Name: Quinton Coples
Position: Defensive End
College: North Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-6 / 280
Age: 21 (born June 22, 1990)
Honors: Coples was a two-time All-ACC first-team selection.
Strengths: Even in the ACC, Coples often dominated his competition. He's got engulfing size, matched with linebacker-quickness. He can be a run-stuffing end, as well as an edge-rusher. His 6-6 frame gives him long arms that can be problematic for offensive tackles trying to stick with him as he pushes his way back to the quarterback. With good coaching, he has the ability to be a great one.
Weaknesses: While he's got all the tools, the desired size and the nastiness to play the position, Coples has been criticized for not giving 100 percent effort on all plays. In fact, he even admitted as such during the combine, stating he had to work on his immaturity, which often led to him taking plays off. Now physically, he won't have a lot of weaknesses, other than maybe learning new schemes. But Coples has played in multiple defenses in college and so it wouldn't be foreign for him to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
Sound Bites: On criticism throughout his collegiate career that his production didn't always meet his talent level: "A lot of people have a lot of high expectations for me. And I appreciate that. But when you're playing the game of football, you have things that happen that don't go as planned. I think it was a situation that happened that I learned from, I matured from, and I think I'll reap the benefits at the next level."
Where He's Headed: With his size and some of the highlights he's produced, Coples could be a Top 5 pick. When the concerns of his inconsistent motor start to arise, it likely could drop him into the teen-range. The latest mocks have Coples going right around the Cowboys' pick at No. 14 – with a few of them have Dallas selecting him.
How He Helps the Cowboys: If he can be a willing player in the 3-4, Coples could be an instant upgrade at defensive end. The problem with that position is that it's not for everyone, especially players who are used to getting to the quarterback and producing stats. Coples has had at least five sacks in the last three years at UNC. Not saying he can't be disruptive as a 3-4 end, but the stats will be harder to come by. And with his flexibility, there's no reason why he couldn't occasionally move to the edge, especially in pass-rushing situations.
Position: Defensive End
College: North Carolina
Height/Weight: 6-6 / 280
Age: 21 (born June 22, 1990)
Honors: Coples was a two-time All-ACC first-team selection.
Strengths: Even in the ACC, Coples often dominated his competition. He's got engulfing size, matched with linebacker-quickness. He can be a run-stuffing end, as well as an edge-rusher. His 6-6 frame gives him long arms that can be problematic for offensive tackles trying to stick with him as he pushes his way back to the quarterback. With good coaching, he has the ability to be a great one.
Weaknesses: While he's got all the tools, the desired size and the nastiness to play the position, Coples has been criticized for not giving 100 percent effort on all plays. In fact, he even admitted as such during the combine, stating he had to work on his immaturity, which often led to him taking plays off. Now physically, he won't have a lot of weaknesses, other than maybe learning new schemes. But Coples has played in multiple defenses in college and so it wouldn't be foreign for him to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.
Sound Bites: On criticism throughout his collegiate career that his production didn't always meet his talent level: "A lot of people have a lot of high expectations for me. And I appreciate that. But when you're playing the game of football, you have things that happen that don't go as planned. I think it was a situation that happened that I learned from, I matured from, and I think I'll reap the benefits at the next level."
Where He's Headed: With his size and some of the highlights he's produced, Coples could be a Top 5 pick. When the concerns of his inconsistent motor start to arise, it likely could drop him into the teen-range. The latest mocks have Coples going right around the Cowboys' pick at No. 14 – with a few of them have Dallas selecting him.
How He Helps the Cowboys: If he can be a willing player in the 3-4, Coples could be an instant upgrade at defensive end. The problem with that position is that it's not for everyone, especially players who are used to getting to the quarterback and producing stats. Coples has had at least five sacks in the last three years at UNC. Not saying he can't be disruptive as a 3-4 end, but the stats will be harder to come by. And with his flexibility, there's no reason why he couldn't occasionally move to the edge, especially in pass-rushing situations.
