With The First Pick
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2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: West Virginia vs Oklahoma State

By Nicholas Perlich

STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Center Matt Jones #79 of the West Virginia Mountaineers prepares to snap the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - NOVEMBER 17: Center Matt Jones #79 of the West Virginia Mountaineers prepares to snap the ball against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter on November 17, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State won 45-41. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: West Virginia vs Oklahoma State. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
2021 NFL Draft prospects to watch: West Virginia vs Oklahoma State. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Pick Analysis. 6-foot-1. DL. player. Scouting Report. 282 pounds. Darius Stills. 877

It may surprise some fans, but West Virginia has one of the better duos along the defensive line in the entire country. It just so happens that they are brothers as well. Darius and Dante Stills set the tone for the Mountaineer defense up front. Darius is the more accomplished of the two right now as he received Second Team All-Big 12 Conference last year. In fact, he was voted at the Preseason 2020 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

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Matt Valdovinos of Pro Football Network had this to say about Stills:

"“Darius Stills lived in the backfield for the Mountaineers last year. He was a disruptive force whose speed off the ball and active hands allowed him to lead West Virginia in both tackles for loss and sacks. Listed at 6’1″ and 281lbs, Stills could see a slide due to his smaller frame and poor length. However, the NFL once let Aaron Donald fall to the 13th overall pick because he was 6’1″ and under 285lbs. I’m not comparing Stills to the best player in the NFL, but I am using Donald to show that a disruptive defensive lineman doesn’t have to be 6’4″ to make an impact. Stills has a legitimate double-digit sack upside in the NFL.”"

Darius wins with an incredibly quick first step and shows powerful hand usage on attacks. Of the two brothers, he is clearly more polished as a prospect when it comes to hand usage. Darius is the definition of a gap penetrator who gets into the backfield consistently to disrupt plays and get after the quarterback. His gap penetration ability can get him into trouble at times, however, as he will get out of position and open up rushing lanes for the opposing running backs.

Stills can greatly improve his draft stock with a good season in 2020. Darius didn’t make many plays in week one in limited playing time versus Eastern Kentucky, but it’s hard to imagine him staying quiet for very long. He will look to show that he deserves all the preseason accolades that he received while trying to slow down Hubbard and the Cowboys offense.

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