STRENGTHS
Derick has all the attributes to become an excellent pass rusher and complete defensive end for the team that selects him. He has the long arms and size needed, and the solid burst to put offensive tackles at a disadvantage off the snap of the ball on passing downs. He can bull rush and counter off that move, as well as anyone I have seen coming out. Derick has the ability and strength, and is stout against the run, allowing teammates to make tackles instead of shedding and making the tackle. He looks to be a quality teammate working well with others on the field and in fact that might be the real issue that is holding him back from being more productive in the stats than he is.
CONCERNS
Someone needs to kick this guy in the ass and tell him to stop being so nice. They also need to put his hand on the ground and rush the passer because he is thinking way too much as a stand-up, whatever the hell he thinks his role is as a defensive player. Derick needs to learn to continue to fight through double teams and finish. He needs to put his hand down on the ground, mind his own business and become more productive because he has the talent and high football IQ to be a lot more impacting than he is. He also needs to use his long arms better to get off blocks and make tackles more in the run game. He is good against the run and efficient but just doesn’t get off his blocks and I don’t know why.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.00
Derick is one of the captains of his team and his defense, and this has made him less impacting on the field. On most pass-rushing downs, he is doubled and tripled team. I think Derick thinks he is an ER/LB but to me, that is not his impact position for the next level. Taking this type of talent to rush the passer and use it to fall off the line into coverage is a waste especially when your opponents are using double and triple teams against him. What I see on film is a very talented pass rusher playing out of position and this has affected his draft status. Derick is not an off-the-line linebacker. It’s not that he is worse off the line of scrimmage it’s just that his potential to impact is more as a pure 4/3 defensive end with his hand down getting into the backfield on every down. He is your sleeper defensive end in this draft and a quality person. At least that’s what I see on film, others may differ. If a team agrees with me it would not shock me to see him sneak into the latter part of the 1st round. Of course, looking at Rob’s board right now, that doesn’t seem likely.
