2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Alex Okafor

Strengths:

Productive pass-rusher

Repertoire of moves

Good ability to force fumbles

Shedding blocks when pass rushing

Quick get-off

Athletic

Lined up in a variety of spots

Active hands

Speed to turn the edge

Agility to sink his hips/shoulder

Experienced

Strength

Quality motor

Ability to bull rush

Scheme versatility

Weaknesses:

Not overly fast

Not overly strong, physical

Isn't natural dropping into coverage as an outside linebacker

Will need to improve his ability to anchor against the run

May not be productive going against left tackles

Summary: Entering the 2012 season, there was more hype about Okafor's teammate Jackson Jeffcoat. Perhaps it was all name related with Jackson being the son of Jim Jeffcoat, but once the games started, Okafor was clearly the better player and pass-rusher.

That shouldn't have come as a real surprise as Okafor was one of the top ends in the Big XII in 2011. The junior was a First-Team All-Big XII selection and picked up 58 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, three passes batted and two forced fumbles. He was just a backup in 2010, yet had 2.5 sacks.

Okafor dominated the first half of the 2012 season. He made two massive plays to help Texas almost pull out a win against West Virginia. For the first, Okafor beat the right tackle with a speed rush just before halftime, dropped his shoulder to get leverage and planted Geno Smith on his back. The hit forced the ball out, and Jeffcoat recovered it just over the goal line for a Longhorns' touchdown. Okafor made a game-changing play in the fourth quarter with Texas down by three. He bull rushed the right tackle straight into Smith. Okafor reached out while falling to the ground and slapped the ball out of Smith's hand. The Longhorns recovered the ball at West Virginia's 12-yard line. Okafor also registered a blocked kick in the game with a number of other pressures on Smith.

Okafor had an ankle injury late in the year that led to him playing very few snaps against Kansas State. Still, he almost recorded a sack of Collin Klein; Okafor started it, but wasn't given credit statistically. He had zero tackles the week previous against TCU because of the ankle injury.

In his collegiate finale, Okafor went out with a bang as he dominated Oregon State with 4.5 sacks, eight tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. Okafor came close to a few other sacks and set up his teammates to sack the quarterback. He was dominating the right tackle with speed rushes and bull rushes. The senior totaled 54 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 16.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, a blocked kick and a pass batted in 2012.

An injury kept Okafor from running at the Combine, but he performed well at the Senior Bowl. Okafor started out the week on fire before cooling down some. Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson told WalterFootball.com that Okafor was the best pass-rusher he went against in college, and NFL teams value that kind of feedback.

Okafor bested offensive tackles with speed, strength and a repertoire of pass-rushing moves as a Longhorn. He has a nice get-off with enough speed to turn the corner. Okafor also does well cutting to the inside. The strength of his bull rush catches offensive tackles by surprise. He should turn into a good pass-rusher in the NFL.

Okafor does ok on the ground, but he isn't an elite run-defender and is better trying to get upfield rather than holding his ground at the line of scrimmage. Okafor does well in pursuit.

Texas lined up Okafor in a variety of spots. He played both with his hand on the ground and as a stand-up outside linebacker. Okafor isn't natural dropping into coverage. He could play 3-4 outside linebacker, but his best fit as a professional would probably come playing left defensive end in a 4-3 defense. He could provide some nice pass-rushing mismatches against right tackles.

Scouts at both the East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl told WalterFootball.com that they believe Okafor will be a first-round pick, but it seems possible that he could slip to the second day. Okafor's pass-rushing ability and production should result in him being a top-60 selection.



Player Comparison: Trent Cole. Like Cole, Okafor is a steady and consistent pass-rusher. Both players win with a combination of speed, strength, moves and versatility. Cole (6-3, 270) is a little shorter and heavier than Okafor, but in the NFL, Okafor should reach 270 after spending some time in a pro strength program. For the most part, Cole has been a reliable pass-rusher in his career that has produced good sack totals. It isn't a stretch to see Okafor having a career similar to Cole.

NFL Matches: Atlanta, Detroit, Miami, San Diego, Oakland

There are a few teams in the back half of the first round and early in the second round that Okafor could land with. Atlanta has to find a replacement for John Abraham. Okafor could be in the pool of players for the Falcons to consider late in the first round.

Detroit is going to need to bring in some defensive ends. The Lions could target Okafor early in the second round, and he would be a nice complement to their pass-rushing defensive tackles.

The Dolphins could use an edge-rusher to pair with Cameron Wake. San Diego could use Okafor alongside last year's first-rounder, Melvin Ingram. That will be a serious need if it isn't addressed by re-signing Shaun Phillips or a different veteran.

Oakland had a pathetic pass rush from its ends in 2012. The Radiers would have to trade up into the second round from their third-round pick, but Okafor would be a nice upgrade for them.

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Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Tyler 03-26-2013 03:27 am xxx.xxx.xxx.112 (total posts: 1) 8     22 Elite front 7 ha... ok fine elite Front 7? 4-3 Scheme MLB Patrick Willis ROLB Demarcus ware LOLB Aldon Smith RE Haloti Ngata DT1 Geno atkins (13.5 sacks..... WOW) DT2 Henrie melton (Bears DT) LE Julius peppers (These is the most elite 4-3 scheme i could come up wit even though The linebackers play in the 3-4) Ok so youd rather have This front seven compared to say This secondary FS:Eric Weddle SS:Dashan Goldson CB1:Darrel Revis (when healthy) CB2: Antonio cromatie (Hey he was in the 2nd ranked pass defense WITHOUT revis so ya....hes good) Id rather have the secondary. Its a passing league my friend..... Although im pretty sure i just came up with the best defense ever. (well from the past 2 seasons) Richard sherman is an overrated dude who has 3 pro bowlers around him. Revis Obviously had talent around him.... (2nd pass ranked defense Yes im sure its the jets) But revis is better anyway You want the secondary over an ELITE 4-3 front seven. Oh and heres my dream offense since im here QB:Rodgers RB:Peterson WR1: Calvin johnson WR2:A.J Green WR:3 Vincent Jackson TE1: Rob gronkowski.... LT:Joe thomas LG: Carl Nicks C:Mangold RG:Yanda RT:Andre smith Ya Johnson,peterson,rodgers..... 3 best players on the same team.... Rodgers would torch you and peterson would run for 2,000 yards becuase rodgers destroyed secondarys with johnson and green.... Id just forfeit the game.... This offense and defense would be unstoppable.... Micah 03-25-2013 09:53 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.80 (total posts: 1) 8     7 I have been saying this about Montes scheme for months, he doesnt need 1st rounders at safety he would rather have a elite front 7 dick 03-11-2013 09:09 am xxx.xxx.xxx.254 (total posts: 1) 9     9 */*/* 03-10-2013 02:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 )'"( 03-10-2013 02:22 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     54 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     9 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 gui9a2f8f 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 9     8 ghilnru42 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 gui9a2f8f 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     8 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     7 03-10-2013 02:10 am xxx.xxx.xxx9.43 (total posts: 12) 8     7 Pages: 12

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