"Interesting" prospects

Here's one:

EARL MITCHELL, DT
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 296 | College: Arizona

Overview -
Mitchell signed with Arizona as a 250-pound fullback and tight end. Facing the option of not seeing the field much with the Wildcats' switch to a spread offense in 2008, Mitchell trusted the coaching staff that asked him to make the move to defensive tackle. It proved to be a wise career move.

Mitchell impressed in his first season at defensive tackle, leading the Wildcats' defensive line with 40 tackles, as well as posting 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Despite extra focus from opponents as a senior, Mitchell improved his totals, racking up 48 stops, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks despite missing a start against Washington due to an eye injury.

A strong performance during the week of practice at the East-West Shrine Game helped Mitchell develop some momentum heading into the final months before the draft. NFL scouts love Mitchell's athleticism and work ethic, but may struggle to find a spot for him at his size. Some even feel his future position in the NFL might lie back on the offensive side of the ball as a fullback.

Analysis -
Pass rush: At least moderate initial quickness and can get skinny to slide through the gap and disrupt the play immediately. Quick, active hands to battle inside. Flashes a good swim and rip move, but needs to use each more often. Relies too much on a marginally effective bull rush. Has a second burst to close when he has a lane, but tires quickly. Struggles to change direction and too often can be eluded for a defensive tackle with his size and relative athleticism.

Run defense: Flashes a quick burst laterally to penetrate. Good balance in tight quarters and feel to handle the trap block. Plays stouter than his frame would indicate due to good use of leverage and leg drive, but is never going to be a true run-stuffer. Hustles laterally in pursuit.

Explosion: Can surprise the guard with his initial burst to slip through the gap. Quick, active hands and good upper body strength to knock the offensive lineman back off the snap.

Strength: Good leg drive to lock out and anchor, though he lacks the bulk to hold up to double-teams. Can push offensive guards into the pocket to create a disruption in the running game. Good strength for the drag-down tackle while still engaged with the blocker.

Tackling: Classic catch and drag-down tackler. Has a burst to close and flashes some pop when given space to gain momentum. Provides good effort laterally, but isn't able to stalk the ball-carrier, showing only marginal body control.

Intangibles: Caught 13 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns in 2006-07 as a part-time starting H-back. Missed the 2009 game against Washington due to a freak injury to his eye after it was hit by the corner of a door. Highly respected by fans, teammates and the coaching staff. Voted a 2009 team captain. Struggled with academics early in his career, but was named a winner of the National Academic Momentum Award which is presented by the Scholar-Baller Program in conjunction with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. High-effort player with some legitimate upside as a relative neophyte at the position.

Latest -
03/16/2010 - PRO DAY RESULTS: There were 17 other players that did work out in front of fifteen NFL representatives. CB Devin Ross (5-foot-10 1/8, 183) and DT Earl Mitchell (6-1 1/4, 294) both participated in the combine, and kept most of those numbers. Ross did run a 4.66 and 4.63 in the 40-yard dash at the pro day and also did position drills. Mitchell, meanwhile, had a 33-inch vertical jump, 9-6 broad jump and 7.31 three-cone drill. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com



Our guys like versatility right? I'd take him as DT depth, short yardage lead blocker, goal line packages, and special teamer

4.63 for a DT . .. DAMN!

 

We already have a lot of small penetrating DTs.

 

. . . who can run a 4.63, and play H-back? Mother Fucker please!

Look, I saw some film of this guy and if he isn't an upgrade over at least one DT on our roster I'll bang your ugliest sister for ya

 

here's some material on your army TE hasbeen -

About Villanueva: Standout lineman during first three years at West Point ... spent first two years on defensive side of ball ... shifted to offensive line last season ... move to wide receiver this spring created one of most intriguing stories in college football ... promises to garner plethora of national attention this fall ... might become first player in college football history to start final game of one season at offensive tackle and first contest of next season at wide receiver ... shift to wideout directed by Black Knights’ new head coach Rich Ellerson to utilize large 6-10 frame as ball-catching weapon on perimeter ... impressive physical specimen ... boasts tremendous athleticism ... played tight end in high school ... also standout center on basketball court ... physical tools translate well to wideout spot ... tallest player in Army football history ... ranked as tallest offensive lineman in all Division I last season ... features excellent hand strength and outstanding ball skills ... devastating blocker on perimeter ... works well in space ... could be major force in run and pass game ... worked hard to become acclimated to new surroundings following position shift midway through spring ... production promises to increase as comfort level rises ... boasts tireless work ethic and admirable practice habits ... takes great pride in overall development ... attacks game with burning passion ... displayed propensity to slip behind defensive secondary this spring ... tough to bring down in open field ... caught three touchdown passes during Army’s spring scrimmages ... pulled down 38-yard scoring aerial in Black/Gold game … finished final scrimmage with two catches for team-high 60 yards ... enters preseason camp listed as starter at “X” wideout position ... letterman.


Latest -
12/04/2009 - A 6-foot-10, 286-pound tight end in the NFL? Army senior Alejandro Villanueva could definitely see himself playing at the next level. Villanueva will get his chance to impress NFL scouts at the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 23 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. He was picked to play tight end for the East team. There's one problem. Army's current policy doesn't allow cadets to pursue professional sports right after graduation. Cadets must serve two years of active duty before applying for a release to play professionally. "Two years after being deployed for 18 months, having to go to Ranger school and (basic officer infantry training) if they still want me, sure I would do it," Villanueva said. Villanueva, a converted offensive tackle, has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. He leads Army in catches (29), receiving yards (460) and has caught all five of its touchdowns in his first season ever playing wide receiver. "I can definitely play as a tight end or a tackle and put the weight back on," Villanueva said. - Sal Interdonato, HudsonValley.com


Biggest knocks I could find are his speed (or lack there of) which is what you'd expect for a man his size. Then there is the 2 year gap . .. which wouldn't be as bad as in years past with the lock out looming

 

Wonder if the Panthers have looked at this guy for a mid-round pick?

Tim Hiller, QB, Western Michigan -- A four-year starter in college, Hiller didn't follow up his fantastic junior season with more of the same as a senior, and that has sent his stock plummeting since the fall. But he also wasn't playing with a lot of talent around him in 2009, and scouts do give him high marks for his size (6-4, 229), brains (4.0 GPA) and experience playing under center in a pro-style offense. Hiller was invited to and worked out at the combine, and played in the Texas versus the Nation all-star game.

Seems to have the tools and size to be a NFL QB and might be worth a pick as a future starter.