NFL Draft: Top Five FCS Prospects in 2017
No. 3: Derek Rivers, DE, Youngstown State
At 6-feet 4-inches and 248 pounds, Rivers should be appealing to both 4-3 and 3-4 scheme teams. The diverse range of teams who have brought Rivers in for workouts is further proof. He played both defensive end and linebacker during his college career. That said, Rivers would probably be best-served as an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme.
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He was consistently productive, earning all-conference selections the last three seasons. He netted 14 sacks during his sophomore and senior seasons.
Rivers tested extremely well at the NFL combines, running a 4.61 40-yard dash, lifted 30 reps in the bench press and had a 35-inch vertical jump.
Regardless of the scheme, Rivers will need to work on improving in the run game but may find playing time right away in a designated edge rusher role. He is known as a high-motor player which should earn him a roster spot, but he doesn’t have the power of a traditional defensive end.