No clowning: Kony Ealy says he's the best defensive end
The cycle of hype and debate surrounding South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney — surefire all-pro one day, guaranteed bust the next — hasn't gone unnoticed to former Southeastern Conference rival Kony Ealy.
Clowney might become the No.1 pick in next month's NFL draft. But Ealy, a Missouri standout and a possible first-round pick himself, figures it's just a matter of time before he and others remind everyone Clowney isn't the only pass rusher available.
"I feel like I'm the best guy in this draft, period," Ealy told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday. "And that's not a cocky thing — that's just a confidence thing. It's not just talk. It's been proven. My numbers show for it. My size and speed and agility show for it. What else can you want?"
If production were all that mattered, not much. Playing in the same division of the SEC last year, Ealy had 9½ sacks and Clowney, who had broken out with 13 sacks in 2012, had three amid injuries and questions about his motivation.
On the flip side, one of Ealy's teammates, Michael Sam, had 11½ sacks on the way to earning SEC defensive player of the year honors in 2013 — and he's projected as a late-round pick. NFL teams look at traits, not numbers, and as impressive as Ealy is athletically, Clowney's on his own planet.
"I feel like it's not really a competition against just Jadeveon Clowney; it's a competition against ourselves," Oregon State defensive end Scott Crichton told USA TODAY Sports. "I'm trying to be the best in the whole league. That's my motivation."
Crichton played three years with the Beavers and had 22½ sacks. He also figures to be off the board before the second day ends, along with Clowney, Ealy, Notre Dame's Stephon Tuitt, Auburn's Dee Ford,
But only one is getting round-the-clock pre-draft coverage this year. Ealy says he's fine with the attention being on Clowney, whom he said he is "real cool" with and believes will do well as a pro.
"I just hope he keeps his head straight," Ealy said. "There's no knocking him. But I'm the best defensive end in this draft. I may not have a whole lot of hype, but I don't (need) anybody to acknowledge me."
Ealy maximized opportunities to show NFL teams their options, even after Clowney stopped conducting private workouts. Ealy said Tuesday he has worked out for seven teams and just finished his fifth and final visit.
Crichton recently wrapped up a five-day trip to Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver and San Diego. He also worked out for the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots and will visit the Seattle Seahawks today.
"I just can't wait to be on the field again and show them what I've got," Crichton said. "All these other defensive ends are phenomenal players, don't get me wrong. But I think I'm the most complete out of all of them."
In the end, Clowney is almost sure to be the first pass rusher off the board, if not the first player overall. The Houston Texans' decision on how to use their No.1 overall pick may have less to do with how he fits into their defense — likely as a pass rush-focused outside linebacker — than their comfort level with the total package.
To Ealy, the fact that the only questions about him are regarding his development on the field is one more reason to consider him the draft's best pass rusher. Doubt his freakish ability? Ealy said he snapped a metal blocking sled in half during a private workout.
"I've never had an injury, never had an off-the-field distraction," Ealy said. "I really don't pay attention to a lot of what outside people say.
"The only thing that matters is what the NFL coaches say, and then everybody else — we'll see what happens May 8."
TEAM NEEDS: Replacing pass rushers a priority
Dallas Cowboys: They cut DeMarcus Ware and haven't re-signed Anthony Spencer, who played in one game in 2013 before having microfracture knee surgery. A pass-rush presence is desperately needed, especially with defensive tackle Jason Hatcher gone as well.
Atlanta Falcons: Newly signed Tyson Jackson is a run stopper, not a pass rusher. Osi Umenyiora, 32, is no longer cut out to play every snap. They need somebody to generate more pressure off the edge. Ends combined for 11½ of their paltry 29 sacks last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward is an ascending player, but Ziggy Hood bolted to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Al Woods signed with the Tennessee Titans and 35-year-old Brett Keisel is a free agent. The only other ends on the roster were undrafted a year ago: Brian Arnfelt and Nick Williams.
Houston Texans: Durable Antonio Smith left for the Oakland Raiders, leaving a void opposite J.J. Watt. Pass rush help figures to come from upgrades at outside linebacker, but they need another end suited to Romeo Crennel's two-gap scheme.
New York Giants: Losing Umenyiora and Justin Tuck (Oakland Raiders) in consecutive offseasons thinned a deep pass-rushing group. They did sign Robert Ayers, who had a career-high 5½ sacks last season for the Denver Broncos. But they could use more options to take heat off Jason Pierre-Paul.
Seattle Seahawks: Depth was nearly as big a key to the champs' defensive dominance in 2013 as talent. But Seattle couldn't afford to keep veteran ends Red Bryant and Chris Clemons, both salary cap casualties this offseason, and Cliff Avril's contract expires after this season. On the plus side, any variety of players work in the team's scheme — Avril and Clemons are edge rushers who are a bit undersized, while Bryant was the largest starting end in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs: They could be in the market for a five-technique such as Notre Dame's Stephon Tuitt to take over for departed Jackson on their three-man line. Beefing up the rotation is a priority regardless.
CREAM OF THE CROP
(Note: Scouts spoke on condition of anonymity for competitive reasons.)
Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Height: 6-6. Weight: 266.
Scouting report: Supremely talented athlete who comes with questions about his motor and commitment. Sack total dropped from 13 in breakout 2012 season to three as a junior in 2013. Built for 4-3 right end but could transition to 3-4 outside linebacker. Potential No. 1 overall pick.
Insider's take: "His athletic ability's off the charts. It's something that we haven't seen in a guy who's that size. What makes him rare is that he's as big as he is and as fluid as he is. He's a fast player. He's an explosive player. Anything that you ask him to do coming off the edge, he can be able to do it athletically." — NFC scout
Projected round: First.
Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame
Height: 6-5. Weight: 304.
Scouting report: Big-bodied, disruptive lineman who moved around in Notre Dame's multiple scheme. Had 12 sacks in 2012 and nine more as a junior in 2013 despite being hobbled early following sports hernia surgery. Can eat up blockers on run downs and rush the passer inside.
Insider's take: "Obviously, the 3-4 teams are going to love him. He's got to be one of the best guys in terms of being a five-tech that can anchor the defensive front because he is a 315-pounder that is athletic and agile. The motor runs a little hot and cold on him. You certainly can tell when it's third down with him. But he's a good player." — NFC area scout
Projected round: First.
Kony Ealy, Missouri
Height: 6-4. Weight: 273.
Scouting report: Quick, exciting edge rusher who needs further development against the run and pass. Finished three-year college career with 14 sacks, including 9½ as a junior in 2013. Has room to get bigger and stronger. Could play a hybrid role as a five-technique and standup rusher.
Insider's take: "He's got all the athletic skill that you'd like for a guy that size. He's not always consistently strong, and he's not always consistently relentless. He doesn't have a legitimate, go-to pass rush move. But you see all the traits to be a really, really solid player in the NFL. He has great get-off. He can rush the passer. He's just raw because he's young." — NFC scout
Projected round: First-second.
Dee Ford, Auburn
Height: 6-2. Weight: 252.
Scouting report: Undersized pass rusher who may project better as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Battled a knee injury early last season but returned to post 10½ sacks, pushing total to 20½ in parts of five seasons. Missed most of 2011 with back injury. Held his own against SEC's best.
Insider's take: "Exceptional quickness off the line of scrimmage. You question a little bit how he plays in a 4-3. (He could be) an open-side end to come off the edge as a pass rusher. You're just concerned about the size and the length to play against the run. But definitely a very good pass rusher and he's going to go (early), because those guys come at a premium." — NFC scout
Projected round: Second.
TRAILBLAZER
Michael Sam, Missouri
Height: 6-2. Weight: 261.
Scouting report: Productive, high-energy player who led the SEC with 11½ sacks as a senior. Athletically limited. Lacks bulk to play the run on a consistent basis or fluidity to cover in space. Projects as a designated pass rusher in the NFL. Hopes to become NFL's first openly gay player.
Insider's take: "He's tight, he's stiff and he's short. He's got a lot going against him. But he's got the part that's going to be hard for us to discount, and that's his motor. You have to decide on your roster, what does he do and how does he fit? He's relentless, and players like that — they can make things happen just with their will alone." — NFC scout
Projected round: Fifth-seventh.
Contributing: Nate Davis