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Mock Draft Spotlight: DE Carlos Dunlap

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PLEASE NOTE:The opinions, analysis and/or speculation expressed on BaltimoreRavens.com represent those of individual authors, and unless quoted or clearly labeled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of the Baltimore Ravens' organization, front office staff, coaches and executives. Authors' views are formulated independently from any inside knowledge and/or conversations with Ravens officials, including the coaches and scouts, unless otherwise noted.

*NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan and FOX Sports analyst Peter Schrager have Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap going to the Ravens at No. 25. Here's a little more information about Dunlap just in case they're right.
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There are enough doubts about end Carlos Dunlap that many draft analysts, including ESPN's Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, have the Florida defensive end falling into the second round.

A DUI arrest last December and an "inconsistent" game tape has made Dunlap one of the bigger draft riddles this offseason.

But there's also tons of potential in Dunlap's 6-foot-6, 277-pound frame – enough to draw comparisons to elite NFL pass-rushers Julius Peppers and Mario Williams.

And it's that ever-tempting upside that could lead to the Ravens nabbing a first round steal and a coveted sack machine.

On paper, selecting Dunlap makes a lot of sense. Baltimore has put a large emphasis on improving its pass-rush during the offseason after ranking 18th in the NFL in sacks last year. The Ravens are lost starting defensive end Dwan Edwards and defensive tackle Justin Bannan.

Dunlap is physically gifted. He's built like **Trevor Pryce** (6-5, 290) and could eventually step into Pryce's pass-rushing role when the 14-year veteran decides to call it quits. Dunlap also has the college production. He ranks tenth in Florida history with 19.5 sacks despite starting just 15 games during his career.

But the Ravens don't draft according to what they see on paper. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Dunlap has good, but not great initial quickness and relied on his long gait and long arms to get by college blockers. His height can cause him to struggle to maintain leverage and Dunlap is more of a drag-down tackler instead of a wrap-up tackler or big-hitter.

"Big guy, inconsistent technique," Ravens Director of Player Personnel **Eric DeCosta** said. "Pretty good run defender, pretty good pass rusher."

One of the biggest reasons why Dunlap's stock has tumbled is because of a DUI arrest on Dec. 1, 2009, days before the Gators' SEC championship game against Alabama. Florida head coach Urban Meyer suspended Dunlap, but called the mistake totally out of character.

Since then, Dunlap has done a good job proving to NFL scouts that he's a legitimate first-round choice. He did a full workout at the Combine and then again at his pro day (which was attended by Ravens Defensive Coordinator **Greg Mattison**). He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds and looked good in positional drills at his pro day, according to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.

"Things always get twisted and turned through the grapevine," Dunlap said at his pro day. "So I figured I would get myself in front of [scouts], let them see my work ethic and let them make their own judgment. … I don't want to sound cocky or anything, but I'm the hungriest guy there is."

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