2006 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 62 | Key
Alert: None
Comment: Scott is the most notable restricted free agent for Minnesota as he spent the majority of this season starting at defensive end for the Vikings. The Vikings personnel department must now decide what level of tender to place on Scott to protect the team from losing an up and coming player that started for the team. Scott was a key reserve with the versatility to play either under tackle or base end in the defensive system employed by the Vikings. Scott was scheduled to regularly contribute in the rotation keeping the defensive line fresh until the season-ending injury to rush defensive end Erasmus James. With James down, Minnesota moved base end Kenechi Udeze across to rush end and elevated Scott to the starting base end position. This move proved extremely effective versus the run as these two ends along with a pair of Pro Bowl tackles, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, established the top ranked run defense in the NFL. Scott was a key cog in this excellent run defense as he was able to not only hold the point but also squeeze his edge down collapsing running lanes while not losing his contain position. Scott accomplished this using his physical strength and outstanding leverage. As tremendous as Scott was stuffing the ground game he had some limitations in generating a pass rush and pressuring the quarterback. Scott plays with power and lacks the finesse or the quick first step to gain an advantage over offensive tackles in pass sets. Once engaged, Scott tends to bull rush or use power moves rather than a series of moves combined with counter moves to defeat pass protectors making his rush predictable and defendable. As a base defensive end Scott is a solid starter especially versus the run but needs to move inside in the nickel package to be effective against the pass.
