Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 16 sacks...WOW | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Whitney Mercilus, Illinois, 16 sacks...WOW

i wanna say he has 2 sacks for his career before this seasons break out campaign...thats a red flag
 
Actually he probably isn't a one year wonder. He is the son of Haitian immigrants and didn't play football until later on. It is much more likely that the lights came on, and it isn't just the sacks, it's 9 forced fumbles that ties the ncaa record.

The only question is?? How long would it take him to learn how to play OLB in a 3-4?

The guy is a great pass rusher and really strong in many ways but, can you spend a top ten pick on a guy with these questions.
 
I don't really see Mercilus as a viable option as a stand-up player. He's more of a true LDE in my opinion.

As for his ability as a pass rusher, most of his sacks are due to effort and being relentless. They come when he's already passed the quarterback, and has to work back to the QB. His sacks come on plays that are long developing plays where the quarterback is still holding the ball. That's why he has so many forced fumbles, and a lot of those came when he had a back trying to block him (see Arizona St., etc.).

Nothing about him really stands out in terms of rushing the passer. Average 1st step and initial quickness off the snap. Doesn't show any pass rush moves (spin, swim, arm over, dip-and-rip) He's not even getting them on pure athletic ability or length.

What he has is an outstanding motor and plays with pretty consistent leverage. I like Andre Branch better, and I'm not much of an Andre Branch guy.

Mercilus doesn't compare to Nick Perry or Courtney Upshaw in my opinion.
 
As stated before, he doesn't have the feet or hips to play a 3-4 SOLB. Strictly a 4-3 DE. But he is a player.
 
HAHA!! I love these Forum Gurus.... I bet they get paid millions.... They said Aaron Rodgers was gonna win a super bowl, Tom Brady is a future hall of famer, Calvin Johnson Wasn't gonna be another Rogers for Detroit n Cam Wake was gonna be the starter at OLB for the Dolphins....
 
DKphin said:
As stated before, he doesn't have the feet or hips to play a 3-4 SOLB. Strictly a 4-3 DE. But he is a player.
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Wasn't that the consensus on Tamba Hali as well? Isn't he now one of the most successful 3-4 pass rushing OLB's in the league year in and year out?

I would draft Mercilus in the late teens or later if the Dolphins traded down, unless he somehow really impresses at the combine. If he runs a low 4.6 forty and runs a sub 4.25 shuttle and has a 1.60 or lower 10 yd, then, I may even consider him with the 9th, especially if he looks OK in LB drills.

He may actually work very hard on LB drills if his agent thinks his best shot at the top ten is with the Dolphins as an OLB.

I hear he has excellent character and work ethic.

I think Cam Johnson's game may transfer very well to NFL 3-4 SOLB. A much safer pick in the 3rd round.
 
If we land our QB in round 1 and he's there in the 2nd I say go for it. It all depends on how he looks in LB drills during the pre-draft process, though. You never really know how a player will adjust to the position change until you see it.
 
hooshoops said:
i wanna say he has 2 sacks for his career before this seasons break out campaign...thats a red flag
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He also had 22.5 tackles for a lose and 9 forced fumbles. Those aren't fluke stats. He didn't pick up football until he was older. You're crazy if you're going to downgrade him because he didn't produce a ton as a freshman or sophmore. You know how many sacks Clay Matthews had in his 1st 2 years? 1...4.5 total for his college career. I think he's worked out pretty good
 
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