NFL Draft 2013: Barkevious Mingo getting bigger and faster

Oct 20, 2012; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Barkevious Mingo (49) rushes the passer against the Texas A

We have ranked Barkevious Mingo as our #2 defensive lineman entering the NFL Draft this year. We all know the SEC is known for their bigger, faster, and stronger players and LSU certainly has turned out their share of defensive lineman. But the 6-5 and 230 pound LSU defensive end is making a case for himself in the upcoming draft.

“The most important thing, I think, to show is that I’ve increased weight — putting on a lot of weight, putting on a lot of size,” Mingo said on NFL AM. “I’m weighing 245 now. I played most of the season at 230.”

He was a fast defensive end in college playing 15 pounds lighter than that. It is usually accepted and understood that by adding weight and mass you sacrifice speed, which in some regards might affect his talent and ability. But a 230 pound defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 might have an uphill battle facing large NFL offensive tackles, though he faced a few of those in the SEC.

But a 3-4 outside linebacker might fit him and he is focusing on enhancing that skill set to make him more versatile and more valuable.

“I think I can do it all,” Mingo said. “I’ve been working on linebacking skills, driving back in coverage — that was something I was lacking at LSU. Working on getting my hands better.”

If he proves it in the combine he might go top 5 in the NFL Draft in April.