Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
With the NFL now clearly a pass-oriented league, finding pass rushers that can make life difficult for offensive lineman and quarterbacks has become a high priority for all 32 teams. The two Super Bowl wins the New York Giants have had over the New England Patriots in recent years are a testament to the value of having multiple capable pass rushers along the defensive line.
A lot of defensive ends and outside linebackers are expected to go off the board in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday night, but there are plenty of other prospects who could be useful for teams that wait until later rounds to add a defensive lineman.
Alex Okafor had an excellent senior season at Texas in 2012, with 12.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss on his way to being named All-Big 12 First Team. After playing defensive tackle as a sophomore in 2010, he made the transition back to defensive end seamlessly with 19.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss over his final two seasons for the Longhorns.
Can Okafor become an impact player at the next level? Let’s take a closer look at him.
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 264 lbs.
Strengths
- Has a strong, powerful upper body; uses his hands very well
- Plays with good leverage against the run; anchors and sets the edge effectively
- Can put offensive tackles on their heels with his power
- Is a powerful tackler; finishes well
- Shows good hustle and a high motor
Weaknesses
- Is not extremely athletic; does not change direction smoothly
- Lacks elite initial quickness
- Lacks flexibility through his upper body
- Gives up his chest too easily; gets neutralized too often
Overview
Okafor’s overall skills, with his ability to be a productive run defender and a supplemental pass rusher, make him an excellent fit as a left end in a 4-3 defensive scheme at the NFL level. He looks likely to be a second-round pick right now as teams seek the upside of the defensive ends that are ranked higher, but Okafor may be more pro-ready than most of those more highly-touted prospects.
NFL Comparisons: Cliff Avril/Trent Cole
Brad Berreman is a contributing writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
