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2011 Denver Broncos Draft Cameos: Adrian Clayborn

TEMPE AZ - DECEMBER 28:  Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes warms up before the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28 2010 in Tempe Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE AZ - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes warms up before the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28 2010 in Tempe Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Defensive End - Adrian Clayborn, Iowa

Height:  6'2"
Weight:  281
40yd:  4.76

Interest Level:

Private Workout:  No
Private Visit to Team Facility:  No
Attended Proday:  Yes
Other: -

Quick Take:

An exceptionally talented prospect, red flags went up when he didn't participate in the Senior Bowl, and followed that up by declining to bench at the Combine, with no reason given for either move.  Erb's palsy at birth has given him some light nerve damage in his neck and right side, but he has done a terrific job throughout his career of leveraging his strengths.  Not a terribly strong player, he knows how to turn speed and athleticism into power.  Able to pursue to the sideline and string out a play controlling and containing.  Average arm length, but good technical savvy with good hand placement and properly timed moves.  Has mastered the nuance of the game, but lack of strength has limited his ability to improve even more.  If an NFL team were able to develop some true strength from which to base most of his power, the layers of technical advancement he has mastered could make him an explosive player at the NFL level.  He is already considered unblockable, so the sky is the limit, but all signs point to him having maxed out what he is capable of doing strength wise.

Where He Goes in the Draft:

Bottom of First round.

What is Denver's Interest In Him?

Medium.

He has the talent to warrant an interest at the #36 pick, but more than likely Denver would need to be willing to move up into the bottom of the first to grab him.  On his own he could matriculate around the #20 mark, but Denver has to be hoping for a fall after that.

Round
Position, Name


CB Patrick Peterson


DT Marcell Dareus


QB Blaine Gabbert

Top OLB/DE Von Miller
1
DE Robert Quinn


DT Nick Fairley


QB Cam Newton

Middle OT Nate Solder
OT Anthony Costanzo
DE Da'Quan Bowers
DE Aldon Smith

Bottom DT/NT Phil Taylor
DE Adrian Clayborn

Top
2 Middle

Bottom

Top
3 Middle

Bottom

Top
4 Middle

Bottom
5 Top

Bottom
6

7

[Note:  All players in the table are ranked by overall grade within their round grouping, however, the round groupings are based on where this player will likely be drafted based on where teams are currently selecting in the draft.  Therefore a player is ranked within a group by his level of ability, but players in nearby groupings may have higher or lower actual grades, despite being in a different group.  Confusing enough for you? --Styg]