Drafting a fast sideline to sideline ILB would really bolster the pats LB group. They also need to identify and sign a talented free agent linebacker who can start right away. IMO they need to find the next Colvin and aggressively pursue him.
Name: Patrick Willis
College: Mississippi Number: 49
Height: 6-1 Weight: 240
Position: ILB Pos2: OLB
Class/Draft Year: Sr/2007
40 Time: 4.60 40 Low: 4.57 40 High: 4.65
Projected Round: 1 Stock:
Rated number 1 out of 91 ILB's 23 / 2335 TOTAL
Overview
Overview: In a year besieged with inconsistency and injury among many of the best senior prospects, there are few positions with an unquestioned leader. But there is no question Willis is the dominant figure at middle linebacker. Willis broke onto the scene last year, earning All-American honors for his 128-tackle, 9.5 tackle for loss, 3.0 sack performance. Not only did Willis' 128 tackles lead the SEC, his 9.0 solo tackle average per game led all of D-IA football. His performance would have been even more impressive had he not missed a game (Wyoming) due to a broken finger -- an injury he played through the rest of the season.
Through the first ten games of the 2006 season, Willis has been proving that last year was no fluke. To this point he has 112 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and a sack. Veteran scouts will tell you that statistics are a poor tool in judging a prospect's chances at the next level. While this is certainly true, so is the fact that Willis consistently pops off the film regardless of who his Rebels are playing. Whether against the likes of Northwestern State (11 tackles) or Auburn (15), Willis is among the best players on the field.
Analysis
Positives: Well built athlete. Solid physique from head to toe. Wide shoulders. Thick legs. Instinctive. Reads the action quickly and is seemingly always in the right place at the right time. Rarely fooled by misdirection or trick plays. Physical presence in the middle. Struggled with a club for a right hand (cast for broken finger) as a junior and yet still showed the determination, strength and technique to take on and disengage from blockers. Reliable open field tackler. Legitimate sideline-to-sideline speed due to not only his athleticism, but his ability to read the action. Cognizant in coverage, though this isn't his strong suit. Understands blocking schemes and has the short area burst to be effective as a blitzer, but not used enough in this manner. Hard worker. Team leader.
Negatives: Good overall athleticism, but can be beaten in both man and zone coverage. Try-hard guy in this area and has worked hard to improve, but looks like a very good two-down middle linebacker who will struggle on third down against the pass at the next level. Durability is a bit of a concern as he has suffered a broken hand and broken foot despite starting for the Rebels for only two seasons.
12/07/06 - 2006 Butkus Award Winner: Ole Miss senior linebacker Patrick Willis was named the 2006 Butkus Award winner on Thursday evening at the 2006 Home Depot/ESPN College Football Awards Show. Willis, a Bruceton, Tenn., native is the first player from the state of Mississippi to take home the award honoring the nation's top linebacker. "My heart was beating so fast I didn't hear them call my name," said Willis, who was named 2006 SEC Defensive Player of the Year by both The Associated Press and the league coaches. "My foster mother turned to me and told me they called my name, I'm still in shock." Willis led the Southeastern Conference in tackles for the second-straight season with 137, including 87 solos. He finished the season ranked sixth in the NCAA in total tackles and third in solo tackles. In addition, he had three sacks, 11.5 TFLs for minus 44 yards, seven passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
