Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson enters the 2013 NFL Draft as one of the premier prospects at his position. Richardson possesses a rare blend of strength, quickness, and athleticism that has propelled him into the discussion as possibly being the first overall pick in April's draft. While many drafnik's around the country have ignored that notion, they still maintain that Richardson is a possible Top-10 selection. Richardson will be a hot commodity for plenty of NFL teams at the top of the draft, as he is capable of playing defensive end in a 3-4 base defense, given his length, and also can play as a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 base defense.

Strengths:

Athleticism: Richardson may very well be the most athletic defender in this year's draft. He possess some of the rarest athletic abilities I've seen out of a defensive tackle since I began covering the NFL Draft over seven years ago. His closing speed for a man that weighs just south of 300 lbs. is just plain scary. Richardson's athletic frame is freakish, and will be a selling point for some team at the top of the draft.

Motor: In one word, relentless. Richardson never gives up, and rarely isn't seen pursuing the ball carrier. His effort is phenomenal for a player of his stature, think J.J. Watt here. A freakish big man, with the knack for finding himself involved in every play.

Versatility: With his uniquely blended frame, Richardson is an ideal fit for both the 3-4 and 4-3 base defenses. His 6'4'' stature allows him the ability to be a protypical 3-4 pass rushing defensive end. While his rare athleticism on top of his 295 lb frame makes him a natural fit as a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3.

Weaknesses:

Raw Prospect: While Rihardson possesses freakish athletic ability, he is still raw as an actual player. He has all of the tools needed to be extremely effective at the next level, he will benefit from quality coaching. Richardson is a player who will most likely see the height of his success in the NFL after a solid season of coaching, and learning a system completely.

Size: Depending on which defense Richardson is drafted into, he may need to gain anywhere from 10-15 lbs. If Richardson is draftd into a 4-3, he'd be better suited playing at 310-315 lbs. If he is drafted into a 3-4, he will most likely be playing defensive end, and could stand to play at his current weight of 295 lbs, or could play hovering around 300.

Bottom Line:

As Mentioned before, Richardson has been mentioned in some circles as a candidate to go first overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, I think it's more realistic to think that Richardson will go somewhere just outside of the Top-10. Teams like Tampa Bay, Carolina, and New Orleans all could benefit from a versatile player like Sheldon Richardson. When drafting Richardson, you're getting a multi-skilled athletic player who will be a force on your defensive line for a decade or more, but will need to keep his face in the playbook to become the highly efficient player a team draft's him to be.
 

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