Noah Spence NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Buccaneers Rookie

POSITIVES

The top edge-rusher in the 2016 draft class, Noah Spence was a decorated pass-rusher at Ohio State before off-field issues landed him at Eastern Kentucky. A standout season in Richmond, Kentucky, and a great week of Senior Bowl practices has Spence back in the running to be a first-round pick.

Focusing on what he does as a player and athlete, Spence is special. He has a nose for the ball and goes hunting with great success. Playing both in a two-point and three-point stance at right defensive end for EKU and Ohio State, Spence showed he's a comfortable athlete in space. He has elite edge bend, follows through with zip in his feet and consistently wins off the snap. Spence exposed the top senior offensive tackles in the draft class during Senior Bowl practices with his speed and bend skills.

He will use a rip-and-swim move to eliminate the hands of a blocker and knows how to get his inside shoulder down to run through a block. Spence has a quick whip around the line and comes with his eyes up, ready to find the ball.

The off-field issues will be mentioned when teams evaluate Spence, but his accountability will too. He entered rehab after his dismissal from the Big Ten and volunteered to be drug-tested while with the Colonels. Spence has been drug-tested multiple times since he left Ohio State and hasn't had a positive test.

NEGATIVES

The negatives with Spence are well known. He was suspended once at Ohio State and then permanently banned from the Big Ten after his second positive drug test for MDMA.. He then landed at EKU, where he was cited for public intoxication and second-degree disorderly conduct after he threw a beer bottle on the street.

On the field, Spence doesn't play with great power and lacks the length (33-inch arms) teams will want from bigger 3-4 outside linebackers. The long speed Spence put on the track in Indianapolis will also be a concern, as there were already whispers that his game tape didn't show great speed.

Improving his hand use and building play power will be a key for Spence as a three-down player. He currently projects as a linebacker against the run and wouldn't want to be lined up over the tackle in obvious rushing situations. A true pass-rusher, Spence has almost no experience in coverage.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 251 lbs.

40 Time: 4.70s

3-Cone: 7.21s

Short Shuttle: 4.35s

PRO COMPARISON: Joey Porter, Pittsburgh Steelers (retired)
FINAL GRADE: 7.10/9.00 (Round 1—Rookie Starter)