Oregon’s Arik Armstead is an interesting prospect to evaluate. He doesn’t have much production to show for his work as he only recorded 87 total tackles, 10 for loss and four sacks in 39 career games, 19 starts. However, what Armstead does have is elite physical traits as he stands in at 6-foot-7 and 292 with 33-inch arms.

This led to one Pac 12 scout to say, “I see the power in his hands and all of his tools, but I don’t see the production or the consistent push that I feel like I should see from him. He could end up being a monster, but you have to understand that what you get right now is just a big athlete with some upside.”

Armstead one of the best high school players in the country coming out of Pleasant Grove High School in Sacramento, California. Most outlets projected as an offensive tackle; however, when he arrived at Oregon, he was switched to defensive end in the Ducks’ 3-4 defense.

The responsibilities that were asked of Armstead are a huge reason why he didn’t produce at a very high level. A defensive end in a 3-4 defense is very different from your typical defensive end in a 4-3 defense as they are responsible for two gaps instead of one, in a lot of instances, and asked to read and react instead of penetrating upfield. Instead of attacking an offensive lineman’s edge, they have to play square so that they can shed and make a play in the gap on either side of them.

Despite his lack of production, Armstead believes he is one of the best players in this draft.

“I feel I’m the best defensive lineman in this draft,” Armstead said. “I have a unique skill set, and with coaching, I can develop a lot more and turn myself into one of the best defensive linemen in the league.”

While he may not be the best defensive lineman in the draft, that distinction should go to Leonard Williams, he is an extremely talented player with a plethora of skills that should allow him to prosper in the NFL. Even though Armstead is tall, he understands how to play with a low pad without sacrificing is spinal alignment. This allows him to generate a ton of power at the point of attack.

This allows Armstead to be a great two-gapping player because he can use his length and strength to stack and shed opposing lineman. Armstead needs to work on his ability to shed on a consistent basis, but he routinely puts himself in good position to make plays.

As a pass-rusher, Armstead is extremely raw. He flashes the quickness to win quickly and his has a dynamic spin move that he uses to blow by opposing lineman when he stunts to the outside. However, he lacks the polish on a number of other moves. His favorite pass-rush move is the swim move, but he fails to flip his hips to really get to the offensive lineman’s edge.

Overall, Armstead is a prospect with an extremely high ceiling. He can step in right away and start as a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense, while he slides to the 3-technique defensive tackle in nickel situations.

Armstead may not have the production to show that he is a great prospect, but when you turn on the tape you see the type of rare traits that should make teams who run a 3-4 defense drool.

He may not be for everybody, but if you put Armstead in a scheme that maximizes his strengths, he will make the transition from an interesting prospect to an excellent NFL player.