College: Texas

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 247 pounds

Strengths

Run Support: Jeffcoat has 34 inch arms which gives him very good length for a DE/OLB.  He uses his physical tools well and does not allow offensive lineman to control him by getting their hands on him.  He regularly sheds blocks and overwhelms blockers with either a strong punch or swat – he uses both regularly and to great affect.

Size: At 6’3” and 247 pounds Jeffcoat is a good size with great length.  However,  there is still room on his frame to grow and further improve his qualities as a run defender but also enhance his bull rush pass move which needs work.

Production: A 2013 season that included 82 total tackles,  19 tackles for a loss,  13 sacks and two forced fumbles gave Jeffcoat a four-year Texas career which accumulated in 183 total tackles,  48.5 tackles for a loss,  26.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 40 games despite being constantly hampered by niggling injuries.

Weaknesses

Weak lower body: Jeffcoat is poorly built in the lower half and this is where he has plenty of room to improve his size.  As a result of weak legs,  he is not particularly explosive out of his stance and lacks an element of surprise towards offensive tackles.

Flexibility: Jeffcoat struggles to bend the edge when he is pass rushing and this comes from his first step after the snap.  The Big 12 Defensive Player of The Year gets very high after his first step and fails to win the leverage battles.  Furthermore,  he looks stiff in the hips and therefore cannot adjust during the play.

Durability: In 2011 Jeffcoat missed his first game due to injury before missing seven in 2012 with a ruptured pectoral muscle.

NFL Comparison

Ryan Kerrigan,  Washington Redskins.  Like Kerrigan,  Jeffcoat is scheme flexible meaning he can transition between a 4-3 defensive end or a 3-4 outside linebacker.  Both possess excellent length and excel at shedding blocks and being a disruptive force in the backfield.

Draft Outlook

Jeffcoat has NFL pedigree and often displayed what he possesses.  Nevertheless, inconsistencies – he only really came alive towards the end of the 2013 season – and injuries mean a third or fourth round selection is likely.  However,  it is probable Jeffcoat is spread far and wide on numerous draft boards so do not be surprised if he goes in the second.

Best Fits

Jeffcoat’s versatility means he is a fit for all teams in the NFL but ones I would keep my eye on are the Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans.

Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby