Ricky Elmore top 10 DE 2011 NFL draft (via dwid1984)

With all the coverage of the draft, there probably isn't any prospect that is a sleeper these days.  But with the amount of talent on the defensive line this year, Ricky Elmore may be one of those guys who isn't getting a ton of attention. 

For those of you who don't know who Ricky Elmore is, he is a DE prospect from the University of Arizona, listed as 6' 5", 255 lbs, he may be a little light for a DE in a 4-3 defense, but he has the frame to add 15 lbs and be around the 270 lb range and not lose any speed.  His forty time was 4.88, but he had the fastest 10 yard split of any DE prospect in the draft, indicating his explosive short area speed.

 

In the past two seasons, Elmore has put up 21 sacks and 92 tackles, averaging about 10 and 40 each season.  He has some very good change of direction skills, and may be eyed as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme due to his athletic ability.  What is nice is he has played both RE and LE in college and seems equally able to generate pressure from either spot.  I think he is a kid we should target in the later rounds (3-4) which may mean trading back some.  The kid has a great feel for the ball and makes plays.  Enjoy the highlights above.