DT Marcus Stroud
Buffalo Bills
Height: 6-6 1⁄8; Weight: 321;  Speed: 5.09

Notes: Formed a dominant duo with Richard Seymour at Georgia before being drafted 13th overall by the Jaguars in 2001. Saw heavy action in his first year and entered the starting lineup in his second year, tying the team lead with 6½ sacks. Was voted to the Pro Bowl his third year in '03 after notching 101 tackles, 4½ sacks and a team-high 40 QB pressures. Became the second Jaguar since Tony Boselli to start back-to-back Pro Bowls in '04 and again earned the honor in '05. An ankle requiring surgery forced him to miss the final five games in '06 and three more in '07, when he was also suspended for four games for violating the NFL's Steroid and Related Substances Policy, which he acknowledged were supplements to help him recover from ankle surgery. Was traded to the Bills in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks in March of 2008. The acquired third-rounder was sent as part of a package to Baltimore, who selected Tavares Gooden, so the Jaguars could move up in the first round to select Derrick Harvey. The fifth-rounder (No. 143 overall) was dealt to Dallas, who selected Orlando Scandrick, in exchange for fifth- (USC LB Thomas Williams) and seventh-round picks (USC RB Chauncey Washington). Stroud has started all 22 games since arriving in Buffalo, notching 45 tackles and 2½ sacks in '08 and 30-2 thus far in '09. The Bills signed him to a two-year extension worth $8.25 million per year in the offseason.

Positives: Possesses rare size and can occupy blockers and clog the middle. Flashes good power and is capable of collapsing the pocket and creating a push when he comes off the ball low. Has a strong arm-over move and can toss blockers and overpower blockers with natural upper-body strength. Has long arms to disrupt throwing lanes and has a knack for batting down balls. Strong tackler. Has good overall length, body mass and balance and flashes the ability to press off blockers and control gaps. 

Negatives: Has a tendency to come off the ball upright and too often gives ground and is outleveraged. Is wound tight through his trunk, and it affects his lateral quickness and agility to flatten down the line of scrimmage. Can be washed by down blocks, struggling to handle any type of side pressure that forces him to drop his hips and hunker down. Inconsistent anchor. Limited playing range. Is too often late off the ball, and his stamina is questionable. Inconsistent instincts. Brings minimal pass-rush ability.

Summary: A gargantuan, straight-line, short-area power player who is too often negated by his lack of hip flexibility and lateral quickness. Can plug the middle and keep linebackers free to flow to the ball, but he is moved more easily than a man his size and stature should be moved. Needs to improve his functional core anchor strength and learn to play with a more consistently low pad level to avoid getting blown off the ball the way he has been at times this season. A solid starter and functional big body.

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