Dodd could need another procedure on foot

Morgan looked like a bust for the first few seasons and has turned out to be a very solid player for us.

 

The newest Titan to take Dodd's place:

DE
MEHDI ABDESMAD
BOSTON COLLEGE ACC



?

• 5.10 SEC
• 25 REPS
• 29.5 INCH
• 108.0 INCH
• 7.55 SEC
• 4.62 SEC
• 6'6"HEIGHT
• 33 3/8"ARM LENGTH
• 284LBS.WEIGHT
• 9 3/4"HANDS

OVERVIEW
NFL scouts weren't the only ones impressed with the play of Mehdi Abdesmad (meh-DEE ab-des-MAHD) during the 2015 season. The Canadian Football League's Scouting Bureau ranked him the fourth-best Canadian-born prospect in their list released in December 2015. Abdesmad's play as a senior was good enough to earn honorable mention All-ACC notice from league coaches (49 tackles, 15 for loss, 5.5 sacks), but it was especially impressive given his battle with injuries the previous two years. He played a total of seven games, with five starts, (21 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two sacks) over the 2013 and 2014 seasons due to problems with his left knee. He had made a positive impression in his first two years on campus, playing in eight games (missed the final three due to injury) in 2011 and starting eight games in 2012 (25 tackles, three for loss).

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Has imposing size from the end position. When he gets hands on blockers first, can drive them off the ball and make stops right at the line of scrimmage or behind it. Decent finisher once he gets ahead of an offensive lineman. Has shoulder turn and upper body flexibility to help turn corner as a rusher. Upper body strength is there. Able to play the game on his feet. Rarely stalls as rusher continuing to move his feet looking to improve positioning.
WEAKNESSES
High-cut, top-heavy frame. Played just seven games over 2013 and 2014 campaigns thanks to consecutive season-ending knee injuries in each season. Sloppy and basic with hands. Allows blockers into his framework first and doesn't control the point of attack with strong punch and struggles to win the hand game as pass rusher. Pops straight up off the snap. Pursuit motor doesn't carry enough gas for the long haul. Has no pass rush plan, just a swim move that is countered too easily.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Round 7 or priority free agent
SOURCES TELL US
"I thought he moved around pretty well this year, but I'm worried for him that those knees aren't going to check out in combine medicals. If they do, he has a shot." -- NFC scout
NFL COMPARISON
Ropati Pitoitua
BOTTOM LINE
Abdesmad is an intriguing prospect due to his size and impact tackle production. He's big and strong enough, but his poor pad level and hand usage prevents him from reaching his full potential. While his knees have been an issue in the past, he looked unaffected this season and could become a rotational tackle/end for a 3-4 team.
-Lance Zierlein

 

This guy played in preseason and made some splash plays but he's playing the 5T not an OLB/Edge prospect that Dodd was supposed to be

 

With Casey hurt (more than we know) I am glad we have someone. Appears he is not exactly a top shelf prospect though, but this late in the year the pickings are slim.