Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Defensive Ends - Grade: A
Positional Overview:
This year’s defensive end class is a very strong group that could produce as many as 7-8 #1 picks. There are several quality blue chip prospects at the top and at least 3 to 4 will go in the top half of the first round. There could be as many as 10 players chosen in the top three rounds with as many as 15 over the top 150 prospects. Defenders like Bowers, Quinn, Jordan, Smith, Watt, Kerrigan and Clayborn should all come off the board in the top 20 picks. Defenders like Heyward, Bailey and Ballard should go in the 1st or 2nd rounds. This is a talented and deep class that will have an expected run throughout the top 100 picks especially from the mid 1st thru the 3rd round. Defenders like Sheard, Beal and McPhee will probably by chosen in the late 2nd thru 3rd rounds. With the huge demand for pass rushers, clubs will draft into this deep group thru the 7 rounds. Tweener prospects also fit into this category with a few more clubs moving to the 3-4 set. Many of these defenders will be chosen fairly high in the process. Expect at least 25-30 prospects drafted over the three-day event
Photo - Cameron Jordan - California
Cameron Jordan Scouting Report
Cameron Jordan #97 - 6’4” 285 lbs. - California - Sp. 4.70 Rating 92
Hindu Theory - Justin Tuck
Athletic senior defender has the prototypical physical skills that NFL scouts seek in an outside defender in either pro defensive scheme. Cameron completed an excellent 2010 season that saw him make huge steps up as a pro prospect. He is a nice looking prospect who has the development to become a complete NFL starter and probably early in his career. He is a strong quick athlete with excellent initial quickness and movement skills for a player of his dimensions and the power to match up with NFL tackles. He has a strong quick hand punch and first step that allows him to gain a fast advantage and get his shoulder past the tackle consistently. He has the burst to pressures the passer with the technique and power to also win late on the down. His quickness gives him an advantage off the snap and allows him to bend the corner and counter back underneath where his power allows him to counter back inside. He has a big strong frame with long arms and the agility and footwork to play outside in either scheme. He may be the best versatile end in this incredible class with the ability to be an every down defender early as a pro. He relies on a powerful surge that enables him to use his hands and strike an opponent to gain a quick advantage. His technique progressed rapidly over his late career where it translated into fine production vs a high level of competition. He has the makeup to be an excellent defender who plays on the other end of the LOS consistently. He is a good pass rusher who needs some development on his initial move and a bigger array of moves especially development on his hump and rip moves. He is a relentless defender who combines quickness and power to beat blockers after showing fast development and a nice LOD over his late career. He showed impact ability on a weekly basis despite seeing special attention that raised his grade significantly. He can strike an opponent and deliver a jarring punch that gains a quick advantage that allows him to beat a blocker and creates separation to move along the line or rush the passer. Earlier in his career, he relied mainly on his swim move to beat blockers, but developed other moves like a hump, rip and club technique with maturity. He has the ability to anchor, but must to sound to maintain his position. At times, he can come off the ball high that lets blockers get into his body and control him. When he plays with leverage, he uses his arms well to keep blockers off his body and attacks and is able to separate even if his initial charge is contained. For a big 287 lb. defender, he is an agile flexible athlete who will tackle in space and has the COD skills to redirect and make a stop. He shows good awareness, agility and balance to move down the LOS and stay clean to make a play with the speed to finish at the opposite sidelines. He has the sudden short area burst of speed to win early on the down to gain nice penetration to make plays. Over the 2010 season, he earned 1st team Pac 10 honors with 62 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks and 3 FF. Over his junior season, he started all 13 games and registered 48 tackles with 9.5 TFL and 6 sacks as a key starter. He makes many plays with his chase ability to pursue along the line and is a very tough when playing in gaps. He has gotten stronger that allows him to stack better at the POA. At the NFL Combine, he ran 4.76 time with 25 reps and a 31” VL, 9’9” BJ and fast shuttle times of 4.37 short shuttle and a 7.07 three cone drills. He is an aggressive defender with a good motor, technique and functional strength to win with speed or power. He is an intriguing prospect with the skill set to be among the best defenders and similar to Justin Tuck in body type, AA and potential. Fast improving prospect and an early two-way defender that fits both pro schemes. Top 10-15 prospect with a high LOD to start as a rookie.
Draft Projection: 1st Round