The 16th installment of our draft preview series focuses on South Carolina defensive end/outside linebacker Melvin Ingram.

Scouts Inc. ranks: No. 2 defensive end, No. 11 overall
Bio: Finished career ranked fourth in South Carolina history in sacks (21.5) and fifth in tackles for losses (30.5) despite only being a full-time starter one season. Was a first-team All-SEC selection as a senior, when he tied a school record with 10 sacks, made 15 tackles for losses, recovered two fumbles, intercepted two passes and scored three touchdowns (two fumble returns and a 68-yard run on a fake punt). Had nine sacks as a situational pass rusher in 2010. Was a high-scoring point guard in high school.

Size: 6-foot-1 ½, 264 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.71 seconds
225-pound bench press reps: 28
Vertical jump: 34.5 inches
Broad jump: 9-foot-1
20-yard shuttle: 4.18 seconds
Three-cone drill: 6.83 second

Broaddus Breakdown (viewed Florida, Clemson and Nebraska games): Played primarily as a right defensive end for the Gamecocks in a four-man line. Played some left end against Nebraska. Projected to play as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. … In the Florida game, I did see him drop some like he was playing linebacker in the scheme. It was a simple zone drop just in the flat and his technique wasn’t that clean. Just didn’t look comfortable and aware when he did it. It was more like he was floating in the area without much responsibility. Will not have to drop much in the league if he plays the weak outside linebacker, but if he is on the strong side, it’s something that he will have to be taught. With his athletic ability, it should not be a problem. … Lined up inside at defensive tackle when the Gamecocks went to their nickel package. Showed some productive rushes and awareness from the three technique inside. … Was able to sniff out a quarterback throwback in the red zone not once but twice against Clemson and the bowl game against Nebraska. … Showed the ability to flush the quarterback on an inside spin move that resulted in a sack against Clemson. Showed some burst on his rush in the same game to cause a poor pass. … See natural pass rush and skill more than technique. Would like to see him use more of a variety of rushes to free himself. Will tend to get tied up with blockers when he has the ability to do better. If he doesn’t get you with his quickness up the field, you see him stop, then try and restart his rush, which throws him off. … Observed some plays where he allowed the blockers to carry him past the quarterback. Needed more sharpness to his rush around the corner, attacking that shoulder, but there were times in these games where you didn’t see it. Ingram has the quickness and the burst to sharpen that edge and put pressure on the blockers, but it was inconsistent. … Can hold his ground in the running game and play with some power at the point of attack. Physical tackler. … Will work down the line to find the ball, but you will see some laziness in his play when it comes to chasing the ball. Effort needs to be better than it was against Florida and Nebraska. … There were also times where he was late off the ball and that bothered me. This is a trait that can’t carry over to the NFL because the blockers are too good. Needs to take advantage of his quickness on any opportunity he gets. … See this guy as a good player but not one of those special rushers. Think there is going to be some struggle early in his game until he develops.