Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Player Profile: Sen'Derrick Marks Auburn DT

Pros: Marks has a short, stocky frame which he uses to his advantage against blockers. The former Tiger won’t overpower many offensive linemen head-to-head, but possesses the ability to disengage and make plays—he does a good job of not letting blockers get in close. He is very quick, plays with balance and shows a good burst to get into the backfield. He was productive throughout his SEC career and had a knack for making an impact as a penetrator. Has upside as a pass rusher either from defensive tackle position or potentially as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. His versatility will allow whomever drafts him to move him around along the defensive line.

Cons: Marks is a little smaller than NFL scouts desire from top rated defensive tackles. He will not be able to handle double teams at the NFL level and while he plays with a good motor on most plays, he is noticeably tired after doing so, making durability a concern. Marks missed time and was affected by injuries as sophomore and a junior, not to mention the fact that he red-shirted his true freshman season due to an injury. He could have used another year to work on his endurance and technique. The Auburn product will probably need to play on a team that uses a rotation on the D-Line.

Scouts Take:
Marks shows good athletic ability for a 300-pound defensive lineman and he is considered one of the top defensive tackles in this year's class. He will also rank high among 3-4 teams who are looking to fill the defensive end position. If he would have gone back for another year at Auburn and worked on a few areas of his game, he could have been a first-round pick in next year's draft. He was at one point considered a late first rounder this year, but will more than likely land sometime in the second or third round.

Photo Credit: Todd J. Van Emst (Auburn University Athletic Dept. Photographer)

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