Defensive End
Mississippi
6-4 277
40 time: 4.79
Draft board overall prospect rank: #76
Draft board defensive end rank: #8
Overall rating: 74*
3/23/10: I think he saved his stock and may have put himself back into day two consideration at his Pro Day. He lost about 8 pounds (now at 277) and ran 4.79, .8 seconds faster. He’s still talented and some teams may take this improvement and the lost weight as a sign of improvement. I still have my doubts, but this helps.
3/1/10: First Hardy came to the combine at about 20 pounds heavier than expected and he did not carry that weight well running a 4.87 40. He also put up 21 reps of 225 pounds. He already has the injury prone label and if enough teams give him the lazy label, he won’t go before the 3rd round.
2/27/10: He looked out of shape weighing in at 281 pounds, 20 more than expected. The injuries issues were already there in large part. The last thing he needed was concerns about his work ethic and character.
1/21/10: If he can put injuries behind him, he could be a very good player at the next level. He has 24 sacks over the last 3 years despite injuries and had 5.5 this year in 8 games and he has the skills to be a top ten pick, but he always seems to hurt something. He’ll probably be a 2nd round pick which could actually be good for him, teach him not to be complacent as so many defensive lineman who sign big deals become.
Update (11/2/09): When healthy he’s an elite pass rusher, however, he is always hurt in one way or another.
7/30/09: Greg Hardy is a talented physical pass rusher. He doesn’t have the best timed speed, but he gets a good push off the line and is a great bull rusher. He’s very aggressive and is hard to keep out of the backfield. He has put up good production in college with 21 sacks in 27 career college games. He’s an above average run stopper for a defensive end with his good upper and lower body strength. His run stopping ability allow him to move inside on a 4 man line on passing downs. He has the potential to be a top 5 pick, but there are a few issues with him. He’s very injury prone and has missed 8 games in 3 seasons with injuries. He doesn’t have the best motor and can take plays off which is a huge red flag. He’s a streaky player who can be a star for a few games, but then disappear for another few. He has off field issues and was suspended for 2 games during his sophomore season. He only fits in a 4-3 because his lack of speed and his ineptness in pass coverage make him a liability as a 3-4 rush linebacker and he doesn’t have the size to play up front on a 3 man line. Of course, all of that was true of Robert Ayers last season and Josh McDaniels still drafted him to play in a 3-4 so anything could happen with Hardy. He’s currently a fringe 1st round prospect, but if he can play 100% this season and proof his foot injury is a thing of a past, he could shoot up into the top 10. He’s got good hands for his position and has played tight end at times, but he struggle with the fundamentals of pass coverage so I doubt he can guard tight ends as a 3-4 rush linebacker. If he can improve in this area, he could fit in a 3-4 which would help his draft stock. He plays a position that is always in great need and that will help him.
NFL Comparison: Antawn Odom
*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here
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