Corey Lemonier DE/OLB - Auburn

Overview

Blessed with an explosive first step and a high-revving motor, Lemonier (pronounced Lemon-eer) ranks as one of the more intriguing of a talented crop of pass rushers throughout the country.

A true junior, Lemonier exploded last season to post 47 tackles, including a team-leading 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks (which also led the team), helping him to rack up First Team All-SEC honors from league coaches.

He flashed playmaking ability as a true freshman, earning a spot on the all-conference freshman team with 17 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks.

Analysis

Lemonier plays defensive end for Auburn and has the size potential and upper body strength to remain at this position in the NFL. However, most will view him as an outside linebacker conversion to the traditional 3-4 scheme.

He's able to beat tackles with his speed upfield and has a nice spin move back inside. He exhibits good straight-line speed in pursuit, as well as the good vision and agility to weave through the trash. Lemonier delivers a strong blow to the ballcarrier and attempts to strip the ball.

While possessing some exciting traits, Lemonier has some flaws, however. He's stiff in his upper body, not showing the flexibility to dip under the reach of offensive tackles and doesn't show the functional strength or lateral agility to beat blockers once engaged.

Put simply, if Lemonier's first move isn't effective, he generally struggles to separate from the blocker. Too often tight ends and running backs, as well as offensive linemen, are able to effectively block him. He does play hard, however, showing excellent effort in pursuit. Some of his most impressive tackles, in fact, come five or more yards downfield.

--Rob Rang
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/members/ratings/profile.php?pyid=109728

Career Statistics
Year GP TKL TFL SACK
2010 14 17 5.0 2.0
2011 13 47 13.5 9.5
2012 12 34 5.5 5.5
Totals 39 98 24.0 17.0

Yeah, I like Lemonier. Btw #71 (Matt Patchan?) of the Gators caught my eye in the one video, looks like a beast. Destroyed Lemonier in the 1st play, showed good ability to get downfield and block in the play at :28.

"jim1 wrote:

Yeah, I like Lemonier. Btw #71 (Matt Patchan?) of the Gators caught my eye in the one video, looks like a beast. Destroyed Lemonier in the 1st play, showed good ability to get downfield and block in the play at :28.

I don't know that we'd consider Lemonier a fit, given Misi already playing that position on 1st and 2nd down and Vernon being the 3rd down rush DE. Lemonier would be far better than Vernon on 3rd down, but not necessarily better than Misi on 1st and 2nd.

This is where our four years of adding good but not great players can actual block the addition of great players to the roster. It's easy for the organization to say "Well, we already have a guy who is pretty good at that role."

MODS, if you get the chance could you delete the "GAMES WATCHED" portion of the thread title. I didn't mean to include that and also, it's incorrect. I have not yet watched 2013's games because they haven't happened.

That video made me want to watch Trey Burton's snaps. He looks big but quick.

I like Cory as well..I think he'll he go higher than what I've been seeing.

"Bpk wrote:

I don't know that we'd consider Lemonier a fit, given Misi already playing that position on 1st and 2nd down and Vernon being the 3rd down rush DE. Lemonier would be far better than Vernon on 3rd down, but not necessarily better than Misi on 1st and 2nd.

This is where our four years of adding good but not great players can actual block the addition of great players to the roster. It's easy for the organization to say "Well, we already have a guy who is pretty good at that role."

Well, the problem is that Vernon isn't much of a pass rusher. If he was, I'd rather spend a high pick on a DB or another WR. I hope that Misi gets moved to ILB and Dansby is sent packing.

Dansby won't be sent packing this year. He's far too valuable and simply would cost too much in dead cap. I have no idea why there is this weird hatred of Karlos Dansby. He's a leader, and damn fine MLB, and he's an asset to that defense as a whole.

Next season his cap will be huge, so I'm all for cutting the guy and moving on. Move Misi to the inside.

Would be a shame in its own way for Miami not to come out of this Draft with an ILB/MLB prospect. There are good ones available. Manti Te'o, Arthur Brown, Kevin Minter, Vince Williams, A.J. Klein...quality names.

CK, I've speculated this on another forum I frequent (a good one, not "that" one) and I was met with complete division.

Miami is sitting @ #12 and they are looking at Manti Te'o. Does Miami grab him, planning for the future and the inevitable cutting of Karlos Dansby? Is he that level of prospect?

"Crazy685 wrote:

CK, I've speculated this on another forum I frequent (a good one, not "that" one) and I was met with complete division.

Miami is sitting @ #12 and they are looking at Manti Te'o. Does Miami grab him, planning for the future and the inevitable cutting of Karlos Dansby? Is he that level of prospect?

I think he is, yes. Especially if you're looking at taking a pass rusher at 12 not named Cornellius Carridine. But if Lane Johnson is on the board at that pick I'd certainly be tempted away from Te'o. I'm a little tempted by Johnthan Banks as it is (seems Milliner is not destined to be, will go too early). I insist Cordarrelle Patterson has to be on the board there. If you lose Randy Starks you've got to give at least some consideration to Kawann Short.

"ckparrothead wrote:

Would be a shame in its own way for Miami not to come out of this Draft with an ILB/MLB prospect. There are good ones available. Manti Te'o, Arthur Brown, Kevin Minter, Vince Williams, A.J. Klein...quality names.

True, but the issue of Misi being a lousy pass rusher isn;t goin gto go away uless he;s moved to ILB. Good player, crappy pass rusher. AJ Klein would be tempting maybe in the 5th rd and Arthur Brown could do some damage in a 4/3 behind that big line. I'd still rather put Misi at MLB and draft Porter to play OLB. That would be a more attacking, athletic and dangerous LB crew imo. Misi is both part of the solution (ILB) and part of the problem (OLB) imo.

"ckparrothead wrote:

Would be a shame in its own way for Miami not to come out of this Draft with an ILB/MLB prospect. There are good ones available. Manti Te'o, Arthur Brown, Kevin Minter, Vince Williams, A.J. Klein...quality names.

and, Kiko Alonso. :yes: He was the emotional leader of the Ducks defense and my favorite among their defenders.

"ckparrothead wrote:

I think he is, yes. Especially if you're looking at taking a pass rusher at 12 not named Cornellius Carridine. But if Lane Johnson is on the board at that pick I'd certainly be tempted away from Te'o. I'm a little tempted by Johnthan Banks as it is (seems Milliner is not destined to be, will go too early). I insist Cordarrelle Patterson has to be on the board there. If you lose Randy Starks you've got to give at least some consideration to Kawann Short.

If Fasano is the only starter we lose in free agency, IMO, Ertz or Eifert should be considered at 12 also.

"Crazy685 wrote:

Dansby won't be sent packing this year. He's far too valuable and simply would cost too much in dead cap. I have no idea why there is this weird hatred of Karlos Dansby. He's a leader, and damn fine MLB, and he's an asset to that defense as a whole.

Next season his cap will be huge, so I'm all for cutting the guy and moving on. Move Misi to the inside.

You'll find a little of that on this forum and I agree it is ridiculous. His cap hit as I recall is less in 2013 than it was in 2012. His willingness to play with a torn biceps and still be as productive as he was, was very impressive.
If he has another good season in 2013, maybe his deal can be reworked and extended to alleviate the cap hit for 2014.

"Bpk wrote:

MODS, if you get the chance could you delete the "GAMES WATCHED" portion of the thread title. I didn't mean to include that and also, it's incorrect. I have not yet watched 2013's games because they haven't happened.

:lol: I never even noticed you put the wrong year. BTW, I still think Mingo is a more dynamic pass rusher and your hatred of him is misguided IMO.

"MrClean wrote:

You'll find a little of that on this forum and I agree it is ridiculous. His cap hit as I recall is less in 2013 than it was in 2012. His willingness to play with a torn biceps and still be as productive as he was, was very impressive.
If he has another good season in 2013, maybe his deal can be reworked and extended to alleviate the cap hit for 2014.

It'd have to be one hell of a re-structure because going off memory his cap hit is upwards of $11.5 million with a 2 million bonus, netting us somewhere in the realm of 9.2 in free space by letting him go. I'd prefer to restructure him but hey like you said, depends on his play.

I don't think as per Dansby it's hatred, just that he's overpaid and not impactful enough. Solid player but not a playmaker who warrants that amount of money and cap space.

I love Lemonier as a prospect as well, but unlike some are projecting I believe they would need to take him at the top of the 2nd to get him cause he has a mid 2nd round grade and IMO won't be there at the top of the 3rd. I would much rather have a Manti Te'o or Arthur Brown type player if one of those fall to the top of the 2nd. I do agree that although he had a down year at Auburn, it was because their team was awful and offered next to nothing in the pass rush department besides him so teams could double or even triple team him sometimes.

"jim1 wrote:

I don't think as per Dansby it's hatred, just that he's overpaid and not impactful enough. Solid player but not a playmaker who warrants that amount of money and cap space.

I agree 100% on this point. I honestly think he will be traded to a 3-4 team.. Maybe someone like the Texans or Baltimore for a 4th-5th that way they can get a little something for him and get out from under his contract hopefully (or at least some of it). I would much rather have Arthur Brown.. I think he is going to be a rock in the middle of a 4-3 defense.

Lemon-eer could be groomed behind Wake. IMO that's the only fit I see.

Corey Lemonier DE/OLB - Auburn (Games Watched: 2013 - LSU, Florida, Arkansas)

"MrClean wrote:

:lol: I never even noticed you put the wrong year. BTW, I still think Mingo is a more dynamic pass rusher and your hatred of him is misguided IMO.

He's a sack-tease. I've never like those. ;)

Corey Lemonier DE/OLB - Auburn (Games Watched: 2013 - LSU, Florida, Arkansas)

"CRL wrote:

I love Lemonier as a prospect as well, but unlike some are projecting I believe they would need to take him at the top of the 2nd to get him cause he has a mid 2nd round grade and IMO won't be there at the top of the 3rd. I would much rather have a Manti Te'o or Arthur Brown type player if one of those fall to the top of the 2nd. I do agree that although he had a down year at Auburn, it was because their team was awful and offered next to nothing in the pass rush department besides him so teams could double or even triple team him sometimes.

He was definitely doubled quite a bit in the games I watched.