ESPN: ASU’s Will Sutton hurt stock during Senior Bowl

Jan 27, 2014, 11:52 PM | Updated: 11:55 pm

Arizona State defensive tackle Will Sutton is one of the more polarizing players in the NFL Draft pool.

On one hand, he is the reining two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, a player who regularly commanded double teams, forcing opposing offenses to game plan for him.

On the other hand, he’s someone whose numbers took a significant dip from 2012 to 2013, causing some to wonder if he gained too much weight in the offseason.

Apparently that is still the case, as a trio of ESPN draft analysts concluded that Sutton’s stock took a hit over a week of Senior Bowl practices along with the game itself.

In an ESPN Insider piece recapping who helped themselves and who hurt themselves, Sutton’s name came up on the wrong side of things.

Sutton had four tackles in Saturday’s game, including a tackle for loss, but the bottom line with him is that at 6-0 and 315 pounds he is carrying too much weight on his frame and doesn’t appear nearly explosive as he did when he played at a lighter weight in 2012. He still plays with an edge and flashes heavy hands, but offensive linemen reached and engulfed him when he failed to win initially. If he can shed some weight and post a strong 10-yard split at the combine, it will help his cause. He’ll also need to interview well and ease concerns about his conditioning.

Sutton tallied 13 sacks in 2012 but had just four in 2013, causing many to wonder if he’d be an impact player at the next level.

Of course, the opinions of scouts and analysts are always a mixed bag, so just because some think Sutton is too heavy does not mean everyone feels the same way.

But with a few months left between now and the draft, it appears Sutton may still have some work to do with regards to his stock.

South safety Craig Loston, of LSU, intercepts a pass intended for North receiver Robert Herron, of Wyoming, during the first half of the Senior Bowl college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South coach Gus Bradley, of the Jacksonville Jaguars, talks with Dee Ford, of Auburn, on the sidelines during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South receiver Kevin Norwood, of Alabama, tries to pull in a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against North on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) North quarterback Tajh Boyd, of Clemson, throws a pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the South team on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South running back Jerick McKinnon, of Georgia Southern, tries to get past the would be tackle of the North's Marcus Smith, of Louisville, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South receiver Crockett Gillmore, of Colorado St., spikes the ball over the crossbar after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the North on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South defensive end IK Enemkpali, of Louisiana Tech (99), tackles North running back James White of Wisconsin (20) during the first quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA College football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala., (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) North quarterback Logan Thomas of Virginia Tech (3) is sacked by South defensive end Dee Ford of Auburn (30) during the first quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) South wide receiver Mike Davis, of Texas (1), catches a pass as he is tackled by North defensive corner Stanley Jean-Baptiste, of Nebraska, during the first quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) North outside linebacker Jonathan Brown, left, of Illinois, tackles South running back Jerick McKinnon, of Georgia Southern, during the second quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) North running back James White (20), of Wisconsin, runs past South outside linebacker Telvin Smith (22), of Florida State, during the second quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) South wide receiver Kevin Norwood (83), of Alabama, celebrates with tight end Crockett Gilmore (86), of Colorado State, following Gilmore's touchdown catch during the first quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. At right is North safety Jimmie Ward (15), of Northern Illinois. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) South wide receiver Kevin Norwood (83), of Alabama, celebrates with fullback Jay Prosch (35), of Auburn, following a touchdown reception during the first quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) North coach Mike Smith, of the Atlanta Falcons, reacts to a field goal during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the South on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South running back Jerick McKinnon (24), of Georgia Southern, is tackled by Jonathan Brown, left, of Illinois, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South coach Gus Bradley, of the Jacksonville Jaguars, reacts to a touchdown during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the North on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) North quarterback Logan Thomas, left, of Virginia Tech, drops back to pass during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the South on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) North running back James White (20), of Wisconsin, runs into the end zone to score a touchdown during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game against the South on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. The South won 20-10. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) North defensive corner Pierre Desir (30), of Lindenwood, intercepts a pass in front of South running back Antonio Andrews (5), of Western Kentucky, in the end zone during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. The South won 20-10. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews) South quarterback Derek Carr (4), of Fresno St., drops back to pass while under pressure from North line backer Michael Sam (55), of Missouri, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South defensive end Dee Ford (30), of Auburn, celebrates after a sack of the North quarterback during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South quarterback Derek Carr (4), of Fresno St., rolls out to pass away from the pressure of North line backer Michael Sam (55), of Missouri, during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) South quarterback David Fales (12), of San Jose State, throws a pass against the North during the second quarter of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/G.M. Andrews)

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ESPN: ASU’s Will Sutton hurt stock during Senior Bowl