Why did Guyton go undrafted?

[JSn]

Just watching some of his game-film back, he was pretty good and with the off-season, I have a feeling he'll be starting at ILB with Mayo this year. What were the main reasons he wasn't selected?

He could still be developing into an OLB, but I really thought he was progressing quickly alongside Mayo, and I doubt he put his training on pause when the season ended.

Stats:
Mayo: 16 starts, 128 tackles (100 solo), 4 Pass Def.
Guyton: 2 starts, 34 tackles (25 solo), 3 Pass Def.

To me, he's the obvious option at ILB, more-so than a rotational guy.
I'm not saying we shouldn't draft an ILB, but I don't think it's a position of desperation with versatility outside and Bru coming back (by all indications).

Thoughts?

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm pretty high on Guyton myself. He's nowhere near as polished as Mayo obviously, but his athleticism is on par if you take a look at the combine numbers. He's definitely going to be in the rotation at ILB this year. I don't value ILB as high a need as others, but I'm not averse to an upgrade. Guyton is a guy who shouldn't be overlooked unless we're getting a stud to put in front of him.

 

[WhiZa]

A few reasons, though I may or may not agree with them, are he is too lanky to play ILB, and not agile enough to play OLB. He was overshadowed by Philip Wheeler at GT.

Here was the analysis on him before the draft:
NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles - Gary Guyton


I think what BB did with Guyton is start him off slow and get him to do small things well. Which he did. Hopefully he can take on a bigger role next year.

 

[PatsChamp88]

I think what BB did with Guyton is start him off slow and get him to do small things well. Which he did. Hopefully he can take on a bigger role next year.

Yeah I tend to agree with your analysis, I really hope Guyton plays a bigger role next year.

 

[midwestpatsfan]

Man,
I watched the highlight reel of him at last years combine and he did that first drill about as well as anyone I saw this year. He kept his head up the entire time and he flew over those bags. I would say that Curry looked about the same but you guys are right, it is crazy that he went undrafted.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Phil Wheeler was an All-American and the GT MLB. They used Guyton as his relief, and he looked good doing that, but he was a reserve. They tried to use him as a OLB and he stunk at that. The combination, not starting in college at ILB, and stinking at OLB, made him an UDFA. After all, if he can't start in the NCAA, how good can he be in the NFL?

Phil Wheeler was and is a good player. He was drafted by Polian in the third round for the Colts, as a MLB. Guyton is better as a ILB, then MLB, but probably as a WILB, more so than a SILB. Once again there is a guy in front of him at his best position. Now its not Wheeler, but DROY Mayo.

I think that Guyton will eventually turn into a red chip player at ILB for the Patriots. He does an adequate job taking on the G and shedding, and has great range, and some coverage ability, but he will never be a Maulauga/TJ run-stuffer. But the Pats still need an ILB that has ILB confined-quarters, pass rushing ability. That ability is different than being able to out quick and turn the corner, pass rushing as an OLB.

Just like Tedy had in his prime, as he was an ultra quick interior DT pass rusher in college. That is a quick shed, or agility to make them miss, and then make yourself narrow, running through an inside gap directly at the QB.

So far that is not a Guyton nor a Mayo demonstrated ability. They need to find it or develop it in Mayo, or draft it, to have a feared pass rush. The rush can't come from the OLBs only.

I would like to point out that Belichick indicated that the Strong Safety position is turning into a coverage tweener from the old run-stuffer, in-the-box, Safety. I think he would say the same would apply to the anachronistic, TJ run-stuffer ILB too. They will be much more as complete ILBs, able to do both run-stuffing and some coverage capability, like Guyton and Mayo.