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.

Matty's Big Board Prospect Countdown: 6!

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 6... that's right baby, we've cracked into the top 10!

6. Everette Brown, DE/LB Florida State Seminoles

2008 Season Stats:
36 tackles, 21.5 for a loss, 13.5 sacks

Career Stats:
100 tackles, 46.5 for a loss, 23 sacks

Personal Stats:
6'1" 256 lbs. JR

Strengths:

Amazing athletic ability, is explosive, quick and fast in small areas. Causes immense amounts of trouble for slower tackles on the outside as his first step is great and his speed allows him to run the corner or fake back inside with a spin move. Has great closing speed, knows how to wrap up and at the same time swat the football out. Very good agility and his natural athletic ability will help put him back into position when he misreads a play. Has great versatility and a consistent motor and will offer teams some versatility as he can play with his hand in the ground or stand up. Has a great work ethic and has produced in a short amount of time, he is a team leader and will be an every down player who can do everything for a defense to get pressure on the QB.

Weaknesses:

Is a tad slight to be an every down defensive end. Tends to over run plays due to his amazing explosion and quickness. With sometimes make the wrong reads due to a lack of awareness, still a little raw in his technique and has a limited pass rush set that involves mainly dip outside and spin inside. Doesn't stack well against then run and limited starting experience.

Overall:

Everette Brown will likely have to change positions when he is drafted into the NFL as he is far too small and his frame too maxed out for him to be a 3 down defensive end. He could flourish like a Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis but I think he is best suited for the WOLB position in a 3-4 defense where he is free to rush the QB and will likely only have to deal with a TE or RB blocking him and that is a mismatch. He'll have to work on his coverage skills but I can see him being a solid addition to any 3-4 team and even a select few 4-3 teams.



Projected NFL Destination:

With the 10th selection in the NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers select...










There you have it folks, be sure to tune in for Prospects #5 and #4!

Scouting Combine All Snub Team: Defense

There were a wealth of players who did not get invites to the combine and here are some of those players who's absence surprised me in light of the fact of some of the higher ranked guys (read Matt Stafford and Andre Smith) not choosing to work out... or in some cases show up would have given these guys an opportunity to shine. Without further delay, here's the All Snub Team Defense!

DE: Philip Hunt, Houston
DE: Nick Reed, Oregon
DE: Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota
DT: Clinton McDonald, Memphis
DT: John Gill, Northwestern
DT: George Hypolite, Colorado

LB: Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic
LB: Brian Toal, Boston College
LB: Ashlee Palmer, Ole Miss
LB: Antonio Appleby, Virginia

CB: Mark Parson, Ohio
CB: Ellis Lankster, West Virginia
CB: Jason McCourty, Rutgers

FS: Trimane Goddard, North Carolina
SS: Terence Moore, Troy State