forced fumble and a blocked kick in 14 starts at defensive tackle in ’11. Made the switch to defensive end in ’12, playing in all 13 contests (12 starts, all but Stanford) and logged 36-11-8 with three batted passes and one forced fumble. Named the team’s co-MVP after registering 75-6-3 1/2 with five batted passes and three forced fumbles in 13 starts. Made the first five starts at DE and the remaining seven at DT. Broke his left foot while training in January ’13 and missed the Senior Bowl and did not work out at the Combine.

Strengths:
Terrific size and length. Good eyes and awareness. Plays on his feet. Holds his ground at the point. Gains extension and can stack and shed. Collapses the pocket. Good range and pursuit effort. Closes hard. Strong wrap tackler (very good production) — snares ball carriers and drags them to the turf. Good soldier who falls in line willingly and has clean character. Three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Could stand to add bulk to his frame and get functionally stronger. Average athlete. Not explosive. Ordinary get-off — takes short initial steps and exposes his frame off the snap. Needs to play with more consistent pad level. Fairly linear rusher. Limited shoulder flexibility to dip and bend the edge. Stiffness shows in space.

Future:
Big-framed, smart, active, high-effort player who willingly does the dirty work and will make it difficult for coaches to cut him. Best chance to stick could be as a five-technique, but could also draw interest as a developmental left end. Has the makeup to surprise if he learns to play with power.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He has to be a 3-4 defensive end, but he’s a backup or No. 3. He is a non-athlete. He’s a tough overachiever, a guy that paid his dues. He has a stance like a frog. He is stiff. He cannot rush the passer. Maybe he has okay strength — I’d say borderline at best. I was surprised he was at the Senior Bowl.”

DT KERRY HYDER, #91

TEXAS TECH
>
Grade: 4.90

Ht: 6-2 1/2 | Wt: 290 | Sp: 5.11 | Arm: 33 1/2 | Hand: 9 3/4

History:
His cousin, Chris Houston, is a cornerback for the Detroit Lions. Redshirted in 2009. Saw action in 11 games in ’10, making two starts at defensive tackle (first two games) and one start vs. Baylor at left defensive end, and recorded 13 tackles, 3 1/2 tackles for loss and two sacks with two batted passes. Missed two games with a strained hamstring. Started all 12 games at DT in ’11, leading the team in tackles for loss, and logged 42-5-1 1/2 with three batted passes. In ’12, posted 56-14-5 1/2 with four batted down passes in 13 starts at nose tackle. Again, led the squad in TFL’s in ’13 with 65-11 1/2-2 with one batted pass, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in 13 starts at nose tackle. Blocked a field goal against Oklahoma and a punt vs. Oklahoma State. Team captain.

Strengths:
Thick through his trunk. Stout against the run — drops his base and holds his ground. Excellent hand use — shoots his hands and jolts defenders. Strong, active paws to disengage. Gives effort in pursuit. Strong wrap tackler. Competes against double teams. Tough, durable, three-year starter. Has a professional work ethic.. Recorded an exceptional 4.33-second 20-yard shuttle time, tops among defensive tackles at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Bad-bodied. Size and length are just adequate — does not have ideal build. Not explosive — ordinary get-off. Very average foot athlete, especially for his size. Top-heavy movement — shows some lower-body stiffness and struggles to redirect efficiently. Production is effort-based. Could stand to shed some bad weight and improve his conditioning and stamina. Production is fabricated against lesser competition in garbage time.

Future:
Undersized, thickly built, active defensive lineman with tweener traits. Lacks ideal explosiveness and flexibility, but his hand use, competitiveness and motor could enable him to fight for a spot as a rotational three- or five-technique.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“His body looks like Fred Sanford’s. It’s not pretty. He has some production, but a lot of it is fabricated. You rarely see it on tape, and it comes against garbage.”

DRE-ROLB JACKSON JEFFCOAT, #44

TEXAS
>
Grade: 5.15

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 247 | Sp: 4.63 | Arm: 33 7/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
His father, Jim Jeffcoat, won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, and is currently an assistant coach at Colorado. Highly recruited Texas native who also lettered in basketball (four years) and ran track (three times). Saw action in 2010 as a true freshman, making two starts at defensive end, and posted 15 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks with one batted pass. Sprained his ankle against Nebraska and missed the next four games. Led the team and finished third in the Big 12 in tackles for loss in ’11 after logging 71-21-8 with three batted passes in 13 contests (12 starts at the Buck position – hybrid DE/LB). Only non-start was against Baylor, when Texas opened in the dime package. Suffered a ruptured left pectoral muscle against Texas A&M in November but put surgery off until January. Had a monster game against California in the Holiday Bowl with 8-3-2. Did not participate
in ’12 spring practice while recovering from surgery. Returned in the fall and started the
first six games at the Buck position, recording 31-11-4 with one batted pass and two forced fumbles. Had a fumble return touchdown against West Virginia – his first career points. Continued his run of serious injuries when he ruptured his right pectoral muscle against Oklahoma and underwent season-ending surgery October 19. Still finished second on the club in TFL and sacks despite only seeing action in six games. Returned in ’13 and won the Hendricks Award after pacing the Longhorns defense with 86-22-13 with three batted passes, his first career interception vs. Iowa State, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick in 13 contests. Team captain.

Strengths:
Good body length and size-speed ratio. Flashes some quickness and shock in his hands to swat and control blockers. Football smart. Solid instincts and overall sack production. Has NFL pedigree. Has a 36-inch vertical jump and recorded a 6.97-second 3-cone drill, second-best among defensive lineman at the Combine.

Weaknesses:
Needs more time in the weight room, as evidenced by 18 benchpress reps at the Combine, and has a very underdeveloped lower body. Tight hips. Has been slowed by injuries throughout his career and it has affected his physical development. Lacks the base strength to set the edge. Gets rooted out of the hole vs. the double team. Cannot drop his hips and turn the corner. Very inconsistent effort — average competitiveness and desire.

Future:
Developmental 3-4 rush-linebacker prospect with the pedigree and sack production to warrant interest. However, Jeffcoat will need to get stronger and improve vs. the run to ever become more than a backup.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“He has skinny legs. He is underdeveloped. He’s a 3-4 rush guy. He is not an end. He can’t set the edge. He’s not strong. He has some quickness, but he’s stiff in the hips. He can’t drop his hips and turn the corner. You can have him. ...The Steelers and Ravens and the zone-blitzing teams can get away with guys who are more stiff on the edges. That’s where he’ll land.”

NT TIMMY JERNIGAN, #8 (JUNIOR)

FLORIDA STATE
>
Grade: 5.70

Ht: 6-1 5/8 | Wt: 299 | Sp: 5.06 | Arm: 31 5/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Highly recruited Florida prep. The true freshman saw action in all 13 games as a reserve in 2011 and led interior linemen with 30 tackles, six tackles for loss and 2 1/2 sacks. Was sidelined during ’12 spring practice with a sprained MCL and slight meniscus tear. Backed up Cowboys 2013 seventh-rounder Everett Dawkins for a second straight season in the fall, logging 45-8-1 1/2 in 13 games with two starts. His ’13 spring practice was cut short by an ankle injury. Was healthy in the fall and had 63-11-4 1/2 in 14 starts at nose tackle, his only season as a starter. Led the Noles in tackles for loss. Battled an illness in the National Championship game against Auburn and had nine tackles.

Strengths:
Strong for his size and clogs the middle. Has disruptive ability. Bends his knees and plays with leverage. Able to stack, locate and shed. Wraps and rips down ball carriers. Coordinated hands and feet. Is difficult to engage — has quick, active paws. Can slap, rip and swim to beat blockers and turns up the heat on passing downs. Good foot athlete for his size — changes direction well, gives effort in pursuit and ranges outside the box. Will be a 21-year-old rookie.

Weaknesses:
Has a fleshy midsection. Lacks ideal height and overall body length. Average get-off. Can be overpowered at the point or neutralized when bigger, longer blockers get into his frame. Limited two-gap ability. Average playing range. Stiff-legged and does not change direction easily, as confirmed by 4.84-second 20-yard shuttle time at the Combine (tied for slowest among DTs). Could stand to improve his stamina. Was a rotational player prior to junior season.

Future:
Slightly undersized, stoutly built, country-strong run stopper with the ability to drop anchor inside an odd front and develop into a solid, 3-4 movement nose tackle. Strength is his calling card despite his relatively modest size.

Draft projection:
Top-50 pick.

Scout’s take:
“I don’t see it. There are others in our building that have high grades on him and think he is really good. Some of these young guys are telling me how good he is. If you think he can rush, I will come back and play linebacker tomorrow (in my 60’s). He is very stiff-hipped. He has a strong anchor. He’s yoked up solid as a rock. He doesn’t have any pass-rush ability. I didn’t think he was a very good athlete. How many sacks did he have? People think he is a special three-tech. He is stiffer than stiff and hasn’t had any production.”

NT ANTHONY JOHNSON, #90 (JUNIOR)

LSU
>
Grade: 5.55

Ht: 6-2 1/2 | Wt: 308 | Sp: 5.24 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 10 3/8

History:
Prepped in New Orleans where he was the consensus No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the country. Was a Parade All-America selection and the 2010 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year. Saw action in all 14 games as true freshman and recorded 12 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack as a reserve defensive lineman. Logged 30-10-3 with two pass breakups in 13 games (three starts at left defensive tackle) in ’12. Moved into the starting lineup in ’13 and recorded 35-9-3 with one batted pass and one interception in 13 starts at DT. Shed more than 30 pounds since his freshman year in an effort to get quicker.

Strengths:
Looks the part — big and well-proportioned. Quick get-off. Plays on his feet. Excellent movement skills and foot speed. Knee bender who redirects and accelerates efficiently for a big man. Flashes strength to stack and shed single blocks. Good closing burst to the quarterback. Was a 20-year-old junior — has moldable, raw tools and upside.

Weaknesses:
Plays tall and short-armed — too easily turned and washed. Weak base and lackluster compete vs. double teams. Hand use needs work — spends too much time flailing at the line of scrimmage. Does not consistently convert speed to power. Unsophisticated pass rusher — needs to cultivate moves and develop a plan. Disappears for stretches. Started just 16 career games. Weight has fluctuated. Has underachiever traits. Character and stability need to be investigated. Disappointing Combine performance.

Future:
Thick, athletic, overhyped defensive tackle who shows in flashes, but leaves evaluators wanting more. Was not as impactful in a starting role as a junior as he was in a wave role as a sophomore. Fits best in an even front stacking the point, though he’s not instant coffee. A boom-or-bust prospect.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I thought he underachieved this year. I liked what I saw more a year ago. His character is one that you’re going to have to look into.”

5T-DT DaQUAN JONES, #91

PENN STATE
>
Grade: 5.40

Ht: 6-3 3/4 | Wt: 322 | Sp: 5.34 | Arm: 33 1/2 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
His first name is pronounced “DAY-qwan.” Was a highly recruited offensive lineman as a New York prep. Also lettered in basketball and track. Enrolled at Penn State in 2010 and initially was going to redshirt as a freshman, as he was held out of the Nittany Lions’ first four games. His play in practice got him on the field, though, and he saw action in the final nine games, recording six tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Was forced to play defensive end against Illinois when three ends were injured in the contest. Saw action in all 13 games as a backup defensive tackle in ’11, registering 8-0-0. Moved into the starting lineup in ’12 and had 22-2-1/2 with one pass batted in 12 games (11 starts). Had a strong senior year in ’13 after dropping 15 pounds in the off-season, starting 12 times and recording 56-11 1/2-3. Team captain.