What's up guys. Sorry I've been out of touch for a few weeks, just spent some time in village near Rajkot so I didn't have any internet. Anyway, I just spent some time looking at Dante Fowler, Jr., and I'd love to share what I've learned.

 

Dante Fowler, Jr, is a 6'3, 265 edge player for the Florida Gators (I say 'edge player' because they run a multiple defense and he is moved around all the time). Due to his size and athletic profile, I'm going to be targeting him as an OTTO candidate. For this study, I looked at his games against Kentucky, LSU, and Alabama - some very good SEC competition, especially LSU, who has a stud OLman named Collins and an incredible freshman RB. So it was a good test for him.

 

The stats that I recorded for him during these three games: 17 tackles (5 for a loss), 3 sacks, 9 QB pressures, a fumble forced and recovered, and three missed tackles. I will say that about a third of his tackles were at the line, a third behind it, and a third downfield. For whatever that's worth.

 

Strengths:

 

DFJ has above average lateral movement skills, which enable him to effectively chase the ball across the field, but nothing spectacular. What helps him in this aspect is that he takes really good angles on the ball and plays with excellent effort, and these combine with above-average movement skills to allow him to be where he needs to be at the right time. He's got a good inside swim and an effective rip. He's proficient, not fantastic, in coverage, which is a luxury because the OTTO is more of a run stuffer/pass rusher anyway. He plays every single down at a lot of different spots, which gives me the impression that learning a playbook and conditioning won't be an issue once he gets to the league.

 

Now, before I get to his weaknesses, this seems like a good spot to talk about his inconsistencies. His field awareness alternates between superb and very poor - he can stick like glue to the right option man but let a screen go right past him. When his technique is correct, his power is his best trait by far. The problem, though, is that he doesn't play with very good technique.

 

Weaknesses:

 

I suppose the aforementioned inconsistency is a weakness, no? But anyway, the one thing that I noticed about his game that bothered me more than anything else was his legs. He can't bend around the corner at all, and he has a habit of not using correct leverage in his power game. This really hurts him because his strength is his biggest plus. As a result from the aforementioned inconsistencies and his legs, his pass rush is not consistent at all.

 

Grade:

Athleticism - 7 (Good lateral movement but questionable straight-line speed)

 

Field Vision - 7 (Highly inconsistent, going from extremely good to extremely bad)

 

Pass Rush - 7.5 (Flashy but can't maintain it through the course of a game)

 

Coverage - 7.5 (Plays multiple positions, uses effective eyes in the backfield, and has good read-and-react skills)

 

Strength - 8.5 (When he uses his legs for leverage he is very tough to outmuscle)

 

Flexibility - 6 (Through all these games I saw him bend the corner only once)

 

Block Shedding - 7.5 (Good inside swim, and proficient rip, but that's it)

 

Final Grade - 51/70 gives him a final grade of 73 out of 100

 

Now, I know that this grade is probably gonna get me some hate from the Gator-infested media (cheers if you get the reference), but this guy was frustrating and hard to scout. He is almost defined by his inconsistency. I think he would have to play OTTO for us, as he doesn't have the burst required to play LEO, and I think he would do alright. I think his ceiling is limited, however, because some guys have effective bend, and some guys don't. But if the coaches can teach him to utilize his legs more, I think he could be pretty effective. I think he might be better suited to playing a 43 end, but he has good mobility for his size, which gives him a shot in our scheme. I think, though, that he'd have to be a late first round pick, as his inconsistency is too much to bet a high first on.

 

To conclude, Dante Fowler Jr. is an intelligent and strong edge defender with alarming inconsistency and a big problem with bending on his pass rush. If he were to be in a Jaguars' uniform, it would have to be at the OTTO position, and he would have to be drafted much later than the early pick we are likely to get. Thanks for reading, guys, and if you have any comments post them below, or in the hub of my scouting work.

 

 

 

 

 

---

"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Galatians 5:26

2015 NFL Draft - Analyzing Targets www.jungle.jaguars.com/index.php?/topic/7892-2015-nfl-draft-analyzing-targets/

It would make more sense to analyze Dante Fowler at every position he plays, then see if he has a natural position or is naturally versitle. At 265 pounds, he is big enough to play any of the linebacker positions or Leo defensive end.

---

So you think it would make more sense for me to do one of these for every one of the five spots I saw him play for the Gators? I don't have the kind of time or inclination to do that while giving it the quality it deserves. Sorry to disappoint.

---

"Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Galatians 5:26

2015 NFL Draft - Analyzing Targets www.jungle.jaguars.com/index.php?/topic/7892-2015-nfl-draft-analyzing-targets/

Thanks Kodiak! One of the guys I was really curious about because there are such varied opinions on him.

---

no thanks to UF players

---

no thanks to UF players

 

Terrible opinion. 

---

Titansequaltrash aka my mini me. Follows me around like a cute puppy dog.