Sedrick Ellis SELECTED BY: New Orleans Saints Round 1(7)

SI Grade 4.34 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter named PAC 10 Defensive Player of the Year last season after totaling 58/12.5/8.5 and breaking up seven passes. Junior-year numbers included 34/8/4.5 when he was awarded the Morris Trophy as the top defensive lineman in the conference.

POSITIVES: Explosive penetrating defensive tackle who makes a lot of plays up the field. Displays outstanding first-step quickness, gets leverage on opponents, and plays with great balance. Fast off the edge, shows speed pursuing the action laterally, and chases hard to get involved in the action. Slides off blocks and knifes through the small gaps of the offensive line. Instinctive and plays with good awareness. Keeps his feet moving up the field and pushes blockers off the ball. Athletic and has the ability to make plays in every direction. Effectively works his hands and displays an array of moves when disengaging from blocks.

NEGATIVES: Lacks height, handled by a single blocker, and can be pushed from his angle of attack.

ANALYSIS: Ellis is a disruptive interior defensive lineman and a better version of former Trojan Mike Patterson. His draft stock has been steadily improving the past eight months and he comes off an exceptional performance at the Senior Bowl. Ellis is poised to be a top-eight selection and should quickly break into a starting lineup at the next level.