A scout’s breakdown of Josh Price-Brent, a former Illinois defensive tackle who is eligible for the 2010 supplemental draft:
Athletic ability: Has a wide, thick frame with good arm length. Is a good overall athlete with good initial quickness and explosion from his stance. Has good agility on the move, but struggles to play with good lower-body flex. Too often played straight legged, up on toes. Appears to get lazy; loses stamina at times. Has ability to make perimeter plays when unblocked, but does not show consistent great lateral range.
Play against the run: Is strong, powerful run defender at point of attack, despite inconsistent pad level. Has strong hands and excellent upper-body strength to hold the line of scrimmage against a single blocker. Has the strength, quickness and power to split double-team blocks to tackle ball carrier. Can play with high intensity, but at times appears to get lazy, tired and sloppy with his technique. Can avoid cut blocks before joining backside pursuit. He wants to stand up and wrestle.
Initial quickness: Shows good initial quickness and explosiveness from stance. Pursuit/tackling: Is more of a power player than a speed player. Gives strong effort to finish. Is a strong, physical tackler.
Pass rush ability: Shows ability to use strength and power to push pocket. Has inconsistent finish effort, average lateral quickness, limited long speed to be highly productive. Is limited by inability to play with good leverage; has potential to improve. Shows excellent strength and power to collapse pocket as interior pass rusher. Mostly a bull rusher; flashes club-and-rip move. Can force QB from pocket, but lacks elite pass-rush ability. Provides consistent push.
Run/pass recognition: Is a smart, aware in all situations. Is best suited, most productive as short-area run defender; can provide push up the middle. Is quick to protect legs against cut blocks. Shows quick reaction to screen passes.
Bottom line: Price-Brent is a three-year junior and two-year starter at right defensive tackle. He should be considered for nose tackle and deserves third-round consideration. He should be an immediate rotational player who could develop into a starter in his second season. He is a better prospect than either Tim Anderson [third round, Bills] or former Barry Cofield, [fourth round, Giants].
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.
A scout’s breakdown of Josh Price-Brent, a former Illinois defensive tackle who is eligible for the 2010 supplemental draft:
Athletic ability: Has a wide, thick frame with good arm length. Is a good overall athlete with good initial quickness and explosion from his stance. Has good agility on the move, but struggles to play with good lower-body flex. Too often played straight legged, up on toes. Appears to get lazy; loses stamina at times. Has ability to make perimeter plays when unblocked, but does not show consistent great lateral range.
Play against the run: Is strong, powerful run defender at point of attack, despite inconsistent pad level. Has strong hands and excellent upper-body strength to hold the line of scrimmage against a single blocker. Has the strength, quickness and power to split double-team blocks to tackle ball carrier. Can play with high intensity, but at times appears to get lazy, tired and sloppy with his technique. Can avoid cut blocks before joining backside pursuit. He wants to stand up and wrestle.
Initial quickness: Shows good initial quickness and explosiveness from stance. Pursuit/tackling: Is more of a power player than a speed player. Gives strong effort to finish. Is a strong, physical tackler.
Pass rush ability: Shows ability to use strength and power to push pocket. Has inconsistent finish effort, average lateral quickness, limited long speed to be highly productive. Is limited by inability to play with good leverage; has potential to improve. Shows excellent strength and power to collapse pocket as interior pass rusher. Mostly a bull rusher; flashes club-and-rip move. Can force QB from pocket, but lacks elite pass-rush ability. Provides consistent push.
Run/pass recognition: Is a smart, aware in all situations. Is best suited, most productive as short-area run defender; can provide push up the middle. Is quick to protect legs against cut blocks. Shows quick reaction to screen passes.
Bottom line: Price-Brent is a three-year junior and two-year starter at right defensive tackle. He should be considered for nose tackle and deserves third-round consideration. He should be an immediate rotational player who could develop into a starter in his second season. He is a better prospect than either Tim Anderson [third round, Bills] or former Barry Cofield, [fourth round, Giants].
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.