Florida defensive lineman Dominique Easley's rehabilitation from a torn ACL -- the second of his career -- has for months kept him out of the discussion of potential first-round picks in next week's NFL draft. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance; particularly at the end of the round, when surprises are more common.
Two NFL scouts, in fact, told NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport they expect it.
Easley anchored Florida's defense last September before a torn ACL ended his final college season early. Although he had another year of NCAA eligibility remaining, he immediately opted to forego it and begin focusing on the draft. By the time the NFL Scouting Combine came around, Easley still wasn't ready to run and participated only in the bench press (26 reps), but he recently held a pro-day workout on the UF campus that reportedly drew representatives from more than half the teams in the NFL.
While a torn ACL in the last year of college ball sometimes means a sit-out rookie season for a draft prospect, or at least a more developmental one, Easley's recovery has apparently gone well enough to have him ready for a training camp, according to dallascowboys.com writer Bryan Broaddus.
Rapoport suggested that the New England Patriots could be among the teams looking to improve on the defensive line with a late first-round pick. Others include the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Easley (6-2, 288 pounds) projects best as a 4-3 defensive tackle with an excellent ability to penetrate and disrupt, but would not be as well suited to a two-gap role.
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