2018 NFL Draft Profile: Dorance Armstrong

Dorance Armstrong looks to become KU’s highest NFL Draft pick since Darrell Stuckey went 110th overall in the 4th Round to the San Diego Chargers back in 2010.

Armstrong came to Kansas as a raw 220 lb three-star DE, ranked the #50 DE in the country per ESPN. He had a relatively impressive offer sheet coming out of high school, choosing KU over Texas Tech, Cal, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, and Purdue, among many others.

He was named the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year prior to last season, the first time ever a KU player has had that honor. Unfortunately for Kansas, he couldn’t duplicate the stat sheet from his strong sophomore campaign as a junior, but still managed to garner 2nd Team All-Big 12 recognition.

Perhaps due to the disappointing stat sheet, Armstrong still projects as a 4th-5th rounder in this year’s draft, despite being a projected 2nd-3rd rounder just a few months ago (and even a few days ago by many).

Strengths (per NFL.com)

Armstrong has long arms and plays with loose hips and agility. He is smooth and explosive in his movements and accelerates quickly, both from standstill and from change of direction. He has rush experience with his hand on the ground, and has a good inside spin. His effort level is consistent. He has active hands and a great initial punch with an upper body twist to dislodge blockers quickly.

Weaknesses (per NFL.com)

May not have the frame to play 4-3 DE in the NFL. He will have to get comfortable standing and adding duties as an OLB. Opts for athleticism over technique. Significant drop in production last year. Could do a better job of setting up blockers before countering and needs a go-to move.

Prediction

Drafttek.com has Armstrong going 116th overall (4th Round) to Dallas. That’s the only mock draft I can find at this point, and that seems like as good of a guess as any. Despite most of the mocks having Armstrong going in the second or third rounds, I honestly didn’t expect him to be taken that early, and indeed, he was not. However, he will definitely be a final day selection, and hopefully for him, it will be in the 4th Round.

If he drops past the fourth round, some team out there may be getting THE steal of the draft.

STATS

2016 Stats

40 Solo tackles, 16 assists, 56 Total tackles,

20.0 Tackles for loss

10.0 Sacks

3 Forced Fumbles, 2 Fumble Recoveries

5 QB Hurries

2017 Stats

33 Solo tackles, 30 assists, 63 Total tackles

9.0 Tackles for loss

1.5 Sacks

3 Forced Fumbles, 1 Fumble Recoveries

7 QB Hurries

Combine Results

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 257 lbs

Hands: 10 inches

Arm length: 34 3/4 inches

40-yard dash: 4.87 seconds

225 lb bench press: 20 reps

Vertical jump: 30.0 inches

Broad jump: 118.0 inches (9’10”)

3-cone drill: 7.12 seconds

20-yard shuttle: 4.23 seconds

60-yard shuttle: 11.82 seconds