Broderick Binns, OLB

12/30/2011 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: DE Broderick Binns has a team-leading 12 tackles for losses and is second on the Hawkeyes with five sacks. Getting pressure against Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones will be tough against the Sooners' line but Binns must find a way to be a factor. Binns has swatted away eight passes while rushing the passer this season. - The Sports Xchange

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Binns was a three-star defensive end/tight end recruit out of high school, choosing Iowa over Minnesota, Arizona State and Colorado. After redshirting in 2007, he played in every game in 2008 as a redshirt freshman back-up defensive end, recording 22 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and 2 passes broken up. Binns earned a starting job in 2009 as a sophomore with 13 starts, finishing with 63 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 9 passes broken up. As part of a deep defensive line, he was only a rotational starter in 2010 as a junior, recording 36 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 2 passes broken up and 1 interception (returned for a score). Binns started every game in 2011 as a senior (13 starts), finishing with 60 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 8 passes broken up, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. Binns emerged as a sophomore, but struggled to standout as part of a crowded defensive line last year and had a very average season in 2011 without defensive end Adrian Clayborn lined up opposite him. He does a nice job using his eyes to recognize and locate the ball, showing a knack for knocking down passes at the line of scrimagge despite his short stature (21 career passes broken up). Binns has very average size, length and strength and is a limited athlete with poor get-off explosion, but he plays disciplined with a relentless motor - late round base defensive end, but it will be tough for him to stick on a team with his limited ability to create pressure on the pocket.

Strengths: Has good football speed with a nonstop motor and relentless pursuit of the ballcarrier. Plays with very good effort and doesn't give up, battling off blocks to the play. A smart, disciplined defender, keeping his eyes elevated and recognizing what the offense plans to do ... stays at home and holds contain. Very good awareness with the knack for elevating his hands in the passing lanes for deflections (21 career passes broken up!) ... tipped a pass to himself in the bowl game for the interception. Has a stout base to hold his own at the point of attack with the strong hands to secure tackles. Has good playing experience, starting at both left and right end at Iowa and gets the most out of his ability, using veteran moves and playing intelligent. Weaknesses: Lacks ideal height, length and overall frame for the position ... short and doesn't have the chiseled body type ideal for the position. Has limited athleticism and range, lacking natural explosion or first step burst to consistently threaten the edge. Not a quick-twitch athlete or naturally flexible ... short-area player. Doesn't have a consistent counter pass rush move after initially stopped ... doesn't get enough pressure on the pocket. Lacks the hand power to disengage blocks at the point of attack. Had only moderate production over his career and never led the team in sacks or tackles for loss at Iowa ... won't be a fit for everyone. Will need to answer some questions about a July 2010 arrest for DUI. NFL Comparison: Keyunta Dawson, NFL free agent -- Dane Brugler