Round 1: Pick 23 Vikings select DT Sharrif Floyd

[VCU4LIFEGOVIKS]

Sharrif Floyd - DL - Vikings
Apr 25 - 10:45 PM

Vikings selected Florida DT Sharrif Floyd with the No. 23 overall pick.

Commonly mocked to the Raiders at No. 3 overall, Floyd suffered the biggest free fall of the night. A 6-foot-2 5/8, 297 classic three-technique interior rusher, Floyd finished his three-year Gators career with 26 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three field goal blocks, and one forced fumble across 26 starts. Floyd ran 4.92 at the Combine with a 1.68 ten-yard split and 30-inch vertical. Deemed "without question" this draft's No. 1 player on tape by NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, Floyd is an up-field penetrator in the mold of Warren Sapp. He'll be a threat for 6-8 sacks as a rookie while serving as 32-year-old Kevin Williams' eventual successor.

http://www.rotoworld.com/playernews/nfl/football?rw=1

Overview

Floyd signed with Florida as the highest regarded prep defensive tackle prospect in the country, according to some recruiting experts.

While plenty celebrated as a prospect, Floyd had a rough upbringing. He didn't know his father, who has since passed away. He lived for awhile with his mother, his great-grandmother and several others throughout high school, including newly adopted parents in a scenario similar to that of Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Michael Oher, whose story made famous by the Michael Lewis book, "The Blind Side."

Upon signing with the Gators, Floyd immediately proved up to the hype, earning a spot on the 2010 All-SEC Freshman team (as voted by the coaches) with 23 tackles, including 6.5 for loss.

Floyd showed off the versatility that could result in his earning a high-round selection by playing every position along the defensive line for Florida as a true sophomore. Lining up predominately at defensive end, Floyd registered 46 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His sacks came against Ohio State in the Gator Bowl, foreshadowing a breakout performance throughout the rest of 2012.

The 6-3, 303-pound junior was moved back inside to his more natural defensive tackle position as a junior and stepped up his play. Though his tackle numbers remained the same (46), Floyd's big plays multiplied. He posted 13 tackles for loss in 2012, including 6.5 sacks, earning First Team all-conference honors.

While his Gators lost the Sugar Bowl to Teddy Bridgewater and Louisville, Floyd was dynamic, sacking the mobile sophomore quarterback twice, leading scouts to wonder what could be in store for 2013 and beyond.

Analysis

STRENGTHS: Has a naturally powerful frame with wide shoulders, a surprisingly trim waistline and the thick lower-half conducive to anchoring as a two-gap defender and run-stuffing presence in the middle. Flashes a terrific initial burst off the snap, showing the quickness to split gaps or even challenge lethargic offensive tackles when he's asked to line up wide.

Uses his hands well to chop at blockers attempting to latch on to his chest, ripping away and showing a nice over-arm swim move. Good lateral agility to "get skinny" through gaps and shows enough short-area quickness to close when the ballcarrier is near. Has made gains each of his three seasons of collegiate football and could be just scratching the surface of his potential.

WEAKNESSES: Remains rough around the edges. While quick off the snap, Floyd has a tendency to lose sight of the ball and get too caught up in hand-fighting with offensive linemen. Some of this is due to the fact that he often stands up at the snap, losing his natural leverage advantage, as well as his impressive combination of burst and strength.

Has great initial quickness but does not appear to have the sustained quickness to translate into a consistent interior pass rush threat -- at least not against today's increasingly mobile dual-threat passers.

COMPARES TO: Corey Liuget, DL, San Diego Chargers -- Athletic, strong and capable of emerging as a standout as either a 3-4 defensive end or 4-3 defensive tackle, Floyd has talent and upside to virtually guarantee at top 10 selection despite the fact that he has flashed more than dominated throughout his collegiate career.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/p.../sharrif-floyd

[goingfor28]

Fkn awesome! Who'd a thunk it.

[TearsOfPurple]

Huge steal!

[iliketurtles24]

where was he projected to go?

[goingfor28]

Possibly to Oakland at 3. Huuuuge steal

[vikingsfan0845]

@TomPelissero: Spielman says he went through a thousand scenarios and none of them included Sharrif Floyd falling to 23.

@TomPelissero: Spielman says #vikings consider Floyd an under tackle aka three technique. Said they got a lot of calls about 25th pick.

[TearsOfPurple]

where was he projected to go?

Top 5 prospect. He's a Randy Moss type of fall, he fell because of character.

[boms-4]

Steal of the first round without a doubt.

[pacofunk64]

What were his character concerns? I like the Warren Sapp comparison.

[steelcityroller]

Top 5 prospect. He's a Randy Moss type of fall, he fell because of character.

I'm a Florida fan and think you guys had a great 1st round. But I don't consider this a steal because IMO this was in the range where he belonged the whole time..... The guy had 4.5 sacks in his career as a Gator. He was way overrated being projected in the top 5 and apparently most of the league felt the same way as he fell to 23....

[PurpleJesus]

The character concerns are so overblown with this guy, as are the lack of production concerns.

The character concerns come from the school raising money for him by having a bake sale, so he could attend some football event...NCAA viewed it as improper benefits, and originally suspended him for 4 games, but lowered it to 2.

The lack of production concerns come from him having only 5 sacks in his career, but 3 of them came this year, and he led his team with 13 tackles for loss this season as well.

Amazing pick. I am thinking that Rhodes and Patterson were Spielmans targets at 23 and 25, but when Floyd was there, he felt he had to take him, and this made Rhodes the target at 25...thankfully Rhodes lasted one more pick, and we got him. As a couple more picks went by, Spielman thought **** it, I'm going to get the other guy I wanted too, and he pulled the trigger to move up and grab Patterson. I truly think Patterson and Rhodes were the two targets, and we got them, while also getting a guy that no one thought would be available at our pick...ala Randy Moss, ala Percy Harvin

[TheSportMessiah]

What were his character concerns? I like the Warren Sapp comparison.

Good football character. Has overcome extreme hardship to get to this point in his life. In September of 2011, Florida declared Floyd ineligible for violations of NCAA preferential treatment rules, including receiving $2,500 cash over several months from an individual not associated with the university. He was suspended for first two games of 2011 season and was ordered to repay the money to a charity. However, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and head coach Will Muschamp have spoken highly of Floyd. Floyd's background. Floyd grew up without his parents in Philadelphia, PA. He comes from financial hardship and spent time living with his grandmother when he wasn't staying with a high school coach, guidance counselor and others.

He has lived a tough life...and yet he has reached his dream of being an NFL player...i don't think there were any character concerns that teams had about him...if they did that is ridiculous...teams were just worried because of his sack total i guess...but when you see him on tape he is constantly penetrating the line...drawing double teams...and shedding blocks to make tackles.

[PurpleJesus]

I'm a Florida fan and think you guys had a great 1st round. But I don't consider this a steal because IMO this was in the range where he belonged the whole time..... The guy had 4.5 sacks in his career as a Gator. He was way overrated being projected in the top 5 and apparently most of the league felt the same way as he fell to 23....

Who led Florida in sacks last year? What kind of help did Sharrif have on that line? From what I understand, Florida didnt have any outside pass rushers, which allowed opposing QB's to escape the pocket quite a bit from the middle rush...Flordia's leading sack man had 4 sacks last year...Sharrif had 3 sacks last year.

[Vikes_Fan04]

Good football character. Has overcome extreme hardship to get to this point in his life. In September of 2011, Florida declared Floyd ineligible for violations of NCAA preferential treatment rules, including receiving $2,500 cash over several months from an individual not associated with the university. He was suspended for first two games of 2011 season and was ordered to repay the money to a charity. However, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley and head coach Will Muschamp have spoken highly of Floyd. Floyd's background. Floyd grew up without his parents in Philadelphia, PA. He comes from financial hardship and spent time living with his grandmother when he wasn't staying with a high school coach, guidance counselor and others.

He has lived a tough life...and yet he has reached his dream of being an NFL player...i don't think there were any character concerns that teams had about him...if they did that is ridiculous...teams were just worried because of his sack total i guess...but when you see him on tape he is constantly penetrating the line...drawing double teams...and shedding blocks to make tackles.

Wow I didn't realize how hard he had it. I know when Deion was interviewing him he kind of brought it up but, not that in depth. Nice read. It sounds like Coach Frazier is just the right coach for him.

[TearsOfPurple]

I'm a Florida fan and think you guys had a great 1st round. But I don't consider this a steal because IMO this was in the range where he belonged the whole time..... The guy had 4.5 sacks in his career as a Gator. He was way overrated being projected in the top 5 and apparently most of the league felt the same way as he fell to 23....

He compares very well to Sapp. I never ever thought he would fall to us, just like I'm sure many thought the same of Moss. The kid is coming with a chip on his shoulder and will get some great veteran help with JA/KW/BRob, and a great players coach in Frazier. You win in the trenches, and he was the top DT IMO. The skys the limit.