NFL Draft 2014 Preview (49 page)

MLB YAWIN SMALLWOOD, #33

CONNECTICUT
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Grade: 5.22

Ht: 6-2 1/4 | Wt: 246 | Sp: 5.01 | Arm: 31 3/4 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Strong safety-option quarterback who also played basketball as a Massachusetts prep. Redshirted in 2010. Started all 36 games of his career at middle linebacker, pacing UCONN tacklers his final two seasons — totaled 94 tackles, 2 1/2 for loss and 1 1/2 sacks with three pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble return touchdown in ’11; 120-15-4 with four pass breakups and two forced fumbles in ’12; and 118-9 1/2-4 with nine pass breakups, an interception TD and two forced fumbles in ’13. Team captain. Strained his left hamstring running the 40-yard dash at the Combine.

Strengths:
Good size, acceleration and straight-line speed. Plays on his feet and sidesteps blocks. Gets depth in his zone drops and keeps pace with backs in coverage. Highly productive three-year starter. Respected, coachable team captain. Very good leaping ability (36 1/2-inch vertical).

Weaknesses:
Average eyes and instincts. Does not use his hands violently to take on and discard blocks. Shows some lower-body stiffness. Dull lateral agility. Does not play downhill and can be a step late to the perimeter. Inconsistent run fits and tackling — too often fails to wrap and drive through ball carriers.

Future:
Productive college middle linebacker at his best when he’s kept clean or has a clear path. Projects best in a 4-3, where he has enough athleticism and functionality in coverage to play in the middle. Has starter-caliber potential, but might be the type you look to replace.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

Scout’s take:
“He’s overrated.”

WLB TELVIN SMITH, #22

FLORIDA STATE
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Grade: 5.38

Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 218 | Sp: 4.52 | Arm: 32 1/2 | Hand: 10 1/4

History:
Prepped in Georgia, where he won a state championship. Appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman in 2010, recording 18 tackles, three for loss and three sacks with a pass breakup. Played 13 games in ’11, starting one at weak-side linebacker as an injury replacement, and tallied 42-8 1/2-3 with three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. Served a one-game suspension against Charleston Southern (undisclosed). Did not crack the starting lineup in ’12, but split time with middle linebacker Vince Williams and contributed 64-9 1/2-1 with three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 14 games. Was the Seminoles’ leading tackler in ’13 when he started all 14 games at WLB and registered 9-9 1/2-2 with four pass breakups and three interceptions (two touchdowns) for the national champs. Did not bench press at the Combine (right shoulder).

Strengths:
Fiery on-field emotional leader. Plays with passion and it shows — beelines to the ball and brings energy to the defense. Very good eyes, anticipation and instincts — sniffs out screens, takes good cut-off angles and negotiates through traffic easily. Plays downhill and often arrives behind the line of scrimmage before ball carriers see him. Outstanding functional football-playing speed. Fluid mover. Outstanding closing speed to the ball. Reliable open-field tackler — runs through contact. Good coverage skill — shadows receivers and has a feel for zones. Very likeable, gregarious personality that can unite a locker room and command the LB group. Has been very durable (despite lack of thickness). Has learned what it means to work, and football comes easy to him.

Weaknesses:
Despite contributing immediately in college, has been only a one-year full-time starter. Wiry and needs to add bulk to his narrow frame to withstand the rigors of NFL contact — is almost built like a free safety. Is not a strong, drive-through tackler — tends to go low. Average hand use and play strength. Could struggle matching up with bigger, more physical tight ends.

Future:
A fast-flowing, instinctive, run-and-hit weakside linebacker capable of producing at a high level if he can bulk up and withstand the rigors of the NFL. Has all-pro potential in a scheme such as the Buccaneers or Cowboys.

Draft projection:
Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

Scout’s take:
“My problem with him is that he’s just light in the (butt). I don’t know what you do with him. I like him as a football player. I put him in the fourth (round). Some will put him lower. I didn’t hear of any having him earlier. He is tall, but he was playing games in the 212-217 range. That will turn a lot of people off.”

SLB TYLER STARR, #11

SOUTH DAKOTA
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Grade: 5.00

Ht: 6-4 1/8 | Wt: 250 | Sp: 4.94 | Arm: 32 1/2 | Hand: 9 1/2

History:
Engaged with a son. Prepped at a small school in Iowa, where he won a state basketball championship and went to three state title games in football. Redshirted in 2009 and did not play in ’10 (academics). Started all 11 games at defensive end in ’11, recording 51 tackles, 19 for loss and 14 sacks with a batted pass and seven forced fumbles. Played hurt in ’12, but was a Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Outstanding Defensive Player) finalist — started 10-of-11 games as a rush linebacker and posted 74-7-4 with two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Did not start against Northern Iowa. Was the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year in ’13 — started 11-of-12 games and registered 71-15-9 with four pass breakups, an interception and four forced fumbles. Was ejected for targeting against Missouri State and had to sit out the first half against Indiana State. Participated in the East-West Shrine Game.

Strengths:
Good athletic ability and acceleration. Can run with tight ends in coverage. Good pursuit effort — chases hard and flattens down the line. Productive three-year starter.

Weaknesses:
Small hands. Limited core strength and knockback power. Not stout. Unrefined hand use. Does not have a plan as a pass rusher.

Future:
Athletic, productive, raw rush linebacker prospect who could also be tried as a Sam linebacker. Needs to develop more core strength, improve technically and make his mark on special teams to warrant developmental consideration.

Draft projection:
Priority free agent.

WLB JORDAN TRIPP, #37

MONTANA
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-2 3/4 | Wt: 234 | Sp: 4.67 | Arm: 30 3/4 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Montana native whose father and grandfather also played for the Grizzlies. Jordan also ran track in high school. Was primarily a special-teams player as a true freshman in 2009 (wore jersey No. 44), tallying 23 tackles, zero for loss and zero sacks in 15 games. In ’10, started 9-of-11 games at strong-side linebacker and was credited with 99-9-3 1/2 with three pass breakups and an interception touchdown. In ’11, managed 18-1 1/2-0 in three starts at SLB before suffering a season-ending torn right labrum injury. Moved to the weak side in ’12 and started all 11 games, notching 95-13 1/2-5 1/2 with two pass breakups, an interception, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery touchdown. Started all 13 games at WLB in ’13, registering 100-5 1/2-2 with two pass breakups, three interceptions, a forced fumble, a blocked kick and a fumble recovery touchdown. Two-time team captain. Wore Montana’s legacy jersey No. 37 his final two seasons. Participated in East-West Shrine Game and Senior Bowl.

Strengths:
Triggers fast downhill vs. the run. Diagnoses quickly and is around the ball a lot. Outstanding motor, intensity and effort. Extremely competitive. Very tough. Outstanding weight-room work ethic. Sculpted with very minimal body fat. Elected team captain. Exceptional character. Emergency long snapper (started all four years). Has a special-teams temperament. Takes the game very seriously. Athleticism was on display at the Combine — paced linebackers with a 3.96-second short shuttle, recorded a 6.89-second 3-cone drill and vertical jumped 37 1/2 inches.

Weaknesses:
Has short flappers and gets stuck on blocks. Can do a better job using his hands to stack and shed. Plays a bit too out of control. Tightness shows up in space trying to break down and secure open-field tackles (misses too many). Wound tight in coverage and not quick to redirect (allows separation).

Future:
A tough, determined, competitive overachiever capable of earning a job as a backup linebacker and special-teams performer.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

ILB DEVIN “UANI” UNGA, #41

BYU
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Grade: 5.10

Ht: 6-1 1/8 | Wt: 231 | Sp: 4.85e | Arm: 31 3/8 | Hand: 10

History:
Married. Comes from a large Tongan football family, including several relatives who played Division I football and in the NFL. Born and raised in California before moving to Hawaii in high school — played tight end and starred on the hardwood, winning state titles in football and basketball. Began his college career at Oregon State — was part of the 2006 recruiting class, but served a two-year LDS mission in Guatemala. Joined OSU in ’09 (wore jersey No. 41) — converted to linebacker and contributed on special teams, tallying 18 tackles, one-half for loss and zero sacks in 12 games. Appeared in all 12 games in ’10 and collected 32-2-1. Dislocated his left elbow in the season finale against Oregon. Transferred to BYU, walked on and sat out ’11 per NCAA rules. Was a backup inside linebacker in ’12, recording 28-3-1 with one pass breakup, an interception and a forced fumble in 13 games. Stepped into the lineup in ’13 and was the Cougars’ leading tackler — started all 13 games at “Mike” in BYU’s 3-4 scheme and racked up 143-7 1/2-0 with three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Suffered a chest contusion against Virginia then reportedly played through a broken hand mid-season. Suffered a torn right ACL, MCL and meniscus in the fourth quarter of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against Washington. Team captain. Was medically excluded at the Combine (knee)

Strengths:
Good eyes to key and diagnose — football smart. Plays on his feet and bends well. Steps downhill and has good take-on strength to stack and shed blockers. Motor runs hot in pursuit. Solid tackler. Drops competently into zone and shows nice awareness and reactions. Experience in a 3-4 defense. Has a special-teams mentality. Well-respected, motivated, hardworking leader. Comes from a football family.

Weaknesses:
Lacks ideal height and length. Has very small hands. Lacks ideal foot speed — can be a step late to the perimeter. Can be covered up and negated when he plays on his heels and exposes his frame to larger linemen. Needs to be schemed free as a blitzer. Relatively inexperienced. Is overaged with limited upside — will be a 26-year-old rookie.

Future:
An overaged, competitive, physical linebacker of Tongan descent, Unga went from walk-on to captain at BYU, where he was a tackling machine in his lone season as a starter. Skill set and college responsibilities translate well to the pro game, and he’s capable of serving as a core special-teams player and solid backup for a 3-4 team.

Draft projection:
Late draftable pick.

ROLB-DRE KYLE VAN NOY, #3

BYU
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Grade: 5.43

Ht: 6-3 1/8 | Wt: 243 | Sp: 4.71 | Arm: 31 5/8 | Hand: 9 5/8

History:
Engaged. Raised by adoptive parents. Linebacker-receiver who won a football state championship, ran track and played basketball and baseball as a Nevada prep. Days before 2009 National Signing Day, was arrested for DUI, jeopardizing his scholarship to BYU. When given the opportunity to be released of his commitment and sign elsewhere, he reaffirmed his commitment to BYU and accepted the terms of delayed enrollment, including a full year abiding by the school’s honor code and endorsement from an ecclesiastical leader. Also wrote a letter to head coach Bronco Mendenhall, expressing remorse and promising to earn back his trust. A month later, was cited for eluding police — got caught with alcohol, ran from police and was Tasered. Charges were eventually dropped and the incident was not publicized, but Van Noy flew to Provo in order to confess to Mendenhall in person, at which time he admitted needing help to straighten out his life. Mendenhall vouched for Van Noy, and the school honored his scholarship the following year. Prior to the ’10 season, got sick and lost 30 pounds. Played all 13 games in the fall (wore jersey No. 45), starting two at strong outside linebacker in BYU’s 3-4 scheme, and was credited with 35 tackles, 7 1/2 for loss and two sacks with two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Moved to the weak side permanently in ’11 when he started 8-of-13 games and produced 68-15-7 with three pass breakups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick. Sat out ’12 spring practice while recovering from surgery to repair a torn right labrum. Started all 26 games the next two seasons — totaled 53-22-13 with five pass breakups, two interceptions (one touchdown), six forced fumbles and two blocked kicks in ’12; and 70-17 1/2-4 with seven pass breakups, two interceptions and a safety in ’13.

Strengths:
Has a muscular, well-proportioned build. Quick get-off. Knifes gaps. Good pass-rush ability — can push the pocket or pressure the edge. Keeps working to the quarterback and has deceptive closing speed. Eyes the quarterback and tries to get his hands in the passing lane. Athletic with good movement skills in all directions — equipped to keep pace with backs and tight ends in coverage. Is rangy and can open up his stride and run vertical. Glides on the field. Scheme versatile. Football smart.