Player Spotlight; Chris Long

Player Spotlight; Chris Long

When you dominate a quality conference like the ACC such as Chris Long did in 2007 it makes your draftstock go through the roof. Add in the fact that Long was first seen as a superior run-stopper before putting it all together and showing his pass-rushing skills as a senior and you are seeing a polished product. Of course when you father is an NFL Hall of Famer at the same position (longtime Raider Howie Long) it certainly doesn’t hurt you in the eyes of many team executives and decision makers.
 
Chris Long                             Defensive End                       Virginia
Senior                                     6-4                                           280
 
Strengths: Versatility
Weaknesses: Explosion off the snap

Statline: Monster senior season at Virginia that saw him register 79 tackles with 19 coming for loss, 14 sacks and 23 quarterback hurries. Also tied for the team lead with 9 passes defensed, a rarity for a defensive end.

Technique: Terrific technique, keeps hands in good position and gets inside opposing tackles. Also a well-rounded prospect due to the fact that he is moved around the line and has played inside on occasion with his large frame and excelled.

Known Injuries:  No major injuries to speak of, played in all 12 games for the third consecutive year.

Combine / Workout Assessment: Coming Soon.

DJ Boyer's Analysis: Easily the most rounded prospect at the defensive end position in this draft and is the top prospect despite some very athletic linemen behind him like Derrick Harvey, Calais Campbell and Vernon Gholston. Doubled his career sack total as a senior but has shown steady progression in his three years as a starter. Long gives a lot of credit to former Cavalier standout offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson for molding him into a complete player as he had to face the All-American everyday when he was in his first year as a starter when he was a sophomore. Not only are the stats for Long impressive but he comes up with big plays at key moments in a game. Weather it is registering a safety against Maryland and seeing the Cavaliers win by a point, blocking a field goal in a two point win over Middle Tennessee State, intercepting a pass against North Carolina and returning it 25 yards to set up the winning field goal or coming up with a big sack and forcing a fumble in a one point win over Connecticut. Long just has a knack for making impact plays at the right time during a game. As good as Long is I do not see him making an immediate NFL impact, he will need a season or two to develop like we saw out of Mario Williams in 2007. The fact that Long is so active in run pursuit and can play in so many situations and line up virtually anywhere on the line will make him a virtual lock to be a top 5 pick and a player who will make an impact even when not making the tackle himself.

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