SWG's NFL Draft Player Profiles: Chris Long

Chris Long
1st Team All-American
ACC Defensive POY
University of Virginia
6’4’’, 240 pounds

Like father, like son? If Chris Long can be like his father, he’ll be a Hall of Famer someday. There are many similarities between Chris Long and his father Howie Long. The Raiders HOF defensive end shares with his son a workhorse mentality, a bull rush pass rush style, and a last name. But for Chris to live up to the hype of being a “Long”, he’ll have to do it on his own.

Judging from last year’s performance, Long is living up to the top 5 draft hype. He collected 14 sacks for Virginia and was instrumental in the Cavaliers 22nd in the nation ranked defense. As a result of the Giants formidable D-line from a year ago, the demand for pass rushers is at an all-time high. And Chris Long certainly can be an answer to the needs of teams that want to mimic the Giants success.

Can two Long’s go #1 and #2? Maybe. The Rams at 2 could be in need of defensive line help, though they invested last year’s first round selection with defensive end Adam Carriker. The Falcons at 3 will also take a look at Chris, but if Glenn Dorsey is still on the board, that would be a logical fit. So with that being said, he could fall to a team that knows all too well the success of defensive end’s named Long; Howie’s former team the Raiders at pick #4.