this was from wrap edition of ear to the ground dynasty IDP column... though just from in-depth profile section and year end...Defensive EndsMario Williams, DE, North Carolina State (6'7" 285) - High First Round (Top 5-10) +'s... Some scouts think he is the top defensive player in the draft at any position (ahead of Hawk), and the consensus best DE... does not have a fully formed game and is still developing and maturing, but could have once or twice-a-decade type athletic ability... Julius Peppers routinely gets a name drop as a comp player... prototypical size and long arms for a DE... rare speed for a big man to make plays from the back side and close on ball carriers... capable of being an ultra-disruptive, game breaking type of player. -'s... Like most young edge rushers, needs to expand his repertoire of moves, as well as learn to string them together... plays too high and loses leverage when he gets sloppy and forgets his technique... could improve recognition, footwork and hand placement to become stouter at the POA and more effective in run support... may rely on his athleticism too much... he has not been as consistently dominant at the collegiate level as his considerable ability suggests he should... he will have to work harder as a pro to more fully realize his awesome natural talent. Forecast... A phenom and prodigy who should in time become a two way pass rushing and run stuffing force... still a work in progress and may take a few seasons before he is ready to make a massive impact... recent history of the top DE prospects learning curve has been a mixed bag... Erasmus James, Marcus Spears and Matt Roth in 2005 and Kenechi Udeze in 2004 had nondescript rookie seasons and failed to distinguish themselves... but Jevon Kearse, Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Charles Grant and Will Smith exceeded expectations in the half decade before that... represents an enticing blend of safety AND high upside... will probably end up being very good no matter what... and could have the highest upside of any prospect (at any position) in the draft. Matthias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6'7" 262) - High-Mid First Round (Top 10-15) +'s... Elite measurables and blue chip talent... has the tools and skills to dominate at the next level... and the character, personality and work ethic to get the most out of his phenomenal natural gifts... plays with a lot of pride befitting an accomplished and distinguished family line... the grandson of Uganda's first Prime Minister (Benedicto Kiwanuka was elected in 1961 and assassinated by Idi Amin in 1972). -'s... High cut athlete that can be prone to playing too high and vulnerable to losing leverage to shorter, stronger players. Needs to add bulk and become stronger, as well as playing with greater concentration and technique. Can be a liability in run support. Runs upfield too much and has to diversify and add an inside move. Forecast... Some scouts (though not necessarily influential ones) have expressed concern that he carries a higher bust risk than the other top IDP prospects. Conversely he has one of the highest upsides of any player (at any position) in the draft. Though slower (and taller), on film looks like a taller Simeon Rice or Jevon Kearse. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6'3" 267) - Mid-Late First Round +'s... Sprang into prominence with a sensational senior campaign in helping lead a Joe Pa resurgence, but he also had a solid junior campaign after making the switch from DT... his interior DL experience should enable him to be a force against the run right away (unlike many still developing edge rushers, that are often one-dimensional)... a hard worker who is receptive to coaching... impressive short area burst and explosiveness, though he doesn't have the electric suddenness and lightning quick first step of Williams and Kiwanuka. -'s... Doesn't have the prototypical measurables and constellation of physical traits, skills and talent of the two blue chip DE prospects graded ahead of him... can be handled by elite OL, though in fairness, that could be said of nearly everybody (veteran as well as rookie)... somewhat inexperienced on the outside (only two seasons after beginning career as a DT) with a limited repertoire of moves and ability to string them together. Forecast... Showcases the passion for the game, fiercely competitive desire to get to the QB and ball carrier and the intensity and relentlessness to make it happen that the scouts like to see... without question a high motor dude (if he doesn't make it big, it won't be because he was a slacker)... sometimes determination can be one of the most important determinants in translating collegiate success to stardom at the next level... Jared Allen is not as physically gifted as some of his more talented peers, but he maximizes his ability within the constraints of his "limits" better than most and has done far better than many DEs with superior pedigree, tools and draft grades that were selected ahead of him... Hali fits this profile. Elvis "Dumb and" Dumervil, DE, Louisville (6'0" 256) - Second/Third Round +'s... A massively productive sack machine in 2005 (won the Bronco Nagurski and Ted Hendricks Awards as the nation's top defensive player and DE, respectively) and had a noteworthy junior campaign, as well)... seems to anticipate the snap count well and has very good reactions, reflexes and initial quickness, if not true blazing speed... solid intangibles... hard worker with a nonstop motor who never quits until the whistle blows... relentless and has shown proficiency in college at getting off blocks. -'s... May be too short and slow to translate his admittedly impressive collegiate success to the NFL... level of competition concerns (doesn't face the caliber of opponents that USC and Miami routinely would)... legitimate questions about whether he has peaked and is about as good as he is going to get. Forecast... Comparisons to Dwight Freeney are about as useful as comparing Joe Jurevicius to Steve Smith... they are both WRs, but that is about all they have in common as a shared attribute... a more apt comp player could be Terrell Suggs, who has turned out to be a pretty good pro despite a lack of blazing timed speed... Suggs is football fast and has more than adequate functional, PLAYING speed on the gridiron... Dumervil's ominous lack of elite physical tools, however, could suggest a position conversion to 3-4 OLB (though there are questions about whether he has the agility, change-of-direction ability and overall athleticism to make such a switch)... he did put up better one season stats than fellow Cardinal alumni Dewayne White (the current Buc didn't play his senior season), who has been slow to emerge as a pro but has tantalizing potential based on his distinguished body of work in college. Honorable Mention... Virginia Tech DE Daryl Tapp is a ferocious edge rusher who has one of the fastest first steps and the most explosive closing speed at his position in the nation.
