2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Devon Still
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Strengths:
Brute force in the trenches
Makes plays behind the line of scrimmage
Ability to collapse the pocket
Power to push linemen aside
Strength to hold ground against drive blockers
Good pad level
Disruptive
Quick first step
Plus athletic ability
Has speed and power
Strong pass-rusher
Powerful bull rush
Flexible to play nose tackle or three technique in a 4-3
Can beat double teams
Ready to play immediately in the NFL
Weaknesses: Can get quiet in stretches
Could use more closing speed
Didn't play as well against best competition
Summary: There are a wide variety of opinions on Still. Some see him as a pick in the middle of the first round, while others think he is a second-rounder. After watching a lot of him in 2011, the opinion here is that Still would be worth a pick in the top 32 and is good enough to go in the middle of the first round.
Still had a superb senior season. He was a playmaker and the leader of the Penn State defense. Still has good size, surprising speed and real power. He played Alabama tough and gave their talented offensive line a lot of trouble to start the season. His last few games, especially against Ohio State and Wisconsin, were his worst showings of the year. Still did not perform well against Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler. Still finished with 55 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, a pass batted away and a forced fumble in 2011.
Still was generally very disruptive at the point of attack. Even when he didn't get sacks, he regularly got pressure on the quarterback. His pass-rushing skills with power and speed are very advanced entering the NFL. He also holds his ground in run defense. Still would regularly blast into the backfield and tackle running backs for a loss. Teams sent a lot of extra blocking in Still's direction, but he continued to be disruptive.
Still has an excellent combination of power, athleticism and speed entering the NFL. He could stay in a 4-3 defense as a nose tackle or a three technique. The former may be his best position. It also appears that Still could play defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He has length to perform on the edge. Given his scheme flexibility along with his production, Still has a real shot at being a mid-first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Geno Atkins. Still's game is comparable to that of Atkins. The Pro Bowler Atkins is a good pass rusher and a disruptive player at the line of scrimmage. Atkins (6-1, 290) was a fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Obviously, that was a mistake for him to fall that far, and Still will go much higher than Atkins. It wouldn't be surprising if Still's game is similar to how Atkins plays.
NFL Matches: Philadelphia, Denver, New England, Green Bay, Minnesota, Carolina
There are many teams that could consider Still in the first round. The Eagles are supposedly high on Still, and he could be their pick. The Broncos badly need defensive tackle help, and Still would be a nice upgrade for them. The Patriots and Packers both could consider him to be a five technique defensive end in the 3-4.
If Still falls into the second round, the Vikings could look to upgrade their defensive tackle position. He would be a good scheme fit for Minnesota. If Still has a massive Pro Day performance, he could cause the Panthers to think about him in the first round, but more likely they could consider trading back into the first round to take Still if they were to use the ninth pick on a cornerback or offensive tackle.
RELATED LINKS:
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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Weaknesses:
Summary: There are a wide variety of opinions on Still. Some see him as a pick in the middle of the first round, while others think he is a second-rounder. After watching a lot of him in 2011, the opinion here is that Still would be worth a pick in the top 32 and is good enough to go in the middle of the first round.
Still had a superb senior season. He was a playmaker and the leader of the Penn State defense. Still has good size, surprising speed and real power. He played Alabama tough and gave their talented offensive line a lot of trouble to start the season. His last few games, especially against Ohio State and Wisconsin, were his worst showings of the year. Still did not perform well against Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler. Still finished with 55 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, a pass batted away and a forced fumble in 2011.
Still was generally very disruptive at the point of attack. Even when he didn't get sacks, he regularly got pressure on the quarterback. His pass-rushing skills with power and speed are very advanced entering the NFL. He also holds his ground in run defense. Still would regularly blast into the backfield and tackle running backs for a loss. Teams sent a lot of extra blocking in Still's direction, but he continued to be disruptive.
Still has an excellent combination of power, athleticism and speed entering the NFL. He could stay in a 4-3 defense as a nose tackle or a three technique. The former may be his best position. It also appears that Still could play defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He has length to perform on the edge. Given his scheme flexibility along with his production, Still has a real shot at being a mid-first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Player Comparison: Geno Atkins. Still's game is comparable to that of Atkins. The Pro Bowler Atkins is a good pass rusher and a disruptive player at the line of scrimmage. Atkins (6-1, 290) was a fourth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Obviously, that was a mistake for him to fall that far, and Still will go much higher than Atkins. It wouldn't be surprising if Still's game is similar to how Atkins plays.
NFL Matches: Philadelphia, Denver, New England, Green Bay, Minnesota, Carolina
There are many teams that could consider Still in the first round. The Eagles are supposedly high on Still, and he could be their pick. The Broncos badly need defensive tackle help, and Still would be a nice upgrade for them. The Patriots and Packers both could consider him to be a five technique defensive end in the 3-4.
If Still falls into the second round, the Vikings could look to upgrade their defensive tackle position. He would be a good scheme fit for Minnesota. If Still has a massive Pro Day performance, he could cause the Panthers to think about him in the first round, but more likely they could consider trading back into the first round to take Still if they were to use the ninth pick on a cornerback or offensive tackle.
RELATED LINKS:
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Reports