4. KEVIN DODD, Clemson (6-5, 274, 4.82, 1): Five scouts said they all preferred Dodd to Shaq Lawson, his teammate. “He’s more sudden as an athlete,” one scout said. “He was a small-town (Taylors, S.C.) guy, 215 to 220 pounds when he came in. Everything hit like they thought it would this year. He was sitting behind some really good players when he was developing. As long as his work ethic stays the way it is, he’s got a big upside.” His career stats of 82 tackles (26 ½ for loss) and 12 ½ sacks included 62 (24) and all 12 ½ sacks in ’15. Fourth-year junior who was raised by his great grandmother. Wonderlic of 12. “I went in there in August and I didn’t hear one peep about Kevin Dodd,” another scout said. “I went back in November and he’s kicking (expletive) and taking names. He’s a one-year wonder there.” And that concerns some teams. “He can do that (play outside LB) but he’s going to be a moving-forward player,” a third scout said. “He’s a fluid, athletic guy. Wins on quickness. Not a powerful guy.”
5. EMMANUEL OGBAH, Oklahoma State (6-4, 275, 4.62, 1-2): Fourth-year junior from Houston. “Prototypical 4-3 defensive end,” said one scout. “Got a high ceiling and he’s made of the right stuff. Just starting to figure out how good he can be. He’s a pretty darn good total package.” Best vertical jump (35 ½ inches) and longest arms (35 ½) of the DEs. “That Big 12 is like Arena football,” a second scout said. “It’s no huddle, and these pass rushers are asked to mush rush because they’ve got these quarterbacks that can slip through there. That’s an old (Bill) Belichick word. It slows down the rush. It’s hard to show pass rush. Emmanuel Ogbah, I love him.” Finished with 133 tackles (35 ½ for loss) and 26 ½ sacks. “He’d be better standing up,” a third scout said. “One of those guys with phenomenal height, weight, speed. Tested tremendously well. But he doesn’t play hard all the time, he’s stiff and he’s not naturally instinctive. There’s probably a 65% chance he busts and a 35% chance he’s a double-digit sack guy. Boom or bust type.”
6. SHAQ LAWSON, Clemson (6-2 ½, 271, 4.66, 1-2): Third-year junior from Central, S.C. “I don’t think he struck a lot of fear into his opponents,” one scout said. “I didn’t get a sense of urgency in the way he played. With a hand down I’m not sure he’s going to be much of a point-of-attack player. You put him in a two-point and let him play in space and use his athleticism, you’ve got a different cat.” Finished with 123 tackles (45 1/2 for loss) and 20 sacks. “You really like him because he just works and works and works,” said another scout. “Active, aggressive, tenacious. He might be one you move outside in a 3-4 because he is a good athlete.” Shortest arms (32 ¾) of the top 15 DEs. Wonderlic of 10. One team said he needs shoulder surgery. “More hype than reality,” said a third scout. “Strictly a speed rusher. Once you get him you’ll probably have to sew him up (post-surgery). He was at the (medical combine) recheck and said he would not be getting a shoulder surgery this year. He wants to play. He’s saying that so he gets drafted high. That’s a concern.”