Gerald McCoy Position: DT School: Oklahoma Height: 6’4 1/8“ Weight: 295 lbs Class: RS-Junior 40 time: 5.07 Overall Grade: 7.32 Draft Projection: Top 3 Pick

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Non-position specific categories

Defensive Line Specific Categories

Strengths

Ideal 3 technique defensive tackle. Blazing quick first step. Explodes off the ball and shoots the gap better than any defensive tackle in this draft. Maintains leverage. Excellent at using his hands to keep blockers at bay. Has a wide array of pass rush moves and keeps offensive linemen guessing. While he doesn’t rack up a ton of sacks, he constantly disrupts the play. Rarely loses a one-on-one match up. Mentally tough and a leader on the field. Does a good job anticipating the snap count. Excellent in pursuit and can chase down the ball carrier. Reliable tackler. High motor and doesn’t give up when the play goes away from him.

Weaknesses

Needs to improve upper body strength. Can sometimes over-run the play due to his quickness. Doesn’t possess ideal size. Seems to lose control of his body at times and can take himself out of the play. Not someone you want consistently facing double teams. Limited only to a 4-3 defensive scheme. Didn’t produce at the level he should have.

Analysis

As strictly a 4-3 defensive tackle, McCoy might be the best in the draft. He’s not as versatile as Suh, but he’s very quick and disruptive. McCoy will make an NFL defense that runs a 4-3 very happy as he has the physical tools to torment weak/slow offensive lines and cause a lot of problems for quarterbacks. I don’t buy into the “McCoy is a more disruptive pass rusher” statement that some analysts state. McCoy faced the same competition as Suh throughout his career and Suh was much more productive. On top of that, the defensive scheme utilized by Oklahoma had McCoy shooting the gaps on most plays. Nebraska’s defensive scheme had Suh “read and react,” yet he was still more productive. That being said, McCoy is still an exceptionally good player and deserves to be a top 3 selection. He has the physical tools to be an elite pass rushing defensive tackle, which only comes around every couple of years. While he doesn’t grade as close to Suh, he’s a different style player and will be drafted higher than our grade indicates.

Experience

McCoy was a three year starter at Oklahoma.

Awards and Honors

2009: 1st team All-Big 12. Lombardi Award finalist.
2008: 2nd team All-American (AP). 1st team All-Big 12.
2007: Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Honorable mention All-Big 12.

Academics

Human relations major at Oklahoma.

Injuries

Broke a bone in his hand and missed one game in 2007.

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