re: Saints 1st Rd Pick - Margus Hunt DE SMU

various scouting report comments-

Hunt’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism will pique the interest of coaches looking for projects with high ceilings. Plays like a first-rounder at times, but his production has never matched his physical tools. Style of play and physical tools recall 2007 first-round pick Adam Carriker.

A multi-sport athlete who stands at a stunning 6?7, 290 pounds. Margus Hunt is a very hardworking prospect who has a fantastic motor. He has an intimidation factor with his size and is extremely powerful at the line. Hunt is a versatile prospect who should have no problem playing in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. Playing out in the WAC you have to have some skepticism about some of the competition he faced.

The senior started out poorly in 2012 with a bad game against Baylor. He played better since then including quality showings against Texas A&M, Houston, Southern Miss and TCU. Hunt has 28 tackles, six sacks, an interception, two passes batted and three blocked kicks in 2012. His technique in run defense and executing pass-rushing moves has really improved, but he is still extremely raw. Hunt had one sack in his last five games. Hunt may be best as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense for the NFL.

On the field, however, Hunt’s performance doesn’t match the lofty expectations his measurables invoke. His best quality is his length, which he uses well. On Special Teams, Hunt has managed an outstanding 10 blocked Field Goals or Punts during his short time at SMU. He uses his length well on Special Teams, but he doesn’t use it nearly as well as he can when he’s in on the Defensive Line.

Hunt managed to record just three sacks despite measurables that shouldn’t be blockable, especially in Conference USA. When in an obvious passing situation, Hunt is a good pass rusher. When he’s unleashed on 3rd downs, he can use his long arms and his strength to maneuver his way to the Quarterback.

However, he doesn’t recognize offensive schemes well at this point, so that means in short yardage situations, or early down throws, he’s not so effective rushing the passer. Against the run, he’s bad. He’s pushed back a lot because lineman are able to get underneath him. He struggles finding the ball on play-fakes as well.

Another very important factor in his potential draft stock is the fact that he will be 26 before he ever plays a down in the NFL. There have been a couple of first round prospects at or above that age in recent memory, but those players were polished products. Hunt is still very much a project.

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where he is listed on some DE prospects ratings-

8 Scott Wright
10 Walter Football
9 Great Blue North
7 Draft Daddy

looks far too raw for 1st Rd, will dazzle at the combine but not much experience or great tape.

More like Michael Johnson Cincy that I've been pimping as a UDFA. Same in that Johnson had recognized 1st Rd quality tools but the rawness/inexperience dropped him to the 3rd. It has taken him three years for the talent to kick in as a productive player. In fact an even better example might be our own DT Hicks- extremely high ceiling but so raw it will take some time to develop.

The larger factor with Hunt as a project is age. As mentioned, he might be 29-30 before you start getting the real return on investment.