DE/OLB, Brian Orakpo, Texas

DE/OLB, Brian Orakpo, Texas

Pros:  Good height and upper-body build. ... Plays with his hand down, but stands up at times. ... Easily gets off blocks of offensive tackles to make a play in the hole.

Cons:  May need to play on the strong side in the pros because he lacks great explosion and pass rush off the edge. ... Can be easily pushed around the pocket if he tries to use an outside speed move.

Styg's Broncos Fit:  Orakpo projects more as a rush OLB, and a very fine one at that.  Though Denver looks to have a number of bodies at the position, and have little chance to actually target Orakpo, they probably still have him highly ranked.  Orakpo is really the whole package, with a variety of rush moves, the ability to play up or in the dirt, tremendous awareness, which makes him a steadying force against misdirection offenses and plays, and the strength to disengage from blockers and bring down the ball carrier.

Around MHR:

From "SI Risers and Fallers"

Orakpo lit the stadium on fire and leaves Indianapolis as one of the combine's big winners. He weighed 263 pounds, completed 31 reps on the bench press and touched the tape at 37 inches in the vertical jump. He then looked athletic during position drills after running his 40 in times as fast as 4.59 seconds. Orakpo was applauded by coaches on several occasions, and there's no doubting the Longhorn star made a lot of money for himself.

Around SBNation:

From "Interview with Jim Wexxler" at Behind the Steel Curtain:

 I don't watch basketball at all anymore, only my daughter's games. I used to watch everything that moved, but only football now, and during the spring only college tape. In fact, I watched Brian Orakpo get killed at the point against Ohio State last night. The Browns would be making a big mistake in drafting him. I'd compare him, as a prospect, to Harrison, who wasn't even drafted, but surprised with his startling strength at the point. It would be foolish to perceive that kind of strength in Orakpo and draft him sixth. Nice pass rusher, but he didn't show he could drop and showed he won't be able to play the run in the league for a couple of years, if ever.

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

Orakpo has a great initial burst off the line and closes quickly on the ball. Nicely drops back into coverage and understands his zone assignments. A top athlete for the position, Orakpo reportedly has a 40-inch vertical leap and a 600-pound squat. Possesses good functional playing strength, but has a frame that could handle more mass.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Representatives from 23 NFL teams, including Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson, watched Orakpo weigh in at 262 pounds and post a standing broad jump of 10 feet, 10 inches during his battery of tests. C.O. Brocato, the Tennessee Titans’ head scout, said Orakpo showed the full gamut of skills that NFL teams covet in a pass rusher. Included is enough versatility to play as a defensive end in a 4-3 alignment or as a standup, rush linebacker in a 3-4.  [see more...]
• Concerns over his durability surfaced again at the combine when Orakpo pulled a hamstring during workouts. He bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times and hopes to impress in other events at his March 25 pro day. Orakpo doesn't have a great burst off the line but manages to bully his way into leverage position and collected 11½ sacks in 2008.  [see more...]
• But even without great numbers in 2008, Orakpo is an NFL ready defensive end. He is 6-4 and 258 pounds and a great athlete who can power or finesse his way into the backfield. He bench presses 515 pounds and squats 600. Those are some pretty impressive numbers, especially for a player who arrived in Austin undersized.  [see more...]
• Orakpo for months has been the No. 4 player on my Big Board, and he will not be moving very far come Draft Day, if at all. Orakpo shows the burst to close that I love and the effort to make a smooth transition to the 3-4 from Day 1. Will come off the board between picks 5 and 9. After Everette Brown checked in at 6-1 and Aaron Maybin struggled with the extra weight, Orakpo is the clear cut best 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker in the 2009 NFL Draft.   [see more...]
• Could also project to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme...A two-year starter for the Longhorns...Weight just 210 pounds when he arrived in Austin...His uncle, Chike, played football at Iowa...Named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2005...Missed four games with a right knee injury in 2007...Recorded 3.0 TFL and 2.0 Sacks in the Holiday Bowl as a junior and was named MVP...Was a unanimous 1st Team All-American in 2008...Won the Nagurski Trophy (nation's top defensive player), Lombardi Award (nation's top lineman) and Hendricks Award (nation's top defensive end), and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior...Missed some time in 2008 with a sprained left knee...A beast in the weight room who reportedly bench presses 515 pounds and power cleans 380 pounds...Is said to have a 40+ inch vertical...One of the best pass rushers in the nation and should be one of the top defensive prospects available thanks to a standout senior campaign and amazing workouts.   [see more...]
• Orakpo is not the athlete of say, Michael Johnson, but he is still very good.  He is not an explosive playmaker like most 255-lbs ends and he gets stonewalled when he tries to use his speed.  Turning the corner will not be as easy for him at the next level and he has to show he can use his punch effectively against pro blockers.  His best position may be at strongside End, but he has done well enough in coverage to think he may be able to move to a pass rushing linebacker role.    [see more...]
• Is more of a complete end. Shows a good double move. Improved in ‘08 with a bull rush and better hand placement. Would like to see him turn the corner more consistently. His 9 sacks were good for 10th in the country. Completely dominated Oklahoma LT Phil Loadholt, a future 1st round pick. Has started to show a very good outside-in move, which he really uses well by baiting the tackle to commit outside, and then cutting back inside of them. Will hesitate off of the line intentionally at times, which may not work in the NFL.  [see more...]
•  One of, if not the most, impressive athletes in the draft, Brian Orakpo's workouts at Texas t the stuff of legend. He can bench press over 515 lbs and is said to have over a 40 inch vertical. He is a player who will shoot up the draft boards with his workouts and seems like a sure fire NFL star, but he needs to keep working on the field as much as he does in the weight room.  [see more...]
• A sturdy, muscular lineman with impressive power and strength for his size. Displays a good first step out of his stance and does a nice job playing with natural leverage and flexibility around the corner. Uses his hands and upper body strength well to shed blocks and does a nice job finding the ball. Showcases good footwork and body control to redirect and close on the QB.  [see more...]