Robert Quinn 6'4" 265DE, North Carolina
Rankings:
Pro Football Weekly: #8 player overall, #2 defensive end after Da'Quan Bowers. Grade: 6.45, should become a quality NFL player, near-Pro Bowl caliber.
NFLDraftScout.com: #5 player overall, #1 defensive end. First-round grade.
Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News): #9 player overall, #1 defensive end.
DraftCountdown.com: #5 player overall, #1 defensive end. First-round grade.
Biography/Honors:
2010: Did not play. Ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA for dealing with an agent.
2009: First-team all-ACC. Second team All-America. 13 starts at right end. 52 tackles, 19 for loss (2nd in ACC), 11 sacks (led ACC).
2008: As true freshman, started 12 times at right end in 13 games. 34 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass batted down and two forced fumbles. Won ACC Brian Piccolo Award for most courageous player.
Academics: Major undecided.
Injuries:
2007: Required brain surgery his senior year of high school because a tumor blocked his spinal cavity and caused swelling in his brain. When surgery was performed, the tumor was determined to be benign, and Robert still has it. Reportedly Quinn was not cleared by doctors of three teams drafting in the top ten.
NFL Combine Stats:
4.70 40-yard dash (top ten for defensive linemen)
1.63 10-yard split time (unofficial, .03 off the fastest reported time)
34.0 vertical (top ten for defensive linemen)
9'8" broad jump
7.13 3-cone drill
4.43 20-yard shuttle
22 bench press reps at 225 lbs
Wonderlic score (unconfirmed): 26
Positives:
Three-time state wrestling champion, should understand leverage. Athletic build with long arms. Has frame to add another 10-15 pounds. Speed, agility and movement skills of a linebacker. Good tackling strength and balance. Forced eight fumbles in only two seasons. Dominant, explosive first step. Has good rip move and jab-step. Can explode off snap and fly by offensive tackles. Can dip and bend the corner with speed and has terrific finishing burst. Gave Anthony Costanzo fits in '09 game. Moves well laterally. Quick hands and feet. Can spin off blocks. Drops into zone with ease; Spagnuolo will love that. High upside and terrific work ethic. Stayed in top shape despite being suspended last year. Says he hasn't had a headache since his brain surgery in 2007 and gets an MRI every six months. Enticing athleticism and potential. Quality person and teammate.
Negatives:
Didn't play last year. Brain tumor is always going to be a concern. Plays too tall in run defense and is too light and weak at the point of attack. Slices inside too much against the run and loses gap integrity. Will sometimes miss tackles going for the strip. Not physical, getting by right now on instincts and awareness. Shows surprisingly little technique. Not a great finisher. Inconsistent off the snap. Is often the last man off the ball. Relies too much on speed and quickness. Needs to develop more moves. Doesn't sense pressure well or understand blocking schemes. Sack numbers inflated because he was unblocked, against an overmatched tight end or just inferior competition. Comes across as a bit of a hoosier. Bust factor is significant given his lack of polish and physicality against the run. That lack of physicality may limit him to being only a pass rush specialist.
Compares to: Leonard Little is a very tempting comparison. Very similar in size and I see a lot of Leonard in Quinn's scouting reports. Quinn and #7 pick Aldon Smith are very similar physically, but Quinn shows better burst, and bested Smith in most of the Combine activities.
Fun Facts:
Robert is a three-time South Carolina wrestling champion and says he'd like to guest star in the WWE someday. He'll probably go with his nickname "El Roy" as his ring name, though I'd recommend "Mighty Quinn." You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn.
RamView:
Once considered a top-three player, Robert Quinn could be one of the steals of the draft. Bringing him to the Rams could be an ideal marriage of Quinn's raw ability and Steve Spagnuolo's ability to develop defensive ends. He should contribute in the pass rush rotation right away and eventually replace James Hall, and as a natural RDE, won't force Chris Long out of his favored left side. He clearly has rough edges to polish, but he can get bigger and stronger against the run and should fit what the Rams like to do on defense. Will keep our fingers crossed that his brain tumor remains relatively harmless - it hasn't bothered him since his operation - and give this pick a firm thumbs-up.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly, NFLDraftScout.com, DraftCountdown.com (Scott Wright), Cleveland Plain Dealer, ESPN (Adam Schefter)
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