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The most explosive pass rusher from the 2014 Reese's Senior Bowl was certainly Dee Ford of Auburn. He's a dynamic, aggressive weapon. He's also mostly thought of as a 3-4 OLB. Can the 6-foot-2, 240 pound speed rusher make the switch to a 4-3 DE or as a 4-3 SAM? Let's take a look and see.
Pros
- Extreme first step off the line. Explosion all the way through is pretty much his calling card.
- Strong upper body and very active hands.
- Dip and bend is one of the best in this draft class.
- Relentless motor that's great in taking guys down in backside pursuit.
Cons
- Doesn't set the edge very well.
- Is a speed rusher for the most part, and I don't see the same speed-to-power conversion that I do with Ealy or Clowney.
- Run defense leaves a bit to be desired.
- Instincts are questionable, and I've seen him get faked out a few times.
Does He Fit With The Giants?
No. I don't think he can line up as a defensive end. He's too light and doesn't play as powerfully as one would hope. The Giants like their defensive ends to be at least 255-260 pounds and Ford isn't close to that. He has little to no experience playing in space and while he's a destructive rusher, I think he's one of the few players that has a tried and true sole position: 3-4 OLB.
Prospect Video
Dee Ford vs FSU BCS Championship 2014 (via JPDraftJedi)
Big Board Rankings
Big Blue View - Not in top 50
Mocking The Draft - 61
CBS Sports - 21
Draft Countdown - 72
Draft Tek - 54
Final Thoughts
Despite his extraordinary Senior Bowl, I do not believe Dee Ford is a first-round caliber player. I think he's limited by scheme and by skill set as a pass rusher only. He makes several splash plays against the run, absolutely, but he does not set the edge on a consistent basis the same way a Clay Matthews or Brian Orakpo would.
For me, he's solidly in the second round, perhaps even early second round selection. He's a gifted player and his athleticism warrants strong upside to be a great pass rusher. If I am the Giants, however, I pass simply because we wouldn't know where to play him.