Andrew Billings – Baylor Bears

Position: Defensive Line

Height: 6’1’’

Weight: 311

Year: Junior

Hometown: Waco, TX

Experience: Sr. – 2 year starter

Measurables:

40 yard: 5.05 seconds

Broad jump: 113 inches

Vertical: 27.5 inches

3-cone: 8.05 seconds

20yd. Shuttle: 4.82 seconds

Bench Press: 31 reps

Career Notes:

As a two-time first-team All-Big 12 defensive lineman, Billings was an anchor at nose tackle in Baylor’s defense since earning the starting job late in his freshman season. His outstanding sophomore campaign (2014) where he recorded a pair of sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss earned him national recognition and put him on the map as a potential top defensive line prospect.

Billings continued his momentum as a junior, recording 5.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss and proving to be the top defensive player on a very talented Bears club. In his three-year collegiate career, Billings not only registered eight sacks, but he also tallied an impressive 15 quarterback hurries and continually proved disruptive as interior pass rusher. His strength is superhuman. He was one of only two humans to lift over 2,000 pounds at a high school competition (805 squat, 500 bench, 705 deadlift).

Equally as good against the run as he is rushing the passer, Billings is one of the most complete defensive lineman in the 2016 draft class. After he received a first-round grade from the Draft Advisory board this past winter, it’s easy to see why the Baylor standout decided to forego his senior year and declare for the NFL Draft as a junior. He should be one of the first interior defensive lineman off the board.

Injury Report:

A minor ankle sprain limited him in a few games in 2015.

Career Stats:

Analysis:

Against the Run: 4.5/5.0

Billings consistently overwhelms offensive linemen with his tremendous strength. He wreaks havoc in backfields and dominates the point of attack as a nose tackle. He maintains low pad level while taking on blocks and uses violent hands to shed and wrap up ball carriers. He frequently takes on double-teams, but rarely gives up ground or gets pushed off the line, showing good anchor and play strength.

His motor never stops against the run. He hustles to the ball, battles through blocks, and throws offensive linemen back on their heels as he explodes off the line and consistently generates a great push. His quick first step also allows him to split double teams and get into the backfield to blow up plays or hit the back for a loss. Billings is a force against the run and is a handful for any interior offensive lineman to square off against. His power and nonstop motor definitely set the tone for the defense against the run.

Pass Rush: 4.5/5.0

Billings can be a dominant pass rusher from the defensive tackle position. Frequently lining up over center as a zero-technique, Billings whips both the center and guards all game. He gives offensive linemen hell all four quarters, and very few have been able to match his power and relentlessness at the point of attack. His punch off the line of scrimmage is so violent it will knock lineman off balance. He also does a nice job extending his arms exploding out of his stance, standing his man upright and winning at the line of scrimmage.

Billings shows an array of pass rush moves and approaches for getting after the quarterback. He possesses probably one of the most effective bull rushes in the draft class. He’ll drive offensive lineman back on their heels, collapse the pocket, and create interior pressure, but he can also gain a guard’s inside shoulder with a quick first step and use a sudden swim move to rip by his man and get free to the quarterback. Billings also shows tremendous hustle chasing the quarterback out of the pocket, which allows him to make some plays on second effort. He’s an ideal interior rusher at the next level.

Agility: 4.0/5.0

As a nose tackle, Billings has more agility and athleticism than people give him credit for. He moves incredibly well in space for a 310-pound defensive lineman. His feet are quick, allowing him to explode the line and shoot the gap before offensive linemen can get their hands on his chest and keep him from impacting the line of scrimmage. Billings’ almost inhuman strength not only extends to his ability to throw offensive lineman off their spot, but it also allows him to explode off the line, using a strong base, to come out of his stance with incredible power and suddenness. However, Billings is more than just a wrecking ball heading downfield. He demonstrates decent lateral movement and solid change of direction ability to makes plays in pursuit or out in space.

Impact Play Ability: 4.5/5.0

Billings is a true impact player as a defensive lineman. He controls the tone at the line of scrimmage, and his physical, aggressive playing style brings some juice to a defense. As a run defender, he wreaks havoc in the backfield, plugs rushing lanes, and topples offensive lineman over on his way to the running back. As an interior rusher, he’s disruptive all game, consistently getting push off the line and collapsing the pocket. This creates opportunities for other players. Billings’ 7.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries as a two-year starter doesn’t do his ability as a pass rusher justice. His ability to take on double teams and flush the quarterback out of the pocket has allowed his teammates to get clean looks at the quarterback. Down-in and down-out, Billings was the best player on the field.

Summary:

Without a doubt, Billings is one of the top interior defensive linemen in the 2016 draft class. He may even be the most talented nose tackle prospect to come out of college for several years. He’s truly a unique talent and would provide any team that drafts him a three-down player at the next level. His relentlessness and incredible strength allow him to create havoc at the line of scrimmage in each phases of the game. He’s a stalwart run defender that can take on blocks, fill gaps, and make plays in the backfield, but he’s also equally as good as an interior pass rusher. He’s also versatile enough to play multiple positions on the defensive line, whether it be nose tackle, three-technique defensive tackle, or five-technique defensive end. Overall, Billings is a dominant player in the trenches and should be a lock in the first round.

Overall Grade: 4.38/5.0

If drafted by the Packers:

The Packers would be fortunate to have a player as talented as Billings fall to them at the end of the first round. However, it may happen, considering the depth of the defensive line class this year. Not every team will be in the market for a nose tackle, and some may consider the three-technique prospects, like Robert Nkemdiche or A’Shawn Robinson, instead.

Regardless, if Billings is still available when Green Bay is on the clock with the 27^th overall pick, he may be too tempting to pass up, even if the Packers manage to bring back either B.J. Raji or Letroy Guion. The Packers could use an influx of young talent at defensive line. Outside of Mike Daniels, Green Bay’s defense hasn’t had a consistent contributor on the defensive line for some time now, and it’s hard to say at this point how much Raji has left in the tank. They could use another high-motor big man to line up alongside Daniels in their two-down linemen nickel defense.

Billings would fit this role well. He can play nose in base or rush the quarterback as a one or three-technique tackle in sub-packages. Even though he weighs closer to 300 pounds than the common 330-mark for NFL nose tackles, Billings’ incredible strength allows him to take on double teams, hold the point, and give little ground in the trenches. He’s a brick wall in the middle of the tackle box, but he can also disrupt and penetrate the line. He could open things up for the Packers linebackers and create opportunities for guys like Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, or Jake Ryan. Not to mention he’d take a lot of attention off of Daniels on the interior.

Even if the Packers manage to re-sign Raji, they could use Billings in base as a five-technique defensive end. He’s athletic and explosive enough to hold his own on the edge. He could then rotate with Daniels, Raji, and Pennel in the sub-packages when Green Bay only uses two defensive linemen. Billings rarely wears down, and he’d give the Packers a true three-down player to utilize creatively in their defense.

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