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The NFL combine is full of players from Division I-A schools with very few from anywhere else. In fact, Division II and FCS combined had 20 prospects at the combine compared to 227 prospects from the SEC, ACC, Pac-10, Big Ten and Big XII. So when a small school prospect gets a combine invite, you know they must be doing something right. Arthur Moats was one of those 20 players and did not disappoint when given his opportunity to shine. Moats posted an impressive 4.66 official 40 time that had him tied for the second fastest time among defensive linemen. His strong numbers in the vertical jump (36.5") and the 20-yard shuttle (4.37) piqued interest of scouts. Jaguar scouts in particular who are reportedly one of three teams most interested in the services of Moats.
The question that many scouts and GMs have to have about Moats is whether or not he belongs in a 3-4 or a 4-3. While he has strong burst off the line, for someone at 6'0 he doesn't have the elite burst that is necessary in prospects his size to overcome. That coupled with possible struggles at the point of attack makes him a potential liability on rushing downs and might make him a situational pass rusher in a 4-3.
With that said, like Brandon Graham of Michigan, Arthur Moats has not allowed these problems to hold him back from being successful in the past with his hand on the ground. In his final 2 years at James Madison University, Moats accumulated 22.5 sacks through his last 25 games. His proficiency at the end position earned him the Buchanan Award for top defensive player in the FCS. Way back in 2002, a certain NFL CB by the name of Rashean Mathis earned the same honor, followed by DE Jared Allen in 2003.
Over on Josh Buchanan's Scouting website, he exclusively covers small school prospects and features weekly journals from the top small school prospects, including Moats. In Moats's most recent journal and on his Twitter he alluded to the Jaguars being a team that he has either visited with or has scheduled a visit with. If Gene Smith says that Moats can be a 4-3 defensive end, then I believe it.
Video Killed the Scouting Report
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Arthur Moats: By the Numbers
| Arthur Moats | |||||
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Position 1: Defensive End |
Height: 6'0 | ||||
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Position 2: Outside Linebacker |
Weight: 246 | ||||
| Class: Senior | Age: ? | ||||
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Projected Round: 4th-6th |
40time: 4.66 |
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1st Team All-CAA 2009
3rd Team All-CAA 2008
CAA Defensive Player of the Year 2009
Buck Buchanan Award Winner 2009
Stats Overview
Tackles
YEAR
TOT
SOLO
AST
SACK
FR
INT
2006
18
11
7
0
1
0
2007
45
26
19
6.5
1
0
2008
65
25
40
11.5
0
0
2009
90
42
48
11
1
0
According to the Experts
Pros
Ripped. Fast. Dedicated to his craft. Nice slap and go move. Chops the defender's hands off of him. Stays low and gets upfield very quickly. Times his jump off the snap. Very productive. Has some flexibility, and may be able to convert. Has become better against the run. Natural pass rusher who is in the mold of an Elvis Dumervil.
Cons
Kind of a DE/OLB tweener with no certainty that he can play off the LOS. Short, and lacks some of the incredible explosion that some short NFL DEs of recent memory have exhibited. Still average at the POA in the run game. Can drop into coverage, and while he may be able to convert, he may always be somewhat of a liability in coverage.