Name: Barkevious Mingo
Position: DE/LB
College: LSU
Height/Weight: 6-4/241
Age: 22 (born Oct. 4, 1990)
Honors:Mingo notched eight sacks from defensive end in 2011 and four-and-half in 2012, earning him second-team All-SEC honors in both years.
Key Stat:Mingo's speed is what made him so hard to deal with in college, and it's going to be the reason he likely makes the switch to linebacker in the NFL. Even at 6-5, 241 pounds, he ran a 4.53 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The quickness with which he could get into the backfield as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme is pretty tantalizing.
Where He's Headed:He's certainly a first round pick, but it remains to be seen where exactly he goes. The safe bet seems to be somewhere between 10 and 15. The New York Jets look like a strong candidate at No. 9, and a lot of people expect the Saints to take Mingo at No. 15 to help their switch to a 3-4 defense.
How He Helps the Cowboys:Obviously, the Cowboys will no longer be playing a 3-4 scheme under Monte Kiffin, but that's not to say they don't need to boost their pass rush. DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are in transition from linebacker to defensive end, where they're unproven at the professional level. If anything, Mingo could be useful as a situational pass rusher, much the way LSU used him early in his college career. There's no telling what kind of force he could develop into later.
Scout's Take:Could become one of those hybrid players in this league that could line up at outside linebacker or put his hand on the ground and rush the passer. … In this scheme he would put his hand on the ground. … Has explosive quickness up the field. … Rangy player with length to his game. … Best trait he has is his ability to chase the ball. … Can really run. … Is a slippery player in the way he can work through double teams. … Has a smoothness to his game. … Very little wasted motion or movement. … Have seen him show some upper body strength and walk tackle D.J. Fluker of Alabama backwards. … Have also seen him get push with one arm on the blocker. … Will close down the hole from the backside. … Will use a spin move to get inside. … Very quick redirections. … Will feel pressure from the blocker, then spin to free himself. … Plays off the cut block. He's used to this because that's how tackles try and slow him down. … Aware to knock passes down at line; got hands up against Alabama for one. … Really can retrace his steps when he sees the ball. Has to be good at this because of the way he gets up the field. … Coaches like to move him around to make plays. … Faced more double teams this season than the other LSU defensive linemen. … As mentioned, showed some surprising strength, but in this scheme I would play him as the weak-side defensive end. – Bryan Broaddus
