Sheldon Richardson, Junior, Defensive Tackle, Missouri
Overview:
Richardson is a junior who has started to jump off the screen to scouts. He was a force for Missouri’s defense. At 6’4” 295 lbs., Richardson is quite athletic for his frame. He was second on the team in tackles for loss and total tackles. That’s impressive for a guy playing in the middle of the trenches. He gets after it. Richardson forced three fumbles this season, and he was even able to break the line and block a kick as well. He’s the only Tiger that can make that claim. Teams will be paying close attention to Richardson at the combine to clock him and get a good look at how well he moves.
Final Projection:
This is a strong defensive tackle class and Richardson might be at the top of that list. Star Lotulelei may be the overall best player in the draft. Right behind him is Richardson. As more teams switch to a 3-4, Richardson can play the edge and get after runners and quarterbacks. His tenacity serves him well. It would not be surprising to see him go in the top 15.
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