On to the 2010 Draft

[SBK]

So who are the top defensive prospects coming out next year?

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I dunno it's a tough call, he's athletic and everything but he's playing for Houston Nutt which I think is a bit of an issue and he's going to have to make strides in his accuracy and completion percentage.

Some people will try to compare it to this year but I don't see that. Snead has to show improvement like Stafford did, Stafford was on everyone's radar like Snead is now, but he's not as gifted as Stafford.

Is he related to old Norm Snead who was the Eagles QB in the late 60s/Early 70s?

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Well, I just checked and that guy is 18.

I'd like for him to speak for himself, especially since he tried to pass himself off as a "mockspert" this past draft season.

Speak up, KCRH.

Im not going to get into details right now about next years draft class. But I will stand by my statement above, and will further elaborate on it when we get closer to January. Im not trying to ditch your question, I just dont want to answer it right now. Just give me a few months and ask me again during football season.

[DaKCMan AP]

The sack master: Florida DE Carlos Dunlap's impressive stats should catch eyes

By Jeremy Fowler
Sentinel Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE — The Gators Sack Laboratory might have produced its most powerful model yet.

Not a hybrid, but 290 pounds of quarterback apprehension.

Defensive end Carlos Dunlap is the kind of player scouts fall in love with and opposing coaches plan around.

His athleticism could inspire Under Armour ads. His imposing 6-foot-6 figure makes the Gators' former "Freak," Jevon Kearse, look like a Catholic school linebacker.

His go-go-gadget arms produced 9.5 sacks and a Bowl Championship Series title game defensive MVP award last season.

Teammates Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes get most of the publicity, but Dunlap might find the most love from the NFL draft as a major threat to leave school early.

Rob Rang, director of NFLdraftscout.com, said Dunlap has the potential of a top-10 pick. Ole Miss' Greg Hardy and Northwestern's Corey Wootton are ahead of Dunlap as defensive end prospects, Rang said, but that's partly because those two seniors have a larger body of work.

"He's got many qualities NFL teams want from an end," Rang said. "He possesses a unique combination of size and the ability to chase down backs 5-10 yards downfield. If he shows he can handle the double teams he'll see this year, expect him to get a lot of attention."

And if he puts together a perfect season, he might break Florida's single-season sack record of 13 set by Alex Brown in 1999.

"Of course I want to try to go for that," Dunlap said. "After last year, they are going to be keying in on me."

This sack master relies on five factors for an efficient pass rush.

1. Arms
Dunlap has a wingspan of more than 7 feet, enabling him to pluck quarterbacks from the air mid-stride and keep offensive tackles at a distance without getting pushed off the ball.

Gators offensive guard Mike Pouncey knows this firsthand every time he goes against Dunlap in practice.

"He's so long — long and powerful," Pouncey said. "He's just a great pass rusher, the best one on our team at it."

Linemen will try to jam Dunlap this season, so he must use his arms as leverage to get free.

2. Strength
Dunlap's strength is more organic than manufactured, neither chiseled nor sloppy.

Just massive.

"He could pick up a car that's overturned," Gators strength coach Mickey Marotti said. "If he's mad enough."

On a sack on Arkansas' Casey Dick last year, Dunlap moved a double team three yards backward before turning right to chase down his prey.

Marotti said Dunlap rivals defensive tackle Troy Epps for the most pure strength on the team, but he needs to work on his definition.

3. Anger/speed
When Dunlap smells a sack, he "zones out" from the crowd and hears nothing but the quarterback's footsteps, he said.

He's looking to make the kind of game-changing hit that will fluster an offense.

Teammates say Dunlap is at his best when provoked or highly motivated — or even a little on edge.

"It's like he has a button on and off," defensive tackle Jaye Howard said. "When he wants to go, it's over. No one can stop him. And he's been going all summer."

Rang said Dunlap appears fast for his size and wouldn't be surprised if he ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.7-second range or below. Howard says Dunlap runs about a 4.5. Dunlap will need his speed to avoid double teams and rehearse his post-sack routine.

"The first thing you do after you hit him is you're looking down at him," Dunlap said. "Just breathe out."

4. Football intelligence
Sacking isn't just instinctual for Dunlap, who studies ways to create mismatches.

Dunlap lines up at different spots on the line, depending on the defensive package, and every play requires at least a two-step thought process.

"If I make a spin move, I want to have a counter move for it," Dunlap said. "So I can set up the spin move."

And if he's double-teamed?

"Don't swim on a double team," Dunlap said.

One of Dunlap's favorites includes a fake inside to force a double team from the weakside, then darting to the outside and leaving both blockers hanging.

5. Improved work ethic
Dunlap was known as lazy through most of his first two years, but coaches say he's putting in the necessary work while embracing the national spotlight.

"[Effort] was minimal most of the time, but now it's pretty much max most of the time," Coach Urban Meyer said. "He's really much improved. A different player."

Dunlap's epiphany came after realizing the game was no longer easy like high school. Ever since he's improved weight-lifting habits and increased time teaching younger players his tricks.

"I don't even remember 9.5 sacks," Dunlap said about last year. "I have six sacks that I remember I missed."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/c...0,462250.story

[orangeuawitch2]

Eric Berry rocks, but hope TN does not have to give him up too soon

[Mr. Arrowhead]

Dez Bryant anyone?

[Mecca]

I'm not a big fan of Dez Bryant...

[Sam Hall]

Eric Berry is probably the least controversial prospect on the Chiefs radar. Terrence Cody and Sergio Kindle will have a lot of bust potential.

[Saccopoo]

After the first three preseason games, I'm convinced that it's the defense that needs to be addressed (again) with the next first round pick, particularly the defensive line. (And it hurts to say that seeing as we've spent high round picks on that area the past four years.)

I think that there is a lot more high end talent (potentially) in this coming draft, depending upon guys like Berry, Gerald McCoy, etc. But it is really top heavy and deep into the first round. I just don't know how the Chiefs go in the next draft. A guy like Dunlap would be tough to pass, depending upon how Dorsey ends up playing DE this season. If Dorsey has a decent season, is that a potential trade to a 4-3 team and then looking at a guy like Carlos in the draft knowing that you've got Magee there as well?

Same thing with Suh or Cody. (I like Suh because he just seems to go after it every single play. I've only seen a handful of Nebraska games the past two years, but he's the best guy on the field in those games I've seen. Mecca thinks he can play a NT in a 3-4, and if that's the case, he'd be my choice over Cody. More athletic, apparently has a high revving motor, etc.)

[Titty Meat]

Suh is a d-end in a 3-4. I like the center from Penn State though he's only a junoir. I wouldn't draft him with the 1st round pick unless the Chiefs pick toward the end of the first round draft.

[FireAllTheBastids]

Eric Berry.

End. Of. Story.

[LOLATKC]

Berry!