Prospect Profile: DE Barkevious Mingo - LSU

LSU Profile:

Name:  Barkevious "KeKe" Mingo

Height:  6' - 5"

Weight:  240 lbs.

Class:  RS Junior

Hometown:  West Monroe, LA

Date of Birth:  October 4, 1990 (age 22)
High School:  West Monroe High School

College Statistics & Notes:

2012 RS Junior Year: 2012 All-SEC 2nd Team (Coaches and Media).....started 13 games, finishing the season with 38 tackles (21 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss (41 TFL yards), 4.5 sacks, 12 QB hurries, 3 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.

2011 RS Sophomore Year: AP 2011 All-SEC 2nd Team.....played in 14 games with 4 starts, finishing the season with 46 tackles (21 solo), 15 tackles for loss (93 TFL yards), 7 sacks, 11 QB hurries, 2 pass breakups, and 1 forced fumble.

2009 RS Freshman Year: All SEC Freshman Team....played in all 14 games with 1 start, finishing the season with 35 tackles (18 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss (41 TFL yards), 2.5 sacks, 4 QB hurries, 6 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles.

2012 (RS Junior Year Highlights):

2011 (RS Sophomore Year Highlights):

Strengths:

+ Possesses rare physical tools

+ Potential ceiling is very, very high

+ Freakish athleticism for his size

+ Elite quickness and acceleration

+ Explosive first step off the snap

+ Good body-bend and flexibility off the edge rushing the QB

+ Has a good spin move

+ Displays good pad level off his stance when russing the passer

+ Can drop back and play in space as a 3-4 OLB

+ Hard worker and is an emotional leader

Weaknesses:

- Very raw as a football player

- Needs to gain 10-15 lbs to his frame and increase upper body strength

- Gets caught out of position on misdirection plays

- Liability against the run; teams can run right at him and bigger OL engulf him

- Needs to learn how to disengage blockers more efficiently

- Needs improvement on technique and hand placement

- Doesn't have a variety of pass rush moves

Analysis:

Barkevious Mingo has very rare tools for a DL prospect but he's extremely raw.  At this point in his development, he's more of a naturally gifted athlete than he is a football player.  He solely relies on his athleticism and quickness to product on the football field.  2012 was a down year statistically for Mingo, but he also lacked the motor he displayed the year before.  Mingo's stock could skyrocket at the Combine, where he's expected to showcase his elite physical ability.  Mingo will probably start off as a situational pass rusher while he works to build his strength and mature physically.  With proper coaching to refine his technique, Mingo has the potential to become one of the top pass rushers in the NFL.

NFL Player Comparison: LB Bruce Irvin Seattle Seahawks

Raiders Outlook:

Even with a down year, Barkevious Mingo currently projects as a top 10 pick in the 2013 NFL draft.  The Raiders rank second to last in sacks in 2012 and pass rush help is clearly a huge area of need.  Mingo's talent could go a far way improving those numbers in 2013.  Though he wasn't as productive as current Seahawks DE/LB Bruce Irvin in college, Mingo presents a much higher upside.  His first step is elite and not too many players his size and length display his quickness and acceleration.  The big question that he'll have to answer with his pre-draft workouts is his upper body strength.  His immense potential will only be limited by his lack of strength at the next level.  Mingo has the versatility to play some OLB in the 3-4 defense if the Raiders make the transition, but in order for him to be productive as a 4-3 end, he needs to add 20 lbs to his frame.  Mingo is the type of prospect Al Davis coveted in the draft.  Ultimately it will be Mingo's enormous upside the Raiders would be drafting, hoping the coaching staff can mold him into a consistent force.