Steelers Gab 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Texas A&M DE/OLB Damontre Moore

Athleticism

+Explodes out of stance and across the line of scrimmage, is able to catch the OT often before he is set
+Coils in his stance prior to the snap
+Shows a lot of balance in his rush, is able to rush with speed and power without getting out of control
+Generates a lot of power out of his leg drive
+Stays low out of his stance and gains leverage on contact
+First step is among the quickest I’ve seen all year
+Well-built athlete with long arms and filled out frame
+Closes on the QB like a freight train, like a bull seeing red he finds another gear and erases the distance
-Not a freak physical athlete like a Dion Jordan
-Top end speed is only just above average
-Straight line pass rusher who looks stiff in the hips

Moore is the best pass rusher in this class, in fact you know what I’ll take that one step further he’s the best defender in this draft class. No he’s not a freak athlete like Clowney, Mingo, or J. Jones. Nor is he a tackling machine like some of the best LB’s in the country, but what Moore did this year was special.

He moved down from the 34 OLB spot to the 43 DE spot which most people probably think is easy given how much we easily interchange those positions when it comes to players but it wasn’t just about Moore changing positions. It was how he changed his game, he went from a pass rush OLB to a DE who was the complete package. A force to be reckon with when trying to either run or pass along. All year long teams struggled to figure out how to block Moore.

Moore had only three games all year where he didn’t register a sack and only two games where he didn’t register a tackle for loss. In both of those games Moore was yanked early in the 2nd half due to blowouts. Moore has everything you want in a DE prospect; size, speed, power, and technical ability.

Examiner’s Thoughts on Moore:

Moore is a very gifted athlete who may transition better as a outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive system rather than a traditional defensive end. His ability to stack at the point of attack against the run while also providing edge pressure as a pass rusher would be an ideal fit as a stand up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He has played the position at Texas A&M and had some success early in his career posting 40 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and forced three fumbles in his freshman season.

He had a tremendous 2012 season statistically playing the defensive end position racking up 80 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 20 tackles for a loss playing in the Southeastern Conference. The 80 overall tackles and 20 tackles for a loss was very impressive to me. It shows he is very solid pursuing the run and has a knack for getting into the backfield and making plays. Moore is definitely a solid first round prospect and if he gets into the right system he could be a consistent playmaker.

The 6’4″, 250-pound athletic freak of nature led the Aggies in solo tackles (54), total tackles (80), tackles for loss (20.0) and sacks (12.5). Those last two numbers were good enough to rank him in the top five in the entire country.

Moore, who recorded 24.0 tackles for loss and 14.0 sacks during his first two seasons in College Station, didn’t enter the year with much buzz. But after establishing himself as one of the most feared, versatile and unblockable defensive players in the nation, the buzz surrounding the junior couldn’t be, um, buzzier.

Bleacher Report:

Von Miller was the last great defensive end from Texas A&M and Damontre Moore is ready to follow in his footsteps.

Moore, a 6’4″, 250-pound speed demon, had a terrific season this year. He had 12.5 sacks and was consistently in the opposing backfield.

Moore had big games against quality competition, including three sacks against Florida.

He’s the next great defensive end and should be a top-five pick. Many teams will be interested in his services and whoever gets him will be better off for it.