Kiper on Udeze, Harris

[HollywoodKolt]

7. Kenechi Udeze (jr.), DE, USC (6-3, 277) | previous ranking: unranked
Udeze has been a strong-side DE most of his career and has excellent natural pass-rushing ability. He plays strong and was a DT early in his career, but regardless of position he was one of the best defensive players in college football over the course of his junior year. Udeze recorded 16.5 sacks among his 26 tackles for loss in 2003, and the scary thing is there is still room for improvement. He and Will Smith will be in a battle until draft day to determine which will be the first DE taken off the board.



8. Tommie Harris (jr.), DT, Oklahoma (6-3, 280) | previous ranking: unranked
Harris has been a fixture on the defensive line for the Sooners since his freshman year. He played through injury in 2002 and was not as effective as the year before, yet he was still able to occupy blockers and free his teammates to make plays. Harris is not a guy who will dominate with brute force, but what makes him effective is his quickness off the ball and ability to shed blocks and get into the backfield. You would like to see him dominate games on a more consistent basis despite the fact that he is double and triple-teamed on every play, though. He does not pile up lots of tackles or wow you from a production standpoint, but Harris does hustle for 60 minutes and allow his teammates to do their jobs. When he does make plays, though, they are usually big ones in the offensive backfield. Harris may not the top-five guy I once envisioned, but certainly worthy of being taken in the top 10 overall.

[bjohns]

Udeze is generally the 15-25th pick in most mock drafts I've seen. I think he will steadily move up the board as we get closer to the draft. He's huge at 280+ and could be both a power/speed guy given time to mature. I wouldn't be surprised if does end up being a top 10 pick - maybe even ours?!

[JoeDaSchmoe]

I think trading down to around pick #12 and taking Udeze would be a fantastic idea.

[truant]

EXACTLY joe.

I think at pick 14 the draft unofficially becomes the second round. I think we move down to around the 10 slot and pick the player that falls to us.

It would solve the debate btw Harris, Winslow, Harris, Udeze, Jones, Jackson.

[Ford]

Yea this is turning into a huge list of potential picks and you didn't even mention sean taylor, who many (not necessarily myself) would advocate for, too. It's going to be interesting how good of a grasp we'll have on what's going to happen leading up to the draft .. certainly anything but certainty now.

[tyrone_rush_fan]

From a few weeks back
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39796-2003Dec29.html

"We're not happy about picking fifth and we don't intend to pick that high again," said Vinny Cerrato, the Redskins' vice president of football operations who made the Arrington and Samuels selections. "But with the fact that we are picking that high, we'll come away with a quality player. There's always quality at the top of the draft. There will be eight to 10 quality players. We can't lose picking fifth."

Am I reading too much into this? Because it makes me think that it'll be doubtful that we'll be trading down.

[Patrick]

Your not ........ What scares me is that we are being set up. ..... "We can't lose picking fifth" ..... WELL YEAH we can if we pick a QB, WR, OL, CB, or LB. ..... Vinny makes it sound like no matter who they pick, we'll come out ahead ....... DISAGREE!!!!!

[RichardBradley]

I have confidence in Gibbs... As long as he dosn't push for another Desmond Howard

[Odyn]

Hey, it's not Gibb;s fault Desmond is stupid. He couldn't learn the plays!

I doubt that Vinny and Snyder will screw up the draft. I think they will be careful with this low draft pick and make sure that we get the best available player. Who know's who the other teams will draft. The real draft never even comes close to any mock drafts.

[Bigskinsfan]

Aside from trade I have seen many mocks that have been preety good. Team need are team needs. Vinney is right. It is a little arrogant to think that they are going to make some crazy pick like a QB or LB.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Udeze's size and pass rush ability are what make him the most enticing prospect for us. At 280, he shouldn't get overwhelmed at the point of attack. In addition, that bulk would aid him well when it comes to using a bull rush, which all great pass rushers need, unless your name was Derrick Thomas.

If not worthy of a top 5 pick, no problem, pick him up at #10. I like him alot.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Originally posted by Odyn
Hey, it's not Gibb;s fault Desmond is stupid. He couldn't learn the plays!

I doubt that Vinny and Snyder will screw up the draft. I think they will be careful with this low draft pick and make sure that we get the best available player. Who know's who the other teams will draft. The real draft never even comes close to any mock drafts.

Also, he couldn't beat the jam at the LOS. Never could get into his patterns. At Michigan, he was rarely challenged. Teams were too afraid of him, so they gave him a cushion.

There were a lot of teams lining up to pick Desmond at that point. We just beat them to the punch. He would have made any team look stupid.

[Griffyatl]

I think going into the Draft the Redskins team will be dedicated to a game plan. No one knows who will be #1 yet or in the top ten until the Combines and individual workouts. That is when we find out players true Weight, Height, and speed, and strength along with other stats. I think Free Agency will clear up a lot of holes for us even before the draft starts, but we need to get at least 1 DT, and 1 DE from Free Agency. Then in the Draft, take another DT, DE, TE (Ben Watson), and a Middle Linebacker. Trotter missed to many tackles last year, and gave up to many plays. Trade Down to like Pick 10, get another #3rd round pick and go from there. Do not sign any players over 30 years old in Free Agency. We do not need an aging team. We are a Defensive line, away from being a very good team, throw in a Good TightEnd, and im happy.

[SkinsKY]

Udeze is sounding more like the guy I want in the draft over Harris. I think dropping down 7-9 spots and nabbing him would be a great idea.

[Griffyatl]

I would love to pick Udeze with any pick we have, i would trade down though and pick up an additonal 3rd or 4th round pick for the trade. Udeze reminds me Dexter Manely without the personality. At 280 lbs, the guy runs a 4.7 40, very quick off the line and is very good against the rush also. I think once the combines hit, and people get to see how very strong this kid is, fast, and his combination of run stuffing/pass rushing ability, plus his huge upside he will be top 5-10 potential. Even if Washington drafts 5th and stays there, I would still draft this kid, he will only get better, sign him to a nice 6 year contract also, i don't want him being a free agent in 4 years.

[openallnight]

I would love to pick Udeze with any pick we have Couldn't agree more:) I think he's goin' be a solid DE w/ potential for greatenss! I would hate to lose him by trading down.

[Griffyatl]

Here is a very nice scouting report on Udeze

War Room analysis Height: 6-3 Weight: 277
Udeze, who will skip his senior season to enter the draft, has great experience as a three-year starter. He has an excellent combination of size and speed. He is built well and athletic with great instincts, initial quickness and running skills. He never stops hustling and always seems to be around the ball. His technique and leverage need work, however. He needs to play lower and improve at using his hands to keep blockers off his body. There also is a minor durability concern -- he had arthroscopic surgery to remove torn cartilage in his knee after the 2002 season.

Udeze, who could be a late first-round pick, continues to improve with experience and hasn't missed a game because of injury in his career. He has terrific size for the position and could move inside to tackle on passing downs in the NFL, where his quickness would overwhelm most guards.

[CarMike]

If we trade down from the #5 pick, we better get another 2nd and 3rd or 4th round pick.