As we all know, one area of need we should try to address in free agency or the draft is a complimentary pass rusher opposite Cameron Wake. I know many have Coples rated as the number #1 DE in this years draft, but #2 rated Courtney Upshaw has me intrigued. For some reason, something that I really can't put my finger on has me concerned about Coples. I know he is a physical freak like Peppers, but I am not sure he has the drive to be great in the NFL. He strikes me as someone who just wants to get paid and then he's gonna slack off. If we don't take Tannehill at #8 and are able to trade down a few picks does anyone else think Upshaw will fit the bill as one of our pass rushers? Below are a couple of excerpts from CBSsports.com http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1632220/courtney-upshaw
Am I intrigued with Courtney Upshaw? Yes, every time I watch an Alabama game, set of highlights, etc...I'm intrigued with the man, can't help but be. He's just a really, really good football player.
Whew! I am glad to hear that!! I saw that you replied to my post and thought oh boy, here it goes, CK is gonna tear me a new one for this... So, the big question is. If Tannehill is gone when we pick at #8 would Upshaw be a good pick or would it be better to try and trade down and grab him in the teens if he isn't gone by then?
I agree. I think this is going to be a guy that slips based on stuff off the football field, that shouldn't.
I really dislike Coples as I have mentioned before. I would be fine with picking Upshaw over him... I also really like Nick Perry, Melvin Ingram and Whitney Mercilus. Mercilus is probably the most intriguing prospect to me though. I think 5-10 years down the line he probably has the most sacks out of Coples, Perry, Ingram, and Upshaw.
Not a fan of Mercilus. If I'm going to draft a guy at 8 I want to see production. IF Tannehill is there I find it hard to believe we pass up on him.
Nick Perry has Jason Taylor like potential, I just can't decide if he is better in the 3-4 rather than a 4-3.
I'd be willing to bet you anything he goes in round 1. He may not be a value at 8, but he will certainly be drafted in round 1. What exactly do you not like about his game besides the whole one year wonder thing.
No, I didn't say he won't go first round. I said he is not first round value to me. I don't like that he has no clue what he's doing.
I think most NFL teams would have him ranked as a top 32 prospect. And he certainly knew how to get in the backfiels and to the QB last year lol. To me he has the best ability to sink his hips and get to the QB.
Coples, Upshaw, Ingram, Perry, Mercilus for me, though the middle of that can change based off of scheme.
Sounds like Ingram's sacks to me. Did you ever see Ingram speed rush a LT 1 on 1 and beat him around the outside? If so, would you tell me who and when?
Yeah I actually have but don't recall against who. It doesn't happen often with Ingram. I don't have him listed as an end anyhow.
I consider him a OLB mainly too. I just do not see all the fuss people make over him as some sort of pass rushing demon. To ever consider him a better pure pass rusher than Nick Perry is positively laughable to me. Yet, Ingram is considered a possible non QB option for us at 8th, and most seem to project Perry in the last half of the 1st round. Highly mysterious to me. If I wanted a pass rush upgrade as my main priority, I'd target Perry or Coples in the top half of the first. Mercilus or Branch in the bottom half, and Irvin or Curry in the top half of the 2nd. Upshaw would be the #1 choice if I wanted an all around Sam. Anything Ingram does, Upshaw does better IMO.
I'm worried that Upshaw is limited athletically and that those limitations will cap his production at the next level. I think that's why you see some very productive or even great college players become just another guy when they are facing better athletes at the next level. I think Upshaw has great instincts and they may be able to compensate, but I don't see it as a given. I see enough risk there that I have him lower on my draft board.
I agree. That coupled with the fact that he is a tweeter could be even more dangerous. I love his instincts, I just don't know if he will be able to be as good in the NFL compared to other draft prospects. In college he lived off of his instincts and strength. If nfl players match his strength I don't really think he will be that good.
I assume you mean a tweener, since nearly every player does twitter nowadays. Anyway, he isn't any more of a tweener than Ingram is, and Upshaw just shows better instincts and makes more plays between the two, IMO. I personally do not care that Ingram had better cone and shuttle times. If I wanted a SOLB and had to take one of them, it would be Upshaw.