Nick Perry 2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Nick Perry

6’3”, 250 pounds | Defensive End | USC

Games Watched: Arizona, Arizona State, Washington

Pass Rush: Nick Perry’s biggest strength is his pass rushing ability. He has a quick burst off the line of scrimmage and gets to the edge quickly. Displaying both a spin move and a strong swim move, Perry collected 9.5 sacks this season for USC. While stronger tackles can push him around due to a lack of strength, Perry’s motor, technique and quickness make him tough for any lineman to contain over the span of an entire game.

Pursuit: I like Nick Perry’s consistent effort. He shows good range and is always making tackles downfield well away from his starting point. It is also encouraging to see him get his hands up on tons of passing plays in which he was unable to get to the quarterback. That shows both effort and awareness on his part.

Run Defense: Nick Perry isn’t quite as strong of a run defender as he is a pass rusher. He is a bit undersized in the 4-3, and his lack of strength shows in run defense. He occasionally gets upright while getting after the ball carrier, but I think his lack of strength is the root of his issues.

Strength: As mentioned above, Perry lacks some strength that scouts like to see in a 4-3 defensive end. He has a hard time fighting through blocks and seems to be reliant on his pass rushing techniques and quickness to get into the backfield.

Tackling: Nick Perry is a fundamentally sound tackler. He wraps up well and rarely lets ball carriers escape his grasp.

Technique: Overall, I think Nick Perry has relatively polished technique at this point in his career. He exhibits a nice repertoire of pass rushing moves and displays solid lean when applying pressure from the edge. His technique helps him make up for some of the strength he lacks.

Final Word: Nick Perry is an interesting prospect. Most consider him a player that can play in either the 4-3 or the 3-4. The combine is going to be huge for him. He is either going to need to show the speed in the 40 and quickness in the linebacker drills, or he is going to have to have a strong weigh in and solid showing in the strength workouts. If he bulks up to around 275 while maintaining his quickness, he would make a fine first round pick at 4-3 defensive end. His scheme versatility also makes him an interesting fit for the Patriots and other teams that run multiple schemes.