DE Jake Bequette of Arkansas ~ 6.5/270
"Bequette has been a strong player for Arkansas, though his productivity can be attributed less to great athletic ability than competitiveness and intelligence. He stands out as a leader and high-energy player for the Razorbacks.
He possesses the strength to rush and set the edge and hold his ground in the run game, where he can battle well against bigger linemen and chase hard until the end of the play. He is a solid tackler once around the ball, and pursues plays from the backside with high effort and consistency.
His versatility across the line gives him good value for NFL teams, especially those running a 3-4. Look for him to be a late-round selection for a team looking for versatility and run support along its defensive line.
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Strengths: Bequette is a strong run defender. He can set the edge well and fight off blocks. He shows up at the end of plays as a high-effort player. His size and length will be assets when tackling ball carriers at the next level. Bequette also runs well for his size, which allows him to close on ball carriers.
Weaknesses: Bequette is not the greatest athlete for his size and often gets lost when double-teamed. While strong in the run game, he is seldom a factor in the passing game. He needs to improve his rush technique and hands to be able to get through blocks and into the pocket. Bequette rarely plays to his timed speed."
He possesses the strength to rush and set the edge and hold his ground in the run game, where he can battle well against bigger linemen and chase hard until the end of the play. He is a solid tackler once around the ball, and pursues plays from the backside with high effort and consistency.
His versatility across the line gives him good value for NFL teams, especially those running a 3-4. Look for him to be a late-round selection for a team looking for versatility and run support along its defensive line.
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"A thick, physically built defensive end prospect who possesses the frame to play the run at the next level. Sits into his stance well and can generate leverage off the snap. However, lacks a great first step when trying to reach the corner.
Doesn't have the ability to consistently threaten the edge at the next level. Tries to drop his pad level when trying to flatten out, but isn't real flexible. Tends to drop his head and bend at the waist and initially can get under blockers, but then pops upright and can routinely be pushed past the pocket.
Demonstrates a great motor and works hard in pursuit and most of his outside pressures come off his motor/power and not first step burst. Doesn't have much of a counter off his outside rush either. A linear rusher who struggles to change directions at speed. However, does have some savvy off the snap.
Will work the jab step to the edge and cleanly shoot the C-gap, fighting his way into the backfield. However, is at his best as a push/pull guy. Displays a strong bull rush, gets his hands under the pad level of defenders, keeps his base down, feet under him and can overwhelm on contact.
Not overly sudden when asked to disengage through contact and change directions, but creates havoc in the backfield and will work till the whistle. Has experience playing on both sides of the line of scrimmage at the college level and I could see him doing the same in the NFL as well.
Is a solid run defender, plays the run game with integrity, finds the football quickly and works hard in pursuit. Not overly fluid/flexible when asked to breakdown closing from the backside, but works hard to get there and puts himself in position to consistently make plays on the ball carrier.
Comes off the ball low when asked to anchor, gains inside leverage with his strong hands and not only can control blocks on contact, but does a nice job disengaging and making a play on the back. Lacks ideal range, but has some stack and shed ability when run at.
Impression: Not a special athlete, more of a savvy power player, but works hard rushing the pocket, has a great motor and can play the run. A rotational guy early on who has the ability to earn a starting role, but looks more like a rotational guy."
Doesn't have the ability to consistently threaten the edge at the next level. Tries to drop his pad level when trying to flatten out, but isn't real flexible. Tends to drop his head and bend at the waist and initially can get under blockers, but then pops upright and can routinely be pushed past the pocket.
Demonstrates a great motor and works hard in pursuit and most of his outside pressures come off his motor/power and not first step burst. Doesn't have much of a counter off his outside rush either. A linear rusher who struggles to change directions at speed. However, does have some savvy off the snap.
Will work the jab step to the edge and cleanly shoot the C-gap, fighting his way into the backfield. However, is at his best as a push/pull guy. Displays a strong bull rush, gets his hands under the pad level of defenders, keeps his base down, feet under him and can overwhelm on contact.
Not overly sudden when asked to disengage through contact and change directions, but creates havoc in the backfield and will work till the whistle. Has experience playing on both sides of the line of scrimmage at the college level and I could see him doing the same in the NFL as well.
Is a solid run defender, plays the run game with integrity, finds the football quickly and works hard in pursuit. Not overly fluid/flexible when asked to breakdown closing from the backside, but works hard to get there and puts himself in position to consistently make plays on the ball carrier.
Comes off the ball low when asked to anchor, gains inside leverage with his strong hands and not only can control blocks on contact, but does a nice job disengaging and making a play on the back. Lacks ideal range, but has some stack and shed ability when run at.
Impression: Not a special athlete, more of a savvy power player, but works hard rushing the pocket, has a great motor and can play the run. A rotational guy early on who has the ability to earn a starting role, but looks more like a rotational guy."
"Big-framed, smooth-muscled, white-collar defensive end with pedestrian athletic ability and linear movement skills.
Limited functional strength, plays short-armed and soft-handed and does not provide enough pushback against the run.
Lacks explosion, flexibility and counter moves as a rusher.
Motor runs hot and cold and has an inflated opinion of his ability."
Limited functional strength, plays short-armed and soft-handed and does not provide enough pushback against the run.
Lacks explosion, flexibility and counter moves as a rusher.
Motor runs hot and cold and has an inflated opinion of his ability."
"First Word: Bequette is the type of player that surprises people. He is not great at any one thing but works hard and plays to his strengths. His size and playing style makes him a good fit for the 5 technique position. As you know, the NFL is seeing a major push to the 3-4 scheme making the demand for 5 techniques high.
When watching Bequette, the first thing you notice is his good snap awareness and quick first step. This allows him to get into the blocker and create some pressure. He does a good job of getting his hands inside and extending his arms. His hand usage combined with this leverage allows him to get a good push on the pocket. While he is not an elite pass rush, he can still create pressure thanks to his hard work and rush repertoire.
Bequette plays like a 5 technique as he likes to get his hands on the lineman and plays two gap football. However, he needs to add more bulk and strength to hold up at that position in the NFL. His height makes it possible from him to add the needed bulk with out loosing what quickness he possesses.
Overall, Bequette has some potential but looks like a mid round prospect unless he has a very productive season.
Bold Statement: Bequette will be selected in the 2nd- 3rd round as a 5 technique
Games Viewed: Ohio State, Alabama, Mississippi State
Notes:
When watching Bequette, the first thing you notice is his good snap awareness and quick first step. This allows him to get into the blocker and create some pressure. He does a good job of getting his hands inside and extending his arms. His hand usage combined with this leverage allows him to get a good push on the pocket. While he is not an elite pass rush, he can still create pressure thanks to his hard work and rush repertoire.
Bequette plays like a 5 technique as he likes to get his hands on the lineman and plays two gap football. However, he needs to add more bulk and strength to hold up at that position in the NFL. His height makes it possible from him to add the needed bulk with out loosing what quickness he possesses.
Overall, Bequette has some potential but looks like a mid round prospect unless he has a very productive season.
Bold Statement: Bequette will be selected in the 2nd- 3rd round as a 5 technique
Games Viewed: Ohio State, Alabama, Mississippi State
Notes:
- Bequette has good height but needs to add a little more pounds
- He is able to fire off the football and maintain low pad level throughout the play
- That leverage coupled with good hand usage allows him to get a good push on the pocket
- His awareness helps him get a good jump off the line and find the ball for attempted strips
- Bequette is a relentless player always going at 100%
- He is not a great pass rusher but shows flashes and has a few different moves
- His lack of a 2nd gear hinders his ability to consistently threaten the edge
- Bequette is more of an engage and control type player and doesn't shoot gaps well
- While engaged, he struggles to shed and make plays away from his frame"
"Third-generation Hog has started 32 games in his career;
hard-worker with a great motor, but measurables are nothing special; thick player with long arms and a solid frame, but still could add another 10-15 pounds; plays high at times, but generally holds the point of attack;
Uses hands and arms to disengage, but is somewhat stiff and has limited lateral agility and actually doesn’t make a lot of plays defending the run; better pass rusher who had 7 sacks last fall; still primarily a bull-rusher who lacks an explosive first step and much in the way of real closing speed;
Has a good punch and can knock blockers off balance; can also dip his shoulder and get leverage around the corner, but doesn’t change direction all that well and lacks a counter move to his outside rush; character player, though, who will battle to the whistle."
hard-worker with a great motor, but measurables are nothing special; thick player with long arms and a solid frame, but still could add another 10-15 pounds; plays high at times, but generally holds the point of attack;
Uses hands and arms to disengage, but is somewhat stiff and has limited lateral agility and actually doesn’t make a lot of plays defending the run; better pass rusher who had 7 sacks last fall; still primarily a bull-rusher who lacks an explosive first step and much in the way of real closing speed;
Has a good punch and can knock blockers off balance; can also dip his shoulder and get leverage around the corner, but doesn’t change direction all that well and lacks a counter move to his outside rush; character player, though, who will battle to the whistle."
"Positives -- A power player with good bull rush, stays low to get under the pads of linemen and work through blocks... Extends his arms and uses his hands well to disengage, violent player who can knock linemen off balance, establishes leverage and can penetrate the line of scrimmage with push-pull move... Gets his hands up in passing lanes when he can't get to the quarterback... Has the tools to develop into an above average run defender, thick player with a physical build and solid frame, has the strength to anchor, gains leverage off the snap to control blocks on contact, very good stack and shed type player... Locates the ball quickly and does a nice job in backside pursuit; plays with a high motor, works through the whistle, the majority of his pass rushing success comes by working hard and creating pressure with his motor... Diagnoses plays fairly quickly, is rarely fooled by misdirection or screens, has good instincts as both a pass rusher and run defender... Has played all over the defensive line at Arkansas, very smart and experienced player; overachiever who should make a rotation early in his career and might eventually develop into a starter with hard work, also a very good fit as a 3-4 DE (5-technique).
Negatives -- Doesn't have a great first step and lacks the flexibility to dip his shoulder around the corner and can't consistently threaten the edge; gets upright around the edge and can be pushed out of plays... Favors the bull rush and creates pressure with motor and hard work, but lacks counter moves; collegiate pass rushing success came against tackles who lack base strength, struggles versus bigger OT's, is a straight-line type of athlete who lacks explosion and suddenness, and doesn't change direction particularly well... Can struggle to make plays away from his frame, doesn't have great range due to poor COD and lateral agility; isn't a special athlete, good height but needs to add 8-12 pounds to be a force against the run at the next level... Missed three games in 2011 due to an injured hamstring."
Negatives -- Doesn't have a great first step and lacks the flexibility to dip his shoulder around the corner and can't consistently threaten the edge; gets upright around the edge and can be pushed out of plays... Favors the bull rush and creates pressure with motor and hard work, but lacks counter moves; collegiate pass rushing success came against tackles who lack base strength, struggles versus bigger OT's, is a straight-line type of athlete who lacks explosion and suddenness, and doesn't change direction particularly well... Can struggle to make plays away from his frame, doesn't have great range due to poor COD and lateral agility; isn't a special athlete, good height but needs to add 8-12 pounds to be a force against the run at the next level... Missed three games in 2011 due to an injured hamstring."
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