Rams' 5th-round pick #154: Cliff Ryan, DL, Michigan State

(4/29/07)

Cliff Ryan 6'3" 310 5.12

PFW lists him #31 at the DE position; not in the top 150 players.
Can also play tackle. Three-year starter; played end his sophomore
and junior years; tackle his senior year. Four sacks and 13 hurries in
'06. Good strength; will chase and pursue down the line... Can be late
to find the ball. Doesn't show strength or power to collapse the pocket.
Too much finess; not a strong tackler... Had some early-season production,
and looked like a player against Notre Dame, but faded down the stretch
and seemed to be going through the motions. Has ability to warrant being
drafted, but has to learn how to use it to make a team.

War Room board listed Ryan as an early fifth-rounder.
Sporting News evaluated him as a tackle: Versatile and productive. A
tweener most suited to playing tackle.

Scout.com has Ryan valued right about here, mid-5th-round, as a DE.
Three-year starter experienced at tackle and end. Hard-working leverage
lineman who makes plays in all directions. Quick off the snap, can wedge
through small creases, immediately changes direction. Works hard to get
involved against the run... Undersized and can be controlled by a single
blocker; marginally productive in college... Explosive lineman who made
plenty of big plays. An underrated prospect who can be used as a 3-technique
tackle or a 2-gap end.

I've been banging on the Rams for not getting deep enough on the line.
Ryan looks like a pretty good acquisition this late in the draft and the
way d-linemen have been flying off the board. Like how the Rams are
making a conscious effort to get physically stronger on both lines.
Thumbs up.