Overview

Built like a Coke machine and almost as difficult to move, Raji's dominant strength inside makes him the elite run-stuffer of the 2009 draft. An immediate standout for the Eagles, Raji worked his way into the rotation as a true freshman and started 38 of his final 40 games. A second-team All-ACC selection in 2006, Raji was expected to be the dominant cog in the BC defensive line in '07, but didn't fulfill his academic obligations and missed the Eagles' magical season. The increased expectations that came with his return to the field in 2008 didn't slow Raji at all. In fact, despite constant double-team attention, Raji emerged as arguably the most dominant defensive lineman in the country, registering 42 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks. An even more dominant performance throughout the week of practice at the Senior Bowl made Raji a top-10 player on some boards.

High School

Earned All-State, All-North Jersey and All-County honors as a senior at Westwood Regional High School ... Was a two-time All-Bergen County Scholastic League choice ... Was a three-year starter ... Played on both the offensive and defensive lines ... Recorded 75 tackles, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2003 ... Played for head coach Joe Gambardella ... Was selected to play in the 2004 Governor's Bowl, which pits the top high-school seniors in New Jersey against their New York counterparts ... Played on Westwood's basketball team as a freshman and sophomore.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.

Analysis

Positives: Flashes rare burst off the snap for a man his size and can penetrate into the backfield and disrupt the play without necessarily making the tackle. ... Good strength and mass at the point of attack to create a pile. ... Good short-area lateral quickness. ... Experienced. Missed the 2007 season due to academics, but leaves BC with 38 career starts. ... Locates the ball quickly and works to make the play. ... At his best lining up at the nose, though he flashes the initial burst off the snap to be effective as the under-tackle in the 4-3 alignment. ... Strong enough to pull down ballcarriers with just his arms. ... Arguably the single-most dominant player during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

Negatives: Marginal height for the position. ... Only adequate to shed blocks due to his short arms and lack of sustained quickness. ... Rare quickness in confined space, but lacks the speed to sustain and struggles to make an impact outside of the guard box. ... Flashes the burst off the snap for the three-technique (under tackle in the 4-3 alignment), but is only a marginal pass rusher. ... Relies on his initial burst off the snap and an occasional spin move to pressure. ... Reliable tackler, but lacks the balance and lateral quickness to break down and make the tackle in space. ... Most effective when operating as part of a rotation. ... Maturity is a concern. ... Has struggled with his weight, playing in 2006 at more than 350 pounds. ... Was suspended for the first half of the Clemson game in 2006 for throwing a punch at a Central Michigan player. ... Missed the entire 2007 season due to academics.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.