With the 88th pick in the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select
Marcus Hardison, DT, Arizona State.
Grade: 5.57
Analysis
Strengths
Consistently times snap, and has the quick twitch to turn this trait into a quick penetration and win from inside. Has good arm length. Understands how to keep blockers away from his frame as pass rusher and brings force behind his hands. Rarely square as a pass rusher, using shoulder and hip turn to get skinny and turn corner. Good hand fighter. Comes out of stance with low pad level and looks to capture an edge against the run. Puts something behind his tackles. Showed rapid improvement from midpoint of season all the way through Senior Bowl week.
Weaknesses
Natural defensive end who is still learning new position and vantage point. Inconsistent knee bend at contact as interior rusher, causing pad level to rise and knocking him off balance. Lacks strength in lower body and gets pushed around by plus run blockers when asked to hold the point. Gets redirected a little too easily at times when stunting. Fires off ball with head low and doesn't see cut blocks coming. Leans into run blockers rather than
bringing hips and feet with him.
Sources Tell Us
"Really, really quick for a big man. If you would have told me in October that he would end up with all that production and showing out at Senior Bowl practices, I would have thought you were crazy. It just started click for him." -- NFC area scout
NFL Comparison
Henry Melton
Bottom Line
A defensive end turned three-technique in a 4-3 defense with outstanding initial quickness off the snap and the hands and feet to be a disruptive, upfield player against plodding guards. Hardison needs more muscle in his lower body and is unlikely to fit defensive schemes looking for stack-and-shed interior defenders. Hardison has starting potential and might be able to come in as a situational pass rusher early on.
Reason for Pick
The Lions interior defensive line took a big hit this offseason with the departures of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. The Lions brought in Haloti Ngata to help fill the void, but they are still facing depth issues along the interior of their line.
Hardison played DE for most of his college career and showed good pass rush skills. He moved to DT and continued to thrive. He possesses tremendous strength and agility for a guy his size, but he has a long way to go in learning the proper way to play DT. He can overpursue at times and his motivation has been questioned.
Hardison is a boom or bust prospect, but having Ngata there to help groom him could be fortuitous. Two years ago, the Lions took another boom/bust defensive lineman in Ziggy Ansah, and he has developed well. I think the Lions would be willing to take a calculated risk on a player like Hardison, as well.
@MGMT and the Carolina Panthers are on the clock.