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NFL Draft 2011: Dallas Cowboys Potential Pick Texas DE/OLB Sam Acho

Jonathan Bales
Mar 21, 2011

In my initialย 2011 Big Board, I rated the defensive ends as follows:

  • 1. Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, UNC
  • 2. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
  • 3. DaQuan Bowers, DE, Clemson
  • 4. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
  • 5. Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona
  • 6. Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
  • 7. Sam Acho, DE/OLB, Texas
  • 8. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pitt
  • 9. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue

Bowers, Clayborn and Kerrigan would be poor fits for a 3-4 system. ย The others would all transition to outside linebacker. ย Itโ€™s worth noting that defensive coordinator Rob Ryan thinks highly of the Cowboysโ€™ current outside linebackers, as he shouldโ€”I graded Ware, Spencer and Butler as the teamโ€™s first-, ninth- and third-most efficient playersย in 2010, respectively.

To me, Quinn and Houston are a cut above the rest. ย I know Iโ€™m much higher on Houston than just about anyone, but he appears to be a much safer pick than second-tier players such as Bowers and Clayborn, both of whom have concerns about their body.

My second-tier has also remained the same, but after studying more of todayโ€™s feature, Sam Acho, I have dropped the Texas product to ninth, below Ryan Kerrigan.

Scouting Report

Acho is a workout warrior, running a 4.68 40-yard dash at the combine, including a 1.66-second 10-yard splitโ€”a tremendous time. ย However, I donโ€™t see that sort of burst or initial explosiveness on tape. ย Acho has an average โ€œget-offโ€ despite his measurables.

Acho isnโ€™t stout against the run at all. ย He fails to get off of blocks and doesnโ€™t utilize his strength.ย  He also fails to properly break down in space. ย A 3-4 outside linebacker who isnโ€™t a run-stuffer but wonโ€™t be an elite edge-rusher is bad news.

The reason the senior DE timed so well is that heโ€™s a solid straight-line athlete. ย I liken him to a player like Ted Ginn: great straight-line speed, but an inability to break down or make quick cuts. ย Thus, Acho has a difficult time securing sacks from the front side. When heโ€™s on the back side and the quarterback is unaware of his presence, Acho is a far superior player, because he doesnโ€™t need to break down and react.

Acho is by no means an awful player, however. ย He displays great effort and hustle. Despite being poor against the run, he doesnโ€™t miss many tackles when he does get in proper position. ย Heโ€™s very smart and a tremendously hard worker. ย 

There are zero character concerns with Acho. ย He won the 2010 William V. Campbell Trophy for a combination of academics, community service and on-field performance, as well as the 2009 and 2010 Arthur Ashe Award (national award for minority student-athletes). ย His parents live in Nigeria, and he travels overseas for medical and religious missions.

Overall, however, I donโ€™t think Achoโ€™s awesome character and measurables make up for being an average football player.

Projection

Acho could get selected anywhere from the second to fourth round.ย  At best, heโ€™s a mid- to late-round talent who will get overvalued because of his athleticism. ย I wouldnโ€™t take a serious look at Acho until about the fourth round, but he will probably be gone by then.ย 

With Rob Ryanโ€™s favorable reviews on the current outside linebackers and Achoโ€™s mediocre tape, I think heโ€™s a longshot to land in Dallas.

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