Height: 6’0 ½”
Weight: 303 lbs
College: Arizona State
This year’s NFL draft has good depth at almost every position, one of those positions include defense line. One of the players’s in that mix to be drafted as a defensive linemen this May is Will Sutton. Currently I have Sutton as the fifth- rated defensive tackle in this draft, and someone who in the right situation can be productive at the next level.
Strengths
Pass Rush: Sutton is a player that on film in pass rushing situations he has an extremely good get off on the ball. This is truly evident in Arizona State’s game against UCLA in passing downs, he constantly beats his man with his first move, and with his quickness inside against guards.
Pad Level: One thing that Sutton does benefit from with his shortness in height is his pad level; rarely does Sutton ever play too high. This will most certainly help him at the next level, and actually maybe the strongest part of his game.
Weaknesses
Run Game: On film something that really concerns me and showed up time and time again is Sutton’s struggles in the run game. In games versus Wisconsin and Stanford this past fall, two teams that have been known to produce good run blocking guards over the past decade, Sutton time after time ended up on his back. The only time it seemed that Sutton would succeed in the run game was when the play runs back into him. With Suttons arm length only measuring at 31” it hurts him with his ability to shed off the block and make plays in the run game.
Lack of Explosion: Even with Sutton’s great initial move off the snap he really lacks when it comes to closing speed with getting to the quarterback, and with the NFL today going to more athletic quarterbacks it could really hurt his chances of being a impact performer on Sunday’s.
NFL Comparison
When I think of a NFL comparison for Sutton the first player that came to mind was Glenn Dorsey of the San Francisco 49ers. They both are very comparable in size and offer the same qualities on the field. In my opinion both players are good fits for the three technique, but also have the ability to play five technique as Dorsey currently does.
Draft Outlook
Sutton’s draft outlook to me as my fifth-rated defensive tackle is as a second to third-round pick. His ceiling to me is not very high, but the floor is not that low either. At worst for Sutton’s career I can see him as a rotational player on defense.
Best fit
With the New England Patriots having a need at defensive line, I think Sutton would be a good fit their 3-4 and 4-3 hybrid schemes that the employ. If anyone can get the most out of Sutton’s potential it would be Bill Belichick. If Sutton is around in late second round this would be great value for the Patriots.