NFL Draft 2014 Preview (45 page)

Future:
A long-bodied, athletic rush linebacker with the base strength desired in a 4-3 left defensive end, Hubbard’s greatest physical trait is his core functional strength and ability to leverage the edge and defend the run. Is still developing as a pass rusher and offers the scheme versatility and upside to interest any defense. Has starter traits, but has yet to reach the impact level he thinks he makes. Has upside if the light bulb comes on.

Draft projection:
Third- to fourth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He flashes some pass-rush ability, but he’s highly inconsistent. He makes few plays and disappears a lot. He beats to his own drum.”

ILB ANDREW JACKSON, #4

WESTERN KENTUCKY
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Grade: 5.17

Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 254 | Sp: 4.85e | Arm: 32 1/2 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Prepped in Florida. Did not play football as a sophomore in high school after he was arrested for attempted burglary — completed nine months of community service, though his high school coach contended Jackson was in the wrong place at the wrong time and took the bullet for friends. Dressed for just one game in 2010. Started all 12 games at middle linebacker in ’11, producing 109 tackles, 17 for loss and 3 1/2 sacks with a pass breakup and a forced fumble. Was the Hilltoppers’ leading tackler for the second straight season in ’12 when he started 12-of-13 games played at MLB and posted 122-17 1/2-2 with a pass breakup and four forced fumbles. Did not start against Louisiana Lafayette. Started 10-of-11 games played at MLB in ’13 and totaled 95-8 1/2-1 with two pass breakups. Did not start against South Alabama, then was suspended against Georgia State (violation team rules). Was medically excluded at the Combine.

Strengths:
Thickly built, especially through his trunk and lower body. Has ideal bulk to fit inside a 3-4. Outstanding leaping ability for his size — has a 38 1/2-inch vertical. Physically strong tackler when he’s able to square up and wrap. Intense, confident and competitive. Did not look out of place when WKU stepped up in competition. Productive three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal length. Thick, tight hips and heavy legs. Average eyes and instincts. Needs to improve hand use and shed ability. Lacks speed to track down ball carriers on the perimeter. Leaves some production on the field -- inconsistent tackler. Man-coverage limitations. Does not project as a core special-teams player. Is immature and needs to learn what it means to be professional. Weight tends to fluctuate. Suspect character needs to be investigated.

Future:
A stout, physical, downhill thumper with eventual-starter potential inside a 3-4 front where he’s protected and able to attack the ball. However, suspect character and work ethic make him a risky investment, and he’d be best served in a locker room with a strong veteran presence.

Draft projection:
Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I didn’t like him. He’ short. I didn’t see him as more than a run-and-chase guy. You’d like to see more step and fill.”

LOLB DERRELL JOHNSON, #56

EAST CAROLINA
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Grade: 5.24

Ht: 6-1 3/4 | Wt: 254 | Sp: 4.60e | Arm: 30 | Hand: 9

History:
First name is pronounced “durr-ELL.” Prepped in Baltimore before spending a year at Wyoming Seminary Prep (PA). Played 12 games in 2010, starting the final 11 as a 4-3 defensive end, and recorded 40 tackles, 4 1/2 for loss and a sack. Played defensive end in a 3-4 in ’11 when he started all 12 games and notched 39-5 1/2-3 with two forced fumbles. Shifted to a rush linebacker role in ’12, posting 62-11-7 in 13 starts. Was the Pirates’ leading tackler in ’13 when he started all 13 games and compiled 80-14-8 with three batted passes, an interception and a forced fumble.

Strengths:
Experienced, four-year starter. Flashes shock and violence in his punch. Jars tight ends and slot receivers off their routes. Displays old-man strength to dig a ditch and set the edge. Swats big blockers and plays with tenacity. Can convert speed to power and uproot blockers. Extremely tough and durable.

Weaknesses:
Has noticeably short flappers and gets caught on the line and too often velcroed to blocks. Is very tightly wound with minimal coverage range. Lacks hip flexibility to come to balance in space vs. quick backs (misses tackles). Will be a 24-year-old rookie.

Future:
A strong, stocky, compactly built, leverage-power rusher who operates mostly out of crouched, 2-point stance and brings a bulldog tenacity to the field. Would be most ideally suited for an aggressive, one-gapping 3-4 front such as the Colts, Ravens or Steelers in a similar mold as Cowboys 2008 sixth-round pick Erik Walden. Was not invited to the Combine, but possesses make it qualities and could prove to be a surprise.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

Scout’s take:
“He’s just a guy. It’s going to be hard to overcome those short arms.”

ROLB-SLB CHRISTIAN JONES, #7

FLORIDA STATE
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Grade: 5.40

Ht: 6-3 1/8 | Wt: 240 | Sp: 4.74 | Arm: 33 1/2 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Father and brother also played for the Seminoles. Highly recruited Florida native. Was a reserve/special-teams player in 2010 when he was credited with 18 tackles, three for loss and three sacks with a pass breakup in 14 games. Started all 13 games at strong-side linebacker in ’13, producing 56-6-3 with two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Was FSU’s leading tackler in ’12 — started all 14 games at weak-side linebacker and racked up 95-7-0 with three pass breakups and a fumble return touchdown. In ’13, started 12-of-13 games played —first two at middle linebacker, final 10 at SLB — and totaled 56-8-2 with an interception. Was suspended for the Bethune-Cookman contest and did not start against Boston College.

Strengths:
Looks the part. Physical tackler. Highly athletic. Fast and rangy — flows laterally and chases sideline to sideline. Willing to take on lead blocks. Drops easily into zone and gets depth. Able to match with tight ends in coverage. Versatile — has played Will, Sam and defensive end. Looked more explosive off the edge as a senior. Uses his arms and hands to press, tug and rip free. Good flexibility and agility to flatten and shows closing burst to the quarterback. Four-down utility and core special-teams potential. Tough, durable, three-year starter. Loves football and works at it.

Weaknesses:
Is a bit high-waisted. Average instincts slow his play speed — still developing diagnostic skills. Hesitates to read and react. Can be more physical at the point of attack. Tends to slip or run around blocks. Needs to improve hand use. Does not jolt blockers and too often gets stuck. Short initial steps as a rush end. Could stand to improve pass-rush arsenal. Power element is missing. Average production — does not leave his imprint on enough games.

Future:
Chiseled, height-weight-speed see-and-go reactor with intriguing athleticism, versatility and upside who shows in flashes, but leaves evaluators wanting more. Is likely to boost his stock during the pre-draft process, and could warrant consideration from 4-3 teams as a Sam or Will, or from 3-4 teams as a rush linebacker. Play will reach another level if/when his processor speed catches up to his physical talent.

Draft projection:
Second- to third-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“I put him at the top of four because of mental concerns. That’s what really bothers me. When he’s at linebacker, he has speed and can run and chase. I don’t deny that at all. Every time he is forced to read his keys, he is always trailing because he does not locate the ball quickly. If you put him at end with his hand in the dirt, he can use his speed to turn the corner. I don’t think he shows up the way you want him to show up. I gave him a late three on size and speed.

ROLB-DRE HOWARD JONES, #7

SHEPHERD
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Grade: 5.25

Ht: 6-2 1/4 | Wt: 235 | Sp: 4.61 | Arm: 34 1/8 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Prepped in Virginia. Was a non-qualifier coming out of high school. Did not play in 2008-09. Was recruited as a 187-pound receiver then tried at outside linebacker before settling at defensive end. Started 48 games over four seasons — totaled 39 tackles, 18 for loss and six sacks with two batted passes, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in ’10 (14 games); 31-23 1/2-12 with an interception, three forced fumbles, two blocked kicks in ’11 (11 games); 34-15 1/2-9 in ’12 (11 games); and 35-21 1/2-8 with a batted pass and two forced fumbles in ’13 (12 games). Owns Shepherd’s career sacks record (35).

Strengths:
Muscular build with long arms. Intriguing athleticism. Outstanding straight-line speed and leaping ability. Explosive edge burst. Displays good balance, body control and agility as a rusher. Dips inside suddenly. Closes fast and shows striking ability. Flashes power potential. Has special-teams experience. Durable four-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Is undersized and vulnerable at the point of attack. Does not set a hard edge. Hand use and pass-rush technique need to be coached up. Tight hips exposed in space — struggles to change direction efficiently or break down to secure 1-on-1 tackles (inconsistent in this area). Tight hips. Green eyes and instincts — does not exhibit a feel for blocking schemes and struggles to locate the ball. Football intelligence is lacking — will require simple assignments.

Future:
Lean, explosive, highly athletic rush linebacker prospect who overwhelmed inferior tackles at the Division II level and has clear developmental value and upside potential. Best deployed with pinned ears and see-ball, get-ball instructions, Jones is raw, but has enticing speed and crude pass-rush ability for a patient, positional coach to mold.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

ROLB-DRE DEVON KENNARD, #42

USC
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Grade:
5.10

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 249 | Sp: 4.69 | Arm: 33 3/8 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Father, Derek, was an 11-year NFL offensive lineman with the Cardinals, Saints and Cowboys (1986-96). Devon Was a USA Today All-American as an Arizona prep. Tore his right ACL and meniscus as a senior in 2008. Played his first year under then-head coach Pete Carroll and defensive coordinator Rocky Seto — played all 13 games as a true freshman in ’09, starting the final four at strong-side linebacker, and recorded 34 tackles, two for loss and zero sacks with three pass breakups and a forced fumble. Had his left thumb surgically repaired prior to ’10 spring practice. Played in defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin’s scheme in the next three seasons. Played all 13 games in ’10, starting the first eight at middle linebacker (lost the job to Chris Galippo), and totaled 72-7-2 with a pass breakup and an interception. Had arthroscopic surgery to repair torn hip cartilage after the season. Moved to defensive end in ’11 and split snaps with Wes Horton — started 5-of-12 games and tallied 29-4-2 with a safety. Tore a pectoral muscle during the summer and was sidelined for the ’12 season. Deployed as an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast’s 3-4 scheme in ’13 when he started all 14 games and collected 60-13 1/2-9 with four pass breakups. Team captain had the top GPA on the team, and was honored as USC’s Most Inspirational Player and Co-Lifter of the Year.

Strengths:
Well-proportioned, muscular build. Generally plays on his feet. Can drop into short zones. Good tackler. Has played outside linebacker, middle linebacker and defensive end. Smart and tough. Team captain with outstanding intangibles, including leadership traits and a professional approach.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal body length and has small hands. Average athletic ability. Dull get-off. Limited explosion and power. Needs to cultivate pass-rush moves. Does not provide enough resistance against the run. Still developing instincts. Non-explosive athlete with pedestrian agility, as evidenced by poor 30-inch vertical and 7.25-second 3-cone marks.

Future:
A well-put-together standup linebacker with NFL bloodlines, Kennard’s intangibles outdistance his physical traits, as he lacks the juice to consistently heat up the edge in the pros.

Draft projection:
Sixth- to seventh-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s a tweener. He was a part-time starter most of his career. He does not play fast.”

WLB CHRISTIAN KIRKSEY, #20

IOWA
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Grade: 5.20

Ht: 6-1 3/4 | Wt: 233 | Sp: 4.70e | Arm: 32 3/8 | Hand: 9 3/8

History:
Linebacker-fullback who won state titles in football and track as a Missouri prep. Saw limited action in 11 games in 2010, scratching six tackles, zero for loss and zero sacks. Did not play against Penn State (concussion) or Missouri in the Insight Bowl (right ankle). Stepped into the lineup in ’11, starting all 13 games (first seven at weak-side linebacker, final six at “Leo”) — produced 110 tackles, five for loss and a sack with two pass breakups and a forced fumble. Started all 12 at the “Leo” (played the weak side against Michigan) and totaled 95-3 1/2-2 with two pass breakups, two interception touchdowns and a forced fumble. Started all 13 games at “Leo” in ’13 and recorded 104-5-2 1/2 with a pass breakup, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble return TD. Team captain. Did not run the 40, shuttles or 3-cone drill at the Combine (right hamstring).