Official Barkevious Mingo THUNDERDOME thread

I was against picking Mingo when Chad first posted saying we should. But the more I researched, the more I changed my mind.

The detractors say he is too light, he didn't produce enough or he doesn't have enought pass rush moves. Here's why they are wrong.

NFL Combine Results

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NFL Comparison: DeMarcus Ware

Bottom Line Mingo looks almost too lean to handle the physicality of NFL linemen, but has surprising strength to go along with the elite length and straight-line speed to rack up double-digit sack numbers (he had eight in 2011) and track down ball carriers (15 tackles for loss) as a 3-4 rush linebacker at the next level. He is a proverbial boom or bust prospect. Mingo's production dropped as a junior, and he failed to show much overall growth in his game over the course of his career. However, KeKe flashed the talent and projectable skills to be a dominant NFL pass rusher, and a position switch will likely serve him well, as the LSU Tiger was too often asked to play in a tight alignment on the strong side in college – a poor use of his strengths. Mingo's length, athleticism, and pass rush talent figure to make him a top 20 selection in the draft.

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He's been a DE in a 4-3 and has mainly used his speed. A lot of other guys did that in college too. Leonard Little, Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeny. None of those guys are known for any pass rushing moves (besides Peppers jumping and Mingo does that on occasion) and Mingo still has potential to be coached up with more pass rushing moves.




But he's too light you say? Here are some combine numbers for comparison. And remember, he's a Junior where most of these guys were/are seniors.

Ezekiel Ansah BYU 6-5 271
Barkevious Mingo LSU 6-4 241
Dion Jordan Oregon 6-6 248
DeMarcus Ware Troy 6-4 251
Terrell Suggs ASU 6-4 257
Aldon Smith Mizzou 6-4 263
Cliff Avril Purdue 6-3 252
Michael Johnson GT 6-7 266
Kamerion Wimbley FSU 6-4 248
Bruce Irvin 6-3 245



Where's the production? If you will, a comparison of Demarcus Ware and Barkevious Mingo pre draft:

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Demarcus Ware
6'4"
251 lbs

34 game starter
195 tackles
55.5 tackles for loss
27 sacks
10 forced fumbles

4.56 in the 40-yard dash
38.5-inch vertical jump
127 inch broad jump
7.08 second 3 cone drill

Barkevious Mingo
6'4"
241 lbs

15 game starter
119 tackles
29.0 tackles for loss
15 sacks
4 forced fumbles

4.58 second 40-yard dash
37.0 inch vertical jump
128.0 inch broad jump
6.84 second 3 cone drill

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Not that big of a difference if you look at what Mingo's stats could have been if he would have stayed an another year. And you have to consider the level of competition. DeMarcus Ware played Troy who may have been an independent at the time. He played LSU once as a Senior. I had to go look it up. He had 2 tackles and 0 sacks.










Bottom line: He has speed, and that can't be coached. He's projected as a top pick as an OLB for a reason. I didn't love him as a 4-3 DE, but he has Ware potential as 3-4 OLB. We need a game changing pass rusher. There haven't been many can't miss bona fide pass rusher. Most guys have question marks and go a little further down.

Bruce Irvin 15th pick
J.J. Watt 11th pick
Demarcus Ware 11th pick
Elvis Dumervil 126th pick (passed on because of size)
Aldon Smith 7th pick
Dwight Freeny 11th pick
Clay Matthews 26th pick
John Abraham 13th pick
Michael Johnson 70th pick
Cliff Avril 92nd pick