Comments on: College Prospect Evaluation: Outside Linebacker

By: Catching Up with Arizona DE Brooks Reed :Derek's Patriots Blog

Catching Up with Arizona DE Brooks Reed :Derek's Patriots Blog — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 16:01:49 +0000

[...] at 12:01 pm A few weeks ago, I made Arizona defensive end Brooks Reed my sleeper prospect in my College Prospect Breakdown. The college defensive end seems to have many of the qualities to transition to 3 – 4 outside [...]

By: Taxed in Maine

Taxed in Maine — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:47:31 +0000

As I evaluate players, I gleen out the ones that will not work in the Pats system first. They play a 3-4 2-GAP defense.
So that would eliminate Miller and Ayers almost immediately. Neither can stack & shed. Ayers is not a pass rusher, and Miller is a pass rush specialist.

Then you have Quinn who has been permanently banned from NCAA competition. Not only for his off-field problems, but then lying about it to investigators. Take your sharpie and cross him off the list.

Smith and Houston are possible candidates.

If you want more pressure on the QB next year. Look at the possible 5-tech DEs. It all starts up front, if the DL can’t command double teams, the LBs can’t do their job.

DE is BY FAR the biggest need on defense going into next season.

By: Derek Havens

Derek Havens — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:27:57 +0000

Yes Brett, I am trying to be logical and realistic with my projections. Even though he was suspended (which might scare some teams away) he is not small. In fact many call him a “greek god” for his incredible size and strength. He has top 5 capability but if he fall, I would hope the Pats would make the move.
———–

Joe, Thanks for the insight. Yes, Ryan Kerrigan is a top prospect, but I am not in love with him. Maybe I will change my mind after the combine but for now, I see him as the #6 on my list (if I had 6 spots). Quinn is a wildcard for now, could go high or fall late. I agree about Houston and Reed. Acho is a guy who intrigues me later in the draft. I agree that the Pats should double up with two prospects. They need guys at that position. Both for pass rushing ability and three down OLB play. Thanks for the comment, good takes.

By: joe salah

joe salah — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:03:21 +0000

Good job. A good list of players. A few comments. Ryan Kerrigan is not on the list and should be. In games I saw, Ayers get blocked by big linemen, not wild about him. Quinn is gone early, as is Von Miller. Aldon Smith has real production not a workout guy and is very interesting, maybe the most potential for a Pats pick, have to be at 17. So is Justin Houston who looks like a real player, would love to see him at 28 or 33. Brooks Reed is up and coming and I would like to see us double up with Kerrigan, Smith or Houston and then later a Brooks Reed, but I don’t know if Reed makes it to 60, probably not. Maybe a Sam Acho from Texas in the lower third or fourth.

By: Brett

Brett — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:02:07 +0000

Derek, if our team needs immediate help, why do you regard a small player, a suspended player, and a risk/reward project so highly? (I suppose you are just being a realist considering our draft position.)

By: cb

cb — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:35:45 +0000

i’d love to double dip at olb and get quinn and reed!
along with a stud d lineman, guard, and tackle, and le shoure (tough breakaway back),good free safety and tall wide receiver who can escape blocks at line of scrimmage, through draft and or free agency.
i’d use lower round picks to trade up where need be to get those studs.
we’re not going to have 12 more rookies make the team, and brady’s window is now.

By: Derek Havens

Derek Havens — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:54:17 +0000

In case anyone was curious, each of the players height / weight’s were according to their respective school websites. Keep in mind those numbers can be inflated but each player is measured at the combine.

By: Derek Havens

Derek Havens — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:53:01 +0000

Thank you John, I will do my best to match expectations. Thanks for reading

By: John

John — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 20:46:50 +0000

Really enjoyed that, very good column Derek. I can’t agree more; the time is right to upgrade the OLB position. Looking forward to the rest of the series.