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Marcus Thomas
DT | (6'2", 314, 4.97) | FLORIDA
Scouts Grade: 70
Flags: (C: CHARACTER) Problems on and off the field(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy Selected by: Denver Broncos
Round: 4
Pick (Overall): 22(121)
Strengths: Explosive one-gap defensive tackle prospect. Possesses adequate-to-good height and the frame to continue to add bulk. Displays very good initial quickness and top-end speed for the position. Very mobile and active interior defender. Wins most battles with first-step quickness. Does a fine job of locating the ball once in the backfield. Shows outstanding change of direction skills and makes more plays in pursuit than most DT's at this level. He displays a powerful upper body. Is a productive pass rusher because of his initial burst and he can become even more effective with improved technique. He's quick and effective on stunts and twists. Displays the ability to collapse the pocket as a bull rusher. He also can contribute on special teams -- he blocked one field goal attempt and one extra point attempt in 2005.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size. He displays explosive initial power but lacks the wide base to consistently anchor versus the run. He will never be a good fit in a two-gap scheme. His motor runs hot and cold. Has some trouble getting off of blocks and must learn to do a better job with his hands. Also needs to add more pass rush moves to his repertoire. Struggles once reached as a pass rusher and also gets frustrated by the double team. Durability is somewhat of a concern after hernia surgery in April, 2006.
Overall: Thomas saw action in 12 games (two starts) as a true freshman in 2003, missed the LSU game with an ankle sprain, and finished the season with 47 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. In 2004, he started all 12 games at defensive tackle making 39 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Thomas again started all 12 games during the 2005 season, recording 45 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks. In 2006, Thomas was dismissed from the Florida football team for "failing to meet responsibilities and obligations" just one month after he was reinstated from a two-game suspension due to a failed drug test (marijuana). He started four of the five games he played in last season and finished with 26 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Thomas is a disruptive interior defender with an outstanding blend of first-step quickness and power. He was playing the best football of his career prior to being kicked off the Florida football team eight games into his senior season. In fact, it was our opinion that Thomas had emerged as the top overall defensive tackle prospect in the 2007 senior class at midseason. However, it would come as no surprise if Thomas' off-the-field problems caused him to freefall to the second day of the draft. Thomas' durability issues and an inconsistent motor could also turn some teams off.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
Marcus Thomas
DT | (6'2", 314, 4.97) | FLORIDA
Scouts Grade: 70
Flags: (C: CHARACTER) Problems on and off the field(D: DURABILITY) Player that can't stay healthy Selected by: Denver Broncos
Round: 4
Pick (Overall): 22(121)
Strengths: Explosive one-gap defensive tackle prospect. Possesses adequate-to-good height and the frame to continue to add bulk. Displays very good initial quickness and top-end speed for the position. Very mobile and active interior defender. Wins most battles with first-step quickness. Does a fine job of locating the ball once in the backfield. Shows outstanding change of direction skills and makes more plays in pursuit than most DT's at this level. He displays a powerful upper body. Is a productive pass rusher because of his initial burst and he can become even more effective with improved technique. He's quick and effective on stunts and twists. Displays the ability to collapse the pocket as a bull rusher. He also can contribute on special teams -- he blocked one field goal attempt and one extra point attempt in 2005.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal size. He displays explosive initial power but lacks the wide base to consistently anchor versus the run. He will never be a good fit in a two-gap scheme. His motor runs hot and cold. Has some trouble getting off of blocks and must learn to do a better job with his hands. Also needs to add more pass rush moves to his repertoire. Struggles once reached as a pass rusher and also gets frustrated by the double team. Durability is somewhat of a concern after hernia surgery in April, 2006.
Overall: Thomas saw action in 12 games (two starts) as a true freshman in 2003, missed the LSU game with an ankle sprain, and finished the season with 47 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. In 2004, he started all 12 games at defensive tackle making 39 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Thomas again started all 12 games during the 2005 season, recording 45 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks. In 2006, Thomas was dismissed from the Florida football team for "failing to meet responsibilities and obligations" just one month after he was reinstated from a two-game suspension due to a failed drug test (marijuana). He started four of the five games he played in last season and finished with 26 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Thomas is a disruptive interior defender with an outstanding blend of first-step quickness and power. He was playing the best football of his career prior to being kicked off the Florida football team eight games into his senior season. In fact, it was our opinion that Thomas had emerged as the top overall defensive tackle prospect in the 2007 senior class at midseason. However, it would come as no surprise if Thomas' off-the-field problems caused him to freefall to the second day of the draft. Thomas' durability issues and an inconsistent motor could also turn some teams off.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.
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