Okoye what are your overall thoughts on the kid?

[Kazkal]

I've been liking him more and more...do you think hes worth a 1st rnder?

Though I know we probbley won't go DT in the 1st...still woulden't mind him if we did

[BlainThePain]

Here is his bio from www.nfldraftcountdown.com

Strengths:

Extremely strong...A solid athlete with good measurables...Stout against the run and is able to take on multiple blockers...Gets a good push and will collapse the pocket...Is able to shed blocks and clog up the middle...Shows great instincts for the game and is still developing...Smart player who wants to improve...Still has a ton of potential and he could really be physically molded by a pro strength coach.

Weaknesses:

Doesn't always play with proper leverage...Does not have a great burst of closing speed...Has to develop some additional pass rush moves...Might need to lose a little weight and get in better shape...Is inconsistent and will disappear from the action at times...Still needs a lot of technique work and is not a finished product.

Notes:

Has four years of Division I playing experience but will still only be a 20-year-old rookie in the NFL...A native of Nigeria who tested into the 9th grade as a 12-year-old and played at Louisville as a 16-year-old true freshman in '03...Possible nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme...The NFL Draft has never seen a player quite like this and even though he's a very good prospect now it's his upside that is really intriguing.

[schweinhart]

Okoye gets great penetration. As a 4-3 DT he reminds me of John McCargo from last year in how disruptive he can be but I'd agree with the weakness of leverage -- if he gets stood up blocked, he's locked and not just in doubles. He's got good run pursuit too, which could add to his appeal for a team like the Bengals who will want to replace Thornton at some point and have a rotational DT (especially one with pass rush) along with Peko at that spot.

At NT, 3-4 teams should be tempted to roll the dice on his upside but he'll have to get bigger not smaller. His quickness is like Vince Wilfork's but he's no where near as strong as Wilfork. He'd be best suited to play nose shade if a 3-4 team gets him.

I expect to see Okoye vs. man blocking quite a bit in the Orange Bowl against probably the best center in college -- Steve Justice of Wake Forest who has requested early entry evaluation and should be the 1st center picked if he goes. Justice is quicker and stronger than Okoye and it will be interesting to see how he fares.

But I've got Okoye going to the Chiefs in the 2nd round right now.