I have never been a scout or a NFL General Manager, but I am willing to watch a ton of football. By watching about 200 snaps of each prospect, we can really get a feel for a player and then know what we are talking about a bit better. It is no exact science, but the NFL hasn't quite figured out drafting either, so we are going to do the best we can.)
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- Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) celebrates after Florida place kicker Austin Hardin (16) missed a field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Florida State won 24-19. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State - 6'4, 320 - Junior
With almost all of the premium defensive linemen now profiled, let's move on to the 11th player on our list (if you wish to look at all of them, check out this link). Goldman is part of a Florida State team that tried to defend its national title in 2013 and came close before bowing out to Oregon in Pasadena on New Year's Day. He is a strong, prototypical defensive tackle that took over full time duty with the drafting of Timmy Jernigan (Baltimore Ravens) last spring in this same process. In his high school recruiting class of 2011, he was the 2nd ranked defensive linemen in the country, behind Mario Edwards, who also has lined up next to him for the Seminoles the last several years. He played 3 years at Florida State before declaring for the draft this month and amassed 4 sacks and 8 tackles for loss in 2014. I watched the games versus Louisville, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Oregon to review his work.
What I liked: With Jernigan's review in my memory from last draft season, I can compare the two by saying they share a trait of being stout in the middle and standing his ground quite well against the run. What makes Goldman a much better prospect for me than Jernigan is the way that Goldman is able to get upfield and make things happen behind the line of scrimmage. He possesses a real push on his pass rush and can get north to collapse the pocket from the middle. He is very good with his arms and hands in that when he is able to get them on the chest of his blocker, he is able to easily control them with his strength and move them where he wishes. He is very good with leverage and with a body that is built for this position is a load to deal with all afternoon. Which leads me to maybe his most appealing attribute from a Dallas standpoint, which is his battle. I really liked his motor in these games both from a consistency level and from a standpoint of not giving up on any play. He fights and moves as a play develops and stays after it which leads him into many opportunities because he is staying active and energetic. He reminds me quite a bit of Nick Fairley.
What I did not like: Like Jordan Phillips, it is fair to ask him why we did not see more devastating statistics than we did. If the average top prospect at this position is making 20-25 explosive plays (Sacks + Tackles For Loss) in 2014, why is Goldman at 12? There is a very deep rotation at Florida State that kept his snaps down and energy up, but still, you would prefer to have more than 1 play a game that gets recorded. I would say that Goldman was on the scene a lot and drawing all sorts of opportunities for his mates, as well, but that is a question. Also, it would be nice if he was a bit more difficult to move when he gets double teamed, but now we are nitpicking. He is not moving when single-blocked very often.
Summary: He is very young and medically fit. He has high energy and is ready to compete in all situations and he has some real gifts as a 1-gap penetrator and a middle patrolman that makes him a very appealing option at DT if he were to be available at the pick. You are looking for someone with a full skill set, room to grow, and a fire in his belly to make a difference and I think I see all of that with Eddie Goldman. He is absolutely a 1st round caliber football player that would answer a lot of concerns in the middle if he were available.
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