DraftTracker
Round | Team | Pos. | School | Name
Shaun Cody
DE (6-4, 293, 4.95)
USC
Grade: 92
Comments
Is an experienced, durable and consistent DL with big play production. Has excellent height and the frame to get even bigger. Is an impressive natural athlete for his size. Is at his best in a penetrating role from the DT spot. Has anticipation skills, initial quickness and burst. Shows good closing burst to the quarterback or ball carrier. Has developed a wide array of finesse and power pass rush moves. Show good initial power and the ability to "swim" and "rip" through blocks with his upper body strength. He has good COD skills and overall mobility for a DT. Will do a great job of penetrating, finding the ball and pursuing. Plays with a great motor. Is a constant disruption in the backfield. Also is a powerful tackler that knows how to force fumbles and always seems to be in on or around the big play. Won't take himself out of many plays. Also does a good job of getting his hands up, timing his leaps and batting down balls as a pass rusher. Is a DE/DT 'tweener. A bit undersized for a fulltime DT but lacks speed of a fulltime DE. Will not fit well in a two-gap scheme at DT. Might be at his best as a power-DE in the NFL that moves inside on obvious passing downs. Will struggle at times to hold his ground in the running game vs. bigger mauling OL. Needs to be on the move to be effective. Is at his best rushing the passer from DT position. Lacks the speed to make an impact as an edge rusher from DE. Is quick and plays with a good motor but does not have great speed and won't track down many ball carriers from behind. Cody was one of the top defensive linemen in the nation coming out of high school and it only took him four games before securing a starting job at defensive tackle in his true freshman season in 2001. Cody was a four-year starter at USC. He had a terrific junior season in which he recorded 10.5 tackles for loss with six sacks and was even more productive as a senior in 2004 with 45 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Cody played some at DE as a senior but spent the majority of his collegiate career at DT. Depending on the scheme of the team that drafts him, he could play either inside or outside in the NFL. Cody is a tall, quick, powerful and explosive defensive lineman. He doesn't have great bulk at DT and he would not fit well as a two-gap player in the NFL. He also lacks ideal top-end speed and explosiveness as a pass rusher from the DE position. In our opinion, Cody's best fit would be in a three-technique in a one-gap scheme where he could use his quickness and athleticism to generate consistent penetration. Otherwise, Cody could play outside on running downs and then move inside on obvious passing downs in a traditional 4-3 scheme. Regardless of his fit, Cody has enough talent and upside to warrant late-first round consideration in the 2005 draft.
* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.