Kiper's latest mock has us taking Dupree at 16. His analysis is below, but what I don't get is, what does Dupree offer us next year that Mercilus doesn't. They seem very similar in my opinion. Mercy measured in at 6'4'' 261 lb. in the combine. I don't watch much tape, outside of @PatDStat, but even Kiper's descriptions reminds me of Mercy. Would he be that big of an upgrade? COLLEGE: Kentucky Class: Sr HT: 6-4 WT: 269 POS: OLB Analysis: J.J. Watt is going to look like the best pass-rusher on any depth chart, but the drop-off between him and everyone else on the Texans' roster is bigger than they'd like to see at this point, and adding a high-upside athlete and edge rusher with the size and athleticism to move around depending on how you want to mix your looks is a good get here. Dupree has produced, and against top competition. And while he's not a mechanic in terms of pass-rushing tools, he has the traits you look for and the potential to get better.
I think they want Clowney/Mercilus' position to be like the SAM where they'll need to fall into coverage sometimes. If Dupree gets drafted, I think he will play the Brooks Reed position and almost never have to cover.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oXYLlrJ5OFY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> He's raw but has crazy potential.
Reed dropped into coverage a lot I don't understand where this idea has come from that mercilus can cover
Mercilus' bright future is behind him. He's had his chance to be the shiny new toy, and peed his pants instead. Dupree's bright future is ahead of him. Mercilus didn't live up to his potential. He's a one dimensional mediocre sack specialist. Dupree could be that - he could even be less than that, but he could still turn into a complete player, with coaching and effort. Mercilus, on the other hand, is a dead end street. If he hasn't grown by now, he's not going to. There is overlap for one year, but Mercilus will be gone after next year. The Texans aren't going to bring Mericilus back for more than $8 million per. He's a decent value at $1 million. He is ridiculously overpaid at $8 million. That's almost as much as Foster is on the books for for next year, and I'm going to bet they are going to balk at paying him (Foster) that much and will cut him. Mercilus is no Arian Foster. Dupree also put up much better combine results than Mercilus, where he participated: 4.56 vs 4.68 40 42 vs 32 inch vertical 138 vs 118 long jump Finally, just because some hack writing a draft guide lists them both as "raw pass rusher" doesn't make the two equal.
Agreed. I'm not a fan at all, but at least get his position right. He is the rusher. he can't drop into coverage and that's why he and clowney can't play together.
It didn't mean it as low. I just meant it as a joke. I always thought it was cool that Mercilus lost his finger trying to help someone out.