As we conclude our series preview of draft prospects, we turn our attention to those who didn’t quite make the cut, or were not quite as regarded as they are currently. Rather than naming a position-by-position team, there are eleven prospects listed for both sides of the ball. Today’s focus is on defense.
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DE: Stephon Tuitt,* Notre Dame
A fantastic prospect in his own right, Tuitt was left off my All-Independent Team due to the fact that he had already announced he would be returning for his senior season with the Irish. However, the deadline is still weeks away and he could very well change his mind with a favorable grade from the advisory committee. A prototypical frame for a base end in a 34 scheme, Tuitt could warrant a grade similar to J.J. Watt coming out of Wisconsin, though he is not nearly as athletic as the All-Pro.
DE: Michael Sam, Missouri
Sam is an explosive rusher, a prototypical Missouri pass rusher who is undersized for a down lineman, but perfect for a standup rusher. While Sam is not nearly as athletic as Aldon Smith, they possess a similar skill-set. Sam will never be a double-digit producer, but he very well will be a solid starter for a team within the next few years.
DE: Cassius Marsh, UCLA
Marsh comes with the experience of having played as a 5T for the Bruins, though he lacks the ideal size for the 34 scheme. A good athlete for a three-man front, Marsh needs to add strength and mass in order to effective with his hand in the dirt, unless he plays on the strong-side in a 43 scheme.
DT: Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
McCullers is a titan, possessing freakish height and girth to match. While he will never have the advantage in terms of leverage or athleticism, he has the power to dominate on every snap if kept fresh throughout the ball game. McCullers might be limited to a 34 scheme exclusively due to his lack of range and movement skills, but he could make a good two-down nose guard. McCullers would also be an intriguing fit as a 5T, given his length.
DT: Ego Ferguson,* LSU
I’m not as sold on him as many others are, but Ferguson possesses an interesting blend of strength and athleticism. Ferguson is a very raw prospect who hasn’t seen the field as much as his teammate Anthony Johnson, due largely to the glut of talent the Tigers have sent to the NFL in recent seasons. Ferguson has plenty of potential, but the question is whether or not it’s worth investing a high pick in a player who still has plenty of development left before he’s at a starting caliber.
LB: Trevor Reilly, Utah
Reilly gets mixed reviews as a prospect, but he is an effective run defender and pass rusher. While not elite in either category, Reilly gets the most out of his physical ability with an impressive motor and effort. The main concern for any team drafting him is that he will be a 26-year-old rookie, who only has five prime seasons to contribute.
LB: Eric Kendricks,* UCLA
The younger brother of Eagles’ Mychal Kendricks, Eric has flashed the type of ability his sibling displayed at the collegiate level just a few years ago. Kendricks is undersized, but is a very steady tackler and plays with good effort. With some fine tuning of his game during his senior season he could hear his name called during the first two days of the draft.
CB: E.J. Gaines, Missouri
Gaines is a very good zone corner, and is not afraid to get physical at the line or in the run game. He brings a good all-around skill-set to the gridiron, and could be a decent starter, but likely will never be a Pro-Bowler. Gaines could be a good fit for a physical zone team like the Steelers.
CB: Ricardo Allen, Purdue
Allen is an interesting prospect as he has been a four-year starter while in West Lafayette and extremely productive in that time, but measures in at 5’9” on a good day. Allen is very athletic and has the speed to cover downfield, but his size will make it easy for receivers to out-muscle him and power off the line of scrimmage vs. Allen’s press. At best he projects to be a very good nickel.
S: Deone Bucanon, Washington State
For as well built of a safety prospect as he is, Bucanon is a very good athlete who can play the run and the pass. Playing in relative obscurity at Washington State, Bucanon has gone under the radar as very productive player and has not developed as well as he could have on a poor team where he has thrived on sheer ability. Bucanon could develop into a steal in the mid-rounds with proper NFL coaching.
S: Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt
Ladler has been a very productive safety for the Commodores, making his mark as an instinctive and athletic defender. Ladler is at his best in coverage, as he is not overly strong to play in the box, or clean enough tackling to come up and stonewall a running back. Perhaps his best asset in the NFL will be as a special teams ace, given his range, motor, and tenacity on the field.
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