NFL's Future

Byron Hetzler-US PRESSWIRE

Kawann Short – Purdue University

Height: 6027

Weight: 299

Age when drafted: 24

Hometown: East Chicago, IN

Position: DT

Collegiate Number: 93

Combine notables: DNP

Games Viewed: 2012 – Ohio State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Iowa 2011 – Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois

BACKGROUND:

Kawann Short attended Central High School and was a three star prospect, 24^th defensive tackle nationally.

He redshirted in 2008 before taking over as a full-time starter for four years. Selected to Second Team All Big Ten as a sophomore after recording 6 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. In 2011 and 2012, his junior and senior seasons respectively, he earned All Big Ten First Team after totaling 12.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss.

The four-year starter considered leaving Purdue after his junior season but a third round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee kept him in school. Read the rest of this entry » «Kawann Short Scouting Report»

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Sharrif Floyd I Florida I DT I 6030 I 305 I Junior

40 Time (E): 4.85

Overview: Sharrif Floyd is one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft. Without going into Floyd’s backstory, it’s one you’ll hear many times over leading up to the draft. Floyd has played 3T and 5T at Florida and will be looked at for both positions by NFL teams. He’s a disruptive force that is capable of taking over games from the interior. He possesses the most explosive athleticism of any DT in this class, which is saying a lot given Sheldon Richardson’s presence. Floyd isn’t a perfect prospect but his upside is through the roof and could have him coming off the board in the top 10 picks. The team drafting Floyd will have to look at the potential/upside as he wasn’t a consistently dominant player at UF.

Pass Rush: Floyd has the upside to be a dominant pass rushing three-technique or five-technique in the NFL. He has an explosive first step with a non-stop motor that will lead to effort sacks at the next level. He beats his opponent in the first two steps most of the time but has a nice swim move to counter with when he doesn’t win off the snap. His motor doesn’t quit as he has the ability to push the pocket and chase the QB down from the backside. Floyd will have to develop his hand usage at the next level if he wants to max out his pass rush potential. He will have to stay lower in the NFL as he won’t be able to win with just speed.   Read the rest of this entry » «Sharrif Floyd Scouting Report»

Star Lotulelei I Utah I DT I 6031 I 320 I Senior

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

40 Time (E): 5.10

Overview: Versatility is the name of the game in today’s NFL. The more spots you can fill, the more likely to be a high draft. With teams running multiple fronts, they are looking for players with scheme diversity. That defines everything I love with Star Lotulelei. Lotulelei is a fit as a 0-technique, 1-technique, 3-technique, and 5-technique. It’s that versatility that has analysts invoking comparisons to Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata. At a shade over 6-foot-3, 320 pounds Lotulelei possesses rare movement skills to go with freakish power. Lotulelei will be a 24-year old rookie as he spent two years at Snow College (UT) before signing with Utah in 2010. He started three contests in 2010 and became a full time starter in 2011 and 2012.

Pass Rush: Overall, Star flashes the ability to apply pressure and move the pocket. His first step is impressive for a man of his size and shows flashes of rare burst. He primarily used his strength to bull rush in college which led to moving the pocket and increased sack production as a senior. He’s a sudden athlete with excellent closing burst. When Lotulelei beats his man off the snap with anticipation/burst he near impossible to stop (see 1^st half of USC tape). The problem with Lotulelei as a pass rusher is that I used the word flashed quite a bit. He doesn’t get off the ball on a play in and play out basis. He doesn’t have any counter moves to team with his powerful bull rush. That said, there’s a ton of upside with Lotulelei that could lead to more production as an interior pass rusher at the next level.   Read the rest of this entry » «Star Lotulelei Scouting Report»

Dak Dillon-US PRESSWIRE

Sheldon Richardson I Missouri I DT I 6040 I 295 I Junior

40 Time (E): 4.70

Overview: Sheldon Richardson brings a unique blend of speed, power, and explosion on the frame of a near 300 pounder. He’s an ideal three-technique that plays with disruption on the mind. Richardson is a prime candidate to fly up draft boards the closer we get to the draft. Richardson flat out flys for a big man and could run a sub 4.7 40 at nearly 300 pounds. He was a highly recruited prepster that was forced to head to junior college because of issues with academics. The major knock on Richardson will be how he reacts to cashing in on the big payday that awaits at the next level. Richardson struggled with maintaining eligibility at Missouri due to grades. Loads of potential with Richardson that could have him hearing his name called in the top ten picks of April’s draft. Read the rest of this entry » «Sheldon Richardson Scouting Report»