2010 Scouting Report: Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan
With the signing of veteran defensive end Aaron Kampman, the Jaguars no longer have to feel the need to force themselves to pick a defensive end early in the draft to start opposite Derrick Harvey. They now have the luxury to select the best available player regardless of position although I'm inclined to think they would've draft the BAP regardless.
That does not, however, mean that the Jaguars are done with their goal of improving the position and I still expect them to address in the draft. Whether that be with an early pick or two like they did with the OT position in last year's draft or with a barrage of middle or late round picks like they did with the WR position. Finding pass rushers to help contribute in improving the league's worst pass rush is at the top of Gene Smith's priority list and arguably the best pass rusher in the draft is Michigan defensive end, Brandon Graham.
Among Jaguar fans, safety Eric Berry of Tennessee seems to be the only player that everyone can agree upon. In the event that he is off the board, the list of best available players for the Jaguars is very different from person to person. Several different candidates have been named as possible picks at the 10th spot in the draft, although one player that hasn't been named is Brandon Graham.
Graham had a fine four years as a Wolverine posting a career 138 tackles and 29.5 sacks. He also became the first player in the prestigious University's history to be named the Bo Schembechler MVP in two years, earning the honor in both his junior and senior seasons.
The number one question mark among fans and draft personnel is whether Graham is a better fit in a 4-3 system as a DE or in a 3-4 as an OLB. The common thought has been that he fits better in a 3-4 system, but at 6'2 and 263 pounds he has nearly the exact same size as Dwight Freeney and similar quickness off the line. If you think his strength might be a question, keep in mind he did 31 reps on the bench press at the combine. After a productive career at Michigan with his hand on the ground and a dominating performance at the Senior Bowl and the practices preceding, is it possible that the Jaguars would consider drafting Graham with the tenth overall pick?
Video Killed the Scouting Report:
Brandon Graham: By The Numbers
| Brandon Graham | |||||
| Position 1: Defensive End |
Height: 6'2 | ||||
| Position 2: Outside Linebacker |
Weight: 263 | ||||
| Class: Senior | Age: 21 | ||||
| Projected Round: 1st |
40time: 4.72 |
||||
2009 Second Team AP All-American
2009 First Team All-Big 10
2008 Second Team All-Big 10
Stats Overview
Tackles
YEAR
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
FF
2006
3
2
1
0.5
1
2007
25
13
12
8.5
3
2008
46
29
17
10
2
2009
64
42
22
10
2
According to the Experts
Pros
Explosiveness and quick first step, pass rush, rush defense, motor
Cons
Not prototypical size for an NFL defensive end
Pros
Can really turn the corner and close to the QB. One of the draft's elite pure pass rushers. Young with lots of upside. Agile, quick, and moves well laterally. Can convert to OLB...but there may be no reason to do that for any team that plays a 4-3. Holds the point OK for his size. Stays low while turning the corner and is very tough for the OT to lock onto. Has been productive at the top level of NCAA competition.
Cons
Sometimes goes to wide on the pass rush and becomes a non-factor on plays that are going the other way. Can be a little lackadaisical when plays aren't apparently coming to him. Not always off the snap on time, and sometimes times things poorly. Not real big, and lacks growth potential. May be a little too heavy for teams that want to look at him as an OLB conversion.
Pros
Good bulk --- Aggressive with a non-stop motor --- Very strong and powerful --- Tough and physical --- Does a great job in pursuit --- Good tackler --- Plays with excellent leverage --- Holds his own versus the run --- Uses his hands well --- Has a lot of range --- Smart with great instincts --- Hard worker --- Offers some versatility --- Super productive.
Cons
Doesn't have the ideal height you look for --- Short arms --- Frame may be maxed out --- Not a great athlete --- Average speed, quickness and agility --- Not real explosive --- Lacks a burst --- Struggles in space --- A tad inconsistent --- Might have to change positions --- Upside is limited.
1 recs |
17 comments
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Comments
If the Jags can Trade back
then he is a candidate. At 10 I don’t Gene should selecting him.
Great job Adam; as always!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Mar 15, 2010 4:08 PM EDT reply actions
I agree
I don’t see him as 10 overall…
Then again, I don’t see many as going 10 overall.
by alwaysforgiven821 on Mar 15, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I think
we would need to draft ahead of the Dolphins to get him though. In fact, he may not even get passed Denver. Denver has no problem with taking players most people have rated much lower, and they run a 34. They also have a need for an OLB.
Don't forget about McClain
From Steve Wyche
Some of the scouts I spoke to at McClain’s pro day were blown away at his measurables and on-field production, but his biggest quality — this was an almost universal opinion — was how smart he is on the field. His ability to consistently make the correct play-calls, get players in the right position and decipher plays while they’re happening makes him one of the top defenders in the draft. If he gets past Jacksonville at No. 10, he won’t get past Denver at No. 11.
I cannot agree with him more. For me McClain is the LB of this draft; I think if he is there; and there is no surprise fall; then take him! (Unless someone is willing to offer a king’s ransom for him via trade)
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Mar 15, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually like Weatherspoon more
as a 43 LB. And I agree that McClain is very smart LB. You can see that on film. But I’m not gonna agree that he’s a great athlete.
this guy is a beast
i’ve always been a tape-first kind of guy…and BG looks fantastic in these clips
i want guys who dominate on the field…i could care less how tall they are…i seem to recall there was some little running back out of ucla that turned out to be pretty good
He'd
Be great for the future, because Harvey is destined to play on the left side eventually. Graham is the perfect right end, especially if you had a fast, playmaking linebacker behind him on the weak side.
Nice scouting report.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
You know
you would think that because a he’s a quick twitch guy and that he’s not super big that he would play on the right side. I’m not so sure. He’s good against the run which means he can play the left. But more importantly, IMO, I think he should play the left because of his short arms. If he plays on the strong side, long arms don’t really help, if your playing the C gap; especially in a one gap scheme. If he’s playing the strong side the defense is already gonna be playing over on that side meaning you don’t have to spread yourself as thin in the middle of the field. Then you can leave Harvey on the right side by himself with the added range he has, due to his long frame. Besides, the left side is where Graham made his mark in college.
I hear you there
If he could prove he holds up well against the run, I’d be fine with having him on the left. Watching his games, he is really stout against the run. Would just depend on how he does in camp. However it can’t be forgotten how well Harvey has already proven to be against the run.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
Me too
I think Harvey has yet to come close to playing his best football. Future is bright for him.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
I've been saying this for a while now
He’s a trade back candidate
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
Driver of the "Cut Reggie Nelson" Bandwagon.
Winner of the 2010 Chad Pennington Award
I think he'd be an orphan.
Like Groves, I don’t think there is a position for him on the Jaguars. Like fitting a very nice, polished, talented, round peg into a square hole. It’d be a waste of such a nice peg.
In Gene We Trust.
by MoveThoseChains on Mar 15, 2010 7:27 PM EDT reply actions
love the fact
that he had huge plays and showed up in big games in college. not so sure if he’d fit in our defense tho, but if gene thinks he can contribute somehow, i wouldn’t care if he pulls the trigger on him if we can trade back and pick him up with a 2nd. hey knighton doesn’t really look like he fits in a 4-3 defense either but he works in our defense, so maybe this guy could too.
It's never too late to live your life, the time is now, it's yours and mine.
I wanna change my vote
Originally I had voted to drop back and pick graham. I based this on what I had heard about him and how he would fit better in a 3-4 and not so much in a 4-3.
But after watching the highlights on him I wouldn’t mind at all to take him with the 10th pick. He is simply a beast. He over pursues on occasion, but he is involved in every play and tackles ferociously.
Also the highlights against Iowa he destroyed thier frontline. And isn’t their a player from georgia tech that is supposed to be picked before him that gets manhandled by Iowa in the orange bowl.
He may be undersized, but that will not stop him. I never put much into the size of the player. I like to judge more by how they get after each play and he will play til the other team falls apart.
Draft LeFevour!!!!!!!!
Good points
and the weirdest thing is, his only weakness is being short. He really has no other weaknesses. If he was 2 and half inches taller, everyone would be talking top 5.

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