In today’s NFL, having 4-3 OLB’s that can not only play the run well, but also drop into coverage and make plays in space is essential. Here are the top prospects on my board.
1. OLB Shaq Thompson 6’0 228 lbs Jr. Washington (#10 on the Big Board) Grade: 1st Round
40 Time: 4.64 Bench Press: 20 reps Vertical: 33.5 Broad Jump: 9’9 3 Cone: 6/99 Short Shuttle: 4.08
40 Games 233 Tackles 15 TFL 3.5 Sacks 16 PBU 5 INT 5 FR 3 FF
Strengths: Versatile and athletic LB prospect who started out his career at SS and has played RB in college at an high level. Very comfortable and fluid playing in space Good instincts in pass coverage, smart, has good vision, plays man to man and zone well. Will be a big factor as a LB in the nickel and dime packages. When covered by his DL, he flows to the football, makes tackles in the box and out on the perimeter. Very sound tackler, a playmaker who goes for the strip, and also catches interceptions, taking the football to the house for TD’s. He also may be the best kick and punt cover guy in the draft.
Weaknesses: Thompson has issues taking on and shedding blocks at the point of attack. Not a guy who’s going to be real physical, taking on lead blockers or OL. He will need to be covered in order to be effective.
2. OLB Kwon Alexander 6’1 227 lbs Jr. LSU (#92 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.55 Bench Press: 24 reps Vertical: 36′ Broad Jump: 10’1 3 Cone: 7.14 Short Shuttle: 4.20
Career Stats: 32 Games 156 Tackles 15 TFL 1.5 Sacks 3 FF 6 PBU
Strengths: Athletic OLB prospect who is very comfortable lining up in the slot, playing out in space. Has very good speed. Can run sideline to sideline to make tackles. Dodges, ducks under, and slides around blocks to make plays vs the run. Can cover RB’s one on one out of the backfield. Speed and athleticism makes him a core special teams player from day one.
Weaknesses: Misses too many tackles for my liking. Has poor technique, drops his head, not seeing what he is hitting. Not good at taking on blockers in the hole. Loses gap integrity when trying to dodge blockers at the point of attack. I know the OLB draft class isn’t really strong, but he could have used another year of college ball to improve.
3. OLB Jordan Hicks 6’1 236 lbs rSr. Texas (#112 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.68 Bench Press: 20 Reps Vertical: 38′ Broad Jump: 10’4 3 Cone: 6.78 Short Shuttle: 4.15
Career Stats: 45 Games 231 Tackles 20.5 TFL 5.5 Sacks 6 PBU
Strengths: Hicks is a very good athlete, moves very well in space. Has great straight line speed, but also moves well laterally and when dropping into coverage. Sees the football, diagnoses the play and goes and gets it. Played “Mike in college but projects better as a “Will” backer in the 4-3. Run and chase guy who can play all three downs. Not a heavy hitter, but is a very sound tackler.
Weaknesses: Hicks missed 16 games due to injury from 2012-13. His medical history is a legit concern. How comfortable teams feel with his physicals, will determine where he goes in the draft.
4. OLB/ILB Ben Heeney 6’0 231 lbs Kansas (#113 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.59 Bench Press: 19 reps Vertical: 33.5′ Broad Jump: 10′ 3 Cone: 6.68 Short Shuttle: 4.00
Career Stats: 46 Games 335 Tackles 35 TFL 4.5 Sacks 4 INT
Strengths: Has good speed, solid awareness, reads the screen pass well. Gets good depth in his drops in pass coverage. Solid instincts, sees the plays and hits it full speed. Heeney’s combine numbers match what you see on tape, he’s fast, moves fluidly, very athletic. He’s a sound tackler who’s at his best when covered by the DL, and allowed to run freely to the football. Played MLB in college, Has the speed and toughness to be an impact core special teams guy from day one.
Weaknesses: Small, gets swallowed up at the point of attack, doesn’t take on blocks, stack and shed them well. Needs to get bigger and stronger in order to deal with the pounding in the NFL.
5. OLB/ILB Mike Hull 6’0 237 lbs rSr. Penn St. (#119 on the Big Board) Grade: 4th Round
40 Time: 4.64 Bench Press: 31 reps Vertical: 30.5′ Broad Jump: 9’2
Career Stats: 48 Games 294 Tackles 21.5 TFL 6.5 Sacks 2 INT
Strengths: Smart football player, good instincts, rarely blows an assignment. Has played both “Mike” and “Will” backer during his career. Uses his hands well to shed blocks and make tackles in the box. Textbook, form tackler. Decent in zone coverage. Tough, played through a knee injury during 2013, made no excuses, no complaints. Will have to contribute on special teams early in his career.
Weaknesses: Struggles vs speed and athleticism in space. Limited speed and movement exposed when asked to play man coverage and make tackles in space.
Other prospects with draft worthy grades:
6. OLB Martrell Spaight 6’0 236 lbs Sr. Arkansas (#182 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
7. OLB/ILB Jake Ryan 6’2 240 lbs rSr. Michigan (#218 on the Big Board) Grade: 6th Round
8. OLB Derrick Malone Jr. 6’2 220 lbs rSr. Oregon (#226 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
9. OLB/ILB Curtis Grant 6’3 240 lbs Sr. Ohio St. (#229 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
10. OLB/ILB James Vaughters Sr. 6’2 258 lbs Stanford (#257 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
11. OLB Zaire Anderson 5’11 220 lbs Sr. Nebraska (#264 on the Big Board) Grade: 7th Round
Muslim Football Scout 