As expected, Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley will be in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Dominique Easley in 2014 NFL Draft
The Florida defensive tackle won’t seek a medical redshirt after tearing his right ACL last week. How high can he go in the draft?
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Gators head coach Will Muschamp confirmed Monday that Easley will not seek a medical redshirt. Easley tore his right ACL during practice last week. In 2011, he tore the ACL in his left knee.
Through three games, Easley had just five tackles, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. But his impact was much greater. Easley’s pressure often forced opposing quarterbacks to get out on the move.
“He’ll have plenty of interest,” Muschamp told reporters Monday. “He’ll be a productive guy on the next level. He’s a really good football player. He’s extremely intelligent. He gets the game. His tape speaks for itself and how he plays the game and approaches the game.”
That tape shows an uncanny first step. Easley was often the first person off the line of scrimmage and into the opponent’s backfield. At 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, Easley is going to be considered a small defensive tackle.
Geno Atkins, the player whom Easley is most often compared, was similar in size coming out of Georgia. At the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine, Atkins measured in at 293 pounds and 6-foot-1. He’s since bulked up to around 300 pounds, which Easley should be able to do as well.
Much like Atkins, Easley will also have to fit in the right system. He’s strictly a three-technique player at the next level. Because of that, he may start his NFL career as a situational pass rusher. As he learns the NFL game more, he should get better against the run and become an every down lineman like Atkins did.
Unlike Atkins, Easley may not have to wait until the fourth round to hear his name called. While there are serious medical red flags with Easley, expect him to still be a top 64 pick.
Here is Easley’s cutup from the Tennessee game earlier this year:
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