Vincent Valentine NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Patriots Rookie

POSITIVES

Vincent Valentine looks like someone designed a defensive tackle in a laboratory. At 6’4”, he carries his 329 pounds well and has the big, strong legs and bubble that teams want in a space-eater. As a junior, Valentine decided to enter the NFL after graduating from Nebraska in the winter.

On the field, Valentine has flashes of dominance. He can anchor in the middle of the field and completely shut down interior offensive linemen trying to get to the second level. He makes plays for his linebackers easy because they’re able to run free and clean to the ball. Valentine’s skill set projects well as a nose tackle or 1-technique in either a one- or two-gap defense.

Against the run, Valentine is immovable at times. He has quick, active hands to shoot gaps against the pass and knows how to get his pads low to attack in a bull rush. When he’s on his game, Valentine looks like a top-20 defensive lineman in a loaded class.

NEGATIVES

Consistency was a major issue for Valentine, especially in 2015 with a new coaching staff in place. He struggled with an ankle injury that hurt his quickness off the ball and kept him more stationary than his earlier film had shown.

Valentine’s frame in his final season looked different—looser, heavier and less conditioned—than his 2014 self. His play mirrored that, as he was slow off the ball at times and played with bad leverage when he did get off the ball on time. Valentine did not look motivated in 2015, which likely contributed to his leaving school early.

There is potential here, but teams must bet on the 2014 version and not what he put on the field in his junior season. A good coach will be able to tap into Valentine and get production from him as a nose tackle, but there will be major questions about why he shut down for the new coaching staff.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 329 lbs.

40 Time: 5.19s

3-Cone: 8.03s

Short Shuttle: 4.59s

PRO COMPARISON: John Jenkins, New Orleans Saints
FINAL GRADE: 5.50/9.00 (Round 6—Backup Caliber)