The '06 Draft Pass Rushers:

Darryl Tapp

September 26, 2005

By Fred Pasek

When the draft rolls around in April of 2006, there will be 32 teams lined up around the corner, hoping for a chance at a handful of players who will have proven themselves over the 2005 season to be pass rushers worthy of high draft picks. Each of these players will have a “signature move”, a move they will rely on as their most effective at getting to the quarterback. Invariably, this move has a direct correlation to the player’s physique and strengths. DraftBoardInsider.com has taken a closer look at the best moves of some of the most likely players to fill the top of the 2006 NFL draft board.

Darryl Tapp, DE ― Virginia Tech, 6’1”/268 lbs. [official bio]

At the end of the first quarter in the Hokies’ 2005 opening game against the NC State Wolfpack, with the score tied at 7, the Wolfpack was moving the ball. The Hokies were using a rotation, moving Darryl Tapp into the game on alternating series, but they weren’t getting the pass rush they needed, so they decided to move him from the left defensive end position, back to the right, his natural position. Tapp looked far more at ease on his first series back on the right side and ended the drive his way.

Tapp has long powerful arms that are deceptive for his 6’1” frame and likes to line up closer to the tackle than speed rushers do so he can get his hands on his opponent.  He fired off the ball nice and low, low enough to get his shoulderpads under the tackles’ arms so that he could drive his left shoulder into the man’s chest. Once he was inside the tackles arms, the tackle was forced to collapse his arms in, take a step back and try to re-establish his hands on Tapp to keep from getting driven straight back into the quarterback.  As soon as the tackle brought his left arm in, Tapp grabbed it with his right hand which he’d left free and pulled down hard. Tapp’s outstanding balance and low center of gravity allows him to pull down far enough that he appears to contort his body so that he is bending forward and dipping his right shoulder to within several feet of the turf without losing any leg drive.  Once Tapp had the man as low as he was going to get him, he quickly swam over the tackle’s left shoulder with his left arm and pushed the man back with his elbow, giving him separation.  He now had a clear shot at the quarterback and closed on him in three quick steps, hitting his arm just before the pass got away and wrapping the quarterback’s legs up as he went down.  Having been deflected, the pass wobbled down field where it was intercepted.  Just to add a little emphasis, Tapp stood over the quarterback on the return, and when the man got up to join in the chase, Tapp gave him a shot.

Defensive ends in the 6’1” range typically struggle in the NFL because offensive tackles use their longer arms to fend them off and don’t allow them to get to their body.  Tapp should overcome this due to his long arms and outstanding hand-fighting ability. While his rip move is quite effective as well, it is Tapp’s swim move that will make him a formidable pass rusher at the next level.  It remains to be seen if he can add enough weight to hold the point of attack, but if nothing else, Tapp will make a fine situational pass rusher.