College: Missouri

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 273

Strengths

Versatile: In his time with the Tigers Ealy lined up all over the defensive line.  He had success rushing from the three-technique inside as well as the seven-technique outside.  Ealy has enough bulk to rush the inside in the NFL.

Hands/Pass rushing skills: Ealy still needs to fine tune his hand placement and usage but when he gets it right he is devastating.  His swim move is one of the best I have seen so far in this crop of college players while he also utilises his big paws and 34 inch reach to help his speed-rush.

Intelligence: Ealy comes across very smart on tape for various reasons.  Firstly,  he knows when he is beat.  When his pass rush is negated he gets his hands up in passing lanes which on one occasion resulted in a pick-six.  Secondly,  he quickly diagnosis running plays and acts instinctively.  Thirdly,  when dropping into coverage he is very aware of who and what is around him.

Weaknesses

Leverage: All too often Ealy is stood up by lineman when attempting a bull-rush.  Not only that,  at times he simply stands up on his own accord and all 6’4” of him is on display for a tackle or guard to get their hands on him.

First step: While he is a physical specimen with a 1.66 10-yard split on his 40-yard dash at the combine,  Ealy is regularly slow off the ball.  On a number of occasions he is the last defensive player to move and this will kill him in the NFL if opposing players have that extra split second to get into place.

NFL Comparison

Justin Tuck,  New York Giants: Although former Mizzou Tiger Aldon Smith is the go-to comparison for Ealy,  I see him more like Tuck.  Both are scheme versatile by plying their trade across the defensive line.  And,  like Tuck,  Ealy will make a living in the NFL thanks to his strength and inside moves when getting to the quarterback.

Draft Outlook

Ealy projects to be a top-25 pick with it being unlikely that he gets past the Eagles at No. 22 or the Bengals and Chargers at picks 24 and 25.  With a lack of a true number two pass rusher in the draft class behind Jadeveon Clowney,  Ealy will see his stock rise as teams look to add a defensive threat.

Best Fits

The Giants are an obvious fit because of his similarities to Tuck.  The New York outfits pass rush is not quite what it used to be and some added firepower would not go a miss.  Alternatively,  the New England Patriots love a versatile defender and they are also in dire need of a new weapon as well as youth on the defensive line.

Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby