It sure would be fun to have Barkevious Mingo and Jadeveon Clowney as bookend defensive ends on your team. Names that fun are rarely brought together. LSU's Mingo is a likely first round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. As a true sophomore at South Carolina, Clowney isn't eligible for this draft. If he was in this draft, he'd be the very first player selected. He'll be the first pick in any draft in which he puts himself. He's that good. Defensive end is often one of the flashy positions in any draft. In a passing league, pass rushers are crucial. You can't have enough of them. You probably have to go back to Julius Peppers and Mario Williams to find drafts with a defensive as solidly set at the top. You probably have to go all the way back to Reggie White to find a defensive end as truly dominant as Jadeveon Clowney. That's pretty significant company.
"God took his time when he made Clowney."
-the consensus of his South Carolina teammates
At 6'6" and anywhere from 255-270lbs, Clowney is a physical freak. He's too fast and too strong. When he gets to the NFL he could put an end to the rise of the read option. His reach, speed, and strength is likely enough to tackle both the quarterback and the running back and kill the play before it starts. If Clowney can stay motivated and not cruise through a series of plays each game there's little to stop him. When I heard about this beast in high school, I couldn't wait to see him in college. After seeing him a few times in two years of college, I can't wait to see him in the NFL.
The odds are slight that Jadeveon Clowney will be drafted next year by the same team that drafts Barkevious Mingo this year. But, that would sure be fun.
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