STRENGTHS
Darius has the potential to be THE best Edge Rusher from this draft. He has the size, length, and burst off the line to become something special. He can play inside or outside depending on down and distance and when he plays on the outside he is stout against the run. Darius can change the line of scrimmage in his favor when he uses the correct techniques. He has those long arms and legs that allow him to dominate and put an offensive lineman at a disadvantage off the snap of the ball. What comes with all of that potential is “potentially” dominating double-digit sack ability along with, double-digit TFL, (tackles for losses) ability too. That being said, the question is, can that potential be developed BEFORE his first contract is up?
CONCERNS
Right now, Darius plays out of control. When he rushes the passer or defends against the run he is inconsistent using the correct techniques. He also lacks the mental strength, gets frustrated, and lacks any second moves to Finnish. As a pass rusher he is just not using his long arms to his advantage, taking wrong angles, getting pushed off his route to the QB, and in general, lacks the football IQ to be successful at the next level.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.08
All of these concerns are real, Nevertheless, I’m giving him a pass because the whole defense lacked good coaching in general. When I watch this defense it’s like watching a free for all. No one seemed to know how to play together and techniques and fundamentals of the defense in general were very poor. At some point, this will catch up to this defensive coordinator and when it does he will be lucky to get a job as a water boy. Darius’ potential has been stunted and how long it will take for him to mentally and technique-wise, get up to the level of his talent is anyone’s guess. His interviews will be the deciding factor of what round he will be selected in and if he does well in those interviews he could slip into the 1st round so that a team has the 5th year option on his contract. Darius has the talent but as I always say, it takes more than talent to play in the NFL and the question is will his interviews establish that he does have more than talent, and that he just needs some good coaching to make it come out? I like him, I’d take a flyer on him in late the 1st round but then again, I don’t interview these kids, and I won’t lose my job if he doesn’t reach his potential.
