Brandon Graham
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 263
- DE
- Michigan
-
Courtesy of Mgoblue.com
Courtesy of Mgoblue.com
| Attribute | Rating |
| Explosiveness |  |
| Pass Rush | |
| Run Defense | |
| Strength | |
| Agility | |
| Football I.Q | |
| Tackling | |
| Durability | |
Scouting Report
An undeniably gifted athlete, Brandon Graham is the #2 career sack leader at Michigan. Despite being surrounded by inexperienced teammates, Graham has been able to carry the Wolverines with his intensity and passion for the game.
His productivity is second to none: finished his junior year with 20 TFL (2nd in nation) and 10 sacks. His senior campaign has been equally impressive: 26 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 2 blocked punts, and 1 defensive TD. Aside from his relatively small stature, the Detroit native would be a serious contender for a top 5 pick in the draft were he 2-3 inches taller. And make no mistake about it, he will test off the charts at the scouting combine. All in all, he figures to be a late first round, early second round pick at this point.
Explosiveness: Possesses potentially the quickest first step in football. Two years of training under esteemed strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis has turned Graham’s already quick burst into his strongest trait. In obvious passing situations, he is consistently able to shoot off the line like a cannon. Excellent endurance allows him to play with the same explosiveness throughout the entire game.
Pass Rush: Elite burst to beat the tackle around the edge. Demonstrates violent hands and long arms to prevent bigger tackles from locking on and pushing him wide. Displays a superb ability to get low and dip around the edge, which he effectively couples with a strong rip move similar to that of Indiannapolis Colt Dwight Freeney. Always plays low and displays good leverage when deploying his bull rush. Occasionally will allow tackles to out-muscle him if they get into his pads. Will need to display better use of inside pass rush moves, such as the spin, in order to keep pass protectors guessing.
Run Defense: Most improved area of Graham’s game. Very patient, and seldom lets the play get outside of him. Due to his explosiveness, he flashes big play potential by slicing through the line to tackle the running back behind the line of scrimmage. Sniffs out cut blocks before they happen. Extremely high motor and will pursue the ball carrier laterally down the line. Uses his free hand to keep linemen at bay while the running play develops. Due to his smaller stature, he can be dominated by massive tackles for short stretches. But his high football I.Q. helps him to find ways to compensate.
Strength: Very underrated in this category. Has developed a chiseled physique, but probably won’t get much bigger. Although he won’t wow teams with this brute strength, he is extremely powerful for his size.
Agility: Comfortable moving laterally, but his ability to drop into space and play coverage has yet to be seen. This is something that will be scrutinized at the Senior Bowl. He obviously is very agile for a defensive lineman, but for him to raise his stock as a potential pass rushing OLB, he needs to demonstrate fluidity in space, like his former teammate Lamarr Woodley (now with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
Football I.Q: Smart, very intense, and relentless at all times. Plays with great awareness, and is consistently around the ball. Seldom out of position and is disciplined. Team leader, steps up in big games. Sometimes he is so dominant that he could have a picnic in the opposing backfield.
Tackling: Packs a powerful punch at times, but often will settle for wrapping up opponents. Almost never misses a tackle.
Durability: No major issues thus far.
Listed below are a few Youtube video links of Brandon Graham for you to study:
Michigan Vs. Western Michigan 2009 (created by ZeckBlue)
Graham 2009 Season Highlights (created by Prodraftparty)
Related posts:
You really like Graham. Maybe because Michigan was so bad these last two years that I didn’t think he would be rated so well.
Glad you brought up the Woodley comparison as the two former Wolverines are eerily similar in stature—Graham is 6’2 and 263 lbs, while Woodley is 6’2 and 265 lbs. Given that he was a full-time starter at defensive end in college, I don’t think teams will expect too much from Graham right off the bat in terms of his transition to OLB, but I do believe that is ultimately where he will have to make his living.
For sure. I have seen virtually every play Graham has played over the last 2 years, and he is a fantastic pass rusher. He is underrated because of his size, but he will surprise whichever team selects him.
Ghost,
youre probably right to assume that Graham will have greatest value as a OLB. But a team such as the Colts could select him to play DE. He certainly won’t be a great fit for every defense. We will have to see how he does in his workouts and the Senior Bowl to know which position he will more likely play next year.