2012 Draft Nuggets - Brandon Thompson, Clemson, DT

Brandon Thompson, Clemson, 6021 305

Three-and-a-half year starter who plays hard and at times appears unblockable. Plays both inside tackle spots in a rotation where he is always fresh. Thick and powerful upper and lower body strength. Thick butt and thighs to help him anchor and stack a double team. Active in long and short pursuit. Hustler with good chase speed for a big man. Can change direction and has good functional movement along the line of scrimmage and down the field. Shows an intense desire to run down a ball carrier. Was in on 56 tackles, 7 ½ tackles for loss, and 15 quarterback pressures. Disruptive player who gets his hands up in the throwing lane and batted down three passes. He not only relies on quickness, but can shed the blocker and accelerate to the ball in a short area.

2012 Draft Nuggets - Jared Crick, Nebraska, DT

Jared Crick, Nebraska, 6060 285

Three-year starter who is an explosive and athletic tackle and end combination player, depending on a team’s defensive scheme. Can play tackle or end in the 4-3 or an end in the 3-4. Nebraska plays a 4-2-5 defensive package. A very reactive player with good instincts. Plays well inside out. Takes good angles downfield in pursuit. Finds the ball quickly. Feels pressure and reacts on the move. Reads and reacts quickly to offensive line blocking angles, trap, and combination blocks. A right place at the right time player. Always around the ball. An unselfish player who draws double teams and stacks the line of scrimmage so the linebacker or other line mates can make a tackle.

Lawrence Guy, Green Bay Packers, 233rd Pick, 7th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Guy, Lawrence Arizona State 6041 305 4.96

Junior entry. Good sized prospect with good athletic ability. Plays a 3-technique in a four man front. Has a quick first step but comes up instead of out which slows his penetration. Easy to follow on tape because he wears a long white sock on his left leg. Needs to protect his legs better. Gets cut but bounces up, can recover, and gives effort to get to the ball. Can push the pocket from the inside with quickness and strength. Uses a bull rush to press the pocket. Will need to develop other moves to be successful on the next level. Has functional strength at the point of attack. Works to the quarterback with a push and spin move. Doesn’t stay blocked in the run game. Can read and see the screen pass and take good angles to make a play. Can be put on his back at times when he plays too high. Not explosive and must play with more knee bend and hip flexibility. Plays in a front rotation where he is always fresh. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Frank Kearse, Miami Dolphins, 231st Pick, 7th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Kearse, Frank Alabama A&M 6040 315 5.31
Frank Kearse is a wide bodied defensive lineman that projects to nose tackle. A three-year starter and a two-time captain, he has developmental talent. On his pro day 3/7/11 his measurables were 1.85/10, 22/BP, 30/VJ, 8-7/ BJ, 4.68/SS, 7.80/3 cone. Ourlads Scouting Services rated Kearse as a developmental player with draftable qualities.

Zach Clayton, Tennessee Titans, 212th Pick, 7th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Clayton, Zach Auburn 6020 299 4.85
Played in 40 games. Played in a rotation where the linemen played fresh most of the time. A high motor, extra effort overachiever who has an explosive first step when slanting and angling. Good lateral and upfield quickness. Tough and aggressive in his play. Smart and tough. His dad is the assistant track coach at Auburn. He also throws the discus in track with a personal best of 191 feet, 11 inches. He holds the Alabama state high school record in the discus. As a senior in high school he won the state championship in both the shot put and the discus. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

David Carter, Arizona Cardinals, 184th Pick, 6th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Carter, David UCLA 6044 297 4.98

One-year starter. Played in a rotation in 2008 and 2009. Brother Chris played at Fresno State. They both teamed up on the West squad in the Shrine game. A good effort player who made the most of his senior year. Makes the quarterback throw out of the well when rushing the passer. Hustled to the perimeter. Broke well on the ball. Played strong in the season ending USC game. Has first step and lateral quickness. Doesn’t stay blocked. May interest some teams as a 3-4 five technique. Has some interesting pro physical skills worth developing. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Christian Ballard, Minnesota Vikings, 106th Pick, 4th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Ballard, Christian Iowa 6041 285 4.80
Three-year starter who is flexible, athletic, and versatile enough to play any position across any defensive front. Nose tackle in the 3-4 would be an emergency position only. Explosive first step quickness. Plays best in predetermined stunt packages rather than base read and react. Sudden when penetrating a gap, running line stunts, and twists. Question instincts. When he sees the ball he gets there. Long arms and big hands. Presses the pocket with inside pressure and push. Hit and spin move. Can stop and stack at the point. Gets tied up at times but will shed and burst to the ball in a short area. Can cross faces and find the ball. Has some two gap ability. Plays with a power base and knee bend. Good lateral agility to go parallel to line of scrimmage, down the line, and make a play. Demonstrated good hustle in the Ohio State game playing his option assignment. Sudden through gaps on slant and angle moves. Has the talent to contribute early in his career. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Drake Nevis, Indianapolis Colts, 87th Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Nevis, Drake LSU 6007 294 5.06
Started 17 games in his career. At LSU, the Tigers rotate 7-8 defensive linemen to keep them fresh. Nevis is a disruptive impact player with lateral quickness. He can make plays when he’s blocked. There were times where we observed that he was double-teamed, held, and tackled. Quick hands to stack, spin, and separate. Pushes the play deep. Quick arm over. Fights through blockers to make a play. A player with a fierce sense of competition. Loves to compete. Mentally and physically tough. Plays with nimble feet and clogs up the running lanes. Constricts the hole. The key to his game appears to be a low pad level with good hand quickness. Rare hand use. Explosive first step quickness to force inside pressure. Tough for a center to single block him. Plays with great emotion and intensity. A good effort player who finishes plays with quickness and speed. Multiple move player with club, arm over, and rip. Because of his height, he will get hung up at times on his arm over move. Works from short to long pursuit. Good angles. An ideal under and nickel tackle. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Jurrell Casey, Tennessee Titans, 77th Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Casey, Jurrell Southern Cal 6005 300 5.10
Junior entry. Two-year starter. Played the same position for the Trojans as Shaun Cody and Sedric Ellis - the three technique (shades guard outside shoulder) in the four man front. Productive, quick, high effort competitor. Doesn’t stay blocked. Gets his hands up in the rush lanes. Similar to Drake Nevis – gets hung up at times on his arm over move because of his height. Quick first step. Can play the cocked nose position. Quick shed to locate the ball. Comes off the ball with a low pad level. Rarely gets cut off. Quick to find the ball. Has a burst to the quarterback once he sheds his blocker. Thrusts his body into the ball carrier. Explosive hitter. Plays with good footwork to gain leverage. Intense and physical in his play. Quick to diagnose play after controlling opponent. Quick reactions. Strong at the point of attack. More of a one gap penetrator than a two gap player. Thick torso. Can stack a double team. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Terrell McClain, Carolina Panthers, 65th Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

McClain, Terrell South Florida 6017 297 4.98
Three-year starter with a thick lower body. Doesn’t stay blocked. Plays inside tackle in a four man front. A good athlete with a quick first step. Long arms and big hands for the position. Functional strength to hold his ground. Fills the running lanes and pushes the pocket in the pass game. Quick to disengage and tackle. Tendency to play too high at times. Runs to finish play. Explosive short area quickness. Plays with a good power base to stack the run. Sheds and runs to the ball. Plays square to the line of scrimmage with good lateral quickness. Competitive. Works to the whistle. Quick on the pass rush but has difficultly disengaging at times. Strong power rusher when he goes up the middle. Can get the guard or center back on their heels. Relies on his quickness. Will dive and make arm tackles. A solid backup type performer who would fit into a rotation. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Stephen Paea, Chicago Bears, 53rd Pick, 2nd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Paea, Stephen Oregon State 6012 303 5.00
Two-year starter. Junior college transfer. Consistently draws double teams and frees up other linemen across the front. Tough to single block with his strength and leverage. Plays low with a flat back. Thick and quick. Extremely strong arms and legs. A quick penetrator style like John Randle or Warren Sapp. Explosive push up the field on pass downs. A disruptive player who is quick enough to beat the snap. Must be accounted for and game plan specific. Gains an advantage with his first step quickness. Explodes and uncoils his hips with force. Stout inline play strength to stop the run. Plays on his feet. Strong enough to lock out and separate from blocker. An end to end player who can control blockers and pursue down the line. Can grab grass
and split a double team. Fights through blockers to make a play. Productive in OSU’s scheme. Grew up in Tonga where he played rugby. Was the 2009 Morris Trophy winner, given annually to the PAC 10’s top defensive lineman as voted on by the league’s offensive linemen. Set a strength record at the Combine benching 225 pounds 49 times. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Marvin Austin, NY Giants, 52nd Pick, 2nd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Austin, Marvin North Carolina 6015 309 4.89
Two-year starter. Was ineligible to play his senior year for
violating NCAA regulations. In 2009, Austin flashed dominating
ability in the North Carolina State game; however for most of
2009 he was an underachiever. He was inconsistent to use his
hands to separate, disengage the blocker, and find the football.
Can be tied up with a reach block. Comes off the ball high.
Inconsistent leverage on blocks and has a tendency to get sealed.
Question instincts and first step quickness. Has technique
breakdowns and opens up his body as a target to blockers. Can
be single blocked by undersized linemen. Inconsistent to hold
his ground and then pursue outside the box. Lacks the quick
twitch desired in a top level defensive lineman. In the Shrine
East/West practices, he showcased his lateral and edge quickness.
He still played high and was controlled by blockers in team
periods of practice and the game. It doesn’t appear that he
knows what it takes to be a complete player. Inconsistent to
fight pressure. A good athlete with tools to perform on Sunday
if he wants it badly enough.
For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Jarvis Jenkins, Washington Redskins, 41st Pick, 2nd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Jenkins, Jarvis Clemson 6037 309 5.08
Three-year starter. Active in his play. Try hard, good effort
player who will finish pursuit to the perimeter. Quick first step.
Gets his hands up and into the throwing lane. Physical against
the run when he gets his pad level down. Has a tendency to play
high. Works his feet and hands to press the pocket and rush the
quarterback. Plays in a front rotation where he is always fresh.
Doesn’t stay blocked. Quick to disengage and separate from the
blocker. Can stack and hold his ground against double teams.
Needs to develop his pass rush moves. Basically uses the bull
rush and tries to overpower the blocker. That rarely happens on
the next level. A reactive player who has a nose for the ball. Has
functional strength but needs more upper and lower body strength.
Possibly a two gap 3-4 defensive end. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Adrian Taylor, 2011 NFL Undrafted Free Agent, Defensive Tackle

Taylor, Adrian Oklahoma 6033 311 5.10
Three-year starter. Naturally strong. Can play the defensive
interior position in the four man front. Plays high at times, but
can stack and shed. Above average athletic ability, is tough and
physical. Hard to tie up on a reach block. Can extend on a run
block with a punch. Gives a good effort. Productivity was down
in 2010 with 12 tackles, 1/2 TFL, and 1/2 sack. He played in six
games before suffering an Achilles injury. Has a past injury
history.
For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Sealver Siliga, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Defensive Tackle

Siliga, Sealver Utah 6016 305 5.20
Junior entry. Two-year starter with long arms and big hands to
control a blocker. Strong upper and lower body. Physical on
power and bull rush. Presses the pocket. Not a fast twitch player.
Below average quickness on logs and twist stunts. Two down
player who specializes in stuffing the run lanes. Quick first step
to get penetration. Plays stout with leverage and can hold his
ground inside. He does have a tendency to play high after his
first step, however not a two gap player. Under tackle in four
man front. Provides a team with depth despite borderline
measurables and physical skills. A two down run player.
For complete report see Ourlads' Guide to the NFL Draft.

John Graves, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Defensive Tackle

Graves, John Virginia Tech 6030 286 5.15
Three-year starter who is instinctive and athletic. Does not
play with functional strength. Gets bounced around inside. May
project to a 3-4 five technique. A team captain. Good backside
chase player. Plays better on the move. Lacks the strength to
hold up to a double team. He gets rag-dolled at times. Always
gives a good effort, but lacks strength in his upper and lower
body. Football smart. A developmental player.
For complete report see Ourlads' Guide to the NFL Draft.

Mike Blanc 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Defensive Tackle

Blanc, Mike Auburn 6025 290 4.96
A high effort player who is a gap penetrator. Good lateral
quickness. Doesn’t stay blocked. Moves on movement. Good
instincts to feel and react. Plays with functional strength and
awareness. Demonstrates a desire to get to the ball. Good effort,
toughness, and aggressiveness in his play. Takes good pursuit
angles and finishes long and short pursuit. Plays in a four man
front rotation. Jumps out on tape as a playmaker who is always
around the ball. Reminds us of Buffalo’s Spencer Johnson, a
high motor player who didn’t get drafted, or Jay Ratliff who
went in the seventh round. Had seven tackles and a fumble
recovery in the South Carolina game. His fumble recovery led
to a 35-27 Auburn lead late in the game.
For complete report see Ourlads' Guide to the NFL Draft.

Anthony Gray, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Defensive Tackle

Gray, Anthony So. Mississippi 5113 330 5.17
Three-year starter. Short and explosive - built like a Coke
machine. Has nine career sacks. Played defensive tackle in a
four man front and nose tackle in nickel packages. Plays in a
rotation. Stuffs the inside running lanes. Good interior instincts.
Can feel the blocks on traps and screen passes. Quick laterally
and in his first step. Good effort player with flexibility and
strength. Plays with leverage. Explosive jolt to control the
blocker. Tough. Can stop and stack at the point. Quick shed and
locate. Will throw his body into a ball carrier. Intense desire to
run down a ball carrier. Shorter than ideal, but plays low and
explosive.
For complete report see Ourlads' Guide to the NFL Draft.

Cedric Thornton, Undrafted Free Agent,Defensive Tackle

Thornton, Cedric So. Arkansas 6035 309 5.26
Started 22 games in his career. A physical player who gives a
good effort and pushes the pocket in the passing game. Disruptive
in his play. Sudden first step quickness. Needs to improve his
pass rushing technique and improve his hand use, but has the
strength to knock an offensive lineman off balance. Did not
look out of place at the Senior Bowl. Numbers dropped off in
2010 but has been productive for the past two years. Question
instincts and recognition at times. Could see the play develop at
this level but will need to digest quicker on Sundays. Aggressive
in his play with his long arms and big hands. A developmental
player who has measurables but will need to elevate his position
skill level. 2009 stats: 80 tackles, 23 1/2 TFL, 8 1/2 sacks.
2010 stats: 52 tackles, 13 TFL, 1 1/2 sacks.
For complte report see Ourlads Guide To The NFL Draft

Nick Fairley, 13th Pick 2011 NFL Draft

Fairley, Nick Auburn 6037 291 4.87

Detroit Lions


Junior entry. One-year starter. Junior college transfer. Lombardi
Award winner. Long arms and measurables for the position.
Nose tackle or a four-man front defensive tackle. Pushes the
pocket as an inside pass rusher. Draws consistent double teams.
Gets his long arms up in the throwing lane. A disruptive penetrator
who consistently draws double teams. Will stop his feet and quit
working to the ball once he’s doubled at times. Will flash ability
to hustle on outside plays. A big man who can beat a hesitant
offensive lineman. Picks his spots and is explosive and aggressive
fighting to beat a block. Plays in a rotation where he is fresh.
Tendency to play high. Can overpower a center or guard with
strength or beat them with quickness. Sudden to shuck a blocker
or split a double team. Three sacks versus LSU. Guesses a lot,
but has above average instincts. Needs to improve his ability to
control blocker with his hands. His success is through the gaps.
He needs to adjust to blocking schemes quicker. May need extra
For the complete report see Ourlads Guide To The NFL Draft