STRENGTHS:
Has a short, compact build that gives him a natural leverage advantage over most NFL offensive linemen. Times the snap well, flashing an explosive burst to slip through gaps. Possesses quick feet, balance and lateral agility to avoid cut-blocks. Accelerates very quickly to close on the ballcarrier. Possesses surprisingly strong and active hands to rip free from blocks and to rip away at the ball when he sees it exposed (three forced fumbles in 2012). Experienced at virtually every position along the defensive line. Instinctive defender who locates the ball well and hustles to get involved in the action. Peels away from blocks, spinning to rip away and pursue laterally or downfield, as needed. Good recognition of deception plays, reading and peeling off to blow up screens and draws. Showed his dedication to the program by earning the "Hard Hat" award for his work in the team's offseason strength and conditioning program in 2010 (year he missed due to academics)... Appears to be significantly heavier, stronger than his listed size by ASU (6-1, 267). Good bloodlines. Father, Mickey, played in the NFL for five years as a defensive back and punt returner with the Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.
WEAKNESSES:
Obvious size limitations and may prove to be just a rotational defender at the next level. Short arms and can get locked out by the longer arms of offensive linemen. Possesses very good short-area quickness but reaches max speed quickly and appears to have only moderate straight-line speed for the position despite his size. Seems to tire easily. Will make a big play and then disappear for long stretches. Only has one season of sustained success at the FBS level.Compares To: Geno Atkins, DT, Cincinnati Bengals -- Having increased his sack production each of his three seasons in the NFL, the 6-1, 300-pound Atkins has given hope to all undersized, quick-footed defensive tackles that they, too, can find a niche in today's pass-happy NFL.
PLAYER OVERVIEW
Sutton looked like a future star for the Sun Devils as a true freshman, starting the first game of his career, playing in all 12 contests that season and demonstrating the ability to split gaps -- a requirement in then-defensive coordinator Craig Bray's scheme. Operating as a three-technique defensive tackle, Sutton registered 17 tackles, including three for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. While his numbers weren't staggering, Sutton was viewed as a player the team could build around... until it was announced just days before the opener that he'd miss the entire 2011 season due to academics. Sutton was a standout on the scout team, but that success didn't translate into eye-popping statistics upon his return to the starting lineup in 2011. Sutton registered 33 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, but it was hardly the dominant campaign some had projected. Still, his quickness seemed like an ideal fit in new head coach Todd Graham and his co-defensive coordinators' (Paul Randolph and Ron West) scheme. Few, however, could have predicted Sutton's breakout 2012 campaign in which he led the Pac-12 with 1.82 tackles for loss per game (20 in 11 games) and 10.5 sacks on the season. Appearing much stouter on film than the 6-1, 267 pounds he has been officially listed as by Arizona State over the past two years, Sutton could find surprising interest from NFL teams. With the proliferation of spread offenses in the NFL making it imperative that defenses put immediate pressure on the quarterback, "undersized" interior pass rush specialists like Sutton could have a niche, especially as teams begin to rotate their defensive linemen with increasing frequency.
Highlights:
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