Patriots NFL Draft Prospect: DE Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple

by Richard Hill on Apr 11, 2011 4:00 PM EDT in New England Patriots NFL Draft

Name: DE Muhammad Wilkerson

School: Temple

Size: 6'4, 315 lbs

Expected Round: 1st

40 Time: 4.96s

Career Stats: Click Here.

Player Previews: CBS; Walter Football; NFL Combine [If you would like your website included, please e-mail me!]

Strengths: Elite and prototypical size for a 3-4 DE. Great strength to hold the point of attack against double teams. Experienced in the 3-4 defense that Temple ran. Great closing step on the quarterback. Able to split double teams and push back single teams. Cuts through slide blocks to get into the backfield. Great force against the run and can shed blockers to grab the ball carrier. Extremely aware of the play around him, including how the opposition is trying to block him. High energy player who is well conditioned and can play the whole game (3 or 4 downs).

Weaknesses: Does not have a great first step off the snap and can lose a battle as soon as the play starts. Sometimes loses gap contain in order to press the quarterback, so needs to learn how to stay in his role in the NFL. Very limited pass rushing repertoire (bull rush, swim move) and won't be an elite pass rusher from the defensive end spot. May be better fit for the left defensive end spot that Ty Warren/Ron Brace already play.

Why and Why Not the Patriots after the jump, and my final verdict!

Why the Patriots?: If the Patriots are willing to have a line of three space eaters (Warren, Vince Wilfork, Wilkerson) who won't really pressure the quarterback, but will be able to watch all the gaps, then Wilkerson is a really good fit. I feel like taking Wilkerson would allow the Patriots to draft a speed rusher as opposed to a heavy run stopper because Wilkerson can step on the field and watch two gaps. Taking a smaller defensive end prospect would require a heavier outside linebacker to complement their play on the field and stop the run. Wilkerson automatically makes the outside linebackers better. The WWW defensive line would create lanes for all the linebackers to make plays.

Why Not the Patriots?: Wilkerson doesn't seem like he has the skill set to be a pass rusher in the NFL. He may notch 4-5 sacks a season (which I think is fine), but I doubt he'll be a constant threat against the quarterback in the Patriots' system. He'll be utilized to stop the run and he may not be able to pressure the pocket, while still having gap control. Wilkerson is also rising up the draft boards, which means that the Junior may be costly.

Verdict: I'm really high on Wilkerson as a prospect for the Patriots. I think he's exactly what they need at defensive end as a space eating run stopper who can maintain the point of attack and let the linebackers make the plays. He present solid value at the end of the first and he could be a Ty Warren-ish player on the defensive line- an under-appreciated talent who does everything well and increases the level of play of those around him.

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It might be worth pointing out

that on this team 4-5 sacks a season puts you near the top of the group lol

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Apr 11, 2011 4:26 PM EDT reply actions

I'm high on Wilkerson as well.

I think he has the potential to be a very solid end, and can replace the log-jam of ends that all bring something to the table, but not the complete package. A line of Wilkerson-Wilfork-Warren/Stroud would be a big improvement from last year, where we didn’t have much set in stone other than Big Vince.

He also may be a better pass rusher than people give him credit for. With Vince’s tutelage and some Belichickian grooming, we may have a very good player with Muhammad Wilkerson.

by BigRussNovak on Apr 11, 2011 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

I'd be thrilled with 4-5 sacks and solid run defense from a new DE

If we then get an OLB who can actually hit the QB consistently, our pass defense will have gone from mediocre at best to very good.

by RSNexile on Apr 11, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions

^I agree with all of this. We need a guy who is going to be there every play. Sacks would be a bonus. And we really don’t know how Ty Warren will play so we need a top caliber player.

by Patriots12 on Apr 11, 2011 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

Solid. I'd be happy.

by U. S. Grant on Apr 11, 2011 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

BB probably prefers this type of player

he is not from the right school and will he be a value pick…..I think if he drops he may be a target.

by tstorey1 on Apr 12, 2011 2:54 AM EDT reply actions

Just to throw it out there...

I wouldn’t think it’s impossible that the Pats go after both Heyward and Wilkerson at 28 and 33. Belichick’s said before that if one of those 3-4 DEs falls to you, you take him – and Wilkerson looks like the ideal 3-4 LDE and Heyward might well be an ideal 3-4 RDE.

Throw in the fact that the Pats flat-out ran out of D-linemen year because they were throwing bit-part guys into the grinder and they were getting spat out, it’s possible.

Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit

by Comedic.Sans on Apr 12, 2011 4:05 AM EDT reply actions

Wilkerson at #28 is an excellent selection

He has the skills to start this year and continue to improve. I’d think if he is drafted and then someone like Brooks Reed is obtained at #33 then the Pats have two quality rushers and two big needs filled.

This also makes a lot of sense if Bilichick bucks the mad rush on QBs and DTs that is almost sure to happen in the first round. Taking the #10 ranked DE doesn’t make sense at #17 when you can get the best OT in the draft. I think that is Constanzo who seems like an excellent fit for the Pat’s O line.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Apr 12, 2011 8:49 AM EDT reply actions