Linebacker
1. Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
Strengths – Allen’s speed and raw athleticism are his biggest strengths, and it’s allowed him to be a factor in coverage in a way many linebackers aren’t. From 27 targets in 2017, he allowed a passer rating of just 55.9.
Room to improve in 2018 – He can be washed out of the play by offensive linemen if they get to the second level cleanly, and he needs to work on how he takes on those blocks or at least avoids being driven out of the play at the second level.
2. Devin Bush, Michigan
Strengths – A player that has flashed immense ability from Day 1 at Michigan, Bush has been a versatile linebacker whose greatest strength may be his unstoppable attack on the blitz. A season ago, he had seven sacks and 26 total pressures when rushing the passer.
Room to improve in 2018 – At his best, he is one of the best linebackers in the game, but needs to work on doing it consistently every week in all facets of the game.
3. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
Strengths – Play in coverage has been a strength of Edwards across multiple seasons, and in 2017, he had four interceptions and six pass breakups from 41 targets.
Room to improve in 2018 – There really aren’t many flaws to Edwards’ game, with impressive grades in coverage and against the run. He has multiple seasons of quality play and had his best year in 2017.
4. Joe Giles-Harris, Duke
Strengths – Giles-Harris is a tackling machine, who notched 66 defensive stops a season ago, good enough to rank fifth in the nation behind two first-round NFL draft picks. He missed just seven tackles from 115 attempts.
Room to improve in 2018 – Raw athleticism isn’t a great strength and it could cause him to have some problems in coverage against superior athletes, but it has yet to really manifest itself as a problem in his game.
5. Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
Strengths – Much like Giles-Harris, Fisher’s biggest strength is against the run and finding his way to the football. He topped 60 defensive stops in 2017, and had fewer than 10 missed tackles from 136 attempts.
Room to improve in 2018 – Fisher was a force against the run in his lone season of action in 2017, but coverage was a little behind, though far from a weakness in all but a couple of games. He needs a season of improvement in that area to catapult him up draft boards.
The full article is here below.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2019-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-top-5-at-every-position
1. Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
Strengths – Allen’s speed and raw athleticism are his biggest strengths, and it’s allowed him to be a factor in coverage in a way many linebackers aren’t. From 27 targets in 2017, he allowed a passer rating of just 55.9.
Room to improve in 2018 – He can be washed out of the play by offensive linemen if they get to the second level cleanly, and he needs to work on how he takes on those blocks or at least avoids being driven out of the play at the second level.
2. Devin Bush, Michigan
Strengths – A player that has flashed immense ability from Day 1 at Michigan, Bush has been a versatile linebacker whose greatest strength may be his unstoppable attack on the blitz. A season ago, he had seven sacks and 26 total pressures when rushing the passer.
Room to improve in 2018 – At his best, he is one of the best linebackers in the game, but needs to work on doing it consistently every week in all facets of the game.
3. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
Strengths – Play in coverage has been a strength of Edwards across multiple seasons, and in 2017, he had four interceptions and six pass breakups from 41 targets.
Room to improve in 2018 – There really aren’t many flaws to Edwards’ game, with impressive grades in coverage and against the run. He has multiple seasons of quality play and had his best year in 2017.
4. Joe Giles-Harris, Duke
Strengths – Giles-Harris is a tackling machine, who notched 66 defensive stops a season ago, good enough to rank fifth in the nation behind two first-round NFL draft picks. He missed just seven tackles from 115 attempts.
Room to improve in 2018 – Raw athleticism isn’t a great strength and it could cause him to have some problems in coverage against superior athletes, but it has yet to really manifest itself as a problem in his game.
5. Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
Strengths – Much like Giles-Harris, Fisher’s biggest strength is against the run and finding his way to the football. He topped 60 defensive stops in 2017, and had fewer than 10 missed tackles from 136 attempts.
Room to improve in 2018 – Fisher was a force against the run in his lone season of action in 2017, but coverage was a little behind, though far from a weakness in all but a couple of games. He needs a season of improvement in that area to catapult him up draft boards.
The full article is here below.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2019-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-top-5-at-every-position
