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Frank Clark
Position: Defensive End
Height: 6-3
Weight: 271 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.64 (Pro Day)
Arm Length: 34 3/8 inches
Vertical: 38.5 inches
Hands: 10 1/8 inches
Bench Press: 19
Do Your Homework:
Strengths:
- Vertical ability: His vertical of 38.5 inches at the combine was second for his position. This aids Clark in swatting passes and diving at ball carriers. The guy has hops.
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Speed: Speed kills and Clark has plenty of it. His pro day forty of 4.64 proved that. Clark performs well running sideline to sideline, and his speed is truly showcased pass-rushing, where he is able to run down the field.
- Pass-Rush Arsenal: Clark can use fine-tuning here of course, but he already is an advanced pass rush in terms of pass-rush moves. He can create a bull-rush off the edge, has a spin move, and can also juke and make offensive linemen miss.
- Gets into the backfield: 9.5 sacks and 26 tackles for loss the past two seasons.
Weaknesses:
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Slow off snap: Clarke's burst off the line can improve. When the center snaps the ball, Clark was the slowest to immediately engage the offensive lineman.
- Doesn't Always Disengage: In run coverage, Clark isn't always able to fill the hole, unable to disengage from the lineman.
- Off Field Incidents: Was kicked off the team in 2014 after being arrested with a domestic violence and assault charge.
What They Are Saying:
- Clark met with the Seattle Seahawks last week.
- NFL Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein believes that Clark could be drafted in the top 100 picks.
- Check out his stats at cfbstats.com
Conclusion
Clark has intangibles that make him an intriguing mid-round option for NFL teams. He has speed and a lot of power to go with it. A conversion from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 pass rushing outside linebacker would best utilize Clark's strengths the most. Clark met with the Seahawks, and a team like Seattle would be able to utilize Clark fully, plugging him into NASCAR packages as a 4-3 end along with being a base 3-4 OLB.
I expect Clark to be drafted in round four to contribute year one on any team that drafts him. He is fast enough to play special teams in the NFL and if he doesn't see playing time on downs one through three, he will make his money on special teams as a rookie. At the very least, teams can put Clark in the game during pass rushing situations to spell their starter.
It's hard telling how his career will unfold. Clark will have to get even stronger and polish his strengths and work on his weaknesses, but I can see him having a successful career if he can avoid off-field issues.