Tag: DeAngelo Malone

Giants stock up in Chad Reuter’s latest three-round mock draft

In the latest mock draft from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, the New York Giants stock up and add value at several different positions.

With free agency still a month away and the 2022 NFL draft soon to follow, it’s difficult to gauge what teams are thinking right now when it comes to their needs for the upcoming season.

For the New York Giants’ new general manager, Joe Schoen, things are very complex at the moment with little cap room to work with and a roster full of holes.

In his latest three-round mock draft, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter has the Giants filling some of those needs with five selections in the first 103 picks. Here’s how Reuter sees it unfolding.

Round 1, Pick 5: Ikem Ekwonu N.C. State · OT · Junior

Ekwonu is a wide-bodied stud who has lighter feet than you’d expect for someone with his girth. The Giants could play him at guard or tackle.

With Evan Neal off the board, this is a solid pick. The Giants like versatility and Ekwonu can give it to them. The only problem is if Ekwonu ends up at guard, they would have used a top 5 pick on him and that goes against positional value here.

A pure tackle would be better here. Or even a trade back for a slew of picks might be better. Just a quick note, the Giants would be passing on Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to make this pick.

Round 1, Pick 7: Devin Lloyd, Utah · LB · Senior (RS)

Lloyd steps into the middle of the Giants’ defense, providing run-stopping ability but also the athleticism to work in coverage and attack the passer. He showed some potential to affect games as a pass rusher like Dallas Cowboys rookie Micah Parsons did last fall when given the chance.

It’s s bit of a stretch to compare any player to Parsons but this pick would be welcomed by Giant fans. Big Blue has avoided taking linebackers in the first round for the last 40 years but in this spot, it appears to be warranted. Lloyd is a stud. The Giants could use some of those.

Round 2, Pick 36: Trey McBride, Colorado State · TE · Senior

Another rough and tumble player who could continue the Giants’ long legacy of greatness at tight end. McBride won the Mackey Award this past season and had a great week at the Senior Bowl. He is an excellent pass catcher and blocker and they would be lucky to get him as he may be off the board here. McBride’s presence would instantly make Daniel Jones better.

Round 3, Pick 67: DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky · Edge · Senior

One can argue the Giants should take another offensive lineman here as there are still a lot to be had and heaven knows they need some. But they also need players who can get to the quarterback and Malone — a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year — will be difficult to pass on with new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale needing pieces to ramp up the pass rush.

Round 3, Pick 103 (via 49ers through Dolphins): Rachaad White, Arizona State · RB · Senior

This is likely Saquon Barkley’s last year with the Giants unless he can convince them he can still be elite. The Giants will likely take a running back in this draft to suit their needs. They also could use a versatile running back with some size and durability and White checks all of those boxes.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 77 DeAngelo Malone

Western Kentucky OLB DeAngelo Malone is up next in Unpacking Future Packers, a countdown previewing the 2022 draft for Packers Wire.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with talented edge rushers that have general managers salivating.

DeAngelo Malone is one of those twitched-up edge rushers. The Western Kentucky product checks in at No. 77 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.

Malone came to Western Kentucky as a three-star recruit out of Georgia. Malone enjoyed a breakout season in 2018, recording 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, and one interception.

Malone earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. The Georgia native recorded 99 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He was tied for fourth in the FBS with his 20.5 tackles for loss.

In 2020, Malone recorded 71 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Malone earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year for a second time this past season. The Hilltopper edge rusher recorded 94 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.

Miller is one of the most productive edge rushers in this class. Over the last four seasons, Malone has a pair of Conference DPOY awards under his belt to go along with 57.5 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks.

Malone is a lengthy and explosive edge rusher that’s been a terror off the edge for Western Kentucky. That explosive first step is a big reason why Malone is why he was listed on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freak’s list.

“His 10-yard split is 1.58 seconds. He broad jumped 9-10 and his vertical is 35 inches. He’s also got a 6-8 wingspan.”

That 10-yard split shows just how explosive Malone is off the snap. He quickly wins the corner with his explosiveness and quickly closes on the quarterback with his long strides and burst.

A big concern with Malone is his weight (234). It’s worth noting that Malone has put on 24 pounds since arriving at Western Kentucky. There’s no reason to think that Malone can’t pack on 15 more pounds to get closer to the 250 range. Even if he doesn’t add 15 pounds, you can’t coach that kind of athleticism. 

Despite being undersized, he is able to convert speed to power. He explodes off the edge like a rocket, but also can mix in a bull rush, which was on display during Senior Bowl week.

“He’s athletic that wins with speed to power conversions,” Nick Price, a contributor for RiseNDraft.com, said. “He has enough bend to rip and dip around the edge. He’s also gotten better with his hands this year too which is great. I’ve seen a more balanced move set out of him.”

Malone finished his career with 60 tackles for loss and 349 tackles. With his quickness, he’s able to burst through gaps to consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage. If a team runs away from him, he has the speed to chase down plays from the backside. He’s not overwhelming at the point of attack but competes with a nonstop motor. 

“Versus the run, he’s largely deployed as a gap penetrator that allows him to use his athleticism to make plays in the backfield,” Price said. “He’s smart too, rarely have I seen him get baited by misdirection. He plays with great gap integrity.”

Malone proved that he belonged by having a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl. During the game, Malone earned the American team Player of the Game after recording six tackles, a half-sack, and two pressures.

Fit with the Packers

With a cloud of uncertainty hovering over the future of both Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith following the 2021 season, the Packers will likely be looking to address the edge rusher position early and often in the 2022 NFL draft.

If the Packers miss out on the first wave of edge rushers Malone is a player that Gutekunst could target early on day three of the draft.

“A good range for Malone is an early-round four to late-round five target,” Price said. “Those athletic traits and pass rush upside plus his football IQ are really great. You could get him on the field early as a designated pass rusher ( DPR) and potentially look to drop him into coverage in underneath zones. Some general managers may feel bold enough to get him in late round three due to upside.”

Malone explodes off the edge like a rocket. He’s got NFL-ready quickness and could be a dynamic subpackage pass rusher early in his career.

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2022 Senior Bowl: 4 potential Chargers DL/EDGE that stood out from Day 3

A look at some standout defensive linemen and edge defenders on Day 3 of the Senior Bowl that could’ve caught the Chargers’ attention.

The last day of practices at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl ended on Thursday.

While media access was limited to NFL teams, digital staff, local and broadcast media, I was still able to watch the film afterward and spot some players who made themselves some money in the trenches.

Here are four interior defensive linemen and edge defenders that stood out:

EDGE DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky

After flashing on Days 1 and 2, Malone continued his momentum into the final day. Not only did he display a quick first step, lower-body twitch, and looseness in his rushes, but he showed some power on a rep against Braxton Jones to bully him into the backfield. Keep in mind that Malone is only 234 pounds, making this even more impressive. With the explosiveness and length, Malone is the ideal mid-round edge defender that Brandon Staley should covet.

EDGE Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina

After posting four sacks, 45 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, and the highest pass-rush win rate among SEC defensive linemen (25.8%) in 2021, Enagbare flashed that type of dominance on the practice field. In college, he won primarily with his length (35-inch arms) and power, but Enagbare dug into the toolbox to show more variety with his rushes. Most notably, Enagbare beat Max Mitchell with a well-executed cross-chop. He is a player who possesses the ability to play inside and outside.

DT Neil Farrell Jr., LSU

Overshadowed by other SEC interior defensive linemen, Farrell did not get as much buzz throughout the season. However, his efforts were always noticed. Farrell finished with the fifth-most run stops (24) and the second-highest run-stop percentage (11.4), per Pro Football Focus. On almost every rep, Farrell was either controlling the point of attack to allow second-level defenders to roam freely or he was in the backfield, winning with the quickness to invade gaps, leverage in the team session or brute strength & powerful limbs to push blockers back and heavy hands to swat jab attempts in one-on-ones. Farrell is a strong candidate for a Day 3 selection.

DT Eric Johnson, Missouri State

Johnson’s dominance from the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was recognized by scouts, so they requested him to be sent to Mobile. After making the leap, Johnson showed that he belongs here with the cream of the crop. Boasting an NFL frame with great length, Johnson used that coupled with explosiveness to extend and lockout. From there, it was pure power to jolt guys back. Further, he flashed impressive agility and balance through contact.

2022 Senior Bowl: 5 potential Chargers DL/EDGE who stood out from Day 1

Highlighting a few Senior Bowl interior defensive linemen and edge defenders who could be on the Chargers’ radar after Day 1 of practices.

Day 1 of practices at the 2022 Reese’s Senior Bowl has officially ended.

On a chilly day in Mobile, AL, there were a handful of NFL draft prospects who shined in the trenches on the first day.

Here are five players who stood out:

DT Travis Jones, UConn

I highlighted Jones as someone who should be on the Chargers’ radar coming into it, and he showed why as the National team took the field to start the day. In one-on-ones, Jones displayed the upfield disruptiveness with power and length that was compromising blockers from the snap and the anchor strength to make him immovable in the run game. The 6-foot-4 and 328 pounder is showing to be the perfect 0-1-technique with mismatch ability.

DT Neil Farrell Jr., LSU

Farrell had the second-highest run-stop percentage among Power 5 interior defensive linemen (11.4%) in 2021, and it was replicative on the practice field. In one-on-ones, he demonstrated exceptional burst and power to work his way into the backfield, strength at the point of attack to stalemate double teams and occupy the interior of the offensive line.

EDGE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati

Sanders is one of the top-ranked edge defenders down here, and he lived up to his billing on Tuesday. On back-to-back reps, he beat the massive tackle Daniel Faalele. On the first, Sanders went into the toolbox and pulled out a swipe to rip move and the body flexibility to turn the corner. He followed that with an attempted spin move but instead, Sanders’ power was too much for Faalele to withstand.

EDGE Dominique Robinson, Miami (OH)

Robinson, the small-school standout, shined in his first day against higher level of competition. He had two would-be sacks of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. He won with speed and bend on the first rep, and followed that up with a bull rush that pushed the tackle back into the pocket, showing power and the length to lockout.

EDGE DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky

Flying under the radar is Malone, the 2019 Conference USA defensive player of the year. While relatively lean at 6-foot-3 and 234 pounds, Malone looks like the type of player who Brandon Staley covets at the position. He is explosive and loose off the snap with speed and burst, and uses length to his advantage.

Boca Raton Bowl Prospect Preview: WKU Hilltoppers vs. Appalachian St. Mountaineers

Boca Raton Bowl Prospect Preview: WKU Hilltoppers vs. Appalachian St. Mountaineers #GoTops #GoApp

We have now reached the first Saturday of bowl season and I expect today to be a bit less shocking than Friday as both games were nail biters and were expected to be blowouts. The first game on Saturday kicks off at 11:00 AM and features the WKU Hilltoppers (8-5) of the C-USA taking on the Appalachian State Mountaineers (10-3) of the Sun Belt.

This game should be the most exciting of the Saturday slate with the sprad being less than a field goal and both teams looking to avenge thier conference championship losses, but that’s not why we are here. Let’s dive into the top prospects!