Barkevious Mingo I LSU I DE/OLB I 6042 I 241 I Junior

40 Time: 4.58

Overview: There’s a lot to love about Mingo but there are major concerns with his game. He played LE exclusively in 2012, lining up over the RT. He’s best suited to transition to a standup linebacker in the NFL or play LEO role in 4-3. Lacks the bulk to set the edge in the run at DE. Freakish athlete with natural movement skills and explosive burst off the edge. Questionable football instincts as he’s constantly around the pile but lacked tackle production. That speaks to his instincts because with his movement skills he should be making tackles instead of observing piles. That said, its rare to find someone with his length/athleticism combination. He could come off the board as high as No. 2 and could fall to the mid-20’s. Either way he won’t make it out of the first round, just too much upside with this guy.

Pass Rush: Elite length and burst. Explosive athlete with a lightning quick first step. Has powerful hands and shows a good initial punch. He lacks the lower body strength to effectively bull rush but shows good pop with his punch. His ability to disrupt passing lanes may be the top in the draft. An underrated skill in today’s game. When he’s stopped in pass rush he gets his hands in passing lanes with frequency. I was pleasantly surprised with Mingo’s motor in pass rush. He will be a guy that will garner coverage sacks because he doesn’t give up on the play. Doesn’t display a wide array of pass rush moves and his hands leave a lot to be desired. Banged my head against the wall during the Alabama game as he time in and time out attempted to bull rush the more powerful D.J. Fluker. Mingo will need to get with a good DL coach to develop some effective counter moves.

Run Defense: A major work in progress in the run game. He’s at his best using his long levers to lock out, read, and chase the play. Man up he’s overwhelmed by most RT’s. This is the reason I can’t see him as a base end in the NFL. Just doesn’t have the power to set the edge and will get run out of plays against NFL tackles. As a standup LB he could be effective working in space, reading and reacting. Again, impressed with his motor as he rarely gives up on the play even when he was getting driven out of the play.

Size/Strength/Athleticism: Elite length at 6042 as he’s an ideal frame to standup or play in the LEO or 9-technique. Rare athletic talent that is loose in the hips with the ability to cover tight ends or backs. Aside from great long speed, he shows great explosiveness. He could stand to add bulk to his frame and some girth in the lower body. Explosive pop with his hands and he’s strong in the upper body. Played around 225 pounds at LSU and will need to suit up in the 240 range in the NFL. Questionable strength will be the largest question mark heading into the league.

Bottom Line: Barkevious Mingo has elite physical tools but lacks the power to be a complete player early in his career. Teams could be intrigued by his physical gifts and he could wind up in the top five of the draft. His lack of production at LSU was two-fold, for me. 1). Raw tools that needed developed with little instincts 2). Scheme didn’t maximize his skill set. In the right system he could be a productive force but I wouldn’t expect him to be an instant impact player at the next level on a down in, down out basis. I think his floor is with the Jets at No. 9 and could go as high as No. 2 to Jacksonville. With offenses looking to add speed all over the field, the value of guys like Mingo only increases. His best fit is as a rush linebacker as I can see him being dangerous off the edge from day one and may be the easiest transition of the 4-3 college DE’s in terms of coverage (I don’t count Dion Jordan in this group).

Possible landing spots in round one: Jacksonville, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, NY Jets, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Seattle