Annually, it seems, there is is a new team (or teams) who make the conversion to a base 3-4 front defense. With that conversion typically follows an
overhaul in personnel -- starting, of course, with the pass rushing outside linebacker position. Any successful 3-4 defense needs a conversion-type rush linebacker which typically will possess the body and frame of a defense end, but the athleticism and skill-set of a linebacker. Every April these players are a coveted breed in the draft, so lets take a closer look at my top 10 crop of potential 3-4 base "conversion" defenders from 2012 NFL Draft class:
1. Melvin
Ingram, South
Carolina (6'1", 264 lbs.)
A
versatile defender with natural pass rushing ability, Ingram has value
in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. In tape evaluation, he is a high-motor
rusher whose semi-stubby frame allows him to gain leverage on some
bigger blockers. Throughout the past two seasons, Melvin Ingram has
accumulated a total of 76 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 19.0 sacks.
Although he is two inches taller, Ingram possesses a similar skill-set
to that of Denver Broncos
defensive end/3-4 outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil.
The productive Gamecocks defender carries a mid-first round
grade and top 15-pick projection.
2. Courtney
Upshaw, Alabama
(6'1", 272 lbs.)
Although
he has the frame and versatility to put his hand in the dirt and play
as a defensive end in 4-3 base fronts, Upshaw's natural position at the
next level is as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Featuring multiple-years of
experience playing in a 3-4 defense under Nick Saban at
Alabama, Upshaw
is a big, physical defender with quality short-area burst. Two highly
productive seasons in which he totaled a combined 103 tackles, 31.5
tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks, the All-American established himself
as a leader on the Crimson Tide's national title-winning defense. He is
a touch stiff in the hips, but following extensive film-review I do not
anticipate it inhibiting him moving forward. One of the best, safest
pure hybrid defensive end/linebacker-types of the 2012 class. Courtney
Upshaw grades out as a mid-first round prospect and a top 20-pick
projection.
3. Whitney
Mercilus, Illinois
(6'3", 261 lbs.)
The
decision to enter the 2012 draft as an underclassman certainly was made
easier after Mercilus lead the NCAA in sacks last season with 16.0.
Featuring quality pass rushing technique and physical skills, the
Illini defender still has significant question marks about potentially
standing up and playing in space as a 3-4 outside linebacker. However,
Mercilus made a believer out of a number of evaluators at his pro day
workout, where he displayed improved fluidity and lateral movement. The
"one-year wonder" tag won't be shaken during the evaluation process,
but I will say that it's hard to argue that 16.0 sacks and a whopping
22.5 tackles for loss in a single campaign is luck or scheming. The
2011 Ted Hendricks Award winner (as the top defensive end in college
football) is raw, occasionally plays at a higher pad-level, and will be
a bit of a project, but possesses notable upside and plenty of
remaining untapped ability. While Whitney Mercilus grades out as a late
first round selection, his pro day workout pushed him into mid-first
round consideration. One of the more intriguing possible conversion
players who may be safer as a 4-3 base defensive end, but holds
legitimate potential as a stand-up 3-4 rush 'backer.
4. Nick Perry,
USC (6'2", 271
lbs.)
A
primarily speed-rushing edge defender with good get-off burst and
lateral quickness. Elite-level first step and utilizes his hands well
when engaging with blockers. Although Perry is slightly raw and isn't
overly reliable as a run defender, he's a high potential athlete who
can play in space. Projects well as a standup, 3-4 edge rushing
linebacker. He added weight in the pre-draft process and looked a bit
stiffer at the NFL Combine than he did on tape, but is still in the
process of properly maximizing his frame. In three seasons at Southern
Cal, the 2009 Freshman All-American has accumulated 103 tackles, 29.5
tackles for loss, and 21.5 sacks. A former blue chip high school
recruit, Perry carries a grade in the mid-late first round range while
his draft pick projection falls around the 20 range.
5. Andre
Branch, Clemson
(6'4", 259 lbs.)
While
lacking a top notch first step, Andre Branch proved at the NFL Combine
that he has the speed and fluidity in movement to play in space as a 3-4
outside linebacker. A down-lineman in college who can be streaky in
production, Branch still exhibited big-play ability in important games
against Auburn,
Virginia Tech,
and South Carolina. As a senior he was
regarded as a leader on the Clemson defense and follows in an annually
growing line of quality pass rushers from the school. He steadily
developed over the course of his college career and really produced in
2011 with 85 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, and 10.0 sacks. Andre
Branch grades out as a late first round-early second round selection
and projects to be drafted in similar range.
6. Shea
McClellin, Boise
State (6'3", 260 lbs.)
A
college defensive end with good short-area quickness and bend around
the edge. McClellin developed as a disruptive player who often made
plays in the backfield as a junior and senior. His movement skills and
ability to locate the football together offer plenty of indication that
he can stand up and rush from a 3-4 outside linebacker spot, as well as
play in space. Over the past three seasons the intelligent and hard
working Boise State star defender managed 115 tackles, 31.0 tackles for
loss, and 18.5 sacks. Shea McClellin grades out as a mid-late second
round prospect and a likely mid-second round projection on draft day.
7. Vinny Curry,
Marshall
(6'3", 266 lbs.)
Vinny
Curry is one of the more unheralded overall prospects of the 2012
class. Rushes with a good blend of finesse and power, he has the strong
base and low-pad level to be disruptive on interior (C-gap) rushes or
the first step and bend to turn the corner. While Curry's skill set is
best suited to playing as a downed defensive end in a 4-3 base front,
his agility and lateral movement suggests he could be a formidable 3-4
edge rusher as well. After a very impressive Senior Bowl performance
and nice Combine, Curry has cemented my high second round grade, and is
likely to be selected in mid-second round range on day two of the draft.
8. Ronnell
Lewis, Oklahoma
(6'2", 253 lbs.)
Lewis
is a notable talent with a true conversion skill-set. A college
defensive end with an impressive blend of strength, short-area
quickness, and explosion. The underclassman left Oklahoma early after a
productive junior campaign in which he totaled 59 tackles, 13.0 tackles
for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Possessing a thickly built frame with room to
continue growing, the Sooner standout is a nice athlete with movement
skills in space and a knack for locating the football. Ronnell Lewis
has plenty of untapped ability and just began the next step of his
development in 2011; drawing a solid second round grade and projection,
he should parlay a deep skill-set into a nice NFL career.
9. Bruce Irvin,
West Virginia
(6'2", 245 lbs.)
An
unconventional conversion prospect who's body type would suggest he's
more of a natural 4-3 linebacker, but his shear pass rushing ability
has 3-4 teams taking interest throughout the evaluation process. In two
seasons with the Mountaineers, the former junior college transfer
amassed sack totals of 14.0 in 2010 and 8.5 in 2011, along with 61
tackles and 29.0 tackles for loss combined over the two campaigns.
Irvin has natural athleticism and can move with fluidity in space but
is not an ideal run and cover linebacker. Provided he bulks up and
fills out his frame, adding more upper body strength, he has legitimate
upside as a a 3-4 edge rushing linebacker. Certainly a project, Bruce
Irvin still grades out as a quality late second to early third round
prospect with a third round pick projection.
10. Jonathan
Massaquoi, Troy
(6'2", 264 lbs.)
Impressive
initial burst and lateral quickness on game tape. Massaquoi is a
natural edge rusher with true conversion capabilities. While his run
defense is the weaker aspect of his game, his prowess in getting to the
quarterback is obvious on film. Good bend around the edge and a solid
understanding of leverage. Coming from a consistent and heralded line
of talented Troy pass rushers, Massaquoi is a dynamic space-player
who's athleticism will allow him to rush from a variety of spots. A
third round grade and third to fourth round draft pick projection,
Jonathan Massaquoi will provide a team with great value if selected on
day three.
Honorable Mention(s):
Chandler Jones,
Syracuse
(6'4", 266 lbs.)
Skill-set
best suits him to play with his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 base end, but
as a possible conversion player Chandler Jones possesses top shelf
athletic ability and physical length. Some raw aspects to his game, but
the younger brother of UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones
has one of the highest ceilings of any prospect in the 2012 draft
class. A late first round talent who grades out as a second round
prospect and projection.
Darius Fleming,
Notre Dame
(6'1", 245 lbs.)
Fleming
is an interesting prospect. A raw athlete with unpolished (but
high-potential) pass rushing skills, he is an experienced player with a
good production over the past three seasons. A thick linebacker with
good movement skills, Fleming displays good shoulder-dip and strength
at the point of attack when rushing. Like Bruce Irvin, Fleming must
fill out his frame a little more but has displayed natural ability as
an edge rusher. Through evaluation Darius Fleming has drawn a fourth
round grade and projects to be selected in the fourth to fifth round
range.
The mold of the conversion player seems to change with every passing
year,
but with a developing variety amongst 3-4 base defenses, there's now
spots for players who were once considered "tweeners" who did not truly
fit in either 4-3 or 3-4 fronts. In 2012, we not only call the majority
of these players versatile -- we call them conversions.
Caputi's NFL Draft material courtesy of Pariots Insider at
Scout.com
Dion Caputi is a writer at the National Football Post and
College | NFL Draft analyst. You can also follow him on Twitter @nfldraftupdate
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