NFL Draft 2014 Preview (38 page)

NT DANIEL McCULLERS, #98

Tennessee
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Grade: 5.65

Ht: 6-6 3/4 | Wt: 352 | Sp: 5.50e | Arm: 36 5/8 | Hand: 11

History:
The North Carolina prep began his college career at Georgia Military College in 2010, weighing nearly 400 pounds when he arrived on campus. As a freshman, he appeared in eight games and had 27 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks with four passes batted, one interception and one forced fumble. Became a top junior college recruit in ’11, recording 37-9-2 in 10 games. Transferred to Tennessee in ’12 and won the starting nose tackle job in camp, registering 39-5 1/2-1 with one pass batted, one forced fumble and one blocked kick in 12 games (seven starts). Started 12 games in ’13 and had 33-4 1/2-1/2 with one blocked kick. Did not run at the Combine because of a strained right hamstring.

Strengths:
Rare size with vines for arms, an enormous wingspan and exceptional mass to occupy space and hold up multiple blockers — has clear two-gap potential. Looks every bit the part with a relatively lean build for a 350-pounder — carries his weight well with some muscle definition and good overall body thickness. Can overpower zone blockers with sheer size. Very durable and has not missed any games to injury throughout his career.

Weaknesses:
Lets his pads rise (first move is up), gets outleveraged and does not hold his ground as well as a man his size should. Gets turned out of the hole and sealed. Duck-footed short-stepper with limited play range — does not make plays outside the box. Average body power to roll his hips and generate torque. Limited pass-rush potential (confirmed by 1.5 career sacks) — is late off the ball, does not collapse the pocket and stays blocked too long. Must improve his hand use to disengage. Exited high school pushing 400 pounds and weight has fluctuated in the past.

Future:
A big-boned, short-area plugger with some underachiever tendencies, McCullers has raw tools that could become special if he learns to harness the innate strength in his body and pairs with a DL coach who can refine his mechanics.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s probably the biggest defensive tackle I have ever seen. He looks like a Greek god. You want more than a body-beautiful guy that doesn’t do anything for you. What someone has to explain to me is why the 270-pound guy is playing the nose. What does that tell you? ... He is a wildcard because he looks so good. I would think he would be the kind of guy you want to draft late. If his (signing) bonus check is not much and he has to play to get paid, maybe it gives him incentive. I wouldn’t take and pay without getting something back from him. What is fourth-round salary and bonus — it’s not a lot compared to the top. That’s where I’d feel comfortable with him.”

DLE TEVIN MIMS, #99

SOUTH FLORIDA
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Grade: 4.90

Ht: 6-4 | Wt: 260 | Sp: 4.94 | Arm: 33 1/2 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
The Texas prep had shoulder surgery before his senior season to repair a torn labrum. Began his college career at Texas in 2009 and saw action in five games as a reserve defensive lineman, recording three tackles, one-half tackle for loss and zero sacks. Requested to redshirt in ’10 after he re-aggravated his shoulder during fall drills. Transferred to Navarro (TX) Junior College for the ’11 season, tallying 19-7-4 with three passes batted in nine games. Returned to the Division I level in ’12, landing at South Florida and tallying 35-3 1/2-2 with one forced fumble in 11 starts at right defensive end. Did not play in the season finale due to an undisclosed injury. Was USF’s defensive MVP in ’13 after posting 40-6-1 1/2 in 10 games (eight starts). Missed two games with an ankle injury. Strained his left hamstring at the Combine and did not perform shuttles.

Strengths:
Flashes upfield quickness. Uses his arms to create room to work. Good closing speed. Gives effort in pursuit, chases plays from behind and tries to deliver a blow when he arrives. Is tough and will play hurt.

Weaknesses:
Average eyes and instincts — see-and-go reactor. Inconsistent, often delayed get-off. Needs to play with better leverage — exposes his frame off the snap and gets overpowered against the run. Does not use his hands violently. Vanilla pass rusher. Marginal sack production. Motivation and work ethic should be looked into. Recorded a 271/2-inch vertical jump.

Future:
A junior-college product, Mims was an undersized college rush end, though he recorded just 3.5 sacks in 21 games at USF and is actually at his best during the latter portion of the play when he kicks into pursuit mode. Best chance will come as developmental, situational 4-3 right end or stand-up rush linebacker, though he must turn up the heat more consistently to stick.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

DLE-3T ZACH MOORE, #90

CONCORDIA (MN)
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Grade: 5.24

Ht: 6-5 1/2 | Wt: 269 | Sp: 4.84 | Arm: 33 3/4 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Has a daughter. Prepped in the Chicago Public League, but was not a Division I qualifier, and landed at Division II Concordia-St. Paul in Minnesota. As a true freshman in 2009, played in eight games (one start) and recorded 16 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks with one forced fumble. Moved into the starting lineup in ’10 and had 42-12-10 with one forced fumble in nine games. Was academically ineligible in ’11. Returned to start 11 games in ’12, tallying 39-21-14 with one pass batted, one interception and two forced fumbles. In ’13, registered 33-9 1/2-7 with three passes batted and two forced fumbles in 11 starts. Was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Division II Player of the Year Award. Two-time captain was the first Concordia player to be invited to the NFL Combine.

Strengths:
Looks the part with NFL stature, length and musculature. Is athletic and flexible with nice explosion for his size — recorded a 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump and 33 1/2-inch vertical jump at the Combine. Quick off the snap. Flashes the ability to gain extension and play off blocks. Gives effort in pursuit and ranges to make tackles. Good closing speed. Snares ball carriers. Averaged a sack per game in college. Has experience in a 4-3 and 3-4. Dedicated, hardworking and coachable. Mentally tough guy who has beaten the odds and persevered to get to this point. Has moldable tools and upside.

Weaknesses:
Needs to get functionally stronger. Still learning to convert speed to power and does not physically dominate marginal competition. Green eyes and instincts to locate and diagnose. Plays too tall and needs to learn how to grow roots defending the run. Washed by double teams. Hand use and pass-rush moves need to be developed. Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
Raw, physically gifted, Division II standout with untapped potential given his combination of size, length and movement skills. Will have defensive line coaches drooling in workouts, and has the dimensions and athleticism to warrant consideration as a draftable, developmental investment with positional versatility to play defensive end or three-technique in an even front or five-technique in an odd front. Could be tried as a linebacker.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He has a long way to go. I don’t think he really knows how good he can be. There’s no doubt he has tools to work.”

NT LOUIS NIX III, #9 (JUNIOR)

NOTRE DAME
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Grade: 5.90

Ht: 6-2 3/8 | Wt: 331 | Sp: 5.42 | Arm: 33 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
Highly recruited out of Florida, where he also played basketball. Redshirted in 2010. Moved into the starting nose tackle role in ’11, recording 45 tackles, 4 1/2 tackles for loss and one-half sack with one pass batted in 13 games (11 starts). Had a breakout campaign in ’12, playing in 13 games (11 starts) and registering 50-7 1/2-2 with five passes batted and one forced fumble. Led all Irish defensive linemen in tackles. In ’13, he started the first seven games – but then played just once over the final six weeks due to a left knee injury. Tallied 27-2-0 with two passes batted. Underwent surgery in late November to repair a torn meniscus (Dr. James Andrews). Did not benchpress at the Combine (pectoral).

Strengths:
Outstanding size. Commands a double team and has two-gap ability. Good quickness off the snap. Has press strength and power to push blockers into the backfield. Shows disruptive ability when his battery is charged. Flashes an arm-over. Redirects well for a big man. Nice pursuit effort. Strong wrap tackler. Scheme versatile.

Weaknesses:
Can play with better leverage against double teams. Does not dominate single blocking. Needs to improve hand use — punch impact, counter moves and shed timing. Limited pass-rush value (minimal sack production). Can do a better job protecting his legs — is not as strong on his pegs as you’d expect and spends too much time on the ground. Conditioning and stamina will have to be monitored — takes plays off and weight has fluctuated.

Future:
Despite standing to benefit from a more dominant senior season in South Bend, Nix, who already graduated, opted to forgo his final year of eligibility in order to provide for 13 siblings. He does not enter the NFL with momentum, having coped with knee tendinitis before season-ending surgery to repair a torn left meniscus, and too often his gregarious personality and media hype overshadowed his performance. However, if the massive interior defender taps into his power more consistently, Nix has ample mass, strength and athleticism to anchor a “30” front as a space-eating, block-occupying run stuffer.

Draft projection:
Top-40 pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s very smart. He challenges authority a little bit. He’s not going to respond to hard coaching well if he thinks his coach is phony. ...He did not have the year everyone was expecting. He won’t be for everyone.”

5T JEOFFREY PAGAN, #8 (JUNIOR)

ALABAMA
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Grade: 5.21

Ht: 6-3 1/2 | Wt: 310 | Sp: 5.00e | Arm: 33 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
The North Carolina prep overcame a severe knee injury, missing a portion of his senior season with two torn ligaments in his right knee which required surgery. Played in six games as a true freshman for Alabama in 2011 and recorded four tackles. Was a valuable reserve defensive lineman in ’12, appearing in all 14 games for the national champions. Had 23 tackles, four tackles for losses and 1 1/2 sacks with one forced fumble. Moved into the starting lineup in ’13 and tallied 34-3 1/2-2 in 12 starts at defensive end. Missed a mid-season contest against Georgia State because of a sprained shoulder.

Strengths:
Good size. Can occupy blocks and squeeze running lanes. Strong hands to press and tug free. Can push the pocket. Heavy tackler. Played multiple techniques in a pro-style, hybrid defensive scheme.

Weaknesses:
Thick, tight hips — cannot work the edges. Gets blown off the ball by double teams. Needs to play with better extension, refine his hand use, develop counters and quicken his shed timing. Heavy-legged when required to redirect. Limited pass-rush value. Only a one-year starter. Average production — did not make splash plays.

Future:
Thickly built, relatively nondescript contributor who decided to forgo his senior season despite never establishing himself as a force. Has size and strength to warrant developmental consideration as a five-technique, but lacks exceptional traits and will have to commit to handling the dirty work to have longevity.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“The trainer tells you Pagan didn’t play well early in the year, but he played better at the end with the shoulder harness. I’m thinking, from what I just got done watching, the dude played worse at the end of the year. I don’t know why he came out early. He needs shoulder surgery, he’s not getting it done, he’s not going to work out at the pro day tomorrow and he’s not working out in April. If he doesn’t get his shoulder done, he could fall all the way out of the draft.”

3T TENNY PALEPOI, #91

UTAH
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Grade: 5.27

Ht: 6-1 1/2 | Wt: 298 | Sp: 5.11 | Arm: 30 1/2 | Hand: 9 7/8

History:
His last name is pronounced “pah-lay-poy.” Married with two kids. Is one of 14 children. One of his brothers, Anton, was a defensive lineman with the Seahawks, Broncos and Cardinals from 2002-2005. His father, Tony, played for the Samoan Rugby team. The Utah prep began his college career at Snow (UT) College in 2009 and recorded 58 tackles, five tackles for loss and five sacks in 11 games. Was redshirted in ’10 after tearing the MCL in his left knee. Returned to the gridiron in ’11 and had 49-10-2 in 10 games. Transferred to Utah in ’12 and played in 12 games (three starts) at defensive tackle, tallying 21-3-2. Had a solid campaign as a senior in ’13, totaling 53-9 1/2-4 1/2 with one forced fumble in 12 starts. Team captain.

Strengths:
Good initial quickness, athletic ability and hip snap to shoot gaps and disrupt the backfield. Displays fine body control and agility. Good closing speed. Square tackler with some explosive knock-back body power. Pumped 225 pounds 32 times at the Combine. Can throw his hips in the hole and create penetration. Solid production. Has NFL pedigree — brother, Anton, played four seasons in the league. Carries a passion for the game. Well-grounded and mature. Contributes on special teams (personal punt protector).