2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Melvin Ingram
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Strengths:
Speed to turn the corner
Rare athlete
Agility to sink his hips/shoulder to get leverage on tackles
Strength
Has a powerful bull rush
A developed repertoire of pass rushing moves
Nice rip move
Good spin move
Propensity to make splash plays
Active hands
Has the strength to anchor and hold his ground vs. the run
Versatile to play end or tackle on passing downs
Quick get-off
Shedding blocks
Excellent technique
Natural pad level
Too quick for guards to handle
Plays hurt
Consistently productive
Experienced starter
Weaknesses: Short arms
Lack of height
Unique body type has the capacity to turn him into a tweener
Does not have a natural position fit in a 3-4 defense
Summary: Ingram is a rare athlete with special speed and big size. He is a dangerous pass-rusher who is a mismatch for guards and tackles. Ingram's versatile size allows him to play both defensive end and tackle on passing downs. He has a unique combination of speed and agility. He is a well-rounded player who does everything well.
Over his collegiate career, Ingram totaled 21.5 sacks with 30.5 tackles for a loss. In 2011, he had 48 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, two interceptions and two passes batted away. Injuries slowed him down in the middle of the season, but he played well against Nebraska and finished his career on a high note.
Ingram didn't just sack the quarterback. In the first game of 2011, the senior recorded an interception against East Carolina. Facing Georgia, Ingram ran a fake punt 68 yards for a touchdown and returned a fumble five yards for another score after beating highly touted tackle/guard Cordy Glenn on the play. He also recovered a fumble for a touchdown against Vanderbilt.
All week at the Senior Bowl, Ingram was dominant in pass rushing one-on-ones. He has fabulous speed to go along with real power. Ingram bull rushed linemen while also blazing by them around the corner. He has a good rip move and spin move to beat offensive linemen.
Ingram looks like he would fit best in a 4-3 defense in the NFL. He could play right or left defensive end. He has the powerful base to hold up against right tackles and the speed to beat left tackles. Many NFL teams will move Ingram to the inside to rush from tackle on passing downs. His rare athleticism and versatility could appeal to 3-4 teams, but he doesn't exactly fit as a 3-4 five technique defensive end or as an outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Dwight Freeney/Justin Tuck. I was torn between Freeney and Tuck. Ingram's body type is closer to Freeney's (6-1, 268), but his playing style is closer to Tuck's. Like Tuck, Ingram has the ability to be a dangerous pass-rusher from defensive tackle as well as defensive end. He is a superb athlete like Freeney, although he may not have Freeney's blinding speed around the corner. In the pros, Ingram could be a cross between Freeney and Tuck.
NFL Matches: Jacksonville, Buffalo, Seattle, Philadelphia, Chicago, Tennessee, Cleveland, Detroit
Ingram could be a match for a lot of teams in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Jaguars could use a defensive end and pick seventh. The Bills are a few picks later. Ingram would fill a void as a pass-rusher for them.
With the 12th pick, Ingram would be a good fit in Seattle. They need an end, and Ingram would be able to plug in well in their defense. The Eagles and Bears both could use some youth at end, but in the first round, an end may not trump other needs on their rosters. The Titans at 20, the Browns at 22 and Lions at 23 all could use help at defensive end, but it would be surprising if Ingram made it that far.
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: Ingram is a rare athlete with special speed and big size. He is a dangerous pass-rusher who is a mismatch for guards and tackles. Ingram's versatile size allows him to play both defensive end and tackle on passing downs. He has a unique combination of speed and agility. He is a well-rounded player who does everything well.
Over his collegiate career, Ingram totaled 21.5 sacks with 30.5 tackles for a loss. In 2011, he had 48 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, two interceptions and two passes batted away. Injuries slowed him down in the middle of the season, but he played well against Nebraska and finished his career on a high note.
Ingram didn't just sack the quarterback. In the first game of 2011, the senior recorded an interception against East Carolina. Facing Georgia, Ingram ran a fake punt 68 yards for a touchdown and returned a fumble five yards for another score after beating highly touted tackle/guard Cordy Glenn on the play. He also recovered a fumble for a touchdown against Vanderbilt.
All week at the Senior Bowl, Ingram was dominant in pass rushing one-on-ones. He has fabulous speed to go along with real power. Ingram bull rushed linemen while also blazing by them around the corner. He has a good rip move and spin move to beat offensive linemen.
Ingram looks like he would fit best in a 4-3 defense in the NFL. He could play right or left defensive end. He has the powerful base to hold up against right tackles and the speed to beat left tackles. Many NFL teams will move Ingram to the inside to rush from tackle on passing downs. His rare athleticism and versatility could appeal to 3-4 teams, but he doesn't exactly fit as a 3-4 five technique defensive end or as an outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Dwight Freeney/Justin Tuck. I was torn between Freeney and Tuck. Ingram's body type is closer to Freeney's (6-1, 268), but his playing style is closer to Tuck's. Like Tuck, Ingram has the ability to be a dangerous pass-rusher from defensive tackle as well as defensive end. He is a superb athlete like Freeney, although he may not have Freeney's blinding speed around the corner. In the pros, Ingram could be a cross between Freeney and Tuck.
NFL Matches: Jacksonville, Buffalo, Seattle, Philadelphia, Chicago, Tennessee, Cleveland, Detroit
Ingram could be a match for a lot of teams in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Jaguars could use a defensive end and pick seventh. The Bills are a few picks later. Ingram would fill a void as a pass-rusher for them.
With the 12th pick, Ingram would be a good fit in Seattle. They need an end, and Ingram would be able to plug in well in their defense. The Eagles and Bears both could use some youth at end, but in the first round, an end may not trump other needs on their rosters. The Titans at 20, the Browns at 22 and Lions at 23 all could use help at defensive end, but it would be surprising if Ingram made it that far.
RELATED LINKS:
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie's | Walt's
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Reports