Melvin Ingram

One of the more overlooked aspects of Melvin Ingram's game is that the South Carolina defensive end/linebacker has logged some time, albeit briefly, at tackle during his career with the Gamecocks. That isn't likely to get Ingram, regarded by most scouts as the premier "edge" rusher in the draft pool, selected any higher. But it might be of some interest to teams who move outside rushers inside on third downs, attempting to create mismatches against slower guards. "It might not be a huge factor, but it's one more thing in his favor," said an NFC personnel chief. Of course, the projection is that Ingram will be chosen by a 3-4 team as a rush 'backer, and not many of those defenses align "edge" players inside in nickel situations. But if Ingram inexplicably slides in the first round, some 4-3 team might remember the three or four sacks he collected in his career while playing tackle. Again, most of the defenses that align outside players over guards, as with the New York Giants' so-called "NASCAR" look, rely on 4-3 fronts. There are a few 3-4 teams that might consider moving Ingram off the "edge" on third down, and blitzing him inside. The last word: "I think, in the NFL, they put even more emphasis on getting to the quarterback. Hey, it's important, no matter the level you're at. But I maybe didn't realize just how important it is to them until I started talking to teams. Man, they're all about it." - Ingram, arguably the top-rated pass rusher in the draft, and a guy who notched 19 sacks the past two seasons. - Len Pasquarelli, The Sports Xchange

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1620606/melvin-ingram

 

Does his versatility make him a really good fit for the Panthers with a need at DE, question(s) on Thomas Davis' health, and having the abilty to slide inside on passing downs?

what am I missing?

 

anybody? anything?

 

Hustle player who can look good with a competent defense around him but isn't physically talented enough to make things happen on his own.

 

I see Ingram more as a 3-4 D guy. Don't think he's an every down player for out D.

 

Sorry but you're wrong. Yes, he has a limitation or two but the guy is as "physically talented" as anyone his size to enter the draft in the last couple of years. He is in fact so friggin gifted that there is no clear single position to hang on him. And he made things happen on his own enough to be considered by many as the top pass rusher in this class. I saw almost every SC game last year and he was more of a game changing impact player than anyone on that defense. "can look good with a competent defense around him"? You aren't suggesting that those 19 sacks he registered in the past two years were just coverage sacks i hope. .. much of the time that secondary was pretty porous. Look, Ingram may not make the big jump to be an impact guy in the NFL but I'm not ready to bet against him. The guy flashed game-changing talent and was a force in college with legitimate impact potential. Unlike Poe he is not being considered as a top 10 pick without a ton of talent AND tons of plays to back it up.

 

What's the consensus on where he might go?

 

I agree. When I watch Ingram on tape, I see a Tasmanian devil. My concern with him isn't his tape, but as dumb as it sounds, his arm length. If the Panthers drafted him, it would be as a 4-3 end, and I'm not sure how effective he'll be there against pro tackles with super long arms. I'm afraid they'll lock him up and he'll go nowhere. I think he'll be sick as a 3-4 OLB though.

 

I like him very much for the reasons you state plus he is also known as a play-maker; but not at number 9.