2013 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida Gators

Chris Canty was released by the New York Giants, Marvin Austin hasn't proven anything, Shaun Rogers missed all of last season and is seasoned to put it nicely, and Markus Kuhn is a seventh-round pick who is relatively new to football. This can't be the opening day defensive tackle rotation to start the season, can it? It seems likely that GM Jerry Reese will consider adding another defensive tackle into the mix, and the first round could be a great place to do just that. Today we'll take a look at a talented 2013 NFL Draft prospect when we profile Shariff Floyd of the Florida Gators.

Floyd is a name that is not "hot" yet, but he will be. He has a Michael Oher-like background. Floyd had to move in with his grandmother at age 15 because of a rough upbringing. He gained some national attention when he had to raise money through a bake-sale to attend the US Army All-American Bowl game in high school. Eventually he was adopted by a wealthy Philadelphia businessmen, which is similar to Michael Oher's story except Oher was adopted in high school while Floyd was adopted while he was in college and after he was suspended for receiving improper benefits.

Anyway, with all that being said, Floyd is a defensive tackle prospect I like a lot. I'ved liked him as a mid-first round prospect for awhile and I think as the process continues he'll be a consensus mid-first round pick. He's very worthy of the 19th overall pick.

[Complete SB Nation Draft Coverage]

Pros

Floyd has solid size at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds and is very athletic. His best assets are his ability to get off the football and his short area quickness. Floyd also uses his hands well to beat blockers and has a good motor. Floyd is long and can make plays down the line as well as in the backfield. He has good instincts, and he jplays violently. Floyd is an ascending player.

In Monday Morning Quarterback Scott Pioli ranked Floyd as the third-best junior in the entire draft behind only Luke Joeckel and Dee Milliner.

[Big Blue View 2013 NFL Draft Big Board]

Cons

Floyd needs to improve his pad level and his technique. His production is modest, but the biggest issue is he plays too high at times and can get easily washed out of plays and that while he has good functional strength, he will improve by getting stronger.

He played defensive end and defensive tackle with the Gators. Whether you want to argue that's a positive because of his versatility or a negative because he was bouncing between positions is up to you.

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Player comparison: Muhammad Wilkerson (NFL.com). Kind of reminds me a little bit of Geno Atkins, though I think Atkins is more athletic and Floyd is a little bigger.

Does He Fit With The Giants?

The Giants were rumored to be very interested in Muhammad Wilkerson prior to the 2011 NFL draft when they selected Prince Amukamara instead. Wilkerson and Floyd's games are comparable and he could pique the Giants interest at 19.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

CBS Sports-17th

National Football Post-48th

Mocking the Draft-27th

Sports Illustrated-22nd

Big Blue View Board-18th

Final Thought

Floyd was not a guy who was getting mocked into the first round much during the season (and not even always now) but by the time the draft comes around I expect him to be in serious contention as a top 20 pick. From my experience in following the draft I have begun to favor ascending players. I like players who improve every year and players who still seem to have a lot more to offer. Floyd fits that bill. He has a lot of strengths, he's athletic, he has a terrific motor, and he has good functional strength, while his weaknesses are mostly coachable issues -- and that's a very good thing. Floyd has an interesting story and he'll get some publicity because of that, but the most important thing is how good of a player he could be in the NFL.

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