Defensive Tackle/3-4 defensive end 

Duke

6-5 303

40 time: 5.43

Draft board overall prospect rank: #98

Draft board defensive tackle rank: #10

Overall rating: 69*

4/2/10: A 5.29 forty was just the start, after a 5.43 at The Combine, but Oghobaase looked much healthier today than he did a month ago. He’s a first round talent when healthy, the issue is, with his injuries, past and present, he’s probably a 4th rounder.

1/20/10: I loved him before the season, but injuries and inconsistencies on the field have brought him back down my board after I called him a 1^st round prospect last year. If he can put it all together, he’s a fierce intimidating force on the defensive line as a 315 pound pass rusher who can control multiple blockers and may the edge rushers even better. He can play in both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes.

Update (11/2/09): Completely different player this year in a bad way. It may be injuries that are plaguing him but, he’s hurting his draft stock.

            8/24/09: Very few people have heard of Oghobaase, mostly because Duke is known for basketball and education, rather than football. However, he’s the real deal as a football player. He’s big at 310 and has a low body fat percentage for someone of that weight, but his size isn’t even his best attribute. He’s a great interior pass rusher. He had 6 sacks last season at 4-3 nose tackle for the Blue Devils. One of my favorite things in football is a big pass rushing 4-3 nose tackle, because he can free up one on one matchups in pass rush for everyone else on the defense because you almost have to double team him. That’s the reason why Albert Haynesworth, 7.5 sacks at 317 pounds last year, was so valuable and why the Titans were so good. It has been proven that other defensive lineman have struggled after leaving Haynesworth in Tennessee, while other’s have emerged as pass rushers once going to Tennessee. Tennessee will learn this year Haynesworth’s value as he is now in Washington. This is not to say that Oghobaase is as good as Haynesworth, but he’s built in the mold of Haynesworth. He’s a big interior rush presence that isn’t a liability against the run. His timed speed is average for his size, but his quickness is amazing for his size. He is a tough run stopper as well and could play 3-4 nose tackle. However, 3-4 nose tackle is not right for him because it wouldn’t optimize his pass rushing ability. He can play 4-3 under tackle, 4-3 nose tackle, and 3-4 defensive end. The only concerns would be his motor which is not always 100%. His stats last year and the impact he had on the team were good, but not great and he’s shown flashes of brilliance which lead me to believe that if is motor is on 100% more he could do some amazing things in the NFL. In his defense, it is hard to have your motor on 100% when you’re that big, even Haynesworth has hustle problems, but for some scouts that is a big red flag. I think that scouts will start to take more notice to the impact Oghobaase can have on a football field this season and I think he will wind up a first round prospect because of his versatility. However, he will be more valuable to an NFL team longterm than the average first rounder because of his unique skill set.

NFL Comparison: Tommy Kelly

*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here