Kawann Short - DT, Purdue

[Guest Bwood]

Here's another prospect on the rise, I could easily see Short moving into the Top 10 by April. From what I've seen, he is the best interior pass rusher in the nation so far.

Kawann Short, DT, Purdue

Height: 6-3. Weight: 310.

Projected 40 Time: 5.05.

Projected Round (2013): Top 20.

10/20/12: Short has had a strong first half of the season. He has been one of the top interior pass-rushers in college football. Short had a two-sack game against Notre Dame and dominated in other outings. He has shown the ability to beat guards with strength as well as speed, and looks more powerful this season.

Short has totaled 20 tackles, nine tackles for a loss, four sacks, two passes broken up, four blocked kicks and a forced fumble.

8/25/12: Kawann Short benefited greatly from Ryan Kerrigan for two seasons. Short took over as Purdue's defensive leader as a junior last year. The sophomore recorded six sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss in 2010. He also had 41 tackles with two blocked kicks.

Short is strong, quick and athletic. He looks like a potential three-technique defensive tackle with the ability to shoot the gap and get pressure on the quarterback. Kerrigan was quick to tell WalterFootball.com at the 2011 Senior Bowl that Short helped him to reproduce his success in 2010.

Short started last season slow lywithout Kerrigan next to him, but in the second half of the year, the junior was excellent, including a three-sack game against Ohio State. He totaled 54 tackles with 17 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 2011.

Short was a Second-Team Big Ten performer last - his second straight selection. Purdue does an excellent job of producing quality NFL defensive linemen, and he appears to be the next in line.

Finding pass-rushing defensive tackles is very hard for NFL teams, thus Short stands a good shot of being a first-rounder given his consistent pass-rushing production.

[Kuech the Sneak]

I was gonna say you should watch his game against notre dame....but it was posted at the bottom...I like him alot as a player but I'd like a big run stuffing DT

[jramsey4]

He is the best hands user on the DL in the draft. My early favorite in 1st

[DaCityKats]

i remember reading something and Ryan Kerrigan said he was the reason he got so many sacks 2 years ago. as far as interior pass rush he is the best.

[La Pantera]

IMO, we'll need a NT more than a 3tech. I would bet my left nut that Ron Edwards is gone following this season. Now if we were to pick up a NT via FA (Terrance Knighton) then I would love this pick. I honestly think that Dwan Edwards may be the only DT left from this current roster.

[kdrh5]

Would be great if we could sign two possible starters in FA, like Starks and Dorsey, then draft a prospect like Short. Just totally bolster the interior of the defense, as well as add better safeties.

[Guest Bwood]

You bring in a stud interior pass rusher like Short and teach him how to play at the next level, he will dominate in a couple seasons if not his first season.

NT's/Run stuffers need to be brought in via free agency. Guy's that are already proven at the position.

At least that's what championship teams do, IDK bout Carolina.

[CardiacCats]

I was gonna say you should watch his game against notre dame....but it was posted at the bottom...I like him alot as a player but I'd like a big run stuffing DT

same but i really don't even think we need to take a DT. our DTs have played pretty damn well this season imo

[carolina-chuck]

I like Short a lot too, but not a top 15 pick.

imo, hes another Fletcher Cox.

We dont need a pass rushing DT. I think we're fine with Dwan playing that spot for now and next year. We really need a run stuffer in Star, Hankins, or John Jenkins.

[carolina-chuck]

Would be great if we could sign two possible starters in FA, like Starks and Dorsey, then draft a prospect like Short. Just totally bolster the interior of the defense, as well as add better safeties.

Yea I like the idea of signing a guy llike Starks or Dorsey. I think Dorsey is still really good and can be a better player in a 43. I thnk the 34 killed him and Tyson Jackson both.

The only thing is I dont like Short as a Top 15 pick and thats where we're going to end up picking (top 10). If we can somehow trade down after the 15th, Id take him but if not Id rather look for (1) adding Starks or Dorsey, (2) take a top WR: Allen/Hunter/etc. or Safety:Reid/McDonald and (3) take a Sheldon Richardson in the 2nd round

[Swaggasaurus]

Couldn't agree more, the most important thing about this guy to me is his consistent production. Not a one year wonder guy, he is a good interior pass rusher and not too bad against the run.