The college football season is over; withdrawals, depression, misery. Before you slip into an apathetic stupor for eight months, remember that the NFL Draft is just around the corner! From now until April's NFL Draft, I will be profiling some of the more interesting prospects. I can't promise that I'll get to your favorite player, but if you'd like to see a certain player profiled, shoot us an email and let us know.
Even with all of the hype, Heisman talk and expectations surrounding Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh, Oklahoma's own big man in the middle has not been forgotten. Gerald McCoy is widely considered the second best player in this year's draft and is expected to be drafted sometime in the top five, if not the top two or three.
McCoy may not have Suh's strength, or that of other defensive tackles (23 reps at Combine...I know, I know it's just the Combine and he has long arms), but he makes up for it with impressive block-shedding ability and explosiveness off of the line. He's very aggressive in fighting off blocks which will help him rushing against some of the bigger interior linemen in the NFL.
Don't be fooled, though. McCoy possesses exceptional strength and won't get pushed around at the next level. There may not be anybody in this year's draft who can anticipate the snap and deliver an initial hit like McCoy. His explosion off the snap puts a lot of offensive linemen on their heels right away.
His 6 sacks this past year and 6.5 sacks the year before are impressive for a defensive tackle. Even when he isn't sacking the quarterback he can disrupt the pocket and affect the play.
McCoy won't be a run stuffer at the next level, but he doesn't give up ground in the middle of the line easily and he can get off his blocks to make the play. He has trouble with shiftier running backs, though, and while he has been heralded for his balance and athleticism, he doesn't excel at making cuts to close angles on speedier backs.
McCoy is not a 3-4 nose tackle and won't be used as a two-gap defender. Both McCoy and Suh should play well at end in a 3-4 scheme or at tackle in a 4-3. At 295 pounds (about 10 pounds lighter than Suh) and with an athletic frame, bulk is an issue for some. NFL teams may have him add 10 or 15 pounds if they plan on putting him at tackle in a 4-3 scheme, but he should do just fine at just shy of 300 pounds as a 3-4 end.
Now to McCoy's draft position on April 22. Suh's performance at the Combine has many in agreement that he has solidified his position as the top player in this year's draft. Whether he is taken #1 overall is another story, but most agree that he's passed McCoy as the top DT this year. Still, Scout's Inc. has McCoy as the top prospect in this year's draft so you be the judge.
If the Rams decide to go with McCoy's teammate in Norman, Sam Bradford, as the top pick, the Lions are expected to make Suh the second pick, even with the free agent signing of DE Kyle Vanden Bosh and their acquisition of DT Corey Williams from the Cleveland Browns.
If the Rams take Suh, the Lions are still likely to take McCoy, but could also choose to go another direction. In my profile of Eric Berry, I had speculated that Detroit may be interested in the consensus top defensive back at #2. But with the solid play of Louis Delmas at free safety and need pretty much across the board, it's more likely that the Lions take McCoy or go offensive tackle (Russell Okung of Oklahoma State or Anthony Davis of Rutgers are possibilities).
Should McCoy slip past #2, he'll fall no farther than #5 to Kansas City. - Danny Hobrock
Danny is a sports journalist primarily covering college football and professional baseball. His work for Xtra Point Football has garnered national attention and is critically acclaimed. Danny is the former editor of a political and current events website and the editor of our college football content.
For more player profiles and complete coverage of this Year's NFL Draft, visit our NFL Draft Prospects Home Page with new profiles being added each week.
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