Dontari Poe Scouting Report DL Memphis Tigers

This is our Dontari Poe scouting report. Poe is a massive defensive linemen who plays for the Memphis Tigers whose name will become more common as we approach the draft. For all of our other scouting reports go to our scouting report page.

Measurables

6-4 346 pounds, 32″ arm length, 9 5/8″ hands

4.98 forty yard dash, 44 bench press reps, 29.5 inch vertical, 105″ broad  jump, 7.90 3 cone drill, 4.56 20 yard shuttle

Stats

2011:

2010:

Pros

Absolutely huge…Unexpected athleticism for a man his size…Excellent strength has garnered a reputation as a guy who has impressive weight room strength…quick off the snap, but has conditioning issues…gets his hands up if he doesn’t get to the quarterback…Functional strength to hold up the point of attack and take on extra blockers…

Cons

Doesn’t play with great leverage, which must be improved…A little too heavy, it’s not all muscle…conditioning issues…not a top pass rusher at the N.F.l. level unless he gets in better shape and adds some moves…If he is this big, this fast, this strong why doesn’t he have top production?

Round Projection: 1st

Thoughts

Poe is not a name a casual draft follower will not be onto yet, but as soon as the pre-draft process rolls around everyone will know who this massive specimen of a man is. Poe is absolutely huge and has good athleticism to boot. He has an intriguing blend of size, strength, and athleticism. He is not going to make a ton of plays at the N.F.L. level, but he’s going to open up a lot of room for other players to make plays. His potential to play nose tackle also greatly boosts his draft stock. I project  Poe as a 1st or second round pick more because of the position he plays and his upside, more so than his ability right now today. He has a lot of technical work to do to play with better leverage and learn how to beat double teams most consistently

His draft stock will depend a lot on the pre-draft process because he doesnt play a heavy slate of top competition. He’s competing with players like Josh Chapman and Alameada Ta’amu to be the first nose tackle taken off the board (my favorite of the three prospects is Te’amu)

NFLmocks preseason bio

Poe has the ability to be a dominant defensive tackle in the NFL, but what is the knock on most of these giant, 6’5″ 350 pound kids nowadays? They sometimes take plays off. That may be the case with Poe, but he is still a top ten defensive tackle heading into this year after two very productive years with the Memphis Tigers. Started all 12 games last year and finished the season with 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks to follow up a freshman season where he had seven tackles for loss, and two more sacks. He has already forced six fumbles in his Memphis career, and he should be one of the best defensive tackles coming out this year should he choose to do so. He is a massive gap clogger whose size indicates he is a perfect fit to play nose guard at the next level, but I think he is athletic enough to play in any scheme.

Video

To be posted when it becomes available