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03/07/2013 - 2013 Mississippi State Pro Day: Representatives from 21 NFL teams gathered at Mississippi State's pro day on March 6, where 18 players worked out. Josh Boyd, DT (6-3, 307) - Boyd ran 5.18 and 5.12 in the 40, and 4.71 in the short shuttle. Boyd looked good in the defensive line drills run by Nunn. He also moved very well in the bag drills. - Gil Brandt, NFL.com
OVERVIEW
Considering how much press linemate Fletcher Cox received a year ago, it is surprising how little Boyd received. After all, he signed with the Bulldogs as a similarly highly regarded prep prospect (turning down the likes of Alabama, LSU, Florida State and Miami among many others), was starting for the third consecutive season and finished last year with just five fewer tackles than the eventual No. 12 overall pick of the 2012 draft.
Perhaps the biggest reason for Cox enjoying so much more fanfare is the fact that he's a more talented pass rusher than Boyd, whose thick lower body helped make him the more consistent run defender, especially when it came to handling double-teams.
He enjoyed quite the breakout campaign last year (51 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks) after registering "only" 24 stops (7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) in 2010 and 17 tackles in three starts (played in all 12 games) as a true freshman in 2009 and thus must prove it wasn't a fluke, but make no mistake, Boyd has the talent to warrant top 64 consideration.
ANALYSIS
Strengths: Shows body fluidity to smoothly redirect his momentum. Quick-footed and rangy to make plays away from the line of scrimmage. Not shy with his punch to extend at the point of attack. Carries his weight well and looks comfortable changing directions; frequently asked to drop in space in college. Good awareness to hold his point and then chase down the action with closing burst from behind, flashing the motor to fight through the whistle.
Weaknesses: Plays too light at times and struggles with his base strength. Offers a limited array of pass rush moves and is undeveloped as a pass rusher, rarely getting consistent pressure on the pocket. Allows his pads to rise off the snap and needs to improve his anticipation off the ball. Doesn't always finish and needs to do a better job breaking down on the move. Lacks the natural power to do much after his initial move doesn't work. Sometimes has the bad habit of playing to the level of his competition.
Compares To: Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Tennessee Titans
--Dane Brugler
