TSN Draft Prospect Profiles - Top Dlinemen

[Yomar]

DT Rankings

1 Jimmy Kennedy, Penn State

2 William Joseph, Miami (FL)

3 Dewayne Robertson, Kentucky

4 Rien Long, Wash. St.

5 Kevin Williams, Oklahoma St.

6 Johnathan Sullivan, Georgia

7 Kenny Peterson, Ohio St.

DE Rankings

1. T. Suggs, Arizona State

2. J. McDougle, Miami (FL)

3. M. Haynes, Penn State

4. C. Kelsay, Nebraska

Jimmy Kennedy

Height: 6-5 Weight: 330

40-yard dash: 5.20

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Is massive, powerful and quick. Can control two gaps when playing with good leverage. Has good upper- and lower-body strength. Overpowers most guards. Must play with more consistent leverage and learn to use hands better to shed blockers. Can be disruptive in a one-gap scheme. Runs well, and is athletic. Grade: 8.9.

Pass rush: Shows good initial quickness and footwork. Can collapse the pocket as a bull rusher when rested. Shows improved pass-rush skills, but is much more productive against the run. Must use hands better to shed blockers. Is quick but not fast. Lacks great change-of-direction skills in pursuit, and doesn't chase down many quarterbacks. Grade: 8.5.

Initial quickness: Has impressive initial quickness for his size. Shows good anticipation. Typically gets a quick jump and good position. Only concern: Come out of stance too high when tired. Grade: 8.8.

Run/pass recognition: Is adequate in this area. Is improved at mental part of the game. Still is inconsistent, especially when tired. Grade: 8.6.

Pursuit/tackling: Weight always has been a concern. Must stay in shape to be effective late in games and late in season. When tired, leans on blockers rather than working to penetrate or control the gap. Runs well and shows good body control, but lacks good change-of-direction skills or top-end speed. Grade: 8.5.

Bottom line: Kennedy redshirted in '98 after showing up on campus weighing more than 400 pounds. He used that year to get in shape and was a starter the last 3 1/2 seasons. Kennedy is massive and should be ready to play right away and in any scheme. He is a gap-control player with terrific size and the ability to chew up space. He is an elite player because of his athleticism and mobility. He is quick, massive and powerful, and he has improved his technique, playing shape and pass-rush skills the last two seasons. Kennedy does not always give a consistent effort, but he has rare physical tools. He likely will be a top-five pick.

William Joseph

Height: 6-4 Weight: 287

40-yard dash: 4.95

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Is tall, and has long arms and room to add bulk. Has good size and athleticism. Is disruptive against the run. Is a one-gap penetrator with great initial quickness. Locates the ball, and chases it down. Shows good pursuit skills, and is a powerful tackler with good pop. Lacks ideal lower-body strength, and has thin legs. Also must improve his technique and get more consistent leverage. Plays too high when tired. Grade: 8.2.

Pass rush: Does a great job of penetrating his gap and locating the quarterback. Has burst through the hole, and uses long, strong arms to shed blockers. Has proven closing quickness. Is able to stop and start quickly to chase the quarterback. Has adequate power moves. Can collapse the pocket with bull rush. Grade: 8.6.

Initial quickness: Shows great anticipation and initial burst. Can explode out of stance with great power, quickness and leverage. Initial quickness and leverage become average when tired. Grade: 8.6.

Run/pass recognition: Shows excellent awareness and change-of-direction skills. Excels at finding the ball and pursuing. Grade: 8.7.

Pursuit/tackling: Finds the ball quickly, and makes a lot of plays in the backfield. Has stayed healthy, and shows good stamina. Has great speed, and is a fluid athlete. Is a powerful tackler with adequate open-field skills. Grade: 8.6.

Bottom line: Joseph has rare size and athleticism and is a similar player to former Miami (Fla.) standout Warren Sapp. Joseph lacks ideal lower-body strength and can get held up when blockers get into his body, but he typically beats blockers with initial quickness. Joseph definitely is the No. 2 defensive tackle in this class. He must play with more consistency and add some bulk to his lower body, but Joseph has a chance to be a difference maker right away.

Dewayne Robertson

Height: 6-3 Weight: 308

40-yard dash: 5.15

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Has great size. Is built well, and has a strong lower body and powerful upper body. Shows adequate quickness and initial burst. Has good initial pop, and drives offensive linemen back with bull rush. Plays with good leverage, and can be tough to move. Uses hands well when controlling gaps. Was constantly double-teamed in '02 and still held his ground against the run. Can be effective in one-gap and two-gap schemes. Grade: 8.8.

Pass rush: Is improving in this area, and penetrates against almost all one-on-one matchups. Comes out of stance low and with good leverage, quickness and power. Shows explosive initial pop, and drives back offensive guards. Must show better second moves. Collapses the pocket with power and initial quickness, but is not a great athlete and lacks great speed. Shows just average burst in pursuit. Grade: 7.9.

Initial quickness: This is one of biggest strengths. Comes out of stance low, and shows great footwork and balance. Anticipates the snap well, and consistently gets a good jump. Has explosive short-area power, and wins many one-on-one battles with initial pop. Grade: 8.6.

Run/pass recognition: Is disciplined, and executes assignments. Works to get in position as a two-gap player. Maintains gap-control, and shows good technique and leverage. When turned loose upfield, shows a nose for the ball. Grade: 8.6.

Pursuit/tackling: Makes a lot of plays in tight spaces. Has great short-area power and explosiveness. Never stops hustling, and works to chase down the ball. Is not a great athlete, and doesn't make many plays on the run. Has average change-of-direction skills and below-average speed. Is much more effective in a gap-control or power-rush role than when turned loose upfield. Grade: 8.0.

Bottom line: Robertson, a junior, struggled a bit in '02 because of nagging ankle and knee injuries. He has great size and power and shows improved technique and pass-rush skills. He doesn't have elite speed or athleticism, but he is quick enough to get into position and penetrate consistently in the NFL. He should be drafted in the middle of the first round.

Rien Long

Height: 6-4 Weight: 286

40-yard dash: 4.90

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Has decent size and strength. Is a penetrator; gets upfield and disrupts. Has good initial quickness and good recognition skills. Finds the ball in the backfield, and shows good change-of-direction skills. Chases down the ball. Is tall, but plays with consistent leverage. Lacks great bulk. Knee and shoulder injuries have affected his ability to control gaps and take on double teams. Can be disruptive on the move, but struggles in a gap-control scheme. Grade: 8.0.

Pass rush: Is the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in this class. Shows terrific initial quickness, and anticipates the snap. Has good burst through the line and great speed. Shows good closing quickness and big-play flair. Shows improved pass-rush moves. Has adequate upper-body strength, and uses "swim" and "rip" moves well to get penetration. Grade: 8.7.

Initial quickness: Wins most battles with a quick first step. Does a terrific job of anticipating the snap. Has explosive initial power and great upper-body quickness. Grade: 8.5.

Run/pass recognition: Shows good recognition skills. Is a one-gap penetrator who always is working to get upfield and find the ball. Shows good change-of-direction skills to make plays after piercing the line. Grade: 8.0.

Pursuit/tackling: Makes a lot of plays on the move. Is a fluid athlete, and has above-average speed. Shows good closing burst to the ball. Plays under control, and shows good change-of-direction skills and body control. Is able to stop and start quickly. Is a powerful tackler with some big-play flair. Is an adequate open-field tackler. Grade: 8.4.

Bottom line: Long, the 2002 Outland Trophy winner, was a late-entry to '03 draft but figures to be selected in the middle of the first round. Long played through a knee injury in '02 and might need arthroscopic surgery. He also has had shoulder surgery in the past. Long is a one-gap penetrator with adequate size but great quickness and explosiveness. If he can stay healthy, he has a chance to be an impact starter.

Kevin Williams

Height: 6-4 Weight: 301

40-yard dash: 4.85

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Is durable and experienced. Is quick, explosive, powerful and athletic. Is a one-gap penetrator with improved size. Still lacks great bulk. Plays too high, losing power, at times. Must use hands better to disengage blockers. Finds the ball quickly once through the line, and is athletic enough to change directions and chase it. Can be extremely disruptive. Grade: 8.3.

Pass rush: Is an athletic, quick and explosive pass rusher. Changes directions quickly in the backfield. Shows above-average burst to the quarterback. Is a powerful tackler with good pop. Has some big-play flair. However, lacks power-rush moves. Must use hands better to disengage blockers. Grade: 8.0.

Initial quickness: Shows good initial burst off the snap. Is at his best in one-gap situations. Gets consistent penetration because of anticipation and quick first step. Grade: 8.4.

Run/pass recognition: Has terrific diagnostic skills. Locates the ball quickly once through the line. Changes directions and pursues better than most defensive tackles. Grade: 8.3.

Pursuit/tackling: Has excellent chase ability; has the speed and agility of a defensive end. Makes a lot of plays on the move, and changes directions quickly. Is a solid tackler with good short-area power. Grade: 8.2.

Bottom line: Williams was a durable, productive starter for four seasons at Oklahoma State. He is a hustling, athletic tackle who improved his draft value with a strong senior season -- he also added nearly 20 pounds in the last year but maintained his agility and explosiveness. Williams could play a one-gap defensive tackle position or move to end -- or rotate between both spots.

Johnathan Sullivan

Height: 6-3 Weight: 305

40-yard dash: 5.00

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Has good size, and is an above-average athlete. Plays with leverage, and controls a gap. Can play in both a two-gap and one-gap scheme. Has the size and strength to hold his ground at the point of attack. Shows above-average initial quickness and the speed/athleticism to chase down ball carriers. Grade: 8.2.

Pass rush: Shows good initial quickness. Gets consistent penetration, and rarely gives up on a play. Is a smooth athlete. Changes directions well, and has good closing speed. Must improve repertoire of pass-rush moves. Gets held up too often at the line. Shows enough power to become an effective bull rusher. Grade: 7.8.

Initial quickness: Shows quick footwork and initial burst. Comes out of stance with good pad level, and shows good short-area power. Must anticipate the snap better; too often is a quarter-count behind his teammates and the opponent -- nullifying his natural quickness. Grade: 7.8.

Run/pass recognition: Shows above-average recognition skills. Is consistent, and follows through on assignments. Has a nose for the ball when penetrating the line. Maintains responsibility when assigned to control a gap. Grade: 8.4.

Pursuit/tackling: Pursuit is one of biggest strengths. Is a fluid athlete. Chases down slow-developing running plays from the backside. Never stops hustling. Stops and starts and changes directions better than most his size. Is a powerful tackler with big-play potential, but leaves his feet too often and misses tackles in the backfield. Must be more consistent with tackling technique. Grade: 8.3.

Bottom line: Sullivan is the complete package physically. He has good height, weight, quickness and speed. Sullivan isn't the most explosive tackle in this class -- or the biggest -- but he probably is the most complete and consistent. He likely will be one of the top five defensive tackles drafted, somewhere in the latter half of the first round.

Kenny Peterson

Height: 6-2 Weight: 293

40-yard dash: 4.80

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Is a 'tweener (end or tackle?) with good versatility. Has great initial quickness. Is a one-gap penetrator. Has good size, quickness and power. Is strong. Uses long arms well to disengage blocks and maintain separation. Has a strong lower body, and holds his ground well when playing defensive end. However, lacks great bulk to play inside. Struggles to hold up when teams run at him. Must be on the move to be effective against the run. Grade: 8.0.

Pass rush: Is quick and athletic for a defensive tackle. Is at his best rushing the quarterback from inside. Uses his hands well. Shows good initial burst. Has above-average body control, and changes directions quickly. Shows some closing burst to the quarterback. Lacks speed to be an effective pass rusher at defensive end, and struggles to collapse the pocket at defensive tackle. Grade: 7.8.

Initial quickness: Showed significant improvement in this area in '02. Anticipates the snap quite well. Comes out of stance low and with good power. Grade: 7.9.

Run/pass recognition: Shows good awareness at defensive end and tackle. Keeps consistent containment when playing end. Is a disciplined player with a nose for the ball. Grade: 8.2.

Pursuit/tackling: Is just a decent athlete. Is a good open-field tackler. Has good quickness and burst in tight spaces. Shows adequate change-of-direction skills, but lacks great top-end speed to pursue the ball. Grade: 7.7.

Bottom line: Peterson has great tools and versatility. However, he lacks ideal size to play inside and ideal speed to play end. He likely will fit as a one-gap tackle on passing downs who could play some end on running downs. Peterson is a second-round prospect who could sneak into the first round because of his versatility.

Terrell Suggs

Height: 6-2 Weight: 248

40-yard dash: 4.65

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Lacks great size, but is bigger and has better instincts than the Colts' Dwight Freeney. Shows exceptional quickness and upfield burst. Has a terrific nose for the ball and the change-of-direction skills to chase down plays. Has elite speed. Is a sound and powerful open-field tackler. Uses quickness and upper-body strength to maintain separation and get through traffic. Uses hands well and never stops hustling. Struggles when reached by offensive tackles at the point of attack. Lacks great lower-body strength. Is disruptive, instinctive and active enough to make up for lack of size. Grade: 8.4

Pass rush: Is faster than both Freeney and the Panthers' Julius Peppers. Shows the top-end speed to consistently turn the corner. Is a gifted athlete with body control. Can stop and start without losing much momentum. Has neither great size nor power, but has solid upper-body strength. Can work back inside because of good footwork and by using club and rip moves. Is relentless. Has exceptional closing quickness and big-time playmaking skills. Grade: 8.9

Initial quickness: Is better in this area than any collegiate speed rusher of the past five years. Has terrific anticipation. Gets to full speed in a flash. Comes out of stance with good leverage and explosiveness. Wins most battles with first two or three steps. Grade: 8.9

Run/pass recognition: Is adequate in this area. Occasionally runs out of plays by getting too far upfield. Struggles to get back inside against the run at times because of size limitations. Still has a good nose for the ball. Changes directions well. Has the burst to recover from false steps. Grade: 8.5

Pursuit/tackling: Few players are as aggressive. Is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker. Explodes when closing and is powerful in the short area. Rarely misses tackles and shows great explosion when gathered to make hits. Has a great "tomahawk chop" pass-rush move and can cause many fumbles from the backside. Grade: 8.7

Bottom line: Suggs, a converted high school running back, is a bit short for end and ideally must add 10-to-15 pounds, but he is a top 10 prospect because of his dazzling athleticism. He might be athletic enough to play outside linebacker in an NFL 3-4. He is also quick and fluid enough to develop into a full-time 4-3 end if allowed to play wide.

Jerome McDougle

Height: 6-0 Weight: 264

40-yard dash: 4.75

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Has good bulk and plays with leverage. Shows good power for his size. Has a strong upper body. Is most comfortable in open field. Is a powerful tackle with great closing quickness. Excels at closing off the edge and chasing down plays from the backside. Height and technique are concerns. Gets engulfed at the point of attack at times. Has trouble when teams run at him. Still needs to work on using hands to create separation and disengage more consistently. Recognition skills are sub-par. Grade: 7.7

Pass rush: Specializes in this capacity. Is explosive and speedy with big-play flair. Shows a quick first step and great burst around the corner. Has good body control. Changes directions well. Can work back inside. Needs to show more moves, but with a strong upper body, can develop power moves with improved technique. Grade: 8.7

Initial quickness: Is a great athlete with a quick first step and the initial burst to get around offensive tackles. Anticipates well and consistently gets good jumps off snaps. Grade: 8.6

Run/pass recognition: Ball awareness must improve. Gets caught too far upfield at times. Is too concerned with the pass rush, leading to poor position to play the run. Needs to improve his technique and footwork vs. the run. Grade: 7.5

Pursuit/tackling: Is fluid with good speed. Is most comfortable when chasing down plays from behind. Shows great closing burst and natural explosiveness. Is an adequate open-field tackler. Shows good short-area power on pass rushes. Grade: 8.4

Bottom line: McDougle has some good NFL pedigree -- older brother Stockar was a former first-round pick of the Lions. Jerome is still a bit raw, but he has room for improvement and has already come a long way. Outside of Terrell Suggs, he is the most active and explosive end in this class and should be the second one drafted.

Michael Haynes

Height: 6-3 Weight: 274

40-yard dash: 4.80

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Is strong and has good athleticism. Shows adequate upfield burst. Is a disruptive playmaker in the backfield. Has a great nose for the ball. Lacks great speed, however, and doesn't chase down enough plays from the backside. Is tough to move when in position. When playing with leverage and has feet in place, anchors well when teams run at him. Hands and disengagement skills are improving. Footwork must improve and technique needs polish, but has the right physical tools and made huge strides as a senior. Grade: 7.8

Pass rush: Doesn't have elite speed, but is a fluid athlete with good initial burst, closing quickness, size and strength. Recognition and moves are somewhat raw, but flashes explosive upper-body strength. Grade: 8.3

Initial quickness: Has good initial burst. Shows good quickness and good burst and leverage out of stance. Anticipation is inconsistent, however. Grade: 7.8

Run/pass recognition: Still improving in this area. Is a playmaker; finds the ball once penetrated and is fluid enough to stop and start. Isn't always quick to recognize off the snap and gets out of position as a result. Grade: 7.9

Pursuit/tackling: Lacks elite speed, but shows good closing burst and power. Has big-play potential as an upfield rusher. Shows good club moves and can punch the ball away from the quarterback. Hustles and always seems to be around the ball. Is a good open-field tackler. Shows much explosiveness when timing hits. Grade: 8.1

Bottom line: Haynes has enough quickness and straight-line speed to make an impact as an NFL pass rusher. He is still raw, and must continue to improve his technique and play with better leverage, but his stock rose as senior because he proved he could take over games. He projects as a late first-round pick.

Chris Kelsay

Height: 6-4 Weight: 270

40-yard dash: 4.75

War Room analysis

Vs. the run: Is aggressive. Has a good combination of size and straight-line speed. Has bulked up the past two seasons and played with much better leverage as a senior. Hustles non-stop and is tough. Uses hands well to disengage. Has a powerful upper body. Club and fights on every down. Lacks the great lower-body strength to anchor and isn't an elite athlete. Doesn't make enough plays in the backfield or show the speed to chase down plays from behind. Grade: 7.8

Pass rush: Shows an array of power moves. Has adequate speed off the edge. Has a great work ethic and is relentless. Wins battles with effort, more so than with speed and burst. Has never been elite in this area. Grade: 7.8

Initial quickness: Comes off the ball with good leverage. Shows explosive short-area power and initial pop. Runs well and is fluid, but lacks first-step quickness on pass rushes. Will struggle to turn the corner against most NFL offensive tackles. Grade: 7.4

Run/pass recognition: Excels in this area. Shows a great feel for the position. Has excellent footwork and technique. Reads keys, finds the ball and keeps contain. Is fundamentally sound. Grade: 8.5

Pursuit/tackling: Has neither elite speed nor athleticism, but is relentless. Never gives up on plays and works to chase down many plays from behind. Excels at using hands to fight through traffic. Can be an explosive tackler. Grade: 8.0

Bottom line: Kelsay’s intensity, aggressiveness and approach to the game make him very appealing. However, even though he flashed some dominance in college, he never raised his game and struggled through a hamstring injury as a senior. He will likely develop into a blue-collar starter, but just not a great NFL player -- that's why he projects as a second-round pick.