Fearsome foursome: A look at the draft’s best pass rushers
Article By viyer.tsn on 13th April, 2010
When it comes to defensive prospects in the 2010 draft class, disruptive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy have dominated the conversation. Both have the power and quickness and get to the quarterback, but most sacks some off the edge. A look at a quartet of elite pass rushers available outside of the top five:
South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul could become the next 'Freak' of the NFL. The freakish athlete Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida. Remember when Jevon Kearse burst on the scene in 1999 as "The Freak" with 14.5 sacks as a rookie? More than a decade later, here's a potential sequel. Many draft analysts, including former Cowboys general manager Gil Brandt, see Pierre-Paul as a high-risk, high-reward prospect with the raw speed to become a premium pass rusher.
"At the Combine, he was unbelievable as far as first-step quickness," Brandt said.
NFL comparison: Calvin Pace, Jets. Pace came into the league as exceptional athlete, and once he moved to outside linebacker where he could use his speed in more open field, he developed into a solid pass rusher. Pierre-Paul might need to start as a third-down specialist until he refines the other part of his game, but he can have an immediate impact in that role. He might, like Pace, have his best success in an aggressive 3-4 scheme.
Draft projection: Tennessee Titans (No. 16). They drafted Kearse, and he helped them get to a Super Bowl right away. Now they need pass-rush help right away in the wake of losing defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch as a free agent. Coach Jeff Fisher, like the Jets' Rex Ryan, comes with the Buddy Ryan attack mentality, and he would put a speedster such as Pierre-Paul in the right position to succeed off the edge.
Michigan Brandon Graham could wind up moving off the end in the NFL. The undersized overachiever Brandon Graham, Michigan. He was a productive end in college but doesn't quite have the ideal frame (6-1 3/8...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul could become the next 'Freak' of the NFL. The freakish athlete Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida. Remember when Jevon Kearse burst on the scene in 1999 as "The Freak" with 14.5 sacks as a rookie? More than a decade later, here's a potential sequel. Many draft analysts, including former Cowboys general manager Gil Brandt, see Pierre-Paul as a high-risk, high-reward prospect with the raw speed to become a premium pass rusher.
"At the Combine, he was unbelievable as far as first-step quickness," Brandt said.
NFL comparison: Calvin Pace, Jets. Pace came into the league as exceptional athlete, and once he moved to outside linebacker where he could use his speed in more open field, he developed into a solid pass rusher. Pierre-Paul might need to start as a third-down specialist until he refines the other part of his game, but he can have an immediate impact in that role. He might, like Pace, have his best success in an aggressive 3-4 scheme.
Draft projection: Tennessee Titans (No. 16). They drafted Kearse, and he helped them get to a Super Bowl right away. Now they need pass-rush help right away in the wake of losing defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch as a free agent. Coach Jeff Fisher, like the Jets' Rex Ryan, comes with the Buddy Ryan attack mentality, and he would put a speedster such as Pierre-Paul in the right position to succeed off the edge.
Michigan Brandon Graham could wind up moving off the end in the NFL. The undersized overachiever Brandon Graham, Michigan. He was a productive end in college but doesn't quite have the ideal frame (6-1 3/8...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for NFL
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