Sleeper DT, Justin Zimmer

Interesting write-up (with player interview), looks like the typical BIG fish in a SMALL pond.

His testing #'s would seem to indicate some significant raw abilities that could be coached up into a very good 3-tech with interior pass rush ability. His 44-reps on the bench would have blown up the combine & his flexibility, change of direction testing was top notch as well. I could see this guy as a possible draft target for the Seahawks in round 5, (pick #172-overall) --or-- round 6 (pick #215-overall), if they wait to round 7/UDFA, he's probably gone for sure with his high potential.

http://nflspinzone.com/2016/04/06/2016- ... in-zimmer/

Damn, this guys numbers are crazy.

If Cable was drooling over guys like Soloki and Sweezy, Zimmer is like the perfect project for center.

His TEF is probably off the charts with:

44 bench reps
117" Broad Jump
32" Vert

but his 3 cone (7.09) is better than some skill position players and his 7.42 Shuttle and sub 1.70 10 yard split is evidence the guy can move.


Zimmer compares well to Jared Smith from the 2013 draft, but is a twitch or two quicker, and 16 more reps more powerful.

I would draft the guy just for the chance to see what elite power, elite quickness, and superb explosion could bring to the table in terms of winning in the trenches perhaps on both sides of the ball. Its always an uphill battle with raw small school players but it never hurts to add more data as well as athleticism to the competition.

Zimmer TEF is 3.75.

But frankly, I watch his tape and I want to keep him at DT. Sokoli and Sweezy both had UDFA tape on defense. This guy has really good tape.

Don't mess with the conversion.

McGruff":11uzcxoc said:

Zimmer TEF is 3.75.

But frankly, I watch his tape and I want to keep him at DT. Sokoli and Sweezy both had UDFA tape on defense. This guy has really good tape.

Don't mess with the conversion.

Click to expand...

Good to know.

Does anyone have arm length, hand size, or wingspan for this guy?

Good find. This kid actually played some DE in those highlights, and played DE the year before as well.

He slid inside his Senior year and if his technique is raw, that's probably why. For a short armed guy, he shows good use of hands with a quality rip move and hand fighting.

Super intriguing, and I wouldn't be upset if we spent a late 5th on him.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/710944639767990272[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/710962211909402624[/tweet]

McGruff":34ffjzzw said:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/710962211909402624[/tweet]

Click to expand...

Thanks. Arms were longer than I had expected at 44 reps. . And his mitts are nice and big.

Hes about 2 inches short of Mebane in arm length. Dont know if that matters when hes elite in every other aspect of athletic measure.

He sounds like a good pick for DT. I don't know why they'd bother switching him if he's like a Justin Smith. I'd stick with him at DT instead of converting him to OL. Just my two cents.

McGruff":3q66vt6o said:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JeffRisdon/status/710944639767990272[/tweet]

Click to expand...

Wow the Seahawks are good. Not surprising to find out they already scouted a guy from Ferris St. Also called his arm length!

Seriously, like McGruff said, he's got good tape. Hell, watch some of his highlights coming off of the edge; he actually has good bend and lean going around the Tackle. I've seen lots of 270 lb guys that are quicker with less flexibility on the edge. With his numbers he could play 5 technique for us if they wanted him there.

DT-Justin Zimmer, Ferris St. @ Michigan St pro-day
""the-most-athletic-300-pound-prospect-in-nfl-history?""
6-024/302
4.91/40yd, 2.84/20yd, 1.69/10yd
44-BP reps (says he did 47 in training)
33.5"-Vert
9'-9" (117") Broad jump
4.36-shuttle
7.01-3cone
PRODUCTION:
""It might be tempting to categorize Zimmer as a workout warrior, but his on-field numbers were also incredibly impressive. Last season, he led his team in tackles (81), sacks (13), tackles for loss (26) and forced fumbles (four). True, he posted those stats against D-II competition, but that type of production from a defensive tackle is extraordinary at any level." ""In addition to his great numbers in the standard Combine events, Zimmer also has a Squat max of 615 pounds and a Hang Clean max of 405 pounds. Though he's not yet a household name, Zimmer could prove to be a steal in the middle to late rounds of the 2016 Draft.""
http://www.stack.com/a/small-school-sta ... fl-history

When I watch his tape, a combination of Aaron Donald & JJ Watt are easily brought to mind, even when considering the low level of competition, this kid has some great moves that could only be enhanced by good coaching. I'm sold on a pick at #172 to the Seahawks. A STEAL!!!!

Interesting comparison: DT-Aaron Donald vs: DT-Justin Zimmer Per: mockdraftable.com
Donald seems a little faster straight line in the 40 and also in get-off, most of the rest of Zimmer's workout numbers beat Donald's. Also consider that Zimmer has 17 more pounds on him than Donald & is a lot stronger.

DT-Aaron Donald, 6-1, 285, 32-5/8"-arms, 9-7/8"-hands
4.68/40-yd, 1.59/10-yd, 35-reps, 32"-Vert, 116"-Broad Jump, 7.11-3cone, 4.39-20-yd shuttle.

DT-Justin Zimmer, 6-2.5, 302, 31-5/8"-arms, 10-1/8"-hands
4.91/40-yd, 1.69-10-yd, 44-reps, 33-1/2"-Vert, 117"-Broad jump, 7.01-3cone, 4.36-20-yd shuttle.
Edited to add interesting pre-pro day write up at: http://thedailynews.cc/2016/02/26/zimme ... nfl-draft/
I'm starting to really, really like this guy.