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IMO, one of these guys will be drafted by the Bolts. Take your pick, they're just space eaters.
Daniel McCullers, DT
School: Tennessee | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Height/Weight: 6-7 / 352 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
102 12 3-4
Player Lowdown
Combine Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
- - - 27 20 1/2 8'8" - -
Workout Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
- - - - - - - -
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Despite his inexperience, McCullers' size and ability to disrupt things from the middle often made him the focus of an opponent's blocking scheme. Has been double-teamed on most snaps and has even seen triple-team blocks often. Despite the attention, McCullers' size and strength make him tough to move in the running game. He plays with better leverage than one might expect given his frame, holding up well inside and sliding off blockers to handle two-gap responsibilities when playing the 3-4 nose guard. He was equally impressive against the run when Tennessee switched to a four-man front in 2012.
WEAKNESSES: While McCullers' is tough against the run, he offers little in terms of a pass rush. He certainly has the strength to simply push opponents into the pocket but possesses below average foot-quickness and lateral agility.
--ROB RANG
Justin Ellis, DT
School: Louisiana Tech | Conference: C-USA
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Monroe, LA
Height/Weight: 6-2 / 334 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
156 15 5
Player Lowdown
Combine Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
5.27 - - 25 28 7'8" - 7.81
Workout Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
- - - - - - - -
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Large, wide body and carries his weight well. Long arms for his frame and extends well, using his active hands to work off blocks. Has really improved in this area, bullying with heavy hands. Explosive off the ball and a quick thinker, reacting well to what the blockers want to do. Attacks with pure momentum, not afraid to use a spin move, making it tough for blockers to latch on.
Load to handle. Good pocket vision and awareness to track and crash down on the ball or chase the ballcarrier outside. Anchors well at the point of attack and has a stout build. Nice job getting his paw up to swat the ball out of the air. Nonstop motor and ferocious demeanor.
Try-hard type who gets the most out of his ability. Versatile experience, lining up at various inside positions in college.
WEAKNESSES: Needs to stay balanced and controlled and play with better gap integrity. Needs to improve his pad level and show better lower body bend to keep his belt low and play with more consistent leverage. A lot of bull rushes and needs to show more variance in his rushes and broaden his repertoire of arm moves.
Room to improve his ability vs. double-teams and do a better job as a two-gapping player. Has some sloppy weight on his frame and his conditioning needs to be monitored. Very pedestrian production in college and was a party of a heavy defensive line rotation to keep him fresh.
--Dane Brugler
Player Overview
An under-the-radar high school recruit, Ellis redshirted in 2009 and barely saw the field in 2010 before becoming a sophomore starter in 2011.
He took a step back in 2012, but had his best year as a senior with 48 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, earning All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors. Ellis is a wide-bodied rusher and uses his ball quickness and snap anticipation to surge past blockers before they can set up, making him a tough guy to square up and slow down.
He looks like a zero-technique who should be a man-eating run stuffer, but is more of an upfield penetrator who is a handful to control as a pass rusher. Ellis is scheme-versatile to play a two-gapping NT role or as a 3-technique who wins with initial burst.
Ryan Carrethers, NT
School: Arkansas State | Conference: BELT
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Nashville, TN
Height/Weight: 6-1 / 337 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
180 16 5-6
Overview
Two-time first-team All-Sun Belt selection (2012-13). 2013: Blocked two kicks and led Red Wolves with four sacks. 2012: Started all 13 games. 2011: Played in all 13 games, including the last six as a starter. 2010: Played in all 12 games. 2009: Redshirted. High School: Four-year varsity letterman who was All-State as senior and led Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.) to three state championship games.
Analysis
Strengths
Big and thick with outstanding weight-room strength -- squats a small house and maintains low body fat. Has sheer mass and natural girth to dig in and hold his ground vs. double teams. Has a wrestling background and understands leverage. Has two-gap ability. Heavy tackler. Nice effort for a big man. Tough and durable. Solid personal and football character -- is devoted to his craft and has a professional approach to the game.
Weaknesses
Lacks ideal height. Has short arms and small hands. Average initial quickness. Heavy-legged with limited range. Inconsistent contact balance at the point of attack -- rooted out of the hole more often than he should be. Needs to improve hand use -- quickness, placement and shed timing. Marginal pass-rush value. Stamina has to be monitored.
Bottom Line
Stoutly built, NFL-strong interior defender who was a literal and figurative anchor for the Red Wolves despite playing for four different head coaches. Could make a living occupying blocks and clogging run lanes as a two-down, rotational nose tackle in an odd front.
Daniel McCullers, DT
School: Tennessee | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Height/Weight: 6-7 / 352 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
102 12 3-4
Player Lowdown
Combine Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
- - - 27 20 1/2 8'8" - -
Workout Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
- - - - - - - -
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Despite his inexperience, McCullers' size and ability to disrupt things from the middle often made him the focus of an opponent's blocking scheme. Has been double-teamed on most snaps and has even seen triple-team blocks often. Despite the attention, McCullers' size and strength make him tough to move in the running game. He plays with better leverage than one might expect given his frame, holding up well inside and sliding off blockers to handle two-gap responsibilities when playing the 3-4 nose guard. He was equally impressive against the run when Tennessee switched to a four-man front in 2012.
WEAKNESSES: While McCullers' is tough against the run, he offers little in terms of a pass rush. He certainly has the strength to simply push opponents into the pocket but possesses below average foot-quickness and lateral agility.
--ROB RANG
Justin Ellis, DT
School: Louisiana Tech | Conference: C-USA
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Monroe, LA
Height/Weight: 6-2 / 334 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
156 15 5
Player Lowdown
Combine Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
5.27 - - 25 28 7'8" - 7.81
Workout Results
40 Yd 20 Yd 10 Yd 225 Bench Vertical jump Broad Shuttle 3-Cone Drill
- - - - - - - -
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Large, wide body and carries his weight well. Long arms for his frame and extends well, using his active hands to work off blocks. Has really improved in this area, bullying with heavy hands. Explosive off the ball and a quick thinker, reacting well to what the blockers want to do. Attacks with pure momentum, not afraid to use a spin move, making it tough for blockers to latch on.
Load to handle. Good pocket vision and awareness to track and crash down on the ball or chase the ballcarrier outside. Anchors well at the point of attack and has a stout build. Nice job getting his paw up to swat the ball out of the air. Nonstop motor and ferocious demeanor.
Try-hard type who gets the most out of his ability. Versatile experience, lining up at various inside positions in college.
WEAKNESSES: Needs to stay balanced and controlled and play with better gap integrity. Needs to improve his pad level and show better lower body bend to keep his belt low and play with more consistent leverage. A lot of bull rushes and needs to show more variance in his rushes and broaden his repertoire of arm moves.
Room to improve his ability vs. double-teams and do a better job as a two-gapping player. Has some sloppy weight on his frame and his conditioning needs to be monitored. Very pedestrian production in college and was a party of a heavy defensive line rotation to keep him fresh.
--Dane Brugler
Player Overview
An under-the-radar high school recruit, Ellis redshirted in 2009 and barely saw the field in 2010 before becoming a sophomore starter in 2011.
He took a step back in 2012, but had his best year as a senior with 48 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, earning All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors. Ellis is a wide-bodied rusher and uses his ball quickness and snap anticipation to surge past blockers before they can set up, making him a tough guy to square up and slow down.
He looks like a zero-technique who should be a man-eating run stuffer, but is more of an upfield penetrator who is a handful to control as a pass rusher. Ellis is scheme-versatile to play a two-gapping NT role or as a 3-technique who wins with initial burst.
Ryan Carrethers, NT
School: Arkansas State | Conference: BELT
College Experience: Senior | Hometown: Nashville, TN
Height/Weight: 6-1 / 337 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
180 16 5-6
Overview
Two-time first-team All-Sun Belt selection (2012-13). 2013: Blocked two kicks and led Red Wolves with four sacks. 2012: Started all 13 games. 2011: Played in all 13 games, including the last six as a starter. 2010: Played in all 12 games. 2009: Redshirted. High School: Four-year varsity letterman who was All-State as senior and led Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, Tenn.) to three state championship games.
Analysis
Strengths
Big and thick with outstanding weight-room strength -- squats a small house and maintains low body fat. Has sheer mass and natural girth to dig in and hold his ground vs. double teams. Has a wrestling background and understands leverage. Has two-gap ability. Heavy tackler. Nice effort for a big man. Tough and durable. Solid personal and football character -- is devoted to his craft and has a professional approach to the game.
Weaknesses
Lacks ideal height. Has short arms and small hands. Average initial quickness. Heavy-legged with limited range. Inconsistent contact balance at the point of attack -- rooted out of the hole more often than he should be. Needs to improve hand use -- quickness, placement and shed timing. Marginal pass-rush value. Stamina has to be monitored.
Bottom Line
Stoutly built, NFL-strong interior defender who was a literal and figurative anchor for the Red Wolves despite playing for four different head coaches. Could make a living occupying blocks and clogging run lanes as a two-down, rotational nose tackle in an odd front.
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