Draft Season At Vikings Territory: DT Andrew Billings Scouting Report

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][This Andrew Billings Scouting Report, with a Vikings slant, has been provided to Vikings Territory by Draft Season. Be sure to check back for more and also be sure to visit Draft Season to quench your NFL Draft thirst. All previously published scouting reports can be found by clicking here.]

Andrew Billings | DT, Baylor

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Measurements

Height – 6’1″
Weight – 311 lbs.
Age – 20 yrs.

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At First Glance

First-team All-Big 12

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Projected Round:

1st – 2nd Round

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Pros

Extremely powerful. Billings is as strong as an ox. He benched 225 lbs. 31 times at the NLF Combine, and uses his power to man handle would-be blockers.

Penetrator. Billings is quick out of his stance and can power past offensive lineman to quickly collapse pockets and pressure quarterbacks.

Wraps up well. If Billings gets his hands on a ball carrier it’s game over. He’s a very sure-tackler for a big man.

Surprisingly quick closing speed. Billings closes in on quarterbacks in a hurry, which is very rare for such a big human.

High energy player. Billings has a non-stop motor and always gives maximum effort until the whistle is blown.

Versatile. 3-4 teams can envision Billings at nose tackle, while 4-3 teams see him as an ideal one technique disruptor.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Cons

Maturity. Billings just turned 21, and teams are concerned whether he has the mental toughness to handle the life and pressures of a professional football player.

Technique. Billings relies too much on his quickness and power and needs to refine his skills to be successful in the NFL.

Needs to be more patient. Billings doesn’t always watch or care where the ball goes. Instead, he just wants to get in the backfield as soon as possible and cause ruckus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1460758786586{padding-top: 15px ;background-color: #dbdbdb ;}”]

NFL Player Comparison:

Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals

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The Vikings Slant

Vikings fit? Kind of.

Player wise, sure. The Vikings run a 4-3 front and Billings is a great fit as a guy who can both stuff the run and get after the passer. He’s extremely powerful and also quick as a cat, and will need to be double teamed 90% of the time. His big frame can free up the linebackers to attack, and he can do plenty of damage himself penetrating and collapsing pockets. The problem is the Vikings are already set at the position. Sharrif Floyd has a similar skill set and is a great player who is only getting better. Behind him is Tom Johnson who is no slouch, and just seems to make play after play any time he is in a game for an extended period of time. So unless the Vikings have plans to let Floyd or Johnson walk in the near future, it would be very surprising to see the Vikings use their first round choice on a guy who may not play all that much in 2016. If for some strange reason, Billings falls all the way to the Vikings pick in Round 2, then they may as well pull the trigger, as the value would be just too good to pass up.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]