2015 Atlanta Falcons' Potential Draft-Pick Profile: EDGE Bud Dupree

Bud Dupree is the most malleable ball of clay for new Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn to work with as his new Leo defensive end. He possesses the raw length, athleticism and overall talent Quinn loves in his weak-side pass-rushers.

Dupree is a unique player who has a ton of raw talent. He wasn't always used to attack the passer in college, and that could be why he isn't as polished as he should be at this point in his career. If the Falcons can maximize Dupree, he could be a multiple-time Pro Bowl player.

Bud Dupree

Position: Edge Player

School: University of Kentucky

Combine/Pro-Day Measurements

Height: 6'4" Weight: 269 lbs

Arm Length: 32 ⅝" Hand Measurement: 9 ¾"

40 yard dash: 4.56 sec. 10 yard split: 1.60 sec.

20 yard shuttle: 4.47 sec. 3-cone Drill: 7.49 sec.

Vertical Jump: 42.0" Broad Jump: 11'6"

Stats

2014: 12 Games Played, 74 Tackles, 12.5 Tackles for Loss, 7.5 Sacks, 5 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 2 Fumbles Forced, 1 Pass Deflection, 1 Blocked Kick, 1 Defensive Touchdown

2013: 11 Games Played, 61 Tackles, 9.5 Tackles for Loss, 7.0 Sacks, 3 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced, 1 Pass Deflection

2012: 12 Games Played, 91 Tackles, 12.5 Tackles for Loss, 6.5 Sacks, 1 Pass Deflection

2011: 12 Games Played, 21 Tackles, 2.5 Tackles for Loss, 2.5 Sacks, 1 QB Hurry, 2 Pass Deflections, 1 Blocked Kick

(Warning: Video contains NSFW language.)

Scouting Report

Strengths

Dupree is just a physical specimen as a pass-rusher. He has the ideal height, weight, speed and agility that teams look for in their edge-rushers. He has experience playing both 3-4 outside linebacker and 4-3 defensive end and can drop into coverage for short zones effectively.

He's also very talented at setting the edge against the run as either a linebacker or an end. As a pass-rusher, he understands how to win with his athleticism and can get after the passer well with inside moves. He also has the highest potential of any pass-rusher in the draft.

Weaknesses

Dupree doesn't have many pass-rushing moves and really needs to work on his hand usage. He has to play with better leverage, as at times, he can get washed out of the play for overpursuit. He's a bit soft in how he plays and sometimes tries to avoid contact at the point of attack.

While that's not ideal for a player, it could be a function of the poorly drawn up scheme he was in while he was at Kentucky. The Falcons will have to make sure they scheme his role properly, as he shouldn't start right away, but he could be a top rotational player early in his career.

How Does He Fit the Comrade Filter?

The Falcons love former team captains, and Dupree was one of them for the Wildcats in 2014. He also has been clean off the field with no arrests or suspensions. On top of all of that, he has shown a high motor on the field and just needs to harness his pass-rushing abilities on field.

If he works as hard off the field as he does on it, he has the potential to be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. The Falcons would surely love to have him in their locker room, as team captains understand how to be followers early in their career and tend to buy into the systems early.

Overview

Dupree has ridiculously high potential. He could be the next Shawne Merriman—early-career Merriman who had 39.5 sacks—or the next Vernon Gholston—famous draft bust who had a total of zero career sacks through his three-year career after being the No. 6 overall pick.

It all depends on who his coach is and the fit that he has within his new scheme. Dupree could be a great player if he takes well to his coaching and can improve upon his pass-rushing totals. Not being dropped into coverage all the time should help him develop much more.

How He Would Fit into the Falcons' Plans

The Falcons would have to select Dupree in the first round at pick No. 8 to have a shot at getting him on the roster. And even then, he may not even make it the eighth pick with Washington, the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets all having ideal scheme fits for him as a 3-4 weak-outside linebacker.

Atlanta would have him play the "Leo" defensive end role where he covers just the farthest outside gap in either a 9- or 7-technique. He would be able to stuff the run on the way to the passer. He could thrive in this kind of role, as it wouldn't drop him into coverage all the time.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats, ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All combine and pro-day info is courtesy NFL Draft Scout. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, College Football, NFL and the NFL draft. He's also a Draft Analyst for Pro Football Spot.

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