Whitney Mercilus

[rayzor]

he seems to me like some of the other "tweeners"...not that tweeners in themselves are bad things.

the guys i'm seeing with that lavel this year are guys that you would have to make up a role for. they don't fit in well as a DT/DE/OLB or really anywhere. the talent is there, but just not the defined role. more of a utility player type that you would pick up later in the draft or early if you don't really have much in the way of holes that need to be filled.

that's just the feeling i'm getting anyway.

[CardiacCats]

I am not sure you can just compare him and JPP and say "hey, Mercilus is getting overlooked, so did JPP." Mercilus is not even the athletic freak JPP is. Mercilus needs to improve on defending the run, I wouldn't want to draft someone with our first pick ay 8/9 who seems like a situational player. Wouldn't mind selecting him later like JawyBlaze said. But I still value Ingram over him just because he is more well rounded.

I agree he could improve against the run, 14 of his 24 TFL were sacks. But he's not terrible against the run, he can hold his ground and shed blocks, he also is great at stripping the football.

[Guest Bwood15]

Here is a video of Mercilus for anyone who hasn't seen him play.

[DaCityKats]

Some draftniks seem to think that he will go in the 2nd round.

[CardiacCats]

Some draftniks seem to think that he will go in the 2nd round.

This time last year Cam was gonna be lucky to go in the top 15.

[DaCityKats]

This time last year Cam was gonna be lucky to go in the top 15.

Just stating what I seen,I know what the guy can do.he is haitain decent like JPP so I see the comparison with him.maybe not as athletic but he does have talent.I like him better than Curry....and I knew Cam was the best QB in the draft last year.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

without question i'd take him over coples but still think he's a bit of a reach at 8/9 and we have bigger needs. wouldn't hate it though

[MHS831]

I would rather have Ingram over Coples or Mercilus, but not at #8/9. Ingram could move around the defense and line up at DT, End, OLB, etc. I think he could change the D almost as much as Cam changed the O.

[carolinarolls]

Not really, check out all the defensive end prospects and there are plenty 265 guys and some a little lower. His 4.65 speed makes up for being a few pounds underweight.

We thought that of Hilee Taylor, never worked out.

[carpanfan96]

That's got to be the most generous profile of a player I've ever seen. He's the 3rd-5th best DE in the draft. Here's a much more accurate and realistic evaluation for Mercilus. (Who I really like in the 16-22 range, Great value there as a potential big time boom or bust pick) My biggest concern (along with a few scouts as well) is that his production might be largely due to the scheme that was ran by vic koenning.

Pass rush: Very active and plays with top effort on every snap. Moves all around the defensive line, lining up off the edge and inside at defensive tackle. Has the natural speed to win the edge and closes in a flash. Attacks gaps and is a pesky rusher, finding ways to squirm into the backfield. Hard player to block cleanly. Plays with a fighting mentality and has the violent hand usage to battle through the trash and make the play. Hustle player with a nonstop motor. Tends to play high and doesn't worry much about technique or fundamentals. Still developing his snap anticipation and will jump offsides at times.

Run defense: Lacks an obvious power element to his game and struggles to shed blocks on run plays. Doesn't consistently set the edge and will over run his responsibilities. Still developing his recognition skills and instincts. Struggles to consistently locate the ball and will get caught out of position at times.

Explosion: Fires off the snap with a first step burst that really stands out. A bit tight in the hips and straight-linish in his movements. Lacks great change-of-direction ability to explode laterally or smoothly redirect his momentum.

Strength: Has adequate build with very good length and overall measureables. Plays tough with the hand strength to rip the ball out and force fumbles. Lacks an ideal frame for the position and doesn't have the prototypical muscle definition. Lacks great bulk and doesn't have a lot of room to get much bigger.

Tackling: Physical in the trenches and doesn't try to avoid contact. Has long arms to wrap and wrestle ball carriers to the ground. Takes pride in his ability to finish and complete tackles.

Intangibles: Has only one year of starting production under his belt, causing questions about being a one year wonder? and was a relative unknown entering the 2011 season. Had above average production in 2011, leading the nation in sacks (16.0) and forced fumbles (9) and finishing second in tackles for loss (22.5) ? consistent production week-in and week-out as a junior in 2011. Decided to leave early to help his family financially (both his parents are immigrants from Haiti).

--Dane Brugler

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1689559/whitney-mercilus

[Jesse]

Obligatory bump.

I had a dream where I was pissing during the NFL Draft and missed our selection of Whitney Mercilus. :confused:

[Lout]

Mercilus could be had in the 2nd round.

[MHS831]

I would take him in the second round (or late first if we trade).

DE is not the biggest need, but the Giants have 3 who are (arguably) better than our best. Hardy needs to do more. If you rush the passer with the front 4 effectively, your CBs and Safeties get better. Your LBs become awesome. Get a S and CB if you want and tell everyone those are our biggest needs, but another stud pass rusher is a bigger need than people realize.

[BeasonBeastingBacks]

Brockers in the 1st and Mercilus in the 2nd

IT WOULD BE GLORIOUS