Brian Orakpo SELECTED BY: Redskins Round 1 (13)

SI Grade 4.27 GRADING SYSTEM

BIOGRAPHY: Two-year starter awarded all-Conference and All-America honors as a senior, while also being awarded the Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player, Lombardi Award as the nation's top lineman, and Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end. Senior totals included 42/19/11.5. Started eight games as a junior posting 37/9/5.5. Missed four games in 07 with a right knee injury.

POSITIVES: Explosive pass rushing athlete flying up draft boards. Plays with great balance, body control and rarely off his feet. Displays tremendous first step quickness, explosive off the edge, and fast in every direction of the field. Quickly changes direction, immediately alters his angle of attack, and shows ability in pursuit. Exploits large tackles, and shows the ability to beat blockers around the outside and stay within his pass rush angle. Slices to the inside and wedges between opponents to get up the field, and possesses a great burst of closing speed. Displays a solid head for the ball, and quickly locates the action.

NEGATIVES: Has struggled with injuries the past two seasons. Will have difficulty defending the run early in his NFL career.

ANALYSIS: Orakpo is an explosive prospect who makes a lot of athletic plays on the field. He offers ability lined up in a three-point stance at defensive end or standing up over tackle at outside linebacker. Orakpo also possesses terrific upside potential, and he is the type of player creative defensive coordinators will place all over the field to take advantage of his ability to disrupt the action.

PROJECTION: First Round