Sheldon Day, DL, Notre Dame: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Great defense starts up front, so teams are always on the lookout for quality linemen. Where does Sheldon Day fit into that picture heading towards the 2016 NFL draft?

Position: DL

School: Notre Dame

Year: Senior

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 285 lbs

History:

A native of Indiana, Day went through Warren Central High School, notable for producing some top quality NFL talent. He emerged as a four-star recruit and committed to Notre Dame. His arrival was one of the key additions that helped the Irish regain standing on the national stage. After posting just 3.5 sacks in his first three season, he broke out in 2015 with four and also posted two forced fumbles and 15.5 tackles for a loss.

STRENGTHS:

• Lots of athleticism packed into a big body. Played defensive tackle, defensive end and even outside linebacker at times.
• Uses his hands to great effect, keeping blockers off his body.
• Consistently quick of the snap. Explodes out of his stance and makes sure to keep the pad level low.

Though aided by a mishandled snap, there’s a strong chance this run wasn’t going anywhere regardless. Watch how Day bursts of the line, keeps his pads low and shoots the gap before the offensive line has time to block him. He’s instantly in the face the of the running back and the play goes nowhere. That is textbook interior rush.

• Surprising speed for his size. Uses it well in pass rush but also chasing down ball carriers on outside runs.
• Always stays aware of where the ball is, using his eyes to track and then pursue.
• High motor. Rarely takes a play off and goes to the football even when it’s run or thrown away from him.

WEAKNESSES:

• Limited size and lighter weight make him a liability against the run, at least at defensive tackle where bigger guards can drive him off the ball or wash him down the line.
• Though he fights hard with his hands, his lack of length makes it difficult for him to disengage from blockers at times.
• The high motor is a good thing, he still tends to get overaggressive at times, leading to costly penalties or running himself out of plays.

This is an example of Day not keeping himself under control. On the play he has to know it’s the quarterback he’s pursuing, the most protected player on the field and that he’s going to go out of bounds. There is no reason to hit him but being the aggressive hunter he is, Day goes for the hit anyway and it costs his team 15 yards in a tie game.

• Tends to lose some steam after initial surge. Must learn to finish more often.

Pro Comparison: Pernell McPhee

After spending four years as a rotational outside linebacker in Baltimore, McPhee signed a big deal to join the Chicago Bears. The thing with him is he plays that position but he has the size and strength to play on the defensive front. He’s a violent rusher who shows good instinct as well. Day is slightly shorter and a bit heavier but the styles of game and similar skill sets are there.

Projection: 2nd to 4th rounds

Day is a classic gap penetrator who would fit really well in a 4-3 scheme as a three-technique defensive tackle. That said he has athletic versatility to play on the edge as well. It will be his tweener size (small for a tackle, big for an end) that will keep him out of Day 1.