Prospect Profiles: Muhammad Wilkerson

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Prospect Profiles: Muhammad Wilkerson

April 7th, 2011

Jeremy Fuchs

Posted in NFL Draft, Prospect Profiles

MUHAMMAD WILKERSON, DT, TEMPLE

Triangle Numbers: 6-4, 315, 4.96

Scouting Reports:

Sideline Scouting:

Positives: Versatile, plays everywhere on the defensive line… Good athlete… Reasonably agile… Good length and long arms… Good pass rusher… Good quickness… Good burst off the ball… Disruptive… Active hands… Can push and pressure the pocket… Plays with good leverage… Can penetrate… Good bulk… Good power… Good strength at the point of attack… Can get off blocks well… Good technique… Fights through double teams… Bats down a lot of passes… Holds his ground versus the run… Anchors well… Makes plays in the backfield… Stacks and sheds well… Good tackler… Hard hitter… Good awareness… Has a nose for the football… Selected All-MAC first team for the 2009 and 2010 seasons… Schematic versatility, fits as a 4-3 NT or 3-4 DE… Has had a good offseason, was a second round lock who is now getting mid- to late-first round consideration.

Negatives: Not much of an arsenal, with the exception of bull rush… Will raise up as he penetrates and lose leverage… Gets a little too upright moving down the line of scrimmage… Mean streak is still developing… Lack of competition playing in the MAC.

National Football Post:

A tall, long-armed defensive line prospect who possesses a great-looking frame and the physical makeup to get even bigger. Is a raw talent at this stage who played this past year as a defensive end in the Temple 34 front, but he still has a lot of upside to his game. Showcases inconsistent pad level when asked to sit into his stance, has the ability to keep his base low, but too often comes up with his butt too high off the ball causing him to get upright into contact. However, at times does showcase a good pad level off the ball, can extend his arms and gain leverage on contact. But typically when engaged allows himself to get upright, which takes away from his initial power when asked to anchor. Will allow defenders to get under his frame and can be driven off the line at times. But does a good job collecting himself, extending his arms and using his length to free himself and make a play on the football.

Displays average instincts and read and react ability inside and has the athletic skill set to make plays off his frame when need be. At his best using his violent club on the outside to slip a blocker off the line and closes quickly in pursuit. However, is much more natural keeping himself clean than disengaging with his hands through contact. Isn’t a real gifted pass rusher at this stage. Exhibits a good first step, is routinely one of the first linemen off the ball and can threaten gaps inside. However, gets too upright into contact off the edge, doesn’t showcase much violence/know-how to use his hands to shed and his upright pad level really takes away from his balance and ability to slip blockers even in space and close.

Impression: The skill set is there; he’s long, has a good first step, can bend and find the football. However, he’s just inconsistent with his pad level and doesn’t know how to use his hands to disengage. Has a lot of upside still to his game, but is going to need time to mature until he’s ready to play at the next level. Will gets looks both as a 3-4 DE and a 4-3 three-technique.

Walter Football:

Strengths:

Great size – tall with long arms

Agile former basketball player

Pushes pocket and penetrates

Able to shoot gaps

Anchors well against the run

Good pass rusher

Scheme and position versatile

Weaknesses:

Rushes with power; needs to learn moves

Tendency to get caught upright

Did not compete against elite competition

Has to get stronger

Needs to use his hands more effectively

Summary: Muhammad Wilkerson is going to draw interest because of his potential as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Playing inside at tackle, he recorded an impressive 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons although the level of competition (MAC) has to be factored in. Wilkerson finds other ways to make life difficult for the opposing offense by batting down passes and occupying space against the run

VIDEO:

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q8TQg6uoSg[/pro-player]

GiantsGab Thoughts:

Muhammad Wilkerson is a raw, talented defensive line prospect who has been gaining steam in recent weeks. Thought to be a 2nd or 3rd round prospect, Wilkerson could now find his way into the mid to late first round area. Tall, athletic, explosive and loaded with upside, Wilkerson could surprise and be one of the better defensive tackles from a strong defensive tackle class. He didn’t always face top notch competition, and he needs a lot of technique work. I don’t think he’s necessarily ready to play right away. He would’ve benefited greatly from another year in school. Still, he has the tools to be a good player. The big question is whether he will fit best as a 3-4 end, or a 4-3 tackle. Obviously, the Giants would draft him to be a tackle. I think he could excel in either role. He needs to work on his technique to be a 3-technique, and at the outset, might be better suited for the 5 technique role. In a few years, however, he has the explosion to fit nicely under the nose. I think he’s a bit high at 19, although I wouldn’t be surprised to hear his name called. You won’t get him in the second round, so either you trade down a bit, or reach a bit at 19. He’s a little bit like Jason Pierre-Paul, in that he has to come along slowly. Once he’s ready, I think he could be great. He’s also coming to the Giants for a visit.

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