Draft Profile Series: Brent Urban
- Updated: May 3, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Brent Urban, DE/DT, 6-6 ½, 295, Virginia
Key stats: Had 40 tackles, 11.5 for loss and 9 passes defensed in 2013.
Strengths: Strong player who gives high effort on every snap. … Very tall with long wingspan. … Has good straight-line speed for a big man. … Wins with strength and determination. … Locks out arms and can control linemen. … Does great job using long arms and height to get into passing lanes and block passes. … Fights down line and makes tackles.
Weaknesses: Needs to work on some moves so he doesn’t have to solely rely on strength. … Stiff in his lateral movements and doesn’t have quickness to consistently penetrate. … Plays too high at times. … After he gets stymied, really has no counter moves to get off blocks. … Once offensive linemen turn him, Urban has real trouble holding ground and tends to get washed right out of play. … Needs plenty of technique work. … Right now is almost no threat as a pass rusher.
Conclusion: May be better suited to play as a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 rather than inside in a 4-3. … Urban has raw skills, but he won’t be able to win in the NFL by just going straight forward and trying to overpower offensive linemen. … Seems to be more of a developmental project that could make a roster as a backup with hopes of possibly one day improving enough to become a starter.
NFL comparison: Clifton Geathers/Alex Carrington.
Draft projection: Fourth or fifth round.
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