Scouting Report-I first put JPP in the top of my first round of my mock draft about a month and a half ago. You watch him play, and it seems like he has a gear that the rest of the players don't. Physically he's imposing, with a long frame and arms and you can see that he's built to put on more quality weight if he needs to. From a technical standpoint, I see a guy right now who is dominating one on ones mainly due to an overwhelming athletic advantage. He doesn't have a great array of pass rush moves, but to this point he hasn't needed to. An explosive first step, adequate power, excellent vision and closing speed are what his strengths. At the snap he gets up into the offensive lineman, makes his read and he's gone. He doesn't do well with double teams, and that has a lot to do with the fact that he just doesn't have a ton of moves yet. Once he develops a second and third pass rush move he'll be even better. Right now, you watch him play in run support, and you see a guy who can get down the line and catch running backs in the back field and is a good finisher on his tackles.
Draft Status-I think once it all plays out, and teams get to see JPP workout, the rest of the world will catch up and he will be a solid first round pick. The only debate for me is, compared to guys like Carlos Dunlap or Derrick Morgan, where will he end up?
Final Analysis-Might not be a player in this draft with more upside than JPP. He was productive in his one year at USF, but the fact he's only got one year after two excellent years at JC, his lack of experience has to be a consideration. For some, where he'll play is an issue. As he is now, at 260lbs, he could play a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 rush OLB, so that's not a concern for me. The idea he could put on 15lbs and play full time 4-3 DE is interesting. Like most DE's who may transition to OLB, his coverage ability is an unknown, but his athleticism isn't. His effort isn't. These things are both huge plusses for him. As much talk as he gets about his ability to rush the passer, I love the way he reads the run play and doesn't shy away from being physical against the run. That sort of mentality would serve him well in a 3-4. He's a very good tackler, and as I said, when this kid gets in shorts and works out, I think people are going to be impressed with his measureables.
Reminds me of: Andre Carter, DE Washington Redskins. Carter is a disruptive player and has been that way as both a 4-3 DE and a 3-4 OLB, and JPP can be that same kind of player. He can come after guys with his hand on the ground and he can play standing up as well. He's bigger than Carter and more athletic, but I can see his career path being rather similar.
