Brodrick Bunkley (03/2006)

Position:

DT

[official bio]

School:

Florida State Univ.

Height:

6' 3"

Weight:

306 lbs.

General Variables:

32 out of 40

Size:

8

Strength:

9

Speed:

8

Athleticism:

7

Position Variables:

30 out of 40

Run defense:

7

Pass defense:

8

Versatility:

7

Tackling:

8

Positives:

Brodrick Bunkley has a very compact, stout build.  He's not the tallest or widest guy, but he carries his 300+ pounds very well with low body fat.  He has a strong lower body that he uses to play with excellent leverage and balance.  From a game point of view, the amount of pressure Bunkley is able to create is very impressive.  He has a very quick first step, finds the football in a hurry, and finishes with good technique and great intensity.  Bunkley is also very good at getting penetration on pass plays, splitting double teams, and overpowering individual blockers.  One thing that stood out to me in film study of Bunkley is how well he gets up field, with the ability to move laterally or straight ahead, to get to the football.  He's also very good at holding up linemen, stretching out run plays, and keeping running backs from getting into the defensive backfield.

Negatives:

Some complain that Bunkley isn't that huge wide body, like Ngata, and he can get pushed around sometimes inside.  This is probably more to do with a lack on intensity on a consistent basis, than any lack of skill.  If there are a couple of legit beefs on Bunkley, it's that he's had some injury problems that has kept him off the field, and when he's on the field, he doesn't show good effort on every play.  Some project him as a nose tackle, but I think he lacks the potential to bulk up enough to do it.  In my opinion, he's a great fit as a one gap, 4-3 defensive tackle.

Overall:

When you are in a draft class with a monster like Ngata, it's tough to get noticed as second best.  Bunkley came on very strong his senior season, and went from being completely off the draft radar, to being entrenched as a first round pick.  He exorcised many of his demons this year, playing healthy all year, and playing with the fire and intensity that had been lacking.  From a potential standpoint, there's no doubt his upside is huge…if he can stay well and stay focused. 

Final Word:

KNEE — Bunkley tore his ACL on one knee in high school, and followed that with an MCL tear in the same knee, 3 years ago.  This is a big read flag for a player who takes the amount of punishment that a defensive tackle does.  He showed no ill effects from the injury in 2005, and it appears he’s far enough removed from the 2002 tear, that he's well and ready to excel at the next level, like he did this year at Florida State.

Curtis Popejoy

Scouting Director