2017 NFL Draft Reports - Outside Linebackers

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Haason Reddick, Temple, #7

Game Film Evaluated:

Memphis (2016)

Cincinnati (2016)

USF (2016)
Notre Dame (2015)

Summary: Struggles to get off blocks once engaged, he can get engulfed by tackles and cannot keep them off his body in run blocks. Extreme high effort and motor on the field, he will chase down plays all over the field. Good swim move to get off blocks on the pass rush but lacks explosive change of direction ability on tape to bend and turn the corner. He has extreme burst to close on the ball. He can shoot the gaps with ease. Good lateral quickness to make plays on the perimeter. He has the frame of a linebacker and not a edge rusher with a hand on the ground. Haason Reddick is a 3-4 outside linebacker complimenatary rusher or a weakside LB in a 4-3 scheme that wants to blitz their linebackers on occassion. Reddick has elite speed, motor and some flexibility to match up well in space in coverage and attack the action to make plays. He should be a 3 down LB and matches up best in a 4-3 scheme since he is not a polished rusher to make it in a 3-4. He has good upside in a 3-4 defense but I feel he is best suited for a 4-3 scheme to give him protection to fly to the ball and be a plus weapon to attack the offense. 3rd round grade.

Reuben Foster, Alabama, #10

Game Film Evaluated:

USC (2016)

Texas A&M (2016)

Mississippi State (2016)

Summary: Violent striker. He can hit with tremendous power. Strong tackler. Impressive burst and can really explode into the backfield. He has good lateral quickness and he can match up effectively in zone coverage and cover underneath routes. Does not play with good awareness and is often not the first defender to the ball because of it. When he has vision to the ball,  he can explode to it and make an impact play. However too often he takes time to find it and is out of position or a passenger to the ball instead of the first person on the scene. He plays with intensity and emotional player. He has upside as a blitzer who can destroy a QB if he times it right. Reuben Foster is a top potential player but a few things need to happen before he can realize that potential. I don’t think he is a good fit as a middle linebacker unless he has great protection in front of him, he needs a clear path to the ball and not have to deal with offensive lineman often to make plays. I project Foster to be an elite weakside LB in a 4-3 scheme that wants size and speed combination to be a weapon on the blitz and chase down plays with authority. He will take himself out of plays with his average on field awareness but if he is allowed to blitz and attack the gaps, he will more than make up for it with sacks, fumbles, and tackles for loss. He struggles to get off blocks and find the ball which is why I don’t like him as a inside backer in the NFL. First round grade but not a fit for every scheme and needs to move outside.

Jarrad Davis, Florida, #40

Game Film Evaluated:

UMASS (2016)

Alabama (2016)

Vanderbilt (2016)

Summary: He can strike violently on the ballcarrier. Tremendous speed, good lateral quickness. He can take on blocks but not able to get off blocks as consistently. Durability question. Strong tackler. Takes a lot of false steps, counters and misdirection will take him out of position. He has plenty of athleticism to run downfield with backs and tight ends and stay in man coverage. He is over aggressive and gets caught out of position too often. He needs to play under control and break down in space effectively, understand when to strike and when to just bring down the carrier. Played inside backer and on the nickel defense as an outside backer. Jarrad Davis is supremely talented and aggressive linebacker prospect. He has all the speed in the world to chase down plays all over the field, talented to cover tight ends effectively and is a hard hitter to the max. He needs to move outside at the next level as a weakside backer but he might get a look for a 3-4 defense because he has legit blitzing upside. He can convert speed to power and knock even offensive lineman on their heels. I project Davis to a weakside backer in a 4-3 and he can play all 3 downs in any situation shooting gaps with explosive quickness and strike when in position. He needs to play within the scheme and choose the right time when to go all in to blow up a back or receiver. First round grade.