Quinton Coples Player Profile

First Word

• Quinton Coples is one of the elite defensive prospects in the 2012 draft. He combines a great rush on the outside with great run support and athleticism.

Basics

• Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
• Height: 6'6"
• Weight: 255 to 285 (different sources have different weights. I think he is around 265 looking at his body frame)
  
• Class: Senior (for the 2011-2012 season)

NFL Player Comparison

• Carlos Dunlap: Like Dunlap, Coples is an average sized 4-3 DE with great speed and athleticism. However, he is a slightly better pass rusher than Dunlap but Dunlap is slightly better in run support.
  

Follow the jump to see the rest of the Scouting Report.

Player Bio:

• Coples did not make a huge impact in either of his first two seasons at North Carolina. As a freshman, he had eight tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses, and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he finished with 22 tackles, 6.5 tackles for losses, and five sacks. Last year, as a junior, is when Coples blew up. He was forced into the starting lineup to replace the suspended Robert Quinn. He finished the season with 59 tackles and 10 sacks (tfl's not shown). It is safe to say that if he continues that success, he will be an early day one draft pick next year.

Career Stats

• 89 tackles, 16 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Projected Draft Status: Top 15

• I think it is too early to say he will definitely go in the top 10 but it is pretty safe to say he will be somewhere in teh first half of the first round. However, if he is suspended for the season, he could fall out of the first round.

Other Potential 1st Round DE's

Jared Crick (Nebraska)

• At this point, Crick is the only other DE almost guaranteed to be a first round pick. I am considering Paige-Moss as an OLB in the NFL but if he can play 4-3 DE he would also be a first round pick.

Video Highlights

• Highlight #1: UNC vs. Tennessee (Music City Bow0l)/North Carolina State/ Florida State: This is basically all you need to see on Coples. It shows almost every snap from these three games and is worth the 11 minutes.

Quinton's Strengths and Weaknessess

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/5/18/2169289/quinton-coples-2012-nfl-draft-prospect-notes

Final Thoughts:

• Coples is an extremely talented DE that should dominate this year at UNC. He has great speed and I think he is heavier than his listed weight. Some sites have him listed at 285 and some have him at 245. I think he is somewhere in between. If he is around 265, he is the ideal weight to go along with his speed to be a dominate 4-3 DE. if he is closer to 285, he could be one of the best 5-tech DE's in the NFL.
• The only part of his game that is lacking is a true go to move to get by Offensive Linemen once they get a hold of him. If he can develop a go to move, he can become one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.