New York Giants 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Nick Perry, DE, USC

By Ed Valentine@Valentine_Ed Apr 20, 2012, 2:00pm EDT

Let's use today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profiles to look at one of the few first-round possibilities for the New York Giants who I have not yet looked at. That would be USC defensive end Nick Perry.

I had been avoiding profiling Perry because he played the 2011 season at USC at 250 pounds and some consider him to be a better 3-4 outside linebacker than 4-3 defensive end. Yet, he now weighs in at 271, and I keep reading about his pass-rush skills and "huge amount of upside," so we have to touch on him.

SB Nation's Mocking The Draft says Perry "may be the fastest pass rusher off the snap in this class."

Read the reports on Perry and it is difficult -- at least for me -- not to think this is the type of player who might intrigue Jerry Reese.

From SI.com, which has Perry ranked as the 18th-best prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft class:

"Perry comes off a terrific junior campaign and was dominant during his combine workout. He possesses all the physical skills necessary to make an impact at the next level, and, to his credit, Perry displayed improved instincts last year. He comes with a huge amount of upside and can help a team at several positions in the defensive front seven if coached properly."

From Draft Countdown:

Strengths:
• Good bulk with a muscular, yoked up physique
• Terrific athleticism with very good body control
• Explosive with excellent speed and a burst
• Is able to bend off the edge and run the arc
• Strong with more power than you'd expect
• Active, violent hands to strike and disengage
• Adequate run defender and surprisingly stout
• Fantastic range and does a nice job in pursuit
• Will offer positional and schematic versatility
• Pretty productive against quality competition

Weaknesses:
• Does not have ideal length ( height or arms )
• Stiff with average agility and change of direction
• Motor runs hot and cold and disappears at times
• Must develop additional rush moves / counters
• Questionable instincts and overall awareness

From DraftTek:

"With his speed and agility he can wreak havoc in the opposing backfield. He possesses a wide range of pass rush moves; starting with a great swim move, in addition to a very effective spin maneuver. He also displayed a good bull rush at the collegiate level. However, it remains to be seen if he can have that type of success against quality NFL O-lineman. Perry can become too tunnel-minded on getting to the QB - he forgets to play the run and consequently leaves gaping holes for the RB. Even though he's a good athlete he hasn't displayed good change of direction, thus he may struggle dropping into coverage. Overall, Perry is a gifted athlete with the skill set to become a dynamic edge rusher but teams need to be patient as his technique develops."

Nick Perry Profile

Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 271
School: USC
40 time: 4.64
2011 Stats: 54 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks

Position-By-Position NFL Draft Prospect Profiles

NOTE: I have broken these down by position. Feel free to e-mail bigblueview@gmail.com with more suggestions.

Offensive Line

Desmond Stapleton, OT, Rutgers
Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Cal
Ben Jones, C, Georgia
Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
Nate Potter, OT, Boise State
Brandon Brooks, OG, Miami (Ohio)
Senio Kelemete, OG, Washington
Amini Solatolu, OG, Midwestern State
Desmond Wynn, OG, Rutgers
Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi
Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State
Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
Zebrie Sanders, OT, Florida State
Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia