Tennessee Titans Prospect Profile: Carlos Dunlap

We have looked at Derrick Morgan, Jason Pierre-Paul and Brandon Graham in previous installments of this series on defensive end prospects who may be drafted by the Tennessee Titans. Today we take a look at the University of Florida’s Carlos Dunlap.

Overview: An outstanding physical and athletic player, Dunlap burst onto the national scene as the Defensive MVP of the BCS title game in 2009. He has a very high upside. Dunlap has been a real enigma to those who have followed him; flashing outstanding ability at times but also quiet and unproductive periods. He is a model of inconsistency.

Height: 6′ 6″

Weight: 277

Arm Length: 34⅝”

Hand size: 10″

40-yard dash: 4.61

10-yard split: 1.61

Bench reps: 22

Vertical jump:31½”

Broad jump: 9′ 4″

Short shuttle: 4.61

3-cone drill: 7.21

Pass Rush: Good initial quickness off the snap. Has a strong bull rush and can get around the edge. His best pass rush move is an inside spin. Batted down six passes as a junior after none in his first 27 games. Registered 19 sacks in past two seasons. Needs to develop more consistency with hand use and footwork. Often plays too high.

Run Defense: Strong defender at the point of attack. Does a good job disengaging and shedding blocks. Able to get good penetration. Totaled 25 tackles for loss in the past two years. Good mobility and range in pursuit. Plays too upright, needs to lower his pad level. Relies on strength and length to compensate but will not be able to get away with that playing on Sundays. Has problems with leverage. Is a drag-down but reliable tackler.

 

Size/Strength/Athleticism: Possesses ideal size for a 4-3 defensive end. Has dropped from 290 to 277 pounds. Very long arms. Is very strong and powerful. Terrific athleticism. Good speed, balance and agility. Combination of size, strength and athleticism is freakish.

Miscellaneous: Has an inconsistent motor which runs hot and cold. Is an underachiever who should be much more productive with his athletic ability. Has blocked four kicks using his leaping ability and length, similar to what Antwan Odom used to do. Questionable work ethic. Has some character issues and questions about his maturity.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve his technique, his pad level, his footwork and use of hands for both the pass rush and stopping the run. Those skills can all be taught. He also needs to improve his consistency and effort, which cannot be taught.

My take: Dunlap is similar to Jason Pierre-Paul in several respects. Both are extremely talented, physical projects who will need a teacher like Jim Washburn to extract the most of their ability from them. Unlike Pierre-Paul, Dunlap will also require a master motivator to light a fire under him. Wash can light that fire but does not always get the desired results. Given some of his issues, Dunlap will be a high risk but one who could yield very high rewards.