Don’t let Kendrick Norton’s three-star rating deceive you. Norton was a highly respected recruit, as he came out of high school with 25 offers including Alabama, Florida, and Florida State. Norton decided to join Miami, where he was partially overshadowed by his defensive-line teammates like Chad Thomas and other flashy pass-rushers, but he still continued to impress NFL scouts and make a name for himself.
Pre-Draft Measurables
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 314 pounds
Arms: 33¾”
Hands: 10¾”
Strengths
Space Eater
As I mentioned before, Norton was commonly forgotten about because he didn’t necessarily pile up sacks and make flashy plays. The reason why other guys on the team made plays was in a large part because of Norton. When you have a stocky, athletic player like Norton that can occupy the center and force a double team, it relieves pressure for the other 2-3 guys on the defensive line. Norton attributed for a lot of run stops at the line and tackles for loss without necessarily making the play.
Intangibles
Norton consistently hustles to the ball and normally out-hustles his blockers, allowing for an extra body to help stop runs on the outside. Norton is almost a guarantee to not start his rookie year, so having a guy that will hustle every chance he gets is comforting. I hate to be so cliché, but without even meeting Norton, I can tell by his effort and more importantly his enthusiasm on the field that he’ll make for a great guy in the locker room.
Weaknesses
Not the Fastest
Effort is great, but sometimes effort isn’t enough. Norton will certainly be able to cause problems, creating cutbacks and obstacles for lineman and ball carriers alike, but his lack of speed gives him trouble for actually making the play. Norton’s speed is a burden, a burden that will only allow him to be a playmaker only within the tackles. Not a terrible problem, but a problem that’ll separate him from the elite interior defensive lineman in the league.
Draft Projection: 4th-6th Round
Norton is a one-trick pony. It’s now a fact that Norton can clog up the inside and cause problems in between the tackles, freeing up the front seven to make more plays. The problem, though, is that all Kendrick Norton is a space eater with heart. Norton can be a successful player in the NFL, but I have a problem with picturing him as anything above an average starter.
Pre-Draft Measurables
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 314 pounds
Arms: 33¾”
Hands: 10¾”
Strengths
Space Eater
As I mentioned before, Norton was commonly forgotten about because he didn’t necessarily pile up sacks and make flashy plays. The reason why other guys on the team made plays was in a large part because of Norton. When you have a stocky, athletic player like Norton that can occupy the center and force a double team, it relieves pressure for the other 2-3 guys on the defensive line. Norton attributed for a lot of run stops at the line and tackles for loss without necessarily making the play.
Intangibles
Norton consistently hustles to the ball and normally out-hustles his blockers, allowing for an extra body to help stop runs on the outside. Norton is almost a guarantee to not start his rookie year, so having a guy that will hustle every chance he gets is comforting. I hate to be so cliché, but without even meeting Norton, I can tell by his effort and more importantly his enthusiasm on the field that he’ll make for a great guy in the locker room.
Weaknesses
Not the Fastest
Effort is great, but sometimes effort isn’t enough. Norton will certainly be able to cause problems, creating cutbacks and obstacles for lineman and ball carriers alike, but his lack of speed gives him trouble for actually making the play. Norton’s speed is a burden, a burden that will only allow him to be a playmaker only within the tackles. Not a terrible problem, but a problem that’ll separate him from the elite interior defensive lineman in the league.
Draft Projection: 4th-6th Round
Norton is a one-trick pony. It’s now a fact that Norton can clog up the inside and cause problems in between the tackles, freeing up the front seven to make more plays. The problem, though, is that all Kendrick Norton is a space eater with heart. Norton can be a successful player in the NFL, but I have a problem with picturing him as anything above an average starter.
