The Falcons are interested in improving their defensive line, and Michigan State’s Malik McDowell is one of the top prospects in the coming NFL draft, which is set for April 27-29 in Philadelphia.
Here are five questions with McDowell from his scouting combine media session:
Q: What sets you apart from the other defensive linemen?
A: Versatility. Play everything up and down the line. I've been playing everything on the line since (he started). … I've been playing all over the D-line my whole life. It was just something I picked up on growing up.
Q: What do NFL teams think of your versatility?
A: They find it very appealing. They (haven't) been telling me much, but I guess they like it. Truthfully I don't know, really.
Q: Where does your unique style as a pass rusher come from?
A: Coaches, at first they (weren't) really with it until I started making plays and everything. They tried to help me out, but I really couldn't get it right. I tried to tweak the technique a little bit, and after a certain point they just started teaching me my own style of play.
Q: What do you tell teams about work ethic?
A: That is not a problem at all.
Q: Some people say that it is?
A: We had a long year. I had a lot of stuff going on this past year, health reasons, just body stuff. Just little stuff, really. I was out there, I should (not) have been playing, so that is what it is, but that (isn't) something we're going to have to worry about in the future.
