Player Profile: Dommique Easley

Height:  6'2
Weight:  288
School:  Florida
Position:  Defensive Tackle
Ranking:  #5 Defensive Tackle
Projection:  Day 2

Strengths
-Experienced.  Three year starter.  26 games started.
-Explodes at the snap creating instant penetration
-Shows good power at the point of attack. Can move Guards backwards
-Displays good speed getting the QB
-Does a good job of turning speed into power
-Plays with good leverage and pad level
-Stout at the point of attack. Can hold his ground vs Guards and Tackles
-Versatile player.  Lined up at both DT positions and even DE at Florida
-Active heavy hands.  Uses them to keep defenders hands off his body
-Plays with a little bit of crazy and with an edge.
-High Motor player.  Always moving and working towards the ball
-Good football character and was voted team leader

Weaknesses
-Has torn the ACL in both knees during career at Florida.
-Will need to add weight to play DT.
-Short arms causes him to struggle to disengage from blocks.
-Limited scheme fit.  Likely fits in as a 3 technique in a 4-3
-Can get too aggressive and run himself out of the play
-Needs to develop pass rushing moves. Not rely on athletic ability
-Has some off the field maturity issues during fresh and sophomore years

Summary
Coming into this season Dominique Easley was one of the top draft eligible defensive tackles.  Easley is a top notch athlete who explodes off the ball and is instantly into the backfield.  He has elite quickness and is a handful for offensive lineman.  Add in a non stop motor and he is the perfect fit at the three technique. Easley is not just a one trick pony.  He is good at the point of attack and anchors in well to clog up the lanes. However an early season ACL injury this past season was devastating.  Especially for a player who relies on his athletic ability so much.  Add that to him struggling to shed blocks and limited scheme fit and that raises some concerns.  Before the injury he was looking like a first round pick, but is now likely a late second early third round pick.  If Chicago doens't go DT in round one he'd be a great fit with them. Otherwise a team like Oakland, St. Louis, or Seattle could be landing spots.