Much of the discussion regarding the weigh-in/measurement numbers for the defensive linemen on Friday continued to focus on the fact that Nebeaska DE/OLB Randy Gregory came in at less than 240 pounds. Indeed, that coupled with the fact that there have been rumblings that Gregory’s weight has dipped to as low as 220 during pre-draft training may have some teams wondering if Gregory will always have issues keeping weight on. Of course, its possible that Gregory just wanted to stay trim to improve his speed for Sunday’s 40-yard dash and other agility drills, but that wouldn’t make a ton of sense given the fact that his camp has to know that the biggest concern among pro teams about Gregory was his lack of bulk. And if he can’t consistently play at much more than 240 or so he will likely never be a 3-down DE at the next level meaning his only real position is going to be a 3-4 rush LB. On the other hand, more than one NFL personnel person was gushing about Florida DE/OLB Dante Fowler who did look the part at Friday’s measuring in ceremonies. Fowler came in at 6-2.5 and 261 pounds with 34″ plus arms. The big test for Fowler, though, comes on Sunday during on-field testing where he has a chance to dispel concerns about his pure foot-speed and possibly lock up a spot in this year’s top 10. Meanwhile, LSU DE/OLB Danielle Hunter weighed in at a respectable 252 pounds after reportedly playing at closer to 240 last fall; for good measure, Hunter also showed up with 34″ plus arms. UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa also looked the part measuring in at 6-3, 267 with almost 34″ arms and huge 11″ hands. Among other notable DEs Nate Orchard of Utah came in about as expected as he weighed in at 6-3, 250, but with almost 34″ arms, while Mississippi State’s Preston Smith was arguably the best looking prototype 4-3 DE as he measured in at 6-5, 271 with 34.5″ arms and 10.5″ hands. And it was hard not to notice 6-7, 269 Norfolk State DE/OLB Lynden Trail who also had almost 35″ arms. At the same time, Kentucky’s Bud Dupree participated in the LB weigh-in where he showed DE size at 6-4, 269, but he registered relatively short arms (32.5″) for an edge rusher. Same story for Washington OLB Hau’oli Kikaha who measured in at a tweener sized 6-2, 253 and with those shortish (32.5″) arms.
Southern California DT/5T Leonard Williams looked every bit the #1 prospect overall as he measured in at a solid 6-5, 302 with 34.5″ arms and 10.5″ hands. Same story for Iowa’s Carl Davis who measured in at 6-5, 320 with 34.5″ arms and 11″ hands. At the same time, Washington DT/NT Danny Shelton showed up in Indianapolis down another 10 pounds or so from the Senior Bowl when he was reportedly down as many as 20 pounds from his playing weight with the Huskies last fall. For the record, the 6-2 Shelton tipped the scales at 339 pounds on Friday, although he has relatively short (32″) arms. However, Shelton wasn’t the only DT with relatively short arms; indeed, Texas’ Malcom Brown, for example, has 32.5″ arms, while the figure was 32″ for South Carolina’s TJ Surratt, 31.5″ for Xavier Cooper of Washington State and 31″ for Stanford NT David Parry. In the end, though, the best looking DT at the Friday weigh-in may have been Oklahoma’s Jordan Phillips who measured in at 6-5, 329 with almost 35″ arms. The longest arms in the entire DL field though belonged to underrated Houston DT Joey Mba (6-3, 313), the only defensive lineman to be credited with a full 35″ reach.
