2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Malik McDowell, DL, Michigan State

Sep 26, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) breaks though the Central Michigan offensive line during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 30-10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Player Summary

Malik McDowell, a 2014 five-star recruit, has started 15 of 27 career games at Michigan State. He burst onto the scene as a true freshman, recording 4.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks as a backup, on his way to earning multiple all-freshman honors.

As a sophomore in 2015, McDowell started all 14 games for the Spartans and was a second-team All-Big Ten selection. He finished the season with 41 tackles, 13 for a loss and 4.5 sacks.

He’s listed as the school’s starting nose tackle to start the 2016 season, however his versatility will allow the coaching staff to move him all over the defensive line. McDowell possesses solid size on a prodigious frame with good athletic ability.

Measureables

Height: 6’5″ 1/4

Weight: 282 pounds

Games Watched

2015: Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State

Strengths

Malik McDowell is one of the most athletic interior defensive linemen in college football and he displays it immediately after the snap by exploding off the line of scrimmage. He uses that burst to aggressively attack the opposing offensive lineman, and a solid initial punch allows him to gain leverage quickly against the pass. When engaged, his length and play strength help him to disengage from blocks. He possesses a solid repertoire of moves, beating offensive linemen with a bull rush and swim move, while also shooting the gaps.

Against the run, McDowell demonstrates very good lateral quickness to move down the line of scrimmage and make plays. He possesses solid awareness to avoid traffic at his feet and the finishing ability to bring down the ball carrier.

Derrick Henry of Alabama won the Heisman Trophy last season, in part because of his ability to break tackles. In the play below, McDowell doesn’t allow Henry to break free as he makes the tackle in the backfield for a loss. While the tackle was impressive enough, the fact that McDowell beat center Ryan Kelly on the play makes it even better. Kelly was the Rimington Award winner as the best center in college football last season and was selected 18th overall in the 2016 draft by the Indianapolis Colts.

Versus the pass, McDowell reads and reacts quickly. On screens, he utilizes his lateral quickness to chase the intended receiver down the line of scrimmage rather than attacking the QB as a result of good mental processing skills. When rushing the passer, he keeps his legs churning and displays a non-stop motor until the play is over.

In two seasons with the Spartans, McDowell has six sacks from his defensive tackle position. As the only returning starter on the defensive line this season, he’ll be expected to play multiple positions along the line. This includes edge rusher, as Michigan State will be looking for someone to pressure the QB now that Shilique Calhoun is in the NFL. In the play below, McDowell has no trouble converting speed to power as he drives the offensive tackle back into the QB from the DE position.

Weaknesses

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Malik McDowell does not maintain a low pad level and loses leverage immediately when contacted against the run. He allows the offensive lineman to initiate contact and marginal hand placement hurts his ability to gain control and disengage from blocks. He demonstrates a poor ability to two-gap from the nose, as he struggles to anchor and hold his ground against double teams due to adequate functional strength and pad level.

McDowell shows marginal awareness against the run as he overruns plays and fails to see the ball carrier run through his lane. He’s one of the top pass-rushing interior linemen in the game, but struggles against the run due to a lack of patience. In the play below, he’s playing pass the entire way from his RDT position and goes for the sack. The running back takes the hand-off and runs right by McDowell and through the gap he’s responsible for. McDowell displays poor vision on the play as he doesn’t even realize who has the ball until it’s too late.

McDowell’s stamina will be worth monitoring this season, especially if he’s expected to play the role of a pass rusher on third downs. There were times last season when he was taken off the field for a handful of plays in a row before returning to action. If he’s going to be a threat off the edge this season, he must improve his stamina.

Overall

Overall, Malik McDowell is a starting 3-4 defensive end in the NFL who wins with athletic ability and aggressiveness. He’s not a player who should be expected to eat up blocks or play a two-gap technique at the next level. If McDowell sees more snaps at the DE position this season as expected, NFL teams will get a clear picture as to whether or not he’s as gifted a prospect as former Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. Buckner was the seventh-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

McDowell will look to be selected even higher as he’s already said he will only enter the 2017 NFL Draft if he’s a projected top-three pick. A defensive tackle hasn’t been selected that high since the Buffalo Bills drafted Marcell Dareus third overall in 2011.

Proving he can consistently pressure the quarterback from multiple positions will certainly enhance his stock, however he must perform better against the run this season if he’s going to be considered a top-three pick. At this point, McDowell is one of the top 15-20 draft-eligible prospects.

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