Matty's Big Board Prospect Countdown: #3

Hey folks, the Super Bowl is behind us and it's time to focus on the next big event and that is the all powerful and mighty draft, which has the ability to take a team from the bottom of the barrel and turn them into a playoff caliber team (ex. Dolphins and Falcons). What I plan on doing is twice a week until draft weekend, I'll be counting down my top 25 prospects, discuss their strengths, weaknesses, overall impact in the NFL and potential landing spot. So, without further delay, I bring you the player who ranked number 3... getting down to the nitty, gritty now, only 2 more after today!

3. Brian Orakpo, DE Texas Longhorns

2008 Season Stats:
42 tackles, 19 for a loss, 11.5 sacks

Career Stats:
132 tackles, 38 for a loss, 22 sacks

Personal Stats:
6'3" 263 lbs. SR

Strengths:

Orakpo biggest strength is that he is an athletic freak, he has amazing speed for a guy his size, he also has amazing strength and athleticism. An amazing burst off the ball and will beat slower Offensive Tackles with his speed alone. He is definitely an athlete and can drop back into coverage and doesn't look out of place, he also is an amazing jumper and will get into passing lanes and disrupt throws more often then not. He plays with good leverage and he knows how to sink his hips and has an amazing dip and rip pass rush. He is intense, explosive, hard working, competitive, productive and offers teams incredible versatility as he can play RDE in a 4-3 or the Elephant in a 3-4 and best of all, he still has room to improve as he plays on his given abilities alone and if he gets coached up could be the next DeMarcus Ware.

Weaknesses:

Orakpo doesn't have many weaknesses but it can be said that his durability is a question mark. He also needs to get stronger against the run as he doesn't always get the proper hand placement and will get washed out of a play and his consistency has also been called into question as well.

Overall:

Brian Orakpo is a stud pass rusher who offers scheme versatility, he will most likely be a 3-4 OLB at the next level considering his comfortablitiy in space, his explosion and his "presence" against the run. I think he could easily be a RDE in a 4-3 as well, but for that selection I don't see him going top 5, if he's drafted as an OLB he goes top 5, if he's drafted as a DE he goes anywhere from 7 to 11. But his gifts and skill are incredible and I forsee a bright future from the Rak Attack.



Projected NFL Destination:

With the 5th pick in the NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select...










Be sure to tune in later this week for Prospects #2 and #1 and a run down of my top 25 just in case you forgot anyone.