NFL Draft 2014 Preview (48 page)

Future:
Powell is a physically gifted, inconsistent, college “Buck” (hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker) with crude strength and athleticism. Has developmental value as a stand-up rush linebacker, but must dedicate himself to the craft and realize he’s no longer the big man on campus.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I just finished him. I put him in the fifth (round). He’s intriguing because he plays some linebacker. He’s coming off double-knee surgeries. He’s not truly explosive but he has some power, which is what I liked. He’s athletic enough to drop, but his value is moving forward.”

SLB-DRE TREVOR REILLY, #9

UTAH
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Grade: 5.35

Ht: 6-4 3/4 | Wt: 245 | Sp: 4.65e | Arm: 32 1/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Married with two daughters — youngest, Shayn, was diagnosed with kidney cancer just prior to the 2013 season. Trevor was a high school linebacker-tight end who also played basketball and volleyball as a prep. Served a two-year LDS mission in Sweden before joining the Utes and redshirting in 2009. Appeared in 11 games in ’10, tallying 19 tackles, 5 1/2 for loss and two sacks with a pass breakup. Sat out two games while nursing a high right ankle sprain. Started 7-of-13 games in ’11 — five at the “Stud” linebacker, two at left end — and recorded 47-9-5 with two pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Played the ’12 season on a torn right ACL and meniscus — started all 12 games (eight at “Stud,” four at right end) and contributed 69-6 1/2-4 1/2 with three pass breakups, an interception and three forced fumbles. Was the Utes’ leading tackler in ’13 when he started all 12 games — eight at RDE, two at “Stud,” one at Rover, one at middle linebacker — and notched 100-16-8 1/2 with a pass breakup, an interception and a forced fumble. Team captain. Was a medical exclusion at the Combine (right knee).

Strengths:
Very solidly built frame. Good functional playing strength to beat blocks and defend the run. Locates the ball quickly and is around it a lot. Crashes the line hard and plays with energy. Flashes shock in his punch. Fine arm-under move to come underneath blockers and work the edges. Can control and disrupt tight ends. Takes good angles. Solid tackler. Ultra-tough, mentally and physically (played through ACL injury as a junior). Extremely competitive. Very good football intelligence — can line up a defense. Versatile — has played every LB position and can interchange with ease. Respected tone-setter. Outstanding work ethic. Identifies with the game. Ultra-competitive.

Weaknesses:
Average athletic ability and lateral agility. Can be stymied by power. Stiff-hipped and robotic moving in reverse. Has limitations in man coverage and can be mismatched by athletic tight ends. Wore a brace on his right knee and plant strength did not appear at full strength. Had arthroscopic surgery on the knee following the season and will require closer medical evaluation. Overaged — will be a 26-year-old rookie.

Future:
A country-strong, throwback, wrangler cowboy with the toughness desired to set the edge and the motor, intensity and competitiveness to produce effort sacks. Can factor as a 3-4 rush linebacker in an odd front or match up with tight ends as a strong-side linebacker in an even front. Could contribute readily as a situational rusher and, with continued strength gains, emerge as a DE prospect. Versatility is a plus.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He played more end this year. You have to go back to last year to see him at linebacker more. I love his motor.”

ROLB-DRE MICHAEL SAM, #52

MISSOURI
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Grade:
5.09

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 261 | Sp: 4.91 | Arm: 33 3/8 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Also lettered in track and powerlifting as a Texas prep. Redshirted in 2009. Played all 13 games in ’10 (one start) and tallied 24 tackles, seven for loss and 3 1/2 for sacks with an interception and a forced fumble. Played all 13 games in ’11 (one start) and collected 29-3-1-1 1/2 with an interception. Started 9-of-12 games in ’12 and was credited with 22-7-4 1/2 with two forced fumbles. Did not start against Central Florida, Vanderbilt and Alabama. Was the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year (AP) in ’13 when he started all 14 games and registered 48-19-11 1/2 with two batted passes and two forced fumbles. Would be the first openly gay active player in NFL history — came out to his teammates in August, then announced his sexuality publicly prior to the Combine.

Strengths:
Good arm length. Anticipates the snap and has a very good initial first step. Plays hard — gives great effort and competes every down. Good on-field intensity and demeanor. Attacks the edges aggressively and motor runs hot. Outstanding weight-room strength — can squat a small house. Very durable.

Weaknesses:
Lacks burst and acceleration off the edge to get a step on blockers and finish. Sack production results from effort and production flushed to him and is not creatively produced with savvy pass-rush moves, speed, power or bend. Average hip flexibility and snap — struggles clearing his hips at the top of his rush and trimming the corner. Adequate anchor vs. the run. Is late to disengage from blocks. Does not strike with authority. Inconsistent tackler. Late bloomer who could require time to adapt to the pro game. Poor Combine showing — bench-pressed 225 pounds just 17 times, recorded a 7.8-second 3-cone drill and posted an abysmal 25 1/2-inch vertical jump.

Future:
A productive, 4-3 weakside rusher who came on as a senior and it made his last season his best. Could fit most ideally as a 3-4 outside linebacker in a zone-blitzing scheme like the Steelers or Ravens.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“I didn’t like that undersized defensive end, No. 52. He is just a guy. All his production comes against inferior opponents. He can’t anchor or get off blocks. He’s stiff and needs reps. He’s a straight-line edge guy. He can’t set the edge. You’d like to see him do more vs. meaty competition.”

WLB RYAN SHAZIER, #2 (JUNIOR)

OHIO STATE
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Grade: 6.27

Ht: 6-1 1/8 | Wt: 237 | Sp: 4.38 | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 10

History:
Prepped in Florida. Originally committed to play for Urban Meyer at Florida, but Meyer resigned. Shazier then signed to play for Jim Tressel at Ohio State, but Tressel resigned five months later. Wound up playing for Luke Fickell for a season, then reunited with Meyer his final two seasons in Columbus. Played all 13 games in 2011, starting the final two at weak-side linebacker, and recorded 57 tackles, five for loss and three sacks with two forced tackles and a blocked kick. Started all 12 games played at WLB in ’12, registering 115-17-5 with 11 pass breakups, an interception touchdown and three forced fumbles. Was a Butkus Award finalist in ’13 after he led the Big Ten in tackles and tackles for loss — started all 13 games at WLB and racked up 134-22 1/2-6 with four pass breakups and four forced fumbles. Team captain joined James Laurinaitis, A.J. Hawk, Chris Spielman and Pepper Johnson as Buckeye linebackers to lead the team in tackles two consecutive seasons. Did not run or work out at the Combine (left hamstring).

Strengths:
Highly productive, disruptive playmaker vs. the run and pass. Shoots gaps and plays behind the line of scrimmage (compiled 39.5 TFL the last two seasons). Agile to slip blocks. Quick, strong hands to shed. Knifes gaps and flows very well laterally. Striking tackler — uncoils on contact. Excellent speed and range — opens up his stride in space and really covers ground. Bends naturally. Changes direction and accelerates with ease. Explosive first step as a pass rusher — shows the ability to dip, bend and run the arc low to the ground. Ample athleticism and flexibility to mark backs and tight ends. Led all players at the Combine with a 42-inch vertical jump and blazed a sub-4.4 40 time at his pro day. Four-down utility. Arrow is pointing up.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal size and bulk. Still developing eyes and instincts — will diagnose and trigger more quickly down the road. Gets caught in traffic or engulfed by larger blockers when he hesitates to step downhill. Prone to overaggressiveness — occasionally overruns plays or loses cutback contain. Could stand to improve his eyes, awareness, anticipation and reactions as a zone defender. Took some time to acclimate before making an impact.

Future:
The Big Ten’s leading tackler, Shazier flies around the field and his unique athletic ability stands out. Offers a tremendous combination of speed, tackling and coverage skills to become a playmaker as a run-and-hit 4-3 Will or perhaps a 3-4 weakside ‘backer if protected by a block-occupying nose tackle. Value is increased by the fact that he will not have to come off the field.

Draft projection:
First-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He can fly. Everyone was enamored with (Alec) Ogletree’s speed last year. Shazier is as advertised.”

ROLB PRINCE SHEMBO, #55

NOTRE DAME
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Grade: 5.32

Ht: 6-1 3/8 | Wt: 253 | Sp: 4.71 | Arm: 33 1/8 | Hand: 10 1/2

History:
Father immigrated to the United States from the Congo in 1986. Prince also played basketball and ran track as a North Carolina prep. Ankle injury limited him to five games his senior season. Appeared in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2010 and collected 15 tackles, five for loss and 4 1/2 sacks with a forced fumble. Started 8-of-12 games played in ’11 (seven at 3-4 outside linebacker, one at defensive end) and tallied 31-3 1/2-2. Missed the Michigan State game after his father, who was in town for the game, suffered a brain aneurysm. Left turf toe injury required surgery, sidelining him during ’12 spring practice. In the fall, started all 13 games at OLB and produced 51-10 1/2-7 1/2 with a pass breakup. Started all 13 games at OLB and totaled 48-5 1/2-5 1/2. Acknowledged at the Combine that he was the player linked to an alleged sexual assault in a dorm room made by a former Saint Mary’s College student who committed suicide 10 days later. Shembo was never charged in connection with the incident.

Strengths:
Large hands. Good balance and knee bend. Strong and physical — can stuff tight ends and is surprisingly robust at the point of attack. Outstanding leaping ability — boasts a 38 1/2-inch vertical. Flows laterally and pursues to the boundary. Strong tackler. Flashes power-leverage potential. Effective stunting and looping. Operated from 2- and 3-point stance and played on special teams.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal body length, elite flexibility and closing speed. Average eyes and instincts (see-and-go reactor). Can improve hand use. Hip tightness shows in space and when required to drop into coverage.

Future:
Thickly built, high-motor, highly competitive edge defender who projects best as a left outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Lacks desirable dimensions, flexibility and finishing speed, but has more than enough play strength, tenacity and toughness to compensate.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

MLB SHAYNE SKOV, #11

STANFORD
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Grade:
5.40

Ht: 6-2 1/4 | Wt: 245 | Sp: 4.95e | Arm: 30 5/8 | Hand: 10

History:
Highly recruited out of New York, where he also lettered in basketball and track and field. Played all 13 games as a true freshman in 2009, starting the final seven at Will linebacker, and recorded 62 tackles, three for loss and zero sacks with a pass breakup. In ’10, moved to inside linebacker in the Cardinal’s 3-4 scheme and was the leading tackler — posted 84-10 1/2-7 1/2 with five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Missed the first two games of the season while nursing a bursa sac injury. In ’11, managed 19-5-1 1/2 with a pass breakup in three starts before tearing his ACL and MCL and breaking the tibia in his left leg (required three surgeries). Was arrested for DUI in February ’12 and was suspended for the season opener against San Jose State. On the season, started all 13 games at ILB and totaled 81-9-2 1/2 with a pass breakup. Was a Butkus Award finalist and the Cardinals’ leading tackler for the third time in ’13 when he started all 14 games and registered 109-13-5 1/2 with four pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Team captain. Was medically excluded at the Combine (left calf).

Strengths:
Outstanding instincts and recognition — plays much faster than he clocks on a stopwatch. Goes full throttle and plays very hard. Times up the blitz extremely well. Explosive tackler. Alert in coverage. Intense emotional leader. Vocal leader. Has a love for the game and it shows. Ideal special-teams temperament. Fluent in Spanish.

Weaknesses:
Marginal foot speed — limited twitch and agility to adjust to movement in coverage and could be exposed by NFL backs and tight ends (though still does not look fully recovered from ACL injury). Has very short arms. Can play with too much abandon and recklessly miss some tackles flying to the ball (out of control). Long-term durability is a concern — has already had multiple knee surgeries.

Future:
A ballhawking, two-down Mike linebacker with a natural feel for the game, Skov has still not returned to pre-injury form and does not have full plant strength in his knee.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I’m not a Skov fan. He can’t run. He can’t take on or get off blocks. He’s a scheme guy. I think his impact at our level will be minimal at best. There are not a lot of 5-flat linebackers playing in the league right now.”