Analyst: Hightower ‘looks more explosive than Upshaw off the edge’

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Posted on 04/26/2012 by torsborn


IRVING – ESPNDallas.com is speculating that the Cowboys, who own the 14th overall pick, could trade down in the first round for additional picks and a shot at selecting Dont’a Hightower.

So just what kind of player would they be getting in the Alabama linebacker?

Hightower is 6 foot 2, 265 pounds and has been described by Walter Football as “a physical, in-the-box defender” that “regularly beat collegiate offensive linemen without difficulty.”

Hightower, however, does have an injury history. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2009 that cost him most of his sophomore season.

But that shouldn’t be enough to keep him from going in the first round, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said.

“To be honest, the guy I’m most surprised with finally finishing up tape study in the past weeks is Dont’a Hightower,” McShay said in a recent media conference call. “I think he’s a top 20 player in this draft. I know he had a knee injury and he doesn’t have elite speed, but he’s 265 pounds, somewhere in that range, and great versus the inside run. He’s also a pass rusher that can get off the edge, which was an addition to his game this past year…He’s got great hands, quick, can swim and get off the line.”

McShay said there were times that Hightower looked more explosive coming off the edge than another first-round prospect from Alabama, outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

“So I think (rushing off the edge) is legitimately something he can do at the next level,” McShay said.
 

ThoughtExperiment

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Well, I think Bill Jones had us trading down and putting him at Spencer's spot...

But yeah, unfortunately he's probably one of those really good players the Steelers or Patriots end up with.
 

dbair1967

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Not what almost everyone else says who looks at these players...most say he isnt a fulltime player at OLB at all

he is an explosive hitter, but he's never looked like a premier pass rusher to me and I watch alot of their games
 

Bob Sacamano

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Well, I think Bill Jones had us trading down and putting him at Spencer's spot...

But yeah, unfortunately he's probably one of those really good players the Steelers or Patriots end up with.

Yep. If we had spent more resources on OLB, we could draft Hightower to give us one of the best LB corps in the league. But alas.

Hightower really jumps out at on you on tape. He's very explosive.
 

overused

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Not what almost everyone else says who looks at these players...most say he isnt a fulltime player at OLB at all

he is an explosive hitter, but he's never looked like a premier pass rusher to me and I watch alot of their games

@JoshNorris
I'm sure I'm not alone here, but think Dont'a Hightower's worst position is the one he played most in college, ILB. Better at SLB or 3-4 OLB

@JoshNorris
Should say Hightower was a solid ILB and can definitely play there in NFL to fill a specific thumper role. 1 of the most versatile prospects
 
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