PFF: Malik McDowell Projects as a Top 10 NFL Draft Pick

While it has certainly been a disappointing season for the Michigan State Spartans so far, the school could still be poised to produce a top-10 NFL Draft pick in the form of defensive tackle Malik McDowell.

Pro Football Focus has put together a mid-season draft board and ranks McDowell at No. 8:

We were expecting a dominant season from McDowell, who certainly hasn’t disappointed to this point though he hasn’t been quite as unblockable as his most common comparison, DeForest Buckner, was last year. He has excellent movement skills for 6-foot-6 and he’s played a variety of roles from playing nose tackle to edge rusher while showing well against the run and getting after the quarterback often. Pad level will always be a concern for McDowell given his frame, and it’s something he needs to continue to work on heading into the draft process.

As you can see (er, read), there is still room for improvement for McDowell, who perhaps could climb even higher with a dominant second-half performance.

Just one Big Ten player, Iowa cornerback Desmond King, ranks ahead of McDowell, although Western Michigan receiver Corey Davis comes in at No. 6.