And often times, play both on opposite sides of the center.
Last year was no different.
Before Barmore the last down linemen they selected werer Byron Cowart in 2019 and Vincent Valentine in 2016.
I’m not suggesting we’ll see them go DT on Thursday night.
But they’ve more or less neglected this spot for a while.
He’s a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, won two national titles and First Team All-American.
Not surprisingly then, he’s the best pass rusher in his class and a Tackle For Loss incarnate.
He won’t last three picks, despite an arrest on March 1st.
But he has been known to put a blocker on rollerskates, most notably C Cooper Mays of Tennessee.
The questions about his size at the next level are legitimate.
But there’s no question about his explosiveness and toughness.
And there he was moved back and forth along the line like a Foosball goalie.
He played a ton in 2020, with over 400 snaps.
And four games into 2021 he’d already recorded 10 pressures before all that pressure blew out his ACL.
And also add some mass.
Compares to the Other Leading Brand:Leonard Williams
Body Positivity Guys (i.e.
And it sounds crazy that anyone his size could move that fast.
In Newton’s Second Law terms, 323 pounds of Mass X sub-5.00 Acceleration = Impossible.
But I’m burying the lede.
That production dropped off last season, with no sacks, 15 pressures and three QB hits.
Compares to the Other Leading Brand:Paul Soliai
Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin.6-4.
309, 5.08
I not only put Benton in this category, I created it just for him.
But according to NFL Mock Draft Database, he’s only fifth on the consensus boards.
Which is odd because he seems so complete.
A size/speed/strength/mobility cocktail in a tall glass of athleticism.
Plus a guy named Keeanu can drink from my canteen anytime.
He faced a lot of double teams and had a gift for defeating them with explosiveness and strength.
Played 2-gap as well as 1-gap penetrator.
He’s demonstrated NFL-ready, plug and play techniques, with good leverage, body control and lateral quickness.
And with his swim and club hand-fighting moves, his Tiger karate can defeat your Dragon discipline.
And fortunately, that ain’t us.
So I’m going withRoy.
On a final note, thanks for reading this far.
And that’s fine.
And for sure hope I add to that this weekend.
Regardless, it’s going to be a wild few days.
Earlier previews:
Wide receivers
Offensive tackles
Tight ends
Edge
Safeties
Cornerbacks
