Will Derrick Hopkins Crack The Defensive Line Rotation?

It seemed to surprise draft pundits when Virginia Tech Defensive Tackle Derrick Hopkins went undrafted. It was widely thought that he would be taken on the third day of the draft after showing a great deal of improvement as a senior, racking up 54 tackles, with nine for a loss, and five sacks in 13 starts.

Despite being a bit undersized at 6ft. and 321 pounds, Hopkins plays with a ton of effort. He is explosive off the snap and shows good movement skills. He sports a variety of techniques when getting off blocks and gets to the ball quickly. The biggest knocks on Hopkins coming out of school, aside from size, are his lack of a killer instinct and strength.

This is a guy who possesses the desire to succeed and has started 40 straight games, showing both durability and consistency.

Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Derrick Hopkins (98) sacks Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Tom Savage (7) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Strength is something that can be fixed, obviously. Killer instinct can be learned through good coaching. This is a guy who possesses the desire to succeed and has started 40 straight games, showing both durability and consistency. Hopkins has proven that he has a a good motor and gives honest effort.

Hopkins is a classic overachiever who plays better than you would expect given his measurables and raw numbers. He is the kind of guy who makes for a great fit as a rotational run defender, which is a spot the Ravens need to fill. Defensive line depth was a bit of an issue last year and fresh bodies make all the difference down the stretch.